Show Me The Supplement!

[JoE BoXeR]

I've decided that I want to take my bodybuilding to the next level and implement some supplements and such into my diet to get the most out of my workouts.

Background

17 years old, ~ 5'8- 150 lbs

I've been going to a gym casually for the past year and never really got into a routine or took it too seriously. The most I've ever really done in terms of supplements have been Protein Bars (again, a testament to the fact that I was lifting casually). Recently have been doing a lot of reading about weightlifting and am planning to buy a years pass for my gym. I guess my overall goals would be to tone my body (duh) and increase my strength. If it makes any difference, it's a safe guess that I'll gain another inch or two before my bones fuse. My body as it stands is fairly muscular with a little fat around my stomach but overall not bad. I haven't done any cardio sports in the last six months but in a month or two I'll be doing a lot of cardio for soccer.


Anyways I gave DIESEL's post on Bulking Up a good read the other day and absorbed it all. Being that when he was still lurking on these boards he was the most trusted bodybuilding consultant ever to grace this fine forum, I'm taking his bulking post as undisputed and effective.

Halfway through his post he reminds us to:

"10. Supplement properly
Vit. C, E, Creatine, Glutamine, and CLA are all you need. "

I take a tablet of Vitamin E and a tablet of Vitamin C daily anyways but have never gone near Creatine, Glutamine or CLA.

If some of the other veteran lifters out there agree with DIESEL's suggested supplements then I plan on ordering the following products off bodybuilding.com along with some Protein Bars, and Protein Powder.


So this post in a nutshell is: If you agree with me taking the following supplements (for the record I do drink 8 glasses of water a day) please give me advice on what products to purchase. I'd prefer to order from a trusted source like bodybuilding.com's eStore.

If you don't agree, how bout some suggestions as to what you'd have me take (if anything) instead. Any suggestions would be appreciated!!!


P.S. I took the Liberty of posting the URL's for some of the products...


Creatine

Glutamine

CLA

Protein Bars

Whey powder

Protein Powder

 

[chim_chim]

Lately a lot of people on bodybuilding.com have been recommending only a multivitamin, protein, and maybe creatine. If you have extra money you could get those other supps, but I wouldn't count on better results. Keep in mind that a good diet is more important than any supps you could take. For example, I've had great results just eating a high protein diet with no supps. Being a guy in your late teens helps a lot.

I'd recommend you look at the bodybuilding.com forums for more info on what they recommend. There are some knowledgeable guys on there, but there are a lot of morons too so make sure you don't get an answer from some 13 year old kid.

Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions.

 

[livin large]

I have a couple of thoughts that might save you some money...

Why do you want protein bars? Unless you need protein sometime when you can't be home, you're probably going to be spending more than you have to. Especially for your goals, there's not much you're going to get out of protein bars that you can't get out of powder, other than convenience. At about 2 bucks a pop, there are cheaper ways to get protein...

You probably don't need Whey and a separate protein powder. If you're going to be taking a couple servings a day, it might be a good idea to get both so you can switch things up and also see what you like better. If you're only going to have a shake after every workout, 1 jug will last you a while...

If you already have low body fat, CLA isn't a necessity. It will help you keep from gaining fat, but probably won't make enough of a difference to justify spending the money. If you notice you're putting on a lot of fat, you might want to reconsider - but CLA won't help you put on muscle.

Definitely grab a multi-vitamin.

If you're taking creatine, 8 glasses of water a day is about half of what you need.

Good luck and lift hard.

 

[semag]

supplement review

http://www.sosuave.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=35754&highlight=supplement+review

First, give that thread a try. There's a bunch of good recommendations by trusted people from these boards, and the phosphagen HP that DIESEL Recommended is working great for me...

In terms of buying them, I'd check

www.muscledepot.com

or

www.1fast400.com

For prices. Those are good sites, reliable, and usually cheap.

I've found that one of the ways to motivate yourself to go to the gym is to plop some money into these supps. It motivates me because I don't wanna waste this stuff, and I gotta go to the gym to get use out of them and get them to work.

Hope that helps.

 

[Industry]

I was passing through and saw this thread.... just thought I'd give some advice here.

People are always screamng and shouting "Show me the holy supplement!", "What will get me huge?!" My friend. The only thing that will get you huge is EATING. Don't get me wrong, supplements are a great addition to any workout routine. You just gotta make sure that you are eating correctly and consistently before you start using any supplements. Otherwise you're just wasting your money.

I've put together a Guide To Eating. It's somewhere in the archives so just search for it. Check it out and follow it. You will gain weight. I've gained over 12 pounds in the last 3 months using that exact routine. I even threw in a few meal routine ideas for you to look at. It works bud.

But to answer your original question.... this is what my rule is. "Keep is simple." Don't go overboard and take a bunch of random stuff. It won't work. Period. Depending on how much cash you've got to spend here's what I'd do once you get you're eating and routine down. In order of importance.

1. Multi Vitamin - I prefer liquid. You get more absorption.
2. Protein - If you can afford it get a Whey for before/after workouts and a multi-blend protein for off days.
3. Creatine - Simple Creapure monohydrate will work just fine. Just drink tons of water. Seriously, like 1-2 gallons a day.
4. Cabohydrate powder - Yeah this is an odd one. But you can turn your regular protein into an MRP with a scoop of this stuff. And it's fairly cheap too.
5. Glutamine - I take this for psychological reasons more than anything. It's cheap and easy to take so why not. I have noticed less soreness and better recovery times when I take it.

That's all you'll ever need assuming you're training and eating right. Now get off here and get in the gym, punk! Alright I'm off and back into obscurity.

Peace Out


- Industry