Brace yourselves for we are about to review a key player in the pre workout arena. Founded by the #1 bestselling fitness author in the world, quite a number of experts agree that this is not just a regular pre workout supplement with a crazy caffeine content. As usual, we will begin with the ingredient analysis, proceed for the side effects, pros & cons and comparisons with competitors. On with the Legion Pulse pre workout review.
Who Founded Legion Pulse?
Mike Matthews, just a regular guy who tried tons of diet programs, supplements and workout routines, each proving to be ineffective making his dream of achieving his desired physique a reality. After spending his fair share of time and money on trainers, supplements, he decided to do something about it. Hence, Legion Athletics was born in Florida. His products range from fat burners, pure protein to various stacks.
He did not stop there and continued to spread his hard earned experience in his fitness journey through fitness coaching, writing books, and blogging. Now that we know a bit about the origins of the Legion Pulse pre workout, let’s proceed to the review.
Legion Pulse Pre Workout Ingredient Analysis
The serving size is 2 scoops(23.7 g) and the servings per container is 21.
350 mg of Caffeine Anhydrous
Caffeine does not require a special introduction. The anhydrous is just the more concentrated version. Primarily, it is used to enhance focus and augment you mentally while working out. More commonly referred to as the neuro-muscular connection. It also optimizes metabolism and promotes strength and muscle endurance. Now we have to warn that 350 mg is a pretty strong dosage. For those of you who are caffeine sensitive, this may not be the best approach given it’s equivalent to 3.5 cups of coffee. Which is why we usually recommend starting off with one scoop.
8 g of Citrulline malate
We’ve spoken in depth about Citrulline malate before. In short, it transforms into another amino acid in the body known as L-arginine. This in turn generates more nitric oxide and we know what that means. Widening the blood vessels to enable better blood flow and regulation. This is what we call as the the pump. Compounds aiding in the synthesis of nitric oxide is common to almost any pre workout. Overall, nitric oxide improves performance and reduces soreness as well.
3.6 g of Beta-Alanine
Again, an in depth reviewed supplement in our blog. Beta-Alanine also known as the lactic acid killer is what enables better performance out of your muscles since it prolongs the lifetime before the muscle becomes fatigued. It does so by producing more Carnosine that reduces muscle acidity. So when muscle acid is reduced, the overall efficiency increases, meaning you can perform more in the gym as much as you are allowed physically.
350 mg of L-Theanine
Also a component of memory stacks used in fat burners and pre workouts. Contributing to improving focus, uplifting mood and promoting augmented mind muscle connection, it works even better when paired with caffeine. Additionally, it smooths out the stimulating effects of caffeine reducing the jitters and crashes and promotes nitric oxide production.
2.5 g of Betaine
Plays quite a few roles in important processes, but what concerns us is Betaine’s ability to hydrate the muscles thereby balancing fluid levels inside and outside cells. Better muscle hydration results in more strength. Apart from fluid balancing, Betaine also assists in cellular energy production, DNA production and fat metabolism.
300 mg of Alpha-GPC
A compound that we don’t come across in most pre workout or fat burners. However, Legion chose to add Alpha-GPC as the final component of the memory stack. Choline is the special molecule contained here that does most of the work. It boosts your brain performance resulting in better neuro communication. While it enables better focus and tunnel vision, the brain health also increases with this supplementation. Alpha-GPC may also increase growth hormone levels and mitigate cognitive decline as we grow older.
That’s about it for the major ingredients. Additionally, there are a few electrolytes, stevia, maltodextrin, and erythritol as natural sweeteners and the substances to bring the color of different flavors. For example, the Fruit Punch flavor contains red beet for color. So what is the best legion pulse pre workout flavor? They do have Arctic Blast, Fruit Punch, Blue Raspberry, Watermelon, Sour Candy and more. Most consumers who tried out the majority of available flavors recommend Tropical Punch and Strawberry Kiwi.
Also be aware that the Legion Pulse pre workout stim free version is also available. No difference in price though. The nutrient list is the same except for the exclusion of caffeine and no BCAA.
How to Use Legion Pulse Pre Workout
For first timers and the newbies in general, Mike recommends “mixing 1 scoop with 10-12 ounces of water and drinking it 15-30 minutes prior to exercise.” Any nasty experience, stop immediately and consult the doctor. Once your workout regiment catches up, you can consider incrementing the dosage to two with the same amount of water.
Side Effects
Next up in the Legion Pulse pre workout review are the side effects. The common side effect tied with any product using Beta-alanine, itchiness is applicable to this one too. You are likely to feel the itch about 15 minutes after consuming, and it can last up to 30 minutes. For some people, the body adapts and the sensation declines after about a week or two of consumption.
The next of course is caffeine. 350 mg should not be taken lightly. Therefore please make sure that you can handle what comes with it.
Legion Pulse Pre Workout Customer Reviews
The majority of the consumer feedback is pretty encouraging to any potential buyer. I would say more than 95% of the buyers are enjoying this. Here’s what a user who goes to the gym, (weighs 280 lbs) in the morning after his night shift is over has to say;
“It works within 20-30 minutes, No jittery feeling with one scoop and there is a definite spike in energy”. He also recommends one scoop, as it is more than sufficient to power up a single session. Furthermore he states that he never felt “pumped” or anything like super high adrenaline. Maybe that’s because he sticks only to one scoop.
A more sophisticated user, Will, claims that this is the best he used considering he was a lifelong customer of C4. He says that “the ingredients of C4 are nowhere near as helpful and of quality in this pre-workout.” More mental focus, pump and energy is what he claims to be, on Legion Pulse.
A few more users comment on how they have never felt drained after the workout after using Legion. It feels like more steady strength physically throughout the day but the urge mentally to do stuff and finish it, is strong. Others say that this is a throwback to the original Jack3D and C4.
The only mutual complaint is the taste of some flavors being nasty. This of course is common to a majority of pre workouts and it isn’t unusual when there are this many flavors.
We do hope that this Legion Pulse pre workout review proved to be a useful guide for those of you who are willing to try out new products and push your limits. If you already have, do share your experience with us in the comments below.
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