Pre-Workout Powders overhyped, overstimulating crap?

[burgerking]

After years and years of training and trying different pre-workout supplements I think my pea brain has finally realized that pretty much all of those pre-workout powders are pure garbage. They do nothing. They provide no pump. They provide no strength increase. Some get you wired like a crystal meth addict but really don't do shit. I think some are outrageously overstimulating that your body shuts down and tells you to **** off.

I've been going back to a simple cup of coffee, black tea or green tea and noticing my energy levels being a lot smoother and lasting longer.

Anyone else agree?

[steve_d]

many of them provide at least a decent pump. Many of them however are pure garbage.

[69challenger]

Try 1mr.....most preworkout supps do nothing for me, but REALLY like 1mr.
Only using it 1x/week (leg day) so I don't build up a tolerance to it.

[Stoneco|d]

Everyone has their opinion on preworkouts. I have been off them for a while now but 1mr/superpump are my favorites. Most people overdo it and don't take a break off it. I usually don't stay longer than 2 weeks on 1mr straight, take a week off so don't gain tolerance to it. Focus and energy I got with 1mr was awesome (not too much of a pump), most would say it's just mental thing. I have tried caffeine pills or cup of coffee, it's not the same at all.

[Felinecougar]

I don't waste my money on them..but if given to me I will try em. I didn't mind Jacked 3D but heard recently it's going to be pulled off the market.. Word is..something in it causes positive drug testing for some athletes. True..or false?

[steve_d]

tried 1mr, the feeling i get from it is basically 90% due to the niacin in it. For anyone who has taking a large dose of niacin before, you know what i am talking about. Feels like tingling/burning sensation. Flushing, ears get tingly hot, etc. I had a half dose of 1mr and noticed this same stuff.

I am trying a new product today from cygen laboratories and I will let you know how it goes.

[69challenger]

^^^Oh boy do I know what you are talking about with the niacin. Took 500mg once and thought I was going to die!!! LOL! The 1mr gives me a clear, alert feeling for the full day (not so much a pump) but gets me through legs and don't feel drained the rest of the day.

What product are you going to try from cygen?

[Andre Gregoire]

I 100% agree, the only time I use them is when I get free samples at a bodybuilding show or seminar or something.

200mg Caffeine + 24mg of Ephedrine = Win for me.

[moh2010]

I 100% agree, the only time I use them is when I get free samples at a bodybuilding show or seminar or something.

200mg Caffeine + 24mg of Ephedrine = Win for me.

The only pre-workout formulas that made a good impact on my workouts were geranium based. Jack3d is my favorite. Allmax razor8 was good(too much caffeine for me). But since they removed the geranium, it just a regular pre-workout. Nothing special.

[steve_d]

^^^Oh boy do I know what you are talking about with the niacin. Took 500mg once and thought I was going to die!!! LOL! The 1mr gives me a clear, alert feeling for the full day (not so much a pump) but gets me through legs and don't feel drained the rest of the day.

What product are you going to try from cygen?

It was called Decimate. I just tried it, went off to the gym and did squats. It definitely did something. My focus was quite intense, and ended up squating 4 plates for 12 reps parallel box squats. My last day was for only 8 reps, and the focus just felt right. I am going to start a log on some of their products in a sepearate thread.

[moh2010]

It was called Decimate. I just tried it, went off to the gym and did squats. It definitely did something. My focus was quite intense, and ended up squating 4 plates for 12 reps parallel box squats. My last day was for only 8 reps, and the focus just felt right. I am going to start a log on some of their products in a sepearate thread.

Great brand, no proprietary blend. 20mg of geranium per scoop, ultra-concentrated!

[Praetorian]

Most commercial pre workout products are a waste of money....just loaded with caffiene or some other stimulant. You are much better off to make your own and its much cheaper.
Here is a good recipe:

200mg caffiene (take 20min prior to training)
Add the below to a shaker cup...drink 5 min prior to training and sip on the rest during your session
1 litre water
1 tspn creatine mono
1 tspn bcaa
1 tspn beta alanine
1 packet crystal lite
1 serving tyrosine
1 scoop malto

P

[steve_d]

^somewhat agreed...although, some things on the list eventually add up in price. For example, 30 packets of crystal light is 10$ or more. then each of those items although relatively cheap start adding up. Sometimes much easier when things are pre packaged. I workout while at work, and I wouldn't have the time to mess around making something like that. Rather have it done already to save time. The other option would be to dump all those ingredients in your own jar (for 30 servings say), mix it up, and take the dose needed divided up. Although that assumes you can mix it relatively evenly.

Personally, I'd rather just find a decent product, and order it up (on sale). most aren't too expensive. But certainly, if you can, making your own product is a good option - the added benefit is you know what your taking - unlike some companies with proprietary blends of god knows what.

[Thorgrim]

I used to take commercial pre-workout drinks all the time but realized they are basically just a whack of stimulants (so you can feel it working) and usually overpriced.

Made up my own formula that is pretty similar to what praetorian posted that works well and has effective doses of active ingredients instead of 50 different ingredients that are under-dosed.

