Sports Reporter
It’s not uncommon to see people carrying cups full of grainy drinks on campus. Gym junkies are bulking up or slimming down by using supplements like whey protein and creatine powders in an effort to look and feel better. Popular with the bodybuilding crowd for a long time, lately supplements have gained traction with the more casual gym-goer. In the case of workout supplements, the word “casual” is relative.
CMU students like Robert Benner, who lifts weights five to six times a week, feel that if you’re not using some kind of supplement, you’re not achieving your full potential.
“Supplements maximize your workout,” Benner said. “If you don’t take any supplements, then you’re not getting the most out of your workout.”
Johnny Ford works in a Grand Junction nutrition store, and in his experience, a lot of gym-goers agree with Benner. Ford sees approximately 50 college students a week in the store, both male and female. While some of the cust omers purchasing supplements are athletes who need to gain muscle or lose weight, many of them are people who want to make a lifestyle change, starting with nutrition.
“It’s people who are trying to look better and feel better, whether they’re on a diet or they’re trying to gain weight,” Ford said.
The most popular supplement by far is whey, which is a quickly-digestible protein that reaches muscles more rapidly than the protein in a whole food, like meat, would. Casein protein, another favored supplement for muscle-building, burns more slowly. Casein molecules form a clot in the stomach that releases amino acids for several hours. Bodybuilders, including Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino from Jersey Shore, ingest casein before bed to help maintain muscle growth during sleep.
Benner uses five supplements, spaced strategically throughout his day.
“I use pre-workout stuff called Jacked, I take nitric-oxide pills, which pretty much just give you crazy amounts of energy so you can lift for a long time without getting tired and keep lifting the maximum amount of weights, and do the entire workout without getting tired. I take whey and casein protein. I also take creatine during a workout. I think that’s it. There’s a lot of them,” he said.
Benner spends around $120 once a month on workout supplements, and Ford says that the average supplement transaction in his store is about $50, but people spend over $100 every month. For some, the cost is prohibitive. Others find ways to avoid spending as much as they could.
“Stores like GNC are really expensive. A jar of creatine was $40 at GNC and I got it online for $25,” Benner said.
Creatine is a more controversial option among weightlifters. While it does help build muscle mass, many feel that the gain can mostly be explained by water weight. The Mayo Clinic advises people with kidney disease against taking it because it can cause kidney damage and alter liver function. It’s also been associated with asthmatic symptoms.
Many CMU students find that benefits outweigh the potential risks that come with supplements.
“You can consult your doctor, but some people don’t. These aren’t meant to replace food. I would absolutely use supplements to work out,” Ford said.
ssummar@mavs.coloradomesa.edu
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