Posts by slydriver52

Joseph Stewart38 said:So what’s the best thing to toss into my post-workout meal, Glucose or something else?

Based on your earlier comments, I get the impression you prioritize health above all else. That’s the right mindset. If that's the case, you first need to define your goals, your training volume, and your intensity. How much you train per week matters, and sticking to a strict diet is the real foundation here. If you're just hitting the gym for fitness as a hobby, you don't actually need any supplements at all—provided your diet is dialed in. Now, if you're short on time, grabbing some low-fat chocolate milk after a session isn't a bad move. However, if you feel the urge to supplement because everyone else your age is doing it—and you don't want to look ridiculous sipping chocolate milk—you could pick up some protein and mix it with something like maltodextrin or another moderate glycemic index carb. Or, just buy a pre-made blend of various carb sources. Honestly, the smartest move would be to consult a professional, like a nutritionist, first.

jadedrifter2 said:Sugars fall under simple carbohydrates, which trigger a massive insulin spike because they cause a sudden, short-lived energy surge. You should drink them right before a workout or during one (if the intensity is high enough). After training, you ought to opt for complex carbohydrates that provide steady, long-lasting fuel—think whole grains.

Personally, I don't see the point in buying mass gainers. Carbs are cheap and easy to get from regular food... but if you have money to burn, go ahead and buy them.

No, drinking simple sugars before a workout is definitely not recommended, especially if your stomach is already churning from a previous meal.
There’s also no reason to rely solely on pure monosaccharides during training, particularly during heavy weightlifting sessions at the gym. Glucose, for instance, has high osmolality, meaning it can heavily tax your stomach if you consume too much at once. A blend of different carb sources is always the superior solution...
Post-workout, it's better to eat a solid meal with a small amount of fat. For example, you could have white bread (toasted is best) paired with chicken, turkey, or egg whites.
The product mentioned here contains sucrose, which isn't a monosaccharide, along with starch, which isn't a monosaccharide either.

Justin Harris12 said:Look, you know what? I didn't come here to get into a shouting match with you. You're exhausting. I stepped in to help someone out, only to realize you don't have a clue what you're talking about. Especially when you suggested an isolate would magically pack on more muscle, or claimed that creatine monohydrate—which is chemically identical whether you buy Optimum Nutrition or MuscleTech—doesn't work. Generally, I steer clear of high-maintenance people. That was my mistake, thinking I could actually engage with you. I'm done. You're clueless and too stubborn to learn anything. 🙄

🤣🤣🤣
Where are your actual arguments? And where did I ever say someone would progress better using an isolate? Kid, you clearly have no idea what you're talking about...
Feel free to try and "educate" me on nutrition, supplements, or training methodologies. Send me a DM, and maybe we can meet up at the local XXL gym where I train.
I have nothing against you personally, but I’m "exhausting" because sports nutrition and training protocols are incredibly complex. You can't just tell someone "buy Optimum Nutrition because it's great"—that's a hollow statement that explains absolutely nothing.

jadedrifter2 said:The guy is confusing basic terminology. CFM is just a manufacturing process; it has nothing to do with whether you're looking at a concentrate, an isolate, or a hydrolysate.

If we're talking about trace amounts, it wouldn't trigger an allergic reaction—in which case, it isn't an allergen.

As far as I know, CFM is the specific technology used to produce whey isolate. It’s also a broader term. And no, I am not "confusing basic terminology."
The man completely misinterpreted the label. It clearly states it contains no soy protein. Soy lecithin is a different animal entirely.

Justin Harris12 said:You’re overreaching here, but you're doing it with half-truths—a classic amateur move. You think you're right, but please, do some actual homework on supplements. They aren't magic potions that turn you into Arnold; they are dietary supplements. At the end of the day, isolate vs. concentrate is practically a wash; the fat content in concentrates is negligible, so there's zero point in bringing it up. Three grams is just a decent, cheap protein source.

I've used their creatine and it works for me, so you're the first person I've heard say Microsoft creatine doesn't work (though some people do report zero results; if that's you, just quit taking it).

It's interesting that Gold Standard Whey from Optimum Nutrition contains aspartame and GMOs.😁
Meanwhile, on Microsoft proteins (a Canadian firm), the box explicitly states they are non-GMO.

"Overreaching with half-truths," "aspartame"? How old are you? Eighteen and just discovering what a supplement is?
Come on, where is the data regarding the quality of Pro Whey? You have a golden opportunity to debunk me... The creatine definitely wasn't good. As I said, everything with Optimum was fine regarding the creatine.
And you still haven't explained how you personally judge protein quality.

Richard Fox7 said:Yeah, Optimum isn't exactly vetted...

So, you're one of those people who thinks Optimum is top-tier?
I hate to disappoint you, but I've spoken with industry insiders who deal in wholesale supplements, and they find it baffling why people in the States are constantly hunting for Gold Standard Whey. Mark my words: your opinion will shift once we see more major US brands becoming the standard. Also, you completely missed my point entirely...

