Product Review: Levrone Formula

Here are some kind words from the IFBB Hall of Famer himself, Kevin Levrone...



In a world full of marketing gimmicks fuelled by the undying flames of consumerism, we sometimes find ourselves face to face with products that we don't understand, yet expect them to deliver on expectations.

Pre-workouts, needless to say often fall prey to this situation. It's simple really. Pre-workouts stimulate for a better workout by enhancing focus, strength and energy. Just getting the skin-bursting pumped up feeling is enough motivation for any gym rat to chug a serving down. And with the stiff competition in sports nutrition, some companies try to create a blend or cocktail of ingredients hoping to cover a broader spectrum of physiological effects when some may actually be unnecessary or are not clinically proven yet.

This is where Levrone Formula is different. It's designed by Kevin himself and has no colourings, no artificial flavours and absolutely no sweeteners for starts. It only gets better by containing just what you need to get you going.

• 8 grams combination of arginine and citrulline malate. I last read that citrulline is the better bet to get sick pumps compared to simply arginine alone.
• 250mgs of ATP and 5mgs of NADH. So little NADH? Well, I remember back in the labs of schooling days that this stuff is fucking expensive. It's a coenzyme that's involved in the energy pathways of the human body.
• 2grams of L-tyrosine and 1gram of Yerba Mate for that mental focus. Instead of the ol' caffeine trick, Levrone instead goes a little herbal. Yerba Mate does contain xanthines but it seems the effects are more profound for muscular tissue rather than the central nervous system.
• The rest of the product build are vitamins B3, C and some lactic acid buffers. Mighty useful if you ask me.

So how does the product fare? I had a shot of LF before my workout on night. The beauty of the product is that it is quite stimulant free so I can stack it with a fat burner or use it in the evenings. Unfortunately, the immediate downside of the product will hit you the moment you take a gulp. Yes, it doesn't exactly taste like Jack3d or Bullnox Androrush but I suppose that's the tradeoff for not using artificial flavours or sweeteners. It's brutal but it works.

If you're the kind of person to appreciate organic food and know that what tastes good isn't necessarily the best thing for your body, then Levrone Formula is for you. Conversely, if you're a mama's boy who loves his candy and refuses to work with something that doesn't go down easy, then skip Levrone's idea of a pre-workout.

Product Review: Scivation Quake 10.0

Behold... Scivation's latest pre-workout incarnate. Quake 10.0 replaces the super-potent VasoCharge that kept me revved up till 3am after a badminton game one starry night. What a buzz that was!

I approached this one with caution, but after having a look at the ingredients, it seems that Scivation's taking a different approach to pre-workout supplementation. Simplicity always having been the cornerstone of all their products, Quake 10.0 doesn't seem to feature any arginine at all. So won't be expecting much if not any heightened pumps at all during my workout.

It does however cover all the basics. There's creatine and beta alanine to keep you going while a combination of tyrosine, caffeine and vitamins C & E keeps you mentally focused and promotes energy levels. Very natural stuff.

Taste wise is fine by me I suppose. A berry mix which reminded me just a little bit about Nutrabolics DecaStack.

Product Review: Gaspari Superpump 250

I had a shot of Gaspari's Superpump 250 that night when I worked out my shoulders. The IFBB Hall of Famer's nutrition line has been gaining popularity of late.

Grape was the flavour of choice and I must say, it tastes exactly like Fanta or F&N minus the fizz. But where the tasts fizzles out with the carbonated drink, it just keeps going with Superpump. This can be a good thing if you're one who's really into the synthetic taste of grape juice but honestly, I thought that it'll be better off a little milder.

The choice of ingredients are impressive to say the least. With a proprietary blend deserving of such a prestigious brand, it boasts of everything you would expect in a pre-workout: creatines, arginines, taurine, citrulline and the usual salts. Interestingly, Superpump also has a bit of BCAAs though I don't know how much. But surely every little bit helps.

Personally, I felt the effects were a little subdued but perhaps this was because I had some evening snack prior to the serving. Should try it with an empty stomach next time. Furthermore, it is advertised as having a cumulative effect with increasing potency as you continually use it.

Ultimate Nutrition Horse Power Ad

One of the few pre-workouts that use Kre-Alkalyn creatine.

