D-Bal The Legal Dianabol (D-Bol) From CrazyBulk

D-Bal from CrazyBulkD-Bal is a safe steroid alternative made by CrazyBulk. It’s intended for people who would otherwise be tempted to use the steroid Dianabol.

Dianabol is a trade name used for metandienone (the most popular steroid in the world).

The Dianabol steroid has been in use since the 1960s and the fact that it is so good at boosting protein synthesis and improving muscle growth has helped it to remain a popular steroid choice with bodybuilders for more than 50 years.

But, like all anabolic steroids, Dianabol is dangerous. It damages the liver and can cause any number of other nasty side effects.

When it comes to making safe steroid alternatives, CrazyBulk are the best in the business. Customers love this company’s products, which are reputed to be better than the steroids they are intended to replace.

D-Bal is available exclusively from the CrazyBulk official website. It is available to buy in multiple currencies (US$, CAD$, AUD$, € and £) – It is also available in many languages.

Local currency can be displayed by selecting at the top right hand corner of the website.

There are many options to buy including multiples of D-Bal and also various stacks

Click here to view special offers on D-Bal from CrazyBulk

CrazyBulk Stacks

D-Bal Benefits

  • Enhanced nitrogen retention
  • Improved muscle gains
  • Through-the-roof strength increases
  • Results within 30 days

D-Bal Ingredient Profile

Three capsules provide:

  • Whey protein (450mg)
  • L-Isoleucine (300mg)
  • L-Valine (300mg)
  • L-Leucine (75mg)
  • Tribulus Terrestris (75mg)

D-Dal stack with before and after results

D-Bal Potential

After an in-depth review of numerous studies, researchers from the Department of Health and Exercise Science, at the College of New Jersey, concluded whey protein offers the “greatest initial benefit for protein synthesis”, so a little whey can go a long way in any supplements designed to boost muscle growth.

L-Isoleucine, L-Valine, and L-Leucine are all amino acids, and amino acids are building blocks for protein, but this particular combination offers additional benefits because all three of these amino acids boost nitrogen retention. Improving nitrogen levels enhances protein synthesis and provides vasodilation, allowing the muscles to benefit from an increased supply of nutrients and oxygen. This makes it easier to train harder without feeling tired. Vasodilation also encourages improved muscle growth.

Tribulus Terrestris is a testosterone boosting plant extract. Elevating testosterone levels improves physical stamina, increases muscle mass, and helps the body to burn fat and use it for energy. The presence of extra testosterone in the blood also improves heart health, strengthens the bones and provides a number of other desirable health benefits.

D-Bal before and after photos

D-Bal Customer Opinions and Reviews

D-Bal customer reviews are excellent.

Here’s what a few D-Bal customers are saying about the product:

“I can train a lot harder now and have gained so much extra muscle bulk my training buddies are amazed. I’m still using the same split routine. The only thing I’m doing differently is using D-Bal, so I know for certain it’s working well.”

“I never used steroids, but I’ve used a lot of other supplements and nothing I’ve used in the past has ever worked as well as this. My dead lift is increased by 57k and it only took 14 days to do it. Wow!”

“D-Bal is incredible. It works better than any steroid I’ve ever used. I’m amazed how much my upper body strength and muscle definition has improved.”

“This stuff is Awesome. My bench press poundage is increasing by round 10 pounds per week and my biceps are coming on great guns. I’m getting some terrific pumps and would not go back to steroids if you paid me.”

Usage Instructions and Considerations – D-Bal is designed to provide fast muscle gains and increased strength. It’s also good for bridging between cycles for maintained gains.

Only three capsules are needed per day and the best time to take them is 45 minutes before working out. The recommended cycle is 8 weeks on, followed by 1.5 weeks off, and D-Bal is designed to stack well with other CrazyBulk products.

CrazyBulk D-Bal results

Important Health Considerations

CrazyBulk D-Bal is intended to be a safe alternative to Dianabol and customer reviews show that it does what it’s supposed to do.

Typical Dianabol (steroid) side effects include aggression, impotence, high blood pressure and bloating.

The Dianabol steroid can also cause women to have more body hair, while men may go bald and/or grow breasts through its use, so a safer alternative has always been needed, it’s just a pity nobody managed to develop one sooner.

D-Bal Known Side Effects

There are no known side effects providing the usage instructions are obeyed.

D-Bal Summary

CrazyBulk D-Bal contains a clever combination of ingredients that is a good match for the benefits provided by the Dianabol steroid.

In fact, customer reviews suggest CrazyBulk’s safe Dianabol alternative may actually be the most powerful option and, unlike the steroid it’s designed to replace, D-Bal has no known side effects.

It passes our evaluation with flying colors and we are happy to recommend D-Bal to anyone who wants to improve their muscle mass and training capabilities without any of the risks involved with using dangerous steroids.

Where to Buy D-Bal

You can only buy D-Bal from the CrazyBulk website, but new visitors to the site are often offered coupon codes they can add during the checkout procedure to get a discount.

D-Bal muscle bulking supplement. Legal DianabolThe site also regularly hosts flash sales that can bring down the price further still, and customers who want to obtain even better value for money, or build a cheap safe steroid stack, luck-out every time because anyone who orders three bottles of pills get a fourth one thrown in for free.

The promotions available change a little from time to time, but you can check out the latest CrazyBulk deals here.

There are also special offers on Bulking Stacks with the inclusion of: Testo Max, Trenorol and HGHx2

Further Reading On Dianabol (D-Bol)

Dianabol is an androgen anabolic steroid that has acquired such a good reputation for providing bodybuilders with the kind of results they crave it has become one of the most sought after steroids in the world. This is despite the fact that it can cause numerous nasty side effects.

Apart from the health repercussions involved, it’s also worth remembering buying and using anabolic steroids is illegal and any athlete who tests positive for Dianabol or any of the other illegal steroids will be banned from competing in sports competitions of any kind.

What Is Dianabol?

What is DianabolDianabol (D-Bol) is a trade name for the steroid methandrostenolone. It was created during in the 1950s by John Bosley Ziegler and used to be approved as a treatment for hypogonadism. This is a condition where the body fails to produce a sufficient amount of testosterone.

