ProLine Sports, Nutrition Blog

Everest Schmerest, This Supplement Will Make Your Local Hill Feel Like a Speed Bump

Alright, endurance junkies and weekend warriors, gather 'round for a little history lesson mixed with some sassy truth-telling. ProLine Sports Nutrition isn't just another face in the crowd - we're the OG supplement slingers who've been keeping your muscles happy and your PR's smashed for a quarter of a century. And boy, do we have a story for you.

Cast your minds back to the dawn of the new millennium. While everyone else was worrying about Y2K and wondering if their computers would suddenly gain sentience, we at ProLine were busy making history. You see, when First Endurance burst onto the scene with their revolutionary OptygenHP, we didn't just sit back and watch. Oh no, we dove in headfirst like a triathlete hitting the water on race day.

That's right, folks. ProLine Sports Nutrition was the very first to bring OptygenHP to the masses on a grand e-commerce platform. While other retailers were still figuring out how to spell "website," we were already shipping this game-changing supplement to athletes across the globe. Talk about being ahead of the curve!

Now, 25 years in the supplement game teaches you a thing or two. We've seen more fads come and go than a fashion designer with ADD. But OptygenHP? This stuff has stood the test of time, much like your favorite pair of running shoes that you just can't bear to throw away (even though they're more hole than shoe at this point).

Let's get one thing straight - we don't put our name behind just any product. When First Endurance opened up shop and introduced OptygenHP, we knew we were onto something special. It was like love at first sight, if love came in a bottle and promised to make you feel like you could run up Everest while barely breaking a sweat.

OptygenHP isn't some fly-by-night miracle cure cooked up in somebody's garage. This is serious stuff, backed by science so legit it makes rocket science look like a kindergarten puzzle. We're talking increased VO2 max, better oxygen utilization, higher anaerobic threshold, and less lactic acid. In other words, it turns your body into an endurance-crushing machine.

But here's the kicker - it's not just for those crazy ultrarunners who think a casual weekend involves running 100 miles through the desert (though if that's your jam, more power to you). This supplement is for anyone who wants to push their limits, whether that's finally beating your personal best in the local 5K or keeping up with your annoyingly fit neighbor on weekend bike rides.

Now, I know what you're thinking. "But what's in this miracle elixir?" Buckle up, buttercup, because we're about to get science-y. Optygen HP is packing a blend of adaptogens so potent, it'll make you feel like you could climb Everest... twice. We're talking Ashwagandha, Cordyceps, and Rhodiola - the same stuff Tibetan Sherpas use to scale the world's highest peak like it's a stroll in the park.

But wait, there's more! They've thrown in their own secret sauce called OptyMax Proprietary Matrix. It sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, but trust me, it's all about keeping you hydrated and pumping out energy like a boss. And let's not forget the pièce de résistance - Beta-Alanine. This bad boy teams up with histidine to create carnosine, which is like kryptonite to lactic acid. Less lactic acid means you can push harder, go longer, and leave your competition wondering if you've secretly been bitten by a radioactive spider.

Here's the lowdown on how to make this stuff work for you. Start popping these bad boys about 4-5 weeks before your next big event. We're talking 4 times a day, with meals. And listen up, because this is important - consistency is key. You can't just start chugging these the night before your race and expect to turn into Eliud Kipchoge. This isn't a fairytale, and OptygenHP isn't a magic bean.

But stick with it for a month, and I promise you'll start to notice a difference. You'll be adapting to your training sessions like a chameleon on steroids. Hills that used to make you want to curl up and cry? You'll be bounding up them like a mountain goat on a mission.

So there you have it, folks. After 25 years in this business, ProLine Sports Nutrition has seen it all. We've weathered more fads than a teenage girl's closet and come out the other side stronger than ever. We were the first to recognize the potential of OptygenHP, and we've been singing its praises ever since.

Are you ready to take your training to the next level? Are you prepared to push your limits and discover what you're really capable of? Then it's time to give OptygenHP a shot. Trust us, your body will thank you. And who knows? Maybe you'll finally be able to keep up with that smug gym rat who always seems to be one step ahead. Game on, athletes. Game on.

