Product Review: Dymatize Energized Xpand (vs. NO Xplode, kind of)

Type: Pre-Workout Energy/Nitric Oxide Supplement

Cost on Allstarhealth.com: $32.95 for 1.81 lbs./40 servings

In My Humble Opinion:  I was a bit hesitant about switching from NO Xplode to another nitric oxide supplement; I was fairly pleased with NO Xplode’s performance and it tasted awesome so I figured why fix what ain’t broke?  Then I got onto the bodybuilding.com forum and I heard people talking about Xpand from Dymatize.

Basically, I made the switch and I’m glad I did.  The first time I took Xpand I remember feeling like I could scream.  I really did.  My general philosophy is that supplements are only as good as the one who’s usin’ ‘em, but I did and still do like Xpand as an effective addition to one’s efforts in the gym.  A key point to raise is that I used the “Energized” version which has caffeine, so I really can’t speak to just the regular Xpand which is mainly an arginine stack only.

A  couple of key points, #1:  With Xpand I have never gotten the jitters or headaches like I had experienced with NO Xplode.  Granted this easily could be attributed to the fact that I’d already taken NO Xplode and my body had become acclimated to a nitric oxide supplement.  I’ll concede this, but with Xpand I’d describe it as just a very even keeled energy that takes you right thru your workout with no ups and downs.  With NO Xplode I did crash a couple times and it wasn’t a fun experience; imagine having 30 minutes left on your workout and you’ve just got nothin’ left – not fun.  #2:  I like the fact that Dymatize breaks down their ingredient list so you can see exactly what you’re getting – 4 and a half grams of creatines (a hefty amount), 3 and a half grams of arginine stack, 3 and a half grams of caffeine and other “energy matrix” stuff like tyrosine (again, a good amount), and a few other goodies like taurine and glutamine and a lot of B12.  This is probably comparable to other similar products – I just like being able to see it in print.  And #3:  The label on the front says “40 full workouts,” as in, you only need 1 serving at most to get the job done (unlike NO Xplode which says you can get up to something like 2 or 3 whole servings a day).  And I like that for obvious reasons.

As to the whole “pump” thing and gettin’ you more reps and heavier poundages and all that, I didn’t notice anything.  It’s probably sacrilege to say this but I basically take these types of supplements for the energy and concentration they provide.  If you want progress in your lifting and your physique you gotta work and more importantly YOU GOTTA EAT RIGHT; for me products like Xpand are just a means to an end, a way to help me get to work if I’m feelin’ unmotivated or tired.  Overall though I’d recommend Xpand if you’re lookin’ for a good pre-workout energy supplement.  It’s a good product and has provided me with good results.

Official Site

Addendum:  Since writing this review I’ve gone back to using Xpand a couple more times (even though I’m currently working on a tub of SAN Fierce), and I’d have to say this continues to be my favorite non protein supplement.  I might be wrong but as far as I can tell I’ve never taken Xpand and experienced an energy spike or major fatigue, which is saying something.