Vince Delmonte's Birthday Sale (4 Days Only)

Vince Delmonte just celebrated his 30th birthday.  To the right is a picture taken with his girlfriend while they were celebrating. 


He's selling his videos at a discount as another way to celebrate his birthday.  This sale will only last for four days.  


2010 UPDATE:

CLICK HERE to learn about the latest sale.

Bodybuilding Supplements: Don't be a Supplement Sheep

I used to blindly accept all of the hype I read in bodybuilding magazines.  I used to be eager to try the latest hyped-up supplement, thinking it would help ad muscle.  I was a "supplement sheep."  What happens to sheep?  They get fleeced! 

Now I know better.  I ignore most of the ridiculous claims made by the bodybuilding supplement industry.  I do research to see if any real studies have been done on these products.

I hope you'll do the same--do your research and make wise choices.

Fitness Ebooks: Workout Routines

You guys may be interested in checking out  Fitness Ebooks.

There are a bunch of training manuals available there--a very cost-effective way to build up your own personal library of training info. 

Training Journal: Life Happens (11/30/09)

My training for the past couple of weeks has been . . . well . . . mediocre (that's putting it lightly). 

I've only gone to the gym four times in the past two weeks, and don't even get me started about diet (if only Mexican food were a health food).

Know what?  I don't feel the least bit guilty about it. 

I do campus ministry in Manila and I've been really busy: seven speaking engagements in the past eleven days.  I love training, but there are more important things than the gym.

I'll get back to my regular training schedule this week.

Maybe there is a point to all of this rambling: neglecting your physical fitness is a mistake, but obsessing over it can also make you miserable.  If you have a bad week in terms of diet/training, just get back on track.

Your Six Pack Quest

Another product I'll be promoting on this website is Vince Delmonte's Your Six Pack Quest. 

So far I'm impressed with Vince Delmonte's products.  I like the fact that he doesn't make ridiculous promises like "six pack abs in just 8 minutes a day" or promote worthless gimmicks.  His strategy is built around fat loss, which is the key to having visible abs.

Just CLICK HERE to learn more about this ebook.

StrongandFit.net: One Year Anniversary!!

Strongandfit.net is officially one year old!  I wrote my first post for this blog on November 28th, 2008 (there are a few older posts, but they were imported from another blog). 

It also passed the 200,000 hit/impression mark today!

This project has been a lot of fun for me.  Hopefully I've kept people from wasting money on supplement scams.  It's also given me even more motivation to stay in the gym.

Thanks to everyone who has stopped by and commented!

Diabetes Cases will Double in 25 Years

According to the December issue of Diabetes Care, diabetes cases in America will double in the next 25 years.  The predictions are based on the aging baby boomer generation, who are less healthy than previous generations.

Lifestyle factors (obesity, lack of exercise, and an unhealthy diet) are known to contribute to type 2 diabetes.   As I've mentioned in previous articles, obesity and diabetes are an epidemic in the USA.

You can read the whole article at LiveScience.com

Black Friday Sale@Puritan's Pride Vitamins

I'm an affiliate of Puritan's Pride online vitamins store.  I've ordered from them personally and recommend it without hesitation.  

They've got a Black Friday Sale going on this weekend.  Click below for details.  

Black Friday Deal: Free Shipping over $50 at Puritan's Pride! Use code TAPBFCM at checkout. Valid 11.27.09 to 11.30.09

Too Much Food for Thanksgiving?

Are you stuffed with stuffing?  If you are like most Americans, you'll be taking in a lot of calories on Thanksgiving.

There's no need to panic.  Like I always say, one meal isn't going to make that much difference.  The body just can't synthesize that much fat tissue from one meal.  An occasional cheat isn't going to kill you. 

Don't give up on your weight loss goals--just get back to the gym and back to your commitment to eating healthy. 

Biggest Loser Asia: First Episode

I just watched the first episode of the Biggest Loser Asia.  Looks like it's going to be quite a show.

I think being overweight in Asia would be especially difficult:

*Asians are generally more petite than their Western counterparts, so a heavy person stands out more than he/she would in the West.

*Most Asian cultures are very frank in discussing weight.  In other words, people will just flat out tell you "you're getting fat" or "you've gained weight."  It isn't really considered rude here like it would be in the States. 

The Philippines was well represented--some really interesting personalities.  I'm going to try to follow this series.

