Endurance supplements can be boiled down to four main categories which consist of hydration, fuel, recovery and performance. 

 

Hydration is pretty simple.  It consists of proper water intake and electrolyte balance. For electrolyte intake during endurance events we usually recommend Hammer Endurolytes.

 

Fuel is the energy to keep the body moving which is provided primarily by carbohydrates.  Think of energy gels like Hammer Gel or drinks like Accelerade, Hammer Perpetuem, or Hammer Heed.  These products are designed to be mixed in water and consumed during endurance activities.  They consist of primarily carbohydrates with some electrolytes and some may have amino acids.

 

Recovery products are designed to be used at the completion of a workout.  Recovery comes in several parts.  The main components to worry about are structural recovery which is concerned with repair of damaged tissue, metabolic recovery which involves replacing cellular energy stores and hormone optimization which requires providing the proper nutrients and rest to normalize testosterone and cortisol.  By far the best product in this category is AfterGlow by BioRhythm, with Hammer Recoverite being our next choice for endurance athletes.

 

Performance supplements should be considered after you have taken care of the basic needs mentioned in the three paragraphs above.  It doesn’t make sense to try and improve performance if you are not taking a good recovery drink.  Performance supplements are as the name says designed to help improve performance.  For endurance athlete’s beta- alanine, creatine and natural testosterone boosters should all be considered.  Beta-Alanine is a favorite with endurance athletes as it buffers lactic acid so it allows an athlete to work harder and longer.

 

In future articles we will go into more detail on supplementation for endurance athletes but this should hopefully provide an easy to understand framework from which to create an appropriate supplementation program.

In strength-coaching circles, this method is often called the “ten sets method”, “German volume training” or “10×10”. Olympic athletes and bodybuilders have used it in one form or another since the forties. European countries used the 10×10 method in the off-season to help weightlifters gain lean body mass. It worked so well that lifters routinely moved up a full weight class within 12 weeks. Gains of 7-10lbs are average for a six-week training cycle. No one is sure who actually invented it or what the true name is but everyone agrees that it produces big gains.

        The objective of the program is to do ten sets of ten reps with the same weight for each exercise (sounds easier than it is). While the first two sets might seem easy, most will start falling short of ten reps after about five sets, just think of the ten reps as a goal to shoot for over the six week training cycle. You determine your starting weight by choosing an amount of resistance that you could perform 20 reps with (roughly 60% of your one rep maximum).

        It works by exposing one group of motor units to a high volume of repeated efforts. The body adapts to the incredible amount of stress by growing the targeted fibers at an extremely quick pace. This program mainly uses multi joint lifts and will require an exhaustive amount of work and recovery from large muscle groups so make sure you have proper pre and post workout sups as well as a creatine product like ANS Diesel Fuel to help you get the most out of your hard work. 

 

 

Day 1- Chest and Back

                                        Sets          reps         rest interval

 

A-1 Incline Barbell            10            10            90 sec

        Press

 

A-2   Chin-Ups                  10            10            90 sec

        (Weighted if needed)

 

Day 2 - Legs and Abs

                                        Sets          reps         rest interval

 

A-1 Front Squats              10            10            90 sec

 

A-2 Prone Leg Curl           10            10            90 sec

        Machine

 

Day 3 - off

 

Day 4 - arms and shoulders

                                        Sets          reps         rest interval

 

A-1 Dips (weighted if needed) 10            10            90 sec

 

A-2 Seated Dumbbell        10            10            90 sec

        Curls               

 

B-1 Military Press             10            10            120sec

 

Day 5 - off

 

Repeat

 

                                                                                    Note: “A1” and “A2” indicate that the labeled exercises are to be performed together as a superset with the rest interval between them.

 

Pre and post workout nutrition are crucial especially when taking on a workout with this much volume.  Pre-workout try mixing MSI Lean Revolution with Intek BCAA’s and for Post Workout Recovery mix 2 scoops of Bio Rhythm After Glow with 1 scoop of ANS Diesel Fuel.

USP Labs Pink Magic is marketed as a natural testosterone booster.  It consists of a proprietary blend of the three herbs listed below.  The basic idea of this product is that the herbs listed below are supposed to boost testosterone levels within the body.  According to USP Labs marketing they are claiming that the product will build significant amounts of muscle while reducing body fat (almost sounds like magic).  USP labs also claims that this product would do all of this without the side effects associated with steroid compounds.

