Once you’ve created a tantalizing training program and an equally neat and nourishing nutrition plan, a solid supplement plan will only enhance your ability to get bigger, stronger, and faster! But not all dietary products may be conducive to your fitness goals. Before you are seduced by flashy advertisements and witty slogans, check out this guide to selecting the correct supplements for your fitness goals!
Now, let me begin by saying supplements should never be used as a replacement for a less than adequate training and nutrition plan. Supplements are just that, supplements to a diet and serve to fill dietary gaps. Although these pills, powders, and compounds might help you achieve your fitness goals faster, you must always be aware of what exactly is going into your body and that is the purpose for this directory!
Goal #1: Build Muscle
Hypertrophy is one of the most sought after goals for gym bro’s and fit-chicks alike. This can be achieved through training with progressive overload, steadily increasing calories, and by introducing a few crucial supplements into your regime.
Whey Protein Isolate
If you want to gain muscle, you want to supplement with a good quality whey protein powder. There are many classifications of whey, which makes finding the perfect one very difficult. Whey is broken down into a myriad of categories; caseinate, concentrate, and isolate, the latter of which being the highest quality. Isolate is the fasted digesting form of protein, allowing the nutrients to reach your muscles faster and turn on the switch for muscle protein synthesis.
One particular study done in Australia in the last 2000’s found an increase in muscle mass and overall strength when subjects consumed a whey protein supplement pre and post-workout. From supplementing with approximately 1.5g of protein per body weight, subjects gained an average of 11 lbs. in lean body mass and lost fat while the placebo group experienced no significant change in body composition.
Supplementing with a whey protein is also an easy way (no pun intended) to increase calories. If increased muscle size is what you seek, chances are you are loading your body with excess protein, carbohydrates and fats from food. These meals will eventually fill your stomach to the point where you can no longer fit anything in there! Drinking your meals may be the easiest way to increase caloric intake and that is when a quick protein shake should be introduced.
Highly Branched Cyclin Dextrin
Studies show that intra-workout nutrition helps maintain elevated adenosine triphosphate (ATP), creatine, and insulin levels. Effects of these heightened molecules include increased strength, fat oxidation, rate of nutrient transfer into the muscles, and reduces the release of catabolic hormones such as cortisol, glucagon, and epinephrine.
HBCD’s trick the stomach into releasing large amounts of carbohydrates into the small intestine for rapid absorption. It is in the small intestine where glucose molecules link together to form high molecular weight polymers. The low osmolality of these polymers creates a pathway for branched cyclin dextrins to instantly exit the stomach for rapid, sustained increase in blood sugar and insulin.
Sipping a cyclin dextrin/amino acid cocktail during your workout will load the muscle with nutrients and maintain high energy levels throughout. This will allow the trainee to use heavier weights or increase exercise endurance for greater volume. Either way, the muscle is put under greater stress, which inevitably leads to muscle growth!
Creatine Monohydrate
The most well studied supplement on the market, creatine has been shown to improve overall athletic performance during such high-intensity activity as weight training. Creatine may increase maximal strength and energy output during exercise, allowing the trainee to lift heavier and lift longer, especially during those last few reps of a set.
Creatine has been the subject of scrutiny for many years due to it’s allegedly negative affects on the liver, kidneys, and pancreas however there has been no evidence to suggest this conclusion. In fact, 95% of all creatine ingested is stored in skeletal muscle; increasing cell volume and making muscles appear bigger and fuller.
Goal #2: Burn Fat
Caffeine
Aside from the jitters and jolts it elicits, caffeine is one of the most powerful supplements on the market. Caffeine naturally stimulates the central nervous system, releasing anti-oxidants for health benefits such as improving alertness, mental capacity, and rate of fat oxidation (the body’s ability to break down fat molecules for energy).
This boost can be extremely effective especially when experimenting with a low-calorie nutrition program for fat lost. Dieters are often groggy and lack the energy necessary to complete daily activities. Why should you be miserable and tired on the road to achieving your physique and fitness goals? Supplementing with a dose of 250-400mg of caffeine each day will alleviate this daze and confusion while assisting in the fat burning process.