During the 1960s, Ziegler administered his steroid to members of the American weightlifting team to see if its testosterone boosting ability was capable of giving them an extra competitive edge.

It did, but Ziegler regretted the experiment when he found out some athletes were using up to 20 times the recommended dose.

By then the damage was done. Dianabol had proved to be so good for boosting strength and improving muscle growth it had become a steroid that was in demand and it continues to be so to this day.

It’s banned by the American FDA, and the regulatory bodies in most other countries also prohibit its use, but once Pandora’s box has been opened there is no going back.

Why Is Dianabol so Popular?

The popularity of Dianabol is built on its power. Bodybuilders using this steroid have been known to gain up to 20lbs of muscle after just a few weeks of use.

It works well as a bulking agent and the accompanying strength gains can be very impressive. In its day Dianabol took some beating, and the fact that there are now safer, more powerful alternatives available is a fact that is overlooked by a lot of people.

That’s a pity because Dianabol’s potential to cause harm is as great, if not greater, than its ability to provide increases in size and strength.

Special Offers on Legal Dianabol from CrazyBulk here

Dianabol Side Effects

Dianabol side effects can include:

  • Greasy skin
  • Acne
  • Enlarged prostate gland
  • Testicle shrinkage
  • Loss of sex drive/impotence
  • Aggression
  • Mood swings
  • High Blood Pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Growth of man boobs
  • Suppressed testosterone production
  • Liver damage/failure
  • Hair loss (for men)
  • Increased body hair (for women)

How Dianabol Boosts Muscle Growth

Dianabol encourages muscle growth by boosting protein synthesis. This is the process the body uses to heal and repair the muscle fibres that have been broken down during periods of training.

The relationship between protein and muscle growth is well known, but the body’ ability to put protein to work is dependant on its protein synthesis abilities. So, even when their protein intake remains the same, Dianabol users grow bigger and stronger because the body is capable of putting more protein to work.

During periods of intense exercise, the amount of nitrogen retained in the blood can drop. This is not good because nitrogen is needed for protein synthesis.

Dianabol muscle growth

Dianabol further improves muscle growth by boosting nitrogen retention and providing vasodilation.

When vasodilation occurs, the circulation is improved. This allows the muscles to get extra nutrients and oxygen.

Better circulation also helps carry away lactic acid and other workout hindering chemicals that are produced during exercise.

Some Thoughts on Steroid Screening

Steroid usage is not only illegal in most countries, it’s frowned upon by sporting organizations. Steroid screening methods are very good and they will only get better.

Some steroid-using athletes have been banned from competition up 30 days after their last dose.

Trying to get ahead in sports by using something that can get you banned defeats the purpose and does not make good sense.

Concluding Thoughts

Although its easy to understand why Dianabol can seem like such an attractive steroid, the fact that so many people are willing to place their health in jeopardy by using it and run the risk of ruining their competition prospects is nothing short of ridiculous.

Like all the other anabolic steroids many people are so keen to use, Dianabol has had its day. Steroids are bad news.

They’ve always been bad news. The good news is, it doesn’t have to be that way. Safer, more powerful options are available and have been for some time.

Hopefully people will wake up to this fact sooner instead of later and start getting the results they want in a safer, natural, and legal way.

Click here to view special offers on Legal Dianabol from CrazyBulk

 

D-bal

Black Lion Testosterone Booster – Fat Burner – Detailed Review

Black Lion CapsulesBlack Lion is a capsule supplement with the tagline “Complete Male Optimization”. The products is described as a thermogenic testosterone booster, which essentially means it is supposed to burn fat as well as increasing your testosterone levels.

The description goes on to call it a “natural brain supplement and estrogen blocker” as well. It really is attempting to be the complete male solution.

The company – Raw Synergies – sell Black Lion on Amazon where it costs about $60 (£45) for a month’s worth of capsules.

What is sold on Amazon and what is shown on the RS website, however, have 2 different formulas displayed. We shall review the recipe posted on the company website because we trust Amazon resellers about as far as we can throw them.

Click here to find out which testosterone booster is the best

Black Lion – Advertised Benefits

This supplement is designed to be a kind of all-in-one for men. It has the following benefits, according to the manufacturer:

  • Burns Fat
  • Boosts Testosterone levels
  • Boosts Energy levels
  • Improves Cognitive Function
  • Increases Muscle Gains from Training
  • Heightens Libido
  • Provides Anti-Aging effects

That is a lot of stuff for a couple little pills to accomplish. The recipe has got to be on point for all of those effects to be noticeable.

Of course, a few of the ingredients are doing more than one thing. Thermogenic fat burning ingredients are also energy boosters, and some of the testosterone boosters are actually just libido enhancers.

Raw Synergies make a point of saying they don’t do proprietary blends and they include effective dosages. Let’s see what they have.

Ingredients

Black Lion IngredientsThe following ingredients and inclusion rates are in 2 capsules of Black Lion:

Fenugreek [500mg]: an ingredient that has been around a long time in similar products. It has been hailed as a testosterone booster for many years. And while some studies say it can do this, the results are inconclusive. One effect is that it reduces some testosterone from being converted to DHT. For muscle builders this might actually be counterproductive since DHT is more powerful an anabolic muscle builder than testosterone.

Ashwagandha [300mg]: neuroprotective and enhances libido and virility. It’s even good for anxiety according to research. Not very effective for testosterone boosting, but a great ingredient nonetheless.

Citicoline [150mg]: a nootropic or cognitive function enhancer. Provides an acetycholine boosting effect, which is a major neurotransmitter. This in turn can have multiple benefits from improved mental energy, working memory, and even speed or force of muscle contraction.

Forslean [125mg]: one of the few ingredients that can burn fat while also boosting cholesterol. It’s probably the main player in the formula and the dose is sound.

Caffeine [100mg]: an old favourite in fat burners. It is thermogenic (via cAMP elevation which Forskolin also does). If it makes it to the testicles it can even boost testosterone a little.

Longjack [100mg]: perhaps more famous as Tongkat Ali has reliable evidence that it can boost libido. It has some research in favour of anti-estrogen effects, but not necessarily testosterone boosting.

3,3’-Diindolylmethane [100mg]: testosterone converts to estrogen eventually, or at least some of it does. This awesome molecule that comes from broccoli can block some of that conversion by inhibiting aromatase, the enzyme that mediates it.

