Brad Murphy

Cardio for Lifters – Get Bigger Muscles and Recover Faster with Cardio

Updated on February 14, 2020 by Brad Murphy

I know most people who lift are mentally allergic to cardio-vascular training, but it might be the most important aversion you’ll ever overcome.

Many of you would do some pretty crazy things if you knew it would improve your muscle gains, but cardio is viewed as a muscle eating, gains robbing activity.

What if it was a muscle-augmenting activity? What if it helped your resistance training in more ways than one? What if…

What if you’re actually missing out on some strength and physique improvements?

Shock, horror, right?

Methods some strength athletes follow is to put some high intensity interval training (HIIT) into their workouts, or higher rep sets with lower weight at faster tempos, in order to check the “cardio” box”.

Bear in mind that I want you to be as strong and musclebound as possible. I’m not here to impede your progress in any way, but to advance it, so shed the skepticism now. It will serve you better.

High Intensity Interval Training Takes Different Forms

First, before we get ahead of ourselves, it’s best to make one thing clear. HIIT is whatever you want it to be, so long as it incorporates:

Roughly 5 minutes of warm-up at 50-60% effort output
Several short rounds of near maximal (80-90%) perceived effort – lasting 15 to 30 seconds
Passive or active rest sets between rounds
Roughly 5 minutes of warm down, starting at 50% effort and tapering off

Example 1 – HIIT Cycling

An example of the a classic cardio style HIIT would be to use a spin bike or static bike.

With a bike you can cycle for the whole duration, and your rounds would be about 30 seconds each at 80-90% effort (often called RPE – Rated Perceived Exertion).

The rests between rounds can be 50-60% RPE, just like the warm-up, for 90 seconds, and same for the warm-down at the end.

Example 2 – HIIT Weights

Another example would be to do HIIT with resistance training instead. Get up to 60% of your squat and deadlift 1RMs (one rep max) within a 5 minute warm-up.

As for the HI rounds, rated perceived exertion can be achieved by taking the same 60% of 1RM and repping it with fast cadence to within 1 or 2 reps of failure.

So basically stop the round when you have 1 or 2 reps left in you. For most people this will fall into the range of 8 to 15 reps.

Between each round take 90 seconds of rest.

The warm-down for the weights could be something light like walking on a treadmill or cycling very low resistance for 5 minutes.

So, Which Is Better – HIIT Weights or HIIT Cycling?

Logic tells us that performing HIIT weights as your cardio training would add to your strength and muscle growth gains given that it’s using some movements from your strength training.

However, this doesn’t tend to be true. In fact, if you do a fully taxing HIIT cycling session, you will feel a leg pump that rivals, or even beats, that of HIIT squats.

There’s also evidence that concurrent training in this manner, involving interval cycling and regular weights training can improve gains. This is in part due to the larger muscle groups – especially legs – having roughly equal proportions of type 1 and type 2 muscle fiber.
There has been a study carried out which directly compared these two HIIT methods.

In some areas the study was poorly designed and controls could have been better, but there were some interesting takeaways that might help you.

One such finding was strength measurements were not greatly different in the HIIT weights and the HIIT cycling groups following the study. However, like I said, there wasn’t a control group who performed strength-only training to determine what the maximum strength could be.

Either way, strength improved for both groups and the improvements were similar.

Aerobic fitness on the other hand was improved in the HIIT cycling group by enough to outweigh any study design problems. i.e HIIT cycling is better for your CV system.

Nothing really astonishing there, but with it fresh in your mind, let’s look at program design and the wider implications to muscle and strength improvements, which is why we’re all here anyway.

Fitting Cardio Into Your Training Program

High intensity interval training is unmatched with respect to cardio-vascular health and elevated rates of fat burning that results from the excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC).

But you don’t need me to tell you that cardio is good for you. You want to know how you can manage it and still be a beast.

The first mistake that can be made is to simply bolt cardio onto their program. That’s fine if you have a moderate to low training intensity/volume as it is, but can lead to overtraining and fatigue problems if you’re already pushing your limit every week.

That also provides a segue to discussing the HIIT weights versus HIIT cycling methods. Some of you might still be thinking it’s an opportunity to add some gut-busting squat, deadlift, other compound lift, sets in to really pump up that volume and maybe add some mass.

The danger here is that you limit your output for the days when you are doing your really heavy lifts. Something you definitely don’t want to do is stagnate your strength gains by pumping out HIIT sessions a couple times a week.

In that study they said strength gains were similar but they were only measuring knee extensions which none of the participants were including in their program prior to the study. They were also using predicted 1RMs based on rep-count and fatigue, not true 1RMs.

No-one can really argue with me here: if you’re squatting and deadlifting way into the red on your cardio days, you’re not going to be able to lift your heaviest on your strength days.

So, that leaves us with HIIT cycling. The first few times you push a solid interval cycling session in, you’re going to feel it the next day, but you will get used to this, and eventually it will hardly affect your heavy lifting program at all.

Additionally, the cardio-vascular fitness improvements will help you recover faster between your heavy sets, hypertrophy sets and days in between.

If you have some body fat to lose, it’s another reason to get on the bike, and you can push it harder while staying safer than you ever could if you were doing HIIT waits to near maximal effort.

Muscle failure on the bike just means you stop and recover. On the squat rack it can be a different matter.

There’s even the possibility that you’ll get some size increase in your legs. Previous research into concurrent training indicates this as a possibility and it might be due to you building up both muscle fiber types as opposed to focusing on one.

Strong is great, but strong and fit is more likely to get you to a ripe old age.

Conclusion – Look At the Bigger Picture

I’m going to get all philosophical on you now, so be warned.

if I haven’t convinced you to introduce some intense cardio to your program then just hear me out here and I’ll say no more.

A lot of you are probably trying to increase your numbers, be it on the big three: squat, deadlift and bench, or just in general across the board.

