Recommend a protein supplement?

Pistaboy:

I would just like to comment on something that i'm sure you are all aware of, but is often overlooked.... Its amazing how much leg strength improves when your core muscles are functioning at their optimal - and in balance with each other.
Right idea but wrong explanation, improving core strength does not by default improve leg strength, it can however improve your overall strength in exercises such as the squat or deadlift if your core is the weak link lagging behind preventing you from busting through a plateau, and obviously good core strength has numerous other benefits.

All these squats, deadlifts, cleans, etc etc, can be massively improved when the core muscles get some of their own training.
True, although not essential when you are pushing the limits on these big lifts as very often you tend to develop a strong core just from doing these exercises properly, however additional "core" training can be beneficial, it depends on the person.

Sooooo many people fail to understand that the the core muscles are not just the abs and back extensors. The core is all of the muscles that have any contact with the pelvis and spine, and any muscles that function as stabilisers for these areas. We're talking lats, glutes, hip flexors, rotator muscles etc.
Right initially, but the lats are not related to core muscles as they do nothing unsupported to stabilize the core area, and what the hell is a rotator muscle? if you're talking about the rotator cuffs then they in the shoulder area, quite far away from your "core"........

When these are at their strongest, other training becomes more functional, and more effective. There's no point "upping" your squat weight if you are using a fucking pointless weight belt, and the same goes for straps etc.... if you can't grip a weight - and you need straps to lift it - your body is not ready to do so, and you gain nothing from it.
**I hate straps, most pointless thing ever invented if you can't deadlift the weight wrapping some straps around the bar so you can get better grip and cheat is bullshit, knee wraps can actually be very dangerous for squats as well, i've seen knee wraps burst open when guys have been doing big squats and some very dangerous situations were it not for a good strong spotter being on the ball, not to mention that excessive pressure on your patella is very very bad for your knees. **
BUT for widegrip pull-ups they can be very useful as very often most peoples grip fails before their lats and rear delts do, so it can help you get MORE out of the workout.
Belts......thats a long debate that has many opinions, used properly a belt allows you to generate more leverage utilizing your core muscles, so ironically you actually need a certain type of strength anyway for a belt to do anything at all, and most of the cheap shitty £20 york style weight belts aren't actually stiff or strong enough to do anything, if you want a decent belt you need to spend £60-£100, I had an Inzer Lever belt and that was superb. Those idiots that wear a belt for their whole workout have no idea, but plenty of people whack a belt on when maxing out, or when on those last two heavy sets of squats and deadlifts, my belt didn't get used every week, but it did get used, make of that what you will.

I have worked extensively on this, and have found that "cheating" the body, by training with a weak core, fails to give consistent strength gains - and usually results in imbalances that lead to injury.
Enjoy your training, and hit "all" of your goals..... effectively!!
I'm suprised it took you extensive work to realise this, but...agreed ;)
Shit training=shit gains, you only get out what you put in.

my two pence :)