The bulking cycle is one of the most looked forward cycles to many power lifters, fitness enthusiasts, and body builders. It is the stage of your transformation where your caloric intake surpasses your body’s caloric need. This results in gradual weight gain. For every pound gained one has to consume a surplus of 3,500 calories. Example: To gain a pound each week you would divide 3500 calories by 7 days which breaks down to an extra 500 calories a day. My personal trick listed at the end of the list below 🙂 During my bulk cycle, which typically last from 2-3 months, my training consists of heavy strength training and my body appreciate the extra calories which it uses to fuel these demanding sessions. In order to keep my body running like a well oiled machine I recruit help from supplements that complement my new taxing regime. They help me with focus, energy, vitamins, minerals, and much needed motivation as I progress to the end of the cycle.
Multivitamin (Morning)
The use of multivitamins is not new to many of us due to the fact that your parents may have given you children vitamins in the shape of your favorite cartoon characters when you were a kid. As you mature and your lifestyle changes so should your multivitamin. If you engage in an active lifestyle, such as sports, physical labor, outdoor activities, then your body needs more than someone with more of a sedentary way of life. The vitamins and minerals help to make sure that your body has all of the nutrients needed to enable your body to perform at the highest level possible.
Pre Workout (30-45 mins before work out)
This is the coffee of the fitness realm and is my gym savior after a full day of work at the office. This concoction delivers a surge of energy, focus, and increases the uptake of nutrients to muscle by opening the veins. There are supplements available that are stimulant free for those new to pre workouts or senstive to stimulants. Please do your due diligence and proceed with caution because it is similar to caged adrenaline.
Intra workout (during work out)
I am a fan of taking protein isolates during my workouts to give my muscles a head start on recovery rather than flooding them with protein after a workout. It allows my muscles to be exposed to a constant supply of easily absorbed protein during my session. It cuts down on the time before I can take my next meal after my workout that comes with drinking a protein shake, It is just personal preference and because my body does not seem to care for the chalky protein shakes so I opt for a lighter whey protein isolate in the form of a powder or Ready to Drink (RTD) beverage.
Recovery (30-60 mins before bed)
ZMA (Zinc Magnesium Aspartate) provides the body with essential vitamins Zinc and Magnesium. Zinc is a powerful antioxidant that helps boost the immune system and a major player in protein synthesis. Magnesium helps with performance due to its many benefits it provides to the muscle and nervous system. The combination provides a powerful boost to aid in recovery and often helps with sleep. I can personally confirm this claim. It helps me achieve a sound night’s rest when I take it an hour before bed.
