Powerhouse Supplements

NOW Foods Creatine Powder

noreply@blogger.com (BJ Green) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 08:54:00 PST

"Sports Supplement: Creatine is a naturally occurring compound in muscle tissue and functions as an energy reservoir to maintain optimal levels of ATP production during intense exercise. Creatine may be especially useful for those doing short-term, intense (anaerobic) exercise, such as weight lifting, football, basketball, swimming, skiing, and cycling "

Recommend: As a dietary supplement, mix 1 heaping teaspoon in fruit juice or other sweetened liquid 4 to 6 times daily, before and after exercise, for the first 7 days. Thereafter, for maintenance use, consume 1 to 3 times daily. Allow 3 to 4 hours between doses.

Does Not Contain: yeast, wheat, corn, soy, milk, additives, preservatives.

Serving Size: 1 tsp.

Axis Lab - Myodrol

noreply@blogger.com (BJ Green) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 08:06:00 PST

Advanced Testosterone Modulator. Increase Testosterone Levels. Reduce DHT Conversion. Ability to Suppress Estradiol. Clinically Proven Effects. Results in as little as 3 Days. Serenoa Repens. Haematococcus. Pluvialis. The key ingredient in Axis Labs Myodrol is shown in a published human clinical study to increase testosterone levels in healthy men up to 60%. Testosterone is vital for muscle mass, strength, energy, libido, mood and overallhealth. Men with low testosterone are at greater risk for cardivascular disease, low bone mineral density, and even increased mortality rates. Take control of your testosterone and start supplementing with Axis Labs Myodrol today. Could you benefit from a 60% increase in testosterone? As men age, testosterone levels naturally begin to decrease at a rapid rate. Odds are you are one of the millions of men are suffering from low testosterone and the negative effects associated with it. Low testosterone can lead to decreased libido, fatigue, depression and loss of motivation. More importantly, if you are an athlete, testosterone is vital for muscle repair and function. If you goal is to build a sexier, more muscular physique, then you know that sufficient testosterone levels are essential for building mass and getting lean. The solution is Myodrol Axis Labs understands why elevated testosterone levels are so vital to your ultimate success. This motivated us to bring you the groundbreaking Myodrol Advanced Testosterone Modulator. Unbelieveably, the primary compound in Myodrol has been clinically proven to increase testosterone 60%. But that's not all, Myodrol simultaneously decreases DHT and Estadiol. These "spin off" hormones typically increase in response to elevated levels of testosterone. However, these hormones elicit unwanted effects in the body. Two notorious examples are male pattern baldness, and increased fatty deposits around the abdominals and pecs. Simply put; helping control DHT and Estradiol, Myodrol safely increases testosterone.

Animal Pak

noreply@blogger.com (BJ Green) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:51:00 PST

I don't think many people really understand what Animal Paks are. A friend of mine once described them as
"Like, the closest thing to steroids you can buy legally." Others, in online reviews talk about pump, intensity, and focus. I say bullcrap to all of it.

What Animal Paks REALLY are is a mega pack of vitamins. It's like a one-a-day gone totally nuts.
Each pack has about 15 vitamins...and yes, some of them are horse-pill sized monsters.
I think the hype about this product is garbage...not from the folks who make it as much as the people
who write reviews that are complete bunk.

That being said, I'm a huge believer in this product, and I love using it. Why?
Several reasons.
First, the general feeling of well-being is great. When I consistently take Animal Paks, I just generally
feel better. No surprise there: I'm getting a ton of vitamins and minerals. We all feel better when we work out
consistently; Animal Paks just add to that. I feel healthier, less run down, more alert and awake at school,
and I feel that my recovery is better after a work out. Why? No magic mojo. Just the simple fact that I'm giving
my body a ton of good things to rebuild with. I want my diet to be better, certainly, but some days that just isn't
doable. Animal Pak helps pick up the slack. Note that it's not a REPLACEMENT for a good diet though.

Also, I feel that I do get better sleep from the ZMA complex in the Paks, and that my immune system works a little
better overall. Again, no magic mojo, just good sense. The right nutrition is important and I feel that Animal Paks
help me with that.

