I have these (http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/opt/bc.html)...

Would taking 2 caps before and 2 caps after fasted LISS cardio be of any benifit?
or would i just wasting them?

I've wondered this as well. Currently I only take mine before and after my weightlifting.

I have these (http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/opt/bc.html)...

Would taking 2 caps before and 2 caps after fasted LISS cardio be of any benifit?
or would i just wasting them?

You'll need much more than that to get the desired effcts from bcaa's. Taking 40 of those capsules pre/during/post workout is not too cost effective either.

Check out the products in the links below. If you want cheaper prices, I would order from DPSnutrition.com, although they do not carry the bulk bcaa powder.

http://www.bulknutrition.com/?products_id=1788

http://www.bulknutrition.com/?products_id=792

http://www.bulknutrition.com/?products_id=1896

Check out the products in the links below. If you want cheaper prices, I would order from DPSnutrition.com, although they do not carry the bulk bcaa powder.

http://www.bulknutrition.com/?products_id=1788

http://www.bulknutrition.com/?products_id=792

http://www.bulknutrition.com/?products_id=1896
No horrible taste/mixability disclaimer? :confused: :lol:

so are the capsules crap then?

so are the capsules crap then?


As far as cost effectiveness? Absolutely.

No horrible taste/mixability disclaimer? :confused: :lol:

Yeah the taste is pretty bad. For my show last month I was shotgunning 4 teaspoons of the straight powder prior to training :eek:

The Xtend and Glutamine Select don't present mixability issues, but if I add in additional straight powder, all that is required is to give your shaker cup a couple of shakes before sipping on it.

I really like these new formulas though - Xtend, GS, some others...which contain l-glutamine. What I've found is if one is on a cut, or in my case pre-contest training, where carbs are lower than usual, taking abundant quantities of bcaa's/glutamine pre and during training eliminates the need for post workout carbs. Not only will you maintain muscle on a hypo-caloric diet, but also accrue lean tissue with concurrant bodyfat reduction. Very cool stuff :tucool:

Yeah the taste is pretty bad. For my show last month I was shotgunning 4 teaspoons of the straight powder prior to training :eek:

I'm a pansy ass...I just throw a couple of TBS in with my PWO. I don't mind shot gunning Bev's GS...but I don't think I'll be doing the same with any BCAA's anytime soon. (I do chew up my Ultra 40's when I'm using them though :eat: )

damn you bodybuilders for selling me on all these products.
but i might as well get stuff that will work if i'm already buying stuff that doesnt work :nod:

damn you bodybuilders for selling me on all these products.
but i might as well get stuff that will work if i'm already buying stuff that doesnt work :nod:
It's not a matter of you having something that doesn't work...it's a matter of you're paying 5x more than we are.

It's not a matter of you having something that doesn't work...it's a matter of you're paying 5x more than we are.
well, i was only taking 2 caps before lifting, and 2 caps after lifting.
i'm under the assumption that this isnt near enough?

well, i was only taking 2 caps before lifting, and 2 caps after lifting.
i'm under the assumption that this isnt near enough?
I'm going to hop on what I believe may be inline with what mastover was talking about. I've seen it suggested...10g pre-workout, 10g during, and then about 40g-50g post. This is more in line with mega dosing BCAA's.
I'd look at shooting in the ballpark of 10g split up during and post wo. If you're going to supp BCAA's...give yourself a good amount to work with, so you'll be able to better judge their effectiveness.

Would you recommend the x-tend or gs for a pre and during w/o drink?

Would you recommend the x-tend or gs for a pre and during w/o drink?
Both are excellent. I'm thinking that Xtend may be the better bang for buck. Check pricing over at DPS (http://www.dpsnutrition.net/product_list.asp?dept=1425&last=1425)

I'm thinking I'll order the xtend from DPS. $49.99 for 1035 grams. If I take 10g pre and 10g during w/o that will last for 50 workouts. That's $1 per w/o, not too bad. This will start in Jan 06 if I do it. Does the dosage sound ok?

I'm thinking I'll order the xtend from DPS. $49.99 for 1035 grams. If I take 10g pre and 10g during w/o that will last for 50 workouts. That's $1 per w/o, not too bad. This will start in Jan 06 if I do it. Does the dosage sound ok?
I'm not the brightest bulb in the pack, and love to steal others ideas when I see it working for them. The route I'd go if that were my plan...2 scoops split 1/2 pre, 1/2 during...then 2 scoops post.
I need to appologize for not seeing the "C" word in the thread title. I don't do that stuff typically, so I shouldn't be commenting. For clarification, my posts above were mainly geared towards weight training...which is actually my cardio. I probably should have read through some of my performance nutrition material for a more acurate reference regarding cardio training. :o

How many grams is a scoop?