Remember, ProLine Sports Nutrition isn't just selling you a supplement. We're offering you 25 years of experience, a pioneering spirit that brought OptygenHP to the masses, and the kind of sass that keeps you coming back for more. So what are you waiting for? Let's make some endurance magic happen!

Tainted Waters: Exposing the Chinese Swimming Doping Scandal and Alleged Coverup

In the world of competitive swimming, where split seconds can make or break dreams, the revelation of a doping scandal involving top Chinese athletes has sent shockwaves through the sports community. According to recent reports, several high-profile Chinese swimmers have tested positive for the banned substance Trimetazidine (TMZ), a drug that enhances endurance and has been prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) since 2014.

The allegations of doping are not only a severe blow to the integrity of the sport but also raise serious concerns about the potential collusion between WADA and Chinese authorities to sweep this scandal under the rug.

The first whispers of the doping scandal surfaced in late 2022, when anonymous sources within the Chinese swimming federation claimed that multiple athletes had failed drug tests during routine screenings. However, instead of prompt action and transparency, a veil of secrecy descended upon the situation, with officials from both WADA and the Chinese anti-doping agency remaining tight-lipped.

As the months passed, rumors continued to swirl, with reports of positive tests being covered up and athletes being allowed to compete despite the credible allegations against them. It wasn't until early 2024 that the dam finally burst, with a leaked confidential document revealing the names of several high-profile Chinese swimmers who had tested positive for TMZ, including Olympic medalists and world record holders.

The implications of this scandal are far-reaching and deeply troubling. Not only does it cast doubt on the legitimacy of past performances and achievements, but it also raises serious questions about the integrity of the anti-doping system itself.

If the allegations of a coverup are true, it would mean that WADA, the very organization tasked with upholding the principles of fair play and clean competition, has failed in its fundamental duty. By allegedly turning a blind eye to the doping violations of Chinese athletes, WADA has undermined the trust of athletes, fans, and the entire sporting community.

Moreover, the potential involvement of Chinese authorities in concealing these positive tests is a blatant disregard for the rules and values that govern international sports. Such actions not only tarnish the reputation of Chinese swimming but also call into question the credibility of other sporting achievements by Chinese athletes across various disciplines.

As the investigation into this scandal continues, it is imperative that a thorough and impartial inquiry is conducted. WADA and the Chinese anti-doping agency must be held accountable for their actions (or inactions), and those found guilty of enabling or participating in this doping program should face severe consequences.

The sporting world deserves transparency, integrity, and a level playing field. The Chinese swimming doping scandal and the alleged coverup represent a betrayal of these fundamental principles. It is time for the truth to be brought to light, for justice to be served, and for a renewed commitment to clean and fair competition to be embraced by all.

Steps to Help You Achieve Endurance Athlete Status

When you watch an NBA game, you might be amazed that the best athletes can compete for 30 to 40 minutes a night and still be at the top of their games. Basketball players run the equivalent of two miles per game, while soccer players might run three or four times that distance. Other endurance athletes, like cyclists or marathon runners, have to train just as hard to keep themselves in good enough shape to be able to conquer huge distances. What are the secrets to their success?

Go from Small to Big

A factor for endurance workouts in the corner of even the worst couch potatoes is that no endurance athletes go the full distance in their training. In fact, quite the opposite — training occurs gradually and builds up to one big push. The body performs better when it gradually builds up to an effort, rather than trying to re-create that effort over time. As such, any athlete (pro or amateur) who wants to improve their endurance should start small and then push themselves on only one training day per week. For example, start marathon training by running a mile on Monday, two miles on Tuesday, one mile on Wednesday, two miles on Thursday, and five miles on Friday. Monitor your progress and pace using a tracker like a Garmin to make sure you're going far enough but not pushing yourself too far.