I work out often and I really enjoy it. Animal Paks definitely help me get towards a more healthy lifestyle...
and Amazon really has the best prices and reputation anywhere. There's not magic pill to getting ripped, and Animal Paks aren't boosters, protein replacements, or steroids. They're just awesomely souped up multi-vites that I really like.

Scivation Xtend Explosion Weight Loss Formula

noreply@blogger.com (BJ Green) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:33:00 PDT

Scivation Xtend the most advanced sugar and carbohydrate-free intra-workout catalyst, scientifically formulated to maximize training intensity and promote optimal muscle protein synthesis and recovery while you train. Xtend is formulated with a precise pentactive blend of actives, synergistically involved in key cellular processed to optimize muscle performance and response. Research validated 2:1:1 ration of the branched chain amino acids (BCAAs), L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine, and L-Valine to stimulate and support muscle protein synthesis and promote metabolic energy while you train. Glutamine to promote muscle intracellular BCAA metabolism down to the correct energy and protein synthesis pathways via the BCAA aminotransferase enzyme. The rate-limiting cofactor Vitamin B6 to ensure optimal BCAA aminotransferase reactions. Bonded Citrulline Malate to help facilitate rapid ATP turnover and lactate reabsorption to support higher training volumes at a given exercise intensity.

This is nearly the same as the old formula, but electrolytes have been added, and the B vitamin ratios have been adjusted. New flavors have been added as well, and the Watermelon Madness and Apple are absolutely tasty--stuff I would drink for the heck of it. It also seems that is mixes a little better than the old formula, and the dosage is slightly different (you get more per serving, so the tub is a better deal overall). I highly recommend it for people already sold on Xtend, and for those not sold on it go read more on the message boards.

USP Labs Jack3d Fruit Punch, 250-gram

noreply@blogger.com (BJ Green) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 07:32:00 PDT

Like having tons of energy, strength, stamina and endurane for your workouts? Who doesn’t? There's nothing like the right combinaton of compounds taken pre-workout to deliver consistently mind-blowing workouts to help you achieve your goal. After all, if your workouts suck, you can all but forget about making killer progress anytime soon. USP Labs Jack3d gives you the mad aggressive desire and ability to lift more weight, pump out more reps and have crazy lasting energy, along with sick muscle-engorging pumps. Jack3d is easily the most intense pre-workout product you will ever want to use again. The amount of energy anf focus is perfect, pumps and vascularity will be out of control, but most importantly you will feel great throughout your entire workout. No crash, no bloat, no headaches, no blown workouts.

Like a lot of other folks here, I've used a fair number of pre-workout/NO type supplements, and Jack3d is absolutely the best one I've used. Most recently I've just been using a 200 mg caffeine tab before workouts, which works nicely and inexpensively to keep up energy and intensity. Fair to say, I'm probably pretty tolerant to caffeine at this point, and I can tell when a supplement just packs in a ton of caffeine and calls it an 'energy' supplement. Jack3d is something different, from some basic research it only has maybe 66 mgs of caffeine in it per scoop, and most use 1-2 scoops and feel dramatic effects. That's maybe 1.5-2 cups of coffee worth of caffeine (not a lot, really). However, the interesting ingredient with Jack3d is 1,3 Dimethylamylamine - something relatively new to the weightlifting/weight loss market. It's said (again, doing basic research here) that it increases energy, mood, cognitive function, concentration, aggression, and metabolism, amongst other things. All I know is makes for a fine pre-workout supplement in Jack3d. Amazing workouts, incredible stamina, and (interestingly) it seems like the pain and burn of the high intensity sets you are doing just doesn't register nearly as much as it would normally. One reviewer stated you almost need to force yourself to leave the gym, and I'd agree with that statement. Use it in moderation, start with a low dose, and enjoy some of the best workouts you've probably had in a long time. My one complain - it has a very bitter, positively awful taste and smell - but at least it's a small amount of powder so you can get it over with like a shot. Worth it!

Optimum Nutrition Platinum Hydro Whey

noreply@blogger.com (BJ Green) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 06:17:00 PDT

The main difference between this product and most other whey protein supplements is that the protein in this is made ONLY out of whey protein isolates. Nearly all of the more popular and cheaper protein supplements contain a blend of whey protein concentrate (a lesser quality protein than isolate, contains cholesterol, absorbed slower than isolate) with some whey isolates thrown in.

