Training without Supplements

[MissMuscles]

Is it possible to train for competition without supplements? I competed successfully this year while taking a wide variety of supplements, but just cannot afford to spend that much money again.

I'm talking about off-season training - because I believe pre-comp supplements are very important.

A few weeks ago there was a programme of TV "A Day in the Life of a Bodybuilder" which showed a female bodybuilder who had a fantastic physique - and she hadn't used supplements. Cant recall her name, but the programme was quite old - because it was when Phil Hope was the NZFBB President.

[goinhard]

Yes it is easily possible, supplements do so little on their own, use whey and creatine if you can afford them though.

[rose]

What supplements are you referring to exactly MissMuscles?

[Beef]

dont bother with supplements in ur offseason as long as ur getting enough protein, etc in your diet then theres no need but its up to you

[rose]

It kinda depends how restricted your diet is. There are certain things your body needs in order to function. If you're restricting your food intake, you won't get enough of the essentials unless you supplement. I'm talking about essential nutrients though, not The Next Big Thing .

[MissMuscles]

What supplements are you referring to exactly MissMuscles?

This year I took WPI, HMB, ZMA, L-Glutamine, Krealkalyn, electrolytes, liquid iron, and nearer to comp time L-Carnitine. It sure adds up.

Would be good to do without them if I can.

[PRiME]

I have done it, yes its possible the only issue I guess is the pain barrier for the first week or two when your body aggressively fights the stress your putting on it (by making it hard to get up in the mornings LOL). If you eat good green fibrous foods and at least 150grams (or more) of protein a day then you can still get good results doing this non supplement way.

However if you have a habit of failing and becoming exhausted/stressed and giving up at times then supplements help heaps, I'm one of these people unfortunately, so I need supplements to push me PLUS its a financial commitment (if I don't do it right, I'm wasting my time and money which is a big driver at times).

PS. If your doing it without supplements then you need to integrate heavy leg/compound movements into your routine to build the hormonal response needed to trigger muscle growth, relaxed or basic weight lifting won't help trigger this response. (this tends to go for when using supplements as well, but without its mandatory to get the hormonal response, esp if your female since testosterone is not typically high).

PS2. Or you can use the high point method, but that tends to be very hard to achieve using basic weight movement, compound is the way to go as it tends to peek you much faster and more regularly, i.e. hack squats, dead-lifts, split squats and regular squats, oh and upright dumbbell rows as well. There are heaps of compound type exercise, natural body builders friend(s)..

[HumanPerformance]

I have had six competitors over the years (that i remember) who have competed without any supplements whatsoever. Some for religious reasons, and others were seasoned competitors who just wanted to see what a difference all the supplements made. They all either won or placed in thier respective divisions. So yes it is possible to do well without any help. I would recommend a basic multi vitamin and mineral tablet though if you can afford it just to make sure your not deficient in anything.

[cantygirl]

I have competed for 8 years now and have experimented with different diets and supplements. Some years have shown a huge difference while other years not so much. Its worthwhile taking a gamble to find the best combination for you. My competing clients also have used supplements some years and not others. If you are eating a clean balanced diet with good protein quantities and you have good energy with little overall fatique, thats excellent. This year, I had no whey protein or processed food, added olive oil, HMB, kre-alkalyn. I was really pleased with my physique.

[MissMuscles]

I have had six competitors over the years (that i remember) who have competed without any supplements whatsoever. Some for religious reasons, and others were seasoned competitors who just wanted to see what a difference all the supplements made. They all either won or placed in thier respective divisions. So yes it is possible to do well without any help. I would recommend a basic multi vitamin and mineral tablet though if you can afford it just to make sure your not deficient in anything.

Thanks for that, its all very encouraging. Hey - I see you work with Naera. I was up against her for the overall at this year's Nationals. I'm aiming for a body like hers by June 2011 - I think her physique is absolutely gorgeous.

[MissMuscles]

I have done it, yes its possible the only issue I guess is the pain barrier for the first week or two when your body aggressively fights the stress your putting on it (by making it hard to get up in the mornings LOL). If you eat good green fibrous foods and at least 150grams (or more) of protein a day then you can still get good results doing this non supplement way.

However if you have a habit of failing and becoming exhausted/stressed and giving up at times then supplements help heaps, I'm one of these people unfortunately, so I need supplements to push me PLUS its a financial commitment (if I don't do it right, I'm wasting my time and money which is a big driver at times).

PS. If your doing it without supplements then you need to integrate heavy leg/compound movements into your routine to build the hormonal response needed to trigger muscle growth, relaxed or basic weight lifting won't help trigger this response. (this tends to go for when using supplements as well, but without its mandatory to get the hormonal response, esp if your female since testosterone is not typically high).

PS2. Or you can use the high point method, but that tends to be very hard to achieve using basic weight movement, compound is the way to go as it tends to peek you much faster and more regularly, i.e. hack squats, dead-lifts, split squats and regular squats, oh and upright dumbbell rows as well. There are heaps of compound type exercise, natural body builders friend(s)..

Thank you for that information. Its very encouraging.

[MissMuscles]

I have competed for 8 years now and have experimented with different diets and supplements. Some years have shown a huge difference while other years not so much. Its worthwhile taking a gamble to find the best combination for you. My competing clients also have used supplements some years and not others. If you are eating a clean balanced diet with good protein quantities and you have good energy with little overall fatique, thats excellent. This year, I had no whey protein or processed food, added olive oil, HMB, kre-alkalyn. I was really pleased with my physique.

That sounds good and makes sense. Thank you for that.