I get that, I really do, but it’s important to remember that it’s all for nothing if we don’t have our health. And CV work is health, ladies and gents.

Strong is great, but strong and fit is more likely to get you to a ripe old age.

Some guys walk on treadmills for 40 minutes – you’ll see the biggest bodybuilders doing this all the time. It’s like they are afraid their muscles will melt if they do anything more intense. Varying your exercises is another great tip.

The light treadmill walking thing is like a virus that has made its way to all gyms everywhere. Big guys just do it.

No wonder they are bored off their minds. Walking in a gym sucks.

Whereas, a hard interval session on a big will fly past and be done before you even know it.

The hardcore results you will get from it once you have done it for a few weeks will make you a believer, trust me. And the swole-factor is ridiculous.

Additionally, you won’t be so taxed from a cardio-vascular standpoint during your lifting sessions, which might ultimately lead to increased volume or intensity on the whole.

I’ll finish this article with a bit of practical advice. It’s true that when you do your cardio the day before your leg workout, you might feel some of the fatigue the following day, at least for the first few times you do it.

The workaround is to alternate the upper and lower body according to the program you are following. I haven’t mentioned the rowing machine in this article yet but it’s about to come into your life in a big way.

The day before leg day, do your interval/HIIT cardio on the rowing machine. The day before chest or shoulder day do you HIIT cycling.

Could anything be simpler or more elegant than that?

What Foods are Good for Bulking Up and Gaining Muscle Mass

Updated on February 14, 2020 by Brad Murphy

There is a lot of conflicting information as to what you should eat if you want to bulk up and gain muscle muss. This article cuts through the fluff and gives it to you straight. here are the foods you should eat if you want to bulk up.

Foods for Bulking Up and Gaining Muscle Mass

Do you know what foods are good for bulking you up? If you do, you probably won’t need to read any further. Having said that, my list of ten muscle-building foods may give you a few ideas you would not normally consider.

When I’m on a quest to gain muscle mass, I eat the foods that can help me the most and anything is fair game—even horses.

That doesn’t mean I don’t consider the vegetarian-friendly sources of protein. There can be a life without meat and there are some very good plant-based proteins out there.

It’s not good to rely on meat all the time. Eating too much of it too often is not healthy. That’s why I like to mix things up a bit and eat plenty of plant-based proteins too. Apart from anything else, it adds a little variety to my diet and keeps life interesting.

Read on and I’ll share with you some of my top foods for bulking up and gaining good, high-quality muscle mass.

1. Steak

When it comes to foods that are good for bulking up, steak is an obvious choice.

Every 100 g of steak you eat will provide you with around 25g of protein and, as with all red meats, it will be a complete protein. Steak is also an ideal food to eat to increase testosterone levels.

Complete proteins provide all the amino acids your muscles require for growth. Steak takes a little longer to digest than some of the other foods that are good for gaining muscle mass. It can also be higher in fat but, as a “muscle food”, steak is one of the best.

Apart from being high in protein, steak is also a good source of iron. Iron is one of the nutrients your body needs for manufacturing hemoglobin.

The red blood cells need hemoglobin to carry oxygen around the body. This may not sound important, but it is. Your muscles need oxygen and the harder you work them the more they need. So, by providing the iron your body needs to produce hemoglobin, steak helps you to workout with greater intensity. [SOURCE 1]

2 Turkey Breast

Turkey is also one of the best high-protein foods for bulking you up and increasing muscle mass. All turkey meat is good, but the breast is the best because it’s incredibly lean. In fact, it’s normally only around two percent fat and a 100 g serving will give you up to 30 g of protein.

Turkey breast is also very low in calories. That means you don’t need to worry about gaining a lot of extra body fat alongside your improvements in muscle mass.

As a muscle building food, turkey breast ticks all the right boxes because it helps with bulking up while keeping you lean.

However, although the breast is good, the skin that covers it is not. If you eat the skin you will be giving yourself a lot of unnecessary fat. You will also risk pushing up your cholesterol level. So discard the skin and boil the meat instead of roasting or frying.

3. Tofu

Okay, we’ve already got two of the best foods for bulking up out of the way and both of them were meats. This seems like a good time to start talking tofu.

Eating tofu is a very good way to boost your protein intake and don’t go thinking it’s not a complete protein. Apart from being one of the best vegan-friendly proteins, tofu has all the amino acids included.

If you’re not a vegetarian or vegan, don’t dismiss this nutritional powerhouse out of hand. A typical serving of tofu is around eight percent protein and it does not contain any cholesterol at all. It does provide reasonable amounts of iron, magnesium, and calcium though.

If you can’t remember why iron is important, skip back to the section on steak. If you don’t know why magnesium and calcium are important I’ll tell you. Both minerals have the ability to boost natural testosterone production. [SOURCE]

4. Tuna

No list of foods that are good for bulking up would be complete if it didn’t have tuna. It’s high in protein and very low in fat. Even if you forgo fresh tuna steaks and go for the canned variety instead, a 3-ounce serving of tuna that has been canned with water provides roughly 20 g of protein.

Lots of bodybuilders swear by canned tuna and it has the advantage of being very easy to prepare. All you need to do is open the tin, drain off the water, and you are good to go. It goes great with a salad and can make a quick and nutritious sandwich. Alternatively, you can combine it with sweetcorn and low-cal mayonnaise and serve it on top of a baked potato.

The other good thing about tuna is it provides omega-3 fatty acids. Research suggests Omega-3 fatty acids can help prevent the decline of muscle mass and strength that is often a normal part of aging. So, apart from building muscle, tuna may also help you hang on to it for longer. [SOURCE]

5. Beans on Toast

The problem with baked beans is, although they are a good source of protein, the beans are not a complete protein. However, a slice or two of bread contains the amino acids the beans lack. That means a serving of beans on toast can serve all your muscles’ protein needs.

