Team Rhinox Member Sarah Laurie Online Interview

Recently Team Rhinox member Sarah Laurie had an online interview with propane fitness. Below you can read up on the interview and review some of Sarah's great pictures.

My name is Sarah Laurie. I’m 30 years old and from Gateshead, Tyne and Wear. I am a sponsored member of Team Rhinox, and The first ever winner of Facebook’s Physique Of The Week

Q. You’ve clearly had great success with your training, but how did you get started?

I was always over weight as a kid and bullied throughout school and never had boyfriends. By the time I reached 19 my weight had got out of control, I was 15st and wearing a size 18-20. I was so very unhappy, I hated the way I looked, hated the way I felt, just hated everything about myself and had little to no confidence.

I decided enough was enough and joined a slimming club, I was so focused that I lost 6.5 stone within no time. My weight loss made me feel so much happier and gave me the confidence to join the gym. At first I would just go to the gym and run for an hour on the treadmill after I hadn't seen any changes in my body shape I decided to get in touch with a personal trainer. My trainer introduced me to weight training and within 4 weeks changes started to happen, I lowered my body fat and lost inches. I have been training now for nearly 4 years and am very happy with the results I have achieved.

At the turn of the year I decided that I needed a goal to train towards and I booked a fitness photo shoot with Adrian Hanlon Photography. All of the hard work definitely paid off as I entered one of my photographs into Facebook’s POTW and won. After that I was offered sponsorship with Rhinox, have fitness magazines interested in my story and job offers from local gyms. I feel very overwhelmed by it all to be honest, but it’s all very exciting.

Q. That’s inspirational, Sarah! What advice would you give to women who want to start training?

Firstly I would encourage anyone to turn their life around as I have whether they be a man or a woman. Be patient, results aren’t going to happen overnight but hard training partnered with a good clean diet will get you those results. I find the saying “abs are made in the kitchen” so very true. For any woman feeling scared or intimidated to go into the weights section of the gym, don’t be, you will be surprised how many people are willing to help you out. My two training partners are men, and they really push me through my workouts.

Q. Do you feel that your discipline with diet and training has affected the rest of your life?

Definitely, I am finally happy with my body. It can be tough at times if I am training for something such as a photo shoot as my training and diet regime is very strict. I train twice a day 7am before work then again at 7pm. I have to prepare all my food the night before and take it where ever I go. However if I am not training towards something I still eat a clean diet but can relax things more on a weekend and have a few cheats. My life can be hectic but my training has given me my confidence back and it’s something I love and will never give up.

Q. What do you feel are the biggest mistakes you’ve learned from yourself?

I will always find improvements to make, at the minute I am trying to improve my legs and glutes so hopefully I can get up on that stage and compete. A perfect 6 pack would be nice too, it’s just going to take time, a lot of hard work and a lot of patience.

Q. Thanks, Sarah! How can our readers find out more about you?

You can find out more about me at www.rhinox.co.uk and of course buy all your supplements at great prices.

Check out Sarah's Team Rhinox page here

Photography by Adrian Hanlon: www.adrianhanlon.com

Clash Of The Titans by Kenn Forrest

"Clash of the titans. The battle of battles!"

Below is Team Rhinox member Kenn Forrest's report of Clash of the Titans:

"Today’s the day. Its 7:30 in the morning and it’s time to get out of bed; big fight night tonight.

1500 strong crowd TV cameras there filming for DVD release. Not only am I fighting for myself but also alongside my team mates Mushin Kai. Seven men fighting flat out for two minutes each against their equal of the opposing team. One round, no time for rest in this fight.

Breakfast time. Two portions of porridge followed by my UBN protein shake then a nice long hot bath to relax my muscles.

Relaxing done time for prep work & get my shakers sorted for the day ahead. Two filled with UBN carbohydrates for loading which I will be sipping on through the day one more filled with protein to have afterwards for recovery. Fill them all with water not milk. Kills two birds with one stone. Get the fluids inside and deliver my fuels, quickly and efficiently.

Handful of bananas for some solids and a little bit of chocolate for half an hour before hand for a surge of energy.

We get to the venue around 4pm for weigh in. All the fighters are there. The atmosphere is already starting to build and it's buzzing, even though the Spectators are not due for another three hours.

Relax and fuel up time again two bananas and one of my carb loader drinks. It’s Just a waiting game now. Trying not to think about the forthcoming fight myself and the team make jokes and general chat about nothing in particular. Just keep your mind off the fight. Don’t waste your energy on nerves.

An hour to go now. Time to get changed. Out of my Team Rhinox pre-training kit and into my fight gear. One more banana, one last carb drink and spend a good 40 mins warming up, stretching and getting into 'the zone'. Take it nice and slow. No time now for shocks to the system.

Warm up done now time for the chocolate for energy and water for hydration.

Time to fight.

Our team work their way through to the final, everyone fighting great. The final is very fast and furious and, to say the least, brutal.

End result we took second place. Four fights to three. Myself, Kenn Forrest, being presented with MAI fighter of the night."

 Kenn Also Made it onto the front cover of Martial Arts Illustrated

Team Rhinox @ Clash Of The Titans 2011 !!!

To those who don't know Clash Of The Titans is the superbowl Martial Arts. The best, fastest, toughest, hardest hitting fighters from around the martial arts circuit are invited to take part as one of the teams battling for first place.

Amongst these elite fighters Team Rhinox members Ross Gladwin and Kenn Forrest will be competing as part of the team known as "Mushin Kai" lead by kickboxing Legend Alfie Lewis

Clash Of The Titans will be this Saturday (12th Nov) at Huddersfield.

