The Owners Stack

I always get asked about what products I take and why. The products I take will vary depending on what type of training I'm doing and the desired results, but I figured I would blog about my current stack and hopefully keep you up-to-date as the stack changes.

I am currently focused on cutting fat with the ultimate goal of being in 'stage' shape. Measurements are purely visual with me being the only judge. There is no magic weight or pant size, I'm just judging by looks. So, with that said, here's my current stack and why I'm taking each:

Met Max- I do one gourmet protein shake a day. By my definition of gourmet shake, I mean a meal replacement powder combined with fruit and milk/water. I chose Met Max as my meal replacement because it has everything you need to build muscle. Since I'm focused on cutting and my diet is very lean, I figure I need everything else in my routine to positively benefit muscle growth while simultaneously preventing muscle wasting or loss. Met Max includes Protein; Creatine; L-Arginine; L-Glutamine; Vanadyl (although they just released the new formula and it has a lot less than the old formula); L-Carnitine; BCAA's

Link to Met Max by Champion Nutrition: http://www.704nutrition.com/Champion-Nutrition-Met-Ma-p/050020.htm 

NO Shotgun- I still prefer NO Shotgun over other pre-workouts because of the quaility of ingredients and end results. It doesn't have a ton of stimulants, which are popular now amongst pre-workout powders, however the ingredient profile is far superior. It contains everything for nitric oxide, to creatine, and even 18 grams of protein per serving. It also supplies you with quality Branch Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs).

Link to NO Shotgun by VPX: http://www.704nutrition.com/VPX-NO-Shotgun-MHF-1-Gr-p/840178.htm

Kre-Alkalyn Creatine Capsules- I knew that in order to sustain muscle mass I really needed creatine. Kre-Alkalyn creatine is ph correct. It's the worlds only creatine that doesn't lose potency before reaching the muscle. It remains 100% stable and at full strength as it reaches the muscle cells. This means NO BLOATING. A 'no bloat' creatine you ask? Yes, sign me up! I can say this stuff works exactly as advertised. I'm stronger than I have ever been all while being leaner that I have ever been.

Link to Kre-Alkalyn Creatine by EFX: http://www.704nutrition.com/EFX-Kre-Alkalyn-EFX-24-p/5260009.htm

Proto Whey: Whey protein is the staple of any weightlifter's stack. I chose Proto Whey by BNRG because I wanted a hydrolyzed whey protein, the purest whey protein available. While reading up on some reviews, people claimed they felt more anabolic on this stuff and being skeptical I had to try it myself. Not only was I pleasantly surprised, but the taste was awesome to boot. Hydrolyzed proteins are not very flavorful by nature (because of the purification process they go through), however Proto Whey's taste is off the charts good and to add icing to the cake, it has 5.7 grams of BCAAs.

Link to Proto Whey by BNRG: http://www.704nutrition.com/BNRG-Proto-Whey-Strawbe-p/2860030.htm

Gold Standard 100% Casein Protein: This is the one product I don't think I could do without. Casein protein is a slow digesting protein, ideal for bedtime where delayed digestion and absorption is needed due to prolonged periods of not eating. I used to wake up in the middle of the night due to hunger pains and feeling like I was starving to death. With a casein shake (or should I say pudding) before bed, I stay in an anabolic state throughout the night, plus I don't add unnecessary calories to my diet during late night binges. If you are seriously strict with our diet, go with the Gold Standard 100% Natural casein. If not, try the different flavors available in the regular form.

Link to Gold Standard 100% Casein Protein by Optimum Nutrition: http://www.704nutrition.com/Optimum-Nutrition-Gold-St-p/2730372.htm

Muscle Candy - Glutamine Chewies: I have not changed the way I workout (no light weight, high rep crap), if anything I have focused more on maintaining muscle size than ever before. Normally people say to use light weight and high reps with cutting, however I have never found this to work. Being on a restricted diet, my muscles get less fuel from food, so recovery from workouts is harder. Thus the need to supplement with Glutamine. I find the chewies to be a nice substitute to powder, plus they are more convenient. I keep them in my car and eat them as needed. Oh, did I mention they really are like eating candy. Cool, huh?

Link to Muscle Candy - Glutamine Chewies by Betancourt Nutrition: http://www.704nutrition.com/Betancourt-Nutrition-Chew-p/4270063.htm 

Here's what the stack looks like:

It should also be mentioned that I take a daily fish oil supplement and that I just finished taking Englutarade by Betancourt Nutrition: http://www.704nutrition.com/Betancourt-Nutrition-Engl-p/4270067.htm. Englutarade was my glutamine supplement before switching to the chewies. My fish oil supplement of choice is the PFO Fish Oil capsules made by Health From the Sun: http://www.704nutrition.com/Health-From-The-Sun-PFO-P-p/900101.htm