A guest blog post by Phil Elsasser of the Hagens Berman Elite Team Fueled by Hammer Nutrition.

While I have used several of Hammer’s products such as Heed and Sustained Energy in the past, this year I have had the great opportunity to explore some of their supplements through Hammer’s support of the Hagens Berman Cycling Team. One product that impressed me greatly was Hammer’s REM Caps. Being an endurance athlete means that generally by the time my head hits the pillow at the end of the day I am out like a light. As a result, I have never really thought about using a sleep aid. This year definitely changed that. Continue Reading »

Alright, let’s face it; for the next few months, the weather in about three-quarters of the U.S. just isn’t going to be that great. For those who are fortunate enough to live in warm temps in January, please continue with your winter running and riding (or take a trip down to Tucson for the annual Hammer Camps!) or whatever it is you get to do in short sleeves. But for everyone else longing for warmer weather, there certainly is still hope! Continue Reading »

Author: Steve Born

DAYS LEADING UP TO THE RACE

• Avoid the temptation to train too much and/or too close to race day! – You will not be able to positively influence your fitness level in the days leading up to the race; however, you can negatively impact your race by training during that time (training meaning anything of significant duration or intensity). As well-known coach Jeff Cuddeback (pictured right) states, “The week of any event of this duration should be all about resting up and topping off your energy stores. Training is done to keep the engine lubed and tuned up, nothing more. If you think you’re going to further your fitness through training the week of your key race, you’re sadly mistaken. If you are the type to train right up to the event, you will almost certainly under perform.”
  Continue Reading »

No research has conclusively arrived at an recommended daily intake for fluids, but about 0.5 – 0.6 fluid ounces per pound of body weight makes a more accurate standard than the “eight glasses a day” commonly recommended for everyone. Multiplying your body weight in pounds by .5 to .6 will give you the figure, in fluid ounces, that you should aim for daily to maintain regular daily hydration needs (that is, in addition to your exercise-induced needs).

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So, the racing season is almost here and you’re getting pretty fit… with the exception of those last few stubborn pounds that just don’t seem to want to leave. How do you shed those remaining “hard-headed” pounds without compromising your training? It’s as simple as cutting starch out of your evening meal and replacing it with copious amounts of vegetables and salad. Eat normally throughout the day, then for your evening meal, just consume protein, salad and vegetables. The vegetables will provide all of the carbs you need to maintain glycogen stores. You may feel a little hungry before bed, but do this regularly (not necessarily every day) and watch those love handles evaporate.

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Courtesy of Dr. Bill: I know of no reason why to limit grapefruit juice from use with any Hammer Nutrition supplements.

Here is why: Grapefruit juice increases the absorption, bioavailability, and potency of nutrients due to the bergamottin content of grapefruit temporarily blocking some types of Cytochrome P-450 enzymes (especially CYP3A4 enzyme) in the gastrointestinal tract. Like all Cytochrome P-450 enzymes, CYP3A4 is responsible for the (phase I) detoxification of various substances in the intestines and liver. This inhibitory effect of Grapefruit juice may last for up to 48 hours after ingestion. Conclusion: In my opinion, the effect of grapefruit or grapefruit juice is positive, favoring nutrient potency effects in human metabolism.

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It takes approximately 3 hours after a carbohydrate-containing meal for elevated insulin levels to return to pre-meal or waking fasting levels, which is exactly where you want them prior to a workout or race lasting longer than 60 minutes (perhaps as long as 90 minutes). To the degree that insulin levels are elevated at the start of a workout/race, the greater the body spends it muscle glycogen for energy production. The lower the insulin levels at the start of the event, the better your body spares available muscle glycogen stores. Continue Reading »

If you’re taking fish oil supplements, such as the Carlson Norwegian Salmon Oil, you may have experienced an unpleasant fishy aftertaste. If so, store the bottle in the freezer. This will minimize or even eliminate the fish oil taste.

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Metabolism is most active up until dinnertime, so the majority of your food intake should occur before that magic hour of somewhere between 5 and 7 p.m. High calorie evening and late night meals jeopardize normal sleep patterns and thus severely limit human growth hormone (hGH) release, which is absolutely KEY for you to improve, grow stronger, and stay healthy.

Thanks to Al Lyman for this Hot Tip

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To help prevent weight gain, especially during the off-season, keep dietary fiber intake above 30 grams daily while making sure consumption of high glycemic carbohydrates is limited to during or immediately following exercise.

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