mattc908
10-08-2008, 06:59 PM
Review Index:
REVIEW INDEX:
Let me start by saying i've been hitting the gym constantly for a few years, and hardcore for the past 6 months (6 days a week 2+ hours a day) Ill give you a review on all the supplements I have been using and more. All the supplements I review have been used for at least 1 week and usually a lot more time. I hope this will give you an insight to which supplements are good and bad. Reviews will be added as I try more and more supplements. Also supplements effect people in many different ways your experience will be different from mine.
Animal Pak
Price: I received 2 free cans of 88 packs (limited run) for free, 1 which I kept and another which I gave to a friend. 44 paks run $32-40 at GNC but can be found on the internet for cheaper.
Taste: You really don't taste much since its in pill form unless you leave it in your mouth and soak it up (which I don't think is good or would I recommend)
Usability:God so many pills in each little package. The can comes with individually rapped packages, holy hell get ready to swallow a lot of pills, and these babies are big.
Expirence:When I first took them I didn't feel much but after about a week, I woke up more refreshed, my day, workout, and post workouts were much more smooth. By smooth I mean felt less taxing (if that makes sense to you). Get ready about 2-3 hours after you take this for your piss to smell of vitamins. Drink PLENTY OF WATER (as you should be doing anyway)
Crash:No crash, totally the opposite.
Overall:The price is really the only downfall, I recommend them to any athlete who takes there workouts intensely. This company has been around for awhile and isnt a sell out like some of the others. Don't be fooled by the price its worth almost every penny.
Score: 10/10
BSN EndoRush
Price: $43/$35 (None/GNC Gold Card). You can also buy this stuff in single bottles if you just want to try it, but it comes in a 12 pack with 4 servings in each bottle, so ultimately 48 servings.
Taste: Fruit Punch/Lemon Lime, both have similar tastes of very acidic. Its not good tasting but pre mixed drinks tend to be the worse because they are more concentrated.
Usability: Take 1-2 Servings, DONT TAKE MORE, right before your workout.
Expirence: Take this right before your work-out and it'll give you a great pump. I usually only grab this at GNC if i forgot to take a pump up before I head to the gym. It works itll keep you going, its sugar free, and caffeine free. You feel the pump and it'll keep you going. It's nothing to amazing though.
Crash:I didn't get a crash when I was on it.
Overall:I would never go out and buy a case of these, again like I said I only use it when Im in a rush or forget to grab something. I wouldn't recommend buying them as your pump up supplement, my friend on the other hand gets an amazing pump from this and swears by it. So I guess it will effect you in many different ways.
Score 6/10
EAS Phosphagen (Creatine MonoHydrate)
Price: Found it for $20 online for 200 servings of 5 grams. (GNC has some elite brand, but haven't tried that)
Taste: Its horrendous you mix this stuff into water and prepare for a wonderful chalk taste.
Usability: Mix 5 grams into water once a day and away you go.
Expirence: I experienced gains on this stuff a few pounds here and there, but I also gained about 5 pounds in water weight. I got that fluffy look, but it does what its suppose to. You'll move 5-10 pound in your bench and other exercises.
Crash: After your done with the creatine you'll lose you water weight and that fluffy look and keep most of your gains.
Overall: I would recommend this product to anyone, it gets you fluffy, but it does work. The taste is repulsive but the price tag isn't. Pick this up if you need creatine, you really don't need the expensive crap or the pills.
Score: 10/10
Fast Twitch
Price:The price is the best around for a product like this $40 and $32 if you have a gold card at GNC. This is one of the most fair priced products out there.
Taste:Ughh for me this is one of the worst tasting supplements out there. I can't even describe the taste, just get ready to have a few shivers sent down your spine from the concentrated powder.
Usability: Easy scoop of this stuff 30mins before a workout.
Expirence:This has been my favorite pump up supplement from the moment I tried it over 1 year ago. You take it an instantly feel the pump coming on. There is no mistaking it, your workout will definitely be more intense. Its nothing to over the edge. I can't work out without a supplement anymore and this stuff is always number one on my list because of its mild nature. Im not looking to lift a car, just get my usually intense workout in.
Crash: You'll feel almost nothing maybe a little groggy for an hour after your workout definitely no problems with me.
