Tag Archives: ifbb

Team VP Athlete Clayton Johnson in July Issue of FLEX Magazine

Posted by on July 19, 2012 No comments

Clayton Johnson earned a spot in this July 2012 issue of FLEX Magazine in Tony Monchinski’s “the Hardcore East” section. Clay is roughly 8 days away now from competing in the NPC USA National Bodybuilding Competition in Las Vegas, NV. The USA’s is the most prestigious IFBB qualifier in the country and is held once per year, promoted by John Lindsay. Competitors must have a top placing or overall win to qualify to compete at this level. The first place finisher of his/her weight class earns their “Pro Card”, which means they now have attained professional status and eligibility to compete in IFBB events. We wish Clay the best of luck and hope he reaches his goal of becoming an IFBB Pro!

Follow his progress by tuning in to our news feed, following on twitter @clayrjohnson, or his youtube channel, ClaytonJohnsonTV and/or by clicking the link above and “LIKING” his Facebook athlete page.

Why Are Amino Acids and Protein Important?

Posted by on March 15, 2012 No comments

 

If you are a Dr. Oz fan you probably already know he recommends protein with each meal. This is for a variety of reasons/benefits. Protein plays a large role in your diet and metabolism to help you reach your fitness goals, here’s how…

Proteins are an essential part of every organism and are involved in every process with your body’s cells. Most organisms and plants can synthesize all 20 amino’s. Every animal (including us as humans) must obtain some of these proteins (as amino acids) through your diet. This is because we cannot synthesize every amino acid needed so certain ones we call your essential amino acids must come from food. Once eaten these amino acids through digestion can now be broken down to be utilized by your metabolism.

Some of these Amino Acids ingested are used towards protein biosynthesis and others are changed over to glucose for energy. On a low-carb diet this is where more of your protein will be used and eventually to support life, especially the amino acids found in muscle tissue. Amino’s are also a strong source of nitrogen.

This means that when your glycogen stores (carbohydrates stored for energy) are used up your body will start to use amino acids. When the protein (which breaks down into amino acids in your blood stream) is no longer available from your last meal your body will start to digest it’s own muscle (made of proteins/amino acids). This is known as becoming catabolic which is the breaking down of muscle. Here is why bodybuilders consume protein meals every 2-3 hours to keep a positive nitrogen balance and a steady flow of amino acids to supply your muscles. This is called staying anabolic, a state of growth and repair. Keeping this balance allows preservation of muscle and a promotion of fat-loss. The frequent digestion is burning calories keeping your metabolism ramped up! Meals containing protein with carbohydrates will also lower the glycemic index of these carbohydrates. These proteins in a meal act as a natural appetite suppressant too.

After reading this do you need to change your protein intake to reach your fitness goal?

 

Muscletech’s NEW AlphaTest

Posted by on January 3, 2012 2 comments

Muscletech's NEW Alphatest

Muscletech has just launched it’s new Testosterone booster, AlphaTest. This is their new testosterone stimulant designed to increase production. This formula contains multiple ingredients shown to help increase testosterone production, enhance performance and maintain peak testosterone to cortisol levels.

Alphatest is made to be very anabolic through the ingredient Boron at 5mg which has been clinically proven to increase free testosterone levels after only 7 days. A patented combo then added containing saw palmetto and 800mg of mytosterone to increase testosterone to near maximum physiological levels in just 14 days.

Alphatest is also designed to be anti-catabolic and strength enhancing while being the first product with an effective dose combination of Rhodiola crenulata and Ginkgo biloba shown to maintain peak testosterone to cortisol ratio post training (389mg combination).

Alphatest is the only super-concentrated testosterone booster containing 4 clinically proven ingredients contained. Muscletech always bases their product effectiveness based upon clinically proven results with humans rather than less dependable testing on animals as some other companies may. Alphatest also lists the ingredients and amounts rather than hiding in a proprietary blend format as some other companies may.

