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The Question: Staying healthy and becoming athletic is not cheap, and let's face it - we're not all Bill Gates. The average guy getting paid minimum wage can't afford all of the luxurious supplements that there are to offer. What supplements are good while on a small budget? What are the best supplements under $20? How effective are these cheaper supplements compared to the more expensive supplements on the market? Bonus Question: What brand can someone turn to for good quality supplements at a good price? Bonus Question #2: What is the most expensive supplement out there that works and that you should try if you have some extra cash or win the lottery? Show off your knowledge to the world! The Winners:
2. ravadongon View Profile 2. TRICK D (Tie) View Profile 3. mivi320 View Profile 3. bigcalves (Tie) View Profile
2nd place - 50 in store credit. 3rd place - 25 in store credit. To use your credit, e-mail Will @ will@Bodybuilding.com for more info.
On the market today there are countless effective supplements. There are supplements to gain weight, stay lean, increase fat loss, increase energy, and basically to serve any purpose that an athlete can think of. In our quest as bodybuilders there are a lot of appealing selections of supplements to use. Every different supplement seems to affect another function of the body. To maximize productivity, all bodybuilders would have in their kitchen a big cabinet loaded with canisters of different shapes, colors, and sizes.
As athletes, we want to do everything we can to maximize performance. Living in modern times can be expensive, though. We have to set at least a little bit of money to pay the rent! This is why choosing supplements is not easy for many people and there is a lot of argument about what supplements are effective and what will have a minimal effect. But before you even get into that, be 100% sure that your funds are set for everything else. The last thing you want to do after ordering 6-8 of the products below for 50 dollars is notice you don't have money to buy your food this week! Budgeting isn't just about buying cheap products, it is about prioritizing things and taking everything into account, and minimizing stress because of it. This is why when choosing supplements it is very important to first look to the most effective and most basic supplements out there. The supplements that have always been favored. The supplements that are always debated but always are proven effective. What's better is that these effective supplements are usually cheaper than the more luxurious ones. Read on to find out how to maximize your results on a budget! Don't let a budget hold you back! This article will discuss the 10 supplements that satisfy the qualities mentioned above that are relatively cheap and most effective that every bodybuilder should have. I will start at the most effective supplements and end with the more frilly ones that can still be afforded on a budget. I will also compare some more luxurious products with their less expensive counterparts, go into companies that you can always trust for affordable quality, and suggest some products to purchase if you happen to have some extra savings.
The Anabolic Environment
One thing of note, however, is that dextrose and other simple sugars should really only be consumed around a training session because high insulin at other times can result in fat gain. This fact does not stop dextrose from being the top of the most effective supplement list! Improvement Of Recovery
But this is not the best way! Having a protein shake with some dextrose during the workout can greatly improve recovery by preventing this catabolic state from coming about altogether! Increased Muscle Energy
At under 3 dollars for what can make a supply for a month or more, this is truly the most cost-effective supplement.
You can trust companies such as Higher Power and Centrum to load their vitamins with all the necessary vitamins. It is nice and simple. Here are two examples of important vitamins found in a multi vitamin: B-vitamins
Vitamin E
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Higher Power One-a-Days are very effective. On top of this, it will only cost you 7 to 8 dollars for a whole two months of multivitamins that can create an effective environment for maximum performance. Make sure to eat real food to get a more full spectrum of vitamins!
And getting in one gram per pound of protein per day doesn't just mean eating bread and nuts and calling that adequate protein. Whey protein benefits any bodybuilder in many ways over other protein sources. More Efficient In The Body
Speedy Absorption For Speedy Recovery
In fact, this should be done for every workout. Combined with the speedy uptake of nutrients to the muscles caused by dextrose and whey's already fast absorption, you should definitely improve recovery tenfold. Your muscles will quickly repair after a workout and you will start growing! Convenience
If you simply make a protein shake to bring with you. This can make a big difference, especially for those very busy bodybuilders. Another thing to aid convenience is the Bodybuilding.com shaker bottle, and while this is not a supplement, it is very fashionable and a must-have for any bodybuilder. Products
There are also powders that have a super flavor, but cost 40 to 50 dollars for just 5 pounds! I suggest you go straight to the Higher Power Whey Protein. This will only cost you 20 dollars for a whole 5 pound container. Since I recommend 2 scoops during or post workout and 2 in the morning to maximize your nitrogen balance, that is 2 - 4 a day - so this jar should last you a month or so. If you are more conservative it will last you longer and you can still achieve great results!
Use For Bodybuilders
If you have then you know that fish oil greatly increases leptin sensitivity. If you haven't heard of the neurotransmitter, just know that the previous sentence means something good! Products
Another thing you can look for is a 2-for-1 deal- I found one at a local CVS and was able to get 500 grams of fish oil for about 12 dollars. You do the math.
Preventing Sickness
Reducing Muscle Breakdown
Something to keep in mind is that while Vitamin C has no toxicity in the body, these studies revealed that taking over 4 grams (4000mg) per day had no advantage over taking more. Products
Maximum Strength Gains
This doesn't just mean that you will be able to have a bigger ego in the gym, though, or you will be able to add that 10 pounds to your best squat or bench press to beat your friend - the sudden strength gain will cause an overload to the muscles that will create a huge amount of new muscle mass! On a side note, one mistake many bodybuilders make is cutting out creatine when they begin a diet to lose body fat. It is best to stay on creatine so that your strength stays at an elevated level, and you will actually see an increase in strength this way! Making Muscles Fuller
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It might seem like quite a bit if you choose to load your creatine intake, but contrary to popular belief, a loading phase for creatine is not best - it is more effective to just take a stable amount. If you take 5 grams a day, 1000g will last you 200 days! That is a long time! Because the creatine is micronized, its absorption is improved as well! If you have a little extra money drop it on some creatine, you will not be sorry!