Theacrine [50mg]: similar to caffeine and its effects but theacrine might have almost no tolerance ceiling which means your body won’t start to get used to it and it won’t become useless after habitual use like caffeine does.

Side Effects

Doctor ApprovalMen with no health issues or allergies to the ingredients will be fine. If you are sensitive to caffeine or any of the other inclusions then avoid it.

The guidelines tell you to take it slow and try one pill for the first few days. Follow the advice on the packaging.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not go anywhere near Black Lion. Neither should kids or elderly people.

Find out from your doctor if you can take it if you have a medical condition and/or are taking prescribed or off-label medication.

Conclusions and Recommendations

Prime Male Testosterone BoosterRaw Synergies are correct when they say that they don’t use pathetic dosages. The doses are way better than 90% of the supplements we test.

The downside is that there won’t be much testosterone boosting here. It’s an okay all-round supplement and has some great inclusions, but your free testosterone levels won’t go much higher than they are. Same goes for fat burning.

The positives: your libido/sex drive will probably increase, your cognitive function also. There will be some fat burning and testosterone boosting but the major advantage to Black Lion is its ability to block estrogen. That in itself might be of use to a lot of guys.
If you want to find out which testosterone booster is the highest rated, follow the link below and read the quick article.

Click here to discover the best testosterone boosters available

Ecdysteroids – Anabolic Steroids WITHOUT Negative Side Effects

Open Pill Contents SpilledEcdysteroids are a group of compounds that are found in the natural world, mostly in insects and plants.

Ecdysis is the insect moulting process, which is where the first part of the name is derived from.

Steroids is a name more familiar to the bodybuilding and gym world. This is the part of ecdysteroid that refers to the shape of the compound. They resemble androgenic hormones in structure – aka steroids.

Scientific studies have shown that ‘Ecdy’ acts like a steroid in one sense and not in another. To understand this is to understand the excitement surrounding this subject.

Scientist and MicroscopeDue to them resembling androgenic hormones, like testosterone for example, the initial wave of hype came because they were hailed as being the next big thing to boost a man’s testosterone levels through the roof.

Ecdysteroids actually failed to boost testosterone at all. It’s actually good news, but we’ll get to that in a minute. Of course, not many supplement companies or pundits thought this was very good news though, and so ecdysteroids sort of faded from the narrow field of popular view.

The case for ecdy was re-opened when it was found that, while they don’t actually increase androgenic hormone activity, they DO trigger high protein synthesis rates. Protein synthesis is how the raw material for muscle tissue is manufactured.

This time, the hype is real.

Ecdysteroids are Steroids but Don’t Hurt like Steroids

Woman DoctorBack in the day, when the US and Russia olympic weightlifting teams were pawns in a bigger game than they realized, Testosterone and Methandrostenolone (Dianabol) were the steroids of choice. Actually, they were the only choice in the beginning.

Those anabolic steroids were the start of something new, the first true synthetic performance enhancing drugs of the modern era. A kind of drugs race ensued, and the world was presented with one anabolic steroid after another.

Most of which, if used on humans today, are illegal.

That’s because synthetic androgenic anabolic steroids – to give them their full title – can cause an array of negative side effects that necessitate a course of Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) to mitigate them. PCT might involve a course of other synthetic drugs to counter the effects of the steroid.

Olympic Weight LifterIn Dianabol’s case, it is toxic to the liver, and can suppress the user’s natural testosterone production to the point that they would need to inject exogenous testosterone just to prevent themselves from having massive health problems.

Then, after all that, they would have to hope their natural, or endogenous, testosterone production would return. Sometimes it doesn’t.

Ecdysteroids, on the other hand, don’t cause any negative side effects. That’s why it’s a good thing they don’t act like androgenic steroids, but instead act on the anabolic pathway instead.

In fact, in addition to the muscle friendly protein synthesis, they can improve various other areas of human health, including liver and intestinal health, blood glucose levels, and possibly neural tissue protection.

Supplements are Plant Sourced

D.Bal.MaxIt was mentioned earlier that insects and plants contain these compounds, but don’t worry, the supplements – at least the ones we’d recommend – are sourced from the plants.

Ecdysteroids might get half their name from an insect process but they are just growth factors that are all over the natural world.

D.Bal.Max is one such supplement that we can say has a solid inclusion of 20-Hydroxyecdysterone, one of the studied ecdys that have proven to be as strong as some anabolic steroids in terms of protein synthesis.

Click here to read about D.Bal.Max

Test Freak – PharmaFREAK – Does It Pass the Test?

Test Freak Overview

Test Freak ReviewTest Freak is Testosterone Support supplement manufactured by PharmaFreak, who say that it can promote muscle growth and strength.

Its formula is housed in “hybrid capsules” and contains 3 “proprietary complexes” which themselves contain the active ingredients. The label states the total quantity of each ‘proprietary complex” but not the quantities of the individual ingredients.

We found Test Freak to be somewhat lacking in actual testosterone boosting substance. There are some common enough ingredients found in most test boosters (e.g. tribulus, fenugreek, saw palmetto etc.) but they have only really been shown to increase sex drive and possibly sexual health.

Then there are the lesser known ingredients (apigenin and hesperidin) which need more scientific studies before we know what dosage is okay to use.

All in all, the zinc at 30mg might be the most useful ingredient in the whole formula.

Click here to see what the TOP Testosterone Booster looks like

Test Freak – Advertised Benefits

Testosterone on WallPharma Freak, the company that makes the product, say that it has some unique advantages over other products in the same category:

  • Clinically Researched Ingredients
  • 1100mg of Fenugreek per serving
  • 1000mg of Tribulus Terrestris per serving
  • Dose of Zinc is clinically researched
  • Contains Saw Palmetto and Stinging Nettle
  • Contains Hesperidin, Resveratrol and Apigenin

So…not much uniqueness there, to be honest. Maybe the last point, we don’t see hesperidin, apigenin and resveratrol in many testosterone supplements, but that’s mostly because they haven’t been researched much for impact on testosterone levels.

Why do they call them Hybrid Capsules? – because they contain vitamins and minerals, which apparently makes them “hybrid”. Yeah – sounds fancy…but isn’t.