If you can, it’s best to use wholemeal bread for the toast instead of white. Wholemeal bread is higher in fiber and a good source of complex carbohydrate. Choosing wholemeal bread to accompany your baked beans will make the meal better for providing ongoing energy.

Due to it’s higher fiber content, wholemeal bread is also more filling. Eating it should help you avoid the urge to snack in between meals. If you want a good vegetarian-friendly alternative to steak, beans on toast fits the bill.

6. Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is another good vegetarian-friendly source of protein. It also provides a reasonable dose of testosterone-boosting calcium. It’s a good food choice for anyone who is busy bulking up and it also has the benefit of being a low-fat protein option.

Like all dairy proteins, cottage cheese is a complete protein so there is no need to worry about a lack of amino acids.

Additionally, this lumpy-looking cheese curd provides a hefty dose of selenium. If you don’t know why that’s good, don’t worry, I do and I’m willing to share the information.

Selenium is a vital mineral and antioxidant that helps protect the body from oxidative stress. Rigorous training causes oxidative stress, that’s why the selenium content of cottage cheese is worth mentioning. [SOURCE]

Cottage cheese is also a versatile food option. You can have it on toast at breakfast time or with a baked potato at lunch. It also works well with a salad and is a healthy low-fat sandwich filler you can enjoy any time of the day.

Need a good food to help get you gaining some serious muscle mass? Squeeze some cottage cheese into your day.

7. Milk

When it comes to dairy protein, milk is king. Cheeses and yogurts are made from milk. It’s the primary source of their protein-packing power. Milk is also probably the only real food you serve in a glass.

Food? Milk? How can this be so? Apart from being a complete protein, milk also provides all the other nutrients your body needs. It’s got the lot. If you wanted to you could live on milk. That makes it a “complete food“.

The chances are I don’t need to tell you that, when it comes to bulking up, this dairy king of foods is as good as it gets. Milk has always been one of the main go-to bodybuilding proteins.

Milk is also a muscle-builder that keeps you looking lean and mean by helping your body to burn fat. That’s not just me saying that. It’s the men in white coats over at the University of Tennessee.

They ran some clinical trials and discovered milk’s rich calcium content allows it to help you lose fat from your trunk region. [SOURCE]

8. Eggs

Do you know what works incredibly well alongside milk? Eggs. Of course, they are also a good food for bulking you up when you eat them alone, but they make a kick-ass combination too.

Both are complete proteins that are easily assimilated and get to work fast. Bodybuilders have been using milk and egg protein shakes for years.

However, you may have heard the scare stories that mixing these two proteins is a dangerous thing to do. Don’t worry, it’s not. It’s only dangerous if you use raw eggs to make your shake. Doing so is unhealthy because there could be implications with bacteria. If you make your shake with boiled eggs everything is safe as houses.

Apart from their other virtues, eggs are a damn good source of choline. Two eggs can provide up to 300 mg.

Choline is a precursor to the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine. That’s interesting because research suggests acetylcholine precursors of this nature can boost human growth hormone (HGH) production. [SOURCE]

I’m sure I don’t need to explain why that’s good. We’re talking growth here and growth is what gaining muscle is all about.

9. Beetroot

If you are surprised to see beetroot on a list of foods that are good for bulking you up, don’t be. These little, red wonders are good stuff. Okay, they turn your pee pink, but nothing is perfect and there’s nothing wrong with adding a little colour to your life every once in a while.

Beetroot is high in nitrate. That allows it to function as a natural NO (nitric acid) booster. Many supplements contain ingredients chosen for their ability to boost NO because higher levels of NO relax the walls of the blood vessels and, in so doing, increase blood flow to the muscles.

The blood has the job of providing the muscles with the nutrients they need to grow. By increasing nutrient flow to the muscles, beetroot speeds up recovery times and helps your muscles to grow. [SOURCE]

10. Horse Meat

Yeah, I know. I’m a terrible man. It’s not cool to suggest you should eat the flesh of dead horses. But how does that taboo work anyway? Unless you are a vegetarian, eating the flesh of dead cows is a socially acceptable practice. Fluffy white sheep too.

Most animals are seen as fair game, why are horses supposed to be different? Personally, I blame TV shows like Champion the Wonder Horse and The Black Stallion.

However, even if you can get past the taboo, taking advantage of this excellent source of protein may not be an option. In many countries, horse meat is not easy to obtain. In others, all it takes is a trip down to the local supermarket.

If you can get it though, horse meat is a really good food for bulking you up. Apart from being high in protein, it contains around 50 percent less fat than beef does and twice as much iron.

As for the taste, it’s pretty good and, where horse meat is available, there may be smoked options too. I can’t say I care too much for smoked horse meat, but many horse eaters love it.

Burn XT Review – Thermogenic Fat Burner from Jacked Factory

Updated on February 19, 2021 by Brad Murphy

A popular weight loss capsule sold on Amazon designed to increase fat metabolism, burn calories, and suppress appetite. Burn XT is suitable for both men and women. Does it really work though? Read the updated 2021 Burn XT review to find out

Burn XT review by GHC — A thermogenic fat burner capsule created to increase fat metabolism, burn calories, and suppress the appetite.

PROS
Some good ingredients.
Not too expensive.
Some good customer reviews.

CONS
Some bad customer reviews.
Some ingredients under dosed.
Possible side effects.

VERDICT – NOT RECOMMENDED
I wouldn’t invest my weight loss hopes into Burn XT – there are better options available.

Burn XT is a typical fat burning supplement that is made to be sold via Amazon. It is a commodity product.

I would recommend PhenQ – a natural multi benefit weight loss pill that can burn fat, block new fat absorption and suppress appetite. It is a serious diet supplement and doesn’t rely on hype or hyperbole to gain customers.

Burn XT Review

Some thermogenic fat burners are aimed at normal people wish to lose weight. Others are intended for bodybuilders and the more athletically inclined. Burn XT falls into the latter category.

