Articles by ProSource

	Featured Article
	BetaStax: The 2009 Product of the Year! When we at ProSource received our first advance samples of BetaStax in the spring of this past year, we knew right away that we were witnessing a momentous event in the evolution of thermogenic science. Here was a totally new kind of weight-loss/energy-boosting technology, not dependent on the usual mix-andmatch combination of caffeine, yohimbe and/or green tea, and entirely free of compounds (HCA, Hoodia, cortisol blockers) that have proven to be scientific dead ends for so many manufacturers. Instead, in BetaStax we found a revolutionary matrix of ultrabioactive, pharmaceutical-grade energy factors combined with a primary weight-loss technology that delivers dramatic results by regulating levels of circulating plasma CCK—a unique mechanism of action that is generating some of the most remarkable results ever seen in this category. » Read more
	Here at ProSource we provide you with the latest research and information to help guide you in your quest for optimum health and fitness. Please click on a specific archive below to read the full, informational reports, or view all articles below. Diet Articles Superfeature Articles Research Articles Supplement Articles Training Articles

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• Is This the End for Steroids?  

  (posted 07/02/2009)
  Revolutionary New Myostatin Inhibitor Could Make Steroids Instantly Obsolete. When it comes to research and development, perhaps the most difficult task of all is to "think outside the box." So much effort and investigation falls into the same well-worn grooves traveled by those who have gone before. As a result, if one company achieves some sales success with a product, you'll suddenly have hundreds of researchers working on minor variations of that technology.
  




• Choose Your High-Quality Protein Source Carefully When Trying to Lose Fat and Maintain Muscle Mass  

  (posted 07/02/2009)
  Wouldn't it be great if you could just cut your calories and this alone would help you lose fat, keep your muscle and get the tight stomach or glutes you hope for...? That's right, you starve yourself, the fat melts away and in record time the six-pack abs, ripped arms and shredded chest you dream of have arrived. While this would tickle all those people who take a second stroll past every mirror they see, this would likely excite physicians and public health officials to an even greater degree (is that possible?). Of course, we all know that's not what happens when we follow extreme dieting practices. Sure the lemonade diet, grapefruit diet, Hollywood diet, or the blank-blank-blank diet (you get the picture) will help you lose weight, but much of it will be water lost from your muscles as carbohydrate and protein stores.
  




• Acai Berries - The Top Super Fruit of All Time?  

  (posted 07/01/2009)
  In case you haven't already heard, there's a potent South American super fruit that's taken the U.S. marketplace by storm and this little berry may offer some huge benefits. Grown in the Amazon rainforest of Brazil, “Acai” is loaded with health-promoting compounds that have appeal to just about everyone. Acai has been featured on talk shows like Oprah, Rachel Ray, and multiple news stations such as NBC, CBS, and ABC and has been touted as a “Super Food” or "One of Five Good-For-You Foods You May Have Never Heard Of." On the Oprah show, renowned physician Dr. Perricone promoted acai berries as the number one super food with a variety of compelling arguments to back that assertion.
  




• In Search of Power, Part 7  

  (posted 06/26/2009)
  Power is the hidden elixir that the sporting world clamors for. For many the search encompasses a myriad of sales pitches, specialized equipment and training regimes that befuddle physicists. Yet, in truth, it is a relatively straight forward approach (with the right coaching expertise, patience and dedicated training) that will enable athletes to make enormous strides.
  




• Believing Big  

  (posted 06/26/2009)
  Flanked by two of the greatest IFBB Pro Fitness competitors of the time, Adela Garcia stood on stage at the 2004 Arnold Classic Fitness International in absolute euphoric disbelief. Seconds before they had announced the top six, parading them onstage for the excruciatingly unhurried countdown to first place. One by one the best in the world had their hopes of winning a congratulatory visit with Arnold dashed for another year. All but the last three that is. For the first time in her life Garcia was where she needed to be, to be called the best. After years of training, dieting, and honing her performance she had reached a level of exquisiteness and excellence that only a small number on the planet will ever reach. She had nailed it all, the routines, her physique, the hearts of the fans, and for the first time, what was unthinkable up to that moment was now finally possible. Top three would have been a great ending, but she had put it all out there, didn't leave one single drop in reserve, and all she wanted was first place.
  
  Staring ahead at a packed house they stood majestically, their faces filled with beautiful rehearsed smiles skillfully concealing the ever-swelling cloudburst of emotion inside each of them. Adela Garcia, Jenny Hendershott, and Kelly Ryan, stood agonizing, waiting for the axe to fall on a year's worth of hard work and dreams and hoping it wouldn't land on them.
  




• Unconventional Training Series, Part 1  

  (posted 06/12/2009)
  Long before the first NPC fitness competitor ever touched a crystal clad stiletto heel to a contest stage over 15 years ago, judges, fans, trainers and athletes have debated, prophesized, and even bickered about what a fitness—and now figure and bikini—athlete should look like. In these circles the word "criteria" is unsheathed and waved about in conversations as if it were something you could actually hold or see. Unlike track or soccer or any sport where there are definite markers to gauge completion of an objective like scoring a goal, time spent to reach a distance, or pounds lifted, judging in physique sports is subjective. Athletes are measured on their overall appearance and a consensus is reached by a panel of judges on how much appeal that particular athlete has that day. Of course each individual judge will have his or her own preference of what is appealing but once the high and low scores are removed from the score sheets, a general consensus is reached by the panel. "Criteria" becomes more of a suggestion of what will be favored rather than a specific weight, size, or condition. But sharing that responsibility of choosing what looks best by a panel of seven or more experienced judges is a very good system.
  
  Since the sports of fitness, figure, and bikini find their foundation in the sport of bodybuilding, it’s a natural progression then to approach preparing a fitness, figure, or bikini physique the same way one would approach preparing an athlete to be a bodybuilder. That’s how things began but as time moved on and the standard of muscle and hardness became increasingly more difficult to attain naturally and fitness and figure athletes started looking more and more like bodybuilders, officials put their foot down and demanded a less severe level of muscular development and conditioning.
  




• Upper Deck Power, Part 5  

  (posted 06/11/2009)
  There are times in training when "taking a step back" might be the best way to move forward. Baseball—a sport in which many athletes progress to advanced stages prior to being able to handle basic tasks—offers a case in point.
  
  That being said, one of the most neglected areas in all of training is the development of the hips and hamstrings. Baseball, in particular, is a sport where a great deal is performed within a lunge or extension movement. Unfortunately, we see a high incident of athletes being unable to perform either well. In continuation of Upper Deck Power Part 4, we'll look at the most important developmental exercises within proper lunging and other unilateral training measures, with a wide selection of exercises from early development to more advanced ones.
  




• "Sugar" is Sweet For First Time Actor  

  (posted 06/09/2009)
  Algenis Perez Soto blows away audiences and critics alike with his portrayal of the title character in the new hit movie "Sugar"
  
  First time actor Algenis Pérez Soto was literally plucked from obscurity to play the lead role in the critically acclaimed film "Sugar". Born and raised in the baseball-obsessed Dominican Republic, Soto has been playing baseball since he was only nine years old. Like practically every young Dominican boy, Algenis dreamt of one day being signed by a major league team and moving to the US to become a baseball superstar. That day never came. Instead, after an extensive casting search that spanned the United States and the Dominican Republic, Algenis was signed by the acclaimed US filmmaking team Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck to star in their upcoming baseball themed film "Sugar".
  




• Put That Ab Roller Away  

  (posted 06/09/2009)
  One of the most pernicious myths ever to be perpetuated by TV infomercials is the notion that weight-loss can be achieved via "spot toning." That is, if you've got excess fat around your waistline, you can exercise the muscles around your waist (i.e. do sit-ups) to get rid of it. This just isn't how it works. (Likewise, women with excess fat around their hips are not targeting hip fat-loss by doing hip flexors, leg raisers, or some other hip exercise that requires an elastic band that costs $19.95).
  
  The truth is, your body responds to exercise by turning stored fuel into energy required to sustain the activity. In the case of a man doing sit-ups, his body is as likely to break down and utilize fat stored in his hips or legs, as it is to use fat stored around his belly. (Though the exercise WILL tone the existing muscle fibers around his waist, which is a separate issue.) In fact, our bodies typically burn fat in a preferential manner, using fat from some areas (arms, face, chest, legs) more readily than it will use fat stored in other areas (for men, typically, the belly; for women, the hips and thighs).
  




• Upper Deck Power, Part 4  

  (posted 05/29/2009)
  For many coaches, baseball can be the most challenging sport to prepare their athletes for. For others, it is the easiest. The reason for this is possibly answered by one of the basic tenets of Renegade Training™. Many decades ago I realized that the majority of athletes "train to train." Their dedication to their sport is unquestionable but the focus is off kilter as they are merely spending time to "look the part" rather than "be the part."
  




• ProSource Media Talks Exclusively With Hugh Jackman at the World Premiere of X-Men Origins: Wolverine  

  (posted 04/30/2009)
  It's not true that Hugh Jackman owns the entire world, these days. It just seems that way.
  
  The accomplished actor and reigning People Magazine "Sexiest Man Alive" has appeared in a string of critical and commercial big-screen blockbusters in recent years and is now poised to cement his reputation as a supreme "A-list" leading man with his newest and biggest movie yet … X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
  




• From The NFL Draft To Opening Day  

  (posted 04/21/2009)
  The dream is universal among aspiring football players — play hard, get drafted by the likes of the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Dallas Cowboys and win a Super Bowl. But the jump from college to the pro ranks is a daunting one, and many a "can't miss" prospect has gone from boom to bust because they just weren't ready to do the elite-level training, and study required on the NFL level. As we look at the upcoming NFL Draft, here's a look at how projected Top 10 studs like Matthew Stafford, Mark Sanchez, Michael Crabtree, and Jason Smith can prepare for one of the most important days of their lives … Day One of 2009 NFL training camp.
  




• Hitting it Hard - At the Plate and in the Gym  

  (posted 04/06/2009)
  Power Hitting All-Star Second Baseman Dan Uggla is gearing up for another prolific season. Opposing Pitchers Beware!
  
  It's a cool mid-February evening in beautiful Jupiter, Florida. Baseball fans from all over are already in a frenzy as pitchers and catchers have just reported to spring training. One team that's cause for much of the early excitement is the Florida Marlins. With a young and promising group of core players, many around the league feel the Marlins have a chance to do some real damage in the highly competitive NL East division.
  




• High, Heavy & Hardcore  

  (posted 04/01/2009)
  Popular opinion be damned: You can combine heavy weights and high repetitions for maximum power and muscle gains
  
  You may not have the strength of eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman, but that doesn't mean you can't train like him, at least in one key regard: the number of reps you do per set.
  




• Athletes Turn to the Remarkable Restorative Agent Cissus Quadrangularis to Strengthen Joints

  (posted 03/19/2009)
  Dedicated athletes and bodybuilders are very familiar with joint discomfort, delayed onset muscle soreness, and injury due to training. These aches and pains are an unavoidable part of the bodybuilding lifestyle and can make life miserable for a few days to a few weeks.
  




• Team ProSource Takes On Superstar QB Kurt Warner and His Team in Flag Football Title Game

  (posted 03/11/2009)
  Staring across the line of scrimmage at Kurt Warner—with a football in his hands during a title game—is both very scary and extremely exciting. In fact, most athletes only dream about playing against this football superstar, let alone in any kind of "championship game". For some of the guys at ProSource, however, that dream suddenly became a stunning reality on Saturday, March 7, 2009.
  




• The Face of Women's Fast Pitch Softball: Jennie Finch

  (posted 02/23/2009)
  Jennie Finch is perhaps the most well-known and celebrated women's fast pitch softball player of all time. With her athleticism and competitiveness on the ball field only matched by her grace and beauty off it, Jennie has vastly helped to move women's softball into the mainstream public eye. At age 28, her list of career accomplishments already reads like the stuff of legend. As a young girl growing up in La Mirada, CA, it was very clear from a young age there was nothing this tall athletic blond couldn't do on a softball field. Finch displayed excellent hitting and base-running skills and was an absolutely dominant pitcher. After a magnificent high school career in which she went 50-12, with six perfect games, 13 no-hitters, 784 strikeouts, and posted a 0.15 ERA in 445 innings, Jennie moved to Tucson, AZ to play her college ball for the University of Arizona Wildcats. Playing under Team USA head coach Mike Candrea, Finch solidified her status as a young phenom by becoming a three-time All-American and winning the Honda Award as the nation's top collegiate player her sophomore and junior seasons. She also helped lead the Wildcats to the NCAA championship title as a junior by going 32-0, and setting an NCAA record for consecutive victories, with an astounding 60 wins.
  




• Better Golf, Renegade Style

  (posted 02/16/2009)
  When I wrote my first book on Golf, "R-Factor for Golf", a number of years ago, much of my typical audience was surprised with my choice of topic. In writing the book, it was my intention to address the needs of the sport as well as dispel the myths associated with an endless array of training gadgets and questionable ideas.
  




• The Evolution of Golf: with Casey Martin

  (posted 02/09/2009)
  Men's Fitness magazine recently released their 2008 poll of the top 25 fittest men in America. The list consists of all types of men of various backgrounds and from vastly different industries. Several of the athletes gracing the list are not so surprising such as basketball big man Dwight Howard, Philadelphia Phillies agile second baseman Chase Utley, and ripped up Browns quarterback Brady Quinn. Some of the other guys featured may not seem as familiar and quite frankly not as deserving (a.k.a. reality TV chief Curtis Stone…Who?). But perhaps the biggest surprise to some may be the man featured in the #1 spot and selected as the fittest of the fit, Tiger Woods. What, a professional golfer? He doesn't deserve the honor of the fittest man in America, does he? YES he most certainly does!
  




• Renegade Rope Skip

  (posted 02/09/2009)
  Opening my morning email I received a request from a major fitness group asking my opinion of the business' "next big thing." After going through a number of points including the deeply troubling world's economy and the return to a notion of "value for service", the conclusion was the "next big thing" was in-fact a return to tried and true methods and fun exercises that harken back to games of our youth.
  




• "The Muscles from Brussels" is Back!

  (posted 02/09/2009)
  Action movie star and former international martial arts champion Jean Claude Van Damme is making a big screen comeback! In his recent film 'JCVD', Van Damme portrays…well, himself, an aging action movie star whose B-list status has fallen so far he's even losing roles to Steven Seagal. Here's a short synopsis: After a failed custody battle over his daughter, Van Damme retreats to his Belgian hometown only to stumble into a hostage situation at a local bank. His cinematic martial arts moves are no match for real bullets, and to make matters worse, the police and the public believe he's the culprit, not the victim.
  




• Upper Deck Power - Part 2

  (posted 02/09/2009)
  In the first part of our series we touched upon general mobility drills to loosen the hips primarily. This is a key point and one that we will re-visit in the future but training for the diamond must start with mobility. A player who doesn’t reflect this in their training will be unable to compete and be rooted in the dugout. Mobility is a crucial issue in the work of a baseball player. Along with the mobility drills presented in the first article in the series, Medicine Ball training is an absolute must. Med ball work will assist with explosive muscular development, mobility training and general recovery and regeneration.
  