 

USP Labs Pink Magic

Proprietary Blend:	1600mg
Massularia Acuminate (Stem)
Nelumbo Nucifera (Seeds And Leaves)
Rhamnus Nakaharai (Stem)

 

In the following paragraphs we will try and break down each component of the product to show you what it actually is and to give you an idea of what you can expect if you do decide to purchase this product.

Massularia Acuminata – Compound number 1 in Pink Magic

Back in 2008, a study was conducted on Massularia Acuminata (Massularia Accuminate = alternate spelling) and its effects on testosterone. The abstract was published online, and was reposted on several websites. In late 2009 and early 2010.

If you read the full study you can see this herb has ZERO potential to be used in a testosterone boosting nutritional supplement.  It simply doesn’t raise testosterone very high, and even then, it can’t do it without taking impossibly high mega doses.

But, since most supplement buyers don’t purchase and read studies full studies (*when the abstract is available for free), the door was (and is) left open for it to be used in a nutritional supplement. I’ll tell you why it’s not going to work in a second, but first; I want you to check out the abstract:

 

Keep in mind that Massularia Acuminate is the most promising ingredient of the three in this product and it shows no real promise of producing results.

 

Study on Massularia Acuminate and Testosterone

J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 Aug 13;118(3):508-13. Epub 2008 May 28. Androgenic potentials of aqueous extract of Massularia acuminata (G. Don) Bullock ex Hoyl. stem in male Wistar rats. Yakubu MT, Akanji MA, Oladiji AT, Adesokan AA. Medicinal Plants Research Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, PMB 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria. tomuyak@yahoo.com Abstract The use of medicinal plants in the management of several ailments is gaining popularity nowadays. Massularia acuminata, one of such plants is commonly used as chewing sticks due to its antimicrobial activity and the aqueous extract of its stem as an aphrodisiac. Aphrodisiac activity in some plants may be due to androgen increasing property of its phytochemicals. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study therefore sought to assess the androgenic potentials of aqueous extract of Massularia acuminata stem in male rats for 21 days. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male rats weighing between 220 and 260 g were completely randomized into four groups: A, B, C and D. Group A, the control received orally 1 ml of distilled water (the vehicle) while groups B, C and D were orally administered with 1 ml each corresponding to 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight of the plant extract, respectively for 21 days. Rats were sacrificed 24h after 1, 7 and 21 days. RESULTS: Compared with the control, extract administration at all the doses produced significant increase (P<0.05) in testes-body weight ratio, testicular protein, glycogen, sialic acid, cholesterol, testosterone, luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormone concentrations throughout the period of administration. Testicular gamma glutamyl transferase activities were decreased significantly (P<0.05) after the first dose and was sustained throughout the experimental period. CONCLUSION: The available evidence in this study suggests that aqueous extract of Massularia acuminata stem has androgenic potential which may stimulate male sexual maturation and enhance normal testicular function. PMID: 18602232 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

So, at first blush, it looks vaguely promising, right? But check out the dose required…the lowest dose examined in the study was 250mgs/kg! On a kg/kg (simple comparative bodyweight) basis you’ll need about 25 grams of the stuff per day for a 100kg (220lb) bodybuilder, going off the absolute lowest dose. The highest dose would require 100g/day based on a 220lb (100kg)human bodyweight. However, this is based on human weight versus rodent weight. Now, if we convert the rodent dose to the human dose equivalent using the accepted body surface area formula, we find that we need just over 4 grams per day. And that’s at the lowest dose examined – we’d double that dose for the 500mgs/kg (over 8 grams per day) and double it again for the 1,000mgs/kg dose (over 16 grams per day). Currently, only two companies (that I know of) are using this herb in a product, and the dose per serving is (at best) on par with (but likely lower than) even the lowest dose examined in the study (250mgs/kg), translated to anything resembling a human equivalent. The daily suggested dose (all of the daily servings added up) contained in the proprietary blends currently being sold on the market still isn’t likely to be equivalent to the lowest dose in the study.

