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Bodybuilding Supplements |
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 Sports and Bodybuilding puts an incredible amount of stress on the body, creating special needs that must be met through using supplements designed for your personal goals. With proper nutrition and quality supplements, any athlete can take his or her game (or physique) to the next level! |
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Training Supplements for Bodybuilding
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- Protein: Protein is one of the three macronutrients and the building material for muscle and other cell structures in the body. Vital for cell growth, maintenance, and repair, protein is a necessary staple for any bodybuilder or athlete. Protein is available in a variety of supplement formulations to fit any goal (bodybuilding, weight loss etc.).
- Weight gainers: These protein shakes usually contain more total calories, with a high carbohydrate and protein content, and a low fat content. These shakes are designed to provide a large amount of calories with the right balance of macronutrients. These supplements are best if your bodybuilding goal is to gain weight in the form of muscle. Supplements to try: CYTOSPORT CytoGainer, EAS Mass Factor, OPTIMUM NUTRITION Serious Mass and TWINLAB Super Gainers Fuel
- MRPs (meal replacement powders) and protein bars: Meal Replacement Products generally contain a moderate amount of carbohydrates and proteins, and a low amount of fat. Designed to be eaten in place of a meal, they also contain vitamins and minerals. These supplements are best if you're a busy bodybuilder or athlete, the convenience of a meal replacement can’t be beat. Supplements to try: CHAMPION NUTRITION Ultramet, EAS Myoplex Deluxe, LABRADA Lean Body Bar Gold, NATURE'S BEST Isopure Meal Replacement, GENISOY Soy Protein Shake, LABRADA Lean Body Instant Breakfast Shake, ORGANIC FOOD BAR Active Green Bar and SOUTH BEACH DIET Meal Replacement Bar
- Low carb shakes and bars: Low carb protein shakes and bars contain a low amount of carbs and fat, and a moderate-to-high amount of protein. These supplements are great if your bodybuilding goal is to lose fat (pre-contest). Supplements to try: EAS AdvantEdge Carb Control Bar, LABRADA Lean Body Carb-Watchers Shake, ATKINS Advantage Bar, EAS AdvantEdge Carb Control Ready to Drink, EAS Myoplex Lite Bar
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- Carbohydrates: The main sources of fuel for the body are carbohydrates, one of the three macronutrients. Carbohydrates take two forms: simple sugars such as fruit juice provide quick energy; complex carbohydrates such as those found oatmeal provide sustained, lasting energy. Optimal sports performance for bodybuilding or any other sport needs constant supplementation of carbohydrates for energy.
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- Energy bars: Energy bars provide carbohydrates and protein for quick or lasting energy before during or after bodybuilding. Products with simple carbohydrates and minimal protein are best for providing quick energy for short bursts of intense activity, bodybuilding or otherwise. Products with simple and complex carbohydrates and 15+ grams of protein per serving will provide more prolonged energy for endurance sports activities. Depending on your bodybuilding goal, you will need both simple and complex carbohydrates to achieve a proper balance in your nutrition. Supplements to try: Balance Bar, Clif Bar, Promax Bar, Pure Protein Bar, Luna Bar, Atkins Advantage Bar
- Energy gels: These gels are packed with simple sugars and sometimes contain caffeine for an extra energy boost. Usually available in small, single serving packages, energy gels provide quick fuel for endurance athletes and bodybuilders. Energy gels are recommended for intense activity lasting more than 1 hour, or moderate activity lasting 2 or more hours. Supplements to try: GU Energy Gel, POWERBAR Power Gel, CLIF BAR Clif Shot
- Sports drinks: These drinks restore fluids and electrolytes, and provide simple sugars for quick energy. Sports drinks are recommended for intense activity lasting more than 1 hour, or moderate activity lasting 2 or more hours. Supplements to try: VPX SPORTS Redline, PACIFIC HEALTH Accelerade
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- Muscle Growth and Recovery: These formulas are commonly taken in addition to protein to help promote anabolic (muscle-building) activity within the body. These supplements / formulas can help advance your bodybuilding goals.