The Truth About Abs: Five Facts You Must Understand

As you can see, one of the products I promote on this blog is Mike Geary's The Truth About Abs.  I agree with him and I think he makes a lot of sense.  Here are Five Facts You Must Understand from his program and my response.

1. Many so-called "health foods" are actually cleverly disguised junk foods that actually stimulate you to gain more belly fat... yet the diet food marketing industry continues to lie to you so they can maximize their profits.

My Comments: True--many "health" foods are loaded with sugar or refined carbs.

2. Ab exercises like crunches, sit-ups, and ab machines are the LEAST effective method of getting flat six pack abs.


My Comments: True--as I've stated time and again on my blog, abdominal exercises are not the key to having visible abdominal muscles.

3. Boring repetitive cardio exercise routines are NOT the best way to lose body fat and uncover those six pack abs.

My Comments: Once again I'm inclined to agree.  Most effective programs for losing body fat implement something besides aerobics (weight training, interval training, etc).

4. You DON'T need to waste your money on expensive "extreme fat burner" pills (that don't work) or other bogus supplements.

My Comments: True--a lot of the "diet pills" currently on the market are worthless.

5. Ab belts, ab-rockers, ab-loungers, and other infomercial ab-gimmicks... they're all a complete waste of your time and money.

My Comments: Agree 100%. There's so many worthless products and machines being promoted--its ridiculous.

This is why I don't mind marketing The Truth About Abs.  As I've said before, I'm more interested in promoting good diet and exercise plans instead of supplements.

You can read my review of this program here:
The Truth About Abs Review

Biggest Loser Asia: PA's Audition

Biggest Loser Asia is coming soon! Here's PA's Audition (he's from the Philippines)

UFC 100 Greatest Fights DVD

Looking for a great Christmas gift? 

I think any guy would love the UFC 100 Greatest Fights DVD.

URCC 15: Onslaught (MMA Philippines)

My buddy and I watched the 15th Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) match last night.  I was impressed--there were ten exciting matches and a nice variety of MMA skills on display (strikes and submissions).  The future looks bright for mixed martial arts in the Philippines.

Randy Couture

UFC fighter Randy Couture is just amazing.  He's in his mid 40's, yet he's still able to compete with guys 20 years younger.  He should serve as an inspiration for all of us to stay in shape regardless of our age. 

Couture apparently utilizes an alkaline diet, which is designed to keep blood levels from becoming acidic.  He eats fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes while avoiding grains, dairy, meat and excess salt.  How much difference does this really make?  I have no idea, and I can't give up my meat and dairy to find out. 

Couture seems to do a variety of things in terms of training: circuit routines, plyometrics, etc.  Whatever he does, it works!

Consistency is the truest measure of performance.

Consistency is the truest measure of performance. Almost anyone can have a great day or even a good year, but true success is the ability to perform day in and day out, year after year, under all kinds of conditions.

Inconsistency will win some of the time; consistency will win most of the time: Consistency requires concentration, determination, and repetition. To be at your best all the time, you must:

Take Nothing For Granted: If you aren’t “up” every day, something or someone will knock you down.

Take Pride In What You Do: The things that you do well are the things that you enjoy doing.

Take Setbacks In Stride: Don’t brood over reverses, learn from them.

Take Calculated Chances: To win something, you must risk something.

Take Work Home: To get ahead, plan ahead.

Take The Extra Lap: Condition yourself for the long run. The tested can always take it.

Don’t Take “No” For An Answer: You can do what you believe you can do.

George H. Allen
Coach, Washington Redskins

Arnold Schwarzenegger's Secret Supplement

Want to know Arnold Schwarzenegger's secret?  Here it is:

Burn the Fat Holiday Challenge Contest

Needs some extra motivation to get in shape?  Maybe you should try Tom Venuto's Burn the Fat Holiday Contest.


Winners and Prize Packages

Overall winners to be chosen based on greatest body composition improvement in 50 days: judged based on body composition numbers (weight, body fat, lean body mass), visual appearance (before and after photographs) and transformation essay (each component 1/3 of score). This is NOT a "weight loss" contest.

