There is a rising interest in potential weight lifters and the bodybuilding community to obtain the perfectly sculpted, flawless body. With this growing desire by many to increase stamina and replace unwanted body fat with pure muscle mass, companies have developed several products that will enable individuals to achieve results.
Not only that, but by taking these work out aids, a person’s performance can be improved at a more rapid pace. While many have abandoned the idea of “bulking up” naturally and have resorted to using these workout supplements, there are those that still remain in the dark as to what the best ones are, proper usage, and the question of importance: Are they safe?
Some of the more popular workout supplements out on market shelves are Xenadrine, Hydroxycut, and Androstenedione. Cell-Tech, another highly used item on the market, is used to increase muscle size and endurance. Jason Victor, a sophomore from Donaldsonville, said that he started using Cell-Tech four weeks ago.
“The results in my repetitions increased dramatically with it. When I first started using it, I was doing reps of two sets of ten. By the end of the fourth week I was doing five sets of twenty five,” he said.
One of the most popular workout supplements used by athletes and bodybuilders is Creatine monohydrate. Creatine, which comes in powder or liquid form, is used to fuel the process of contraction in muscles.
“When you take creatine, you’re just gaining more energy,” said Southern’s strength conditioning coach Danny Morris, “It doesn’t make you any bigger. It just gives you more energy to keep on going.” Morris also mentioned the body already makes a certain amount of creatine.
Many consumers of the product are concerned with the long-term effects of using creatine. “Over long term use, creatine is all right,” said Morris. “It has a tendency to open blood vessels. When you’re on it, you have oxygen and blood going to your muscles. When you get off of creatine, after the vessels are so used to being open, they start to close back. You could wind up with blood clots.” He went on to say that creatine in the powder form contains many impurities. “That’s why you have to drink a lot of water to keep the creatine flowing through your system and flush the impurities out.” Fat burners such as Ripped fuel and Xenadrine contain elements that put caffeine in the system.
For those interested in using supplements, proper knowledge is required. “In order to use them, you have to do it correctly. Serious things can happen. You always have to be cautious in everything you do while taking supplements,” Victor said.
Carlos Riddo, a junior from Alexandria, says the only supplement he uses to work out is self-determination. “That’s all I really need. Just coming in the gym and being disciplined.”
