While we never saw overly great results on iSatori’s bio-active formula Bio-Gro, we did find the Bio-Gro infused pre-workout Pre-Gro to be quite the competitor. It packed an all around combination of effects which is what we look for in a good pre-workout, with solid energy, great pump, alright focus and a touch of performance. Based on how impressive the original Pre-Gro was we knew we had to grab its sequel Pre-Gro Max when it launched, despite how different it looked compared to its predecessor.
If you haven’t actually seen the new Pre-Gro Max formula, there are a few things that had us a little worried. Basically all three blends in Pre-Gro Max are lighter than Pre-Gro, especially the pump powering Plasma Matrix, that goes from 5.7g to 1.5 across two scoops. The other issue is that for what ever reason iSatori decided to make Pre-Gro Max a proprietary supplement, hiding all of its doses behind blends. Regardless of how different the sequel looks we did purchase it a few weeks ago and have been running it back to back with the original to see how it compares.
Less intense but longer lasting energy
Firstly the energy and focus in Pre-Gro Max are definitely down from Pre-Gro. The sequel has a much lighter kick, although we will say the energy does last a little longer once it hits its climax 10 to 20 minutes after taking the pre-workout. The product gets you going as well as most good competitors, and manages to keep its noticeable lift in energy consistent from start to finish. As for the focus in Pre-Gro Max it is also a bit lighter than Pre-Gro, which is more of a problem as the original didn’t really have a massive amount to begin with. You’re left with a fairly small amount of focus, enough to say Pre-Gro Max is doing something but also small enough to say you might just be more hyped today.
Performance and endurance unchanged
Next we have the performance or endurance side of Pre-Gro Max, an area that hasn’t really been altered at all. The latest iSatori pre-workout does keep you feeling and lifting strong throughout your entire workout, however we do feel some of that blame falls on its longer lasting energy hit. The two effects do in fact make it a bit harder to exhaust yourself even in intense, demanding sessions, something Pre-Gro was able to do but not as well as Pre-Gro Max seems to.
A lot less pump
Lastly we have the supplement’s pump, which despite being the area iSatori lowered the most in weight, it isn’t as bad as we expected. Now when we say it isn’t as bad, there is still an unfortunately large difference compared to the previous Pre-Gro. We were kind of expecting Pre-Gro Max to have no real pump enhancement at all, although that isn’t exactly the case. It has enough to say the product is doing something, but again it’s nothing like the original and its five star level of pump.
Pre-Gro Max just not as good as Pre-Gro
Overall the combination of effects in Pre-Gro Max is roughly the same as it is in Pre-Gro, just with a little less of everything. The focus and pump are both definitely down, performance around about the same, and the energy being the only real change as it trades a bit of intensity for a longer lasting effect. As disappointing as the weaker Pre-Gro Max effects are, the slightly more upsetting fact here is that in the one year between the launch of Pre-Gro and its sequel, the formula wasn’t made any better. What makes things even worse is that a lot of competitors have stepped up their game, with brands taking focus to another level and the likes of Inspired DVST8 proving you can still get everything in one pre-workout.
