Product Name: Vitargo S2
Company: GENR8 Speed
MSRP: $36.99 [Click For Great Prices On GENR8 Vitargo S2]

Availability: Medium (Some Stores & Online)
Servings: 10 or 20 (Depends on individual needs)

Hype & Bullshit… 2 of the biggest concepts that power the supplement industry to profit-soaring success. GENR8′s website mentions that only 1 supplement out of a 1000 has any type of scientific innovation, and to be honest I don’t see any reason to doubt this. I mean see for yourself, contact a supplement company and inquire about their product, then ask em’ to SHOW you the studies which PROVE the effectiveness of the supplement which they are selling. Then I want you to notice… how 99% of them ignore your ass and pretend you don’t exist.

But GENR8 on the other hand, is a little bit different. Not only do they reference studies… But they reference studies done on their actual product – Vitargo S2. On top of that, the President of GENR8 happily made the .pdf versions of these studies available to me. I’m SO not used to this… Most of the time I have to bother the corporate dingtards until they either ignore me (happens 95% of the time) or just give me some lame ass response which basically says: “Ok, you got me, I can’t prove shit…”

So what is Vitargo S2 and who is it for? Well it’s is a carbohydrate drink with a focus on refuelling muscle glycogen stores and improving overall recovery times. Id say its for anyone that trains at an intensity of medium-high all the way to extremely high. If you’re just some light jogger and/or your idea of a workout is to do a few push ups and crunches here and there… I can tell you right now that Vitargo S2 isn’t for you.

Vitargo Tub

For those that know and understand why an insulin spike is important post workout, prepare to rejoice. Vitargo S2 has shown to be superior at spiking your insulin levels over the old time favorite carb powder – maltodextrin.

Ok so lets see, the company has nothing to hide and the 3 studies that were done on it seem sound…

• The 1st one shows how Vitargo S2 has better gastric emptying rate than normal maltodextrin (this means it leaves the stomach faster resulting in a better absorption rate).

• The 2nd notes the glycogen re-synthesis rate in humans while using Vitargo S2 vs Maltodextrin & Simple sugars.

• The 3rd shows how the ingestion of Vitargo S2 post-workout improves performance during a bout of cycling. Basically proving that you can replace your glycogen stores faster than by taking maltodextrin + simple sugars.

You can read these studies in greater detail by going to: http://www.genr8speed.com/press

Great, now it’s time for FJ to take it for a spin…

First Impressions:

It comes in a mini-tub which contains 1.7lbs of the product. Inside you’ll find a scoop with a ridiculously long handle… Which I grew to like since you don’t have to dump your hand all the way inside when the product starts to run low. Also big ups to GENR8 for sending me not 1, but 2 tubs (an unflavoured version and the tropical fruit one).

Long-Ass Scoop Handle... Nice!

Now if you use the product as recommended – before workouts, after workouts and during, with the suggested serving of 2 scoops, you’ll be left with a mere 10 servings per container. This works out to **drum roll** $3.69/serving. OUCH! I think I heard my wallet squirm.

However, if you’re a smaller dude or you don’t happen to train with extreme intensity, then you can get away with 1 scoop… Which leaves you with $1.85 per serving. That’s more reasonable… But considering maltodextrin can run you about $0.50/serving, Vitargo S2 better kick some serious ass in my real world tests.

The packaging is decent enough with clear and sufficient information. Because of it’s high molecular weight, there are some seriously specific instructions on how you should mix your drink. Be advised that if you choose to ignore these instructions… You’ll end up with a lump of GOO. However if you do follow what’s on the label, you’ll have a Gatorade-like drink ready to go!

I also like the fact that there isn’t too much “hype talk” on the product container itself. It does boast about the studies but nothing crazy unlike some other supplement companies. When I’m browsing products I’m not looking to be dazzled by a marketing story; I’m looking for proof, facts, results & nothing more.

Real World Results:

Like I said previously, if you follow the instructions then Vitargo S2 mixes flawlessly into a very drinkable and clump-free drink. The tropical fruit stuff has a very mild flavor, which I like. It tastes like a sports drink… And that isn’t too far from the truth. I did (on purpose) try mixing it with a spoon and again without the recommended amounts of water when I first got my hands on it… And this is how I found out that you end up with goo.

Another thing I want to mention is the texture of the goo. It’s not like the clump you get if you don’t mix your whey protein properly. It’s very slimy and slippery – for the kinky ones out there, you might want to get creative with this stuff… or not, your choice.

