The Supplements For Begginers Flow Chart

SVT Cobra

Lifer
Mar 29, 2005
13,264
2
0
I made this because I see a lot of new posters getting things like NO-Xplode thinking it will get them huge, when they do not even have the basics. This is also for those wanting to break into the world of supplements yet are overwhelmed. So I decided to make this to help newbies understand the importance of each supplement and get the basics down. I do not think I left anything out.

For those who are beginners and reading this chart, make sure to research each area, as this is just to get you going in the right direction. The brands that are there are the most popular, and for brands not listed you need to read about and see if they are right for you.

Remember, don't even bother with supplements unless your diet and training is in check, as they will NOT help at all if it is not.


Flow Chart

Hope that helps. :)
 

marvdmartian

Diamond Member
Apr 12, 2002
5,444
27
91
Thanks, SVT Cobra. I currently use whey protein, with creatine and glutamine powders mixed in. Fish oil's out for me (gave me horrible indigestion problems the last time I tried it), but I do a can of water-packed tuna pretty close to every day (killer mid-morning mini meal, imho), and I try to keep as much salmon as possible in my diet (great on top of a spinach salad).

I'm also trying to lose fat, so do 2g of CLA at least twice a day (breakfast & dinner), and L-lysine at the same time + before workouts. I try to remember to take green tea extract between meals, but usually space it off and forget. :roll:

Other than that, a multivitamin/multi-mineral in the morning and a calcium supplement (600mg) at dinner (used to do 2x a day, but scaled back when I started doing more whey protein, which I mix with fat free milk).

Given that, any other suggestions?
 

SVT Cobra

Lifer
Mar 29, 2005
13,264
2
0
Originally posted by: marvdmartian
Thanks, SVT Cobra. I currently use whey protein, with creatine and glutamine powders mixed in. Fish oil's out for me (gave me horrible indigestion problems the last time I tried it), but I do a can of water-packed tuna pretty close to every day (killer mid-morning mini meal, imho), and I try to keep as much salmon as possible in my diet (great on top of a spinach salad).

I'm also trying to lose fat, so do 2g of CLA at least twice a day (breakfast & dinner), and L-lysine at the same time + before workouts. I try to remember to take green tea extract between meals, but usually space it off and forget. :roll:

Other than that, a multivitamin/multi-mineral in the morning and a calcium supplement (600mg) at dinner (used to do 2x a day, but scaled back when I started doing more whey protein, which I mix with fat free milk).

Given that, any other suggestions?

Seems good. Only things I would recommend:

1. You can probably ditch the CLA, most will agree it does not do anything.
2. Watch your tuna intake, as the rise of mercury levels in a male body can be detrimental. I've had doctors tell me only 1 can a month, but going on basic knowledge and my own blood tests I'd say 2-3 cans a week is fine. You can instead get your essential fatty acids and omegas from nuts. Plain unsalted are very healthy for you.
3. I like glutamine, but unless you are mega dosing it you will probably not see an increase in recovery time, although it does have immune system benefits, and with it being winter and all, it is up to you.
4. As for losing fat, it all begins with diet, the supplements just enhance it. If you need any help with what to eat let me know I can help you out and point you in the right direction. Special K is also very good a nutrition plans.
 

Cerpin Taxt

Lifer
Feb 23, 2005
11,940
542
126
Originally posted by: SVT Cobra

2. Watch your tuna intake, as the rise of mercury levels in a male body can be detrimental. I've had doctors tell me only 1 can a month, but going on basic knowledge and my own blood tests I'd say 2-3 cans a week is fine. You can instead get your essential fatty acids and omegas from nuts. Plain unsalted are very healthy for you.
Is it really that serious? I've been eating a can almost every day for the past few months.

 

SVT Cobra

Lifer
Mar 29, 2005
13,264
2
0
Originally posted by: Cerpin Taxt
Originally posted by: SVT Cobra

2. Watch your tuna intake, as the rise of mercury levels in a male body can be detrimental. I've had doctors tell me only 1 can a month, but going on basic knowledge and my own blood tests I'd say 2-3 cans a week is fine. You can instead get your essential fatty acids and omegas from nuts. Plain unsalted are very healthy for you.
Is it really that serious? I've been eating a can almost every day for the past few months.

Like I said you are probably fine, but in the long run mercury can poison you have slowly have adverse effects that you may not notice because of their slow onset. Just keep an eye out for side effects.

