BSN Blitz

Eight UK Guys To Follow On Instagram

Eight UK Guys To Follow On Instagram

The McGuirk Brothers

The McGuirk boys, Zack and Callum, are the bodybuilding brothers from Blackpool. The brothers have exploded onto the British bodybuilding scene over the last 2-3 years. Zack was the 2015 British classic bodybuilding tall class title holder and Callum is a 2 time UKBFF Physique champion. Looking at their Instagram, users will be greeted by a mix of behind the scenes photo shoots, workout snaps and a number of product reviews. Check out their pages here: www.instagram.com/callum_mcguirk www.instagram.com/zackmcguirk  

Joey Farrell

Joey Farrell is a personal trainer and bodybuilder hailing from Cardiff. Joey is a two time junior Mr. Wales and UKBFF British 2nd and 3rd place finisher. Joey offers diet and training plans to his clients and if his Instagram is anything to go by, his training is second to none. Joey’s Instagram is a wholesome mix of workout videos, diet and supplement information and a growing sense of your own insecurity as you scroll through numerous bodybuilding poses. You can check out his page here: www.instagram.com/joeyfarrell_pt/  

Josh Maley

Simply put, Josh Maley is a machine. Josh was swimming at a national level until he was 19, at which point he discovered his passion for the gym. Josh graduated from college in 2009 and in 2010 he competed for the first time. Since then he has achieved phenomenal success on both a national and international level, winning the NABBA Mr. Britain and placing 3rd at the Nabba Mr. Universe in 2015. Fans of Josh’s Instagram will be treated to an eye-opening overview of what it takes to be a top bodybuilder, with a series of workouts, meals and the odd cheat meal. Josh’s profile is a must for any aspiring athlete out there. Check out Josh’s Instagram here: www.instagram.com/josh_maley  

Zac Fotheringham

Zac Fotheringham is another bodybuilding powerhouse! With two first place podium finishes in the last 2 years, Fotheringham is quickly putting his stamp on the UK Bodybuilding scene. Fotheringham’s Instagram offers a lighter note than usual, displaying images of his family, client testimonials and various workouts. A mix that clearly works for him, gaining a large following of around 22,000. Check out Zac’s profile here: www.instagram.com/zac_fotheringham  

Nathan Smart

Smart by name, smart by nature. Nathan’s fitness journey began at the tender age of 16 when he first set foot in a gym. Since then it has transformed into a way of life for the MuscleModel Champion. Nathan has built an impressive living doing what he loves. He is a personal trainer, sponsored athlete and professional competitor. Fans of his Instagram page will get an in-depth look at the life of a professional athlete with an array of behind the scenes shots, workout routines and various foodie snaps! Find Nathan’s Instagram here: www.instagram.com/nathan_smart1  

Jimi Manuwa

Jimi Manuwa is a mixed martial artist fighting out of London, competing at light heavyweight in the UFC. In current UFC rankings, Jimi stands 5th in the light heavyweight division and holds a professional record of 16-2-0. Jimi’s Instagram is as you would expect from a UFC fighter. Ring side shots, training partners and workouts. For any MMA fan or fitness fanatic, Jimi’s page is a great insight into the sport and the mind-set of a UCF fighter. You can check out Jimi’s profile here: www.instagram.com/pb1_  

Jamie Johal

Jamie “Giant” Johal is exactly that.. A giant! Jamie is a UKBFF Superheavyweight champion and an absolute machine! Jamie is the proud owner of a physique usually only seen in green body paint and smashing villains with the rest of the avengers. Fans of Jamie’s Instagram will be treated to pics of big arms, big weights, big meals and posing in not-so-big underwear. For any bodybuilding aficionado's, Jamie’s page is a must see! Check out his page here: www.instagram.com/giantjohal

BSN Blitz

6 Things You Need To Know About Stacking

6 Things You Need To Know About Stacking

What is stacking and why is it important to you if you want to get bigger, faster and stronger in the gym? Here’s our quick guide to tell you everything you need to know:

3 in 1: Stacks feature ingredients with different intended purposes that work together to enhance power* and performance*. Stacks usually consist of 3 or more single ingredients stacked together creating your personalised pre, intra and/or post workout shake.   Glutamine: Most good stacks will feature glutamine. It is the most abundant amino acid in the entire body and many athletes use it during intense periods of training. Creatine* is an important element of a post work-out stack, which improves power and performance during high intensity sprint performance. Creatine is a compound which can increase your body’s physical performance during successive bursts of short term, high intensity exercise. It's naturally produced in the body and is also found in food like red meat (but you would have to consume a lot of steak to get the performance benefits of a creatine supplement.) After high intensity training your creatine stores are naturally depleted. Supplementing with creatine monohydrate can help replenish the creatine stores in your muscle, which is especially important if you want to be ready to push yourself through your next big session.   BCAAs: Amino acids are literally the building blocks of all biological proteins. Every protein you consume in your diet or through supplementation is broken down in the body into amino acids which supports the growth and repair of your muscle. The Branch Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) leucine, isoleucine and valine, are all essential amino acids, meaning that they must be consumed through the diet or supplementation as the body can't produce them which makes them important elements of any stack. Caffeine: Caffeine** can help improve focus and concentration. Caffeine will help if you are hitting the gym earlier or another kick for your second workout of the day.   Nutrition: It’s important to remember that supplements are just that, they will supplement your gains but can’t replace the benefits of a healthy nutrition plan and a hard, intense, training regime.   If you want to go with a great 3 in 1 work out stack to get the absolute most out of all your hard work BSN have now released R3BUILD EDGE containing BCAAs, glutamine and creatine helping drive your performance and power in the gym.   *Creatine increases physical performance in successive bursts of short-term, high intensity exercise. **Caffeine contributes to increased alertness and increased concentration.