So moving on to the unflavoured stuff. Let me just be straight up here – there is a night and day difference between the taste of the unflavoured Vitargo S2 and the tropical fruit version. It is my contention that the unflavoured Vitargo S2 is to be used as a piggy back with your protein shake, fruit juice, vegetable juice, pimp juice… Or whatever else you drink. If you drink the unflavoured version with water alone, you’ll find the taste to be extremely puke-inducing. Even if you REALLY dilute it… There is just this awkwardness which makes you think: “water shouldn’t taste this way”.

Ok so on to see if it works as advertised. I put Vitargo S2 through 3 tests that I designed myself.

>>First test: This test was created to see how well Vitargo S2 could help my muscles recover within a 24 hour period.

The execution was simple… Pick a muscle group (Triceps), then pick an exercise (Skull Crushers), pick the weight that’s slightly lighter than normal (60lbs) and then go at it until I’m toast. After this workout, take 2 scoops of Vitargo S2 unflavoured along with whey protein and then one more scoop before bed time. The next day (day 2), I would take another scoop right before doing the exact same workout and see how well my muscles performed in relation to day 1. Here’s how it went down:

Ok, I was actually very impressed with this. Usually I don’t do more than 3-4 sets on skull crushers but the fact that I was able to pull off 9 sets before finally having to worry about the safety of my forehead is crazy. It was also funny because there was this creepy ass dude at the gym and he was wandering aimlessly near my vicinity while I was doing the skull crushes. My guess was that he either wanted to jump my sweaty, sexy ass or he just wanted the 60 pounder W bar. I’m guessing the latter.

Anyways, after all the awkward hovering around the gym and personally watching me go through 4 sets, he finally gets the balls to come up and ask: “Hey man, are you like almost done with that?”

Im like: “I duno dude, my plan is to keep doing these till my arms fall off. But you can sneak in a few sets while I’m resting if you want”. Mr. Creepo didn’t take me up on my offer and said he’ll be back. Great.

So, after the grueling workout I took my Vitargo S2 and the drive home too longer than usual. Amazing how much of a BITCH it is to turn the wheel when your arms feel like death. My triceps were freakin’ exploding! Let me also mention that adding this stuff to your protein shake really changes it’s texture and gives it a smooth finish. It’s like drinking liquid silk… If it ever existed.

Next day I wake up and unsurprisingly, my triceps were sore – but not at the level which I would have expected them to be after 9 fucking sets! I usually NEVER work my triceps the day before I’m planning on doing a serious chest routine for obvious reasons. This time however, I made the exception. I hit up the gym after downing a scoop of Tropical Fruit Vitargo S2 and not only did I pull off that 8 set miracle that you see above… But I was able to do a 4 set push-up routine after a 5 minute rest. Well I’ll be damned!

>> Second Test: In this test, I took one scoop of Vitargo S2 20 mins before a workout and then evenly sipped on another scoop DURING my workout. The purpose was to see how well it kept me hydrated as well as how well it helped me push my limits.

The execution is obvious but here are a few more details…

Muscle Group Worked: Biceps

Exercise: Preacher Curls

Weight: 80lbs

If I want to train hypertrophy, then I lift 70lbs on preacher curls for a maximum of 9-10 reps. However, I wanted to see what would happen if I added 10lbs for the same type of training routine. The results were O-K. My average reps dropped by about 4, something I wasn’t too impressed with especially since I was having some of this stuff DURING my workouts and the glycogen refuelling concept was something I looking forward to. I was taking less drinks of water though, so the hydration angle of this stuff was definitely working in my opinion.

After about 1 week, I re-trained my biceps by stacking Creatine Monohydrate & MuscleSpeed and my average drop in reps was now roughly 3 or sometimes even 2. You COULD say that I recovered and got stronger, which I won’t leave out as a possibility, but the fact is that I just felt “ON” and the mind-body connection was intense.

Overall, as a “during workout” supplement, I wasn’t too impressed. Maybe marathon runners will get more use out of it, but for general fitness and even weight training/bodybuilding it looks like Vitargo S2 better shines as a post-workout puppy.

>> Third Test: My favourite test of them all – Gymnastics and Power Tumbling.

There is no beating around the bush on this one… It worked beautifully. One hour session on trampoline, half an hour session on running tumbling and the other half an hour session on standing tumbling, and by the end of it all I felt as alive as ever. I usually feel sore, my calves ache and start to pulse because of the high impact of this sport… But those symptoms were totally diminished. I-is-one-happy-mofo.

Another point I need to bring forth is that when I took Vitargo S2 pre-workout… I landed my standing full with consistency. (Could be a coincidence of training this move off and on… But whatever). For those that don’t know, a standing full is a back flip while doing a 360 twist. This move is USUALLY done out of a pass – which means you have lots of momentum from the initial run and round off. Doing a full from standing… Out of NOTHING… Is an insane endeavour.