Stretch it Out

One of the fiercest debates in the fitness industry these days involves the role and importance of stretching. Go to any basketball or hockey game and you'll be certain to see athletes stretching before they subject themselves to 60 minutes of the most intense workout in the world. Some experts, however, believe that stretching after a workout is more beneficial than stretching before. Whether you prefer to do it before or after, take the time to flex your muscles, extend your joints, and get each muscle working. Muscles that cannot extend fully run the risk of cramping, tearing and fatiguing over the course of a long-distance game or workout.  

Make Time for Recovery

Sometimes the most important part of a workout is what happens as soon as you step off the treadmill or bike. Lifting even the heaviest weight means nothing if you are not able to properly recover from a workout, increase the blood flow through your body and get the necessary nutrients for muscle growth. Supplements go a long way toward managing the recovery from an endurance workout because they replace the minerals and vitamins that you sweat out. They can alleviate the buildup of lactic acid that creates soreness after long workouts, too.

Want to be able to push yourself to new limits? Check out the products that ProLine has available to athletes to help prepare, perform and recover from the most intense workouts.

Why Having a Strong Core is Important For Endurance Athletes

Too often, runners think the best way to up their performance and build endurance is to run more, but this isn't the case. Of course, you want to continue training and challenging yourself, but if all you are doing is that, you may be shortchanging yourself and increasing your chances of injury. If you want to make yourself stronger and increase your endurance power, you have to start with your core. 

The Power of the Core 

Something that many runners neglect is their core. The lack of a strong core can hamper your performance, keeping you from achieving your best. A weak core means you have to work harder, limiting your endurance. It also increases the chance for injury. A good core workout doesn't take much time and the results are amazing. Benefits of core workouts include: 

• Improved posture
• Better balance
• Increased endurance
• Reduced aches and pains, particularly in the back
• Better-looking physique

Simple Core Workout

You don't have to have six-pack abs to have a strong core, or spend a ton of time on it. You have other things to do. Some simple, targeted moves performed for just a few minutes each day will give you the core strength you need.

The Plank

This core-strengthening standard is effective and simple. There are numerous variations to increase the challenge. Get into a pushup position, with legs extended, toes on the floor and then rest your forearms on the floor. Keep your body in a straight line, taking care not to "sag" in the middle. Tighten your abdominal muscles and hold the position for 30 seconds or more. Work up to a minute or more. Switch things up by doing a rotating plank, starting with the basic plank, moving into a side plank, coming back to the middle and finishing on the opposite side.

Step Downs

Lie down on your back, keeping one hand underneath your lower back for support. Lift both legs, keeping thighs at a 90-degree angle to the floor then bending knees to a 90-degree angle. Slowly lower your left foot until it is about an inch off the ground. Hold this for a couple seconds, keeping good form. Return leg to its original position and then repeat with the opposite leg. Do this three to five times.

Dead Bug

Lie on your back and lift both arms straight up, pointing at the ceiling. Lift both legs as well, bending them at a 90-degree angle, then slowly lower one arm toward the ground, and extend the opposite leg. Think of your arms acting as a scissor, and your legs are making a giant stepping motion. Do these moves slowly.

Squats, Romanian deadlifts and pushups are also good core strengtheners. A daily core workout will enhance everything else you do. Whether you are training for a race or just maintaining your current routine, a good combination of endurance supplements, diet and targeted core workouts can increase strength, balance, speed and flexibility. Look to ProLine Sports Nutrition to meet your supplement needs. Stop by the store or contact us today!

 

How to Make the Most of a Winter Run

Your body's need for proper exercise and conditioning with endurance running doesn't fade away in the winter months, so why should you give it up due to the cold? Although the cold weather can be a deterrent for some runners, the winter season is one of the best times to enjoy a run outdoors. Thanks to the cool air, less crowded paths, the right endurance supplements and plenty of great winterized running gear on the market, there's no need to take a break. With a set goal and a few tips and tricks to help you make the best out of the cold weather, your running routine doesn't have to suffer this winter. 

Know When to Run

If you're taking your run outside during a cold winter day, it's best to get your run in during daylight hours or preferably, the warmest part of the day. Take a chance to absorb some of that rare winter sunshine whenever possible to help motivate you and leave you feeling more accomplished when you finish.

