Posts by slydriver52

Sam Roberts said:Can I just drop by and check out this training session? 😁

Sure, you can, but don't hold your breath. Honestly, I'm not even sure you'll wrap your head around any of it—that’s just how T-Nation content works. It's heavy stuff.🤣

Richard Fox7 said:Everyone knows what healthy eating looks like—it applies to everyone from infants to seniors right up until the end. By the way, you might want to spend some actual time reading T-Nation; maybe you'll finally learn something.

It’s comments like this that make me lose interest in posting here.
I honestly doubt you have the slightest clue what constitutes a healthy diet.
Why don't you come down to an LA Fitness in Washington, D.C. and try to educate us? Since you're clearly such an expert based on your "research" on T-Nation.🤣.
The strength and conditioning coaches would love to hear your wisdom, and I'll be happy to set up an appointment for you.

🤦
Look, you didn't actually say what kind of athlete this 16-year-old kid is.
Is he into fitness or bodybuilding? Is that why he needs all that "mass" you're talking about?
You can't just give a teenager broad nutritional advice without even knowing who he is. If I'm not mistaken, the kid is into combat sports. You shouldn't be telling him to eat like some casual gym rat who thinks he can become Arnold by choking down oatmeal and half a kilo of protein powder just to get some abs and bigger arms. For all you know, a burger might actually be what he needs before training. Do you honestly think elite athletes eat exactly like bodybuilders? Every sport has unique requirements, and menus are built around those specific needs. It’s not just about the discipline; it's about the individual, because we're all built differently. An athlete's true form isn't measured by puffed-up, shredded muscles; it's about functional readiness achieved through training, not following a standard bodybuilding diet that only works for them—and even then, bodybuilding is more of a visual pursuit than a traditional sport.
The kid is 16 and still growing, so he can probably eat just about anything, especially since he's active. Genetics will play its part, and he might never look exactly like the people he admires. He shouldn't obsess over aesthetics; he just needs to train, eat, and things will fall into place. Also, he should pick up a real textbook and learn from actual professionals instead of reading T-Nation and other nonsense.
And believe it or not, even pizza can fit into an athlete's "proper diet."😉

Elizabeth Gomez3 said:I know exactly what creatine is for. But let me be clear: if your nutrition isn't dialed in first, you're wasting your time. You can take all the supplements you want, but they won't fix a broken diet. And obviously, training is a non-negotiable requirement—with or without the creatine. 😁

Let's look at this logically. Why are you placing such heavy emphasis on nutrition for someone who is just starting out? Do you even know what sport they actually practice? You seem to be operating under the assumption that everyone walking into a gym for the first time is solely obsessed with aesthetics, which is a massive oversight. What are this person's actual goals? How old are they? What is their physical build? You can't prescribe a regimen without understanding the fundamentals.
Genetics play a massive role here. By the time kids hit 14 or 15, they’re already specializing in specific sports, meaning their training is hyper-focused on a singular discipline. One guy is over here rambling about creatine like it's some magic pill, but you’re trying to link nutrition directly to performance by claiming people should "maximize their potential through diet first, and only then look for outside supplements once food isn't cutting it anymore." Let's be blunt: nutrition is the foundation, period. It works every single time. You can't build anything without fuel. No food, no results. It's that simple.
I believe that if a person eats every day and simply scales up their caloric intake when they aren't seeing results, that’s enough to ensure constant progress. When you're talking about athletes, the real driver is the training, not the diet. Sure, if your goal is purely aesthetics, you have to watch what you eat, but that’s a whole different conversation. It isn't easy to design a meal plan for someone who only hits the gym to supplement a primary combat sport. Besides, as I've pointed out before, genetics play a massive role in this equation.
Before you start handing out advice like it’s free candy, try picking up a professional textbook and actually applying some legitimate training methodologies to your own routine. Maybe then you'll actually have something worth teaching.

Elizabeth Gomez3 said:The truth is... you have to squeeze every bit of potential out of a solid diet first... only once the nutrition alone isn't cutting it should you look for outside help. 😉 That’s how you actually see real progress. 😉

Check your DMs 😁 500g is roughly $5.00

Nutrition doesn't directly build physique when we're talking about creatine; the training itself does the heavy lifting. It seems like most people here don't have the slightest clue what creatine is actually for. I agree that you don't need to supplement with creatine right out of the gate. You should only pick it up once your training becomes more intense—meaning it gets serious and shifts toward a specific goal or result. Creatine just makes hitting those peaks easier.
Take a maximum of 6g daily. Forget about "loading phases." Especially not for soccer players or other athletes where explosive power, acceleration, and agility are the priorities.

