Sunday, January 16, 2011

What Supplements are you taking...if any?

If you are NOT taking any Nutritional Supplements for cycling training you're foolish.  Why?  Because most of the food that you buy and eat these days is just not supplying the nutrients you require on a daily basis as an athlete- especially if you're training hard.  Our environment is filled with chemicals, radiation, pesticides, depleted soil, fertilizers, etc. that not only affects the food we eat..it adversely affects us directly.  Not to mention your daily stresses from work, home, travel, etc. and the processed foods we buy/eat.  No wonder we're getting sick all the time and no wonder the cancer rate is so high.

If you ARE taking a Supplement, what are you taking?  Are you taking a Multi-Vitamin?  (BTW, I hope you're ALL taking this as a minimum.) Are you taking a Protein supplement for recovery?  I have to admit I don't take a Multi-Vitamin every day.  I should but I don't.  I don't because I'm just lazy.  But, there is one time of the year when I can honestly say I start taking a Multi-Vit daily and that is when I start ramping-up the intensity of my workouts..like now through March.  I buy all of my Supplements at GNC.  Sure, you can buy supplements online much cheaper but you don't get good advice online you get at your local GNC store- at least I don't.  GNC brand is not the best brand of supplements but they're ok..and they work.  The best part of buying stuff at GNC is that they have a 30 day money back warranty/guarantee.  If you don't like the stuff you bought you can bring it back within 30 days and get a full-refund.  I just did that the other day.  I bought a product that I didn't like..brought it back and they gave me a full-refund on the spot..and I didn't even have my receipt.  So, what do I buy at GNC? I buy a lot...probably too much.  But, like I said, I primarily buy and use it during the hi-intensity workout phase of my Annual Training Plan.  I take these supplements so that I recover fast after workouts, stay healthy by boosting my immune system, promote joint health, have more energy during workouts, etc.  They are:
a. Dymatize Nutrition, Elite Recoup, Advanced Amino Recovery
b. GNC Amplified Wheybolic Extreme 60
c. GNC Mega Man Sport Multi-Vitamin
d. GNC TriFlex Sport Glucosamine, Chondroitin & MSM
e. GNC Triple Strength Fish Oil (Omega-3 fatty acids)
f. GNC Multi-Mega Minerals

Also, if you're an elite athlete (and subjected to random drug testing) be careful of the Supplements you take.  Just because they are sold over the counter does NOT mean that they aren't on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list.  Here is the 2011 list:   http://www.wada-ama.org/Documents/World_Anti-Doping_Program/WADP-Prohibited-list/To_be_effective/WADA_Prohibited_List_2011_EN.pdf   Even if you're NOT an elite athlete you should still be aware of substances that are prohibited.  Did you know that Diet Pills are prohibited even during training if you want to lose a pound or two?  Yup.  Check the ingredients on the back of Diet Pills..you'll see at least one of these on the WADA prohibited list.  Did you know Caffeine is prohibited? (In large amounts only).  The reason these substances are on the prohibited list is NOT just because they are performance enhancers (and give an advantage to an athlete during training/competition), some are on the list because they are unsafe.

So, as a minimum, take a Multi-Vit.  You'll be surprised how you manage to stave off that cold/flu that's got everybody in your office sick.  And, take a good Protein supplement for faster recovery.

Power ON!  Coach Rob

1 comment:

Abid said...

Is the GNC Amplified Wheybolic Extreme 60 Cleared by WADA ? Doesnt it contain any banned substances?
How avout the Apmlified Creatine and the Mega MEN by GNC?

THanks for your help !