• Upper Deck Power - Renegade Style

  (posted 01/30/2009)
  Within the sporting world the notion of sport-specific training or training for sport is packed full of fallacies. Spread over rock-solid facts on how to train properly for sport is a vast array of clichés and slick marketing lines. Possibly the sport most plagued with highly questionable "training advice" is baseball.
  




• Get On the Ball

  (posted 01/30/2009)
  These 5 exercise-ball moves are so effective, even a guy would do them.
  
  You've surely seen them in the gym. Maybe you've even given one an irritated kick out of the way as you made your way through the free-weight area. The fact they're reminiscent of that old childhood toy the hippity hop (sans handle) doesn't help. Nor does the fact that the way many people use them is a bit suspect. Torso twists? Seated dumbbell curls? Oh, please.
  




• Inspirational Minister's Amazing Transformation Stands the Test of Time

  (posted 01/13/2009)
  With the hustle and bustle of daily life, many Americans have fallen victim to poor eating habits and overall unhealthy living. In fact, adult obesity rates have doubled since 1980, from 15% to 30%, and two-thirds of U.S. adults are now considered overweight.
  
  Being able to lose weight is one thing, maintaining and keeping it off is totally another. Kentucky native and minister Lee Claypoole has been able to achieve both of these feats and then some. At age 40, Lee dropped over 100 pounds and went from a size 44 waist to a size 30. Featured in a profile for USA Today's Weight-Loss Challenge in the summer of 2007, Lee was commended for his complete lifestyle change and admired for his newly lean and sculpted body.
  




• In Search of Power, Part 6

  (posted 01/12/2009)
  Continuing with the "In Search of Power" series part six, we’re about to take a leap forward with the start of a multi-stage transitional program. During this transitional segment we will begin merging some of the various movements from ground-based DMC™ with the upright RED2 system.
  
  It is crucial that those attempting this segment have started with prior stages and I would not recommend trying to simply "jump into" this area given the enormous demands. For many the basic two starting holds will be challenging and further work in improving glute / hamstring strength, hip flexibility and lowering body fat (suggested article) will be needed.
  




• Short Circuits, Part 8: Calves & Forearms

  (posted 01/08/2009)
  Always running short on time when it comes to these small but important muscle groups? We have the answer: Four 10-minute circuit-training workouts that serve as perfect cappers to any training session.
  




• The Golden Eagle Tom Platz

  (posted 01/07/2009)
  Tom Platz was one of the most beloved bodybuilders of the late 1970s and 1980s. Known by his adoring fans as the "Golden Eagle," Tom competed in and won multiple professional bodybuilding competitions throughout his era, most notably taking a controversial third place finish at the 1981 Mr. Olympia. Perhaps most recognized for his remarkable leg development, Tom made a professional bodybuilding comeback in 1995 and was awarded honorary Mr. America. Now at the age of 53, the Golden Eagle is again strongly thinking of making another comeback. I had the opportunity to sit down and speak with Tom recently to discuss the possible comeback among other things.
  




• Unleash the Extreme Fat-Loss Power of New BetaStax™

  (posted 01/02/2009)
  A new year. A new resolution. A new and improved you. If only it were that easy. The truth, however, is that research indicates the long-term success rates of New Year’s Resolutions are only about 15-20%. While nearly half of Americans make a New Year’s resolution to lose weight, typically 20% break their resolution within a week. The vast majority of the remainder lose their way as January and February turn into March and April.
  




• The 2009 Product of the Year! BetaStax Revolutionizes the Thermogenic Category

  (posted 01/01/2009)
  When we at ProSource received our first advance samples of BetaStax in the spring of this past year, we knew right away that we were witnessing a momentous event in the evolution of thermogenic science. Here was a totally new kind of weight-loss/energy-boosting technology, not dependent on the usual mix-andmatch combination of caffeine, yohimbe and/or green tea, and entirely free of compounds (HCA, Hoodia, cortisol blockers) that have proven to be scientific dead ends for so many manufacturers. Instead, in BetaStax we found a revolutionary matrix of ultrabioactive, pharmaceutical-grade energy factors combined with a primary weight-loss technology that delivers dramatic results by regulating levels of circulating plasma CCK—a unique mechanism of action that is generating some of the most remarkable results ever seen in this category.
  




• Make Your New Year’s Resolution a Success with Vectron™

  (posted 12/22/2008)
  Here we go again. Another year to dream big about your ideal physique. The question is, are you just going to dream again, only to endure disappointment as January turns into June and nothing much has changed? Or is 2009 going to be the year that you turn your dreams into reality?
  




• Short Circuits, Part 7: Abs

  (posted 12/22/2008)
  Carve a killer six-pack fast with these four 10-minute circuit-training workouts. It's now inevitable any time a football coach stands on the precipice of winning a championship. A handful of players sneak up behind him with a cooler full of icy Gatorade and dump it over his head. And every time, fans at home are shaking their head, thinking, How lame, boring and played out is that tradition?
  




• Short Circuits, Part 6: Thighs

  (posted 12/22/2008)
  You can build quads and hamstrings as thick as tree trunks—and chop down your workout time in the process. These four thigh-focused circuit-training workouts will deliver results in 20 minutes.
  




• In Search of Power, part 5

  (posted 12/22/2008)
  As we look upon the next stage of "In Search of Power" with part four of the development program leading into the full-scale DMC™ system, we will begin to see the first signs of merging the ground-based DMC™ with the upright RED2 system first seen in part two of the series.
  




• In Search of Power, part 4

  (posted 12/22/2008)
  Following parts 1, 2 and 3, it is likely best to take a step back and review development as well as address potential concerns of early users of the DMC™ system. For those who have gone through the program to-date, the typical problems experienced relate to basically insufficient lower body strength as evidenced by the inability to maintain body position during longer holds. Not only does this suggest the lack of appropriate balance between the upper and lower body, as well as poor relative, posterior-chain and core strength, but it reveals an insufficient work threshold.
  




• Major League Baseball's Next Super Stars

  (posted 12/15/2008)
  For the last 16 years, baseball fans have flocked to Arizona in October and November to experience the showcase of the world's premier fall baseball league. Just as the desert begins to cool down, baseball’s hottest young players descend on the Phoenix area to display their skills for scouts, general managers, and farm directors from around the league.
  




• In Search of Power, Part 3

  (posted 12/05/2008)
  As we go forward in the next stage of our preliminary DMC™ training session from parts 1 and part 2 of "In Search of Power", it is very obvious to users how this program points out weaknesses in lower body, core strength as well as lack of appropriate balance between upper and lower body strength. This in itself is one of the most important points I can make within athletic training, whereby far too much focus is spent on developing the upper body as opposed to looking at overall body development with the lower extremities as the basis. We’ll continue with this further but the point is that most training develops an individual as an inverted triangle (aka "the dreidel" complex) whereas it should be precisely the opposite.
  




• Short Circuits Part 4: Bicpes

  (posted 11/21/2008)
  Improve the size and definition of your arms — without endless hours of lifting. These four 20-minute biceps-focused circuit-training workouts are designed to build bigger biceps no matter your life's time constraints.
  




• In Search of Power, Part 2

  (posted 11/20/2008)
  Within "In Search of Power, Part 1" I introduced a plan to improve strength and power, targeting the posterior chain via the use of basic static holds found in the preliminary work of my DMC™ system. In many ways the basic notion of this training system revolves around poor movement patterns and key structural problems that the overwhelming majority of the public is plagued with and results in the inability to maintain proper posture under duress. Running parallel to the nine-stage DMC™ system that I introduced in my book on middle-aged fitness "With Grace", is another new system of mine, RED2.
  




• One Arm Push-Up World Record Holder Jeremiah Gould

     (posted 11/11/2008)
  In March of 2006, Greenville, South Carolina resident Jeremiah Gould broke the Guinness Book of World Records standard for most one-arm push-ups in one minute. He did 126. Remarkably, that's over two push-ups per second. Just two years later, Jeremiah shattered his own record by doing an astounding 135 one-arm push-ups in one minute. To truly appreciate the significance of these accomplishments you've really got to understand the heart of this young man. Born a premature baby and having suffered a severe brain hemorrhage as an infant, Jeremiah wasn't given much of a shot from the get-go. Since then, Big Jer (big for the size of his heart rather than his physical size), as he's often referred to by family and friends, has spent his life determined to prove his naysayers wrong.
  




• GLUTAMINE (L-GLUTAMINE) - Supplement Superstar!

     (updated 11/10/2008)
  Glutamine is one of the new whiz kids on the block when it comes to bodybuilding supplements. Although it's been around for a while - articles in Muscle & Fitness were touting it in the early 90's, and medical journals were raving about it years before that - it's finally caught on big time with serious athletes in virtually every sport.
  




• In Search of Power, Part 1  

  (posted 10/28/2008)
  The notion of "power" and "force development" is one that you hear a great deal in the "iron game." In-fact the notion of developing maximal force whether—directing, accepting or re-directing—sits at the cornerstone of my "Concepts of Training." And while I note this endlessly in my teaching, the question looms large: Just precisely "how" do you do this?
  




• Short Circuits Part. 2: CHEST  

  (posted 10/28/2008)
  Do you want to maximize your size and definition, but don’t have the luxury to spend hours training? Use any of these three powerful 20-minute pec-focused circuit-training workouts when time is of the essence.
  




• Star Running Back and Supreme Protein® Spokesman Brian Westbrook
  is Primed for an Offensive Explosion as NFL Playoffs Approach  

  (posted 10/27/2008)
  Running back Brian Westbrook is destroying opposing defenses once more and all is well in the City of Brotherly Love. It didn't take Westbrook long to put the rest of the NFL on notice that he's back and ready to wreak havoc as his Philadelphia Eagles begin their second-half push for the NFC East division crown.
  




• PS for Athletes: Phosphatidylserine Emerges as
  a "Wonder Nutrient" for Protecting Mass Gains and Sharpening Focus  

  (posted 10/17/2008)
  Our supplementation needs are rather straightforward; to improve the quality of our lives by shoring-up weaknesses from diet and furthermore augmenting strategically important nutrients that might otherwise be difficult to obtain through normal diet. That, of course, is quite the "shopping list" of needs, yet I think it helps in deciding on goals of supplementation and leads you into understanding why phosphatidylserine (PS) is so important. As you consider two streams of interests, athletic and general overall health, you’ll understand why PS reigns supreme in both categories.
  




• Short Circuits Part. 1: Shoulders  

  (posted 10/13/2008)
  Do you want to maximize your size and definition, but don’t have the luxury to spend hours training? Use any of these three powerful 20-minute circuit-training workouts when time is of the essence.
  
  Oftentimes, the hours in our lives just don’t add up the way we’d like. Figure an hour to get ready in the morning, about 10 at work, a 60-minute commute each way, an hour for dinner, two to watch the game, three hours of quality time with the family at night … add seven hours of shut-eye, and you’re at about … well, 26 hours to pack into a 24-hour day. And you didn’t even figure in a workout yet!
  




• Together at Last: Simultaneous Muscle Support and Dramatic Fat-Loss  

  (posted 10/02/2008)
  Vectron™: The first and only protein source clinically proven† to target fat loss and preserve lean muscle mass.
  
  It’s bodybuilding’s ultimate paradox, the contradiction at the very foundation of every bodybuilder’s efforts to attain perfection. You can’t add muscle mass without adding some fat. And you can’t lose fat without sacrificing muscle.
  




• Olympia weekend 2008: Pre-Judging  

  (posted 09/30/2008)
  A BATTLE TO SEE WHICH BB KNOWS THE ABCs IN THE IFBB. The Mr. Olympia Prejudging opened with a moment of silence for Steve Stone, who passed on Friday, September 26. Stone was the co-host of Fox Sports' "MuscleSport USA" TV program, as well as the Chief Expediter for the Olympia and at many NPC contests.
  




• Olympia weekend 2008: Top 3 Olympia Finishers  

  (posted 09/30/2008)
  At the Las Vegas Convention Center, during the Olympia Weekend Expo, there was a battle of epic proportions – proportions being the operative word. Bodybuilders who are smaller in stature but not heart or muscle warred like giants for the title of champion of the Olympia's inaugural 202 Showdown.
  




• Olympia weekend 2008: Where Legends Are Made  

  (posted 09/30/2008)
  When the lights went down in the Orleans Hotel Showroom, the crowd was abuzz with anticipation of whether this would be an Olympia Weekend that would turn Vegas on its head, and the athletes delivered. The Mr. Olympia Press conference was actually a rousing affair, reminiscent of boxing’s glory days – full of playful trash talking, self-promotion and hyperbolic predictions.
  




• Olympia weekend 2008: Fitness Focuses on Hollywood  

  (posted 09/30/2008)
  The Las Vegas Convention Center was packed with behemoths, mass monsters, ripped abs, beautiful figure competitors, pretty fitness models, and a slew of muscleheads from across the nation and the world. They crammed themselves in an exposition hall that contained a maze of attention-grabbing booths representing companies that were shilling products and giving away free stuff (supplements, energy drinks, protein bars, T-shirts, fitness magazines, calendars, shaker cups, water bottles and other forms of logo-laden paraphernalia).
  




• One To Grow On  

  (posted 09/29/2008)
  Make maximum gains with minimal equipment — in the case of these 6 compound exercises, just one dumbbell. The following six compound exercises are usually performed with an Olympic bar or a pair of dumbbells. In your upcoming workouts, try leaving one 'bell on the rack instead, introducing a whole new dimension to your training, and your results.
  




• Prolibra^®: Dramatic Fat-Loss and Muscle Preservation  

  (posted 09/12/2008)
  Everyone knows that whey protein is essential for the support of muscle growth. But now comes word on the research front that there's a cutting-edge new bioactive protein that appears to take this efficacy much further.
  




• Svetol^®: Innovative New Fat-Burning Agent Promotes Significant Weight-Loss WITHOUT STIMULANTS  

  (posted 09/12/2008)
  Virtually every effective fat-burner tested to date has had one thing in common—STIMULANTS, and usually lots of them. Recently however, a new discovery has yielded a stimulant-free fat-burning compound that may in fact exceed the power of even some of the most potent stimulant based fat-burners on the market. A specialized highly bioactive, yet decaffeinated, extract of green coffee extract called Svetol^® was subjected to a rigorous double-blind clinical trial to assess its weight-loss effi cacy and impact on lean body mass. The results were truly extraordinary and in fact even exceed those achieved with many high stimulant compounds.
  




• Bootcamp Fitness for Training Professionals  

  (posted 09/05/2008)
  The "bootcamp" exercise class over the last decade has become one of the sexy new marketing tags in the health and exercise industry. While the notion of a "bootcamp" is rock-solid and born from military origins, the version that the mainstream public is exposed to is not only heavy on the "sizzle" and very light on "substance," but it is often operated in a dangerous and unprofessional manner.
  