Below is a clip of past COTT's. If you think that's action packed wait until Team Rhinox are unleashed this year !

(taken from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXET0IlJ77w)

Product Focus: Ultimate Body Nutrition Whey Protein

Build the Ultimate body with UBN !

UBN's Whey Protein "Lean Muscle Growth Formula" is an effective protein supplement to aid in lean muscle mass. Whether you are bulking or losing fat this high quality protein can assist.

UBN's great tasting Whey Protein is a unique blend of all amino acids including L-Glutamine  and BCAA's

UBN's Whey Protein also contains MCT OIL. MCT Oil is a fat which is used as a carbohydrate (for energy!).

Benefits of MCT Oil

How Mct Oil Works
MCT oil does not travel through the lymphatic system like other oils; it goes directly to the liver to be metabolized and released as energy. Mct oil acts like a carbohydrate (fuel for the body) to provide the necessary energy and calories, but not fat that can be stored by the body.

Bodybuilders and Mct Oil
Bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts benefit from Mct oil's unique properties in that the oil can help with weight gain (muscle mass) and weight loss. Mct oil offers fat-burning energy and burns three times more than other fats. This fat-burning effect can last up to six hours after Mct oil is used.

Conditions that Benefit from Mct Oil
Mct oil promotes intestinal health by ridding the body of troublesome micro-organisms that cause chronic inflammation such as Crohn's disease or irritable bowel syndrome. Mct oil also helps diabetics because it helps regulate blood sugar levels. Other problems Mct oil can help relieve are cystic fibrosis, obesity and fat malabsorption.


Product highlights:
- 26 grams of protein per serving
- Added BCAA's (Branched Chained Amino Acids)
- MCT Oil

Serving Amount:

Per Serving:
K Cals 151
Protein (dry basis) 26.4g
Fat (Including MCT OIL) 2.7g
of which saturates 1.5g
Trans Fat 0g
Carbohydrates 5g
of which sugars 4.3g
(naturally occurring)
Sodium   Trace
fibre  356mg

Per 100G
K Cals 420
Protein (dry basis) 73.2g
Fat (Including MCT OIL) 7.5g
of which saturates 4.2g
Trans Fat 0g
Carbohydrates 14g
of which sugars 12g
(naturally occurring)
Sodium   Trace
fibre  990mg

Ingredients
Delactosed and instantised: Pure Whey Protein Concentrate, Pure Whey Protein Isolate, Hydrolysed Whey Protein, Natural and Natural Identical Flavouring, Natural Colourings, Stabilisers (Citric acid, Malic acid)
Sweetener: Sucralose

Click here to view the UBN range

Training Intensity (Rep Range)

People often ask me what the ideal amount of repetitions are when lifting weights. This of course can be different for every person but below is the usual guideline for training intensity. The below charts should help distinguish what rep range you are best working in.

REP RANGE	(Weight Used) Percent of 1 Rep Max	Goal/Outcome
01-04 Reps	88%-100%	Power and Strength
05-06 Reps	83%-88%	Primarily Strength/Some Size
06-12 Reps	70%-83%	Mix of size and strength. Size and Endurance around 12 reps
12 and above	70% and below	Endurance training

Rep(s)	Percentage of 1RM
1	100
2	95
3	90
4	88
5	86
6	83
7	80
8	78
9	76
10	75
11	72
12	70

In short:

    * Lower reps (high intensity) is most ideal for increasing strength.
    * Higher reps (low intensity) is most ideal for improving muscle endurance.
    * Moderate reps in the middle of the two (moderate intensity) is most ideal for building muscle and size. More for visual effect than functionality


Olympic weightlifters & power lifters usually stay in the lower rep area where as a body builder will usually work between 6-12 reps.



As for rest in between sets I would recommend between 2 and 4 minutes. When lifting in the lower ranges and 30 seconds to 90 seconds in the higher.


The next question is usually "what's my 1RM?" or "How do I calculate my 1RM"


There are a few mathematical equations to work this out and there are some online calculators but I find these seem to be a bit inaccurate. Best way to do it is to pick up a weight and find out (remember 1RM's will differ between exercises). Please have someone to spot you in case you attempt a weight which is too heavy.

116 Reps Kettlebell World Record!!

Ivan Denisov pushes out 116 reps of 32KG Kettlebells in 10 minutes !

I had my first Kettlebell session last night and after a few "warm up" exercises I did a 10 minute challenge. Which was one armed variation of the above video. 5 minutes on each arm with a 12KG kettlebell. Just over half the weight of Ivan and I was dead, my arms felt like jelly.

Quick Tip:
If booked in for a kettlebell session, especially your first I would not suggest working shoulders an hour before hand like I had.

Video taken from:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0YAJIg9waA
All rights belong to the respective owners

Alcohol & Bodybuilding

This post is not about how bad alcohol is for you. Its aimed at how bad alcohol is for your "gains" whether you are aiming to lose fat or build muscle the last thing you want is to be working hard throughout the week then wasting it every weekend. The main thing stopping people from reaching their goals or slowing them down from reaching their goals is alcohol (especially in the UK it seems like all we do is drink).

Before we go any further into this post I want to put an end to right now. That is

"I will drink vodka and diet coke it has no calories"

This is one worst things I have ever heard

Vodka like ALL other alcohol contains CALORIES!!!!

Here is a quick example run through of calories contained within alcohol:

Calories in a shot (25ml/Single measure) of Vodka: 55 kcal 
Calories in a glass (120ml) of white wine: 89 kcal
Calories in a can (550ml) of lager: 247.5 kcal
Calories in a pint of Guinness: 170 kcal

A pint is 568ml so basically the same as a can stated above.