Burn XT is one of a number of sports supplements being marketed by a company called Jacked Factory. It’s based in New York and caters solely for the American and Canadian market.

Jacked Factory describes Burn XT as a “cutting-edge thermogenic fat burner for men and women” and states it provides an effective dose of the most powerful fat burning ingredients available.

To be fair, the formulation does include some damned good fat burners and the inclusion rates look okay. However, Jacked Factory has been a bit heavy-handed with the caffeine.

Not surprisingly a number of customers have left reviews complaining about side effects. Some customers also state Burn XT does not work, so the cutting-edge formula may not be so sharp after all.

Burn Xt Reviews — 30 capsules per bottle that should last 1 month if taken as recommended by the manufacturers usage instructions

What Are the Benefits of Burn XT?

Suppresses the appetite
Boosts the metabolism
Increases fat burning
Preserves muscle mas
Burns more calories
Provides energy
No artificial dyes, fillers, or preservatives
Manufactured in the USA in a cGMP certified facility
Suitable for vegetarians

So What Does All This Mean?

Burn XT works in a similar way to all the other thermogenic fat burners on the market, though most of the other options don’t contain nearly so much caffeine.

If it successfully suppresses hunger it will help people to eat less. As long as they are eating the right kind of foods the reduction in volume should cause a calorie shortage. When the body lacks calories it starts burning fat.

Burn XT is also designed to boost the metabolism. The metabolism takes energy from food and puts it to work. Boosting the metabolism causes an increased demand for calories. If the calories are not there the body has to burn more fat.

The formulation also contains ingredients that make the body temperature a little warmer. This causes the body to lose extra energy as heat. Its ability to do this makes Burn XT a thermogenic fat burner as well.

Sometimes the calorie shortage that is necessary for burning fat also causes a reduction in muscle mass. Nobody wants this. Especially not bodybuilders and athletes. For this reason, some supplements contain ingredients that help prevent this loss.

what is in Burn XT — What is in the formula – Burn XT ingredient label

Burn XT Ingredient Profile and Blend Evaluation

A two-capsule dose provides:

Acetyl-L-Carnitine – 700 mg
Green Tea Extract – 450 mg
Caffeine Anhydrous – 270 mg
Capsimax – 50 mg
Bioperine – 5 mg

Acetyl-L-Carnitine

An amino acid that supports muscle growth and helps pull energy into the cells. It’s often added to bodybuilding supplements because it can speed up post-workout recovery rates and prevent muscle degradation. [SOURCE]

Green Tea Extract

It’s not a surprise to see green tea included in the mix. Apart from being one of the most popular diet pill ingredients in the world it’s also one of the best. Researchers have proven its value again and again and the results of one study show it can increase energy expenditure and fat oxidation for up to 24 hours. [SOURCE]

Caffeine Anhydrous

Caffeine is another commonly-used diet pill ingredient. It’s also often overused. It’s abilities as a stimulant allow it to be very effective for boosting mental focus and accelerating the metabolism. Needless to say, it boosts energy too.

When used in moderation, most people can enjoy the benefits of caffeine without any unpleasant repercussions. Burn XT provides 270 mg per dose. That’s a lot and the anhydrous form of caffeine is absorbed fast so the body is going to get a quick hit that could cause jitters, headaches, and other side effects.

To put things into perspective, taking two capsules will provide a dose of caffeine similar to that provided by three cups of coffee.

Capsimax

Capsimax is a proprietary blend of capsicum extract. Capsicum is a good ingredient that has proven value as an appetite suppressant, a metabolism booster, and a thermogenic fat burner. It’s actually one of the most powerful weight loss ingredients available.

The problem is, most capsicum extracts are hard on the stomach. Capsimax is not. It uses a special bead technology that allows it to be easy on the digestive organs while also delivering maximum power.

Bioperine

A patented black pepper extract that provided piperine. Black pepper extracts are used in many different types of supplements because piperine aids ingredient absorption.

How to Use Burn XT

The normal dose is two capsules first thing each morning. These should be taken with a glass of water. If desired, it’s permissible to take a further two capsules five to six hours later.

However, new users are warned to begin with a dose of no more than one capsule per day. This makes it possible to check for tolerance issues. If none come to light, Jacked Factory says it’s possible to go full steam ahead and take the full dose from day three onward.

Burn XT Reviews and Customer Comments

Although there are a lot of good reviews there are also people who are saying the product failed to meet their requirements. There are many reports of side effects as well.

A few average customer reviews read:

“I like Burn XT. It always gives me a ton of energy to put into my morning workout. I think I may have lost a couple of pounds from my waist as well so everything is good.”
“These pills are a waste of money they don’t help with fat burning at all. All they do is give you a banging headache and leave you feeling half dead for the rest of the day.”
“Three weeks ago I began going to the gym and eating a low-energy diet. I also began using Burn XT. So far, I’ve managed to lose 9lbs and my energy levels are through the roof. I’ve still got a way to go yet but I’m confident the pills will help me get there.”
“I’m not really sure if these pills work or not. I am eating less, but that’s because they get me feeling so ill. They do give you an initial energy buzz, but it’s followed by a crash that makes you want to crawl away and sleep. Other people may have more luck with this product, but it’s not for me.”

Reported Side Effects of Burn XT

Although some people seem to be able to use Burn XT without issue, others report experiencing a range of unpleasant side effects.

Reported side effects include:

Headaches
Nausea
Vomiting
Anxiety
Jitters
Drowsiness

All of the reported side effects are the same as the ones people normally experience when they consume too much caffeine. That includes feeling drowsy.

After an initial energy boost, high doses of caffeine can result in a phenomenon known as a “caffeine crash”.

Extreme tiredness is one of the main symptoms of a caffeine crash. It can also interfere with concentration, cause irritability, and hit you with an overpowering desire to sleep.

