Archive for the ‘Workouts’ Category
Heard About Protein Shots?
Did you know there was a such thing as Protein Shots?
As a part of my everyday gym routine I walk into the kitchen and lug out my giant, bulk container of protein. I scoop out a portion into my shaker cup, trying to spill as little as possible, and then I mix it with either milk or water. Next I have to shake it like I am mad at it until all the powder and liquid attempt to meld into one another. When my arm is sore, I stop shaking and inevitably there are still clumps floating around in the top of my drink. Discouraged but ready to hit the gym I drink half and carry the other half with me to put in the locker room. I have done this same process for countless years. I have made too many messes to count and washed or bought several of my shaker cups.
Sound inconvenient? Well, it is. Or, it used to be. One of my gym friends recently introduced me to an IDS (Innovative Delivery Systems) product, Liquid protein shots.
Give em a shot. A protein SHOT!
There are 42 grams of protein contained in 12 easy to use vials. No more messes, No more mixing, No more swallowing clumps of protein, No more carrying around a heavy bucket of protein! Now when I’m ready to hit the gym I just grab a handy vial of ids new whey liquid protein and head out the door. I take half then put the other half in my pocket. Why didn’t I think of this before?
Product Highlights:
1. New Whey Liquid Protein is packaged in an easily portable 3.1 fluid oz, virtually unbreakable plastic vial.
2. New Whey Liquid Protein is heart stable, therefore refrigeration is optional! adding to its convenience and portability.
3. You can take New Whey everywhere anytime, no fear of bottle breakage or leakage.
4. 42 Grams protein, 0 grams carbs, 0 grams fat!
5. Only 176 calories.
6. Actinase is the source of protein in New Whey Liquid Protein .
7. Actinase is made up of a special grade of protein called hydrolyzed proteins for easy and fast digestion.
Description
Introducing the most convenient delivery of protein ever conceived! New Whey Liquid Protein from IDS Sports is revolutionizing protein supplementation! New Whey delivers 42 grams of pure protein with no carbs or fat in a 3.1 ounce serving! Perfectly conceived convenience, consumed in as little as three seconds! With its patent pending virtually indestructible packaging, New Whey can be taken anywhere conveniently and easily. No messy mixing of powders, and no messy clean up. New Whey Liquid Protein contains NO unnecessary calories seen in Protein Bars! New Whey Liquid Protein is the ideal protein supplement for people on the go!
So if you’re tired of all the hassles with protein powders then get on board the liquid protein train today. Go ahead, give it a shot…. A protein shot!!!!
ASSAULT!
What do you get when you combine four types of creatine and four types of Arginine, besides a great workout and awesome muscle pumps, you get Muscle Pharms Assault. Now I know the name is a little over the top, like many of there product names, but this product offers what it says. If you are like me and have a hard time getting good muscle pumps with all the drinks out there now a days, this one looks like it will offer the best pump effects.
ASSAULT™ has been scientifically proven to:
• ALLOW USERS TO TRAIN HARDER AND LONGER
• LIFT MORE
• RECOVER FASTER
• INCREASE THE ANABOLIC ENVIRONMENT & RESPONSE TO TRAINING
• INCREASE NUTRIENT DELIVERY TO AND WASTE PRODUCTS FROM WORKING MUSCLES
• INCREASE OXYGEN SATURATION
• INCREASED BLOOD FLOW
• INCREASE ENERGY OUTPUT
• IMPROVED MENTAL FOCUS WITHOUT OVERSTIMULATION OR CRASH
If this doesn’t convince you, think about this! With Assault you get twice the active ingredients than the other ones. What does that mean? This mean you get 5GRAMS of Creatine for increased ATP production, 3GRAMS of Beta-Alanine for optimum muscle indurance, 2GRAMS of Citrulline Malate to aid in the powerful muscle pumps, and3GRAMS of Arginine to allow your muscle to get fuller quicker and longer than the rest. Don’t settle for what everyone else is buying now-a-days, get Assault.
A Jumpstart For Weight Loss & Exercise Program
This week I have been thinking about getting some extra help to jumpstart my weight loss plan and looking into products with ephedra.
Ephedra is a well-known often used weight loss ingredient that is used to burn fat. It also goes by the name of Ma Huang. In the past, there was a fair amount of controversy surrounding this ingredient, since many health experts said it was unsafe to use in large does. However, since 2004 it is now available on the market again, and was originally used for asthma sufferers.
Many Ephedra-based products were taken off the market, because the dosages were to high, but consumers may still find supplements with Ephedra present in the formula. It wasn’t so long ago that this ingredient was one of the most popular fat-loss ingredients sold on the market; it is now back, look for those products that contain, 10mg, which has always been shown to be extremely effective and safe.
