Supplements Reviews, Ratings & Recommendations

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About the Supplements Ratings

Dietary Supplements are Only as Effective as How you use Them

Supplements are Not Magic Pills which will Solve all Your Problems

Supplements are called supplements for a reason.  They are to be used as supplements of your food intake.  The primary use of dietary supplements should be to fill the void left by any nutrient deficiency which exists in your diet.

Keep in mind that proper nutrition is far more important that your intake of dietary supplements before you choose the dietary supplement which is right for you.  If you practice poor nutrition the effects of your dietary supplements will not be what they should be with a healthy diet.

A naysayer of dietary supplement will tell you that you can get all the nutrients you need from your diet and supplements are just "expensive urine."  This is absolutely false.  Firstly, the nutrient requirements of active individuals is vastly different from their sedentary counterparts, and secondly, not everybody is interested in just getting by.  The Proper supplements can help you achieve your specific fitness goals faster and more efficiently and that is the truth.

A Quick Word about the Ratings

Since all supplements are goal specific you may see a supplement get a high rating and a low rating.  For example, diet pills are great for weight loss, but for muscle building, they are not.  Pick your primary goal and focus your training, nutrition and supplementation to get the best, quickest and long lasting results.

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Honest Supplement Reviews, Recommendations and Ratings from a real Professional Personal Fitness Trainer

Lasting Results from Proven Supplements

Personal trainer Mike Behnken, MS, CSCS has been involved with the fitness industry his entire professional career, constantly preaching the importance of proper nutrition and training first with the use of dietary supplements for a synergistic effect.

He refuses to succumb to the hyped marketing of many dietary supplements which includes fast results.  Unless noted, Mike only only recommends the scientifically proven supplements best for your long term health and performance.

If you would like a supplement reviewed or have any questions about which supplement is right for you and your health & fitness goals don't hesitate to Ask The Trainer

NOTE:  The supplement prices do not include shipping and handling.  Almost all supplement companies use UPS ground which will costs the same making shipping prices negligible if you're comparing prices.

You can also read more About the Supplement Ratings

Weight Loss Supplement Rating & Review

Lipo-6 Fat Burner

Who Should Take it
Lipo-6 is one of the most popular fat burners on the market for 1 reason and 1 reason only.  It combines all the ingredients which stimulate the metabolism, energize the body, and suppress the appetite to accelerate fat burning.  If you have tried exercise and diet alone with no results or have a specific time frame to lose some weight or tone up, you mat want to try Lipo-6.

Who Should Not Take it
Lipo-6 is heavily depends on stimulants to achieve its effects.  Anyone who is sensitive to stimulants should avoid any of these thermogenic fat burner products.  Sedentary people with a poor diet should avoid any diet pills if they do not exercise.  Athletes who perform high intensity cardio exercise should not take lipo-6 near their workout times.

Myoplex RTD Carb Sense

Who Should Take it
Anyone who is looking to add extra protein, vitamins and minerals to their diet should consider Myoplex RTD Carb control.  If your diet already has sufficient carbohydrates, Myoplex RTD carb control is a great way to get your protein without added calories from carbohydrates.  Anyone who is looking to add very convenient protein to their diet as you can drink the shake without any messy shakers or blenders.  RTD means Ready To Drink so if you don't have time to mix a shake this is perfect for you.

Who Should Not Take it
Anyone not looking to reduce carb intake.

Myoplex Original Packets

Who Should Take it
Anyone who has an active lifestyle and is trying to lose weight should consider Myoplex original.  If you find it hard to create time for a balanced healthy, high protein and nutrient meals throughout the day, Myoplex original is the perfect solution as each packet is like consuming a healthy meal with a multivitamin.

Who Should Not Take it
Myoplex original packet contains over 270 calories.  If you already eat 5-6 small nutritious, balanced meals per day Myoplex may be simply extra calories.  If you are sedentary, Myoplex original is not for you.

