Cygen Labs - Real Results

Q n' A with Team Cygen Vol. 1

2012-01-26T10:58:00.008-05:00

Over the past several months, emails have been flooding in from people all across the country wanting to ask the advice of our Cygen Athletes on various training and nutrition related topics. The following is the first question we've selected to answer for everyone to read. Enjoy!

QUESTION:
Team Cygen,

I work in a job that requires me to be outdoors year round, and I find that if I’m prepping for a bodybuilding show in the colder months, I always get sick. I’m already using Anabolic Link to help with my immune system, but are there any other steps I can take to keep myself from getting sick all the time?

Thank You,

Phil M. Milton, ON

ANSWER:
Here are five things I do to boost my immune system:

1. Have a mixed green salad everyday preferably with an olive oil based dressing.

2. Use ½ cup of plain goat yogurt and mix in 2 tablespoons of Iso90 and 2 tablespoon on mixed berries (frozen is fine) good as breakfast on its own, or for heartier appetites add it to your regular breakfast.

3. 10 grams of Glutamine to protein shake within ½ after training.

4. One Multipack after breakfast and one after dinner.

5. 10 grams of Glutamine with ½ cup pomegranate juice before bed

Let me know if this is what you are looking for. I can elaborate if you don’t like it in point form. Your thoughts.....

Haman Dowlatram

Got a question for the team? You can direct your question to a specific member of the team, or just to anyone on the team in general. Email your questions to info@cygenlabs.com, and in the subject line write "Q n' A with Team Cygen".

Power-Bodybuilding

2012-01-19T11:55:00.006-05:00

Ask many bodybuilders what they think about powerlifters, and they'll probably tell you they're a bunch of overweight slobs that don't even look like they workout. Ask many powerlifters what they think about bodybuilders, and they'll probably tell you they're a bunch of oiled up pre-madonna pretty boys. Ask Cygen Athlete Steve Doucette what he thinks, and he'll ask you why you can't have the best of both worlds? Steve definitely has a physique that gets attention when he steps on stage, but make no mistake - the man is CRAZY STRONG. Here's Steve's take on the Muscle Strength vs Muscle Size debate:

By Steve Doucette

In a fast paced society, people want results and they want it fast. Have a headache? Pop a pill, feeling a little blue? Pop another…So what happens in the world of bodybuilding when there isn’t a magic pill (and no, steroids aren’t the answer) that will turn you into a pro champion in a matter of months? Well, eventually, most smart individuals learn that the key to making progress is through proper nutrition and training. This article focuses on one aspect of training that many people ignore.

Have you ever heard someone say “I am training like a bodybuilder” vs. “training like a powerlifter”? While the two have very different training styles, this concept seems to have exaggerated itself over the years. You will often hear someone say “the judges don’t care how much I can squat”…while very true, the fact is, if you can’t squat double your bodyweight for a single deep rep (or for a set of 10 for that matter), you probably don’t have the legs it takes to place at an elite level on stage. So how is one going to get the muscle size necessary if they are only lifting half of the weight that could realistically handle? Yes, it’s great to ‘feel the burn’ and work each contraction slowly, and so on…But wouldn’t you get those results even quicker by feeling the contraction/burn AND lifting the heavy weight at the same time??!

So how does a powerlifter train? A competitive powerlifter only requires to bench, squat, or deadlift the maximum amount of weight for 1 rep. So leading up to a meet, a powerlifter might reduce the number of reps they train with while increasing the weight (simple stuff right?!). Keeping it simple, if they did not do this, and focused solely on reps, their central nervous system would not be accustomed to the heavy weight, and not all muscle fibers would be able to work in a simultaneous fashion in order to maximize the amount of effort they can put into 1 burst of energy.

And a bodybuilder? Typically, a bodybuilder is only focused on gaining muscle size. They aren’t concerned about how much power they have for a single rep, as this is not relevant to their goals. Often, this is where the unsuccessful bodybuilder goes wrong. Because they know the amount of weight they push isn’t important, they fail to challenge their bodies into doing more weight. But without challenging your body, how will muscle growth occur? In the simplest explanation, muscles need to be overloaded, which stimulates a natural adaptive process in the body. Without a need for adaptation, what would cause muscles to grow? This is why the body needs to be challenged. And the easiest way to do so is progressively work toward an increase in weight at a given rep range.

So while a bodybuilder does not need to worry about how much weight he can lift, it is clear that in order to gain muscle one must put the effort in the gym. Squatting, deadlifting, and benching are the 3 most important exercises I believe any bodybuilder should focus as their primary lifts if they wish to succeed. This does not imply that the stronger one is, the better bodybuilder they must be….but the correlation is easily there. You will never find a 150 pound bodybuilder out benching a 300 pound pro bodybuilder! I am sure many of you reading this may think this sounds like common sense, and while it should be, it is surprisingly common for newcomers to the sport to get tangled in the confusion. The sport does have many scientific properties to it, no doubt…But when it comes down to it, those who look strong, typically are strong.

What Would You Do for a 50-Cent Trophy?

2011-12-21T13:56:00.007-05:00

In her first article for Cygen Labs, sponsored athlete and National Level Figure Competitor Angela Doucette shares her feelings on the motives of many up and coming physique competitors, and the lengths that many people will go to in order to succeed in the sport that she's so passionate about.

By: Angela Doucette

It has been a long time since I’ve heard a new bodybuilder or figure competitor say they compete for themselves, their health, or just because they love it. It seems these days everyone thinks they deserve to be a “pro” and some will do just about anything to get there.

When I started competing in 2004 I had been following the sport of bodybuilding for 5 or 6 years. I knew all the big names in the business and loved reading about them, and their training/diet methods as presented in magazines. The first time I was in the audience of a local OPA show in 2002, I knew I would one day grace that stage. Two years later I did just that. I never expected to win or even really knew what turning “pro” meant. I did that show for myself and fell in love with the process. Watching my body transform day to day amazed me. I felt so in control of my body and my mind.

I am often approached by girls who have competed once at a local show or by girls looking to get into the competitive scene for guidance. I truly love to help people and I have a passion for this lifestyle but sometimes people are competing for all the wrong reasons. Some come right out and ask what drugs they need to take or ask if getting plastic surgery is essential to win. Really??? It amazes me how far people will go for one night in the spotlight and a 50 cent trophy.

This sport can be healthy for the mind and soul but if taken too far or too seriously it can take over your life and cloud your judgment. I can’t tell you how much it saddens me to read stories of divorce, financial problems, family issues, body image issues, depression, and irreversible drug use related side effects due to taking this sport too seriously and too far. Some days I want to disassociate myself from this sport but I know there is still good out there. When I compete at local or national level events and reacquaint with veteran competitors I am reminded there are many athletes out there just like me. Competitors who are teachers, lawyers, engineers, mothers, police officers, students…and we all talk about our careers and families and I realize this is a passion and lifestyle I share with many confident, successful and beautiful strong women.

This sport is a hobby for most. Only a handful of athletes make a living directly from this sport. So, please be realistic and careful. It can be easy to get caught up in the vain madness this sport can evoke. Personally I am a wife and mother first and foremost and before making any decision I ask myself “would I want my daughter to do that”?

Blasting the Back

2011-12-16T10:54:00.007-05:00

In the second installment in the series, Scott discusses one of the best exercises to hit the upper back, the seated cable row.

By Scott Milne:

For most beginners in the gym, the muscles they love to train most are sometimes referred to as "mirror muscles" - because to state the obvious, they're the muscles you can admire easily in the mirror. However, only training the muscles you can see can lead to muscle imbalances, postural issues, and an eventual plateau.

Equally as important though, (and some might argue even MORE importantly) are the muscles you can't see. While the chest gets all the love from beginners, without paying the propper attention to the back, you'll soon find yourself running into some huge problems. For starters, building a wider, thicker back gives you a more solid base to bench from, which in turn helps you get stronger. A large back makes you less prone to injury, by providing you with extra "armour" as well as stabilizing your posture. And suprisingly, while you might not think the ladies appreciate a large back, from an evolutionary perspective, a wide, strong back signifies your ability to be a good protector (be it from falling rocks, or when you find yourself on one of those "When Animals Attack" shows). So what are we waiting for? Let's help you build that barn door back.

Here are the keys to focus on when performing the seated cable row:

• Start with your arms fully extended. The most difficult part about any pulling movement is initiating the pull from a fully extended position, so many people are tempted to stop the range of motion short, in exchange for added weight, or more reps. Don’t make this mistake, this extended range of motion is where most muscle is built.

• Begin the pull by retracting the scapulae (pulling your shoulder blades together), followed by activating the lats and rhomboids. Try to minimize bicep activation as much as possible. Again, the common mistake is to pull with the arms in exchange for heavier weights. This might do wonders for your biceps, but it won’t do a heck of a lot for your back. Use wrist straps if you have to – this can help take emphasis off the arms.

• As the weight begins to move, it’s okay to use your lower back a little bit to get yourself to a fully retracted position. While some people view this as cheating, it’s critical to put yourself in the optimal position to really squeeze the lats and rhomboids at the end of the movement. Much like the starting position, the finishing position of this movement is difficult, but vital to get the size you’re looking for.

• Once you’ve reached the finished position, really focus on squeezing the lats and rhomboids, and hold this position for a second or two. This will help you develop what is called the “mind-muscle connection.” When doing exercises for a muscle we can’t see, it’s important to really visualize the proper muscles working in order to properly activate them.

Here’s a video example:

I hope these tips serve you well on your quest to building the back alllll the ladies will want the seek safety behind.

Fit or Fat?

2011-12-13T11:21:00.006-05:00

For those of you who haven't heard, one of the newest Members to the Cygen Labs Team, National Level, Natural Bodybuilder Steve Doucette will contributing to the Cygen Labs blog. This week Steve throws in his two cents about the benefits (or lack thereof) to bulking in the offseason.

