Sports Supplements for Bodybuilders
Bodybuilding is not just a man’s thing anymore. In fact, bodybuilding is gaining popularity nowadays among women. All over the world, bodybuilding competitions are held for both men and women. There are television body fitness shows that target bodybuilders. Even the very popular magazine Sports Illustrated is now having female bodybuilders as their cover models.
Lifting weights is the perfect routine for bodybuilders in order to achieve hypertrophy or muscle growth. These strenuous and high intensity activities promote the strengthening of muscles. The suitable weight-lifting program is accompanied by a specialize nutrition with high amounts of protein. Rest is also an important aspect of bodybuilding.
Because bodybuilders undergo high intensity trainings, their bodies have special needs. The body’s special nutritional requirement must be met, not only to optimize the bodybuilding workout, but also to prevent serious accidents.
Due to the high levels of muscle growth and repair, bodybuilders require between 500 to 1000 calories (roughly 2000 to 4000 kilojoules) more than their recommended daily amount while at the same time attempting to increase lean body mass.
This is achieved by taking in 5 to 7 full meals daily at regular intervals of 2 to 3 hours. This split of food intake allows for greater availability of nutrients in addition to assisting in fat loss.
In addition to a well-planned diet, bodybuilders can choose from a wide array of bodybuilding supplements on the market, depending on their needs. These bodybuilding products are referred to as diet supplements.
Keep note that in gaining muscles, it is really not necessary to take in supplements. However, these supplements will aid in hastening muscle development. The various types of bodybuilding products are classified as diet supplements.
Some bodybuilders would be “stacking” or combining the different bodybuilding supplements for faster results. Some of these products may prove harmful on their own or when “stacked”. The most popular bodybuilding supplements would be the following:
• Glutamine - Glutamine, which is the most abundant amino acids found in muscles, inhibits muscle wasting and helps muscles improve faster.
• Creatine - Creatine is good for muscle development because it increases the body’s ATP that is the main source of muscle energy. This increase in energy enables the bodybuilder to perform longer and endure more strenuous workouts. The different types of creatine are micronized creatine, creatine monohydrate and creatine formulas, which are mixed with other stuffs like dextrose and amino acids.
• Multivitamins - Deficiencies in minerals and vitamins can hamper the gains of workouts. Sufficient intake of multivitamins is essential in gaining muscle mass. Vitamins aid in converting food into energy while minerals ensure that the brain receives the correct signals from the body.
• HMB - The HMB supplement is a metabolite of leucine, an essential amino acid, which has a positive effect on muscle gain and even fat loss.
• Zinc and Magnesium Aspartate (ZMA)- This combination of vitamins and minerals has been reported to increase testosterone levels and improve sleep and recovery.
• Prohormones - Prohormones work like anabolic steroids- they increase anabolic hormones but with less risks for side effects.
• Protein-rich products or meal replacement products are available such as protein bars and protein shakes. Both are consumed in replacement of whole meals. These products are low in fat, rich in vitamins and minerals, have moderate amounts of carbohydrates and packed with high quality protein. Protein is made up of amino acids, which are the basic building blocks of muscles. Other forms of protein would be whey, egg or albumen, casein and soy.
The demand for bodybuilding supplements is increasing as more and more types and brands are being developed. Unfortunately, a lot of manufacturers make false claims with regards to the product safety and effectiveness. It is always best to take precaution in choosing the supplement.
Remember that the US Food and Drugs Administration does not provide oversight for these bodybuilding supplements. Meaning, the safety of these products is not always guaranteed due to the lack of an agency that can control and check these products.
And keep in mind that no amount of supplements will gain you results without a strict workout regimen and a proper diet. So if you want to achieve that fabulous body, sweat it out! The natural way, is always the perfect and most effective way.
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Complete Athlete Development - Brian Grasso
Complete Athlete Development - All Inclusive System for Training Young Athletes
The only complete system for athlete development available on the web, created by the leading expert in training young athletes, Brian Grasso.
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B-Vitamins and Athletic Performance
Can B-Vitamins Enhance Athletic Performance
B-Vitamins are often taken by athletes both young and old for their role in energy metabolism and muscle function. But do they really help an athlete perform better? Let’s take a closer look at the B-Vitamins which include thiamin (B-1), riboflavin (B-2), niacin, pyridoxine (B-6), folacin, cyanocobalamin (B-12), pantothenic acid, and biotin.
Many athletes, especially young athletes involved in highly competitive sports, do not realize the impact their diets have on their performance.