Over time, though, many lifters begin to feel worn down and sometimes experience extremely unbearable joint pains! I have talked to people in the gym that tell me to "be careful with those deadlifts, because when I used to do them I couldn't even get up in the morning!" Making An Investment In Your Joints
The thing with joint support supplements is that they take some time to kick in. If you feel even the slightest joint pain starting, invest in some joint support products. Products
This product packs together Glucosamine Sulfate, Chondroitin Sulfate, Shark Cartilage and MSM for a weird sounding yet surprisingly effective joint support "cocktail" which can lead to total joint health! And it only costs 20 dollars for 40 days of the supplement!
Choosing A BCAA Product Doesn't Have To Be Difficult
Instead you have to find a product that contains only leucine, isoleucine and valine so that you are not paying for anything extra. BCAA's Are Not Found In The Body Naturally!
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I recommend either Higher Power BCAA 1000 or Scifit BCAA powder. Higher Power BCAA 1000 costs .11 per gram, but comes in capsule form and a month's supply costs about 11 dollars. If you want to take a powder, Scifit BCAA Powder 5000 costs anywhere from .5 to .7 grams per container (depending on the size of the container). I highly recommend buying this supplement in bulk! It will save you a big bit of money!
Caffeine's Less Obvious Benefits
Caffeine is not just some stimulant though; the substance also sets itself into the muscle cell and keeps fatigue from occurring! This cheap supplement will buy you another 1 or 2 reps in some cases! That can be very nice! Products
Getting a simple caffeine supplement is much more convenient and quite possibly cheaper. I recommend a Higher Power supplement for this one as well - get yourself 120 capsules for under 5 dollars!
The Problem With Whey
The problem with whey protein is that it is only available in the body for up to 45 minutes after it is consumed. If you are only taking a meal every 2 to 3 hours, that means that you are going nearly an hour with little protein flowing through the body! Using Egg Protein For Extreme Convenience
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I know 30 dollars is over 20 which was the limit, but you will be probably be using this very rarely. If you really want to spread it out, you can mix half a scoop of egg protein with a whole scoop of whey. This will balance out the absorption and make the meal last longer in your body, but will also cut the cost. I didn't want to be misleading before when I said that whey protein was the best for when you want convenience. Having a longer-lasting protein in my body made a big difference and I felt a lot better once I started taking egg proteins in my meal replacements instead of whey proteins.
While it is easy enough to just stick to the product selections that were provided above, many times people will be tempted into buying a more expensive supplement because it could have a slightly better effect. I am not trying to discourage anyone from buying the more expensive supplements if you can afford them. I am an advocate of all supplements, not just the cheap ones. For those of you on a budget though, here's what you think you are missing out on... so here are some examples. Higher Power Creatine vs. VPX CEX
VPX CEX is a very expensive supplement - For about 50 dollars more, you can get the same amount of creatine. However, VPX CEX also adds in A-AKG, and some other cell volumizing agents, not to mention 2 different types of creatine! I'm going to be honest, that product sounds damn cool, and also very effective.
   Higher Power Creatine vs. VPX CEX And I'm positive that the cocktail of Creatine Ethyl Ester and Creatine-AKG will result in more creatine in the muscles with less bloating, those are just added benefits. The main product is still creatine and if you are on any kind of a budget, spending 70 dollars for 2 months of creatine is unreasonable! Therefore, I recommend forgetting about anything but 100% pure creatine - keep it simple - that is how you save money. Higher Power Whey Protein vs. PVL Whey Gourmet
  Higher Power Whey Protein vs. PVL Whey Gourmet The taste might be tempting, but look at the nutrient profile of PVL Whey Gourmet compared to Higher Power Whey Protein. Both contain minimal amounts of fat and carbohydrates (less than 3 grams), and both have exactly 23 grams of protein in one serving! In fact, both cost about the same price, 20 dollars! But take a closer look. For the same amount of money, Higher Power gives you three more pounds of pure protein. Therefore, if you have the money lying around get yourself some PVL Whey Gourmet and shake things up - but for regular use, buy the cheap stuff and in bulk, it will yield you the same results. If you are really looking for a tasty whey protein, though, continue reading! NOW Dextrose & Basic Food vs. Prolab N-Large II
  NOW Dextrose & Basic food vs. Prolab N-Large II However, if you use your dextrose, whey protein, and fish oils in conjunction with some regular food such as oatmeal, you save yourself money. These items will get you further with the same amount of money, and can be a little healthier as well! Higher Power BCAA vs. SciVation XTend
  Higher Power BCAA vs. SciVation XTend This makes SciVation about 60% BCAA's (Grams of L-leucine, L-isoleucine, and L-valine divided by the grams per serving, or 7/11.5). There are about 630 grams of BCAA's in SciVation XTend. Is this the company being cheap and filling it with what is basically air? No, it is just a more luxurious supplement. You are probably doing fine with what you have. Citrulline Malate and Glutamine are some big names in the recovery supplement world. However, once again, if you pay for this you are spending money on luxury. For those of you on a budget and paying for 9 other supplement items, the extras are too much to pay for. I suggest you just get some Higher Power BCAA's, or SciFit BCAA Powder 5000. That alone will give you all of the benefits that there are to BCAA's alone. I will recap what I said in the comparison of creatines- keep it simple and try to get 100% BCAA's or as close as you can to it.