Although the warning on the back of the bottle is easy to miss, Jacked Factory suggests all users ask for a doctor’s opinion prior to using Burn XT. This is very good advice.

Where to Buy Burn XT

Unless you don’t live in the US or Canada, you probably won’t be able to buy Burn XT at all. Jacked Factory does not offer shipping options to addresses located outside North America.

However, presuming your geographical location is right you have the option of buying Burn XT from the Jacked Factory website and via Amazon.com.

As far as the price goes, Burn XT initially appears pretty cheap. You can normally buy a bottle of burn for around USD $30. The problem is, if you use two doses a day, a bottle will only last for a couple of weeks. If you are seriously thinking of using this product you may want to bear that in mind.

Guarantee

Jacked Factory promises customers a 30-day money back guarantee, but the Terms and Conditions page on the company website suggests refunds are only available for products that are unused.

Any refunds issued are less the cost of shipping and Jacked Factory also subtracts an unspecified handling charge.

Is Burn XT Worth Buying?

Burn XT is a supplement that offers customers a mix of good and bad. The formulation contains green tea and Capsimax. Both are excellent fat burners so that’s good. It also contains a large dose of caffeine. That could give many people a significant energy boost, which is good, but it could also cause side effects and that is undeniably bad.

The fact that some customers say the product worked well for them is good. Unfortunately, a lot of customers report experiencing side effects that could easily be attributed to caffeine overload. That, of course, is bad.

There are also some doubts about the value of the money back guarantee and the shipping options are severely limited. Neither of these things is good. All things considered, Burn XT does not compare well to some of the other options available.

Most Popular FAQ

Where to Buy Burn XT in the UK and Ireland

It is available from the Jacked factory official website or Amazon.

Does Burn XT Work?

It is one of the most popular fat burners on Amazon with lots of positive comments and testimonials. However, this doesn’t mean it is suitable for all.

Nutrex Outlift – Stim Free Pre Workout Review

Updated on February 10, 2020 by Brad Murphy

If you are sensitive to stimulants (caffeine) the it would make sense to use a stimulant free pre workout. Outlift is considered to be one of the best. Read our review and see what we think.

Nutrex Outlift - Stim Free Pre Workout Review

PROS
Stacked pre-workout.
One of the best stimulant free options.
Good pumps

CONS
It is nowhere near as good as a fully dosed pre workout.

VERDICT
If you are sensitive to caffeine then I would not hesitate to recommend. It is arguably the best of the Pre-Workout ‘lites’.

If you are not sensitive then look closely at 4 Gauge.

Nutrex Outlift Review

Nutrex released their pre-workout supplement Outlift in regular and stim-free versions. This review covers the stim-free version but they are close enough in ingredients for the information below to be useful to you.

If you’re anything like me, you have two pre-workouts in the cupboard, one with stimulants, and one stim-free option.

A stim-free option is useful for a day where you want to get your stimulant fix another way, or you want to take advantage of the other ingredients a stim-free will use, or you just don’t want the stim “feel”.

Of course, some of you always go stim-free for any number of reasons, and so these are your go-to products.

I have alternated Nutrex Research’s Stim-Free Outlift with another product I have been testing, Dymatize Pre W.O.

This gave me a great idea as to how a stimulant based pre-workout compared with the stim-free pre. They are also fairly similar with respect to some of the key inclusions and their dosages, and they provided an even better platform for comparison.

Why Use Nutrex Outlift Stim-Free?

The obvious reasons are that you want a stim-free pre-workout, Nutrex Research are a reputable company, and Outlift is a fairly recent product line, so why not?!

One thing to point out from the beginning is the 26 grams of Outlift powder for every scoop.

That’s a pretty big scoop and worthy of your attention, because there are only a couple grams of non-active ingredients in Outlift, meaning it contains about 24 grams of active ingredients.

Companies who routinely put out these pre-workouts, the servings of which are in single figure grams, can not compare their products to something like Nutrex Outlift.

Here are the reported benefits of Outlift Stim-Free:

Enhances Power and Strength
Amplifies Muscle Pump, Reduces Fatigue, Supports Recovery
Stim-Free
Scientifically Based Formula
Non-Proprietary Blend

Yep, that last point brings be to the next section. The formula is an open book; no proprietary blends to trick the customer.

What Are the Ingredients and Dosages?

Nutrex have used the majority of their regular Outlift pre-workout formula, taken out the caffeine and l-tyrosine and added Betaine instead.

To that end it’s a true non-stim version of the same formula, which is not the route a lot of companies go mainly because they usually have too many stimulants so after they replace them, there is very little of the original formula left.

My point is, if you like the look of regular stimulant Outlift except for that darn caffeine and l-tyrosine, well, you’re in luck.

The main active ingredients in each 26 gram scoop are as follows:

Citrulline Malate [8 g] – the chief of the muscle pump ingredients at the moment. It’s better than straight arginine for boosting nitric oxide levels because arginine is broken down too quickly.

So, taking citrulline increases serum arginine more than taking arginine does (just go with it).

Beta-Alanine (as CarnoSyn) [3.2 g] – CarnoSyn is the most respected branded form of beta-Alanine, the non-essential amino acid that helps you push a few more reps in your volume set.

L-Leucine [3 g] – the primary branched chain amino acid (BCAA), which can be used in the muscle as direct fuel, and triggers the anabolic muscle growth process.

Betaine Anhydrous [2.5 g] – a heart protecting methyl-donor that helps reduce cellular damage from exercise oxidation. Research tells us it might have a similar effect to creatine with respect to drawing water into cells.

Creatine Monohydrate (as Creapure) [2 g] – creatine needs no introduction, it’s the most proven strength building supplement ever. However, I would add another 3 grams of Creatine monohydrate to this amount to replenish your phosphocreatine energy stores.

Taurine [2 g] – helps speed recovery and reduce muscle soreness, especially in combination with the BCAAs in the blend. It may also be able to help aerobic function and increase exercise induced fat burning (thermogenesis).

