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Fresh, Fit and Healthy Fitness  
Ask Trainer Tom:
Do I Need to Take Supplements & What are the Best Products?
by Tom Bonanti

This week’s question is a great one.  It is one of the most common ones I get from clients just about every day:

Dear Trainer Tom,

I am a 37 year old healthy male who works out pretty hard three to four times per week. I just want to drop about five pounds and maybe muscle up a little. I believe that I need to take some supplements, but I get so confused by the sheer number of products, not to mention the cost.  Please advise.  – JCW

Dear JCW,

There are many good reasons why people may require vitamins and mineral supplements. Stress, poor eating habits, alcohol consumption, some medications, etc., can all deplete the body’s natural reserves. In addition to all of these factors, guys who work out hard and regularly will probably require some form of dietary supplementation at some point in their training.

First and foremost, remember that before taking any supplements, you should check with your physician, especially if you are already taking some form of medication for a pre-existing health condition. Never put something into your body simply because a hot trainer, workout buddy or your hunky supplement salesman says it will work for you.

After consulting your physician, do your research on-line regarding his/her suggestions, what supplements are available, etc. Next, go to a reputable store and talk to the salesperson. Ask about his/her credentials and survey the array of products on the shelves.

There are plenty of legitimate and safe supplements out there that can help you lose weight, gain muscle, and stay healthy, but you need to do your research and decide which ones will best serve your needs and goals. Before loading up your shopping cart, remember a few things about supplements: You do not need all of them all of the time. You don’t have enough room in your belly for all of them at one time. You also cannot afford to buy all of them all of the time, and most are not capable of delivering the miraculous results they promise. Research is key.

Fresh Fit and Healthy Tom Bonanti is a Licensed Massage Therapist( MA40288), Personal Trainer( ISSA Certified), and owner of Pump’n Inc  Gym in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Trainer Tom welcomes your questions and he can be contacted at TrainerTomB@aol.com.