Brad Murphy

Best Legal Steroids – What are the Legal Anabolic Steroids that Work

Updated on June 28, 2021 by Brad Murphy

This article answers the question, what are the best legal steroids – natural supplements that do not cause side effects and are perfectly legal to buy. Here is a run down of the natural steroid alternatives that are legal and safe.

What are the Best Legal Steroids

So what are the best bodybuilding supplements that work like steroids? – The best legal steroids.

Legal steroids are a good option for people who don’t want to get into synthetic steroids.

They are largely made from natural and powerful ingredients. If used correctly they can just as effective and do not cause side effects.

Steroids in the bodybuilding world are rife, more rife than you probably think.

To me the choice of natural over their synthetic (and illegal) counterparts are worlds apart.

If you were to choose one single muscle building product it would have to be D-Bal – a legal steroid that produces great results and firm favourite of the natural body building community.

D-Bal is a fast acting muscle building supplement that is completely safe and free from the side effects associated with its chemical cousin, Dianabol.

D-bal can be used on its own or stacked for even more impressive results.

Expertly formulated with lots of satisfied customers.

View Special Offers on D-Bal

Completely safe and natural muscle builder
Produces results like Dianabol without the risks
Naturally formulated
Perfect for gaining strength and muscle mass
Fast acting giving real noticeable results
Burns fat while building muscle

Why would you take a substance that could shrink your testicles, give you man boobs and contribute to organ damage when you can get same positive anabolic effect form using a safe steroid made u of ingredients from the natural world.

CrazyBulk have a range of legal steroids that provide the muscle building benefits but with the risks.

The official CrazyBulk website has registered users that give testimonials and feedback. These are classed as legal oral steroids.

CHECK BULKING STACK OFFERS

CrazyBulk – Top Selling Legal Steroids

The current top selling natural steroids manufacturer is CrazyBulk, who have operations in both the US and UK.

Their product line includes D-Bal, Trenorol, Anadrole, Decaduro, Anvarol and more.

There are options to buy Stacks:

Bulking Stack
Cutting Stack
Strength Stack
Growth Hormone Stack
Ultimate Stack

They even manufacture a Clenbuterol alternative as one of their primary cutting agents.

CrazyBulk have been criticized in the past for naming their products maybe a bit too closely to their anabolic steroid counterpart. (ie Dianabol or Dbol is D-Bal in the CrazyBulk range). To me this irrelevant and clever marketing.

I shall discuss Crazybulk legal steroids in this article, and answer some frequently asked questions about them, such as:

“where can you buy legal steroids?”
“how do they work?”,
“do they cause any side effects of their own?”,
“what results can I expect?”

… and so on.

Furthermore, I’ll look at the synthetic anabolic steroids they are based upon, and answer some of the more common questions people ask about them.

You should also see some of the feedback for legal steroids and associated products from customers who use them.

Why don’t people just use synthetic anabolic steroids?

They are illegal
They can cause some pretty hardcore negative side effects
Many of them need to be injected and some are more painful than others

It’s that simple. Don’t do it.

Legal Steroids – What Are They and What Are the Benefits?

So, if they are not illegal synthetic anabolic steroids, what are they?

For the most part, legal steroids contain compounds taken from nature – mainly herbs, fungi, other and plants, fruits.

These compounds are chosen because they have one or more of the following characteristics when introduced to the human body:

an anabolic effect on muscle – i.e. they stimulate muscle protein synthesis
a muscle and bone strengthening effect
a fat burning effect
a testosterone boosting effect (multiple benefits including muscle, strength, fat burning etc.)

Legal steroids are often stacked with other ingredients to boost their effect or provide other benefits to the user. These might include:

improved hormone function
improved sexual health
increased energy
enhanced cognitive function
overall health benefits (e.g. organ function, cholesterol profile etc.)

All legal steroids are taken in oral capsule form and require no injections or special preparation.

They come ready to be used.

How Do Legal Steroids Work?

Firstly, it’s a good idea to have a very basic understanding of steroids and the associated terminology.

The word “steroid” refers to the shape of the compound itself.

Basically they are comprised of four rings of carbon atoms that have been named the ‘A ring’, ‘B ring’, C ring’ and the ‘D ring’.

Different attachments to the D ring essentially determine how a steroid works.

For example, cholesterol has the steroid structure as its base. It is an example of a natural steroid, as is the testosterone we make in our bodies.

Natural steroids – like testosterone – that are made inside our bodies are known as endogenous steroids [source].

Synthetic anabolic steroids have different attachments to the D ring, but they are made that way in a laboratory.

Steroids that are manufactured outside the body are known as exogenous steroids [source].

They tend to work by mimicking endogenous steroids like Testosterone and DHT (dihydrotestosterone) but are adapted to have different or more pronounced effects.

Most of them were originally developed to treat muscle, bone, and blood wasting diseases, but some were created to beef up livestock.

These days all exogenous steroids are illegal without a prescription, and many cannot even be prescribed anymore due to there potential for side effects.

Now, let’s answer the original question:

How Do Legal Steroids Work?

Legal Steroids can either be natural steroid compounds, natural steroid-like compounds, or ingredients which have similar effects to steroids.

They cannot really be called exogenous steroids because they are not tricking the body into treating them as a hormone.

Even if the legal steroids contain the four ring structure, they will act through bio-chemical pathways that do not cause the dramatic side effects that steroids do.

Which, at the end of the day, is the reason they are legal.

They tend to work by stimulating an anabolic response, such as increased protein synthesis, by boosting our own testosterone or growth hormone levels.

Others can inhibit the conversion of testosterone to estrogen – known as aromatization – thereby keeping testosterone around for longer and preventing any estrogenic effects like man-boobs.

There are many ways in which different ingredients and compounds can have a similar effect to synthetic anabolic steroids, without causing health problems in the meantime.

Can Legal Steroids Cause Negative Side Effects?

No.

It’s kind of the whole point of them.

And, it’s pretty much why they are legal to purchase.

I mean, if you take twenty bottles of legal steroids then yes you might get some problems just from the volume of stuff you’d be consuming, but, well, just don’t be that stupid.

As I’ve said, synthetic anabolic steroids tend to mimic your body’s hormones. One of the problems this causes is that your body stops making its own.

For example, if you take Dianabol (Dbol), your body will perceive it as a form of testosterone and it will stop making its own testosterone as a result.

Post Cycle Therapy (PCT)

Straight away this means you need to go on Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) drugs just to get your endogenous testosterone back after the cycle.

It also means you have to inject synthetic testosterone during the steroid cycle, because when your body stops making the big T, it can cause some nasty problems.

While we’re discussing Dianabol – synthetic steroids, especially oral steroids like Dbol, can cause toxic damage to your liver.

They can only be taken for a few weeks because of this. Otherwise they can cause permanent liver damage.

Legal Steroids, on the other hand, don’t do any of that stuff because they don’t shut down your testosterone and they don’t smash your liver to bits.

In fact, they often BOOST you natural testosterone levels, and BENEFIT your liver health.

Crazy, I know.

Speaking of crazy, let’s take a look at the leading manufacturer of legal steroids: CrazyBulk

CrazyBulk - Top Selling Legal Steroids — Legal oral steroids from CrazyBulk

CrazyBulk Legal Steroids – The Market Leader

Getting as muscular as you can while staying lean is one of the most difficult goals, even for professional bodybuilders who have done it for years.

Your diet, training and sleep are no doubt the most important factors to get a hand of if you want to be successful.

We all know that open class bodybuilders take anabolic steroids and other illegal compounds to help them pack on mass while keeping their fat percentage in check.

Natural, or “natty” bodybuilders obviously cannot take illegal synthetic anabolic steroids in order to get everything they can out of their diet and training.

Instead they take regular supplements and legal steroids.

These, as we have discussed, are anabolic supplements containing natural compounds which can take your muscle growth up a few notches and increase your fat burning rate.

If you are working hard in the gym, with your diet, and you are getting adequate sleep, but you still want to squeeze more gains out of yourself – legal steroids might be for you.

Legal Steroids – Not For Everyone

Before we get into the nitty gritty of the top products, you should know that these products will not help you build muscle and burn fat if you do not put the work in yourself.

In that respect, they are very much the same as synthetic anabolic steroids. No-one has ever run a cycle of Trenbolone while lounging around and watching TV everyday, because that doesn’t get you jacked.

