7 Nutrition BOMB Pre Workout Review

Ben BA(Hons), PGCert

Contents show

7 Nutrition BOMB Pre Workout Review First Look:

With my first rugby game in about 6 months behind me and considering it was a Tuesday evening I thought I may be able to hit the weights.

How wrong I was.

Not only is my body still feeling broken and exhausted but the short 40 minute stint I had on the pitch ensured that a shoulder injury resurfaced.

This meant even trying to do any weights was a long, drawn out affair riddled with huffing, puffing and pain.

Plus, I was up against it with my timescales. I had to hit Wal-Mart quickly to pick up supplies for a weekend away before picking up my laundry that had been expertly ironed earlier that day.

With all of this in mind, I looked at my final sachet of pre workout, drained the packet in to my shaker and mixed with water.

The reassuring orange color was then thrown down my neck to reveal a nice tropical flavor with a good consistency.

The name BOMB made me think that this would literally hit me around the face like a cold, wet burger patty to reveal my inner weaknesses.

Read on to see exactly how it performed…

Ingredients:

RELATED: We’ve tried and tested the best pre-workout supplement HERE!

Arginine-alpha-ketoglutarate (AAKG) – Tests on supplementation draw no real benefit that would not be found from resistance training itself.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21813912

Beta-alanine – Supplementation of this non essential amino acid aids the production of carnosine. That’s a compound that plays a role in muscle endurance in high-intensity exercise.

That said, studies have not exactly been positive nor entirely conclusive.

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1222-beta-alanine.aspx?activeingredientid=1222&activeingredientname=beta-alanine

L-Citrulline – This is used as a sports performance and cardiovascular health supplement. L-Citrulline supplementation results in reduced fatigue and improved endurance for both aerobic and anaerobic prolonged exercise.

An increase in growth hormone has been noted with exercise, but not at rest.

L-citrulline boosts nitric oxide production in the body. Nitric oxide helps your arteries relax and work better, which improves blood flow throughout your body.

Supplementing can help lower blood pressure in people with pre-hypertension.

This is often found in the best pre workouts.

To supplement L-citrulline to enhance sports performance, take 6,000 – 8,000 mg of citrulline malate about an hour before exercise.

https://examine.com/supplements/citrulline/

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/l-citrulline-uses-and-risks#1

Betaine (trimethylglycine) – This has been recommended as a compound that will increase athletic performance.

However, results from studies have been quite unreliable thus far of Betaine.

A dose of 12500mg has been linked to increased power output, very minimal increase of workout volume and slight endurance. Then again studies have showed no increase of any of the aforementioned parameters.

https://examine.com/supplements/trimethylglycine/

BioPerine (Piper nigrum) – The extract of piperine, called BioPerine® in the patented form, has been clinically tested in the United States.

BioPerine® significantly enhances the bioavailability of various supplement nutrients through increased absorption.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9619120

Vitamin B6 – Comprising three chemically distinct compounds pyridoxal, pyridoxamine, and pyridoxine, is involved in the regulation of mental function and mood.

Vitamin B6 is also an essential homocysteine re-methylation cofactor, and deficiency is associated with increase in blood homocysteine levels.

Homocysteine is a risk factor for cerebrovascular disease and may also have directly toxic effects on neurons of the central nervous system.

Neuropsychiatric disorders including seizures, migraine, chronic pain and depression have been linked to vitamin B6 deficiency.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14584010

Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) – Gives you more energy and boost your metabolism, helping you shed unwanted pounds. Ensure you are not deficient in Vitamin B12 so you can do that quick 10 miler at 5am…

http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/vitamin-b12-cobalamin

Niacinamide (Vit B3) – Higher amounts of niacin can improve cholesterol levels and lower cardiovascular risks and maybe symptoms for Alzheimer’s . However, the jury is out on these real benefits.

https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/924.htm

Carnitine – Acetyl-L-carnitine helps the body produce energy. It is important for heart and brain function, muscle movement, and many other body processes.

http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/carnitine-lcarnitine

Men who were supplemented 2g per day showed an increase of Insulin like growth hormone when combined with exercise.

http://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/Abstract/2003/08000/The_Effects_of_L_Carnitine_L_Tartrate.5.aspx

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Carnitine-HealthProfessional/

Glycerol – Seems to be most effective when administered rectally (in your ass) as a laxative.

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-4-glycerol.aspx?activeingredientid=4&

Tyrosine – Tyrosine is taken for depression, attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the inability to stay awake (narcolepsy), and improving alertness following sleep deprivation.

It is also used for stress, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, chronic fatigue syndrome(CFS).

Acetyl Tyrosine is a more soluble form of tyrosine.

https://examine.com/supplements/l-tyrosine/

Glucuronolactone – A component of many energy drinks, not great news considering there’s fuck all research on it.

https://examine.com/supplements/glucuronolactone/

Caffeine – It stimulates the central nervous system (CNS), heart, muscles, and the centers that control blood pressure to give you an extra boost and hit that PB.

Caffeine Anhydrous is the purest form of caffeine so always look out for it.

This is found in 4 Gauge which is the best pre-workout.

It is also found in Instant Knockout which is the best fat burner available at present.

