Favorite pre and post workout supplements?

2

Replies

  • FabianRodriguez94
    FabianRodriguez94 Posts: 221 Member
    For pre-workout, I use Wreckage by Musclepharm, no jitters or tingles but feel really pumped and focused. Try to save it for stressful days where motivation is low.

    For post, don't really use anything except some "Gainz" BCAA's, by musclepharm as well. Only use it when I am pretty low on protein for the day and do not have room for calories.
  • codsterlaing95
    codsterlaing95 Posts: 221 Member
    edited February 2016
    I'm sorry but OP has a lot of misconceptions, especially when it comes to nutrition/diet.

    You can blame the mainstream media for misleading people.
  • SteveJWatson
    SteveJWatson Posts: 1,225 Member
    There has been some recent studies that really put into play the actual nutrient timing of supplements for pre, during and post workouts. Surprisingly there are a ton of stuff out there but most of them may not play well with each other either. So much of it is the quality of supps. that leads to a higher absorption rate (what I am using happens to be 98%). The cheaper and lower quality it is, the lower the absorption rate. This basically means that you are creating a very expensive urine, lol. Pre workout supps are a great option to open up your blood flow, create better breathing capacity which will help with endurance and gain some extra energy to get through and boost your workouts. A great electrolyte and hydration drink during your workout is a major bonus too as it will keep fueling your muscles through it. Once the glycogen stores are exhausted your body will then start pulling fuel from your muscles. This is where you will see people plateau or take a step backwards in performance. The post workout is probably the most important portion to this all. You have literally just beat your body into submission and have literally torn your muscles to create larger regrowth. If you do not replace everything plus more from what you have just depleted in your body, it will then start to diminish itself. Timing may play more of a part in it then most people think. If you are taking most of the general population and looking at their workouts, they may not be as strenuous as an elite level athlete. An elite level athlete will certainly see the benefits of nutrient timing more so then the average joe. Now if you take the average joe, pump up their workout more then the average gym wanderer and introduce this great supplementation and nutrient timing, they will see huge gains and benefits. Our bodies are one big system, so to think that one supplement will create a massive harmony is false thinking. Our bodies need to be addressed in a systematic manner.

    My routine:
    Starts first thing in the morning by drinking minerals that deal with the cortisol levels (stresses) by use of adaptogens. Not only emotional but physical so this is huge for recovery and soreness.

    Pre workout - A natural energy booster shot (no artificial stimulants at all as its yerba mate and green tea based). Then a single drink blend of creatine (improves your performance and reduces fatigue), nitrosigine and citrulline (which support blood flow and maximize delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the working muscles).

    During workout - A hydration sports drink that has 100% RDA of Vitamin C plus a full B-Complex
    Glycogen blend of fast-absorbing carbs for performance. Also no artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners.

    Post workout - A supplement with branched-chain amino acids to help your muscles rebuild
    after exercise. I also mix this in with an undenatured whey protein (this is very different from a costco or GNC type) to boost my recovery process. At times I'll also use the minerals again for reduction of soreness and muscle stress.

    Now if you really want to turn it up, throw in a pre-workout shot to support nitric oxide production to help your muscles train harder and longer. Then during your work out if needing an immediate pick me up you can use a fuel pack that has a quick carb, sugar, BCAA load. The best thing about all the supps. I use is that they are completely all natural that way the body can break them down to absorb and utilize so they are not stored as fats or gone to waste.

    Please explain to me how an "energy booster" drink containing green tea is "natural", whereas, presumably coffee is not... Both come from plants and both contain caffeine as the active stimulant...

    Also; if you are going to insist on your diet being "natural", where do chemically refined/isolated vitamins and other suppliments fit with this?
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    I usually just sip BCAAs during my workout.

    If i'm having a REAL rough day i might drink a coffee, sugar free energy drink, etc. before my workout. I have to be really careful with this, however, as i have anxiety and this can trigger a panic attack and insomnia for me. I can't personally take any pre-workout supps without these side effects.