I went online to supplementstogo and the ones I found that seemed to be popular these days were Hydroxytrol , and Metabatrol which are manufactured by Foundation Nutraceuticals, Yellow Bullets from MedStar Nutraceuticals, and Green Stinger which is made by Schwartz Labs.
I am not sure at this point which one I will choose so if anyone else has any special preferences I would appreciate the input.
3 Benefits Of The Yellow Bullet
Yellow Bullet is one of the best fat burner and energizer products on the market. Delta Health Products took the ephedrine, caffeine and aspirin formula from Yellow Jacket and Yellow Swarm and improved it to make Yellow Bullet. These diet pills are designed to boost metabolism, suppress appetite, and increase energy.
Ephedra is also known as Ma Huang and has been effective for centuries in traditional Chinese medicines. Studied more than any weight loss supplement, Ephedra is popular because it produces what it promises. Containing 25 mg of Ephedra extract and 300 mg of USP Caffeine makes Yellow Bullet an unbeatable high velocity energizer.
Yellow Bullet not only heightens your energy but works as a weight loss supplement. The energy in the product is used to start your weight loss journey. Delta Health Products made the best formula in Yellow Bullet to help you lose weight in mass or even those few unwanted pounds. Diet and exercise no longer have to be draining and unrewarding if you have Yellow Bullet.
Yellow Bullet is a leading weight loss supplement because nothing can compare to an Ephedra diet pill. Yellow Bullets suppress your appetite in order to assist you in maintaining a healthy diet. With the Ephedra in Yellow Bullet you will have the energy and focus you need to make it during each workout and everywhere in between. If you are looking for a new way to diet choose Yellow Bullet and you will not be sorry.
L-Glutamine … An Important Amino Acid
 L-Glutamine is a naturally occurring amino acid that can be found in proteins, meat, beans, fish, and poultry. It is used by many important systems in the body like by muscles and the immune system. For bodybuilders, glutamine supplements like Best Selling Beverly International L-Glutamine  are especially important because of the positive impact glutamine has on muscles. It helps prevent deterioration and speeds up the recovery process. Did you know that every time you work out, your glutamine levels are cut almost in half.What that means is without enough glutamine in your system after a workout your muscles can’t decide whether to deteriorate or build. They end up building less than they otherwise would have. If you have extra glutamine the next morning you will feel ready to lift again instead of being too sore because the extra glutamine helped your muscles recovery quickly.
You may be wondering about the best time to supplement your diet with Glutamine. Here are 5 suggestions:
Immediately after your workout is the most important time to take glutamine. The positive effects are at their best immediately after your body has experienced plenty of  exercise. The goal is to keep your systems glycogen at its normal level, allowing your body to reduce oxidative stress, improve the immune system, and maintain the integrity of ingested protein. Be sure that you are well hydrated because the intake of glutamine is directly proportional to how hydrated you are.Â
Before you go to bed is another good time. Since you go 8-10 hours without eating, you want to maintain as high levels of glutamine as possible because they will be depleted by the time you wake up. A high level at night will be most beneficial for your immune system. Some products, like AST and  GL3, are most effective for bedtime use.Â
When you wake up, because even if you supplement the night before, your glutamine levels will not be at their peak when you wake up in the morning. We all need to stock up on carbohydrates and proteins in the morning for energy, and glutamine needs to be replenished also to ensure that you reach a more anabolic state as early as possible.Â
Before your workout can help ensure that your glutamine level remains normal during your workout when it would usually suffer from a slow depletion of glutamine. This also benefits your immune system and helps keep your body at a normal pH level, as your body produces more lactic acid than usual when exercising.Â
Supplement when you’re sick. You may be taking a break from your normal workout regimen, but your body still needs as much glutamine as possible to get better.
Two Thoughts For Bodybuilders
Recently I have been talking to some bodybuilders who have been talking up a line of new products from Bio-Engineered Supplements & Nutrition, Inc. (BSN)
BSN is a leading developer, marketer, provider and distributor of nutritional supplements designed for health, training, physique, and performance support.
Among other innovative products, BSN has assisted in developing many advances within the sports nutrition industry.
One of the biggest names in bodybuilding, Ronnie Coleman also endorses their products, and I can see why.
Supplementstogo.com handles the complete line of their products, but if they are not on your immediate list, click on the link below to browse the rest of the store. Chances are they will have what you are searching for: Supplementstogo 5,000+ products
Did you know that in addition to all of the great products that you can find on the site there is also a collection of outstanding videos on YouTube. Check out all the instructional videos on a wide variety of topics which include andro, bodybuilding, dieting, fitness models, health, MMA, muscle building supplements, power lifting, vitamins, workouts, weightlifting, and much more.
