• Consistency
• Discipline
• Nutrition

Without the right diet then you’ll be spinning your wheels forever and wondering just why you aren’t getting anywhere quick. In fact, diet is said to be 80% of the battle when it comes to any body composition change. You need adequate fats, carbs and protein and there’s nothing more convenient than a good protein powder. Protein is the building blocks that contribute to a bigger, stronger you that can dominate the gym and match any physical activity.

Unfortunately, many of us get tired of eating chicken breast and tinned tuna so struggle to get in the right level of protein. That’s where supplements come in. They’re easy to prepare, can be used for any goal, and come in a variety of flavors so you never grow bored.

As a recommendation, you should be aiming for 1g of protein per pound of bodyweight each day if you’re trying to build muscle. The daily recommendation for the average member of the public is 1g per kilogram of bodyweight but those trying to get bigger often take in 3, 4 or sometimes 5 times as much as this. Protein isn’t a special compound that’ll give you God-like powers but it is vital for any gym goal.

So, let’s take a look at the top 10 picks for protein supplements to further your progress.

10 – Gaspari Nutrition Myofusion Advanced Protein


What is it:

Gaspari Nutrition’s Myofusion Advanced Protein is full of a number of protein blends (6 in total) and it has a collection of benefits other than being of great quality. One of them being enhanced digestion as it includes a patented probiotic formula that delivers protein to your body over a certain amount of time.

Highlights:

Per Serving:

• 150 calories
• 25g of protein
• 9g of carbs
• 9g of essential amino acids

The product is free of gluten and has been known to help depress cravings due to its timed-released protein. Therefore, it is a great option for anyone who is dieting and trying to lose weight, you won’t feel like eating as much so take that into consideration, this might be positive if you’re cutting but if you are bulking, then you may want to choose something else.
There’s some different flavours to choose from and many people refer to their chocolate protein as being the best that’s around.

Drawbacks:

• There’s not a vast array of flavours to choose from as there’s only four available
• A little pricey compared to some of the more basic protein powders which may put some people off from buying it

Who makes it:

Gaspari Nutrition has been in the supplement game since 1998 and in their 15 plus years of experience in this industry, they’ve devoted their time to creating supplements that are effective and they have always been looking to develop the most innovative products that they can. As a result, they have gained a large and loyal fan base.

What’s in it:

As we mentioned above, one serving contains 25g of protein. However, their unique protein blend is produced with brown rice protein, whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, casein protein isolate, whey protein hydrolysate and egg albumin.
The unique blend of all these types of protein blends is created in a way that provides you with amino acids to your muscles over a number of hours. As there’s a mix of slow, medium and fast-digesting proteins all in one, this product will ensure that your body remains fuelled up properly over a period of time.

Bottom line:

Gaspari’s Myofusion Advanced Protein is a good way for people to get their protein in and it also has a lot more to offer you due to its innovative blend. Although, the price may be something that’s a big drawback.

9 – CytoSport Muscle Milk


What is it:

CytoSport’s Muscle Milk is number 9 on our list. This supplement is made up of a suitable blend of five various types of proteins. This gives users more than one source of protein from one product as well as the fact that it’s balanced as well to give you the best from all the different proteins. Athletes and people into fitness are able to keep their protein topped up with this supplement to stay on top of their game.

Highlights:

Per Serving:

• 348 calories
• 12g of fat
• 32g of protein
• 12g of carbs

The total amount of protein comes from a range of 5 separate sources and when they’re combined, you’re given fast-acting and slow-digesting proteins. Furthermore, this Muscle Milk product contains a total of 20 minerals and vitamins that are crucial for health and muscle building.

Some of the other features include:

• Free of lactose
• High in glutamine
• Good value for money
• A vast array of flavours
• Its high caloric content has been said by people to help them in gaining weight

Drawbacks:

• High in fat (12g of fat in each serving)
• Serving sizes are large
• Becomes lumpy when mixed
• A lot of people dislike the taste

Who makes it:

CytoSport manufactures Muscle Milk and they have been in the supplement industry for more than 15 years, they first started out back in 1999 and they’ve always been making supplements that provide some sort of benefit to athletes to aid them in whatever their fitness goals are. Recently, more and more people are starting to buy their products to the point that they are competition to some of the larger supplement companies around.

What’s in it:

One serving contains:
32g of protein that contains whey protein isolate, milk protein isolate, calcium sodium caseinate, whey protein hydrolysate and whey protein concentrate.
Amino acids are also present that are given to your muscle over a number of hours.

Bottom line:

All in all, Muscle Milk has gained a good reputation amongst consumers and its range of blends provided are beneficial however there’s a high fat content so it’s only really suitable for those looking to gain weight.

8 – Nature’s Best Zero Carb Isopure


What is it:

Nature Best’s Zero Carb Isopure is a top of the range protein powder that’s made up completely of whey isolate, there’s a great amount of protein with this product, you get 50g per serving as well as no carbs. Hence the name Zero Carb Isopure. It’s one of the best protein supplements around that is lean which makes it a fantastic choice if you’re trying to build muscle or lose weight.