Myoplex Lite Packets

Who Should Take it
Anyone who is looking for a convenient meal replacement.  Myoplex lite packets contain around 200 calories which is perfect for anyone looking to add high quality nutrition without excess calories.  Myoplex lite is also great for a post workout recovery.

Who Should Not Take it
If you already consume 4-6 small nutritious, balanced meals and snacks per day you have no need for excess calories.

What to Expect
The CE2 package makes some seriously outlandish claims.  While you may not experience exactly what the label says you will definitely feel an energy and strength boost for any exercises under 30 seconds.

alli

Who Should Take it
Alli is the only over-the-counter FDA approved weight loss supplement.  Alli is designed for people who are significantly over weight.  If you are more than 20 pounds overweight and have had trouble losing weight in the past, alli may be the supplement which puts you over the hump.

Who Should Not Take it
If you have not attempted to lose weight in the past with proper diet and exercise, alli is NOT the first thing you should try.

View All Weight Loss Supplements

Muscle Building Supplement Recommendations

BSN Syntha-6

Who Should Take it
Syntha-6 is great for anyone who wants to add protein in their diet.  It is especially designed for people who are on low calorie diets because it consists of multiple time released proteins.  It is also great to take before bedtime because it will break down slowly over night and help you maintain your muscle mass and metabolic rate.

Who Should Not Take it
Syntha-6 is not designed for post-workout energy consumption.  If you are getting a protein supplement for post-workout recovery consumption check out After Max or other post-workout supplements.

Creatine CE2 Hi-Def

Who Should Take it
Anyone who is looking to increase their maximal strength should consider taking Creatine Ethyl Ester (CEE) products.  MRI was the original company to produce a CEE product and this product will not disappoint anyone who uses it as directed which also includes taking too many supplements at one time.

Who Should Not Take it
Creatine Ethyl Ester (CEE) is not going to help you with endurance activities.  If your primary goal is to improve your performance in long duration activities MRI CE2 is not for you.

L-Glutamine Powder

Who Should Take it
L-glutamine is a supplement which as been studied extensively for a variety of uses.  One of the most common uses is among bodybuilders, strength athletes and athletes who compete in weight class events for maintaining muscle mass through weight cutting diets.  L-Glutamine is the most abundant free form amino acid in your muscles.

Who Should Not Take it
L-Glutamine is a supplement with few side effects.  You should not take L-Glutamine if you experience any side effect which you attribute to L-Glutamine supplementation.

BSN NO-Xplode

Who Should Take it
If you already have a high calorie and protein diet NO-Xplode could help you build muscle and is definitely worth a try.

Who Should Not Take it
Anyone who is sensitive to caffeine and other stimulants should avoid NO-Xplode.  Needless to say, anyone who recently ingested caffeine or drinks many caffeinated beverages per day should not take NO-Xplode.

Optimum Whey Protein Blend

Who Should Take it
L-glutamine is a supplement which as been studied extensively for a variety of uses.  One of the most common uses is among bodybuilders, strength athletes and athletes who compete in weight class events for maintaining muscle mass through weight cutting diets.  L-Glutamine is the most abundant free form amino acid in your muscles.

Who Should Not Take it
L-Glutamine is a supplement with few side effects.

Myoplex Deluxe Packets

Who Should Take it
L-glutamine is a supplement which as been studied extensively for a variety of uses.  One of the most common uses is among bodybuilders, strength athletes and athletes who compete in weight class events for maintaining muscle mass through weight cutting diets.  L-Glutamine is the most abundant free form amino acid in your muscles.

Who Should Not Take it
L-Glutamine is a supplement with few side effects.

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View All Muscle Building Supplements

Pre- Workout Performance Supplement Ratings

BSN NO-Xplode

Who Should Take it
Anyone who wants to have incredible workout intensity, stamina and strength during weight training training sessions and accepts the cons of taking NO-Xplode (below).

