This is part of a continuing series provided exclusively by MuscleSport Mag giving information on a variety of performance-enhancing drugs for educational purposes. While it is apparent that people are going to use these substances regardless of the health and legal risks involved, quality information is necessary and learning as much about them as possible can only assist an adult making a decision either way.

EPHEDRINE HYDROCHLORIDE

Ephedrine is one of the all time favorites when it comes to fat burning, increasing training energy and enhancing both strength and focus. Unlike Clenbuterol (another popular fat loss agent) ephedrine is both an alpha and beta adrenegenic agonist – Clenbuterol is a selective beta 2 agonist.

Ephedrine enhances the release of norepinephrine – an alpha agonist whose action is similar to adrenaline (the ‘fight or flight’ hormone which prepares the body for action).
On administration ephedrine increases the activity of the Central Nervous System (CNS). This is displayed by an increase in body temperature which reflects an increase in metabolic rate leading to the burning of subcutaneous body fat. This whole process is triggered by the breakdown of triglycerides in fatty tissue and leads to the athlete displaying a more defined appearance – which makes it an ideal pre- contest drug.

It is also suggested that Ephedrine may actually increase the effectiveness of some anabolic steroids due to its influence on the metabolism of fat, protein and carbs. The feeling being that an enhanced metabolic state could speed up the deposit of lean muscle mass.

The stimulant effects of Ephedrine also lead to an increase in strength and energy as well as mental focus – making it ideal fro pre-workout use (25-50mg usually getting the job done).

THE EPHEDRINE, CAFFEINE, ASPIRIN STACK

No look at ephedrine would be complete without paying homage to the famous Ephedrine, Caffeine and Aspirin stack made famous by many athletes.
The maximum effectiveness of this stack is due to the synergistic action of the ingredients and results are usually obtained when 25-50mg Ephedrine is combined with 200mg Caffeine and 100-300mg aspirin. This is not a stack for the beginner or health challenged trainer though as significant side effects can result including anorexia, rise in blood pressure, cardiac over stimulation, constipation, insomnia, agitation, anxiety, nervousness.

SIDE EFFECTS

Anyone considering using Ephedrine (or any stimulants) should educate themselves as to the side effects. These can be anything from shaky hands, tremors, sweating, rapid heartbeat, dizziness and restlessness to more serious thyroid disturbances, high blood pressure and cardiac disruption.

DOSAGES

Despite the above references to side effects which should always be taken into consideration for safety purposes for anyone considering the use of stimulants. Ephedrine can be used very successfully in dosages of 25-50mg preferably taken before workouts to enhance strength, focus and intensity. Start low to assess your individual tolerance and it is best to reserve it for pre-workout use and to take periodic breaks from it so that your body does not build up a tolerance to it and stop responding to its stimulatory effects.

Leigh Penman, in addition to be a staff writer at MuscleSport Mag, has been writing for bodybuilding magazines, websites and nutritional supplement companies since 1985. Whilst residing in the UK, she earned the reputation of being one of the top female writers in bodybuilding-related media. Her credits included being a contributing editor on all the magazines in production as well as filling the shoes of Ladies Editor and Showbiz Editor on two publications (the later being on Arnold’s sanctioned magazine, ‘Bodypower’). During this time she also competed successfully on four occasions (placing in the top four in all contests).

Leigh has been working out for close to thirty years so she is clearly a writer who ‘walks her talk.’
She can be contacted personally at zeal2heal@yahoo.com or you can also check her out at New York’s favorite metaphysical store www.stickstoneandbone.com.

This is part of a continuing series provided exclusively by MuscleSport Mag entitled, “This is Your Magazine,” where we profile the every-day athlete. If you would like to see yourself profiled here, please send us your story and photo to superbas@optonline.net.

Many kids dream about being as big as the Incredible Hulk, but few actually live it. A young Manny Kirby used to confide to his father about that, and he ended up morphing into Bruce Banner’s alter ego following an incident that was more catastrophic than gamma rays.

12 years ago, the 41 year-old Kirby was involved in a serious automobile accident that left him with a cracked sternum and four cracked ribs (two each in the front and back). Doctors told him that he wouldn’t be able to do anything such involving constant movement such as dancing due to his heart being bruised by his injured ribs.

While some people would have wallowed in their misery, Kirby found a new way while convalescing for over two months. He started reading the writings of Bruce Lee and Mike Mentzer. “Lee’s mental focus on the body astounded me,” recalled Kirby, “and spoke about the mind and spirit.

“Mentzer had the same mental focus, but was more about the mind and pushing beyond your limits,” continued Kirby. “I combined the two and, lo and behold, stepped forth into a gym.”

Kirby – who currently resides in New York City by way of Washington, DC and Minnesota – began training at 135 pounds after losing 15 following the accident. Using all he learned from his readings, he was able to put back on the weight he lost and more, entering his first bodybuilding competition in 1998 at 170 pounds in Minnesota. A 7th Place finish only made him hungry for improvement.

Entering a power lifting competition a year later, Kirby – who currently trains at Steel Gym in Manhattan – placed 2nd and a week later, competed at the Minnesota bodybuilding show again and took home 4th place. Since then, he has competed in six different contests in New York, finishing as high as 2nd on two separate occasions, with the latest being in 2006 at the New York City Department of Parks City-Wide Bodybuilding contest in the Bronx. In his last show, Kirby finished third at the 2008 NPC Empire States Bodybuilding Champions 35 and over category.

With a contest weight of 215 pounds, Kirby – known in some circles as ‘Azifukared – has come a long way since he was hospitalized. While he used to train heavy, he has honed his workout routine a bit. “I’m older now, and I learned from my friend Capriese Murray, who told me I don’t need to train as heavy as I was,” said Kirby. “I have the mass and size, so I don’t need to worry about trying to be so big.”

About as big as a jolly green giant.