Supplement companies are a business.

They want you to buy more! Many builders turn their desire to have great gains into spending money on supplements they just don't need. They have a thought process something like this: "if I cover all my bases and take every pill or powder available, then I will ensure I'm not missing out on any synthetic helper to my regiment". You have to consider the psychological impact and negative side effects of this strict and excessive schedule. Turn that desire into something useful like that last pump needed to max out.

I truly believe that in this modern day people are too busy to naturally attain the proper nutrition required to achieve good transformations. Supplements should be viewed as a catalyst to the reaction that is bodybuilding.

It's easy for those getting started to want to try every single supplement to help them reach their goals. New builders usually will set goals and buy all the necessary supplements as apart of their "plan"...the result is tubs of unused powders and pills that begin to decay from moisture in their cabinets.

Simple Supplement Plans are best - you still need to eat clean and no supplement should be used as a "meal replacement" or give you an excuse to add junk to your intake. Supplement plans that take up every other minute of your day, create too much of a structured and stressful cycle for your life. Those who start too ambitious will one day miss their morning thermogenic or multivitamin...and will end up saying to themselves..."well the day has been wasted anyway so I'll use this as a cheat day and skip my workout". These de-valued promises to yourself destroy any potential gains - all over a simple helper drug which is useless without the proper workout associated with it!

The key is sustainability.

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GET INTO WHEY

This one's a no-brainer. Protein supplements are any body-builder's bread and butter. It's too difficult to obtain the amount of protein you need to sustain your hard workouts from natural foods alone...Optimum is the best manufacturer and if you have some extra cash I would even recommend hydrolyzed. Casein, or the longer digesting protein, can utilized when you get more advanced and your recovery times need some help.

MULTIVITAMIN

Also important - Support all your metabolic functions and make sure you have all your essentials at a minimum to ensure no deficiencies destroy the future you. I recommend the bodybuilding.com pills (nothing fancy is required here).

YES, TAKE THE NO

Nitric oxide supplements may seem a little frightening to new members to the weight-lifting world but can be exactly what you need to get to your next level. MusclePharm's assault increases blood flow and will give you that amazing pump feeling at the gym that will maximize your workout. The intense focus and drive at the gym is unparalleled. If I had to choose one supplement to take - this would be it.

*CAUTION

Creatine has its advantages but can also be a real detriment on your renal system if you aren't careful. Not worth the attack on your kidneys if you can't totally use up the additional creatine.

Testosteroneuppers or any other type of hormonal changing drugs...should be avoided at all costs. These scare the hell out of me and they should you - think of roid rages, acne, and odd sexual side effects. If you're a young healthy builder - you'll have plenty of natural testosterone!

Thermogenics or caffeine supplements can be taken in the morning if desired. But only try them if you aren't a big coffee drinker or red bull chugger as you'll probably already be using caffeine to its maximum benefit. These can help give you that extra boost and kick start your metabolism in the morning. Your body does build a tolerance to caffeine and if you work out in the morning with a nitric oxide supplement...you may end up with the jitters (pretty unpleasant feeling). NEVER, take these before bed...your body needs that precious sleep to help repair your ripped muscle tissues.

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REMEMBER - keep it simple and remember that supplements are an AID. Artificial reliance can create a dependant relationship to these synthetically produced products. Remember it's YOU that puts in the time and gets those pumps! Some great builders never took any of these advanced supplements.

As a last warning - do not force yourself to take anything that makes you feel sick or anxious. It's not worth trying to push past these feelings as they can later change your perspective on fitness in general. You'll feel sick every time you want to try working out in the future.

MOLINSKI