Bodybuilding Aids That Work - Whey Protein and Creatine

Bodybuilding aids have become the trend over the last two decades or so. Bodybuilding supplements as well as all supplements are exactly what they are called; supplements. There are many people out there that hear about a product and go straight out to buy it, take it for a few weeks and realize nothing happens.

There is no proven supplement that will do all of the work for you. Along with supplements, a healthy diet, regular exercise and weight training are the essentials to bodybuilding and achieving the body you desire.

If you ask any bodybuilder how many meals a day he or she should eat and the answer you will most likely get is 5-6 times a day. Eating six meals a day seems a lot because it is!

One solution to getting all of your protein is meal replacements. These can come in a powdered drink mix or even in a "protein" bar. Since there are many different types of protein, I am going to discuss whey protein, which is to be considered the best of all of them.

Whey protein is a protein that comes from milk. Whey protein builds muscles, protects the muscles and will enhance your performance. These supplements deliver a great amount of amino acids that bodybuilders need. Whey protein is easy to digest and is evenly distributed throughout the body when taken. There is essentially no fat contained.

Whey protein is the main ingredient of any weight gainer supplement. Weight gainers are high in carbohydrates, actually taste good and there are many different types you can buy. These should be taken up to three times a day, now only leaving you with three protein filled meals to cover on your own.

Bodybuilding supplements have many other purposes than to just give only nutrients and to replace a meal. Many of these are to be taken right before and after a rigorous workout. The reasoning for these types of powdered drinks is that some of the formula in the supplement can actually enhance blood flow, giving you the "pumped" feeling. Long after your workout, your muscles will still feel the blood pumping through their veins, continuously working.

Creatine Monohydrate is a top supplement for bodybuilding that creates the "pumped" feeling. Creatine is a nutrient found in our bodies that is naturally produced, yet not nearly enough for bodybuilders.

Creatine is necessary for the production of our body's energy unit, ATP (adenosine triphosphate). While storing extra creatine in your muscles, you will have much more strength and endurance for quick bursts of energy lasting from anywhere from 30 seconds to possibly 3 minutes. Creatine Monohydrate gives your muscles the extra boost you need during a workout for maximum growth.

Creatine in the form of a Creatine Monohydrate Supplement can be taken by a meal replacement powered drink and the body treats it as if it was naturally created. Considering the market for supplements today, all are packed with the highest nutrients and actually taste good! The results you can gain by taking a Creatine Monohydrate supplement are immediate. You will actually feel your muscles working hard, both during and after your workout!

The advantages of both whey protein and creatine are you will give your body the right amount of nutrients, amino acids, endurance and muscle energy for your intense workout. These two stacked together will produce excellent results along with your weight training.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_A_Johnson

Read more...

Rounding Off Squat Training in Westside Barbell Style

Earlier we have provided a brief overview of the squat training that is executed at Westside Barbell on day 2 (also known as the speed day). Today we will be discussing the correct methods for performing it and also provide information about reps and rest period.



• For performing box squats correctly, fix up the squat in a position, which is comparatively wider than the normal stance. Also, keep your feet pointed towards the forward direction.

• Next, arch the back region, pull the shoulder blades together and move the head into the bar. Afterwards move the knees apart and try to push your abdomen against the belt.

• Once you are done, lower yourself gently. Push back the hips and then bend the knees.

• Pause on the box squat for few seconds and start again.

• On the speed day, Westside Barbell recommends 8-12 sets of 2 repetitions. The rest period usually varies between 45-60 seconds between the sets.

• Once the box squat workout is over, exercisers are instructed to execute the same assistance groups (as on day 1). Special attention will be given on the weak areas.

• The total duration of these workouts should approximately take 1 hour. Research studies have proved that testosterone levels are on the rise during the first 20 minutes of the workout session. It has also been stated that the most crucial time of training lies between the first 20-50 minutes and afterwards, the testosterone levels start decreasing. It can be mentioned here that work sets are executed in Westside Barbell within the first 50 minutes.

This marks the end of squat training in Westside Barbell style. It is important to follow all these steps with whole-hearted dedication to achieve the results.

Stay healthy and have fun!

Read more...

Dynamic Effort Training with Westside Barbell

Earlier we provided a brief overview of day 1 of squat training at Westside Barbell. Today we will be discussing the dynamic effort method that is followed on day 2, i.e. on Friday. Dynamic effort method can be defined as lifting weights (sub-maximal) with the highest attainable speed. It can be recalled that the purpose of squat training on day 2 is to work on the neuromuscular system.



More information are provided below:

• In Westside Barbell, squat training on day 2 is performed with the help of box squats.

• Box squats are executed on a box that is 1 to 2 inches below parallel.

• The percentages of the weight of the squat are executed in a wave style for 4 weeks. Afterwards, they are repeated. An example will make the concept clearer. 1st week is 50 %, 2nd week 55 %, 3rd week 58 %, and 4th week 60 %.

• If you are using bands or chains, they must be used along with the weights. It is recommended to use weights because they help to develop accelerating and explosive strength and to execute the perfect form.

• It is important to perform each repetition with compensatory acceleration. Speed of the bar should be explosive and fast. For example, let us assume that you are doing squats with 800 pounds and the training weight is 400 pounds. The force that be applied to the bar must be 800 pounds of force.

• Westside Barbell prefers training with a light squat suit and flat sole shoes that include Converse Chuck Taylors, wrestling shoes.

Today we have discussed the major features of dynamic effort training. In our next blog, we will be providing information regarding how to perform squat training on day 2, repetitions and the rest periods.

Cheers!

Read more...

Get a Lean, Mean Body with Deadlifts

Deadlift can be defined as a powerlifting exercise where a person is required to pick up weights (barbell, dumbbell, trapbar) from the ground. The exerciser must assume a bent-over position while starting, and end up in an upright position. Deadlift is considered to be one of the best muscle-building exercises and is ideal for all those who want to increase their strength.



More on the benefits of deadlifts-

• Deadlift is a compound movement and works on a number of muscles of the body that include minor and supplementary muscles (also known as stabilizer muscles). It can be mentioned here that fitness equipments hardly work on these stabilizer muscles and this, in turn, can make a person more prone to injury and damage.

• It increases the metabolic rate, thus aiding in fat loss.

• All those who want to enhance their grip strength can opt for deadlifts. It is one of the rare exercises where one is required to hold enormous amounts of weight manually, and this in turn, tightens the forearms and increases the grip strength. Good grip strength is required for other powerlifting exercises like bench press.

• Deadlift is also known to strengthen the spine and enhance the body posture. It is an ideal workout for those powerlifters, who are suffering from the lordosis (excessive inward curvature of the back). This form of powerlifting is known to tighten muscles of the lower back and helps a person to get rid of lower back imbalances.

• Not many people are aware of the fact that deadlift is an amazing cardiovascular exercise. It works on the cardiovascular system and helps one to lose weight and reduce the blood pressure.

• It perks up the immune system, thus helping a person to recover quickly from illnesses.

A common myth about deadlift is that it is a dangerous exercise, which must be avoided. This is a myth and is not based on any scientific evidence. All one needs to do is to perform deadlifts in the correct way and reap its manifold benefits.

Read more...