Maybe now you are thinking "well it fits into my calorie counting/macros so its fine"

The problem is the calories in alcohol are "empty calories" they are calories your body cannot use. To every gram of alcohol you get 7 empty calories.

An empty calorie is a calorie which has no nutritional benefit. Your body cannot burn this off. Fat calories are useful for various body process but empty calories are just dead calories and turn to fat cells (ever hear of a lil thing called a beer belly????)

Another problem with alcohol is the fact it is a poison. This means the body will attempt to rid its self of this "poison" before it does anything else. So all your other processes fat breakdown, protein breakdown, energy processing etc are put on hold. This in turn slows down your metabolism and results in further fat gain

Several studies have shown that alcohol is a mega player in increasing appetite. How many times on a night out have you stopped at a "dirty burger bar" or got kebab or pizza on the way home ? Now you can't tell me 12 pints and a 10 inch stuffed crust chicken pizza with garlic fits in your macros !

The last effect I will talk about is motivation. Alcohol totally kills your drive to workout. I'm as guilty as the next for a night out on Friday, wake up Saturday FAR too hung over to workout and state I will do it Sunday. I then chill all day and when Sunday comes around I'm far too "couch potatoed" to care. Then it all starts again of "Getting back on it on Monday"....until Friday comes around

Steroid/Prohormone users I STRONGLY recommend not drinking while on cycle as alcohol puts a lot of stress on the liver as does AAS/PH's (This is why you use liver support while on cycle...well I hope you do)

I'm not trying to make you all T-Total (trust me I did it for a year and it zapped my social life) Just drink in moderation. I am simply trying to show how alcohol has been played down in society so its not even something we think about when we think about our diet/working out lifestyles. I lose count on how many people will say to me "I eat healthy and work out quiet a bit but cant lose the fat" when asked how much they drink the answer is always a sheepish "loads".

Glutamine

Glutamine is the most common amino acid found in your muscles. 61% of your skeletal muscle is Glutamine. Glutamine consists of 19% nitrogen, making it the primary transporter of nitrogen into your muscle cells.

During intense physical exercise/training Glutamine levels are greatly reduced, which decreases strength, stamina and recovery. It could take up to 6 days for Glutamine levels to return to normal

Glutamine plays a key role in protein synthesis. Protein synthesis is the name used when the body is creating protein. When we work out we take Glutamine (amongst others) away from the muscles and put them in a "catabolic state" (muscle breakdown). This is why it is important to have a post work out meal and/or supplement to replenish muscle stores and put the muscles in a "anabolic state" (Muscle growth). Studies have shown that L-Glutamine supplementation can minimize breakdown of muscle and improve protein metabolism.

Glutamine's protein synthesis and metabolism properpeties are espically useful for people who are "cutting" (losing bodyfat). These people will be on a calorie deficit, this means they will not be getting as much food as usual and therefore not as much Glutamine. Glutamine also helps preserve muscle mass during this calorie deficit phase.

Glutamine is also used to help maintain a healthy immune system to keep your body at its  peak. As you work out your body uses up its Glutamine stores, this makes athletes and bodybuilders more open to illness. Keeping a good amount of Glutamine in your system helps prevent illness (no one wants their nose running during deadlifting)

Glutamine Benefits:

- Promotes protein synthesis

- Prevents catabolism

- Maintains cell volume and hydration, speeding up wound and burns healing/recovery

- Promotes growth hormone levels

- Promotes a healthy immune system

- One of the most important nutrients for your small intestine. Glutamine as the ability to repair a "leaky gut".

- Studies show a repair rate of 92% in 4 weeks for ulcers due to Glutamine

FAQ:

Q. How much Glutamine should I be taking ?

A. Atheletes, bodybuilders & people who undergo a large amount of physical stress should be suppplementing with around 10-15 grams per day. This 10-15 grams should be set out into 3 servings of 5 grams (scoops usually supplied or 1 heaped tea spoon).

Q. When should I take L-Glutamine ?

A. I usually recommened in the morning, post workout & before bed.

Q. Is there any side effects with L-Glutamine?

A. Basically no. Glutamine occurs naturally in the body and studies have found no adverse side effects. However with all things too much is never good, I would suggest sticking to the recommended dosages unless otherwise told to do so by a professional. Too much Glutamine although not dangerous usually leads to upset stomachs.

Best of all Glutamine is a pretty cheap supplement check out our full range here

Member Review - Animal Cuts (3 week Course)

We asked a current Rhinox member to write a review for the fat loss product Animal Cuts below is their full review.

After a heavy amount of research and reading reviews I decided to give Animal Cuts a try to see if they could help me lose some bodyfat and a little bit of weight.

Started Tuesday 30th November 2010
Starting weight: 163 lbs

Current supplements:
Everyday supplements:
Animal Cuts 2 packs per day
Animal Pak 1 pack per day
Protein (Currently Syntha 6 Chocolate)
Cissus

Now and again supplements:
Vit C
Xtend
Whiteflood / jack3d / NO Xplode

***A little background: ***
Started last year at 176lbs dropped 160lbs and then started to make some noticeable gains in muscle around August area. However I sustained a few injuries from September through kickboxing (infected foot, My ribs got put out and then I tore my calf 4 weeks ago.) When injured I just got lazy I didn’t gain much weight but did lose what little gains of muscle I had and my body fat has shot up.