By: Steve Doucette

On a sunny weekend morning, I approach the gym parking lot ready to battle out another grueling leg workout. I am beginning to feel the intensity of my pre-workout supplement working its way through my bloodstream. The excitement of whether I will set another PR on a heavy squat is fueling my desire to get into the gym as quick as possible. Then as I ring in and head upstairs to the weight room, I get stuck. I am stuck behind a 280 pound monster. The man looks as though he can bench press a bulldozer, and as he takes another step up the stairs, he blocks the sunlight beaming through the window and casts a shadow that nearly blocks all the light from the main level cardio floor. But then I begin to question, is this guy going to make it up the stairs? Half way up the long flight of stairs he is already out of breath, and clearly putting out a big effort to make it up. As he rounds the bend of the staircase, this is when I notice he is larger sideways than head on. His face looks rounder than a full moon on a clear night and the pot belly protruding underneath his tank top is approaching his knees. I pause, and turn to the other wall and notice his face on the wall in a picture with an overall trophy, no more than 4 months prior winning the local bodybuilding championships. Yes, another example of taking the bodybuilding staple ‘you have to eat to grow’ too far.

Do I personally think one needs to stay lean year round? Not necessarily. Calories are essential to produce energy, maintain life and finally to stimulate growth. This is why you often hear people say we ‘grow’ in the offseason, and during contest prep season we can reveal just how effective the offseason was at stimulating growth. But often times what happens is individuals will gain a massive amount of weight in the pursuit of growth and yes – they grow – but why is it that the next year they look the same as they always did? In a best case scenario, they may have put on 3-5 pounds (which is an EXCELLENT achievement in a year – more on that later). Was it worth it? The answer to many of us reading this and trying to put on muscle is: YES, of course it was worth it. However, ignoring the fact that becoming morbidly obese in the offseason has countless other health drawbacks, ask yourself this…Would you have still gained those same 3-5 pounds of lean tissue this offseason if instead of packing on 50-60 pounds post contest, you were to have stayed within say 20-30? 99% of the time the answer is yes. No one argues the fact that you have to eat to grow, but I draw the line at gorging on fast foods because eating clean seems to have caused a plateau on the weight scale. Or getting to the point where working out becomes a chore since you are ready to vomit after each hard set.

Many people will have different answers to this question, but consider this. Let’s assume that getting fat in the offseason actually does provide a slight benefit above and beyond eating a clean but substantial amount of food in the ‘growing months’. Would you rather look good all year round, feel good all year round and make slow and steady gains of 3 pounds per year…OR is getting that 4th pound really worth the devastation to your cardiovascular health? In an obsessive sport, I do realize there are many that would agree that getting fat is actually worth the additional pound. But one thing people must realize is that you can still make, in my opinion, ALL the gains necessary and still look good year round. This applies to not only the competitive physique competitors, but to the average gym enthusiast as well. The notion of ‘bulking and cutting’ seems to be popular among anyone trying to gain muscle.

The debate has existed for years, and I see it come up time and time again on bodybuilding forums all over the net. One criticism of staying relatively lean year round is that how is one supposed to ‘move up in weight classes’ if they only gain 15 pounds in the offseason? For example: person “A” weighs 176 pounds on stage, and the goal is to be the top of the next weight class (187) the year after to stay competitive. So how is one going to achieve this by ‘only’ gaining 15-20 pounds in an offseason? My answer is, they probably won’t…! BUT gaining 40-50 is not going to change that fact! Seasoned competitors do not gain 10+ pounds per year of lean muscle…They may gain 10 pounds from 1 show to the next, but most often, those aren’t 10 good pounds. Perhaps the theory is that for every 1 pound of fat gained, an additional pound of muscle (for example) would come along with it. Realistically that only works for the first few pounds. Gaining muscle doesn’t come easy, and the reality of it is, jumping weight classes within a year is extremely rare. Remember the old adage, ‘slow and steady wins the race’…this isn’t exclusive to rabbits and turtles guys…If you can gain 3 pounds of muscle from the time you are 20 years old until you are 35, that is 45 pounds of pure muscle…That is taking a lightweight bodybuilder into the heavyweight class! Besides, judges don’t care how much you weigh – they care what that weight looks like. I know many people, myself included that have competed in back to back years in the same weight class, but the detail, maturity, and shape, all improved to the point where they could compete with guys 2-3 classes higher.

So as I take another step up the stairs, “Mr. Offseason” insists I go ahead. Too bad for him, it was also his squat day, and there is only 1 rack in our gym…But I’ll probably be done with it by the time he makes it up to the gym floor.

Bench Press Essentials

2011-12-09T09:29:00.013-05:00

By Scott Milne

Long time no see Cygen Nation. In the coming weeks, IFBB Pro Bodybuilding, and Cygen Athlete Scott Milne will be posting blog entries here, giving you tips on how to properly perform certain essential exercises in the gym, to get the best muscle building bang for your buck. So sit back and enjoy the ride as Scott Milne turns you into a full fledged beast!

Without ever meeting you, I can guarantee that the bench press was either the first or second exercise you ever performed in the gym (you did curls 4 days a week didn’t you?). It’s the exercise that everyone likes to brag about to their friends (how much ya’ bench?). But in building a well developed chest, bigger weights don’t always translate into better results. What’s more important in the grand scheme are things like form, time under tension, which angle(s) you hit the muscle from, and adhering to specific cues that are going to make the muscle grow bigger, and not just stronger. Here’s a list of some tips I like to use to make sure I’m able to stimulate the most growth possible when hitting the bench press.

We’ll start with the Flat Barbell Bench Press:

• When grabbing the bar, you want to put your hands at a width that allows your elbows to be at a 90 degree angle when you are at the bottom portion of the movement. Grab it too wide, and the tension is shifted to the shoulders, grab it too narrow and the tension is shifted to the triceps. The wider your upper body, the wider grip you’ll need.

• I like to use a false grip (thumb open, under the bar), which helps keep my wrists locked, but for safety reasons, I recommend that beginners use a full grip (thumb wrapped around the bar).

• Before unracking the bar, ensure that your scapula (shoulder blades) are retracted and pulled back into the bench. This will engage your lats, and allow you to have a more stable base when lying on the bench.

• Once you’ve unracked the weight, make sure to move it out over your chest where you intend to bring it down. Too many beginners bring the bar straight down from the rack, and this results in moving the bar on a diagonal plane, which makes the subsequent reps more difficult.

• Bring the bar down to the mid chest at a slow, controlled tempo (about 2-3 seconds down). Many people bring the bar down to the lower pec, or upper abdominals and “bounce” the bar. This is great for inflating your ego, but it takes tension off the pecs.

• To bring the bar back up, initiate the movement by squeezing the pecs, and contract hard at the top of the movement.

• Lastly, don’t lock the elbows out at the top. By stopping the movement just before lock-out, this keeps the tension on the pecs, and better stimulates growth to the muscle, which is what we’re shooting for.

Here are some videos to demonstrate:

The second video is a different angle of me performing the Incline Bench Press. Most of the cues are the same, but there are a few variations:

• Bring the bar down closer to the top of your chest. This will better isolate the upper portion of the pec, which is the purpose of pressing from an incline in the first place.

• Unlike the flat bench, there is no need to bring the bar all the way down to touch the chest, especially if you have shoulder issues. Because of the angle of the bench, bringing the bar all the way down can put the shoulder into a compromising position.

• Press the feet firmly into the floor, and try to limit the amount of arch in your lower back. Many people will end up with a severe arch during an incline press to try and muscle up more weight, which makes the movement more like a flat bench press.

I hope these tips have been helpful for you, and I encourage you to give them a try the next time you plan to hit the bench press.

If you've got any questions on the tips or the videos, post them here, or on our Cygen Facebook page.

Till Next Time,

Scott Milne

What Does Success Mean to You?

2011-06-09T16:03:00.004-04:00

In his latest contribution to the Cygen blog, Christopher Reed discusses his definition of what it means to be successful.

What does success mean to you? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Like what you hear? Then visit the Empire Fitness website to learn more about Toronto's #1 Garage Gym!

Burn Body Fat with Weights, NOT Cardio - Getting Rid of the Myth (Part 2)

2011-06-03T09:03:00.004-04:00

In Part 1 of her article, Dawn shared her feelings on the myths and stereotypes surrounding women in the weight room. In Part 2, Dawn gets into more detail as to how you can use weights to effectively cut fat, and build a lean, sexy, feminine physique.

The idea behind using weights to burn fat is to raise your resting metabolism. Metabolism is determined by how much muscle you have on your body, incorporated with a few other factors. Researchers have shown that we have the ability, to "trick" our genes into behaving differently, mainly, by lifting weights, and building muscle. By increasing your fat to muscle ratio, you can change your body from flabby and weak, to a lean, strong, fat burning machine! How do you do this? First, you must pay close attention to your diet. In order to build muscle, you need to eat enough protein to build and repair your muscles, and enough carbs, at the right times, to fuel your workouts. You must challenge your muscles to do more than they are normally used to. By this I mean not doing the same old bicep curls, and abdominal work, with a few new things thrown in. I mean keeping a chart, and using a progressive overload technique. Lifting 2-3 times a week, and adding more weight to each set. Using enough weight to get 8-10 reps, with about 1-2 minutes of rest, between sets, to be able to do 1 warm up set, and 3-4 working sets. The ONLY way a muscle will grow, is by being challenged. If all you keep doing is light weights, and lots of reps, you will create muscular endurance, not larger muscles. Now remember, bigger muscles, burn more fat even at rest!

1. It is physiologically impossible for women to bulk up quickly from weight training. Testosterone is the hormone responsible for muscle mass. Women simply do not have enough of it in their systems to build that much muscle. I have lifted weights for 25 plus years, and much heavier than any woman in my gym, and I by no means am huge!

2. By lifting weights correctly, you will take your muscles through their full range of motion. This will create over time lean, flexible muscles. Soon, you will appear leaner, will stand up straighter, and be stronger.