• Part 2: The Hard, Cold Facts About Fat-Burning and Fat Loss  

  (posted 09/02/2008)
  In part 1 of this series, we looked at the basic causation of obesity and began to establish simple positive habits in diet and exercise.
  
  In many ways, establishing "good habits" is our most difficult task. I want to be very clear about this because somehow over the last three or four decades, very negative habits have crept into our lives. While many of these habits on the surface do not appear to be attached to health and fitness, they in-fact have a massive impact on weight loss, overall health and are general environment.
  




• Advanced Training for Rugby Players  

  (posted 09/02/2008)
  The world of athletic training is a peculiar one, full of dedicated young athletes striving to be their best, as well as coaches, both young and old, who wish to make those dreams a reality. Unfortunately for the wide majority, performance enhancement is not always in proportion to the hard work invested. The chief reason for this is that preparation doesn’t suit the goals of the sport. Truthfully while it is a difficult number to quantify, if I stated that ninety-nine per-cent of athletes use resistance work incorrectly, it would not be very far from the truth.
  




• Kettlebell for Strength Training, part 2  

  (posted 09/02/2008)
  Subsequent to part one of this series, I want to move past general training suggestions and get into the meat of the matter. As per the all-training recommendations I strongly urge you to review proper technique and form and suggest a complete review of my introductory article on Kettlebell Training.
  
  As noted previously the resurgence of Kettlebell training has been nothing short of remarkable. Unfortunately the medium is a victim of its own marketing success as it is very typically taught incorrectly even in the most well-known circles. Not only is form incorrect (generally the back is used as a lever as opposed to projecting movement with the legs, in an effort to appear “tough”), workouts are designed to be extremely difficult but without reason. Preparing an extremely challenging workout isn’t a difficult thing. The key in developing programs is that they elicit appropriate development and take into account the subject group.
  




• Get Motivated!  

  (posted 09/02/2008)
  When it comes to motivation, not everyone is lucky enough to have Mickey Goldmill screaming in his ear. The cranky owner of a decrepit Philly gym had Rocky Balboa eating lightning, crapping thunder, and punching his way to the heavyweight championship of the world.
  
  You, however, live in the real world. Your wife may yell at you to take out the garbage, and the guy you cut off on the freeway may hurl an obscenity or two your way, but you're not likely to have a Mick to rely on to give you constant verbal prodding. For you, motivation must come mainly from within.
  




• Choosing The Right NytroWhey: Timing is Everything  

  (posted 08/29/2008)
  When it comes to protein, NytroWhey is well established as the leader for purity, anabolism and, of course, its customer-approved taste. The first in the industry to use a cross-flow micro-filtration system yielding high amounts of whey peptide fractions and critical growth factors, this progressive franchise has, since its introduction, continually advanced itself to deliver the most effective muscle synthesis for every conceivable user application. If you’re looking for a protein for pre- or post-workout, aerobic, median weight training, heavy weight training, nighttime or daytime—there’s a NytroWhey to fit your need.
  




• For the Ultimate Protein Value, Quality Beats Quantity  

  (posted 08/28/2008)
  It's no secret that protein is the single most important macronutrient in the muscle-building equation. Therefore, the fi rst and foremost product on any bodybuilders supplement list should be an ultra high quality protein formulation.
  
  Even better, is a precise regimen of specialized proteins to address the specifi c and varying biological needs at different points of the day. The following article provides an effective strategy for maximizing muscle growth through optimal protein supplementation. Since ultra-premium proteins have been ProSource's specialty for over a decade, we will highlight some of our own leading brands which we sincerely believe represent the best options on the market today.
  




• Creatine: What Makes it the Best?  

  (posted 08/20/2008)
  Quality is a trait that cannot always be immediately observed. For instance, a glass of crystal-clear water at a restaurant that looks pure can have a number of impurities that may compromise your health if taken over an extended period of time. The same applies to creatine. Any “100% creatine” on the market today may look as pure and clean as virgin snow, but unfortunately the harsh reality is that due to inferior raw materials and substandard processing methods some manufacturer’s creatines have more than 5% chemical impurities including, in some, a carcinogenic known as DHT. That makes this highly prized supplement also one of the most highly suspect as regards quality level.
  




• Unilateral Leg Work  

  (posted 08/15/2008)
  As I consult with strength training programs across the world there are a variety of common denominators. Most typically it’s the infatuation with the weight used and the near complete ignorance of on-field performance. It exists at the earliest development phases of youth/teen sports and in the upper echelons as well. The necessity of knowing the requirements of the sport does not go unnoticed by skill coaches and on more than one occasion I’ve seen and heard of "big-name" strength consultants shown the door as quickly as they arrive. Yet while that speaks of elite athleticism there is equally a common denominator in program development and application with regard to the sporting world and the everyday fitness enthusiast as well.
  




• Size Up Your Physique  

  (posted 08/05/2008)
  Have you been trying to add serious mass to your frame ... and failing miserably? You're not alone. Gaining size has been a common problem for guys since the days Charles Atlas promised relief to any 97-pound weakling who got sand kicked in his face at the beach.
  




• Gym Pickin's  

  (posted 08/04/2008)
  Looking for the perfect place to work out? This five-step checklist will help you easily choose a gym that fits your needs. Finding a health club is a bit like dating. Sure, the first night out may be memorable — great looks, interesting conversation, completely compatible in your interests. Next thing you know, you're on a second date, and a few weeks later you're exclusive.
  




• Back Training 101  

  (posted 08/04/2008)
  A number of years ago, I began to realize I know very little about the mainstream exercise market. I had for the most part went about my career, consulting with clients, working with coaches and teams but virtually having no involvement with the modern "fitness facility”. I suppose I had assumed logical choices were being made for common training concerns. As you may have gathered from my tone, I certainly learned once again to never "assume” particularly when it comes to the modern iron-game.
  




• Kettlebell for Strength Training  

  (posted 08/04/2008)
  Over the past ten years Kettlebell Training has gained a great deal of popularity with the fitness and health industry. The resurgence of Kettlebells as a training medium is nothing short of a marketing miracle as while they have a very long history in the iron game, they haven’t seen this type of mainstream use at any time. However just like the term “marketing miracle" would suggest, there has been a lot of mysticism attached to a very simple training medium. My efforts in teaching proper Kettlebell techniques are to eliminate the over-hyped (and over-priced) mysticism so that professional trainers and coaches can teach it correctly and the public can make use of this highly effective tool.
  




• The Hard, Cold Facts About Nutrition and Proper Supplementation

  (posted 07/29/2008)
  Our notions of "diet" tend to be peculiar. We can sit and answer questions honestly and yet we look into the market place and we see some of the most ridiculous ideas getting the headlines. Unfortunately, telling people to eat, healthy, natural foods isn’t quite as "sexy" as introducing a diet with a clever title and a peculiar "hook" based upon binging or deprivation. However, a radical shift is occuring, a shift far beyond the normal scope of the fitness-diet reader and one that will have an unmistakable impact.
  




• The Hard, Cold Facts About Fat-Burning and Fat Loss

  (posted 07/29/2008)
  The prime cause of the obesity epidemic in this country has been a radical change in lifestyles over the last forty years. Those of us with a trace of gray on the side can remember a time very different from the present. It’s not simply that we eat differently now and no longer appreciate "simple, honest cooking" or that we are rarely involved in passive activity such as walking to the store. It’s everything in our lives. When it comes to fat loss, so many people want to know, "What is the one thing I can do?" Well, truth be-told, the one thing is the whole thing.
  




• Are You Getting the Most from Your Cycle?

  (posted 07/29/2008)
  If you’re currently taking, or plan to take, steroids or prohormones then I have some important news for you. If I told you that you may be able to get more quality lasting gains than you ever thought possible by incorporating an amazing new product into your cycle, would you be intrigued? If so, you might want to read on.
  




• Searching For The Perfect Supplement In An Ocean Of Glitter

  (posted 07/14/2008)
  In an ever-expanding sea of choices, what are the best products out there? Thumbing through ads in bodybuilding magazines, it's hard not to notice that so many products have one thing in common — they're all The Best — which makes it virtually impossible to choose. The ads have certainly become entertaining though, comparing users of their product to wild animals or ancient warriors who always get the girl. But if you give in to the gloss, there's no doubt when you hand over your hard-earned cash for these proclaimed miracles you'll be paying a considerable amount for the glitter. And the results you get may be fair at best because, unfortunately, the recent trend for many supplement companies is to trade off real science and superior quality standards for these expensive multi-page ads in an attempt to get attention and bolster profit margins.
  




• Enter the Burn Zone

  (posted 07/02/2008)
  We would love to tell you that shedding unwanted pounds is easier than scoring touchdowns in the Arena Football League. However, if you've been studiously and furiously doing your cardio, lifting weights, and eating clean, and not seeing the physical changes you're hoping for, you already know better...
  




• Dan Uggla Relies on Supreme Protein

  (posted 06/24/2008)
  When most of us reach for a performance bar, we’re hoping it will help us get through the next part of the day or workout session. But if you’re currently leading the major leagues in home runs...
  




• Overrated

  (posted 06/19/2008)
  You've heard of them, and chances are, you use them - we tell you why these 6 exercises are more hype than help, and what better alternatives you can use to replace them in your workout.
  




• Home Remodeling

  (posted 06/12/2008)
  Ready to get back to the basics of growing? Here's a simple workout regimen that only requires an adjustable bench, barbell and plates, perfect for home or the gym.
  




• Machines Remastered

  (posted 05/22/2008)
  Bust boredom in your workouts and get the most out of the common machines at your gym with these five unique exercises. Did you realize you could do biceps curls on two different types of back machines? Or train your legs on an assisted pull-up machine? The following are five ways you can squeeze brand new benefits out of the same old equipment, thus giving you more options to keep your workouts fresh and your muscles growing.
  




• Shock Treatment Series: Part II (Build That Stubborn Chest)

  (posted 05/16/2008)
  When you glance at some of those old black and white pictures of Arnold Schwarzenegger, taken in the original Gold’s Gym in Venice on Pacific Avenue, what’s most noticeable about his physique is his massive chest. It is full and thick and when he does his side chest pose it swells up and seems to stick out a mile. Just standing there relaxed it appeared thick and dense like two massive slabs of beef sitting on his rib cage.
  




• Shock Treatment Series: Part I (Build Those Stubborn Calves)

  (posted 05/08/2008)
  Calves are the one muscle group that almost everyone trains incorrectly. Isolating the workload on muscle groups that have only one fulcrum (one joint involved in the exercise) like seated calf raises for instance is theoretically the most direct way to train a muscle group and in most cases that theory holds true. Calves are a different animal, pun intended, because of how the lower leg is constructed so just isolating the movement isn't enough to necessarily make them grow.
  




• Rack Up the Gains

  (posted 05/06/2008)
  You're probably familiar with the power rack - a tall, metal-framed structure usually found in the free-weight area of the gym. It's also likely that, if you include barbell squats in your training routine, you've done them within the confines of one.
  




• Renegade Training for Fat Loss

  (posted 04/15/2008)
  Within the exercise world, the notion of "isolation" is for the most part the norm in virtually every avenue. Exercise facilities are designed in carefully laid out plans with machinery that focuses on certain isolated muscle groups, in essence leading the user from "station to station" so that they can "workout" in an orderly assembly-line like fashion. Typically to the side there is a "cardio" area with treadmills, elliptical, rowers and stair-climbers and a much smaller area for general floor exercises. Depending upon clientele and size limitations, a club might further offer a separate room that houses fitness, yoga and any assortment of this year's (decade's) top exercise class. With this well laid out plan, individuals will enter the facility and proceed through their workout in an orderly and predictable manner ensuring each aspect of their body's development "in isolation" (whether intentional or not). The expanding home gym environment is much the same with cleverly engineered exercise equipment that features multiple stations so that you can; you guessed it, isolate your muscular development.
  




• Front To Back Growth  

  (posted 04/15/2008)
  In recalling a few of the famous (and infamous) duos throughout history, a truism emerges - they are often stronger together than separately. Abbott without Costello? Bert sans Ernie? Cheech minus Chong? Hell, Wile E. Coyote would be nothing more than a demented desert drifter without his raison d'?tre and nemesis the Road Runner.
  




• A Bodybuilder's Guide to Power Cleans  

  (posted 04/11/2008)
  There was a time years ago when working out in the gym meant something more than a strenuous hour of super-setting 'hang-outs' with 'check-out-chicks' followed by 30 minutes on the treadmill watching a giant television screen among an endless sea of cardio equipment. Weight training equipment back then didn't come with speakers and silky voices cautiously encouraging you through your set. In fact silky voices of any kind were rarely heard and machines for the most part were frowned upon as the "easy" way out. They were believed to be less effective as basic movements with barbells and dumbbells for building those enviable mounds of thick dense muscle.
  




• Good Guys Don't Finish Last  

  (posted 04/04/2008)
  On a typical sun-drenched Phoenix, Arizona morning, IFBB Pro Bodybuilder Troy Alves eases his silver Lincoln LS into the parking lot of Fitness One for his daily appointment with the iron. He's there to train, and when he does he's all business, but before that gets underway there are more pressing matters to tend to.
  




• The New "GH Culture" in Pro Sports and the Emergence of Advanced Technologies for Natural Stimulus of GH Production  

  (posted 04/03/2008)
  It's the most prominent "open secret" in professional sports. Anyone who watches pro sports or participates in sports at the college or advanced prep-school level can see the signs everywhere. Certainly, it's no secret among the pro athletes themselves.
  




• Finishing Touches

  (posted 03/26/2008)
  Don't let the finer details of your physique lag behind. From forearms to calves and everything in between, ProSource tells you how you can bring six neglected body parts up to par.
  




• ForsLean -- A Powerful Nutrient Partitioning Agent

  (posted 03/26/2008)
  Nutrient partitioning is the term used to describe how macronutrients are shuttled to the cells; your body will either send the nutrients to muscle cells or to fat cells. Certain drugs and supplements have favourable nutrient partitioning effects, ie., they promote fat loss while maintaining or even increasing lean body mass. The most popular nutrient partitioning agents among gym rats are clenbuterol and the ephedrine-caffeine stack; however, these products cannot be purchased legally for body composition enhancement purposes in US. Fortunately, there is a legal and safe supplement, which has proven nutrient partitioning effects, namely ForsLean.
  




• Quadruple Your Gains

  (posted 03/20/2008)
  It's not recommended all the time, but combining two or more exercises into one mega-set can pay off in a big way as far as muscle growth. Use the tactic too much, and your body will go bust from overtraining, but knowing when to get a little greedy can be, to paraphrase Michael Douglas in his Oscar-winning turn, a very good thing.
  




• ProSource Teams Up With Football Elite for Competition and Charity

  (posted 03/19/2008)
  It's the most prominent "open secret" in professional sports. Anyone who watches pro sports or participates in sports at the college or advanced prep-school level can see the signs everywhere. Certainly, it's no secret among the pro athletes themselves.
  




