DMC Fitness Blog

Essential Supplementation

Back when I was actively competing on the Mixed Martial Arts circuit I developed a friendship with Kad from Musclebound in Paisley.  This friendship blossomed and he became my sponsor allowing me a monthly allowance to spend on the products he had in his shop.  I was and still am very proud of the friendship we have and that along with Big G.C we were the first-ever athletes sponsored by him in that way.

Back then I was naive and believed to keep my muscle I would have to be eating 2g of protein per pound of body weight. Also, it was a must to take creatine and glutamine while always eating five small meals a day and ensuring I had food in me within 15 mins of me finishing exercise because if I didn’t my muscles (not that there is a huge amount of them) would instantly disappear.

Most of this knowledge came from other professionals and hearsay rumours.  As I have already admitted I was naive.  I took the word of other people because they were usually more experienced and in better shape.

How times have changed and just because someone says it, reads it or because a supplement company sponsors a scientific study whose results will allow them to peddle their ways to the millions doesn’t really truly mean it’s true or it works.  Brad Pillon helps to address some of these points in the literature he produces and he is still a go-to guy of mine when I look for outside-the-box information on the specifics of diet and fat loss.

In this blog post, I will discuss the need for mineral supplementation and its importance.  I will discuss what I do, where I gained the information, who from, and what works for me. Self-experiment is the key.

Like anything health and fitness related it’s never a one glove fits all.  However, there are measures you can take to help assist your sleep recovery, stress reduction, and overall performance and it’s my intention to share the knowledge I have with my students and readers.

All the products I talk about, I use and I will not try to sell you any…………..  I have limited knowledge of the supplement minefield so will keep it brief and simple.

“I take supplements because I address my recovery, aiming towards optimal health” – Davie McConnachie.

Electrolytes. 

I use electrolytes post-training because I am a sweaty beast.  I want to help replenish the chloride, sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium I lose while I sweat profusely.  This will assist me in the re-hydration process while I drink my standard post-training litre of still bottled water.

Back in the day, I would be guzzling the latest very sweet and good tasting muscle-pumping protein powder thinking I had to preserve muscle.  These days it’s water and a few salty tablets of electrolytes to stop my body from cramping and to give some oil to the engine.  This is the product I use.  Link to my protein

Magnesium Spray

Once I have trained and after my shower, I spray my body with magnesium oil.  I first was advised to do this by Mike Mahler and have been doing so ever since.  Mike is an amazing coach, teacher, and presenter and I thoroughly enjoyed spending a weekend last year under his guidance.

ZMA

After a good workout, I have re-hydrated, sprayed my magnesium oil, and started the recovery process.  That night before bed and well after my evening meal I will take some ZMA caps.  You get some crazy dreams when taking ZMA and the best night’s sleep.   It’s a great product.

Sunwarrior

If I have had a very heavy day’s training and was stuck for time and couldn’t eat properly or if I wanted a snack at night, this is when I would use a protein powder.  My choice of powder is Sunwarrior for the simple reason it’s very clean, won’t cause any stomach bloating, is not made from dairy, has no bulking agents or sweeteners, and is suitable for vegans to consume.  Mike Mahler is a vegan himself promotes it as a superfood and you can make the best cookies out of it as well.

So there you have it the vitamins, minerals, and recovery products I use on a daily basis.  I will share a few other products with you also that I like and that help me with my training.

Testosterone Booster

Phytoserms 347.  Is a balbine netalisis based natural testosterone booster.  I was encouraged to try this by Mike Mahler and the first course I did was amazing.  It’s a very good clean product that gives great gains and assists you in your strength training and more importantly increases your recovery time.  The only downsides are is it is always out of stock and you feel like you are 17 again in certain ways.   When it does appear on the market everyone bulk buys and it’s hard to purchase.  All the same a great product and my favourite strength helper.  Here is a great review from a no gear (steroid) taking more mature and experienced lifter.

Pre Workout Intensifiers.

I like a buzz, I like stimulants, I do I’m not going to lie to you.  After a long week coaching, running the business, and training hard, when it gets to the final workout sometimes I need a wee boost to get me in the zone.  My favourite pre-workout drink is Jack3d.  It has a great blend of components that get you sharpened up mentally and ready for your workout.  As most of my workouts are strength conditioning endurance circuit-based, you don’t really get a huge pump which I like.  Since I have trailed Jack3d I have also tried Hemo Rage, which I liked and have ordered again.  Neurocore has a dodgy taste and Jules liked this one more than me P-abs and Grant and we tried Assualt due to its great reviews but I still have two-thirds of the tub in the cupboard so you can guess what we think of that.  None of them are anywhere near Jack3d.

These are the vitamins, minerals, and pre and post-workout supplements I like and prefer to use and the reason behind doing so.

No doubt this will be added to over the coming years.  If you do not use any of these and you train hard and want to help your recovery, thrive towards optimal health, or get buzzed before a tough workout then give them a go.  It’s a trial, error, test, and measure scenario.

Thanks for reading

Davie

“Strength for Life”