Beware ‘mega muscle’ supplements that sound too good to be true

'Get Arnold Schwarzenegger gains in just TWO weeks with this revolutionary new supplement all the Hollywood stars are using.'

You've probably seen adverts just like this pop up in your Facebook feed. They're designed to grab your attention. A new gym supplement or 'legal steroid alternative' promising to torch your body fat and grow thick slabs of muscle in a matter of weeks. The hook tells you 'This amazing new method to get you ripped quick has rocked the bodybuilding world' or 'Find out the secret to getting super shredded all the experts just don't want you to know.' There's probably a ridiculously huge bloke in the picture - or a 'before and after' shot of some slighty chubby fellow being transformed into a muscle-bound God in 90 days. Some of them even have spurious-looking endorsements from major fitness magazines and claims that celebrities like Jason Statham or Hugh Jackman got them in Hollywood movie shape. All you need to do is just sign up and trial these new pills and you'll look like the bloke in the photos. This stuff must work miracles, right? Just look at the photos! Well, if it sounds too good to be true, were afraid to say it probably is. You might be carrying a few extra pounds or the current diet isn't going too well - so you think 'this could be my quick fix to looking great.' We've all done it - you ignore your gut feeling that 'this is probably a con' and you splash out on a big box of these supplements with vaguely scientific-sounding names like 'Testo-rocket' or 'MegaGainz6000'. Even the best of us get taken in by the promise of a quick fix or easy transformation - these 'companies' seem to prey on men's insecurities. Ask any personal trainer worth their salt and they'll tell you the only (legal) way to burn fat, build muscle or get that six pack is to train consistently and stick to a clean and healthy diet. We're afraid to say this won't take four weeks like these 'miracle pills' claim, but we can guarantee it will work. So watch out for any supplement that sounds too good to be true. If the appalling spelling, almost-outlandish claims or complete lack of science behind them doesn't set alarm bells ringing, then do a little research. Google the ingredients and what they do, find out information on the company or even check out if these 'fitness magazine endorsements' stand up. If the products have been reviewed in a magazine, you should easily be able to find them on Google. Beware impartial 'reviews' too. If it reads like an advert, it probably is. The best advice we can give is eat clean, train dirty (and if you're going to add supplements, stick to known brands or products backed by actual science). Stick with JOE, we've got yer back.