Ideally, an athlete should look to consume foods that are rich in B-Vitamins and supplement with a B-Complex vitamin when needed. The B-vitamins are in whole and enriched grains, dark green vegetables, nuts, and many animal and dairy products. Here is a helpful list of some of the food sources for B-Vitamins…
Top Food Sources for B-Vitamins
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Thiamin Food Sources: Liver, pork, lean meats, wheat germ, whole grains, enriched breads, and cereals.
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Riboflavin Food Sources: Milk and milk products, liver, enriched breads, and cereals.
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Niacin Food Sources: Liver, poultry, fish, peanut butter.
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Pyridoxine Food Sources: Liver, herring and salmon, wheat germ and whole grains, lean meats.
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Folacin Food Sources: Liver, wheat bran, whole grains, spinach and other green leafy vegetables, legumes, orange juice.
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Cyanocobalamin (B12) Food Sources: Foods of animal origin, specially prepared fermented yeasts, and fortified soy products.
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Biotin Food Sources: Egg Yolk, liver, and legumes.
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Pantothenic Acid Food Sources: Eggs, liver, wheat bran, peanuts, legumes, lean meats, spinach, and other vegetables.
Athletes and individuals with poor or restricted diets should consider taking a multivitamin or mineral supplement along with a B-Vitamin Complex. However, it is a good idea to talk with your doctor or pharmacist prior to adding any multi-vitamins or supplements to your diet.
In a recent study performed at Oregon State University and published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism discovered that active individuals lacking in B-vitamins - including college athletes and other elite competitors — may perform worse during high-intensity exercise and have a decreased ability to repair and build muscle than counterparts with nutrient-rich diets. The study indicated that even a small deficiency in B-Vitamins had an adverse effect on performance and recovery. Of course this would vary based on the type and intensity of the exercise, nutrient depletion during exercise and individual differences in diet. The study further cited that the current USRDA for B-Vitamins may be inadequate.
Given the above research and the general safety of taking B-Vitamins we think it deserves a second look for athletes who want to enhance their athletic performance.
Have a Safe Workout - Warm Up First!
Working Out | Warm Up
It is starting to become warmer, and many people will be returning to their fitness routines. Most sports injuries that happen when a person works out are caused due to a lack of proper warm up and stretching of the muscles before a workout.
It has been said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is definitely the case when you start to workout or do your fitness routine. Sore muscles, sprains, and even broken bones can result from not warming up your body prior to conditioning.
The best medicine for saving yourself the agony of ‘the morning after syndrome’ is to properly stretch out before your workout and then to warm up by doing some light jogging. You can use an ipod and listen to music, or take a friend with you for company.
Start by doing a simple stretching exercise. First, stand with your feet shoulder length apart. Reach down as far as you can with both hands and try to touch the floor. Don’t jerk, but simply extend your arms to the floor slowly and hold that position until you feel slight pressure on your leg and back muscles. Repeat this 5 times.
Next, sit on a mat or semi-soft surface. Put both of your feet directly in front of you and together. Extend your hands slowly and touch the tips of your shoes if you can. If you can’t quite reach that far don’t worry, this is the reason you are doing the stretching exercises in the first place. Your body needs to expand the ligaments and muscles to allow for the pressure of the upcoming workout. Repeat this stretching exercise up to 10 times.
These two stretching exercises will get you ready for moving around and working out as well as start the process of blood flow in your body.
If you plan to run for your workout it is suggested that you stretch your legs and hamstrings ( back of the upper leg ). To do this you extend one foot in front of the other far enough so most of your weight is on the front foot. Then slowly shift the rest of your weight forward while placing both hands on your knee. Hold this position for about 5 seconds after you feel a tightening pressure on your back and legs. Do this 10 times slowly for each leg.
It is wise to take your time when stretching out. The better job you do of loosening up when you stretch, the less likelihood of any sports injury occurring.
Another easy way to stretch your whole body is to do about 30 ‘jumping jacks’. This is merely jumping and spreading your feet apart at the same time you raise your hands just like you were going to clap your hands above your head. This is an enjoyable exercise, and one that lends itself easily to music. This is a standard exercise that is good in itself as it increases your blood flow and heartbeat. You may find that you want to do more that 30 jumping jacks at a time. Just remember to start slow if you are a beginner.
Now that you have stretched out your legs and loosened up a bit, take a slow jog for about 3 or 4 minutes. Then you will be ready to do a nice workout without fear of pulling any muscles.
Stretching and warming up will prevent sore muscles the day after your workout when you do it regularly. And it will reduce the incidence of sports injuries such as torn muscles. Just remember a great workout always begins with a solid warm up routine every time.
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