Here is a convenient link to add to your favorite bookmarks:
Tips for Lowering Cholesterol Naturally
Part of any healthy lifestyle is maintaining normal cholesterol levels. Far to many people suffer from high levels because dietary standards across much of the western world have slipped into more of a “fast food” lifestyle. This has had a profound effect on many peoples health including an increased risk for heart disease and stroke brought about by cholesterol produced plaques in the arterial walls.
So where do you start and what are some tips for lowering cholesterol naturally?
The first place to start is with your diet. By making serious changes to your diet you can lower your cholesterol significantly. Adding an exercise regimen to the mix will further decrease blood cholesterol levels with the added benefit of getting you in shape and feeling good. With dietary changes it is best to start eating nutrient rich un-processed foods such as fruits and vegetables. These not only contain no cholesterol but are high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Natural plant sterols are also a good way to fight high cholesterol. Yogurt, fortified margarines, salad dressings, and cream cheese are known to contain phytostanols, which are a type of sterol.
If you are wondering what a sterol is it is also the main synthesized substance used in cholesterol lowering drugs but obtaining them from natural sources can have many of the same beneficial effects. Natural plant sterols can also be purchased in the form of dietary supplements at your local health food store. Lestrin is another plant sterol that can also be purchased as a supplement.
Avoiding saturated fats and Transfats is another cholesterol busting tip you should follow. Instead look for vegetable oils and foods that contain monosaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Many nuts such as walnuts contain these types of fats and are considered a good snack choice for those who are trying to lower their cholesterol.
One of the best known ways to naturally lower your cholesterol is fish oil. Also known as Omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil from seafood, such as salmon, are known to help lower blood cholesterol levels and have a myriad of other positive health benefits as well. You can also take Omega-3’s in supplement form if seafood just doesn’t agree with you. Many of the cholesterol fighting prescription drugs on the market today are called statins. Did you know that many of these statins are derived from red yeast rice which you can also purchase in supplement form. It is available in a form called cholestin which studies have shown to an effective cholesterol reducer in its natural form.
Boost Testosterone Levels Fast!
Testosterone is the key male hormone and a lack of it can cause numerous health problems including impotence – but you don’t have to use testosterone replacement therapy which is expensive, you can simply boost levels naturally with these proven herbs…
Before we look at the herbs you need to aware that there is a mineral you need which is crucial to testosterone production and its zinc.
Zinc
Zinc is crucial for the production of testosterone in the body and zinc levels in the prostate gland and sperm are higher than in any other body tissues. Lack of zinc is associated with numerous sexual health problems, including sperm abnormalities and even prostate cancer. Zinc also helps to maintain adequate semen volume, as well as keeping sperm healthy. Taking zinc as a supplement, if you do not have a balanced diet is therefore essential.
Now let’s look at 3 herbs that are included in all the best natural sexual health pills and have been proven to boost testosterone.
Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longfolia)
This herb is not just good for sexual health, its also good for overall health and has been used in traditonal Chinese medicine for centuries to cure low testosterone leves. The bioactive Glygopeptide compounds also boost levels of free testosterone and decrease SHBG levels and the effect of this is to increase libido and overall performance. Medical tests have also proved, Tongakat Ali keeps male sperm healthy by increasing overall sperm count, sperm size and motility.
Mucuna Pruriens
Several medical studies have shown the herb increases testosterone levels within the body the high concentrations of l-dopa contained are converted to dopamine which stimulates levels of production of testosterone by the pituitary gland. It also decreases prolactin levels in the body of which high levels are responsible for approximatley 80 percent of all erection failures.
Epimedium Grandiflorum Extract – “Horny Goat Weed”
For 2000 years, horny goat weed has been used in China as a medicinal herb in reproductive tonics for boosting libido and treating impotence. It has many benefits and one of them is to boost levels of testosterone, improving sex drive and overall health.
Get them All
If you want a testosterone boost, the above herbs are ideal and have many other benefits in terms of sexual and general health. Many of the best natural sex pills will blend the above herbs, zinc and other minerals and herbs which will help boost libido, as well as your general health.
Caffeine Good or Bad?
Caffeine, just about everyone has an opinion on this heavily consumed chemical. Some see it as a useful tool in the fitness area (like me), and others consider it to be really bad stuff! As a friend of caffeine, I am going to point out a few items of interest and new research into this controversial supplement.
What the heck is caffeine?