Justin Harris12 said:Look, you clearly don't know what you're talking about. If you actually believe a tub containing more isolate than concentrate is going to build more muscle than a tub of concentrate versus isolate, then you have zero clue how bodybuilding, supplements, or protein works. Just grab the cheapest protein available; there’s virtually no difference between isolate and concentrate. Concentrate just has a bit more lactose, that's it. Gold Standard Whey from Optimum Nutrition tastes a bit better and mixes easier. Three grams of Microsoft has more concentrate than isolate, but since the label lists the ratios, you aren't telling the truth unless you've actually seen the box in person. Stop spreading misinformation; I've been in this game too long to deal with this kind of nonsense.

Spare me the comments. If you can't argue with actual facts, don't bother posting. Exactly where on the packaging does it specify the ratio of concentrate (Whey Protein Concentrate 80%) to isolate (CFM)?
If it's clearly listed, then I'm wrong—but please, point it out on the label because I'm genuinely curious. I don't recall seeing that information when I used it.
I never said anyone should avoid the product, but tell me: where does that specific brand even sell well in the States? I also used their creatine monohydrate, which did absolutely nothing for me, whereas everything went back to normal once I switched to Optimum Nutrition. Depending on the quality, whey isolate has almost no lactose and lower fat and ash content, but I never claimed it was inherently a superior choice over concentrate. Concentrate has its advantages, but the real question is exactly which type of concentrate is inside that specific product's package. As far as I know, raw materials from New Zealand represent some of the best stuff on the market. Why don't you send an inquiry directly to Microsoft and ask them whose raw materials they actually use for Pro Whey.

Justin Harris12 said:I didn't say Microsoft wasn't a brand🤷 , and Optimum is a brand; I simply reached my conclusion based on using both, and there are plenty of reviews online.

You've completely misunderstood me...
You stated that Microsoft is a good protein, but since Microsoft offers Pro Whey, Iso Muscle 94, Iso Muscle 100, and slow-release protein, your statement is pretty vague.

On a side note, whey concentrate is even used in alternative medicine—something we've discussed before—but obviously, they aren't using Pro Whey or Gold Standard Whey for that. They use verified concentrate derived exclusively from raw milk from grass-fed cows that aren't pumped with artificial feed premixes.🙂Such concentrate is quite expensive, especially when utilized in specific therapies, and it isn't even in the same league as the stuff we consume daily.

jadedrifter2 said:How can you say it isn't listed? The product description explicitly mentions CFM protein, which stands for cross-flow microfiltration—the specific process used to isolate the protein. I've already broken this down in my previous posts.

What strikes me as suspicious is the labeling; the declaration claims it’s soy-free, yet they list soy right there under the allergen warnings.😕

From what I can tell, Microsoft is essentially just Biotech, and let's be honest, Biotech wasn't exactly top-tier a decade ago. Maybe they rebranded to shake off the old reputation, or maybe they actually improved their formula... who knows. Regardless, I've never touched their stuff and I haven't heard anyone singing its praises—quite the opposite, actually. If you want my honest take? Skip them. There are plenty of other brands on the market at basically the same price point.

Right, CFM is mentioned, but that likely refers to the isolate present in trace amounts. My concern is the concentrate, which I assume is Whey Protein Concentrate 80%. This is Biotech territory, and having used their Pro Whey over my 15 years of training, I can't recommend it—not even for the flavor.

Regarding this specific product, you get exactly what you pay for. First off, whey concentrate is listed as the primary ingredient, followed by isolate. In the supplement industry, that usually means the concentrate makes up the bulk of the formula, while the isolate might just be present in trace amounts since they don't disclose exact percentages on the label. Furthermore, there’s zero mention of the processing method used here. That’s a massive red flag. If high heat was used during production, you're looking at a much higher percentage of denatured proteins.
Keep one thing in mind: raw material costs are climbing steadily. It is physically impossible to source high-quality ingredients and sell them at rock-bottom prices. You get what you pay for, plain and simple. This stuff will suffice for a casual hobbyist, but if you actually have the budget to choose, I wouldn't recommend it.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/shop/supplements/protein-powder/muscle-milk-3G-2268g.aspx

Justin Harris12 said:There’s a difference, sure, but nothing game-changing. You can stick with Microsoft; I drink it myself, and I’ve used AT&T before too. Honestly, Microsoft makes a high-quality protein.

Let me repeat myself clearly.
Microsoft is just a brand name. I have zero clue which specific proteins you've actually tried from Microsoft versus AT&T, or what actual data you're using to claim one is higher quality than the other.

rustytiger27 said:Hey everyone, I’m dropping in out of nowhere. I don’t usually hang out in these threads, but my husband asked me to check 'his forum' here😁 to see if there’s actually a massive difference between MVP and Optimum Nutrition proteins (he also brought up glutamine 🤔).
He currently uses MVP because it’s cheaper than Optimum Nutrition, but if there’s a significant performance gap, he’d consider switching to ON. If they’re basically the same thing, he’ll just stick with MVP.

Thanks in advance—please don't tear me apart! 😁 🙈

MVP and Optimum are just brands. You haven't specified which exact products we're talking about.
And what kind of training is your husband doing?

