Building the Foundation to Become a Larger, Stronger and Better Performing Bodybuilder

So intensely focused on building muscle and strength are many bodybuilding athletes that such lifters often neglect the very foundation that makes all other gains possible – until it is too late. By upping the resistance and ensuring a balanced intake of performance nutrients, impressive gains come fast. And we want the gains to continue. That’s because, as bodybuilders, a major goal is to stay strong and ever-resilient to the accumulated stresses of training. However, over time, and despite the best of intentions, the body begins to wear down. The weights begin to feel heavier, range of motion is compromised and overall quality of life begins to suffer. We feel old, and begin to look old. All of this begins to adversely affect progress. Gains come to a standstill. Muscle withers away. And we simply write it all off to the ravages of time.

BY TAKING THE TIME TO PROTECT THAT WHICH KEEPS US IN THE GAME WHEN OTHERS ARE DROPPING LIKE FLIES, THE MAJOR DECIDING FACTOR IN WHETHER WE STAY STRONG OR BECOME INJURED, WE MAY CONTINUE TO MAKE IMPRESSIVE GAINS WELL INTO OUR FOURTH, FIFTH OR EVEN SIXTH DECADE OF LIFE.

Just what is this most important training requirement? It’s what makes benching 100kgs possible. It’s what allows us to complete a set of deep squats with perfect form, without risk of injury. When compromised, it causes many athletes to plateau prematurely. It’s also overlooked by most lifters. What I’m speaking of is move free joint health. And for consistent, long-term results, it’s crucial.

Building Stronger and Move Free Joint Health

Without strong joints we lack flexibility, heavy loads cannot be adequately supported, overall performance falters and we become more susceptible to career-curtailing injuries. As such, we must do all we can prioritize this most-important training aspect. While regular lifting and healthy eating could be considered a good start for many, it’s not enough for those who routinely subject their bodies to ever-increasing levels of training stress. In some cases, heavy exercise may even exacerbate underlying joint damage. Many lifters are oblivious to serious joint issues until it’s too late. By then, injury, advancing age and years of compromised performance may have prevented them from achieving to their fullest potential.

THEREFORE, THE PROPER MANAGEMENT OF JOINT HEALTH FROM THE OUTSET REMAINS AN INTEGRAL FACTOR WHEN AIMING TO PERFECT AND PROLONG ONE’S PERFORMANCE.

Not only does poor joint health prevent athletes from reaching their full potential. All populations are affected. In fact, 46 million people (20% of US adults) suffer from the debilitating effects of arthritis in one form or another. And that’s just one of many joint ailments. Others include bursitis (inflammation of the pads which cushion the joints), chondromalacia of the patella (a breakdown of the cartilage in the kneecap), and tendinitis (or inflammation of the tendon). Joint damage is characterized (to a greater or lesser degree) by the erosion of bone and cartilage, pain and inflammation, and loss of mobility and flexibility. Each of these can be prevented and treated with the right approach. There are several ways to address joint health. Treating joint problems with medications (a first line of defense for many), while useful in temporarily masking pain, does little to address the root cause of such problems. The chronic application of medication as a treatment modality also presents a host of side effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, high blood pressure, weight gain and accidental overdose. As a last resort, many turn to surgery to alleviate chronic joint pain. It’s a last resort for a reason as it’s invasive and in most cases the joint will never regain full function. The best course of action for ongoing joint health is, of course, prevention. The best way to achieve this is through ‘alternative’ treatment options in the form of a sophisticated array of joint health compounds. As well as preventing joint damage from occurring in the first place, such compounds have also been shown to restore damaged joints to a fully functional state (depending on how advanced one’s joint problems are in the first place). Joint supplementation has been around, in one form or another, for decades. Only in recent years, however, have great strides been made in isolating a range of superior joint health ingredients. Now there is a clinically-proven product that combines all of these ingredients to significantly enhance joint health and therefore overall training performance while rendering debilitating joint pain a thing of the past.

A UNIQUE FORMULA CONTAINING SIX OF THE MOST ADVANCED JOINT HEALTH COMPOUNDS IN CLINICALLY EFFICACIOUS DOSES, ALLMAX’S ALLFLEX IS THE NEW FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE FOR JOINT PROTECTION AND RESTORATION. 