Even though Im at 163lb now Im going to cut with one (3 week) run of Animal Cuts. The cut is more of a self confidence thing than anything else. I could probably bulk at the moment with decent results but I dont feel confident bulking with this amount of fat again.

I need to keep my weight under the 175lb area for kickboxing. However I’m more aiming towards visual results over scales results.

As im not "going at it" 100% during this 1st run of Cuts I’m not holding my breath on GREAT results but we will see. Usually I would be running >4 miles 3 times a week, kickboxing 3-5 times a week and lifting 3-5 times a week. But at the moment Im into my 4th week of my 6 weeks healing period as advised by the doc. Im hoping to be back next week but it depends on how my calf holds up.

***Log & Review:***
***Day1***
Energy Increase – Noticeable

1st day taking these pills and when waking up and looking at 9 pills you just think “wtf” but they go down easy enough. Took them at 8:30 and went to work I thought I felt warmer at 1st (due to thermo complex-Red pill) but then I stepped out of the house the -2 oC put an end to that.

The energy increase is noticeable but not a crazy boost just a nice steady alertness that seems to last

For the past few weeks when at work Ive been snacking on cookies ALL day long. (Like an addict to them cookies !). However I never even fancied one. The appetite suppressant is really good. So much so I only ate because I knew I needed to not because I was hungry.

By mid afternoon round 15:30 the diuretic was in full swing and letting me know it !. Don’t get me wrong its not like “oh crap Im gonna pee my pants right here” its more like on the hour every hour its time to go.

After work I took Whiteflood around 18:30 and felt no jitteriness or anything along those lines. However I did have a meal around 17:45 which probably absorbed most of each Cuts and Whiteflood anyway. I did manage to go for 30 mins swim and an hour or so in the Gym. Workout went well and I had more energy than natural but not putting it down to either Cuts or Whiteflood more a mix of both.

After my meal I was thinking about pushing the Gym off so the supps did give me the energy to get done what I needed.


***Day 2***
Time Taken – 8:30 / 13:00
No workout
Really bad evening of food – cinema Hot dog and Nachos

I learnt a good lesson about Cuts today. DRINK WATER with the diuretic been so strong its hard to stay fully hydrated. I was fine until I went to the cinema. Then because I was thirsty I drank my drink far too quick but refused to walk out and go get another one (I’m not walking down the cinema steps with everyone waiting for me to fall I’m clumsy enough as it is and it would of happened and not been the 1st time). I felt fine until the journey home and it felt like it was hard to catch my breath. Once home I drank a tonne of water but you have to hydrate yourself at a pace not just downing pints of water. It was quite difficult getting to sleep at night due to the dehydration.

Apart from that the energy was still good and constant and appetite suppressant still top notch

*** Day 3 ***
Time taken – 8:30 / 13:00

I’m wanting to get up around 6am and try cuts with swimming before work. But keep saying “tomorrow” and setting my alarm for 8am instead.

I woke up still feeling weird from day 2's dehydration spell. But I managed to rally around to normal around 11am once i had got enough water in me. (I was drinking like a fish around 9-10.)

The energy is still good and focus is good.

Appetite control is still excellent no snacking whatsoever.

I still cant comment on the thermo complex heating me up at all as its been like a freezer at work all week.

Diuretic still going strong ! Animal should rename this stuff to Animal Leaks ! Seems like around 2pm-4pm is when its at its strongest then you go back to normal “toilet timing” the rest of the day. Hoping the diuretic calms down some over the 3 weeks. I could remove the blue pills (diuretic pills) but I want a fair judgement on Cuts using everything from it. As I will be running my 2nd course of 3 weeks once fully healed and back in kickboxing/full fitness regime

Due to family commitments I needed to do a rushed workout and be done by 6:20. So I took some NO XPLODE at 16:45 and left work to workout. I was a bit jittery I think due to too much caffeine in my system. Im quite sensitive to Stims and don’t drink Tea or Coffee, red bulls etc. Crash wasn’t too bad Ive had worse caffeine crashes off NO XPLODE alone

***Day 4***
Time Taken: 8:30 & 13:00
Appetite suppressant – Still Excellent
Diuretic – Still making its presence felt around 2pm-4pm

Not a lot to report and I wont be doing a day by day report but thought I would run the 1st few days/maybe a week day by day. I did however eat crap food last night I nom’d a fully 14inch Chicken/pineapple/mushroom/Garlic dominator pizza from dominoes.

PIZZA is my main weakness !

***Day 5***

Time taken – 8:40

Its 10:22 and I’m still not hungry whatsoever. I may have a protein shake or a sandwich soon just because I know my body is going to need something. Ive drank about 4 shakers of water since 9am so sat writing this up and fighting the diuretic

Energy and focus still really good

Took my 2nd pack around 1200-1300 area then took some whiteflood at 17:00 had a decent workout and no conflict between Cuts or whiteflood. Finished my work out and felt good,

***Day 6***
Didnt do much at all yesterday had a migraine when I woke up which I couldn’t shift. Forgot to take Cuts till around 11:40 then again around 17:00 I was abit sceptical and was thinking about taking the red pill out with it been so late in the day but the caffeine was fine. Appetite suppressant was excellent as usual today

***Day 7***

One week in and Im really enjoying this product so far. Appetite control has/is great and energy is a nice little pick me up with out the smack in the face

As I said I would log the first week then log now and then after that.

