Energy Booster Supplements
 

I like to ask. I was looking at some of those energy booster supplements.

What types and brands would be ok for a cyclist?

Any recommendations that would be good to use for a shorter time trial event of 10 to 20km. Something that gives that huge and instant energy boost, without crash.

Also something that can be recommended for a much longer event. That would help to get the start and going feeling at the beginning but no crash.

I was looking at this link

http://www.supplementscanada.com/endurance_drinks.html

and a few other areas but so many products. hard to make a decision, need advice pleas

http://www.supplementscanada.com/pre...centrates.html

or would any of these products be a waste to get. Like some recommendations please.

I use a supplement called "RealFood". It seems to work quite well to give me an energy boost without an energy crash.

Stimulants:
Caffeine is good. Anything with caffeine will work. The most important effect of caffeine for an athlete is not its stimulant properties, but rather than it spares glycogen.

I wouldn't use anything with Ma Huang, which and http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/eph...atient-ephedra

I've used plain old coffee, caffeine tablets, 5 Hour Energy, and a few other things, which all work. Take as directed, do not abuse. Coffee is not so good for TTs or races as it makes you pee, but is nice for long rides.

Nutrition:
As Machka says, the most important thing is nutrition. I'd add hydration and electrolytes. No stimulant can equal the effectiveness of these substances.

Non-stimulant supplements:
I've also taken 4g of BCAA capsules about every 6 hours during long rides. I think they are an effective nutritional supplement and they're light.
SportLegs capsules work and are not a stimulant.

Sports drinks:
I've used Cytomax and HEED. They both work. HEED doesn't rot your teeth, a good thing.

Electrolytes:
I've used Hammer Endurolytes. Highly recommended for long rides. NUUN is also very popular.

Other stuff:
Read the label. Most of the stuff in most energy supplements does nothing but cost money.

This is similar to some of my longer track events (well more like double, but close enough). Try this:

1. creatine 20g, take daily for 5-days leading up to event.
2. double-espresso with cream+sugar 20-minutes before TT start-time
3. baking-soda, 2-tablespoons (or 0.5g/kg body-weight) in 300-400ml water, stir well and drink entire thing right before TT start-time

You'll need to work up to #3 gradually as this causes a lot of people stomach-upsets. The caffeine masks the pain-signals going to the brain. You'll be able to endure more suffering before it hurts too much.

B6 & B12 fyi, Madonna takes B12 shots before performances

5 hour energys work for me most of the time, also a product called jack3d from USPlabs gets you going for any workout just mix it in a 16 oz water bottle 15 min b4 you go workout or ride