Post by Steve Gardener on Mar 12, 2008 9:19:46 GMT
I'm seeing a lot of posts on certain forums with people talking about NO products and the like (generic as well as brand names). The sort oof products I'm thinking of include but are not limited to those which purport to enhance the users pump and those which promise, in varied terms, to fire up the punter.
More than a few of the posts use phrases like 'it affected my sleep', 'it gave me the jitters', 'I took more and more but didn't get the same affect anymore' and so on.
Let's have a look at some of these.
Sleep.
90% of these products tell you on the label that at least one of the ingredients is a form of caffeine. Typically it'll be a fairly high dose, certainly more than you'd find in a strong coffee and that's without (as per many of the users again) allowing for the teas and coffees users have during the day. It's like they miss the caffeine / staying awake connection (they ought to be stimulated enough to be alert eh??).
The other issue is all about timing. Most gym users of the kind that work for a living with a day job train after the job is done. This means taking said product at maybe 5.30 or 6.00 pm. Yet they then comment on being wide awake come time for bed. Draw a line between the dots guys.
Jitters and shakes
If said product contains, as many do, close to 200mg of the good old caffeine and often other items which may also act as stimulants. Why then do people act as though it was unexpected when they get the shakes? Guys you've just had the same as 5 cups of strong coffee - expect to get the shakes.
Upping the dose
This is fairly straight forward - take something that 'stirs you up' a little and over time the body will get used to it. Because so many end up relying on these products they take them often - as in every session. They get used to it so the effect lessens. They take more and get used to that. And so it goes.
The sensible things to do are thus: use the products only when they are needed (not every time you hit the gym), use them for a few weeks at a time then don't use anything. check the ingredients and switch between differing kinds.
Headaches
Caffeine. can dehydrate you and that's without mentioning it and other products dilating blood vessels and so on. Often said supplements come in pill form and a mouthful of water, combined with most of us sweating when working out will leave you as thirsty as a race horse. Drink loads of fluid you nutters!
All of the above and when I eventually get to see these beast that need rocket fuel and the like they are 180lbs tops. No veins, no beastly muscles yet spending £30+ on the nastiest waker up invented and then over doing it.
Do I use anything? Yep. A strong cup of Nescafe before training (and one proper filtered cuppa on Sunday morning with the papers) and when I do my heavy leg press (bench and pullovers as well) session I'll use an ephedrine tablet - just one 5mg one mind. I might take an energy drink during that session as well. I will also used said product during competitions (spreading out 2 over the day but starting with a coffee again). By not going for more and more and only drinking coffee pre-training and using stimulants of other types but sparingly I get the maximum benefits with no sides.
I'm not saying do not use these products. I am saying use them right and get the most from them.
More than a few of the posts use phrases like 'it affected my sleep', 'it gave me the jitters', 'I took more and more but didn't get the same affect anymore' and so on.
Let's have a look at some of these.
Sleep.
90% of these products tell you on the label that at least one of the ingredients is a form of caffeine. Typically it'll be a fairly high dose, certainly more than you'd find in a strong coffee and that's without (as per many of the users again) allowing for the teas and coffees users have during the day. It's like they miss the caffeine / staying awake connection (they ought to be stimulated enough to be alert eh??).
The other issue is all about timing. Most gym users of the kind that work for a living with a day job train after the job is done. This means taking said product at maybe 5.30 or 6.00 pm. Yet they then comment on being wide awake come time for bed. Draw a line between the dots guys.
Jitters and shakes
If said product contains, as many do, close to 200mg of the good old caffeine and often other items which may also act as stimulants. Why then do people act as though it was unexpected when they get the shakes? Guys you've just had the same as 5 cups of strong coffee - expect to get the shakes.
Upping the dose
This is fairly straight forward - take something that 'stirs you up' a little and over time the body will get used to it. Because so many end up relying on these products they take them often - as in every session. They get used to it so the effect lessens. They take more and get used to that. And so it goes.
The sensible things to do are thus: use the products only when they are needed (not every time you hit the gym), use them for a few weeks at a time then don't use anything. check the ingredients and switch between differing kinds.
Headaches
Caffeine. can dehydrate you and that's without mentioning it and other products dilating blood vessels and so on. Often said supplements come in pill form and a mouthful of water, combined with most of us sweating when working out will leave you as thirsty as a race horse. Drink loads of fluid you nutters!
All of the above and when I eventually get to see these beast that need rocket fuel and the like they are 180lbs tops. No veins, no beastly muscles yet spending £30+ on the nastiest waker up invented and then over doing it.
Do I use anything? Yep. A strong cup of Nescafe before training (and one proper filtered cuppa on Sunday morning with the papers) and when I do my heavy leg press (bench and pullovers as well) session I'll use an ephedrine tablet - just one 5mg one mind. I might take an energy drink during that session as well. I will also used said product during competitions (spreading out 2 over the day but starting with a coffee again). By not going for more and more and only drinking coffee pre-training and using stimulants of other types but sparingly I get the maximum benefits with no sides.
I'm not saying do not use these products. I am saying use them right and get the most from them.
