For those of you who’ve been thinking about using products containing Creatine Monohydrate, or already use it but want to know more about it’s ingredients and uses, then listen up, you might just enjoy this bit of science!

Overview:

Creatine Monohydrate is primarily used by athletes such as  bodybuilders and sprinters, but it’s also ideal for those who want to improve their power, strength, speed and lean mass. Creatine Monohydrate has been proven to help improve power, strength and growth after being subjected to a number of studies. In addition, it has also been shown to reduce overall recovery time and recovery between intense bursts of exercise.

Read more…

We’re delighted to announce the launch of a new range of Nature’s Best Products. Formed in 1981, Nature’s Best has grown to be one of the top sport supplement brands in the UK. The range, which features Isopure, Red Force & Isowhey has made its way onto the MonsterSupplements.com website – and are now available for sale! See the range here

Here’s a quick overview on some of the products we’ve got lined up:

Nature’s Best Isopure Drinks 32g
(12 X 470ml)

RRP: £35.88
Our Price: £28.64

Learn More >

Nature’s Best Isopure Smoothie
(12 X 16oz )

RRP: £47.88
Our Price: £38.30

Learn More > 

With the high quality products of Nature’s Health & the low price of MonsterSupplements.com – buy yours today with free delivery!

Bodybuilding is a discipline which is very demanding on the body; it can take everything from you to continuously progress. Nutrition is always going to be the most important aspect of sculpting a physique along with intelligent training, but after that using the right supplements is also going to help massively.
Below are the supplements we feel best support your goals as a bodybuilder.

Whey protein makes hitting your daily protein target easy and it also provides a necessary source of fast digesting protein post-workout.

Using a range of amino acids including BCAAs and EEAs help combat catabolism in turn preserving your hard earned muscle mass.

Creatine should help improve muscle performance in the gym leading to faster results in lean muscle mass. It should also help volumise the muscle cell to increase the overall size of your muscle’s appearance.

Using a pre-workout formula will certainly help increase mental focus and energy levels before your workout. It will also help you achieve a better muscle pump which a lot of bodybuilders crave.

At Team Monster we have massive respect and appreciation for MMA athletes, they define the “ultimate athlete” with an all-round ability in strength, endurance, aerobic capacity and mental toughness. There is no denying it is one of the most demanding sports in the world!

Below are some supplements we feel will enhance the performance of an MMA athlete.

All-in-one products were made popular as athletes required a product which gave them a list of ingredients in one shake to better their performance and recovery. The key ingredients are protein, carbohydrates, creatine with the addition of certain amino acids. It is an ideal product to fuel your workouts, recover afterwards and keep your calorie intake high when training for hours on end.

Using a formula designed to enhance endurance, muscle recovery and strength during your workouts is essential for an MMA athlete. The quick replenishment of glycogen levels means you should perform better in the gym which in turn will allow you to push your level of conditioning!

Whether you participate in long distance road racing or you trek across mountains off road cycling is very demanding on your energy levels and endurance. It is essential that the body is fuelled correctly in order to perform efficiently.
Below are a list supplements we feel will aid you as a cyclist.

To keep the body refuelled during the event you want to keep a constant turnover of glycogen which is easily broken down and utilised by the body available. With that said an intra-workout supplement which will contain a high carbohydrate content, with a mix of fast and slow digesting forms is ideal. The amino acid and electrolyte content will also help with muscle function and also combat the onset of muscle fatigue.

To ensure recovery is addressed you would benefit from a high protein, high carb, all-in-one shake which will help achieve faster muscle recovery.

Even the toughest elite athletes have days where that extra mile seems earth-shatteringly difficult. But a huge part of maintaining a high-performing physique is about pushing boundaries and breaking through those proverbial mental blocks.

So, on those days when all the bodybuilding supplements in the world aren’t enough to motivate you, what do you do?

1.    Buddy up
According to Dame Kelly Holmes, one of the best ways to break through to mental barrier of a lazy day is to turn to a buddy. Speaking to women’s health magazine, Zest, in 2011, Kelly said, “Find someone else who needs a kick start – it’s so much more fun that way. These days, I run with a guy who also used to compete professionally. We have a good old catch up and chit chat.”

2.    Review your diet and exercise regime
Are you getting the optimum nutrition from your diet? Could a different combination of supplements better complement your exercise? Our website is designed to help you find the most effective supplements and diet partners possible. When you can feel the ebb of motivation, the time could be ideal to take stock of what you’ve achieved, areas that could improved upon etc. Are you taking the best measure of creatine tablets? Are you ingesting too many protein bars? Think of it as wiping the slate clean and tweaking the gears to boost performance and begin a new, more focused phase of exercise. This can also be a great time to really see the benefits of your diet and exercise plan.

