Anybody Use Supplements?

[Clstrphbc_donut]

Does anybody use any protein or carb supplements and how do you rate them?

I've taken the plunge and bought a 2 month carb supplement and a 2 month protein supplement, so I'm just wondering if I'm working out more than 3 times a week, will these help me improve?

I had a long talk with the guy who was very helpful as at first i wanted only protein, but after he explained things to me, i understood i also needed a carb supplement, so I'm hoping to see an improvement.

And to further it, I also bought E-Z Curl bars for at home with my dumbells.

Time for a healthier life i think...

Next, quit smoking

[Taz]

I took Casilan 90 (protein powder) for a while and it wasn't that good. To be honest with you, unless you want to be a body builder, supplements are a waste of time and money.

For energy, eat a banana before you go to the gym and a couple afterwards for slow-release energy. That way you get some of your 5-a-day fruit and veg portions, it tastes nicer and won't break the bank.

I highly recommend eating normal healthy food when working out. Honestly, I really don't think you need a carb supplment unless you are burning way more than 1,000 calories at each gym visit.

I burn around 1,000 calories per gym visit and I just eat normally.

[Clstrphbc_donut]

I took Casilan 90 (protein powder) for a while and it wasn't that good. To be honest with you, unless you want to be a body builder, supplements are a waste of time and money.

For energy, eat a banana before you go to the gym and a couple afterwards for slow-release energy. That way you get some of your 5-a-day fruit and veg portions, it tastes nicer and won't break the bank.

I highly recommend eating normal healthy food when working out. Honestly, I really don't think you need a carb supplment unless you are burning way more than 1,000 calories at each gym visit.

I burn around 1,000 calories per gym visit and I just eat normally.

No, I don't wish to be a bodybuilder but I'm really thin & have tried the following to gain weight of any kind, be it muscle or fat:-

Normal diet & weightlifting - Nothing really, just a bit more toned (3 years work)
Healthy diet & weightlifting - Same as above
VERY unhealthy diet and no exercise - lost weight

I've read a lot about protein and now i also understand carbs i think this may be the best way forward for me. If I'm not noticing a slight improvement after these 2 months, then I don't know what to do.

I decided upon the supplements as my normal diet doesnt contain lots of carbs nor protein. I think it just about matches my recommended daily intake, which doesnt provide enough for building muscle also.

[0iD]

It also depend 'how' you work out as to how much muscle you build. I've used the OTT method to good effect in the past if I want to break thro a plateau in development.

*edit*
We had a discussion previously on the subject here:
http://forums.hexus.net/showthread.p...hlight=protein
May be of some use.

[Taz]

Muscle building requires anaerobic training. Most gym work is composed of aerobic training (i.e. cardio). Lift very heavy weights with a low number of reps (eg. 8 reps per set) for maximum muscle development.

Lift light weights with more reps (eg. 15 reps) for definition, toning and aerobic workout.

[Russ]

surely anaerobic excercise is stuff like boxing, where you spend large quantities of the time starved of oxygen?