Highlights:

Per Serving:

• 220 calories
• 0g of carbs
• 50g of protein

Some of the great advantages include the following:

• Muscle growth is stimulated
• Can help with losing fat
• The standard of protein is high quality
• People don’t feel bloated when using this product
• Low calories per serving
• Great for women as there’s a low calorie and carb count

Drawbacks:

The cost is quite high.
Some users have complained about the taste, some of them have said that there’s a salty aftertaste.

Who makes it:

This excellent product is manufactured by Nature’s Best.

What’s in it:

A single serving contains 50g of nothing but whey protein isolate, whey protein in its purest form. Therefore, the effects are maximised. Things such as the absorption of nutrients and protein synthesis happen more efficiently.
Also provides you with a reliable flow of amino acids.

Bottom line:

This product is one of the best when it comes to trying to lose weight due its high protein and low fat and carb content. Your muscles are provided with exactly what they need for the most optimal results, however, it’s expensive compared to other standard whey product.

7 – MusclePharm Combat Powder


What is it:

Combat powder is a great quality blend of five different types of protein that are designed to give you slow, medium and fast-releasing protein over periods of time. The idea with this product is to allow users to not have to get certain protein supplements from other things, it’s all in one.

Highlights:

Per Serving:

• 140 calories
• 25g of protein
• 8g of carbs

Contains a combination of 5 various types of protein that aids you in the process of building muscle as well as providing them with the fast, medium and slow releasing proteins. This ensures that your muscles remain as anabolic as possible for up to 8 hours at a time; Combat powder is also gluten-free.

Colin Kaepernick, the Quarterback for the San Francisco 49’ers approves the use of this product and it’s also considered to be one of the best tasting protein powders currently around. It’s intended to be used at any time of the day, whether it be pre/post workout, morning or at night.

Drawbacks:

• Often becomes clumpy when mixed
• More costly than a lot of the other range of protein powders
• Some people have complained of feeling bloated

Who makes it:

MusclePharm manufacture this product, they’re situated in Denver, Colorado and they’re one of the largest sports nutrition companies in their area. They cater their products towards athletes as well as normal people.

What’s in it:

A single serving contains whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, micellar casein, egg albumin and whey protein hydrolysate. This unique blend of proteins means that your body can remain fuelled for up to 8 hours at a time.

Bottom line:

This product gives you everything that you’d need, in terms of protein, in one so there’s no need to take loads of different supplements.

6 – Dymatize Iso-100


What is it:

Number 6 on our list is Dymatize Iso-100. This is a hydrolysed form of whey protein that helps with recovery and muscle building. The 100% hydrolysed whey protein isolate means that you get a stream of amino acids quickly to be absorbed by your muscles.

Highlights:

• Free of gluten and lactose
• Made with the most authentic form of whey protein
• Awards won from places such as “Bodybuilding.com” in terms of quality
• Short digestion times which means your muscles get the essential nutrients fast
• Supports muscle building and helps with recovery
• Renowned vanilla flavour considered to be the best around
• Minimal carbs per serving

Per serving:

• 106 calories
• 25g of protein
• 0g of carbs
• 5.5g of BCAAs (Branch Chain Amino Acids)

Drawbacks:

Fairly expensive due to the fact that isolate products tend to be more costly.
Some people have complained about some of the flavours and their tastes (the sucralose used to sweeten it can have a chemical aftertaste).

Who makes it:

Dymatize Nutrition, a pretty big sports nutrition company that has been operating since 1944, have been developing supplements that tick all of the boxes for fitness people and athletes. Their products are distributed to over 50 countries; they’ve clearly got a large customer base.

What’s in it:

Per serving there’s 25g of the purest type of protein you can get, in addition to this, there’s also 5.5g of amino acids that your body receives very quickly.

Bottom line:

Dymatize Iso-100 really is quite a great protein powder supplement due to it being in such an authentic form but this does mean that it’s more expensive than other products of a similar nature.

5 – Optimum Nutrition Pro Complex


What is it:

Optimum Nutrition’s Pro Complex is a protein powder supplement that contains everything you need in terms of protein, this blend gives you the most optimal results because of this.

Highlights:

• Aids recovery and muscle growth
• Very easy to mix as it’s instant
• 5 flavours available

Per Serving:

• 270 calories
• 60g of protein
• 5g of carbs
• 15.5 g of BCAAs
• 10.5g of glutamine
• 1g of sugar.

Drawbacks:

• Very expensive for a lot of people
• Serving size may be too big from some users.

Who makes it:

Optimum Nutrition manufacture Pro Complex and this company is now well-known amongst the fitness community due to their products being of such a high standard. They have some of the most popular supplements that are available right now.

What’s in it:

• Hydrolysed whey protein isolate
• Egg protein
• Leucine peptides

This combination ensures that your body is given the essential proteins and amino acids that it needs so it’s designed to be most effective post-workout.

Bottom line:

Pro Complex is, overall, a pretty great product and one of the best when it comes to proteins that are made up of a blend that gives you everything you need in one.

4 – BSN Syntha 6


What is it:

BSN Syntha 6 is created specifically to give you a reliable source of slow-released protein over several hours by combining 6 different sources of protein. Amino acids are sent straight to your muscles which help with building muscle.

Highlights:

• Protein’s delivered to your muscles over a period of time which helps with recovery and muscle growth
• Helps you to lose fat by suppressing your appetite
• Great fibre source.

