Testostorm: Faster Muscle Gains, or Just Quicker Let-Downs?

FutureDNA's Testostorm, "take it and just be a man." If you're a bodybuilder you've most likely seen advertisements for Testostorm, an all natural muscle-building steroid alternative. It is promoted as being able to deliver what bodybuilders desire; more strength and faster gains.

But the question is, can Testostorm deliver on these claims? In order to find the answer this question, I decided to study their website(s). While there, I discovered that they seem to market Testostorm to men over the age of 25 with low testosterone who want to feel "younger."

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FutureDNA's claim is that Testostorm has the ability to boost your free testosterone levels; free testosterone is desirable to bodybuilders because of its availability for use during workouts. But what exactly does Testostorm contain, and what do those ingredients do? Well, let's list them and find out.

• Testofen (Fenugreek)
• L-Arginine HGL
• Tribulus Terrestris Extract
• Rhodiola Rosea
• Essential Vitamins and Minerals

Each one of the above ingredients is present in many of today's muscle building and sexual health supplements. In my last post, I provided a link to a study which refuted claims that Testofen increases testosterone. L-Arginine is commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction because it increases blood flow to the genitals.

Tribulus Terresestris is known for sending a signal to our testes to produce luteinizing (male sex) hormones. I also provided a link (above) that explains the benefit of supplementing with Rhodiola Rosea, and we are all familiar with the benefits of essential vitamins and minerals.

That said, since Testostorm is mostly promoted as being a "performance" supplement (in the gym and bedroom) take their word for it. Because the level of testosterone that this supplement can free-up (if it could) won't make any difference unless you already have a problem in this area.

And if it did, that difference wouldn't be enough to build anymore muscle than you can without taking it. So, who will most likely benefit from supplementing with Testostorm? Older males (35 and up) who want to feel "young" again in the areas of physical and sexual fitness. Even though participating in these two activities alone will do a great job of boosting your testosterone.

Maximum Shred: Can it Help Build Lean Muscle, or Just Fat Dreams?

Maximum Shred is a muscle-building supplement/pre-workout energy and focus amplifier. It is sold exclusively online, and the company even offers a 100 percent risk free 1 month supply on their website at the cost of $5.95 for shipping.

Maximum Shred is promoted as being able to help you gain lean ripped muscles within "weeks," their website says these results are guaranteed, and based on scientific facts. The product consists of a proprietary blend which boasts two "key" ingredients which are said to have won a Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1998.

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What are these two "key" ingredients, and can they truly provide mind-blowing results as claimed by Maximum Shred? Let's find out. Since Maximum Shred actually contains a total of four active ingredients, I'll list all of them before we begin:

• Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate
• Taurine
• Beta Alanine
• Caffeine

Now, let's take a look at the two "key" ingredients which Maximum Shred says are responsible for muscle hypertrophy and reduced body fat: Alpha-Ketoglutarate (a natural substance within our bodies that metabolizes essential amino acids) and Beta Alanine (a non-essential amino acid).

Some bodybuilders swear by Alpha-Ketoglutarate and Beta Alanine's ability to help you make muscle gains. Since I have not tried these ingredients personally, I did some research. What I found were studies that suggest Alpha-Ketoglutarate and Beta Alanine have no effect on muscle growth, although they can help you with performance (if you take between 3.2 - 6.4 grams per day).

Maximum Shred recommends you take between 10-17 of their capsules per week, they don't however, say how many milligrams are in each capsule. Maximum Shred also contains Arginine, which I have used, and Arginine is great for increased blood flow.

That said, Maximum Shred is by far a performance (in the gym and bedroom) supplement than it is one for building muscle. You be the judge, read their website, and you'll see that they promote its ability to increase performance much more than its ability to build muscle. Beta-Alanine, the facts. A study that refutes the claims of Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate.

Test X180 Ignite: More Free Testosterone, Fact or Fiction?

Test X180 Ignite is a popular muscle-building supplement. It was created by former Harvard University rowers, and formulated by Force Factor. Test X180 Ignite was designed specifically for men who want to build muscle, burn fat, and improve physical and sexual performance.

Test X180 Ignite is said to be able to help you improve lean muscle gains by way of its ability to boost your free testosterone levels. It is advertised on their website as a two week supply, you can apply for a free sample there as well.

But the question still remains; can you boost your free testosterone levels by supplementing with Test X180 Ignite? Let's find out. First, let take a look at Test X180 Ignite's main ingredients:

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• Testofen (Fenugreek)
• Green Tea Leaf Extract
• Caffeine
• Avena Stavia Extract
• Horny Goat Weed Extract
• Green Coffee Bean Extract
• White Tea Extract

One serving of Test X180 Ignite contains (400mg) of the above ingredients, plus vitamins. But since our goal is to determine whether or not Test X180 Ignite has the ability to increase free testosterone, we only need to look at one ingredient; Testofen (Fenugreek).

