Product Review: BSN NO-Xplode
I’ll add a picture when I get my laptop back (I’m using an old crappy one at the moment).
Current Price on Allstarhealth.com: $31.50 for 1.81 lbs./40 servings
In My Humble Opinion: Probably the single best known nitric oxide supplement out there, NO X-plode turned me on to a world outside of just your standard whey protein. I’ll cut this review short since there’s more than enough opinions and advertisements out there all extolling NO X-plode’s benefits, but after using a tub of the “Fruit Punch” flavor I’ll sum it up by saying this product is effective up to a point. The first thing you’ll notice when you make it is a pleasing fizzy type action (make sure you mix it thoroughly or you’ll end up takin’ a whiff straight up the nose), which BSN bills as an effervescent magic that takes all the good stuff straight to your bloodstream. Then there’s the taste, pretty pleasing I’d say, like drinking really sweet Flinstones chewables if that doesn’t strike you as disgusting. But I suppose all that really matters is does it work? Take a look at the BSN website and you’ll find more than a few promises which leave you thinking you’ll be tearing down walls in the gym and ripping off your shirt like some crazy man. But at the end of the day I found NO X-plode to perform about as well as can be expected, seeing as how it’s basically not much more than caffeine mixed with an arginine stack and some creatine. While I guess you could probably say this about any nitric oxide supplement out there, my point is that NO X-plode offers a typical result at a premium price.
When it comes to products like these I like to be able to look at the ingredients list and see exactly how much of whatever is in the mix, but as is often the case BSN boils it down to 18 grams of it’s special “proprietary blend,” with an arginine stack being the #1 ingredient followed by some fancy-sounding creatine and then basically caffeine. That being said, the first few times I took it before my workout I’d get the shakes and an occasional headache, after which my body began to acclimate and it felt like not much more than an energy shot. As for my muscles developing a mind-blowing pump and the ability to shred thru reps like never before, I’d say not really. If you’re looking for something that’ll make you bust out of your shirt and throw up massive poundages like never before I suggest ‘roids or cocaine; all that any nitric oxide supplement including NO X-plode will be able to do is perhaps get you a little more energized and give your muscles a bit more endurance. Which is fine. But for NO X-plode’s price, and the fact that the recommended use tag says you can take up to THREE servings before your workout leaves me feeling like there’s better ways to spend your money. If I’m paying just under a dollar a serving (nevermind if you buy this at GNC or some place for an astonishing $60 or whatever), I expect it to work on one serving and not three. Perhaps I’m expecting a bit much for my money, but I doubt it.
Hmmm, I guess I didn’t keep this review short. But in the end I’d say NO X-plode works, just not as well as you’d expect given all the accolades. It’s one of the best-tasting supplements I’ve ever tried, the packaging is all red and serious and cool looking as are all of BSN’s products, and it does manage to provide a decent pickup and enhanced concentration and focus (my favorite part). But alas, there’s better products out there. Bottom line, if you’re in the market for a nitric oxide supplement look into products like Dymatize Xpand and SAN Fierce. I’ve tried both of these and they’d be my choice over NO X-plode, cheaper per serving and more effective. I’ve also heard good things about Universal Nutrition’s Shock Therapy.
(+) Good taste, provides enhanced focus and concentration.
(-) High cost. You don’t know how much of what ingredient you’re getting. For me it gave me the shakes and headaches at times. Didn’t noticeably enhance my performance to any major degree. Definitely a luxury supplement.
