Science Of Steroids

Interesting documentary. Not promoting there use, but its interesting stuff to know.

Why Do You Train?

ON Platinum Hydro Builder Review

     The Platinum Hydro Builder from Optimum Nutrition is an all in one shake designed to support your recovery and growth. Much like other all in one shakes, this supplemennt contains a wide range of nutrients, all of which are required to help your body grow. I picked up this sample at the BodyPower Expo as part of a great bundle. A tub of Platinum Hydro Builder usually costs about £35 per 20 serving tub. Remember this is a premium product from a premium brand.
     Nutritionally, the shake gives a very good balance of all the important ingredients, while keeping calories low. Each serving (52g) is only 186kcal, with fat at 2g and carbohydrates nice and low at 5.8g. 35 grams of protein is included, of which 13.5 grams are essential aminos, so you get a good amount of protein going in, though not as much as some conventional whey protein supplements. 5 grams of creatine monohydrate are also included, helping improve your recovery of ATP when lifting.
     The flavour of this powder is also pretty good. I have the chocolate flavour, which is always the safest option in my opinion. While not as smooth and chocolaty as the standard whey and casein powders, it is still a nice drink at the end of your workout. 

ON Amino Energy Review

     Optimum Nutritions Essential Amino Enery is a supplement to deliver essential amino acids, increase nitric oxide production, improve muscle recovery and improve energy levels and focus. I am able to review a few areas of this supplement, mainly the effects felt during a training session and how affected my energy levels and recovery.

     Firstly, the flavour I have is fruit punch. While not important with regard to the physical effects of the supplement, the flavour is the first thing you notice about any supplements you have. The fruit flavour Amino Energy is very sweet and quite enjoyable to drink. It does not become too sickly if you are sipping on it, a big plus compared to some other supplements out there. It sits very well in your stomach too, meaning you don't feel it sloshing around as you being your training.

     I took my first does of this supplement before a back session, so had quite an intense workout to get through. I did notice a difference in how I was recovering and able to push myself during the session, taking less time to recover and being able to complete more reps of each exercise than normal. The energy in this supplement comes from caffine and beta-Alanine, so a tingling feeling is to be expected when taking it, as well as raised heart rate and more sweating. As far as I can tell there is no B12 included.

     The dosing recommended before a training session is 4-6 scoops. However, at £30 a tub (which is only half full too), having 6 scoops would cause you to run out very quickly. I only had 2 scoops (1 serving) and definitly felt the influence of it.

     Overall, this supplement does what it says in terms of energy boosting and focus improvement during a workout. The amino delivery and improved recovery between sessions is something you will have to decide on yourselves after extended use. If you can afford to buy it, go for it, but if not, keep it for those days where you need a bit of an extra boost.

     As always, please share this if you liked it, it really helps me out and doesn't take much. Thanks!

Relevant Links: Grenade .50 Calibre Review

Expo Review

       Right, where to start. Biggest fitness show in Europe and I got to be there for 2 days. I made sure that I experienced as much as I could in the time that I was there. Friday the 17th, otherwise known as the trade day, kicked of as expected. Promoters included suppliers of supplements, foods and training kit attended meaning there was a bit of everything to suite everyone. The 18th was the first day of two open to the public, so was absolutely manic, maybe a bit too busy for some as stalls did become a bit crowded at times.
       Supplement companies present included all the major brands (like Met-RX, USN, NRG, Optimum Nutrition) and many new start-ups offering alternatives to the mainstream giants. Some provided weird and wackey new supplements or flavours, others provided different blends of your favourite supplements. Some of my favourites were the seed based shake supplied by one manufacturer (the name escapes me, sorry!) providing a very good blend of protein while adding in all the natural fats and vitamins obtained by nuts and seeds.
        Another was the crazy new creation by Phd, a superfood blend designed to supercharge your body. Trust me, this is a case of something looking disgusting, but tasting amazing. The green, slimy looking sample is offered to those who wish to try, and those who do are refresh by the fantastic blend of flavours, with a hint of whichever primary flavour your sample had. You can almost feel the cleansing properties of this supplement as it hits your stomach. Well worth a look.
         I managed to catch some of a talk by Rehan Jalali, a well renown nutritionist. He delivered an interesting talk on the benefits of supplements, correct eating and the advantages of having specialist examination of blood samples to investigate the best composition of nutrients to feed your body.
         A strong presence of the show this year was the inclusion of bulk food providers. Many butchers were present offering bulk purchase options from their online stores with home deliver. Some were offering frozen deliver, others offered fresh products to the door. All suppliers offered amazing quality and ranges of meats at incredible prices, far below your local supermarkets. There were even less common options available, like chicken sausages, bison burgers and alligator steaks. I have to say, the burgers sold at some of the stores tasted amazing. I had an ostrich burger myself, shame its not available at all stores!
       While your exploring the vast exhibition hall, your surrounded by celebs and sponsored athletes. Seeing all of these idols is a big inspiration, as they are even more impressive in the flesh than in the photos. I managed to have a word with a big favourite of mine, Steve Cook. Its always good when your idols are as awesome in person as they are in Youtube videos etc.
       Overall I would say that the Expo was an improvement on last years show. It has definitely grown, though the organisers may have been a tad optimistic in the sales of ticket which too the shine out of the Saturday for me, mainly because of the need to shuffle and weave through crowds for the entire day. However the turnout from the industry was incredible, the presence of so many big names and athletes bought the standard of the show up, creating an environment that left many I spoke to inspired and with a hungry desire to go home and train harder than ever. If you can get there for the last day, go, it'll be worth it!
  

Stash from the Expo

Loads of good deals on at BodyPower Expo. Here's all the stuff I managed to pick up or decided to buy.

Optimum Nutrition - Great stack deal from these guys, got a bag of Gold Standard Whey Protein, Gold Standard Casein, Platinum Hydro Builder and Amino Energy for £50!! Even go a free t-shirt and some Pre samples thrown in.

Universal - Shock Therapy samples, looking forward to tying these pre workouts at some point

PeptoPro - propeptide supplier, this stuff is meant to reduce the catabolic affect of training on the muscle. Big claim, time to put it to the test.

Back from the Expo

I have just returned from the BodyPower Expo in Birmingham. I was there for 2 days, so have lots to talk about, bear with me while I write it all. Should be able to post again later tonight.