According to Force Factor's website, Testofen (Fenugreek) has been clinically researched and shown to help men increase their levels of free testosterone. After doing my own research I found an article with a link to a 2010 study that supports their claims.

The bad news is, your free testosterone increase will come at a price; a decrease in DHT. Testofen (Fenugreek) has been shown to increase your free testosterone levels by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to DHT (dihydrotestosterone). But since DHT is a more potent androgen than testosterone, Testofen supplementation might not be worth the loss.

The main reason being, you can raise your free testosterone levels without lowering your DHT by simply changing your diet. That said, the only thing you stand to gain by taking Test X180 Ignite is a heightened libido and better performance in bed. 

Xtreme Antler: Why It Does Deliver on Its Promises

There are a lot of debates going on over whether or not Xtreme Antler Spray works. Many are calling it one of the best supplements on the market today, while others say that it doesn't deliver on its claims of faster muscle recovery, muscle gains, fat loss, and stronger sex drive.

While I have never tried Xtreme Antler, I have used all but one of its ingredients in some form or another with 100 percent satisfaction. That's why I disagree with those who say that it doesn't work.

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In fact, I know Xtreme Antler Spray can and does deliver on all of its claims, and I can prove it. Here are its active ingredients and most attractive claims, which I found on their website.

1. Deer Antler Velvet: They claim this ingredient will provide a little bit more IGF-1 than your body already produces. Meaning your body will continue to do the job of producing enough IGF-1 on its own, and the little bit that Deer Antler Velvet provides won't make any real difference.
2. Epimedium: They claim Epimedium (horny goat weed) is added because it promotes sexual health (this has been proven by several different studies). 
3. Tribulus: They claim Tribulus helps with muscle gains because of it ability to increase the body's production of testosterone. But Tribulus has never been proven to actually increase testosterone, only to encourage your body to release more luteinizing (sex) hormones; meaning it will help you in the sack.  
4. L-Arginine: Their claim is that it aids in muscle growth and sexual health. L-Arginine is an amino acid that helps your body synthesize protein, it also helps with blood flow to the genitals. It is present in meats, dairy products, and nuts. Again, you are most likely getting enough L-Arginine from the foods that you eat, but getting a little bit more from Xtreme Antler Spray will certainly help you in the sack.
5. Eurycoma Longifolia: They claim it will help build muscle and increase your sex drive. According to their website, Eurycoma Longifolia is "thought" to increase testosterone, not that it "does" increase testosterone. And because of this, you can expect an increase in your sex drive.

I'm sure you see the pattern here, Xtreme Antler Spray does deliver on every one of its promises. It just so happens that the only thing they suggest will happen after using their product is that you will enjoy a great sex life, and you most likely will.

The best thing about Xtreme Deer Antler Spray is that it is taken under the tongue, which makes it more effective because it is absorbed 100% and goes to work in minutes.

Protein Powders: How are They Best Used?

Protein powders have been around for decades and have come a long way since their humble beginnings. Bodybuilders have also come a long way over those years when it comes to how we use protein powders; many of us using them as a way to gain muscle.

But gaining muscle is just one of the benefits of using protein powders, and it's not the best one either. Before I continue, let me say that I often write about the negative influences that professional bodybuilders have on bodybuilders who don't use performance enhancers.

This time however, because of the way in which professional bodybuilders use protein powders (not the way they market them) I will say that their influence is positive. I say that because professional bodybuilders mainly use protein powders to help spare muscle while they are getting cut.

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So the best way for you to use protein powders is when you are getting lean. The ideal way for you to get your protein on a daily basis is by way of the foods that you eat, period. When you are restricting calories, the use of protein powder is a great way to help spare muscle.

If you are not convinced of this, read the label on your protein powder, it will read something like this "use this product as a food supplement only. Do not use for weight reduction." A "food" supplement, meaning you are supposed to get your protein from "food." That doesn't mean you can't use protein powder while bulking.

But, if you do use them while bulking, only do so before going to bed on workout days. This is the best way to get the most out of your protein powder. Another way that you can use protein powder is for a high protein snack, but to use them on a daily basis is simply unnecessary.

Bodybuilders: TRX Workouts Can Help Increase Your Lifts

TRX Suspension Training was created by The Navy SEALs and consists of exercises that use your body weight against gravity to provide resistance. This method of training is popular among professional baseball players, UFC fighters, Olympic-level cyclists, runners, and swimmers.

Now it's time for more bodybuilders to get onboard and take advantage of the many benefits that Suspension Training provides: and they are a more developed core, increased muscle endurance, strength, flexibility, and balance.

But the benefits of TRX Training doesn't stop there, not for bodybuilders, TRX training is a great way to strengthen your stabilizer muscles, and strong stabilizer muscles are essential to bodybuilding.