UC-II^® (Standardized Cartilage – Total Collagen, 10 mg)

UC-II (Type II Undenatured Collagen) is today’s most advanced alternative treatment when it comes to preserving joint health. It’s been extensively studied and shown to reduce pain and inflammation, stop cartilage and bone erosion, repair and rebuild cartilage, improve mobility and flexibility, and promote long-term joint health. ^{4, 5, 7, 12, 22, 23, 32, 36} A peptide and major component of joint cartilage, Type II collagen has been shown to reduce autoimmunity to the body’s own Type II collagen, thus countering inflammation resulting from joint-specific medical conditions such as rheumatism and osteoarthritis while also benefiting overall joint health. In contrast to other forms of collagen (namely hydrolyzed or denatured collagen), UC-II (the patented form of undenatured Type II collagen) contains active immune modulators that collectively decrease the secretion of enzymes responsible for breaking down Type II collagen in the body. UC-II goes directly to the source of joint pain and immobility to deactivate collagen-specific killer T-cells to heal, strengthen and preserve damaged joints. Joint health is thus protected and, if necessary, restored, and the inflammatory response that leads to pain, immobility and compromised performance is reduced. To address the aforementioned indicators of poor joint health, the form of collagen used must be undenatured so that its protein structure is kept intact for superior bioavailability. Denatured collagen is also used to treat joint health. However, hydrolyzed by chemical or high-temperature processing, its molecular structure is altered, making it inactive and inferior to UC-II. Many studies have confirmed the efficacy of UC-II, several of which compared it to the commonly prescribed joint health compounds glucosamine and chondroitin. Aside from significantly outperforming glucosamine and chondroitin in every measure of joint health, UC-II was found to be entirely side-effect-free, whereas the use of glucosamine and chondroitin may result in weight gain, high blood pressure, heartburn, nausea, increased intestinal gas and diarrhea.^{3, 13, 14}

ALLFLEX CONTAINS A SCIENTIFICALLY RECOMMENDED DOSE OF 40 MG OF UC-II^®, PER SERVING.

OptiMSM^® (Methylsulfonylmethane)

Comprised of 34% sulfur (the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body and critical for joint health) MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) has been rigorously researched, with countless studies expounding upon its many benefits. It’s currently considered one of several cutting-edge ingredients integral to the maintenance of healthy joints, tendons, ligaments (and other connective tissues).  Of its many benefits, MSM reduces joint stiffness, soreness, fatigue, and inflammation while improving joint strength, range of motion and overall health. ^{16, 19, 20, 24, 26, 33} While the marketplace is populated with many different forms of MSM, there is a form that supersedes all others in both safety and efficacy. Ultra-pure and of the highest quality, OptiMSM^® has gained a great deal of support via numerous pre-clinical and clinical studies. Most notably, it’s been proven to decrease the deterioration of cartilage in joints, reduce associated pain, eliminate inflammatory responses and swelling associated with joint pain and fatigue, and provide ongoing nutritional support to ensure the development and maintenance of healthy joints and joint cartilage.

ALLFLEX CONTAINS 450 MG OF OPTIMSM^®, PER SERVING.

 3-LASTIN^® (Boswellia serrata, (gum) extract – Std. to 70% Boswellic acid)

A major cause of debilitating joint pain, chronic inflammation, if left to continue, may lead to joint degradation and a significant reduction in joint functionality. Unfortunately, our bodies are under constant attack by chronic inflammatory stimuli. Such inflammation inevitably leads to various disease states (indeed almost all diseases have chronic inflammation as a root cause). Fortunately, there is a potent nutritional compound that’s been scientifically proven to treat inflammation, specifically the kind that leads to joint pain and immobility. Considered to be drug-like in its effectiveness but without the deleterious side effects inherent to common medications, Boswellia Serrata, specifically its various extracts (which have been used for thousands of years to treat inflammatory conditions), is among the safest and most effective joint health formulas on today’s market.^{15, 21, 25, 27} Joint inflammation and pain is a great source of misery for many. Drug treatments are often sought to address these common complaints. However, drugs (commonly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – NSAIDs) come with a host of damaging side effects.² Boswellia, on the other hand, has been clinically proven to not only successfully fight inflammation just as well as the commonly prescribed NSAIDs but to exceed the efficacy of these drugs (by inhibiting different enzymes involved in the inflammation response).^{9, 30} To ensure maximum clinical efficacy, Boswellia must be of the highest quality and purity and standardized to 70% boswellic acid.