Caffeine is a psychoactive drug, yep it affects your brain and your mood (you coffee drinkers will be well aware of this). Caffeine is a bitter (try chewing a caffeine tablet – yuck) white crystalline xanthine alkaloid that acts as a psychoactive stimulant drug and a mild diuretic (makes you pee more).
Caffeine was discovered by a German chemist, Friedrich Ferdinand Runge, in 1819 (and I bet he was up all night!) He coined the term “kaffein”, a chemical compound in coffee, which in English became caffeine. Caffeine is also called guaranine when found in guarana, mateine when found in mate, and theine when found in tea; all of these names are synonyms for the same chemical compound.
Caffeine is found in many plants and is used by most folks to increase alertness and focus, and sometimes, just o get through the rest of the workday. Break out the coffee and Red Bull. So, other than making me feel pretty good, what else can this chemical do?
1.It causes vasoconstriction – (constricts your blood vessels) this can help alleviate headaches.
2.It can widen the airways in your lungs, which can be helpful to asthmatics.
3.Causes fat cells to be released into the blood stream – allowing the body to use them as energy.
4.Boosts your metabolism – which assists in weight loss.
5.Reduces the perceived effort during weight lifting exercises – this can make your workout feel easier.
6.May reduce the possibility of developing Parkinson’s disease (you don’t want this illness).
7.Reduces muscle pain during intense exercise – allows you to go harder or longer.
8.Caffeine does make you pee more but in healthy people it does not lead to dehydration.
And guess what?
It can also significantly lower the risk of diabetes due to its insulin regulating ability.
Ok, so it has all these positive benefits, there’s got to be some bad stuff. Of course there is. Like anything, too much can be bad, and if you’re sensitive to the stuff, you should cut back or cut it out. Here’s a few of the negative items;
1.Caffeine can cause insomnia, nervousness, irritability and related disorders.
2.Excessive use can lead to over-acidity in your stomach leading to ulcers and other nasties.
3.While OK for us humans, this chemical is really bad for dogs, parrots and horses. (And really bad for spiders.)
4.Caffeine can exacerbate existing conditions of the heart – but no studies have shown that it adversely affects the healthy heart.
How should you take caffeine?
For day to day use, whatever beverage is your choice. Getting caffeine through tea or coffee (and chocolate) has the added benefit of a big dose of healthy antioxidants. For exercise purposes try taking a caffeine supplement (tablet or powder) in a dosage between 100 & 400 milligrams around 1 hour before working out. Experiment with the dosage to find what works for you. I tried 400mgs and it was far too much for me (shake,rattle and roll), but 200mgs was just right!
I believe that caffeine is a useful and moderately healthy supplement when used smartly. Remember to always consult your doctor if in doubt. If you have any serious medical conditions do your research before taking any chemicals. As a final note, the most recent studies have shown no links between caffeine intake and miscarriage. I would probably reduce the intake as a general health measure anyway!
Taking Supplements Is all About Timing
There are lots of supplements now available for bodybuilding to help add more muscle or to get stronger and to recover faster. As the number of supplements that one can use and afford gets greater and people have to figure out when the best time to take various supplements is and what amount to achieve the greatest affect so that the money you spend is spent wisely and you get the greatest gains in the shortest amount of time. To look at what supplements you should take during the day there are some key times of day that supplementation is based around these are early morning, pre-workout, post-workout and before sleep.
Some supplements are more important than others, there is some debate about which supplements are ranked more important but there is general agreement that protein is the most important followed by creatine then following those are arginine, tribulus, glutamine and BCAAs.
Here is a schedule that you could follow if you were using these six supplements
Morning
40 Grams of Protein
2-3 Grams of Arginine
This is needed to supply the body with protein and amino acids after 8 hours fasting this will help prevent any muscle breakdown.
Pre Workout
3-5 Grams of Creatine
20 Grams of Protein
40 Grams of Carbohydrate.
5 Grams BCAA
Creatine is taken pre workout to help boost strength and endurance with the whey protein as well and the carbohydrate to provide energy.
Post Workout
3-5 Grams of Creatine
40 Grams of Protein
40 Grams of Carbohydrate.
5 Grams BCAA
Sleep Time
40 grams of Protein
2-3 grams of Arginine
Before you go to sleep you need to endure your body has adequate protein for 8 hours, carbohydrate is avoided at this time to prevent it being converted to fat. The Arginine helps boost growth hormone levels during sleep.
There are other supplements available the ones I have mentioned here are some of the most popular ones. You may want to experiment to see what works best for you but here is a schedule of these supplements if you had access to all of these you may want to experiment to see which combinations work best for you.