***1st week ratings***
energy: ***
Nice and smooth, tell its there
Appetite Control: *****
Awesome eat because I need to not because Im hungry
What it says on the tin: *****
Weighed in on the scalesat work just now and it states 158 lbs If this is correct I think my initial weigh in may be off a little ? I know I was around 160-163lb last week but 5lb in a week is a canny shift. The mirror is looking allot better as well this week starting to move some of the gut away again

If cuts is making this amount of difference with the little amount of effort im putting in I cant weight for when Im at full pace (I had pizza both fri and Saturday night !)

***Day 11***
This a general write up of the past few days

The diuretic seems to have died down A LITTLE as Im not going as often as I was BUT when im still going far more than I usually do.

I have been quite lazy the past few days due to loads of stuff going on and not been able to make it to gym

The appetite suppressant seems to be excellent UNLESS greed gets the better of you. I wasnt hungry but I wanted a protein cookie, I think my sweet tooth was on a major rampage. Once I snacked that I was hungry an hour later like, really hungry something I hadn’t felt on Cuts I had been eating my normal meals but I still seemed really hungry.

***Weight update***
157.17 lbs < - Fully clothed and a gut full of 14inch dominoes dominator last night .

Please remember
I’m not expecting major results from this run its more to see what the supplement is like. A tester run if you will. I will be highly recommending this supplement in store and cannot wait to see how well it works on full throttle.

Yesterday I was REALLY tired the morning caffeine in my first Pak picked me up really good. But by the afternoon I was lagging and I took my 2nd Pak around 2pm (later than usual) and me been the almighty clever person I am totally blanked the fact I had my 2nd serving around that time and decided to make my self a little "pick me up" at around 3.30 I put a scoop..ish of white flood into about 400ml of water and thought it would be ok to sipping on to pick me up....Nope! Made it to around 200 ml into the drink and I was jittery as hell. Thought I was having a butterfly effect. Will NOT be doing that again.

***Conclusion: ***

*********************
*Starting weight: 163 lbs*
*Ending weight: 158lbs *
*********************

5lbs in 3 weeks, awful diet, hardly any exercise.

I think that somes up the top and bottom of it, My diet has been awful recently. Some days I would eat as little as 800 calories then on others I would nom pizza/chinese etc sometimes twice in a day. As stated throughout this log, my workouts have not been fully focused due to injury and lazyness.

***will I use Animal Cuts again? ***
Without a doubt YES.

However recent things in my life have raised my blood pressure and Animal Cuts states not to use if you have high blood pressure, so I will need to wait for this to go back down. I’ve got a lot of size to gain in the meantime before I start cutting again anyway. I wanted to take cuts as a confidence thing so I could bulk/gain with less fat as a starting base and I would say I’m back to around the size I was a few months back. Cuts has done what I wanted and with minimal effort. I will definitely come back to this when I want to Cut again. Ive used other cutting/dieting tools and Cuts is my favourite so far.

Final Rating
energy: ***
Been tired a lot recently but that is due to stress/lack of sleep.
I edited my post here moved back up to a 3 because the morning caffeine pill deffo helped a lot these past few days
Appetite Control: ****
Only lost a star because if I was greedy and let my sweet tooth get the better of me and ate a protein cookie I would be craving another. This is not the products fault but my own
What it says on the tin: *****
Enough said 5* very little effort and I got the results I was after. I cannot wait until my next run when I’m back to full throttle

***Final comments/Thoughts***
Highly recommend this product. But please read the label before use!

I think Cuts is made for the more experienced supplement user. Not for someone looking to lose weight and starting out working out. If you decide to use this make sure you keep your water intake really high. Around (if not over) 1.5-2 gallon per day area as the diuretic is very strong.

Product Focus: Jack3d

This week's product focus is on the PRE-Workout product bu USPLabs called Jack3d.

Jack3d is a very strong preworkout and I would suggest you read ALL the insturctions on the tub before using this product. The product is that strong it actually comes with a black box warning.

At first look you may think you are being ripped off due to the small sized tub compared to Jack3d's competitors. However you will soon realise you are getting more for your money. Jack3d does come in a small container but due to it been a concentrate you only need to use a tiny amount (5g scoops compared to others usually been around 20g). 9 out of 10 times one of the 5g scoops will be enough to get you through even the toughest of workouts.

See below for the full Jack3d write up

 

Do you like having tons of energy, strength, stamina and endurance for your workouts?

Who doesn't?

There's nothing like the right combination of compounds taken pre-workout to deliver consistently mind-blowing workouts to help you achieve your goals. After all, if your workouts suck, you can all but forget about making killer progress anytime soon.

USPLabs Jack3d gives you the mad aggressive desire and ability to lift more weight, pump out more reps and have crazy lasting energy, along with sick muscle-engorging pumps. Jack3d is easily the most intense pre-workout product you will ever want to use again. The amount of energy and focus is perfect, pumps and vascularity will be out of control, but most importantly you will feel great throughout your entire workout. Nno bloat, no headaches, no blow workouts.

Jack3d Formula Breakdown
Geranium (1,3-Dimethylamylamine or Methylhexamine)

This plant contains a powerful compound. It produces sympathomimetic effects in the body, resulting in strong Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulation, allowing for improved strength output, focus, alertness and mood.
Side benefits may include fat loss due to potential appetite suppression, as well as through increased work capacity and the possibility of increased norepinephrine release.

Schizandrol A

Schizadra increases physical force. In essence, it is able to provide a stimulating effect to the body and mind.

