Now that the glow from the Arnold Classic weekend is receding, it's time to look ahead to some of the supplement-oriented products I'll be reporting on.
Progenex:
Today I began using Dr. Scott Connelly's Progenex line as my post-workout protocol. I'm fired up; as a long-time admirer of Connelly's work with protein and Met-Rx, a reader of his books, and a fan of his radio appearances with Dave and John, this is something I've been looking forward to. Recovery is the Holy Grail for those of us fortunate enough to be training hard in middle age (whatever age that is), and I want all the advantages I can get my hands on. I live a strict, clean dietary existence (the Dave Palumbo Diet, as opposed to the Palumbo Diet), with the addition of regular infusions of red wine (not to remind anyone of Steve Blechman!). In my mind, I'll be a great test subject for Progenex supplements, as I fully control all my meals. I think it's clear that the advantages of Connelly's Progenex products will be felt by those who are the most aware of their bodies, how they feel and how they react to training.
I was a bit surprised to read in the instructions-hey, when was the last time you received written instructions with a protein supplement?-- that this product should be mixed with any "ready to drink" protein drink. In fact, Connelly suggested Low Carb Slim Fast as "a fine example." From a fiscal perspective, I understand, but I never associated their products with quality nutrition. Rather than purchase a Slim Fast drink (I just can't bring myself to do so), I'm mixing a half scoop of Carbolyze with a scoop of Isolyze, and a scoop of Chain'd Out, in a shaker with 16 ounces of water. Then I'm adding the Progenex Recovery and Growth powders, mixing the entire thing, and drinking it with the four ProgenexSRG capsules. I will keep you posted on my progress; today's workout was a heavy back and biceps session, my third consecutive training day.
I have some breaking news from Scott Connelly about the Progenex line. On the immediate horizon are upgrades in performance and a new delivery system. Going forward, Growth and Recovery will be available in either chocolate or vanilla (currently they are unflavored). To boot, they will be produced in single serving "capsules" which Connelly says are compatible with most water bottles on the market today. I'm not convinced of the need for this new delivery system; I have no problems mixing scoops of powder in a shaker, but perhaps in an effort to reach a larger audience he's making this change. When I have more details I'll bring them to you.
But here's the best news: effective immediately, prices have been slashed on all three Progenex products! The Propack has dropped to $125.50 from $285, the SRG capsules down to $60 from $82.75, Growth all the way down to an affordable $37.50 from $80.40, and Recovery is now $50, a big change from $80.40. Go to www.progenexsrg.com to place an order, and tell ‘em Rxmuscle.com sent you!
Before anyone cries "conflict of interest" because Dr. Connelly is an advertiser and sponsor on this site, Dave or John never suggested I work with Progenex, nor that I publicize the products. As I stated earlier, I'm a long-time admirer of Connelly's work, and have anxiously awaited this opportunity. Is there anything more important to hard-training strength athletes than the most efficient use of all the protein we consume? I just want to utilize the most cutting-edge, effective, supplements available.
Stuff I Love:
Marriage to a woman sharing my passion for weight training, fitness and nutrition. Case in point: Saturday night we're dressed up, heading out to our favorite tapas restaurant for a light meal and some wine (our cheat meal of the week - the tapas, not the wine). Our afternoon workout was a tough chest/shoulders/triceps/abs session. We'd had our post-workout shakes, then an immense eggs/spinach/calamata olives/feta cheese omelet, and three hours later we're ready to head out the door. But first we stand in the kitchen and mix protein powder and Chain'd Out in glasses of water, and drink it with some Omegalyze capsules. Now we're ready to go out to eat. This is living life!