Per Serving:

• 200 calories
• 22g of protein
• 15g of carbs
• 10g of BCAAS

Drawbacks:

• Not as many grams of protein per serving compared to other products
• Can be clumpy when mixed

Who makes it:

BSN developed the product Syntha 6 and they’re a fast-growing company that specialises in sports nutrition by making things like pre-workout and protein supplements. Nowadays, people are able to trust the logo associated with BSN.

What’s in it:

• Whey protein concentrate
• Whey protein isolate
• Milk protein isolate
• Calcium caseinate
• Glutamine peptides
• Egg albumen

This is a very effective blend of proteins that gives you slow and fast releasing protein for the best results.

Bottom line:

BSN’s Syntha 6 is a wonderful protein supplement that provides you with 6 different types of protein all in one, however, its protein content is not as high as other protein powders. Although the blend of proteins is of a very high quality, therefore, you get pretty good value for what you’re paying for.

3 – MuscleTech Phase 8


What is it:

Our third best protein powder is Phase 8 by MuscleTech. This product provides you with a reliable source of amino acids that are delivered over a period of time (up to 8 hours per serving). Phase 8 is made up of 7 various types of sources of protein that give you an overall proportional amount of protein.

Highlights:

• 7 different types of protein for the most optimal results
• The reliable release over a period of time ensures that your muscles remain anabolic which means they are in a better position to be able to grow
• Protein provided for up to 8 hours per serving
• Fantastic price considering everything you get

Per Serving:

• 150 calories
• 26g of protein
• 7g of carbs
• 5g of glutamine

Drawbacks:

• Can clump while mixing (due to some of the protein sources used)
• Some users report a gritty texture/taste

Who makes it:

MuscleTech is a sports nutrition company that has been making waves in the industry for many years. In their relatively short time in business, they have gone from a small operation to a huge company. Their success is due to their innovative products, which use advanced blending techniques and high-quality ingredients to provide the best results possible.

What’s in it:

• Whey protein isolate
• Whey protein concentrate
• 97% whey protein isolate
• Hydrolysed whey protein isolate
• Milk protein concentrate
• Calcium caseinate
• Micellar casein

This cutting edge blend of proteins gives your muscle exactly what they need after training and these nutrients can be provided to your body for up to 8 hours after supplementing with the product.

Bottom line:

MuscleTech’s Phase 8’s inventive blend of protein really is a great protein powder supplement and is one of the best that’s around at this time. The 7 different proteins ensure that the body is able to have the option of absorbing certain proteins for shorter or longer amounts of time which is going to do nothing but good for your muscle building goals.

2 – Transparent Labs Protein Series 100% Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate

What is it:

The runner up to our best protein powder is 100% Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate. This protein supplement is one of the more basic ones, however, it’s also one of the most effective ones that Transparent Labs have developed. This product contains 100% whey protein isolate that comes from only cows in New Zealand that have been grass-fed, this makes it one of the freshest protein products currently available on the market.

Highlights:

• Complete whey protein isolate from cows that have been grass-fed
• Minimal artificial ingredients, sweeteners, preservatives of food dyes
• No gluten
• Naturally sweetened with Stevia
• Made up of high-quality protein to help you recover faster and build muscle.

Drawbacks:

• Nothing but a single flavour – chocolate
• Pretty expensive when compared to the other products in the supplement industry however you’re paying for the top quality source and cleanliness.

Who makes it:

A company called Transparent Labs made this product and they are quite a large supplement manufacturer that is gradually on the rise. They want to be able to make the most effective and exceptional products on the market by staying away from all the artificial flavours and ingredients. They have gained a good reputation for making some of the cleanest supplements around and they intend to carry on in the same way.

What’s in it:

A single serving provides you with 28g of whey protein isolate that comes only from cows in New Zealand that have been grass-fed. The process of protein synthesis is crucial for building muscle and this is improved due to the fact that the protein source is so pure. Unwanted hormones, additives and chemicals are removed to give you the purest form of protein that you can get.

Bottom line:

100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate is a magnificent choice as it’s one of the only protein powder supplements that is extremely healthy and on top of this, you get 28g of protein per serving, which is a great amount considering the quality of the source too. It provides your body with all of the essential things that it needs to be able to recover and grow at a good rate without you having to consume and of the unwanted additives.
It is a little pricier but you’re getting the purest and cleanest form of protein available.

The #1 Best Protein Powder for 2016 is…

1 – Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Gold Standard


What is it:

The number one protein powder on our list is of course 100% Gold Standard Whey. This is such a basic but very effective protein supplement that Optimum Nutrition has developed and as a result, it has won a whole host of different awards. Not only is it highly effective, it is also considered by the majority of users to be the best tasting out of all the whey protein powder supplements.

Highlights:

• 100% Gold Standard Whey Protein has won the aware of being the Best Protein of the Year and the Best Supplement of the Year by Bodybuilding.com for a total of 10 years now
• Highest grossing supplement that’s ever been sold
• A total of 3 different whey proteins that give you the best results
• Aids your body in recovery and muscle building
• Helps to suppress hunger so it’s great for when you’re dieting
• No clumping when mixed
• Protein synthesis is improved.

Per Serving:

• 110 calories
• 24g of protein
• 3g of carbs
• 3g of glutamine and glutamine acid.