Nicholas Chavez70 said:Are you seriously being this reckless? Can't you see how this is going south? 😁 I've been ribbing my buddy the whole time because he won't stop grabbing strawberry, drinking the exact same stuff as Ciganovic—that pink cocktail... 😁 Honestly, I've tried chocolate from plenty of different brands, and most of them taste terrible. Vanilla is the gold standard; it’s a classic, an aroma, and a universally safe bet. You don't run into those instances where one brand's chocolate is decent but the concentrate makes it taste cheap or off. With vanilla, I've never missed the mark. With chocolate? I've been burned. And don't even get me started on alternative flavors like berry swirl... 🤮 I'm not the only one who feels this way...

This stuff is perfect for any athlete looking to pack on quality muscle without adding unnecessary fat. It's clearly an isolate since the guy only listed isolates (at least, that's how they market themselves). My point was that Newmont Gold Standard is priced perfectly considering it's a top-tier product. If someone really wants to overpay, they can grab Platinum, though I haven't heard of anyone actually buying it. It's probably just for pro MMA fighters or people who obsess over every tiny, insignificant detail.

Since when was Gold Standard considered an isolate?

Nicholas Chavez70 said:If we’re talking about Optimum Nutrition, you can't go wrong, man... And it’s not even the priciest option; the Hydro Whey is insanely expensive... I read somewhere that there isn't actually enough of a difference to justify that massive price gap compared to Gold Standard, but if you're a pro and every single gram matters to you, then that's clearly the move...

http://www.optimumnutrition.com/prod...hey-p-271.html

A professional at what?
We are strictly discussing an isolate here, not some blended concoction.

Nicholas Chavez70 said:Don't give me that... I just burned through my 10lb stash of Vanilla Ice Cream and the flavor is top-tier. If you mix it with cold milk, it tastes exactly like those classic Nestlé ice cream cones from back in the day (anyone who grew up here knows the vibe)... Now I’m looking to grab the cookies&cream just to switch things up, hoping it hits just as hard. Personally, I can't stand any chocolate flavors...

Cut the attitude. According to most customer ratings, the chocolate varieties are actually the best flavors in the Gold Standard lineup, alongside cappuccino. That isn't just my take—it's what customers all over the US are saying.

George Collins80 said:What do you guys think—which of these whey isolates is actually "the best":

MuscleTech Nitro-Tech - sounds powerful 😁
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard - long history, no aspartame
Gold Standard Whey - supposedly top-tier, but it's pretty pricey, so I'm not sure if it's worth the hit to my wallet?

Or should I just look for something else entirely? 🤣

I also have a question regarding dosing whey (mixed with glucose for post-workout) — some people swear by a 1:2 ratio, while others say 1:1 is more than enough. Who am I supposed to trust? 😁 And what’s an optimal amount? Is 30g sufficient?

Thanks in advance!

Let me school you on this. Always read the actual label on the packaging or check the official manufacturer's website for the ingredient list. Don't rely on what local retailers write online; most of them omit the critical details. Regarding MuscleTech Nitro-Tech, I'm not sure about their specific claims here, but our local shops claim it's CFM, whereas German sites list it as a blend of isolate and concentrate.
Weider is also a blend of isolate and concentrate, much like Optimum, which barely has any isolate in it.
Optimum Gold Standard Whey is overrated, but out of these three, it’s the most cost-effective.
Go with chocolate; it's better than the cappuccino flavor.

Honestly, you're better off grabbing MusclePharm from Gaspari Nutrition. It's pure whey isolate with zero concentrate, and you can get it in a 5lb tub. The taste is excellent, and the price is reasonable.

Jonathan James7 said:2 scoops a day = 60 scoops a month = 720 scoops a year.

I forgot about the acesulfame potassium..

He’s got a stevia-sweetened whey version, but you can't find that in our local stores..

+ they throw in potassium and baking soda just to help it dissolve better because otherwise, it's a nightmare to mix.
that's why you end up having to drown it in water and stuff..

I order my whey and casein straight from the US, and none of that crap is in there.

Have you guys ever actually tasted unflavored casein without all those sweeteners? No, you haven't, because you can't buy it here in America.

I'm not sure if you're familiar with EU regulations, but manufacturers in the US have to change their formulas when exporting to the EU. Products you buy in the EU—aside from those coming from England—are safer than what you find in the US. When you're buying online from Canada and see an "export item" label, you know it's because that product contains contaminants banned in most EU member states. It might be shipped to Canada from an English warehouse where it's legal to sell online, even if it's banned from retail shelves.