    Post workout i eat dinner. :)
  • Scamd83
    Scamd83 Posts: 808 Member
    If anyone is feeling the benefit of supplements then good for them. I'm definitely with the other side of that argument though. I've never felt any better for having supplements, except for this one time I tried a pre-workout that my gym was giving out samples of and I managed to do two hours of a full body session with minimal rest. But then I felt horribly ill later on. I use whey, but usually to mix in with cocoa and avocado or banana to create what I think is called a 'smoothie'? Post workout I usually have a 471 ml bottle of Frijj chocolate milk. Pre-workout coffee has the opposite effect for me, it makes me a bit dizzy and lethargic so I just keep coffee for well outside of pre/post workout windows.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I think for the most part these supplements are just marketing gimmicks...I do take a whey supplement pretty much everyday because I know that without it I'm not hitting my targets...other than that, I usually have an apple on the way to the gym and dinner shortly after I get home.
  • 883xlsportster
    883xlsportster Posts: 221 Member
    edited February 2016
    Pre - Black coffee & a dart.
    Post -ON Gold Standard with milk.
  • BLifts38
    BLifts38 Posts: 248 Member
    preworkout - cellucor c4 or cobra lab's the curse. poptarts if i'm bulking.
    post - food! or whey protein. bcaa's if i have them.

    This is interesting to me. I've taken both of these. I have found that C4 did absolutely NOTHING for me. It's very sugary.. and known to be a milder preworkout... whereas The Curse is known to be a stronger one.

    Do you this is the same for you?
  • SteveJWatson
    SteveJWatson Posts: 1,225 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    I think for the most part these supplements are just marketing gimmicks...I do take a whey supplement pretty much everyday because I know that without it I'm not hitting my targets...other than that, I usually have an apple on the way to the gym and dinner shortly after I get home.

    Is whey a supplement strictly speaking? Its just whats left after cheesemaking with the water taken out. It is to cheese what skimmed milk is to cream....more or less.
  • Wheelhouse15
    Wheelhouse15 Posts: 5,575 Member
    edited February 2016
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    I think for the most part these supplements are just marketing gimmicks...I do take a whey supplement pretty much everyday because I know that without it I'm not hitting my targets...other than that, I usually have an apple on the way to the gym and dinner shortly after I get home.

    Is whey a supplement strictly speaking? Its just whats left after cheesemaking with the water taken out. It is to cheese what skimmed milk is to cream....more or less.

    Yes it's a highly processed supplement, because whey powder isn't what you get after separating curds and whey in cheese making. It's a highly processed substance often acid bathed to further purify and denature it. If you want the real whey you are thinking about than what you'll want is quark or ricotta cheese.

    Note, I'm not demonizing processing, I use whey powder but I'm just pointing out that it's whey protein and not really whey per se.
  • bruhaha007
    bruhaha007 Posts: 333 Member
    I take a highly undenatured whey protein concentrate with minimal processing using low heat techniques. Isolates are highly processed so I recommend a really high quality whey protein concentrate over isolates.
  • Wheelhouse15
    Wheelhouse15 Posts: 5,575 Member
    edited February 2016
    bruhaha007 wrote: »
    I take a highly undenatured whey protein concentrate with minimal processing using low heat techniques. Isolates are highly processed so I recommend a really high quality whey protein concentrate over isolates.

    There are certainly advantages to a concentrate such as preservation of lactoferrin but it's not good for people with lactose intolerance. However, the rest of what you say sounds more like marketing tbh. It's still highly processed, not that is an issue for me but it's just the reality.

    Also, I believe bio availability is higher for isolates.
  • CFaulkner97
    CFaulkner97 Posts: 65 Member
    I have had much experience with many different preworkouts. I do agree with taking coffee but it personally makes me nauseous. I took c4 for the longest until I found Gold Standard's preworkout. This brand never fails me
  • _bellator_
    _bellator_ Posts: 50 Member
    Pre: C4 or EVP
    Intra: Scivation Xtend BCAAs
    Post: Glycoject
  • bruhaha007
    bruhaha007 Posts: 333 Member
    Thanks @_bellator_
  • SteveJWatson
    SteveJWatson Posts: 1,225 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    I think for the most part these supplements are just marketing gimmicks...I do take a whey supplement pretty much everyday because I know that without it I'm not hitting my targets...other than that, I usually have an apple on the way to the gym and dinner shortly after I get home.

    Is whey a supplement strictly speaking? Its just whats left after cheesemaking with the water taken out. It is to cheese what skimmed milk is to cream....more or less.