Overall: I can't recommend this stuff enough, the price is great, the feeling is just what I need to put the weight I want up. Its easy to use, the taste is horrible though...... Any weightlifter should pick this up if they haven't tried it, get it, scoop it in your glass and get working!
Score: 7/10
GNC Pro Performance Amplified Creatine 189
Price:Its $40 and $32 respectively at gnc (not gold/gold card). 120 tablets, and your suppose to take 2, I take three so thats a 40 day supply for $40, so about $1 a day for this.
Taste:You can't taste much considering its in pill form.
Usability:Take 2 tablets daily are the directions. I take 3, 2 in the morning and 1 right before my workout.
Expirence:This is like every other creatine, I would actually rank it a step below, I take other supplements that have creatine in them, and adding this, well it didn't give me anything extra. The label with all the exorbitant %'s about how it will improve you or is more improved than other creatine, well just don't believe it. The stuff is nothing special.
Crash: Well for this section Ill just talk about: Bloating, quite honestly of all the creatine this one made me bloat the least. But than again I didn't see much of an effect.
Overall:I wouldn't spend a dime on this stuff, I didn't see any improvements and would rather spend my money on something a bit better.
Score: 2/10
MRI Black Powder
Price: $62/$50 (None/Gold Card) at GNC. The price is relatively accurate with all the other new pump up products out ther and especially with MRI's name on it (there NO2 pills are NOT cheap)
Taste: The blue raspberry is surprising pleasant in supplement standards. Nothing to repugnant to get down.
Usability: 1-2 scoops before your workout with or without food.
Expirence: I took 1 scoop the first time, I felt the pump it gives, its right on par with Super Pump250, and above Fast-Twitch/NO Explode. I got in the gym and lifted hard, It does what it says it blows those veins out and keeps you attacking the weights no problem. Theres no Jitters with this product. It will keep you awake at night be weary at what time you take it.
Crash:There was a crash, by my standards though its nothing to be worried about. You feel groggy but only for 1-2 hours, but this could be because I hit the weights harder than I normally do.
Overall: If your ready to step your game up and go beyond fast twitch than pick this up, the price tag is where all the next level products sit. MRI is a top choice in my book, they don't try any stupid marketing tactics like oh I dont know say MuscleTech. It works and it works well, it will keep you up at night though so watch out.
Score: 8/10
Muscletech naNO x9 Hardcore
Price:Like all No2 pill this stuff is overpriced especially at GNC, (Go online and get it cheaper) but you can pick it up for about $80/$64 (None/GoldCard).180 pills.
Taste: Pill form, but the moment you put it in your mouth you get a weird sugary taste as you swallow and it leaves a brown dye on your fingers if they are damp or wet.
Usability: Big pills but all NO2 pills are over sized, swallow 3/3 (morning/afternoon), 4/4 intermediate and 5/5 pro. Its alot of pills.......
Expirence:Personally with all NO2 supplements i've tried they all effect me the same. My veins come out and thats about it. I feel a little mental clarity, but nothing more. It keeps my veins out and I do look more ripped. Its nothing special and muscletech doesn't help that with there stupid bottles saying all this BS. It doesn't work in 9seconds, it takes about 15-45mins to see the veins come out. Its not superior to any other product or a lesser.
Crash: No crash.
Overall: The only reason I got these pills were I found them for like $45 bucks on sale online. I thought i'd try them and they do what all NO2 pills will. Veins! They are and work like all the rest of them out there. I wouldn't turn anyone away but I also wouldn't recommend them for anything.
Score: 5/10
Muscletech naNO Vapor
Price:This stuff Is probably the most expensive out there, I got it for $69, than I also got 20% off than GNC was running a buy one get one half off and also purchased the MuscleTech Halo (Check the review later). So all in all with the discount and buy one get one half off it didn't seem to bad.
Taste: People have been complaining about the taste as it is one of the most horrendous tastes out there. I personally don't mind it one bit, than again I've gotten myself used to the taste of some pretty awful things, so watch yourselves here.
Usability: Easy 1-3 Scoops (got I only need 1) before the gym.
Expirence:Holy Crap does this stuff do what it says. This has given me by far the BEST pump up out of anything here. It got me in the zone, and I was lifting weight without any rest. 30Second rest times, more weight than im used to. This stuff works, it works more than any other pump up out there....... But read on...