Ingredients

As mentioned earlier, the ingredients are included in 3 “Proprietary Complexes”. Their total weight is on the label but not the weight of the individual ingredients they are made up of.

The following formula and quantities are in a serving size of 4 capsules. That is also the total daily serving.

Proprietary Complex 1 – [2.1g]

  • Trigotest (™) Fenugreek
  • Tribulus Terrestris Fruit

Proprietary Complex 2 – [280mg]

  • Saw Plametto Extract
  • Stinging Nettle

Proprietary Complex 3 – [150mg]

  • Hesperidin
  • Apigenin
  • Resveratrol

Note: there is also:

  • Zinc – [30mg]
  • Vitamin B6 – [10.5mg]
  • Magnesium – [90mg]

Trigotest is Fenugreek, which is the main ingredient of Test Freak alongside Tribulus Terrestris. It should be noted here that neither of these ingredients are effective at boosting testosterone levels, and probably shouldn’t be the cornerstone of a testosterone booster.

Tribulus Terrestris shows promise in rat and test tube studies but only increases libido in humans.

Fenugreek technically boosts testosterone but it inhibits DHT which is actually more powerful than testosterone (and the cause of potential issues ranging from baldness to prostate cancer risk). So it might be better for health, which we definitely support, but it is possibly more limiting for muscle building than simply not taking it.

Saw Palmetto and Stinging Nettle have similar stories. Both being less potent for testosterone than initial studies suggested.

Ironically, the Zinc in this formula is likely its most effective ingredient for optimizing T levels.

Side Effects

DoctorAverage men with no health issues should be fine taking Test Freak. We advise women, especial pregnant and breastfeeding women, to avoid it. People under 18 years old should not take it either.

If you have a medical condition or are currently taking prescription medication please consult your doctor before using a product like this.

There are 4 pills per serving so in order to assess your tolerance, you could take 2, or even 1 the first time.

Conclusions and Recommendations

Prime Male product review

Hit It to read more

Pharma Freak are a big name in sports nutrition, so they probably sell a lot of Test Freak. Unfortunately, for the customers, it won’t do much for them.

Ingredients are everything, and the dosages are just as important.

Test Freak is marketed quite heavily on having the strongest inclusions of Fenugreek and Tribulus Terrestris, but as studied as they have been, they are yet to show much in the way of testosterone boosting in human subjects.

Suffice to say, we believe there are better products for anyone looking to boost testosterone for muscle building and/or health reasons.

Follow the link below to view the product we rate the highest

AMINOx by BSN – Is It the Best BCAA Supplement?

AMINOx Amio Acid BCAA ContainerAMINOx is an amino acid based performance and recovery supplement from BSN.

BSN were one of the first gym supplement companies that we got into, after Maximuscle, years ago. NO-Xplode is still one of the top selling pre-workout drink mixes available, and they have a loyal band of customers.

AminoX is the more subtle companion to NO-Xplode. It isn’t designed to get you pumped, but it is formulated to help you just as much, if not more, than a pre-workout supplement could.

Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) have been in the game for a long time, probably longer than most of the so-called ergogenic ingredients, maybe even as long as the ever reliable Creatine.

…but BCAAs that were sold years ago did not taste good at all, didn’t sit too well in the stomach, and pretty much made you want to barf mid-way through a strenuous deadlift.

Now, however, the instantized and micronized powders the companies have developed are much more palatable, and the BCAA science is crushing it, so amino acids and the 3 branched-chain stars of the lot – Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine – are back in a big way.

Most companies are putting out BCAA and amino-acid products now for the purposes of helping users with overall energy levels, muscle protein synthesis, recovery, endurance and combatting exercise-induced fatigue.

AMINOx is BSN’s offering, and we took it for a spin. Continue reading to find out more.

OR…

AminoX – Benefits of BCAAs

Man Doing Pull UpsBSN’s AminoX is an amino acid supplement, nothing less, and not much more.

It contains 10 grams of amino acids per serving, the lion’s share of which is comprised of BCAAs.

Branched Chain Amino Acids have a different structure to the other amino acids – basically a ‘branch’ of carbon atoms connected to base structure.

This structural speciality gives BCAAs certain properties. All, or at least one of them can:

  • be metabolized directly inside muscle tissue as a source of energy
  • trigger muscle protein synthesis
  • reduce fat storage and increase fat burning
  • stimulate insulin and glucose metabolism
  • reduce fatigue brought on by exercise-induced tryptophan

Leucine is the dominant BCAA, given its ability to signal muscle hypertrophy – one of the main goals of resistance training.

This has led some companies to focus on Leucine and leave out the other two BCAAs. That’s a mistake though, because Isoleucine can help with body fat reduction and Valine is important for blocking tryptophan in the brain, therefore staving off fatigue at critical points in our workout.

For these reasons all 3 BCAAs are often included at a 2:1:1 ratio (Leuc:Iso:Val), and AminoX is no exception.

BCAAs are obviously great all-round energy and recovery inclusions but they have also included other amino-acids which add to ergogenic effects of the product. Taurine, Citrulline and Alanine can help reduce the effects of physical and mental stress; improve blood flow and help signal growth hormone release; and increase muscle endurance so you can push out another couple reps in a set.

Ingredients in AminoX

We’ll just round up the ingredients discussed. The following inclusions and their quantities are in a 14.5 gram serving of AminoX:

Vits and Minerals

Vitamin D3 – 500 IU
Sodium – 160mg

Anabolic Amino Acid Interfusion* – 10 grams

L-Leucine, L-Valine, L-Isoleucine, L-Alanine, Taurine, L-Citrulline (all micronized exc. Alanine)

Efforsorb EnDura Composite* – 2 grams

Malic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Bicarbonate and Vitamin D3

*these are trademarked blend names of BSN

Hopefully you can see from the ingredients that this is a fairly simple BCAA/amino acid/electrolyte supplement.

The most stand-out point here is that 10 grams is a good whack of amino acids per serving.

It’s a good, if basic, formula.

Side Effects

Doctor ApprovalWe advise taking a half dose of AminoX, especially if it’s the first time you have used BCAAs. Some people can have slightly upset stomachs on the first go.

AminoX is a little harder to mix than some BCAA products but once you have assessed how well it sits, there should be no problems.