Use the examples above to help you make decisions on any supplement. Thinking of getting some AMP or Neurostim? Try to make due with simple caffeine anhydrous. Have you seen a very expensive joint support product out there that has a cool name, like Equilade Lube-All Plus recently? Keep in mind that you can match the results with a simpler and much cheaper item like TKE Joint Boost with MSM. Keep it simple! I am gonna say this one more time, by the way - the purpose of this article is to help an athlete get the most bang out of each dollar. If you have the extra money, you can be sure that a more complicated supplement will give you slightly faster gains. But a cheap supplement stack can be nearly as effective.
There are just as many companies out there scamming their customers with expensive luxury products that have tiny effects as there are good, reliable companies that always product the necessities for athletes at a regular price. Bodybuilding.com lists somewhere in the ball park of 40-60 companies in their brand listing section! Where do you get an idea of what company is best? Well, you can't rely just on one company, since they produce different products. I will give you five supplement companies that I can find all of my necessary supplements at, reasonably priced! Higher Power - You Can Be Sure That You Will Get Great Prices Here!
 Their whey protein is the cheapest out there, and you can buy a large supply of effective vitamins for a small price. It is clear that Higher Power is a supplement company that really cares about the athlete! Avant Labs- Unique Supplements!
 What I would recommend for anyone is some Sesathin. This product costs about 30 dollars a month at full dosing and its effects for fat loss have been widely received. It will give you the best bang for your buck over most other fat loss supplements. NOW - Quality Is Affordable!
 Another bonus to buying from NOW is that you can find mostly anything that you need there. If you see something by NOW, know that it is a trustworthy product!
Iron-Tek - Mixing Together The Most Effective Ingredients At Low Prices!
Each serving is just one cent more expensive. But the catch is that they don't just give you Chocolate Chalk flavor and Vanilla Chalk flavor, in fact, they offer appealing flavors like Chocolate Fudge, Cookies & Cream, and Banana Cream! I guess it is possible to afford flavor and quality!
 Iron-Tek also produces a creatine that is very cost-effective. The ingredients to their Essential Creatine Monohydrate include only 100% creatine monohydrate. You should know the benefits of creatine by now, so you should understand that 1200 grams for under 23 dollars is a very impressive deal! That is almost one full year of creatine. These are not Iron-Tek's only products. They also produce a lot of other high-quality, budget friendly products!
MRM - Another Selection Of Supplements At Low Prices!
 You can usually tell from the cost of a company's Whey how their other products compare. They produce ALA, a creatine monohydrate product, and a BCAA product, all at very low prices, to give other examples of their credibility. Judging from those figures, you should be able to tell that MRM is one company that produces effective products at very low prices!
Knowing companies that produce trust-worthy supplements is important if you are on a budget. Hopefully, this section will help you narrow down what to buy from the sea of supplements out there. It is clear that these five companies above are companies that really care about the athlete! The "What Should I Get Now That I Have A New Pimp Job?" Section
After you spend time buying supplements that cost 10-20 dollars for a month or two of use and probably seeing better results than before you read this article, you will have to have saved up a few extra bucks. If you just got your new job it is possible you will be on a whole new level of budgeting- no budgeting! Either way, what do you spend your extra money on? Being the athlete that you are, you want not to blow this money on a night at the bar, but rather to buy another effective supplement that will give you some lasting gains and that is truly worth your money. At least I hope you do. However, you might want to just get something to try it out or something else for "fun". Here are three choices of supplements that you can look into. An Exciting Nitric-Oxide Product - Xyience NOX-CG3
I am sure that as soon as this product hits your doorstep, you will be dying to just dig right in. NOX-CG3 is a nitric oxide-based product. Nitric oxide is mostly considered a useless supplement - people say that all it does is make some veins pop out for a few hours.
Even if the pumps are nothing more than temporary for you, the creatine and glutamine will make this product worth the money. Also, I believe that getting a supplement like this will greatly boost your confidence to train and will give you some new motivation. Become Trendy With This BCAA Product - SciVation XTend
Many people are taking SciVation XTend in very high doses and gaining lean mass incredibly quickly. Give this supplement a shot in high doses for a while when you have a little more money! Everyone else is! Get Some Lasting Gains - Avant Labs LeptiGen
This product provides an environment in the body that maximizes muscle growth while minimizing fat storage. It will provide the user with some new muscle mass and speed up growth while it is being taken. This isn't just some added water weight or some sugar-induced fat weight that some companies will add that is only temporary, it is true muscle that will only continue being added once the use of LeptiGen Mass is discontinued. For the few months that you have a supply of LeptiGen, I am sure that you will be very happy with your results and see noticeable changes weekly!
I believe that expensive supplements are really not necessary and might not be greatly more effective than the simpler versions. However, seeing all of these great reviews, you will really be impelled to buy something like Xyience NOX-CG3, and I do not want to discourage you from it! Like I said, getting one of these products with so much proof and endorsement will definitely increase your excitement for training. If you truly want some flavor-blasted whey protein like PVL Gourmet- get it! It's your money! If you really want to get the most bang for your buck, though, get a product like LeptiGen that is only sold at high prices, and experience some sure, long-lasting gains.