Some who want the ultimate performance out of their body, have even had their old mercury fillings removed.


But yes I am serious.
 

AbAbber2k

Diamond Member
Mar 1, 2005
6,474
1
0
This should be stickied, or merged into an as-of-yet unwritten "Getting Started" type thread and then stickied.

Though you might want to look into Glutamine more. I know some people swear by it, but there is a LOT of research that shows it having no effect on performance, and mostly only being beneficial in helping repair damaged stomach tissue.

Edit: Maybe this could be merged into the Steroid thread?
 

Maleficus

Diamond Member
May 2, 2001
7,682
0
0
While I agree that some information is vital, I think that 'stickies' are one of the downfalls of a lot of fitness forums, because eventually every single post becomes 'use the search function' or 'check the stickies' and no one really helps anyone.
 

SVT Cobra

Lifer
Mar 29, 2005
13,264
2
0
Originally posted by: Maleficus
While I agree that some information is vital, I think that 'stickies' are one of the downfalls of a lot of fitness forums, because eventually every single post becomes 'use the search function' or 'check the stickies' and no one really helps anyone.

Yep, most posts need to be tailored to individuals needs. That and I want as many posts as possible, so this forum becomes permanent! ;)
 

IGBT

Lifer
Jul 16, 2001
17,976
141
106
..I take my fishoil caps berore I run. Also take a full spectrum vit.E cap along with soya lecithin cap with the fishoil.
 

Pugnax

Senior member
Jan 17, 2000
517
0
0
Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
Originally posted by: Cerpin Taxt
Originally posted by: SVT Cobra

2. Watch your tuna intake, as the rise of mercury levels in a male body can be detrimental. I've had doctors tell me only 1 can a month, but going on basic knowledge and my own blood tests I'd say 2-3 cans a week is fine. You can instead get your essential fatty acids and omegas from nuts. Plain unsalted are very healthy for you.
Is it really that serious? I've been eating a can almost every day for the past few months.

Like I said you are probably fine, but in the long run mercury can poison you have slowly have adverse effects that you may not notice because of their slow onset. Just keep an eye out for side effects.

Some who want the ultimate performance out of their body, have even had their old mercury fillings removed.


But yes I am serious.

From what I've read it's all about getting your body used to it. If you go from no-tuna diet to 5 cans of a tuna week right away, probably not a good idea. You want to build up to whatever your target to consume is, so start with one can week for a month, move two, etc. Either that or maybe I will turn into a thermometer one day...

Also, when would one decide they should use creatine? I've never bothered with it before and don't seem to affected by it.
 

SVT Cobra

Lifer
Mar 29, 2005
13,264
2
0
Originally posted by: Pugnax
Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
Originally posted by: Cerpin Taxt
Originally posted by: SVT Cobra

2. Watch your tuna intake, as the rise of mercury levels in a male body can be detrimental. I've had doctors tell me only 1 can a month, but going on basic knowledge and my own blood tests I'd say 2-3 cans a week is fine. You can instead get your essential fatty acids and omegas from nuts. Plain unsalted are very healthy for you.
Is it really that serious? I've been eating a can almost every day for the past few months.

Like I said you are probably fine, but in the long run mercury can poison you have slowly have adverse effects that you may not notice because of their slow onset. Just keep an eye out for side effects.

Some who want the ultimate performance out of their body, have even had their old mercury fillings removed.


But yes I am serious.

From what I've read it's all about getting your body used to it. If you go from no-tuna diet to 5 cans of a tuna week right away, probably not a good idea. You want to build up to whatever your target to consume is, so start with one can week for a month, move two, etc. Either that or maybe I will turn into a thermometer one day...

Also, when would one decide they should use creatine? I've never bothered with it before and don't seem to affected by it.

Whenever you want. Creatine is as natural as you can get supplement wise pretty much so go ahead and use it post workout everyday when you want to.
 
Mar 22, 2002
10,483
32
81
Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
Originally posted by: Pugnax
Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
Originally posted by: Cerpin Taxt
Originally posted by: SVT Cobra

2. Watch your tuna intake, as the rise of mercury levels in a male body can be detrimental. I've had doctors tell me only 1 can a month, but going on basic knowledge and my own blood tests I'd say 2-3 cans a week is fine. You can instead get your essential fatty acids and omegas from nuts. Plain unsalted are very healthy for you.
Is it really that serious? I've been eating a can almost every day for the past few months.

