Supplements the debate/discussion thread

LiE · 5 Dec 2012 at 14:22

I always do a stimulant detox after finishing a pre-workout. Cold turkey for 2 weeks

While taking a pre-workout I definitely have more energy compared to just a coffee. Just a little something extra to make the most of the comp prep.

LiE · 5 Dec 2012 at 14:24

Freefaller said:
A lot of you know I suffered or occasionally suffer from motivation. Heck we all have our down times. However, if you can't get to the gym, without taking supplementation then my personal opinion is that there's something more in depth to be addressed, before even thinking about taking any "boosters". That's just my personal take on it - happy for you to disagree.

I must have missed something, who is saying they can't workout without supplements? I thought people were discussing supplementing their training with an extra boost.

Delvis · 5 Dec 2012 at 14:35

I tend to have the odd coffee as has been said previously, other than that, I've never taken a specific pre-workout.

Granted, some days I've just felt dead and a pre-wo would have helped, but I still plodded down to the gym and did some form of a PB, tend to feel better after that anyway!

mrthingyx · 5 Dec 2012 at 14:38

Exercise is its own reward?

The only thing for me that makes a real, tangible difference to workouts (having tried shedloads of caffeine and whatnot) is at least 8hrs of sleep the night before.

Delvis · 5 Dec 2012 at 14:40

mrthingyx said:
Exercise is its own reward?

The only thing for me that makes a real, tangible difference to workouts (having tried shedloads of caffeine and whatnot) is at least 8hrs of sleep the night before.

Debatable, especially if you've had a crummy day at work

Unless of course you train first thing

Kimi · 5 Dec 2012 at 14:43

Yea i know what you guys mean, i haven't taken a pre work out for about 4 months since my Jack3d ran out, i havent really missed it but sometimes when i was am struggling to get motivated i found that Jack3d really picked me up and put me to work. Now i just do it anyway because its my life style routine to now hit the weights at least 3 times a week minimum. Im just looking for something that i can take, not every time, but on thoses times when im not quite at the level im happy with

Freefaller · 5 Dec 2012 at 14:45

LiE said:
I must have missed something, who is saying they can't workout without supplements? I thought people were discussing supplementing their training with an extra boost.

No one has to say it, but it's the responsible thing to do, to state what I have stated. We have a lot of young impressionable people on here remember, and it's an ever decreasing circle when people feel they have to use things to achieve results, dependability is something a lot of people fall foul of.

Personally I get very little from that sort of supplementation, and feel that if I'm unmotivated, taking a booster won't help - but digging deep and getting on with it actually achieves more.

Freefaller · 5 Dec 2012 at 14:47

Delvis said:
Debatable, especially if you've had a crummy day at work Unless of course you train first thing

I do on average 13hr days, yet I can still go to the gym and shift volume that would make Ronnie go "yeah buddy". Bear in mind we're not pros here, and if you struggle with motivation, a supplement won't help, it'll make you buzz, sure, but to get the motivation to actually hit the gym takes more than supplements you have to WANT to go. It's so easy to toss in the towel and say "I'll go tomorrow".

As I said, it does help, but if you can't do it without, then you need to address that issue.

Delvis · 5 Dec 2012 at 14:58

Freefaller said:
I do on average 13hr days, yet I can still go to the gym and shift volume that would make Ronnie go "yeah buddy". Bear in mind we're not pros here, and if you struggle with motivation, a supplement won't help, it'll make you buzz, sure, but to get the motivation to actually hit the gym takes more than supplements you have to WANT to go. It's so easy to toss in the towel and say "I'll go tomorrow".

As I said, it does help, but if you can't do it without, then you need to address that issue.

Indeed. I was referring to a general tired sense

You do 13hr days, but that's what you're used to (presumably). If you happen to have a more than standard stressful day for whatever reason, it can feel like a chore to go for want of a better word. As I said though, generally when I've been feeling like that, or whenever I get my migraines and it makes my eyes feel like they're lolling about in their sockets, generally going down the gym and just getting on with it helps matters and I soon feel good for it.

King Damager · 5 Dec 2012 at 15:00

The concept of pre-workout would probably be interesting from what I actually do.

I normally take a protein/instant oat shake for breakfast no matter what (easier to swallow down and get the stuff in), then a bagel about half hour later. Sometimes workouts fall in between that time. Basically sometimes I go into gym just after the shake. Which theoretically could put it as 'pre-workout'...

But it's not designed specifically for pre-workout, so don't really count it...

Delvis said:
Indeed. I was referring to a general tired sense

You do 13hr days, but that's what you're used to (presumably). If you happen to have a more than standard stressful day for whatever reason, it can feel like a chore to go for want of a better word. As I said though, generally when I've been feeling like that, or whenever I get my migraines and it makes my eyes feel like they're lolling about in their sockets, generally going down the gym and just getting on with it helps matters and I soon feel good for it.

