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Product Name: Purple-K
Company: Fusion Bodybuilding
MSRP: $32.99 [Click For Low Prices On: [ Purple-K, 100 Caps]
Availability: High (Stores & Online)
Servings: 50
I had been using creatine monohydrate for YEARS. I had perfected the cycling of this supplement for maximum results and minimal bloating, so you can probably imagine the skepticism/excitement I felt when I stumbled upon a buffered type of creatine which is pH balanced, doesn’t need to be cycled, comes in a pill form and best off all, gives you the same results with a smaller dosage.
I HAD to know what this was all about. Enter Kre-Alkalyne creatine (Basically buffered creatine monohydrate pH 12+). Hailed as the “king of creatine”, purple K seemed to be the answer. Well, I put two bottles to the test and here’s what I found out…
Product Claim: First, let’s look at what this product OFFICIALLY claims to do. Here is the official word from the company…
PURPLE-K has become a staple in any serious bodybuilder’s supplement program, because it gives you the real strength gains you need to move big weight. With each workout, you’ll feel your strength grow. Other creatines just can’t live up to PURPLE-K, they are poorly bioavailable and cannot even deliver a full and concentrated dose of creatine to your muscles. Because PURPLE-K is pH-correct, there is no loading, bloating or water retention, and your body will absorb 100% of the dose.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE KING OF CREATINE
The pH scale measures the acidity of liquids. Your stomach contains hydrochloric acid that has a pH between 1 and 2. In this acidic environment, other creatine breaks down into creatinine (kree-AT-ah-neen’) – a useless waste product.1
Because other creatines break down in stomach acids, mega-dosing is common, but only causes more problems because it makes you bloated and shuts down your creatine transporters (Crt), making you absorb less creatine, not more.
PURPLE-K is the King of Creatine because it’s pH-correct creatine that utilizes an advanced pH-correct buffer that prevents creatine breakdown in stomach acids. As a result, 100% of PURPLE-K is delivered intact to your muscles, making it highly bioavailable and ensuring real strength gains at a fraction of the serving size.
SCIENTIFIC REFERENCES
- Kreider, R., Ferreira, M., Wilson, M., Grindstaff, P., Plisk, S., & Reinhardy, J. et al. (1998). Effects of creatine supplementation on body composition, strength and sprint performance. Med Sci Sport Exerc, 30, 73-82.
Real World Results: So claims are one thing, and as far as the supplement industry is concerned… I take everything they say with a grain of salt. Mainly because their info pages are written by marketers, not scientists or supplement experts (Sometimes I wonder if certain companies even have any scientists working for them). That is why reading the “science” behind a lot of these products will just end up hurting your head. Therefore I’ve decided to skip the bullshit and put everything I review to the test in the one place that matters. THE GYM.
So how did Purple-K stack up? In short, pretty damn well. Also, I saved quite a lot of time because instead of mixing a concoction like before, I just had to pop the pills and go! Doesn’t get any more convenient than that. There was also no bloating or stomach upsets to report. Some of the panzies out there who are scared of monohydrate should rejoice, this product is fool proof. It’s also idiot proof… there is no need to cycle, just take 2 pills 30 minutes before and 2 pills within 60 minutes after a workout. On non-workout days take 1-2 in the morning… bam!
As far as sheer performance goes, it worked just as well as monohydrate in my opinion. Some people say it works BETTER, but as a long time creatine user… I’m not too sure about that. I think it DOES have the potential since one serving (2 capsules) contains only 1.5g of creatine… and when I get my 3rd bottle, I am going to experiment with the dosage. But for the sake of the review, I stuck to my guns and followed the “instructions”.
Strength Increases? My bench press shot up 10 lbs after one bottle. This is definitely something I’m happy with. A crucial factor is also those “rest days”… make sure you take 2 capsules in the morning like it says. We grow and get stronger when we rest so there is no reason to use Purple-K ONLY on workout days. Also note that my nutrition and post workout recovery is top-notch so make sure you’re doing more than popping pills here. Your results will vary.
For those who have never taken creatine before or are curious as to how this helps you in the gym, let me give you a brief explaination. This isn’t like an energy drink product or one of those N.O products where you will feel “awake” and super “energized”. In fact, you won’t really notice any difference in your state untill you hit the gym… say you bench 150lbs and max out at 8 reps. After taking purple-k (or any other good creatine product for that matter) you’ll be lifing and be like 8, 9, 10… holy shit 11! It’s that type of feeling. You’ll be able to push yourself further before getting tired.