Optimum Nutrition’s Platinum HydroWhey

Posted by on November 17, 2011 No comments

Platinum HydroWhey is a very high-quality, fast digesting protein powder designed to fuel your muscles. Liquid Whey contains fat, cholesterol and lactose. The Hydrowhey has been designed by top scientists by a purification process for isolating the most beneficial parts of whey so everything else is filtered out. This leaves the purest form available of whey known as whey isolate. This makes it expensive as a process but the ideal formula for your muscles!

It is very important to have a good quality protein and amino acids like your BCAA’s into your system immediately before and after your training. Out of the powdered proteins, nothing’s faster than Hydrolyzed whey protein isolates. Ultra-pure whey protein isolates are broken down or hydrolyzed, into smaller pieces to make this isolate. This process makes the hydrowhey the easiest to digest and assimilate. This is an expensive process but is the fastest way to get your whey working.

Platinum Hydrowhey enhances your performance as well. This is accomplished by micronizing the BCAA’s and boosting them to almost 9 total grams per serving. Digestive enzymes were added in addition to increase protein utilization.

Hydrowhey also removed all lactose, sugars and cholesterol. Each 140 calorie serving contains only 2 grams of carbs and less half a gram of fat. Now you can understand why Hydrowhey is one of the best protein powders and tasting the most delicious with every serving and flavor!

 

Muscletech’s NEW Neurocore

Posted by on November 2, 2011 3 comments

Muscletech has launched one of their new pre-workout, Neurocore! A super-concentrated pre-workout formula providing energy, focus, muscle pumps and strength. This pre-workout is formulated with L-Citrulline, Creatine Hydrochloride and Geranium Robertianum, this provides a more powerful formula than most others.

When it comes to energy, the Neurocore ia loaded with 330mg of caffeine anhydrous and 531mg of naturally derived geranium extract. This is a stronger formula than leading competitors right now!

Neurocore enhances your muscles and strength with the exact dose of 3200mg of beta-alanine scientifically shown to be most effective! A potent new blend of creatine known as Creatine HCL is utilized in this new leading formula providing the best formula for muscle strength.

Neurocore continues it’s advantages with excellent pumps! This is achieved through superior peak L-arginine levels delivered with 3,000mg of L-Citrulline. This is more effective than large doses of L-arginine.

 

 

Should ’1,3 Dimethylamylamine HCI’ be banned?

Posted by on October 14, 2011 No comments

1,3 Dimethylamylamine

DMAA
Picture of DMAA

is also known as DMAA, Geranamine, geranium stem, methylhexaneamine and is a stimulant similar to caffeine. Healthy individuals should not have a problem using once or twice daily. A recommended daily dose is 50mg.

 

DMAA can be found in most Pre-workout formula\’s such as Jack3d, 1 M.R. (original formula), LeCheek Nutrition’s Speed Xtreme, Betancourt Nutrition’s NEW D-Stunner & Muscle Warfare’s Napalm.

DMAA can also be found in most Fat Burners such as (BPI’s) Roxylean, (Muscle Warfare) Thermofuse, (Betancourt) Juice, (LeCheek Nutrition) Melt-Xtreme, (Gaspari Nutrition) Spirodex, (USP Labs) OxyElite Pro

Side effects most important to watch out for are dizziness, headaches and other blood pressure related side-effects are possible. Can also cause vaso-constriction in some users, tightening of blood vessels which can lead to headaches. Headaches may be avoided by lowering dosage. As with many other stimulants a crash afterwards may be possible.

Benefits are from the energy given from such a product as well as the mental focus that can be generated. Increased burning of bodyfat is also to be expected. Excellent effects when used in a cutting cycle. It has a very low toxicity level and is naturally derived from a plant.

Banned? due to the athletic performance benefits DMAA has caught the eye of competitive organizations such as World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)in 2009 and added to their banned list. Check with your testing agency if you may be susceptible to a drug test.