3. Weight and strength training is extremely important as women age. It has been shown that women gain strength at the same rate as men do. By taking charge of your strength, and flexibility, you will reduce your chances of falling, or having back problems later in life. You will learn how to lift objects without assistance. By getting stronger, you will prevent injuries. You will increase your grip strength, which is a marker now used in the anti-aging community that correlates to your mortality. Lifting weights will also strengthen your connective tissues, giving you a better sense of balance, and stability.

4. By strengthening your connective tissue, you increase your mineral density, decreasing your chance of developing osteoporosis.

What will you look and feel like? You will feel strong and energized. You will have less body fat, and your hard work will be "showcased" by your sexy, sculpted muscles. You will be less stressed, because you will have created the body you always wished you had.

Now go into the gym with a plan. Buy a weight lifting guide, or hire a trainer. Plan your new body, like you would plan any other future engagement. Get rid of old thoughts of getting too bulky. The only thing that will be to big are the pants you used to wear!

Like what you read? Check out Dawn's blog, Constant Energy Fitness for more of her awesome advice on health and fitness.

Do You Like What You See?

2011-05-30T12:41:00.008-04:00

In his latest video log, Christopher Reed invites us all to take a look at ourselves in the mirror and think about how we react when confronted with controversy. So sit back, have a listen, and let Toronto’s #1 Underground Strength Coach hit you up with some truth:

Burn Body Fat with Weights, NOT Cardio - Getting Rid of the Myth (Part 1)

2011-05-27T09:14:00.006-04:00

Dawn Sylvester is a figure competitor, personal trainer and kettlebell competitor who has dedicated more than 30 years of her life to living a healthy lifestyle. Inspired by her passion for fitness and helping others, she started Constant Energy Fitness, a fitness blog focused on providing women with cutting edge tips to get them stronger, leaner, and healthier.

In her first contribution to the Cygen Labs blog, Dawn shares with us her feelings on the myths and stereotypes surrounding women in the weight room, and how you can REALLY kick up your fat loss efforts in the gym.

Are you afraid to lift weights because you don’t want to get too big or bulky? Do you think you will lose your flexibility? Will you look like those "women" in bodybuilding magazines? Are you too "old" to begin a weight training program? NO WAY!! Let me get rid of some beliefs that women find hard to shake, and why weight training is something you need to start today.

Cardio is NOT the answer. It is now being studied that it is much more beneficial for women to lift weights, than to do cardio alone. I know, we have been told for so long, that the way to lose weight is to do endless hours of cardio, and the weight room is for the guys. If I was to tell you that you could cut your workout time in half, and within months, lose bodyfat, and inches, while gaining strength, would I have your attention?

I am 51 years old. I have lifted weights for more than 20 years, and have a bodyfat range of around 19%. It is due to clean eating, and intense weight lifting. I am 5'1", at 108 lbs, and have squatted up to 185 lbs, and done sets of leg presses using 360 lbs. I ask you, do I look bulky or too muscular to you? In my 20's I lived for cardio, was 15 lbs heavier, and chubby! A substitute instructor in my aerobics class one day had a body I would die for, so I stayed after to ask for tips. What she told me, was amazing! She said she NEVER did cardio! I didn't believe her then, but decided that what I had been doing, obviously wasn't working, so I started to lift weights. Within 6 months, I lost a total of 15 lbs of fat, felt great, and had never been leaner! Years later, I went on to become a certified personal trainer. I wanted to spread the word to women….stop doing cardio only, and stop cutting calories! A woman's place is in the weight room! Now when I do cardio, it is in the form of intervals, and only 2 x weekly.

As a 50th birthday present to myself, I entered a figure competition, and received 2 trophies. I was competing with girls 25 years younger than me! I also recently did my first Kettlebell competition, and received a medal. So, open your mind and erase your old misconceptions about women and weights, because the weight room is where we belong!

The most important thing you can do to lose body fat is eat a clean diet, and do anaerobic exercise. What we used to think, based on studies done in the 80's was to do cardio for as long as possible. Right?...Not anymore! Current studies done by exercise physiologists tells us that it is proven that you can burn up to 25% more calories from fat, AFTER an intense session of weight training, than DURING cardio. The afterburn is what is most significant, and can last for up to 36 hours! Since our ultimate goal is to burn calories from fat stores, this is the most efficient way to change the composition of your body. Nothing is more appealing, to men and women alike, than a curvy, lean physique on a woman.

The idea is to raise your resting metabolism. Metabolism is determined by how much muscle you have on your body, incorporated with a few other factors. Researchers have shown that we have the ability, to "trick" our genes into behaving differently, mainly, by lifting weights, and building muscle. By increasing your fat to muscle ratio, you can change your body from flabby and weak, to a lean, strong, fat burning machine!

Stay tuned for part 2 of Dawn’s blog entry where she takes us through a 4 step process of how you too can change your views on the weight room forever, and take your feminine physique to the next level.

Toronto's #1 Underground Strength Coach Gets Philosophical

2011-03-25T09:51:00.008-04:00

Hey Cygen Fans,

This week, Christopher Reed has submitted a video log to the Cygen space, and the big fella has gotten a little philosophical on us.

Have a listen, and see how you can apply his advice to your own goals and life.

Not Feelin' the Love

2011-02-14T09:28:00.017-05:00

What’s Up Cygen-Cyber Spacers? This posting is going to PI$$ A LOT OF YOU OFF, haters hate, that’s why there is a comment section below; AGREE/DISAGREE – let your opinion be seen. THE FITNESS INDUSTRY IN CANADA IS A JOKE! Can anyone of you reading this article name a top tier Canadian bred Strength and Conditioning Coach? Who is the first person that pops into your head when you think Top level Trainer in Canada – Jonathan Chaimberg, Tom Europe, Paul Plakas, Matt Nichol, Brian Grasso, Craig Ballantyne, Harley Pasternak, Ian Walling, Marc Lebert, Peter Twist, Maureen Hagan, Lyzabeth Lopez, Tosca Reno? Maybe you recognize these names, maybe you don’t – I’m going to side with the likelihood that you might, and I stress might, recognize one possibly two names on that list. Why is that?

Of that list, several have moved to the United States and become recognizable names in the fitness industry south of the border. Is it due to a bigger population? Are there greater opportunities for recognition? Better pay? What drives professionals such as these to pursue their passion in the United States – why not stay here in Canada?

Why is Strength and Conditioning a topic that is rarely discussed if discussed at all here? It’s no secret that in order to improve performance you need to get stronger. If that is the case why are trainers/coaches such a scarcity to come across in this country? The problem exists because we allow it to – we have allowed ourselves to be modest, tamed and demure; we’ve become domesticated kittens when we were born to be LIONS!

Sport and fitness have by extension become options when the hard fact is they should be woven into the tapestry of our society as should strength training for sport. So many positive lessons are to be gained from sport and in the weight room that the values learned and reinforced through these avenues last a lifetime!

Now I know that our pastime is hockey (our national game is actually lacrosse – by the way) and that a lot more attention is being garnered toward the value of “dry-land” training at grassroots levels but what about other sports? Women’s under – 18 soccer is one of the fastest growing sport populations in Canada – yet how much attention does this sport get from local cable stations? Why are there not strength and conditioning coaches associated with more grassroots teams, regardless of what sport, across the country – and by extension why is there not funding to pay for these positions?

There are not enough recognized professionals in the field of strength and conditioning in Canada and what professionals we do manage to produce leave for the United States or elsewhere. Let me qualify what a professional is; a professional is more than an individual that spent a weekend getting their accreditation; a professional is the perfect blend of academia (theory), experience (practical) and teaching (technical) skill. This breadth of knowledge and fusion of competency is not something that one can accrue in a weekend and to think so is what makes a mockery of the profession in Canada.

Governing bodies that fail to have a gatekeeper at the door are the source of the problem – these bodies are nothing more than a quick cash grab and place members of the general public at risk. There is no standard to be upheld – or held accountable to for that matter. More publicity, better salaried positions from the grassroots levels up (for all sports) and higher required qualifications for entry into the field are only the start of solving the problem and keeping our most skilled coaches on Canadian soil.

I encourage a full out revolution at the source – amidst the people; bring fitness back into the grade schools, playgrounds and parks! Make “fitness” play and use any means at your disposal to get in shape and stay in shape – for LIFE! WAKE UP PEEPS and demand more of yourself and the profession that you are so passionate about; continue learning, continue growing, and continue to challenge those individuals who would seek to conform you and cage you in their mold. Be the LION you were breed to be!

Tests of Athleticism Part 2

2011-01-28T13:33:00.008-05:00

What’s up Cygen Cyber-Spacers!? This posting is going to be an answer to the post from 2 weeks ago about Football Combine Testing and which tests in particular are the best measures of overall athleticism and best predictors for success on the field – where it counts most. Our comments section below lists the box jump and 40 yard dash as the best overall predictors for athleticism and these two comments aren’t that far off the mark.

As testing relates specifically to football I am going to say that the Vertical Jump Test and 20 yard Shuttle Run are the best overall indicators for performance – through this post I will explain why and in the comments section below you can give your feedback and say whether you agree or disagree with my view.

At first glance The Vertical Jump Test may not seem as relevant to football as it would be for our beach volleyball playing friend to the right here but; the reality is, that it is a great test for football because it does an outstanding job of measuring power through triple extension – that is extension around the joints of the ankle, knee and hip.

Extension around these joints is important to a sport like football because football is dominantly a game of speed (acceleration) and power (mass x acceleration); it is through extension around these joints and recruitment of the musculature of the ‘posterior chain’ (calves, hamstrings, glutes and low back extensors) that we create the force required for acceleration.

When you are crouched at the starting line of the 40 yard dash you are in a flexed position around the ankle, knee and hip. This flexion or bend creates “power angles” which allow your body to store ‘kinetic energy’. Kinetic energy is the tension you feel when you stretch a rubber band to its limit – on the one hand; if you were to stretch the band too far it snaps, on the other hand if you do not stretch it far enough there is absolutely no elastic tension what-so-ever. There is a sweet spot in this force curve that will optimize the distance traveled by the band if you were to let it fly.

