BZRK by Black Magic - Go BZRK in the Gym!

In a market saturated with pre-workouts, it can be very difficult to discern between those that are just filled with stimulants to give you some energy, but really offers nothing else and then comes with the dreaded mid or post-workout crash, and a true pre-workout behemoth that delivers not only on energy, but truly boosts performance, and delivers focus, pumps, endurance, and even euphoria. While BZRK is a high-stimulant powerhouse of a preworkout, that is far from it's only attributes, and is certainly no slacker when it comes to pumps and power. With over 16 grams of active ingredients overall, BZRK is absolutely loaded, starting with the “Supernatural Matrix”. This matrix is composed of 4 scientifically proven ingredients at clinical doses so should definitely expect nasty pumps, endurance, and massive strength increases. Here's the breakdown:

• Citrulline Malate (2:1) - 7,000mg

Citrulline is a nonessential amino acid that serves as an endogenous precursor to arginine, thereby greatly enhancing nitric oxide synthesis through what is known as the arginine-nitric oxide pathway. Nitric oxide has various performance-boosting functions in the body including a vasodilatory effect, which will increase blood, oxygen, and nutrient delivery to working muscles. Furthermore, nitric oxide can also reduce the oxygen and energy cost of exercise allowing you to push the working muscles longer and harder. 

At 7,000mg per serving, that is a monster dose of this vasodilator, so you can expect not only massive muscle pumps, crazy vascularity, and extremely full muscles, but also improvements in recovery time between exercises and between workouts, increases in both strength and power that will likely also lead to an increase in muscle growth, and enhanced overall training capacity.

• BetaO - 3,200mg

BetaO is a very unique take on a classic pre-workout ingredient, and is a combination of Beta-Alanine and Orotic Acid. Beta-Alanine is a staple in the pre-workout game and is the ingredient known for that itchy, tingling sensation that hits after a few minutes and is truly loved by many (and also hated by a few.. what are ya gonna do lol). If you're like me, once those tingles hit, it tells the brain it's TIME TO GO!!! 

Beta-Alanine, or 3-aminopropionic acid is a naturally-occurring beta-amino acid and a component of the histidine dipeptides carnosine and anserine. Beta-Alanine has the distinct ability to raise muscle carnosine concentrations. In fact, beta-alanine is the limiting amino acid in carnosine synthesis, meaning that its presence in the bloodstream is directly tied to muscle carnosine levels. The resulting carnosine then acts as lactic acid buffer for our muscles (Lactic acid buildup is the burning sensation you feel during an exercise due to not enough oxygen available to complete the process, so a substance called lactate is made). which provides numerous benefits, including increases in work capacity, reducing muscle fatigue, increasing peak power output, and boosting overall athletic performance. These sensational benefits are the reason why Beta-Alanine is a pre-workout staple and a very well-known ingredient.

Orotic Acid (OA) is basically a non-hormonal anabolic agent, naturally present in the body and has a general stimulating effect on the metabolism. In particular, it stimulates the synthesis of nucleic acids involved in protein synthesis, and enhances repair and regenerative processes in many tissues. Multiple scientific studies have shown that OA is extremely beneficial to athletes. It's unique in its ability to optimize many of the bodily functions critical for strength. OA accomplishes this through two main pathways. First, it drastically increases the body’s ability to regenerate ATP during exercise. ATP is the source of energy that is used to power the movement of contraction in working muscles. The second pathway is the same as beta alanine, in that it increases intramuscular carnosine levels, but there is one distinguishing difference. Due to the pathways used, orotic acid comes with all the benefits of beta alanine, minus the tingles! So, if you aren't a fan of the tingles, this ingredient will deliver the same benefits as Beta-Alanine, but you won't be hit with the tingles.

• Glycerpump – 2,500mg

Glycerol has been around the industry for several years, but has recently gained extensive popularity in pre-workout and intra-workout supplements for its many benefits that include; increasing cellular hydration, improving endurance, and increasing muscular pumps during physical activity. The most popular being muscular endurance and the oh-so sought out “PUMP”. 

GlycerPump is a new high-yield form of the popular hydration agent supplying 65% glycerol by mass. This new form has been spray dried which nearly eliminates the horrendous clumping problems that originally came along with glycerol. GlycerPump, GlycerSize, and HydroMax Glycerol are the 3 main version of glycerol currently used due to high-yield and the elimination of clumping. 

Staying adequately hydrated can help reduce muscle fatigue and reduce the risk of injury. As they say, hydration is key, and this is especially true when using glycerol products. Glycerol basically acts as a sort of sponge, drawing water into your muscles, allowing for a “hyperhydrated” state. This facilitates what we call a “water pump” that makes our muscles larger and fuller than usual. So, the better hydrated you are, the better the pumps will be!