2 Overall Winners

Women’s Overall Champion – Wins All-inclusive 5-night Caribbean Island resort dream vacation for two in Jamaica (details TBA before contest start date)

Men’s Overall Champion - Wins All-inclusive 5-night Caribbean Island resort dream vacation for two in Jamaica (details TBA before contest start date)

Overall winners also receive a 3 year membership to the Burn the Fat Inner Circle, a personally autographed copy of Tom’s hard cover book, The Body Fat Solution and a 9 CD set of the Body Fat Solution audiobook (BBC Audiobooks America)

5 Special Category Winners

Most Inspirational – Contestant with the most inspiring transformation story (judged as person who overcomes greatest obstacles and maintains best positive attitude, while making excellent body transformation), wins choice of IPOD classic, IPOD Touch or Amazon 6” Kindle.

Most Ripped - Contestant who shows most improvement (fat loss), as judged visually and by measurements, culminating in the most ripped physique, wins choice of IPOD classic, IPOD Touch or Amazon 6” Kindle.

Most Muscular – Contestant who shows most improvement in lean muscle size and appearance, culminating in most muscular physique, wins choice of IPOD classic, IPOD Touch or Amazon 6” Kindle.

Most Supportive - Contestant who provides most support, accountability and inspiration to other contestants (via quantity and quality of forum comments in other people’s journals) wins choice of IPOD classic, IPOD Touch or Amazon 6” Kindle.

Just CLICK HERE for more information.  Contest entry deadline is November 25th. 

Stop Smoking Ash Tray

This ash tray gives a nice visual.

The Flu Vaccine/Dystonia Controversy

You may have seen this video floating around about Desiree Jennings, a 28 year old cheerleader who reportedly had a reaction to the flu vaccine:



I did a little research and here's what I came up with:

The movements and symptoms that Ms. Jennings displays on the public videos I have seen (linked to above) are not compatible with the diagnosis of dystonia, or any other movement disorder. Dystonia is one type of involuntary contraction of muscles. It can be reduced or exacerbated by certain movements or positions, and there are “task specific” dystonia, such as writer’s cramp, that come out only with certain activity. Jennings does not display the type of movements that are consistent with dystonia. Her speech and movement are, however, very suggestive of a psychogenic disorder. . . .

In other words – her symptoms are not neurological, they are psychological. This does not mean she has any insight or voluntary control over her symptoms – they are involuntary and “real” – just not neurological in origin. Symptoms such as this are not uncommon reactions to emotional stress in some individuals. Given the evidence presented, I think this is a reasonable opinion.

-Steven Novella, MD  NeuroLogica Blog

I really feel for this young woman, but it seems the reporters are misinterpreting things.

Smoking Cigarettes: The Financial Impact

I'll keep posting about the health hazards associated with cigarette smoking.  But just in case that doesn't persuade you, let's think about the financial costs of smoking cigarettes.

*Smokers pay more for health insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and have higher medical bills.

*Most companies prefer to employ non-smokers because they are more productive and easier to ensure.

*Smokers usually lose money when they sell houses and cars (either through a lower sale price or the cost of professional cleaning).

Think about the money spent on cigarettes if one smokes a pack a day (which cost about 5 dollars).   Let's round it down and say the cost is 30 dollars a week, 120 dollars a month.  After 40 years, a smoker would spend about 57,600 dollars.

If that same amount of money were put in a mutual fund (averaging 9%) it would be worth over 550,00 dollars!

Think about it.

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

I've been running across a few articles on Mesothelioma, the lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.  Most of the issues with asbestos were before my time, but I remember it being covered on the news during my childhood years. 

Here's a little more history:

Asbestos was used as an insulating material starting in the late 1800's, and its use increased greatly during the WWII era.  Medical researchers eventually discovered the connection between those who worked around asbestos and mesothelioma.  Those who were regularly exposed to asbestos dust were suffering from a yet unidentified form of lung cancer. 

The first lawsuit came in 1929, but it would be 1960 before research clearly demonstrated the asbestos-mesothelioma connection.  There are still ongoing lawsuits to this day.

Here's a little website I've started on this topic: Cancer, Mesothelioma, and Asbestos

UFC 106: Ortiz vs Griffin 2

UFC 106 is coming this Saturday.  The main event will be Tito Ortiz vs Forrest Griffin. 

My advice to all the fighters:  don't leave the decision to the judges.


Here's a video with highlights from Ortiz vs Griffin 1:

Manny Pacquiao vs Floyd Mayweather Jr?

What's next for Manny Pacquiao after his impressive win over Miguel Cotto?

Boxing fans made their wishes clear Saturday night, chanting "we want Floyd!" 

