So there has been a craze going about on a new type of carbohydrate that is supposed to be far superior to either dextrose or maltodextrin. It’s called waxy maize and today, we have a product by Ultimate Nutrition which is being hailed as the perfect DURING workout formula. Yup, apparently pre and post workout supplements aren’t enough, if you’re serious, then its time to stock up on some DURING workout supplements also. So is adreNOline pure hype shit or worth the pretty penny? That’s what I’m here to find out.

First, let me say big ups to Ultimate Nutrition for sending me some review packets… 4 to be exact, and sending it FAST. As far as customer service and the company itself is concerned — they get 5 stars. Some company marketing reps are such pussies and won’t send me review products after reading the bashing that Armageddon got. Wow, bite me for telling people the truth! But I should also say, I’ll call a spade when it’s a spade (Purple-K from Fusion). So to put the product through it’s paces and tried it out on 3 different occasions to see how it held up.

First is good ‘ol weight lifting, second is a 2 hour power-tumbling session and third was some gruelling Karate training on my heavy-bag. In fact, these 3 activities are going to be my new standard from now when I test future supplements. I’ll change shit up every  now and then: such as sparring, olympic trampolining etc. But the core aspects will remain.

But first, let’s hear what Ultimate Nutrition has to say about it’s product…

Product Claims:

AdreNOline is the during-workout formula designed to keep you energized and focused throughout your workout. This intensive blend features 46 ingredients in 9 scientifically-designed blends including Waxy Maze carbs and a BCAA, Energy and Recovery complex:

• 46 scientifically-formulated ingredients
• 0g of sugar per serving
• 100mg of caffeine per serving
• 3g of BCAA’s per serving
• Vitamin and Mineral Blend
• Digestive Enzymes

AdreNOline is the during-workout formula that gives you 110% for the 110% you give. AdreNOline is packed with scientifically-formulated complexes to keep you energized and focused throughout your workout. Ignite your workouts and take your muscle pumps to ultimate levels with AdreNOline’s N.O. DyNOmite Complex. AdreNOline also contains Glycomaze Complex, Quick Pro Complex and Recovery Glutaplex to build your muscles during training.

This intensive blend features 46 ingredients in 9 scientifically-designed blends:

• Glycomaze Complex
• Anabolic BCAA Complex
• Quick pro Complex
• Hydration Complex
• NO DyNOmite Complex
• Recovery Complex
• Fatigue Extender Complex
• Energy Complex
• Enzyme Complex

Real World Results:

Let’s start with the taste. It tastes like orange creamcicle… And I doubt this flavour is for everyone. You’ll either love it or hate it. Personally… I thought it was OK. It wasn’t the worst tasting supplement I’ve ever had, but it wasn’t the best either. Personally, since the whey protein in this stuff gives it that “milky” feel… They would have been better off with something like strawberry. So overall taste and flavour: 3/5

Next is the mixability, and it was pretty much flawless here. I just poured the powder into my shaker cup, and threw in 12oz (350ml) of water (as per directions) and then shook the SHIT outa it for about 10 seconds and VIOLA! A perfect blend. Though I have to say, there is some milky white stuff that collects at the bottom after about a minute if left alone. I think it might be the glutamine mix but I’m not sure. So although it mixes well, there is some white powdery stuff that just WONT dissolve. Mixability Rating : 4/5

Now let’s address specific features that it claims and see how it did in the real world. I’m going to break down one serving (60g) into its specific components.

The Kick (1.5/5)

It promises to help keep  you focused through your workout with this “energy complex” but the true fact of the matter is… I barely felt anything. The main reason is the measly 100mg of caffeine… Which is about what you get from a cup of coffee. If you’re a regular coffee drinker like me (1-2 cups a day) or a heavy coffee drinker (3-5 cups a day) then this complex will be useless to you. You’re better off with the energy mix in my Fitness Mini-Course or one of the millions of pre-workout formulas out there that give a decent buzz through caffeine.

NO DyNOmite Complex (1/5)

This complex is basically 1g of Agrinine. Yes there are a few other mixtures that add up to the 1g such as Arginine Ethyl Ester and Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate but they all essentially are meant for one thing… To give you the pump. As previously stated in my Armageddon review, I haven’t seen enough evidence that proves that Arganine improves the PUMP you get OR that it helps your body produce a significant amount of NO to benefit and improve performance. This 1g blend is not needed in my opinion as my post-workout pump when not taking adreNOline lasted for about the same time as when I did take it.

Anabolic BCAA Complex (4/5)

A 3g blend of Leucine, Valine and Isoleucine… All have been proven to aid in protein synthesis and L-Leucine has shown to help preserve muscle glycogen stores. I’m all for BCAA’s and having 3g during/before a workout seems logical here. No complaints.

Quick Pro Complex (5/5)

Basically 10g of whey protein ISOLATE, not the cheap concentrate stuff. Perfect! With the aid of BCAA’s this will no doubt be a fool proof way of making sure your body doesn’t eat up your muscles for energy and go all catabolic on your ass. The logic is sound.