Accessorize to Stay Warm 

Dressing appropriately for the outside temperature can mean the difference between a successful run and defeat. Because you'll want to be warm without sweating too much, try dressing as if it is 20 degrees warmer outside. Layer with pieces that will help block the chilly winter wind gusts like pants and tops that work to wick moisture away from your skin and use hats, headbands, gloves and tights for the extra cold days. 

Make Sure You Warm Up

Your winter warm up routine is crucial to hitting the pavement hard. Get your blood flowing indoors before heading outside by completing a few yoga poses, running up and down stairs, jumping rope or after you've completed a few household chores. With your body temperature up, heading outside won't feel as cold. 

Put Safety First  

Even when utilizing the daylight hours, there is a chance that you could start to lose visibility during your runs. Try running with a buddy or group of friends to help increase your visibility whenever possible. It is also a good idea to invest in reflective gear, as well as a headlamp or flashlight to help light your path. 

Beat the Wind

Winter winds can be brutal when walking from your car to the gym, but when you're running they can stop you in your tracks. To beat the wind and complete your run, start on the trail by running into the wind and finish with the wind at your back. With this method, the wind will be less likely to blast you once you've broken a sweat. 

Don't Miss Out This Winter

If the winter weather is simply too cold for you to get in your regular run, hit the treadmill and make it happen. For more winter exercise tips and information on our vitamin and supplements store to help properly fuel your workouts, be sure to visit ProLine Sports Nutrition online today!

Make Sure You're Eating the Right Amount During Training

For most people, the holiday season presents the perfect time to indulge and make temporary changes to their diet. But for endurance athletes, food is the fuel that keeps you going all season long. Whether you're preparing for a big winter race or just trying to stay on track, following a few simple rules for your diet this holiday season can greatly improve your performance. Preparing for a major marathon takes a lot more than merely building endurance over time. Luckily, with the help of the right endurance supplements and proper nutrition, runners and other endurance athletes can get a leg up on their competition.

Food is Fuel

When you first start learning about the proper diet and nutrition needed to fuel your training, it can be hard to know where to make changes in your diet. But with a few simple rules and knowing which foods to avoid, anyone can learn. As a good rule of thumb, endurance athletes need a healthy balance between carbohydrates, fats and proteins in their diets. It may help to speak directly with a nutritionist to find the proper balance for your dietary needs, but a good place to start is to break down your meals to include 60-70 percent of calories from complex carbs, 20-30 percent of calories from healthy fats and 10-15 percent of your daily calories from proteins.

Handle the Social Temptations

When it comes to hitting up parties and dinners with friends, endurance athletes can feel like they are walking into a danger zone. But with the right amount of preparation, you can still eat enough to fuel your body properly without over indulging. Do your best to stay away from high-sugar and high-fat foods when enjoying time with friends and family, as these dishes will have the most negative impact on your training.

If you have a big run coming up a couple of days after a family gathering, it is best to load up on healthy, complex carbohydrates like brown rice, whole wheat pasta and veggies. If possible, endurance athletes should try to avoid alcohol during the holidays if they have a big race or event coming up. The key is not to make too many dramatic changes to your diet before race day. That is why it's important to stay properly hydrated and continue to fuel your body with healthy carbs, protein and fats before race day.

Stay Focused to Complete the Race

When you're training for a future race or simply want to stick to your regular diet, you don't have to miss out on a special holiday meal with your loved ones. Be prepared and stick to what you know to properly fuel your body and avoid overeating this year. For more information on endurance training, visit ProLine Sports Nutrition today. 

When Did Holiday Races Become So Popular?

Holidays are a time for friends, family, food ... and group running? It might sound strange, but it's true. Themed runs have been growing in popularity for years as people run through colors, mud, in costumes and more. But holiday runs are something special, a newer trend that tries to bring people together over festivities and street runs around a holiday theme. Take a look at the Turkey Trot, which has a version in many cities across the country. Or check out the Ugly Sweater Run, Santa Dash and the many Christmas Park Runs around the United States. Holiday running is hitting it big and getting more people than ever to join in on the fun.

