The data on HMB for increasing lean muscle mass are controversial, but some people believe there's a benefit. There's only 1 very small study which looked at it's effects on VO2max and OBLA, and given it's high cost I personally wouldn't use it.

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I don't know about HMB, even though i used it when i used to bodybuild, but what do i know, they say creatine doesn't help endurance racing, but i swear by it and it works, and its cheaper than HMB.

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-Erik

"I don't half-ass anything. For me its either whole-ass or nothing." -elake

Jason?

I used HMB when I did the EAS body for life challenge after previously using it during my high school swim season. I'm not sure about the effects on VO2 max or even lactate threshold but I can tell you that it helped my swimming recovery time in between workouts and before meets. Once I started taking Betagen I felt like Ian Thorpe in the water with an unbelievable amount of power. I have not taken it since 2001 but thought it had some definite benefit for swimming the 100 and 200 fly and free. I think my swim experience with Betagen was better because it was the only supplement I was on, and during the challenge I was on Phoshagen, Cytovol, Betagen, and Myoplex Protein Shakes so it is hard to isolate the effects.

TJ Tollakson

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Cheers,

TJ Tollakson
http://www.tollakson.com
CEO: http://www.rustersports.com and http://www.dimondbikes.com

You've broke my anonymity Mr. Tollakson! Not that it was too difficult to figure out..... This is Jason Halfpap, a very, very distant 2nd and 5th placer to you at Cornman and Dutchman.

Great thoughts on the use of HMB. My father's cousin (my second cousin?) is actually the founder of the HMB ingredient. He's a prof at Iowa State and developed the stuff a number of years ago. I actually used it for a while and did notice good recovery for training. I'm considering using it during my core strength training phase over the next 3-4 months. I know this is Slowtwitch, but I've determined I'm more of a fast twitcher, therefor I need all the lean muscle addition I can get. Maybe I'll give it a go and report back to you all.

TJ - I heard a nasty rumor that you might be moving back up my way........any truth to that?!

(Actually that would be first cousin once removed)



Sorry... continue ;)

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jhc wrote: Actually that would be first cousin once removed

Good enough to marry in many parts of the country ;)

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Quid quid latine dictum sit altum videtur
(That which is said in Latin sounds profound)

Jason,

I find that interesting about HMB development, I can remember first reading about HMB in Men's Health magazine, and it talked about the development of HMB in conjunction with the vet school at ISU. I remember one guy's name was Dr. Nissen or something like that.

As for the rumor, I am actually going to train with the resident team for two months in Chula Vista, CA. I am unsure of how much longer I will continue to work for Alcoa so if I decide to race full time I will move back to Des Moines with my parents (tough pill to swallow, but sacrifices must be made). Eventually I plan on residing in Des Moines.

TJ

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Cheers,

TJ Tollakson
http://www.tollakson.com
CEO: http://www.rustersports.com and http://www.dimondbikes.com

Anything new on this? I've been using a creatine powder supplement and like it so far but the bloat is terrible and at least with the EAS Betagen its less sugar/carbs.......any thoughts or comments? Still using this product?

I use the product for about 3-4 months every winter. If you are weight lifting and swimming hard at the same time you will build nice lean muscle mass using this stuff. It's easy to take, not filling and like you said - no sugars.

I've never tried staying on it through the actual triathlon season - no real reason why, but I just haven't. It's not a weight gainer unless you just have underdeveloped lean mass.