Pregnant and breastfeeding mums, children and elderly people should not take this supplement.

People with medical conditions or that are currently taking prescription medication should consult their doctor before using anything like AminoX.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Man Drinking ProteinAminoX gets the basics right. It’s hard not too, really. The BCAAs, a couple of the other amino acids and you’re most of the way there. Add something for improved hydration and you have the makings of a workout supplement you can use before, during and after exercise.

There are some points we’d say could be improved though. It’s difficult to make amino acids taste good – they have a super bitter taste and chalky feel to them if left as they are. Many companies are making good masking flavouring and consistencies but with BSN’s AminoX, we could still taste the amino acids getting through.

It’s not a huge deal for some people, and others want to really enjoy the drink they take with them to the gym. The stuff a lot of companies put in to make it taste better might not be all that excellent for you, however, so that’s one thing to consider.

In summary: we’d take AminoX if it was between that and some luminous coloured stimulant-packed-pre-workout junk.

Given the choice of many products though – as we have – we use BLACKWOLF Workout supplements – they have the best dosages and most effective and replenishing formulas, all at awesome price deals.

Hit the link below to check out our full write-up on them.

CLICK HERE for more Info

Blackwolf Workout Products

The Gear – Max’s Lab Series – Testosterone Supplement Review

The Gear from Max'sThe Gear is a testosterone booster made in Australia buy Max’s, intended for the bodybuilding community as a muscle building supplement.

The formula in The Gear’s capsules contains both a “Testosterone Boosting Blend” and an “Estrogen Suppressing Blend”.

From a biochemical perspective, once you raise the levels of circulating free testosterone, you are also introducing extra estrogen by proxy, given that testosterone converts to a form of estrogen down the chain.

For this reason, supplement companies often add estrogen blockers with their testosterone boosters, because while some estrogen is good (for men), it is counterproductive to have levels above the norm. This can cause unwanted side effects like gynecomastia (man-boobs), and excess water retention.

This is a very interesting product, and if you can get your hands on it then we’d advise you give it a go (please read this whole review first though). It’s true that there is some essentially experimental ingredients in there that have not been extensively studied with humans, but the trade-off is that you might be getting a muscle supplement that has those rare effects like, let’s see, muscle growth.

The best Testosterone booster is arguably Prime Male, which you can find a review of if you follow the link below.

Click Here to read about the BEST Testosterone Boosters

The Gear – Advertised Benefits

Max’s Lab Series site described The Gear as an “advanced High Potency Testosterone stimulating formula” which has been designed to:

  • Maximize Free Testosterone Levels
  • Spike and Maintain Free Testosterone
  • Support Maximum Protein Synthesis
  • Support Rapid Recovery after “serious” weight training

They go on to mention that it can:

  • Suppress Estrogen
  • Optimize Size and Strength gains
  • Increase Libido

Of course a company is going to wax lyrical about their product but there are 3 main benefits that you can pull out of the jargon:

  1. Boost Testosterone
  2. Increase Protein Synthesis (for muscle growth and repair)
  3. Heighten Libido

That’s all we ever want from our testosterone boosters, but it’s down to the ingredients as to whether The Gear can achieve any of it.

The Gear Ingredient Formula

The formula has 2 sides to it: (1) Testosterone boosting and (2) Estrogen suppressing.

Ingredients detailed below are in 3 capsules of The Gear, which is one serving. You get 40 servings per bottle, and the maximum recommended is 2 separate servings per day (total = 6 caps).

Testosterone Boosting Blend

900mg – Tribulus Terrestris
250mg – Bulbine Natalensis
250mg – Fadogia Agrestis powder
250mg – Epimedium (icariin / horny goat weed)

Estrogen Suppression Blend

150mg – Diindolylmethane
150mg – Maca Root
150mg – White Mushroom extract
150mg – Trans Resveratrol

Thoughts on the Formula

Scientist and MicroscopeFirst off, this is the most exciting product we’ve seen in the muscle building category for a long time. The ingredients chosen aren’t all the same old sh-t we keep seeing time and time again.

Fair enough, there’s Tribulus – its libido enhancing power is well documented but as a T-booster it’s lacking.

Maca is a regular in these products, and may or may not do anything at these dosages, whether to testosterone, growth hormone or estrogen levels.

Bulbine natalensis is becoming more popular, but it needs more research on humans to get a more reliable dose (and to prove if it has much effect on us).

The Gear gets interesting at Fadogia Agrestis, Diindolylmethane, White Mushroom and Resveratrol.

Fadogia looks like a potent testosterone booster but so far it’s young in research terms. Rats show both strong libido and testosterone enhancement.

Diidolylmethane is effective at reducing the aromatization to estrogen process.

White Mushroom Extract is essentially an ecdysteroid. Now, ecdysteroids were once claimed to be safe, legal steroids and have steroid equivalent effects, but that has since been thrown out. However, while they aren’t androgenic, they do enhance protein synthesis, which is really what we want out of them anyway.

Resveratrol can improve insulin sensitivity at mild doses, which is an excellent pathway to improved energy metabolism, fat loss and muscle gain.

The Gear Side Effects

Here’s the slightly unknown area of some of these ingredients. Many of them haven’t been tested on humans to the extent that we even know an optimal dose, let alone the dose that we shouldn’t be taking.

Certainly, people who have a medical condition or that are taking medication should ask their doctor.

Children, elderly people, pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take it.

Anyone unsure should ask their doctor, but in our experience a regular doctor isn’t going to know either. They aren’t herbal plant experts, after all.

This – in all honesty – might have to be a punt. Some dudes are up for that, others aren’t.

Follow the guidelines on the bottle, but we’d advise starting with single pills and then 2 pills etc. etc. to see how you tolerate it all. And stay hydrated.

Conclusions and Recommendations

Prime Male top T boosterYou might be getting mixed signals from the review above. We are saying on one hand that a good portion of the ingredients are just sex enhancers. On the same hand we’re saying we don’t really know much about the other ingredients or what their side effects might be.

On the other hand, we’re saying it’s a very exciting supplement. It is, because the initial research on some of this stuff is really promising. And then there’s the fact that ecdysteroids which are basically insect hormones (that oddly we have receptors for) are in some way anabolic when once they were laughed about on forums.

But it might be a lame duck, as well.