So by now you know what supplements are most cost-effective, what companies you can always turn to for affordable quality, how to pick out the more cost effective supplements out of the bunch, and the more expensive supplements that are truly effective. What a productive read! When choosing supplements, it is very important to first look to the most simple products out there. If you want the cheapest creatine, get a product that is 100% creatine! Above, I listed ten supplements that produce great results: dextrose, a multivitamin, whey protein, fish oils, Vitamin C, creatine, BCAA's, joint care, caffeine and egg protein. These are products that are always favored by bodybuilders and can be found at very impressively low prices. One thing that I would like to note is that while there are thousands of supplements out there and you can get a whole bunch for a low price, first make sure you can afford more than enough food, a gym membership, clothes, necessary equipment, and other things like the rent. This is what a successful budget will accomplish. Go to the list from top to bottom and see what you can afford after you are sure you have adequate funds to pay for everything else that comes up, so you don't end up having to take money away from food or equipment or replenishing your container of dextrose or whey protein. Like I said in the intro - budgeting isn't just about buying cheap products, it is about prioritizing things and taking everything into account, and minimizing stress because of it. In the contemporary bodybuilding world, there are many supplements in circulation. They are all around to accomplish different goals. You can buy a supplement for anything, but most are to increase energy, strip away fat like it 'ain't no thang,' stay lean, or gain muscle (hey who doesn't want more mass?). If you were to use all of these supplements and research on them, you can bet your progress would be improved, but these supplements can get expensive. Be smart when buying supplements and I guarantee that you can maximise performance even on a tight budget! That's All.
OK. So you're tight for money. You want to be able to use supplements, but then you hear all this talk about how they're so expensive and only few can afford. But there's good news for you low income earners, you can afford supplements if you spend you allocate and spend your money wisely on the right products that will assist you in achieving your goal.
It must be made clear before discussing supplements, that supplements aren't miracle pills. They will only work effectively when combined with a well planned training and diet regime. So before jumping into the supplement market, insure all other aspects of your fitness lifestyle are right, otherwise you are wasting your money. Here is my view of the best type and brands of supplements for those on a budget to seek for, in relation to your goals:
These are the supplements I believe are a must if you are even going to consider taking supplements. Before you even consider looking at any other supplements make sure you have these. Multivitamin/Minerals
Best Value Multivitamin Products Under $20:
Monthly Cost: ~$2.60 Essential Fatty Acids (EFA's)
Their benefits are enormous and range from helping us produce energy and relieving sicknesses to strengthening the immune system, preventing injuries through joint lubrication and improving our mental functioning. Flax seed oil is by far the cheapest EFA supplement you can get.
Best Value Essential Fatty Acid Products Under $20:
Monthly Cost: ~$1.10-4.40 (depending on serving size) Whey Protein
The great thing about whey protein above all other types of proteins is you can take it as a fast digesting protein (with water) which is great for post workout and when you get up in the morning or as a medium-slow digesting protein (with milk) which is ideal before bed (with some healthy fats to slow down the digestion process even further) and during the day.
Best Value Whey Protein products under $20:
Monthly Cost: ~$7.80-15.60 (depends on how many servings size/frequency)
These are supplements I believe will help you in achieving the goal of gaining muscle. These supplements are optional, as some may struggle to afford, however highly recommended to those who are able to afford. Creatine
 A Breakdown Of Creatine. If we have more energy, we will be able to lift more weight (increase resistance) or lift the weight for more repetitions (increase repetitions), these are two ways in which we can create progressive overload, one of the key factors affecting muscle growth. Creatine also comes as Kre-Alkalyn and CEE (Creatine Ethyl Ester) both buffered forms of creatine to improve its absorption. Weirdly enough bulk CEE and kre-alkalyn, can be just as cheap as plain creatine monohydrate, if not cheaper, however in smaller samples it is clearly more expensive... (see below)
Best Value Creatine Monohydrate Products Under $20:
Monthly Cost: ~$6.00 Best Value Creatine Ethyl Ester Product:
Best Value Creatine Ethyl Ester Products Under $20:
Monthly Cost: ~$6.00 Best Value Kre-Alkalyn Products:
Best Value Kre-Alkalyn Products Under $20:
Monthly Cost: ~$4.20 (depends on how many servings size/frequency) ZMA
Best Value ZMA Products Under $20:
Monthly Cost: ~$8.90 Amino Acids (BCAA's)
Best Value Amino Acid Products Under $20:
Monthly Cost: ~$6.00-27.60 (depending on serving size/frequency)
These are supplements that I believe will be of great assistance to you in achieving the goal of losing fat. However they are open to whether you can afford to purchase them. If you can then I would definitely encourage you to look into purchasing them ECY Stack
Monthly Cost: ~$15.00 (assuming you take 2 servings per day) Green Tea Extract - Learn More
Products: Monthly Cost: $2.10-6.30 (depending on serving size/frequency) So there you have it. Basic supplements are supplements that I believe are musts if you are considering buying supplements. Other supplements such as those under the headings, gain muscle and lose fat are supplements I believe are of great assistance in achieving those particular goals, but are open to the amount of money you have available to spend on supplements. Keep in mind that with the best value supplements under $20, some may not be as cheap in the long run as other products that may be over $20.
People often associate price with quality. This can be true some of the time, sure, but a lot of the time it isn't necessarily true. For your basic supplements like multivitamins, whey protein, BCAA's, green tea extract, EFA's and some others, prices may vary quite a lot with products but essentially they all give you similar results.
The reason for an increase in price can sometimes be due to extra ingredients being added to enhance the formula, or a slightly better quality or purity of ingredients being used. This is fine with your basic supplements, but it matters more with the more specialized supplements. A clear example of this is with creatine, creatine ethyl ester and kre-alkalyn will reduce the 'creatine bloat' experienced when using plain creatine monohydrate and will increase absorption. However it basically achieves the same thing as plain creatine monohydrate (increased ATP production) only in a slightly more efficient manor, but with EFA's whether you are using one product or another, as long as you get in you're the same amount of omega-6 and omega-3 then you will get the same results. But don't be fooled into thinking the more expensive brands are always the best, because this is not always true, as some do not have good reputations amongst the fitness world, so it is important to see what other people think before spending money on an expensive product only to find out it doesn't work. The forums are very useful because of this and if you use them properly then you can save a lot of money that could have been wasted on crappy supplements. So basically if you are still unsure, for your basic supplements the cheaper brands can work just as well as the more expensive brands, however with more specialized supplements the more expensive brands tend to win out more clearly due to their superior quality. However price does not represent quality, so it is important to seek others opinions on products before jumping into purchasing them.