In fact, even if the 250mg/kg equivalent dose were being used (and it isn’t), the testosterone boost provided would be 12%. But since nowhere near this dose is being used…have I made my point yet? The full study is much more interesting, because when we crunch the numbers, we find out that the rodents were being given an ungodly amount of this stuff, and barely getting any kind of decent test boost!  

So how much of a boost in serum testosterone did the herb provide? Well, we don’t know, because the study doesn’t tell us. Wait…what? Yeah, you read that correctly, the study doesn’t actually look at serum testosterone levels. So what about free testosterone levels? Well, the study doesn’t look at that either. The study examines intratesticular testosterone, LH, and a bunch of other stuff (testicular glycogen, testicular sailic acid concentration, etc…) but provides no hard data on how much of a real test boost the herb provided.

As the saying goes, there’s a sucker born every minute, and no shortage of supplement manufacturers looking to scam them.

Nelumbo Nucifera – Compound Number 2 in Pink Magic

The second ingredient in Pink Magic is Nelumbo Nucifera.  Unfortunately for USP Labs there is not evidence to support this ingredient as a muscle builder or testosterone booster.  There are a couple studies available for review if you search hard enough but they are in know way strong enough to back up the claims USP Labs is making for Pink Magic and they where not conducted on humans.

 

Study number one on Nelumbo Nucifera:

http://www.bioline.org.br/pdf?rm08002

If you follow the link above you will find a study on Nelumbo Nucifera which concludes that Nelumbo Nucifera will act as an anti estrogen for Female Wistar rats.  There really isn’t any data to determine what effect this stuff may have in humans.  Assuming it could reduce estrogen in humans this still would not produce the results that USP Labs claims for this product.  There is also the major issue of dosing.  Pink Magic uses a proprietary blend for this product so it is doubtful the dosing in the product would be appropriate to produce any significant effect in humans.

 

Study number two on Nelumbo Nucifera:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20481471

The link above brings you to an abstract on Nelumbo Nucifera which relates to its potential anti-obesity effect for individuals eating a high fat diet.  This study doesn’t deal with individuals who are working out and trying to improve body composition.  I don’t see anything in it which would lead me to believe that It can have the kind of effect that USP Labs is talking about in its promotional material.

 

Rhamnus Nakaharai (Stem) – Compound Number 3 in Pink Magic

 

Study number one for Rhamnus Nakaharai

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17329876

This study deals with the antioxidant potential of Rhamnus Nakaharai.  This may be good for general health but isn’t really related to what the product is supposed to do.

Study number two for Rhamnus Nakaharai

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8948496

Nothing relevant to the USP Labs claims in this study.  Check it out at the link above.

 

Study number three for Rhamnus Nakaharai

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/np50126a023

This study discusses the anti platelet potential of Rhamnus Nakaharai but does nothing to support the claims USP Labs is making for Pink Magic.

These guys are great marketers but just don’t have the science to back their products.

 

The studies cited in this blog are from Pubmed and much of the content relating to the herb was borrowed from Anthony Roberts June 16, 2010 article posted online on Muscle Evolution.

Overweight women with insulin resistance lose more weight after three months on a lower-carbohydrate diet than on a traditional low-fat diet, according to a new study presented at The Endocrine Society’s 92nd Annual Meeting on June 19.

“The typical diet that physicians recommend for weight loss is a low-fat diet,” said the study’s lead author, Raymond Plodkowski, MD, chief of endocrinology, nutrition and metabolism at the University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno. “However, as this study shows, not all people have the same response to diets.”

As reported by Nutrition Horizon, 45 obese women between the ages of 18 and 65 years—all insulin resistant—participated in the study. Researchers randomly assigned the women to a low-fat or lower-carb diet. The groups did not differ significantly in average body weight. On average, women in the low-fat diet group weighed 213 pounds, while women in the other group weighed 223 pounds.

The composition of the low-fat diet was 60 percent of calories from carbs, 20 percent from fat and 20 percent from protein. Although the lower-carb diet also had 20 percent of calories from protein, it had 45 percent from carbs and 35 percent from primarily unsaturated fats, such as nuts. Menus included a minimum of two fruits and three vegetable servings a day.