L-Carnitine
Unlike its predecessor on this list, L-Carnitine is a non-stimulant ingredient, but that does not mean it is not a powerful weight loss tool. This particular amino acid efficiently aids in the transportation of long-chain fat into the mitochondria of a cell where it can be utilized to generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for energy. Like most supplements, L-Carnitine is most efficient when paired with a taxing training regime!
Glutamine
Despite being the most richly produced amino acid in the body (especially in your muscles) Glutamine is also one of the most effective supplements for fat loss. Glutamine plays a critical role in regulating immune and gut health while stabilizing blood sugar levels and is best supplemented post-workout for its ability to resynthesize muscle glycogen lost during long bouts of training.
Glutamine may be the ideal supplement for low-carb dieters as it flips the switch on muscle protein synthesis without insulin release, thus eliminating the need for post-workout carbohydrates.
Goal #3: Endurance/Performance
Beta-Alanine
Since it’s inclusion in pre-workout powders years ago, Beta-alanine has been gaining immense popularity as a performance supplement. The food we eat does not provide a sustainable amount of the amino acid and must be ingested through supplementation.
Beta-Alanine converts to carnosine and helps flush toxins and other waste products from the body, allowing the subject to train at peak performance. One recent 12-week study from the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition studied beta-alanine supplementation, examining 17 amateur soccer players in two groups. One group received 3g of beta-alanine per day while the other group received a placebo. The study measured sprint performance both pre and post supplementation on two 20-meter sprint sessions.
The placebo group actually declined in performance after the 12-week study, while the supplemented group improved sprinting performance by over 20%!
Branched Chain Amino Acids
Branched chain amino acids L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine, and L-Valine have been a staple of the supplement industry since the turn of the 21st century and are crucial to performance now more than ever. These “holy trinity” of compounds are not synthesized within the body and must be obtained from food or supplement. Increased energy, recovery, and muscle protein synthesis are just a few of the positive gains to be seen once introduced.
One 2010 study by the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism found subject who ingested 2g of BCAA’s per pound of bodyweight experienced significantly less muscle soreness after taxing bouts of exercise. This allows the trainee to recover at an even faster rate, get back in the gym, and back to work!
Citrulline Malate
Did you know that 40 years ago, Citrulline Malate was prescribed to treat mental and physical fatigue in post-surgery patients? Fast forward to present day, it still has anti-fatigue properties but is known for a multitude of performance benefits. Aside from reducing post-workout muscle soreness, Citrulline Malate may increase ATP production during exercise, allowing for another two or three reps of that heavy weight.
This notion is backed by science as researchers from Mississippi State University recently found that a dose of 8g of Citrulline Malate significantly increased the number of squats as compared to a group who received placebo.
What ever your fitness goals may be, don’t break the bank and don’t be fooled by fancy advertisements touting catchy slogans. Will supplements help gain muscle, burn fat, or optimize performance? Sure! Having said that, it is imperative that you educate yourself on what supplements are necessary to your specific goals.
]]>By Matt Samansky
Aaron Singerman is a name synonymous with supplements and success. But the lavish life of luxury cars and fine timepieces was not handed to him on a silver platter. In fact, the troubled young teen showed no signs of future achievement and was often labeled an “underachiever.” Join me as I take an in-depth look at the life (thus far) of the humble man who would become supplement industry royalty.
Aaron Singerman grew up in a suburb just outside of New Orleans where his father Jerry owned an upscale men’s clothing store. Aaron began working at the store from a young age and learned to appreciate the value of establishing a business and building upon it. By the time he reached high school, however, the Singerman family business had been replaced by a larger store with a nationwide reputation. Aaron worked many odd jobs throughout the remainder of his teens and into his 20’s; all of which he was fired from. This lack of direction coupled with poor social influences turned Aaron towards experimenting with drugs. It was not until a friend’s fatal overdose occurred in front of him that Aaron realized he had to make a change. But what changes could he make and which path would he take? Aaron always had a passion for weight training and a fascination with the sport of bodybuilding so he began working as a personal trainer. Aaron made a great deal of contacts whilst employed in this field and approached a co-worker driving a brand new Porsche. “How can I get a Porsche too?” asked the wide-eyed young Singerman. “You’ll never get a Porsche working here,” he responded. Not exactly the response Aaron was looking for, but he learned a valuable lesson that day. You can never be successful doing something you are not passionate about. This was the “eureka” moment that escaped Aaron for 20+ years. He finally knew what he had to do.