• The ProSource Weekend Warrior Workout

  (posted 03/07/2008)
  Can't find any spare moments to train? Here's how to pack a week's worth of workouts into Saturday and Sunday, while still having time for rest and relaxation.
  




• The 4-Week Pre-Conditioning Workout

  (posted 03/07/2008)
  Big guys huffing, puffing, and sweating their way through even the simplest of tasks in the gym are as common as, well, big guys in the gym. Of course that would foster the assumption that being out of breath all the time is alright if you are a big guy, or perhaps an indication that you have "arrived" as a bodybuilder. While labored breathing may indicate that you have packed on some pounds recently, it's not the best condition to be in if you want to continue to grow and maximize your potential as a bodybuilder.
  




• Crimes Against Growth Part II

  (posted 02/04/2008)
  Be on alert! There's an outbreak of bad form in gyms nationwide. We throw the book at 12 of the worst offenses, and show you how to clean up your own act for maximum gains.
  




• V- is for Victory

  (posted 02/04/2008)
  The 2007 Arnold Classic champ Victor Martinez credits his extreme training and powerful MHP supplements for his success. With a physique that seamlessly merges elements of both the classic aesthetic look of bodybuilding yore and today's prodigious mass monsters, Victor Martinez ruled the day to win the coveted 2007 Arnold Classic. And now his sights are firmly set on the holy grail of bodybuilding, the 2008 Mr. Olympia.
  




• The Quest for Perfection

  (posted 02/04/2008)
  So many bodybuilders, athletes and fitness-oriented individuals, at all levels of accomplishment, have switched to ProSource premium brand supplements. This is not all that surprising when you consider the decline in quality that has occurred recently with many of the major retail supplement brands. Unfortunately, many companies have embarked on missions to cut production costs and increase profits with no regard for product quality. All they seem to care about is their profit margins. It's much too easy for them to "water down" their products with cheap, lower grade materials because that's the quickest way to make more money. On the surface, it can be difficult to recognize a change in quality but over time it becomes evident by the lack of positive results delivered by the products. And they're pulling it off with gusto because too many of their loyal customers don't look past the hype, and by the time they realize their supplements are not working, a lot of money has been wasted.
  




• The Next Generation of Thermogenic Fat Burners

  (posted 02/01/2008)
  Carving out a lean, hard body, with washboard abs is the ultimate goal for bodybuilders. It's what we all should strive for. In the last few years, however, it has been more and more difficult to find truly effective thermogenic supplements to help us get there. Fortunately, there are new thermogenic, fat-burning compounds hitting the market now that are backed by real clinical science and delivering truly outstanding results. Before we get to the good stuff, though, we need to dispel the hype about one particularly ineffective compound being touted in some products, even as we speak.
  




• Bodybuilding's Best Muscle-Building Supplements

  (posted 01/22/2008)
  This article separates the meat from the potatoes, by highlighting in great detail what most experts consider to be the top 5 science-based muscle-building compounds our industry has to offer. They appear in no particular order, but starting out with the most potent protein source out there seems like a good start.
  




• Top 10 Supplement Companies

  (posted 01/21/2008)
  For every reputable sports supplement on the market, there are many more that are pure junk. Unfortunately, far too many companies have placed greed and profit over quality and performance. This article is designed to reveal what we consider to be some of the best companies in the industry. This list of the Top 10 is in no particular order and also includes an honorable mention section for further reference. Your favorite brand may or may not be included here. And of course, these results can be debated. But one thing is for certain, each of these companies, at one time or another, have made significant contributions to the extraordinary world of bodybuilding, either in one or two specific categories or in the industry as a whole. And for that, every athlete and supplement user can be thankful!
  




• Super Powder

  (posted 01/07/2008)
  This article separates the meat from the potatoes, by highlighting in great detail what most experts consider to be the top 5 science-based muscle-building compounds our industry has to offer. They appear in no particular order, but starting out with the most potent protein source out there seems like a good start.
  




• New Years Resolution, Five Quick Tips to Jump Start Your Diet

  (posted 01/04/2008)
  If your clothes are fitting tighter and the numbers on the scale are escalating this time of year, you're not alone. Research indicates that most peoples' body weight and body fat is higher during the winter months due to increased caloric intake and decreased physical activity. All those Holiday parties and skipped workouts do take their toll. What can you do about it? What better way to usher in the New Year than to clean up your diet? Here are five healthy diet tips to jump start your diet and make 2008 your leanest year yet.
  




• Tetrazene : The Glycemic Optimizing Repartitioning Supplement

  (posted 12/04/2007)
  Tetrazene is a scientifically-formulated dietary supplement that contains ingredients reported to promote weight loss and increase metabolism. While it is primarily considered to be a weight loss supplement, it contains glucomannan which is a dietary fiber that research has shown can help control blood sugar by lowering the glycemic response to ingesting a meal as well as lower blood lipid levels. This article discusses the powerful weight-loss power and health benefits of this amazing super fiber.
  




• The Healthy Prostate Diet

  (posted 12/03/2007)
  Eat these foods and supplements your diet to keep your "twigs and berries" working properly. There's only one time when shrinkage down there is a good thing, and that's when your prostate is enlarged.
  




• From Research to Results: Whey Protein Isolate Delivers Unsurpassed Muscle Growth

  (posted 11/27/2007)
  For years, researchers and bodybuilders alike have argued the relative merits of different kinds of protein. But now, for the first time, there's mounting scientific evidence that favors one type of protein over others. This distinction is of vital importance for athletes, because when it comes to resistance exercise (such as weight lifting), supplementing your diet with the highest-quality protein available is absolutely essential to reducing protein breakdown and ensuring proper transport of amino acids into skeletal muscle. In short, the quality of protein ingested is vitally important for optimum protein synthesis and resulting muscle gain.
  




• PART 2: From Research to Results: Whey Protein Isolate Delivers Unsurpassed Muscle Growth

  (posted 02/22/2007)
  Pure whey protein isolate contains the highest amounts of all the valuable micro-fractions in whey that grow more lean muscle mass faster than any other protein source. It has a higher concentration of beta-lacto-globulin, a rich source of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), l-isoleucine, l-leucine, and l-valine, which are readily absorbed by the muscle tissue to aid in building and repairing.
  




• PART 3: From Research to Results: Whey Protein Isolate Delivers Unsurpassed Muscle Growth

  (posted 02/22/2007)
  Never before has a protein powder been such a hot topic in and around the gyms. Almost overnight, NytroWhey Extreme has created such a stir, that many top ranked IFBB bodybuilders are already using it to refine their physiques. (Several of them have to keep that secret to themselves so they don't blow their lucrative contracts with other supplement companies.) Check out what these other top pro and amateur bodybuilders below have to say about this amazing anabolic formula. If you want to maximize your gains, and have the physique of a champion, do what they do and use NytroWhey Extreme.
  




• The Baghdad Classic Bodybuilding and Figure Championship

  (posted 11/01/2007)
  ProSource supports the troops and is the Official Sponsor of The Baghdad Classic Bodybuilding and Figure Championship.
  




• The Ultimate V-Taper Workout Plan

  (posted 10/23/2007)
  Fulfill your pursuit of physique perfection! This three-month training program, designed to expand your shoulders and lats while tightening your core, will help you build the definitive "V" shape.
  




• The ProSource 30-Day Cardio Challenge

  (posted 10/16/2007)
  Ready to win the battle against body fat and improve your cardio fitness? This step-by-step plan will help you run stronger and longer -- and get you leaner in the process -- in one month.
  




• Armed & Dangerous

  (posted 10/16/2007)
  In a man's world, bigger is better. We want the highest-horsepower engine, the largest flat-screen television, a garage you could park a plane in, and arms that you can proudly refer to as "guns" or "pythons" without eliciting derisive snickers. Use this training program to build bigger biceps, triceps and forearms in 12 weeks!
  




• The Great Protein Supply Crunch of 2007

  (posted 10/10/2007)
  Late this past summer, you may have noticed the price of your favorite protein products increased - in some cases significantly. Unfortunately, manufacturers and retailers of protein supplements are caught up in a worst-case scenario in which greatly elevated production costs and decreased profit margins are wreaking havoc on the protein market. The reasons are many and somewhat complex, but here are some of the contributing factors.
  




• 2007 Mr. Olympia News: The Results Are In!

  (posted 10/01/2007)
  View the results of the 2007 Mr. Olympia contest.
  




• Bodybuilding Food on the Go

  (posted 09/26/2007)
  From years of trial, error, starvation and unforeseen fat gain from spending a lot of time on the road, I have come up with some handy ways to keep on my dietary track even if I am away from my home turf.
  




• More Than Muscle

  (posted 09/26/2007)
  You've been taking supplements such as arginine, carnitine, creatine, glutamine and 5-HTP for years. They've helped you get into fighting shape--a lean physique with powerful muscle and athletic prowess. But did you know that some of your favorite nutrition basics have better health implications too? Here's what science is saying about what you're probably taking already.
  




• Crimes Against Growth

  (posted 09/25/2008)
  Is your exercise form so bad it's criminal? We lay down the law on how to correct 12 of the most common errors perpetrated in the gym. Listen up -- we have some crimes to report, and everyone in the weight room is a suspect. You've seen it for sure, and likely you're at least a little guilty yourself. Stopping short on your squat. Swinging your arms like pendulums on your curls. Cheating a bit too much on your bench press to lift more weight than you can safely handle. Those are just a few examples, but there's more.
  




• The History of Mr. Olympia

  (posted 09/19/2007)
  The History of Mr. Olympia Joe Weider, co-founder of the International Federation of BodyBuilders (IFBB) created the Mr. Olympia Contest, first held on September 18, 1965 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
  




• Should You Sleep With the Fishes?

  (posted 09/10/2007)
  Forget the concrete slippers, here's seven reasons why you should take fish oil before you go to bed.
  




• Rookie Mistakes

  (posted 09/05/2007)
  Whether you're a beginner or seasoned lifter, these answers to 10 of the most common training questions can help you get fit faster.
  




• Mass Development

  (posted 09/04/2007)
  For all the mystery that mass development appears to be steeped in, the endless magical exercises and unique protocols that are often suggested, it is far simpler than explained.
  




• Master your mindset

  (posted 09/04/2007)
  Most of us want to be better bodybuilders, and most of us can if we only put our minds to it. Yes, some people hold the advantage of being smarter than others but on many occasions success boils down to who wants it bad enough.
  




• Strong Medicine

  (posted 08/20/2007)
  Is one (or more) of your body parts lagging behind the rest of your development? We have cures for eight common bodybuilding maladies, from a weak upper chest to stubborn calves and everything in between.
  




• More than a Game

  (posted 08/07/2007)
  Medicine ball training is one of the most effective training mediums available. It allows for a free range of motion, is easily adaptable to athletes of all abilities, can be used for explosive power training as well as general recovery and fitness work, and is highly affordable and transportable. No training program would be complete without Medicine Ball work.
  




• Less cardio = Less fat!?

  (posted 08/06/2007)
  Think of it in simple terms and ask yourself this question, - do I really want to conduct lengthily cardio sessions to burn off excess calories, or do I want to eat less calories and conduct much less cardio. Nine out of ten answers will relate to the latter.
  




• Crank Up Your Cardio

  (posted 08/06/2007)
  Take a break from the ordinary - and get extraordinary results - with one of these nine high-impact cardiovascular training techniques.
  




• Get Up and GROW!

  (posted 08/03/2007)
  When is the last time you experienced noticeable improvements to your body? If your progress has ground to a halt, these six powerful rut-busters including a complete three-month training program can get your gains back on track.
  




• Bicep Blasting

  (posted 08/03/2007)
  The arms are a strange beast. They come in every size available and no matter what they look like, and as a general rule, people don't mind showing them off or posing them for their friends or the opposite sex.
  




• Keep Training

  (posted 08/03/2007)
  Never miss a workout by incorporating these ten antioxidants into your nutrition regimen.
  




• Physician / Bodybuilder Discusses Performance-Enhancing Drugs

  (posted 07/27/2007)
  Carlon Colker, MD, FACN, and a former champion bodybuilder, now co-stars in the new ABC-TV reality series, "Shaq's Big Challenge." He is also Shaquille O'Neal's personal physician and trainer, and has worked with Andre Agassi and many other world-class athletes as well professional and amateur bodybuilders from around the world. Dr. Colker, CEO and Medical Director of Peak Wellness, Inc. of Greenwich, Connecticut, would like to help sports fans and the public in general better understand the entire issue of performance-enhancing drug use: what's involved, what's at stake, and how he believes we should move forward with more realistic and effective drug testing, as this problem continues both on and off the playing field.
  




• MIDSECTION MELTDOWN

  (posted 07/19/2007)
  Get ready for the ultimate set of hard, ripped and defined abs. These 12 workouts -- 6 for beginners, 6 for more advanced fitness buffs -- can help anyone carve a killer set of gut ruts.
  




• CREATINE ETHYL ESTER INFERIOR TO CREATINE MONOHYDRATE

  (posted 07/12/2007)
  Creatine ethyl esters (CEE) are a popular form of creatine marketed to have several advantages over creatine monohydrate and other forms of creatine. Esters are compounds made from the combination of an alcohol and a carboxylic acid. The idea behind "esterifying" creatine is that it will change the physical properties of the compound making it more stable and bioavailable at the target tissue.
  




• 7 Intensity Techniques

  (posted 07/10/2007)
  Looking to greenlight more mass and strength? Don't waste another second: Try one (or more) of these seven proven ways to amp up the intensity and get more out of your very next workout.
  




• The Perfect 10

  (posted 07/10/2007)
  Score better workouts and more muscle mass with ProSource's picks for the world?s greatest bodybuilding exercises. In sports, determining the best comes down to proving it on the field of play. The top team in the NFL is determined through a grueling 16-game regular season, followed by a 3-4 game playoff system. You win, you?re the best, debate over.
  




• The Top Eight Fitness Mistakes

  (posted 07/10/2007)
  These eight bonehead maneuvers can derail your progress. Here's what to watch out for, and how to fix what you're doing wrong to maximize your results.
  




• Mr Olympia 2007 Review

  (posted 06/19/2007)
  For some, the favorite time of year comes when their bonus checks arrive through door, or when the children have summer break so the entire family can go on vacation. These are very acceptable times to acknowledge the highlights of life and celebration. Whilst this is accepted on the outside world, a quite different world lingers beneath. A selective cult of worshipers dwells in a different universe where their celebration arrives every year falling in the month of September within the euphoric atmosphere of Sin City.
  




• Branched-Chain Amino Acids: A Blast From the Supplement Past

  (posted 06/18/2007)
  With all the new supplements hitting the market on a near-daily basis, there are undoubtedly some hidden gems that get ignored. Not the new, fancy ones, mind you, but the timeless mainstays of bodybuilding's past, the supplements forever known for packing an extra inch of muscle on your arms, yet have somehow fallen in popularity. Branched-chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) are precisely one of those supplements - not quite relegated to obscurity, but nevertheless overlooked.
  