Supplement Facts

Conclusion:

It’s slimy if you mix it wrong, expensive if you take too much and tastes funny if you have the unflavoured version with water… But it’s also an excellent hydration formula, the BEST post-workout supplement that exists, the tropical fruit flavour tastes like Gatorade and if the unflavored stuff is piggy-backed properly, it makes ANY protein shake smooth as silk.

The point I’m trying to make here is that Vitargo S2 isn’t for everyone. The average Joe that is trying to lose some weight or just wants to get in decent shape is much better off with some whey protein along with a little bit of maltodextrin after his workout. Although Vitargo S2 is superior… The cost – benefit ratio just doesn’t make any sense for this type of person. Unless Mr. Average Joe has money to burn… then by all means.

BUT… If you’re either a:

• Professional Athlete
• Serious Athlete
• Gym Rat
• Bodybuilder
• Person that likes intensive workouts
• A trainer
• Or you just take your fitness seriously…

Then I have no trouble recommending Vitargo S2. On top of this, if the cost is spanking your ass a little too hard, be smart about it… Use it only when it’s most effective for YOU. Personally… I’ll be buying some of this stuff without any hesitation, but you’ll only see me taking it POST workout and possibly before a hardcore tumbling session.

You have to realize that what we have here is something extraordinary… Which is why I’m giving it 4/5 stars, but it’s also something that has pushed the boundaries in terms of innovation and effectiveness – for which it get’s my Quality Supplement Award!

What do you think about this stuff? Have you taken it before? Does it itch your curiosity? Well then post some comments below. All hail carbohydrates!

-Fit Jerk

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© 2009 – 2010, By FitJerk. FitJerk.com is a division of Flawless Fitness Media – All Rights Reserved – No part of this post is to be republished without author consent under any forms of media (including print, internet, video or audio transcription). Doing so is a violation against copyright law and should be punishable by a punch to the face. All images are copyright of their respective owners.

Only LOSERS have nothing to say or discuss. Put your thoughts, comments or general rants in the comment section below. FJ does not use censorship but obvious racial slurs and over-the-top stupidity will be deleted.

Product Name: Musclespeed
Company: Accelerative Nutraceuticals
MSRP: $49.99 [Click For Great Prices On MuscleSpeed!]
Availability: Medium (Online)
Servings: 45

Pre-workout supplements… There is always a lot of hype surrounding them and most of the time they are a complete waste of cash. The reason is simple, all they give you is a big caffeine rush which you could haven gotten from a cup of coffee or even a can of RedBull. But I have hope; enter Musclespeed from Accelerative Nutraceuticals. Let me start off by saying that I was very reluctant on reviewing this product for two main reasons:

• It’s made by a relatively new company and therefore I have no clue as to what their credibility is like. This can be a good or bad thing; they have the chance to start off on the right foot, but could also fail miserably. Oh the excitement!

• Which brings me to my second point… Because it’s so new, I’m sure that one man’s passionate vision led him to invest his life savings into something he believes in, and his credibility is now put on the line. See, if BSN releases a shitty product… No big deal, they can release another one next month because they got the capital. But if I don’t like Musclespeed, most people won’t buy it, the company will go to the shitter and I’ve just tanked one man’s future. Luckily I don’t really care about that… And therefore It’s time to put this supplement through it’s paces and see what we have on our hands.

First Impression:

First off, the black bottle with the chrome lettering is very sexy indeed. I had a few people look at it and instantly say “oooh what’s that?” And I also love the bright red-pills. It’s a nice touch. (For those of you who’ve been living under a rock… The red pill is what Neo took in The Matrix to find out “how deep the rabbit hole really went”) Love it!

Another thing I should mention is that the product website is VERY well referenced. Just check this out: http://www.musclespeed.net/Speed-Supplement-Science.htm. Every ingredient is backed by referencing adequate and real-world studies. BIG points go to Accelerative Nutraceuticals for this. You won’t believe how many of the “big guys” will avoid you if you say “Hey, can you provide me with some studies to prove that your product or the ingredient in your product actually works”.

So far so good, now before getting down to the nitty gritty, it’s time to hear what the company has to say about it’s own product. Marketing info always sounds so exciting doesn’t it?

Product Claims:

What Is MUSCLESPEED^TM?