Aaron continued to train clients in order to pay the bills, but he spent all of his spare time listening to radio shows, reading books, immersing himself in the world of bodybuilding. One particular radio show Aaron subscribed to was Super Human Radio with Carl Lenore. Hoping to make a name for himself, Aaron wrote to Carl to inform him that one of the products he was endorsing would not work. Mr. Lenore was impressed by Aaron’s letter and asked him to conduct an interview on his show. The interview must have went well because he offered Aaron a steady gig hosting a bodybuilding focused show called Off Topic Radio. Aaron found advertisers and earned enough money from the show that he was able to quit personal training altogether. After recording 300+ hours of Off Topic, Aaron accepted a position with Rx Muscle, the world’s leading bodybuilding media site. He was eventually promoted to editor-in-chief, traveling the world covering bodybuilding shows and interviewing competitors. Aaron Singerman had achieved his dream but there was still so much more to accomplish.
Rx Muscle paid well, but Aaron was hungry for more. Utilizing his various contacts in the business and position in front of the camera, Aaron was able to make extra income wearing t-shirts and promoting products from outside sponsors. One such company was Iron Mag Labs, a company with which Aaron actually worked up the ranks so far that he achieved the distinction of marketing director. Along with friend and business partner PJ Braun, the two served as the collective “voice” of the company and more than doubled IML’s revenue.
Iron Mag Labs created Super DMZ, one of the most powerful supplements ever to grace supplement shelves. Company executives feared the product would soon become illegal due to gray market ingredients and expressed the desire to dispose of more than 7,000 units. Aaron saw the opportunity in this and purchased the remaining stock, assumed the risk and sold Super DMZ under the mysterious name of Blackstone Labs. In less than five weeks, their stock was depleted. The ingredient had not yet been banned so the duo of Aaron and PJ decided to continue with their money-making ways, this time re-branding Super DMZ and accompanying it with a second product, a third product, a fourth product, and so on. One year later, Aaron and PJ had become so successful with Blackstone Labs that they bought out their third investor and continued operations on their own.
Blackstone Labs quickly became the market leader in hardcore supplementation, but their target audience was limited. CEO Aaron recognized that certain Blackstone Labs supplements would not stay legal for long and growth could only be achieved through mainstream supplementation. It was then that Prime Nutrition was born. Products from this new sister company were results-based, appealing to the general fitness enthusiast. When retailers like Vitamin Shoppe and Bodybuilding.com found out Aaron Singerman and PJ Braun were the masterminds behind this new company, they jumped on the opportunity to work together. Blackstone Labs and Prime Nutrition quickly covered all aspects of the supplement business with two very different target customers; the latter appealing to the hardcore bodybuilder and the former to the general fitness person.
Blackstone Labs grew to such incredible heights that it was recently named to Inc. 500’s list of fastest growing companies in the United States. They finished at number 27 in the country and number 1 in their category.
Mr. Singerman had built a company from nothing to one of the top names in the industry. Most entrepreneurs would have been content with this achievement and continued on, but Aaron decided to challenge himself once again. In May of 2016, Aaron parted ways with Blackstone Labs to start a new adventure with Singerman Enterprises.
Under the Singerman Enterprises umbrella are Run Everything Labs, Dynamik Muscle, Iron Addict’s Brand, and RedCon1; four of the industry’s brightest young supplement companies. By starting these companies, Aaron has had the opportunity to work with such fitness celebrities as Dana Linn and Rob Bailey, Kai Greene, and most recently, CT Fletcher!
Today, Mr. Singerman operates as CEO of RedCon1. Despite being a toddler in the supplement industry, it is making waves among the elite nonetheless. Whereas most supplement companies debut with a product or two, RedCon1 has unveiled more than a dozen since opening its doors just 5 short months ago.
Unwavering determination, wealth of knowledge, and unparalleled business acumen has led Aaron Singerman to become the supplement mogul he is today. I have followed Aaron from his humble first days at RxMuscle and have been fortunate enough to work with him throughout the years. All of these qualities and more make Aaron a wonderful boss and an ever better friend. It has been a pleasure going to battle with you, Aaron, and I am “the highest state of readiness” for whatever comes next!
]]>Let’s not be coy, dieting is no walk in the park. It isn’t all that fun either, whether it be for a contest or just to achieve a certain fitness goal. Nutritionists, dieticians, and coaches alike have spent decades researching ways to minimize the dread of dieting and have all seemingly come up with a similar technique. The Warrior Diet, the Alternate-Day Diet and more all share the similar concept of intermittent fasting.
Intermittent fasting is a strategy taking the fitness world by storm and for good reason. Studies suggest fulfilling all of one’s caloric needs in a short period of time can be a powerful tool in achieving the “ideal” physique.
There are many ways to incorporate intermittent fasting into a nutritional regime, the most popular being the 16/8 method: fasting for 16 hours of the day and consuming all of one’s calories in the remaining 8.
For years, IF was thought to be bodybuilding sacrilege, but it actually can be used as an effective weapon to combat catabolism. Anecdotal research conducted during Ramadan found that men lost no muscle mass while intermittent fasting. In fact, the subjects lost a significant amount of body fat while practicing IF.
Further studies have proven this principle to be effective in minimizing insulin and blood glucose levels, limiting negative by-products of digestion, and decreasing LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) while increasing HDL cholesterol (the good kind).
Another interesting effect of intermitted fasting is increased red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels. Hemoglobin is the protein in RBC’s that carries oxygen through the bloodstream to the muscles. This is a common goal amongst endurance athletes like cyclists. Maybe Lance Armstrong would not have gotten caught for “doping” had he just tried a natural intermittent fasting diet!
Most importantly, however, fasting “flicks the switch” on genes that lead to certain uncoupling proteins and activate fat burning enzymes. Uncoupling proteins break down mitochondrial walls inside muscle cells. ATP, the body’s primary source of energy, is created in the mitochondria. Penetrating the walls of the mitochondria halts the production of energy, therefore eliciting the use of more calories to produce the same amount of energy. In other words, fasting burns calories and fat at an accelerated rate. Interestingly enough, your metabolism will speed up even more once the fast is finally broken!
Now that we have established what intermittent fasting is, what supplements, if any, are safe under this principle? The short answer is most supplements can be added to an IF routine. Knowing what we know about IF, however, that answer is contingent on timing. Keeping all the aforementioned information in mind, that question is also dependent on whether the supplements will interfere with one’s goals. Let’s take a look at certain product categories and their effects on an IF diet.
Whey Protein: Whey protein powder has been a staple of an athlete’s nutritional program for decades. Consuming a whey protein powder has been found to elicit many positive effects from increasing muscle mass and fat burning. Ingesting a protein powder like Isotope is a tasty and easy way to ingest calories during the fed hours!
Branch Chained Amino Acids: Some coaches recommend their clients sip on a BCAA supplement during their fasting period to better preserve muscle and maintain adequate energy levels. Whereas this advice would certainly do the trick, it is technically putting you in a fed state. Let’s think about this from a biological standpoint. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. Proteins are macronutrients and act as fuel for the body, taking one out of a fasted state. During the fed hours, however, all bets are off! I encourage the use of a BCAA like Breach that contains a hefty amount of essential amino acids, coconut powder, and electrolytes!
Pre-Workouts, Nitric Oxide Boosters, and Fat Burners: Working in a caloric deficit drains energy levels to empty, as well as making it almost impossible to get a pump in the gym. Pre-workout powders, nitric oxide boosters, and fat burners can prove to be the holy trinity to the IF practicing athlete. Stacking Big Noise with Total War will give you the skin splitting pumps you seek while fueling energy levels to maximum capacity! Add Double Tap to your regime for an increased rate of fat oxidation, just make sure it’s ingested within the fed hours.
As you can see, supplements are totally safe on an intermittent fasting diet. Like any other weight loss regime, the most important factor is timing. If ingested during fed hours, supplements can bring the heavy artillery in the war against fat.
]]>It is no new concept that bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts are placing a greater emphasis on supplementation inside the gym and noticing greater results.