The same is true of your muscles in regard to producing the power necessary for explosive acceleration – you gotta find the sweet spot where the muscles around your hips, knees and ankles are primed to explode into extension. Joe DeFranco and Zach Even-Esh both discuss the principles of risk versus reward when training athletes in their Lost Secrets of Strength Training DVD and how to incorporate jump training (plyometrics) in combination with deadlifts to maximize the cross over to performance in 10 yard acceleration and vertical jump testing as opposed to the convention of using Olympic Lifts that require more time to teach and expose the athlete to great degree of risk and incidence for an injury due to training. Essentially the theory boils down to being able to practice and strengthen the muscles involved in triple extension by jumping rather than an exercise that is weight loaded such as power cleans.

The second test that I believe translates very well onto the football field is the 20 yard shuttle run – and its contemporary the L-test. Both of these tests gauge the ability of an athlete to change direction and accelerate out of those changes of direction – kind like this guy to our left.

Power and speed are great abilities to possess however if neither can be applied in a game situation then they are both useless. The above tests measure one of the most important abilities to football which is the ability to react, change direction, accelerate and make a play by being in the best possible position.

You can see it all over the field regardless of position – even offensive linemen have to be able to change direction and accelerate; think of a toss play and the pulling guard (one of my personal favorites). The element that varies from one position to the next however is the distance over which these changes of direction must occur and the speed at which acceleration and deceleration happen. This is why football is called a collision sport – the change of direction when coupled with the mass of the players and their ability to accelerate leads to some pretty big hits when combined with technique that has been practiced and practiced again from the age of 6 in some cases.

Now it’s your turn to weigh in, do you agree or disagree with the above tests being the best measures of performance and athleticism for football. Drop your comments below and let your voice be heard!

Combine Preparation and Other Tests of Athleticism

2011-01-14T10:35:00.006-05:00

Happy New Year Cygen Cyber-spacers! This truly is the most wonderful time of the year; that is if you are a serious football fan! For college (NCAA Div I - III) it’s Bowl Season. For the Pro’s (NFL) its playoff’s – speaking of which, did anyone see that Colt’s game!? Who could have predicted the J-E-T-S winning with a field goal!? That’s some pretty awesome action – which brings us to our topic for this posting – COMBINE PREPARATION. The Combine is where these teams are built; those teams whose respective recruiting staff does their homework the best will tip the scales in favor of a Superbowl Trophy at the end of the 2012 season.

For those of you who may not be familiar with the NFL combine, it is a little under 4 months away and facilities like Joe Defranco’s in Wycoff, New Jersey and Athlete’s Performance in Tempe, Arizona are already buzzing with bodies getting prepped to be at their physical best come April. April is the month when the top college athlete’s of today become the potential Pro Bowler’s of tomorrow and face the biggest job interview of their athletic lives at the Draft which is held each year in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Here in Canada, that deadline is even closer with the CFL Evaluation Camp taking place in March. The Evaluation Camp is an opportunity for top level Canadian born talent to showcase their skills in much a similar stage as the NFL Combine. Facilities like Twist Conditioning Centers in British Columbia (home base), Sport Specific Training Centers (S.S.T.) and Dynamic Conditioning Centers both in Ontario are hubs where athletes will flock to prepare for the challenge that will face them North of the border come March.

Regardless of whether you are North or South come Combine time (March / April) one thing remains consistent and that is the barrage of athletic tests that these hopeful potential Professional Athletes will face. Here is your opportunity my Cygen Cyber-spacers - rather than go on a tirade about the tests: Vertical Jump, Bench Press, 40 yard dash, T-test, Standing broad jump, Body composition testing, the Wonderlic test and positional specific testing that participant’s face I pose these 2 questions to you:

“What one test do you feel is the best measure of athleticism?”
&
“Which test would you like to improve your performance in?”

Yours in Health & Strength,
~ Christopher

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

2010-12-17T09:01:00.010-05:00

Hey Cygen Bloggers & Blog Followers,

Christopher here - this posting is going to be coming at you like the Tasmanian Devil – fast, furious & in a flurry of motion, so keep up and follow along as some serious New Years knowledge is about to be dropped. Check it out; what’s the number one thing this time of year brings about for all of you fitness nuts and fitness enthusiasts out there? That’s right, RESOLUTIONS. This is the year for you to do it up bigger, better and faster – the only question on your mind right now should be – How?

The best way, in my humble opinion, to reach your fitness goals more efficiently (whether professional, intermediate or beginner) is to find a “good” coach – wait a second, I said bigger, better faster didn’t I? Correct me if I’m wrong but you don’t need “good”; you need “great”! How do you find a great coach? What’s the difference between a great coach and a great trainer? Well, that’s why I’m writing this posting boys and girls out there in cyberspace – I am hoping this message takes your training this New Year from “good” to “great”!

The “stuff” that separates “good” from “great” can be measured on such a minute scale, it really does come down to the details. The details I speak of in this particular instance are you; but before we get to you, let’s take a closer look at the difference between a great coach and a great trainer. From my vantage point the difference between being a great coach and a great trainer comes down to a simple matter of form versus function. Trainers (and I am not knocking the profession, rather the semantics of the title) can teach the form of exercises; they are often in great physical shape – billboards of perceivable health and wellness but quite often, not in all cases, a vast majority of trainers out there lack the expertise to teach the finer points of exercise performance based on the best interest of their audience.

The vast majority of exercises I see trainers use in a traditional commercial gym setting with general population fitness members serve no real purpose (blanket statement – I know). Usually it’s the newest, latest fad that is going to aid more in client retention initiatives than client results. I wouldn’t be surprised if a few shake weight group exercise classes started to emerge in the New Year – ugggh, I digress. A good coach I feel is just that because they have the expertise to increase performance (function) to higher levels. Coaches have put in countless hours to master the most minute of details and more importantly have made a craft out of “teaching” this knowledge – regardless of who their audience is.

In the MMA world it’s like having Greg Jackson in your corner. You can be a good fighter but because of Greg’s coaching he brings your game to the level of a “great” fighter. Charlie Francis (God rest his soul) was the same to the sprinting community here in Canada. Say what you want about Charlie – he was one hell of an amazing Coach and I consider myself fortunate to have been able to watch him coach on more than one occasion. To expand a bit before getting back on point (here’s the Tasmanian-Devil coming out as I digress yet again) Charlie was actually a distance runner himself; so how then did this guy rise to become one of the most sought after speed coaches in the world? I am going to argue it was his expertise that arose from a sense of pride in his job; a need to know the details and the recognition that performance (function) was based on more than physical form. Performance was actually the result of the harmonious integration and interaction of the spiritual, mental and physical self (I will talk more on this in later postings – I promise)
To the task at hand; now that we know the difference between a coach and a trainer, there are a few short hurdles to keep in mind that a competent coach should be able to jump through with relative ease and they are:

Certification: In this area you want to insure that your coach has the proper credentials and that they are constantly updating their knowledge. I believe that constant professional growth through professional development, be it a certification, a workshop or continued independent reading demonstrates a level of care and professionalism toward you the client. More importantly it demonstrates a certain sense of self-respect and pride that the coach has both in themselves and in their chosen profession. A little known “black secret” in the Canadian Fitness Industry – it’s unregulated; which means that it doesn’t matter if your Coach is Can-Fit Pro ™ Certified or not. What matters is that they are certified and demonstrate due diligence to seek certification from an organization that requires continuing education credits to maintain eligibility of accreditation.

To this end does your Coach have any specialty certifications or areas of expertise? For example Kettlebell or Speed Conditioning for Sport – with specified knowledge your performance will improve that much faster because your Coach can give you an edge over athletes that may not have exposure to the same training methodologies employed by your coach.

Education: When it comes to formal education the strongest coaches will always be the ones that have a background in Kinesiology or Health and Fitness Promotions – that’s just my opinion. The trouble with certain certifying bodies is that they do not screen their applicants for educational background; so anyone can gain accreditation through a weekend long course (3 days).
How can an individual who completes a 3 day course have anywhere near the same amount of knowledge of the human body as someone that has spent 4 years or more studying Kinesiology? Does your Coach have a particular interest in a specialized area of research? Have they completed a certificate stream concurrently with their declared major?

Having some sort of formal education demonstrates that your Coach has a passion to accrue knowledge in their chosen field – it also demonstrates that they are able to think critically and problem-solve, to me, having a post secondary education simply demonstrates that when your Coach takes on a project where they have established a certain expectation they will see it through to completion.

Experience: The final wheel on this tricycle is experience. I believe that there is no substitute for the education that life itself brings – this is the practical aspect of training; the education is the theoretical and the certification is the technical but it is experience that takes a good Coach to the level of a “great” Coach. Failing fast but recovering faster and learning from previous “mistakes” is the secret to accruing knowledge through experience. A good Coach will find a way to reach the audience; I firmly believe that there is no such thing as bad students just poor teachers (coaches in our case).

Experience carves our teeth and provides the appetite needed to instill the sense of excellence needed to illicit an increase in performance. An important component of experience is results – the proof is always in the pudding. Does your Coach have a proven track record of getting people results? Has anyone ever been injured following training protocols that were laid out by him/her?

Finally everything above boils down to what I call the “you factor”. I believe that if you do not connect with your Coach and feel confident in their capabilities then you will never really approach the training with the needed abandonment to achieve the results you’re after. Your Coach has to be able to reach you spiritually, mentally and physically and motivate you to want to do better for yourself and no one else.

At the end of the day regardless of who you chose as your Coach the onus for results falls on your shoulders – so the end game is really about finding a competent Coach that can hold you accountable to yourself and provide the steps necessary to achieve the results you desire. Certification; Education; Experience and YOU are what take a Coach from good to great! These are just my insights but I am no expert. I want to hear from you. What were some of your funniest, best or worst experiences with a Coach? The best comment will receive ONE MONTH FREE training at Empire Fitness courtesy of Cygen Labrotories.