How many grams is a scoop?
Their label says 2 scoops = 11.5g I believe, at 90 servings (you'd get about 45 training sessions). But that's including glutamine and citrulline in the mix as well. If you wanted, you could go with the straight BCAA bulk powder at 1000g and nothing else mixed in for $39.99 (http://www.bulknutrition.com/?products_id=1511) It won't taste like the Xtend though...:lol: The added glutamine and citrulline in Xtend certainly doesn't hurt at all. I hate when somebody gets me thinking about supplements. All of a sudden I feel that I Have To have 4-6 months worth on hand, even when there's no way I could afford it. My old addict ways coming back to me again...:rolleyes:

LATE EDIT: Glad I already had two unopened 1000g containers at home, when I got into this thread, or I'd be jonesin' for sure :lol:

Their label says 2 scoops = 11.5g I believe, at 90 servings (you'd get about 45 training sessions). But that's including glutamine and citrulline in the mix as well. If you wanted, you could go with the straight BCAA bulk powder at 1000g and nothing else mixed in for $39.99 (http://www.bulknutrition.com/?products_id=1511) It won't taste like the Xtend though...:lol: The added glutamine and citrulline in Xtend certainly doesn't hurt at all. I hate when somebody gets me thinking about supplements. All of a sudden I feel that I Have To have 4-6 months worth on hand, even when there's no way I could afford it. My old addict ways coming back to me again...:rolleyes:

LATE EDIT: Glad I've already got two unopened 1000g containers at home, when I got into this thread :lol:

Perfect, thanks. I'm ordering the grape. (guess I better get 2!:p )

ya, at first i was just wondering if bcaa would give me any catabolic (muscle loss) protection during cardio...
but the info on how to use them lifting is definatly helpful.

ya, at first i was just wondering if bcaa would give me any catabolic (muscle loss) protection during cardio...
but the info on how to use them lifting is definatly helpful.
Mastover's the diet/supplement guru in this thread. I'm hoping that I don't get CAPS typed at me for giving out incorrect information.:lol:

Mastover's the diet/supplement guru in this thread. I'm hoping that I don't get CAPS typed at me for giving out incorrect information.:lol:

Kino you are da man bro. And I'm nowhere near being any kind of guru. Let's just say, over the years I've accumualted pleeeennnnty of tricks up my sleeve ;)

mastover is too secretive.
he's like the batman of bodybuilding or something. :D

mastover is too secretive.
he's like the batman of bodybuilding or something. :D
:lol:

Mastover, are you of the opinion that ALL BCAA caps are crap?

I ask because I've been taking the ones from All The Way, which can be seen here (http://www.allthewhey.com/index.cfm?do=detail&productid=137). It's 120 caps for $11.50, with 2500mg total of BCAA's per 4 caps (I take two before workout and two after).

This seemed like a fairly good deal to me. Am I getting screwed? Is there something innately inferior to gelcaps in relation to powder?

Mastover, are you of the opinion that ALL BCAA caps are crap?

I ask because I've been taking the ones from All The Way, which can be seen here (http://www.allthewhey.com/index.cfm?do=detail&productid=137). It's 120 caps for $11.50, with 2500mg total of BCAA's per 4 caps (I take two before workout and two after).

This seemed like a fairly good deal to me. Am I getting screwed? Is there something innately inferior to gelcaps in relation to powder?

I think you guys are misinterpreting what Kino and I are trying to explain.... Bcaa caps are not crap. What we've been trying to say is that they ARE NOT COST EFFECTIVE. Especially if you need to take 20-30 grams around the workout.

For around $23 you can purchase 500 grams of bulk bcaa powder.

The bottle of your 120 caps comes out to 75 grams of bcaa's total.

You are paying $11.50 for 75 grams worth.

Which do you think is the better deal? The bulk powder? Or the caps?(do the math)

I think you guys are misinterpreting what Kino and I are trying to explain.... Bcaa caps are not crap. What we've been trying to say is that they ARE NOT COST EFFECTIVE. Especially if you need to take 20-30 grams around the workout.

For around $23 you can purchase 500 grams of bulk bcaa powder.

The bottle of your 120 caps comes out to 75 grams of bcaa's total.

You are paying $11.50 for 75 grams worth.

Which do you think is the better deal? The bulk powder? Or the caps?(do the math)
I'm sorry I missed this thread, cause I could have basically just agreed with you and Kino here 100%.

Caps are not crap if you have the money and don't want to put powder in your PWO shake (or whatever). It's just not nearly economical as powder.

The powder is tasteless (or at least what I get is). I just add it into a Nitrean shake and I'm good to go. PWO is a GREAT time to do this.

I don't "Megadose BCAA" but I do need more than what a pill bottle tells me is the serving size. Screw taking that many pills and spending that kind of money when I can buy a bulk powder and just dump it into a shake.

sorry - when i said the caps were basically crap, i meant they were crap if taken @ the bottle's recommended dosage.
the bottle says take two pre and two after workouts.

I really dont think that would do too much, but who the hell am i to argue with a bottle?

sorry - when i said the caps were basically crap, i meant they were crap if taken @ the bottle's recommended dosage.
the bottle says take two pre and two after workouts.