L-Isoleucine [1.5 g]
L-Valine [1.5 g]
BioPerine [5mg]

Like I said in the Creatine bit, the only thing I would do is add some additional creatine to your shake. Timing for creatine is not critical, it simply builds up in your cells to saturate them and form a phosphocreatine reservoir.

By adding 3 grams more of creatine monohydrate you will provide your body with enough for each day with a little in reserve to top up your phosphocreatine stores. Whereas the 2 grams in Outlift may potentially be used up during intensive workouts.

Your phosphocreatine reservoir is basically an energy store that you muscles can tap into when they need it.

Will the Formula Work for You?

It depends on whether you enjoy/need a stimulant kick up the backside. If you’re okay taking stimulants, then I’d stick with stim-formulas for the most part because they provide something that non-stims just can’t.

I mentioned in the intro that I like having one of each; a stimulant containing pre-workout and a non-stim pre-workout. That’s personal choice, but it lets me have a coffee heavy morning some days and still get pumped in the gym without overdoing the caffeine.

The most common possibility is that you are a non-stimulant kind of person. I don’t care why you don’t take stimulants, but I want you to have a solid pre-workout, and with Nutrex Outlift you’ve got one, trust me.

Recommended Pre Workout

The market is not exactly short of pre workout supplements – everybody their favourite. This is ours

4 Gauge is a premier supplement – 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

More on 4Gauge Pre Workout here

DecaDuro Review & Results – Legal Deca Durabolin

Updated on May 10, 2020 by Brad Murphy

Decaduro is a natural bodybuilding supplement designed for people who want a legal alternative to Deca Durabolin. Gain size, increase strength and recover faster. Read our review for detailed analysis.

DecaDuro review by GGHC — Bodybuilding supplement for size, strength and recovery

PROS
Solid muscle gains and strength.
Endurance & fast recovery times.
Excellent user testimonials
No side effects.
Great for stacking – bulking and cutting.

CONS
Does not ship to some countries.
Only available from official website.

VERDICT – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Another impressive bodybuilding supplement from CrazyBulk. Can be used a standalone product or part of stack.

Available to buy from the official CrazyBulk website. The best selling countries are the United States, Canada, UK and Australia.

Please note: There is no valid CrazyBulk Coupon Code due to the current special offers – buy 3 and get 1 free.

There are currently offers on the official website that entitles customers to 40% discount on selected packages.

VIEW SPECIAL OFFERS

CrazyBulk DecaDuro Review & Results, Before and After Pics

CrazyBulk’s Decaduro is a legal Deca Durabolin alternative made by CrazyBulk.

It’s designed to provide similar benefits to those of the steroid it replaces without causing any of the side effects.

Here is a quick snapshot of what CrazyBulk DecaDuro can do:

Increases oxygen flow to the muscles
Quality muscle gains
Increased strength and endurance
Increases protein synthesis
Improves nitrogen retention
Soothes the joints and quickens recovery

There’s a CrazyBulk alternative to all the popular anabolic steroids used for bodybuilding. All of them are renowned for delivering excellent results.

DecaDuro is powered by an advanced anabolic blend of natural ingredients. It mimics the ability of Deca Durabolin by improving protein synthesis, boosting nitrogen retention, increasing red blood cell production.

CrazyBulk customers report achieving incredible gains in strength and muscle thanks to Decaduro. On top of this, it appears to be very kind to the joints.

What Is Deca Durabolin and Why Is CrazyBulk DecaDuro Better?

Deca Durabolin is a branded version of the injectable androgen and anabolic steroid Nandrolone. It’s been around since the 1950s and was originally used for treating menopausal women afflicted with osteoporosis.

On a molecular level Deca Durabolin is almost identical to testosterone. Not surprisingly, it’s one of the most popular steroids there is.

Two of the most important things it does are increasing nitrogen retention and improving protein synthesis.

Additionally, the Deca Durabolin steroid also improves collagen synthesis. This makes it useful to bodybuilders who are prone to joint pain.

Deca Durabolin is less likely to convert to estrogen than testosterone and that’s good. However, it also causes a 70 percent reduction in normal testosterone production. That’s not so good and a post cycle therapy (PCT) will be needed.

Although Deca Durabolin is an excellent bulking steroid it’s around 50 percent less effective than testosterone. Like the other steroids some bodybuilders use, it also causes side effects.

Have you ever heard it said that bald men are more virile? If so Deca Durabolin goes against the myth. One of its side effects is premature balding. Erectile dysfunction is another.

Furthermore, using the Deca Durabolin steroid can also damage your heart.

Still, despite the negatives involved many bodybuilders are willing to take the risk and use the Deca Durabolin steroid. DecaDuro exists so they don’t have to.

CrazyBulk Manufacturer Credibility

CrazyBulk produce some of the best legal steroids on the market. The company has earned a tremendous amount of respect from past and present users.

All CrazyBulk products are produced to exacting quality standards and, most importantly, customer reviews show they do what they are meant to do.

How to Use DecaDuro

On your training days, you need to take three capsules with water 45 minutes before your workout.

On non-training days, you only need to take one capsule before eating your evening meal.

For best results, you should continue using DecaDuro for at least two months.

DecaDuro Benefits and Selling Points

Safe Deca Durabolin Alternative
Speeds Up Muscle Recovery
Relives Joint and Tendon Pain
Provides Explosive Power and Strength
Delivers Huge Muscle Gains
Reduces Body Fat and Preserves Muscle
No Prescriptions or Needles Needed
See Results Within 30 Days

How CrazyBulk DecaDuro Works

The formulation of natural ingredients used in DecaDuro works in a similar way to the Deca Durabolin steroid.