How to Train for a Bodybuilding Competition on a Busy Schedule

2010-12-03T09:19:00.005-05:00

If you sat down and made a list of what to do in preparation for a bodybuilding competition, what would be on the list? Train hard, and eat clean - right? Nope- keep writing. There is the weight training, cardio, mandatory and routine posing, tanning, meal preparation, dieting, and suit selection. Add in working fulltime and seeing to family commitments and you can see where things get really busy. Follow these tactics to stay on track.

Instructions

1. Make the decision to compete. How often have you heard of someone who said they were going to compete, but never did? When you ask why, they offer a variety of reasons. They were too busy with work, they couldn’t handle the dieting, or they just didn’t know how to do it. Whatever the case is, they all share one thing in common, the person failed to commit to competing. One you are positive you want to compete, you can move on to step 2.

2. You will never hit a target you can’t even see. This is why it is critical for you to define your goals. They should be Specific, Measureable, Realistic, and Time framed. For example, you may want to gain 5lbs of lean mass in 3 months, and add 1 inch to the diameter of your thighs. Now that you have set a goal, you can use this to focus your energy to attain it.

3. Periodize your training. Performing 3 sets of 10 reps not only gets boring, it also become ineffective after time. Look at a calendar, and work backwards from the day of your competition to figure out which training phases you will work through. Phases to consider include cycles of strength, hypertrophy, conditioning, and power. Within these phases you change a variety of things up to keep your body guessing. These include weight, reps, rest period, exercise choice, exercise order, and tempo. For example, you may spend your last month of training in a conditioning phase with the goal of shedding body fat.

4. Prepare your meals in advance. I can’t stress this one enough - if its mealtime you had better have your food next to you in an insulated bag- not at McDonalds. Set aside a few hours on Sunday to get ready for a successful week. This might include cutting up your veggies, baking some potatoes, or grilling some chicken. Whatever you are making, do it in BULK. I like to prepare enough food to last me through to midweek, and cook again on Wednesday night for the remainder of the week.

5. Manage your time. Again, get out the calendar and schedule the following: resistance training, cardiovascular training, meal preparation, tanning, posing, work, family commitments. Once you have it down on paper (or blackberry), you will feel like you have more time in your day. In reality, you will just be using your time more efficiently.

6. Choose quality supplements. Training for a bodybuilding competition can really take its toll on your body. The increased training volume, combined with a calorie restricted diet can wreak havoc on your joints and muscles, so it’s important to use quality supplements to help get you through it. Glutamine will help reduce muscle soreness, fish oil will reduce joint inflammation, improve cardiovascular health and assist with brain function, and a greens supplement is a great way to get important plant nutrients your body may be lacking.

Use these strategies the next time you want to compete. You will find yourself to be more driven, better organized, less stressed, and look ready to look your best on competition day.

Ryan Lyn, BSc., CSCS
Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
Certified Personal Trainer
Ryan's Website

Meet Christopher Reed

2010-11-23T09:35:00.003-05:00

It used to be that professional athletes relied on natural ability and practice to perform at a high level. The pros ate and drank like normal people and all the exercise they needed usually came in the form of participating in their given sport. But as the years past, more and more professional athletes began turning to weight training as a means of extending their careers and gaining an edge on the competition. Now, not only do professional and elite level collegiate athletes dedicate much of their time to the weight room, but the term “sport specific training” has become common place amongst high school and minor athletes everywhere.

Christopher Reed is the founder of Empire Fitness in Toronto (Mimico / Lakeshore) - a sport specific training facility dedicated to helping Canadian high school athletes, regardless of sport achieve their dream of competing at the colligate level in either the CIS or NCAA. Christopher, possessing an extensive background in football and the martial arts was exposed to sport specific training while in high school and never looked back. Christopher is the first (and currently only) Certified Kettlebell Trainer in Canada under Steve Cotter and Ken Blackburn of the IKFF (International Kettlebell and Fitness Federation), as well as a Certified Underground Strength Coach under Zach Even-Esh. He is also a Level 3 National Football Coach and Part-Time Faculty Member within the Department of Criminal Justice and Community and Social Services at Humber College where he teaches Defensive Tactics to students in the aforementioned program as well as students enrolled in the Police Foundations Program.

In the coming months Christopher will share his expertise with the community here at Cygen Labs. Be sure to visit often as he’ll be posting articles on training, mental preparation and many other topics related to sport specific training. Maybe, if you ask REEEEEALLY nice we can convince him to answer a few questions for our followers along the way.

If you want to learn more about Empire Fitness or Christopher, check out the Empire Fitness website.

This Winter, Get the Best of Both Worlds: Get Big and Stay Lean.

2010-09-27T10:34:00.003-04:00

As a highly qualified personal trainer and nutritional consultant, Ryan Lyn brings a fresh perspective to Team Cygen as well as a wealth of experience as a Natural Competitive Bodybuilder. The below is the first in a series of articles on training and nutrition written by Ryan. So sit back, and benefit from Ryan's expertise as he discusses the finer points of adding muscle, while staying photoshoot ready this fall.

It’s that time again, winter is on its way and you are looking to put on some size during your ‘off season’. But, do you have a plan? No, I don’t mean rushing to the closest All-You-Can-Eat Buffet and stuffing yourself into a state of fatness and regret. I mean, do you have a plan that includes 1) How much you will be eating per day 2) When you will be eating, and 3) How much protein, carbohydrates, and fats each meal will contain? If you don’t then read on to learn how you can make your own offseason plan to gain weight, but stay lean.
To create your nutrition plan we first need to calculate your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)- this is the amount of calories your body needs just to survive, this doesn’t take in to account any physical activity. One way we can do this is to use the following equation:
Men’s BMR = Bodyweight (in Kg) x 24
Women’s BMR = Bodyweight (in Kg) x 21.6
EXAMPLE:
If you are a 220 lb male, you divide your weight by 2.2 to convert to kilograms:
BMR= [220/2.2] = 100kg
100kg x 24 = 2400 calories
Because this calculation only relies on weight as a factor, it is really just a rough estimate. A more accurate method (assuming you are able to measure your body fat percentage) is to use the following formula by McArdle and Katch:
BMR (Male or Female) = 370 + 21.6 (Lean mass in Kg)
EXAMPLE:
If you are a 220 lb male with 15% body fat, your fat mass is: 100 kg x 0.15 = 15 Kg. Your lean mass is just your total mass, minus your fat mass:
Lean Mass = Total mass (100 Kg) – Fat mass (15 Kg) = 85 kg
Now we plug lean mass into the equation:
BMR = 370 + 21.6 (85kg) =2206 Calories
But we have to remember this is the MINIMUM number of calories that you would need just to survive while resting all day. This number does not take into account the calories burned during activity and exercise. To account for these additional calories , we multiply the BMR by the appropriate Activity Multipliers.
Activity Multipliers
Sedentary = BMR X 1.2 (little or no exercise, desk job)
Lightly active = BMR X 1.375 (light exercise/sports 1-3 days/wk)
Mod. active = BMR X 1.55 (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/wk)
Very active = BMR X 1.725 (hard exercise/sports 6-7 days/wk)
Extr. active = BMR X 1.9 (hard daily exercise/sports & physical job or 2X day training, i.e marathon, contest etc.)
Lets continue with our example of a 220lb individual who has 15% body fat. If this person also trains with weights 3 times/week, and plays sports 2 times/ week, they would be moderately active and we would multiply their BMR by 1.55.
Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) = BMR x Activity Multiplier
TDEE = 2206 Cal x 1.55 = 3309 Calories
The TDEE is the number of calories required to MAINTAIN your current weight. To gain weight you will need to consume more than this – How much more? Anywhere between 250-500 additional calories daily. Fat loss expert Tom Venuto suggests you find this number by multiplying your weight by 2 and consuming this amount of calories on top of your TDEE.
So your optimal number of Calories for lean weight gain is:
TDEE + Weight in Lbs x 2
3309 Cal + 220lbs x2
3309 + 440 = 3749 Calories.
Now that you know how many calories to consume, you will also need to know where these calories are coming from and in what amounts- otherwise known as the macronutrient ratio. Ideally you will want to eat you carbs, protein, and fats in a 55-30-15 ratio. Your carbs should consist primarily of unprocessed sources such as brown rice, quinoa, sweet potatoes, and oatmeal. Your protein can come from a wide variety of sources, but try to find a source that is hormone free and pesticide free. Great, lean sources of protein include: white fish, ‘loin meats’ – like pork tenderloin or beef strip loin, egg whites, poultry, shrimp, and of course whey protein supplements such as Cygen Labs Nutriwhey or ISO-90. As for fat, use a small amount in your cooking from a poly/monounsaturated source that won’t break down at high temperatures- peanut, coconut, and avocado oil are all great sources. I also recommend that nearly every athlete supplement with a quality fish oil with a high EPA:DHA ratio such as Cygen’s High Potency Fish Oil.
Remember, as with all nutrition plans, it is important that you log your food and calorie intake. This way if you end up with a little extra belly flab, you are able to look back, see how many calories you have been eating, and make appropriate adjustments.

Ryan Lyn, B.Sc., CSCS

Cygen Labs is Proud to Announce Bodybuilder Ryan Lyn as the Newest Member of Team Cygen

2010-09-13T09:20:00.003-04:00

As the newest member of Team Cygen, Ryan brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table as both a bodybuilder and personal trainer. Competing in organizations such as the UFE and FAME, Ryan always brings a ripped physique, outstanding posing routine and great presence to the stage, but perhaps his greatest accomplishment as a bodybuilder is that he competes as a 100% drug-free athlete. He attributes his success as a natural athlete to training with intensity, setting goals, and a specific nutrition and supplement regimen. As a personal trainer, Ryan obtained his CSCS from the NSCA, and trains a wide variety of clientele from working parents and student athletes, to fitness competitors. His methods are always unique, cutting edge, and produce results; much like the Cygen Labs products he uses and recommends. Stay tuned, as every month we will feature an article on training, nutrition, and bodybuilding written by Ryan himself and posted on the Cygen Labs blog. For more information on Ryan, check out his profile on the Cygen Website.