Crash: As it might have pumped me up the most out of any product I've tried to date. HOLY CRAP does this stuff have a crash. I was almost falling asleep on the way home from the gym. I got home and took a nap. The next day I got a lot more rest and the crash wasn't as bad but it was still the worse crash out there.
Overall: This stuff works, It does what it says it does. It gives you a huge psych out for your weights. You'll be lifting better than ever, but at the same token you will be CRASHING harder than you have ever crashed. I also noticed I've gotten a bit more angry and testy with people while Im on it. I don't enjoy those aspects. Im not gonna waste the product but honestly don't think imma buy it again. Just to much of a pump for me.
Score: 7/10 (lower score only because of the crash, and the anger, and too much of a pump)
SuperPump 250
I've been using many different supplements, fast twitch, no-explode, etc. I thought I would give something else a try.
Price: At GNC I picked this up for $50 with a gold card membership. (Reg about $60) You could easily find it cheaper somewhere else. It compares in price with most other similar products.
Usability: A simple scoop 20 mins before your workout and your ready to go.
Taste: I got the lemon burst, and compared to all the other ones your going to be getting a similar taste. In perspective I think its one of the better tasting products out there. Take Lemonade, make it more sour, and give it a hell of a lot more kick and you got this stuff.
Experience: This obviously matters the most. Its caffeine based and B12 for the major component of energy. NO2 and the other random junk they all have. Once you put that scoop into a glass and stir it around it mixes easily. Drink up and you'll find a similar experience. You'll have a pump (not doubting that) take fast twitch and crank it up a notch or two. Does it promote muscle tearing workouts, eh..... Its not quite there yet. It works, it gives a pump and helps you get those few extra sets and reps in.
Crash: The crash wasn't bad for me, I've built up a decent caffeine tolerance so maybe thats why, I wasn't groggy or tired after the pump like some of the others.
Overall: The price is the only factor that I would stop someone from getting it, don't let the goofy looking label fool you. It'll give you a great work out but nothing to over or under the edge. It stacks right over fast-twitch.
Score: 7/10
COMING SOON: MucleTech Halo Anabolic (bought both of them yesterday give me about a week for the review to pop)
COMING SOON: Protein Supplement Reviews.
REVIEW INDEX:
Let me start by saying i've been hitting the gym constantly for a few years, and hardcore for the past 6 months (6 days a week 2+ hours a day) Ill give you a review on all the supplements I have been using and more. All the supplements I review have been used for at least 1 week and usually a lot more time. I hope this will give you an insight to which supplements are good and bad. Reviews will be added as I try more and more supplements. Also supplements effect people in many different ways your experience will be different from mine.
Animal Pak
Price: I received 2 free cans of 88 packs (limited run) for free, 1 which I kept and another which I gave to a friend. 44 paks run $32-40 at GNC but can be found on the internet for cheaper.
Taste: You really don't taste much since its in pill form unless you leave it in your mouth and soak it up (which I don't think is good or would I recommend)
Usability:God so many pills in each little package. The can comes with individually rapped packages, holy hell get ready to swallow a lot of pills, and these babies are big.
Expirence:When I first took them I didn't feel much but after about a week, I woke up more refreshed, my day, workout, and post workouts were much more smooth. By smooth I mean felt less taxing (if that makes sense to you). Get ready about 2-3 hours after you take this for your piss to smell of vitamins. Drink PLENTY OF WATER (as you should be doing anyway)
Crash:No crash, totally the opposite.
Overall:The price is really the only downfall, I recommend them to any athlete who takes there workouts intensely. This company has been around for awhile and isnt a sell out like some of the others. Don't be fooled by the price its worth almost every penny.
Score: 10/10
BSN EndoRush
Price: $43/$35 (None/GNC Gold Card). You can also buy this stuff in single bottles if you just want to try it, but it comes in a 12 pack with 4 servings in each bottle, so ultimately 48 servings.
Taste: Fruit Punch/Lemon Lime, both have similar tastes of very acidic. Its not good tasting but pre mixed drinks tend to be the worse because they are more concentrated.
Usability: Take 1-2 Servings, DONT TAKE MORE, right before your workout.
Expirence: Take this right before your work-out and it'll give you a great pump. I usually only grab this at GNC if i forgot to take a pump up before I head to the gym. It works itll keep you going, its sugar free, and caffeine free. You feel the pump and it'll keep you going. It's nothing to amazing though.
