MuscleSport Attack Pre-Workout Breakdown: A Simple and Clean Hitting Pre-Workout Formula

MuscleSport Attack Pre-Workout Supplement Facts

*This article will breakdown the formula based upon their full serving (1  scoop)

Beta-Alanine – 3000mg

Ah, I can already feel the tingles! Beta-alanine is an amino acid responsible for the synthesis of carnosyn, which is responsible for acid-base regulation within muscle tissue. Upon exercise, lactic acid builds in muscle tissue; this will induce fatigue and thus, hinder performance. Carnosyn binds to hydrogen ions (which are acidic) and acts as a buffer to prevent drop in pH levels. This mechanism prolongs time to exhaustion and ultimately increases performance in the gym. Most gym goers are familiar with beta-alanine as it provides a sensation called paresthesia; a completely harmless tingling sensation felt mostly in the lips and cheeks. Typical dosing for Beta-Alanine is 3200mg or more, so this dose is just a tad under therapeutic levels.

N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine – 750mg

N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine (NALT) is a non-essential amino acid (one that the body can produce on its own) and precursor to both our “feel good” neurotransmitter dopamine and noradrenaline. Dopamine is one of the most important neurotransmitters in the body and plays a role in reward, motivation, pleasure, and cognitive flexibility. Where NALT differs from L-Tyrosine is in structure; NALT is an acetylated form of L-Tyrosine. Tyrosine finds itself amongst one of the most popular nootropic compounds in the supplement industry and has been shown to increase cognition during bouts of acute stress, such as exercising.

Because of its role in the synthesis of dopamine, NALT will provide a slight euphoric feeling that gym goers absolutely adore. Dopamine is also one of the main regulators of motor control and body movement; two aspects that play a critical role in performance at the gym.

Caffeine Complex – 350mg

Every gym bros best friend! Caffeine is a fan favorite energy-providing, focus enhancing ingredient. Attack features a “Caffeine Complex” comprised of two different caffeine sources; 1) Caffeine Anhydrous and 2) Di-Caffeine Malate. Caffeine Anhydrous is a central nervous stimulant that is well known throughout the industry; it clocks in as the purest caffeine source on the planet and has a plethora of benefits:

• enhances energy levels
• increases focus
• promotes thermogenesis
• increases overall gym performance

It is backed my many studies and potentially the most consumed supplement in the world. The other caffeine source present in Attack is good ole Di-Caffeine Malate; it provides longer lasting energy and is 75% caffeine by mass. Di-caffeine malate is the lesser known caffeine source, but a worthwhile inclusion for pre-workout formulas as it helps to offset that ever-so-dreaded crash many experience post workout. It poses similar benefit to caffeine anhydrous by boosting energy, thermogenesis, and focus. 

Eria Jarensis Bark Extract – 50mg

Eria Jarensis is an orchid species with high concentrations of a powerful central nervous system stimulant N-Dimethylphenethylamine. This increasingly popular stimulant increases dopamine and noradrenaline levels in the body; two neurotransmitters that play a role in mood, alertness, motivation, and focus. N-Dimethylphenethylamine is known for providing a slight euphoric feel when it is taken in high enough doses. It is often used as a replacement for DMAA and Ephedra and is a relatively newer ingredient to the supplement industry. While I personally have had great experiences with this ingredient, it certainly can be a little much for gym goers; so keep your stimulant tolerance levels in mind when considering Attack.

CDP Choline – 25mg

Are you all familiar with our neurotransmitter acetylcholine? If not no worries, but it may be time to stop sleeping under a rock! All jokes aside, acetylcholine is a highly important neurotransmitter in the body which plays a role in focus, cognition, and skeletal muscle contraction. CDP Choline, aka Citicholine, is an acetylcholine precursor that increases acetylcholine levels. This makes it especially useful in pre-workout powders as it sharpens both focus and attention in the gym. Citicholine also has a slight stimulatory effect as well and pairs very well with caffeine. Recommended dose for pre-workout is typically 200-250mg; Attack features 25mg.

Toothed Clubmoss – 50mcg

Toothed Clubmoss is plant species with a large concentration of bioactive ingredients including Huperzine-A. Huperzine is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and prevents the breakdown of our neurotransmitter acetylcholine. As previously described with CDP Choline, acetylcholine plays a role in focus, cognition, and skeletal muscle contraction; so as gym goers, typical rule of thumb is that more acetylcholine is a good thing. By preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine, this allows acetylcholine to be put to use for longer and aids in its nootropic effects.

L-Citrulline Malate 2:1 – 3000mg

L-Citrulline is an amino acid that plays a role in the urea cycle; L-citrulline malate is a form of L-citrulline that is bonded to a malic acid group. It is responsible for promotion of blood flow via increase in serum arginine levels; this mechanism increases the production of a compound called nitric oxide. Nitric oxide promotes vasodilation; the expansion of blood vessels. Wider blood vessels allows for more blood to pass. Blood is a transporter of nutrients which is essential for performance activity. It also carries oxygen which is essential in… living! It is proposed that this combination of L-citrulline and malic acid has further ergogenic effects, but there is little research at this time to back up those claims. But nonetheless, L-citrulline itself has many scholarly backed research studies supporting its performance enhancing benefits and is one of the most popular pre-workout ingredients on the planet. In this formula, there is 2000mg L-citrulline and 1000mg malic acid. The recommended dose for L-citrulline is between 4000-6000mg, with some formulas going up to 12,000mg! So this dose falls below the recommended therapeutic levels.

L-Arginine Alpha Keto Glutarate – 500mg

L-Arginine is an amino acid that plays a role in the urea cycle and synthesis of nitric oxide, the holy grail of blood flow enhancing ingredients. However, it has basically been replaced by its more effective cousin, L-citrulline. Studies show that L-citrulline is significantly better at raising blood arginine levels than L-arginine itself… talk about a hard pill to swallow! L-arginine AKG is bonded to an alpha-ketoglutarate molecule which is believe to enhance bioavailability and absorption.

L-Ornithine HCl – 500mg

Yet another amino acid that plays a role in the Urea Cycle! Ornithine acts by reducing a waste product in the body known as ammonia. Ornithine binds to another molecule known as carbamoyl phosphate, which utilizes ammonia in its conversion to urea; urea is then excreted via urine. By reducing ammonia levels in the body, this aids in decreasing fatigue and prolonging endurance during exercise activities. Ornithine also may play a role increasing blood flow, but more studies are needed to be conclusive. L-Ornithine Hcl is 78% ornithine by mass, so recommended dosing to increase exercise performance is 3000-9000mg.

Beta Vulgaris Beet Extract – 100mg

Beet Root Extract is derived from Beet Root and contains many biologically active phytonutrients used to enhance overall health and potentially exercise endurance. There is some literature supporting claims to improve cardiorespiratory endurance in athletes my optimizing maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 Max). It is hypothesized that beet root extract supplementation could mitigate the negative effects related to hypoxia during exercise, but more research is needed to validate these claims. However, due to its rich bioactive nutrient profile, it does pose benefit for overall health and has been used for treatment of chronic diseases including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes, and respiratory diseases.