What are your thoughts or testimonials on HMB (beta-hydroxy bta-methylbutyrate) being a metabolite of the essential amino acid L-Leucine?
The claims are that it's not a steroid,nor a drug and is clasified as a dietary supplement. That it has a sparing effect on protein and encourages muscle growth,fat loss and strength gains safely.

You have done your homework. HMB is a good supplement but you won't feel the improvements when taking it that you would with taking creatine, and it's 5 times more expensive.

HMB has be shown to elicit anti-catabolic properties. This means it will help to protect your lean body mass during and after intense workouts. I have used HMB myself on two separate 6-week cycles. I was not taking any other supplement at the time. Four weeks into both cycles I had gained about 3 pounds. I never gained any more than that. Interestingly enough, I did sleep better when taking HMB. It made my body relax and I felt more rested the next morning. There has been some quality research studies that have shown HMB to be effective in increasing lean body mass. But, like I said, it is expensive and unless you are training extremely hard it may not be worth the money!