    Yes it's a highly processed supplement, because whey powder isn't what you get after separating curds and whey in cheese making. It's a highly processed substance often acid bathed to further purify and denature it. If you want the real whey you are thinking about than what you'll want is quark or ricotta cheese.

    Note, I'm not demonizing processing, I use whey powder but I'm just pointing out that it's whey protein and not really whey per se.

    I'm not demonising processing either. Loads of foods are "processed"....cheesemaking is a process, salting and curing is a process, grinding wheat or rolling oats are processes....

    I had mostly assumed that whey powder was what was left when you evaporated the water off. I am familiar with the "raw" product. We used to feed it to pigs back in the day (when regs allowed it).
  • Wheelhouse15
    Wheelhouse15 Posts: 5,575 Member
    edited February 2016
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    I think for the most part these supplements are just marketing gimmicks...I do take a whey supplement pretty much everyday because I know that without it I'm not hitting my targets...other than that, I usually have an apple on the way to the gym and dinner shortly after I get home.

    Is whey a supplement strictly speaking? Its just whats left after cheesemaking with the water taken out. It is to cheese what skimmed milk is to cream....more or less.

    Yes it's a highly processed supplement, because whey powder isn't what you get after separating curds and whey in cheese making. It's a highly processed substance often acid bathed to further purify and denature it. If you want the real whey you are thinking about than what you'll want is quark or ricotta cheese.

    Note, I'm not demonizing processing, I use whey powder but I'm just pointing out that it's whey protein and not really whey per se.

    I'm not demonising processing either. Loads of foods are "processed"....cheesemaking is a process, salting and curing is a process, grinding wheat or rolling oats are processes....

    I had mostly assumed that whey powder was what was left when you evaporated the water off. I am familiar with the "raw" product. We used to feed it to pigs back in the day (when regs allowed it).

    Concentrates (and perhaps milk protein concentrate to be more exact) are probably the equivalent of what you made before but concentrate is considered low quality in the supplement industry . Do the regs now see it as a biologically hazardous byproduct? Oddly enough that's what it is considered in yogurt making from my understanding.
  • cityruss
    cityruss Posts: 2,493 Member
    When I'm an elite level athlete who lives by marginal gains, and when a 00000.2% better recovery may be the difference between winning and losing I'll spend money on the latest SUPER XCITE ALPHA DOG ENHANCE V2.

    Until then I'll just eat and train, and occasionally snort some whey.
  • Azercord
    Azercord Posts: 573 Member
    I do absolutely nothing pre or post. I do intermittent fasting so I wake up, workout, and then wait another 4 hours before lunch. It did take some getting used to but I've had no ill affects because of it. I do have some BCAAs that I keep around for when I have a really heavy workout but other than that I just take a multi at lunch and whey for a snack.

    I agree that some supplements do work but even if they don't and its all in your head that is fine as well. The brain is a powerful tool and using that to your advantage can only be beneficial.
  • SteveJWatson
    SteveJWatson Posts: 1,225 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    I think for the most part these supplements are just marketing gimmicks...I do take a whey supplement pretty much everyday because I know that without it I'm not hitting my targets...other than that, I usually have an apple on the way to the gym and dinner shortly after I get home.

    Is whey a supplement strictly speaking? Its just whats left after cheesemaking with the water taken out. It is to cheese what skimmed milk is to cream....more or less.

    Yes it's a highly processed supplement, because whey powder isn't what you get after separating curds and whey in cheese making. It's a highly processed substance often acid bathed to further purify and denature it. If you want the real whey you are thinking about than what you'll want is quark or ricotta cheese.

    Note, I'm not demonizing processing, I use whey powder but I'm just pointing out that it's whey protein and not really whey per se.

    I'm not demonising processing either. Loads of foods are "processed"....cheesemaking is a process, salting and curing is a process, grinding wheat or rolling oats are processes....

    I had mostly assumed that whey powder was what was left when you evaporated the water off. I am familiar with the "raw" product. We used to feed it to pigs back in the day (when regs allowed it).

    Concentrates (and perhaps milk protein concentrate to be more exact) are probably the equivalent of what you made before but concentrate is considered low quality in the supplement industry . Do the regs now see it as a biologically hazardous byproduct? Oddly enough that's what it is considered in yogurt making from my understanding.