Drawbacks:

Certain flavours of this product are thought by some users to be distasteful.
Sometimes difficult to get your hands on this product as it sells extremely fast.

Who makes it:

Optimum Nutrition manufacture 100% Gold Standard Whey and they are gained a reputation for being one of the biggest and best brands who develop supplements. They are always looking for new and inventive methods of making great products that people want.

What’s in it:

A single serving contains 24g of protein which is made up of the following blend:

• Whey protein isolates – One of the most authentic forms of whey protein that has shown to aid users with building muscle by improving protein synthesis which is the main process responsible for building muscle. There’s minimal amount of carbs and fat so it’s a great option if you’re cutting.
• Whey protein concentrate – This is essentially a top of the range form of whey protein that is very fast-acting which makes it perfect to consume after working out. This way you get the correct nutrients into your body as quickly as possible to prevent muscle breakdown and promote muscle building.
• Whey peptides – These are the things that work together with the other two protein sources to make sure your muscles get all of the essential amino acids that are necessary for proper recovery and muscle growth.

Bottom line:

All things being considered, Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard Whey is ultimately the finest protein powder supplement that is available on the market right now. All of the ingredients used are of the highest quality and there have even been studies carried out to show that using this product can provide you with the most optimal results.

So it’s safe to say that if you’re looking to get the body that you’ve always wanted, this product can be supplemented into your diet to ensure that your body and muscles are getting all of the essential nutrients it needs to consistently progress you one step closer to what you want to achieve. It’s not a real surprise that the sales of this product are great, it pretty much gives you what you ask for and provides some good results.

Final Thoughts

Now that you’re a bit more clued into the world of protein supplementation, you should find that your diet becomes a lot easier. It’s important to keep in mind that everyone is different. What works for someone else may not work for you.

Equally endlessly shovelling down scoops of protein powder isn’t going to suddenly turn you into Arnold Schwarzenegger. Just as with your training it’s important to use the exercises that suit your body and desired outcome, you need to test out different protein options until you find what’s best for your budget, body, and goals.

Jarrett

The post TOP 10 Protein Powder Supplements In 2016 appeared first on Muscle & Cuts.

Now the perfect scenario would have you obtain all of your protein from real food, but we all know this isn’t always possible which is where products such as MuscleTech Phase 8 come into play. There are many different protein supplements on the market and this can cause confusion when one need only choose one, but hopefully this review will help you with that.

Muscletech Phase 8 Protein Benefits

Before I get on with the actual product let me first introduce myself: I have been training for close to 7 years now, and during these years have learned not just about training but also about nutrition and supplementation. It is thanks to this knowledge and experience that I am able to write these posts and share this information with you, so make sure you give it a good read. Now my personal experiences with this product may vary from yours, but it should mostly be similar. Let’s get started…

The first thing I want to mention is why MuscleTech Phase8 is named as it is. The “8” in its name comes from the fact that this particular powder provides its users with protein for up to 8 hours, making it a very slow-digesting product. This makes it ideal for use before bedtime as it will cover you through the night, but it can also be used at other times as well.
Now not every protein source is of the same quality, and not every protein powder uses the same protein sources, so let’s see what exactly is contained in this particular product:

• Whey Protein Isolate
• Whey Protein Concentrate
• Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolate
• Milk Protein Concentrate
• Calcium Caseinate
• Micellar Casein

If you’ve ever done any research on protein sources then you will surely have recognized some (if not all) of these names as very high-quality sources. Unlike many other products MuscleTech Phase 8 actually uses a blend composed of many different sources which is why it can provide protein over such a long duration. Not only does this product provide a very high-quality source of protein, but it also contains taurine, glycine, papain, and amylase which provide various benefits to the user.

Let us talk a little bit about what this powder actually gives you per scoop. People on a diet will be glad to know that this product contains mostly protein with very little carbs and fats. To be exact, it provides the following per scoop (each scoop weighs 42 grams):

• 26 grams of protein
• 2 grams of fat
• 7 grams of carbs
• 154 calories

While ideal as it is for people on a diet, people who are looking to bulk up would do well to supplement their shakes using a carbohydrate source such as oats, for example. Adding oats to shakes is a very common practice in the bodybuilding world, one which I myself make use of a lot; give it a go if you’ve never tried it before!

Muscletech is one of the leading companies when it comes to bodybuilding supplements, and they understand that not everyone has the same taste. This is why they provide MuscleTech Phase 8 Protein in a variety of flavors for you to choose from, such as:

• Milk Chocolate
• Strawberry
• Vanilla

While I have never actually tried the milk chocolate flavor, I have tried the other two and they taste great! Besides choosing the taste you can also purchase this product in different sizes according to your needs, with the biggest size offering the best value. Phase8 starts at 907 grams and goes up to 4.5 kilos which contain more than 100 servings!

In terms of mixability this protein does quite well, although it isn’t the best I have seen; I suggest you use a blender whenever possible as sometimes it tends to lump up when you use only a spoon.  The flavor seems to also be more enhanced when you use milk as the chosen mixer, which also gives you the added nutritional benefits of said milk, so go with that whenever possible.

I know many people that like me, also use this product and have had an equally positive experience with it. Going on its Bodybuildong.com page one can easily see how popular this supplement is as it received an overall rating of 9/10 from a total of 3,079 user-posted reviews. If you are looking to buy a protein powder definitely give this one a go.