Training is the stimulus for muscle growth, diet is the raw material, sleep recharges you and gives you time to grow…

And steroids – legal or not – are a booster.

CrazyBulk Legal Steroids – Bulking and Cutting Categories

Crazybulk have been making Legal Steroids longer than any other company as far as I can tell.

They split their products into 2 basic categories:

Bulking – for increasing muscle mass
Cutting – for decreasing/burning body fat

The following table shows the Crazybulk legal steroids in their appropriate bulking / cutting categories:

CRAZYBULK Bulking Legal Steroids	CRAZYBULK Cutting Legal Steroids
D-Bal	Clenbutrol
Trenorol	Anvarol
Anadrole	Winsol
Testo-Max
Decaduro
HGH-X2

Crazybulk Bulking Steroids

Crazybulk manufacture the best legal steroid alternative to Dianabol, and many other synthetic anabolic steroids.

The bulking steroid category has been developed primarily to increase the growth of muscle mass.

D-Bal is undoubtedly the flagship product of the category, and the best selling legal steroid the company offers.

If you’re looking for the legal steroids to help you get jacked, this is the category for you.

Looking for the cutting steroids to help you get ripped?

D-Bal – Crazybulk Dianabol Alternative

Dianabol, otherwise known as methandrostrenolone, and more commonly called “Dbol” was the first oral anabolic androgenic steroid to be synthesized.

Unsurprisingly, it’s been a hit ever since the 60s, when it was used by the USA olympic weightlifting team to help speed up their progress.

Fast forward to 2018 and Crazybulk’s research and development people came up with the legal alternative to dbol – called D-Bal.

I know, right. Mega original name.

How Does D-Bal Work?

D-Bal’s main effects are as follows:

Increasing Protein Synthesis
Enhanced Glycogenolysis (breakdown of glycogen for energy)
Improved Nitrogen retention*

*by the way, positive nitrogen retention is a sign that the muscles are in an anabolic growth state.

All of this of course leads to the desired benefit of:

Increased Muscle Mass

Should I Use D-Bal?

Dbal is the product to begin with if you’re looking to increase muscle mass quickly, without adding fat mass.

It is a supplement which kickstarts muscle hypertrophy, and should be taken for many weeks at a time in order to continue the accelerated growth.

It is NOT a cutting agent and NOT for people who are looking to maintain their current muscle mass.

Best D-Bal Customer Comment

“D-Bal turned everything around. Once I knew I was doing something really positive, it helped me both physically and mentally. My muscles are loving this stuff and I’m getting bulk AF.”

Where To Buy D-Bal?

It can only be purchased from the official CrazyBulk website.

The company ships from the US or UK, depending on where you live, and offer decent special offers sometimes like buy 2 get 2 free.

You can also mix and match with their offers and take one or two other products with D-Bal.

For example, a typical mass building legal steroid cycle with the 3 for 2 offer would include:

D-Bal
Trenorol
Testo-Max

Still Want to Know More? – Click here Read our full D-Bal review

Trenorol – Legal Alternative to Trenbolone

Tren – trenbolone acetate – is absolutely one of the most powerful anabolic androgenic steroids of all time.

It is considered by many to be the GOAT anabolic steroid.

Trenorol is the legal steroid alternative to Trenbolone acetate.

How Does Trenorol Work?

Crazybulk have developed it to have the following effects:

Increase Muscle Mass
Reduce Fat Storage
Boost Endogenous Testosterone levels
Increase Strength, Stamina and Endurance
Improve Physical Conditioning
Enhance Vascularity

Yep, Trenorol is designed to get you huge and shredded – the ultimate goal of any bodybuilder.

Should I Use Trenorol?

It doesn’t take a genius to realize that this is one of the company’s true all-rounders.

Of course, that’s intentional by the company because Trenbolone itself has the duel mass-building and fat-burning effects.

The beauty of Crazybulk Trenorol is that it won’t cause any of the dramatic side effects that synthetic tren can.
So, to answer the question: Yes, if you want the best of both worlds – fat loss and muscle growth!

Who doesn’t??

Trenorol – Best Customer Comment

“I wanted to try steroids but I was always worried about the health risks and the potential legal problems. Once I tried Trenorol from Crazybulk and I tracked my progress over a month, I stopped wondering about steroids because it is a legal one.”

Where To Buy Trenorol?

Again, the only place the get hold of Trenorol is its official sales page.

The 3 for 2 offer is applicable.

Still want to know more? – Click here to read the full Trenorol review.

By the way…

Trenorol and D-Bal are both included in the CrazyBulk Bulking Stack, which you can read about by clicking here.

Or, you can head straight to the official Bulking Stack product page.

Testo Max – Legal Alternative to Testosterone or Sustanon 250 Injections

Testosterone – the one that started it all.

Of course, it had to be the one really, it is our natural anabolic steroid.

Scientists figured out how to brew testosterone up a lab in the first half of last century. Since then, it has been used as the base for nearly every synthetic steroid ever made.

As an anabolic steroid, testosterone must be injected to prevent the side effects of other synthetic steroids. That’s on-cycle therapy.

It’s also used for post cycle therapy (PCT) to fill in for the user’s natural testosterone levels to rebound after they have been suppressed.

Testo Max is the legal alternative, and it’s different because it’s not for replacing your suppressed testosterone because there’s no need if you’re avoiding synthetic steroids.

Instead, it boosts your natural levels of free testosterone.

It also helps rejuvenate your testosterone production if you go to the gym a lot.

How Does Testo Max Work?

Testo Max has been formulated to have the following effects:

Increase Free Testosterone levels
Recover Testosterone faster between workouts
Preserve Lean Mass while cutting fat
Improve Sexual health

These effects lead to:

increased overall muscle mass
faster fat burning rates

So, like Trenorol (see above Testo-Max), this one is an allrounder – helping you to build muscle and burn fat.

It goes a bit beyond that though. It’s a true free testostorone booster, and there are not many of those around.

Testosterone health is vital for anyone who lifts, or spends a decent amount of time exercising.

Or any dude who’s alive, to be honest.

Should I Use Testo-Max?

If you want to maximize your testosterone health as well as your gains from the gym, this is the allrounder for you.

Also, if you workout regularly then this little gem will help you recover quicker and get back to dropping sweat in your iron paradise.

Testo-Max – Best Customer Comment

“I took Testo-Max for a day and knew it was going to work from there. It was almost like a rush of vitality or something. I was horny for the wife and the gym, lol.”

Where to Buy Testo-Max?

Once again, Testo Max is only available from its official product page.

It’s also part of the Bulking Stack from Crazybulk, alongside the top 2 steroids on this list; DBal and Tren.

It’s also applicable for the Buy 2 Get 1 Free deal they have at the moment.

Still want to know more? – Read the full Testo Max review

Decaduro – Legal Alternative to Deca Durabolin

Deca is the shortened name for Deca Durabolin, the most famous brand of Nandrolone Decanoate.

It’s known for being a great off-season mass-builder and one that has a powerful therapeutic effect.

In other words, it helps the user pile on muscle and heals the wounds of a hard season of lifting.

That would be the ligaments, tendons, joints and other connective tissue that gets battered as we lift rep after rep.

Decaduro from Crazybulk is the legal version of Deca.

How Does Decaduro Work?

Decaduro brings its benefits via the following physiological effects:

Enhanced Growth Hormone production
Increased Muscle Power and Strength
Faster Connective Tissue Repair

These effects lead to:

Lean Muscle mass gains; and
Quicker Recovery from intense lifting workouts
Reduced Pain

If you lift weights regularly enough, you’ll know what we mean when we talk about elbow pain.

Yeah. You know.

Should I Use Decaduro?

It’s the perfect product for you if you’ve been lifting a while and you’re lifting heavy enough weights on a regular basis.

Why?

Because your tendons, ligaments, joints and connective tissue are all taking a beating as often as you can give them one.

That’s a pain, not only physical, but it can stall your progress even though your muscles are ready for more.

Deca is great for building mass, but the extra therapeutic benefit sets it apart from some other steroids.

Decaduro – Best Customer Comment

“Deca was the first one I tried from a mate who had got some and I only had it for a couple of weeks but it was brilliant so I bought myself the bulking stack after that and that stuff is crazy. Getting the cutting stack one next.”

Where To Buy Legal Deca?

Head to the official Decaduro page and you’ll be able to purchase it. It’s also part of the Bulking Stack.

Buying any 2 products will get you a third for free.

