Strength & HMB?

[shaolin]

Two years ago I did the EAS Challenge. While I was nowhere near model-quality when I finished the 3 month regime, I was happy with the results. Weight stayed the same at 183, but lost 12 lbs of fat and gained 12lbs of muscle. More to the point of this post, my strength went through the roof.

Here was my routine:

Cardio 3 times a week: 12 to 18 minutes at moderate to high intensity.

Weight training: one body part per day for 6 days

Diet:

1 gallon water per day
Lots of fish, chicken, brown rice, green veggies

Supps:

EAS Myoplex - 1 per day
EAS Betagen
EAS Andro 6

Now I am 10 pounds heavier and still working out hard (short and intense - not overtraining) , but cannot get my strength at anywhere near the level I had then.

For example: I was doing barbell curls with up to 120, now I struggle with 100, though my arms are bigger.

For the last few months I have added Tribulus(FUZU), ZMA and other allegedly more potent pro-hormones such as nor-andro.

Seems the only thing missing today is no HMB nor Andro, which most people believe to be of little value. Could these supps be more effective than commonly believed?

Or perhaps it was just the mindset of doing a contest?

Yikes! Can it be middle-age setting in? I am 46.

Any thoughts are appreciated.


*Footnote: just found this old post discussing HMB. Coincidentally, he als mentioned barbell curls. I had not read this before I typed the above.

First of all, I don't think HMB/Betagen is worthless. Why? well, I remember a few weeks ago I wasn't taking it, and I was stuck on the same weight for my barbell curls, nothing I did made me go higher! I tried caffeine/ephedrine, sure it gave me more energy, but my muscle just wouldn't give. I remember the first day when I tried Betagen, in the morning my muscles felt so hard! (I know it wasn't the Creatine, because I started the Betagen the day after I ran out of Phosphagen HP), well, Two days after, I did the same reps with bicep curls with 10lbs more!!! I couldn't believe it!! and my leg presses went up 25lbs!! is it a placebo effect??? I guess I can't be 100% sure, but I had tried everything else, and nothing worked until Betagen.

 

[shaolin]

Another Betagen review

Here is another review mentioning strength:

I have been taking Betagen for about four months now, and I have seen incredible results. My strength has increased well over 50%. In addition, I have gained weight, however my body is much leaner!

BTW, I am not hyping anything, I am just wondering if the HMB is the missing ingredient from my strength training...

 

[diamonddiceclay]

hmb is no miracle product

 

[Mighty P]

I'm one of the few that likes HMB. I run a lot and I really notice that it helps me keep and make gains in the weight room. I'm very sensitve to any chemicals, so maybe it works better for people like me. I don't think it's a worthless sup. either, go get some and see if it helps you get over your plateau, then let us know.