Cygen Labs - Tested by the Highest Authority

2010-08-16T10:14:00.002-04:00

For those of you who don't follow the world of Canadian Amateur bodybuilding religiously, the name Luka Treska may be new to you. Judging from his near 1600 YouTube subscribers though, he is far from what I would call "an unknown" in the sport. Luka is a very successful personal trainer, and competitive bodybuilder who's next goal is to step on stage next at the Canadian Nationals in 2011. Luka is incredibly particular about which supplements he puts in his body, and because he believes that Cygen Labs puts out top of the line products, using only top quality ingredients he has been gracious enough to offer his feedback on several of our products. Below is Luka's first video blog about Cygen:

Luka Treska - Cygen Laboratories

Stay tuned as we post more of Luka's video blogs to see for yourself what one of Canada's top amateur bodybuilders has to say about Cygen Labs as he prepares himself to compete for his IFBB Pro status.

Josh Leo Interview - New Star; Bright Future

2010-07-26T09:40:00.008-04:00

On July 17, 2010 the IDFA International Championships were held in Toronto, ON to a packed house of enthusiastic fans at the Jane Mallet Theatre. First time competitor Josh Leo stepped on stage and quickly impressed the judges with his top notch conditioning and muscle development. Being a Natural bodybuilder, Josh depends a great deal on utilizng the right supplements to give him the edge he needs over his competition. At Cygen Labs, we were so pleased that Josh chose to use our products for his show prep that we asked him to do an interview for us, telling him about his first experience stepping on stage. The transcript is below:

Cygen Labs: Welcome Josh and congratulations on placing so high in your first contest!
Thank you for joining the Cygen Labs team to talk about your first experience stepping on stage at the IDFA International Championships.

Let’s start off with a brief background – How to get you get started?

Josh: I first got involved in weight lifting and training when I was in my second year of university studying for an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology and Physical Education. From there, I began to do some of my own research on muscle hypertrophy training, and with the help of my educational background, I started to piece together a successful outlook on how to build muscle size, growth, and strength.

Cygen Labs: Tell us more about your contest prep – how do you feel this went for your first attempt?

Josh: My contest prep was challenging yet fantastic at the same time. I had major support from my family, friends, and of course from my two coaches: Hans Lauro and Luka Treska, two of the best in the business.

My diet was on point from the get go at 14 weeks out and I never took it for granted. I feel I could not have come into the contest any better: my diet was not just precise, but perfect moving closer and closer to show date. I also had the support from Cygen Labs, using the Toragen product: a wicked muscle receptor activator that got me super lean yet stronger at the same time pre contest.

As far as my training, it was filled with non-stop intensity that had several changes along the way: both in terms of Cardio and Resistance Training. The closer I got to the date of the contest, the more my resistance training went from lifting for hypertrophy to muscular endurance and conditioning.

Cygen Labs: What did you find most difficult about the experience?

Josh: One of the most challenging aspects of training for my contest was watching my social life being sacrificed. When you have fantastic friends like mine who wanted me to come out with them on a regular basis, there was nothing harder then turning down some good nights out because you have early morning cardio the next day. Fortunately, I had great friends who supported me 100% and knew what I had to do was crucial. Additionally, people think that fighting off cravings is one of the most challenging elements of contest prep, but I would disagree and say that the mental fatigue is much more difficult. You really have to have a strong mind that pushes you to train hard every single scheduled work-out. If you don't have self-motivation and discipline on a constant basis, you can forget about being successful.

Cygen Labs: So you’ve got a degree in Kinesiology from Wilfrid Laurier University and you also worked at the retail level selling sport nutrition supplements – what ultimately made you reach out and choose Cygen Labs?

Josh: Definitely the uniqueness of the line! Like I stated earlier, The Torgen played a fundamental role in keeping me both lean and strong on a calorie restricted diet. I was getting learner but stronger! The trigonella foenum-graecum extract Torobolic is the real deal and surpassed any of my expectations. Coming from a science background it was the Science behind the line. The Cygen team made this evident to me when I emailed them asking about the studied conducted by Dr. Colin Wilborn, PhD, CSCS at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. That put confidence in my hands, especially when competing in a natural show such as the IDFA!

Cygen Labs: What are you currently using from there line up and why?

Josh: Currently I am using Cygen Toragen, Exotest, Multi-Pack and Fish Oil - which is working out perfect for me right now as I started my two month rebound to improve on my weak points before transitioning into off-season.

Year round I use the ISO-90 as my main source of powder protein – The taste and mixability is bang on!

Cygen Labs: So what’s next for you Josh?

Josh: I have always had a passion for the sport of bodybuilding and the features that come with it - whether it is supplements, diet or knowledge of training, I like to familiarize and educate myself as much as possible. It’s the only way to get better. I plan on having a strong offseason and competing again next spring where the goal in mind is one thing - to win and climb to the next level.

Josh, Thanks again for taking the time to site down and share your experience with us. All of us at Cygen Labs would like to congratulate you on placing so well in your first show, and we'd all like to wish you the best of luck in your upcoming shows. We're confident that you have a long and successful career ahead of you in the world of natural bodybuilding. Keep up the great work!

Richard Coulson - The Ageless Champion

2010-07-20T13:33:00.002-04:00

The following is a letter that we received from Cygen Athlete Richard Coulson leading up to the IDFA Western Canadian Classic. Richard has won many prestigious titles in his years as a natural competitive body builder, and we are delighted to have him as a part of the team. But enough about us; read below to hear what Richard has to say about Cygen Labs.

My name is Richard Coulson and I compete in the sport of Natural Bodybuilding. I would like to share some of my history with you so that you may understand how and why I came to be part of the Cygen Laboratories family.

First, I would like to tell you that I am 47 years old. I have been bodybuilding since I was 21. I began bodybuilding quite honestly because my older brother was always bigger and stronger than me. As well, I had always admired people who were fit. They appeared healthy, happy and confident. When I began training in 1984, the supplements that were available were hit and miss. I personally found that many claims were made by companies; however, the results from using the supplements simply did not work. Because I am a natural athlete, I did not look to use steroids. Sure, the idea crossed my mind. Like I said, I have been training and competing for over 20 years. I found the early competitions very rewarding, however, I often become frustrated at the Provincial level as many athletes were obviously using drugs to win the contest. I would like to back track a little and tell you that I am a high school Physical Education Teacher. I also have two children. My goal as a teacher and father is to be a positive role model to both my students and children. I would feel like a cheater if I were to use steroids and "preach" about fitness, health, nutrition and over-all a healthy lifestyle to my students.

I stopped competing in 1992. The judges were choosing the biggest most ripped athlete on stage as the winners. (A natural athlete had no chance to compete against athletes who were using anabolic steroids.) I was competing for fun and I enjoy the challenge of putting together my routine and sharing this with family and friends. (Back to the present) In 2009, I decided to compete in another show. I had heard of many new companies that once again were making "claims" that their products were the new world break-through. Because I wanted to get into the best shape of my life at age 46, I decided to complete research on some of these companies. The one I decided to try was Cygen Laboratories.

When I tried products earlier in my career, I never knew if they were working. You simply could not feel the difference. You took them because you wanted a natural advantage. You wanted to get that ripped look, while maintaining size and vascularity. You hoped it worked! Unfortunately, a lot of money, time and effort was wasted. Without wanting to sound like a bad commercial, I have to simply tell you; Cygen Laboratories' products blew me away. I'll be honest, I don't use a lot of supplements, however, the ones that I chose for my contest preparation certainly did the trick. I mean these supplements boosted my energy, helped me get shredded, ( I was voted most ripped in my last show May 2009 at age 46!) while maintaining my size and strength. My weight has been 205 pounds for the last 10 years. I competed at 187. By maintaining a super strict diet, high in protein low in carbs and completing a strict regimented supplement program, I have kept my weight at 184-187 for over one year. I honestly did not believe this could be possible especially at the age of 47. Once you start the supplements, you can feel them work. I was aware of the changes each day.

The products I used and continue to use are:

1) Exotest: This product has increased my strength measurably. I have more endurance and I recover more quickly.
2) ) Toragen: If I were to choose one product, this would be it. Toragen has increased my muscle size, and helped me get the super ripped look all at the same time
3) Cygen Laboratories Nutriwhey. I consume this product two -three times per day. Because I am in the classroom, I don't always have time to eat. Therefore, I will consume protein for a healthy snack.
4) The Power Greens 21. For health, minerals and a delicious start to the day I never go without this supplement. I drink prior to my 6:30AM workout.

There you have it. It is no secret. Healthy eating, hard Core training and Cygen Laboratories products to have a lean muscular physique is the key. Please feel free to You-Tube my name; Richard Coulson and view my routine and Cygen Physique. If you are thinking of a supplement combo give mine a try. It really worked for me, no, really!! Good Luck

Sincerely, Richard Coulson

Good Luck, Richard! We're all confident here at Cygen Labs that you'll bring home yet another trophy for your shelf! Keep up the great work, and thank you for being an inspiration to natural competitors everywhere.

Chase Ingalls Dominates Again!

2010-07-06T12:49:00.003-04:00

On June 26, 2010, Chase Ingalls continued to climb the ladder of the Canadian Muay Thai ranks with another dominating win at the IFC-8 in North Vancouver. Here's a breif summary of the fight from his coach Jodey:

"Chase fought a very talented Karim Pahalloo from Basi Muay Thai in Calgary. The two fighters were even in the first then Chase found his timing and backed Karim up to control the second round stunning Karim with a cross. In the third, Chase was to much for the Lions Den athlete to handle as he pushed forward and hit Karim with combo after combo. This fight was rated 'Fight of the Night' and Chase was clearly the most technical and clear talent of the night's venue. Chase was awarded with a traditional Katana and stand from the sponsors and promoters."