• Roc Solid Back

  (posted 07/19/2007)
  Spend a day with Rashid "Roc" Shabazz and it all starts to make sense. Not that he is an IFBB pro bodybuilder that can hold his own in any competitive lineup, he certainly looks the part and has many times proven himself in battle. No, it's not where he is that is so unbelievable; it's the distance he has come to be there.
  




• The 2007 Colorado show shocker that left everyone "green" with envy

  (posted 06/04/2007)
  With Darrem Charles, Branch Warren, Dennis James and Silvio Samuel on the hit list of the 2007 Colorado Pro the build up was generating more rumble than a Jenny Craig clients hunger pain.
  




• Beta-Alanine: Better than Creatine?

  (posted 06/04/2007)
  This amino acid is classified as 'non-essential,' but once you are aware of the science, you'll realize that it is pretty important if your goal is to improve performance. So how does beta-alanine work?
  




• Have Faith in Your Metabolism

  (posted 05/21/2007)
  Around the world there are small vibrating earthquakes surrounding millions of fitness facilities that have enough cardio equipment to cure the international obesity crisis ... at least one would assume. Minutes turn into hours, hours turn into days, and days eventually turn into years that have been accumulated pounding on treadmills or any other piece of machinery we adopt as our fat-burning buddy. But the majority of the time dieters are left scratching their heads or stressing that the time invested in exercise is taking its toll on the rest of their busy and hectic lifestyle. People fail to realize that the body can act as your best friend against breaking the barriers of fat accumulation only if they had a little faith in the body that they house and head that they control.
  




• Pre-Exercise Nutrition: The Blueprint For a Perfect Workout

  (posted 05/21/2007)
  Is it possible to develop the perfect workout and bottle it? Could you gather up all the intensity, the unexpected strength, the supercharged endurance, the freaky pumps, and guarantee it every time you step in the gym? Let's face it, not every workout is what you hope it will be. It's rarely as good as that nearly spiritual experience you have once in a blue moon. But maybe it can be. With the right pre-exercise nutrition and supplementation, every workout can be a masterpiece. A steady string of them, and you've got a new physique full of personal strength records and shirt-popping muscles.
  




• Antioxidants: The Body's Best Defense

  (posted 05/02/2007)
  Free radicals everywhere. But what are they? What do they actually do to our bodies? How do we defend ourselves from them?
  




• Glucomannan: A Powerful Weight Loss & Health-Promoting Nutrient

  (posted 05/02/2007)
  Getting enough fiber in our diet has always been a critical component for good overall health. Of the two types of plant fiber: soluble and insoluble, both offer differing and unique benefits, but it is the former that is of key interest here. Soluble fiber exists in foods such as oats, beans, barley, certain fruits and vegetables, and of course, the most powerful of them all? glucomannan!
  




• Protein/Amino Acid Supplementation Program for a Serious Strength-Power Athlete

  (posted 04/30/2007)
  Physique athletes have known for years what science is now showing: the anabolic effects of resistance training are clearly amplified by amino acids or protein.
  




• Health Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Something Fishy Going On?

  (posted 04/30/2007)
  The human body needs fatty acids and it can make all but two of them: linoleic acid (omega-6 fatty acid) and linolenic acid (omega-3 fatty acid). Given linolenic acid, the body can make the 20- and 22-carbon members of the omega-3 series, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These omega-3 fatty acids are absolutely critical for normal growth and development and they play a very important role in the prevention and treatment of diseases. It should be noted, however, that only a small amount of linolenic acid is converted to DHA and linolenic acid does not raise blood DHA levels. One of the primary reasons linolenic acid is so poorly converted to EPA and DHA is that it is mostly used for energy.
  




• Taking a Bite Out of Cortisol

  (posted 04/30/2007)
  In the ongoing search for answers to the mass-building/fat loss challenges, we've heard quite a bit of press lately regarding cortisol's role in this equation. As we continue to investigate and understand this debilitating hormone, here is what we do know: high cortisol levels are profoundly catabolic, in addition to causing other mayhem. Cortisol breaks down body proteins, opposes anabolism, raises blood glucose, contributes to insulin resistance, and generally screws everything up for the aspiring muscle-gainer. All that is in addition to promoting abdominal fat growth (no small matter, especially for those of us over about age 35). And to top it all off, excessive cortisol is also involved in the overtraining syndrome.
  




• Healthy Mind, Healthy Body

  (posted 04/23/2007)
  The understanding of the mind-body relationship has come a long way since the beginning of Cartesian dualism. In fact, we can all pretty much agree that, in order for optimal performance to occur, we must have both the mind and body ticking like a fine Swiss timepiece. Since you are reading this, one thing is most likely certain, you have already made an effort to get your body looking and working perfectly. However, very few active people ever wonder whether their mind is holding them back from achieving their potential. This article will discuss a number of supplements that act to optimize the mind-body relationship and enable you to reach holistic supremacy.
  




• Supplement Timing

  (posted 04/17/2007)
  It is common knowledge to the vast majority that the time we leave our home dictates the time we arrive at work, and the time we start heating food dictates the time it will be cooked. However, it is not common knowledge that the timing of nutrients entering the blood stream dictates a person's strength, energy and endurance.
  




• Promoting Fat Loss

  (posted 04/10/2007)
  While on the surface we are discussing diet and exercise habit, it stems from the fact that our society has went through enormous changes in virtually every aspect of day to day life over the last twenty-five years and therefore these habits are engrained in our day-to-day existence. It may seem to be an obtuse connection and one that is rarely discussed but there is no disputing the alarming rise in obesity during the same time period.
  




• Weight Watchers and the Supreme Protein Bar -- A Perfect Three-Point Match

  (posted 04/10/2007)
  Flexibility. It's the one aspect of the highly popular Weight Watchers diet that many people like most. People can eat what they like, as long as it fits within their daily "Winning Points" total. Even better, some incredibly delicious snacks fit perfectly within the Weight Watchers program, including the luscious and healthy four-layer snack treat, Supreme Protein.
  




• Search for the Ultimate Post-Exercise Bodybuilding Supplements: the Anobolic Edge.

  (posted 04/10/2007)
  Bodybuilding Supplements, Insulin, Amino Acids & Protein Anabolism: Appropriate resistance exercise leads to significant increase in skeletal muscle mass (hypertrophy), which can occur through an increase in muscle protein synthesis, a decrease in muscle protein degradation, or both. While stimulus (i.e., resistance exercise) is important for muscle hypertrophy, nutrient availability plays a critical factor in regulating the degree of hypertrophy. Obviously, the muscle's hormonal milieu also has a major impact on muscle protein synthesis.
  




• Post-Exercise Supplementation Update

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Regular resistance exercise leads to significant skeletal muscle hypertrophy, which can occur through an increase in protein synthesis, a decrease in protein degradation, or both. While stimulus (i.e., exercise) is important for muscle hypertrophy, nutrient availability plays a critical factor regulating the degree of hypertrophy. Obviously, the muscle's hormonal milieu (insulin, cortisol, testosterone, GH, etc.) also has a major impact on protein synthesis.
  




• DOES PEA (PHENYLETHYLAMINE) REALLY WORK?

  (posted 04/10/2007)
  PEA is an ingredient that is popping up in some purported "weight-loss" formulas, but does it stack up? A critical analysis says not by a long shot. ProSource extensively investigated PEA 4 years ago when developing its Provadex energy supplement, so this is a topic we are intimately familiar with. PEA is a stimulant like substance naturally produced in the body. It is also found in small amounts in chocolate and other foods such as blue-green algae, salami, and bologna. The reason PEA is showing up in some weight-loss and whole health products is because it is a brain chemical that is associated with stimulation of various neurotransmitters in the brain that influence emotions such as euphoria, alertness, and feelings of attraction, as well as suppressing appetite.
  




• Get L-arg and in Charge!

  (posted 04/01/2007)
  Most athletes realize the benefits of a high-quality L-arginine or arginine AKG supplement. Indeed it can claim relatively long-term success when taken on its own or in anabolic formulations. Being a conditionally essential amino acid L-arginine serves many important functions throughout the body and new research has found a multitude of reasons for including it in your supplement regime. The following article is a based on a recent publication presented by McConell (2007). The aim of the information contained herein is to provide current and comprehensive scientific support for the benefits of L-arginine supplementation.
  




• Protein Supplements and Fat-loss

  (posted 04/01/2007)
  If I had to choose one supplement to have in my "bodybuilding toolbox" and nothing else, it would definitely be high quality protein . Let's face it, it is relatively affordable, it promotes anabolism, promotes fat-loss, it abolishes catabolism, and scientific research is finding more and more reasons to make it a staple in everyone's cupboard. Protein has stood the test of time and has acquired the status of "jack of all trades" based on one simple fact.... it works!
  




• New Years Resolution Series

  (posted 03/21/2007)
  Ok, so you didn't follow our article explaining how to stay fit over the holidays; as such, you have eaten one too many fruit cakes, drank way too much eggnog (with rum), and skipped the gym for a month. Amidst all of the festivities, overindulgences, and lack of training you have probably packed on a few pounds of fat. Well, have no fear as this series of articles will have you back in shape and feeling great in no time. There is no doubt that you have made the New Years resolution to get fit. GREAT, because admission of the problem is the first step in taking control.
  




• Radical Abdominal Training: The Smart Way to a Perfect Midsection

  (posted 03/19/2007)
  Open up any fitness magazine, and you'll likely be bombarded with the latest in abdominal training gadgetry and "ultra-secretive" training methods for a perfect six-pack. In reality, there aren't any hidden secrets or magic philosophies, only smart training. It's training based on knowledge of body mechanics and your own anatomy, hardly confidential topics. But it's just smart enough that you might call it radical.
  




• ProSource unveils a taste sensation at the Arnold EXPO

  (posted 03/05/2007)
  The Arnold EXPO is the largest health and fitness expo in the country. This year, its 650 booths showcased healthy lifestyle products and methods to more than 170,000 fitness fans in three days of free entertainment and competition from top professional and amateur athletes.
  




• ProSource unveils a taste sensation at the Arnold EXPO

  (posted 03/05/2007)
  In the lead-up to the 2007 Arnold Classic, there were more predictions regarding who would place in pole position than elderly citizens commenting on the change of weather. Phil Heath was the Weider "wonder kid" that everyone wanted to win so as to provide a new lease of hope for the immediate future of bodybuilding. Meanwhile, just as many predicted that Victor Martinez would walk away with the goodies like a naughty kid upon finding a stash of Easter eggs. Throw in a dash of Dexter Jackson, Toney Freeman and Gustavo Badell and this made a perfect marinate of prize stealers that would cook up one of the best Arnold Classic shows of all time.
  




• The felines pounce on Arnold

  (posted 03/05/2007)
  Ms International, Fitness International and Figure International
  




• Estrogenic Foods - Not for Real Men?

  (posted 02/22/2007)
  We all know there is a difference between how we eat when at a party with good friends and how we eat when we are at a family dinner. But, how about if certain foods that are typically included in the diet can affect our testosterone or estrogen levels? Can testosterone-like foods affect our results from training? This is an issue that is at the core of what currently has my curiosity piqued.
  




• The MMA Warrior

  (posted 02/22/2007)
  It has become a darling of sporting media in the last few years, the modern gladiator, the combative athlete in the many fighting styles. Where once was a unique and rarely visited domain within the cages, octagon's or mat's has now all of sudden become, dare-I-say, become popular in the mainstream. Oddly while there are few sporting activities that I feel were as overdue for acceptance and respect as the combative athlete, yet with this new found publicity, invariably some peculiarities would arrive with it as well. It wouldn't be too long before a hodge-podge of training equipment and theories would be pitched to the new found combative athlete market and possibly most disturbing is the modern profile of this combative athlete was decidedly different from the classic vision, which I whole-heartedly embrace.
  




• Going To The Top

  (posted 02/22/2007)
  Mixed martial artist Todd Going reveals his training and dietary battle plan as he prepares for his first light-heavyweight title fight.
  




• Science-Based Training for Size: Undulating Periodization

  (posted 02/22/2007)
  If you've had it with self-proclaimed "gurus" and their training programs that fail to embrace new developments in exercise science, this article is for you. A new approach to training called Undulating Periodization (we'll call it "UP" for short) is making major waves in college and professional ranks. In fact, some strength coaches consider it to be one of the most effective training methods ever developed.
  




• Xvest Training: Part I

  (posted 02/22/2007)
  Throughout history, man has been fascinated with longevity, eternal youth and the embodiment of physical perfection. From ancient writings to 16th century explorer Ponce de Leon's search for the fountain of youth to today's cosmetic surgery and gene research the public's insatiable desire for "physical" perfection has been relentless. And with this obsessive fascination increasing, the lengths that people will go to have equally changed. Arguably the most peculiar paradox of this era is that the appreciation of natural beauty, the parallel maturation of the body and mind, has all but eroded in our culture. The sensuality of time is now all but an extinct vestige from another era.
  




• Training for Fat Loss

  (posted 02/22/2007)
  Often people want to get into ripped shape, or even just drop a few "LBs", so they turn to dieting too hard and perhaps adding a session of cardio to their weekly workout routines. This is the wrong approach. One can "strip the fat" by incorporating the right types of high-intensity exercise either alone or combined with smart eating and a quality diet supplement. By using all three (exercise, smart eating, quality diet supplement) the results can happen in a more expedient manner. The aspect of relatively clean eating can easily be summarized as eat natural foods, avoid foods high in saturated fat, skip the fast foods, enjoy smart MRP's, eat fruits and vegetables and know how to control portion sizes. Seriously, there are great articles on this website regarding how to food shop, how to eat, what supplements to use and thus, this article will focus on one type of a smart workout that you can use to help shed fat over a 21-day period.
  




• Whey Protein Isolates: What's the Difference?

  (posted 02/22/2007)
  Dietary protein is the most important macronutrient in our diets, period. That has been well established by scientific research. Dietary protein is essential for a wide variety of metabolic functions in our bodies, one of them being the repair and maintenance of muscle tissue. Every time we exercise, namely lift weights, muscle tissue is broken down and damaged. This muscle tissue needs to be repaired and built back up in a timely manner for proper recovery to take place. In order for gains in size and strength to be made, there needs to be an adequate amount of protein (amino acids) present in the bloodstream, supplied by the diet, to feed the damaged muscles.
  




• EGGS, MEAT, & MILK...Whey too many proteins!

  (posted 02/22/2007)
  Compared to the normal individual, athletes and weight-lifters (of all levels) have an increased need for protein. Unlike the average joe who spends gym-time looking at (or trying to find) his abs in the mirror, you are determined to add lean tissue, get stronger and build bigger muscles. However, without supplying your body with the right amount of amino acids, your muscles aren't going to become any bigger or stronger. In essence, consuming the right type of dietary protein can make the difference between making that muscle-tee fit a little tighter around your biceps and paying for a gym membership and having nothing to show for your hard work.
  