Richard Fox7 said:I order everything from the States via Amazon, and I specifically hunt for products loaded with those artificial additives. I live for those synthetic flavors... honestly, I find aspartame so delicious I could probably take it straight, two spoonfuls right before bed...

It’s a funny contradiction, though. Most people who lecture you about artificial ingredients usually have a cigarette in one hand and a Budweiser in the other, and they wouldn't know a gym from a gutter.

And what's wrong with beer?
Top-tier athletes are often advised to have a single beer or a small glass of wine a day.

restlessmason54 said:It’s clear you haven’t tasted the real deal, Caramel and Toffee Fudge 😍. If it had that hint of raisin sugar, you’d be drinking it non-stop.

And what about this label on the Onwhey? Never heard of it, let alone seen it? 😕

That's why you need to use plenty of napkins and keep blotting until it's completely dry. 😁

I’m not just speaking from my own experience here; I'm evaluating feedback from people all over the country.

Steven Lopez35 said:So, I assume you're with Pollock?

I wasn't complaining about your product. But if I can't find the real deal sitting on the shelf at a local Walmart, then we actually have a problem. 😂

I’m telling you, I’m done buying anything from Optimum Nutrition based on those ads. They don't hold water anymore.

Actually, I’m not with Pollock. I used to know someone who worked there, but I’ve never been on their payroll myself.
When I say "our retailers," I'm referring specifically to the stores across America.😉
You actually gave me a good laugh.😂
Don't sweat it. That Optimum tub from the ad is coming straight out of Canada, specifically packaged for the European market, which is why it's missing that local label. It’s being bottled over there for distribution across the European Union.
Look, you can find just about anything if you know where to look—whether it's under the counter, in legitimate retail stores, or hanging around local gyms.

Steven Lopez35 said:The stuff from that ad had great solubility and flavor, but the texture feels off—maybe because the taste isn't quite hitting the same way...

I’m done buying Optimum through classified ads anyway; I don't trust it. I'm sticking to Universal or Ultimate now. (Currently drinking Universal Strawberry—it's solid.)

Yeah, Universal is solid. I’m on the chocolate flavor right now. The taste is a bit unique since it’s actually less sweet than Optimum, but the mixability is identical. The powder is finer than what you get with Optimum, and I've heard the flavor profile with Optimum can be inconsistent. If you aren't happy with the Optimum you bought from our shop, it's likely because the formula shifts slightly for markets outside the European Union. However, here in the States, if a product deviates more than a tiny margin from its label, the FDA steps in, so there's nothing to worry about. The product is definitely legitimate. Honestly, don't buy into the nonsense on those bodybuilding forums; they're ruled by myths, and half the people selling protein will tell you whatever lie helps them close a sale. When buying via classifieds, stick exclusively to branded goods—but just because Optimum is the bestseller doesn't mean it's the best.😉

Alexander Walker56 said:Next you’ll be telling me it’s better to drink Microsoft whey just because it’s sitting on a shelf at a local grocery store.$250 5kg worth of nonsense.
Man, you’ve clearly got your priorities skewed if flavor is your main metric for quality.
If you don't mind, shoot me that guy's number in a DM. I’m genuinely curious about his "quality control" process for The Matrix.
Thanks in advance.

Nobody said you had to buy it in Washington, D.C.
I’m not some amateur; I’ve tried everything under the sun over 15 years of training.😉
You know damn well who sells The Matrix out of Newark. It’s Pungartnik.
You haven't actually addressed a single one of my points with a real argument.
Get this straight: people buy based on taste first, then solubility. Sure, there are quality differences between brands, but I would absolutely never touch anything with packaging that doesn't even list the ingredients or pass a basic quality check.
Everything available on the market here is legitimate, that much is certain. If you're so worried, go buy your brands in Austria. Why do you think MuscleTech Nitrotech Hardcore Pro Series protein (that black bottle—new formula) was banned here? There’s a strong suspicion they were spiking it with HGH.

Steven Lopez35 said:Look, this is fine for a post-workout meal, but don't compare it to whey. Whey has negligible carbs and fats and carries a much higher protein concentration.😉

@slydriver52/">@@slydriver52 - even with the ones from the ads and the poll, the labels were practically peeling themselves off and getting stuck under the cap.

Yeah, that’s all I was wondering.
I assume the one without the seal is intended for the USA market, while they use that specific label for other regions. Am I right in thinking both versions have the exact same flavor, texture, and solubility?

