AAEFX - K-OTIC REVIEW

I was excited to keep a log of AAEFX - K-OTIC.  I first saw it being used by Rich Knapp aka "Freak on Wheels" in his log.  I follow his training log on Muscle and Brawn's forum and he was mentioning great things about K-OTIC.  I've used many pre-workout supps, yes, you can call me a stimulant addict.  I read about K-OTIC, and I liked the small dosage and the fact that it would last me 32 workouts.  The product also mentioned that there will be no crash.  I've experienced crashes before from pre-workout supps, and never want to feel like that again despite the fact I killed it in the gym.  When there was an opportunity to be chosed to keep a log for AAEFX on Muscle and Brawn's forum, I jumped at the chance.  I applied for the log and was then very excited when chosen.  

I received my K-OTIC towards the end of November.  I was getting ready to head out for the gym when the box came.  Talk about perfect timing.  I took the one scoop and mixed it with water.  My first impression of it was, "Pepto Bismol".  That's all I could think about when I saw it.  The taste was much better than it looked but it was still Pepto Bismol in my mind. I chugged it down and headed out to my first workout.  Within in minutes, even before I stepped into the gym, I started to feel the boost of energy.  I thought to myself maybe it was just from the excitement of trying something new.  I had a great break day, added reps to my lifts and even increased weights. I still wasn't sold on that it was because of the K-OTIC.  Maybe just a little. 

Workout after workout with K-OTIC I experienced the same feeling.  Energy levels were high, stamina lasted the whole workout, and there was no crash.  I got used to the "Pepto" look and began to really like the taste.  Before a workout, one day, I was mixing my K-OTIC in the locker room and two guys who I see all the time in the gym asked if I was actually drinking pepto bismol.  I told them I wasn't the continued on telling them about K-OTIC.  I mentioned how it was working great for me, and I guess it was good timing because the two were looking for a different pre-workout supp to try.  Long story short, they went out and got some K-OTIC and have been telling me great things about it.  I'm glad because that was my name on the line if the product wasn't up to their expectation.

Overall, I would/did recommend this product to others.  AAEFX really made a good quality product here.  One thing I would ask them to change is the pepto color.  I may have gotten used to the whole thing but everytime I thought it, and I'm sure when other people saw me drinking it thought the same.  Who knows maybe they'll go out and actually drink pepto bismol. That would actually be funny.  But, great job AAEFX can't wait to give K-OTIC another go. 

Advanced Muscle Science - PUMP FIXX

I was lucky enough to keep a supplement log of Advanced Muscle Science - PUMP FIXX.  I read over a lot of reviews out there and got many mixed views.  AMS mentions to "Get ready for jaw dropping pumps".  On their site they give users a 4 week layout of what to expect.  In week 4 this is what they say you will experience:

   "The massive pumps just won't go away. You are so swole that you don't want to go off of this stuff.  It's fine to buy another bottle and go on, but just take two weeks off between cycles. The rock hard density and road map veins that you have always wanted are now yours! Enjoy the extra attention you are going to get!"


I read the 4 week plan and was excited and ready on my way to density and vascularity.  It was perfect timing when I received my pump fixx because I had just started to prepare for my back/bi's workout.  First thing I noticed was the dose it asked for.  It told me to just take one scoop the first time trying it but I never listen.  I took two scoops and the first thing I noticed was how easy it was to mix in the water.  It foamed a little but its obvious a pre workout supp you don't want to shake.  The taste wasn't the best either.  It kind of tasted like a strawberry cough syrup, but taste isn't why I buy a pre-workout supp.  The main thing is that it works.  Within minutes of taking it I began to feel the energy hit me while on my way to the gym.  I thought I had 30 minutes before it kicked in but it ended up hitting me within 10 minutes. I was stoked.  I could feel that tingling sensation under my skin, and my ears felt slightly warm.  It didn't worry me,  I thought it was cool.

Throughout the whole workout I was adding weight as well as reps to every exercise.  My focus was to kill it in the weight room and I felt like I could just keep going on my workouts.  My muscles felt full of blood and I was experiencing an awesome pump.  As with most pre-workout supps, it comes along with a  crash after you workout.  With pump fixx there was no crash after.  There was just more energy going.    It was a great start to the journey.

Workout to workout I felt the same energy as before.  I do have to mention that the effects weren't as up to par with what the 4 week plan mentioned.  But the main thing was that I was still feeling great energy as well as muscle pumps.  By the second week I started to take 3 scoops.  The thing about 3 scoops is that you have to stir it really slowly and not put too much water.  Dissolve most of the powder and then add more water if you want. The first time I mixed 3 scoops in this glass and stirred it up the foam built up so fast and started to spill over.  Then it takes a little while for the foam to go down.  Your best bet is to just put your 3 scoops add water and wait until it stops fizzing and then stir slowly.  The powder dissolves very well.