• Increasing the Muscle-To-Fat Ratio: The Whey To Go

  (posted 02/22/2007)
  The perennial problem for bodybuilders and other athletes is how to gain impressive lean mass, while holding the line on body-fat. For most of us, "weight gain" is a fairly simple matter of increasing calories. But what good does that do if you wind up looking big and fat? The name of the game, is repartitioning--that is, increasing the muscle-to-fat ratio, or increasing muscle at the expense of fat. It is a tough trick. But fortunately we have some advanced weapons in our arsenal, and the best one (outside of creatine) is whey protein.
  




• Fit Expo 2007 - The Tastiest Expo on Record!

  (posted 02/22/2007)
  What a great turnout for the Fit Expo 2007! One would think that the IronMan bodybuilding show is what everyone came to see, but all indications say that wasn't the case. It appears that the champ this year was Lisa Gleave, the strikingly beautiful ProSource Supreme Protein bar model who is also one of the star models of the hit TV game show "Deal or No Deal".
  




• B12: The Energy and Endurance Vitamin

  (posted 02/22/2007)
  If you've ever played team sports on the high school or college level, you know that the perfect remedy for the onset of fatigue is a quick visit to the trainer's room for a B12 injection. Indeed, players on the pro level have been beating the 4th-quarter/extra innings blues with B12 for generations. (Vitamin B12 administration is also a highly popular "morning after" remedy on cruise and resort vacations where a physician is on call, but that's a story for another day.) Though B-12 in its injectible form (which requires a doctor's prescription in the US) is indicated in certain dire situations, B12 is also a highly stable component during digestion, making oral supplementation of B12 every bit as viable (if not quite as swift) as injection for most common sports-performance-enhancement purposes.
  




• TYRAMINE: Questionable "Trace Amine" Supplement

  (posted 02/22/2007)
  Tyramine is one of the so-called trace amines, naturally found in food and the human body. This group includes phenylethylamine (found in chocolate), octopamine, and synephrine, in addition to tyramine.
  




• Tribulus: A Real Anabolic Alternative

  (posted 02/22/2007)
  Tribulus terrestris has long been celebrated for its unique ability to ramp up levels of leutenizing hormone (LH), which in turn spurs significant (and natural) increases in the production of testosterone. This physiological activity is of primary importance to athletes because higher "T" levels correlate directly to increased anabolism and greater strength. (It boosts sex drive, too.)
  




• Vitamin C: High-Powered Antioxidant Paves the Way for Vibrant Health and Muscle Growth

  (posted 02/22/2007)
  In bodybuilding circles (or physical fitness circles, depending on your goals) everybody wants to talk about the hottest, newest classes of supplementation. Everybody's trying the new NO vasodilators, the breakthrough T-booster, the new creatine/amino matrix. And there's good reason for that. Many of these exciting new technologies are dramatically effective.
  




• NytroWhey Extreme Recipes

  (posted 02/22/2007)
  The goal of this "recipe" information sheet is to help both you and your family figure easy ways to get enough protein in your diet, even when living a hectic life. Each of these kitchen-tested recipes has been specifically designed for the NytroWhey Extreme product. The unique ingredients in the ProSource product line and the specific examples of various shakes, breakfasts, lunches, dinners and any time protein-rich snacks are power packed for your success in and outside of the gym.
  




• A REAL "Survivor"

  (posted 02/22/2007)
  A huge fan favorite on Survivor, Stephenie LaGrossa is now focused on turning her passion for fitness and ebullient personality into a career in entertainment. How does she keep fit in her busy life? Dedication to training, and a healthy diet augmented by Supreme Protein Bars.
  




• Colorado Pro/Am Classic

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Colorado is known to be sunny 300 days of the year but an extra beam of sunlight was magnified in Denver over a couple more days when Shawn Ray decided to hold the inaugural The VYOTECH Shawn Ray Colorado Pro/Am Classic here.
  




• Bubba the Love Sponge Reigns SUPREME at the Arnold Classic!

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  It's amazing how fast time flies. Once again the biggest show in the world of bodybuilding and fitness is right around the corner, and just like waiting to see what's under the Christmas tree, the excitement of what company will have who or what at their booth is in the air. Everything from scantily clad fitness models to midgets mud wrestling provides more eye candy and entertainment then any other show on earth!
  




• Stoke the Fire : Part I

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  There are tons of workouts that are focused on getting you ready for the summer. How about one to get you through the winter? As we all know, winter is one of the most tempting times of the year. It's a special time of family, frivolity, and feast notorious for adding calories and blowing off workouts. If left unchecked, this festive time of year can easily sabotage your plans of being lean when spring arrives. Stoking the Fire is all about turning up your body's internal furnace to burn more calories and stimulating intracellular myogenic regulatory factors to promote gains in lean mass. If you do it right, the results you get from this workout may well eclipse those of any other program you've tried. That said, be forewarned -- Stoking the Fire is not easy. But then again, nothing worthwhile ever is.
  




• Kettlebell Training

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  A number of years ago I was contracted by a very large University to develop their Football teams off-season training program. At that stage the team was firmly entrenched in last place of their conference and few considered a chance of success likely. After visiting with the coaching staff and observing their training my initial thoughts were that while they were using "fine" exercises in their training but within my many concerns, they lacked the challenges and diversity required to become a successful team.
  




• Complexes with Kettlebells

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Efficient use of time is a perilous problem in today's society. Whether due to intense work schedules or dealing with many of life's demands, time is a rare commodity. However there is a simple solution to this problem, a particular style of training that not only provides a "harder-than-hardcore" training session, but can be completed in a fast and efficient manner. The key is contained in a regimen centered around "complexes."
  




• What's So Good About Calories - EATING FOR GROWTH

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  For many people, reducing caloric intake is a critical factor in their regimen. For most bodybuilders, however, consuming large quantities of calories on a daily basis is a key component to significant growth. But it is essential to know the good calories from the bad, especially when your intake is high. The wrong calories at the wrong time can make all the difference between optimum and awful results.
  




• Endurance Training: To the Max with Master Methods

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  If you're a dedicated endurance athlete, regardless of your chosen sport, hitting the weights is an absolute must. I know you don't want to get huge, or you think you simply don't have the time, or you feel it may interfere with your aerobic progress, but your choice in this matter is simply out of the question. Whether your athletic endeavor of choice is running, cycling, swimming, or extreme skateboarding, there is an efficient weight training workout for you, and that workout is called circuit training.
  




• General Physical Preparation

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  While each of the physical attributes noted in the Renegade Wheel of Conditioning is essential, work threshold needs to be considered carefully given the broad age of those who play the game. Golf is truly a lifetime sport and naturally given how our level of health and fitness change during our lives, work threshold plays an integral part of our game. From an intensely practical vantage, it is quite easy to see that the majority of golfers, with their vast age range, focus their training on range of motion and this topic, general physical preparation. To enhance total work threshold we look to an area of generalized development, GPP.
  




• Improving Bench Press and Increasing Chest Size

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  You know the look. They sweep down from your clavicles and front deltoids and attach to your lower ribcage. When they are swollen and full there is little else more satisfying to look at for a bodybuilder. A well-developed chest looks incredible from almost any angle, as it frames up your entire upper body. Bad pecs (an under-developed chest) make everything look out of proportion and weak pecs are usually bad pecs. While increasing absolute brute strength and increasing size are not always synonymous, it is very possible to get stronger while focusing on adding size to your chest. It's going to take some time, 8 weeks is a good start, but the principles you learn here you can use for the rest of your life and along the way, make your chest your best body part.
  




• RIDE HARD: The wild world of BMX / MTB

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  The following is an excerpt from the recently published e-book "Ride Hard - the wild world of BMX/MTB" that will be available in paper-back in early 2006. This section is applicable to all athletes looking to improve their abilities or the average person looking to improve the life.
  




• Holiday Eating and Supplementing

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  If you have a hard time packing on muscle and consider yourself a member of the "Hardgainers Club," your favorite time of the year is among us...The Holidays! But if it is more difficult for you keep fat off and stay lean than it is to gain muscle, this is a very dreaded time of the year.
  




• Biceps Blasting Basics

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  You would think bicep training should be pretty simple...just do curls. Dumbbells, barbells and if you have a half way's decent gym there is probably a good variety of machines that will help you assault the stubborn little monsters with enough variety you shouldn't get too bored. It all sounds pretty good and hardly a topic you would pen an entire article about and if everyone had massive swollen biceps after all that bicep training then chances are this article would be about building your quads or some bodypart a little more complex.
  




• The Beast Lives

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Just when you thought it was safe to predict the results of next months Shawn Ray Classic and the New York Pro, the return of a monstrosity life form has decided to reform and rise after a twelve year siesta.
  




• The Easy Way to Getting in Great Shape

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Every year from Thanksgiving until just after the New Year, the American population gains an average of about 15 pounds. Imagine the impact of Thanksgiving or Chanukah or Christmas alone and then combine them and then add to that the imbibing of New Years. All of those cakes, drinks, cookies, candy, latkes, and extra servings really add up and before you know it, clothes fit tighter, your energy is zapped and you're scrambling to figure out how to lose all that newly gained weight. Of course, there is no simple answer, but following the below game plan will help get you back into shape in an easy and sensible manner.
  




• BUBBA PUMP

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Satellite radio superstar Bubba The Love SpongeTM has dropped over 70 pounds with the help of training, diet -- and Tetrazene ES-50
  




• High Intensity Leg Training

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Every day, somewhere hidden deep in the musty catacombs of some dingy turn of the century building that found it's purpose once again as a gym, bone crushing poundage's bent over gargantuan backs rise and fall to the clang of heavy iron amidst a haze of chalk dust. The anticipation, dare we say fear, leading up to leg day is finally faced sitting in quiet resignation while knee wraps are wound into place. Then with the courage of a warrior turning his stallion toward the battle, the belt is cinched tight and with jaw set and eyes filled with defiance, destiny is faced. As the weight is hoisted from the rack, bar bending in protest and the brutality of this struggle etched deep in his face, squat day begins. There is a respect among men who have tasted this brand of battle and without trying to explain what can only be felt, three simple words describe the experience carved on their souls...Hard Core Training.
  




• Get Conditioned to Grow

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Most self respecting bodybuilders think good conditioning means being lean and shredded. The problem is they can be lean and shredded and still get purple faced, out of breath and soaked in sweat just tying their shoes. Cardiovascular conditioning is not measured in how a person looks but in how efficient their cardiovascular system is at oxygenating blood and recovering from physically demanding activity. If you're a UFC fan then you have seen guys that may look a couple bags of Doritos past the shirtless limit yet they can battle for 3 five-minute rounds of non-stop rockem-sockem action and not look exhausted. Just watch a lineup of pro bodybuilders on stage bent over sucking air and unable to talk after doing a one minute pose-down and the difference between looking conditioned and being conditioned becomes painfully clear.
  




• The Foundation Training Series: Legs Day

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Leg days are intimidating, plain and simple. Any guy that claims he isn't a little nervous about an impending leg workout is either a liar or he isn't training hard enough. If you put 100% into your training then all workouts are tough. The difference is that training legs can make you lose your lunch, pass out, and leave you gasping for precious air like an East Indian pearl diver. If you can reach that level of intensity in a leg workout then you can't help but get a little anxious about the next one.
  




• The Foundation Training Series: Back Day

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  No other body part impacts a physique more significantly than your back. It's visible from all angles in all poses and when it's full, round and detailed, it can make a physique look overwhelming and even compensate for other slightly weaker body parts. When your back looks like a training afterthought then no matter how good everything else looks, the whole package appears inferior and out of balance.
  




• The Foundation Training Series: Chest Day

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  ew body parts are as satisfying to train as your chest. You can see it swell up before your eyes, filling up your shirt, and it gives your whole upper body a look of thickness and strength. If you are honest, you have to admit you can't finish a set without checking the mirror at least once and giving those slabs of engorged muscle a good squeeze, just because you can. A pumped chest feels good, it looks good, and people notice it. Few people dislike training chest so that can make chest day very easy. But don't make the mistake of taking it lightly. Training your chest can be a complex issue because it's very easy for other muscle groups to take over the work and in some cases, for injuries to occur.
  




• Wonder Woman

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  It's a Thursday afternoon in Los Angeles, and Warren is relaxing at home, a rare respite for someone who admits she loves to work. In a few weeks, she'll be traveling up the coast to the Seattle Film Festival to help promote a movie she stars in, "Her Minor Thing." In August, she begins filming on her next role, an independent film called "In Your Dreams."
  




• Fighting Nutrition: Winning by Smarts

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  "Thwap", yup that is how this all started. You see, one day I was invited to go to a mixed martial arts studio to watch a friend train and lo and behold, since I was a collegiate wrestler I jumped into the fray and mixed it up with a few of the other trainees. This head-banging experience got me thinking a little more about what goes into the training, nutrition and lifestyle of anyone seriously involved with fighting sports. I consider the fighting sports to include boxing, all of the different forms of martial arts, Pride, K1, wrestling (collegiate and Olympic), samba and some other types of the arts. On the ProSource Forum many fighters from various grueling sports are available to interact with you about how they train, eat and plan for their matches.
  




• Best Diet Plans: A Step-by-Step Guide to Fat Loss

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Bodybuilding and nutrition, weight loss and diets can seem very confusing at times. Have you ever wondered why is it that some people can eat whatever the heck that they want and still have a six-pack? Some of these people even drink a six-pack and yet still stay ripped and look fit. Then there are those of us who struggle on an ongoing basis to keep a tight, ripped look and be functional in the gym and in life. You believe that your diet is right, you go to the gym on a pretty frequent basis and even believe that you know what you are doing once at the gym, but perhaps, just perhaps there are keys to "rippedness" that you are not exploiting. Thus, this article aims to arm you with the basic knowledge of just how to maximize your gym activity (exercise), cull your diet (food manipulation) and use the best weight loss supplements when appropriate to get that extra edge. The edge that separates you from the person who always looks like they are one or two months away from being or appearing fit.
  




• Roc's Reality Back Workout

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Why is Rashid "Roc" Shabazz the guy you should talk to if you want to learn how to pack some lbs of beef on your back? Because in 1991 when he graduated college and moved to Atlanta to learn how to become a bodybuilder from Mr. Olympia, Lee Haney, he weighed a paltry 132lbs soaking wet.
  




• Rotational Axis Training

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  In the world of the health, fitness genre as well those who affiliate themselves within the loosely defined "strength and conditioning" field, the term "core" has become a buzz word over the last decade. And while I'm prone to say the term "core stabilization" is over-used the intent is important, as there should be a firm realization that virtually every complex motor pattern and efficient movement (lower body in particular) will only occur in optimum degree's with proper development of the trunk. Suitable development of this area will infer strengthening of the pelvic -- hip complex to prevent folding, enhance posture, thereby improving force production capabilities and ultimately reduce injuries throughout the body.
  




• 6-Pack Abs in 8 weeks

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  I like to make things easy and understandable. If your abdominals are, dare I say, flabby, I have a crash program that can get them sleek and chiseled in eight weeks flat, pardon the pun.
  