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Here’s Seven Things That You Need To Know About Pre-Workouts

Here’s Seven Things That You Need To Know About Pre-Workouts

1. Why: a pre-workout will enable you to get the most of your work-out, to smash it first thing in the morning or even after a long day’s work.   2. Caffeine: an essential ingredient of any good pre workout will helps improve concentration and focus; both hugely beneficial before getting stuck into a big workout.   3. When: the clue here is in the name – a pre-workout is best taken 15- 30 minutes before a workout to help you maximise that session.   4. How: Pre-workouts are commonly available in both powder and liquid format 5. Creatine: Pre workout supplements typically contain a number of ingredients including creatine. Creatine is an amino acid which can increase your body’s physical performance during successive bursts of short term, high intensity exercise.   6.BCAAs: Another common ingredient of pre workout supplements is BCAAs. These amino acids are literally the building blocks of all biological proteins. Every protein you consume in your diet or through supplements is broken down in the body into amino acids in order to grow fuel and repair your muscle . The Branch Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) leucine, isoleucine and valine, are all essential amino acids, meaning that they must be consumed through the diet or supplements as the body can't produce them   7. Energy: A good pre-workout will support energy, this might come in the form of vitamins such as vitamins B or C.*** BSN's pre-workout N.O. XPLODE XE contains 200 mg of caffeine along with the herbal extracts Euphoria longana, Lindera aggregata and Rhodiola rosea, which have long been used in traditional Chinese medicine.   As well as containing 200 mg of caffeine & a range of B Vitamins to support focus and energy, , N.O. XPLODE XE contains 1.6 g of Beta-Alanine, a 1 g Citrulline blend, along with Vitamin B1, B6 and B12 to support energy.   B-vitamins are crucial in helping your body metabolise energy from food and allowing your body get the most from your diet. Getting your pre-workout in 15-30 minutes before you hit the gym will mean you are ready and primed to start your workout well and will help your PUSH yourself closer to those goals.   *Creatine increases physical performance in successive bursts of short-term, high intensity exercise. **Caffeine contributes to increased alertness and increased concentration. *** Vitamins C, B1, B6, B12 and magnesium contribute to normal energy-yielding metabolism.

BSN Blitz

How To Maximise Your Shred This Month

How To Maximise Your Shred This Month

Are you planning beach season early or just keen to get shredded? We spoke with BSN athlete Zac Fotheringham to get some advice from the pros on how to maximise your shred this month.

  1. Avoid fad diets – they don’t work! Crash diets are missing key nutrients that your body needs.
  2. Planning - Take control of your environment and plan your meals in advance; meal prep on a Sunday evening will set you up for the week.
  3. Sleep – getting enough sleep is paramount for your body to function to a high level and to support your recovery goals. This will ensure your performance is at its highest level each time you hit the gym allowing you to max out those reps to burn fat. A lack of sleep has been linked to a reduction in fat loss.
  4. Stress – the more you stress the more cortisol builds up in your system, which may have a negative effect on your body’s functioning. Work on techniques and habits that reduce stress for you.
  5. Training programme - your training programme you choose needs to challenge you every session. Personally i'm a believer in the y3t training system. It forces me out of my comfort zone with rep range and tempo changing weekly
  6. Be realistic -: Give yourself enough time. Aim for anything between 1-3lbs of weight loss per week to ensure that muscle tissue isn’t being compromised.
  7. Take measurements - While your weight may not have changed massively, you may have trimmed your waist or added to your arms. Measurements from day one will allow you to monitor these gains.
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HOW CAN BSN HYPERSHRED HELP?

BSN have created Hypershred EDGE, our most intense fat metabolising* formula to help you shred the competition. Hypershred EDGE has a powerful combination of ingredients including maxitherm, (which includes cayenne black pepper extract), caffeine and yerba mate to enable you to get the energy and mental edge you need along with fat metabolism. image
*Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12 contribute to normal energy-yielding metabolism. Vitamin B5 contributes to normal mental performance. Zinc contributes to normal metabolism of fatty acids.