Why So Popular?

So, what's with the rise in holiday runs lately? Well, in addition to the growing popularity of theme runs, in general, several things make the holidays a great time for group runs. During the holidays, people tend to gather together with friends and family anyway. This means looking for activities that everyone can enjoy, and a simple run downtown or at a nearby park is a great solution to the inevitable question of, "What should we do?" What's even better is that a growing number of these races include options for people with disabilities and children, making it possible for the entire family to enjoy a fun run/walk.

They're also an excellent way to prevent holiday weight gain. Many people's thoughts turn to dieting and food through the holidays, and most don't want to gain any more pounds with all the delicious baking that happens. Thus, holiday runs are a great way for people to feel good about their health and burn some calories before heading back to enjoy dessert. Add to it that people are using fitness trackers more than ever, and perhaps found one in their stocking on Christmas morning. What better way to test their new tech out than with a run? It's also a great time to use gift certificates for a vitamin & supplements store. 

Perhaps most importantly, many of the holiday runs are aimed at highlighting local events, such as the lighting of the town Christmas tree, or a local charity.

Things to Keep In Mind

Holiday runs do come with their own challenges, too. By all means get excited about a new run, but also keep these things in mind when signing up. Rain, cold temperatures, and ice can all plague holiday runs (that's why Fourth of July was the first holiday run day to become popular, not Christmas). If you are going to run, you need to be prepared. Warm clothing with wicking properties, shoes with studs or stud accessories, and other materials will help you stay safe. And when you do cross the finish line, there just might be a cup of hot chocolate waiting for you.

While the holidays can be a great time to get involved in a race, remember that running is not going to be enjoyable if you've eaten too much food or had a few drinks. Run clean and wait to enjoy a big meal or a cocktail until after you've finished.

First Endurance MultiVHP PROTOTYPE Reviewed

First Endurance MultiVHP PROTOTYPE at $79.95 seems to be a bit steep for a multi-v in our opinion, but Mark Sisson has created a market for a $130 multi-v with the production of "Damage Control" Master Formula which was alledgedly used by Lance Armstrong (no pun intended).

This 30-day supply PROTOTYPYE MultiVHP by First Endurance delivers clinically effective doses vitamins, minerals and key endurance specific nutrients unparalleled antioxidant protection. It also contains our exclusive Beta Glucan 1-3/1-6 , which has been clinically proven to reduced upper respiratory tract infections, improve recovery times and enhance overall wellness. Plus, MultiVHP contains a proprietary prebiotic/enzyme blend to enhance macro and micro nutrient bioavailability. In addition, MultiV-HP contains 50% more Iron than the regular MultiV to maximize aerobic capacity and ensure peak performance.

 

"This vitamin is superior to any other product of its kind on the market. It is as important to me as my Optygen HP!!"

"I used the MultiV-HP for June and July. I only train for swimming indoors and have had my success hampered by a life-long battle with asthma, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, and other lung and sinus infections that usually kick in when I maintain more than 120,000 yards per month. In June, I trained to 280,000 yards, and in June, I went 251,000 yards. I average 10K per day. For the first time in memory, I was able to focus on my swimming without respiratory issues. Coincidence? I think not! First Endurance has created an awesome vitamin!"

"Got my bottles last week. The research on Beta-Alanine is amazing and getting 50% more Ferrochel iron is a huge bonus!"

"Leave it to the guys at 1st Endurance to develop something this cool."

 

"Distance runners, competitive cyclists, elite triathletes or any other kind of endurance athletes require a vast amount of caloric intake to maintain optimal hydration and energy levels.  This alone puts a lot of stress in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.  On top of that, quite frequently during training or racing, endurance athletes may experience GI problems.  Research shows that up to 70% of athletes experience some GI difficulties at some point of their training or racing [1-3] . GI complaints may vary from bloating and flatulence to episodic stomach aches, stomach cramps, acid reflux, constipation or diarrhea, just to mention some.