FINAL THOUGHTS


Overall, I had a great experience with Pump Fixx. If you are looking for something that tastes good then this is probably not for you.  But if you want something that is effective and works then this is something that you may want to try.  Just like any supp, some may work better for others.  Pump Fixx is a great product for me and I've already purchased another with the addition of their Hyper Trop-X

Ridiculous Habits Guys Have in Gyms – Part 1

Check out The Aipa Project's newest article...

RIDICULOUS HABITS GUYS HAVE IN GYMS - PART I

IDS Waximaize

I came across waximaize by looking at other people's training logs and many have mentioned they supplement with waximaize.  Some said it's a waste of time and it didn't work for them and others said they used it with great success.  My understanding of waximaize before I looked further into it was that it was just a bunch of carbohydrates.  I remember thinking to myself, but I want be on low carbs to get shredded. But then little did I know.

I'm always an avid follower of ELITEFTS, and I enjoy reading their articles.  When I came across Dave Tate's training log and he mentioned taking waximaize, my curiosity increased even more.  Dave was taking this supplement but at the same time losing weight and getting shredded.  But I thought I shouldn't be taking in so much carbs? So I researched the effects of waximaize.

IDS gives a quick explanation on what waximaize does:

Waximaize is a modified starch, a very unique complex carbohydrate capable of changing your physique! Waximaize is absorbed lightning fast into the bloodstream by "bypassing" digestion in the stomach. Once in the bloodstream Waximaize actually makes you look leaner by pulling subcutaneous water (water from just under the skin!) into the blood, increasing blood volume! This results in paper thin skin with thick veins popping out and full throttle blood flow to fully carb loaded muscle peaks! Training with Waximaize brings new meaning to the word "pump". With overloaded glycogen stores and amplified blood volume, Waximaize will overtake you in minutes!

It sounded really interesting to me.  Loading my glycogen levels for more energy to work my muscles even harder and longer with the chances of looking leaner and thicker? I thought to myself maybe that's what I'm missing from my supplement gym bag.   I figured what the hell, might as well give it a try.  You can't say something doesn't work unless you've tried it yourself.  There are many people out there that knock on supplements and say, "Oh it doesn't work" "It's a waste of money" "I'm just sticking to real food".  In my honest opinion, people just need to worry about themselves.  You do what you do, and i'll do what I do.  If it doesn't work for one person it doesn't mean it won't work for someone else.  We are all individuals.

What Waximaize Should I Buy?

I was on a really tight budget and still am.  I had to search for a waximaize that I could afford at that time.  I really care about my training so if that means I have to buy something to sacrifice a couple of other things then so be it.  It's what I love doing.  I came across IDS Waximaize, on Muscle and Strength, and it was surprisingly on sale for a low price compared to other waximaize, plus it's a 5lb tub. I tried the Fruit Punch flavor, and loved the taste.  The directions mentioned to take pre,intra, and post to supply and restore your muscle glycogen.

When I first opened the tub I was amazed on how fine the powder was.  It reminded me somewhat of Corn Starch hence the name maize.  Adding the powder to my shaker was interesting.  The powder really stuck to my hands then when I poured the powder into my shaker it came all out in one clump, hit the bottom of my shaker, and POOF! Powder all up into my face. If someone walked in and saw me they would have thought I was coke addict or something.  Adding the water was simple and the powder dissolved after shaking making it very easy to drink.

Experience


I took waximaize religiously for my workouts.  As the time went on I began to notice that my muscles were looking fuller and thicker.  I was actually seeing some veins popping out.  I'm not a vascular person , so when I saw my biceps veins I was stoked! Never seen those before.  My training partner who wasn't taking waximaize noticed how I was able to push hard throughout the whole workout while he began to tire midway.  My weights were increasing as well as my bodyweight.  I looked leaner and bigger, and was always ready to attack each exercise, set after set.

When I got to the end of my tub, I was bummed that my experience with my waximaize came to an end because I was seeing great results from it.  I wanted to continue but like I said, money was/is tight.  But, there will be another day when me and my waximaize will reunite. Until then, it will sit in my wish-list of supplements.

Don't Diss My Chuck Taylors

Here's an article about proper footwear for training, especially when it comes to lifting heavy ass weights and you actually train.

Don't Diss My Chuck Taylors

USP Labs - Jack3d

I enjoy a good pre-workout supplement.  I like the focus, energy, stamina and pump that all pre-workout supplements promise.  I came across USP Labs' Jack3d  by curiosity. I never heard of the supplement until it came up as a special on DA Muscle.  It was cheap and offered a lot of servings.  One of the main curiosities I got from Jack3d was how they advertised "Why is 77% of your pre-workout drink nothing but useless fat-storing, physique-killing filler?".  They showed a picture of the filler compared with the active ingredients.  To me it was very interesting.  So I purchased the product.

