Redcon1 makes one of the most potent and well thought out pre-workout supplements on the market today. Available in a variety of flavors and stackable with other products in the lineup for a drink that will get you energized and ready to put in the work. As will all supplements, they are just that, supplemental. Without proper hydration and adequate nutrition, you are not going to see the same results as someone more well-rounded. But if you are considering going to war, keep reading.
Total war gains its name from the military term for a war without scope. Originally used in the nineteenth century regarding World War I, it refers to the notion that in total war victory is absolute. Sacrifices are made in the pursuit of this absolute victory at any cost. Much like the constant grind of lifting, eating, resting, and repeating to obtain the numbers you are looking for on the scale, on the bar, or in the measurements. In this regard Total war lives up to its name.
In my experience this is the supplement that I hand a sample of to someone interested in the brand and they become an instant fan. The reason? This is the easiest to feel supplement most companies make. What I mean by this is that pre-workouts are relatively simple in theory, you take them, and you feel energized to make it through your lifting session. Total War accomplishes this with caffeine in two different forms. Caffeine anhydrous is the fast acting while backed by di caffein malate is the slower release version. Caffeine takes anywhere from a half an hour to an hour to take effect and stays with the body for three to five hours. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, making you feel alert. With doses in Total War reaching 350mg that is the same content of three and half cups of coffee, but with the benefit of being in a single scoop of powder.
Is that why your face itches when you take Total War? Nope! Your face itching like a Dave Chappelle sketch is the result of a little amino acid called Beta Alanine. Beta Alanine is a naturally produced amino acid in the human body, but unlike other amino acids its job does not involve protein synthesis, instead it is what limits carnosine in the human body. The more beta alanine in the body, the more carnosine can be produced. Carnosine in the human body is believed to improve muscle strength and scientific studies have found that increased beta alanine levels did correlate to increased carnosine levels in muscle tissue. In layman’s terms, that tingling in your face is unlocking the potential to grow muscles. Not that the itching in your face should be taken lightly as there have not been long term studies on the consequences of paresthesia, the itching feeling. I also want to note that in the research I found supporting the effectiveness of beta alanine was the gain to a single rep maximum resulting from the ability to train harder leading up to the event. The athletes in the trial still had to put in the work but the results were there.
The drawback to increasing carnosine in the muscles is the depletion of taurine, another amino acid in the body responsible for healthy function of the heart and brain! While supplementing with beta alanine it is worth adding in taurine to that same scoop of powder. Taurine has been known to help the central nervous system function as well as aid in hydration. There have also been studies that show taurine to help break down the lactic acid build up, that burning feeling in your muscles while you exercise.
Three ingredients into Total War and we have a powerhouse scoop of what your body needs to maximize your workouts backed by clinically researched science! I also wanted to note that in my research on the ingredients in Total War a common theme I read in both beta alanine and taurine were shown to help fight diabetes, although more research needs to be done on the subject. The question is with all of this in the scoop already how can the body use it?
Enter Bioperine! Used in ancient medicine, this black pepper extract has been shown to increase the ability of the body to absorb nutrients. The significance of using bioperine in the supplement world is to hopefully make sure the body is consuming the supplements for usage, not just flavoring your water. Black pepper extract has also been shown to help reduce inflammation, which is helpful in a long session in the gym. Once again, we also find that black pepper extract may be helpful in the control of blood sugar and help aid in alertness! Noticing a common theme here?
Now we get to my favorite part of Total War and something I have saved until nearer the end for a reason. Citrulline Malate, pump in a powder. Citrulline Malate is a nitrous oxide booster in the bloodstream. It relaxes the veins in the body lowering blood pressure. Paired with Agmatine which helps regulate nitrous oxide in the blood, you have a visual effect to your gym session to make you feel pride. After all, you just sweated and worked hard building a better you and seeing results can keep you motivated day in and day out. While the effects are temporary this is the second part of what makes this an effective pre-workout. You feel the supplement working when you drink it in and see the results of your hard work after.
Rounding out the scoop is Theobroma cacao, juniper berry extract, green tea, and naringin. All of these are natural plant extracts that support gut health, focus, and once again several of them are found to be anti-diabetic. These last few ingredients round off the scoop in making it consumable without discomfort. Though some people do feel the affects of the caffeine and beta alanine in their own ways.
Redcon1 suggests starting with a half scoop and so do I. I have always given this advice, it is rarely followed and I am usually contacted shortly after by someone telling me how they forewent my advice and slugged back a full scoop only to find themselves in the gym for three hours when they planned for one. Your mileage may vary but with the intensity of the product it is worth testing your own tolerance before scooping all the way into that canister. It should also be discussed that Redcon1 recommends taking total war for no longer than twelve weeks and then having no less than four weeks off to not build a tolerance for the product.
Currently Total war is offered in fifteen and thirty scoop containers, keeping in mind if your tolerance is a half scoop you will get double the use from a container. While I have done my best to show the most accurate findings, information is constantly changing, and new studies may come to light. This is the best information we have at the time. The flavors are excellent with no real aftertaste and are as they are described. Personally, I am working through a canister of strawberry mango here in the summer months when I am up and in the gym for early morning work. Before anyone asks, yes, I take a full scoop.
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As a Member of Redcon1’s Tier Operators, I use Redcon1 Supplements exclusively. The content found here is from personal research into the ingredients contained and in no way is an official statement by the company. Information presented does not overrule medical advice and common sense. You are responsible for what you put inside your body. Purchasing through the provided links may earn a small commission on the sale.
CULT-OF-IRON 