Here are some quick tips on how tips on how you should go about purchasing supplements on a tight budget:
Here's An Example Of A Likely Situation For You:
T = how long it will last you (days)
= Cost Product X
/T = 25/13 = $1.92 per day = $57.60 per month Product Y
/T = 30/20 = $1.50 per day = $45.00 per month So even though product X is more expensive then product Y, product Y is better value for money then product X
What Brand Can Someone Turn To For Good Quality Supplements At A Good Price? I never purchase all my products from the same brand, but when I'm on a budget I tend to look for supplements from the following brand names, as I am assured of their quality, even for the low prices the products are sold for: PrimaForce
A company that doesn't sacrifice price for quality. If that's not enough Bodybuilding.com's own Derek Charlebois, swears by PrimaForce and their compatriot, SciVation's products. Higher Power
All their products, especially their bulk CEE (best selling CEE and 26th overall) and 5 lb. Whey Protein (2nd best selling whey protein and 7th best selling product overall) are amongst the cheapest per serving available on the supplement market. Optimum Nutrition
 There tribulus and ZMA are also very popular, both being in the top 20 as well as well as their casein powder and BCCA caps which make the top 50. NOW
They are also a very popular company with Bodybuilding.com's customer's ranking 4th in this months top selling brands after picking up 3rd last week. Twin Lab
 Their amino fuel is their best selling supplement, renowned for being a sound BCAA product. Ultimate Nutrition - Learn More
 Their CLA is their second best selling supplement and the best selling CLA product at Bodybuilding.com and their tribulus and amino 2000 are also quite popular.
What Is The Most Expensive Supplement Out There That Works And That You Should Try If You Have Some Extra Cash Or Win The Lottery? I don't know about the most expensive supplement out there, but these are definitely companies that despite their expensive range of products continue to be popular at Bodybuilding.com. Their supplements have been proven to work, so if you have a bit extra to spare give these companies products a shot: Avant Labs
My Choice: Avant Labs Sesathin Monthly Cost: ~$34.80 Xtreme Formulations
 Some of these products include ultra peptide (a slow release protein perfect before bed), ICE (a BCAA product with other helpful ingredients) and Relentless (an innovative post workout drink with a blend of ingredients designed to maximize anabolic hormone levels). My Choice: Xtreme Formulations Ultra Peptide Monthly Cost: ~$25.85 SciVation
 Their merger PrimaForce, however offer a different range of products, that customers will find much more affordable, but still with the same quality. As I said earlier these companies' products are highly recommended by one of Bodybuilding.com's major article writer, Derek Charlebois, so if you aren't convinced now, after you see and read about Derek you probably will be! My Choice: SciVation Neurostim Monthly Cost: ~$34.50 There are many products that I haven't mention that are also on the expensive side, but have clearly been proven to work, such as Universal Animal Pak, a multivitamin/multimineral with a difference, and fat burners such as Nutrex Lipo 6 and Man Scorch.
Never rush into buying anything, tight budget or loose budget. Spend your money carefully on supplements that have been proven to work and those that suit your goals. Remember supplements aren't miracle pills, they will only work effectively with a well structured training and diet regime, so insure that is right before even considering supplements.
Everyday we look on television and see models, actors, professional athletes, and bodybuilders that we want to look like everyday. The problem is, we can't afford personal trainers, high priced supplements, and the food they eat. So what should you do? The key thing is to evaluate your diet, cut out expensive unhealthy food, and to choose a goal. There are many supplements that are inexpensive that can help you achieve a fitness goal.
Everyone should evaluate their fitness goals so they know what they need and what they don't.
Type B: I want to lose weight. Type C: I want to increase my libido and raise natural testosterone levels (typically an over 40-year-old male).
You can get a 15-day supply at Bodybuilding.com for less than 11 dollars. You can find it here. Animal Pak is a multivitamin for serious lifters who want serious results. The Type A Person
Whey Protein:
It is loaded with muscle packing amino acids. A great protein deal right now is Higher Powers 5 pound container for $19.99. If you take 1 serving a day of Higher Power's whey protein, get this, you will be basically drinking it for less than 30 cents a day. Creatine:
Bodybuilding.com and Higher Power sells a kilo, yes a kilo of micronized creatine for $19.99. If you were taking 5 grams of this Creatine a day, it would only cost you 10 cents a day. Glutamine:
Glutamine is an amino acid. To some they consider glutamine a "conditionally essential amino acid" because at hard times your body cannot make enough glutamine and you need to supplement your body to keep it running efficiently.