People also often take Decaduro with Trenorol and Clenbutrol when they want to go for a leaner mass cycle.

Still want to know more? – Decaduro review

Anadrole – Legal Alternative to Anadrol

A Bombs, A-50s and other names Anadrol (aka Oxymetholone) – the synthetic oral anabolic androgenic steroid goes by – they are all extra tough.

That’s because Anadrol is the king of the oral muscle mass building steroid.

Crazybulk took this beast forming legend and made a safe, alternative version.

Anadrole.

How Does Anadrole Work?

Anadrole is all about size, and mass, size…and some more mass.

It provides its benefits through the following effects:
Increase Power and Muscle Endurance
Huge Muscle Pumps
Rapid Blood Oxygenation and Muscle Delivery

Along with D-Bal, it’s probably Crazybulk’s most obvious mass builder.

Should I Use Anadrole?

Anadrole doesn’t care about your body fat, it’s not interested in the word ‘shredded’.

It’s for increasing muscle mass growth.

If that’s your plan, then jump on it.

Anadrole – Best Customer Comment

“I’ve always just wanted to be huge and I’m a bouncer so I don’t really want to get cut so much. Anadrole seemed like the right legal steroid to go for but then I think I will try different ones as well. It is well worth the money.”

Where To Buy Anadrole?

Anadrole is part of the Ultimate Stack from Crazybulk.

It’s for increasing muscle mass growth.

Of course, it’s also available in single units, with every 3rd bottle coming to you free of charge.

You can only buy Anadrole from its official product pages on the Crazybulk website.

Click here to read the full Anadrole review

HGH-X2 – Legal Alternative to Growth Hormone

Human Growth Hormone is one of the key hormones for muscle growth that we possess.

The only thing is we produce less and less of it as we get older. After all, we don’t really grow in height anymore once we reach adulthood.

Some of us – a lot of us – still want to maximize our muscle growth though.

Enter, HGH-X2.

It’s Crazybulk’s legal HGH, and it rounds out the Bulking category nicely.

How Does HGH-X2 Work?

Similar to how Testo-Max increases your free testosterone production, this one boosts GH production.

Training and certain nutrient timing can help as well.

And sleep. Sleep is when you really get to take advantage of your training and all the anabolic hormones like HGH come out to play.

HGH-X2 increases that production and gets the muscle factory to work 24 hours a day.

Should I Use HGH-X2?

Once again it comes down to goals.

You’re reading the bulking category section of this article so I’m going to assume you’re looking to build size.

There aren’t many more obvious routes to putting on mass than boosting growth hormone release.

HGH-X2 – Best Customer Comment

“I’m 52 and getting on compared to some of these youngsters in the gym these days. I used to put on muscle mass well but lately it’s been a case of doing all I can to keep it. I bought this HGH from crazybulk and I really think it is helping me feel better and fuller again. Satisfied customer here.”

Where To Buy HGH-X2?

Available from the official CrazyBulk website, you can avail of the current 3 for 2 offer.

It’s also part of the Growth Hormone stack (er, obviously), which also comes with:

Clenbutrol
Decaduro
D-Bal
Testo-Max

Want to know more about growth hormone? – click here.

Crazybulk Legal Steroids – Bulking Stack

That just about wraps it up for the Bulking legal steroids. There’s just the bulking stack itself to mention.

I’ve mentioned the Bulking Stack that Crazybulk make throughout this article so far.

The stacks are basically just collections of their products, put together to optimize them as a unit depending on your goal.

Basically, if bulking up is your goal then you don’t have to think about it – the Bulking Stack contains D-Bal, Trenorol, Decaduro and Testo-Max.

However, the stacks also come with a Free Bulking Guide to help you train, eat and supplement the right way to get as jacked as possible.

There are other stacks that will help you build mass too…

The other Crazybulk muscle stacks are:

Strength Stack
Growth Hormone Stack
Ultimate Stack

The Ultimate Stack is a monster legal steroid stack containing the six most popular Crazybulk steroids of all time.

Crazybulk Cutting Steroids

Cutting steroids are used for getting rid of fat quickly.

They are generally made in such a way that they do not hurt muscle gains.

The first one on the list is not actually a steroid. Clen is really a sympathomimetic amine.

A what?

I’ll explain below in the Clenbutrol section, but suffice it to say that these cutting products from Crazybulk is where the fat burning happens.

If you’re looking to get sliced and diced, you’ll probably want a couple of these to add to your legal gear collection.

Clenbutrol – Legal Alternative to Clenbuterol

Basically, it burns fat by mimicking the effects of catecholamines (e.g. adrenaline) which stimulate the nervous system.

It’s a stimulant, but not only in terms of focusing your mind and providing you with energy, but in terms of making your body burn fat faster.

How Does Clenbutrol Work?

Clenbutrol from Crazybulk (note the missing second ‘e’) uses a similar compound to ephedrine and synthetic clenbuterol, but it’s a natural one that does not cause the side effects of synthetic clen.

The legal clen doesn’t increase heart rate like illegal clen does, but rather interacts with receptors that trigger thermogenic fat burning.

Should I use Crazybulk Clen?

Do you want visible abs?

Eating clean and doing cardio is how you’re going to get your abs to pop in the long run.

Clenbutrol will help you get there quicker.

If you’re cutting, or just struggling to get that definition, it’s the product for you.

Clenbutrol – Best Customer Comment

“Got it and used like 2 bottles and I’m getting it again. Nothing has ever worked like Crazybulk clen.”

Where to Buy Crazybulk Clen?

You guessed it.

The official Clenbutrol page is where it’s at.

It’s also part of the Crazybulk Cutting Stack, alongside Winsol, Anvarol and Testo-Max.

Currently the 3 for 2 offer is running and there’s often a surprise 20% OFF coupon at the bottom of the page.

Anvarol – Legal Alternative to Anavar

Var, as it has come to be known, is a very popular cutting steroid.

Known for its ability to preserve strength while burning fat, it is one of the most popular steroids of all time.

Anvarol is the legal equivalent.

How Does Anvarol Work?

Crazybulk have gone after the two main benefits of synthetic Anavar – strength and fat burning.

It does this by:

dramatically increasing energy through ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)
increasing rates of fat burning

People often remark on this steroid’s effect of hardening the muscles.

Should I Use Anvarol?

This is one for people who are “leaning out”, perhaps after a bulking cycle or when they are trying to get beach body ready for summer.

Cut, ripped, shredded, lean…whatever you want to call it.

Anvarol – Best Customer Comment

“Var is a popular steroid and lots of guys (and girls) use it, but this version is a lot less expensive, it works, and it’s not mixed with other dangerous stuff like black market gear sometimes is.”

Where to Buy Anvarol?

Here’s the link for the official product page – Click here for special offers on Anvarol

You can only purchase from that official site so if you see it anywhere else, it’s won’t be the genuine product.

Crazybulk often have special offers and at the moment they are doing a Buy 2 get 1 Free deal on all the products, even the stacks.

Speaking of stacks, Anvarol is also included in the Cutting Stack and the Strength Stack from Crazybulk.

Still want more info about Anvarol and Anavar? – Click here for the full report.

Winsol – Legal Alternative to Winstrol

Winny, otherwise known as Winstrol (its original brand name) and Stanozolol (its universal name) is one famous steroid.

Made most famous by some olympic champions who used, or were accused of using it, to get on the medal podium.

Winsol is the legal alternative to Winny, one of the most popular performance enhancing, cutting steroids ever made.

How Does Winsol Work?

Winsol helps you increase your rate of fat burning at rest, and during both light and intense training.

It increases muscle carnitine which transports fat into cells for burning as fuel and delays the onset of muscle soreness, allowing for greater energy expenditure.

It also increases power, enhances the mind-muscle connection and helps to suppress unwanted appetite for snacks.

Should I Use Winsol?

If your goal is to look lean and mean and you also want to boost performance in the gym, then Winsol should probably be on your shopping list.

It goes well with all of the Crazybulk Cutting options and can even be used alongside any of the mass builders if you want lean gains.

On that note, the same can be said for the other cutting agents; Clen and Anvarol.

Winsol – Best Customer Comment

“Winsol is my favourite product from Crazybulk. That and the testo max one. It’s got a very noticeable feel to it and for a capsule it gives me a sh!t ton of energy in the weights. It is the best legal steroid I have used”

Where To Buy Winsol?

Available as part of the Cutting Stack or as individual bottles (on the 3 for 2 offer currently)

You can only purchase Winsol from the official product page.