Well if that's what you meant by "crap", you are correct sir.

They are crap.

who the hell am i to argue with a bottle?

:lol: ...wh0areume!

Ok I've been trying to follow this thread....but I still have a few questions.

So, has the original question ever been answered? Should you take your bcaa's before & after cardio? Should you take them every day? Or should you take them just on lifting days...before and after workout?

Also, on the caps...Are they still usefull, even though they are not the most cost efficient? Is following the reccomended dosage on the bottle (2 pre & 2 post workout) enough? If you just bought a bottle of the caps, would you finish those out and then buy the powder...or toss the caps out now to get powder?

the original question about cardio is still unanswered, but after thinking about it, i really dont think BCAAs are nessessary before/after LISS cardio.

on the caps - YES, if you already own a couple bottles, they are still useful.
but keep in mind - each cap is 500mg, so taking 2 before and 2 after (like my bottle says) is only 2g of protein.... THAT'S USELESS.

you would have to take 20 caps before, 20 caps after, just to simply hit 20g protein.
buy the powder and mix it in with your PWO shake.

the original question about cardio is still unanswered, but after thinking about it, i really dont think BCAAs are nessessary before/after LISS cardio.
on the caps - YES, if you already own a couple bottles, they are still useful.
but keep in mind - each cap is 500mg, so taking 2 before and 2 after (like my bottle says) is only 2g of protein.... THAT'S USELESS.
you would have to take 20 caps before, 20 caps after, just to simply hit 20g protein.
buy the powder and mix it in with your PWO shake.
You almost got it. BCAA's aren't protein. Protein is nothing more than a source of aminos acids of which BCAA's are a part of. I couldn't give you the molecular breakdown of how many grams of BCAA's or aminos would constitute 1 gram of protein.
Which brings us to another note...If you're taking in protein, you're taking in BCAA's already. You can find the amount per serving right on the label of the product. Supplementing with extra BCAA's is simply giving the body a more readily available source, without having to digest the added protein to get them.
In the end, whether you need added BCAA's or not, is indivisual choice.

If you're taking in protein, you're taking in BCAA's already. You can find the amount per serving right on the label of the product. Supplementing with extra BCAA's is simply giving the body a more readily available source, without having to digest the added protein to get them.

Additionally, taking in free form l-valine, l-leucine, and l-isoleucine is much, much more effective than taking them in a protein powder formula which may contain upwards of 22 EEA's that will compete with the bcaa's for absorption. Bcaa's in its free form state also amplifies the benefits of LCAR and ALCAR.

If you're stuck with the bottles of capsules, I would either take 5 or so between meals, or 5-10 with your bcaa drink during your workout until you use them all up.

Like I said earlier in this thread...:bow: :bow: :bow:

Wow, great info in this thread.

A further question: It was my understanding that it is best to take BCAA's separate from other protein sources so that they're not competing with other amino acids. As such, I've been taking mine before my workout with a carbohydrate and then immediately after my workout, following up with my PWO shake about 30 or so minutes later.

Is this a good idea? What would work better?

Wow, great info in this thread.

A further question: It was my understanding that it is best to take BCAA's separate from other protein sources so that they're not competing with other amino acids. As such, I've been taking mine before my workout with a carbohydrate and then immediately after my workout, following up with my PWO shake about 30 or so minutes later.

Is this a good idea? What would work better?

Taking bcaa's with a carb source is your call. Many factors involved:i.e. What time of the day one trains, did you eat a carb meal the night before? Or some time prior to your WO? (carb load), are you in a cutting phase where you are trying to maximize GH release? (bcaa's taken on an empty stomach with no carbs, will not blunt GH response) Natural compounds elicit different pulses of GH with each individual.

Personally, consuming bcaa's (along with ALCAR) pre workout, with no carbs, allows me to make lean mass gains, even on extended gaining phases, with no major increases in bodyfat.

My suggestion is to try out different protols of use, maintain a running log, and compare the results with each method after about 4 weeks.
If possible, take your weight, bodyfat, strength increases, before and after each 4 week cycle.

:gl:

Sorry if this is turing into a general BCAA thread, but....

Can anyone reccomend where to get some good powder? I guess I would prefere the kind that doesnt have much taste like 1FastGTX mentioned.

Sorry if this is turing into a general BCAA thread, but....

Can anyone reccomend where to get some good powder? I guess I would prefere the kind that doesnt have much taste like 1FastGTX mentioned.
Bulk Nutrition (http://www.bulknutrition.com/?manufacturers_id=18) has the best price on powder that I know of. There really isn't a "taste"...I think that it's more of a mixability issue than anything. You could always spend the extra and go with Xtend, and you'll already have the flavoring plus the added citrulline and glutamine. Personally, I already buy bulk citrulline, so I just mix the BCAA's with some Crystal Lite. I primarily use Primaforce's Substance as my staple protein powder...watermelon being my favorite...so that works as a decent mixer as well.