That’s all for this MuscleTech Phase 8 review guys, but before I close off this post let me share with you my final verdict:

Jarrett

(Last Update April 9th, 2016)

MuscleTech Phase 8 Protein Supplement Facts:

BSN Syntha 6 Review >>

The post Muscletech Phase 8 Review appeared first on Muscle & Cuts.

I have been training for close to 7 years now and during this time have tried pretty much anything that there is to try in the bodybuilding world. Using this gathered knowledge I am able to write about different supplements and review them which will provide a realistic and helpful view to the readers. Everything you read in this post is of course based on my own personal experiences, but should be the same or close for you as well.

BSN Syntha 6 Benefits

Are you ready to look at the actual product now? Let’s go!

Protein powders are extremely popular nowadays and virtually anyone that goes to the gym uses (or has used) them. There is a lot of products on the market which one can choose from, and while having a large selection is great, it also makes it more difficult to actually find a quality protein powder. I have tried many different products over the years but through a natural filtration system have only stuck with a couple of them, with BSN Syntha 6 being one of the products that actually survived this process. But what is it that actually makes this product great? Let’s start dissecting this powder section by section:

The first thing I want to talk about is the actual protein source that this product uses. While other products normally tend to include only one type of protein, BSN Syntha 6 actually includes a blend. This results in a protein powder that is multi-functional, and as such, provides the user’s muscles with the perfect supply of high-quality proteins. The product’s protein matrix (or protein blend) is composed of the following:

• Calcium Caseinate (milk)
• Milk Protein Isolate (milk)
• Whey Protein Concentrate (milk)
• Whey Protein Isolate (milk)
• Micellar Casein (milk)
• Egg Albumen (egg)

If you read anything related to proteins then you will instantly recognize some, if not all, of the names mentioned above as high quality protein sources that are also fast absorbing, which is what you want of course.

Next up is the taste. This is by far the best tasting protein powder which I have ever tried, period! It tastes so good that you will want to drink it even as a treat. BSN marks this product as their best tasting one currently on the market, and I tend to agree having tried some of their others. While this list is not 100% comprehensive, this powder comes in the following flavors with each one being as good as the other:

• Chocolate Milkshake
• Vanilla Ice Cream
• Chocolate Mint
• Cinnamon Bun
• Mochaccino
• Cookies & Cream

I (unfortunately) haven’t actually tried all of these flavors but I have tried quite a good number of them. Each one of them was great, so I assume that all of the rest follow with the same level of quality. My favorite one is currently the Cookies & Cream flavor; try it if you can’t decide which one to go with!

Also, I want you to see the value of this product. Truth is, it isn’t cheap but well worth the money. You will buy a very high quality protein powder. It comes in multiple sizes from which you can choose from, with the largest size obviously being cost efficient. The smallest available tub weighs in at 1.2 kgs while the heaviest one weighs a whopping 4.5 kgs. I would highly suggest you get the latter tub (if you can afford it) which contains close to 100 servings. Each serving provides 22g of protein, 15g of carbs, 10g of essential amino acids, and 5g of BCAAs making this powder ideal for people on a weight management plan.

BSN Syntha 6 is also “approved” by the bodybuilding community, obtaining an overall score of 9.2 based on 3,316 different user-posted reviews. Asking around at the gym also results in some good feedback; at least, it was so for me.

That’s all guys; I hope you have liked this BSN Syntha 6 review.

Jarrett

BSN Syntha 6 Supplement Facts:

Cellucor COR Protein Review >>

The post BSN Syntha 6 appeared first on Muscle & Cuts.

Whey protein powders are known to pretty much anyone who goes to the gym, the problem is actually finding one that is of a good quality.

Now I am not saying that this protein powder is the only good one on the market, there are others, but this particular one has served me well which is why I can recommend it to you through this review.

Cellucor Protein COR Performance Whey Review

As you all probably know by now protein powders can be categorized under two categories: “weight gainers”, which contain added carbohydrates and are suitable for people on a bulk, and “diet powders”, which contain mostly protein and are suitable for people on a diet. This particular powder falls under the latter category as it provides virtually no fats or carbs within its servings. To be specific, it gives you 25g of protein and 5.5g of naturally occurring BCAAs totaling to about 120 calories, which is great for anyone looking to boost his protein intake throughout the day. Now don’t worry if you are on a bulk; you can still use this powder. All you have to do is supplement your shakes with some added carbs such as for example oats, which is something I like to do a lot.

Something else I want to mention in this Cellucor COR Performance Whey review is the powder’s taste. Now I understand that a protein powder’s taste doesn’t actually have any effect on its performance, but when you drink something every day it surely helps when it tastes good. This is one of Cellucor Whey’s strong points as it tastes simply great! Cellucor use the most advanced flavor systems currently available to provide you with creative and delicious flavors, such as:

• Cinnamon Swirl
• Whipped Vanilla
• Cookies N Cream
• COR-Fetti Cake Batter
• Mint Chocolate Chip
• Molten Chocolate

This is not the full list of flavors of course, but instead the most popular ones currently available. As you can see they have come up with some rather creative flavors for you to try, so even if you get bored with one you can always move to another. I haven’t actually tried all of them but the ones I did try all tasted heavenly, so I assume the others follow the same level of quality.

