Despite being around for longer then we have, we’ve never actually tried anything from Magnum Nutraceuticals. At the odd expo here and there we have run into the brand and sampled a few of their supplements, but never really grabbed enough to put together a full review. Fortunately for us we managed to get a hold of a full size tub of one of Magnum’s 2014 releases, the amino acid cocktail Hi5. Unlike a lot of its competitors the product does pack more than just your average 4g dose of 2:1:1 BCAAs. The brand have taken the complex angle on this one also throwing in HICA, an anti-fatigue blend, a hydration complex and a few more things. Due to all the additional ingredients Magnum are of course promoting more effects than your average amino, which is where today’s review comes in to see what areas Hi5 comes through on.
As we mention in most amino reviews, we don’t generally comment on the effects of BCAAs as they tend be rather individual with most people having different reactions to different doses and ratios. In the case of Magnum’s Hi5 however, the supplement does offer a little more than just BCAAs. Like most of the complex cocktails that go for that little bit extra, this one delivers a light refreshing hit whether you’re taking it pre-workout, intra-workout or really at any time of day. Keep in mind when we say light we do mean light, as it’s not something you’re going to want to rely on powering you through an intense workout. The product is refreshing, but only in an amount you could probably replicate with a rehydration formula or revitalizing concoction. Based on that it does make Hi5 suitable for a stimulant free wake up, a calorieless afternoon kick, or even a steady sustainer during a session.
The areas we felt the Magnum supplement fell down in would have to be with its recovery ability and weight loss. The latter we honestly didn’t expect much from anyway, as looking at its label the 610mg Mitoburn blend is all Hi5 relies on for fat burning, featuring 500mg of l-carnitine l-tartrate and undetailed amounts of theanine and phenylalanine. The small set of ingredients will help you lose weight although not in an amount worth buying Hi5 over. The results won’t even come close to a fraction of what any dedicated fat burning formula offers, more along the lines of a weight loss individual such as carnitine or CLA. The recovery we felt was also lacking a bit, as we were hoping for the level of revitalization some of Magnum’s more impressive competitors deliver. The aforementioned refreshing effect does some times cross over and can feel like a much needed rejuvenation or pick-me-up post-workout. It is however quite light, and compared to what else is available in terms of proven low cost amino cocktails, Hi5 doesn’t rate up there as much as we had hoped.
All the extra effects and gimmicks aside there is one thing that sets Magnum’s Hi5 well apart from the rest. If you’ve come across the supplement at all before you will probably already know we’re talking about its flavors, that immediately get your attention with just their names. While we can’t quite speak for the product’s second taste blue raspberry with a peach kicker, Hi5’s fruit punch with a mango kicker is in fact true to its title. Disguised by its aroma the recipe slips in initially with a mixture of fruit punch and mango, the latter being marginally more dominant flavor. As the drink whether it be a sip or gulp, makes its way down that slightly tainted, mango-like fruit punch will finish off with a solo mango aftertaste. Despite the change in taste being quite magical, the quality of flavoring is not sacrificed. The dual effort’s post fruit punch mango comes about as close as you’d get to the real thing in the supplement world, with a sweet yet smooth take on the popular fruity flavor.
To sum up Magnum’s Hi5 we’d have to say the product is definitely not average, as it has a few highs but also a few lows. It is disappointing that the supplement doesn’t quite come through on all its promoted effects, or at least as well as we’ve experienced them in other formulas. The light refreshing feeling it offers is definitely a plus, something that mixes well and fits in perfectly with Hi5’s extremely unique two part recipe. The one last thing we have to touch on is something you may find an issue if you decide to purchase the product , and that is price. Here in the US you’re looking at a little less than $40, a big ask for a 24 serving amino. Again, we have to compare Hi5 to its competitors who almost all sit well under $30 for between 28 to 30 servings. Fans of the brand will probably have no issue investing in the supplement, although Magnum outsiders are going to need a bit more than a surprising taste and light lift.