Studies show that intra-workout nutrition helps maintain elevated adenosine triphosphate (ATP), creatine, and insulin levels. The effects of those heightened molecules include increased strength, fat oxidation, and rate of nutrient transfer into the muscles and reduced release of catabolic hormones such as cortisol, glucagon, and epinephrine.
One of the most popular theories among those looking to build muscle is that one should load up on simple sugars post-workout. The problem therein is dextrose and foods loaded with simple sugars have a high osmolality. Osmoreceptors in the small intestine sense nutrient density of the food we consume, resulting in slower gastric emptying to the stomach. Carbohydrates and amino acids are absorbed less efficiently and reach the muscles to begin recovery at a much slower rate.
Cluster Bomb tricks the stomach into releasing large amounts of carbohydrates into the small intestine for rapid absorption by introducing highly branched cyclin dextrin. It is in the small intestine where glucose molecules link together to form high-molecular weight polymers. The low osmolality of the polymers creates a pathway for branched cyclin dextrins to exit the stomach instantly for rapid, sustained increases in blood sugar and insulin.
On days when I’m supplementing with Cluster Bomb, I experience significantly increased levels of intensity, strength, and focus. The formula does not sit idly inside my stomach but, rather, digests immediately and is made available instantly. My muscles respond wonderfully as the pump is prevalent by the end of my first set.
Some days, however, I just don’t require the additional carbohydrates. Do my workouts suffer? Quite the contrary, because I have backup! Every so often I substitute intra-workout carbs for raw amino acids.
The benefits of branched chain amino acids have been studied for decades and have been found to increase energy, recovery, fat metabolism, and muscle protein synthesis. Breach packs 5g of BCAA per serving in addition to a hydrating vitamin and electrolyte mix from coconut water, potassium, and sodium.
Another interesting amino acid included within the Breach BCAA formula is Glycerol, a popular molecule hyper-hydrates the cells. Glycerol also increases the absorption of other nutrients such as the aforementioned 5g of amino acids L-Leucine, L-Valine, and L-Isoleucine. When supplemented in conjunction with one another, these amino acids enhance the ability of the central nervous system to recover from taxing workouts and improve glucose/insulin tolerance. Added benefits include muscle sparing, fat burning, and energy producing properties.
As work and complete daily activities, our energy stores ultimately diminish. What makes you an elite athlete is the determination to dig deep to achieve your fitness goals No matter if you are training for a bodybuilding show or for a marathon; intra-workout nutrition is crucial to maximizing performance!
]]>By Matt Samansky
Fat burners can be an effective dietary aid when supplemented properly, but do we really know how they work? The all too common belief within the fitness industry is that fat burners are “magic pills and powders” that miraculously melt unwanted weight instantly! Unfortunately, that is not the case.
First of all, let’s address the elephant in the room; fat burners certainly DO work but as we will find out, they are not the end-all-be-all to achieving our weight loss aspirations.
Think of fat burners as the spice on a chicken breast. Despite the chicken being flavorless and bland, you will still eat it. Add a shake of salt, a pinch of pepper, and a splash of hot sauce to enhance the taste of the chicken breast! Fat burners work the same way. Diet and exercise will get the job done, but add a fat burner for optimal results.
Pills and powders of the fat burning variety are broken down into two categories and function in a number of ways. The first category of thermogenic supplements is fueled by stimulants like Caffeine, Synephrine, Tyramine, and Yohimbine (or Yohimbe). These ingredients are not for the faint of heart, however, and should be cycled according to one’s tolerance. Stimulants have a unique effect on the central nervous system, suppressing appetite while increasing energy. Not only will you find yourself eating less under the influence of a thermogenic, but you will also feel more energized to complete a workout and other daily activities.
Manufacturers understand certain customers do not enjoy the jitters and extreme energy associated with a stimulant laden fat burner, enter the non-stimulant category. Green Tea Extract, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, and Raspberry Ketones are just a few ingredients found in a stimulant-free fat burner. One would not feel a shock of energy when supplementing with these products but that does not mean they are ineffective. These ingredients induce a state of high metabolic efficiency in which you will feel an increase in body heat as your metabolism works harder to oxidize fat.
Now that you are more educated on the correct fat burner for you, let’s talk about how they work.