Use of prepared meals helped make the structured diets easier and more palatable for the dieters. “We wanted to make this study real-world—anyone could follow this plan by making moderate changes as part of a healthy menu,” Plodkowski said.

Both groups lost weight at each monthly weigh-in, but by 12 weeks, the insulin resistant group receiving the lower-carb diet lost significantly more weight, 19.6 pounds versus 16.2 pounds in the low-fat diet group—approximately 21 percent more on average.

Fish Oil Supplements Can Fight Depression

Adults with major depression without anxiety may find serious benefit from omega-3 fish oil supplements, according to a new study (J Clin Psychiatry. ePub 15 June 2010. DOI: 10.4088/JCP.10m05966blu). Researchers from McGill University recruited adult outpatients (n=432) with major depressive episode (MDE, per Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview) lasting at least four weeks for the double blind, randomized, controlled, eight-week, parallel-group trial; 40.3 percent of subjects were taking antidepressants at baseline. Subjects received fish oil supplements containing 1,050 mg/d of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 150 mg/d of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or a matched sunflower oil placebo. Primary outcome was the self-report Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS-SR30); secondary outcome was the clinician-rated Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS).

 

The studies major finds show that fish oils may be able to help combat depression as well or better than prescription medications.

 

 

Most protein users are aware of the recent consumer reports article regarding heavy metals present in some protein powders.  The brands with the largest amounts of metals where EAS Myoplex and Cytosport Muscle Milk. 

On a positive note the brands we have chosen to support at Performance Nutrition are free of these toxic metals.  You can continue to use Optimum Health Pro Complete 40 and Intek Evolution with confidence.  

Consumer Reports purchased 15 protein powders and drinks and tested multiple samples of each for arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. Levels in several of the products could, with just three servings a day, result in daily exposure to arsenic, cadmium, or lead exceeding USP limits.

Of the 15 protein drinks tested, three of them contained very worrisome levels of arsenic, cadmium and lead.

Which Protein Drinks Fared the Worst?

Three daily servings of the ready-to-drink liquid EAS Myoplex Original Rich Dark Chocolate Shake contained an average of:

·              16.9 µg (micrograms) of arsenic

·              5.1 µg of cadmium

The proposed United States Pharmacopoeia’s (USP) limits for these two toxins are 15 and 5 µg respectively.

The worst of the products tested was Muscle Milk Chocolate powder, which contained all four toxic metals; three of them at the highest levels of all products tested.

Muscle Milk’s Vanilla Crème contained slightly less lead, but still exceeded the USP lead limit of 10 µg.

A fourth product, Muscle Milk’s liquid Nutritional Shake Chocolate, also tested high in arsenic, providing you with an average of 14.3 µg of arsenic per day, which is very close to the USP limit.

Arsenic and cadmium appear to be the most problematic here, as the levels of these two compounds in some cases exceeded maximum “safe” limits. However it’s worth noting that, ideally, you don’t want to ingest these toxins at ANY level, as even low-dose exposure can contribute to lingering health problems.

Prevention is clearly your best defense when it comes to protecting yourself against heavy metals and other toxins.

Fortunately, preventing exposure to toxins like arsenic, cadmium and lead is possible by making sure you’re eating as much organic foods as possible, and using protein drinks that are free of heavy metals.  We recommend Intek Protein Evolution and Optimum Health Pro Complete 40 as two of the safest, high quality, great tasting protein products available.

While we cannot recommend any of the low quality, commercial protein shakes on the market, we strongly believe that whey protein powder is a very healthful supplement to your diet and an excellent source of protein.

Whey protein has been linked to a variety of health benefits, including:

·              Helping your pancreas-produced insulin work more effectively, which supports balanced blood sugar levels

·              Promoting healthy insulin secretion

·              Helping to promote your optimal intake of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals needed for your overall wellness

·              Supporting your immune system, as it contains immunoglobulin

·              Helping you preserve lean body tissue (particularly during exercise) as it delivers bioavailable amino acids and cysteine

·              Maintaining blood pressure levels that are already within the normal range

So keep in mind, protein drinks can be quite beneficial, whether you’re working out and want to increase muscle or using them to supplement an otherwise healthy diet, but quality is everything, and drinking something that’s contaminated with heavy metals won’t do you any good.