• SQUAT POWER : Part I

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Squats are a rarity in strength training because they can be performed with variety of styles, with equally varied levels of intensity to satisfy an incredibly broad spectrum of goals. While naturally the bodybuilding community employs the movement for superior hypertrophy needs, athlete's will make use of Squat for building power and explosive legs and yet equally if you are just the average gym-goer, the benefits of Squatting are far-reaching in your life. With proper technique employed it will help develop tremendous range of motion, strengthen the lower back, enhance work capacity that will carryover to all other training and dare I say life. In an even odder twist of fate, while in the modern gym the epidemic to perform curls appears to run rampant and mirror space is dwindling--if you want great arms and a powerful back, the route starts in the Squat rack.
  




• KICKING MASS

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  From soccer player to competitive natural bodybuilder, Jude Achu muscled up with the help of AndroTest.
  




• Maximize Fat Loss While Building Muscle Mass

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  For decades, health "authorities" have taught us that a diet low in fat and high in starch (e.g., USDA Food Pyramid) promotes fat loss and decreases the risk of chronic diseases. It should be noted, however, that there's little, if any, scientific evidence supporting this notion. In fact, the current epidemic of diabetes and obesity has been accompanied by a significant decrease in fat consumption and an increase in carbohydrate consumption. Thus, alternative dietary approaches are clearly needed, especially for fat loss.
  




• The Top 10 Muscle Building Foods

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Growing muscle begins by hitting it hard in the gym, while following a well-defined protocol of which muscle groups to work, and when. And that's just the beginning. How you work out plays a major role, along with proper supplementation.
  




• WWE'S SHAWN MICHAELS : BACK IN THE SADDLE

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  The WWE's Shawn Michaels revamped his lifestyle and made an improbable and incredible return to the ring after a devastating back injury. Now, at 41, the native Texan is stronger than ever with a solid training program, a no-frills diet and ProSource's potent testosterone-booster, AndroTest.
  




• Post-Exercise High-Glycemic Carb Ingestion: A Friend or Foe?

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  The glycemic index is a ranking of carbs according to the extent to which they raise blood sugar levels after eating. Foods with a high-glycemic index are those which are rapidly digested and absorbed and result in marked fluctuations in blood sugar levels. In general, sports nutritionists recommend that one ingest low-glycemic carbs before exercise and high-glycemic carbs immediately after exercise.
  




• What's in a Ratio?

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  A few years back, the respected newsman Dan Rather was mugged while walking down a street in New York City. In a weird chain of events, after the mugger obtained Dan's wallet, he looked him straight in the eye and asked, "What's the frequency Kenneth?" The meaning of the question was never discovered, but it was made into a line of a hit song for the great rock band R.E.M. I ask you, the sports nutrition enthusiast, instead of getting mugged while shopping for the perfect post-workout drink, to stop and ask yourself, "What's the ratio?" For our intent, the ratio of carbohydrate to protein in a post-workout drink is as important as knowing the frequency or just what is in your wallet. Since you were a child, more than likely you were schooled to remember locker combinations, pass codes for home alarm systems and the meaning of Pi, the irrational number. Today, I ask you to start focusing on a ratio range.
  




• The Roadmap to Weight Loss

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  It is time; you have made the decision. Yes that decision to lose weight once and for all. This time, you want to lose weight for real, not gain it back a few months from now, but keep it off permanently. Can it be done? After all, isn't the fact that over 50% of America is overweight kind of disenchanting when thinking of your success? We like to believe and do believe strongly that with the proper knowledge, planning and strategic eating, achieving your goals should be no harder than tying your jogging sneakers.
  




• WANT BETTER SEX? LOSE WEIGHT

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  If you've tried everything from self-hypnosis to a personal life coach who scrutinizes every morsel that enters your mouth but you still can't stick with the program and shed unwanted pounds, I may have just the motivation you need. What if I told you that losing weight could improve your sex life? As they say, now that I have your attention. . .
  




• Simplicity: Part 3

  (posted 02-21-2007)
  In the first two parts of my "Simplicity" article series, I put forth what I believe is basic framework for a powerful diet and supplementation regime. Ultimately my goal, as with my training ideas, is to "add value to life". In this installment I wanted to address the role and needs of supplementation and firmly spell out what is needed for you to not only attain your strength and fitness goals but to live a healthy life.
  




• Simplicity: Part 2

  (posted 02-21-2007)
  I suppose you could say the decision was made within the first stages of the project's conception, yet in fact it was the only course of action that I could take. The armoire would be true to form and purpose, noble yet also affirm a sense of commitment. It would not be a focal point of the room per se but a more modest oeuvre that would hopefully last well beyond my years. And so with this in mind, I began drafting up plans using classic mortise and tenon joinery that is one of the hallmarks of the style.
  




• Simplicity Series: Part 1

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Simplicity is a peculiar road to wander down in todays fast-paced digitally connected every nano-second of every day world. Akin to the quiet old rural route that meanders slowly through every village, with its little riverbed diner's, the kinds of town where you still find roadside Charles Schultz inspired lemonade stand in the summer, the simple road is rarely traveled today. Our culture seems to have forgotten that along that old route lays hidden treasures, not one of glistening baubles and trinkets but treasures that provide you a deeper knowledge and appreciation of how and where you are precisely going. But that "simple road" seems to have been abandoned for so many generations now and much of the priceless knowledge has been lost to the present and future generations.
  




• The Supermarket: Your Food Ally in Growth

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Many people make the assumption that it is just the work that one does in the gym that will matter when it comes to building muscle and losing body fat. Sure, people realize that if you eat less than what you need or burn more calories over a 24-hour period than what you eat, you will lose weight. The truth of it is that there are many myths when it comes to optimizing results from exercise and that we often forget the importance of just what to eat.
  




• The Keys to Increasing Your Metabolism

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  If you've ever seriously tried to lose weight, you know how the routine goes. You exercise, you diet, but you still can't lose those last few pounds, or for that matter, the first ten. Weight loss is a combination of many factors. Yet our body's metabolism is the taskmaster, controlling what we take in and how we utilize the energy that is created. Specifically, metabolism is the process by which our bodies combine nutrients with oxygen to produce the energy needed to maintain normal bodily functions. This energy is measured in calories and calories are basically considered the fuel for our bodies.
  




• New Landmark Clinical Study Proves the Extraordinary Test-Boosting Power of AndroTest

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Testosterone is the primary anabolic hormone in men that plays an essential role in controlling muscle growth. In addition, increased testosterone enhances sexual interest, erectile function, mood, and bone density. No wonder so many products are marketed to naturally enhance testosterone. Many companies claim to have the latest, greatest testosterone booster, but none have a shred of scientific evidence to support the inflated hype. Now there is one exception, AndroTest from ProSource.
  




• Hitting The Big Time

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Junior USA light-heavyweight champ Jason Wojciechowski has seen amazing results in the gym with AndroTest.
  




• Size Wise

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Heavyweight bodybuilding contender Evan Centopani has seen his muscle mass skyrocket, thanks to a solid training program and ProSource's AndroTest.
  




• Advanced Testosterone Science

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Testosterone is the principal steroid hormone secreted from specialized cells in the testes (called Leydig cells) in men. Chemically, testosterone is made from cholesterol like all the other steroid hormones. Several hormones stimulate the body's own production of testosterone. The most important and potent stimulator of testosterone secretion is luteinizing hormone (LH), which is secreted from the pituitary gland. In turn LH is stimulated by gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus. This regulatory system controlling testosterone is often referred to as the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis. It operates under a classic negative feedback control. When testosterone levels are low, GnRH and LH kick in to stimulate testosterone production. When testosterone is high (which occurs with anabolic steroid use), GNRH and LH are inhibited which shuts down the body's natural production of testosterone.
  




• BCAAs: Essential Building Blocks of Muscle Growth

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  With new and exciting supplement breakthroughs making their debut all the time, it's sometimes easy to forget the less glamorous nutritional stand-bys of muscle growth. Yes, the new norepinephrine-stimulating super-thermogenics and the muscle-gorging hemodilators (to pick two examples), show terrific anabolic potential. But real lean mass gains start with the basics. And the most basic and essential building block of all is the branched-chain amino acid.
  




• ChromaDexTM Creatine Ethyl Ester Certificate of Analysis Interview

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Research has always been the backbone of our philosophy. We're dedicated to developing the most effective supplements in the world. That's why we have always had a progressive product research and development philosophy. We stand behind our commitment to science. That's why each one of our supplements undergoes our quality-control process, which ensures that the product you buy is of the highest standard. It is important to trust only reputable manufacturers like MuscleTech to supply you with quality nutritional supplements. In manufacturing our products, we use only the highest quality ingredients and use independent laboratory analysis to confirm the potency of the ingredients listed on our labels.
  




• Creatine Supplementation Strategies: Update

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Creatine is a nitrogenous amine. Normal daily dietary intake of creatine from an omnivorous diet is about 1 gram. Dietary sources of creatine include meat, fish, and other animal products, but it may also be formed endogenously in the liver, kidney, and pancreas from the amino acids glycine, arginine, and methionine. One-half kg of fresh, uncooked steak contains about 2 grams of creatine. Creatine has become an extremely popular nutritional ergogenic among athletes. In 1998, about $200 million was spent on creatine monohydrate (the most studied form of creatine). Of the approximately 300 studies that have evaluated the potential performance-enhancing (ergogenic) value of creatine monohydrate supplementation, about 70% of these studies report statistically significant results while remaining studies generally report non-significant gains in performance.1
  




• Creatine Update

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Over the last decade, thousands of articles have been written about creatine supplementation in scientific journals, magazines, newspapers, and on the Internet. The reason for this interest is that creatine supplementation has proven to be one of the most effective methods available to increase strength, power, and muscle mass.
  




• EURYCOMA LONGIFOLIA: The Longjack Herb -- Long on Benefits

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Eurycoma longifolia is a Malaysian shrub, used in traditional medicine for male sexual enhancement and as a general tonic. It is reputed to be a great aid to male sexual stamina. It is referred to as Tongkat Ali or Longjack in Malaysia and elsewhere.
  




• Fats: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  If you're seeking weight loss and improved health, it's easy to look at fats as the root cause of that extra weight gain or the latest uptick in your blood pressure. But that doesn't make all fats bad, and it certainly doesn't make fats something to avoid. In fact, the right sources of fat can actually improve health, improve brain and heart function, and even liberate existing stores of fat. It really is a matter of seeking out and understanding the different sources of fat, capitalizing on those that are healthful, and eliminating those that are, well, evil.
  




• Flaxseed Oil: Amazing Protective Fat-Burn Oil

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Flaxseed oil is a vegetable oil uniquely rich in the omega-3 family of essential fatty acids, in particular alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). It is also rich in lignans, gamma-tocopherol (an especially beneficial form of vitamin E), and other protective factors.
  




• The Science behind GAKIC

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  We're not going to lie to you. There are a ton of different workout supplements to choose from. Stop by any nutritional store, and you'll see what we're talking about. But just be careful. While some of these supplements are certainly worthy of your hard-earned dollar, others aren't even deserving of your garbage can. The reason is science -- or in most cases, lack of it.
  




• GLUTAMINE: Or should we call it GlutaGreat?

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Have you ever had the experience of taking a dietary supplement, taking it consistently, making gains in the gym and not being able to connect the dots? I mean, you're training hard, your eating clean ninety-percent of the time, your using perhaps one new supplement and your strength and muscle fullness are remaining more than ever before. Can it be this mysterious white powder that you are taking a few times per day, especially on the hard training days, that is making the difference between the old you and new you? The amino acid that may just be your ergogenic king is known as glutamine. Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid circulating in your blood and hanging out in your muscles. There must be a reason why we have so much of this one (of 20) amino acids. Let's examine why this amino acid is special.
  




• THERMO-GTX (EPHEDRINE-FREE)

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  For many individuals who prefer not to take ephedrine products whether by choice or by necessity, there is a wonderful alternative for those who are still seeking the thermogenic effect. ProSource has formulated a supplement consisting of the active thermogenic element derived from green tea called epigallocatechin, or more commonly referred as EGCG. For centuries, green tea has been acknowledged for its antioxidant qualities, and now, in recent years scientists are recognizing the thermogenic effects that is increasing the popularity of this phenomenal herb. Numerous studies have showed that EGCG increases energy expenditure and causes significant increases in norephedrine levels.
  




• Green Tea Weight Loss:The Ultimate Wonder Nutrient for Fat Loss, and Health Protection

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Whether in a cup or capsule, few herbs rank higher in beneficial properties than green tea. In fact, Camellia sinensis, more commonly known as tea, ranks behind only water as the most popular beverage worldwide. Over three-fourths of tea produced is black, and the rest is green and oolong. Although each variation offers proven benefits, it is green tea that contains the most remarkable beneficial compounds, and that is due primarily to the fact that unlike black and oolong, green tea is not roasted, thus preserving more of the active constituents.
  




• HYDROXYCITRIC ACID (HCA): The Questionable Diet Compound

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  HCA is said to curb appetite, burn fat and result in significant weight loss without side effects, reducing the Body Mass Index, while at the same time promoting healthy blood lipid levels. Does it, really?
  




• Key Ingredients for Joint Longevity

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  If you think osteoarthritis is something that afflicts only ripening baby boomers and nursing-home residents, sit down and talk with former world-class gymnast Bart Conner someday, if the opportunity ever presents itself. Conner, who more than 20 years ago took home two Olympic gold medals and was considered one of America's top all-around athletes, today can hardly take out the garbage. He was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in his mid-20s.
  




• Get Optimum Benefits with Joint Command

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Bodybuilders, fitness enthusiasts and other athletes primarily concentrate their efforts on maintaining a lean muscular physique. However, in order for muscles to contract and grow, they must operate in conjunction with the body's joints, like the knee or elbow joints, or even the spine, which represents a type of joint. Just as it's important to feed muscles with proper supplementation, it's equally, if not more important, to provide your joints with specific nutrients to keep them functioning optimally.
  




• Macronutrient Update

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  When in comes to body composition, gym rats and fitness babes already know what science is now showing; replacing carbs (especially refined carbs) with protein and fat is an effective way to promote fat burning while sparing muscle mass, so it would be wise not to follow the dietary guidelines of the AHA or the American Dietetic Association. This article will examine the latest findings on macronutrients.
  




• (2007) Meal Replacement Buyer's Guide

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Not long ago, we were pretty much relegated to limited choices when it came to nutritionally complete meal options that addressed the specific and comprehensive needs of those engaging in rigorous training. Thankfully, the opposite is true today with the advent of many new meal replacements (MRP's) fortified with quality protein, vitamins and minerals, and some with fiber and healthy fats.
  