Increases Oxygen Flow to the Muscles
Increases Protein Synthesis
Improves Nitrogen Retention
Soothes the Joints

Oxygen Flow

Your muscles need oxygen and it’s a need that increases significantly during periods of exercise. If they don’t get enough it will slow you down and hinder your progress.

Additionally, oxygen is also needed during the muscle repair process.

Protein Synthesis

In a nutshell, protein synthesis is when your body starts combining amino acids and creating muscle tissue.

When you are training regularly you want this to happen as fast as possible. If the muscles are not fully repaired between training days you could find you are sliding backward.

Nitrogen Retention

Muscles need sufficient nitrogen to maintain an anabolic state. The problem is, exercise depletes nitrogen. If the muscles do not have enough nitrogen they cannot process protein efficiently.

Joint Pain

A lot of bodybuilders suffer from joint pain. The problem may be the result of years of rigorous training, arthritis, or some other reason. however, whatever the cause, joint pain can really hold an athlete back.

DecaDuro Ingredients at a Glance

A three-capsule dose of DecaDuro provides:

Dioscorea Opposita Thunb (750 mg)
Panax Ginseng (375 mg)
L-Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate (150 mg)
Acetyl-L-Carnitine (75 mg)
L-Citrulline (75 mg)
Tribulus TerrestrisT(37.5 mg)

DecaDuro Ingredient Evaluation

Now it’s time to take a look at what the four ingredients can do.

Dioscorea Opposita Thunb

An ingredient cultivated from the roots of wild yams. It’s a good ingredient. Lots of bodybuilders and other athletes use it for delaying fatigue and increasing endurance.

The important thing to know about yam root is it contains diosgenin. It’s a forerunner to the steroid hormones produced naturally in the body, including testosterone.

Supplementing with wild yam extract can also be good for relieving muscle pain and cramps. [SOURCE]

Panax Ginseng (375 mg)

Ginseng is used as a herbal remedy for many ailments. People also use it to maintain a good state of health. Furthermore, it’s got a longstanding reputation as an aphrodisiac and Chinese herbalists consider it a “life-giving herb”.

Scientists are still researching the ways ginseng does many of the things it does, so there are still many unknowns. However, there is evidence to show one of the things it does is boost testosterone.

Not surprisingly, it’s also proved to be good for treating erectile dysfunction. Reducing exercise-induced muscle damage is just one more of the many benefits associated with ginseng.

It’s presence here should also help the formulation sooth joint pain. It appears to have value in this regard and is often used as a treatment for arthritis.

L-Arginine alpha-Ketoglutarate

L-Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate is a non-essential amino acid. It’s vitally important for maintaining adequate nitric oxide levels because the liver cannot produce nitric oxide without it.

Its also helps the liver to breakdown the ammonia and other chemicals that are produced during exercise.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine

Acetyl-L-Carnitine is an amino acid that pulls fatty acids into the cells. For this reason, supplements that provide it increase energy.

In addition to its value as an energy provider, Acetyl-L-Carnitine also accelerates fat burning. Better yet, it protects existing muscle mass as it does so.

As if all of this were not good enough, It offers further benefit as a testosterone booster. [SOURCE ]

L-Citrulline

L-Citrulline is a non-essential amino acid. In addition to being a building block of protein, it also boosts nitrogen oxide.

It’s ability to function as a nitric oxide booster has allowed L-Citrulline to become a popular ingredient in many bodybuilding formulations. Lots of pre-workout supplements contain it.

Thanks to it’s ability to provide vasodilation, L-Citrulline also has value as a safe alternative to Viagra.

Tribulus Terrestris

Tribulus terrestris is a plant extract that’s often used as a testosterone booster. Research into its abilities in this area is ongoing. However, tribulus terrestris is also associated with a number of other interesting benefits. For instance, it appears to lower cholesterol and offer protection against blood vessel damage.

DecaDuro Stacking Options

If you want to use DecaDuro as part of a stack you can and Crazy Bulk says it stacks best with:

D-Bal (Dianabol)
Anadrole (Anadrol)
Trenorol (Trenbolone)
Testo-Max (Sustanon)

Potential Side Effects of DecaDuro

There are no side effects, but it’s still important to get a doctor’s advice before using DecaDuro alongside medicines. It’s also a good idea to discuss your intentions with a doctor if you have existing health problems.

DecaDuro Customer Reviews

Let’s take a look at some of the things people are saying about DecaDuro:

“I’ve tried a ton of other supplements but none of them work as good as Decaduro does. My bench is up, I can squat a lot heavier, and I’m even seeing some gains on my calves. I’m especially pleased about the calves because I always struggle with them. The other good thing is my joint pain. I used to have it in the shoulders and knees, but now I don’t.”

“This was working well right from the get-go. I noticed a significant increase in my energy levels and going heavier got easier. My biceps and chest already look noticeably larger and I’m carrying around a lot less fat these days. I’ve never used steroids and I never will, DecaDuro is good enough for me.”

“When I read this stuff was as good as Deca Durabolin I had some serious doubts, but it really is. I used the steroid a few times in the past and it worked well but the side effects were a bitch. Crazy bulk’s version doesn’t give me any problems at all and it’s great for helping you to bulk up and keep lean.”

CrazyBulk DecaDuro stack before and after

“Decaduro works well, but so does all of crazybulk’s stuff. If you want to get gains like you would with deca Durabolin but don’t want the side effects it gives you decaduro is your best bet. It works. Nuff said.

Does DecaDuro Work – The Bottom Line

Like all the other CrazyBulk legal steroids, DecaDuro provides a sophisticated blend of natural ingredients. It’s a very impressive product and customer reviews show it does everything it’s meant to do.

Although it’s easy to think legal steroids are mainly for anabolic steroid users, this is not strictly true. Try and forget the title “legal steroid” and concentrate on what the supplements can do. That’s the important thing.

In the case of DecaDuro, one of the things it does is soothe joint pain. This is a common problem.