Fat burners get down to business from the point of ingestion, and start to ignite the central nervous system. Step one in the fat burning process calls for the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine signaling the mobilization of fat from the cell where it then travels to the blood stream. Fat will not just burn away once it reaches the bloodstream, however, and this is where the work comes in.
You didn’t expect to pop a fat burner and watch the weight melt sitting on your couch, did you? Of course not! As we discussed earlier, fat burners work, but will only get you so far. That is why it is crucial to stick to a strict diet and daily workout regiment in order to get the most out of your fat burner of choice. If you are not working out regularly and creating a need for energy, the fat that gets released into the bloodstream will just be stored as fat again. Thermogenic supplements prepare your body for success, but diet and exercise will thrust you on the winner’s podium.
RedCon1 wants to see you victorious. That is why we have formulated Double Tap, a fat oxidizing pill harnessing the power of both stimulant and non-stimulant ingredients. Three capsules of Double Tap daily will help you to burn excess body fat and reshape your physique by reducing appetite, increasing energy, and improving metabolic efficiency all while in a caloric deficit.
If you are working hard in the gym and eating the right foods, a fat burner will be a welcomed addition on your journey to a leaner physique. Choose a supplement with a proven track record, safe ingredients, and a transparent label. Choose RedCon1 and when it comes to fat burning, choose the highest state of readiness!
This is a warning commonly thrown around gym locker rooms, but is it true?
In certain cases, yes. Methylated oral steroids DO indeed enact harm on the liver. Pro-hormones are made liver toxic through a modification to its structure known as a methylation in the 17th position. The end product is typically referred to as a “17 alpha-alkylated” or “17-aa” oral steroid. This modification allows the PH to pass the liver and avoid excretion, enabling higher potency than non-17-AA steroids. The stronger the compound, however, the more harm done.
Methylated pro-hormones have adverse effects because they inhibit excretory functions of the organ. When 17-AA pro-hormones are introduced, the liver ceases to produce bile, which serves an integral role in cleansing the body of unwanted toxins. If the flow of bile is cut-off, it creates a buildup of toxins known as cholestasis, which then leads to necrosis, or liver cell death. Other conditions like cirrhosis have the potential to follow. If left untreated, the organ will ultimately fail and cease to survive.
DHEA supplements, however, are NOT liver toxic. ”Scientists have published research papers indicating that [DHEA supplements] do not pose a liver toxicity risk to human beings.” In fact, DHEA supplementation yields more positive effects than negative, as it serves as a natural precursor to testosterone and estrogen.
As we grow older, dehydroepiandrosterone levels decline. Your body’s ability to fight off disease and infection, youthful energy, and cheerful mood are soon to follow. Elevated levels of male and female sex hormones have been found to strengthen the adrenal gland, as well as bone and immune health, slow down effects of aging, increase energy, and improve one’s mood.
Myth: BUSTED
RedCon1 offers a trifecta of tantalizing DHEA products in the form of SOMAL-1, SOMAL-4, and SOMAL-NOR.
SOMAL-1 is our 1-DHEA pro-hormone that undergoes a two-step conversion process from Androstenediol to Androstenedione and finally to 1-Testosterone. Chemically engineered and backed by the efficacious Liposomal delivery system, SOMAL-1 will provide dry gains from lean muscle tissue before your very eyes.
Harnessing the destructive power of 4-DHEA, SOMAL-4 will help you to break past plateaus and gain immense amounts of mass. Expect some water retention from this product. If that round, full look is what you seek, SOMAL-4 is the supp’ for you!
Finally, SOMAL-NOR is our potent mass gaining DHEA supplement that converts to 19-Norandrostenediol. As with our other DHEA compounds, SOMAL-NOR is non-liver toxic and provides sustainable strength and endurance, dense muscle pumps, leading tons of lean size gains.
The FUBAR Stack from RedCon1.com will deliver all three of our DHEA supplements along with the aromatase inhibitor Shield and post-cycle regulator Aftermath. These products are crucial for controlled estrogen levels, reduced water retention, and improved blood panels after a powerful DHEA cycle.
Disclaimer: The author of this article does not condone the recreational pro-hormone use, but if one decides to supplement with hardcore products such as these, do so wisely under to consultation of a physician.