    No, it's more that since the foot and mouth epidemic in the early 2000s (in Britain), you cannot feed pigs anything that has been near a kitchen. You can probably get away with whey on a technicality as nothing is 'cooked' as such during cheesemaking, but I don't think farmers are willing to risk it (or risk admitting it)..
  • Wheelhouse15
    Wheelhouse15 Posts: 5,575 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    I think for the most part these supplements are just marketing gimmicks...I do take a whey supplement pretty much everyday because I know that without it I'm not hitting my targets...other than that, I usually have an apple on the way to the gym and dinner shortly after I get home.

    Is whey a supplement strictly speaking? Its just whats left after cheesemaking with the water taken out. It is to cheese what skimmed milk is to cream....more or less.

    Yes it's a highly processed supplement, because whey powder isn't what you get after separating curds and whey in cheese making. It's a highly processed substance often acid bathed to further purify and denature it. If you want the real whey you are thinking about than what you'll want is quark or ricotta cheese.

    Note, I'm not demonizing processing, I use whey powder but I'm just pointing out that it's whey protein and not really whey per se.

    I'm not demonising processing either. Loads of foods are "processed"....cheesemaking is a process, salting and curing is a process, grinding wheat or rolling oats are processes....

    I had mostly assumed that whey powder was what was left when you evaporated the water off. I am familiar with the "raw" product. We used to feed it to pigs back in the day (when regs allowed it).

    Concentrates (and perhaps milk protein concentrate to be more exact) are probably the equivalent of what you made before but concentrate is considered low quality in the supplement industry . Do the regs now see it as a biologically hazardous byproduct? Oddly enough that's what it is considered in yogurt making from my understanding.


    No, it's more that since the foot and mouth epidemic in the early 2000s (in Britain), you cannot feed pigs anything that has been near a kitchen. You can probably get away with whey on a technicality as nothing is 'cooked' as such during cheesemaking, but I don't think farmers are willing to risk it (or risk admitting it)..

    Ahh ok that's something I hadn't heard about coming from that outbreak. What's the alternative they are using? I'm guessing it's more expensive.
  • Tedebearduff
    Tedebearduff Posts: 1,155 Member
    bruhaha007 wrote: »
    I take creatine and nitric oxide prior to my workout and BCAA's/protein powder within 30 minutes after. Curious what others are taking and is producing results for you?

    I love wasting money on supplements!!!

    Currently for pre workout I take a ECA stack and normally have a large coffee before that

    Pre workouts I currently have, but am not taking cause of the ECA are

    5% 5150
    Hyde (my favorite!)
    PPK

    Intra workout

    AllMax BCAA's
    I add in Beta Alanine and Arginine 3 and 5 grams of each

    Post
    10 grams glutamine
    5 grams Creatine
    1 TBS chia seeds
    1 scoop of whey

    I have allot of different wheys also, Kaizen, Body Logix, Mutant Pro 100 - Mutant Pro 100 is my favorite, by far the best tasting I've ever had!

    Told you I like to waste my money on supps ;)
  • natlierees
    natlierees Posts: 31 Member
    Hi I take BCAA because I am vegetarian 10g pre/during workout. Sometime I use PHD VMX pre-workout but only for cardio HIIT and Tabata. I usually just have something to eat before I lift a balanced protein & Carb and I drink a Whey shake post workout
  • Wheelhouse15
    Wheelhouse15 Posts: 5,575 Member
    bruhaha007 wrote: »
    I take creatine and nitric oxide prior to my workout and BCAA's/protein powder within 30 minutes after. Curious what others are taking and is producing results for you?

    I love wasting money on supplements!!!

    Currently for pre workout I take a ECA stack and normally have a large coffee before that

    Pre workouts I currently have, but am not taking cause of the ECA are

    5% 5150
    Hyde (my favorite!)
    PPK

    Intra workout

    AllMax BCAA's
    I add in Beta Alanine and Arginine 3 and 5 grams of each

    Post
    10 grams glutamine
    5 grams Creatine
    1 TBS chia seeds
    1 scoop of whey

    I have allot of different wheys also, Kaizen, Body Logix, Mutant Pro 100 - Mutant Pro 100 is my favorite, by far the best tasting I've ever had!

