MAN Sports Game Day is quite possibly one of the oldest pre-workouts on our list of top 10 pre-workouts. Back when it was first introduced it sat relatively highly in the better half of the top 10, although over the years it has slowly fallen near the bottom. This year the brand decided to reformulate the supplement, which we of course got a hold of as soon as we could. After using the sequel for the last few weeks we now have our Game Day review, and can happily say MAN has made its way back to the top of the pre-workout ladder.
Back in the day Game Day was known as a hard-hitting product, that for us packed a powerful combination of energy, focus, and a touch of pump that was amplified by the other two effects. As the years have gone by the game has obviously changed with pre-workouts getting even better energy and focus, as well as pump and performance. The latest edition of Game Day does in fact feature the same combination of effects, although all with a lot more strength, once again ranking the supplement up with the best.
More energy than necessary
The two star effects in MAN’s new Game Day are energy and focus, and they are nothing but perfect right from the get go. At one leveled scoop the pre-workout kicks in a little slower than most, taking about 20 or so minutes to get you going. First is the energy which doesn’t exactly hit as hard as your typical stimulant powered pre-workout, instead it slowly builds over 10 or 20 minutes. Eventually it builds to a level where you’ve got more energy than necessary, making it almost impossible to exhaust yourself on less demanding days such as arms or shoulders.
While Game Day’s energy is intense, it’s not quite the intense you might be used to. In the past energy or stimulant powered pre-workouts tend to kick your heart up and just drag you through a workout, almost like your not even in control. Game Day’s energy is definitely strong but in a much smoother way if that makes sense. It doesn’t make you want to rep at twice your normal speed, it’s just a power that’s there keeping you going and making you feel 100% every time you start a set.
Focus to match the energy
The other star effect in the new Game Day is as mentioned, focus. Like the energy it’s about as good as you’ll get, and it also works in extremely well with the energy. Around the time the energy begins to build the focus side of the product works its way in. It basically clears your head, gets you in the zone, and keeps your head in the game right the way through your workout. Strangely enough the focus actually stays consistent more than the energy, as you’ll find even after you finish working out you’re quite alert.
The magic of good energy and focus
When Game Day’s two major highlights climax or at least hit their lengthy high points you’ll find it next to impossible to not have an intense workout. While the energy makes sure you push your sets comfortably closer, and hit more reps than you’re usually capable of. The focus keeps you feeling confident, thinking solely about the job at hand, and a bit more driven, around and during each set.
Just enough pump
The only other effect we feel is noticeably present in MAN’s Game Day is pump, and much like the previous version there is just a touch of it. Fortunately all the supplement really needed is a small amount of pump. Thanks to its intense level of energy and focus, the product does in fact already give you the ability to do a strong and focused, pump promoting high amount of reps. When you mix that with Game Day’s little bit of pump enhancement, you’ll feel fuller than normal and be able to get there quicker.
As good as the pump in Game Day is though it could be better. It does push your pump but not as much as others we’ve experienced. If you’re a MAN fan you will actually know the brand also now has a stimulant free, dedicated pump supplement called Pump Powder. Throw that in the mix and you do get that maximum level of pump, however that obviously isn’t in Game Day itself which is a shame as it would have very few competitors if it did.
Experiment to avoid tolerance and crash
While Game Day is without a doubt one of the strongest pre-workouts we’ve come across in quite some time, like most powerful competitors in the category it does have its downsides. As we’ve come to expect from DMHA infused products, there is a bit of a crash to Game Day. We should mention though that it is dependent on how much you use as well as each individual. By that we mean most of us found the best experience to be one level scoop, with those that liked that amount experiencing almost no down post workout. Some of us however preferred a smaller amount but had to sit down for a bit after working out. Basically it is very dependent on the individual so it’s best to play around with it and find the amount you like.
The one other downside to MAN’s new Game Day is yet another thing we’ve noticed with DMHA infused pre-workouts. Most stimulant powered supplements do have their own level and speed in which you build a tolerance. With Game Day you do build a tolerance fairly quick as you’ll feel it a lot less if you use it every day or two, although you still get a fair amount of its pump and focus even when the energy isn’t as stimulating. We found taking the product twice a week worked best, as it kept Game Day performing at an impressive level for us for a full month.
The magic of good energy and focus
Overall the latest edition of Game Day is as effective and competitive as the previous was when it was first launched. It fits right in with the evolution of the pre-workout market, bringing together a solid combination of effects with energy, focus, and enough pump to say its noticeable. It does lack a bit in the performance department, which is no surprise looking at its ingredients. If you’re a reasonably high rep lifter though it won’t be a problem, however for those that go a little on the lower side you may not find it as enjoyable.
Despite having a few flaws, Game Day is back in the pre-workout game and will most definitely become a favorite of those who enjoyed the original, as well as those who like the mix of effects described in our review. As mentioned if you stack it with MAN’s Pump Powder the experience is made that 10 or 20% better, although this review isn’t based on the pair nor will Game Day be ranked based on its potential. At the end of the day the supplement is still a powerful and addictive pre-workout on its own, and at its best is an experience you won’t forget.