If you want a sure thing, and arguably the best Testosterone Booster available, follow the link below to learn more…

Click here to discover what is the TOP Test Booster

Blackwolf Hunter and Huntress – Total Workout Supplements – Review

Blackwolf Workout ContainerHUNTER is a package of pre-workout, intra-workout and post-workout supplements manufactured by BLACKWOLF WORKOUT.

The 3 formulas are available as single products or as a discounted package to those who want their full nutritional needs before, during and after an exercise session satisfied.

HUNTER has actually been designed specifically with male users in mind, but there is also a female specific triplet called HUNTRESS.

The two vary slightly in the formula contents but this review can be largely interpreted as covering the necessary information for both Hunter and Huntress.

At the heart of the formula are BCAAs (Branched Chain Amino Acids), which have become a separate focus for supplement companies, parallel to the more common pre-workout mixes most of you will be used to (e.g. C4, Beast Mode, NO-Xplode etc.).

One major reason for this is the versatility of BCAAs. They can be used before, during and after a workout, and can have different effects – or additional effects – depending on which stage of your workout you are in.

Blackwolf Male and Female

BCAAs – Muscle Power – Muscle Growth – Endurance and More

Blackwolf Muscle There are 3 BCAAs:- Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine. Of all the amino acids, they are the only ones constructed the way they are.

Their structure means that your muscles can use them as a direct source of energy inside the muscle tissue. This makes them perfect for pre-workout and intra-workout supplementation because the speed from you drinking them to them being available to your muscles is fast.

They are also great post-workout for kickstarting the muscle recovery and growth period.

Leucine is the chief BCAA, and is known to stimulate muscle hypertrophy by signalling the start of protein synthesis. So when you consume additional protein after your workout and throughout the day, Leucine has already triggered the process of building muscle from it.

Isoleucine has shown in research that it can inhibit dietary fat storage AND promote fat burning at the same time.

Valine can block the agent of fatigue – tryptophan – from getting to the brain because it competes for the same receptors, and generally wins, too. This means that you can push back fatigue and push on longer in the gym.

All in all, with the individual effects each one has, as well as their ability to enter muscle tissue and be used as fuel, BCAAs are extremely useful to have around at any stage of your workout.

Hit the link below to see the package deals on BLACKWOLF

CLICK Here to view prices now

Benefits of Blackwolf

DB pressBLACKWOLF WORKOUT have manufactured what is essentially a total supplement package, meaning they have got you covered for Before, During and After a workout.

With that scope in mind, there are a lot of benefits that could be listed here. We’ll note down the main ones:

  • Increased Muscle Power and Stamina
  • Increased Muscle Growth and Repair
  • Reduced Fatigue during workouts
  • Increased Fat Burning
  • Reduced Fat Storage
  • Heightened Cognitive Function
  • Optimal Testosterone Levels

Like we said, the list can go on and on. The point is: These workout supplements are meant to be a complete solution…an All-In-One kind of deal.

FREE GIFTS with Blackwolf!!!

Blackwolf Shaker CupWe got a FREE Shaker Cup (700ml) and 5 x FREE Workout, Nutrition and Supplement Guides with the Blackwolf package we ordered.

The package contains:

  1. TRACK (or TRAIL) – Pre-Workout
  2. HUNT – Intra-Workout
  3. ELIMINATE – Post-Workout

You will get the free stuff as well, along with a HUGE DISCOUNT compared to buying all 3 individual products.

Blackwolf Free Gifts

Ingredients in Blackwolf

There’s a core group of ingredients that go into Blackwolf gear across the board. We’ve already talked about BCAAs but there’s others that are very important before, during and after a workout.

Here are some of those core inclusions:

  • Leucine
  • Isoleucine
  • Valine
  • Taurine
  • Seleno L-Methionine
  • Creatine Monohydrate
  • Ubiquinine (Co Enzyme Q10)
  • Whey Isolate Protein
  • Zinc Citrate
  • Vitamin B1, B5, B6

The MALE pre-workout (called TRACK) contains:

  • D-Aspartic Acid (D-AA)

Testosterone on WallD-AA has been shown to increase testosterone levels in men by over 50% in just a couple of weeks of usage. This has been shown in scientific studies involving athletes.

This is especially important to athletes, bodybuilders and people who engage in regular exercise because testosterone triggers anabolic muscle growth, aids in fat burning and keeps you feeling good mentally.

When you exercise intensely your levels of testosterone can drop. Therefore stimulating them like this is hugely beneficial to your workout gains.

In contrast the FEMALE pre-workout (called TRAIL) contains:

  • L-Carnitine L-Tartrate
  • Catechins (from green tea extract)
  • Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)

MetabolismL-Carnitine shuttles fatty acids to the mitochondria (little power stations) of your body’s cells to be burned as fuel for energy.

In the process it increases both general metabolism and fat loss… and aerobic exercise capacity.

Catechins from green tea extract act as thermogenic fat burners while also removing free-radicals (carcinogenic waste bi-products of oxidation and exercise) from your system.

Conjugated Linoleic Acid can induce fat oxidation/burning and is a good partner molecule alongside both L-Carnitine and Catechins.

Other Ingredients

Additional inclusions are used by Blackwolf at different points in the pre-intra-post workout spectrum:

  • Kelp T60 powder
  • Calcium Citrate
  • Magnesium Citrate
  • Potassium Citrate
  • L-Glutamine
  • Vitamin C

Are There Any Side Effects?

Doctor Approving ProductThe ingredients used by Blackwolf will only have positive effects for you. We experienced NO negative side effects and we highly doubt anyone who uses it will.

There are of course people who shouldn’t be using products like this; pregnant and breastfeeding women, children and the elderly.

People taking any medication should check with their doctor to see if these supplements are suitable. Also, if you have a pre-existing medical condition you should do the same.

Blackwolf appear to have specifically left out any ingredients that have not been thoroughly researched and found to have no negative effects.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Blackwolf Workout ProductsWe spend our days researching supplements and looking for new products hitting the shelves, or the web, and finding for the most part that it’s an industry steered by marketing professionals who care very little for the end user’s health and physique goals, and more about bottom line profit.

The more ‘different’ an ingredient sounds, the more it seems to impress people, regardless of how effective or even safe it is. Also, the crazier the pseudo-science that the companies throw on their websites and product packaging, the more people lap it up and buy into their BS.