Go to any gym in the world and you’re likely to find a few people there who suffer with it. Yet how many bodybuilding supplements can you think of that can help? Probably none.

CrazyBulk has succeeded in creating a very good safe alternative to Deca Durabolin. There can be no doubt about it. However, if you strip it of the title “legal steroid” and look at what it can do, it’s still one of the most interesting bodybuilding supplements available.

Where to Buy DecaDuro

The bad news is you can only buy DecaDuro directly from the CrazyBulk website. That’s going to be disappointing if you are used to shopping around to try and get the best deal.

The good news is CrazyBulk hasn’t let the success of the product encourage them to charge silly money for it. Like the company’s other legal steroids, DecaDuro is very reasonably priced.

CrazyBulk also has a nice bulk buy incentive that allows you to get every third bottle free.

So, if you order three bottles CrazyBulk only charge you for two. If you order six bottles, you’ll only need to pay for four of them.

That’s a pretty good deal and it works the same if you order a mixture of products. So if you fancy stacking a few CrazyBulk products the company makes it easy for you to do it.

The other thing you need to know is there are no hidden delivery charges, extra costs, or autoship. The price you see is the price you pay and you only pay it once.

CrazyBulk Decaduro FAQ

What is Decaduro?

Decaduro is a pill type supplement created by CrazyBulk. It contains a formulation of natural ingredients that provides similar benefits to the ones associated with Deca Durabolin.

Deca Durabolin is a branded version of the steroid Nandrolone. It has to be injected into the muscle.

CrazyBulk Decaduro easier to use than Deca Durabolin and does not cause any of the side effects Deca Durabolin users have to endure. It’s a better option all around.

Can I fail a drug test by using Decaduro?

Decaduro is not a steroid. It’s a safe alternative that contains natural ingredients instead of drugs or chemicals. You need have no fear of failing drug tests or competition bans.

How long can I go on using Decaduro?

Unlike steroids, you can go on using CrazyBulk legal alternatives like Decaduro for as long as you want.

However, to avoid becoming desensitized to the ingredients, it’s best to use CrazyBulk legal steroids in cycles of eight weeks on followed by one-and-a-half weeks off.

Using a cycle such as this will allow you to keep on getting the maximum benefits.

Is it really safe to use?

CrazyBulk Decaduro is not a steroid and it does not contain any chemicals or drugs that could make you ill. All the ingredients are 100 percent natural and there are no known side effects.

Does Decaduro reduce natural testosterone production?

No, some anabolic steroids do this, but Decaduro does not. It’s a safe and natural steroid alternative.

Does Decaduro relieve joint pain like Deca Durabolin does?

Yes, Decaduro shares the steroid’s ability to relieve joint and tendon pain. That’s one of the reasons it’s such a good alternative to Deca Durabolin. A lot of customers have left reviews stating how well it works in this regard.

How does Decaduro work?

The formulation of natural ingredients it provides improves nitrogen retention and protein synthesis. It also dramatically increases red blood cell production.

It’s a powerful combination of benefits that will allow you to experience dramatic strength increases in no time at all.

Is Decaduro good to use during cutting cycles?

Using Decaduro during cutting cycles may help you to prevent loss of existing muscle tissue. However, it’s not the best legal steroid to use while cutting.

When it comes to cutting, Clenbutrol is a much better option. It’s also worth considering using the CrazyBulk Cutting Stack.

Decaduro is one of the best legal steroids for improving size and strength.

Additionally, if you are being held back by joint and tendon pain, it’s the only legal steroid that will help.

I’m very slim, will Decaduro help me to bulk up?

Yes, and it will help you obtain dramatic strength gains as well. However, for faster results, you may want to consider using the CrazyBulk Bulking Stack.

Is there a risk of gynecomastia?

No. Using Deca Durabolin carries that risk, but using Decaduro does not so you can use it without fear of growing man boobs.

I’ve heard some steroids cause water retention, does Decaduro do this?

No. Decaduro is not a steroid. It’s a steroid alternative so, although the steroid Deca Durabolin may cause water retention, Decaduro does not.

Can Decaduro help me to look good without working out?

That’s extremely doubtful. Although you may notice an increase in vitality and other minor changes, what you want will require the right commitment.

If you eat healthy and workout several times a week, Decaduro will have you looking very good in no time. In fact, you may be surprised how fast it works, especially if exercise is new to you.

However, if you think a pill can transform your body without the need for gym time you are dreaming. Anabolic steroids cannot do this and legal steroids won’t do it either. Nothing will.

Do I have to stack Decaduro to get good results?

No. It works well on its own and does everything the Deca Durabolin steroid does. Stacking it with other legal steroids is just a good way to obtain a greater level of benefits.

For instance, stacking it with Testo-Max is a good way to set your strength and muscle gains into overdrive. Decaduro also stacks well with D-Bal, Anadrole, and Trenorol.

Who is Decaduro for?

Decaduro is for men who are over 18-years of age and are committed to building a phenomenal physique. It’s also ideal for male bodybuilders who have made a commitment and are struggling to make gains.

Will it help take my muscle pains away?

Decaduro helps you to heal and recover faster after a workout. This means you should feel less muscles soreness the next day.

However, if you have torn your muscles or severely damaged them in some other way, you will need to take a rest from training. It also makes sense to visit your doctor and get the injury checked out.

Is Decaduro better than Clenbutrol?

That depends on your needs. If you are primarily interested in improving your muscle size and strength, it’s better. If you need to burn fat, you should buy Clenbuterol instead.

Legal steroids are like tools. They help you to build the kind of body you want. However, it’s important you use the correct tool or tools for the job.

Can I buy Decaduro in the shops?

Unfortunately, you cannot. It’s only available from the CrazyBulk website. If it seems to be on sale elsewhere it’s likely to be a fake version.

Faking a bottle is very easy to do. Creating a product that can do what Decaduro does is not. If you want CrazyBulk Decaduro the official website is the only place to go.