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- Creatine: A non-protein amino acid manufactured by the body in the liver, kidneys and pancreas. Creatine helps volumize the muscles, and helps boost exercise performance in activities requiring short bursts of intense activity. Creatine has also been shown to help recovery from sports and bodybuilding activites, both speeding muscle repair and easing pain and soreness. Supplements to try: EAS Betagen, MMUSA ATP PLus Glucosamine Creatine Serum, BSN Cellmass, MUSCLETECH Cell Tech Hardcore
- Glutamine: The most abundant amino acid in the body, L-glutamine is mainly manufactured and stored in skeletal muscle. Glutamine has been shown to help prevent muscle catabolism (the breakdown of muscle for energy), help promote anabolic activity, and possibly reduce the impact of overtraining syndrome on the immune system. For this reason, glutamine is of particular interest to those engaged in intense bodybuilding and sports activities. Supplements to try: L-Glutamine powder by EAS, NOW L-Glutamine (500mg) and PROLAB NUTRITION Glutamine Powder
- Amino acids: The body uses amino acids to construct proteins for building muscle and other needs. If the body does not have essential amino acids available from the diet when needed, it will break down its own muscle tissue. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA's) are popular with bodybuilding athletes and strength trainers for their anti-catabolic properties, and possible glycogen sparing activity. Supplements to try: UNIVERSAL NUTRITION BCAA Stack, OPTIMUM NUTRITION Superior Amino 2222, TWINLAB Amino Fuel 1000 or TWINLAB Amino Fuel 2000
- Arginine alpha-ketogluarate (AAKG): Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate helps boost NO (nitric oxide) production, which increases blood flow. It is believed that the increase in blood flow also helps carry more nutrients and oxygen to muscles to promote anabolic activity and increased energy when bodybuilding or engaging in intense sports activities. Supplements to try: BSN No Xplode, PINNACLE NoX2 - Myodilator, CYTOSPORT Fast Twitch, FIZOGEN BLITZ Cycle, FIZOGEN BLAST Cycle
- Juven: Juven contains a patented blend of three key ingredients - arginine, glutamine and HMB - that work together to minimize muscle breakdown and rebuild muscle tissue Juven's three key ingredients work together to target metabolic problems associated with loss of lean body mass. Arginine & glutamine support protein synthesis, the immune system and cell function; HMB minimizes tissue breakdown and maximizes muscle membrane integrity. Together, these three ingredients rejuvenate muscle. As such, this new technology has emerged as an essential addition to anyone engaged in bodybuilding or intense sports activities. Supplement to try: EAS Muscle Armor
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Pre-contest Support Formulas |
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The last few weeks before a bodybuilding contest are when the final touches are applied. The focal points during these final weeks are fat loss, water loss and removing unsightly hair. The goal is maximum definition, and there are an abundance of products / supplements that can help achieve this. |
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- Thermogenic stimulants: Thermogenics are weight loss supplements that work to increase metabolism, causing the body to burn more calories while boosting energy. Many thermogenics also help suppress appetite. Look for supplements that contain synephrine (a.k.a Citrus aurantium or bitter orange), caffeine, guarana, kola nut, green tea, or yerba mate. Supplements to try: EAS Thermo DynamX, ISATORI Lean System 7, NVE PHARMACEUTICALS Stacker 2 - Ephedra Free, SAN Tight - Ephedrine Free, TWINLAB Ripped Fuel - Ephedra Free
- Thermogenic thyroid regulators: Thyroid regulators help support the thyroid gland, which plays an important role in metabolism regulation. People engaged in sports or bodybuilding activities should look for supplements that contain 7-keto DHEA (7-oxo-dehydroepiandrosterone) or guggulsterones. Supplements to try: NOW 7-Keto, SOURCE NATURALS 7-Keto DHEA Metabolite, ERGO PHARM ErgoLean AMP, SAN T3, SYNTRAX Guggul Bolic Extreme and VPX SPORTS Redline
- Blood Sugar Regulators: Blood sugar regulators help to moderate the release of insulin or stabilize blood sugar levels, reducing appetite and cravings and leading to fat loss. Look for supplements that contain gymnema, glucomannan, or chromium>. Supplements to try:
NATURE'S WAY Gymnema - Standardized Extract,
NATURE'S WAY Glucomannan,
NOW Chromium Picolinate,
TWINLAB Chromic Fuel
- Pyruvate: A form of pyruvic acid, pyruvate is synthesized in the body and consumed in food. Pyruvate assists in the production of ATP, an important biological energy source, and has been shown in studies to significantly increase fat loss when paired with exercise and a healthy diet. Animal studies show that pyruvate may increase metabolism and reduce insulin resistance. Additional research finds indicate that pyruvate may also increase exercise endurance, further helping to promote fat loss. Consumption of products with pyruvate will aid in achieving your bodybuilding goals. Supplements to try: NOW Pyruvate, NATURAL BALANCE Calcium Pyruvate
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- Water loss: Supplements that relieve water retention, called diuretics, can be a pre-contest lifesaver for those who take part in bodybuilding competitions. Water retention can hide hard-won muscular striations and vascularity, and these formulas cause the body to temporarily shed excess water. Diuretics should not be used longer than a few days at a time. Supplements to try: ABSOLUTE NUTRITION Watershed, and MUSCLETECH Hardcore Shredded Stack
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