You can check if a protein supplement has whey protein concentrate mixed in by checking the nutrition label and seeing if it contains cholesterol, or if whey protein concentrate is in the ingredients.

Whey protein concentrate is still a good protein source, the point that I want to get across is that this product is more expensive because it contains only whey protein isolates which is a higher quality protein and thus more expensive. You can do a Google search to compare whey isolate versus concentrate.

I've been using this product for nearly 2 months and I must say that it is the best (and most expensive) protein supplement I've ever used. It is low in calories/fat, has a generous amount of BCAAs, and 30 grams of protein. It mixes flawlessly with my shaker bottle. I got the chocolate hydro whey flavor, which tastes awesome. I normally don't care how a supplement tastes, but I actually enjoy drinking this stuff.

There is not one supplement out there that will generate dramatic results by itself, and this product is no exception. However, in the past 2 months I have put on some lean mass, and this product has helped with that. The best way to get the results you want is through diet, being consistent with your fitness, and getting good amount of sleep. Having a good protein supplement helps with the diet part.

BSN Syntha-6 Protein Powder

noreply@blogger.com (BJ Green) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 06:44:00 PDT

I wont comment on the protein quality. I think that has been said and proven so many times. Besides, I have only taken it for several days so I don't have any real elements for judgement.

I am going to say only that those 5 stars are for the unreal excellent flavor. This is serious. I don't know how certain people can say the double rich chocolate from Optimum Nutrition is excellent. I mean, with milk one can consider it drinkable, maybe good, but not close to excellent.

This one is. Even with water it has a great flavor. I think the kit is that it has milk powder on it, and one serving (much bigger than the usual whey scoop) has 200 calories. I recently bought a optimum nutrition's vanilla Ice cream 10.37pounds bag of whey and now i don't even want to drink it, and i rated it 5 stars but that was only before i tried this one.

All that comes at a price because a serving of syntha-6 is more than twice the price of most whey proteins on the market, but in my opinion it is worth every penny. I don't think I will be ordering any other protein powder anymore.

Also, sustained released protein like Syntha-6 (casein among others) is the way to go if you are in a caloric deficit regime (dieting to lose fat) as it is better preventing muscle catabolism than whey, as it keeps the body with a proper nitrogen balance for a longer time). Be careful who you take nutrition advice from, take what i say with a grain of salt. Google casein protein and confirm it.

Muscletech Nitro-Tech Hardcore

noreply@blogger.com (BJ Green) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 06:34:00 PDT

I have tried many different protein supplements over the years and Nitro-tech is the best that I have used, by far. I noticed that several people have complained about the taste and that it is undrinkable. That is nonsense. It goes down very smoothly and has never felt heavy in my stomach, and there is no aftertaste. The serving size is one scoop which I typically mix with 8-10 ounces of water. It is not thick at all, or the least bit chalky. The directions say 4-8 ounces of water. If you are using 4 ounces and find it too thick, add more water. Simple. The extra water sure isn't going to hurt you.

I don't understand people complaining about the taste. I'm not going to say it tastes great, but it does not taste bad at all. I guess I would consider the taste mild. Maybe some people expect it to taste sweet like a milk shake. Better taste comes at a cost, and that cost is calories. I have tried some proteins supplements that tasted great, only to find out it took 5x the calories to get the same amount of protein. Definitely not worth it. Seriously 500 calories vs 100 calories. That was ridiculous. This protein is streamlined to give you the most benefit in the fewest calories. The taste is pleasant, but it's not something that I would sit around sipping on. You need to think about why you are taking it. I'm guessing results. If you are looking for a refreshing, tasty drink, there are better options. If you are looking for an great protein supplement you would be hard pressed to find a better one.

Here are some suggestions if you find it to chalky:
* Use a blender. 2 seconds max is all it takes to mix thoroughly.
* Use more water. I use 8-10 ounces.
* Remember that it's a protein supplement and not a strawberry milkshake.
* Drink immediately after mixing. If it sits for any length of time the powder starts to settle, then it does get a bit chalky.

These apply to any supplements I drink, not just this one. I personally don't find a significant difference in taste in any of the top quality supplements. All I can say is that when you find something that works, you stick with it. After trying many supplements over the years, this is what I have stuck with.