Everyone wants to live a long and healthy life and in today’s age it is certainly possible. People are faced with many difficult decisions when it comes to choosing the best supplements, diet, exercise, and training equipment, and who could blame them? Every day the list of the best way to lose weight, build muscle and get the physique you always dreamed of grows. Even now, more than ever, there are emerging supplements marketed for those trying to shed extra pounds and transform their bodies into lean, sculpted figures.
With all this industry growth and all the big name brands coming out with new products, how can you really be sure what works and what doesn’t? Personally, I’ve spent a fair amount of time in the gym, lifting weights, and lifting weights. I have spent countless hours training, working out, trying new routines, and learning many new workouts. During this time, I have also tried a variety of different supplements for both diet and training.
When it comes to choosing a solid pre-workout, there have been plenty that have definitely held their own. (Of course, any supplements mentioned are personal preference and may affect people differently) I am someone who you could say loves caffeine. I drink about 3 cups of coffee a day starting with “double drink” at the strength level and gradually work my way down. When looking for a good pre-workout, one of the things I look for is something that has an above average amount of caffeine. While I don’t get into the nitty-gritty of it too much, I have found the strongest PWOs (I mean feeling the energy boost) to be Bullnox, and the all-new reformulated Superpump 250 with DMAA. These 2 supplements definitely pack a bigger scoop and punch, but they also lean towards the more expensive side. Another way I can personally gauge strength is by the tingling sensation I feel throughout my entire body, and these 2 really give that sensation.
The pump that these PWOs bring is quite substantial. I can see the difference in the weeks I leave PWO in that not only does my training intensity decrease, but the amount of time before I fatigue is noticeably shorter as well. I don’t want to disparage any other PWOs as they all get the job done to varying degrees, but I find these give me the most focus and keep my drive the highest in the gym, which means focused intensity. After finishing a big workout, it’s essential to consume some protein and possibly a replenishing meal to help rebuild muscle and recharge your body with all the nutrients it needs after exercise.
One of the leading protein brands for many years has been Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard (100% Whey). This has been my favorite protein powder for many years. Although it is also a bit more expensive than other protein supplements, I think the quality is outstanding and well worth it. The many flavors they have are delicious and the balls are a good size. The powder dissolves very evenly and easily and gets absorbed into your body quite quickly. This means faster protein synthesis or your body building muscle faster. There are many forms of protein with certain tradeoffs, some taking longer to digest than others and some breaking down much more slowly. To really understand what works best, it’s always a good idea to experiment and see which works best for your goals and body. If you’re still not sure, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard (100% Whey) Protein is a strong recommendation. Even after taking pre- and post-workout supplements, sometimes you may not have the drive or energy to keep pushing through your workout… this is where intra-workout supplements shine.
I haven’t been too keen on in-house training as I feel the PWO gets the job done at least to the level I need. When I decided to take one, I opted for Xtend by Sci-Vation. This stuff is pretty powerful and comes in this greenish/blue powder, we like to call it the “Hulk juice” nicknamed for its color. This gives you more of that power/energy boost during your exercises which helps with explosive pumps and harder, more intense workouts. For me, I was surely able to feel a positive change while taking this, but my wallet felt the opposite. This stuff is not necessarily cheap, especially when you combine it with all the other supplements.