MUSCLESPEED^TM is a cognitive and neuromuscular accelerator, taken pre-workout, by fighters and extreme sport athletes. It’s the only natural source supplement that helps you activate the most muscle fiber with a single dose. Take MUSCLESPEED^TM 30min before training or competition and unleash unprecedented power and speed. Experience a smooth rush of energy, and mental focus, coming on 15 minutes of the first dose and up to 4-5 hours at a time!

By facilitating the production and release of two ‘wonder’ neurotransmitters known as Adrenaline and Acetylcholine, your muscles respond with more contractile intensity.

Everyone, at one time or another, has experienced a physical ‘rush’ when norepinephrine (adrenaline) has been secreted into the blood stream. This action taps into our bodies own evolutionary defense mechanism to “fight or flight” producing a sudden rise in power and strength. The effects of norepinephrine, as released naturally or through the influence of Methylxanthines, are well-established and have been the focus of numerous studies:

Real World Results:

So Musclespeed has got quite a few claims to live up to then? Let’s begin. I tested this product out for a FULL 8 days (technically 7 because of one off day), and tested it out against three of my top activities: weight lifting, power tumbling and heavy bag training. This pretty much encompasses it’s target market.

The bottle recommends two servings daily, and says that over a period of time the effects will actually be enhanced. But because each dose (2 capsules) contains 200mg of caffeine, I took one serving for days: 1-3, then jumped to 2 servings for day 4 & 5, followed by a break on day 6, then back to 2 servings for day 7 & 8.

Day 1: I took my first dose 40 minutes prior to weight training and boy… Did it KICK me in the face. Started off by feeling more alert, everything seemed more “crisp”. After another 5-10 minutes I got this “warm” feeling. This high lasted about 15 minutes in total… After which I experienced a steady stream of energy. I would be lying if I told you my workouts weren’t in high gear, because they rocked! However, the effects only lasted 2 hours (unlike the 3-4 claimed) and I did experience a slight “crash” after. It may have been because I pushed myself or because it was my first dose, I wasn’t sure at this point.

Day 2: Took one dose 40 minutes prior to power tumbling. This time it didn’t come on so fast, but I could definitely feel the intense “crisp” sensation. It’s  hard to describe this feeling… It’s as if the contrast ratio is increased and all the colours you see are sharper. Powertumbling is done on an 84 feet long, bright blue power rod floor and the colour just JUMPS. This was good because while throwing a double twisting back layout, I felt more confident and could clearly see the landing. This training took place after a intense 3 hour coaching session with my athletes and my usual dip in energy was nonexistent. Felt it working for a total of 2.5 hours but this time with no crash after. So far so good.

Day 3: Took one dose in the morning on an empty stomach 40 minutes prior to letting loose on my heavy bag. I quickly realized that taking this supplement on an empty stomach SUCKS. At first I thought “this was it… Just like other stimulants it pussied out after the 3rd dose!” … Not so. Take it with a bowl of oatmeal and you’re in for a wild ride… As I soon fond out.

Day 4: Disappointed with the day 3 results, I yet again took a dose in the morning for another heavy bag kicking session (this time with a bowl of oatmeal with flax seeds, crushed almonds & some brown sugar) and was in happy land again. Great rush after 35 minutes, the warm feeling was back and was better than ever (Musclespeed is said to be mildly thermogenic so this makes sense… ).

The colour sharpness wasn’t as intense as before, but it was still there. This was the first time I felt the energy last for 3 hours and then slowly taper off. No crash. Ballin’! I also tested to see if I could kick any faster than before: Clearly with the extra energy, my kicks made quite an indent in the 100lbs vinyl heavy bag, but as for raw speed, it only made a slight difference. Took another dose in the evening before body-weight training and it was as intense as ever. No crash, but this time I felt as if it tapered off after about 2.5 hours. Again, not a huge deal since I only need about an hour in the gym, but the claim was said to be 3-4 hours, so that’s the benchmark I’m looking for.

Day 5: I had another power tumbling/coaching session coming up and the total time that I’d be actively doing physically demanding work was 4.5 hours. I decided to see how long one dose would truly last this time. Overall… The exact time that I felt Musclespeed work was 3 hours and 16 minutes. So it fell short of my 4.5 hour session, but I couldn’t complain. I still managed to get through my training because of the absence of a “crash”. I was also going out that evening, so I decided to take one dose before heading off to a friends birthday party. No complaints here, I had a good time and partied all night long. No one in their right might is going to take this as a pre-party supplement but I figured what the hell… I’ll be thorough.

Day 6: Took the day off. Reason was simple… I wanted to see if taking a small break would result in me feeling the RUSH that I got when I took my very first dose. It really doesn’t matter which stimulant you take, if it has caffeine in it, you are bound to become resistant to it at one point or another.

