By Dave Hawk
Q) Mr. Hawk, I’m a 27-year-old woman new to fitness and strength training, and I’m aspiring to compete in a figure show next year. I’m on a high-protein, low-carb diet; my lower body strength-training program— focused on my legs, hips and glutes— consists of squats, walking lunges, kickbacks and leg extensions. I’m also training my core and upper body, but my legs, hips and butt need work. I’m doing cardio or cross-training every other day, but I still have a stubborn layer of fat around my waist and lower body. It’s depressing! Do you have any supplement recommendations (non-stimulant, please!), to help burn more fat and give me energy? Help!
A) I do have a recommendation for you! Through my time as a professional athlete, trainer and adviser, I’ve watched numerous athletes look for help through over-the-counter supplements. During this time— more than three decades in competition— I’ve watched Carnipure® L-Carnitine become a go-to sports supplement for hard-training female athletes. Many of the athletes I’ve worked with have relied on it for energy generation, fat metabolism and exercise recovery, because, when paired with regular exercise, it can help decrease body fat, enhance lean muscular performance and facilitate recovery.
How it supports weight management and energy production: Remember, decreasing fat while preserving muscle mass is the goal. As L-Carnitine is essential for the transport of long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria, it supports energy production; this process also provides greater muscular energy by burning fat. This, in turn, increases the fat calories your body uses each day, and can help decrease the storage of fat on your abs, hips, waist— and those stubborn body parts you’ve mentioned. It also helps increase your metabolic rate, which means you naturally burn more calories each day.
How it helps recovery: Uniquely, Carnipure® L-Carnitine isn’t just ideal for healthy weight loss; research has demonstrated its ability to help facilitate recovery from hard training. It helps protect the endothelial cells from a carnitine deficiency, which reduces tissue damage and muscle soreness. These effects facilitate the overall process of exercise recovery. At the same time, it can also help increase blood flow, which floods the muscles with healing nutrients, and reduces markers of metabolic stress.
How Much To Take: Carnipure® L-Carnitine can be found in liquids or capsules. As always, follow the directions as indicated on the product packaging. Products containing Carnipure® L-Carnitine can be taken with breakfast, pre- or post-workout, and/or with your nighttime meal. Suggested dose per day is between 1-3 grams, or as directed.
Disclaimer: Always speak with your health care professional before starting any new supplement program.
• Carnipure® L-Carnitine is emerging as a key ingredient in exercise and recovery type formulations across the globe.
• Carnipure® L-Carnitine provides benefits in this application ranging from increasing blood flow, reducing markers of metabolic stress, decreasing muscle soreness and improving recovery time.
About the author:
Dave Hawk is a former Mr. USA and Mr. World, and current consultant, professional trainer and adviser to NFL, UFC, WWE, TNA and NASCAR athletes.