The idea of a thoroughly healthy, rounded, completely effective workout supplement is almost foreign these days.

And yet, here is a company – Blackwolf – manufacturing precicesly that: workout products that are far more useful to you than 99% of the crap that’s available.

Editor's Choice StampSo instead of throwing your money down the big corporation drain and trusting in ingredients that have barely been tested in glass tubes and rats, let alone athletic human beings, why not get something very solid that contains what your body and mind need to get fitter, stronger and healthier?

Blackwolf Workout supplements are HIGHLY recommended!!

Click here to view prices now

Xellerate Testosterone Booster – Our Review and Conclusions

Overview

Testosterone Booster Xellerate BottleTestosterone Booster from Xellerate Nutrition is a dietary capsule supplement marketed as, you’ve guessed it, a testosterone booster.

In fact, not so much of a booster, the company says, as a product which may contribute to normal testosterone levels, reduction in fatigue, and normal energy-yielding metabolism.

Xellerate Nutrition is a UK based company that produces a range of supplements, that are sold mostly on third party websites, the largest of which is Amazon.

They provide all of the formula’s details on the label, so there is no guesswork for the customer. The design and concept are simple. Even the name is simple.

Xellerate Nutrition’s Testosterone Booster was intriguing to us because it has at least got good doses of the ingredients it has.

It is more of a libido/sexual enhancement supplement than an all-out testosterone booster, but still worth a shot.

As for our highest recommendation; check out Prime Male by following the link below. You’ll see what we mean. Prime Male is the absolute best.

CLICK HERE to read more about Prime Male

Xellerate Nutrition – Testosterone Booster – Advertised Benefits

Testosterone on WallSomething called Testosterone Booster is clearly designed to do one thing, although the benefits of optimum testosterone levels are often many.

Therefore the primary advertised benefit is of course:

  • Help Restore Testosterone Levels to Normal

…but the main points Xellerate continue with are:

  • Reduce Fatigue
  • Normal Energy-Yielding Metabolism

Normal Testosterone levels are very achievable with a good diet, regular exercise and the addition of some carefully chosen supplements. On that we can agree with Xellerate.

A man (or woman, for that matter) who is suffering from low testosterone levels, or even the associated syndrome, will benefit massively from the restoration of optimal levels.

Testosterone is involved with so many functions of the body that it could be considered a personal health crisis if your levels drop, which of course they only go and do naturally when you get older.

Muscle mass, fat burning, energy levels, mood, emotional health and cognitive function, skin health, sexual health…and so on.

So, yeah…a good supplement can do wonders.

It all comes down to the ingredients and dosages though, and that’s what we’ll cover next.

Ingredients in Xellerate Testosterone Booster

Xellerate Testosterone LabelThe following ingredients and their dosages are in 2 capsules, which is also the daily serving. Therefore, the below is the daily total (the direction say you can take 4 capsules per day if needed):

  • 500 mcg – VitaminA
  • 4 mcg – Vitamin D
  • 50 mcg – Vitamin K
  • 4 mg – Vitamin B6
  • 200 mcg – Folic Acid
  • 2 mcg – Vitamin B12
  • 12.5 mg – Pantothenic Acid
  • 190 mg – Magnesium
  • 12.5 mg – Zinc
  1. 820 mg – D-Aspartic Acid
  2. 2000 mg – Maca Root
  3. 155mg – Fennel Seed
  4. 20 mg – Co Enzyme Q10

The majority of the formula above is essentially a multivitamin. To ensure that you are not deficient in the absolute necessaries to retain a normal level of testosterone, those Vitamins, Minerals and Micro-nutrients are a good inclusion.

The 4 ingredients below that are what we can term the more ‘supplement’ type inclusions.

D-Aspartic Acid – this is almost a must in testosterone boosters now. It has been shown to increase testosterone levels by almost 50% in as little as 2 weeks. The 2 capsule dose is weak here but if you take 4 per day then it is not bad.

Maca Root – maca is more of a sexual libido enhancer than a testosterone booster. While it improves erections, sexual desire and so on, it does not increase testosterone. However, the dose is definitely good for the libido side of things.

Fennel – a bit of mystery is fennel. It is in many male enhancement supplements but there is no reason for it to be from a scientific standpoint.

Co Enzyme Q10 – another libido, sperm and erection enhancer. There is a possible boost to testosterone but it’s mild and so far only shown in infertile men. It is however a general health and well-being booster.

Side Effects

Doctor ApprovalThere should be no problem for average people, or people with low levels of testosterone. If anything, the fast acting D-Aspartic Acid will help you feel better in the first couple of weeks.

Ask your doctor about whether you should use it if you are suffering from any medical conditions, or are taking prescription medication. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid supplements like this of course.

Follow the guidelines on the packaging for the correct daily dose, and we advise that you start on the 2 capsule daily serving for at least the first week before increasing to the 4 capsule per day.

Note that the 4 capsule daily amount should be split into two separate servings of 2 pills.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Prime Male

PRIME MALE is the best of the best

Xellerate Nutrition have done a decent job with their Testosterone Booster, however it is more of a libido booster than a true testosterone booster. This means that it may feel a little like you are ‘boosted’ but it’s probably more of a sexual energy.

As for its testosterone increasing abilities, it may help normalize your T levels, if you have a low testosterone problem. Which, if we’re honest, is all they are claiming it will do.

If you want the more powerful juice, then follow the link below to read about the product we currently rate the highest.

Click here to read about it

Baby Fat Can Help you Lose Weight – from Bodybuilders to New Moms

Body Scan GraphicThere’s a type of fat called Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT) that we have in abundance as babies, but that we gradually lose as we reach adulthood.

Otherwise known as Brown Fat, this tissue is an odd hybrid between fat and muscle. It’s darker in colour than the flabby fat we associate with the stuff that jiggles when we run or get up too fast.

Scientific research also tells us that it comes from the same stem cells as muscle. So technically it’s fat, but it has many of the characteristics of muscle.

Why are we even discussing this?

Well, there’s a way that you can encourage your BAT stores to become more active than they already are, and there’s even a way you could start to grow more of it back.

And why would we want it to grow and activate?