Crash:I didn't get a crash when I was on it.
Overall:I would never go out and buy a case of these, again like I said I only use it when Im in a rush or forget to grab something. I wouldn't recommend buying them as your pump up supplement, my friend on the other hand gets an amazing pump from this and swears by it. So I guess it will effect you in many different ways.
Score 6/10
EAS Phosphagen (Creatine MonoHydrate)
Price: Found it for $20 online for 200 servings of 5 grams. (GNC has some elite brand, but haven't tried that)
Taste: Its horrendous you mix this stuff into water and prepare for a wonderful chalk taste.
Usability: Mix 5 grams into water once a day and away you go.
Expirence: I experienced gains on this stuff a few pounds here and there, but I also gained about 5 pounds in water weight. I got that fluffy look, but it does what its suppose to. You'll move 5-10 pound in your bench and other exercises.
Crash: After your done with the creatine you'll lose you water weight and that fluffy look and keep most of your gains.
Overall: I would recommend this product to anyone, it gets you fluffy, but it does work. The taste is repulsive but the price tag isn't. Pick this up if you need creatine, you really don't need the expensive crap or the pills.
Score: 10/10
Fast Twitch
Price:The price is the best around for a product like this $40 and $32 if you have a gold card at GNC. This is one of the most fair priced products out there.
Taste:Ughh for me this is one of the worst tasting supplements out there. I can't even describe the taste, just get ready to have a few shivers sent down your spine from the concentrated powder.
Usability: Easy scoop of this stuff 30mins before a workout.
Expirence:This has been my favorite pump up supplement from the moment I tried it over 1 year ago. You take it an instantly feel the pump coming on. There is no mistaking it, your workout will definitely be more intense. Its nothing to over the edge. I can't work out without a supplement anymore and this stuff is always number one on my list because of its mild nature. Im not looking to lift a car, just get my usually intense workout in.
Crash: You'll feel almost nothing maybe a little groggy for an hour after your workout definitely no problems with me.
Overall: I can't recommend this stuff enough, the price is great, the feeling is just what I need to put the weight I want up. Its easy to use, the taste is horrible though...... Any weightlifter should pick this up if they haven't tried it, get it, scoop it in your glass and get working!
Score: 7/10
GNC Pro Performance Amplified Creatine 189
Price:Its $40 and $32 respectively at gnc (not gold/gold card). 120 tablets, and your suppose to take 2, I take three so thats a 40 day supply for $40, so about $1 a day for this.
Taste:You can't taste much considering its in pill form.
Usability:Take 2 tablets daily are the directions. I take 3, 2 in the morning and 1 right before my workout.
Expirence:This is like every other creatine, I would actually rank it a step below, I take other supplements that have creatine in them, and adding this, well it didn't give me anything extra. The label with all the exorbitant %'s about how it will improve you or is more improved than other creatine, well just don't believe it. The stuff is nothing special.
Crash: Well for this section Ill just talk about: Bloating, quite honestly of all the creatine this one made me bloat the least. But than again I didn't see much of an effect.
Overall:I wouldn't spend a dime on this stuff, I didn't see any improvements and would rather spend my money on something a bit better.
Score: 2/10
MRI Black Powder
Price: $62/$50 (None/Gold Card) at GNC. The price is relatively accurate with all the other new pump up products out ther and especially with MRI's name on it (there NO2 pills are NOT cheap)
Taste: The blue raspberry is surprising pleasant in supplement standards. Nothing to repugnant to get down.
Usability: 1-2 scoops before your workout with or without food.
Expirence: I took 1 scoop the first time, I felt the pump it gives, its right on par with Super Pump250, and above Fast-Twitch/NO Explode. I got in the gym and lifted hard, It does what it says it blows those veins out and keeps you attacking the weights no problem. Theres no Jitters with this product. It will keep you awake at night be weary at what time you take it.
Crash:There was a crash, by my standards though its nothing to be worried about. You feel groggy but only for 1-2 hours, but this could be because I hit the weights harder than I normally do.
Overall: If your ready to step your game up and go beyond fast twitch than pick this up, the price tag is where all the next level products sit. MRI is a top choice in my book, they don't try any stupid marketing tactics like oh I dont know say MuscleTech. It works and it works well, it will keep you up at night though so watch out.