Day 7: I was excited to start off my day with a bang, would taking a “break” really help? Well as I found out, not really. Took a morning dose, felt great, but couldn’t recreate the feeling that I got on the very first dose. This isn’t exactly a bad thing since edging towards “jittery” territory can hinder performance rather than help it. My punches and kicks were crisp, sharp and powerful. For those that train kick boxing, you know very well that once exhaustion hits you can’t aim as well, but I could still put the kick where I wanted it. Bravo. Evening workout session was also a pleasure.

Day 8: No workout took place on this day, but just wanted to see how it performs as a normal “pick me up”… And if it can compete with my beloved cup of coffee. As far as the “kick” goes, it was obviously superior, and a heck of a lot more convenient, but I still don’t see the red pill replacing my cup of Joe.  Took one dose at lunch-time and one dose at 10pm to see if Musclespeed would keep me up while I researched and wrote about it. It’s weird, because if you take it without doing any physical activity, it only tends to last a hair under 2 hours.

I also gave a dose to a friend of mine who is a competitive gymnast… Just to see if the results were consistent across the board. Here’s a summary of her experience:

• Kicked in 30 minutes after taking one dose
• Gave great energy, and improved her focus
• Lasted throughout her 4 hour training session
• Experienced no crash

As you can see it fared slightly better for her, but keep in mind that although she is an elite athlete and trains ridiculous hours every week, she is not a regular supplement user. So your results may vary but I have no doubt it will work for you.

Finally, a review wouldn’t be complete without listing the cons. Here are some of the issues I have:

• The lasting of the energy isn’t consistent. At times you will feel it working for beyond 3 hours, and other times it will underperform by lasting for only 1.5 – 2. It seems there are certain factors which need to be present for Musclespeed to really shine.

• I strongly believe that this supplement can benefit from proper cycling. Taking it constantly will surely decrease it’s effectiveness, and instead of trail and error, I’d like to see the dosage instructions on the bottle be more specific.

• I’m not sure if it was just me, but another thing I’d like to see is the mention of taking this WITH food. On the label it just tells you how much to take. Taking it on an empty stomach barely did anything for me, so this needs to be addressed. I doubt every Musclespeed user will be able to find this review.

Conclusion:

So overall, I was actually pretty friggin’ impressed. It has already managed to out-last most other stimulants that I’ve tested and for about $1.11 per serving, I believe MuscleSpeed would be a great addition to a martial artist’s or weight trainer’s supplement arsenal. Gymnasts and Power tumblers are also in for a real treat because your aerial awareness is heightened. On top of this, if you stack it with creatine… you will be a gym machine.

As you’ve noticed, I haven’t bothered to list the ingredient research and theory behind them because frankly… You can find everything you need on their science page. This gave me more time to put the product where their mouth is.

Another thing you need to remember is that this supplement is new and so is the company, it is common sense that their blend will only improve and become more potent over time (if it doesn’t… you can bet I’ll be all over their ass!)

Totally recommended!

Order MuscleSpeed at 23% OFF! (Limited Time Offer For FJ’s Readers)

[UPDATE: 06/01/09] So the CEO of Accelerative Nutraceuticals got back to me about the review and we talked about a few of the concerns which I had… here’s what he had to say:

On The Issue of labeling & product cycling: “There are certain label requirements by the FDA and only so much verbiage we can fit onto the label. We tried to cram as much as possible of the most important information. Cycling the product is mentioned on the website:  http://www.musclespeed.net/FAQ.htm#Product_Use”

On The Issue Of Empty Vs Full Stomach:“Most people respond better on an empty stomach. However, for most first time users I typically recommend they have some light to eat before. Some people have insulin sensitivity problems and MS contains ALA. It can lower blood sugar for these type of individuals. Low blood sugar can lead to low energy. There is not enough ALA to be a any real concern, but for liability reasons, it’s best to err on the side of caution.”

> Kudos to Accelerative for clearing things up. This is how you communicate with customers & the community!

To Being Fit & Sexy 4 Life!

-Fit Jerk

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© 2009 – 2010, By FitJerk. FitJerk.com is a division of Flawless Fitness Media – All Rights Reserved – No part of this post is to be republished without author consent under any forms of media (including print, internet, video or audio transcription). Doing so is a violation against copyright law and should be punishable by a punch to the face. All images are copyright of their respective owners.

Only LOSERS have nothing to say or discuss. Put your thoughts, comments or general rants in the comment section below. FJ does not use censorship but obvious racial slurs and over-the-top stupidity will be deleted.