When trying to transform your physique, the supplements you take can make a huge difference in your results. The key is to "stack" products that work together in synergy to maximize each supplement's effectiveness.

For the 2021 Summer Shred Challenge, I came up with two JYM supplement stacks that will help deliver more muscle, strength, and fat loss results while following the three training programs (Show Time, Dropset Countdown, Giant Program).

But make no mistake, these stacks aren't just for those doing the Challenge; they'll work great in combination with any JimStoppani.com training program. Because most people have lofty fat loss goals when doing the Summer Shred Challenge, these stacks are particularly geared toward dropping body fat and helping produce the best "before and after" photos possible. If that's consistent with your goals, whether you're following an official challenge or not, either of these stacks should interest you.

The two stacks are the Summer Shred Lite Stack and the Summer Shred Extreme Stack. They’re very similar to one another, the only difference being the type of protein powders and fat burners included.

(To learn the specific differences between the two fat burners, read my SS8 Advanced Fat Burner vs. Shred JYM article. As for the two different protein powders, this Iso JYM article discusses that product and compares it to Pro JYM.)

Here are the JYM products in each stack…

• Summer Shred Lite Stack: Iso JYM (1 lb.), Pre JYM (30 servings), Post JYM BCAAs+ Recovery Matrix, Shred JYM, Omega JYM. (Your choice of flavors for Iso JYM, Pre JYM, and Post JYM.)
• Summer Shred Extreme Stack: Pro JYM (2 lb.), Pre JYM (30 servings), Post JYM BCAAs+ Recovery Matrix, SS8 Advanced Fat Burner, Omega JYM. (Your choice of flavors for Pro JYM, Pre JYM, and Post JYM.)

The JYM System in each stack (Pre JYM, Post JYM, Pro JYM/Iso JYM) provides you everything you need around workouts for more energy and better performance during your training, as well as optimal recovery afterward. Better, more intense workouts and a faster recovery will help you build muscle, get stronger, and drop body fat.

Omega JYM and either Shred JYM or SS8 (depending on the stack you’re using) will further enhance fat loss, with Omega JYM also providing the omega-3 fats you need for better health and anti-inflammatory benefits.

To get the most out of these two stacks, though, you need to use them properly. Below is a breakdown of exactly how to use the Summer Shred Lite and Extreme Stacks around your workouts, plus other times during the day, to make sure you get the best results possible, whether you're doing the Summer Shred Challenge or any other JimStoppani.com program. Both stacks can be purchased here on JYMSupps.com.

The following guidelines show you exactly when to take all JYM products in the Summer Shred stacks (Lite and Extreme) throughout the day. For instructions on how to take certain products – for example, letting Pre JYM and Post JYM sit before drinking, and then sipping on them slowly – see my JYM Supplement Users Guide.

If you train in the afternoon or evening, the morning is a great time to take your Shred JYM fat burner. Shred JYM contains caffeine (200mg per serving), as does Pre JYM (300mg). Because of this, I recommend taking Shred JYM and Pre JYM at different times of the day.

If you train in the morning, consider taking Shred JYM later in the day, like in the afternoon. Each time you take Shred JYM, take a full serving (6 capsules).

I recommend starting off with just one serving per day of Shred JYM. If you find you can tolerate the caffeine intake, you can bump it up to 2-3 servings per day. If you do this, separate your doses throughout the day (ie, one serving in the morning, one in the early afternoon, one in the late afternoon or evening), and space them apart from Pre JYM as well.

• • Iso JYM – Take one scoop of Iso JYM (mixed in 10-16 ounces of water) around 30-45 minutes before your workout.
  • Pre JYM – Around the same time you take Iso JYM (30-45 minutes before training), start sipping on your Pre JYM (mixed in 12-32 ounces of water and shaking often). Sip on your Pre JYM right up until the start of your workout.

• • Iso JYM – As soon as possible after your workout, take 1-2 scoops of Iso JYM mixed in 10-16 ounces of water per scoop.
  • Post JYM BCAAs+ Recovery Matrix – After taking your Iso JYM, start sipping on your Post JYM (mixed in 12-32 ounces of water and shaking often). Sip on it slowly over the next 20 minutes or longer.

(1) Feel free to mix Iso JYM and Post JYM Recovery Matrix in the same shaker (doubling up on water, too) and sip on it for 20+ minutes, instead of taking them separately (particularly if you have the Green Apple Gummy flavor of both).

(2) If you also have Post JYM Fast-Digesting Carb (Dextrose) and want to add it to the stack, mix a scoop of it with your Post JYM BCAAs+ Recovery Matrix if you have the same flavor for both. If you have different flavors of the two Post JYMs and don’t want to mix them, take the dextrose first and then sip on the Recovery Matrix.

Dinner is a great time to take Omega JYM, as fish oil should always be taken with food. However, Omega JYM can be taken with any meal.

The recommended daily dose of Omega JYM is 4 capsules. You can either take all four capsules at one meal or take 2 capsules at one meal and 2 capsules at another.

ZMA JYM – For optimal recovery, I recommend taking ZMA JYM, which is not technically included in either Summer Shred Stack. I chose to include it here because (1) many people already have it, and (2) it’s such a great product for recovery, especially when training with high intensity as you do with JimStoppani.com programs. The recommended dose for ZMA JYM is 3 capsules for men, 2 capsules for women.

Dairy – Another good option at bedtime is to consume a dairy product like Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, or even Pro JYM. These foods contain the milk protein casein, which will slowly break down into amino acids as you sleep to enhance recovery and protein synthesis.

For maximum absorption, don’t take ZMA JYM within an hour of your dairy meal/snack (because the calcium in dairy will inhibit ZMA absorption). Take your ZMA JYM, wait an hour, and then take your dairy (or Pro JYM) right before bedtime, or vice versa.