The following is what I call the BIG 5 of supplementation. Food should be your primary source of calories and nutrients. However, there is no doubt that supplements are a great addition to a well balanced food intake regime. To the bodybuilder…I believe it’s essential!
The BIG 5 is what I’ve used and have taught other bodybuilders over the years. It’s certainly NOT to limit your ability to experiment with other supplements that may help you as well. Try the BIG 5 Mass Producing Supplements and see for yourself. I bet with a heaping dose of solid iron in the gym will give you the muscle gains you desire.
1. Meal Replacement Powder
Meal replacement powders (MRP) are a combination protein, fat and carbohydrate source. They're great if you don’t have time to prepare a food meal. They contain substantial calories and supply ample amounts of vitamins and minerals. Just as mortar is used to cement bricks together, protein is used by your body to repair and cement stronger, larger muscles. You have to have protein in order for your body to make the enzymes necessary to do this job as well as create those to oxidize (burn) fat. You can use other protein powders and simply add in carbohydrates, i.e. bananas, etc. I like the taste and smell of
NutraFit by
Fitness Labs the best.
If you’ve been trying extremely hard over the last few months to add solid muscle weight and you have a naturally thin body type (ectomorph), there’s a great protein supplement called
Gainer 500 by
Fitness Labs. It’s loaded with the amount of protein and carbs you need but especially the amount of calories you MUST have in order to build solid muscle tissue.
2. Creatine Monohydrate Creatine is a naturally occurring amino acid from protein source foods, which is required for energy production. Creatine is a cell volumizer in that it will help your muscles become fuller. Remember that muscle is approximately 60 plus percent water! Creatine also helps your body to produce more ATP (muscle fuel). Make sure to follow the directions on the label. I find that
German Creatine by
Fitness Labs works the best and is very affordable.
The secret is to FILL UP on this wonder supplement the first 7-10 days of use (usually 10 grams per day). Then take a maintenance dose for several weeks thereafter (5 grams per day).
3. Glutamine Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body and probably the most important for building massive muscles. It has a fantastic effect on your own body’s ability to produce more natural growth hormone. That’s a good thing! Try
L-Glutamine Powder by
Fitness Labs.
4. Daily Multi-Vitamin & Mineral Formula Your body is constantly renewing itself. It’s always in the process of many different chemical activities that depend on an adequate supply of vitamins and minerals. It’s creating hormones necessary for developing muscular growth and repairing tissue after a hard workout. Without adequate vitamins and minerals your results will be minimal. My favorite formula is the
Varsity Pack 2 by
Lindberg for both men and women.
5. ZMA (Z=zinc, MA=magnesium aspartate) ZMA is a very effective formula and an excellent alternative to growth hormone supplements. ZMA is made up of minerals that will help your body maximize its ability to produce its own serum testosterone and IGF-1 levels that ultimately delivers muscular gains.
Look, unless you have a near perfect nutrition program in which you always eat the right kind of foods and at the right times, YOU NEED SUPPLEMENTS! I really don’t know any person who has gained quality muscle mass who didn’t use nutritional supplements to accomplish it.
Gain knowledge in this area in your pursuit to build quality muscle by reading reputable literature from qualified sources. Muscle magazines are great for entertainment purposes, but not so good at delivering the TRUTH most of the time. I don’t mean to be hard on them; it’s just that their articles are not based on double blind “clinical studies”. Most of the time, their funded by the manufacturers of the products themselves and are purely anecdotal.
Try the BIG 5 Mass Producing Supplements and watch your mirror start to grow smaller while the bigger you is looking back! Stop talking about it and get with it!