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-979-caffeine.aspx?activeingredientid=979

Picamilon (nicotinyl-gamma-aminobutyric acid, nicotinyl-GAB, pikatropin, pikamilon) – Picamilon is used as a prescription drug in Russia for a variety of neurological conditions. It is not approved as a drug in the U.S.

https://www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/ProductsIngredients/ucm472881.htm

It is used for promoting lean muscle growth, burning fat, stabilizing blood pressure, and relieving pain.

No real evidence to prove it does though.

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-464-GABA%20GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC%20ACID.aspx?activeIngredientId=464&activeIngredientName=GABA%20GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC%20ACID

L-Norvaline – L-Norvaline showed significant improvement in serum nitrates, urea, LDH, testosterone and testicular protein level in diabetic rats.

There seems to be lots of information on the web about L-norvaline being a wonder drug, however, very little can be found from reliable, scientific sources i.e websites that are not trying to sell it to us.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26671005

Schizandrol/Schizandra – This herb appears to improve concentration, speed of thinking and even attention.

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-376-SCHISANDRA.aspx?activeIngredientId=376&activeIngredientName=SCHISANDRA

Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) – Studies have shown that treatment with Ashwagandha root extract resulted in a higher level of testosterone and a concomitant increase in serum levels of LH among infertile men having sub-optimal testosterone levels.

It’s difficult to see if the same result would be found with guys who do not have any fertility issues. So the question is, are you infertile?

If you’ve been banging your missus (or even your mistress, we shouldn’t be even talking if you have smashed your sister) unprotected and have miraculously not had a sprog you probably are infertile…sorry to break that to you, bro.

However, you are probably in look because only 12% of men throughout the whole world are infertile, and even then, that is a generous estimate by the World Health Authority.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3863556/

Rhodiola rosea – Can protect against cognitive deficits, neuronal injury and oxidative stress, can also be used as a potential agent in treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. This is found in our favorite Nootropic.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19950527_wp_link_placeholde

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) – Supplementation can provide a variety of health benefits, but may not actually prolong lifespan.

It has a low bioavailability, meaning it doesn’t circulate well through the body after being ingested.

http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/astragalus

Magnesium – Research into magnesium supplementation also increased testosterone production in men.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20352370

Dose:

1 sachet before training.

This is a combined amount of 20,000mg.

This compares well to many of the best pre workout supplements.

It did taste very nice and I didn’t feel too bloated.

There was a good consistency to it as well.

Benefits & Effects:

Caffeine is a great stimulant that can effect the CNS which controls muscle and heart stimulation.

Tyrosine can help you stay more alert, particularly if you are deprived of sleep.

Citrulline has a number of great benefits and is found in products such as 4GAUGE which we rate as the best pre workout, however, you need at least 6,000mg for it to be effective and this falls short by 4,000mg.

B12 is great for energy production as well as boosting your metabolism. Often found in fat burners such as Instant Knockout.

Betaine is linked to a power output increase during exercise but a hefty 12,500mg is required for this and we only get 1,500mg here.

Black pepper extract (BioPerine) helps the body absorb the nutrients better so you get maximum results and less waste.

B6 can help with energy levels but also prevent the risk of seizures and even depression from a deficiency.

Carnitine, when dosed sufficiently can increase growth hormone and produce energy for your workout. For these benefits we require 2,000mg but we only get 1,300mg here.

Schizandra increases concentration levels, speed of thinking and enables a heightened sense of focus and attention.

If you are an infertile male, of which constitutes for about 12% of the total global male population, Ashwagandha will help increase your testosterone levels.

Magnesium will help increase your testosterone levels even if you are not infertile.

Rhodiola is found in many nootropics for its cognitive protective abilities.

How Did It Feel?

Apart from the taste and feeling a little more awake it didn’t really seem to offer too much benefit.

This is probably down to the fact that although there are a lot of ingredients, neither one is particularly high dosed or adequately dosed enough to be effective.

Video:

Negatives:

Beta-Alanine is yet to offer any proof that it can be of any benefit.

Niacin doesn’t seem to be able to offer the cardiovascular benefits it is renowned for.

Citrulline is too under dosed to be of any use and offer the benefits it can at levels of 6000-8000mg. With just 2000mg present it will offer no positive effects.

AAKG seems to offer no benefit from testing, nor does Beta-Alanine.

Betaine is woefully under-dosed to offer any additional power benefits.

Carntine suffers the same fate too, it is not dosed high enough to provide us with the benefits we require.

Glycerol seems to make you need a shit more than anything else, and I did need a shit later that evening. A mere coincidence? I think not.

While Glucuronolactone is included in many high profile energy drinks that probably sponsor Motorsport and other ‘extreme’ activities, you would think they would consider the fact there’s no real research in to its effectiveness or risks.

There’s no evidence to prove GABA is useful for fat burning or promoting lean muscle growth.

Norvaline seems to be one of these wonder drugs that does the rounds on the internet yet has precious little research available to actually offer any substance to these claims.

Ashwagandha is only going to help increase your testosterone levels if you are male and infertile.

Astragalus may actually offer some great benefits but it has poor bioavailability meaning that once it is ingested by your body it isn’t absorbed enough to work.

7 Nutrition BOMB Pre Workout Review Conclusion:

When I first looked at this product I thought that the large number of ingredients and high overall combined dose was going to blow me away and provide a hit like no other pre workout supplement has done previously.

However, a closer look made me realize that actually, the large number of ingredients dilutes the effectiveness because each individual is not adequately dosed.

This is clear to see across the board and in particular with ingredients such as: