BCAA's - Favorite Brand?

dancedivine
dancedivine Posts: 18 Member
edited November 7 in Fitness and Exercise
Hey, guys!

I started weight-lifting earlier in the year & now I'm ready to take it up a notch... I understand that BCAA's can help me maintain muscle mass - especially when I'm watching my calorie intake & working out in a fasted state. I have a friend who sells Advocare & swears by the Catalyst product. But, that Advocare stuff is so overpriced!!! Anyways, I'm just curious to know if anyone has a BCAA brand that you swear by....? (Has anyone tried the Advocare Catalyst? Is it worth the price?)

Thanks a TON!!! :)

Replies

  • cvarilek
    cvarilek Posts: 6 Member
    I know someone that sells it and takes I think 9 a day. She swears by them.....And I can tell you just by looking at her it must work! VERY fit and tone( previously overweight and frumpy) also She's a beast when I've seen her workout. I know she uses some other products but I would have to ask her for sure what it all is.
  • kkneezle
    kkneezle Posts: 7 Member
    I use Xtend by Scivation and really enjoy it. Lemon Lime Sour and Strawberry Kiwi are both great but have read raving reviews about the Mango Nectar flavor (currently on backorder). Here is a link to Bodybuilding.com where you can check it out: http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/sv/xtend.html
    Personally I haven't tried Advocare's BCAA but seriously doubt it is worth the money when you compare the products (servings, taste, cost, etc.).

    Hope you like Xtend :)
  • Menix8
    Menix8 Posts: 210 Member
    Unless you're waiting to eat until hours after your workout, it's likely you don't need BCAA's. Have you read through the leangains guide?

    If you do decide you need them, definitely go for the powder. Taking all those pills gets old REAL fast. I like the Promera Sports brand. Their mandarin Gluta-Blast is so frickin' delicious.

    Edited to add I've also heard good things about Xtend by Scivation.
  • dancedivine
    dancedivine Posts: 18 Member
    Unless you're waiting to eat until hours after your workout, it's likely you don't need BCAA's. Have you read through the leangains guide?
    Now, what exactly is the leangains guide? It sounds like something I need to read....

    Oh, And thanks so much for the info, guys!!!! :)
  • Menix8
    Menix8 Posts: 210 Member

    Now, what exactly is the leangains guide? It sounds like something I need to read....

    Oh, And thanks so much for the info, guys!!!! :)

    Oooh, have fun reading this entire website. :) One of the best guides to fasting/lifting in the fasted state.
    http://www.leangains.com/2010/04/leangains-guide.html
  • dancedivine
    dancedivine Posts: 18 Member
    Thank you, @Menix8!!!

    Also.... Does anyone know anything about this brand? I like the fact that it's marketed for women.... NLA for Her - Her Aminos:

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F3G3VSY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AD2IKBEYOULXA
  • kelly_e_montana
    kelly_e_montana Posts: 1,999 Member
    I don't sell Advocare, but I do like the product (Catalyst).
  • Sam_I_Am77
    Sam_I_Am77 Posts: 2,093 Member
    The brand I'm most familiar with is Scivation's Xtend. There might be other good brands but this is why I like Scivation.

    - Clear label displaying exact amino quantity, doesn't hide behind a "proprietary blend" bull-****
    - Leucine is 3.5grams, which is good because 3grams of Leucine is required for muscle-protein syntesis. What't the point of taking an amino drink with 1.5gms or 2gms unless you take multiple servings and it becomes cost-ineffective.
    - Flavors are pretty bomb, lol
  • VegasFit
    VegasFit Posts: 1,232 Member
    I use Optimum Nutrition's brand.
  • bellaa_x0
    bellaa_x0 Posts: 1,062 Member
    I use Optimum Nutrition's brand.

    +1 for ON.. love their amino energy! i drink mine during my workouts
  • wilmnoca
    wilmnoca Posts: 416 Member
    Xtend by scivation is the best I've had! But I use bcaas twice a day and $23 bucks for a months supply plus my other supplements, I had to find a better price point. I've been using Optimum Nutrition BCAA's and they work just as well. So does Dymatize 50:50 bcaa. You get more for your money and those are brands I trust.
  • vs1023
    vs1023 Posts: 417 Member
    I just started Cellucor's BCAA - watermelon flavored. It tastes like a Jolly Rancher. I do think I have less muscle soreness, but I haven't been using it long to know if it's doing anything else.
  • trojan_bb
    trojan_bb Posts: 699 Member
    Xtend Scivation. It's the OG of BCAA's. cheap, tastes good.

    If you train fasted, then yes, BCAA's are a good idea. Make sure whatever BCAA mix you use has at least 3g of Leucine. Leucine is easily the most important amino and the one proven to trigger protein synthesis. 3g is the amount proven by clinical studies.
  • dancedivine
    dancedivine Posts: 18 Member
    Thanks, guys!!! I just put in my order for Scivation Xtend Nutritional Supplement, Mango Nectar. Around $24 on Amazon & free two-day shipping... You can't beat that! ;)
  • Sam_I_Am77
    Sam_I_Am77 Posts: 2,093 Member
    Xtend Scivation. It's the OG of BCAA's. cheap, tastes good.

