Supplements and small advantages

[Abaddon]

My 2 cents:

Musashi is a mostly overpriced and typical BBing supp company. But occasionally the supermarkets they sell their typical crap in have sales on slow moving stock.

About 10 months ago I bought a couple of bottles of Musashi 'muscle recovery' pills (BCAAs).

I can certify that, while taking the given dosage of these pills in morning and evening, I felt almost no DOMs while training.

I can also certify that, when the pills ran out, my DOMs returned in all the usual areas, almost instantly. As in, the day after I ran out, the DOMs were back. In appreciable force.

...so they do work.

[Gaz6682]

Great thread here, I've been toying with the idea of dropping Xtend from my order due to the price and not really noticing a major difference in using it. To be honest I'm still on the fence, I do take it because of what I have read and not because of how I feel.

As for pre-WO supps well that's different. I do notice a difference in my focus and concentration but due sides such as stomach cramps and the runs I tend to use them sparingly. I tend to stick to good old Red Bull half an hour before if I feel I need it.

I also use good quality whey protein, multi-vit and fish oil as well as joint support and as such I'm looking to trim my spending in this area a little so BCAAs look likely to go along with the pre-WO but for the amount I use I have a good few months worth stocked up.

[rippednmichigan]

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

Ok, here's a general question...how much of an advantage do you need for a supplement to provide before it becomes worthwhile for you?

If a supp like Xtend helps a little with DOMS, is it worth it?

If a test booster helps 1% with recovery, is it worth it?

What level of value and usefulness do you require before you make a supplement a staple?

The answer to these questions for me is YES. I mean that %1 can really make a difference in your traing. Recovery and an extra edge in the gym can make a huge impact. This is just a personal preference of course as some will dissagree.

[Rich Knapp]

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

Ok, here's a general question...how much of an advantage do you need for a supplement to provide before it becomes worthwhile for you?

If a supp like Xtend helps a little with DOMS, is it worth it?

If a test booster helps 1% with recovery, is it worth it?

What level of value and usefulness do you require before you make a supplement a staple?

BCAA's (Xtend type products) even if you don't feel it helps you, I feel for the muscle preservation properties is is very important.

For a person younger then 25 I don't think a natural test booster will do much unless your naturally below normal levels. As you age and your levels naturaly drop, I feel they are worth it just for the extra drive in your workouts. (My product of choise is AAEFX Test Charge)

For me by staples very by if I'm in bulk or cut. My constant staple are any sup that helps me get the needs without getting the extra over weight from a food source. Making cutting a way to long or to much of a process.
Things like protein powder, Creatine (Kre-Alkalyn) and BCAA's.

I do have 2 staples do to my condition and age. They are Joint Rehab and the Test Charge.

[CLEEPER]

Originally Posted by Rich Knapp

BCAA's (Xtend type products) even if you don't feel it helps you, I feel for the muscle preservation properties is is very important.

For a person younger then 25 I don't think a natural test booster will do much unless your naturally below normal levels. As you age and your levels naturaly drop, I feel they are worth it just for the extra drive in your workouts. (My product of choise is AAEFX Test Charge)

For me by staples very by if I'm in bulk or cut. My constant staple are any sup that helps me get the needs without getting the extra over weight from a food source. Making cutting a way to long or to much of a process.
Things like protein powder, Creatine (Kre-Alkalyn) and BCAA's.

I do have 2 staples do to my condition and age. They are Joint Rehab and the Test Charge.

I have done 3 cycles of test charge and I feel that it really helped me to recover and also drop weight on a cut but not lose any strength. It has been 4 months since I stopped and just ordered 2 more kits on the deal of the day promotion. At 39 years old, this stuff works in many beneficial ways.

I was using Extend for about the last 6 months, good stuff but just got some Recoup by dymatize in a package deal From Dymatize of Protein, Expand extreme pump and Recoup. This is my BCAA of choice now, I like it better then extend

[BigJosh]

Originally Posted by CLEEPER

I have done 3 cycles of test charge and I feel that it really helped me to recover and also drop weight on a cut but not lose any strength. It has been 4 months since I stopped and just ordered 2 more kits on the deal of the day promotion. At 39 years old, this stuff works in many beneficial ways.

I was using Extend for about the last 6 months, good stuff but just got some Recoup by dymatize in a package deal From Dymatize of Protein, Expand extreme pump and Recoup. This is my BCAA of choice now, I like it better then extend

Man, you don't look 39.

I've used Xtend for almost a year now. I recently picked up some Recoup. I've used it twice. First time I didn't like the taste. The 2nd time I liked it much more.
Either way, I think the science behind a BCAA supplementation is solid and whether one feels/sees the immediate benefit or not, it is a worthwhile supplement.

[BendtheBar]

Originally Posted by CLEEPER

I have done 3 cycles of test charge and I feel that it really helped me to recover and also drop weight on a cut but not lose any strength. It has been 4 months since I stopped and just ordered 2 more kits on the deal of the day promotion. At 39 years old, this stuff works in many beneficial ways.

I was using Extend for about the last 6 months, good stuff but just got some Recoup by dymatize in a package deal From Dymatize of Protein, Expand extreme pump and Recoup. This is my BCAA of choice now, I like it better then extend

Glad to hear you had some good experiences with test boosters. I have as well. Nothing earth shattering but I notice an improvement in recovery, primarily with how I feel in the morning.

I haven't tried Test Charge though. Every time it comes on sale I am poor.

I am trying to move away from Xtend and give some other products a try.

[CLEEPER]

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

Glad to hear you had some good experiences with test boosters. I have as well. Nothing earth shattering but I notice an improvement in recovery, primarily with how I feel in the morning.

I haven't tried Test Charge though. Every time it comes on sale I am poor.

I am trying to move away from Xtend and give some other products a try.

so far I am liking the Recoup. The jar that comes with the elite gourmet protien and expand is rather small so it wont last to long so i will have to see if they offer a bigger size. As for flavor and mixabilaty, its great. I also believe it has a good ratio also, cant recall what that is at the moment. will have to look on lable again.

I had pretty good results on Humano growth as well, best thing about that booster is SLEEP. I woke up feeling so rested even after 4 hrs with my crazy work schedule.

[kitarpyar]

Nice info ITT. Don't have much experience with supps. Tried creatine quite some time back, and I would say there was may be 5-10% improvement in the lifts, so this probably works.

The only supp I am taking now is Body Fortress whey protein. I get it from Walmart, damn cheap and I use it mostly as a mid-afternoon snack and a post-workout shake. Good way to ingest some protein while at work in the middle of a hectic day.

I am trying to lean out a bit, so a couple of month down the line I might try some fat burners out there, but as of now I dont really have much idea whether they work, or which ones are good.

[CLEEPER]

Originally Posted by kitarpyar

Nice info ITT. Don't have much experience with supps. Tried creatine quite some time back, and I would say there was may be 5-10% improvement in the lifts, so this probably works.

The only supp I am taking now is Body Fortress whey protein. I get it from Walmart, damn cheap and I use it mostly as a mid-afternoon snack and a post-workout shake. Good way to ingest some protein while at work in the middle of a hectic day.

I am trying to lean out a bit, so a couple of month down the line I might try some fat burners out there, but as of now I dont really have much idea whether they work, or which ones are good.

I use to use bodyfortress and its an ok protien. it is one of the few that actually has creatine already in it. I think like 5 grams per scoop so you are taking creatine now using that brand of protien.