Product Review: Axis Labs Smash Fully Loaded

Listen up brothers... (and sisters, if any) cuz this is one for the the elite.

To those of you who've been down the pre-workout supplement lane, I'm sure you can feel me when I say that we're always thirsting for a newer, stronger kick.

Axis Labs has heard our calling and answered with a renewed formula of their hit product, Smash.

This Fully Loaded version promises to keep all barrels locked and loaded as you blaze a firestorm of fury in the gym.




It's got everything covered for a pre-workout,

Arginine - for the intense pumps
Creatine - for energy and recovery
Beta alanine - to curb fatigue
Caffeine, gingko biloba - for mental focus
Electrolytes - for endurance

And just like icing on a cake, Axis Labs have flavoured the product a citrus-y blend instead of some generic tropical fruit punch with a strong cherry taste. Very suitable for us asian buggers.

Product Review: Gaspari Superpump 250

This is the first product in the Gaspari Stack.

I tell ya, the Westerners have some funky idea of what a Fruit Punch should be. Almost all supplements that I've tried bearing the flavour comes across as Cherry Juice. I don't think we Asians take too well to the overwhelming taste of cherries.





Anyway, pre-workouts are meant to be downed in one go so I didn't have to put up with the taste that much.


Went ahead with my training and anticipated a crazy pump or rush... but nothing happened for me. This one's a dud for me I think. I've heard rave reviews from other guys who have taken the stuff but once again, it's like I've always said... some stuff works for you while some don't. Every body is different so it's really about finding what works.

Looking at the formula, it's pretty decent but very technical. Gaspari sure spent his top dollar churning this stuff out with all the proprietary ingredients. I mean, you don't usually see ginseng in a typical pre-workout.

It has the usual electrolytes, arginines and BCAAs among the other stuff I've yet to figure out so all I can say is that Superpump 250 checks out alright... it's just whether it's a hit or miss for you.

Product Review: MHP Dark Rage

This is one funky pre-workout product.

Taking the usual arginine based formula one notch higher, MHP's Dark Rage boasts of EPO technology. That's like blood doping though I don't really know how potent this product is. I doubt it is anything close to the actual procedure. I mean, think about it. Logically it is just a powdered drink. MHP is just being a bit fancy with their marketing more likely. Dark Rage supposedly uses natural ingredients like iron and arachidonic acid among other stuff that promote red blood cell production.

Termed EPODROL™ and HEMASTEM™, the label states mostly botanicals and minerals responsible for the product's effects.

Well OK. I took a swig to put it to the test.

Cola Fizz was the flavour and I must say, it tastes like cola alright. Now, we're all too familiar with Coca Cola or Pepsi as the most popular drinks on the planet but what most people don't know is that cola by itself wasn't a very popular tasting drink. It was bitter due to the kola nut content. The inventor of cola didn't enjoy too much success with it and eventually sold the formula to the founder of Coca Cola.

OK enough history talk. Dark Rage's Cola Fizz is cola alright... minus the Fizz. Might want to mix it up with some soda water or 100 Plus if you can't take the taste of cola.

I took the supp a little after 7pm and couldn't sleep AT ALL. By far the craziest pre-workout I've taken... I think the effects are sustained. But I wasn't jittery like what I experienced with some of the other pre-workout supps. Perhaps Dark Rage is more suited for endurance or cardio-oriented sports.

Formula wise, apart from the proprietary stuff, it is quite complete with a dash of carbs, creatine, beta-alanine, vitamins and minerals. These add up to a sizable 45g scoop per serve thus giving about 20 shots of the product.

Then, it's back to deciding on the next pre-workout to try.

Product Review: Controlled Labs Green Magnitude

"Lift in colour"... that's the tagline for Controlled Labs, a brand that's relatively new here in Malaysia but gaining fast popularity due to its simple yet promising line of supplements.

The colour I picked: Green.

Green Magnitude is their creatine supplement which comes in two sizes - 40 servings or 80 servings. What you see above here is the 40 serves one. It's always a plus if companies bother to produce products in varying sizes. One, it lets the fence-sitters tryout the product before committing to a bulk dose. Two, it's budget friendly and also allows you to plan your stack.

The flavour for this one is Sour Green Apple but honestly, it's not sourish at all. It's like... having apple juice... the green one.. not Zeppel. Fans of sour tasting supplements can opt for the Lemonade flavour. That'll do it for ya.