We're very proud of all of Chase's accomplishments at Cygen Labs. His dedication, hard work, and sacrifice have clearly paid off as he continues to improve on his unbeaten record. Great work Chase!!!

Cygen Labs Decimate is Coming!!!

2010-06-01T10:56:00.003-04:00

After nearly 2 years of deliberation, Cygen Labs has finally decided to launch a brand new pre-workout formula to the public. What took us so long? We wanted to ensure that when our product developers designed a pre-workout formula, it contained the key blend of ingredients that would provide you with the absolute most intense workout of your life!!!

Decimate is a highly concentrated formula. Just one 8 gram scoop is all you need to experience the most extreme energy, amazing pumps, and skin bursting vascularity you ever thought possible. Decimate's formula also contains a powerful compound which stimulates the Central Nervous System (CNS), contributing to an increase in strength and mental focus throughout your workout.

Unlike other pre-workout formulas, Cygen Labs Decimate doesn't hide behind proprietary blends. We aren't afraid to show you what we put in our products because we refuse to cut corners just to make a quick buck.

If you're ready to experience the best workouts of your life, Cygen Labs Decimate is coming soon!!!

Cygen Labs Talkin' with Trainers Ep. #1 Darrin Robinson

2010-04-16T13:56:00.006-04:00

Today marks the launch of a brand new video log for Cygen Labs, entitled: Talkin' with Trainers. We plan to sit down with some of Canada's leading fitness experts and ask them why they recommend Cygen Labs products to their clients when nothing but the best results will do.

In our first episode we sat down with Darrin Robinson, Owner and Head Trainer of Emerge Lifestlye and Fitness Training in Burlington, ON. Darrin trains a wide variety of clients, from everyday people looking to get into great shape to elite competitors such as IFBB Pro Fitness Competitor Silvana Silvati. The one thing ALL of Darrin's clients have in common is that they all use Cygen!

We can't thank Darrin enough for taking the time to sit down with us, and if you want to learn more about how Emerge can get you in the best shape of your life, visit their website at www.timetoemerge.com

As always, for all the latest updates on athlete news, new products, guest appearances, and other videos just like this one check Cygen Labs out on Facebook, Twitter, and on our homepage www.cygenlabs.com

Cygen Blogger Contest Winner!!!

2010-04-01T09:30:00.004-04:00

At the end of February, we launched the Cygen Blogger Contest. It was a chance for people passionate about sports nutrition and training to let their voice be heard (a chance to win some free stuff)and today we've picked our winner!

Of all the entries we received, we felt that Steve Weigel's entry "Bodybuilding: Just Another Day" best emobodied the spirit of why Cygen Laboratories was created; for people like Steve.

For his efforts, Steve (pictured here) has won a Cygen Labs Prize Pack worth over $400!!! Congrats Steve!

Here is Steve's entry. Enjoy.

Bodybuilding: Just Another Day
By: Steve Weigel

Dedicated to all the guys and girls who push their limits every day

I sit at the table, watching the clock slowly count the hours away… 5 o’clock…6 o’clock…8 o’clock…I’m tired. Every slight movement of my body sends blistering pain deep into the battered muscle brave enough to even consider ascending from the comfort of rest. I look down at my plate. The rice and eggs that once occupied my plate have now been reduced to a few cold scraps. Even still, it’s valuable fuel which will be needed for the battle that lies ahead, and so I close my eyes, bite my tongue, and shovel the last of that god awful crap down my throat. Sometimes I believe cars have it easy. Some days I feel I would rather toss back a glass of gasoline, than have to muster down another bitter mouthful of egg, but that’s beside the point. I check the clock again…9’oclock…It’s time. The gym closes in two hours, which means it’s time to stop procrastinating, pull my balls out of my purse, and head to the dungeon. This will be the third night in a row I’ve given my body a pounding, and as I walk down the driveway to my car I consider calling the whole thing off. Then for a brief moment, I recall I have a date tonight with 1200lbs. What was I thinking?! I couldn’t stand her up! I’m not that type of guy! And so with that thought I hopped into my car, cranked the stereo to a level only a dog could hear, and bolted down the road I knew oh too familiarly. Upon arriving, my body was again a little hesitant to step out of the car, but time was ticking so I pressed on.

The first few sets are always the hardest. Not because you’re gassed and you have no energy left, by god no. They are hard because your mind is still picturing the five hundred other things you could be doing with your time right now, and your body is still in LaLa land, completely oblivious to the hundreds of torture devices surrounding it, just waiting to get their piece of you. So that’s it. I climb into a leg extension machine, and begin the first few sets of my workout. As my mind still wanders, I hardly notice the creaking of cold joints and the screams of the other members across the floor. Another two minutes, another set down. I think to myself “This is rather easy! At this pace I could put a wrap on my workout, shower, AND press the lady at the juice bar to let me “Squeeze the lemons” into my drink myself, all before closing call!” ….

Forget that thought.

All of a sudden, it hits you like a pissed-off freight train full of starving bulls. As I near the end of my third set, the burn begins to set in. Now, the burn, for those of you who aren’t aware, is a love/hate relationship. The burn is what we fitness fanatics aim to achieve, though when achieved, it is not uncommon to see us cry like little women in the corner of the nearest vacant squat rack. Others, who shall remain nameless…okay, Arnold Schwarzennegar…have equated the burn feeling to that of “cumming”. Now, I don’t exactly know what his definition of cumming is, but I can assure you it most likely involves being whipped in the ass by a 300lb dominatrix, and no safe word. Plain and simple, the burn BURNS!

Now I’m in the zone. Everything else going on in my life disappears. It wanders off to god knows where, probably the ladies section. Now I am free, I have nothing to worry about except accomplishing my mission. And my mission, you ask? To train until I can’t breathe…to sacrifice my body to a greater purpose…to train until I have puke climbing up my throat and knocking on the back of my teeth.

Next up: Leg Presses. Now, although I don’t smell as nice as I probably should, nor have I brought flowers, my date is waiting for me just as I’d pictured. I stumble towards the leg press machine, and it grins at me, as if to say “Come on, I dare you...” It takes nearly five minutes to gather all the plates that I need, and hustle a spot off of a trusted friend. The spot is not so much to help me push the weight back up if I fail to lift it, but rather to call the ambulance if shit goes down. And so we begin. I drop my ass into the seat of the dreaded leg sled, and momentarily close my eyes. “Here goes nothing”, I say to myself, and unclip the last bit of comfort known as the safety pins. Some find pleasure in golfing. Some find pleasure in shopping at the local malls. Some find pleasure in drinking on the weekend. Me? I find pleasure in strapping a small Toyota to my feet, and saying “To hell with it!” This is what I live for, this is what I know. This is me.

The workout progresses and I take comfort in knowing the worst is over with – for this week, at least. Although I’m out of the trenches, this war is anything but over. I hop between machines and free weights, giving my muscles a lashing they won’t soon forget. The barky calluses protruding from my palms serve as a reminder that this has all been done before, and so I continue to press on. Despite every single voice in my head (there’s quite a few!) telling me to give up and go home, something drives me and others like me to muscle through the pain. Does anyone care if I push out an extra rep on this set? No. Do I have a coach threatening to bench me if I slack off? No. Then why, people ask me, do this to yourself day in-day out? Why, you ask? Because if I don’t, I have to answer to probably the most terrifying critic I know; myself. I refuse to submit to mediocrity. I see way too many people just accept whatever is thrown their way, and I, for one, will have none of that. I don’t want to be just another Joe, another lifeless man running the same routine day after day with no dream or aspiration. Regardless of if I actually become something bigger than life or not, the very action of resisting normality at least gives me a reason to live.
As the clock nears 11, the gym has cleared out. I think I’m the only one still in this place. The screams from each corner of the gym have at last come to a halt. The dungeon is at rest, and the iron may finally sleep. The only noise to be heard is the soft hum of the janitor’s vacuum cleaner. My workout is at last complete, and I stumble down the stairs towards the exit in a fashion reminiscent of my ninety-three year old grandfather. I open the doors to a blast of cool air and a starlit sky. I waddle over to my car, toss my gym bag in, and climb into the driver’s seat. I look at the clock – 11:11…make a wish. What do I wish for? I smile to myself, and wish that I can still feel my legs tomorrow morning.

At home, after sitting for some five minutes to catch a breather, I get to work. Time to pound back another shake, cook my last meal for the night, and catch some late night Jay Leno before I hit the sack. I think I’ve probably spent more hours in the kitchen than Martha Stewart, though my culinary skills would surely not attest to that! Anyways, I eat my meal, watch my show, and then snap off the lights in anticipation of my well-deserved sleep. Oh yeah, did I forget to mention I have Buzz Lightyear pyjamas?
‘Just another day in the life of a bodybuilder…'

For updates on new products, athlete news, and other awesome contests like this one, visit our website or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Cygen Athlete Thomas Beach Qualifies for the Abu Dhabi World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Cup

2010-03-25T09:54:00.003-04:00

Earlier this month, one of our Cygen sponsored athletes, Thomas Beach travelled to Montreal to take place in the North American Abu Dhabi Pro Jiu-Jitsu Trials for a chance to qualify in the prestigious Abu Dhabi World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Cup in the United Arab Emirates. After winning all four of his matches, Thomas qualified and will be heading to Abu Dhabi in a couple of weeks to represent himself, his school Toronto BJJ and of course Cygen Labs. I asked Thomas to sum up the experience of the trials for me, and this is what he had to say:

I had four matches.

In my first match I pulled closed guard and quickly swept the opponent to mount. He then turned over and I took the back and I put him in an arm bar and ended the match by submission.