Moving away from flavors, I am sure you guys know that there are different types of protein powders out there right? This particular one contains whey isolate protein, which is a very fast digesting kind of protein surpassed only by whey hydrolysate. Not only is it fast digesting on its own, but this powder also contains added digestive enzymes to further boost digesting speed. You might also be interested in knowing that this powder is part of the COR-Performance Series which means that you can normally get a discount by buying it in a stack.

Now no Cellucor Whey review would be complete without talking a little bit about the powder’s Mixability. Nobody likes a chunky shake, but you will never have that problem with this powder as it mixes in extremely well. I have tried it with milk, water, and even with juice and in all cases it dissolved almost instantly. You don’t even need a blender when it comes to this baby; a spoon is enough! My recommendation is that you always mix this powder with milk as not only will you also be getting the nutritional benefits of the milk itself, but it also tastes the best with it.

But how does this 100% whey protein fair when it comes to the community? One can easily see how well liked this product is simply by going on its Bodybuilding.com page where it received an overall rating of 9.1 from 1,368 different users. Asking around at the gym usually results in positive feedback, which is another way one can see how effective this powder really is.

I hope you guys have enjoyed reading this Cellucor COR Performance Whey review.

Before I close off this post let me give you my final verdict by rating this powder in five categories using a 5 point system

Jarrett

Cellucor COR Performance Whey Supplement Facts:

MuclePharm Combat Protein Review >>

The post Cellucor COR Performance Whey appeared first on Muscle & Cuts.

Bodybuilding has been a big part of my life for the last 7 years where I actively practiced the sport, and thanks to it, have learned a lot with regards to training, nutrition, and supplementation. It is through this knowledge and experience that I can write posts such as this one, which provide you (the reader) with a realistic view on the subject at hand. Please note that everything I write in this post is based on my personal experience with the product in question, so it may not be 100% the same for you but it should be close. Let’s get started shall we?

Muscle Pharm Combat Benefits

Let me first start by saying that supplements have become so widespread nowadays that pretty much everyone who goes to the gym makes use of them at one point or another. The problem arises when one is searching for a high-quality product which can be difficult to find considering there are thousands of different products out there all claiming to be the best. The best filter that I can recommend to you when it comes to selecting a specific product are the reviews; real legit reviews such as this MusclePharm Combat one and not ones commissioned by the supplement companies themselves. Now that I got that covered, let us move on to the actual product

As you all probably know by now suitable protein powders vary for people on a bulk and for people on a diet. People in their bulking phase need lots of carbs to help increase their daily calorie intake and as such they tend to go for weight gainers, but people trying to cut often consume fewer carbohydrates and so they go for protein powders that are low in said substance. MusclePharm Combat Protein Powder falls under the latter category as it provides a very high protein source with very little carbs and fats. To be specific each serving provides 25g of protein, 5g of carbs, 1.5g of fat, and about 140 calories. One last thing I want to mention in this regard is that you can still use this powder while bulking; all you have to do is simply supplement your shakes with an added carbohydrate source such as oats for example.

Now not every protein source is the same, and that is what I want to touch upon next. This particular product actually contains a blend of different proteins; some are fast release, some are medium release, and some are slow release. In terms of specific proteins it contains the following:

• Whey Isolate
• Partially Hydrolyzed Whey
• Micellar Casein
• Whey Concentrate
• Egg Albumen

The idea behind using these different types of proteins is to provide the user with protein for as long as 8 hours. This makes this powder ideal for use before bedtime since it will cover you through the night, but it can also be used at other times of the day as well.

Besides all of the previously mentioned proteins, this product also contains 60mg of added digestive enzymes to further support protein digestion and absorption. Last but not least, it also contains added BCAAs and Glutamine, two very important nutrients when it comes to building muscle. All of these positive things combined have earned this product two highly coveted awards from Bodybuilding.com: the Brand of the Year award in 2012 and the Best Tasting Protein of the Year award in 2014. Winning these awards in a highly competitive industry is quite the achievement, which further proves my point that this product is of a very high quality. It also received an overall score of 9 from a total of 3,078 user-posted reviews on said site, which is great.

Speaking of taste, here are some of the flavors this powder can be purchased in, each one as good as the next:

• Chocolate Milk
• Cookies N’ Cream
• Peach Swirl
• Strawberry Cheesecake
• Triple Berry
• Vanilla
• Cinnamon Bun
• Mint Chocolate Chip
• Banana Cream
• Chocolate Peanut Butter
• Orange Creamsicle

My favorite one so far is the Cookies N’ Cream although you may like the others better.

That’s all for this Muscle Pharm Combat review guys.

Jarrett

Muscle Pharm Combat Protein Supplement Facts:

Optimum Nutrition 100 Whey Gold Standard Review >>

The post Muscle Pharm Combat Protein appeared first on Muscle & Cuts.

I have been training for close to 7 years now and found whey to be a very handy tool in my day-to-day life. I have tried many brands of protein powders but found only one that I stuck with: Optimum Nutrition 100 Whey Gold Standard. You’ve probably already heard about this powder as it’s quite popular, but this article will give you an in-depth look as to why you should try it.