Making sure that the product you buy fulfills the healthy criteria mentioned in this article (Such as Pro Complete 40, or Intek Evolution) will ensure that you’re getting the safest, healthiest protein supplement possible.

One of the most common questions coming from our male customers is how can they get big and lean.  The following is the actual program from our Warwick Manager Steve Bardi.  He maintains a weight of about 200 lbs with visible abs almost all year round.  At his height most people consider him big and lean.  If thats not enough he is permanently tanned and hairless.  Check out the following for a real world program that has helped many of his customer put on muslce and get leaner.

Daily Routine with Supplements for First 3 Months: 

1.       Wake at 6 a.m. and take 1 ADRENA-LEAN capsule to wake up.  I also eat 2 CLA Evolution, 1 Fish-Oil pill, and 4 Met-RX HMB, and 3 TEST REVOLUTION with a Protein shake with 8 frozen strawberries, a banana, and BCAA powder in a blender with water. 

2.      On my way to the gym at 7:15, I am sipping on my pre-workout drink: 1 ½ scoops of BioRhythm Juice, INTEK BCAA powder, and 1 scoop DIESEL FUEL.  I sip on this drink throughout my whole workout in order to stay pumped and anabolic, so I can continue to build muscle and burn calories. 

3.      Immediately after my last set, I start to sip on my post workout shake which consists of 2 scoops of AFTER GLOW, and 1 scoop of INTEK’s ISOLATE RED ICE. 

4.      With two more meals during the day, I will use MET-RX HMB, CLA Evolution and Fish Oil in order to keep body fat to a minimum, especially while increasing calories to build muscle.  This allows me to build muscle while staying lean.

5.      My final protein shake before bed consists of INTEK’s Whey Protein, ORANGE CREAMSICLE flavor, I use MSI’s SLEEP REVOLUTION and 3 TEST REVOLUTION to help me get a fulfilling night’s sleep.  SLEEP REVOLUTION provides a healthy dose of amino acids as well as a combination of anabolic ingredients to assure that the body gets a full nights rest and recovery so I can train intensely the following day. 

 

My goal with the supplements is to take them when I feel they will benefit me the most.  Although my ideas are somewhat different to what the bottle usually suggests, this is what I have found to be the most beneficial.  My thought is that growth takes place when you are at rest, not when you are actually working, that being said I feel it is in everyone’s best interest to take muscle-building, endurance, and thermogenic supplements around your workouts as a base, along with some supplements for general health throughout the day.   For the most part this is why I take so many different supplements before and during my workouts.  In my opinion this is the most crucial time to be anabolic, or in a (muscle-building) state.  I make sure to eat meals or shakes every 2-3 hours throughout the day, and stay well hydrated by drinking at least 1 gallon of water every day, with the INTEK BCAA Evolution added to it in order to feed my body what it requires to build muscle.  Below I will list what I consider to be the supplements that everyone who is trying to build muscle should take all year-round: 

1.       Protein

2.      Creatine

3.      Amino Acids

4.      Testosterone booster

5.      Glutamine

6.      Essential Fatty acids

7.      Nitric Oxide

8.      Multi-Vitamin

9.      Joint product-depending on time of year

These supplements are on what I call a “Revolving-Basis”, which basically means that I will adjust and change what supplements I use depending on what my goals are at that particular time.  Say for instance it is closer to the spring then I obviously want to cut back the calories I consume, as well as switch what supplements I am using in order to achieve my goal.  Some supplements are better for gaining weight, while some supplements are much better for cutting up or “Shredding”.  I basically never really stop using these supplements listed above, and with good reason; your body cannot and will not have the building blocks necessary to build muscle without these basics incorporated into your regimen.  What I will now give you below is an example of what my diet will consist of while I am going through a “Bulking” phase:

Meal 1:  10 egg whites, 2 whole eggs, 1 cup measured Oatmeal, 1 glass chocolate milk

Meal 2:  6 ounces Sirloin steak, 1 sweet potato, large salad and 1 cup green beans

Meal 3:  Complete MASS 600 protein shake with a few ounces of cashews

Meal 4:  8 ounces Chicken, 2 slices of American cheese, 1 sweet potato, and 1 cup green beans

Meal 5:  Complete MASS 600 protein shake with a few ounces of cashews

Meal 6:  A 10 egg white and 2 whole egg omelette, with vegetables, cheese, and two English muffins with jelly on them with a glass of chocolate milk.