Gaspari Nutrition News:
When I solicited Gaspari Nutrition for some Mitotropin to use, test, and write about in this column, they politely responded with a "thanks, but no thanks". I was told they had no need for publicity here. OK, fair enough. It's easy to imagine there's some politics going on in the background, and as a big fan of the Gaspari Nutrition product line, I'm going to stay out of the behind-the-scenes drama, if any. So I did what any self-respecting product reviewer would do, and purchased a month supply of Mitotropin myself. So beginning Monday the 23rd of March, I'm using Mitotropin twice daily for a month. I'll have my body fat tested tomorrow; I'm pretty lean, somewhere between 10% - 12%. This will be the only thermogenic or cutting product I utilize this month. I'll keep you posted on how I feel and what the result are. Cost: $59.95 per box of 60 servings. (www.gasparinutrition.com)
Anthony Roberts:
Love him or hate him, but Anthony Roberts' blog is a fascinating, addictive daily read. It's loaded onto my home page, so there it is each day, usually with a promising headline about steroids, supplements, or good old fashioned gossip from our industry. Check it out at www.bloganthonyrobertsonline.com
Triple H:
Did you know you can purchase a life-size (6'5" tall) Fathead of Triple H for $99.95! In case you haven't seen the ads on ESPN, Fatheads are life-size, hi-def, precision-cut wall graphics made of hyper-durable vinyl. These aren't posters or decals or stickers; they're crazy pieces of pop-culture art! As they say on the website, Real Big Art! Did I mention this is life-size? www.fathead.com/wrestling/wwe/triple-h/
Stuff I Don't Like:
The Valslide-- billed as a "new, revolutionary exercise tool to supercharge your workout and accelerate results,"-is not what I expected! 
What you receive are a couple of plastic, kidney-shaped, things about the size of Triple H's hand, with a hard foam center that's raised up to accommodate your hand. Using your hands or feet with these Valslides as the contact point with the floor, one can theoretically perform lunges, push-ups, mountain climbers, etc., in a circuit. The instruction booklet offers a couple of suggested workouts.
I didn't feel the magic. For one thing, they don't work on a padded gym floor, only on carpeting, which relegates the Valslide to home workouts or possibly traveling hotel room sessions. This product is possibly useful to the novice exerciser, but nobody who regularly goes to a gym, or reads this web site, will ever want to use them. Sorry, Valerie. I'll spend my $39.99 elsewhere. (www.valslide.com)
Stuff I'm Trying To Like:
"Condemned" by John Nicholas Iannuzzi
Author Iannuzzi uses the format of a novel to laboriously make the point that legalizing and controlling the distribution of drugs would eradicate the skyrocketing costs of the failed "War on Drugs", and do away with illegal profits and drug trafficking. Good idea, average execution. I can get behind the concepts and applaud his effort, but I found the book dense and so full of characters and divergent plot lines that I kept having to re-read portions each time I picked it up. Too much work, I'm afraid. I don't know if legalizing drugs is as simple an answer as the author suggests, and right now with the government attempting to run every other aspect of our lives, it's probably not the right time to have the conversation. On the other hand, when is a good time?
Brian Gross, publicist on the book, tells me "Condemned" has been sold to Hollywood and is going to be made into a major motion picture. That could work if the screenwriter jettison's half the characters in the book! I'll watch the movie. (MadCan Books, available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble)
Stuff I Like So Far:
Schiek Power Lifting Hooks (model 1200)
In the Schiek tradition of high quality I've come to expect, these padded wrist straps are comfortable and appear to be very well manufactured. This particular set has a heavy metal hook to put over or under the bar, in effect taking your fingers and grip out of the equation.
In a recent back workout I used them for barbell rows, and found the feel to be a bit unsettling. As I pulled up on the bar I felt the metal hook pulling up on the inside of my hand, and it felt oddly unsecure. Taking them off and performing the next set, same weight, using bare hands, the bar felt better than with the hooks. I moved my grip around to see what difference that would make, but it didn't help.
Next back workout, I'll utilize these hooks for pull downs and shrugs. I can't visualize them as part of the deadlift, but I'll do some pulls with light weight and see how they perform. I'm not giving up on them by any means.
Listen for me on an upcoming episode of SuperHuman Radio with Carl Lanore!
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