The Smith Machine

The smith machine is possibly the most hated on piece of gym equipment in history. The controversy over whether the smith machine is a legit piece of equipment or a wussy replacement of the barbell will never end. No matter what your opinion is on the use of this machine is there will always be the person to shut you down and tell you the exact opposite. I don't have much of an opinion on the use of the smith machine. I agree with both sides of the argument. I think the smith machine in certain situations is a wussy version of the barbell but there are also a couple exercises I use this machine for that don't work as well with a traditional barbell. I do calf raises and shoulder shrugs on this machine because it helps isolate the muscle I am trying to work where the tradition barbell would put strain on various muscles.

ProSupps BCAA's

ProSupps branch chain amino acids are a perfect supplement for a during or post workout drink. I personally use my BCAA's during my workout. ProSupps formula for their BCAA's includes large amounts of the amino acid L Glutamine which is essential during your workout when your levels of this amino acid drastically drops. Out of all the BCAA supplements I have tried i've noticed that ProSupps has the best recovery. I have a lot more energy and minimal soreness when I am using this particular brand of BCAA's. As far as the flavors go I would recommend "cherry splash". But if there is one down side to this product it would be the after taste. After my workout it leaves my mouth with a dry feeling and bitter taste.

MTS Machine Whey Protein

MTS Machine Whey is hands down the best protein supplement I've ever bought. Everything from the taste to the results puts this product above its competition. MTS whey comes in multiple different flavors but my personal favorite is Peanut butter Fluff. Creator of Tiger Fitness, Marc Lobliner did an exceptional job when it came to making an effective protein supplement. MTS's accelerated amino uptake makes for a great recovery. Drinking an MTS shake after my workouts leaves me with nearly no soreness the next day. And you can't beat the price! 5lbs of this protein will only cost you around $50. Compared to other brands this is a beyond fair price. If you are looking for a new brand of protein to try out I strongly recommend MTS Whey!

Chipotle: Healthy or Hazardous

Chipotle, with out a doubt, has made a name for its self over the past few years as it has developed into  a very common place for people to stop and grab a bite to eat. Chipotle's food is unprocessed and un-tampered with making it more nutrious and more filling than synthetic foods you may find at other restaurants. It is important to choose foods that are nutrient dense and have no synthetic fillers. But is Chipotle healthy? The answer relies in the ingredients in which you put together your meal. The most common problem consumers over look choosing their ingredients is sour cream. Sour cream, for the 2oz that is given, has 7g of saturated fats. Other choices like guacamole and chips may not have extremely high fat numbers but our overloaded with sodium. If there are major things to avoid in a nutritious diet it is high numbers of sodium and fat intake. Although not harmful in small amounts, if this is an every day thing for you there may be some noticeable consequences. If you are not sure what you should include and exclude in your Chipotle meal they are nice enough to include a whole nutrition menu with all of their ingredients on it. http://www.chipotle.com/en-us/menu/nutritional_information/nutritional_information.aspx

Bench Press

The classic bench press is one of the most beneficial chest workouts you can do. Instructions for bench press is fairly simple. Placing you arms about shoulder width apart (the further apart you place your hands the more difficult the exercise is) hold the weight above your lower chest. Then slowly bend the elbows bringing the weight down to your chest. Once you have brought the weight to your chest, push the weight back up straightening the elbows back to their original position. Make sure to focus on squeezing your chest during the whole movement.  I prefer the dumbbell method over the barbell method simply because of the personal results. By using the dumbbells it allows you to get a further stretch and better range of movement on your pectoral muscles than a traditional barbell bench press would. Dumbbell bench press can also be beneficial if you typically train alone. Dumbbells can be simply dropped if you struggle to complete your movement unlike barbell bench press where you are trapped under the weight. Although if you train with a partner or have a spotter the barbell bench press allows you to use much heavier weight for a more power lifting style of training. Dumbbell vs. Barbell is an age old controversy. Even though you may have a person preference I would advise incorporating both styles of bench press into your workout routine for maximum results!

Cellucor C4 Extreme

Cellucor's Famous C4 Extreme! C4 is a very commonly used supplement in the fitness industry. If you walk into any gym I guarantee you will see someone using this supplement. All in all C4 is a great pre workout supplement...but for how long? If you have never used a pre workout supplement before I would recommend this product for you. It packs a punch for first time users but don't rely on this for your permanent pre workout. In my personal experience I developed a tolerance to this supplement after nearly one container. After I used my first container of this pre workout I found myself have to take more and more scoops to get the same effect. But be warned, taking too much of this supplement can have very uncomfortable side effects. Which include: itchy skin, rashes, and excessive sweating.

About Me

Hi, I am Tad Ecklar. I am 19 year old exercise science major at NKU and your typical gym rat who has a serious obsession with the gym and everything about it. I am currently on my journey to live the healthiest lifestyle possible and and help inspire others to go out and reach their fitness goals. This blog will include all my first hand experiences with different exercise techniques, diets, and supplement products. I hope that my experiences can answer any questions you may have and help you reach your goals!

Web Favorites:
http://www.tigerfitness.com
http://www.bodybuilding.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/BroScienceLife