500ml water
100mg caffeine
6g BCAA's
3g Creatine mono
3g Beta-alanine
1g ascorbic acid or 3g D-aspartic Acid(for sourness)
1-2g of fruit flavored flavor packs from true protein

Doesn't taste great but acceptable. Using the flavor packs and an acidic supplement is cheaper then buying crystal lite or cool-aid. I like the lower dose of caffeine it is enough to give me a bit more energy without that wired feeling.

[DaveFinistauri]

It was called Decimate. I just tried it, went off to the gym and did squats. It definitely did something. My focus was quite intense, and ended up squating 4 plates for 12 reps parallel box squats. My last day was for only 8 reps, and the focus just felt right. I am going to start a log on some of their products in a sepearate thread.

The Decimate also contains 1500mg of Con-Cret Creatine HCl in it...this is a clinically effective dose of Creatine HCl for someone at around 200lb bodyweight. For anyone who knows the science behind Con-Cret, this is definitely enough Creatine HCl to product noticible strength increases in most lifters. That combined with the stimulants makes for a pretty solid pre-workout.

[neverbackdown19]

Anyone try Swollen by Nutrabolics? Pre-workout in pill form. I've tried many other supplements and nothing really exciting can come from them, except a 15min energy serge/pump.
Wondering if there's any fans of it out there that can give some feedback on their experiences with it? Thoughts?

[TT Eric]

Most commercial pre workout products are a waste of money....just loaded with caffiene or some other stimulant. You are much better off to make your own and its much cheaper.
Here is a good recipe:

200mg caffiene (take 20min prior to training)
Add the below to a shaker cup...drink 5 min prior to training and sip on the rest during your session
1 litre water
1 tspn creatine mono
1 tspn bcaa
1 tspn beta alanine
1 packet crystal lite
1 serving tyrosine
1 scoop malto

P

I've noticed you and nobody here talked about Arginine (NO) pre workout, I know some people says it's a waste, is that your opinion ?

Or is it posible some people react better to it then others ? I personnaly get an incredible pump when I take 1mr, Assault or stuff like that, a bit of head pressure, but worth the crazy pump. (Maybe it all come from the Citrulline ?).

Am I one of the few here that like NO ?

Eric

[Sean Summers]

Just make your own.

Most of them are just stimulants with a bit of pixie dust of creatine, arginine, beta-al...etc.

[Sean Summers]

What some of you guys need to realize is that this industry is very shady. It looks to me like there are some shills on this board. Be careful who you believe and the be wary of the product reviews. I was in the industry for 10 years and I have lots of stories to tell. Personally I take the basics and leave it at that. The majority of stuff sold is snake oil.

[Hosehead]

What some of you guys need to realize is that this industry is very shady. It looks to me like there are some shills on this board. Be careful who you believe and the be wary of the product reviews. I was in the industry for 10 years and I have lots of stories to tell. Personally I take the basics and leave it at that. The majority of stuff sold is snake oil.

You mean snake oil isn't gonna make my biceps bigger? **** me I injected 2ccs in there last night. May as well throw out my last bottle of Smilax too.

On a serious note I think that most of those pre workout supps aren't worth the negative side effects. I remember when simple ephedrine was seen as unhealthy. The last time I tried anything other than a Redbull or coffee I thought I was gonna have a heart attack. One scoop of Superpump 250. I almost shit myself doing deadlifts too.

[TT Eric]

Just make your own.

Most of them are just stimulants with a bit of pixie dust of creatine, arginine, beta-al...etc.


What some of you guys need to realize is that this industry is very shady. It looks to me like there are some shills on this board. Be careful who you believe and the be wary of the product reviews. I was in the industry for 10 years and I have lots of stories to tell. Personally I take the basics and leave it at that. The majority of stuff sold is snake oil.

Yes I agree, I'm very aware that it's hard to know what's in the scoop really. Sometime I can look-up for dozens and dozens of products and decide no one is worth taking it.

I stay away from products I don't know what it's the scoop per quantity.

But what I'm wondering is if (I might be too thrusty here) I found/take a product that says, let's say 5gr of Creatine, 6gr of BCAA, blablabla.... per SCOOP. Can it be BS too ? And only have a fraction of the dose ? Or I asume right to think they actually put what they say in the scoop ??

Eric

[Sean Summers]

Yes, they actually do this. It's called a Proprietary Blend. They'll take a bunch of ingredients and group them together. They won't list the exact amount for each ingredient but list the total for the group. That way they can get away with pixie dusting. It's a way of including a "hot" ingredient on the label but they are able to use such a small amount that it won't do jack shit.
Bars are notorious for pulling this shit also so stay far away from them - they are nothing but shit.
Protein powders are just as bad....

[Doug]

Anyone try Swollen by Nutrabolics? Pre-workout in pill form. I've tried many other supplements and nothing really exciting can come from them, except a 15min energy serge/pump.
Wondering if there's any fans of it out there that can give some feedback on their experiences with it? Thoughts?