The answer to that is best explained by babies.

Babies – Brown Adipose Tissue – Body Heat

BabyAs an adult you have very little Brown Fat left. Medical scans have shown that we have kept sparing amounts in the upper chest and neck area, but it makes up less than a percent of your total body mass.

Infants, however, are a different matter. We are born with much more relative to our body mass – about 5%.

Its function is for babies to avoid hypothermia, given that babies are far more sensitive to cold temperatures than adults. They also cannot shiver very well at all, which is one of the ways adults generate heat when their environment is cold.

Brown fat is specifically ‘designed’ to generate heat – thermogenesis – in the absence of shivering, which for a baby, is essential.

The reason it is brown is due to the density of the mitochondria within the tissue. There is a much higher number of these cellular power plants than ‘white fat’. What’s more – they have a higher concentration of the coupling protein (thermogenin) in the inner membrane that is responsible for allowing the energy to be given off as heat.

You might still be wondering how this is relevant to you as an adult – as a bodybuilder, gym goer, athlete, father, mother…anyone who wants to stay in shape…

Brown Adipose Tissue burns regular fat as a source of fuel for this heat generation.

Adults – BAT and Burning Fat

Losing WeightBAT burns fat. The bad fat. The stuff you can grab in you hands, the stuff that builds around your heart that can ultimately be your demise.

Brown Fat uses it as fuel to create this heat, the process of thermogenesis. And current and recent research tells us that we can wake it up what we have left, and possibly even grow more.

The result would be your very own inner furnace, burning off extra calories of unwanted fat.

You see how this could be appealing to, well…everyone!?

Cold Exposure

Woman DoctorContrary to what some people believe, sweating buckets in a hot environment does not make you lose weight. If anything, your body is trying to stay cool by slowing metabolic processes and using as little energy, and fuel, as possible.

On the contrary, if you spend extended periods in colder climates – where you actually feel the cold, not where you wrap up warm and sit by the fire – you should find that your body fat reduces as your body burns it to generate heat.

A controlled version of this, called Cold Exposure, is what some people are experimenting with in order to activate their stores of Brown Adipose Tissue, and in some cases it, grow some.

So people have taken to sleeping in sub 19 C (66.2 F) degree temperatures to trigger the process. Unfortunately it would take many months or perhaps years of doing this to notice much of a difference. However, it is not a harmful practice to adopt and it might surprise some people to learn that it is in colder temperatures that we achieve deeper sleep in general, and not super cozy warmth.

Ingredients and Supplements

Supplement It’s not just your environment that can trigger BAT to activate, but some things that you consume.

Hot peppers – specifically Capsaicin or Capsicum – has been shown to effectively convert white fat cells into brown fat cells [source].

This ‘browning’ of white fat cells is an indication of what is to come with research into humans and the study of certain foods’ effects.

Obesity is basically a disease, so it should be said that hot peppers on a pizza is not the way to cancel out the other thousands of calories.

What it does mean is that a supplement containing a concentrated extract of hot peppers might be a good idea, along with a calorie controlled diet.

Cayenne pepper comes from capsaicin hot peppers. There is one dietary supplement we use which contains an excellent dose of it PLUS the rest of its formula is stellar.

CLICK HERE to read about the Top Fat Burner

Appetite Suppression and Glucomannan – Important Fat Loss Advice

Losing Weight The key to losing fat is calorie control. There are lots of ways to describe different diets and eating habits, and lots of “gurus” out there who will claim to have the definitive answer.

Ultimately, however, losing weight comes down to one simple rule:

Calorie Intake < Calorie Expenditure = Weight Loss

If the amount of calories you eat total less than the amount you use / burn / metabolize in a given period – let’s use a day for simplicity – then you will lose some weight.

Now, the type of weight you use – fat, muscle, a mixture of both – is largely determined by other factors, such as exercise and the sorts of foods you are eating.

We’ll get to muscle retention through food intake soon, but most valuable to you right now is probably the ability to eat less.

Physical and Mental Aspects of Calorie Control

Hunger Junk CravingsDieting is difficult for two main reasons:

Physical – your body is used to a certain way of doing things, food intake included. If you change this, then in simple terms, it will initially protest and feel a little discomfort (hunger), perhaps weakness until it starts to actually feel better from it. The timeline varies between individuals.

Mental – food is a comfort when you are feeling crap. Eating is an activity when you are bored. Sweets and junk are basically a drug, and fat just makes things tasty. Let’s not talk even talk about starchy carbs!

There’s a huge psychological factor to consider when you are dieting. Sometimes you’re not even physically hungry, but you still stuff your face with fast food. If that isn’t a mental thing, then we don’t know what is.

There are tricks you can use to defeat both the physical and mental goblins, and we’re going to talk about a very specific one right now.

Glucomannan

Instant Knockout CapsulesThe root of the Konjac plant is home to a type of fibre (/fiber) called Glucomannan. It has an interesting property that not many other natural fibres have.

It can absorb many more times its own volume of water. This interested scientists and supplement companies for the purpose of losing weight.

In the stomach, Glucomannan forms a comfortable mass, which can reduce the physical cravings for food.

Provided at least a tall glass of water (minimum of 250 ml / 8 oz) is taken with the glucomannan product, it works and is completely safe.

Glucomannan products are generally taken half an hour before meals, but never before bed.

Products Containing Glucomannan

A brief internet search will find you a lot of brands that have made a Glucomannan product. This might be a good option if you are going the cheap route and just want to try it out.

The best products we have found are those that combine the glucomannan into a formula with other ingredients: fat-burners, appetite suppressors, carb blockers, energy boosters and so on.

Of course, being the conscientious sorts that we are, we have an excellent product recommendation for you.

Product Recommendation

Instant Knockout Review

Instant Knockout comes highly Recommended

Instant Knockout is the best fat loss product available as far as we are concerned. It contains the perfect blend of fat burners, energy boosters, nootropics and, of course, Glucomannan.

It contains a great formula which gives actual results, and is endorsed by some of the world’s fittest people – including professional fighters who live and die by the weight category they have to make for a competition.

Not only that but it’s available at some great price deals, and can be shipped anywhere in the world.

When we found it, we jumped on it immediately.

Take a look at our review by following the link below.

CLICK HERE to read more about Instant Knockout