The first thing you may be thinking about is why exactly you need protein powder. From my experience, such powders are extremely comfortable to have around as they have saved me from missing a meal quite a number of times. While the perfect scenario would have you eat a “real food” meal every time you need to eat, we all know this isn’t always possible especially for people who run on a very tight schedule. This is where protein powder comes in: simply mix it with your chosen mixer, drink it, and off you go!

The problem many people face nowadays is actually finding a quality product when one goes out to purchase supplements. With the supplement market booming, it comes as no surprise that many companies have arisen to try and take a piece of the cake. This has caused the market to become flooded with loads of different products all claiming to be the best, often causing the products that are actually good to become overshadowed.

Optimum Nutrition 100 Whey Gold Standard Review

When you are unsure about the quality of a product the first thing you should do is search for reviews; real reviews like this one and not ones commissioned by the supplement companies themselves! Reviews give you an insight into what other people have experienced when using the product in question, which will ultimately help you decide whether you will buy it or not. Now the main reason why you came here is to read, and see what I think, about Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey so let’s get into that.

As you all probably know by now not every protein powder is made in the same way. This particular protein powder contains (mostly) whey isolate which is a very refined form of protein that digests very quickly. Not only that, but it also does away with most of the unnecessary things which you don’t need such as fat, lactose, and cholesterol amongst others. You probably think that’s all there is to say, but this powder also contains 5 grams of BCAAs along with 4 grams of Glutamine and Glutamic Acid; this is probably the reason why in 2013 Bodybuilding.com gave Optimum Nutrition their highly coveted Brand of the Year Award of Excellence.

Everything I mentioned earlier is great, but the main reason why I love Optimum Nutrition 100 Whey Gold Standard is because of its great value! No other protein powder of the same quality offers the same cost per serving, which is easy to calculate: simply divide the total cost of the protein powder by the number of servings provided and that’s how much protein you are getting for your cash. Not only is this protein powder of a very high quality, but it’s also great for people on a budget!

Now Optimum Nutrition understands that not everyone has the same taste, which is why they offer their protein powder in a variety of flavors and sizes. While the full list of available flavors is too large to post here, below you will find some of the most popular:

• Vanilla Ice Cream
• Rocky Road
• Double Rich Chocolate
• Banana Cream
• Delicious Strawberry
• Banana Cream

The size of the actual tub also varies with the biggest being the best in terms of value. They start at around 453 grams and go up to as high as 4.5 kilos.
Going on this powder’s Bodybuilding.com page, it is easy to realize that this product is very well received by the community receiving an amazing 9.2 rating from a total of 8,766 user-posted reviews. Trust me, try this protein out and chances are you will agree with most of the positive things other people had to say about it.

The last thing I wanted to mention is that this powder mixes in very easily, so easily in fact that you don’t even need a shaker or a blender; a spoon is enough! Also take note that this powder doesn’t contain a lot of carbs so if you need to boost your calories try adding some oats to the mixture.

That’s all for this review guys, I hope you have enjoyed this look at Optimum Nutrition 100 Whey Gold Standard.

To close off this post, here are my final start ratings.

Jarett

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100 Whey Supplement Facts:

The post Optimum Nutrition 100 Whey Gold Standard appeared first on Muscle & Cuts.

Today I want to talk to you about a product which has been very helpful to me with regards to my training. As you all probably know by now virtually everyone who goes to the gym takes or has taken a protein powder, but did they choose the correct product for their situation?

The likely answer is no, since so many people buy these kind of supplements at random. You have to understand that not every protein powder is made in the same way or has the same function, so a smart person would first do some research before committing to a specific product. In this article I will showcase one of the best protein powders I have tried so far: PharmaMuscle Wheymax – Whey Protein Isolate.

First however, let me introduce myself. Bodybuilding has been a big part of my life for the past 7 years or so and has helped me evolve not just physically, but also mentally and spiritually. You see, bodybuilding is more than just working out; it’s a lifestyle! In order to be successful in bodybuilding you have to live and breathe it, which is exactly what I do, and through this process have learned a lot not just about training but also about nutrition and supplementation.
With that out of the way, let us move on to the actual review now…

Whey Protein Isolate – PharmaMuscle Wheymax Facts

As I explained in the introduction not every protein powder is made in the same way. Products of this nature differ from each other in multiple aspects:

• Their quality
• The protein sources they use
• Their added nutritional benefits

The most important of these is the protein source (or sources) used by the product in question, so let me elaborate on that first. Protein sources dictate several aspects of a protein powder, namely what percentage of it is actually protein, how complete the protein is, and how fast it is digested by the body. The most common sources used by companies today are whey concentrate and whey isolate, but PharmaMuscle Wheymax doesn’t use either of these. Instead it opts for a higher quality protein source known as hydrolysed whey protein isolate.

If you’ve never heard about this kind of protein source you should know that it undergoes a special process that breaks down each individual peptide into multiple smaller versions of itself, making it an extremely high quality and very fast absorbing protein. Not only that, but because it is created from regular whey isolate it also contains very little fat, lactose, cholesterol, and carbohydrates. Even though it’s a little expensive when compared to other products on the market, each scoop provided by PharmaMuscle Wheymax contains 100% pure whey protein, and thus will give you back your money’s worth.