Now onto product build. Green Mag boasts a creatine blend much like UN's Storm and has a patented form of creatine that boosts strength. No monohydrates here. This one just banks on two creatines and a reasonable amount of ingredients that promote cognitive ability.

Like all creatines, I'd give it about a month before judging its effects.

Product Review: Nutrabolics Noz I.V.

This is the latest incarnation of Nutrabolics' pre-workout formula, as Deca Stack phases out.

I must say, seems that Nutrabolics products tend to have a similar aftertaste across the board. Save for IsoGainer, that's quite different.

Anyhow, had a shot of this and hit the gym straight after. The blue raspberry didn't do much for me.. it was very suttle, like a fleeting hazy mist. Maybe the orange flavour would be zesty.

Efficacy? Well, the pumps aren't as crazy as some other stuff I've tried, but it does improve strength and endurance, meaning I could push stronger and longer.

Looking at the ingredients, this product was meant to do just that with a mixture of arginine, beta alanine and carbohydrates. It even contains ATP as a direct form of an energy boost. Quite different from the usual pre workout formula so it's certainly refreshing.

Product Review: Animal Pump

What rarity...

An Animal Pump sample pack! Having taken Pak and M-Stak before, I'm pretty hyped up about this.. Animal ain't for the weak,

mm.. tic tacs anybody?

3 tabs and 6 caps in different colours. Pump is a pre-workout, arginine + creatine combo to blow your mind and body out of this universe.

I took this about half an hour before a workout on an empty stomach as per the instructions and after a few sets of curls, the pumped feeling I get is out of this world. Reminds me of the time I blew out my triceps in a workout, and I couldn't shampoo my head in the showers. It's a good feeling... to know you've paid your dues.

Here cometh the pain.

Product Review: Dr. CarbRite Diet Bars

This here's a protein bar. Packin' 21 grams of protein and about 2 grams of impact carbs makes it a sweeter deal than most of the other choices available out there.

While it checks out in nutrition profile both quantitatively and qualitatively, what remains as a deal maker or breaker is taste. Unless of course you're the kind of person that can mentally block out the emetic center of the brain and down anything.

Anyway, UN's Dr. Carbrite Diet Bar tastes pretty good. Somewhat very rich though may be a little dry. Nibbling is the best way to savour the flavour as biting off a chuck may overwhelm the senses.

That brings us to the next point: flavours. There are 11 different flavours to choose from. Blueberry cheesecake, cookie dough, s'mores, frosted cinnamon bun, chocolate brownie, chocolate mint cookie, toasted coconut, chocolate banana nut with soy nuts, lemon meringue and raspberry chocolate truffle. You can always tell a product's strength from the number of flavours it has and UN has really trumped this one. Ain't your regular choc and vanilla variety you see everywhere else. The toasted coconut one actually has real coconut fibres in it.

Though sometimes I think they should know when to stop. Chocolate banana nut with soy nuts? Man, a little too funky.

Product Review: BSN NO-Xplode

Ah... the one and only, NO-Xplode. Revered as the best nitric oxide booster for your car body by professionals, amateurs and recreational users alike, this product has been the top seller worldwide for as long as I can remember. Almost every year since its debut, NO-Xplode has been seated #2 in Bodybuilding.com's Top 50 Bestsellers. And their list (which by the way, is not category based) is updated monthly.

I've had my first taste of this stuff years ago back when there were only two flavours and I had a go at the Blue Raspberry. I won't say it tastes great as there's a bitter aftertaste but all that is now history with this new flavour: Orange.

I was thinking, 'Heh, not gonna be easy to pull this one off.' I mean, orange juice is a common drink in most places. BSN might get away with blue raspberry cos we've got no benchmark against that (blue raspberry juice?) so we'll either go 'mmm good' or 'bleargh..'

Anyway, it's good to say that their Orange flavour tastes great. I just wanna suck it up when I'm at it. What could be better than having the same crazy pumps and no bitter aftertaste?

Product Review: Axis Labs Creatine Ethyl Ester

Creatine. Defined as a nitrogenous organic acid that occurs naturally in vertebrates and helps to supply energy to muscle and nerve cells; it was discovered in 1832 by Derek Edward Bye who later named it after the Greek work for flesh: kreas. Amazingly enough, it was till about a century later in 1900s that creatine was popularized as a sport supplement during the Barcelona Olympics. I have read somewhere though, that the earliest use of creatine was during World War 2 by soldiers but I'm not gonna bother validating that.