When I received the product I was surprised with the serving size of it.  The scoop was probably a little more than a tablespoon. I followed the assessment protocol and took in 2 scoops 30 minutes before my workout.  I never actually feel the full effects that I've read others having.  I never experienced the tingling of skin, or redness, or jitteriness.

When I got to the gym, I started to feel a little boost of energy.  Right away I thought maybe it was more of a mental thing that I had going on and I was just anxious to see what Jack3d would do.  But then soon I started to feel that tingling beneath my skin.  I looked at my training partner and was like "Oh shit." This was a new feeling.  Throughout the workout, I felt energized. I wanted more weights, more exercises, I just wanted to use this feeling for everything it had.  I stuck to my workout but I always felt that urge for more.  It was amazing how I was adding weights and reps to all my exercises.  My training partner just laughed because he could't believe it.  I killed all my lifts that day.

With most pre-workout supplements I always come across the "crash".  The first time I took Jack3d, I crashed when I got home.  I took in my post-workout meal and then I was done.  Maybe because I fully worked myself with everything I had or maybe it was because of the Jack3d.

Fast forwarding to the end of my Jack3d experience.  I learned that you really must have an empty stomach when you take this.  I had a couple days when I at an hour before my workouts and I didn't feel any effects. I could tell my vascularity was increasing especially during my workouts.  I had veins popping out in my arms that I've never seen.  Also, muscle size increased and I constantly felt full muscles.  My training partner ordered his own and enjoyed the effects himself.

Final Thoughts.
I would recommend Jack3d to any lifter.  It's easy on the wallet and it delivers.  Just like any supplement it may not work for everyone but I've used it with success along with other's that I've asked.  The effects are felt much more when you have an empty stomach, how much time before a workout? I felt the best results when I ate 2 hours before my workout and then took Jack3d an half hour before the workout.

Muscle Milk - Collegiate Style

During my time as an assistant strength coach at a small division III institution, I was able to get a contract with a Cytosport Distributor to supply our school's hospitality services with Muscle Milk Collegiate since it is NCAA approved.

Here's a story though.  Our first shipment was supposed to be 50 Muscle Milk Collegiate Chocolate 5.29 lbs along with other flavors.  What ended up happening was that they sent 25 boxes with 60 packets per each box.  We called up the distributor and they allowed us to keep the boxes for distribution for whatever we wanted, and they would send up our correct order.  That meant we had 25 boxes of Muscle Milk Collegiate Packets.

We distributed some of these boxes to teams who were interested in them; football, baseball, basketball, soccer, along with others  I saw it as good time to teach them about sports nutrition, as well as promote the product to them.  Since Muscle Milk Collegiate is NCAA approved we were allowed to promote it.

The rest of the boxes, the strength staff and some of the coaches used it as our own.  It felt like I was sponsored by Cytosport, I WISH!! but only until we ran out. The packets were so easy because each packet was half a serving.

Review of Muscle Milk Collegiate Chocolate 5.29 lbs:


I used Muscle Milk Collegiate mainly as a meal replacement and post-workout meal.  I'm not one to try different flavors.  I keep it simple with chocolate, you can't go wrong. The servings called for 4 scoops.  In those 4 scoops were 580 calories. When I was trying to gain weight I took the full 4 scoops.  I used a blender because 4 scoops of the powder was a lot to put in a shaker.  One time I tried to put it all in my shaker and it ended up being just a big blob of chocolate. Not so nice.

When I wanted to lose weight, I only took half of the prescribed servings which came out to 290 calories.  Using two scoops of the powders was much easier to use a shaker. By just halving my servings of muscle milk collegiate I was able to decrease my calorie intake by roughly 500 calories, which over 7 days adds up to 3500 calories.  With that decrease of calories, it was easier for me to lose weight and much easier to keep track.  I basically ate the same as I did, but just decreased the muscle milk collegiate.

When it comes to muscle milk, some rant about the fat content of the product.  Honestly, I had no problem with it even when I was trying to lose body fat.  I've tried several flavors, but I always would go back to my chocolate.  I guess it's whatever you prefer.

Closing Thoughts


I would recommend this product to anyone. It's great for if you are trying to lose weight or gain weight.  For athletes, I highly recommend Muscle Milk Collegiate.  It's a great product with a great following.  Cytosport sponsors colleges such as: USC, Florida State, Miami, LSU, Missouri, Oregon University, Stanford, Texas, UCLA, and others. I've used this product with great success.