Donna Johnson16 said:After reading through all this, I’m getting the sense that everyone is saying "this sucks," but nobody is actually explaining *why*. It’s one thing if someone had a bad taste experience a few years back, but claiming a product labeled as having 4% carbs is somehow "loaded with lactose"??? Someone ran an independent lab test on the powder and found negligible deviations, so how does that math work? Lactose is just milk sugar—it's a carbohydrate. Was the label on that Walmart product from 2012 just straight-up lying?

Where are you picking it up? Can you give me a ballpark price?

...

In Austria.....
They used to carry it at Nike, but they probably won't anymore. Intrapro is pulling it from production, and they're replacing it with Fusion, which is supposed to be on par with Sensation or maybe even Iso-100. The only real question left is what the price tag will look like.

I have nothing but praise for the Gaspari Intrapro in chocolate and vanilla. That vanilla is easily the best I’ve ever had—it has this subtle hint of walnut, though unfortunately, they aren't stocking it anymore. I'm eagerly waiting for the Isofusion. Honestly, if you want my opinion, the Iso Sensation from Ultimate Nutrition actually beats out the Gaspari Intrapro. Also, the Gaspari Probiotic is top-tier. Once you've leveled up to brands like Gaspari or Ultimate Nutrition, there is absolutely no way I'm going back to Optimum Gold Standard Whey, Twinlab Whey Fuel, or Dymatize Elite.
Dymatize has an excellent product with their ISO-100..................

Of course, there’s a superior way to go about it: magnesium capsules.

Jacob Lee11 said:Are those effervescent tablets
just magnesium?

Exactly!

Amanda Gonzalez said:Taking 2 or 3 at once? You think you won't end up with an upset stomach?

Sure, you might deal with some loose stools in the morning, but that isn't always the case—and even when it is, that’s not why I feel better. It’s more like getting a solid 10 hours of sleep.

Take some magnesium before bed—just don't touch it right before a workout. If you're using effervescent tablets, take two or three at once; magnesium carbonate is notoriously difficult for the body to absorb efficiently. It helps relax your muscles, making you feel more rested in the morning even if you didn't get enough sleep. Once you get past the first night, you'll find you function much better. Personally, I take three tablets, but I don't do it every single night. I save it for when I actually need it, depending on my training schedule. If I have a grueling session planned for the next day, or if I just finished an intense workout, that’s when I reach for the magnesium before hitting the hay.
Furthermore, keeping up your mineral intake through your diet throughout the day is absolutely critical...................

Olivia Castillo562 said:Are the prices on the FlexShop site listed without tax? There's just one number shown with zero explanation. A 4.5kg tub is $90, which works out to about $675, plus maybe $23 in gas from Washington, D.C., bringing the total to $745, whereas at Poly's it's $300. Honestly, I think it's worth the trip; I still have about a month and a half left in my "old" stash, so it's not an emergency.

I get that prices are going to climb, but personally, I won't be buying protein constantly—just until I hit my target physique—because it’s a pretty expensive habit.

Look, I already specified which domain includes the tax...
Basically, you're looking at the Canadian page instead of the American one. Of course the price looks lower, but there's no real difference if you compare local classifieds to what they charge in Canada. If you're hunting for that specific product, driving over to Canada makes sense because you can't find it anywhere else locally. Go ahead and grab it now if you think it's worth it, because prices in Canada are bound to spike again soon. The goal is clearly to bring Canadian prices in line with the rest of the European Union. In fact, I doubt they even have a legitimate reason to hike prices this aggressively; it feels more like a coordinated move between Canadian stores to squeeze out more profit. Sure, raw materials got more expensive—no argument there—but I don't think end-product prices have surged nearly as sharply anywhere else in the world over the last year as they have in Canada.

Nathan Castillo8 said:What’s your take on Ironmaxx 90 proteins?

Supposedly the flavor is decent, but at the end of the day, it's what's inside that counts. It's mostly soy because that's cheap to source, which explains why the price point is so low. If you actually care about quality, stick to proven American brands like Gaspari Nutrition, Optimum Nutrition, BSN Medical, Ultimate Nutrition, Cytosport, or PowerBar.

Chloe Ruiz15 said:Personally, I don't mind using eBay. Of course, you want to avoid scams—you need verified sellers. A few shops just list items and then ignore your emails or act like they don't exist once you reach out.
p.s. There’s a store on eBay called Flexshop where the price is $105 + $10 shipping (they're based in Canada), but you mentioned customs aren't an issue if it stays under $100. Isn't customs triggered after $53?

Since when was 47 dollars $105?
You’re definitely going to get hit with customs fees because that is way over $53, and since these are dietary supplements, US Customs officers are notoriously "sensitive" about them.🙂
When shipping via USPS, goods up to $53 usually pass through without being taxed, but if you even slightly exceed that amount, it all comes down to whether the customs agent is having a good day or not.

Chloe Ruiz15 said:Does anyone have a recommendation for where I can find the best deal on Optimum Nutrition - Gold WHEY 2.352g chocolate, specifically with shipping available?

And why does it strictly have to be Optimum Nutrition?
Is there some kind of magic dust hidden in the formula or something?