BCAA's Yay or Nay

Nutrition
1

i was wondering if adding bcaa’s to my supplementation would be beneficial/worth the money for my goals, currently i am trying to add muscle as efficiently and clean as possible. my current supplements are
mri no2 preworkout
fish oil pills morning/night
zma night
multivitamin
Metabolic Drive/Biotest creatine pwo
detour protein bars(snacks)

normal diet for me
lean proteins(tuna,turkey,chicken, beef)
simple carbs(fruit, potatoes, whole wheat bread)
complex carbs(whole wheat pasta, veggies, high fiber cereals, high fiber english muffins)
dairy(ff yogurt, lowfat cheese, skim milk)
fats(fish oil, mixed nuts, natural peanut butter)
lots of cottage cheese sprinkled with cinnamon…yumm

current weight 140lbs goal weight by February 155

2

yes is the simple answer

3

[quote]spartan1022 wrote:
i was wondering if adding bcaa’s to my supplementation would be beneficial/worth the money for my goals, currently i am trying to add muscle as efficiently and clean as possible. my current supplements are
mri no2 preworkout
fish oil pills morning/night
zma night
multivitamin
Metabolic Drive/Biotest creatine pwo
detour protein bars(snacks)

normal diet for me
lean proteins(tuna,turkey,chicken, beef)
simple carbs(fruit, potatoes, whole wheat bread)
complex carbs(whole wheat pasta, veggies, high fiber cereals, high fiber english muffins)
dairy(ff yogurt, lowfat cheese, skim milk)
fats(fish oil, mixed nuts, natural peanut butter)
lots of cottage cheese sprinkled with cinnamon…yumm

current weight 140lbs goal weight by February 155
[/quote]
A few observations:

(1) Hate to say this, but unless you are using steroids, it is not possible to gain 15 pounds in a month - not of muscle, anyways.

(2) You definitely want to replace the Metabolic Drive pwo with Surge - you need a good source of quick-digesting carbs AS WELL AS protein after lifting, and adding some creatine to the Surge is a good idea.

(3) The n02 pre-workout: Perhaps replace with Spike or Power Drive. Read the following articles relating to nitric oxide supplements:
http://www.T-Nation.com/readTopic.do?id=556124 and
http://www.T-Nation.com/readTopic.do?id=556939

(4) Could BCAA help? Yes, they could. But you are far better off at this point making sure to get adequate periworkout nutrition - definitely taking Surge after lifting, and since you are trying to gain, you might want to sip another serving of Surge during the workout. Check out
http://www.T-Nation.com/readArticle.do?id=1509422 (The Double Surge Challenge). Also before even thinking about adding other supplements, make sure that the rest of your diet is balanced, and your training plan is in order. To really pack on some muscle, your best bet is probably some sort of full-body workout. Chad Waterbury’s programs are the bomb.

Your diet looks ok from what you posted, but consider taking in the majority of your carbs during breakfast and after working out, and sticking to fruit/vegetables for carbs except for during/after lifting.
Feel free to PM me, or post your training plan and me and others will help! Good luck!

4

save the money and drink more calories.

5

[quote]wakiki wrote:
A few observations:

(1) Hate to say this, but unless you are using steroids, it is not possible to gain 15 pounds in a month - not of muscle, anyways.

(2) You definitely want to replace the Metabolic Drive pwo with Surge - you need a good source of quick-digesting carbs AS WELL AS protein after lifting, and adding some creatine to the Surge is a good idea.

(3) The n02 pre-workout: Perhaps replace with Spike or Power Drive. Read the following articles relating to nitric oxide supplements:
http://www.T-Nation.com/readTopic.do?id=556124 and
http://www.T-Nation.com/readTopic.do?id=556939

(4) Could BCAA help? Yes, they could. But you are far better off at this point making sure to get adequate periworkout nutrition - definitely taking Surge after lifting, and since you are trying to gain, you might want to sip another serving of Surge during the workout. Check out
http://www.T-Nation.com/readArticle.do?id=1509422 (The Double Surge Challenge). Also before even thinking about adding other supplements, make sure that the rest of your diet is balanced, and your training plan is in order. To really pack on some muscle, your best bet is probably some sort of full-body workout. Chad Waterbury’s programs are the bomb.

Your diet looks ok from what you posted, but consider taking in the majority of your carbs during breakfast and after working out, and sticking to fruit/vegetables for carbs except for during/after lifting.
Feel free to PM me, or post your training plan and me and others will help! Good luck![/quote]

Great recommendations.

Also, dump the glorified candy bars and get something that has more bioavailable protein in it.

6

I big yes for me. If one is looking to maximize muscle gains it is good to have every anabolic base covered and BCAA’s are a big one. I can’t deny the results I’ve seen since using them. Muscle gains and density have improved. Are they the only thing I rely on? No, but there pretty damn important one in my program.

D

7

damn thanks for the info, appreciate it

8

[quote]sawadeekrob wrote:
save the money and drink more calories. [/quote]

EAT more calories, don’t drink your nutrition. Supplements only do just that, supplement with your diet.

My opinion, BCAAs are great supplements and help support your goal just like a post-workout shake/drink.