Advice on what supplements for a novice to take please

[Corporateangel]

Hi All

I have been reading through the forum and find it a great source of information, however there are so many differing opinions on what supplements to take that its hard to for me as a beginner to know what to buy. I am a 40 year old Brit that retired to Malaysia a while back. I have been working out for the past 5/6 months with (IMHO) pretty good results. The two supplements I take are BSN No-Xplode for pre and a product called 'Controlled Labs' Golden Finish for post. I have a very bad diet and do little cardio! The weights I can lift have increased a lot using these two products, however they are soon to run out and I was wondering if any of you could point me in the direction of any alternatives please for pre and post workout. I also am starting to think that the No-Xplode is becoming less effective as my pumps have been less obvious.

I would be very grateful for any advice you could provide.

Cheers

 

[nni]

first and foremost, you need to address your diet, it is infinitely more important than any supplements. in fact without a proper diet, supplements are useless.

onto the supplements, i disagree with the whole NO/stim preworkout game. it has very little effect on actual performance and size (stims have some place here). i would highly suggest a combo of sizeon (from gaspari) and vassive ea8 (from ON). drink this pre and during workout. post workout you can take 40g (around) of any protein powder, and you should be set. its simple and effective.

 

[Corporateangel]

Thanks nni, I have just read the reviews on the Gaspari Sizeon and people that have used it say its a really good product. I'm still looking through the feedback on the Vassive EA8.

Do you have any thoughts on the Muscletech range of products, I ask as these (like Gaspari) are available here.

Thanks

 

[nni]

muscletech is extremely overpriced, and honestly have diluted any value they had with random changes. they have good bases, but their "hardcore" line was basically adding sitmulants to everything.

i would stick with gaspari and their line is pretty solid.

 

[Kevsworld]

Multi-Vitamin, Protein, Creatine

MultiVitamin, Protein, and Creatine.

Don't waste your money on anything else.

And if you are not going to eat a gram of protein per lb of bodyweight, don't expect any supplement to help.

 

[workingatit43]

Diet is the most important thing. Supps can help. I have heard good things about Golden Finish and Controlled Labs makes some good products. If you want a good multi look into this.

Orange Triad

 

[juggernaut]

Gaspari has some great products out. Ironmag too.
I'd really concentrate on your diet first, if you want, post and I could take a stab at it.
I'd generally go with a creatine product and a whey/casein product.
BTW-you didnt enlighten us with your goals: fat loss, muscle gain, endurance...differences are paramount.

Muscletech is kaka. Optimum Nutrition and CEL are both very good supplement companies and the already touched upon Gaspari.

 

[Corporateangel]

Hi

Thanks for the excellent information everyone, with regards to my goals its difficult to say at the moment, based on my current workouts I seem to be getting a build quite similar to Russell Crowe's in the movie Gladiator, I don't think that I have the type of body that would ever look lean and ripped. Most things seem to be in proportion, arms,neck and calfs are all the same size which is a good base and although I have a 33" waist (I'm 181cm) I find building lats quite easy so this helps with the overall look. I guess what I am trying to say is that at my 'novice' level its going to be much of the same, as much muscle as I can build, not a lot of definition, flat stomach and as good a general classic shape as I can get.

I went out yesterday and bought some supplements (my choice was limited and bear in mind that I am in Malaysia!), I got the following:

Universal Shock Therapy for pre-workout
Universal Nutrition Ultra Whey Pro TWF for post

Hopefully I made the correct choices

If anyone has experience of the above then I'd be grateful for any information, don't worry if you think they are rubbish, I won't take it to heart!

Thanks

 

[Built]

What is in "shock" and what is in the whey? Any carbs in the whey, or just protein?

 

[nkira]