By Matt Samansky
]]>Are you looking for an extra boost in the gym? Pre-workout supplements can give you added edge but with thousands of brands flooding the market, finding the best product can be overwhelming. Fear not, friends! We have tried (almost) all of them and have compiled a list of the top five pre-workout supplements on the market below!
For Pump: #5 BSN N.O. Xplode
BSN is one of the oldest supplement companies in the industry and knows a thing or two about formulating pre-workouts. One it’s most popular foray’s into pre-workout supplementation comes in the form of N.O. Xplode. “N.O.” is not just a catchy name, but holds a great deal of importance as it pertains to the formulation. N.O. stands for nitric oxide, a gaseous chemical compound utilized for cellular communication.
Contrary to popular belief, the main ingredient in such pump products is not nitric oxide, but a powerful vasodilating amino acid called L-Arginine. When body enzymes break down arginine, nitric oxide is naturally synthesized within the body.
You might ask yourself, “if my body produces arginine, and by default nitric oxide, why should I add a supplement to my diet?” Well, that is because our bodies do not get enough nitric oxide to perform desired effects, namely a “sick pump” in the gym!
N.O. Xplode contains 1g of the mysterious proprietary blend “N.O. Alpha Fusion” which is made up of other nitric oxide boosters; L-Citrulline Malate, Danshen Extract, Grape Skin Extract, Phyllanthus emblica Extrac, Hawthorn Extract, and Folate. Each of these ingredients is known separately for its ability to induce high levels of blood circulation throughout the body. This allows for the speedy and efficient transfer of nutrients to the muscles experiencing stress inside the gym.
For example; your quadriceps are taking the brunt of stress during a squat workout. Introduce the potent pump effects of N.O. Xplode and your quads will swell with blood!
BSN’s popular pump-focused pre-workout is a proprietary blend, however, which results in it sliding down to number 5 on our list.
For Focus: #4 MTS Nutrition Clash
Moving onto our number 4 pre-workout is Clash by MTS Nutrition. There are many stimulating ingredients “clashing” with each other in this effective pre-workout, but N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine is one that caught my eye.
L-Tyrosine is an amino acid derived from phenylalanine, another amino acids used to treat depression, ADD, ADHD, narcolepsy, and fatigue. Pre-workout supplementation is crucial to anyone experiencing a lack of focus or energy inside or out of the gym.
L-Tyrosine supplementation specifically can combat that inability to focus by tapping into the noradrenaline (norepinephrine) and other anti-stress hormones. Furthermore, adding an L-Tyrosine supplement to your diet has been found to increase catecholamine synthesis, which in turn acts as an anti-neural aging agent.
Furthermore, adding N-Acetylcysteine to the compound enhances its overall absorption!
Two scoops of MTS Nutrition’s forceful formula yields a heaping 500mg of L-Tyrosine, securing it’s spot as the fourth best pre-workout on shelves today!
The next pre-workout on our list is one that has gained quite a bit of steam of late due to a rather controversial ingredient. Once the FDA lifted it’s ban on the ingredient, Mesomorph by APS Nutrition was one of the first pre-workout powders to contain DMAA. 1,3-Dimethylamylamine is an extremely strong stimulant with a molecular structure akin to that of amphetamine. Like amphetamine, DMAA increases the release of catecholamines norepinephrine and dopamine. Elevated NE levels lead to an increase in focus while increased levels of dopamine elicit a positive response in regard to one’s demeanor. Providing Spider-Man-esque alertness and Captain America’s euphoric personality, 1,3DMAA supplementation has been proven to make a superhero out of you.
Thanks to its ability to easily cross the blood/brain barrier, this ingredient is quickly made bioavailable, but that’s not all. With a half-life as long as it’s name, 1, 3-Dimethylamylamine remains in the body for up to 9 hours providing an entire day’s worth of energy.
DMAA is a neurological stimulant, which elicits a speedy spike of energy similar to that of caffeine, ephedrine, and adrenaline. Due to it’s extreme potency, this ingredient is NOT recommended for beginner lifters.
