About
Vapor X5 Ripped is a hybrid pre-workout and weight-loss product made by MuscleTech. It was formulated to increase energy, raise focus and fuel workout intensity, while also supporting weight loss.
The product’s “Musclebuilding Matrix” contains creatine and betaine. Creatine is said to help supply the muscles with energy, while betaine is thought to play a role in muscle-cell hydration.
Meanwhile, the “Pump Matrix” features arginine inositol silicate (as Nitrosigne®), which could increase blood flow and enhance muscle pumps. Meanwhile, yohimbe extract is said to support fat loss, while caffeine and L-theanine may work together to help users focus better.
The product comes – or has come – in two flavors: “Icy Rocket Freeze” and “Strawberry Limeade”.
E-2016 –
Strong Start / Strong Finish!
—-Introduction—-
What’s up SR! I just finished this new Pre-Workout Vapor X5 Ripped and I’m impressed to say the least. In the past to save money I’ve tried the cheaper end of PW typically finding them at my local Walmart for under $25. I have tried specifically Muscletech products in the past and have found great success with almost all of them. I picked up this Vapor X5 online for a good price and was excited to give it a try.
—-Ingredient Profile—-
For the length of time I took this PW I used 2 scoops per day in one drink prior to my workout. Fortunately, the label breaks down the ingredients by one or two scoops. First on the list is 30mg of Niacin, I like to see this in my PW; in the right amount, it’s been said to turbocharge the growth hormone response to anaerobic exercise. The rest of the ingredient profile they have broken down into Blends or Matrix formulas which I am not normally a fan of but they do break down the amounts of every ingredient as per the following: Nitric Oxide Blend, Amino Booster Matrix, Weight Loss Plus Matrix, Extreme Energy Matrix and the Neurosensory Blend. The Nitric Oxide Blend contains 3g of L-Citrulline which is a nonessential amino acid that turns into nitric oxide in your kidneys and boosts your nitric oxide levels, i.e. the pump. I’m not sure why they didn’t go with L-Arganine or even add it to this mix, seems like it would make sense. Next and last on the Nitric Blend is Hawthorn extract, which I had no idea what is was. I’m not sure why this is in the PW, now although it does benefit organs, heart, live etc. It lower cholesterol but I don’t see the benefit in a PW form, any ideas? Amino Booster Matrix contained 2.4g of Beta-alanine and 1g of Taurine. Beta-alanine for a little muscle endurance and Taurine to reduce cramping. Weight Loss Plus Matrix contained 1g of L-Carnatine/L-Tartrate, 400mg of C. Canephora Robusta (Robusta Coffee) and 50mg of Rosemary. The L-Carnatine/L-Tartrate will help to reduce fatigue and promotes muscle endurance. C. Canephora Robusta (Robusta Coffee) contains Chlorogenic Acid which is a known fat burner. Rosemary is an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory, this is another ingredient that I don’t see how it helps being in this PW. Extreme Energy Matrix contained good old Caffeine and Yohimbe Extract. Caffeine is self-explanatory this PW has 300mg of it and is a perfect amount. 40mg of Yohimbe Extract is used as a fat burner. Lastly is the Neurosensory Blend containing 200mg of Choline Bitartrate & 100mg of L-Theanine. Although I agree with having both in the PW I would have liked to see them in high amounts. The Choline Bitartate is used to promote positive muscle function but in a much higher dose and L-Theanine should be taken at 200mg per dose for moderate results.
—-Taste/Mixability/Dosing—-
When I opened the container, I gave it a quick sniff as I do with all them, the contents smelled like burnt popcorn, kind of weird. Thank god it didn’t taste like that. The taste was almost exactly what I was expecting Strawberry Limeade. Two scoops with 12oz of water which is what all the ingredients are based on gave the PW a slightly tangy stale taste. That is the best way to describe it. It tasted great don’t get me wrong but it was right on the edge of being perfect but it’s PW so I’m more in it for the effectiveness than the taste. The mixability was great; drop the scoops in warm or cold water shake for less than a minute and you have yourself a PW. I like the consistency of this PW, it didn’t settle at the bottom which is kind of a pet peeve of mine. The dosing on the label is as follows: One scoop in 6oz of water to assess tolerance and two scoops in 12oz of water for more energy in your workout.
—-Effectiveness—-
It takes me 15 minutes to get to the gym from my house. I take it after a small meal before I leave. I was impressed by the consistency of this product about 5 min into my workout I could feel it kicking in I had this at about a 90% accuracy that this product would kick in. I could tell that I had a heightened level of focus while working out. There was a lot less day dreaming or zoning out of the workout, I mean hat down earbuds in and I was good to go. I most definitely felt that pump so I think the L-Citrulline was working although I keep going back to why they wouldn’t use L-Arganine rather than or in conjunction with the L-Citrulline, oh well you can always add the free form which I will be doing on my next round. The pump came within 30 min and lasted the entire workout consistently around that time with almost all the workouts depending out what I had going on in the gym. I felt like I fatigued just a bit less than normal and I try to keep the same intensity going no matter what day. I felt the beta-alanine kick in within the first 30 min also. The caffeine amount was perfect it kept me focused and on track even after the gym it kept me awake and going without a crash. I was not impressed with the L-Theanine, I take this in free form at 200mg twice a day and I’ve been doing this for a long time, it gives me a very uplifting feel it is mood enhancing. I purposely stopped taking it to get the full effect of this PW and for this review. I could tell the difference going from 400mg to 100mg a day which is a far drop now this might not be the case for others just for myself and body type. Overall this product is very effective.
—-Value—-
I agreed on the value side of this product I bought it online at $34.95. I judge the value of the product by not necessarily how much it costs but how it performs. I am more than willing to dish out more money if it’s for something I can see helping me get to my goal.
—-Side Effects—-
It has been rare that I have experienced negative side effects from PWs so I went and looked a little deeper. I found that this PW kind of gave me two side effects. For this PW some side effects maybe Dizziness from the Hawthorn Extract, Headaches from the Hawthorn & Yohimbe Extracts, Nausea from the Hawthorn & Yohimbe Extracts, Paresthesia from the Beta-Alanine (I did get this but I like that pins and needles feeling), Nervousness from the Yohimbe Extract, Increased blood pressure from the Yohimbe Extract and Anxiety from the Yohimbe Extract. One of the days I was training I had taken this 4am; I had a doctor’s appointment at the VA and when they took my blood pressure it was high, I am willing to bet it was from this PW which is fine with me because normally my Bp is exactly where it needs to be.
—-Conclusion—-
I think this is a solid product at a great value. I am impressed that this product had such a strong start that continued not only throughout my workout but from day one to day 15ish. I say that because my body has gotten used to other PWs and the last week or so I felt a lot less than the first 3 weeks on it. Maybe it was the double scoops, who knows. I will not only buy this again and try the other flavors but their other products in this new line they have out.