The first creatine product is a simple monohydrate - creatine complexed with a molecule of water. Then came the glamour versions of malates, dicreatines, esters and whatnot following the immense hype the compound received in less than 2 decades. Difference? Absorption rate, serum half-life and potential side effects such as cramping, bloating and water retention.

hmm... my watermark seems too small...

I had my experience with the plain ol' creatine monohydrate some years back. And I've also had the more glamourous dicreatines, krealkalyns and malates. What I've not tried is the ethyl esters... hence the bottle in my hand above. This creatine is in capsules and dosing is about 3 caps a serve. Not very large caps at so I'm not complaining after having to take M-Stak.

I guess it's more convenient not having to drink liquid all the time. Just pop 3 caps and rest easy in the thought of getting creatine in the blood.

Product Review: Nutrabolics DecaStack

Now this is interesting... for the uninitiated, 'Deca' is more affectionately known to refer to *ahem* anabolic steroids; but that is a misconception. 'Deca' is actually referring to decanoate, the salt/esterified form of decanoic acid and commonly used as a vehicle of sorts to progressively release a compound in the body. The infamous 'Deca' you may or may not know, uses decanoate but attached to a steroid compound. So when a product by the name of DecaStack comes about... you get people going like... "wah.. this is the hard stuff!"

Can't blame them, with a name like that you can't even tell what it supposed to do. That's why you're reading this. DecaStack from Nutrabolics is a pre-workout formula with its core ingredients being: arginine, creatine and glutamine. Pretty nifty to have this 3 in a dose. What's more is that they're all bound to decanoate for sustained released.

Well, the supplement mixes easily... looks ok, smells ok but the one thing that really got me was the taste. Phew... its like one confused mother of a drink. Fruit Punch says the sachet.. I'm just wondering which fruits. Maybe Nutrabolics used my all time hated honeydew.. I dunno.. Taking my first gulp... I looked like this

ninpou: neck break no jutsu

As for its effects... it definitely kicks ass. I took that serving before my night badminton session and I could noticably feel better endurance and strength. Not to mention clarity but that's surely from the caffeine like all other pre-workout supps. Now if only I could get past the mental barrier of the taste... Or maybe try the orange flavour... hmm

Product Review: Scivation Vasocharge

Pre-workout drinks have always been a fascination of mine. Why? Cuz its effects kick in almost instantaneously, unlike creatine and protein which give results after a couple of months. Having said that, it's doesn't take much to get me to try some new pre-workout drink to gauge its effects.

In the spotlight this time is Scivation's Vasocharge. Little is known about this brand on this side of the world but it should not be sidelined, having had their Xtend declared as the best glutamine product year 2007. But that's a another story for another time.

sorry bout the crummy pics... but this is as good as it gets for now

Vasocharge according to its ingredients is basically a creatine + arginine spiked with a bit of tyrosine and caffeine (like most pre-workout formulas) to induce the following effects:

1. Increased mental clarity and alertness
   
2. Promote bloodflow via nitric oxide vasodilation
3. Decrease fatigue and increase oxidative ATP production (energy lah)

That's just the gist of it. Apparently Vasocharge also incorporates beta-alanine, l-carnitine and vitamin B complexes among other things. Understandably so, since these compounds enhances energy production and have antioxidative qualities.

Taste-wise, I would say that Vasocharge is one of the best pre-workouts I've had. The flavour was electric lemonade and it was zesty! Doesn't have that dreadful aftertaste most pre-workouts have and blends quite well I must say.

Efficacy? I'm still uncertain about this one. I took a dose before one of my night badminton sessions and couldn't sleep long after that. Pretty strong. Don't recall increased strength but definitely more alert. I sweated more than usual as well. I'm not typically a sweaty monkey, but the difference was notably there. Must be the arginine methinks.

All in all, a good supplement since it's not too high on the budget and give its blend of ingredients, kinda gives you a bit of everything. I'm thinking that a bit of everything in every supplement ultimately adds up to something substantial. Man.. how chinaman is that..

reminds me of my chinaman bosses.. you mofos need to get smarter