Floyd Mayweather Jr, the undefeated welterweight (40-0 record), is in a similar situation as Pacquiao:  he has a tough time finding worthy opponents in his weight class.  He even retired temporarily out of boredom. 

Mayweather vs Pacquiao would be an epic battle.  Let's hope it happens in 2010!

Thanks to The G Manifesto for the picture.  

UFC: Whats Up with UFC Judging?

Is anyone else wondering what is happening with judging in the UFC?  

I just finished watching UFC 105.  Granted it was close--but I seriously question the decision in the Couture vs Vera match.  

Then there was UFC 104, in which Shogun was clearly robbed. 

The bottom line:  we have two matches in which the winning fighter is the one who did the least damage to his opponent.  I know it's always a risk to leave it to the judges, but I don't like this trend. 

Manny Pacquiao defeats Miguel Cotto by TKO

Manny Pacquiao defeated Miguel Cotto by a technical knockout. 

Pacquiao used speed and angles to defeat what may be his strongest opponent yet.   Pacquiao's strategy and execution were perfect--he didn't allow Cotto to trap him on the ropes or in corners.  He scored two knockdowns against Cotto in the early rounds.

Pacquiao was clearly in control by the later rounds, purusing his opponent and attacking with relentless punches.  The referee stopped the match in the 12th round.  

This victory makes Pacquiao the new WBO welterweight champion!

Mabuhay!

UFC 105: Match Results and Recap

UFC 105 Couture vs Vera: Match Results and Recap

Aaron Riley vs Ross Pearson

Pearson wins by TKO in second round--he caught Riley with a flying knee and opened up a cut.  Riley was unable to continue.  Pearson was very aggressive, dominating his opponent.

James Wilks vs Matt Brown

First round was close, but once again the flying knee becomes a factor.  Brown stunned Wilks with one in the second round and he never seemed to fully recover.  Brown got full mount in the third round and won by TKO (referee stop). 

Andre Winner vs Roli Delgado   

Winner was victorious with a vicious knockout in the first round.

Michael Bisping vs Denis Kang

The whole first round was spend on the ground game: Kang floored Bisping with a punch and got in a dominant position for the rest of he round.  Bisping dominated round two with ground-and-pound and won by TKO (referee stop)--very exciting fight. 

Alexander Gustafsson  vs Jared Hamman

Gustafsson wins his UFC debut--caught his opponent with a hard straight right and followed it up with a flurry of punches on the ground.

Mike Swick vs Dan Hardy

There was a lot of clinch action against the cage in round one.  Same thing for round two, though Hardy caught Swick with a few good shots.  Round three was mostly standup action, but Hardy had Swick on the ground for a few minutes and cut him with an elbow to the head.  Hardy won by decision after three full rounds.

Randy Couture vs Brandon Vera (Main Event)

Round One: Vera opened up with a couple of good strikes, then Couture clinched him up on the cage.  Couture leaned Vera against the cage for most of the round.

Round Two: Round started against the cage again, but Vera got some distance later in the round and made some effective kicks.


Round Three: Couture landed a few good punches and once again leaned Vera against the cage.  Vera scored a take down and achieved full mount.  Match ended with an exchange of stand up strikes.

Randy Couture won by unanimous decision (all judges scored 29-28).  This will be a controversial decision--though Couture controlled his opponent for much of the fight, Vera clearly did much more damage.

Quit Smoking: Cigarettes and Clogged Arteries (Video)

Graphic video showing the increased fatty deposits in the arteries caused by cigarette smoking. 

UFC 105: Couture vs Vera

This will be an incredible weekend as far as fights go: UFC 105--Randy Couture vs. Brandon Vera.  

I'm kind of torn on this one.  Randy Couture is a legend who is redefining age limits in sports.

But I live in the Philippines, so I usually pull for Brandon Vera--I'd really like to see him make it to a championship match.



Here's a VIDEO PREVIEW:

Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto

The world (and especially the Philippines) is getting ready for Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao's match against Miguel Cotto. 

It's hard to explain just how big of a deal Manny Pacquiao is here in the Philippines.  Everyone watches the match--crime even goes down during his fights because most of the criminals are glued to their TV sets.  It's sort of like an unofficial national holiday.

It should be a great match! 

Here's Pacquiao's website:
http://www.mannypacquiao.ph

300! 300th Post, 300 Movie Workout

It's official--I've reached my 300th post!  I think it's only fitting that I post the famous 300 movie workout.