In SHOCK

Grape Splash
Serving Size1Packet(~21g)
Servings Per Container1
Amount Per Serving % DV
Calories 36
Total Carbohydrates 9g 3%*
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%*
Sugars 0g **
Vitamin C(as Ascorbic Acid) 200mg 333%
Niacin(as Niacinamide) 10mg 50%
Vitamin B6(as Pyridoxine HCL) 10mg 500%
Vitamin B12(as Cyanocobalamin) 100mcg 1,667%
Selenium(as Sodium Selenate) 70mcg 100%
Sodium(as Sodium Bicarbonate And Trisodium Phosphate) 120mg 5%*
Potassium(as Potassium Phosphate) 58mg 2%
Shock Therapy™ Proprietary Formula 20g
NO Super Pump Complex
Arginine AKG **
Citrulline Malate **
L-Carnosine **
Muscle Volumizing Complex
Tricreatine Matrix(TCM)(Creatine Gluconate, Creatine Orotate, Creatine AKG)
Betaine Anhydrous **
Beta Alanine **
NAD (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) **
Energy & Nootropic Complex
L-Taurine **
Choline Bitartrate **
S-Methylxanthine Complex™ (Caffeine, Theobromine, Theophylline) **
L-Tyrosine **
Yerba Mate **
Evodiamine **
Vinpocetine **
Antioxidant Complex
Green Tea Extract (Standardized For 60% EGCG) **
R-ALA (R-Alpha Lipoic Acid) **
NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) **
Grapeseed Extract (Standardized For 95% Polyphenols) **
Electrolyte & PH Delivery Complex
Inulin **
Sodium Bicarbonate **
Potassium Phosphate **
Magnesium Phosphate **
Trisodium Phosphate **
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
** Daily Value (DV) not established
Other Ingredients
Maltodextrin, Natural And Artificial Flavors, 5-Methylxanthine Complex™ (Consisting Of Standardized Kola Nut And Guarana Extracts), Silicon Dioxide, Sucralose, Acesulfame-K, Red #40 Lake, FD&C Blue #1
Directions: Add 1 scoop to 8-10 ounces of cold liquid. Take one serving 30 minutes pre-workout.

 

[nkira]

In Whey,

Follow link please - Packaging Image

Damn Pc kept hanging when I tried copy paste.....Had it with it

 

[nkira]

Corporateangel, if you can get Gaspari then try there MyoFusion (Double Chocolate) If you love chocolate flavor then I think you will love MyoFusion (Double Chocolate).

Check if you can get sample Sachets.

I got there free samples for it & I simply loved it!! Btw I would not recommend Gaspari's Super Pump 250 (Grape Flavor).

 

[Built]

Cool, the protein is lowfat, low carb. Perfect.

The preworkout supp, beta alanine, creatine, NO, and a few nootropics. Nothing in there to hurt you, if it amps you up, go for it.

 

[juggernaut]

nothing like a strong cup o joe to work me up!

 

[Built]

I take caffeine tablets personally. Cheap and effective.

 

[juggernaut]

naw the dunkin donuts IV drip I get every morning works just fine. Caffiene pills are boring. I do stack them with the bronkaid though.

 

[nkira]

I take caffeine tablets personally. Cheap and effective.

You can sleep later on? What dose?

 

[juggernaut]

each tablet usually has 200mg of caffeine or 2 strong cups of coffee.

 

[nkira]

Any time limit, like avoid an hour before bed sort of.

 

[Built]

Just depends on you. They don't keep me up.

 

[nkira]

Built what dose are you taking & whats the gap between the dose & workout?

 

[Built]

I take 200mg in five divided doses through the day. Last one around six PM, just before I train. I go to bed at midnight, but I could take a caffeine tab and go to bed. LOL

 

[Hench]

I take 200mg in five divided doses through the day. Last one around six PM, just before I train. I go to bed at midnight, but I could take a caffeine tab and go to bed. LOL

Wow, thats a lot of caffeine. If I have any more than 2 cups of coffee a day I cant sleep at night.

 

[nkira]

After all you are a dare devil (Dare Devil Are Shredded)

I take 200mg in five divided doses through the day. Last one around six PM, just before I train. I go to bed at midnight, but I could take a caffeine tab and go to bed. LOL

 

[Built]

Yes we are!

 

[juggernaut]

Honestly, you know what my favorite supplement is? old fashioned oats, chocolate casein and peanut butter. Its great and serves as a great weight gainer or cut meal. Freaking versatile.

 

[Kevsworld]

Caffeine is highly underrated as a pre-workout supplement. I'm drinking a cup of coffee right now before I go to the gym. Cheap, effective and full of antioxidants.

 

[blueboy75]

Caffeine is highly underrated as a pre-workout supplement. I'm drinking a cup of coffee right now before I go to the gym. Cheap, effective and full of antioxidants.

Ill second that. Just bought an espresso machine so I can have double shots just before I leave for gym. No need for any other pre-workout sup IMO

 

[Mags]

MultiVitamin, Protein, and Creatine.

Don't waste your money on anything else.

And if you are not going to eat a gram of protein per lb of bodyweight, don't expect any supplement to help.

This is bang on for me. Unless you wanna run cycles of AAS or PHs, I'd just nail a good diet and stick to the basics for the moment. When you've made progress and things naturally get harder, maybe look into supplements then to further your gains (whether adding size or losing fat etc). For the moment, though, you'll find you'll grow/change significantly just from eating enough of the right foods and incorporating good, simple supps. And you'll also save a lot of money.

Good luck.