Of all the excitement we’ve seen so far this year with the launch of Muscletech’s Clear Muscle, Gaspari’s early SuperPump 3.0 release, and even Muscle Element’s Truth build up for September. BSN’s Push promotion definitely takes the cake as far as action and drama goes. Whether you were, weren’t or now are a fan of theirs. The brand had everyone’s attention on June 30th when they unveiled their new N.O. Xplode, revealing it’s flavors, volumes, versions and ‘game changing’ formula. We managed to get our hands on a few tubs of the supplement a couple days after the unveiling, which we have been using over the past four weeks. After trialing the new N.O. Xplode in a number of workouts, scenarios and against fellow competitors, today we bring you our review of the pre-workout that had everyone waiting and watching.
Going in to a workout with BSN’s latest, you already know it’s not going to be a stimulant powered experience, like a lot of other pre-workouts out there. It’s maximum contents total of 37g, makes it more than clear that you’re in for what we like to call a performance based workout. Something most brands like to call a complete or properly dosed product. Whatever you want to name it or however companies want to brand it, the big difference is you don’t usually get that high like mind altering focus, and hard hitting drive. Instead it’s more of a calm natural performance that has you working your ass off and going for a lot longer, with the pre-workout acting like a high end fuel rather than a short lived dose of speed. This is something we definitely expected with N.O. Xplode, and can tell you that’s exactly how it played out with a few little details making it a unique experience.
While as mentioned with performance dosed pre-workouts, there isn’t usually that big lift or kick that you get with the more stimulant based supplements. As it turns out the new N.O. Xplode does in fact feature a bit of a wake up call, coming by way of it’s rather heavy hitting of energy. You can expect the rush to come in after the usual wait of around 15 to 20 minutes, where it half comes over you and half hits you. Now when we say heavy, we aren’t comparing it to the type where you snap your fingers and suddenly want to lift. It’s more like the feeling that you’re body is pumped, prepared and not really in the mood to stay still. This activity effect is actually carried right through your workout, with the energy not really dying down until well after 60 or so minutes. To top it off if you decide to really test N.O. Xplode just like we did, intentionally shortening your rest periods, forcing out a few extra reps, and going a little heavier than you know you should. You will see the true power of BSN’s innovation come out through it’s incredible amount of intensity.
Instead of the forced push cutting your time short with the supplement’s effects, you will find that as stated earlier. Performance based pre-workouts really do fuel your body. In the case of the new N.O. Xplode, the product almost encourages you to push your limits in fitness, strength and intensity. Where you would usually stretch your boundaries with a stimulant driven pre-workout, then find yourself slowly fading and exhausting. BSN’s self proclaimed ‘game changer’ does not let up. It will supply your body with exactly what it needs to sustain a high level of intensity, while also making the weights you usually finish on comfortable enough to confidently go that one up. It is definitely worth mentioning that without that extra push from within, you won’t find the supplement’s intensity to be much help. The effect is truly something you need to experience for yourself, although unlike BSN’s more concentrated competition, as highlighted the product is not going to force the intensity on you. It’s much like a high performance car, you can sit comfortably in any gear and get some good speed. But it’s only when you shift into that top gear yourself, that you’ll see what body’s made of.
Generally we do break down pre-workouts into five areas, energy, intensity, pump, focus and performance. With energy being one of the major features in N.O. Xplode, and more than complimented by it’s other big effect intensity, both resulting in an unforgettable performance. You won’t actually mind that the rest aren’t present. It is worth highlighting though, that despite the two missing effects pump and focus not playing a major role in N.O. Xplode. We did find that one of the two is some what supported by the others. By that we mean the energy and intensity can really fuel a pump filled workout. If that’s your focus, mind to muscle connection, centering your attention on isolation and/or tension. The enhanced ability to keep you going and going, set after set will come in handy. While we really think the supplement shines when pushing the limits on weight and reps, not so much isolated muscle pumps and pain. Even without a pump base or pump intentions, BSN’s sequel will aid in enforcing that direction.
Despite our original expectations, and no doubt a lot of others. This one surprised us, as we actually have nothing bad to say about the latest N.O. Xplode. It does exactly what it has been advertised to do, not so much the game changing part, giving you the ability to push further. With all that said, we have to stress that if you are a fan of smaller scooped and stimulant based pre-workouts. Those not so focused on fueling performance as such, this probably isn’t for you. BSN’s formula as well as other products like N.O. Xplode have their fans, and this is definitely one for them. If you prefer more energizing, focus and pump driven stimulant themed supplements, stick with them. As for those who like the experience we’ve attempted to describe, pick up N.O. Xplode. The latest from BSN may not necessarily be a game changer. But it does finally bring the brand’s pre-workout in to 2014, giving it what it needs to take on all the other products in the extremely competitive category.