THE 200 MG OF PATENTED 3- LASTIN^® BOSWELLIA SERRATA (GUM) EXTRACT CONTAINED IN EACH SERVING OF ALLFLEX IS THE MOST POTENT VERSION AVAILABLE TODAY.

Curcumin (Curcuma longa, (root) powder)

Curcumin is a naturally-occurring compound found in the medicinal spice Turmeric. Both a natural remedy of unquestioned efficacy and well-research as a superior natural alternative for the treatment of inflammatory conditions, Curcumin has been used for centuries to improve health and well-being.^{6, 11, 17, 31} Numerous studies have confirmed the powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic benefits of Curcumin. First isolated 1815, with its full chemical structure accurately mapped in 1910, this most powerful health elixir works on multiple pathways simultaneously to produce countless health benefits. It’s likened to a full pharmacy of nutrients working harmoniously to advance health on many different fronts. Most of the research on Curcumin is focused upon its ability to stop pain and inflammation. Based on its ability to promote healthy joints and restore joint functionality, it’s considered one of today’s top joint health performers.

ALLFLEX CONTAINS 100 MG OF THE HIGHLY POTENT CURCUMA LONGA, (ROOT) POWDER, PER SERVING.

Salix Alba (White Willow, (bark) powder)

White Willow Bark has been used for thousands of years to treat inflammation and pain. It has received scientific support via a number of key clinical studies which have confirmed its analgesic and anti-inflammatory benefits.^{28, 29} As such, White Willow Bark has been used in many sports performance and weight loss products with great success. However, only the purest form of White Willow Bark is used in the best joint health formulas. Superior versions of While Willow Bark contain active compounds called Salicylate Glycosides. These compounds produce potent anti-inflammatory benefits by interfering with pain transmission in the nervous system to treat the root cause of inflammation. As shown in various in vitro and animal studies, the anti-inflammatory activity of willow bark extract is associated with down-regulation of the inflammatory mediators’ tumor necrosis factor-α and nuclear factor-kappa B. Thus, White Willow Bark produces benefits similar to those of the commonly-prescribed NSAIDs, but without side effects such as gastrointestinal tract bleeding, gastric erosion and cardiac problems.

ALLFLEX CONTAINS 100 MG OF SALIX ALBA WHILE WILLOW BARK PER SERVING.

Vitamin C (as Calcium ascorbate) and Vitamin E (as dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate)

Aside from their general-health boosting properties, both Vitamins C and E greatly benefit joint health. While Vitamin C is important for producing collagen, a major building protein of cartilage tissue, both Vitamins E and C have been shown to work as potent painkillers.^{8, 10, 18, 34} In rheumatoid arthritis patients already receiving anti-rheumatic drugs, Vitamin E has been shown to exert a significant analgesic action. As key antioxidants, both Vitamins C and E help to reduce inflammation in joints by scavenging free radicals in joint tissue.

ALLFLEX CONTAINS 60 MG AND 30 IU OF VITAMINS C AND E, PER SERVING, RESPECTIVELY.

Stay in the Game

Most people suffer the ill effects of poor joint health to some degree. Such a progress-stalling and potentially debilitating state manifests in different ways, for different people. However, one thing is for certain: the more stress we place on our joints, the more susceptible they become to wearing out. Athletes, including bodybuilders, are particularly at risk. For such populations, a simple prescription of resistance training and balanced nutrition does not come close to addressing the root cause. In fact, more training may further exacerbate the problem. Joint health is not something to be considered upon reaching our fourth or fifth decade. By then, it’s often too late and of those who wait, many will be doomed to live out their lives in pain and will be limited in their physical abilities. Instead, begin protecting your joints now. The common aches and pains most of us experience to some degree need not compromise one’s training or lifestyle. To get the best out of life, the onus is on you to take action now. The best way to do this is to supplement with ALLFLEX. Proven to heal joints, ALLFLEX improves performance on many levels – strength, flexibility, range of motion all stand to benefit from a combination of the most potent joint health ingredients available today. What’s more, you’ll continue to gain well beyond retirement age. You’re taking care of muscle growth with products like ISOFLEX. Now it’s time to support your strength-training foundation, your joints, for truly impressive results.

References

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