    Told you I like to waste my money on supps ;)

    I was in the same boat years ago. Then one day I was cleaning out my cupboards and threw away about $1500 in suppliments that I never used. Yeah, that was an eye opener and now I'm using only whey and creatine and my gains are better than ever so it proved to me I was wasting my money in a huge way. :anguished:
  • SteveJWatson
    SteveJWatson Posts: 1,225 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    I think for the most part these supplements are just marketing gimmicks...I do take a whey supplement pretty much everyday because I know that without it I'm not hitting my targets...other than that, I usually have an apple on the way to the gym and dinner shortly after I get home.

    Is whey a supplement strictly speaking? Its just whats left after cheesemaking with the water taken out. It is to cheese what skimmed milk is to cream....more or less.

    Yes it's a highly processed supplement, because whey powder isn't what you get after separating curds and whey in cheese making. It's a highly processed substance often acid bathed to further purify and denature it. If you want the real whey you are thinking about than what you'll want is quark or ricotta cheese.

    Note, I'm not demonizing processing, I use whey powder but I'm just pointing out that it's whey protein and not really whey per se.

    I'm not demonising processing either. Loads of foods are "processed"....cheesemaking is a process, salting and curing is a process, grinding wheat or rolling oats are processes....

    I had mostly assumed that whey powder was what was left when you evaporated the water off. I am familiar with the "raw" product. We used to feed it to pigs back in the day (when regs allowed it).

    Concentrates (and perhaps milk protein concentrate to be more exact) are probably the equivalent of what you made before but concentrate is considered low quality in the supplement industry . Do the regs now see it as a biologically hazardous byproduct? Oddly enough that's what it is considered in yogurt making from my understanding.


    No, it's more that since the foot and mouth epidemic in the early 2000s (in Britain), you cannot feed pigs anything that has been near a kitchen. You can probably get away with whey on a technicality as nothing is 'cooked' as such during cheesemaking, but I don't think farmers are willing to risk it (or risk admitting it)..

    Ahh ok that's something I hadn't heard about coming from that outbreak. What's the alternative they are using? I'm guessing it's more expensive.

    Milled feeds only now. Most likely soya and other bean meal for protein content.
  • Cryren8972
    Cryren8972 Posts: 142 Member
    edited February 2016
    Juice Plus Complete shakes....they are amazing fuel, and they reduce oxidative stress along with uric acid levels. I have little to no soreness after a workout.
    I take Juice Plus Capsules every day as well...over 20 fruits and veggies (whole foods) in a capsule. Fantastic product!
    Used by many Olympic athletes.
  • ClubSilencio
    ClubSilencio Posts: 2,983 Member
    Pre: Water, bananas
    Post: Food

  • cityruss
    cityruss Posts: 2,493 Member
    Cryren8972 wrote: »
    Juice Plus Complete shakes....they are amazing fuel, and they reduce oxidative stress along with uric acid levels. I have little to no soreness after a workout.
    I take Juice Plus Capsules every day as well...over 20 fruits and veggies (whole foods) in a capsule. Fantastic product!
    Used by many Olympic athletes.

    How do you swallow something so big?

    Notsrs.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    Cryren8972 wrote: »
    Juice Plus Complete shakes....they are amazing fuel, and they reduce oxidative stress along with uric acid levels. I have little to no soreness after a workout.
    I take Juice Plus Capsules every day as well...over 20 fruits and veggies (whole foods) in a capsule. Fantastic product!
    Used by many Olympic athletes.

    I am sure that is what is promoted, but I highly doubt that is reality. Dosage is a huge thing. So they could put trace amounts of 20 fruits and veggies, but I guarantee you that by dosage, it is no where near that. Also, that is no different than the shakeology pitch.
  • Wheelhouse15
    Wheelhouse15 Posts: 5,575 Member
    psulemon wrote: »
    Cryren8972 wrote: »
    Juice Plus Complete shakes....they are amazing fuel, and they reduce oxidative stress along with uric acid levels. I have little to no soreness after a workout.
    I take Juice Plus Capsules every day as well...over 20 fruits and veggies (whole foods) in a capsule. Fantastic product!
    Used by many Olympic athletes.

    I am sure that is what is promoted, but I highly doubt that is reality. Dosage is a huge thing. So they could put trace amounts of 20 fruits and veggies, but I guarantee you that by dosage, it is no where near that. Also, that is no different than the shakeology pitch.

    No, it's just a HUGE capsule! ;)