Meal 7:  1 cup of cottage cheese with pineapple mixed into it, or ice-cream depending on my cravings.

I suggest getting a hold of some of OPTIMUM HEALTH’s Complete Digestion when beginning the first phase of the program.  The added calories can, and usually will put some unwanted pressure on your digestive system, and having this supplement handy will help to increase absorption of all the nutrients you are about to flood your body with.

I typically will try to eat the same foods at the same times every day in order to make my body that much more efficient at breaking down the nutrients it needs to grow.  As you can see from my diet listed above, I do not go too crazy in order to put weight on when “Bulking”.  The idea here is to increase my caloric intake slightly so as to avoid gaining too much body-fat over the course of my first 3 months.  I have come to understand my genetics and realize that I do not have the ability to be too heavy without my joints and knees suffering.  Besides, when I take the DIESEL FUEL as part of my supplement regimen, I find that the weight and strength comes pretty quickly on its own.  The next section will cover my workouts, and you will find a list of the exact exercises below.

Workout Program for Months 1-3: 

Monday:  Legs

1.       10 minutes on treadmill to warm-up

2.      Squats- 3 sets of 8-10 reps

3.      Leg Presses- 3 sets of 8-10 reps

4.      Leg extensions- 3 sets of 10-12 reps

5.      Lying leg curls- 3 sets of 8-10 reps

6.      Seated leg curls- 3 sets of 8-10 reps

7.      Seated calf raises- 3 sets of 20-25 reps

Tuesday:  Back

1.       10 minutes on bike for warm-up

2.      3 sets of wide-grip chin-ups to failure

3.      3 sets of Underhand- grip chin-ups to failure

4.      Rack Dead-lifts- 3 sets of 8-10 reps

5.      Seated Cable rows- 3 sets of 8-10 reps

6.      One-Arm dumbbell rows- 2 sets of 8-10 reps

7.      Hyper-extensions 3 sets of 15 reps

Wednesday:  Off

Thursday:  Chest

1.       Incline Barbell presses- 3 sets of 8-10 reps

2.      Flat Barbell presses- 3 sets of 8-10 reps

3.      Decline Barbell presses- 3 sets of 8-10 reps

4.      Weighted Dips- 3 sets of 10-12 reps

5.      Dumbbell Flyes- 2 sets flat, 2 sets incline, and 2 sets decline

6.      Abdominals- crunches, leg raises and side twists

Friday:  Arms

1.       Standing dumbbell curls- 3 sets of 8-10 reps

2.      Barbell curls- 3 sets of 8-10 reps

3.      Incline dumbbell curls- 3 sets of 12-15 reps

4.      Rope pushdowns- 2 sets of 15-18 reps

5.      Straight-bar pushdowns- 3 sets of 8-10 reps

6.      Lying skull crushers- 3 sets of 8-10 reps

7.      Weighted Tricep dips- 3 sets of 8-10 reps

Saturday:  Shoulders & Traps

1.       Side dumbbell lateral raises- 3 sets of 12-15 reps (30 seconds rest only)

2.      Barbell push presses- 3 sets of 6-8 reps

3.      Upright rows (barbell)- 3 sets of 12-15 reps

4.      Bent-over lateral raises- 3 sets of 12-15 reps

5.      Barbell shrugs- 3 sets (ascending in weight) of 10-12 reps.  Finish with a strip set on the last set with no rest

6.      Behind-the-back Barbell shrugs- 3 sets of 12-15 reps

As you can see from the workout above, the first phase of my program is pretty basic on nature, but that is because being big and strong requires many compound movements, with much rest in between work-outs.  What I will do after the initial 6 weeks of this program is to switch up the exercises so that my body never gets a chance to become comfortable with the weights and exercises.  The first phase is somewhat plain in nature, but performed well, it will help to slap on some clay that we can later turn into peeled or chiseled muscle that you can show off down at Scarborough Beach. 

If you are online and use supplements you have probably seen ads for Force Factor.  Although some retailers are now carrying the product it is primarily distributed online.