My second match was the toughest of the tournament for me. I pulled open guard and quickly closed up the guard. I spent most of the match attacking, opening and reclosing the guard with not much luck. I put him in a tight triangle and spent a lot of energy trying to finish but I was unable to get a submission. He tried to finish me at the end with a Kimura but was never really close to having the submission. My opponent was very strong both technically and physically, but I won the match by decision.

My third match I pulled close guard and spent a minute or so attacking until I was able to cross his arm and take the back. Like I did in my first match, I switched to an arm-bar and finished the match by submission.

My last match I pulled half guard and attacked some chokes. I changed gears and attempted a sweep giving me room to close the guard. I finished the match by crossing his arm going to the back and right away I cinched in the choke and got him to tap.

I am leaving for Abu Dhabi on April 12th and compete on the 16th and 17th.
Here’s a link to a video recap of the tournament:

Tom

Thanks for the update Thomas! All of us here at Cygen Labs are confident that you will represent us well at Abu Dhabi. Best of luck; we can’t wait to hear how things go over there.

Is New York City Law the Way to End Obesity?

2010-02-16T09:15:00.004-05:00

A couple of weeks ago, an editorial was published in the New York Times about the outcome of Standford University study on the way that New York City’s “Calories-on-Menu” law has had on people’s buying habits since the law came into effect in 2008. To sum the study up, researchers were granted access to receipts from Starbucks encompassing every transaction which occurred between January 1, 2008 (just before the law was put in place in NYC) through to February 28, 2009. They compared the receipts from New York City to transactions from Philadelphia and Boston (cities where the calories are not posted) to see if knowing the calorie counts made any difference in what people ordered. The findings showed that before the law went into effect, the average calorie count of orders in New York, Philadelphia and Boston were very similar. After the law however, the findings showed that the average calorie count for orders in New York dropped by 6% (or a 15 calorie reduction), while Philadelphia and Boston were both unaffected. If you’re interested, the editorial is posted here.

After reading this editorial though, I decided to dive into the subject a little bit further, and I began to wonder if simply posting calories on a menu is enough to affect people’s overall health the way in which the law was intended? Is cutting calories the answer to beating the obesity epidemic in NYC (or all over the world
for that matter), or is this law just a public relations tactic?

For starters, the editorial mentions briefly that similar studies conducted using fast food chains in low-income neighbourhoods in New York showed no significant change in people’s eating habits after calorie counts were posted. What it doesn’t mention however, is that although New Yorkers cut an average of 6% of their calories over the entire 13-month period of the study, it also showed that during what some experts call “eating season” (between Halloween and the Super Bowl), the average calories per order in New York was still equal to that of Philadelphia and Boston. What this suggests to me is that nutritional education, more so than posting calorie content alone is the real answer to fighting weight gain, because what we put into our bodies is just as important as how much.

The problem with counting calories is that the final number doesn’t tell the whole story. For example, Meal A has 410 calories and Meal B has 428. Simple math will tell you that the difference of 18 calories per meal over the course of a year will contribute to approximately a two-pound weight gain. Based on that information, most people would tell you that Meal A is obviously healthier because it has fewer calories. What’s the problem with that? Meal A is a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder, and Meal B is a standard serving of chicken breast, broccoli, and brown rice. One is going to give you a healthy balance of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals; the other is going to give you an expanding waistline. I don’t think I need to tell you which is which.

So the next time you are faced with a calorie conundrum while dining out (or cooking at home for that matter) consider the overall benefits of what you are putting into your body and not just the caloric count. If you want help planning your meals ahead of time, there are some great (and free) websites like Calorie Count and Fit Day that will tell you the nutritional breakdown of almost any food you can imagine.

For more news and updates on the blog, join our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter.

Starting February Off...

2010-02-08T11:17:00.005-05:00

SAF Model Gorretti Francisco has been doing some great things as of late with Cygen Labs, including being featured on our website as well as some of our upcoming ads for the new year. Below is a journal entry written by Gorretti as part of her Winter 2009-2010 Training Journal on the Girls of SAF website. The original journal is posted here but you can read it in it's entirety below. If you are interested in following Gorretti's journal, you can register on the Girls of SAF website or you can follow it right here on our blog.

Written by Gorretti Francisco

Here we go onto yet another month; it really reinforces that time goes by so fast. February 2 was my 30th birthday. Many of us women, once we turn 29, seem to stay at 29 for a few years before accepting the reality. But I am really excited and proud to say I am 30. To me it’s a new beginning and a start to a new phase of my life. I have a new career, a new place, and a renewed sense of myself, or as Patti LaBelle might sing, I’ve got a new attitude.

During the off season, I had a great opportunity to shoot for Cygen laboratories in mid-December. I was a bit nervous as I was in off-season shape, but I was still very happy and excited for the opportunity. I got to shoot with bodybuilder Stephen Edwards where we did some fun shots together as well as some individual pictures. It turned out to be a very fun photo shoot. I am looking forward to seeing how the ads will turn out! You can check out the whole Cygen product line at http://www.cygenlabs.com.

Part of my fitness goals this year is to become more familiar with the fitness industry. One way I have decided to achieve this is to take the opportunity to attend iconic fitness events. Two of the events I want to attend this year are the Arnold Classic and the Olympia Weekend. I have already started to make plans to attend the Arnold Classic in Columbus, Ohio, USA. It is being held March 4-7. I am looking forward to seeing the expo and being motivated by the incredible physiques that will be on display.

Training is continuing along. I must admit I had a tough time getting back on the strict, clean eating plan. I was overindulging on raw almonds and walnuts so, as a result, I was having too much fat on some days. I am embarrassed to say it but when it comes to nuts I have no will power, so the only solution is to not have them at home. Even though nuts are full of good fats, having too much is not a good thing when it comes to clean eating.

Believe you can and you're half way there.
-- Theodore Roosevelt

(The picture above right is one of the pictures from the Cygen shoot.)

Protein Wars: NUTRIWHEY vs. YOUR Brand of Blended Protein

2010-01-29T11:10:00.008-05:00

Protein powder is the staple nutritional supplement of almost every person who walks into a gym. Looking at the nutritional panel seems like a cut and dry way to decipher which protein powders are superior to others. But is it really that simple? Is more protein ALWAYS the right answer? Some companies would definitely want you to believe that to be the truth. Well friends, unfortunately sometimes in the world of protein powder, more is not always better. We need to look at the label more closely to better understand the supplements that we are putting into our bodies. Let’s take a look at some claims that various companies make to try and get their brand to stand above the crowd:

YOUR Brand Claims: Comprised of 100% Whey Protein
Whey Protein is the most biologically available source of protein on the planet. Better than fish. Better than beef. Even better than chicken. What many people do not know however is that there are different kinds of whey protein. The first kind of whey is Whey Protein Isolate (WPI). WPI is a highly processed form of whey, which is calculated as 90% protein by weight. WPI is very pure, it is absorbed into the body very quickly, and is typically present in most whey protein blend formulas. The second type of whey is Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC). WPC is usually the majority of the whey protein used in blends. It is not as highly processed as other forms of whey, and therefore it is usually less expensive to produce; hence the reason why pure isolates will cost you more than a blend. The last type of whey is Whey Protein Hydrolysate (WPH). WPH is the most highly processed form of whey protein, making it more absorbable than WPI or WPC, and therefore ideal for pre and post workout consumption. Although studies have shown WPH to be superior to WPI and WPC, many companies have stayed away from including it in their blends because of the higher cost. This is what makes NUTRIWHEY stand above other protein blends. It contains a blend of WPI, WPC, and WPH. So yes, YOUR Brand does contain 100% whey protein, but based on price I’m sure you can decide which brands use more WPC, and which brands contain more WPI and WPH.

YOUR Brand Claims: 40 grams of protein per serving
This is a classic example of why it is important to read the nutritional panel of your protein powder carefully. Yes, it is true that YOUR Brand’s protein blend does contain 40 grams of protein per serving, but that is because the size of the scoop is 57 grams! If you’re curious, by comparison if you were to use the same 57 gram scoop in NUTRIWHEY, you’d get 41 grams of protein per serving. Protein content can vary from flavor to flavour, but for the most part all blended proteins contain very similar amounts of protein in them when placed on a level playing field (see: same scoop size).

YOUR Brand Claims: Contains 4 grams of L-glutamine and 5 grams of BCAA per serving
This type of claim is a slippery slope. While some companies may add additional L-glutamine and BCAA’s (branched-chain amino acids) to their protein powder, typically these amino acids are naturally occurring in protein powder already! In an attempt to grab your attention, some companies will put these claims on the front of their label, or even include an amino acid profile on the side to impress you with its content. Rest assured that NUTRIWHEY, and most other brands on the market that DON’T include these claims or profiles on the label still offer very similar amino acid content.

With the astounding amount of nutritional supplement companies in the market place today, it’s sometimes difficult to decide which product is right for you. With all of the different claims and marketing strategies directed at helping you choose a brand, the issue of quality can get lost in the shuffle. As you can tell based on the above comparisons, Cygen is committed to providing athletes with the most innovative and effective products imaginable, for the best prices possible. So the next time you step foot into a supplement store looking for a blended protein, remember that you can always find a cheaper brand, but you’ll never find a more superior product than Cygen Laboratories NUTRIWHEY.

For further information on Nutriwhey and other Cygen Laboratories products, please visit www.cygenlabs.com or email us at info@cygenlabs.com. As always, you can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

New Cygen Ad

2010-01-14T09:21:00.002-05:00

Here is a preview of our first brand new ad for 2010!

It will be appearing in the February/March issue of Inside Fitness Magazine.

The photography was done by Arsenik Photography.

The graphic design was done by Scott Andrews Design.

Welcome to the Blog

2010-01-12T13:38:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Cygen Labs blog.

Here you'll be able to find the latest news on workouts, nutrition, and sport supplementation.

Stop by periodically to check out new posts, and please fell free to add your comments or questions.

In the meantime, for more information on Cygen Labs products, check out the website at www.cygenlabs.com, or follow us on Twitter and Facebook