You can buy NOW's Glutamine for $18.95 at Bodybuilding.com. If a person would take 5 grams of glutamine a day, it would cost them 40 cents a day, and your muscles would thank you. Arginine:
More blood and nutrients reach your muscle cells when using NO products. NOW sells arginine in a pure form on Bodybuilding.com for less than 10 dollars a bottle. I don't feel that it is essential for a person to take, but it can be quite useful. How Much Would It Cost A Type A Person A Day To Take All Three Of These Wonderful Products? Lets Do The Math: Whey protein = 30 cents a day + creatine = 10 cents a day + glutamine = 40 cents a day = a total of 80 cents a day or 24 dollars a month! The Type B Person
Green Tea Extract:
Products: What more reasons do you need to take this supplement? Green tea is also a healthy source of caffeine that has been known to aid in weight loss too. Someone could get by spending only 30 cents a day taking green tea extract with this product. Caffeine:
You can save yourself a lot of money by buying pure caffeine from Bodybuilding.com and higher power for $4.19 a bottle! You can find it here. This product would cost you less than 4 cents a day to take! Diuretics:
A person looking to lose some weight could stack green tea and caffeine and see good results. If someone would do this, it would only cost them around 34 cents a day, or $10.20 a month. It is not recommended to take Xpel with caffeine or green tea, so I would suggest a 20-day cycle of the product. This would only cost you 70 cents a day. The Type C Person
Some complications that low testosterone levels cause are depression, loss of libido (sex drive), and weight gain. What is a man to do over the age of 40? Well here are some supplements that will help for less than $20. Tribulus Terrestris:
It wasn't until recently that they found that tribulus increases natural testosterone levels. Tribulus is a very popular product that is found in a lot of sexual enhancers too. What would be better than increasing your testosterone levels and increasing your sex drive?
For under $9.00 a bottle, this should be in every man's medicine cabinet. Learn more. It would only cost someone 18 cents a day to take this product. I have also heard great things about a product by PrimaForce, Fuze is another supplement containing tribulus terrestris and through witness accounts I have heard is one of the best products on the market. You can purchase FUZE at Bodybuilding.com for less than $19.00. This product would cost around 63 cents a day. LongJack:
What could be better than the two best sexual and natural testosterone boosters in the same product! Maybe the fact you can get this for under $16.00 here on Bodybuilding.com. This product would cost a person around 54 cents a day to take. Recommendation:
How Effective Are These Cheaper Supplements Compared To The More Expensive Supplements On The Market? This is an easy question. To me, there is little to no need for high priced supplements. 90% of high price supplements are all hype. This means they will not work, or they will not live up to expectation. How do you beat this system? Take the supplements that are tried and true. For the last 10+ years, people have been using Creatine and Whey protein and seeing massive results. Why do you need to experiment with high priced supplements that may or may not work when you can bet your bottom dollar that these can and will work. Yes there are some products that are worth the extra dollar. One that comes to mine is whey protein isolate. Which is a more pure whey protein without lactose (great for me, I am lactose intolerant).
You can buy a 3-pound tub for under $36.00 on this site. If you do the mathematics, you can compute how much you pay per gram for protein. If you compute how much you pay for Isopure's protein, you can find that you are paying 3 cents per gram of protein. This is 3 times the price of what you pay per gram of Higher Power's whey protein (1 cent per gram). Is 3 times the cost worth it for a gram of protein? Depends on your situation, to me, being lactose intolerant, it is.
The price at Bodybuilding.com is $32.89 but to many that is well worth it. It has been proven effective time and time again for post cycle therapy and for men who have low testosterone levels for many different reasons. It is another product that is worth the price. For a 20-day supply it runs about $1.65 a day.
What Brand Can Someone Turn To For Good Quality Supplements At A Good Price? There are many great brands to turn too. Some of my personal favorites are:
What Is The Most Expensive Supplement Out There That Works And That You Should Try If You Have Some Extra Cash Or Win The Lottery? Products are products to me. Company names mean absolutely nothing to me unless they are proven time and time again. Some companies with positive user feedback are Muscletech, BSN, Omega Sports, ErgoPharm among others. If I was rich, which I am not, I would probably go for the Mass Stack with BSN which consists of Nitrix, No-Explode, and Cellmass.
   BSN Mass Stack If you go with Bodybuilding.com you get 2 Nitrix bottles, 1 1.81 pounds of No-Explode, 2 bottles of Cellmass, and 1 free Bodybuilding.com shaker. The cost is $183.17 and would save you a lot of money buying all of these at once.
Let's face it - money doesn't grow on trees. As bodybuilders, we all know that the costs of food and a gym membership add up quickly. Add some big-ticket supplements into the mix, and things can get expensive. What supplements are the best while on a budget? Read on to find out!
Many supplements on the market are overrated, and don't produce the results that they may claim. However, there are some essential supplements that can aid one in reaching their ultimate goals. Let's take a look at the indispensable supplements on the market that should be incorporated in one's supplement regimen: Protein Supplements
Protein supplementation is great. Not everyone has the time to cook some chicken breasts or grill up a steak. That's where protein shakes come into play. Protein supplements make things so much easier.
When you're on the go and in need of some protein, just add a scoop of protein powder to a shaker cup filled with water or milk, shake away, and drink. It's that easy. Protein supplementation is vital at the post-workout time period also. Think about it. After a brutal workout in the gym, your muscles are just crying for some much needed protein to kick start the rebuilding process of broken down muscle fibers. Below is a list of the best protein supplements under $20.00. Optimum 100% Whey Protein
Dymatize Supreme Whey Protein
Twinlab AM Protein Fuel
Multivitamins
As athletes, performance is key. When the body is deficient in a specific mineral or vitamin, performance suffers. However, by supplementing with a multivitamin, deficiencies are nonexistent. Below are listed the best multivitamin supplements under $20.00. Higher Power One-A-Day Multivitamin
AST Multi Pro 32X
At a price of $15.89 for a total of 100 caplets, Multi Pro 32X is affordable and will deliver demanding muscle fibers with important vitamins and minerals required to excel and reach the pinnacle. Optimum Opti-Men
Healty Oils & EFA's (Essential Fatty Acids)
With a fresh taste due to the expeller-pressed oil from high quality seeds, HFS's Total EFA will cost you $12.94 for a 16 Fl. Oz serving or $16.99 for 24 Fl. Oz. A 8 Fl. Oz serving of HFS's Total EFA will cost you $6.89. All three prices well under $20.00! Health From The Sea's PFO Pure Fish Oil Plus Lipase
At a price of $12.49 for 90 softgels, this product is by far one of the best! Optimum's Flaxseed Oil Softgels
Summary
You know what that means? More bang for your buck. Most expensive supplements offer the same product with the same ingredients, but don't offer a large number of servings per container. With expensive supplements, you're basically paying for the advertising, the label, and you are paying for the extremely high endorsement cost for the pro bodybuilder or athlete who is pushing it.