• MICELLAR CASEIN: The Protein With Staying Power

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Proteins, along with carbohydrate and fat, make up the main energy-providing nutrients of the diet. Proteins are unique for many reasons - they contain nitrogen, and they provide amino acids that serve as building blocks for the formation of new proteins. But not all dietary proteins are equal in their biological effects. An emerging concept in protein quality is that digestion rate has a major impact on protein effects in the body. This has led to the classification of proteins as either slow or fast. Some proteins are digested slowly, whereas others are digested quickly and results in quite different effects. Another critical factor that contributes to the quality of a protein is the method of processing. In this regard, micellar casein has several unique proteins that make it very attractive as a protein supplement for athletes. Here, the benefits of micellar casein are overviewed and we recount some of the key findings from studies examining the unique benefits of casein on protein balance.
  




• Minerals and Strength-Power Athletes

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Among the inorganic elements, phosphorous is second only to calcium in abundance in the human body. Phosphorous is of vital importance in metabolism of the energy nutrients, contributing to the metabolic potential in the form of high-energy phosphate bonds, such as ATP and creatine phosphate, and through phosphorylation (activation) of substrates.
  




• MUCUNA PRURIENS: Dopaminergic Dynamo

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Mucuna Pruriens, aka velvet bean, is a traditional Indian herb with dynamic actions only recently appreciated. As an ancient Ayurvedic remedy, Mucuna was used in nervous and sexual diseases. But the key modern fact about Macuna is that it is an excellent -- truly outstanding -- source of L-DOPA (dihydroxy-phenylalanine, a derivative of phenylalanine).
  




• Brain Boosters

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Eons ago, pre-humans evolved big brains, which allowed us to avoid or beat-out predators, maximize our reproductive potential, and populate the whole planet at the expense of other species. And we've obviously done a great job at that! The brain is of course a tissue, and has nutritional needs like any other tissue. But it is also a special tissue with special influences, like determining your mood and level of motivation, the perceived difficulty of a workout, your level of concentration during a workout, and your willingness to train at all. Fortunately, the non-prescription world of nutrients and herbal extracts provides great tools to optimize brain function and get that grey matter working for you instead of against you.
  




• MYOZENE:The Most Powerful Muscle-Building Agent Ever Created?

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Can a single drug-free product really produce the kind of extreme muscle growth you can visibly see week to week? Gains of up to 30lbs of rock hard muscle in a matter of just a few months? Along with dramatic increases in strength? Up until recently, we would have said these claims are absolute marketing hype but researchers (and even many competitive bodybuilders) are saying this new breakthrough by BioQuest may do all of this and more. So to fully evaluate these bold statements, we've hired veteran sports supplement researcher and product expert, Anssi Manninen, who is the Senior Science Editor at Muscular Development magazine. Anssi has dug deep into the science behind MyoZene and reveals here, his in-depth findings.
  




• MYOZENE: User Testimonials

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  In 10 years in this industry, we've never seen a new product have such an immediate and significant impact among competitive bodybuilders. Literally every athlete we've interviewed reported truly extraordinary results.
  




• MYOZENE: Where Science Meets the Gym

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Over the last 20 years, the nutritional supplement industry has evolved from marketing of products with little scientific evidence supporting the use to the development of high quality functional products based on solid scientific evidence. MyoZeneTM from Bioquest Pharmaceuticals is an example of a nutritional supplement that has been forged through years of scientific study that has identified specific nutrients that can optimize performance, recovery, and training adaptations. It's one of the best new supplements I have seen hit the market in years. Why am I so pumped about MyoZene? The following overviews the science behind MyoZene and why it may prove to be the most effective nutritional supplement ever developed for athletes interested in increasing strength, power, and muscle mass.
  




• DON'T MISS A WORKOUT - KEEP YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM STRONG

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Speaking as someone who just spent three weeks in bed with the flu - coughing, sneezing, throat on fire, aching muscles and just plain miserable - I can tell you that missing my workouts only added insult to injury. And I thought I was doing all the right things to stay healthy and fit.
  




• The Protein of the Future

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Whey protein is derived from milk sources. It is high in branched-chain amino acids, which makes protein an essential nutrient for maintaining muscle mass. Whey protein has a high biological value, and supplies more usable grams of protein to the body for muscle repair, as well as enhancing the immune system. Individuals with high protein needs, such as athletes, find whey protein as an excellent alternate or extra source of protein to compensate for the extreme demand that their bodies require to build and maintain muscle. These protein comprise nearly every tissue and organ in the body, therefore any supplementation of the diet with proteins may be beneficial to injury repair, metabolism, and general health.
  




• And The Winners Are...Bodybuilding's Top 10 Diet Products (2007)

  (posted 02/22/2007)
  All ten of the following reviews are based on the best research and information available, including independent clinical studies, product labels and literature, web site info and customer feedback. Each of the winners is listed in descending order of preference for your convenience. It is our hope that Alan's focus and attention to detail has helped take the guesswork out of your decision-making process, while at the same time, ensuring that you get the results you're looking for.
  




• PART 2: The Protein of the Future

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  The branched-chained amino acids, lysine, phenylalanine, methionine, and tryptophan are essential to tissue growth and repair; however, they can't be manufactured by the body and therefore must be obtained through dietary consumption. They promote the healing of bones, skin, and muscle. They also regulate blood sugar levels, so they must be taken in a balance to insure proper regulation.
  




• Most Effective Dietary Supplements for Strength-Power Athletes

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Ronnie Coleman's incredible physique is a product of superior genetics, long-term training, optimal nutrition and a committed attitude. Clearly, these factors cannot be replaced by the use of dietary supplements. However, scientific study has identified a number of products that offer true benefits to performance (e.g., creatine) or the achievement of nutritional goals (e.g., meal replacement products). This article examines some science behind the most effective supplements targeted to strength-power athletes.
  




• Muscle Building and the Quest for Test

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Muscle building has always been the primary objective for every bodybuilder, whether pro or amateur. With that, there can be no doubt that when it comes to the acquisition of superhuman strength and enviable virility, the male hormone testosterone is definitely the daddy! In fact, you would be hard pressed to find any individual who couldn't benefit from an extra helping of "Big T"--and that includes female athletes, too.
  




• Saw Palmetto: Key Herb for Prostate Health

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  The health of the prostate gland is a concern for every man over the age of 50. With passing years the prostate tends to become enlarged (Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy, or BPH), leading to serious discomfort and inconvenience. About 75% of men over the age of 60 experience distressing functional prostate problems, and a surprising number of younger men are developing BPH, as well.
  




• Omega-3s: Heart-Healthy Super Nutrient Emerges as a Powerful Anti-Catabolic

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  Hardly a day goes by without another article appearing in a prestigious medical journal highlighting the physiological benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids. These key "essential fatty acids" have been linked to reduction of the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, and other disorders.
  




• PART 2: Omega-3s: Heart-Healthy Super Nutrient Emerges as a Powerful Anti-Catabolic

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  There is also significant evidence that omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil and flaxseed can slow auto-immune damage due to their anti-inflammatory properties. Following an intense training session, the muscles require the formation of eicosanoids before the healing process can commence. Eicosanoids are hormone-like substances derived only from essential fatty acids (arachidonic acid in Omega-3) in foods or supplements. These regulate immune and inflammatory responses.
  




• Alli (Xenical) is no ally to your health!

  (posted 02/21/2007)
  On Wednesday February 7th 2007 the FDA approved the over-the-counter sale (OTC) of GlaxoSmithKline's diet drug Alli, the low dose brother to prescription strength Xenical. It is estimated that Alli will be available OTC by this summer. The pleasantly plump and uninformed general public will certainly be pleased; however, there is plenty to be worried about beyond greasy stools and soiled underwear. After all, medical pharmacology always works----have we found the incredibly sought after "MAGIC PILL"?
  




• Tetrazene : The Glycemic Optimizing Repartitioning Supplement

  (posted 12/04/2007) Tetrazene is a scientifically-formulated dietary supplement that contains ingredients reported to promote weight loss and increase metabolism. While it is primarily considered to be a weight loss supplement, it contains glucomannan which is a dietary fiber that research has shown can help control blood sugar by lowering the glycemic response to ingesting a meal as well as lower blood lipid levels. This article discusses the powerful weight-loss power and health benefits of this amazing super fiber.
  




• Joe Weider Inducted into the First Ever Muscle Beach Hall of Fame

  (posted 09/21/2006)
  The godfather of bodybuilding -- Joe "The Master Blaster" Weider -- was inducted into the first ever Muscle Beach Hall of Fame on the Labor Day weekend. He attained this honor in large part due to celebrity support from friends new and old, including Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Franco Colombo, Rachael McLeish, Flex Editor In Chief -- Peter McGough, Roland Kickinger and Bob Chick to name a few.
  




• Ham-Blasted

  (posted 06/12/2006)
  For a lot of novice and intermediate bodybuilders hamstring training is something they do after quad training is done, sort of an afterthought, and it's done with whatever energy is left over after what they think is the "important" part of their leg training. Those guys, unless they are genetically gifted somehow with good hamstrings, will most certainly build bigger quads but their legs will never have that impressive thickness and density you only get from balanced development of all your leg muscles, including hamstrings. Hamstring training is just as important as quad training and not only deserves, but requires just as much attention if you expect them to grow and have balanced leg development.
  




• "A Day in the Life of Ronnie": Ronnie Coleman

  (posted 02/21/2006)
  Ronnie's Training: The highlight of Ronnie's day is his training session. Everything else revolves around this. Ronnie's training sessions take place Monday through Saturday at high noon. They last about two hours, and involve as many as three training partners.
  




• Victor Martinez's Road to the 2006 Mr. Olympia

  (posted 02/22/2006)
  Does Victor Martinez have what it takes to be the next Mr. Olympia? Many top IFBB officials agree with a resounding "YES!" With a major pro win under his belt (2003 Night of Champions) a 5th Place finish at the 2005 Mr. Olympia, and now backed by premier sports nutrition company, MHP, many bodybuilders, fans and industry insiders are predicting him to be the next Mr. O! In fact, in the press conference before the 2005 Mr. Olympia, Mr. O. himself, Ronnie Coleman predicted Victor Martinez to be his successor to the crown.
  




• The 2006 New York Pro

  (posted 02/21/2006)
  New York City is felt, even before it comes into view. It is a place that swells in the heart, just as the city's silhouette takes form against the spanning continent behind it, profound and far reaching. The first settlers facing the absence of a skyline I'm sure had an idea of what New York could become.
  




• The 2006 Ironman

  (posted 02/21/2006)
  The contestants of this year's Ironman came in the form of the Davids versus the Goliaths. That is, some came in the form of 290-lb monsters hoping to tower their way to the front runner's pole, only to be slingshot by their compact counterparts and finish looking as intimidating as Big Bird from Sesame Street.
  




• The 2006 Europa Super Show

  (posted 02/21/2006)
  Imagine the situation. You and a bunch of friends sit down at a Texas steak house and all order the same meal. But when your food is served, you notice all the steaks display a remarkable inconsistency. Some are fatty slabs, others are lean, whilst others are just a composite of both extremes. This best describes the overall judging criteria that were handed out over the weekend at the Texas Super Show.
  




• VIEW TO A CLASSIC

  (posted 02/21/2006)
  The 2006 Arnold Sports Festival is a celebration of all things fitness -- and ProSource was on hand to be a part of it.
  




• The 2006 USA's

  (posted 02/21/2006)
  In the lead-up to the 2006 USA titles, the overall winner had been predicted as if it were set in stone. Indeed, if Jerome Ferguson could have shown up on a sphinx and been tanned in gold, no one would have disputed the unconventional props. Instead the show turned out to be as unpredictable as a "Days Of Our Lives" episode with an unsuspecting Ferguson being bullied out of the top 3 by the muscle mutations of Omar Deckard, Leo Ingram and Robert Hatch.
  




• ProSource Takes the 2006 Olympia Expo By Storm!

  (posted 02/21/2006)
  The premier event on the bodybuilding calendar has just concluded, and the ProSource team is still coming down from a massive adrenaline-driven high. As always, Joe Weider's Olympia Weekend (held at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas) was the ultimate showcase for every champion bodybuilder and up-and-coming contender, as well as a prime-time promotional opportunity for the many equipment, supplement, and media enterprises dedicated to this swiftly expanding sport.
  




• The 2006 Olympia: KNOCKED OUT!!!

  (posted 02/21/2006)
  Lou couldn't do it and neither could Rich Gaspari or Shawn Ray. It's just the way it is. You can't just be as good as the champ, and a few years back Jay Cutler found out that being slightly better may not do it either. If you want to de-throne the Mr. Olympia champ you can't just bloody his nose, you gotta knock him out! After 8 straight years of dropping to his knees and giving thanks to the lord above for one another Sandow, Ronnie Coleman found himself surrounded by the usual compliment of officials, well wishers, and dignitaries that were joyously congratulating the Olympia Champion, but this time it wasn't him in the spotlight, it was Jay Cutler. He didn't just win the Olympia, that's an absolutely incredible feat that lifetimes are spent persuing. He knocked out a multiple consecutive Olympia champion to earn his Mr. Olympia title and no man has done that in the history of the sport.
  




• The 2006 Olympia Preview

  (posted 02/21/2006)
  The bodybuilding rumor mill leading up to the 2006 Olympia is so hot that the media are being treated for third degree burns. The reigning champ Ronnie Coleman said in his own words on more than one occasion that Victor Martinez will be his heir apparent to the Olympia throne, once he has decided to retire that is. What the "big nasty" didn't see coming was a vastly improved Jay Cutler who in 2006 is as hungry as Markus Rhul on a year long vegetable soup diet.
  




• 10 Years of Excellence

  (posted 02/21/2006)
  The release of this latest edition of the ProSource Performance Nutrition Buyer's Guide marks a decade of excellence and leadership in the sports nutrition industry. Since 1996, ProSource has been dedicated to providing bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts all over the world with the latest, most cutting-edge information on sports supplements and all other key methods of physique enhancement, including the latest techniques on training and diet.
  




• Ronnie Coleman ProSource Appearance

  (posted 01/29/2006)
  Talk about a perfect day! For fans waiting on line, who anticipated waiting in bitter cold and possibly snow, were pleasantly surprised by the sunny 60-degree day that greeted them. Thousands turned out for what Big Ronnie himself called the biggest crowd ever at any of his appearances
  




• A Warrior with a Secret Weapon

  (posted 02/21/2005)
  After almost a decade away from the WWE, the Native American Tatanka has returned, stronger than ever, but now packs a supplement "secret weapon". Here's how he staged his incredible career comeback and amazing physique transformation.
  




• Scoring A Knockout

  (posted 02/21/2004)
  In an exclusive interview with ProSource, Sylvester Stallone opens up about life, fitness, creating a world-class supplement company, and reprising his most famous movie role as he works on a long-awaited sequel.
  




• (2004) America's Most Popular Diet Plans

  (posted 02/21/2004)
  Since the diet and nutrition industry and related businesses bring in about 45 billion dollars per year, an evaluation of just what these popular diets are about and which ones should work for you appears in order. This article is designed to do just that--to provide you with a comprehensive breakdown of the most popular diets on the market to help you decide which one, if any, might work best for you. In addition, it will also offer suggested supplements to promote and accelerate the effects of the diets featured here.