Dimethylamylamine is included in the 1,870mg proprietary Neuromorph-Neuro Energized Stimulant Matrix, but we are not sure exactly in what amount. For that reason, however, it is eliminated for contention for the number 1 spot
For Endurance: #2 Precision Engineered Elite Performance Haymaker
We all love a good underdog story, don’t we?! Consider Haymaker by PEEP our underdog. Haymaker offers a severe kick with 400mg of caffeine per serving and a full gram of Agmatine Sulfate, but the real meat and potatoes of this pre-workout is the whopping 4.8g of Beta-Alanine in every scoop!
Imagine a supplement that allows you to get an extra rep or two or five on the bench or under the squat bar! Studies have shown clinical doses of Beta-Alanine provide much more than the pre-workout tingles, but offer marathon-esque endurance!
Once ingested, Beta-Alanine forms into carnosine. Stored within cells and released in response to drops in pH, carnosine is an acid-buffering molecule. Increased carnosine levels have been shown to protect against diet-induced pH drops (commonly found in ketone production as a direct result of a ketogenic diet) as well as combat exercise-induced lactic acid production.
#1 Overall Best Pre-Workout: RedCon1 Total War
What did you expect? Were we going to promote another brand’s pre-workout on our own site? Of course not! But that’s because Total War IS the supplement industry’s leading pre-workout supplement, and that’s a fact!
Our brand new stim-based product contains no proprietary blends, is totally transparent, and consists of a myriad of standard issue ingredients to compliment a handful of compounds not found in your everyday pre-workout.
We included a whopping 6g of Citrulline Malate into our product for some of the most severe skin-splitting pumps you will ever experience inside the walls of a fitness facility. Aside from providing the “pump” that so many gym-goers chase, this conditional amino acids yields a litany of positive effects such as delaying muscle fatigue, allowing for longer bouts of training.
Up next in the Total War concoction is quite possibly the most underrated supplement on the market. As we discussed earlier Beta-Alanine does much more than just provide the pre-workout Parasthesia, or the “tingling” sensation. At clinical dosages, Beta-Alanine has been found to significantly improve endurance from elevated Carnosine levels. RedCon1 has included 3.2g/serving, one of the highest doses you will see in a pre-workout.
Pre-workout powders are known for their energy boosting effects, and have been popularized by their nitric oxide increasing properties. Agmatine Sulfate is one of these properties. In every scoop of Total War is standard amount (1g) of Agmatine to help engorge the trained muscle with nutrients and deliver skin-splitting pumps.
Taurine is another commonplace amino acid found in pre-workouts. Aside from its anti-oxidant effects, the 1g of Taurine included in Total War may assist in the post-workout window of recovery.
There are many different ways to create a pre-workout. Some manufacturers decide to remove all stimulants from the formulation while others choose to go all in with their stimulants. We offer a little bit for everyone here at RedCon1, so meet us somewhere in the middle. Caffeine Anhydrous is a part of the Total War cocktail in a manageable 250mg per serving. To put that into perspective, the caffeine content in 8 oz. of black coffee is 150mg, so this is not far off.
Total War truly sets itself apart with the next series of ingredients; N-Phenethyl Dimethylamine Citrate (DIM) and 2-Aminoisoheptaine (DMHA). When paired with caffeine, these two compounds pack a punch that rivals even DMAA!
The next, rather interesting, stimulant on our list is Theobroma Cocao Extract, at 50mg. Although it is the chemical cousin of caffeine, it has little semblance to the ingredient. Unlike caffeine, Theobromine has no effect on energy or focus, rather its lone physical effect is the ability to induce higher amounts of perspiration. Personally, I love to sweat and don’t consider my training sessions a success unless I am left in a puddle of it. If you are anything like me, you will enjoy supplementing with this ingredient.
Two similar ingredients that bring Total War into the “stimulant” category are Higenamine HCL (25mg) and Rauwolscine Alpha-Yohimbine (2mg). Both compounds may increase levels of fat burning during training sessions.
Last, but certainly not least, is 10mg of Bioperine. A form of Black Pepper Fruit Extract, Bioperine has been shown to increase the absorption of other nutrients. This is huge because it essentially increases the potency of each of the ingredients in Total War!
The perfect combination of pump, focus, energy, and endurance, Total War is the ultimate pre-workout. Don’t believe us? Scroll up to the RedCon1 supplement store and try a bottle for yourself. We are confident you will not be disappointed!