If you've got some extra cash to spend, then "nonessential" supplements are for you. With the basic supplements covered in the above section and a sound diet and training program, one can easily reach their goals. However, the supplements listed below can also aid one in making progress, but not necessary to incorporate. Creatine
AST Micronized Creatine
At the price of $14.60 for 325 grams and 550 grams for $18.49, AST's product is easily affordable and under $20.00. Dymatize Creatine Monohydrate
At the price of $17.99 for a total of 500 grams, Dymatize's Creatine Monohydrate is a superior choice of creatine monohydrate. EAS Phosphagen
For a total of $13.49, you can get 500 grams worth of creatine. At a price of $19.99, 1000 grams of creatine is yours! Weight Gainers
However, some folks happen to be "hardgainers." These folks eat, eat, and then eat some more and don't gain an ounce. That's where weight gainers come into play. Although not essential, they do benefit some folks. Let's take a look at the best weight gainers on the market for under $20.00.
Prolab N-Large 2
Available in chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, Prolab N-Large 2 sells at $17.95 for 3.8lbs! Cytosport's CytoGainer
The flavor options include: Banana Creme, Vanilla, Strawberries-N-Cream, Rocky Road, Cookies 'N Creme, Chocolate Mint, and Chocolate Malt. For a total of $19.99, 3.25lbs. of Cytosport's CytoGainer is an incredible deal. Energy Enhancing Supplements
Higher Power's Caffeine
That's just what you want before a workout. At a price of $4.19 for 120 capsules, Higher Power's caffeine is easily affordable. D&E's Orange Rush
D&E's Orange Rush also contains vitamins and minerals which will help rev up energy levels also. One pound of Orange Rush is under $20.00, selling at $19.61. NOW Energy
With such high levels of B-Vitamins, energy levels are sure to stay elevated! At a price of $8.98 for 90 capsules, NOW's Energy can be yours! Summary
What Brand Can Someone Turn To For Good Quality Supplements At A Good Price? Primaforce
Optimum Nutrition
Higher Power
Twin Lab
What Is The Most Expensive Supplement Out There That You Should Try If You Have Some Extra Cash Or Win The Lottery? SciVation Xtend
All of these ingredients work in synergy to maximize performance, cut down of fatigue, and increase recovery from intense workouts! For $50.89, 1035 grams of Xtend can be yours! VPX Micellean
For 2 lbs. of Micellean for $30.95, say hello to some nice gains with this potent stuff! Avant Labs Sesathin
With proven results, excellent quality, and a backbone of scientific research, Sesathin by Avant Labs is available at a price of $34.79 for 3.75 Fl. Oz!
For those on a tight budget, purchasing the "essentials" under $20.00 will ensure great gains and bring you closer to reaching your fitness goals. The "nonessential" supplements are not necessary, but if you happen to have some extra cash flow, by all means, go for it! The expensive supplements that were just covered in depth are great if the funds are there. With whichever supplement you plan on purchasing, remember that nothing can supplement dedication and hard work.
Best of luck with all of your goals,
Mike
In today's world everyone is looking to be above the edge. Everyone is trying to be the best at what they do and are looking for ways to get on top. Supplementation has been common pracice sine thousands of years ago by people throughout the world. They used herbs and spices to cure diseases and special plants to give energy and heal you up. Sure no one was looking to be the best bodybuilder and have the biggest muscles, but they all knew the imporatance and benefit of supplementing. Even hunters in Africa used herbs to lower their appetite during hunting expeditions. So even though you won't find anyone hunting today, you would find people trying to use the same herb for a different purpose, but it's still a helpful supplement. You can find this supplement, Hoodia, in the Bodybuilding.com store. Although diet, training and rest are key, supplements can play an important role in bulking. They will give you the extra boost you need. By taking supplements you can increase your gains. Not anything dramatic, but still it's well worth it to invest in supplements. They can give you a extra boost when you need it in the weightroom or shorten your recovery time. No matter what, I strongly suggest supplements, and the best place to get them for an affordable price and excellent quality is Bodybuilding.com's store. There you will find everything you need, filled with tons of articles and places that can give you a very close look in the world of supplements. Although famous, these few supplements are very effective and not that expensive. Supplements don't come cheap. So unless you make tons of money and have money to throw away you should always do research and finish your 'homework' on your supplements use. Remember that supplements don't make the man but hard work and rest do. With supplements you can get a super boost that will help you in reaching your goals so overlooking them will be as foolish as solely relying on them. So stay smart and use them for what they are ment to be, extra help in your nutrition. In these days, there are tons of supplements on the maket. Also there's many choices that people can make, such as companies and stores. In this article I will further discuss these factors that will help you save money and get the bang for your buck. Remember that if it's too good to be true, it probably is not. I promise to go into supplements to the best of my ability and provide you with the basic and most needed supplements for a tight budget. Budgeting is important and since you are buying extra stuff I would recommend following my advise since at one time, I was in the same situation with only 50-100 dollars per month for supplements.