Here it is:

* 25 pull-ups
* 50 deadlifts at 135 pounds
* 50 push-ups
* 50 box jumps with a 24-inch box
* 50 "floor wipers" (a core and shoulders exercise at 135 pounds)
* 50 "clean and press" at 36 pounds (a weight-lifting exercise)
* 25 more pull-ups -- for a total of 300 reps

As you can imagine, this kind of high-rep would surely help you burn a lot of fat.    But I wouldn't advise you to run out and try it--there's apparently been a bit of a misunderstanding about this workout.

The 300 actors and stuntmen first went through rigorous training for 12 weeks in preparation for the movie.  They worked out for 90 minutes to two hours, five days a week (various intensive workout routines).  In addition, they spent another four to six hours doing fight training.  They were given just enough food to recover from their workouts.  Now to you see why they were all so ripped and lean?     


The 300 rep workout was kind of a final test for those who wanted to take it (only about half did).  It was timed to see who could finish the fastest.  The only actor who tried it was Andrew Pleavin (he played Daxos, leader of the Arcadians), and he finished it in 18 minutes and 11 seconds.

I'm not going to try this anytime soon.  But reading about it has given me a little extra motivation to hit the gym.  I hope it will do the same for you.


Four hours of training a day just isn't practical for most of us.  If you are looking for a "warrior routine" you could do on a more realistic schedule (three times a week)  I'd recommend Triple Threat Muscle. 

You can read my review of this program here: Triple Threat Muscle Review. 

Happy Veteran's Day!

Just want to wish a Happy Veteran's Day to all of those who have served our country.  The freedoms we enjoy (such as the freedom of speech) were earned through your blood and sacrifice.  

Be sure to thank those who have served and those who are still serving in the armed forces. 

Bodybuilding Supplements and Used Car Salesmen

I recently wrote a guest post over at man-over-board.com called The Thinking Man's Guided to Bodybuilding Supplements.  I stated that buying bodybuilding supplements is kind of like buying a used car.  It's a good analogy (if I do say so myself) and I'd like to elaborate on that a little further.

Just like a car salesman, the supplement industry is only concerned with getting you to shell over the maximum amount of money.  They'll pretty much say anything to make you believe you need every product they make.  I've seen this for years.  Walking into a health food store (or visiting a supplement website) is just like walking onto a used car lot--you need to be armed with good research. 

Yes, there are a few good products out there.  Creatine Monohydrate came out in the 90's, and research has established it as a worthwhile supplement.  I guess this decade's breakthrough is fish oil--the more studies I read, the more I'm convinced it is really good for you. 

But for every good product, there are hundreds of over-priced, over-hyped capsules, powders, and tablets that are a complete waste of money.  It's your job to do the research and look for the few legitimate supplements that are actually worth your money. 

Kimbo Slice: I am a Fighter (video)

Here's a promotional video of Kimbo Slice. 

Study: Being Overweight=Smaller Brain

A new study on the elderly has shown another possible complication of being overweight: a smaller brain:

"The brains of obese people looked 16 years older than their healthy counterparts while [those of] overweight people looked 8 years older," said UCLA neuroscientist Paul Thompson, senior author of a study published online in Human Brain Mapping.

Much of the lost tissue was in the frontal and temporal lobe regions of the brain, the seat of decision-making and memory, among other things. . . .

Clinically obese people had 8 percent less brain tissue, while the overweight had 4 percent less brain tissue compared to normal-weight individuals.

Here's the whole article: As Waistlines Widen, Brains Shrink (US News and World Report)

The researchers were careful to say this may not be a clear case of cause-effect.  Regardless, this is a stark reminder that everything in the human body works together.

Prolab Creatine Monohydrate

I currently use Prolab Creatine Monohydrate. It is "micronized" which makes it mix a little bit easier.

Here's some info on creatine:

Creatine Monohydrate is a naturally occurring substance found in skeletal muscle. It is arguably the most extensively researched supplement on the market. Creatine Monohydrate does two things: 1). It helps muscle cells produce contractions, especially the types of contractions used in weight training 2). It draws more fluid into muscle cells, causing them to get bigger. Most trainees (including yours truly) notice some weight gain within days of creatine supplementation.