Whey Protein Isolate – PharmaMuscle Wheymax Ratings

Now that I spoke about what is actually contained in this product, let me talk a little bit about when and how you should use it. Because this product is extremely fast digesting the ideal scenario for its usage is when your muscles are starving the most, which is as soon as you wake up and directly after training. Now this product contains very little carbohydrate content so it’s suitable for people on a diet, but people in their “bulking” phase can also make use of it by adding their own carbs such as oats into the mixture. Shakes with added oats are a very popular thing amongst bodybuilders and is something I make use of greatly, so give it a go if you’ve never tried it before.

A final thing I want to mention about this product is its taste and mixability. The worst thing I can experience when using a protein powder is ending up with a chunky shake, but that has never been a problem for me when using this product. Using advanced formulation techniques, PharmaMuscle have been able to create a product that not only mixes in very easily (can be done with just a spoon; no shaker needed) but also tastes great. Unfortunately it only comes in two flavors, chocolate and vanilla, but they both taste awesome! Although it mixes in well with water, milk, and juice, I would recommend you use milk because this not only provides additional protein from the milk itself, but also seems to enhance the taste.

A study performed by the Opinion-Group, who specialize in sensory evaluation of food and drink products, concluded that PharmaMuscle Wheymax was the number one best tasting hydrolysed protein on the market. The study included 300 people between the age of 26 and 35 who were all serious sports enthusiasts.

Vegetarians will also be pleased to know that this product was approved by the Vegetarian Society.

Before I close off this PharmaMuscle Wheymax review I would like to give you my final verdict using a 5 point system

Thanks for reading and see you next time!

Jarrett

The post Whey Protein Isolate – PharmaMuscle Wheymax appeared first on Muscle & Cuts.

The problem arises when one is serious about training and wants to buy the best possible powder for his particular situation. You see, there are hundreds upon hundreds of different protein products out there and finding the right one can be quite the task especially if you aren’t informed.

In this article, I will give you a general rundown on these powders, along with how to pick the best one, their benefits, and why you should use them.

Type of Protein

The first thing I want to talk about is that not every powder provides protein through the same source. There are many different types of protein sources that companies make use of and you would be wise to learn about these, their quality, and which you should go for. Here are the most common protein types currently on the market:

Whey Concentrate

This type of protein has been around for a very long time and was quite lacking in its early days, containing only (at most) 40% protein plus lots of fat, lactose, and undenatured proteins. Back then it was mostly used by baking companies as a concentrate or for similar purposes. In our current age however filtering techniques have improved dramatically and as such whey concentrates have become much better in terms of quality. They now contain as much as 80% protein with less fat and lactose; a win-win situation! Now many people think that this type of protein is inferior to others, such as whey isolate for example, and while it’s true that it contains less protein per gram it makes up for it by bringing a lot of other things to the table not found in isolates. These things include higher levels of:

•    IGF-1
•    TGF-1
•    TGF-2
•    Various phospholipids
•    Various bioactive lipids
•    Immunoglobulins
•    Lactoferrin

Whey Isolate

A very dense form of protein, whey isolate contains as much as 96% protein with very little lactose and fat. It also absorbs faster than whey concentrate so keep that in mind. Many whey protein reviews give praise to this type of protein, and I tend to agree.

Whey Ion-Exchange Isolate

This type of protein undergoes a special process that greatly increases its protein count, making it the most protein dense isolate of them all, but along the way it also causes the protein to lose many of its most beneficial subfraction peptides. Although some companies still use this protein type and claim that it’s the best, I would avoid it for the reason mentioned previously.

Whey Micro-Filtered Isolates

Using advanced micro-filtering techniques, companies nowadays are able to create very high grade and unique proteins. Proteins of this nature are almost as protein-dense as ion-exchange ones but differ because they retain all of the protein’s subfractions. They are also extremely low in lactose, sodium, and fat, and contain almost no undenatured proteins while also bringing high amounts of calcium to the table.

Hydrolysed Whey Protein

This type of protein is considered by many to be the best in terms of quality, and it is also very fast digesting. Hydrolysed protein is actually pre-digested to some extent which is why your body absorbs it so fast. Expensive, as many whey protein reviews will tell you, but well worth the cost.

When buying a protein powder the first thing you should do is look at the label and see what exactly it contains; some use a single protein source while others use a blend of multiple ones.

Why Use Protein Powder?

The main reason why you should always keep a tub of protein powder at hand is because of how convenient it is. It’s not always possible to have real food at hand, which is where powdered protein comes in; simply mix it up, drink it, and off you go! Protein powders also have great anabolic effects, although don’t expect too much from them.

Finding The Right Protein For You

As I mentioned in the introduction there are many products from which you can choose from, but not all of them are good or suitable for your situation. To see if a product is good for your situation, look at its properties and see if they fit your usage criteria. For example, if you are going to drink your shake prior to bedtime, you would preferably get one that digests over an 8 hour period and also doesn’t contain any carbs. If on the other hand, you are going to take your shake pre or post workout it would be better if you got a product with added carbs and a fast digestion rate.

Once you decide which kind of protein you need, you then need to find a product that is actually good. The best way to check if a product is good is to read reviews on it. Whey protein reviews are widely available online nowadays, so you have no problem there; just make sure they are legit reviews!

Jarrett

The post Whey Protein Reviews appeared first on Muscle & Cuts.