Any stack you purchase will come with the Free Guide.

The Cutting Guide is written to help you shed fat and look ripped.

Want to learn more about Winstrol and Winsol? One of the best legal steroids – Click here to read about them

Crazybulk Legal Steroids – Cutting Stack

Just like the Bulking Stack, there are four products in the Cutting Stack.

These are the best bodybuilding supplements that work like steroids

The 3 cutters / fat burners that I’ve discussed above: Clenbutrol, Anvarol and Winsol PLUS Testo-Max.

The stack also come with the Cutting Guide for free.

I’d recommend the Cutting Stack for anyone who wants to hit a cutting cycle running and get burning that fat quickly.

Dymatize Pre W.O. Review – Detailed and In-Depth Analysis

Updated on February 12, 2020 by Brad Murphy

Pre W.O. is Dymatize’s current answer to the call for one-scoop, open-label, hard hitting pre workout powder supplements. How does it fair. Our review has the answers.

Dymatize Pre W.O. Review - Detailed and In-Depth Analysis

PROS
Quality One-Scooper.
Pumps are real.
Proven ingredients.

CONS
Lacking a few key ingredients.
Other pre workouts are better.

VERDICT
Personally, this product is high on my pre-workout supplement rotation. Quality product.

Having said that I would recommend 4 Gauge over and above.

Dymatize Pre W.O. Review

Pre W.O. is Dymatize’s current answer to the call for one-scoop, open-label, hard hitting pre workout powder supplements.

It comes daubed with a bunch of slogans and catchphrases, but the one that stands out to me is “Never Waste a Workout”. Ergo, take this sh!t and you will always get a worthwhile workout.

For me, that’s really the point of a pre-workout. Of course, it’s about getting the right nutrients at the right time for your muscles to perform, start recovering faster afterwards, and begin the anabolic process of growth.

I think of it as maximizing your energy, strength and endurance potential for the next couple of hours.

Some days I wake up and feel like garbage. Maybe I’ve done 4 big days training on the trot already and the idea then and there of going to the gym is a bit daunting.

Maybe my 2 year old has brought home yet another virus from daycare, and lovingly donated it to me via a mucus-laden sneeze to the face.

Whatever the reason, that’s when a stimulant pre-workout is definitely on the cards.

I’ve been using Dymatize PreWO for four or five weeks now, so I’ve gotten a really good idea as to how it stacks up against the competition.

Why Use Dymatize Pre-W.O.?

It’s a one-scooper, so it’s basically a formula of ingredients at various dosages, combined to give you the following benefits in the gym, on the track, or wherever:

Energy
Strength
Pump
Intensity

Those four benefits are the elements that all one-scooper pre-workout supplements should provide…

“Energy” ingredients to accommodate for the overall additional energy demands of full-bore workout. “Strength” compounds to literally help increase the force output of the muscles.

“Pump” agents to increase vasodilation, helping you get swole through your reps and sets. And “intensity” inclusions to help your mind dial in to your muscles and get you 100% in the zone.

Dymatize Pre W.O. contains 4 branded ingredients: CarnoSyn, Nitrosigine, betaPower and TeaCrine.

It’s good to see that because you know straight away that the Beta-Alanine, Betaine, Arginine Silicate and Theacrine are all of the highest industry quality.

By the way, it’s also Gluten Free and Banned Substance Tested, for those of whom they are requirements.

Dymatize Pre W.O. Ingredients and Dosages?

Dymatize have put an open formula in Pre W.O., which basically means we know (a) all of the ingredients, and (b) their inclusion dosage.

This is a trend most supplement manufacturers are following these days, responding to the demands of customers who, quite rightly, want to know what they are putting in their bodies.

So, what are you putting in your body if you drink Pre W.O. before hitting the gym?

Fifteen calories per serving, for a start. That’s low enough to not even ping your radar if you’re on a cut or counting your macros for any other reason.

Dymatize Pre W.O. Formula

The main active ingredients in one scoop are as follows, each scoop totalling 20 grams:

Citrulline Malate [8 grams] – it’s taken the reins from Arginine as far as vasodilation and muscle pumps are concerned. Citrulline makes it to the kidneys where it’s converted to arginine which then does its job. Drinking arginine itself has less effect as it’s broken down before circulating.

Beta-Alanine (as CarnoSyn) [3.2 g] – beta-Alanine is a non-essential amino acid that combines with histidine to make carnosine, which buffers lactic acid allowing you to push a few more reps in a volume set, or sprint another 20 metres to escape a mountain lion.

L-Taurine [2 g]

Betaine (as BetaPower) [1.5 g] – aka trimethylglycine (TMG), Betaine is a methyl donor which regulates homocysteine levels (high levels of homocysteine can ultimately lead to coronary heart disease). For performance it might protect cells from oxidative damage during exercise.

Inositol-Stabilized Arginine Silicate (as Nitrosigine) [1.5 g] – Citrulline might have taken over as the main pump ingredient but Nitrosigine is a stabilized form of Arginine that can have a longer lasting effect than arginine by itself and supposedly even boosts Nitric Oxide levels beyond Citrulline Malate.

N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine [350 mg] – a more stable form of L-Tyrosine which may add more tyrosine to your system, providing additional benefits like cognitive stimulation, anti-stress and anti-fatigue effects.

Caffeine Anhydrous [300 mg]

Coconut Water Fruit Powder [200 mg] – the electrolytes in natural coconut water are possibly some of the most helpful additions to this formula. When you get your sweat on, you lose them, so supplemental electrolytes help your muscles to keep firing when you’re going at it.

Theacrine (as TeaCrine) [125 mg]

All of the above included dosages reflect the average effective doses found in clinical studies that have investigated these ingredients.

Will Dymatize Pre W.O. Work for You?

I’ll get straight to the point: This is a good pre-workout supplement.

For me, the muscle pump is critical for a good workout, and Pre W.O. provides that in spades. The combination of Citrulline Malate (at 8 grams, no less) and Nitrosigine make for a good pairing. Some of that mix might compete for receptors but you know you’re gonna get lit.

Muscle pumps are responsible for more than you looking jacked in the gym. It increases the performance of muscles, the nutrition that gets to them, oxygen transportation.

There’s even evidence that big pumps can give a stronger signal to the anabolic pathways that respond to the mechanical triggers of resistance training.

A piece of advice though: if you drink coffee then try and taper off it for a week before you start taking Dymatize PreWO. Then, when you take it, make sure it’s the only source of caffeine and stimulants you are getting. You will feel them that much more for your workout.

Personally, this product is high on my pre-workout supplement rotation. Quality product.

Recommended Pre Workout

There are hundreds of pre workout supplements on the market with a hundred different ingredient profiles.

We consider 4 Gauge to be a premier supplement as it contains high dosages of the ingredients to get the most from your workout.

4 Gauge is suitable for men and women and for people of all levels from the beginner to the competitive trainer.

Mesomorph Pre-Workout from APS Review – Our Analysis

Updated on February 10, 2020 by Brad Murphy

Mesomorph is a pre-workout supplement that’s been through some changes in the past, but remained one of the favourites amongst stimulant-loving gym junkies across the US.

PROS
Will pick you up.
Feels good – dopamine wise.
Carnival Cotton Candy is nice (diluted).

CONS
Needlessly Creatine focused.
Pump is mediocre.

VERDICT – OTHERS PREFERRED
You either love or it you hate. I’m awkward so I’ll say it’s just OK.

If you want my advice check out 4 Gauge – it’s the best pre-workout in my opinion

Mesomorph Pre-Workout Review

Mesomorph is a pre-workout supplement that’s been through some changes in the past, but remained one of the favourites amongst stimulant-loving gym junkies across the US.

Most other countries don’t let this stuff past their borders because it’s usually got some kind of ingredient in it that rubs them up the wrong way.

You see, Mesomorph used to contain DMAA, which is – in my humble opinion – one of those potent but overhyped ingredients that became a stimulant sensation.

APS are a bit like Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals in that they seem to enjoy pissing off the FDA by taking an age to remove the ingredients they have been told to.

But remove it they did. Now it’s back with a couple of other impressive sounding stimulants to make up for the lack of DMAA.

APS are also a bit like the company GAT (German American Technologies) because they love putting long-ass scientific names for common ingredients on their labels to trick meatheads into thinking they are drinking pure Hulk juice.

Oooh, Methylxanthine Anhydrous…that’s probably going to give me metal bones like Wolverine.

