As we’ve learned from Ryan Gosling, reinventing yourself can be a good thing. As BSN seeks to do the same with the new and re-engineered version of their flagship N.O. Xplode, we’ll soon find out whether this reinvention was a successful one.

Over the last week, I used the new N.O. Xplode exclusively as my pre-workout. I feel like using a pre-workout to train every body part gives me the best possible perspective of how it performs in terms of pumps, and strength/endurance.

First I’ll go over what to expect from the proprietary blends and highlight some of the main ingredients, then discuss how it made me feel during my workouts.

Energy and Endurance

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The new N.O. Xplode is being marketed primarily as a pre-workout for those seeking better energy and endurance. To help with this, both beta-alanine and betaine which were found in N.O. Xplode 2.0 seem to have been carried over to the new formula.

Beta-alanine delays muscle fatigue and allows you to get more reps by saturating muscles with carnosine and improving ph balance in muscles.[1]

Betaine is a compound that’s become a lot more popular recently, and shown to help increase strength and overall body composition. [2] What’s more, betaine helps support both joint and liver health.

Going PURE

One of the new and unique compounds you’re going to find in here is PURENERGY, a patented combination of caffeine and the trademarked ingredient pTeroPure.

PURENERGY essentially aims to provide a clean source of energy that doesn’t cause you to crash by extending the half-life of caffeine. This allows it to stay in your system longer, and gradually come down from it. [3]

Strength and Pumps

To help boost strength, the new N.O. Xplode includes creatine, creatine anhydrous, and creatine peptides. Creatine anhydrous is a form of creatine with the water molecule removed, which provides a great amount of creatine.

For vasodilation and pump, it looks like N.O. Xplode is relying heavily on l-citrulline, danshen, and grape skin extract. L-citrulline ostensibly has a synergistic relationship with danshen, which helps thin the blood and relax endothelial cells for better nitric oxide production and blood flow.

To boost absorption and uptake of amino acids and nutrients, N.O. Xplode contains AstraGin, a patented compound which consists of fractioned astragalus and panax.

Focus and Performance

BSN Supplements

The new N.O. Xplode also features a shock composite blend, with DMAE bitartate as the main ingredient. DMAE bitartate is a natural compound shown to aid in memory and improve concentration. It is also suggested that DMAE alleviates symptoms of hyperatactivity and attention deficit disorder.

Another powerful compound in here to further boost mental focus is huperzine a, which is shown to alleviate memory loss and mental impairment.

Evaluation of N.O. Xplode During My Workout

Let’s start with the good. For me, the PURENERGY worked exactly as advertised. I’m not very sensitive to caffeine so I started off with two scoops.

The label doesn’t list the specific amount of caffeine in each scoop, but I didn’t feel jittery at all. Even more importantly, I didn’t crash after my workout.

I also think the N.O. Xplode delivers on its promise to boost strength and endurance. On leg day I felt confident throwing an extra 90 pounds on the leg press for example. Also on arm day I did standing bicep curls with 45’s for my last set and got 10 reps, whereas I would usually die out around 6.

That being said, the mental focus and pump for me just wasn’t there. To be sure, N.O. Xplode isn’t being marketed or promoted as a pump product, so the lack of pump was expected. And while there are ingredients like huperzine-a in here to help with mental focus, I personally didn’t notice a huge difference in my ability to focus or concentrate.

So if you’d like to experience better pumps but get the strength, size and endurance benefits from N.O. Xplode as well, you’ll definitely want to stack it with a stimulant-free pre-workout.

What’s more, the fruit punch flavor I tried had the same taste and mixability as N.O. Xplode 2.0.

Price and Availability

Since it just launched, now it probably the best time to grab the new N.O. Xplode if you are interested in trying it. Most, if not all, online websites are offering a discount or promotional offer.

Final Verdict

I would definitely recommend N.O. Xplode if you’re looking for a pre-workout to give you some more strength and help with getting a few extra reps.

Like I mentioned above, this isn’t a supplement that’s going to do much for pumps. So if you want the best of both worlds, you’ll want to stack N.O. Xplode with a stimulant-free pre-workout.

References:

[1] Quesnele JJ1, Laframboise MA, Wong JJ, Kim P, Wells GD. The effects of beta-alanine supplementation on performance: a systematic review of the literature Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2014 Feb;24(1):14-27. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.2013-0007. Epub 2013 Aug 5.
[2] Jason M Cholewa, Monika Wyszczelska-Rokiel, Rafal Glowacki, et. al., Effects of betaine on body composition, performance, and homocysteine thiolactone Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2013, 10:39
[3] ChromaDex PURENERGY Caffeine Available Online At: https://chromadex.com/Ingredients/PurEnergy.html



About The Author

Brian E. is from southern California and has worked for names like GNC and Vitamin Shoppe as a supplement expert and consultant. He currently lives in Utah and is studying marketing.

One Response

  1. ryan

    It’s a great review. Long time happy user of NoXplode and was fine with 2.0, but like you said, this is the opposite of what avid users expect. To be honest, I prefer(ed) the instant energy shot, and the non extended lasting time. After 6 years, I won’t buy this product under the current formula anymore. Review is spot on.

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