Helpful Hints:
*Be sure to take in plenty of fluids when supplementing creatine.
*Just buy plain ‘ole creatine powder: "micronized" is OK, but don’t bother with capsules, effervescent, etc.
*Your body stores creatine, so I don’t believe you have to “load” it by taking several doses the first week.  I just take it a few times a week after my workout.
*Creatine tends to settle to the bottom of the blender (or whatever you happen to be mixing it in).  Be sure not to waste any.  Go back and ad a little water to the blender (or glass), slosh it around, and drink it.  That way you'll be sure to drink almost all of the creatine you put in--don't waste your hard-earned money.
*Buy in bulk.  I usually buy the 1,000g container.


Prolab Creatine Monohydrate at Bodybuilding.com:



(just click this image)

The Biggest Loser: Why We Love It

I've become a fan of the Biggest Loser show (especially since I created this blog).  I've been thinking about this question: why do we love the Biggest Loser Show? 

1. People can relate

Two-thirds of American adults are either obese or overweight.  About a third of these are obese, and the numbers just keep growing.  A lot of folks out there are struggling with weight issues, so they can relate to the Biggest Loser contestants.

2. Inspiration

The human body can change pretty quickly--especially when it is subjected to the kind of intense training and diet they do on the Biggest Loser show.  This is why I like the show--the transformations are truly amazing to watch.  It's inspiring to see people lose so much weight so quickly.  Most people can't put their lives on hold to go through this kind of "boot camp" experience, but it does at least give them hope.

3. Drama

Let's face it:  real-life soap operas get ratings.   This has always been a major appeal of any reality TV show.  The Biggest Loser is a show about people dealing with both their own personal issues and the conflicts that develop in this kind of contest.

4.  Jillian Michaels

No explanation needed.

MMA Scraps Radio

Here's another cool MMA site:  MMA Scraps Radio. 

I'm about to listen to the Pat Barry interview: this guy was basically broke while waiting to receive his $120,000 check from the UFC. 

Groan.me is Plagiarizing

Groan.me is plagiarizing the content of Strongandfit.net.

Since the webmaster is automatically posting all of my content through feeds, this article might just appear on his copycat website.

I've sent a complaint email to godaddy.com (that's where the site is registered).  

Danny Padilla, the "Giant Killer"

Here are a few shots of Danny Padilla, who was dubbed the "Giant Killer" after winning against taller opponents in competition (Padilla is only 5'2). 

Padilla won several titles and was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame in 2009. 


Here's his website:
http://www.dannypadilla.com/

Is Tribulus Terrestris an Effective Supplement?

Tribulus Terrestris is often touted as a "testosterone booster," and supplement manufacturers claim it can help you get bigger and stronger.

So what does the research say? Here's one study I found:

Tribulus terrestris is an herbal nutritional supplement that is promoted to produce large gains in strength and lean muscle mass in 5-28 days (15, 18). Although some manufacturers claim T. terrestris will not lead to a positive drug test, others have suggested that T. terrestris may increase the urinary testosterone/epitestosterone (T/E) ratio, which may place athletes at risk of a positive drug test. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of T. terrestris on strength, fat free mass, and the urinary T/E ratio during 5 weeks of preseason training in elite rugby league players. Twenty-two Australian elite male rugby league players (mean +/- SD; age = 19.8 +/- 2.9 years; weight = 88.0 +/- 9.5 kg) were match-paired and randomly assigned in a double-blind manner to either a T. terrestris (n = 11) or placebo (n = 11) group. All subjects performed structured heavy resistance training as part of the club's preseason preparations. A T. terrestris extract (450 mg.d(-1)) or placebo capsules were consumed once daily for 5 weeks. Muscular strength, body composition, and the urinary T/E ratio were monitored prior to and after supplementation. After 5 weeks of training, strength and fat free mass increased significantly without any between-group differences. No between-group differences were noted in the urinary T/E ratio. It was concluded that T. terrestris did not produce the large gains in strength or lean muscle mass that many manufacturers claim can be experienced within 5-28 days. Furthermore, T. terrestris did not alter the urinary T/E ratio and would not place an athlete at risk of testing positive based on the World Anti-Doping Agency's urinary T/E ratio limit of 4:1.

This quote comes from PubMed.gov (emphasis mine).  Based on what I see, I cannot recommend tribulus terrestris supplements. 

Emelianenko Fedor vs Hong Man Choi

Here's a video of Emelianenko Fedor vs Hong Man Choi. Seems the most effective strategy against a bigger opponent (a giant opponent in this case) is to get him to the ground.