Among the most widely used food supplements to improve digestion health are probiotics and prebiotics. Over the years, research has shown that probiotics, (mainly some type of bacteria and yeast) are digestible microorganisms that can alleviate symptoms of lactose intolerance and treat or prevent diarrhea.  The prebiotics on the other hand, are non-digestible oligosaccharides that can stimulate and regulate the growth of probiotic microorganisms and, over time, improve nutrient absorption and health.

During the past decade, research has started considering the health benefits from a combined formula of probiotics and prebiotics.  In an extensive review of clinical trials in humans published by the British Journal of Nutrition in 2002, the authors mention the therapeutic and prophylactic benefits of probiotics, as well as their ability to enhance the immune system by activating a variety of immune system related genes.  Also, the authors mention the immunological effects that prebiotics have by activating or enhancing the activity of the probiotic microorganisms.  So, the prebiotics increase the numbers of the probiotic microorganisms (the bifidobacteria in particular) that exist in the gut. Additionally, prebiotics have been linked to an enhancement of mineral absorption in the large bowel. Interestingly, more research results demonstrate that patients with chronic GI diseases or individuals with compromised or distressed GI tract receive the greatest benefit from prebiotic supplementation."

In short while we believe this will make it past a prototype stage the appetite for another expensive monthly routine will be left to those that can actually afford it.

Not CrossFit, Cross Train

It seems the world of 20-30 somethings has been taken over by the 'sport' of crossfit. While I feel there is some merit in some of the things that go on in these gyms, I feel it is of little use to the vast majority of people out there. Especially us endurance athletes.

When you look at a lot of what crossfit WODs (workout of the day) are, they primarily focus around doing lots of olympic, full-body lifts in a short amount of time at high volume. I don't really understand the correlation here. The idea of doing some 25 deadlifts as fast as possible, I am not quite sure what the point of that is. I think the idea is great, but the execution is poor. Crossfit seems like a great way for people to get hurt.

To be honest, I would like to know how many of these crossfit 'teachers' have certification and are qualified to be 'trainers'. When I watch videos that are both on YouTube and from friends who go to crossfit classes, I see lots of things that just rub me the wrong way. The biggest thing being absolutely terrible form. It reminds me when I did a season coaching high school track. Many of the kids were solely concerned with how much weight they could move around, and not care about moving it properly. And honestly, it all came from their coaching. I sat in amazement as I watched the football coaches in the off-season getting these freshman boys in the weight room putting up as much weight as they could. They are just getting started and the coaches weren't concerned abou form, but more about gains. WRONG. The kids are still growing and their body is changing rapidly already...

Sorry, back to my point. So many of these crossfit videos I see, I see no emphasis on form and follow through, but all on how quickly the weight can move and how much you can move.

This is where I step back and concentrate on what I do and what I tell others. I would rather spend my time moving less weight properly than move more weight quickly, in poor fashion resulting in potential injury or long-term degradation and breakdown of my body. You see, when you are cross-training, the key focus, in my opinion, should be to build up that functional muscle and build/repair in the areas that we lack as endurance athletes. Much of my time is spent around the joints. Most of our sports are so one-directional in motion that we forget to move from one side to the other, creating a disproportionate build in muscle.

What we need in our cross training is to develop where we are under-developed and treat our weaknesses so we are more well-rounded. I see cross-training as injury prevention more than building up muscle. Yea, putting on some muscle weight is good and always a great thing to do, but cross-training should be looked at a vital way to make yourself a more well-rounded athlete by doing lifts and exercises properly and within control. Not full-body contortions to move a stupid amount of weight that results in injuries and a t-shirt for joining a crap gym.

-Dave

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Electrolyte Hydration Drink Comparison. How do SkratchLabs & OSMO Stack up Against 1st EnduranceEFS?

Full Article available at First Endurance - "It’s important to understand that there’s a distinct difference between ‘hydration drinks’ and a complete fuel mix, like EFS.    A ‘hydration drink’ is designed to offer optimal fluid absorption in order to keep athletes well hydrated.  They are just low calorie drink mixes with electrolytes with the sole focus of hydration.   A complete drink, like EFS, offers optimal hydration AND delivers the essential calories that are necessary for endurance training and racing."