Group: Health Supplements

Created: 2012/01/01, Members: 102, Messages: 16613

Supplements can be a great aid with your health and fitness goals. Combined with the proper exercise and nutritional plan they can be quite effective.

Join group

Supplements for Beginners

ARodeoBoy
ARodeoBoy
Posts: 2
Joined: 2002/11/25
United States
2003/02/20, 09:14 AM
Here's a question that may be address somewhere on the site, but not sure where to find it. If anyone has any advice on the matter, drop me a line (caphillmassage@yahoo.com).

I'm 34 and trying to gain some muscle mass (particularly in my upper body). I'm in good aerobic shape and I'm currently training for a 330 mile bike ride June 19-22. This creates a slight problem since the cardio I do fights with the mass building I want to accomplish.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what types of supplements I should consider taking to increase muscle mass. I currently have just one protein shake a day and take a multi-vitamin.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.
Carivan
Carivan
Posts: 8,542
Joined: 2002/01/20
Canada
2003/02/20, 04:58 PM
You can also add creatine supplement into your program.
Where is this bike ride?

--------------
Nothing is too small to know, and nothing is too big to attempt!

Ivan Montreal Canada
bb1fit
bb1fit
Posts: 11,105
Joined: 2001/06/30
United States
2003/02/20, 08:30 PM
Protein is supplement number 1! Under that, L-Glutamine and Creatine can really help your endurance and recovery capabilities. Don't settle for just any whey protein either. Your choice should be a multi-species protein. Whey is just absosrbed "whey" too fast for anything other than post workout. Whey can be one of the biggest ripoffs in the industry. Some companies use dairy whey, which is almost straight lactose. Some a little better called whey protein concentrate, and this could be as little as 25% protein and 52% lactose. It is cheap, tastes good, and can legally be labeled whey protein concentrate. A 30% whey protein concentrate or 80% whey protein concentrate will show the same on the label. Why do companies do this?? Profit margin! Sorry, got on my soapbox about proteins, but you do get what you pay for.

--------------
Failing to plan is like planning to fail!
Carivan
Carivan
Posts: 8,542
Joined: 2002/01/20
Canada
2003/02/20, 09:15 PM
bb1fit whats your opinion on whey isolate?

--------------
Nothing is too small to know, and nothing is too big to attempt!

Ivan Montreal Canada
bb1fit
bb1fit
Posts: 11,105
Joined: 2001/06/30
United States
2003/02/20, 10:06 PM
The highest quality whey proteins are hydrolysates and isolates. Look at the list of ingredients....WPC should not be first. If it says it contains whey, look to see what type. Also, look for the words "natual sweetners". It is a disguise for sugar. Hydrolisate is your best.

--------------
Failing to plan is like planning to fail!
Carivan
Carivan
Posts: 8,542
Joined: 2002/01/20
Canada
2003/02/20, 10:18 PM
The only thing I dislike aboutthe protien I use is the sucralose! I hate the taste of that stuff.

--------------
Nothing is too small to know, and nothing is too big to attempt!

Ivan Montreal Canada
ARodeoBoy
ARodeoBoy
Posts: 2
Joined: 2002/11/25
United States
2003/02/21, 10:25 AM
Thanks for the advice, gentlemen. It's much appreciated. I'll work on the protein increase this weekend.

I read some of the info here on creatine. I'm aware that some suggest loading and some say it's a waste. Thoughts? If loading, at my weight (about 156) what should I be taking? (I read the long article on one of the boards, but the table it refered to was not included in the post...)

And last but not least, where's the best place to buy supplements? GNC seems a bit pricey. What about online?

The bike ride is the Tour de Friends from Raligh, NC to Washington, DC.
bb1fit
bb1fit
Posts: 11,105
Joined: 2001/06/30
United States
2003/02/21, 11:48 AM
Online is best...forget GNC. You pay even more for a storefront and for salesclerks that don't know the difference between protein and carbohydrates! For starters, my favorite is www.vitaglo.com. They have everything, and has never taken longer than 3 days to get to me(maybe once, they were backordered on somethng), but this is not usually the case. You will get many more recommendations by others, find the one you like best and use it.

--------------
Failing to plan is like planning to fail!
ageis
ageis
Posts: 198
Joined: 2002/10/25
United States
2003/02/21, 08:34 PM
www.netrition.com (NY)

takes 2 days sharp for any product to arrive at my doorstep because it's close to where I live. Try finding a dependable online store that's close to where you live to cut shipping days shorter.

--------------
MOO!
connolley
connolley
Posts: 38
Joined: 2003/02/05
United States
2003/02/26, 09:44 PM
Don't forget regular old fashioned vitamins. I like a multi-pack with B-Complex, C , D, K and Minerals. You might want to read more about ZMA. SOme people like it and some don't.