Posted: 6/10/2014 5:46:55 PM EDT
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Long story short I used to spend a lot of time on a bike and at one time was pretty healthy. I should say I had great legs, was pretty thin, but lacked much upper body/core strength. A few months ago my wife signed up for a gym and started going. A few weeks ago she started dragging me along and I kinda discovered some things I have missed. Coming from a cycling background pre-ride prep is pretty easy. Lots of water, if you don't have to pee before you go you haven't drank enough. Drink a bunch during, eat if it is a ride over a hour or so. We are working with a personal trainer doing mainly weight lifting/circuit training in about 1hr increments. Is there anything besides drinking water I should be doing? I see a lot of hyped pre-workout supplements, but most of those people I wouldn't trust to change my oil. |
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Quoted: Most pre workout sups are stimulant based. Is that something you are looking for? This.  before I got it right.I don't do the stimulant drinks. Tried them, they work but its a pointless expense AND after awhile I felt like I NEEDED them to workout. I just sip on water during workouts.
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Quoted: That. Also, hopefully you have a knowledgeable trainer. I was once a trainer in a chain gym (Gold's) and saw first hand how incredibly stupid most of them are. Quoted: Quoted: Most pre workout sups are stimulant based. Is that something you are looking for? That. Also, hopefully you have a knowledgeable trainer. I was once a trainer in a chain gym (Gold's) and saw first hand how incredibly stupid most of them are. No, not really. The biggest problem I run into with the wife is the difference between good pain and bad pain. I know of a few folks that are constantly talking of the latest supplement...and the latest injury. Sorry if I am old school. A few dudes at my gym today were "holy shit bulked" and that is not me. |
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BCAA's before strength training, or cardio too? Quoted:
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There's nothing else you NEED. Some of us like BCAA's (I like xtend and amino energy) and caffeine. There's a bunch of other stuff out there, with varying price points and effectiveness. BCAA's before strength training, or cardio too? If I have it on hand, I'll take it before every workout. Sometimes I don't. Usually I do. I always do if I'm fasted. |
| If I read this correctly, you are trying to mitigate the "holy crap I can't extend my arms" the next morning feeling? Honestly, water, a lot of water is your friend. I go through about a gallon of water when I workout, then a liter the rest of the night until I go to bed. |
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Progress without muscle discomfort... Better be running 4-10u GH... You're not going to wake up one morning and be "holy shit jacked" by accident. I can almost guarantee the holy shit jacked guys are running juice. Drink water, bcaa... should be fine if you're not pushing it for hours. |
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Thanks for the suggestions, I may look into the BCAA. I am not looking to get all roided out, just trying to get back down to a healthy weight and add some core strength. Promise you bud - you don't look "roided out" unless you train hard, eat perfectly, and run multiple cycles of juice. Its not easy. |
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Quoted: Promise you bud - you don't look "roided out" unless you train hard, eat perfectly, and run multiple cycles of juice. Its not easy. Quoted: Quoted: Thanks for the suggestions, I may look into the BCAA. I am not looking to get all roided out, just trying to get back down to a healthy weight and add some core strength. Promise you bud - you don't look "roided out" unless you train hard, eat perfectly, and run multiple cycles of juice. Its not easy. Rgr, just saying that was not the direction. Those dudes are crazy, but whatever floats their boat. |
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I would say it depends on what your goals are. Mine is strength/hypertrophy so depending on the time of day I workout, I may drink a protein shake an hour before along with a banana or other fruit, then take a pre-workout 30 minutes before. It keeps me focused on what I am doing. I take C4 Extreme which is only 135mg of caffeine. (Some have way more so check the ingredients.) I then take another protein shake after working out mixed with creatine. I may eat some carbs after as well. BCAA's are great for recovery after the workout. Sometimes I sip them during the workout.
A lot of GNC, Vitaminshoppe, or other places that sell supplements may sell or may give you a 1 serving sample of something. I tried a few things out and decided that C4 is a great pre-workout for me since I am a little more on the caffeine sensitive side. I then went and bought it at Costco in bulk and cheaper. |