 A new way to maximise your workout and get improved results.
What are they?
You’ll find them among the body building supplements with names like NO-Explode, Horse Power, Super Pump 250 and NO-Extreme. Pre-training intensifiers are relatively new on the market but, in recent years, they’ve become an increasingly popular way to enhance the results of your workout by maximising energy, muscle size, strength and intensity. Some intensifiers even claim to help focus you mentally so you are completely concentrating on mind and body working together.
How do they work?
Most intensifiers attempt to facilitate the three main contributors to a workout – energy, work intensity and maximum pump. To affect each of these areas, the typical intensifier aims to stimulate blood flow to muscles by widening the vessels which, in turn, causes an increase in the size – and capability – of the muscles. They are also anti-catabolic to prevent proteins in muscle being broken down and energy being released, and they provide a buffer to lactic acid build up – hence helping you to fight off muscle fatigue. In addition, the intensifiers work to activate dormant muscle fibre clusters which, during a normal workout, you don’t use because your body isn’t stressed enough to trigger them. All of which means you can train for longer.
What exactly are in intensifier supplements?
Naturally, formulas will vary from supplement to supplement but common ingredients include:
Creatine: extensively researched, creatine essentially helps to make muscles larger and stronger by entering the muscle cells and stimulating them to produce more energy, and by pulling more water into them which has a volumising effect on growth. It comes in numerous forms including monohydrate, citrate and malate and the new creatine esters.
BCAAs: stands for Branch Chain Amino Acids, more accurately the trio of Essential amino acids L-leucine,
L-Isoleucine and L-Valine which are anti-catabolic. Unlike other aminos, your muscles use BCAAs for fuel which may mean they help prolong exercise by stopping muscle tissue from being burned by the body instead. While more research is needed into their exact effects, a 2001 American Journal of Physiology: Endocrinology and Metabolism study found that muscle protein was spared during post-exercise recovery when participants took BCAAs.
Beta Alanine: a naturally occurring nonessential amino acid which – when combined with the histidine in our bodies – produces carnosine, a natural buffering agent that can neutralise lactic acid. The more carnosine your muscles have, the longer lactic acid build up is delayed and the more exercise you can do. A 2003 American College of Sports Medicine study showed that Beta Alanine did play a role in improving performance when subjects receiving Beta Alanine and creatine produced more power during the first minute of an all-out cycle test than a group which was given creatine only.
Nitric Oxide: a free form gas produced when enzymes in the body break down the amino acid Arginine which ‘communicates’ with other cells.
In May 1996 a Royal Society and Association of British Science Writers report confirmed nitric oxide’s role in controlling blood circulation which means it helps to carry more nutrients to muscles, helping them to get bigger during exercise.
Who should take it?
If you are someone who takes their exercise and body building seriously, you could well benefit from considering taking a pre-workout intensifier, especially if you feel you have reached a plateau. Generally the supplements are aimed at men, though if you are a woman and serious about buffing up, they could be an option combined with a weight training programme. The important thing is to be clear about what you are trying to achieve – whether it is increasing strength, weight loss, or improving stamina. If you train in the evenings avoid formulas high in caffeine and other stimulants as they could disturb your sleep patterns. If you are trying to lose weight, keep an eye on the sugar content. Always seek advice, our GNC in-store health professionals can help you chose the most appropriate formula.
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