Score: 8/10
Muscletech naNO x9 Hardcore
Price:Like all No2 pill this stuff is overpriced especially at GNC, (Go online and get it cheaper) but you can pick it up for about $80/$64 (None/GoldCard).180 pills.
Taste: Pill form, but the moment you put it in your mouth you get a weird sugary taste as you swallow and it leaves a brown dye on your fingers if they are damp or wet.
Usability: Big pills but all NO2 pills are over sized, swallow 3/3 (morning/afternoon), 4/4 intermediate and 5/5 pro. Its alot of pills.......
Expirence:Personally with all NO2 supplements i've tried they all effect me the same. My veins come out and thats about it. I feel a little mental clarity, but nothing more. It keeps my veins out and I do look more ripped. Its nothing special and muscletech doesn't help that with there stupid bottles saying all this BS. It doesn't work in 9seconds, it takes about 15-45mins to see the veins come out. Its not superior to any other product or a lesser.
Crash: No crash.
Overall: The only reason I got these pills were I found them for like $45 bucks on sale online. I thought i'd try them and they do what all NO2 pills will. Veins! They are and work like all the rest of them out there. I wouldn't turn anyone away but I also wouldn't recommend them for anything.
Score: 5/10
Muscletech naNO Vapor
Price:This stuff Is probably the most expensive out there, I got it for $69, than I also got 20% off than GNC was running a buy one get one half off and also purchased the MuscleTech Halo (Check the review later). So all in all with the discount and buy one get one half off it didn't seem to bad.
Taste: People have been complaining about the taste as it is one of the most horrendous tastes out there. I personally don't mind it one bit, than again I've gotten myself used to the taste of some pretty awful things, so watch yourselves here.
Usability: Easy 1-3 Scoops (got I only need 1) before the gym.
Expirence:Holy Crap does this stuff do what it says. This has given me by far the BEST pump up out of anything here. It got me in the zone, and I was lifting weight without any rest. 30Second rest times, more weight than im used to. This stuff works, it works more than any other pump up out there....... But read on...
Crash: As it might have pumped me up the most out of any product I've tried to date. HOLY CRAP does this stuff have a crash. I was almost falling asleep on the way home from the gym. I got home and took a nap. The next day I got a lot more rest and the crash wasn't as bad but it was still the worse crash out there.
Overall: This stuff works, It does what it says it does. It gives you a huge psych out for your weights. You'll be lifting better than ever, but at the same token you will be CRASHING harder than you have ever crashed. I also noticed I've gotten a bit more angry and testy with people while Im on it. I don't enjoy those aspects. Im not gonna waste the product but honestly don't think imma buy it again. Just to much of a pump for me.
Score: 7/10 (lower score only because of the crash, and the anger, and too much of a pump)
SuperPump 250
I've been using many different supplements, fast twitch, no-explode, etc. I thought I would give something else a try.
Price: At GNC I picked this up for $50 with a gold card membership. (Reg about $60) You could easily find it cheaper somewhere else. It compares in price with most other similar products.
Usability: A simple scoop 20 mins before your workout and your ready to go.
Taste: I got the lemon burst, and compared to all the other ones your going to be getting a similar taste. In perspective I think its one of the better tasting products out there. Take Lemonade, make it more sour, and give it a hell of a lot more kick and you got this stuff.
Experience: This obviously matters the most. Its caffeine based and B12 for the major component of energy. NO2 and the other random junk they all have. Once you put that scoop into a glass and stir it around it mixes easily. Drink up and you'll find a similar experience. You'll have a pump (not doubting that) take fast twitch and crank it up a notch or two. Does it promote muscle tearing workouts, eh..... Its not quite there yet. It works, it gives a pump and helps you get those few extra sets and reps in.
Crash: The crash wasn't bad for me, I've built up a decent caffeine tolerance so maybe thats why, I wasn't groggy or tired after the pump like some of the others.
Overall: The price is the only factor that I would stop someone from getting it, don't let the goofy looking label fool you. It'll give you a great work out but nothing to over or under the edge. It stacks right over fast-twitch.
Score: 7/10
COMING SOON: MucleTech Halo Anabolic (bought both of them yesterday give me about a week for the review to pop)
COMING SOON: Protein Supplement Reviews.