Bodybuilders who possess strong stabilizer muscles are better at keeping their bodies steady during free-weight lifts. Have you ever had to stop a lift simply because you couldn't keep the weight steady? If so, it was probably your stabilizer muscles that were failing you.

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Working out with a TRX Suspension Trainer is one of the quickest ways for bodybuilders to develop stronger stabilizer muscles. With stronger stabilizer muscles, you will be able to do a larger variety of exercises that will result in muscle gains.

And don't worry about becoming bored with suspension training because you can perform hundreds of exercises in order to target each of your muscle groups. In fact, depending upon the position of your body, suspension training can provide enough resistance to build muscle.

You can even get a fat burning HIIT training workout with the use of a TRX Suspension Trainer. As you can see, there are a lot of benefits that bodybuilders should take advantage of by doing TRX Workouts that are sure to give them the edge that they want in the weight room. More information on TRX Workouts here.

Alpha Fuel XT: Does it Work, or Is It Hype?

Alpha Fuel XT is a supplement that is manufactured by Science of Alpha. It contains a blend of ingredients that are well-known to the bodybuilding community such as Zinc (as zinc oxide) Magnesium (as magnesium oxide) DIM (diindolylmethane) and Tribulus Terrestris to name a few.

A 30 day supply of Alpha Fuel XT sells on their website for $89.95, and is said to help in the support of higher free testosterone levels, muscle growth, and fat loss. But is Alpha Fuel XT the real deal, or all hype? Well, like many supplements, Alpha Fuel XT is both real and hype.

While I have never tried Alpha Fuel XT, I have in fact used all of its ingredients in some form or another, so I can speak from personal experience when I say that Alpha Fuel XT will deliver on its promises of athletic performance, overall well-being, and increased libido.

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But will it increase testosterone, aid in gaining muscle, and help you get ripped? I doubt it, which is probably why their website says that it "supports" these. The part of Alpha Fuel XT's claims that falls into the category of hype is that it appears to be marketed at adult males of "all" ages.

I was 38 years old when I started using testosterone supplements, and they worked for me in the same way that I believe Alpha Fuel XT will work for you. Meaning, you can benefit from its use if you are out of shape, over 35 years old , and a male who is experiencing symptoms of andropause.

Younger men (those 30 and under) who weight train or are athletic will most likely experience a slight energy and erection boost from the use of Alpha Fuel XT. Those over forty will experience the best results by regaining the libido they had in their twenties, and extra energy to put that libido to use.

5 Reasons Why "Short" Workouts are Better

Not having enough time is the most common reason people give for not starting or sticking to a workout routine. The reason many of them come to this conclusion is because they have been influenced by professional bodybuilders who workout up to six days per week for hours on end.

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But the truth is, long workouts aren't necessary if you're going to train without the aid of performance enhancers. So if you're a natural bodybuilder who wants to make maximum muscle gains, keeping your workouts short is a must, and here are five reasons why.

1. You Will Get Faster Results: One hour workouts are fairly common, whether it be muscle building or cardio (this includes stretching and cooling down). But you will get faster results by doing a twenty minute muscle building workout (minus 5 minutes of stretching before and after) and fifteen minute cardio sessions (HIIT or Intensity Training). So keep your workouts at thirty minutes max. Your focus must be on feeding your muscles the nutrients they need to repair and grow, along with getting sufficient rest instead of working out for long periods.
2. You Will Stay Motivated: When you workout less you will avoid burnout and overtraining. The biggest benefit to staying motivated is it will keep you focused during your workouts, and mentally prepared for upcoming workouts. You will look forward to working out more than you ever have, ready to put everything you have into them, down to each rep and every set.
3. You Will Get Better Results:  Workout less and your results will increase dramatically in the form of muscle gains and fat loss. In fact, any gains that you may have missed out on by training too long (overtraining) will appear as soon as you switch to shorter workouts.
4. You Will Have More Energy: Long workouts drain your muscles of energy, leaving them weak, and you tired. Short workouts will leave your muscles feeling stimulated as opposed to annihilated, plus they will have and retain more energy so that you can go about your daily life.
5. You will look Better: Short workouts will leave your muscles pumped and looking full; they will also leave you feeling strong. Long workouts will leave your muscles looking flat and you feeling sore.

Keep in mind that switching to shorter workouts means your workouts must become more intense. The easiest way to intensify your workouts is to allow yourself shorter rest periods between sets.

With shorter workouts it's you against the clock, so stay focused and get as many sets in as possible, even if you only do one rep. Shorter workouts are the answer to maximum gains for those who workout without the aid of performance enhancers. Try them and see for yourself.

Get Ripped and Gain Muscle at The Same Time? Forget About It

Although it is possible and even likely that everyone will lose fat as a result of building muscle, most of us can forget about getting "ripped" while attempting to maximize muscle gains. This is not possible, at least not without the use of drugs, or superior genetics. Let's find out why.

