TeenBodybuilding.com - Alton Hare - Alton's Supplement Review!

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Ipriflavone increases bone density.

Here I will detail my exact experience with each supplement I've taken, my view on the pros and cons, and my overall opinion.

By: Alton Hare

I've tried several common supplements out there that most any serious teen bodybuilder has seriously thought of taking to get an edge. Most have not tried perhaps because they did not want to waste their money in case the supplement didn't work, or are afraid of side effects. Well, here I will detail my exact experience with each supplement I've taken, my view on the pros and cons, and my overall opinion.

N-Large II

I took this for about two months because the high concentration of protein and carbs with very little fat appealed to me. I was wanting to gain mass and to increase my recovery with the high glycemic carbohydrates and quick absorbing whey protein. Also the price is awesome, less than a dollar for a serving that contains 52 grams protein and over 80 grams of high glycemic carbs.

Pros
Very cost affordable, cheaper than a food meal of the same macronutrient composition Mixes easily, no blender needed, only a small amount of water I put on mass very quick, at 600 cals per serving it's easy to bump up your calories

Cons
Horrible taste, downing one before and after every workout can become a detestable ritual I put on mass too quickly, much fat and water came along with muscle, I started to go with half a serving before and after workout and some of the fat came off.

Overall Evaluation
When I stopped taking N Large and switched back to my normal whey protein w/ Gatorade powder my waist returned to normal size. However, the rest of my body remained slightly bigger than it was, so overall it helped. I may have made the same gains without it, maybe not, impossible to know. Overall I think this is a good weight gain supplement for skinnier guys who aren't worried about gaining a little extra fat, but just want to put on some mass. I do NOT recommend this if you have endomorphic tendencies (like me). I'm not fat, but I do tend to put on fat easily as well as muscle, so this was not for me. If your ectomorphic, it's probably a great mass gainer for you, and you will do very well on it.

Twinlab ZMA Fuel

I tried this because I heard that many people had good results with it. Also, I am a notoriously bad sleeper, I have to set a bedtime for myself every night, even on weekends, or my sleep pattern is thrown totally off and I won't be able to fall asleep the next night at a normal time. Sometimes I couldn't get to bed early on weekends, I was out, then when I came back to school I couldn't fall asleep until one or two AM, so I needed something to knock me out.

Pros
Small but significant decrease in time needed to fall asleep Found a few zits on my shoulders which indicated a real increase in testosterone Slight but significant increase in recovery ability

Cons
Difficult to take, cannot be taken with anything containing calcium Must be taken on an empty or near empty stomach Overall Evaluation
While it wasn't a wonder supplement the effects of it were definite and observable. However, after a while I stopped it because you cannot take it with anything containing calcium, which meant no nighttime slow release protein (since they all contain calcium caseinate). Either that, or wait 30 minutes after the ZMA to take my shake. But also I had to wait three hours after dinner to have an empty stomach. Three and a half hours is too long for me to go without putting something in besides a few vitamins. The small benefits weren't worth it, but some people it may not be so inconvenient because of different eating patterns or schedules. I think, if they could put it into a more stable form, it would be a staple of teen bodybuilding supplement stacks, but as is it is very difficult to take correctly.

Creatine

Why do I need to even include this one? It's my favorite supplement, and I've had plenty of experience with it. Here's the overview.

Pros
Shorter recovery time
More strength and endurance during workouts
Greater muscle hydration decreasing the chance of dehydration in the muscle cells
Easy to take, no taste, micronized mixes right up in any liquid (except acidic juices)
Pretty cheap

Cons
Water retention if you load it per the package instructions (but I found that this is unnecessary the last time I took it I didn't load and it has worked just as fine without all the puffiness)
A FEW people report stomach cramps, diarrhea, etc. They are few and far between, and might ameliorate their problem by starting with a low dose and building up.

Overall Evaluation
The only common con is water retention which can be eliminated by simply not loading it and taking five grams after every workout and with protein shake before bed on non workout days. The effects are not only noticeable but very significant. When your on creatine you know it, and when you come off it you can feel the decrease in your ability to build intensity during workouts. This should be a staple of every serious teen lifter who has been lifting for 6 months or so, as it is both cheap and very effective.

Twinlab Ripped Fuel

I am reporting on this because I took it back in my wrestling days when I first started lifting. I used it to give me the energy to make it through my 2-2.5 hour practices and still lift weights. I had very good results with it, it gave me the energy I needed and kept my weight down, I sweated more when I took it which helped me make weight.

Pros
Cost effective Increases alertness and focus Curbs appetite Causes some minor water loss, which can cause a more "ripped" look

Cons
Some people report nervousness, jumpiness, and excitability, I had no such problems It can keep you awake, I did not have this problem any more than normal lol. Overall Evaluation Very effective supplement for curbing appetite and losing weight if you want to get "cut". If your not wanting to get cut it is still very good to increase energy, focus, and intensity during a workout. If you experience side effects such as nervousness, dry mouth, excessive fatigue, or difficulty sleeping, you may be sensitive to thermogenics. I'm lucky that I am not sensitive at all, but many people are. This is a supplement you will have to try for yourself and it may be great for you or it may suck.

Final Recommendations

I'm going to lump the next few together. I've tried various protein powders, no need to evaluate one brand they are all basically the same. I have recommendations however. 100% Whey by Optimum Nutrition is the most cost efficient pure whey protein. HDT Pro-Blend 55 is a good tasting, quality slow release protein for before bed. Met-Rx's Protein Plus is the best slow release but it is also pretty expensive, it tastes like candy though, literally.

Also, for about a year I have been taking Vitamin C, Vitamin E, a Multi-Vitamin, and Glucosamine w/ MSM. These are good to take, C and E decrease recovery time slightly and also boost immune system, I have not had to stop training due to an illness yet. Glucosamine with MSM keeps your joints and tendons in top order so you don't have to worry about them weakening on you as you get up to very high weights. I know as teens we rarely have problems with our joints, but it's better to help the problem before it becomes a problem so we don't have to worry about it later ;).

This concludes my supplement review, I hope it has been very helpful for you in making your supplement decisions.

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