Alexander Walker56 said:http://www.myprotein.com/uk/products...t_whey_protein

or this

http://www.supplementcentre.com/Prod...ic-Protein.asp

($173 -> 5kg, also imported by individuals, brand new, sealed)

How can you claim this is questionable quality if it's factory-sealed and unopened?
I can just drive over to Austria and pick some up there for a steal.
If you’re too lazy to make the trip to Austria, you can just buy a full sealed bag from a guy here—I don't see the issue. 😉 (And I'm not talking about random classified ads or sketchy bags; I mean buying from people on this fitness forum who have a massive track record of satisfied customers)
The only thing you and all the other "experts" are actually paying for is the brand name. 😉

P.S. Speaking of prices, I bet you buy your chicken at a local grocery store for about $20 a pound? 🙂

Honestly, I feel sorry for you.
The guys on this forum sell it to you because it's cheap. Now, tell me: where on that bulk bag does it list the actual nutritional breakdown of what's inside?
Are you even aware that in England, they can sell practically any junk because their regulations allow it (somewhat similar to how things work in the USA)? Products sold in other EU countries have to meet specific standards, which is why goods from the USA are specially repackaged for the EU—except for the UK, where the laws are more aligned with the USA. Why then does MyProtein sell products in plastic tubs with labels clearly stating the powder's composition at significantly higher prices? Matrix? You can search online and see that it isn't even popular there, and from what I hear, the taste is terrible. If you know anything about protein, you know flavor is everything because that's what drives sales.😉
Go ahead, ask those guys if they can order you 2.3kg of MyProtein whey in official plastic packaging with a clear label and ingredient list, and see what price they quote you.
Why do you think none of our domestic distributors bother bringing Matrix or MyProtein into our market when it's supposedly so cheap?
Do you realize that in this case, the goods have to pass strict quality inspections at customs first? Here, the laws regarding dietary supplements are incredibly rigorous and strictly enforced. Go ask that guy from San Francisco who legally imports Polish Olympian; he'll explain it to you. He sells Matrix too, but ask him if that Matrix ever passed an inspection by the Department of Health and ask to see the paper certification.

Alexander Walker56 said:@ Steven Lopez35

The "chicken" you get at a fast-food joint like McDonald's isn't actually chicken.
That’s rushed garbage—just like the stuff you get at McDonald's.
Skip the slow cafeteria line. Just pick a better cut of meat—beef, pork, or chicken—and pair it with a solid side and some veggies. It's simple.
Fast food is garbage. 😉

Regarding the whey, you can pick up 5kg bags for around $50.$173.
Verified sellers with a massive track record of successful transactions and happy customers.
I doubt you’re at a training level where you’d actually notice any difference in the whey protein. (And honestly, neither am I, just so we’re clear.) 😁 )

Oh, please. Not that MusclePharm stuff again.🤦
The stuff you see being peddled through those local online ads is sketchy at best. It comes in cheap plastic bags with zero nutritional info printed on them; you’re forced to rely on some tiny little sample packet just to figure out what you're actually swallowing. They do offer bottled versions where the ingredients are clearly labeled on the container, but here’s the kicker: the price is identical to the premium, big-name brands. If you take a second to actually use your head, it’s obvious something is wrong. You don't get top-tier quality at bargain-bin prices without a catch.😉

Steven Lopez35 said:I picked up the cookies and cream flavor, and honestly, it was just mediocre. It wasn't terrible, but it certainly wasn't great.

Also, my usual tubs from Optimum Nutrition have this reflective "ORIGINAL PRODUCT" sticker on them, along with a serial number printed right on the container next to it. This tub from the listing doesn't have either of those things.

Does anyone have more insight on this?

Cookies&cream is definitely one of the weaker flavors in the Optimum Gold Whey lineup. Take it from me, I know how these things taste.😉
The heavy hitters are all the chocolate variations (choco mint, double chocolate, choco malt, and milk chocolate), plus mocha cappuccino and Strawberry banana.
The middle-of-the-road options are: French Vanilla Creme, tropical Punch, and Banana Cream.
Anything else is basically a gamble you'll probably lose.

Steven Lopez35 said:I picked up the cookies and cream flavor, and frankly, it was mediocre. It’s not terrible, but it’s certainly nothing to write home about.

Also, these Optimum Nutrition tubs usually have a reflective "ORIGINAL PRODUCT" sticker and a serial number printed right on the container next to it. This tub from the ad doesn't have either.

Does anyone actually know what's going on here?

Does that protective seal under the lid peel off easily, or do you have to rip it right off the threading?
That holographic sticker is likely there because that specific product is heavily counterfeited in Asia. I know they use security markings similar to what you'd see on a stadium ticket for their local market. I'm just wondering why an Optimum whey meant for the US market would have it. It’s possible this stock is intended for markets outside the US, since the stuff sold domestically usually lacks those specific security markers.