I'm a powerlifter who has begun cycling again. Creatine & NO2 are not steroids. There is no way anyone could get a false positive. Impossible. It in no way affects your testosterone level whatsoever. If someone "claimed" they got flagged & that's all they were taking; They're lying 100%. There is no dispute that it WILL increase your strength. As far as coffee causing problems, Well, most creatine/NO2 elixers come with caffine in them. I drink coffee & have been taking creatine & NO2 for about 8 years.djk202020 said:
Night & day mikesbytes. I don't cycle it (no pun intended) either. No need to. I certainly don't want to make enimies here but again, I assure you there are NO 'roids or prohormones added. Pro-hormones have been banned as of Jan 2005. Also, 'roids or pro-hormones were VERY expensive to produce where as creatine is very cheap. So adding them wouldn't be profitable. All Pro-hormones are now in the same catagory as Heroine, Cocain ect....Jail time if even in the possesion of. So, your safe with that. I take "STORM" by Universal Nutrition & LOVE it! They add electrolytes and no sugar. It's a Creatine/NO2 mix & I live by it. I Also take SHOCK THEARAPY by the same co. They added caffine & Garauna (i can't spell that) & take Storm after workout. From http://www.dpsnutrition.net/ it's about $30 bucks a month which is a bargain. Watch for the Guarana in the Shock Theatapy in case that's a banned substance. I'll do a on & off comparo in the spring up Skyline drive in Reading PA. (very long & steep) & post my honest feelings on the stuff. Again, the added body weight may even out the difference or make it worse. I'll try to stay in the same shape both times & go by stopwatch & "Feel" after the climb. As far as Powerlifting, I don't know any in the "Circle" who DOESN'T take it. It works hands down.mikesbytes said:
I agree- I lift and bike and I take 5g creatine monohydrate daily. I don't find anything detrimental as to cycling- if anything, my endurance is much better. And, my lifting definitely is as well.mikesbytes said:
Glad to help! There's a bit of (minor) controversy about taking creatine with sugar. The idea is that sugar stimulates insulin production and that insulin facilitates creatine transport to the muscle. You don't need to take sugar per se to get the effect- any simple carb will do. BTW, the sugar supplement can be taken after your workout- doesn't have to be done with the creatine at the same time. And, don't feel like you need to take it at all. But, just as an example, I take mine with a teaspoonful of table sugar, or plain in water, pre-workout. If I take it plain, I add a teaspoon or two of maple syrup to a cup of cottage cheese as my post-workout meal. I don't use whey powder post-workout, as it's good to have a slow-release protein then, and I don't feel like putting out the cash for slow-release whey protein (it's a lot of money to spend for casein, IMO, and cottage cheese tastes better!).mikesbytes said:
I'd use them, but carefully. I've seen people use straps to over-compensate- that is, to lift weight they really aren't ready for. But first, what grip are you using? Although many swear by a uniform (palms-down) grip, I (and others) prefer mixed (one hand down, the other up), and then switch between sets so you get uniform development.mikesbytes said:
. I do hypers for lower back, and stick with squats for quads (and to keep the glutes at a manageable size) and SLDLs for the hammies. Even so, the SLDLs can be hard on the wrists- especially since I incorporate shrugs at the top of the lift (I do miss the way DLs work the traps, though).
Sounds like you're doing the right things. You might try straps though- you're obviously an experienced lifter, so you know what to look out for. As to shrugs, have you tried a shrug bar? I'd love to get one these babies, but my wife would not be too happy about that, given that I have my cage in the bedroommikesbytes said:
. The nice thing about shrug bars is that it keeps your palms facing in- much more natural than facing back toward you!
That's cool- eating right is 2/3 the battle, I think! Yeah, she really loves thatmikesbytes said:
olymbic bars, plates, full power cage with bench, plus DBs. I hear about it daily . Oh- I forgot about the MTB in the living room and the soon-to-buy roadie that will assume a place of honor right next to the MTB! At least the roadie will be sort of color coordinated- I'm getting a Bianchi Brava... in celeste, of course. Could have been worse- I almost got the Forza- bright flame red
Are you using an over/under grip? (One palms away; one towards you) Straps are good for overall body strength but since they're not aloud in Competition your 1 rep max will be dependent on hand strength. I do 365lbs overhanded bar hangs (palms towards me) for 60 seconds 3 reps with about 5-8 minutes inbetween for recovery. Pull it off a box so you don't have to deadlift it. Just a few inches to focus on your grip & not the lift. Whatever weight amount you use do it AFTER your normal workout 'cause your grip will be spent for hours afterwards. Sometimes I can't even open a door shortly afterwards so you'll be going to your happy place during you second set if the weight is where it should be. Only do it once a week or every other week. Once your grip improves your DL with skyrocket!mikesbytes said:
