Supps and the Average guy.....

rookie · 08-20-2006, 07:48 PM

Do supplements help the average lifter or only those committed to perfection.

Fish oil - healthy fats
creatine - lean mass
zma - sleep ( this one helps me tremendously)
BCAA - added protein
glucosamine - wrist arthiritis
multi-vitamin - a given.

So being the weekend warrior I am and vanity lifter, do the supps help enough to actualy be worth it. Of course I know only I can be the judge but if I decide to cut out something where should I start so I can gauge a difference.Or should I even be giving it a second thought?

milkman21 · 08-20-2006, 09:07 PM

I can't comment on the glucosamine or the ZMA, but since you've noticed differences with them then I'd stick with them. The others are all solid IMO, except perhaps the BCAA's. I'd personally just buy a whey protein that has them in there, like the CytoSport stuff I get at Sams club for instance.

malkore · 08-22-2006, 10:14 AM

I agree. even if you weren't a weekend warrior and just 'joe average', glucosamine has been shown to reduce joint inflammation, as does fish oil (in addition to other health benefits of course).
ZMA helps me sleep soundly too.
Everyone can benefit from a good daily multi.

BCAA's...ehh...I also like ot just get a quality protein powder, and eat from diverse sources of protein to get all my amino's.

I think only the hardcore trainee would really benefit from added BCAA's, in terms of cost effectiveness.

LunchboxMan · 08-22-2006, 02:47 PM

i take all of those as well except BCAA's and i think they are useful.

BamaDave · 08-22-2006, 03:52 PM

I'll have to keep ZMA in mind if I start having trouble sleeping again. I sometimes have luck with Valerian when I have that problem.

BFG · 08-22-2006, 04:47 PM

in my opinion only at a push the multi vit the rest I consider all of dubious value

Lost Dog · 08-22-2006, 06:53 PM

(cringing) Not trying to take the opposite tack, but if you eat enough (and make healthy choices), you probably don't need the multivitamin.

I think everyone who doesn't eat a lot of fish should take fish oil.

Glucosamine is likely good for those who are prone to joint ailments.

Creatine is so cheap, that you might as well take it, if not for the physical "benefits" than for the mental and psychological ones.

malkore · 08-23-2006, 09:36 AM

I should have clarified, I think a multi-vite is more of an insurance policy than a necessity. Like LD said, if your diet is full of fruits, veggies, and all the other good whole foods we all recommend, its likely you don't have a deficiency.

That's why I don't go overboard on my multi. I just want something that is absorbed well.