For those who’d like to know which supplements I use & would recommend to others I’ve created a list. Keep 2 things in mind, I’m constantly trying to gain weight so I’m consuming high amounts of calories & protein each day & secondly you probably do not need to take all of these supplements to reach your goal or get results like mine. I’d say that only 3 are really necessary for most peoples level of training: Multivitamin,Glutamine & Protein.(PS I’m not sponsored by nor do I work for any company, these are all the supps I’m really using)
OPTIMUM NUTRITION – GOLD STANDARD 100% WHEY
FACTS: Calories 130, Protein 24 gs, Carbs 4 gs, Sugar 1g
After years of trying different kinds of whey proteins this has become my favorite.For me it comes down to taste & brand reputation.Optimum Nutrition is known as one of the industries leaders in the quality of their products,and the taste is one of the best. I’m currently obsessed with the strawberry flavor which also mixes easily even with just a spoon. I take 1 scoop in the morning with breakfast. AVAILABLE HERE
OPTIMUM NUTRITION – OPTI-MEN
FACTS: High-Potency vitamins & minerals,Free-Form amino acids.
Over the years I’ve always tried to use the best when it comes to my multivitamins cause I feel it’s that important to my diet. I’ve went as far as to use brands that weren’t sold in stores & much more expensive (i.e.Poliquin). Recently I’ve become fond of ON’s Multi because it has everything you need & more. Also it’s sold in all supplement stores & you only need to take 2 per day, 1 in morning & 1 at night . AVAILABLE HERE
OPTIMUM NUTRITION – FISH OIL
FACTS: Fish Oil 1000mg, Omega-3 Fatty Acids 300mg.
I’ll admit that this is one of the supplements that I don’t get to picky about & just try to stick with a company I trust. As long as the EPA & DHA levels equal roughly 1000mgs then it’s all good in the hood. PS Don’t take your Fish Oil after training, it will slow down the digestion of protein. I take 1 in morning & 1 at night . AVAILABLE HERE
DYMATIZE – Glutamine “Micronized”
FACTS: L-Glutamine 4500 mg.I like that the Dymatize Glutaimne has the consistency similar to flower vs other brands which are more grainy,it just makes it easier to swallow.It also has zero flavor so I just scoop it in my mouth & chase with water. I take as much as 4 table spoons per day 1 scoop morning,1 pre & 1 post training,1 before bed. AVAILABLE HERE
OPTIMUM NUTRITION – ZMA
FACTS: Zinc 30mg,Magnesium 450mg,Vitamin B6 10.5mg.
Here’s another supplement that you probably don’t need to stress over what brand of it you decide to take & just make sure that you’re taking some form of it.I take 3 before bed. AVAILABLE HERE
OPTIMUM NUTRITION – Gold Standard 100% Casein
FACTS: Calories 120, Protein 24g, Fat 1g, Sugar 0g.
Here’s one I use mainly because I’m a hardgainer & struggle to maintain my weight. I will drink 1 or 2 scoops before bed due to it’s slow release of protein which helps keep me feed while I sleep. AVAILABLE HERE
BPI SPORTS – 1.M.R. “Pre-workout”
FACTS: Caffeine 300mg,L-Arginine,Beta Alanine,Creatine,.
I’ve basically been rotating preworkout’s from month to month & this is the one I’m currently using , it seems to be working for me best out of the recent brands I’ve tried,the taste is decent (Orange) I would say that it might be intense if you’re sensitive to caffeine as it contains 300mgs per serving. AVAILABLE HERE
LABRADA – BCAA Power
FACTS: BCAA 5,000mgs per serving.
I like to add a scoop of BCAA’s to my pre-workout, it has seemed to add a noticeable difference in my workouts. If you get easily fatigued during training I’d recommend adding this to your workout,especially if you don’t like using a pre-workouts or caffeine . AVAILABLE HERE
IDS – NEW WHEY NUTRITION – Waximaize
FACTS: Calories 160. Carbs 40gs
Here’s another one I like to consider a secret among the hardgainers,it’s basically just complex carbs & calories. I mix 1 scoop in water and drink it while I’m training. I love the taste (Grape) it’s like candy although it looks like your drinking Milk & people always ask if it is HA! AVAILABLE HERE
ALLMAX – Quickmass Loaded
FACTS: Cals 1010. Carbs 165gs,Protein 60 gs,Sugar 29gs, Fat 14gs
Now this is specifically for hardgainers! We’re talking over 1,ooo calories in 1 serving. I have to tell you I’ve tried many weightgainers & they are NEVER drinkable, Quickmass (Vanilla) however I look forward to drinking it’s amazing! It’s 4 scoops at 255gs which is about 1 blender full but it’s delicious. AVAILABLE HERE
the dymatize glutamine is the best i take 4-5tb a day. if i dont for a day or two i feel it big time! 1 night a forgot to take it after hard training and next morning i felt like i got hit by a bus. soo weak and fatigued . im gonna look into the BCAA maybe ill benefit from it
Like the recommendations, as far as Optimum Nutrition is involved. They put out quality products. But 1.M.R. is pure stim and under dosed everywhere else, in fact BPI’s odd nomenclature that they use to make herbs sound more interesting is off putting to say the least. That said (not pimping) there are many other better options out there, and you reviewed my current favorite Craze. I love the mind/muscle connection I get with their product. Anyway great blog. Cheers!
Buff, great list of supps. Arguing their order of importance would be splitting hairs. You’ve covered every Supp I take. Not always the same manufacturer, but that’s alot of personal preference.