 

Force Factor makes big promises, claiming users will get “ripped” and that the product can help build muscle and get users stronger.  They even have several athletes to endorse the product.  If you search for the product you will see a lot of reviews and supposed user results from using Force Factor.  Keep in mind that most of the sites that come up in the search results are controlled by the company that produces Force Factor.  The other thing that should be noted is that most reviews in this industry are not from real users but from people being paid to post up positive comments on the product.  I have been working in the supplement industry for over 15 years and have never posted a product review and have never met anyone who has.  Product reviews are probably the worst possible place to derive accurate information.  You should spend time understanding the ingredients in the product and understand whether they can provided the results that are promised.  Reviews are simply the newest form of marketing rather than being a valid place to gather information.

 

If you examine the ingredients in Force Factor it simply cannot live up to its claims.  In a best case scenario it could help someone derive a better muscle pump in the gym.  Do not expect this product to get you big or help you lose body fat. 

 

Force Factor Ingredients:

Advanced 3x Nitric Oxide Booster 3000 mg

Arginine-Alphaketoglutarate (A-AKG)

Arginine-Ketoisocaproate (A-KIC)

L-Arginine Monohydrate

 

Advanced Nutrient Delivery System  200 mg

Calcium Phosphate

Di-Potassium Phosphate

L-Citrulline Monohydrate

Magnesium Stearate

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD)

 

The bottom line on Force Factor is that it is simply a supplement with a few different types of arginine in it.  For some people this may increase blood flow during a workout and some users may find they experience more frequent erections.  This is about all you should expect from this product.

 

If you like overpaying for arginine than this product is definitely for you.

Working out and dieting can help create a calorie deficit (taking in fewer calories than burned) which is necessary for weight loss.  The ideal situation is one in which you lose body fat and maintain muscle tone.  The trick is to get your body to use fat as a fuel source.  This is where CLA and essential fats can help.

 

Conjugated Linoleic Acid or CLA has been shown to inhibit the activity of lipoprotein lipase, an enzyme involved in the uptake of fat into fat cells.  This can reduce fat uptake into cells preventing accumulation of body fat.  CLA also promotes the body’s use of fat as fuel, helping to breakdown fatty acids allowing them to get into the blood stream to be used as fuel.   Several studies have shown that CLA can positively affect body composition. 

 

Liposlim combines fat mobilizers like CLA and emulsifiers that keep fats and cholesterols moving so they do not accumulate and build up, contributing obesity.  CLA in combination with the essential fats GLA, ALA, DHA and EPA has been shown to contribute to weight loss.  The Liposlim formula also uses Hoodia to help control cravings and appetite.

Fat Burning Supplement Solutions:

What to Take: Intek Fat Burner Evolution, Intek CLA Evolution, Intek Protein Evolution

How to Take It: Take 3 caps of the Fat Burner in the morning and take another 1-3 caps mid afternoon.  Take 1 cap of the CLA Evolution with meals (3-4 caps total).  Use the Protein Evolution after training and 1-3 other times throughout the day as needed.

Why it Works: The Fat Burner Evolution increases calorie burning as well as controls appetite while the CLA Evolution helps the body tap into fat as a source of fuel.  Protein Evolution helps maintain muscle and keeps your metabolism going throughout the day.

 

What to Take: BioRhythm Olio, BioRhythm Synthrolean, Optimum Health Detox and Cleanse

How to Take It: Take 3 Olio per day, one with three different meals.  Take two Synthrolean in the morning and two in the evening.  Take two Detox and Cleanse before going to bed.

Why it Works: Olio help your body release fat for a fuel source while Synthrolean increases fat burning enzymes and metabolic rate.  Detox and Cleanse helps you body get rid of waste built up in the digestive tract while shedding excess water.

 

What to Take: Intek Thermogenic Evolution, Liposlim, BioRhythm Synthrolean

How to Take It: Take 1-2 Intek Thermogenic in the morning and 1-2 midafternoon.  Take 3-4 Liposlim per day in divided doses (1 with each meal).  Take two Synthrolean in the morning and 2 midafternoon.

Why it Works: Intek Thermogenic is one of the more potent energizers and metabolism boosters.  Synthrolean increases fat burning enzymes and metabolic rate.  Liposlim helps moderate appetite while forcing the body to use fat as an energy source.