Hey guys, I was just curious to see if anyone uses this stuff and if you feel it is worth it. I currently am taking whey protein after long hard workouts for bikes and runs, only to help my muscles recover. Apparently this stuff is for pre workouts. I heard from someone at teh store that a marathoner takes it and likes it.
Is this stuff any good (not taste, just the function of it)?
Curious what you all think or know.
I have also seen ads for it in the tri magazines.,…
** N.O. Explode…your thougths?**
I’m generally ok with not exploding.
There are a series of NO products on the market, and yes they do work. I was introduced to them by my Doctor of all people. I have used them effectively, but I limit their use to strength training. I find them most useful when intense bursts of power are the objective as opposed to long sessions of muscular endurance. You might try them when doing hi intensity intervals too.
That said, if you plan on trying one get Horsepower as my Doctor tells me it is the best of the ones currently marketed.
Hey guys, I was just curious to see if anyone uses this stuff and if you feel it is worth it. I currently am taking whey protein after long hard workouts for bikes and runs, only to help my muscles recover. Apparently this stuff is for pre workouts. I heard from someone at teh store that a marathoner takes it and likes it.
Is this stuff any good (not taste, just the function of it)?
Curious what you all think or know.
I have also seen ads for it in the tri magazines.,…
I feel like it gets me jacked up, but all the caffine makes me violently poop. I second the notion that it is for weights, not race day.
I agree, NO is more for weight training. But let me throw this out there…How many different supplements do you need to take? At what point are you hindering your body’s natural ability to rebuild, etc.?
I used it for a few months in 2007. It worked. I got pretty jacked up before workouts and added some good lean muscle. It worked best before and during weight training sessions, mostly due to the creatine in it. But ultimately that’s what made me quit - the creatine. I ran a couple of half marathons in the summer of 2007 and after about mile 10 my calves cramped up terribly (due to the creatine, I presume). It was quite painful and me slow down a lot. I also would get calve cramps on longer swims. After quitting I never had the cramps again. If I was not distance running then I’d probably still use the product. Pretty expensive though, compared to lower tech options like Accelerade or whatever.
neutraceuticals = snake oil
.
First of all GNC is a rip off! You can get products much and I mean much cheaper online. Most of the supplements out there are crap. None of this stuff is regulated so you never know if you are getting what is claimed on the label. I think most people just get a placebo effect because they want to say that it works, because they paid a ridiculous amount of money for something that doesn’t do anything. Save your money.
Nitric oxide (NO) is a vasodilator, which means that it dilates blood vessels. According to the supplement companies, this promotes increased blood flow and nutrient transport to the muscles, which supposedly allow for more rapid muscle growth. Working from first principles, this seems a sound argument.
On this basis, I obtained a few samples of NO Explode and similar products some time ago. While I did notice slightly increased muscle “pump” post-workout, and while I seemed to have slightly longer endurance during weight sessions, it was hard to discern the effects of the NO from those of the caffeine, creatine, and other assorted chemicals in the mix. Generally, I felt jittery, twitchy, and rather unsettled. It was not a “good” rush, but more like the onset of panic.
While the beneficial effects of the NO were questionable, the taste was unbelievably bad. Most of the NO products that I sampled had a taste akin to ultra-sweetened battery acid, incredibly bitter and almost unpalatable. Some were worse than others, and none of them were good. Perhaps there are less offensive options out there, but I have not found them.
If you want to experiment with Nitric Oxide, consider taking an L-Arginine supplement. Many of the NO powders on the market utilize L-Arginine as the primary nitric oxide precursor, so a basic supplement may provide similar effects without the added caffeine, creatine, etc. L-Arginine caps are probably much less expensive, too.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor, and the above should not be regarded as medical advice. Please consult your physician before beginning any supplement regimen. 
//Edward
thanks. it soundsl like I will be foolish to get it. I appreciate your feedback.
Several years ago I used this stuff for 4-5 months. I was doing a lot of lifting and I could feel a huge difference. Unfortunately, after 4 months the stuff wreaked havoc on my body. I started to get violently sick (diarrhea) for extended periods, and as soon as I cut the NO explode out, I got better immediately. I’ve tried it a few times since then, allowing plenty of time for it to clear out of my body, only to have the same reaction again. In retrospect, I don’t think the ‘pump’ it gives during a workout is worth the effects it has on your body.
I would skip this stuff to be honest with you, it’s too hit and miss to be considered a staple and often causes gastrointestinal problems.
I’m not a fan of pre-workout supplements, but know of a few that work ok if you’d like recommendations. As for NO, though, I’d pass.
used it for about 4 years. Good stuff. Sometimes I’ll use it when I’m pulling an all-nighter and does much better than coffee. Best pre-workout supplement I’ve used. Cheaper than Red Bull, lol
Nitric oxide (NO) is a vasodilator, which means that it dilates blood vessels. According to the supplement companies, this promotes increased blood flow and nutrient transport to the muscles, which supposedly allow for more rapid muscle growth. Working from first principles, this seems a sound argument…
…If you want to experiment with Nitric Oxide, consider taking an L-Arginine supplement. Many of the NO powders on the market utilize L-Arginine as the primary nitric oxide precursor, so a basic supplement may provide similar effects without the added caffeine, creatine, etc. L-Arginine caps are probably much less expensive, too.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor, and the above should not be regarded as medical advice. Please consult your physician before beginning any supplement regimen.
//Edward
If you have a medical condition such as pulmonary hypertension, it would make sense to use a pulmonary vasodilator. L-Arginine has a mild effect in promoting nitric oxide, but not as much as Sildenafil (Viagra), which is the real deal.
It is questionable whether nitric oxide improves exercise performance those individuals who do not have pulmonary hypertension.
Based on n=3 anecdotal evidence:
Cyclist A: Works out consistently with home Bowflex. Uses whey protein and keeps a pretty clean and healthy diet. Not a coffee, soda, caffeine drinker. He consistently rode well when he used the product pre workout. No ill effects.
Cyclist B: Works out seasonally. Crappy diet and drinks soda often. Not a coffee drinker and caffeine is pretty minimal. Rode well the first season using but second season saw no effects. No ill effects.
Cyclist B: Works out seasonally. Pretty healthy diet but heavy coffee drinker. Used it once and had horrible results. Pretty much killed his ride(stomach pains and diarrhea as ill effects)
All felt increased average heart rate while on the bike.