Like I said you are probably fine, but in the long run mercury can poison you have slowly have adverse effects that you may not notice because of their slow onset. Just keep an eye out for side effects.

Some who want the ultimate performance out of their body, have even had their old mercury fillings removed.


But yes I am serious.

From what I've read it's all about getting your body used to it. If you go from no-tuna diet to 5 cans of a tuna week right away, probably not a good idea. You want to build up to whatever your target to consume is, so start with one can week for a month, move two, etc. Either that or maybe I will turn into a thermometer one day...

Also, when would one decide they should use creatine? I've never bothered with it before and don't seem to affected by it.

Whenever you want. Creatine is as natural as you can get supplement wise pretty much so go ahead and use it post workout everyday when you want to.

First of all, a big thank you to Cobra for putting this flow chart together. It's definitely a helpful tool for people who are new to certain fields of fitness.

My question is: what are the benefits of creatine and how much would the cheapest, decent quality creatine cost? I'm a college student and right now I'm doing the Max-OT routine to gain a bit of mass (140 pounds to 150-155), so price has some say in if I'm going to use it or not. I've had some decent gains without it (I'm at 146 now, while being 1/3 of the way done with the 12-week program) and my strength has increased a good amount. I would just like to know what kind of gains I should anticipate if I did start using creatine.
 

SVT Cobra

Lifer
Mar 29, 2005
13,264
2
0
Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged
Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
Originally posted by: Pugnax
Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
Originally posted by: Cerpin Taxt
Originally posted by: SVT Cobra

2. Watch your tuna intake, as the rise of mercury levels in a male body can be detrimental. I've had doctors tell me only 1 can a month, but going on basic knowledge and my own blood tests I'd say 2-3 cans a week is fine. You can instead get your essential fatty acids and omegas from nuts. Plain unsalted are very healthy for you.
Is it really that serious? I've been eating a can almost every day for the past few months.

Like I said you are probably fine, but in the long run mercury can poison you have slowly have adverse effects that you may not notice because of their slow onset. Just keep an eye out for side effects.

Some who want the ultimate performance out of their body, have even had their old mercury fillings removed.


But yes I am serious.

From what I've read it's all about getting your body used to it. If you go from no-tuna diet to 5 cans of a tuna week right away, probably not a good idea. You want to build up to whatever your target to consume is, so start with one can week for a month, move two, etc. Either that or maybe I will turn into a thermometer one day...

Also, when would one decide they should use creatine? I've never bothered with it before and don't seem to affected by it.

Whenever you want. Creatine is as natural as you can get supplement wise pretty much so go ahead and use it post workout everyday when you want to.

First of all, a big thank you to Cobra for putting this flow chart together. It's definitely a helpful tool for people who are new to certain fields of fitness.

My question is: what are the benefits of creatine and how much would the cheapest, decent quality creatine cost? I'm a college student and right now I'm doing the Max-OT routine to gain a bit of mass (140 pounds to 150-155), so price has some say in if I'm going to use it or not. I've had some decent gains without it (I'm at 146 now, while being 1/3 of the way done with the 12-week program) and my strength has increased a good amount. I would just like to know what kind of gains I should anticipate if I did start using creatine.

You would definitely see an increase in strength and size, especially for the workout you are doing, and it would make that workout easier. You can buy bulk monohydrate (all you need) for 20$ that should last you around two months. If you want to buy it online look into Primaforce Bulk Mono Hydrate, or Higher Power Monohydrate on bb.com
 

RaiderJ

Diamond Member
Apr 29, 2001
7,582
1
76
Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
I made this because I see a lot of new posters getting things like NO-Xplode thinking it will get them huge, when they do not even have the basics. This is also for those wanting to break into the world of supplements yet are overwhelmed. So I decided to make this to help newbies understand the importance of each supplement and get the basics down. I do not think I left anything out.

For those who are beginners and reading this chart, make sure to research each area, as this is just to get you going in the right direction. The brands that are there are the most popular, and for brands not listed you need to read about and see if they are right for you.

Remember, don't even bother with supplements unless your diet and training is in check, as they will NOT help at all if it is not.


Flow Chart

Hope that helps. :)

Following your chart, I have whey protein, so I'm covered there. For the Animal Paks, would they take the place of creatine, or would that still be something separate to add in?
 

RaiderJ

Diamond Member
Apr 29, 2001
7,582
1
76
I ended up going with two Animal paks, the Universal & the Pump. Do those along with some whey protein should give me a good start.