Protein Powder
Also when you wake up in the morning, since your body is hungry, you can always have a scoop or two to absorb it faster and get your body started on the right track. Also throughout the day, when you are busy, you can always sip on a protein shake and meet your diet requirements. Ever wonder what to eat before bed? Well, casein protein is the best, because it is slow digesting and it will help keep your muscles all night when you sleep. Catabolism is a nightmare word for all bodybuilders and with casein protein you can avoid that and keep what you've worked for. Since it's very important, it cannot be overlooked. Always remember that you need protein. Bodybuilding.com has the best price online and you can get a 5 lb. tub for around $25. Good price, great product, and also very essential.
Creatine
Extra creatine supplementation will help the APT energy levels. Those are responsible for muscle contraction. Extra creatine means more energy and higher endurance for short, intense moves. Would you read that again? That sounds like it can help in lifting. Well, duh. Creatine is the most famous supplement in the world except for protein. It all started in the early 90's and everyone from the local jock to Olympians have used it. It is harmless, beneficial and to some lifters, essential. Never overlook creatine, and always make a place for it on your small supplement budget. You can get it for around $15 on Bodybuilding.com
L-Glutamine
Even though it's found in veggies, it's not in big amount and supplementing would be the wisest choice. Glutamine is not really expensive, but not really cheap either. I would recommend it to every lifter, from beginner to advanced since it helps you recover and we all need that. You can get a month's supply for around $15-20 from the Bodybuilding.com store. Make sure that this is in your basic list of supplements on your budget.
Multivitamin
I always take two or three pills of the one a day normal vitamins. So far it's treating me good and I haven't been seriously sick in 3+ years. Always make sure you eat your veggies and other vitamin rich foods but you can't always make it. Make sure to buy vitamins because you need them. A good multivitamin is needed and you can find those for under $5 on Bodybuilding.com, best prices ever.
Sure you can't budget on $20 dollars, but if you have an extra $20 you can always benefit from some extra, not so essential supplements. These are not miracle makers, so remember to have your nutrition in check, a good routine and always remember to have all the rest you need to be able to recover, rebuild and go at it again. I will list the top 3 supplements under $20 that will greatly benefit you and give you the best results added to your 'supplemental boost'. Remember that I give my honest opinion and that i'll always try and post the best. As always you can find the best supplements on Bodybuilding.com/store at the best prices. And now here are the top 3 supplements under $20. Tribulus
I take it at one dose around 30 minutes before working out and it's helping me with increased testosterone and higher lifting energy. Also your sexual desire increases and if you have problems in those areas, it can certainly help you out. It is around $10 for a month's supply and it's a great supplement.
Garlic
It's fast and more convenient. One month's supply is around $5 making it a good supplement. It increases natural testosterone, and also it helps your cardio vascular system and it also lowers cholesterol. Wow, all that for $5 per months. mother nature is great, and garlic is one supplement/herb that is very helpful.
Fish Oils
A one month's supple costs around $10-15 and it's really cheap considering the effects it gives. It can increase natural test, give you energy and help you loose fat. Yes, you need to eat fat to loose fat.
All these supplements are cheaper. Sure the more expensive ones ($70+) make wild claims and have special patents that help do this and that. But natural herbs are usually found under $20 and can help you tremendously. You can always buy the most expensive ones when you get a bonus or something, but when on budget, stick to the basics. They are proven to work, all natural and will help you meet your goals. Sure everyone wants fancy supplements, but oh well, don't sweat it. I would say the supplements I listed, have the same effects as the more expensive ones. If you are training and eating right with proper nutrition these supplements will help you natural hormone levels and fasten recovery. Those conditions are perfect for growing and progressing so they are very effective.
What Brand Can Someone Turn To For Good Quality Supplements At A Good Price? Personally, every brand is the same. If they have the same amount, there is no guarantee that the one in the red will be better than the one in the green. Sure some companies have well known athletes representing, and are expensive. But in the end, creatine is creating and whey protein is whey protein. There is nothing magical so don't expect magic from expensive supplements. Most time all the advertising is what makes it expensive. I usually prefer well known companies such as Higher Power and NOW Nutrition. I never got any problems and all of their supplements are at a very good price with perfect quality. Bodybuilding.com has those two companies with information about them and all their products at the best prices so you can be sure that you won't get ripped off if you shop online from us.
What Is The Most Expensive Supplement Out There That Works And That You Should Try If You Have Some Extra Cash Or Win The Lottery? Xyience NOX-CG3
Also its patented delivery system was greatly received by my body and I felt really good while taking it. As you can see its $75 and you can tell that is not very budget friendly. But if you ever have some extra cash, try it, you won't be sorry.
So far all the supplements I listed would be able to be bought on a budget of $100 per month.
That sums it all up to $80 with 20 to spare. To me, those are the essentials. So you can live it up with $80 per month and save that extra 20 and buy the Nitrix product once every 3-4 months. Remember to always have a budget and do the math in your head, that way you will be successful not only in supplements but also in real life. That way you can save up for that bottle of NO2 or that new car. I hope I helped you budget your money in this article.
Pro's
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I suggest that next time they re-read their article and edit it until the grammar is good, and the article is easy to understand.
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Pro's
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Pro's
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Pro's
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Pro's
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The Topic Of The Week competition is very tough right now, which means that all articles have to be full with information, ideas, facts, and detail.
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A Budget Doesn't Have to Hold You Back!
Ingredients:
Finding out that this product is actually very affordable! Optimum, a supplement company found on Bodybuilding.com, sells a very pure version of 
Another effective product that is a bit more expensive is ErgoPharm's 6oxo, which has been used by many men to fight estrogen and to increase testosterone levels.
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