Are supplements bad for you?

[orangecrush]

I don't know much about supplements. I was wondering if it would be good for me to try some. If so, which ones? I am trying to bulk big time, and I want to get a protein shake for sure. Any help?

[Slim Schaedle]

how old are you?
what kind of experince in lifting/how long, etc. ?
In general, no, sups aren't bad for you.

[orangecrush]

Okay, I'm 17 and I've lifted for about 6 months, the past 3 months or so I havn't because of basketball. I'm planning on starting up again in a couple of weeks, and I want to bulk. I have a good physique, and for some reason my lats stick way out and I luge huge when I'm flexing them. I'm only 160 pounds. Hope that made some sense to ya, haha. Anyways.....

[TreeTrunks]

you'll get cancer if you take supplements

[Slim Schaedle]

you'll get cancer if you take supplements
duh, everything will give you cancer eventually:)

[Slim Schaedle]

orangecrush, first, get a good diet, as this is most important(more so than supplements) Believe me, i wish i realized that when I first started. Then I would say multivitamin, then add some protein powder, and maybe creatine. Alot depends on how much you want to spend. But apply the diet first and see what kind of results you get from that. Then add the sups.

[TreeTrunks]

orange,

I tell you my knowledge about supplements. Only use protein and vitamins regularly. Those are the only ones that I know for sure work. But what I do is, when I run into some extra cash I'll go out and buy a supplement I am curious about and try it and see if its crap or not. If you want to bulk up big you might want to invest in a weight gainer a protein shake won't help you there. Also to get big you have to eat big. Eat more than you can consume.

[Slim Schaedle]

TT, you cycle creatine, or not use it?

[TreeTrunks]

oh yeah, I use creatine. i usually get the cheapest out there. Usually a WAY off brand. I got a kilo for like $20 not to long ago.

I find creatine to help me pump out more reps and recover faster between sets.

[Slim Schaedle]

I'm guessing I should probably go off the stuff for a bit, and then get back on, just to see what happens. I've been using it consistently for a while now with no problems and regular strength increases.

[TreeTrunks]

I would suggest staying on it if you are still progressing. Creatine doesn't have any ill side effects. I use while I workout and after I workout. I am thinking I might start taking is more spread out throughout the day though. I think that might work better.

[Slim Schaedle]

spread out with same dosage, or like a loading phase type thing?

[codei]

1. diet - definitely. ive been lifting about 10 months and only in the past week did i really discover how incredibly important it is to have a good diet.

2. get a good protein powder, maybe some creatine. its cheap so imo why not?

3. fat burner if you think its necessary

i would probably deem everything else not really necessary for the 'average' guy. certainly dont buy **** that promises to pack on 50 lbs of muscle by next tuesday.

[Qea]

Are supplements bad for you?

Only if they start replacing real food in your diet.

Remember, supplements are just what they are called. Their purpose is to complement your diet, not replace it.

If you are eating , for example, 1 solid food meal and like, 4 MRP's every day, you've got serious problems.

[Budiak]

Yeah, but if you eat 4 tuna sandwiches per day, one bowl of oatmeal, and an MRP, you're hardcore.

[orangecrush]

I've always heard that creatine was actually not healthy. But I think I'm going to get it. Should I get creatine, a multivitamin, and a protein shake?

[Slim Schaedle]

sounds great,...but make sure you have a concrete diet and you're sticking to it first. See how you do, then add them.

[TreeTrunks]

Creatine is safe and healthy. Your body is full of it and all red meat contains creatine. Don't believe what you hear on the doomsday box or TV if you will.

[Zalxder]

i cant find cheap whey, its like 40 bucks for a 50 serving bottle, whereas creatine is like 11 bucks for a 100 serving bottle, pure creatine

[orangecrush]

Is that right, 11 bucks for creatine? Yeah, I have a really healthy diet right now, for what I'm trying to do. Its very well balanced, btu I do not get enough, I think. I'll be going to GNC, and getting some creatine. Is that the right place to go?

[Qea]

Originally posted by Zalxder
i cant find cheap whey, its like 40 bucks for a 50 serving bottle, whereas creatine is like 11 bucks for a 100 serving bottle, pure creatine

try 5-pounder buckets of whey from online stores

Eas Simply Whey
Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey
Sportpharma Just Whey (something like that)

costs between 25-27 bucks

:thumbup:

[orangecrush]

I'll have to do to GNC I guess, or shop online.