VPX NO Shotgun
VPX NO Shotgun has been a popular pre-workout supplement for the last few years. Vital Pharmaceuticals has not disappointed with the most recent (version 3) of Shotgun. Unlike many other pre-workout supplements, VPX NO Shotgun combines easily digestible protein and free form amino acids with various forms of creatine, glutamine, arginine, beta alanine and a potent stimulant blend. This supplement has a lot of ingredients and I will briefly look at a few of the important sub-blends.
AEN IntrAbolic
When it comes to workout nutrition, pre and post workout supplements tend to get the most attention. What many atheletes tend to ignore is how nutrition and supplementes can help during a weight training workout. For the last couple of years, I had been a regular user of Purple Wraath from Controlled Labs that combined essential amino acids (EAA), beta alanine and citrulline malate. I have also used a couple of tubs of SizeOn. For the last six week or so, I have been using a product that has been making waves in the intra-workout supplement category - Intrabolic from Atheletic Edge Nutrition.
Fusion Bodybuilding FUBAR
Pre-workout energy supplements can be a great help when you need that extra push to get through a workout or when you are just feeling too sluggish to get through a tough day at work. One of my favourite such supplements is FUBAR by Fusion Bodybuilding. This Canadian company has put together a no-nonsense energy supplement that is available in convenient capsule form. FUBAR utilizes caffeine from multiple sources, N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine and theobromine extract to provide a nice even energy and focus without a significant crash. Read More
Natrol FeelAnew Joint Support
An active lifestyle that involves working out or sports (and getting older) often leads to sore joints. Its a trade off that many people live with - better overall health and the enjoyment of physical activity for some pain and discomfort. But this does not have to be the case - it is possible to alleviate the pain while continuing to work out and be active. My joints have started giving me problems over the last few years - gym workouts, softball, biking and some hockey are the likely culprits. So I started trying out many of the joint support supplements before finding Natrol’s FeelAnew, which has worked very well for me.
CMI Chia Pro (Chia Seeds)
Chia, the tiny seed of the Salvia Hispanica plant, originated in Central Mexico. The ancient Aztecs prized the chia seed as a complete high endurance food, and there are numerous stories of Aztec armies surviving on nothing but chia seeds and water during many of their campaigns. Chia seeds are probably best known to North Americans from “Chia pets” but the seeds are now realizing the numerous health benefits of this “super food”. They are one of nature’s most nutrient rich whole food. The chia product that I have been using for the past couple of months is CMI’s Chia Pro.
NOW Digestive Enzymes
Our bodies produce numerous enzymes to help properly break down and digest the food we eat. Even though we may be spending a lot of money on food and supplements, we are likely not getting the maximum benefit from them. These enzymes play a critical role to ensure we actually absorb the nutrients from our food. Unfortunately many of us have digestive problems like bloating, gas, indigestion and cramping. These are symptoms that enough digestive enzymes are not being produced by the pancreas and that a plant based digestive enzyme supplement can be helpful. NOW Plant Enzymes, can help break down the various foods better and enhance absorption. Read More
NOW Ultra Omega-3
Omega-3 fatty acids are often neglected in our diets and supplementation, but are extremely important for good health. They have a myriad of benefits that include improving cardiovascular health, helping relieve pain by lowering inflammation, increasing cognitive functions, weight loss, promoting emotional and mental health. Even with all these numerous benefits, the typical North American diet is deficient in omega-3 fatty acid. Ocean fish oils are gaining popularity with hundreds of these omega-3 supplements available at health food stores. My favourite omega-3 fish oil supplement has to be Ultra Omega-3 by NOW Foods.
Erogpharm Clearshot
There are a lot of pre-workout and energy supplements on the market, but few are as unique and effective as Ergopharm’s Clearshot. This product comes in 4 ounce ready to drink bottles (RTDs) with each bottle yielding two servings. The most unique thing about Clearshot is definitely the taste - in my opinion it tastes good, though its different than any other supplement and may require a bit of getting used to. I felt a nice warm sensation drinking it - a milder version of the burn that one would feel sipping alcohol.
Gaspari SizeOn
Creatine is well established as a very effective ergogenic aid that can help increase muscle mass and strength. Gaspari Nutrition’s SizeOn takes your basic creatine to a new level by combining it with other synergistic ingredients. The inclusion of a carb source makes this the perfect creatine product to be taken while you are working out. My preferred SizeOn regimen was to consume one scoop with 32 ounces of cold water during my workouts.
Optimum Opti-Men
A multi-vitamin and mineral supplement should be part of everyone’s daily routine. No matter how hard you try to eat healthy, there will be times when your body will be deficient in certain vitamins and minerals. A good multi therefore acts as an insurance policy for your health. I prefer taking Optimum Nutrition’s Opti-Men multi-vitamin and mineral supplement.