I use it all the time. I LOVE it! Give it about 30min. I don't get the crash either. My beef with other stuff is pounding back this powdered stuff mixed in water, then having a bloated and upset stomach. These are tabs.... way easier to take.

[Sean Summers]

Since Swollen is a new product I find it very difficult to believe that you "use it all the time". This push on Nutrabolic supplements from "members" with less than 5 posts is going to stop. I will be speaking with MP immediately...

[RkThinkFit]

Why is that hard to believe? I've used Swollen a lot in the past? I like it for its convenience. I haven't tried many pill pre-workouts before. You don't feel overstimulated like you do with a lot of pre-workouts, very focused...But if you like feeling like you're super jacked up (ie. 1MR lol,) you might want to go with something different...

[Praetorian]

Its basically caffeine and AKG...stimulant based just like all the other pre workout supps.
P

[Sean Summers]

Why is that hard to believe? I've used Swollen a lot in the past? I like it for its convenience. I haven't tried many pill pre-workouts before. You don't feel overstimulated like you do with a lot of pre-workouts, very focused...But if you like feeling like you're super jacked up (ie. 1MR lol,) you might want to go with something different...

Well, Rachel Killam, as you are the Nutrabolics Brand Ambassador Manager I find that your opinion of this company to be biased. If you would like to promote your line on CBB you should talk to MP. If you continue to shill this line I will be forced to ban you.

Newbies...let this be an eye opener for you. Not every "review" of a product is an honest one. Please take each "review" with a gain of salt. Look to the vets on the board and be wary of those with limited posts who only seem to push certain products.

[Sean Summers]

Oh yeah and while I'm at it...


I use it all the time. I LOVE it! Give it about 30min. I don't get the crash either. My beef with other stuff is pounding back this powdered stuff mixed in water, then having a bloated and upset stomach. These are tabs.... way easier to take.

Thanks Doug...Doug Ewasiuk...another Nutrabolic Brand Ambassador.

Another shill....

[wan2lrn]

Mr. Summers, it is great to have people like you on CBB. Keep pointing these guys and gals out and shut them up, once and for all.

[RkThinkFit]

Hi Sean,

That's fine, I'm only giving my opinion, as is every rep and other person on this board. I was not pushing Nutrabolics product on anyone in that post, nor was I boasting that Swollen is the 'best' preworkout.
Every review, especially online, should be taken with a grain of salt. I'm not on this board just to push product, thanks. And Swollen is somewhat new, but it has been around for more than half of a year.

[Sean Summers]

You're not on this board to push product....hmmm. Considering that was your 5th post your actions speak louder that your words. You may want to actually contribute to the board first. How about you disclose the fact that you work for Nutrabolics before you give a review .... ahhhh I mean your "opinion". I'm certain that now that you've been exposed other CBB members would love to hear more from you.

[steve_d]

The fact of the matter is, basically all pre workout powders/pills nowadays do roughly the same thing + or - a little bit here and there. Most of them work on the same principles: Increase blood flow, focus, pumps, etc. Most of these pre workout supps will contain ingredients that are associated with many or all of those pre-workout needs. In my opinion, ALL, or the pre-workouts are good. They are all designed to enhance your workout.

Perhaps there is product pushing going on, perhaps not... Doesn't mean nutrabolics products are junk. Rachel, the board could use more female competitor inputs on training, exercise, nutrition, etc. We welcome your input...However, as SS pointed out, its hard for members to find credibility in these type of posts when the first posts written are related to products you are affiliated with. If you do not have the time to contribute in this type of way, and only the time to give the occasional nutrabolics bump, then it won't be long before posts get deleted.

I think the main question of this thread was if the powders are overhyped, overstimulating crap. The answer is at least partically no. I don't think any of the products are crap...They all 'work'. What you need to watch for is overhyped products that will hurt your wallet. You also need to watch for products that you can at least tell what is in them by reading the ingredients.

[RkThinkFit]

Sean, I've made a few posts here and there, this thread being the first of me to even mention the name of Nutrabolics....So I hardly see it that way. And yes, I am contributing, please see my posts in the past :)
I've come to this forum because there are a few people here that are active in the federation I compete in, and it's nice to see threads about competitions I have done in the past. But I'll stop here, no use in bickering back and forth online.

[steve_d]

The posts weren't meant to be specifically directed at you but more so the recent push nutrabolics has had on this forum as well as on other forums. We look forward to having you on board - as again, there aren't many competitive figure girls on this board.

[Sean Summers]

I don't have a problem with reps coming on and selling their products. The problems begin when reps come on and don't reveal that they work for the company that makes the product they are promoting.

I've have had several PM's thanking me for revealing these types of shenanigans. It's not fair to the guys who spend their hard earned bucks on supplements and it's not fair to the supplement companies who pay to advertise on CBB.

[JMP]

:rulz:welldone

[K-Max]

Yeah, been noticing that a lot as of late. "Proprietary Blend" annoys me about as much as a software patent.

I'm one of the few who cannot handle caffeine that well, so I had used VPX Synthesize though now that I think of it according to the ingredients and the protein amount, seems more like a uniquely flavored protein shake.