Although I’ve yet to find a TRULY awesome N.O product that blows me away, if you do use pre-workout formulas, I don’t see why you wouldn’t stack Purple-K with them. You get the strength gains and the energizer bunny feeling… Huzzah!
CONCLUSION: Overall, you just can’t beat the price, convenience, and performance of this stuff. It truly kicks ass! As my books readers no doubt know, I have dumped regular ‘ol monohydrate in favour of Purple-K. And let’s not forget that nowadays you can find this product at a MUCH lower price than the MSRP. Highly Recommended.
- Fit Jerk
May 8, 2009
#1
Hi FJ. So this is better than Kre-Alkalyne? Right now, I take the powder from of the previous.
May 8, 2009
#2
This IS Kre-Alkalyne sweetheart. Kre-Alkalyne is the name they gave buffered monohydrate that’s pH balanced. It has a patent # (6,399,661)
That should clear things up. And yeah I used to use powered monohydrate. Bleh. Pills FTW.
May 8, 2009
#3
I use Kre-Alkalyne from EFX. This looks like a different company… Am I still confused? Oh, hell, I am always confused. I am a women going thru the change of life.. try doing that!!! HA!
May 10, 2009
#4
Yes, the product from EFX is pretty much the same thing, but I believe they sell it in powder form, as well as pill form.
And I was smart enough to give up trying to figure out women. But I like unpredictability, so go figure!
August 1, 2009
#5
I currently use Purple-K and I’ve been on creatine since i was 16. I started using the purple K about 8months a go and believe me by far its the best creatine I’ve used. It allows me to put on mass(slower than powder) but also keep the nice toned cut look without the bloating. Ive been on everything from No-explode to Size on and out of all the suppliments i’ve used I recommend purple-k to anyone who likes to put on mass but is afraid of getting bloated or fat looking.
August 25, 2009
#6
I’m 17 years old, and have been thinking about trying out purple k. (pills or powder), i heard either work fine. Ok. So i’m “fat” and i’m wondering if i not only gain muscle, but will i tone up and lose some weight, maybe get some definition? I’ve been overweight for far too long now, and want something that’ll make me look and feel stronger.
August 25, 2009
#7
No I wouldn’t bother with any type of Creatine if you’re fat and/or overweight. What you need to do is strength training with compound exercises along with Variable Intensity Cardio. Your eating habits also need a full out turn around. I mean total overhaul because obviously what you’ve been doing isn’t working all.
Do you have my FREE fitness mini-course? If not, download it immediately! http://www.flawlessfitnessbook.com
Should get you started.
September 2, 2009
#8
I want a gain mass but I couldn\’t drink a milk, so what kind of muscle supplement should I drink?
September 3, 2009
#9
The problem is that you’re looking for a supplement rather than turning to food. Supplements can give you… maybe a 5-9% increase in performance IF your eating habits are TIGHT.
Food is very anabolic, you need to look at lean cuts of meat and proper complex carbohydrates for muscle growth and weight gain… THEN you can turn to supplements. Also, why can’t you drink milk? Lactose?
Try whey protein isolate. Most go through microfiltration which seperates out the fat and lactose and leaves you with high quality protein that is 95% pure. Got it? Good… now go pack on some muscle!
November 26, 2009
#10
hey FJ, I’ve been reading your thoughts on Purple-K and it has helped a lot! I have a problem though, i’m 17 years old, about 145lbs and i’m not fat, i have abs n w/e. i work out 3-4 times a week (using weights) and 2 days cardio. Right now i’m on a weight gainer and it has helped, is it safe for me to stack Purple K with it? (With my weight and whatever). i think the sales people in the stores are feeding me shit.
November 26, 2009
#11
@Tech18
Sales people will always feed you shit… like how you should take the latest “pump” product.
Anyways, you’re at my weight, which is cool. If you’re taking weight gainer right now (a good one) I bet there is a good chance that some creatine monohydrate is already present. Check the nutrition label and check the amount… if it’s 5g or less per serving then here’ s how I’d take Purple K:
1cap b4 and 1 after.
If there isn’t any creatine present, then do the usual 2cap before and 2 cap after.