Nope. It’s caffeine, which is in, umm..Everything. Ever. Made.

So, now we’ve cleared that up, and it’s got me sounding like I hate everyone and everything, let’s look at where Mesomorph lies on the scale of Stimulated Next Level Jacked Workout Heaven – to – About as useful as a fish with tits.

Why Use APS Mesomorph?

It’s not for the open labelling, that’s for damn sure.

Mesomorph’s formula is split into 3 proprietary blends that give you a total scoop of 15.5 grams.

Within that scoop, there’s nearly 3 grams unaccounted for on the label i.e. the active ingredients add up to a nat’s scrote above 12.5 grams.

So, within the mix is some additional non-active ingredients that are there for flavour, keeping the powder in good condition, that sort of thing.

When you compare 12.5 grams with some of the heavier weight pre-workout scoops out there, Mesomorph looks pretty thin.

Total scoop weight isn’t necessarily indicative of quality, but IF a formula is heavy AND contains good ingredients at good individual dosages, then it’s probably a safer bet. You’ve only got to look at products like Dymatize Pre W.O. and Nutrex Research Outlift to see what I’m talking about.

That said, APS are going after the stim-lovers with Mesomorph, and sometimes they don’t need to be present at such high volumes as the more nutrition type ingredients to have an effect.
Combine that with the potential cost of said stimulants and you have a lightweight but stim-heavy pre-workout.

I guess that brings me nicely to the actual answer to the sub-heading question: Why use Mesomorph?
Answer: You are the type of person who loves getting amped on stimulants for a workout.

What Are the Ingredients and Dosages?

Like I said, Mesomorph’s recipe is split into three blends that are mesmerizingly named:

Synthenox-Carnosine/Nitric Oxide Complex
Mesoswell-Cell Volumizing ATP Matrix
Neuromorph-Neuro Energized Stimulant Matrix

In plain human speak, that’s:

Muscle Pump and Endurance ingredients
Creatine and stuff
Caffeine and other Stimulants

Muscle Pump Ingredients

In the 6500 mg total, we’ve got Beta Alanine (which we’ve learned is 3200mg), Citrulline Malate, and Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate (AAKG).

Straight away, I’d say Citrulline Malate should be included at 6000mg to 8000mg alone. Citrulline is the best ingredient for inducing vasodilation/muscle pumps that we know of but most of the literature highlights the 6 to 8 gram dose.

The AAKG is a bit of waste of space if you ask me. It’s not hugely effective or long lasting for pumps.

Beta Alanine is perfect at 3.2 grams. It’s the industry standard lactic acid buffer and an ingredient that is rightly included. B-Alanine can help you push out a couple more reps in a volume set, for example.

Creatine and Stuff

The 4500 mg blend includes Di-Creatine Malate, L-Taurine, Creatine Nitrate, Ascorbic Acid (Vit C), Creatinol-O-Phosphate and Agmatine Sulphate.

Let’s talk about Creatine first. There is much debate as to whether a pre-workout even needs creatine.

In my opinion, you should go and buy creatine monohydrate – still the cheapest and still the best – and you’ll get a quality brand that will last between 3 and 6 months for half the price of a pre-workout.

That’s your creatine sorted, trust me. This couple of grams business in pre-workouts is not much more than a token inclusion. You want about 5 grams daily, and it doesn’t matter what time of day either. You know what, go and read my bit on creatine and then come back.

Taurine, yep, good for blood flow. Protects the heart when you’re tanking in the gym, protects your cells from intense oxidation. It’s an all-round good guy amino.

Agmatine Sulphate is another good addition, but there’s some confusion as to whether it can be all that useful alongside Citrulline. They might fight for the same receptors, given that they work via the same pathway.

It’s in there for “cell volumizing” like the creatine and taurine and it’s becoming a staple inclusion in many pre-workouts for its improvements to bloodflow and cell hydration.

Caffeine and Other Stimulants

This mini proprietary blend comes to 1860 mg and it’s pretty much the pivotal aspect of APS’s Mesomorph.

Yes, it contains caffeine. No doubt.

It also contains Glucoronolactone (found in most energy drinks like Red Bull), Senegalia Berlandieri, Theobromine, Naringin and Isopropylnorsynephrine.

I’ll focus a little on Isopropylnorsynephrine and Senegalia Berlandieri given that they are the two ingredients added to the Mesomorph mix in lieu of DMAA.

Isopropylnorsynephrine is a common “isopropyl” derivative of synephrine, which is a common stimulant ingredient found in fat burners. It’s also known as betaphrine, and it’s been found to be more potent than synephrine (in the limited scientific literature that even mentions it).

It is not however found in Citrus Aurantium, the current – and most economical – source of synephrine.

Senegalia Berlandieri contains a bunch of phenylethylamine (aka PEA) derivatives which are probably the closest thing you’ll find to DMAA that is still available.

It interacts with serotonin and adrenaline levels, and can promote the “euphoric” sensation that people often ascribe to their first experience with caffeine.

Will the Formula Work For You?

I probably sounded like I was going wholly negative on APS Mesomorph. It’s mainly because I dislike the fancy schmancy words used for stuff like caffeine.

I also don’t appreciate the under-dosed Citrulline Malate, and the half-assed creatine.

BUT…

This is where I do a bit of a 180 because I’m going to say that Mesomorph is still awesome…if you like stimulants.

Because if you like stimulants, it will work for you. It somewhat lacks the optimum muscle nutrition that tends to work better for a lot of people (and ultimately works better for the muscles).

There’s a place for stims, though, when you just want to rock up to the gym, perform a mentally unhinged workout , and roll out.

Recommended Pre Workout

There are lots pre workout supplements on the market with different formulas and ingredients.

We consider 4 Gauge to be the Number 1 pre workout supplement as it contains high dosages of the ingredients to get the most from your training

4 Gauge is suitable for men and women and for people of all levels from the beginner to the competitive trainer

Read the 4 Gauge review here

Vintage Burn Fat Burner from Old School But Does it Have New Ideas

Updated on June 28, 2021 by Brad Murphy

Vintage Burn is made by OldSchoolLabs. It’s a fat burner that is aimed at bodybuilders, athletes and basically anyone – male or female that needs to lose body fat. Read our review to see if it work.

PROS
Great looking brand.
Some good ingredients.
Some good customer reviews.

CONS
Doesn’t protect muscle mass.
Not as strong as competing formulas.
Some not so good reviews.
Can work out expensive.

VERDICT – LOOK ELSEWHERE
It is a very quirky and nice looking brand, there’s no doubt about that. It is when you start to look closely at the formula that it starts to let itself down.

If you wanted a fat burner for cutting (for a bodybuilding) I wouldn’t choose this. Nor would I choose this as a weight loss product for burning excess body fat.

Arguably the most effective fat burner of this year is proving to be PhenQ – it is made from pharmacy quality ingredients and available to buy direct from the manufacturers. It is gimmick-free fat burner!

Vintage Burn Review

Vintage Burn is a capsule-type supplement designed to promote fat burning without loss of muscle mass.

Obviously, a product of this nature offers the most appeal to bodybuilders and other sporty types who place a lot of focus on muscle growth and development.

However, if it’s ability to burn fat is as good as its alleged to be, there is no reason why Vintage Burn could not be used for general weight loss purposes.

The product is manufactured in the US by Cosidla Inc and distributed under the Old School brand name.

The company operates from a head office in Beverly Hills, California and, although it used to sell its products exclusively via Amazon.com, it now also processes sales via its Old School website.

What Are the Vintage Burn Benefits?

Cosidla isn’t going overboard with the marketing claims it makes for Vintage Burn. In fact, it only promises three main benefits.

Promotes fat loss
Protects muscle mass
Improves mental focus and mood

So What Does All This Mean?

Vintage Burn is a fat burner so, obviously, burning fat is what the product is all about. The body has to experience an energy shortage to make it start burning its stores of fat.

The only way to bring this about is to count calories and stick to an energy-restricted diet.

Exercise plays a role in fat loss too because increasing levels of physical activity causes a corresponding demand for extra energy. When the diet is right the body is going to have to get this energy from its stores of fat.

The problem is, the body often burns a little muscle protein for energy as well. [SOURCE]

Bodybuilders often gain more fat than they would like during bulking cycles. They get rid of it during their cutting cycles, but the last thing any bodybuilder or strength athlete wants to do is lose muscle as well.

Not surprisingly, any product that promises to burn fat without muscle loss gains instant attention.

The problem is, burning fat without muscle is easier said than done. Many supplements that promise to do this fail to do so.

Following an energy-restricted diet plan can also have a negative effect on the mood and may also interfere with mental focus and concentration.

Neither of these things is conducive to a good workout. Nor do they make for a good quality of life so it’s not uncommon for supplements of this kind to try and nip these problems in the bud. Again, doing these things is easier said than done.

Vintage Burn Ingredient Profile and Blend Evaluation

One of the good things about Cosidla is it’s not trying to hide anything. The company provides a complete ingredient profile, along with all the inclusion rates.

Ingredient Amounts Per Serving (2 Capsules):

Green Tea Extract – 330 mg
Green Coffee Bean Extract – 270 mg
Raspberry Ketones – 200 mg
Olive Leaf Extract – 160 mg
Caffeine – 150 mg
Bacopa Leaf Extract – 130 mg
Garcinia Fruit Extract – 100 mg
Chrysin – 100 mg
Forskohlii Extract – 60 mg

Green Tea Extract

It’s good to see some green tea here. Apart from providing antioxidants that support good health, it’s a safe and natural fat burner and research shows it’s can also be good for the heart. [SOURCE]

Green Coffee Bean Extract

Green coffee bean extract provides chlorogenic acid. This versatile weight loss aid boosts fat burning and thermogenesis. Unlike caffeine, it does so without stimulating the central nervous system.

Research suggests long-term use of chlorogenic may be a good way to reduce body fat. [SOURCE]

Raspberry Ketones

Raspberry ketones is a phenol that is found in certain species of fruit, most notably raspberries. Research suggests using raspberry ketones in supplement form may increase lipolysis and encourage fat loss. The ingredient also enjoys a good reputation for providing safe and natural appetite suppression.

Olive Leaf Extract

Extracts taken from olive leaves are associated with many health benefits. The extracts may even have the potential to offer protection against cancer. Preliminary evidence suggests olive leaf may have value as a weight loss aid too but further study is required and it’s certainly not one of the more popular diet pill ingredients. [SOURCE]

Caffeine

Although it’s sometimes thought of as mainly being an energy provider, research shows caffeine is also a thermogenic fat burner. It’s so good at boosting the metabolism a lot of diet pill manufacturers uses overly high doses. [SOURCE]

The 150 mg provided here is higher than the amount used in most of the leading fat burners, but it’s less than you would get from a couple of cups of coffee. Most people should be okay with that. However, those who are unusually sensitive to caffeine will not.

Bacopa Leaf Extract

Bacopa is an Ayurvedic herb that is often used in nootropic supplements. It may be good for reducing anxiety and boosting memory function but is unlikely to add much benefit here. [SOURCE]

Garcinia Fruit Extract

Garcinia cambogia is a tropical fruit. The extracts used in supplements are taken from the rind because it provides hydroxycitric acid (HCA). Garcinia cambogia is an incredibly popular diet pill ingredient that’s often praised for its ability to suppress hunger and prevent fat storage. However, research suggests it may also be good for reducing existing fat accumulations.

Chrysin

A flavonoid that can be sourced from certain plants including passionflowers and some species of geranium. Chrysin is sometimes added to bodybuilding supplements with the promise that it will boost testosterone. Research refutes this claim.

Forskohlii Extract

Research shows consuming forskohlii extracts twice per day can boost testosterone levels and favorably alter body composition. Testosterone supports protein synthesis, thereby increasing muscle mass, so any increase is a good thing. Unfortunately, the same research suggests the dose used here is hopelessly inadequate.

How to Use Old School Vintage Burn

The initial dose is one capsule, two times per day. The capsules should be taken meals and washed down with a glass of water.

If no tolerance issues come to light, the dose can be increased to two capsules, two times per day from the third day onward. This is the standard dose.

However, Cosidla claims results can be improved by taking two capsules three times each day.

Vintage Burn Customer Reviews and Comments

Customer reviews are plentiful and suggest a lot of customers are happy with the results they receive. However, the formulation has also let a lot of people down. Side effects appear to be an issue for some users as well.

Some randomly-selected customer reviews read:

“I’ve been using Vintage Burn alongside my new diet plan and it’s helped me to lose 11 pounds. It’s hardly a dramatic reduction in weight but it is a good start.”
“These pills are a joke. They haven’t done a thing for my weight. That comes as a surprise to me because the pills upset my stomach so bad I could have been a serious contender for a state pooping championship.”
“I’m losing up to a couple of pounds a week these days so Vintage Burn must be doing its job. I have no way of knowing how much of that is fat, but I’m presuming my muscles are not being hit.”
“Lots of reviewers make this stuff sound like the Mac Daddy of diet pills. It doesn’t even come close. I haven’t seen any weight loss at all. The only thing burned is my money.”

Reported Side Effects of Vintage Burn

The most commonly reported side effects are headaches, nausea, vomiting, and other stomach-related issues.

Additional reported side effects include:

Fatigue
Bloating
Problems with concentration/focus

Side effects should never be seen as an acceptable part of the weight loss process.

Although many people seem to be able to use the product without issue, it never pays to take risks with the health.

With this in mind, all potential users should obtain professional medical advice before using Old School Vintage Burn.

Where to Buy Vintage Burn

If you live in the USA, you can buy Vintage Burn via the Old School website or opt to order via Amazon.com. If you don’t live in the USA, you won’t be able to buy it at all because Cosidla doesn’t offer international shipping.

Each bottle contains 120 capsules and typically costs $50 to $60, depending on which route you take. Buying from Amazon usually proves to be the most expensive.

Buying via the official site also allows eligible customers to take advantage of student and military discounts. Opting to buy via autoship also secures a discount, but this type of arrangement is generally best avoided.

Guarantee

Cosidla offers a 100% no-quibble money back guarantee. At first blush, that sounds pretty good. The problem is, the company does not say how long the guarantee lasts. An omission like that does not inspire confidence.

Is Old School Vintage Burn Worth Buying?

Vintage Burn contains some good fat burning ingredients, but the formulation is unlikely to do much to protect muscle mass. That’s a big failing for a product that’s primarily aimed at bodybuilders.

As a fat burner for bodybuilders, Vintage Burn can’t hold a candle to CrazyBulk Clenbutrol or some of the other specialist fat burners on the market.

Nor does it pack the same fat hitting power as any of the top diet pills intended for general weight loss purposes. The average man or woman who needs to lose weight is likely to require more hunger control than Vintage Burn can provide.

Taking three doses per day instead of two may somewhat improve the chances of success, but it would also make Vintage Burn more expensive to use than any of the leading diet pill brands.

Even if you forget the risk of side effects this product presents, it’s not going to provide the combination of solid results and value for money people need.

Ghost Pump Review – Pre-Workout Vasodilator

Updated on June 30, 2021 by Brad Murphy

Ghost Pump is the GOAT Pump Product, according to the company that makes it. “A year in the making”, they say. “The greatest ever”, they claim.

PROS
Great looking brand and product.
Manufacturers know what they are doing.
Tastes nice
Good set of ingredients.

CONS
There is a lack of real proof of reviews from customers.
One ot side effects have been noted.
It’s starting to look a bit old now.

VERDICT – OTHERS PREFERRED
Ghost Pump is a good product. It is very nearly a great product.

There does appear to be a lack of real customer reviews – sure you can see tons of positive reviews but nothing beats a real person (not an already swole bodybuilder) holding the bottle.

If you wanted to buy Ghost I wouldn’t try to dissuade you too hard but I would seriously advise checking NO2 Max Nitric Oxide booster before hand.

Ghost Pump Review

Ghost is a relative newcomer to the sports, ergogenic and bodybuilding supplement industry, but it’s already making waves on social media with their daily activity.

The company is one of quite a few juniors that have landed on the scene with a loud statement at the ready:

– Transparent labels, scientifically proven ingredients, effective dosages, no BS.

Having learned from the mistakes and successes of the industry’s behemoths, Ghost and their peers have the option of starting off on the right foot, and hitting the ground running as a result.

I’d say they’re making a good go of it as well, which is more than I can say for some of the upstart supp companies out there. I won’t name and shame just yet.

Their products, so far, are going down a treat, and while their message, marketing and mingling might be on point, the real litmus test is the efficacy of the product.

So, is Ghost all noise and no trousers? Or do they have a winning formula with Pump?

Why Use Ghost Pump?

I mean, how much different can one muscle pump supplement be from the next? Surely we’ve got a grasp of the best ingredients and dosages by now.

You’d think so, but the reality is we still have much to learn about these ingredients, and we have more ingredients – natural and anthropogenic – to discover.

That said, we do have a scientifically supported effective dosage range of most of the currently known commercial muscle pump ingredients.

So, the key is whether companies like Ghost are willing to put those clinical doses in their products. That determines effective supplements from the crap ones.

What differentiates the effective ones from the must-haves is a combination of things.

A little added pizzazz, in the form of a unique ingredient inclusion or additional benefit
Strong flavour game – yeah, you chug this stuff but it’s better when it doesn’t taste like the sack sweat of an ostrich jockey
Money money money – hey if I can afford another tub because you’re not ripping me off, then you’re one up on those dudes charging for a silver tin for, ummmm, no reason whatsoever.

Why Ghost Pump over another?

Well, as you’ll see in the ingredient section, they check all the boxes I’ve highlighted to above. They have also elected to leave stimulants out of it, which allows you to caffeinate or otherwise stimulate, yourself to your heart’s content (‘scuse the pun).

There’s also the fact that they’ve prioritized the vasodilation / nitric-oxide boosting / muscle pump benefit over everything else. Literally every ingredient in Ghost Pump has some beneficial effect on blood flow, vascularity and hyperemia.

For me, a good muscle pump is the primary thing I’m looking for in a pre-workout supplement, and that’s because of its utility in the gym.

More blood to the muscles = more oxygen and nutrients. It also means your muscles look jacked because that increased blood flow is being pumped into the tissue in response to the mechanics of concentric and eccentric repetitions under load.

That doesn’t just look great. It feeds into the very cascade of reactions that ultimately trigger an anabolic growth response. You see, the pressure that the increased blood traffic puts on the cell walls in muscle tissue is one of the signalling mechanisms for the hypertrophy process to begin.

Increase that muscle swell and the signal is a little stronger. Add to that the additional work you can put in because of reduced fatigue and improved muscle oxygenation, and you have the anabolic programming for getting permanently jacked.

What Are the Ingredients and Dosages in Ghost Pump?

Again, it’s open label so the ingredients and their inclusion rates are all there on the packaging.

Here’s the formula in 2 scoops of Ghost Pump, which is 17.5 grams. There are 20 x 2 scoop servings in each tub:

4000 mg – L-Citrulline (vegan fermented)
2500 mg – Arginine Nitrate (NO3-T®)
2000 mg – Taurine
1500 mg – Glycerpump™ (Glycerol Powder 65%)
300 mg – Norvaline
200 mg – Pine Bark
50 mg – Astragin® (Astragalus membranaceus and Panax notoginseng)

L-Citrulline

L-Citrulline is the daddy of muscle pump and anti-fatigue ingredients. Citrulline converts to l-arginine in the kidneys, which in-turn boosts nitric oxide, which signals blood vessels to widen for increased blood flow.

Taking arginine itself used to be the way, but arginine is very quickly broken down before it reaches the blood. It’s still the key component to the muscle pump, but inside your body.

Arginine Nitrate – NO3-T®

Arginine Nitrate’s presence in the formula might make you think my comments on arginine above are wrong, or that this formula is weak.

It’s neither. This patented form called NO3-T takes advantage of nitrate bond allowing it to last a hell of a lot longer in your system.

The dose of 2500 mg is probably the strongest available on the market.

Two powerful pump ingredients at whopper doses, and we’re only 2 ingredients in.

Taurine

Taurine has quietly become a regular in pre-workout supplements across the board. It can increase blood flow, supplying yet more to the Citrulline / NO3-T swell.

A recent meta-analysis – the king of scientific studies (because it’s a study of studies) – informed us that taurine is beneficial for endurance too.

Taurine is an organic osmolyte, meaning it can regulate the volume of your cells via hydration. This serves to protect the cell during oxidative stressors such as exercise.

In many ways taurine is a lot like a neurotransmitter, and likely exerts positive effect on cognitive function, though no nervous system receptor has been found yet.

All in all, taurine remains a bit of an enigma, but one that is undoubtedly vital to survival and beneficial to supplement. The 2 gram dose is safe, and double the average industry dose.

GlycerPump™

GlycerPump is a patented form of high-yield glycerol that is a massive 65% glycerol by weight (old school clumpy glycerol powder was about one tenth, 10%, glycerol.

It’s more stabilized for better mixing and absorption (again, do you remember the clumps of old?).

Dosage is key here – 1500 mg at 65% yield is high!

The glycerol of yesteryear required grams of the stuff because of the low yield, poor mix, instability and clumpiness. Glycerpump (which is made by Pinnacle Ingredients by the way) requires less powder to work…but even then Ghost still put 1500 mg in!

Norvaline

I told you there’s nothing but pump ingredient after pump ingredient in this stuff.

Norvaline works as the NFL blocker for Arginine in your blood.

…what?

Nitric Oxide (NO) levels are boosted by arginine, which is increased by the L-Citrulline and the NO3-T. That NO then triggers vasodilation, and hence the muscle pump swoleness.

To regulate the process, an enzyme called arginase is also set loose. This inhibits arginine and caps the NO production. It’s a good thing, because it creates a cycle, rather than a runaway reaction.

Norvaline blocks some of the arginase, which keeps your serum arginine doing its thing for longer, and boosting Nitric Oxide for your whole workout and a good while afterwards.

Basically, Norvaline extends the cycle, so you can extend your PPUUMMPP.

Pine Park for Pinus Pinaster at 95% Proanthocyanidins

“Pine bark in pump products is nothing new” says Ghost. They go on to say that the Pinus Pinaster genus has some hefty science in its favour with respect to NO boosting, performance and endurance.

It’s probably a bit of a ball-ache to look these things up yourself so I’ll throw a couple studies your way.

By the way, Pycnogenol is a branded form of French Pine Bark extract, which happens to belong to the Pinus Pinaster genus that Ghost are talking about:

Here’s a study looking at vasodilation and NO production
This study evaluated triathlon performance by athletes supplementing pinus pinaster extract, and of “normal subjects” having a crack at the Army Physical Fitness Test
One study showed pine bark can even improve cognitive function, attention, mental performance and professional skills

There’s quite a lot more out there as well but I had those knocking around on my laptop and thought they added a bit of meat to Ghost’s claims.

If you don’t have time to dive into those links, suffice it to say that this ingredient improves performance, both mentally and physically and can boost nitric oxide production.

The Army fitness test and triathlon study there used a 100 mg/day and 150 mg/day respectively.

Ghost have lobbed 200 mg in to the formula. Because why not!

AstraGin®

AstraGin is a patented blend of Astragalus membranaceus and Panax Notoginseng. It’s purpose in the blend is to improve the absorption of amino acids, proteins and glucose.

Here’s a video from NuLivScience’s website explaining the ingredient’s benefits:

The two component herbs have also been studied for their neuroprotective capabilites, and found to also increase levels of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), improve energy metabolism and delay/reduce apoptosis (cell death).

A great ingredient to round out the formula.

Will Ghost Pump Work for You?

That is a very loaded question. We like Ghost Pump – when this review was first written we pretty much drooled over it

This is one of the best dedicated muscle pump pre-workout supplement I’ve seen. Yes it should work for most people, and it’ll do it tasting beautifully as well.

Ghost are making stackable supplements the right way. You could use Pump on its own and you’ll get monster swole, but they’ve elected to keep stimulants out of it.

Some of you might have seen that as a disappointment, but it’s actually what makes the most sense.

Think of it like this: Ghost have probably made the industry’s most effective muscle pump product by focusing entirely on ingredients that achieve that goal.

Adding a cursory 300 mg of caffeine would mean you wouldn’t be able to just dump a half or whole scoop of Pump into another stimulant based pre-workout.

It’s also at a price point that makes it feasible. You can buy Ghost Pump PLUS your stimulant/thermogenic pre-workout and stack the two together for not much more money than your all-in-one pre-workout…and I can almost guarantee the combination will do more for your workout anyway.

Ghost are partnering with other companies to make the Warheads flavour, and to include the GlycerPump, AstraGin and NO3-T, and they’re doing it in style, with good taste and with potent efficacy.

It’s hardly surprising they’ve made such a product when the CEO of the company is a huge fan of getting swole.

A man after my own heart.