• Betaine Anhydrous

Betaine Anhydrous is an osmolyte, meaning it increases cellular water retention through osmosis. This gives Betaine Anhydrous the distinct ability to cause muscle fibers to swell, which will also stimulate muscle protein synthesis, promoting muscle growth. Betaine also works very synergistically with glycerol (GlycerPump) to further increase cell volumization and muscle cell uptake, which can significantly increase anaerobic power aka strength gains, as well as improvements in both endurance and power. Also, since attracts water, it leads to a water-based pump, and is known for inducing a state of hyperhydration, which not only boosts your ability to get a pump, but also enhances your hydration. So, keep that water intake high, and this duo will provide some of the most out of this world pumps you've ever experienced!

The next matrix in this juggernaut pre-workout is called the Possessed Matrix. This matrix is a potent blend of stimulants and nootropics that work together very synergistically to maximize energy levels, fire off neurotransmitters in the brain to provide the tunnel vision focus mentioned above, and provides a euphoric effect so you can perform at peak intensity for the entire duration of your workout without the worry of a mid or post-workout crash. Here's the breakdown of this stimulant and brain power boosting atomic bomb!

• Tyrosine

 L-Tyrosine is one of the most popular ingredients in pre-workouts these days, and for very good reason. At this dosage it will trigger several of our “feel-good” neurotransmitters, including norepinephrine and dopamine. This will greatly enhance a sense of well being, boost mood, and drastically increase mental alertness and focus. As an added bonus, it can also lower anxiety and stress so nothing will stand in your way from demolishing every session! 

• Caffeine Anhydrous

Caffeine is without a doubt the most known and utilized stimulant in the world. Caffeine occurs naturally in plants such as coffee beans, tea, and cacao, which is the source of cocoa for chocolate. It's a CNS (Central Nervous System) stimulant that has been shown to reduce feelings of fatigue, increase energy levels, heighten mental alertness, lower perceived exertion, and even lower levels of perceived pain. Caffeine also improves mental acuity and sharpness, helps maintain laser-like focus, and even improves some technical skills both during and after strenuous activity. And, if that isn't enough, it's also believed to enhance the body's ability to use its own fat as fuel, which can effectively increase the time to exhaustion in endurance events. 

• Isopropylnorsynephrine

Isopropylnorsynephrine is a modified version of synephrine (the primary active alkaloid found in citrus aurantium). Synephrine is a beta-3 adrenergic receptor agonist which stimulates lipolysis -- the break down of lipids (fats) and triglycerides into free fatty acids and glycerol, which can then be burned by the body for energy. Synephrine is also structurally similar to ephedrine and increases energy, mood, and focus. Synephrine has also been shown to improve energy expenditure as well as athletic performance both on its own and in combination with caffeine!

• Kola Nut Extract 4:1

Kola nuts are bitter fruits of kola trees that contains both caffeine and theobromine, but also has some fat loss properties. Kola nut has been shown to stimulate the fore-brain, resulting in suppressed hunger, increased focus, and even has function as a diuretic. We've already discussed the benefits of caffeine for us as lifters/athletes so now, we'll discuss all the great benefits of theobromine. Theobromine is a bitter, volatile compound obtained from cacao seeds. It’s technically an alkaloid compound (meaning a nitrogen-atom containing chemical) that resembles caffeine and has similar effects, but it also provides vasodilation effects, and hence improved oxygen transport. When combined, caffeine and theobromine act synergistically to improve workout performance and intensity.

• N-Methyl Tyramine

N-Methyl Tyramine is also a stimulant and a beta-2 agonist that helps activate the “flight or fight” response in us. It modulates the activity of noradrenaline and adrenaline and increase the release of norepinephrine for a heightened sense of determination and mental drive, heightened mood, increased mental focus, increased energy levels, and muscle contraction capacity so you can train harder, more intensely, and for longer durations.

• Higenamine HCl

Higenamine HCL, also known as norcolaurine, belongs to a class of substances called beta-2 adrinergic receptor agonists, which mimic the activity of neurotransmitters in the body. Basically, Higenamine is a powerful nootropic that greatly boosts focus and concentration. It also has a plethora of effects that help improve athletic performance. Notably, it stimulates bronchial dilation, allowing the bronchi to widen, easing breathing and helping to increase oxygen saturation. It can also act as a stimulant by triggering cardiac adrenoreceptor, leading to an increase in heart rate.

• NeuroFactor

NeuroFactor is a sustainable, all-natural patent ingredient that increases BDNF levels in humans, thereby increasing cognition, specifically focus, learning, memory and thinking. NeuroFactor works by stimulating production of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), a key neuroprotein involved in overall brain health. BDNF plays a critical role in the development, maintenance and repair of neuron, and protection against neuro-degeneration. Neuroscience suggests that increased BDNF may help reduce the advancement of cognitive decline in humans.

• Huperzine A

Huperzine A  is an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor, meaning it stops a specific enzyme, cholinesterase, from breaking down acetylcholine in the body. This results in increased levels of Acetylcholine in the body and thus improved neurotransmission and both cognitive and muscular performance. Huperzine-A also has the ability to quickly and effectively cross the blood-brain barrier preventing acetylcholinesterase (AChE) from decreasing acetylcholine levels. Specifically, Huperzine-A not only stops the breakdown of Acetylcholine but also allows for a surplus of Acetylcholine above base levels which works to improves nerve and brain function and the direct signalling of muscular contractions.