3.    Set new goals
Let’s say your goal is something simple like running a 10km. As most athletes know, the best way to reach a higher goal is to set smaller goals along the way. This gives you plenty of small victories whilst continuing on to the main event. But if you’ve lost the will a little at around the 6.5km, why not set some different goals to take the focus off the big goal? Consider something like running 5km cross-country, completing a comfortable distance outdoors in bad weather – there are heaps of ways to slightly alter your goals without losing sight of the bigger picture. The key is to spice things up a bit!

4.    Look to a new sport or environment
Sick of the running machine? Head outside and make the most of the great temperate climate of the UK. We’re pretty lucky to be spared the hottest weather here in the UK, so don’t underestimate the allure of exercising outside. A new sport could also be a healthy shot in the arm if you’ve stopped pushing yourself at a sport you used to love. The gym can become a pretty monotonous place, so look further afield (and take a buddy!) for complementary sports that challenge, motivate and spark your interest in physical health when the sofa seems oh-so tempting!

1.    Raising energy levels
A quick energy boost isn’t about gobbling sugars and caffeine to see you through the day. Our protein shakes from brands like Maximuscle are designed to complement a sensible diet that encourages continuously beneficial energy levels. In ‘Are You Tired and Wired?’ by Marcelle Pick, the author discusses the idea of overloading your adrenal glands with too much activity, meaning you become exhausted and reach for the caffeine! A diet and supplement plan tailored to stress-reduction and slow release energy could help.

2.    Taking care of your bones
It’s important for women to remember their bones when planning a supplement and diet routine. Supplements like Pro Lab Pure Soy encourage healthy bones. Glucosamine has also been shown to boost the strength and all-round health of joints and connective tissues. Vitamin D plays a huge role in the health of your bones. An all-round supplement like Vitabiotics’ Well Women is a great source of vitamin D designed with the nutritional needs of women in mind.

3.    Whey protein and women
Whey protein is ideal for women looking to build muscle or supply high quality protein when attempting to lose body fat. It’s essential for women to assess the right amount of whey protein for their target body aim, exercise levels and diet. Every woman loses and gains body fat and muscle at a unique rate, so it may be that to get the most out of whey protein supplements means speaking to a professional to gauge the most likely optimum intake for your body.

4.    Beating fatigue
A huge problem for women suffering from fatigue tends to be diet. According to ‘The Fatigue Solution’ by Dr. Eva Cwynar, women suffering from fatigue tend to best benefit from small portions of food (every two-three hours) which should always include protein to keep hormones and blood sugar at the most physically efficient level. It is ups and downs in these levels that can bring on sudden waves of fatigue (especially if you’ve skipped your whey protein and put in a thirteen hour day!) Exercise is a great way to keep fatigue at bay, but a tailored diet and complementary supplements could make all the difference. Visit our ‘On the Go’ area for healthy, energy-boosting meal ideas, replacements and supplements.

5.    Women-centred supplements
Perhaps one of the most effective ways to get the most out of supplements it to opt for those tailored for women. Men and women have different nutritional needs. It stands to reason that supplements should be designed to reflect the differing needs of the sexes. For example, women need more fats to boost health menstruation, whereas men need more protein to maintain muscle mass. We’ve got plenty of women-centred supplements and diet aids in our online store, including protein shakes, all-round vitamin capsules, weight management tools and energy bars.

Here in the UK, we’re all fortunate enough to live in a climate that invites outdoor exercise. Sure, there’s the rain, the wind, the drizzle, the fog and all the other fickle sides of the British weather system, but the temperate climate and spectacularly diverse landscapes of the UK are great settings for some of your most effective, rewarding exercise!

1.    Take up a form of running
It’s one of the cheapest, easiest and most physically beneficial forms of all-round exercise any man or woman can undertake. In terms of fat burners, it’s a great starting point for beginners and a superb addition for elite athletes. Running is one of those sports where you can seek out the niche that best fits your lifestyle, e.g. fell running, marathon training, high intensity runs, etc.

2.    Join a local outdoor team
The UK is pretty lucky in terms of local sports groups. Look for local organisations offering things like circuit training in the park to make sure your exercise routine is well-paced, properly organised, effective and safe. Running groups and cycling circles are often run informally by like-minded folks who simply prefer the safety and motivation of exercising as a group.

3.    Take up something new (and challenging!)
So much of keeping healthy is about pushing limits. You run for a personal best, up reps for a new record and always push for the next target. Getting outside can be about getting outside your comfort zone. Look into sports that fit your exercise commitments, complement your current routines and still offer the challenge of something new.

4.    Get informed and kitted out
Do you know how much whey protein can benefit long distance mountain bikers? Do you know how to stay safe on a night run in the city? What kind of tyres are best for cross country all-terrain biking? Everyone has to start somewhere, so make your beginning one that’s well-informed and safely executed.

