I normally don’t take supplements, how can you supplement someone who already has everything?  Not very easily.  However, I have taken supplements before.  When I was deployed to Iraq I drank a protein shake everyday and it definitely increased my body mass.  I accomplished my goal of the deployment, being able to bench press 300 pounds.  I even named my weightlifting activities as a phase of “Operation Get Sexy” which I began about 2 months before returning home.  Probably the most successful operation of the whole deployment.  Note:  The haircut in the picture below was not a part of “Operation Get Sexy.”

Since then I’ve been running more and lifting less weights, but still lifting 5 days a week, 5 different exercises, with high reps and lightweight.  This is the best type of weight training for a long distance runner.  You want to have a strong upper body to help you pump your arms at the finish line, but you don’t want to put on too much extra muscle mass to carry while running long distances.  GNC just came out with a new product line called AMP.  They boast being good for the heavy weight lifter to the avid runner.  I chose to go with the Amplified N.O. (Nitric Oxide Enhancer) to help with my pre-workout weight lifting and because GNC says, “Clinical results for the first and only nitric oxide product, Amplified Maxertion N.O., proven to demonstrate a delay in the onset of neuromuscular fatilinical results for the first and only nitric oxide product, Amplified Maxertion N.O., proven to demonstrate a delay in the onset of neuromuscular fatigue.”  That’s a pretty big claim.  I also went with the Maxertion N.O. because I’m already a good runner, I want to be able to improve the rest of my running body.  They have the Amplified Whey Protein, Amplified Whybolic Extreme 60, Amplified Muscle Meal, and Amplified Muscle Ignitor 4x, all for endurance athletes if you are looking to supplement your distance running.

This is what GNC says about the product:

“GNC’s Amplified Maxertion N.O. was shown to increase power output at the onset of neuromuscular fatigue by an average of 20% and improve physical performance by helping athletes push past their normal point of exhaustion. This product is designed to increase nitric oxide levels in the body causing a hemodilation effect which expands blood vessels, allowing more blood, oxygen and nutrients to flow to muscles.

‘This is truly groundbreaking research that has resulted in the delivery of a truly novel and clinically-validated product to the industry,’ said Guru Ramanathan, SVP Technology and Product Innovation for GNC. ‘Using advanced technology and ingredients, this is the first Nitric Oxide enhancing product to demonstrate significant athletic performance effects that are relevant and meaningful to all types of athletes.'”

Anything that will increase my output by 20% is intriguing.  I’m going to take a bottle of this and see how it effects my overall muscle mass and my running.  Like I said, I don’t usually take any supplements so by taking just this one, I’ll be able to accurately gauge the effects it is having on my body.  I wish my body came with gauges like my SUV did.