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First, let's look at two reasons why you must forget about getting ripped while maximizing muscle gains.

1. The best way to be successful at building muscle is to train them against resistance. In order for your muscles to meet that resistance they will need fuel (food) for strength. If you simultaneously cut calories in order to lose fat, you will lose strength as well. The bottom line is; in order to build muscle you must be able to call upon all of your strength, and that requires fuel in the form of food.
2. Food is essential to building muscle. The amount of food that got you through the days before you began strength training won't be enough while you are building muscle. Your body will demand more calories, and you will provide those calories or become too weak to train. What you need when building muscle is extra energy calories (complex carbohydrates). Therefore, you cannot get ripped while gaining muscle.

Now let's look at why you must forget about building muscle while getting ripped.

1. In order to get ripped you must at least cut calories, although cutting calories and performing cardio is the best way to maximize your results. The focus of your caloric reduction must be on carbohydrates, and carbs provide the best energy to your muscles. Cutting carbs is what forces your body to burn its fat stores for energy. So it is unlikely that you will be able to stick to cutting energy-providing carbohydrates while simultaneously lifting heavy weights in order to build muscle, and performing cardio to burn fat.  

That said, the best way to reach your goal whether it be gaining muscle or getting ripped is to focus on one at a time since both will require the manipulation of your caloric intake and therefore prevent the success of the other . 

Get a Full-Body Workout in Just 10 min With Kettlebells

After burpees, Kettlebells are the best thing for helping you get a full-body conditioning workout. If you bring the determination three times per week for just 10 minutes, you can burn fat, get toned, build muscle and more, all with the aid of Kettlebells.

The very way in which Kettlebells are designed (basically a cannonball with a handle) makes them a joy to workout with when compared to free-weights. In fact, Kettlebells feel like an extension of your body.

The following workout requires the use of two Kettlebells, but you can workout with one and still reap all of the benefits mentioned above. Since working out with Kettlebells will target muscles that free weights don't, start out with lighter weights until you get used to them.

For men, two 8 kg (18 lbs) kettlebells should provide enough of a challenge. For women 6 kg (13 lbs) kettlebells would be a good beginning weight. This workout is a combination of Kettlebell Squats and Kettlebell Presses. Let's go.

1. Grab your Kettlebells; now position your feet slightly wider than shoulder width.
2. Lift your Kettlebells up to chest level (resting on your biceps).
3. Squat until your thighs are parallel to the floor.
4. Return to the standing position. Kettlebells still at chest level - knees unlocked.
5. Press your Kettlebells above your head. (without locking your elbows).
6. Return your Kettlebells to chest level.

That's one rep. Do these for 10 minutes, your presses should be explosive, but keep your squats controlled. Rest between reps if you need to, but keep it under twenty seconds so that you get the results you deserve for your efforts. Maintaining proper form will benefit you more than speed. You can find more Kettlebell exercises here.

Getting Ripped Without the Use of Performance Enhancing Drugs

Most of us are at least slightly aware of what it takes to get ripped. Basically, you must at least cut carbohydrates while increasing physical activity. But how many of us will actually succeed at getting ripped this way? I'm willing to bet that the majority of us will get minimal to moderate results at best.

This usually leads to excuses; the most common being we don't have the genetics to get ripped. But the real reason behind our lack of success is the information provided about how to get ripped is for those who use performance enhancing drugs; Anabolic Steroids, Ephedrine, Clenbuterol, etc.

And while drug-free bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts must use the same guidelines to get ripped as those who use performance enhancing drugs (cutting calories and increasing physical activity) the difference of whether or not you will be successful will come from the choice of calories that we cut.

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The rule of cutting carbohydrates and fats simply will not work for most of us who do not use performance enhancing drugs. The calories that we must cut or exclude along with those are meat calories, because eating meat adds-up to a lot of unnecessary fat calories when trying to get ripped. I am not suggesting you become a vegetarian, just that you limit or exclude meat while getting ripped.

I am excited to share this information with you because I know that I will finally become successful at getting as lean as I want due to my recent shift to vegetarianism. Please give this diet a try, it will work for you too. Don't worry about losing muscle, dieting will not lead to muscle loss, overtraining, excessive cardio, and starvation will.

If you are still concerned, you can buy a high quality protein powder with the money that you save on meats. If you choose to simply cut back on your meat consumption while getting lean, have it with one meal on your workout days - no more that three times per week. And make sure it's lean and hormone-free.

If you choose to exclude meats, you can safely replace a portion of those calories with nuts, cottage cheese, and legumes to name a few. I urge you to cut or exclude your meat calories for at least a month in order to truly know that you can get as lean as you want by way of a sensible limited or meatless diet and exercise program. Let's go.