Who Should Not Take it
Anyone who is sensitive to caffeine and other stimulants should avoid NO-Xplode.  Needless to say, anyone who recently ingested caffeine or drinks many caffeinated beverages per day should not take NO-Xplode.

Cytosport Cytomax

Who Should Take it
If you are training in endurance exercise, Cytomax is a great way to replenish carbohydrates and electrolytes during exercise and also post workout.  If you have not eaten a proper pre-workout meal, Cytomax is a great thing to have before or during a weight training workout.

Who Should Not Take it
Cytomax is not something you should drink throughout the day.  Do not take Cytomax if you are sedentary unless you are trying to get fat.  If you are full when you workout, Cytomax during your competition will cause stomach distress.

View All Performance Supplements

General Health Supplement Ratings & Review

Animal Pak

Who Should Take it
Anyone who trains often and maintains an active lifestyle can benefit from Animal Pak's quality vitamins and minerals.  Animal Pak has a long term following as it been around for 25 years!

Who Should Not Take it
Sedentary people and people who do not exercise.

Opti- Men Mutivitamin

Who Should Take it
Any active men who don't eat more than 10 servings of different fruits and vegetables at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day.  Opti- Men is specially formulated for men with supplement which help the male reproductive system such as saw palmetto and lycopene.

Who Should Not Take it
Women.  Men who are sedentary should not take unless they want "expensive urine".  People who are not disciplined to take 3 tablets a day instead of the popular 1-a-day vitamins which are less effective.

Opti- Women Mutivitamin

Who Should Take it
Any active women who don't eat more than 10 servings of different fruits and vegetables at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day, aka every active woman.

Who Should Not Take it
Men.  Women who are sedentary should not take unless they want "expensive urine".  Women who are not disciplined to take 2 capsules a day instead of the popular 1-a-day vitamins which are less effective.

Now Super Omega 3, 6 9

Who Should Take it
Any man or woman who follows a low fat diet and does not consume fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel and flax seeds on a daily basis.

Who Should Not Take it
Anyone with problems with the blood such as blood clots or hemophilia.

Myoplex Original RTD

Who Should Take it
Anyone who needs a complete meal replacement with tons of vitamins and minerals in a convenient ready to drink package.  Anyone who needs a meal replacement to obtain the 4-6 small meals every day.

Who Should Not Take it
If you already have 4-6 small meals a day or are sedentary, Myoplex is simply another way to get the excess calories you don't need.  Compulsive overeaters should not get this product because it is very easy to consume too many because of the convenience.<a href="" target="_top">
EAS Myoplex Original Ready To Drink, 12 Shakes, Chocolate Fudge</a>
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View all General Health Supplements

Joint Health Injury Prevention Supplement Ratings

Animal Flex

Who Should Take it
Anyone who is concerned with their joint and ligament health.

Who Should Not Take it
Anyone who has never had issues with joint and ligaments and sedentary people.

View all Injury Prevention Supplements

Post Workout Supplement Ratings

After MAX

Who Should Take it
If you work out intensely weight training for extended periods of time, After Max is a great post workout nutrition option which will help you make gains and let your muscle recover optimally regardless if you are trying to lose weight, build muscle or just maintain.

Who Should Not Take it
If you are sedentary and do not exercise vigorously there is not point to consuming After Max.

N-Large 2

Who Should Take it
If you workout hard for 30-90 minutes a session N-Large 2 is a perfect way to ensure your training does not go to waste by giving your muscles more than enough easily digested nutrients.

Who Should Not Take it
If you are sedentary and/or are trying to severely reduce your caloric intake, N-large 2 is not for you.

View Post Workout Supplements

Hardcore Stacks Supplement Ratings

Mega Weight Loss Stack

Who Should Take it
If you are a hardcore bodybuilder and fitness enthusiast who is looking to get ripped the Mega Weight Loss stack offers supplements which attack fat loss 3 different ways.

Who Should Not Take it
If you are sedentary or have just started training, the mega weight loss stack is not for you.