Hydration Complex (4/5)

Again, a 1g blend of proper electrolytes. Simple, logical and practical… And should help during an intense workout. A much better blend than some other lame sports drinks.

Recovery Glutaplex (4/5)

A 2g blend of glutamine, good shit! The only gripe is that it should be at least 5g, but 2g is better than nothing. I’ve been a Glutamine user for a while and I highly recommend it. Some people say it’s useless depending on which studies they have read but I’m all for it, and glad to see it in this mixture.

Fatigue Extender Complex (1/5)

This 750mg complex is made up of Beta Alanine and L-Carnosine. Both SOUND supplements but the fault here is two fold by Ultimate Nutrition. The first being that they decided to use a BLEND of Beta Alanine and L-Carnosine, when Beta Alanine by itself is not only sufficient, but superior. Studies have shown that when you take in L-Carnosine by itself, it is broken down into different parts and then later reformed (pointless). It is actually MUCH more effective to take in Beta Alanine since it helps the body synthesize L-Carnosine anyway. And why do we need L-Carnosine?

Because it has shown to inhibit advanced glycation end products (AGE’s) which damage muscle tissue, scavenge free radicals & it has the ability to buffer hydrogen ions produced in the skeletal muscle during highly intense exercises. This is no surprise since a study found out that bodybuilders had twice the concentration of L-Carnosine in their skeletal muscle tissue than average athletes which could answer why they are able to carry out intense physical muscular activity.

So by now you must be thinking: “so what the hell is the problem, isn’t it a good thing they included this stuff?”. Nope, pay attention son! You see, at only 750mg… It’s basically irrelevant. You need to take anywhere from 3-5g a day for this stuff to be effective, and a measly mix of 750mg is just a waste of space.

Glycomaze Complex (2.5/5)

Here’s where things get interesting. A scoop of adreNOline has 38g of Waxy Maize. I’ll throw a very brief into about waxy maize out in your face: it’s been touted as the new form of carbohydrate for athletes because its supposed to be a complex carb, has high molecular weight, and is sugar free. This means it’s supposed to pass through your stomach very quickly and SHUTTLE supplements (like protein and/or creatine) to your muscles faster than dextrose or maltodextrin. And because it’s so quick, its supposed to restore your glycogen levels faster than dextrose (hence why Ultimate Nutrition is using it in a “during” workout mix) Sounds awesome right? WRONG!

You see, the ONLY carbohydrate that has been proven to do that is a patented mix called Vitargo®… Which CAN be derived from waxy maize, but also from other sources. This is where the confusion started. I think that supplement companies believe waxy maize is the primary factor in these amazing results and now sell waxy maize by itself claiming it to be more efficient then dextrose or maltodextrin based on studies done on Vitagro®… But that’s a different compound all together. In fact a study done by Purdue University has shown that WM has a 3 times lower glucose response than maltodextrin and 2 times lower response than white bread! HA! So much for that. So in the end, waxy maize is a more expensive and less effective alternative to maltodextrin and white bread.

So, as a low GI, complex carb, waxy maize get’s a thumbs up, but for something to be used during INTENSE exercise to replenish glycogen stores or to shuttle nutrients post-workout, I have a hard time recommending it over the tried and true maltodextrin powder.

Real world results reflect this. During weight training I didn’t feel much of a difference, I pushed out an extra rep on a few of my exercises over drinking just regular water, but that’s hardly anything to get excited about. During power-tumbling, I really felt no extra energy and half way through I started just using water because the flavour was making me thirsty. Oddly enough, the true place where this stuff shined was during my heavy bag session – I was able to go on a bit longer than usual and had no “thirsty” feeling while drinking adreNOline. I also sweat a lot during my heavy bag sessions since it’s outside on a deck while the sun is shining down, so it’s nice knowing that my electrolytes are being replenished.

Conclusion:

When all is said and done though… adreNOline is a tough call. First, I don’t really know what it is. Is it something that gives you energy, helps prevent catabolism, replenish glycogen stores or a compound to give you pumps? It tries to be the jack of all trades, and this ends up being it’s downfall since it doesn’t do anything really well for a cost of $3 per serving. Most people already have some protein at home, so you can just take about 1/2 a scoop of that before your workout along with  your favourite pre-workout drink and you’re MUCH better off.

The ONLY people that I see benefiting from adreNOline are people that workout 2x a day. Or ones that workout for a long period of time (marathon runners… this stuff probably has you covered). The price might be worth it to help you recover a bit quicker and keep you in an anabolic state, but for the rest of us… Maybe we can hold out till Ultimate Nutrition works out the kinks and creates something that’s more effective without the un-needed frills. If you’d like to know the pre-during workout formula that I personally use and have come up with, check out the full version of my Flawless Fitness Book.

To Being Fit & Sexy 4 Life.

-Fit Jerk