Methylxanthines (Caffeine & Theophylline)

Both of these compounds belong to the family of methylxanthine compounds. They are both able to stimulate the CNS, while also stimulating contractility of skeletal muscle directly and this may partially be due to the release of catecholamines such as norepinephrine. Caffeine also has the benefit of fighting fatigue and drowsiness; enhancing the flow of thoughts; increasing alertness and improving intellectual efforts along with producing euphoria or a sense of well-being in some cases. Just as these methylxanthines can increase the effectiveness of compounds, it is thought that it may do the same for the unique compound found in Geranium.

Beta-Alanine

Carnosine is an extremely important dipeptide that is generally present in rather high concentrations in skeletal muscle, though it is also found in nervous tissue and other excitable tissues as well. It is so important because it acts as a buffer of sorts, preventing the increase of acidity or Hydrogen ion accumulation in skeletal muscle; something which is thought to contribute to the fatiguing of muscles.
Furthermore, by increasing carnosine levels, power output can be increased as well. In short, you are able to improve your power output, while also delaying fatigue; you can lift more explosively and for longer periods.

Creatine Monohydrate

While we may negate the increase in Hydrogen ion levels in skeletal muscle by increasing carnosine levels, we still must overcome one more obstacle in order to allow us to prevent fatigue while working out. In this case, we must use a compound which can ultimately increase the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels in muscle. ATP, as we all know, is a high energy nucleotide which acts as the major energy carrying molecule in our bodies.
Consequently, muscle fatigue is also related to energy loss in skeletal muscle, specifically, ATP being converted to adenosine diphosphate (ADP). In effect, one phosphate group is lost and must be replenished in order for the muscle cell to continue on working.
By supplementing with creatine, we are able to increase the levels of phosphocreatine in muscle. Phosphocreatine is a high energy buffering compound which is able to donate a phosphate group to ADP, allowing the formation of ATP once again.
In short, we can prevent or reduce fatigue from occurring by increasing phosphocreatine levels, which in turn will allow for the regeneration of ATP from ADP leading to greatly reducing physical and muscular exhaustion...

I usually keep my jack3d for my heaviest of days (Chest and Back) and really tear it up. I suggest giving Jack3d a try you will not be disappointed 

1100lb Deadlift !

Stumbled upon this and thought I had to share it. Guy deadlifts 1100lb and makes it looks easy !





I do not own or claim ownership of this video in anyway. Im simply sharing so more can see this.

The video is taking from the following page - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17ptVrk4vo8

Creatine FAQ

Another product I get a lot of questions about is Creatine. Below I have attempt to cover the most frequently asked questions I get on creatine. 

Once again I would like to dismiss the fact of creatine "making you massive" as a lot of people are under this impression. 

Some people may experience bloating with some forms of creatine. Its best to try out different types and see what works best for your body. 

When supplementing with creatine please make sure to drink between 1-2 gallons of water a day.

Creatine is a compoud supplement meaning you need to take this even when on off days

What is creatine?

Creatine is naturally produced in the body. Creatine is used to regenerate the muscles energy supply ATP  (adenosine Triphosphate). Creatine is 100% natural and occurs naturally in many foods.

Creatine is a major player in the bodybuilding supplement industry. First off creatine can increase lean muscle mass (Noticeable results in just 2 weeks of proper use).   

But creatine is not just for bodybuilding. Any high-intensity exercise or sport can be improved by creatine. Creatine increases energy levels and speeds up recovery times. Creatines ability to enhance energy reserves comes from its muscle protein synthesizing action. While minimizing protein breakdown. This occurs because creatine super-hydrates muscle cells with water. Creatine also enhances muscle growth making muscle fibers bigger and stronger

Is creatine safe? Has it been scientifically studied ?

There has been several studies on creatine to figure out why and how it works as good as it does. There has also been several placebo controlled double blind studies (basically meaning both the subjects and the researchers had no idea who was getting creatine and who wasn’t). These studies (which can be found by a simple search on the internet) proved that subjects who used creatine experienced increased energy levels, resulting in increased strength, endurance and recovery rates. Another result they observed which was quite unexpected was creatine accelerates fat loss while increase lean body mass

In all the studies on creatine none have reported any adverse effects. Creatine has shown to be safe and effective. Never showing any signs of harmful toxins. Nevertheless it is not advisable to over-supplment. Just with anything else stick to the recommended dosage and do not take more than advised

Where to find creatine?

There are 2 types of Creatine Natural and Synthetic

Natural Creatine:

This is creatine that is found naturally in food and the body. In the body creatine is formed in the liver, pancreas and kidneys before been transported to muscles. Creatine is also found in several types of food, the most prime been red meat espically lean meat. Around one pound of raw meat contains 2 grams of creatine. Fish such as tuna, salmon, sashimi and sushi are also high in creatine and contain other great benefits such as methionine (amino acid which helps fight body fat) and Omega 3 fatty acids that aid in creatine synthesis. Small amounts of creatine can be found in liquids such as milk and cranberries. When dietary ingestion of creatine is not sufficient the body will synthesize its own source of creatine from Amino Acids. This is when it becomes easier to use “Syntehtic Creatine” (supplements)

Synthetic Creatine:

Syntheric creatine is creatine supplements which come in a variety of forms such as powder, pills, juices and bars.  There are several types of Creatine supplements. The most common of which are described below:

Creartine Monohydrate:

Creainte Monohydrate (Also known as Mono) is the most popular creatine supplement used today. Mono is basically creatine bound with water. Each gram of creatine powder is 88% creatine and 12% water (1 gram of creatine powder contains 880 miligrams of actual creatine). Creatine Monohydrate is what most of the creatine studies have been based on.