Welcome to endorphin town.

kd

MoNkeE · 5 Dec 2012 at 15:02

No it doesn't. And if anything, will be detrimental to a work out if consumed too soon. You should eat ideally an hour and a half before your work out.

Delvis · 5 Dec 2012 at 15:04

King Damager said:
Welcome to endorphin town.

kd

Pretty much

Freefaller · 5 Dec 2012 at 15:11

Delvis said:
Indeed. I was referring to a general tired sense

You do 13hr days, but that's what you're used to (presumably). If you happen to have a more than standard stressful day for whatever reason, it can feel like a chore to go for want of a better word. As I said though, generally when I've been feeling like that, or whenever I get my migraines and it makes my eyes feel like they're lolling about in their sockets, generally going down the gym and just getting on with it helps matters and I soon feel good for it.

If you have a migrane you won't be able to move let alone open your eyes. Those are exceptional circumstances.

Yes, I'm used to it, but I put the effort in. I sleep 5-6hrs a night, and unfortunately work long days. However, I just dig deep and get on with it. I'm knackered sometimes, and have an unsatisfactory workout, but I've had a day of nutrition behind me, and my own bloody mindedness to just MTFU and get on with it.

If you can get to THAT stage without a boost, then sure, by all means take something to give you a little more - no issues with that whatsoever.

What I am saying, which people seem to be avoiding, is that you have to try and uncover the issue that makes you feel as though you need to take a supplement to feel you're going to have a good workout, or feel as though it's necessary. If you don't have any, and you are just after a bit of "oomph" as part of your dietary supplementation then I have no issue at all.

All I'm saying is using it as a substitute or to overcome a mental block is to be avoided.

It's like people coming home after work and gagging for an alcoholic drink - it's a symptom of a bigger underlying problem.

King Damager · 5 Dec 2012 at 15:12

MoNkeE said:
No it doesn't. And if anything, will be detrimental to a work out if consumed too soon. You should eat ideally an hour and a half before your work out.

Meh, it fits round my lifestyle. It's what works best for me from a 'I can be bothered to do this' perspective.

I'm not getting out of bed early just so I can drink a shake

kd

LiE · 5 Dec 2012 at 15:12

I have a really good workout without pre-workout supps, but I have even better workouts with it

King Damager · 5 Dec 2012 at 15:15

LiE said:
I have a really good workout without pre-workout supps, but I have even better workouts with it

There's a joke in there somewhere...

kd

Freefaller · 5 Dec 2012 at 15:15

King Damager said:
Meh, it fits round my lifestyle. It's what works best for me from a 'I can be bothered to do this' perspective.

I'm not getting out of bed early just so I can drink a shake

kd

You can train fasted, or just take some BCAAs and a banana with a shot of coffee

Still don't understand how you can train early though

LiE said:
I have a really good workout without pre-workout supps, but I have even better workouts with it

I'm sure someone at your level does - and I guess in the morning I can see how it would make a difference, and I'd probably need something to give me the motivation in the morning. I guess I don't get anything from it - just like rollercoasters - I find them fairly uninteresting or exciting.

Delvis · 5 Dec 2012 at 15:18

Freefaller said:
If you have a migrane you won't be able to move let alone open your eyes. Those are exceptional circumstances.

Yes, I'm used to it, but I put the effort in. I sleep 5-6hrs a night, and unfortunately work long days. However, I just dig deep and get on with it. I'm knackered sometimes, and have an unsatisfactory workout, but I've had a day of nutrition behind me, and my own bloody mindedness to just MTFU and get on with it.

If you can get to THAT stage without a boost, then sure, by all means take something to give you a little more - no issues with that whatsoever.

What I am saying, which people seem to be avoiding, is that you have to try and uncover the issue that makes you feel as though you need to take a supplement to feel you're going to have a good workout, or feel as though it's necessary. If you don't have any, and you are just after a bit of "oomph" as part of your dietary supplementation then I have no issue at all.

All I'm saying is using it as a substitute or to overcome a mental block is to be avoided.

It's like people coming home after work and gagging for an alcoholic drink - it's a symptom of a bigger underlying problem.

I've had migraines previously so I know what they do. My general issue tends to be with my eyes drying up, hence the glasses and swabbing of my eyes to lubricate them

I agree entirely, I've never brought a Pre-wo and I doubt I'll be doing it any time soon. If you NEED to take a pre-wo before training, regardless of how you feel, then yes, you need to sort your shizzle out.

LiE · 5 Dec 2012 at 15:21

Agreed, if you _need_ to take it then it's a problem. If you're taking it to build on an already solid workout/diet then no harm.

King Damager · 5 Dec 2012 at 15:22

Freefaller said:
You can train fasted, or just take some BCAAs and a banana with a shot of coffee

Still don't understand how you can train early though
.

It really depends on your definition of early.

My alarm goes off at 8, I get out of bed at half 8, make a shake, drink shake, get dressed, cycle to gym, in gym or pool at about 9... Most people wouldn't say that was early....

Once I've got a job in sept it might be most interesting mind...

kd