Legal alternatives

Billsworld

Are any of the over the counter "bodybuilding" suppliments illegal . Things such as creatine, DHEA, inordinate amounts of arginine,glutamine etc... How bout for nationals, track, age group etc..

iliveonnitro

Few questions: why do you need these supplements, or any for that matter?

Creatine basically fills your muscles with water. Water gain = not muscle gain, especially in the short term - so your cycling will suffer.
DHEA is illegal last I checked.
Also, arginine and glutamine dont have any extra benefits over proper training, so I don't think they're illegal.

None of these are really helpful unless you're a sprinter who doesn't care much about body mass...

Billsworld

I am a 44 yr old sprinter who doesnt care much about body mass. I am very lean @ 195 lbs.. I also dont like cheaters and dont want to labeled as one. Just not sure of the rules. I guess I am asking about uci rules. I haved used creatine for years (off and on) and it is a great supplement for power and endurance. Glutamine is also very safe and healthy to take . DHEA, not sure about the saftey of it. Thanks BW

wiggles

Creatine won't help cyclists too much actually, unless they sprint constantly. Creatine phosphate is used by Type II a and b fibres (white fibres), which are both used for long and short anaerobic activity. Unless you plan on doing a lot of sprinting, you're not going to see a vast improvement.

Most cycling only involves these fibres for brief periods of time, and otherwise relies on type I (red) fibres, which specialize for aerobic activity. They use triglycerides.

__________________
"Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence."

Frigo's Luggage

What makes you think that cyclists don't care about Type II muscles? Ever done a crit?

otherworld

Then don’t take supplements if you don’t want to cheat. What’s legality got to do with it? If you are getting it out of a bottle instead of working for it then that’s cheating in my book.

Jay

Billsworld

Craetine and vitamins isnt cheating

Felt_Rider

cheater.......cheater......cheater

count me in as well

I have a well stocked cabinet, but unfortunately I am now at the age where Saw Palmetto is my number one supplement. J/K

__________________
My Blog

Billsworld

You need to become a trackie. No weights in 4 mos. I got down to 185 or so. Right now 190 and shreaded . No weights.(or 17" arms) You live near a drome. Gooooo and check it out

Felt_Rider

There is a track somewhere down in Atlanta.

I live in a mixed up mental state. I love weights and I would make a better sprinter, but I want to become a better climber. Truely I am messed up in the head as the two activities (weights and hill climbing) are in opposition to each other. Or at least it seems that way when I am lugging my carcass up the hill.

I have a 25 year addiction to lifting.
I know that is blasphemy on this forum

__________________
My Blog

Billsworld

Missed this post.........I am no expert felty, but you are no climber. There are so many events on the track that you can find something you are suited for and still lift. If you are not a great sprinter you might be a persuiter or kilo rider. All that lifting might go to some use other than extra weight to lug up a hill Come over to the dark side

Felt_Rider

I can hand out power bars at a booth at the track. (and eat a few while I am at it like a real powerlifter would do)

Conserve calories, eat more calories, more bodyweight equals more leverage equals pushing heavier weight.

Yep....I can volunteer at a booth.

Billsworld

I will keep trying to sell the idea. I might be heading to Atlanta for a few days on business and also hitting the track. You could focus on the kilo or persuit , still do all your lifting and even make use of all the climbing you like to do. Its just a TT , no other maniacs to knock you off the bike. Its a blast! The Kilo is 1+ minutes of hell, persuit is 5 minutes of hell. Besides it gives you a good reason to go bike shopping..........and your wife can watch you ride..........and you dont get hit by cars...........and when your with trackies you dont look like a baboon on a bike, you fit in with muscles.

Felt_Rider

I bought another road bike a couple months ago. I can see my wife's patience starting to slip.


Actually I wouldn't mind giving it a try just to see what would happen.
thinks to self, "shouldn't have admitted that to Bill"