Creating Your Own Supplementation Program

supplementation program can be a very helpful tool in your quest to build muscle -- if devised intelligently. How you develop your program will greatly influence its effectiveness and justify its cost. Before making such an investment, several factors should be considered: the supplement’s specific purpose, the importance you place on its purpose, suggested dosage, and the company that sells it.

Be sure to learn the specific purpose of every supplement you buy. Find out what promise it makes and what studies are provided to substantiate its claims. Ask other trainees who have used the product of their experience.

After learning what the supplements actually are supposed to do, evaluate the priority you place on these qualities. You may be on a limited budget, so purchasing every product available is out of the question. Determine your goals and find out which supplements will get you there for the best value. For example, if your primary objective is to put on quality muscle, you should put a higher priority on a whey protein powder rather than L-Carnitine, pyruvate, or a thermogenic enhancer. If getting very lean, "shredded," or "ripped" is your main focus, your priorities may differ.

The suggested dosage for the supplement to be effective is also an important consideration. Some supplements may be priced reasonably, but when you consider the required dosages, they are not such a great value. If they are too expensive, the odds of continued usage are reduced. This is often the case with the "latest and greatest" products that frequently hit the market.

How do you know if the company you purchase supplements from is reputable? Find out how long they have been in existence; and their entire product line, and, most importantly, the experiences of those who use their products. The company that has the flashiest ads, celebrity endorsements, or most or least expensive price are not good indicators on which to base your decision.

I can save you a lot time, however. AST Sports Science is an awesome supplement company! I've been with them for over eight years.

"Hot" or trendy supplements come and go, so it is very important to get the most recent research available. Nothing takes the place of trial and error. My personal supplementation program was developed over many years with a lot of research and input from knowledgeable individuals. I added and deleted supplements only after carefully examining their impact and value. Be sure when you add a new supplement to your program that you consider all factors that may contribute to or detract from its effectiveness. In other words, be sure you continue to train hard and eat well while experimenting with a new supplement. You should always introduce one new supplement at a time to be able to properly evaluate its effectiveness. Introducing a new supplement every 30 days is a good rule of thumb.

If I could only take three supplements, in order of priority they would be high quality AST Sports Science's VP2 Whey Protein Isolate, GL-3 L-glutamine, and Micronized creatine monohydrate.

Protein is the nutrient responsible for muscle growth and repair. It is the most important nutrient to any bodybuilder -- whether they are natural or not. Any standard bodybuilder’s diet consists of high-quality foods containing protein such as egg whites, tuna, chicken, etc.; but supplemented VP2 Whey Protein Isolate is even a better source.

Along with VP2 Whey Protein Isolate, I also use protein supplements in the form of Ny-Tro Pro 40 meal replacements.

I also put a high priority on supplementing my body's glutamine stores. GL-3 L-glutamine does the job very well. Any time you put physical or mental stress on the body, your muscles are robbed of the intra-muscular amino acid stores of glutamine which is essential for the proper use of protein. In other words, any anxiety you feel, and even weight training itself, can detract from your ability to build muscle as quickly and efficiently as possible when proper amounts of glutamine are not available.

Micronized Creatine monohydrate can produce the most dramatic quality weight gain in the shortest amount of time than probably any other supplement on the market today. I remember when I first started taking creatine, I gained 19 pounds in just three weeks! Many other drug-free trainees around the country have experienced similar. If you haven't tried creatine monohydrate yet, I suggest you try some.

Micronized Creatine aids in the turnover of ATP. ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, is the compound in your muscle cells that generates muscle power by the conversion of its chemical energy. Higher levels in your system help you train harder -- and for a longer period of time. Although it has not yet been scientifically documented, it is believed that creatine monohydrate also helps your muscles retain more fluids, giving you a larger, fuller appearance. I have personally experienced this effect, along with an increase of strength and weight gain, with Micronized Creatine monohydrate.

Proper timing when taking certain supplements is very important to their overall effectiveness. Much study has been put into this subject and many different opinions have been expressed. This is an area in which you will need to monitor your own progress and determine how the timing of your supplement intake affects you personally.

There are a few simple rules that will apply to most of us. First of all, pay special attention to using your high-quality supplements within two hours after your intense workouts. That's when your body will need the assistance most. Also, it is far better to ingest supplements in smaller quantities more frequently throughout the day than less often, larger doses. Also, try to separate the use of different supplements so they do not compete with one another.

Learn everything you can about the supplementation market. Keeping up on the latest developments will help you take advantage of the very best products available and help you steer clear of those that are "rip-offs" or ineffective. You can be sure that All Natural Muscular Development and Muscle Media magazines will continue to provide the drug-free trainer with information on this topic and keep their commitment to help you reach your goals.

I feel the best information in regards to sports supplements on the AST Sports Science web site. Reserve a few hours for research! that's how long you'll need to absorb all the valuable information available!

Another source I have found to learn about supplements is the book by Dr. Michael Colgan titled Ultimate Sports Nutrition. It is very easy reading and Dr. Colgan gives just enough information for a clear understanding -- without getting too detailed or scientific. I believe this book is a must-read for those searching for more knowledge in these areas. You will find it so engrossing that you can probably finish it in two or three cardiovascular sessions.

Instead of relying on steroids and other drugs to build your physique, try developing a detailed supplementation program. When added to your efficient training program and meticulous eating habits, you will find that it will get you surprisingly closer to the body you desire -- while staying consistent to your commitment to be drug-free. Best of all, you will not have to worry about its legality or the negative opinions of your peers. You may, however, need to worry about buying a new wardrobe to accommodate all that added muscle mass!

Other related articles on this skiplacour.com web site:

Skip La Cour’s Personal Supplementation Program

Skip La Cour's Top Three Supplement Recommendations To Pack-On Muscle FAST!

BOLSTER Your Bodybuilding Efforts With Skip La Cour As Your FREE Personal Coach Simply By Purchasing Your AST Sports Science Supplements From This Web Site!