Creatine Ethyl Ester HCL (CEE):

Creatine Ethyl Ester HCL (CEE) is creatine monohydrate with an ester attached. Esters are organic compounds that are formed by esterification - the reaction of carboxylic acid and alcohols. Many believe CEE is able to be absorbed more efficiently by the body than regular creatine mono. CEE gives the same benefits of Mono but at less dosages. Quite a lot of controversy has been generated in the dispute between Mono and CEE. With companies and individuals with an interest in one stating the other is less efficient or simply “does not work”. The best bet is to try both and see what your body responds to best.

Creatine Kre-Alkalyn:

Kre-Alkalyn is creatine monohydrate but created at a higher PH level. This means it stays as creatine longer rather than turning to creatinine (More on creatinine later). Kre-Alkalyn comes in purple caplets rather than powder or any other form. It is believed slowing the process of creatine turning to creatinine allows the body to absorb more protein. An advantage some users have noticed with Kre-Alkalyn is when some of them used creatine monohydrate they would hold a lot of water and get a bloated stomach, these users state this does not happen with Kre-Alkalyn.

As stated above there are several various types of creatine and I have briefly mentioned the 3 main types used in supplements. Its basically what your body responds to best, no-one can tell you one is better.

Remember Always read dosage and directions on each product before using.

What is creatinine ?

The only by-product of creatine is creatinine This is what creatine forms into when left in liquid (In a glass or in the body) and is not used for muscle building, energy or anything else. It is simply waste product. Creatinine is processed in the kidneys and exited out your body by your urine. This is why a lot of people increase their water intake when supplementing with creatine, to simply help the kidneys work with its new workload

Who should be using creatine?

Anyone can benefit from using creatine. Anyone looking for more energy levels to increase endurance. Anyone looking to build muscle faster and get toned by increasing lean muscle mass. Creatine is great for bodybuilders and athletes alike for the above reasons and for the added bonus of increased recovery rates meaning you can get back to training quicker. In short anyone who is looking to increase their performance in bodybuilding or sports and lose fat/gain lean muscle at a quicker rate should try supplementing with creatine.

How do I get my daily creatine ?

One pound of beef contains 5 grams of creatine. It is possible to get your daily creatine from your diet but its not advisable to eat that much red meat or salmon per day. This is where Supplementation comes in.

There are 2 ways of taking creatine. The 1^st is:

Loading:

This method works very well for anyone who has never taken creatine before.

This method is in three stages

Stage 1 – Loading – You “load” or saturate your muscles with creatine for 1 week. Taking anywhere between 20-30 grams per day. (5g servings set out throughout the day)

Stage 2 – Maintenance – This is where you keep your muscles topped up with creatine by taking between 5-15 grams per day for 6 weeks

Stage 3 – Cycle Off – This stage is when you completely stop taking creatine for 1 week. This will starve your body of the excess creatine making the loading phase more effective once started again.

Non-loading:

This method is a more gradual way of supplementing creatine and you skip straight to the maintenance phase. You simply take between 5-15 grams of creatine per day. No need to cycle you just keep your muscles saturated.

The above types of creatine use are for most Creatine Monohydrate products. Please always read the labels for each individual product.

A quick example of other creatine types use would be:

CEE:

Serving 1 – Take immediately after workout

Serving 2  - Take 6-8 hours before or after workout

On none workout days:

Serving 1 – Take upon waking on empty stomach

Serving 2 – Take 6-8 hours later

(The above example comes from BSN®’s Cellmass. Each serving is a 16g scoop)

Kre-Alkalyn:

Serving 1 – Take 2 capsules an hour before workout

Serving 2 – Take immediately after workout

(The above example is from All American EFX Kre-Alkalyn)

The above examples are exactly that examples other products of the same nature may change the recommend usage. Always read the directions on the product before use.

Product Focus: USN Muscle Fuel Anabolic

The first product to appear on this Blogs regular "Product focus" will be USN's Muscle Fuel Anabolic. This is the Daddy of all-in-one products. With other 500 calories and 50 grams of protein per serving you will be going from stick to swole in no time at all. For people looking for the perfect mix of all the staple supplements they need (& more!) then this is the supplement for them. Since we started stocking Muscle Fuel Anabolic we have had trouble keeping it on the shelves (both customers and staff have being going crazy for it!!)

See below for the write up from USN's website:

Muscle Fuel Anabolic has been engineered by a passionate team of scientists with their focus on extreme muscle growth, strength and muscle recovery in the shortest possible time. At USN we’re proud to present this powerful muscle meal shake that is unsurpassed in potency and quality. It contains a Hyperbolic Stack that includes a Creatine Stack for increased power and volume, Glycine to stimulate growth hormone release, Tribulus Terrestris for testosterone support, and Taurine to maximise the uptake of nutrients and amino acids. The six-stage Anabolic Protein Matrix contains Whey Protein Concentrate & Isolate, Micellar Casein, Milk Protein Isolate, Calcium Caseinate and High Isoflavone Soy Protein Isolate, which ensures optimal muscle recovery and lean muscle growth, while the presence of high levels of Glutamine and BCAA’s offers nitrogen retention, immune system support and improved endurance performance. A high-quality four-stage Glyco-Matrix Carb System, comprising Fast- & Slower Releasing Maltodextrin, Dextrose Monohydrate & Fructose, delivers the most essential carbs required for lean muscle growth and optimal glycogen storage.

USN Muscle Fuel Anabolic is a convenient, tasty meal replacement shake available in a variety of flavours and perfect for any time of the day or night.