    If you train fasted, then yes, BCAA's are a good idea. Make sure whatever BCAA mix you use has at least 3g of Leucine. Leucine is easily the most important amino and the one proven to trigger protein synthesis. 3g is the amount proven by clinical studies.

    Yup. Honestly, I don't know why anybody would take multiple servings throughout the day. If you're taking a Whey supplement not to mention eating lean protein sources, you're getting plenty of amino's in the protein. I think before and maybe during training is the optimal time for these. During training is debatable because MPS is shut-down during a contraction anyway.
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    I take Advanced Genetics' Ammo-8
  • ThePinkPanda
    ThePinkPanda Posts: 208 Member
    i like BPI's BCAA's
  • burtnyks
    burtnyks Posts: 124 Member
    MusclePharm Amino 1 in Cherry Limeade is amazing! There is a brand Bodystrong I think that is relatively cheap and its not too bad but I prefer MusclePharm.
  • spoiledpuppies
    spoiledpuppies Posts: 675 Member
    bumping for ideas since I'm in the market too!
  • SweatLikeDog
    SweatLikeDog Posts: 315 Member
    All the BCAA's you'll ever need are in meat of any kind. Supplement makers market this crap for pure profit. Spend your money on quality food.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    I use Modern BCAA. Also, for yumminess, there are BCAA's in muscle milk and the chocolate is so good!
  • redfisher1974
    redfisher1974 Posts: 614 Member
    Being in Canada I like the BCAA's from Canada Protein company, Good price and fast shipping etc.
  • trojan_bb
    trojan_bb Posts: 699 Member
    All the BCAA's you'll ever need are in meat of any kind. Supplement makers market this crap for pure profit. Spend your money on quality food.

    Maybe some people don't want to have a steak before their 5 AM FASTED workout. BCAA's work, pure and simple.
  • Raaneve
    Raaneve Posts: 692 Member
    *bump for later
  • cajuntank
    cajuntank Posts: 924 Member
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16365095

    Also...

    "Why: Low calorie protein source that stimulates protein synthesis, spikes plasma amino acid levels quickly, and provides nutrients that are preferentially metabolized by skeletal muscle instead of the liver and small intestine. Citrulline malate has been shown to also increase protein synthesis and offers some fatigue resistance." - Jordan Feigenbaum (if you don't know who this is, Google him)

    XTend is the bomb on taste.
  • SweatLikeDog
    SweatLikeDog Posts: 315 Member
    It's your money.
  • shor0814
    shor0814 Posts: 559 Member
    I use Purple Wraath. Purple Lemonade is an acquired taste for sure but you can find it cheap.
  • satisatisati
    satisatisati Posts: 260 Member
    dancedivine wrote: »
    Hey, guys!

    I started weight-lifting earlier in the year & now I'm ready to take it up a notch... I understand that BCAA's can help me maintain muscle mass - especially when I'm watching my calorie intake & working out in a fasted state. I have a friend who sells Advocare & swears by the Catalyst product. But, that Advocare stuff is so overpriced!!! Anyways, I'm just curious to know if anyone has a BCAA brand that you swear by....? (Has anyone tried the Advocare Catalyst? Is it worth the price?)

    Thanks a TON!!! :)

    Hi I am new to weight training. My gym coach suggested me to add a BCAA during my workout. I bought Scivation Xtend BCAA Grape escape.
    Could you please tell me its advantages and disadvantages.
  • monikker
    monikker Posts: 322 Member
    Sam_I_Am77 wrote: »
    Xtend Scivation. It's the OG of BCAA's. cheap, tastes good.

    If you train fasted, then yes, BCAA's are a good idea. Make sure whatever BCAA mix you use has at least 3g of Leucine. Leucine is easily the most important amino and the one proven to trigger protein synthesis. 3g is the amount proven by clinical studies.

    Yup. Honestly, I don't know why anybody would take multiple servings throughout the day. If you're taking a Whey supplement not to mention eating lean protein sources, you're getting plenty of amino's in the protein. I think before and maybe during training is the optimal time for these. During training is debatable because MPS is shut-down during a contraction anyway.

    Taking them at night before bed has been recommended since you'll be going so long without food. Especially if you're gonna do fasted workout the next morning, might not be a bad idea to have them with your shake before bed and then by themselves the next morning. At least, that's what I do.
  • monikker
    monikker Posts: 322 Member
    dancedivine wrote: »
    Thanks, guys!!! I just put in my order for Scivation Xtend Nutritional Supplement, Mango Nectar. Around $24 on Amazon & free two-day shipping... You can't beat that! ;)

    So far I've stuck with the cheap and unflavored (I mix with a pre-workout powder before fasted cardio). BodyTech has 66 servings for $27, although I can't remember if the ratio is 3:1:1, I think it may be. I just bought True Athlete because Vitamin Shoppe had a buy one get one half off deal. So I'm just looking for deals like that. I got 60 servings for $30 with that purchase and the ratio is 4:1:1. A lot of people have to have flavored since the pure BCAA tastes so gross. I completely understand, I just want the most bang for my buck so I'm willing to go through the taste issue. I'm gonna check out these recommendations here to see how the prices and serving amounts compare.
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