Rather than highlighting a specific ingredient, today we are breaking down the formula in one of my go to preworkouts…BZRK by Black Magic Supply! Preworkouts are one of the staples of sports supplements, and while they are not necessary for muscle growth, they help to enhance your workouts by increasing energy, focus and bloodflow into the muscles. What ingredients do what? Well, glad you asked!
Beta Alanine-Beta Alanine is a non-essential amino acid, meaning our body can produce them by itself, whereas essential amino acids are acquired through diet and necessary(some might say essential?) to muscle-protein synthesis. Beta Alanine acts as a lactic acid buffer, decreasing lactic acid in the muscles and increasing endurance to help get those last few reps in. Normally, beta alanine causes paresthesia, that tingly feeling you usually get when taking preworkout. However, BZRK has a special form of beta alanine that does not cause this effect.
Citrulline Malate-Citrulline is an amino acid that helps to increase bloodflow into the muscles, enhancing the “pump” you get when you work out. In addition, it can help increase strength output when taken regularly. As it is a vasodilator, citrulline can be taken on its own to help lower blood pressure.
Glycerol-Glycerol is a sugar alcohol that allows increased water retention in muscle cells, allowing them to become hydrated beyond their normal levels, or “hyperhydration”. By maintaining high water levels in the body, it allows us to have better muscle endurance as well as increasing that “pumped” feeling. It is only temporary water retention, so your levels will go back to normal soon after your workout.
Betaine Anhydrous-Betaine is a compound found in abundance in vegetables such as beets. It helps increase nitric oxide production and also helps increase bloodflow! I covered beets in a separate post so I won’t go into too much detail here!
BZRK also includes a proprietary blend of 8 ingredients to help with energy and focus, with the star player of course being caffeine, dosed at 350mg. There are other stimulants in the blend, so if you are sensitive to caffeine or stimulants, please take extreme caution when taking this preworkout. I recommend starting with a half(or less) of a scoop to assess your tolerance and slowly increase the amount you take as you become accustomed to it.
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