QUESTION:
Hi. I had a question about supplement stacking. I recently purchased Training Ground Pre, Kre-Alkalyn Hardcore, Lyzme 5, & GlutaZorb. I wanted to know what would be the best way to take these, or if there is something else I should be taking?
I am looking to lean out, but also maintain as much muscle mass as I possibly can, as I’m beginning competition prep.
Appreciate your time!
Thanks
Shannon
ANSWER:
Hi Shannon. You have some great choices in your supplement arsenal! The first thing that jumps out at me is that you’ve got 3 products that contain stimulants. That is, Training Ground Pre, Kre-Alkalyn Hardcore, and Lyzme 5.
I would caution you about taking too many stimulants at once. If so, it can result in unwanted side effects. These include a rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness. In some cases, you can even get adrenal fatigue if you use high dosages over an extended period of time.
These are possible symptoms that may occur when an individual has exceeded their stimulant threshold or their tolerance for stimulants. The tricky thing about this is that it’s impossible to predict someone else’s stimulant threshold.
There are some folks who react terribly to just a half cup of coffee. Then there are others who will drink a pot of coffee, take a Pre-workout supplement, and also include a couple energy drinks on top of that each day. That said, I generally recommend trainees use no more than 1 stimulant containing product at a time.
Rotating Stimulant Products
Since you have 3 products containing stimulants, you may want to rotate them. There are a couple of ways you could do this:
- You could use a particular stimulant product only on specific days. For example, you could use Training Ground Pre on Monday, Kre-Alkalyn Hardcore on Tuesday, then Lyzme 5 on Wednesday.
- Another way to cycle these products would be to exclusively use 1 product until it’s gone. Then, simply move on to one of the other two products and repeat.
Now, if you do have a high threshold for stimulants, you could theoretically use 2 of these products at the same time, if take them at opposite times of the day.
Hypothetically speaking, let’s say you worked out early in the morning and took Training Ground Pre before your workout. If you’re not overly sensitive to stimulants, you might also be able to take Kre-Alkalyn Hardcore, or Lyzme 5 in the afternoon, some 6-8 hours later.
If you were to attempt this, I would suggest beginning with a partial serving of either the Lyzme 5 or Kre-Alkalyn Hardcore.
Start Slowly
If the serving size calls for 3 capsules, begin by taking just 1 capsule to assess your tolerance. If you feel the effects are too mild, you could add 1 more capsule and see how you tolerate that. If adding a second capsule is still too mild, you may add a 3rd capsule.
A good rule of thumb with stimulant-based supplements is to TREAD LIGHTLY! In other words, always begin with a partial dose to see how your body responds. Then gradually increase your dosage in small increments.
This rule would also apply to the Training Ground Pre. You should begin with a half serving the first time you take it. If a half serving is too mild, go for ¾ or 1 full serving next time.
Other Recommended Supplements
There are at least 2 additional supplements you should incorporate into your stack. The first one is the original Kre-Alkalyn formula that comes in those nifty, purple pills. I only recommend this because Kre-Alkalyn Hardcore has stimulants in it.
So, if you want to ensure you’re obtaining an effective amount of Kre-Alkalyn without overdosing on stimulants, incorporating the original version would be a fabulous way do this. It doesn’t have any stimulants, so there is no inherent risk of mixing it with Training Ground Pre, Lyzme 5, or any other stimulant containing substances.
With Kre-Alkalyn, you also have the added bonus of not worrying about bloating and extracellular water retention, as this patented form of creatine has been pH adjusted to be compatible with the acid level of your body.
Many people report great results using a daily dose of as little as 1.5 grams (1 capsule before & after each workout). Since I’m 190 lbs., I take 3 grams per day (2 capsules before & after each workout), which seems to be the optimal dose for me.
Training Ground BCAA
One final product that I STRONGLY recommend is the Training Ground BCAA! The analogy I always use when I discuss the importance of BCAA supplementation is they serve as an insurance policy for your hard-earned muscle.
There’s lots of compelling research out there demonstrating how significant branched chain amino acids are when it comes to increasing protein synthesis, stabilizing blood sugar levels, regulating hormones, and transporting oxygen in the body.
If there was only 1 sports nutrition supplement I could take, it would be BCAA’s, hands down! They have literally served as a miracle supplement for me when I’ve been adhering to very low-calorie diets, on top of engaging in highly intense training.
The beauty of them is that they mimic many of the anabolic chemical reactions produced by consumption of high protein foods, but contain only a small fraction of the calories.
In other words, they allow you reduce your calorie intake significantly, without losing your muscle mass. Not to mention, you don’t have to contend with the burden of having to eat some kind of high protein every other hour of the day.
BCAAs For Preserving Muscle
A couple years ago I actually had to follow a very low-calorie diet to make weight for a powerlifting meet. I dropped 15 lbs., but I actually increased my lifting power! My calories were extremely low, but taking high doses of BCAA’s every day allowed me to drop 15 pounds of fat without losing any of my muscle or power.
Ironically, I ended up being more shredded for that powerlifting meet than I had been in many of the bodybuilding competitions I’ve entered. I can clearly see why they were originally developed to help patients who suffering from muscle-wasting diseases.
At the very least, take 1 serving of BCAA’s about 15 minutes before training. Then take 1 more serving either during training or immediately after. This would also be a good time to take your GlutaZorb glutamine – 1 capsule before and after each workout.
If you really want to get serious, incorporate another serving or two of BCAA’s between meals on an empty stomach. I found this really helped me maintain my energy levels and stave off hunger when I was in the process of very strict dieting.
Another great thing about BCAA’s is that you don’t need to worry about any negative side effects as a result of mixing them with other supplements. Just be sure to take them on a relatively empty stomach or they won’t be quite as effective. A good rule of thumb is to try not to eat 2 hours before taking them, or 1 hour after.
Hopefully, I was able to answer your questions. I wish you all the best of success with your competition prep! Please let us know how you do in your competition!
Prove ‘Em Wrong,
Chad Shaw
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