As for safety, yeah you got nothing to worry about. You need to take in a fuck load of creatine on a daily basis to do any real harm. Even then, your body will be working over time to piss out the excessive dose (not that you should try that).
November 26, 2009
#12
Lmao alright man, thanks a lot, I appreciate it.
December 2, 2009
#13
I wanna increase my vertical jump, if i combine purple k with my jump training will i get a faster increse?
December 2, 2009
#14
@Mike
Oh fuck yea, I don’t see why not. Creatine was originally used by athletes in Olympics and they trashed the competition. And is there some explosive movements required in the Olympics? Totally.
December 9, 2009
#15
Hey, im not a very big person been having troubles gaining weight. Been the same weight for pretty much a year and a half, i was just wondering if this will help gain weight, I do work out but I don\’t notice change hence I am small. I have noticed I have gotten more defined but I haven\’t been gaining weight.
December 9, 2009
#16
what the hell lol now there are 2 comments, i re commented because I checked up on my first one and It wasn\’t appearing. Sorry about that.
December 9, 2009
#17
@Rehsom
Hell no. Just taking Purple K alone will NOT help you gain weight. I guarantee that the major reason for your situation is the way you eat. 95% of the time it’s eating habits, then the other 5% of the time is the training.
Read my article on Taylor Lautner here: http://flawlessfitnessbook.com/blog/how-taylor-lautner-got-ripped-for-new-moon/
Go apply everything in there. If you aren’t eating a huge meal every 2 hours, forget about it. No supplement will help you. Hell, even steroids will be fucking useless.
In very basic terms, creatine shuffles water into your muscles, while that might fill you out a little, it’s primary function is to help you workout harder and with more intensity… growth comes from recovery and nutrition.
You grow big in the kitchen homie, not in the gym.
December 9, 2009
#18
hi fj . i was wondering if a high carbs, protein diet would work if i was taking purple k ? and is it safe for a fifteen year old .. im large for a fifteen year old to!
December 10, 2009
#19
alright thanks, I do eat but I did expect the creatine to help. Thank you though
December 10, 2009
#20
@bitchin
I don’t see the need to have a “high” amount of carbs. As for Purple K, I wouldn’t take it till I’m about 17-18. Get your creatine from natural sources right now such as beef.
December 12, 2009
#21
i need to bulk up for football . strickt orders say that. and why would you wait till age 17? it says on the bottle its for the use for people under the age of eighteen?!1
December 13, 2009
#22
Naw, you’re mistaken. It actually says “..not intended for use by persons under the age of 18″
Therefore in my opinion you are too young to be using it. Stick to lean cuts of beef, skinless chicken, ostrich and buffalo meat. You should bulk up in no time.
And easy way to make sure is to check your weight every Sunday. You should be at least 1lbs heavier than you were in the previous week… if you aren’t, you didn’t eat enough. Point Blank Period.
December 24, 2009
#23
Never had stomach upsets from creatine in the past, it’s one dam good supplement (out of all the garbage, next-big-thing products out there). And, like ya said, pills do have an advantage… saves time (though I still mix my protein and glutamin, it’s one less powder to mix in).
Mark Martinez
your creatine powder test lab
December 28, 2009
#24
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January 2, 2010
#25
@Force
Cool, glad you found value in it.
January 23, 2010
#26
Hey, i was interested in taking purple-k, im 5′11 and weigh 165 im looking to bulk up farily fast. I have taken no other supplements in the past and I have just started working out. I am 16 turning 17 in july and the guy at the local supplement store said i was old enough to take purple-k, i was wondering if I was, and if purple-k was the right thing to be taking?
January 25, 2010
#27
Yes, you’re probably old enough for Purple-K but I’d suggest you talk to your doc. The bottle will say 18 so the company can legally cover their ass though so be aware of that. But purple-k by itself won’t do much if your food intake sucks. Read more about that here: http://flawlessfitnessbook.com/blog/how-taylor-lautner-got-ripped-for-new-moon/
February 1, 2010
#28
@Fit Jerk, hey man i’m just wondering if i could combine purple-k with any NO products? and if so, what NO brand do you recommend the most?
February 4, 2010
#29
To this day, I still haven’t come across a viable and effective N.O product. You will get a better pump and a better workout if you stack Purple K with Beta Alanine and take a scoop of Vitargo S2 before your workout. Search my review section to read about Vitargo.