ArticlesBase.com - Free Articles Directory
Free Online Articles Directory
25.07.2008 Sign In Register Hello Guest
Email:
Password:
Remember Me 
forgot your password?


Do Supplements Really Improve Performance?

Author: Eddie Lomax Author Ranking Silver | Posted: 20-01-2006 | Comments: 0 | Views: 279 | Rating:  (50) Article Popularity - Green (?) Got a Question? Ask.

The choice to use supplements is personal... But in my opinion the greatest amount of performance improvement is still made by proper physical training.

Have you ever looked at a Muscle/Bodybuilding magazine or website to get workout tips?

Assuming you have... you know that you can't turn a page without some type of ad for supplements.

It almost makes you feel that you cannot achieve any level of strength, conditioning or fitness without taking one or more of these miraculous, and expensive, supplements.

Obviously, all your physical shortcomings are due to improper supplementation.

Or are they?

If you believe the supplement ad, the reason you don't look like that fitness model in the picture is because you have not been drinking your $40 power shake after every workout.

But most likely it is your choice of physical training methods, stresses, intensities and the frequency of your training that is keeping you from reaching your goals.

Let's take a look at the word supplement for a minute...

These power mixes and concoctions are meant to supplement your daily diet... suggesting that strength, conditioning and fitness cannot be achieved through a regular healthy diet.

Oh, really?

I find it hard to believe that in a society that grossly overeats that the bodily changes that occur because of physical training cannot be supported by proper nutrition and diet... That the daily intake of food needs to be further supplemented by a power shake.

Well, I'm not going to dwell on the effectiveness or uselessness of these products... Ultimately, the choice to use supplements or not is a personal one.

I just want to give you something to think about...

Let's say that there is a liquid formula that you pour into the gas tank of your car that will increase the output of the engine by 10%.

Sounds great... right?

Well, let's also say that your car also has two flat tires, a dead battery and bad breaks.

What do you think will improve the performance of your car more... pouring the liquid formula, "supplement", into the gas tank, or fixing the tires, battery and breaks?

The truth is, using supplements is no substitute for proper physical training... and more strength, conditioning and fitness improvements can be made by proper physical training than the use of supplements.

Your time and energy, not to mention your money, will be best spent by participating in an effective, interesting, modifiable and sustainable physical fitness program that focuses on the improvement of the 10 physical abilities needed for strength, conditioning and fitness excellence.

If you are like me, you physically train to improve performance in the physical abilities that will enable you to meet the challenges of sport, work and life with excellence.

These type of improvements do not come in a bottle or powder... but are the result of proper physical training that reinforces your strengths and focuses on improving your weaknesses.

If you really want to become a better human being through physical training... concentrate on your choice of training methods, stresses and intensities.

My advice...

Focus on proper fitness training first... and then decide whether or not you need supplements.

Most likely you will exceed your expectations... without the use of supplements.

Rate this Article: Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/do-supplements-really-improve-performance-11904.html

Print this Article Print article   Email to a Friend Send to friend   Publish this Article on your Website Publish this Article   Send Author Feedback Author feedback  
About the Author:
Coach Lomax is a strength, conditioning and fitness coach dedicated to building better humans for sport, work and life. Learn more at Optimum Physical Training or take his FREE Tabata Calisthenics Workout Mini Course.
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Comment on this article Comment on this article
Your Name
Your Email:
Comment Body
Enter Validation Code: Captcha


Related Articles

13 Ways for Maximizing your Exercise Workout!
By: Neelima Reddy | 10/01/2008 | Health
The first step in improving your health is finding the time to exercise. Every one run short on time these days but by following some of these ways, you can maximize your workout time.

What is Vitamin B? What are the Benefits of Vitamin B?
By: Ronald Godlewski | 05/06/2008 | Health
Vitamin B is actually eight different water soluble vitamins that create the B-Complex vitamin when combined. These eight vitamin B sources are derived from different whole food and synthesized sources and are vital to leading a healthy life.

Bodybuilding on a Budget - (q&a)
By: Dane Fletcher | 15/06/2008 | Nutrition
Q: Can you provide some suggestions on how a poor student like me can get the supplements I need to build a quality physique on a next to nothing budget?

Sport Nutrition: a Long-term Solution for Weight Loss
By: Myriam De Clercq | 04/12/2006 | Nutrition
Sport nutrition is an essential part of your training strategy. It's a new system in which the athlete's performance is mainly, or at least greatly, influenced by his diet. Sport nutrition is a combination of things: you need to target certain types and amounts of food, and maximize the effect of your diet by timing your meals.

6 Secrets to Optimum Health & Rapid Weight Loss
By: Avy Barnes | 01/02/2008 | Health
If you are trying to lose weight, gain lean muscle, and improve your overall health, there are 6 rarely spoken of things through out the "Lose Weight" community you need that effectively and rapidly improve your health.

What is the Difference Between Fat and Carbohydrates (carbs)?
By: Ronald Godlewski | 19/07/2008 | Health
There are three primary macronutrients that are necessary to promote healthy life, carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Carbohydrates and fats are two very different macronutrients, and your body requires different amounts of each in order to promote the right level of health.

3 Things you Can Do for your Healthy Diet
By: Lori Jones | 01/07/2007 | Nutrition
Natural Nutritional supplement; While your focus should be on getting nutrition from whole foods rather than relying on supplements, ensuring basic nutritional support through a few well-chosen supplements is a reasonable way to stay healthy.

Everyone Benefits From Nutritonal Supplements But Just How Much.
By: Article Submissions | 19/02/2007 | Health
A supplement, by definition, is something that accompanies something essential. But, in some cases, nutritional supplements can themselves be an essential part of a healthy nutrition regimen. Whether because of a busy life style, or an individual genetic or physiological condition, there are those who benefit from nutritional supplements. Everyone requires a...

Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Frequently Asked Questions

Dull teeth
By: SD | 16-07-2008
How do you brighten porcelain laminates?

Dosage for namenda
By: Peter | 16-07-2008
husband has been put on Namenda 5 mg P.O. BID - has dimentia, currently taking aricept 10 mg per day - Dr advised adding the namenda to his aricept to help with the dimentia. I am reading that the dosing instrctions from the internet stating 5 mg tab every day for one week, followed by 5 mg morning and one at night the second week, then 10 mg every morning then 5 mg tab night for the third week, 10 mg tab every morning and night for the 4th week and afterwards - yet prescription given to us yesterday states 5 mg P.O. BID with (#60 tabliets) meaning we get 60 tabs each month. My question is as follows - with the sixty @ 5 mg each tab does that mean he will take 2 tabs each day which would equate to 60 tabs - I am confused

Do playing games daily make us thin and lean?will ...
By: no | 16-07-2008
Do playing games daily make us thin and lean?will it not affect our health?

How can I avoid my migraines?
By: Cannucks | 15-07-2008
How can I avoid my migraines - it usually starts with flickering in my sight, and then comes a massive headache

Im on the strength team for my high school's ...
By: Lenniebens | 15-07-2008
im on the strength team for my high school's AFJROTC (not to brag or anything but i got 2nd place at championships or whatever it was, so im pretty good) i just want to know if theres any tips on how to do more pushups, situps, faster. and run a faster mile. im in alright shape right now. (i used to be in better shape :(    but ive gained some weight and kinda stoped my training, but ive started back up again) i just want to be much better than i was last year because im the teams captain this year and we might be going national.

Aus vs. UK fitness Qualifications
By: Carla | 15-07-2008
Australian Fitness Qualifications the same as in Britain?

Q&A Powered by:
Powered by Yedda 

Latest Fitness Articles

Lower Body Exercise Secrets of the Stars
By: Lyla Feldman | 25/07/2008
There are many celebrities who are famous for their body parts and even get them insured for pricey amounts of money. For example, when you think of Jennifer Lopez or Kim Kardashian what comes to mind? Besides the fact that they are extremely talented and wealthy what do they have in common? Everyone wishes they had their behinds. The million dollar question is how do you get a nice, round attractive bottom without resorting to implants or butt pads?

Strength Training Exercise
By: prabakar | 25/07/2008
Take your time when toning your body. You can maximize the benefit of a biceps strength training exercise, a back strength training exercise, a chest strength training exercise, and so on, by doing them in small blocks of time every day. Don't be discouraged from your fitness walking regimen.

Best Workouts for Your Health
By: prabakar | 25/07/2008
Workouts For You custom designs each program based on individual needs, lifestyle and goals to ensure that each client is working out using exercises that are most efficient for them. Plus, if you ever have any questions about any part of your WFY training program, you can e-mail your trainer and you'll receive a quick response. Many workplaces now have showers, so you can freshen up afterwards.

Using Information From Testing
By: Alien | 25/07/2008
Perhaps clearer explanations of management methods are needed. There are several methods of managing insulin, as follows: Method 1: Complete Management by the Physician. The physician mayor may not have the patient do self-blood-sugar monitoring.

Diabetes - Gaining Their Support
By: Alien | 25/07/2008
You can help your family in many ways, some of which may be quite subtle. One way is to see that your family receives diabetes education. This gives them some understanding of how they can be of assistance.

How is Diabetes Monitored?
By: Alien | 25/07/2008
Diabetes is known to cause high blood-glucose levels, but how do you know to what extent this has occurred to you? When insulin is too low and glucose levels are too high, glucose is not getting into the cells.

Diabetes - Self Esteem and Family Support
By: Alien | 25/07/2008
Your self-esteem involves who you think you are, what strengths you feel you have, and what you feel you have achieved. Your level of self-esteem will have a great deal to do with how you react to having diabetes.

Motivational Strategies for Your Workouts so You Finish Every Time
By: Derek Manuel | 24/07/2008
Staying motivated is a key factor to having success in the gym. As they say, most people are good starters but poor finishers. This is because it is easy to get fired up and excited about a future goal you want to attain, such as trying to get in shape and build muscle fast, especially when you flip through a bodybuilding magazine or see a role model with a body like the one you want.

More from Eddie Lomax

Train Like An Athlete Because A Watched Pot Never Boils
By: Eddie Lomax | 31/01/2008 | Muscle Building
If you train like an athlete by training for performance improvement, your body will make the necessary physical changes for the body you want. Performance based training results in strong muscles, low fat and a body that look as good as it performs.

How To Use Bodyweight Calisthenics Instead Of Boring Cardio
By: Eddie Lomax | 22/01/2008 | Muscle Building
Bodyweight calisthenics performed after your regular resistance training program is a better choice than steady state cardio. The full body, muscle building and heart and lung improving power cannot be beaten for building your best body.

Bodyweight Training: The Biggest Problem And The Solution
By: Eddie Lomax | 18/01/2008 | Muscle Building
Bodyweight training is not limited because of the inability to add weight to the exercises. By learning these progression methods, you can take your bodyweight exercise to new levels and challenge yourselves.

Dumbbell Exercise For Strength, Endurance And Fat Loss
By: Eddie Lomax | 15/01/2008 | Muscle Building
Can one dumbbell exercise simultaneously build strength, improve endurance and burn off unwanted fat? You bet it can. The best way to convince you is if you try it yourself, so here is a 10 minute dumbbell workout using only one exercise.

Bodyweight Exercise: The One Thing Separating The Successful From The Failures
By: Eddie Lomax | 11/01/2008 | Muscle Building
Bodyweight exercise can be used by itself or in conjunction with other resistance training to build strong, lean, athletic bodies. Learn how to use bodyweight calisthenics for the best results you can see, feel and use.

Improve Your Dumbbell Training With Kettlebell Program Design
By: Eddie Lomax | 07/01/2008 | Muscle Building
Get the most from your dumbbell training by applying kettlebell program design. If you want a strong, lean, athletic body that performs great and looks great, dumbbells deliver.

Athletic Physique: A Commitment To Strength, Conditioning and Fitness Optimization
By: Eddie Lomax | 06/01/2008 | Muscle Building
The athletic physique you seek is not the result of maximum muscle growth and maximum aerobic capacity. To get the strong, lean, athletic body you deserve, you must optimize your strength, conditioning and fitness.

Weight Training Like An Athlete: Better And Quicker
By: Eddie Lomax | 15/12/2007 | Muscle Building
Weight training like an athlete is better and faster for reaching your goal of building a strong, lean, athletic body. Plus, performance based weight training improves the physical abilities that allow you to live a richer, fuller life. Find out more.

Article Categories






Give Feedback

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below