Mega Muscle Stack

Who Should Take it
Any body who is looking to increase muscle mass as much as possible.

Who Should Not Take it
Anyone not looking to gain weight.  People who want to tone up while not building any more muscle.

View Hardcore Stacks Supplements

Use a High Quality Information Source such as the AskTheTrainer.com Supplements Recommendations, Ratings & Reviews

Please don't buy into the hype which is displayed in fitness magazines, television commercials, on advertisements at your local health food store.  Learn from a professional personal trainer all about products which either can help you or will waste you hard earned money.

Overall Health & Wellness

Best Natural Vitamin Supplement
A good multivitamin supplement can help you get all the needed micronutrients which your body needs for most metabolic processes.  If you think you get 100% of the nutrients your active body needs from your diet, your mistaken.  Multivitamins are the supplements because they are beneficial to everyone.

Best Antioxidant Supplements
Antioxidant are very beneficial for anybody who does a lot of aerobic activities.  The best supplement recommendations to fight free radicals.

Best Calcium Supplement
Unless you eat a lot of dairy products, the best calcium supplement will help you keep your bones and teeth healthy as well as prevent bone loss.  If you think you don't need to take a calcium supplement think again.  Read why.

Best Protein Supplement
Protein is not just for those who want to get bulky and gain a lot of muscle.  In addition to help maintain your muscle and metabolism, the best protein supplement may also have anti-aging properties.

Weight Loss / Toning

Weight Loss Supplements
There are many supplements dedicated to weight loss.  Learn why weight loss and supplements has been a bad combination from the start.

Best and Worst Weight Loss Supplements
Learn why some weight loss supplements are just plain bad for you.  Find the supplements which will help you the most in your quest to lose weight.

Best Green Tea Diet Supplement
Some think that green tea is the secret to why the majority of people throughout Asia are not overweight.

Muscle Building

Best Muscle Building Supplement
Would you like to put on a few pounds of lean mass?  The oversaturated market for muscle building supplements has created some products which carry incredible claims.

Best DHEA Supplement
DHEA is a prohormone for men over 40.  There is conflicting research about DHEA supplements.  Which ones are the best?

Best NO2 Supplement
NO2 is the latest muscle building supplement.  NO2 supplements are supposed to help you gain muscle, burn fat, improve sexual performance and re-grow your hair!  Too good to be true?  Find out.

Supplements Ratings Guide

All Ratings are Goal Specific

Each supplement is only as beneficial as the goal it can help you achieve.  You will see the same supplement get different ratings in different categories because of this.  Remember, supplements will only help you get faster, and better results if you use them as directed along with a structured exercise and nutrition regimen.

A supplement which most definitely will help you achieve your specific fitness goal.  The highest rating of supplements are backed by some research and have very little if any side effects.

Great supplements with some small drawbacks or superb supplements without extensive research.

Supplements which work for some people and not for others.  Supplements with little research but the general consensus is they work.

Supplements which are not really proven but work for some.  Supplements with moderate side effects.

Supplements which may not have any warranted use.  Supplements which may cause side effects.

Back to Supplement Categories

A1Supplements

One of the best online places to find great deals on the best supplement recommendations.  A1Supplements.com has a huge inventory of supplement recommendations for all goals at wholesale prices with cheap shipping.

I have used A1supplements exclusively for years with zero problems.  I was surprised that they have supplements for everyone from hardcore bodybuilders to beauty products.  Make sure you choose USPS priority mail shipping instead of UPS which is more expensive and takes longer.

Online is definitely the best place to buy supplement recommendations.  When you go to your local health food store the prices are marked up as much as 30%

You can usually buy supplement recommendations online for wholesale prices.  Even with shipping included you still will save an average of 20% over retail prices when you buy from the best online supplement vendors.

DON'T FORGET THE SPECIAL COUPON CODE:

At check-out, enter 4off250 to save 4% off any order of $250 or more or 6off500 for 6% off any order of over $500

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