Recommended Pre Workout

Although Ghost Pump is a premier supplement I feel that NO2 MAX is simple unbeatable.

NO2 MAX contains high dosages of the ingredients to get the most from your workout.

NO2 MAX is suitable for men and women and for people of all levels from the beginner to the competitive trainer.

Read the NO2 Max review

Best Foods to Eat Before Working Out – Pre-Workout Meals

Updated on February 14, 2020 by Brad Murphy

What are the best foods to eat before going to the gym and working out?

Best Foods to Eat Before Working Out

What are the best foods to eat before working out? Should you even care? Big Hell Yeah to that one last one. You need to care a lot. The pre-workout meals you eat can make or break your workout.

This article is all about what to eat prior to working out – we have another that features what to eat after working out here

That may sound like an exaggeration, but it’s not. Seriously. Think about it. If you head for the gym with nothing in your stomach but a bag of potato chips or a Twinkie, how will you train? Junk like that ain’t exactly the food of champions.

On the other hand, how do you think you will train if you hit the gym just after you’ve eaten a big meal?

Sure you may have made food choices that can juice you up with plenty of carbs after your workout, but the chances are you will feel bloated. Maybe even a little nauseous when you lie back on the bench and try to go to work.

Why You Shouldn’t Overdo It With Your Pre-Workout Meals

The other problem with going large on your pre-workout meals is it can make you sleepy. This happens in the animal kingdom as well, cats, dogs, even lions; they all crash out and bag some Zs after a big meal.

The scientists seem to still be trying to figure this one out, but they think it could be because overdoing it with the carbs and protein may trigger the release of serotonin. [SOURCE]

There’s another reason why eating a big meal before a workout isn’t a smart idea. It can actually rob you of energy instead of providing it. The same can happen if you try to fuel-up on sugar-laden snacks and soft drinks.

In both cases, the problem is the same. Be it due to eating big pre-workout meals or trying to get a sugar rush from snacks, your blood glucose can go sky high.

When you have too much glucose circulating your liver releases insulin to bring it down. More often than not, it does the job to well and you are hit with a sugar crash that can rob you of energy and give you cravings for high-calorie foods.

The take-home point here is it’s not just about knowing the best foods to eat before working out. The size and timing of your pre-workout meals is important too.

The Role of Macronutrients In Your Pre-Workout Meal

“Macronutrients” is a term used to describe the main nutrients in food. There are only three of them: Carbohydrate, protein, and fat.

Although most foods contain a mix of macronutrients, many foods are classed by the main one they contain.

For instance, steak is mainly considered a source of protein but it contains fat too. Oats have protein, but people generally eat them to fuel-up on carbs.

	Carbohydrate	Protein	Fat
Steak (100 g)	0 g	25 g	19 g
Oats (100g)	12 g	2.4 g	1.4 g

When you workout one of the main things you need is energy, so the best foods to eat before working out are ones that provide carbs. This is because carbs are your body’s primary source of energy. It’s designed to run on carbs.

It can get energy from protein and fat as well, but carbs are easier to use. Does that mean your pre-workout meals have to be all about carbs? No. They can contain the other two macronutrients too.

The thing is, adding them to your meal may be a bad idea if the time between eating and training is not long enough. Eating fat just before training can be particularly bad.

Carbohydrate (The #1 Choice for Your Pre-Workout Meals)

Carbohydrates (The #1 Choice for Your Pre-Workout Meals)

There are two kinds of carbs:

Simple Carbs
Complex Carbs

Simple carbs are basically sugars. They can provide a quick burst of energy, but can also cause your blood glucose to spike.

Complex carbs release energy more slowly than simple carbs. They keep you going for longer so they are the best carbs to use in pre-workout meals.

As they are digested, complex carbs release glucose into the blood. Your muscles convert this to ATP and use it for energy via a process known as cellular respiration. [SOURCE]

When the supply of glucose exceeds the demand, the liver converts the excess glucose to glycogen. It’s an important fuel reserve that is stored mostly in the liver but is stored in the muscles too.

Later on, when glucose levels are depleted during exercise, the liver converts glycogen back to glucose to help keep things going. [SOURCE]

So, the best foods to eat before working out are ones that provide complex carbs.

Here are a few examples of carb-rich foods you can add to your pre-workout meals:

Brown rice
Oats
Yams
Wholewheat pasta
Quinoa

All pre-workout Meals should contain carbs.

Protein (For Increased Endurance and Faster Recovery)

The amino acids provided by protein help increase endurance. In so doing, they enable you to increase the intensity of your workout. [SOURCE]

The branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) leucine, isoleucine, and valine are generally considered particularly important. For that reason, you can find them in many pre-workout supplements.

Adding protein to your pre-workout meals will also improve protein synthesis and provide you with extra strength. In addition to this, you may find you feel less muscle soreness due to a faster recovery rate.

Some of the best protein-rich foods to eat before working out include:

Turkey Breast
Tuna steak
Eggs
Milk
Soy

However, whether or not it is a good idea to include them in your pre-workout meals will depend on how soon you are eating them before your workout.

Fat (A Good Choice, But Not Always the Best Choice)

During a short duration of high-intensity exercise, your muscles are going to be running on glucose. For longer periods of exercise, things change.

Once the glucose is gone and the stores of glycogen have run dry your body will start burning fat for energy.

Every gram of fat you eat provides nine calories. That’s a lot. Carbs and protein only provide four calories per gram.

Fat is a high-calorie food so it stands to reason it can be good for providing energy. Here’s the rub: it takes a long time to digest.

The other problem is eating foods that are high in fat can slow the absorption of other foods.

It’s best not to eat foods that are high in fat before just before working out.

If it’s two or three hours before your workout, that’s fine. Chow down with confidence. Otherwise, give the fatty food a miss.

Most importantly, if you are adding fats to your pre-workout meals go for healthy (unsaturated fats). If you go for the other kind (saturated) you won’t be doing your heart any favours.

If you are adding fats to your pre-workout meals, some good options are:

Sunflower Seeds
Avocados
Walnuts
Mackerel
Herring

Using olive oil when roasting or frying food is also a good way to add unsaturated fat to your pre-workout meals.

Pre-Workout Meals v Pre-Workout Snacks

If you are eating two to three hours before your workout you have the freedom to choose pre-workout meals that contain carbs, protein, and fat. You still need to keep things healthy though and make sensible food choices.

When your pre-workout meals are only one to two hours before working out it’s best not to eat foods that contain fat. Eating them may hinder your workout instead of helping it.

Stick to carbs and proteins and think about making the portion size a little smaller so it will be lighter on your stomach.

If you are eating less than an hour before working out you will need to forget about eating a pre-workout meal. You need to be looking at pre-workout snacks instead.

Ideas for Pre-Workout Meals (2 – 3 Hours Before Training)

If you are eating two to three hours before training you have more options. There are fewer restrictions regarding fat.

Idea No. 1

Idea No. 2

Lean Grilled Steak (protein + fat)

Boiled Potatoes (Carbs)

Green Beans (Carbs)

Poached Salmon (Protein + Fat)

Boiled Brown Rice (Carbs)

Boiled Peas (Carbs + Protein

Ideas for Pre-Workout Meals (1 – 2 Hours Before Training)

If you are eating one to two hours before training, the best foods to include in your pre-workout meals will contain less fat. You won’t be looking at anything too complicated either, so it should be quick and easy to prepare:

Good choices include:

A light salad with bulgur wheat or couscous
Wholegrain cereal with skimmed milk
A small bowl of porridge topped with strawberries
Protein shake with a little mango

Pre-Workout Snacks (Eaten Less Than 60 Minutes Before Training)

When choosing your pre-workout snacks try to go for something small and simple and concentrate on carbs.

Some good choices for pre-workout snacks include:

An apple, pear, or orange
Half a cup of dried mixed fruit
Cereal bar

Good pre-workout snacks should provide an ongoing supply of glucose during your workout and do so without making your stomach feel bloated and full.

The Bottom Line

Choosing good pre-workout meals involves more than known the best foods to eat before working out. You also need to get the timing right and put some extra thought into the portion sizes.

If the idea of having so many restrictions regarding the foods you eat before working out seems a little daunting, it may be best to concentrate on the benefits a little smart pre-workout meal planning can provide.

Eating the right pre-workout meals or snacks at the right time can help you feel more energized in the gym. It can also help prevent muscle damage, speed up recovery, and generally support your ambition to build a strong, lean physique.