5.    Don’t be afraid to travel
The great thing about the UK outdoors is that it’s pretty free for most folks with a bit of motivation. But not all the best locations are going to be right outside your front door. For some folks, it’ll be a case of flinging a few protein bars in a backpack and jumping over the back fence in their fell running shoes, but it could be you need to go a little further to get the most out of your chosen field. Take the examples of things like rock climbing, bouldering, kayaking, fell running, horse riding and mountaineering – they can all be improved by a tailored setting.

If you’ve got anything to add about the best ways to take your exercise regime outdoors, why not add to our comments section and share the wisdom with us here at Monster Supplements!

The summer sun has motivated a nation to stop making excuses and begin the road to the health goals and body they really want. We spend a lot of time dealing with seasoned weightlifters and elite athletes looking for that extra edge – different whey protein isolate levels, a new supplement regime, basic motivation, etc – but we also promote the sharing of information for beginner athletes and folks who don’t know the first thing about which bodybuilding supplements are best for women, how much meal replacement is safe or what kind of all-round capsule is best for men looking to minimise body fat!

Your Local GP
Consulting a doctor before drastically altering your diet or exercise routine isn’t strictly necessarily, but it could help identify any underlying health issues. Your GP may point you in the direction of a dietician.

Nutritionist or Dietician?
In the UK, the two are not interchangeable. A nutritionist can be anyone who appoints themselves as an expert in a particular field of nutrition and diet. The term is not legally protected. That’s not to say there aren’t many sensible, well-informed nutritionists out there. Word of mouth is a great way to find a reputable nutritionist.

The term ‘dietician’ is legally protected in the UK. It can only be used by those who have met certain academic criteria (similar to a doctor, lawyer, nurse etc). A reputable dietician should be registered with the Health Professions Council.

Fitness Apps
Fitness apps can be superb for motivation, tracking achievements, recording goals and seeking out useful hints and tips. The Nike+ running app is one of the most popular apps. But there are plenty of other options. Strava, My Fitness Pal, Ab Workout and Fitness Buddy Pro are just some of them. Spend a little time researching apps on your laptop to find the best recommended. Again, word of mouth is invaluable.

Gym Professionals
They’re stood in front of you as you toil in the rowing machine. They can see how your body is coping, ask your questions about your diet and make some of the best informed choices around when it comes to everything from your daily workout to which protein drinks best complement your lifestyle. It’s essential to have a trusting relationship with your personal trainer to get the most out of the partnership.

Online Forums
We run a blog to make the flow of information between you and our experts a little easier. We love our clients to leave informal comments, helpful tips and bits of advice in the comments section under each blog entry. Forums are similar in that you can seek out like-minded folks offering or looking for advice. It becomes pretty easy to spot the jokers and folks who are offering bad advice, so just be vigilant and make sure you read around a little before believing everything that’s written.

Whether you’re one of those people who always have a personal battle of will power each time you head to the gym or you’re someone who loves donning your joggers and limbering up for a session on the treadmills, one thing’s for sure, it’s important you avoid injury.

Damaging your body while you’re engaging in physical activities can set you back for days, weeks or even months and this can play havoc with your fitness routine. Thankfully, there are plenty of superb supplements out there that can help you to build up your strength and avoid injury. For example, you might invest in special protein bars to help your muscles repair themselves more quickly after a workout.

Caution required

However, there are other issues you need to take into account, as writer Chloe Hibbert has pointed out. In a Hive Health Media blog she said: “Gyms are a fantastic way to get fit in a controlled environment, but even the most safety conscious gyms cannot prevent injuries from happening.

“It is easy to become complacent when you are a gym veteran, but even the most experienced of us can fall into bad habits over time. And if you are a newbie to the gym world then it is essential that you familiarise yourself with the correct way to work out from day one.”

Get to know your equipment

It may seem obvious, but making sure you know how your equipment works is key, she noted. About this, she remarked: “There is nothing more embarrassing than disregarding an introductory session when joining a gym, only to discover that you have no idea how any of the equipment works.”

So that you don’t fall into this trap, it’s important to make sure you’ve had a proper induction, Ms Hibbert suggested. She added: “It may be dull, but not only will it save your blushes, it might also prevent unnecessary injury.”

Getting warmer…

Warm ups are also vital, she pointed out. According to the writer, this is one of the most important parts of exercise routines. As well as reducing injury risks, this increases flexibility and speeds up recovery time, she pointed out.

Pace yourself

It might be tempting to push hard from the word go when you embark on a fitness plan. However, throwing yourself into routines “all guns blazing” can be a mistake, Ms Hibbert said. She added: “Your body only has so much energy to work with, and you must pace yourself to avoid overtraining. Soreness is normal the morning after an intense workout, but needing a crane to get out of bed isn’t.”

Stocking up

With words of wisdom like this running through your mind, you might feel ready to hit the gym. Here at MonsterSupplements.com we may have the perfect supplements and fat burners to help you on your mission to achieve the body beautiful.

Many of our products, such as our Reflex whey protein, could help your body to recover after your workouts. To see our full range of items, just take a look around the rest of our website.