CORE BENEFITS OF MUSCLE FUEL ANABOLIC:

• 50g Anabolic Protein Matrix per serving. Advanced Amino Acid Delivery Formula.
• 14 300 mg HyperBolic Stack per serving to optimise muscle growth.
• GH release from 5000mg Glycine. 
• 1500mg Taurine to maximise nutrient & amino acid uptake and energy production.
• 7000mg Creatine Stack for muscle growth, power and volumisation.
• High in BCAA’s and Glutamine to assist in muscle growth and nitrogen retention. 
• Lactazyme blend (Lactose enzymes) for optimal milk solid absorption.

WHO SHOULD USE IT?

• Muscle fuel Anabolic is a scientifically engineered muscle building MRP supplement, formulated for athletes that are serious about building muscle mass. 
• It should not be used by persons under the age of 18 years.
• It should not be used for weight loss.
• For bodybuilders and athletes or individuals on a mass gaining plan.
• High protein, anabolic meal replacement powder drink mix with sweetener.

To view and purchase this product now click here

Whey Protein (Basic Q & A)

I thought I would write up some of the most frequently asked questions I get about whey protein.

When it comes to gaining lean muscle and burning fat, protein is the make or break part of your diet.

2 myths I would like to dismiss right now before we go any further are:

“I don’t want protein it will make me massive” 

Protein is not going to make you magically massive. The amount of size you put on depends on numerous factors. Such as amount of calories you take in, the type/amount of workout you are doing etc

“I don’t want protein because it will make me fat” 

Protein shakes will not make you fat. They give you the added protein your diet is missing. You will get fat from not working the calories off. This is the same as eating. You wouldn’t just stop eating because its got the ability to make you fat.

What is protein used for?

Protein is used to build, maintain & repair muscle. A common mistake for people new to working out is they only use protein after they workout, on workout days. That’s great for repair but what about the build and maintain functions of protein?

How much protein do I need?

The UK Food Standards Agency recommends that adults take in around 55 grams of protein per day. This is based on your average male. The demand for an athlete or bodybuilder is so much greater. It is recommended that you get 1-1.5 grams of protein to bodyweight. So if you are 80KG you would be aiming for 160grams of protein per day. (Professional/advanced bodybuilders will aim for 1.5-2grams per LBM)

When should I be consuming protein?

The most important protein shake is the “anabolic window” protein shake. This is the  time after a workout when your body is graving nutrients more than ever. This occurs within 30 minutes of finishing your working out. If you are not on a KETO diet (no carbohydrate diet) it is quite advisable to add some carbohydrates to this shake (simple carbs work best during this period). Your daily protein intake should be split throughout the day between meals and shakes. Shakes are great for people on the go or to use in between meals. Protein shakes can also be used as a meal replacement (some protein products are intended for this and are more filing than your average shake)

Protein shakes mixed with water will be digested by the body quicker than those mixed with milk, convenient for the anabolic window shake. Protein shakes mixed with milk will be digested slower than those with water convenient for a shake in between meals or before bed.

Can protein help in losing body fat ?

Protein helps a great deal in losing body fat. Protein helps you maintain your muscle mass while cutting down on your calorie intake. Protein is also a great natural appetite suppressor as it helps you feel fuller for longer. Even when trying to lose weight and/or body fat it is important to keep your protein intake at the levels advised above.

What if I don’t get enough protein ?  / “I know people who don’t bother with protein and they have made good progress in the gym”

A low protein diet will not affect muscle growth. However if you don’t have enough protein in your diet to build more muscle its only a matter of time before your body starts using your muscles for energy and you will hit a plateau, you will not grow any further

What are the benefits of Whey Protein?

Whey protein is beneficial in the fact it allows you to get a high amount of protein quickly and effortlessly. 1-2 scoops of protein powder into a shake of water/milk and you have the same amount of protein you would have from a meal with very little amounts of fat and carbs. I'm not saying you should replace all your meals with protein shakes though because whey protein does not contain all the other nutrition you would get from a meal.

What is Casein protein ?

Casein protein is another powder like whey but it has a slower rate of digestion. This is useful for shakes before bed and in between meals where you may be going quite a while before your next intake of protein.

What is whey Isolate protein ?

Whey Isolate protein is a protein which is very quickly digested. This type of protein is good for the anabolic window

What is a blend protein ?

A blend protein product (such as Syntha-6 or Myofusion) is a mix of different types of protein. This can be any type of blend such as Whey/Casein, Isolate/casein, Whey/isolate/casein etc the list goes on.

I am lactose intolerant does this mean I can not use protein powder?

It means you cant use milk based protein powders. However there are several other proteins you can use:

Carinvor - Protein derived from beef 

(does not taste like beef don’t worry)

Whey 2 O – A juice version of a protein shake, basically fat & lactose free

Whey protein isolate

Goldstandard 100% whey – Although this is a whey protein it has a digestive enzyme known as “lactase” which is intended to make digestion easier for people who are lactose intolerant. I know several lactose intolerant people who are fine using this product

What type of protein should I get then?

As a beginner its always best idea to start with your basic whey protein as this can cover most your needs to being with.

Click here to see our range of protein shakes:

Welcome To Rhinox's Blog

Welcome to our brand new Rhinox Blog!

Having been active on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter for some time now, an experience that has been very enjoyable, we have come to realise that we need more space for the publication of reviews, news and everything else. For this reason, we have decided to launch the Rhinox Blog as a new channel that will serve as a complementary source of communication to our standard media channels such as newsletters and our other social sites. The Rhinox Blog will enable you to Keep up to date with new products, supplement and fitness industry news and fitness advice

Our Blog will be updated regularly by our staff. Look out for some special updates from our sponsored Athletes.

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