In a sea of sports nutrition brands, many tend to find it hard to stand out and be different. Some may try to go the marketing route but sacrifice quality. Others may go the quality route, but then lack the funds to brand and market to become a well-known brand. To truly stand out, you need to accomplish both, quality formulas and quality marketing.
Storm: A Brand for Thrill Seekers
Let us introduce you to Storm. If you haven't heard of them yet, you will. They have a unique take on branding and marketing while maintaining product integrity through quality formulations.
Storm's rally cry is "disrupt the norm." It's the "fuel of choice for thrill seekers, norm-destroyers, and rule breakers." The idea is to "shatter all expectations and take the world by storm." The key here is the brand has an identity, something missed by a lot of brands.
Storm didn't want to be your typical bodybuilding brand. Created on the ski and snowboard capital of America, Denver, Storm wanted to be something that more people could identify with, specifically thrill seekers. Think of other brands that do the same: Vans, Thrasher, Supreme and Obey. Storm wants to be though of in the same way, but within the sports nutrition world. Storm is a brand that misfits can identify with.
Storm Supplements
We know what you're thinking, cool, another hip brand focused on marketing. Hey, we can't blame you, a lot of companies have done this, however this is NOT Storm. Storm has some great formulas that are manufactured by a well-respected manufacture. Storm has launched their brand with a pre-workout and a nootropic product.
Storm Pre-Workout
We know what you’re thinking, another pre-workout…we get it. So many new pre-workouts flood the market and do not live up to the hype. Storm isn’t making hype about their pre-workout. They just made one that most should enjoy.
Storm’s inaugural pre-workout is quite respectable. It is a 25-serving pre-workout that retails for $44.99. It is available in two flavors: Blue Raspberry Rage and Steezy Sour Peach.
Storm’s pre-workout does hit on energy, pump, focus and endurance. Storm also has a nootropic product that is designed more for focus. Storm’s pre-workout starts with 4g Citrulline (Kyowa quality). This is one of the highest quality forms of Citrulline on the market today. This aids in blood flow. In addition to Citrulline, Storm uses 2g Arginine (Kyowa quality). The combination of Citrulline and Arginine has been shown to increase blood flow through the reduction of blood pressure, although more research is suggested.
Storm also uses the clinical dosage of Beta-Alanine at 3.2g. This aids in buffering lactic acid which will improve muscular endurance. Beta-Alanine can also cause paresthesia, tingles in the skin.
Regarding focus, Storm uses 1,335mg VitaCholine per serving. At lower dosages, Choline Bitartrate has been shown to not be too effective, however at dosages between 1-2g is where they see the most benefit. VitaCholine is a branded version of Choline Bitartrate backed by science. This particular ingredient at this dosage should improve focus. Storm also uses 1g Tyrosine per serving. Tyrosine is typically dosed between 1-2g which improves brain function and focus.
Taurine is dosed at 1g. This helps regulate electrolyte to improve overall performance. Some research suggests that Taurine may aid in output.
Energy comes from Caffeine Anhydrous and Theobromine. Caffeine is dosed at 300mg. This is a respectable dose of Caffeine Anhydrous in line with what we are seeing in the pre-workout market. In addition, Storm uses 100mg Theobromine, which has effects similar to Caffeine but takes longer to kick in, versus caffeine anhydrous being “fast acting”.
Storm uses 25mg AstraGin from NuLiv Sciences to aid in absorption.
Overall, the pre-workout is thought out and better than many options on the market today.
Storm Focus
The other product from Storm is a nootropic called Focus. This is available in two flavors: Rage Blue Raspberry and Steezy Sour Peach for $39.99. Focus is a 40-serving tub that can act as a coffee replacement, a mid-day pick-me-up or an aid to productivity and studying.
Focus starts with 1g Taurine to aid in electrolyte regulation and hydration. This can also help improve output. Taurine may also aid in brain function.
L-Tyrosine is dosed at 500mg. With this being a 40-serving container, you could double scoop this to get a full gram of Tyrosine, just be aware of the stimulant content if you do this. Tyrosine has been proven to improve focus and memory. CDP-Choline is dosed at 125mg. This is typically dosed less than other choline molecules. CDP-Choline has been shown to improve memory and focus.
Caffeine Anhydrous is dosed at 75mg. This is similar to a cup of coffee. Users could take two scoops to get an “ultimate” focus experience as 150mg Caffeine isn’t out of this world. In addition to caffeine, Storm uses 50mg Theobromine, which, like caffeine, can stimulate the central nervous system.
NeuroFactor, one of our favorite cognitive ingredients, is used at 50mg. Studies have shown NeuroFactor to increase Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), a key neuroprotein involved in overall brain health. These studies were done on 100mg (hence why we recommend 2-servings).
BRAINBERRY, an ingredient we have not yet seen used here at FI, is an innovative Aronia Berry extract designed to enhance cognitive performance and brain fitness. Studies show that it is effective at dosages of 65mg. We get 32.5mg per serving which would be another indicator of a double scoop.
Lastly, AstraGin is used for absorption.
Overall this is a unique formula that results are best derived from a double scoop size. This would be a great coffee replacement or even an energy drink replacement with a concentration of cognition improvement.
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Storm Final Takeaway
I will be completely honest, I am excited about this brand. I know the people behind it and the passion they have to do more. I know the manufacturer, and they are great too. Then you look at these two labels and color me impressed. I used to be that skater kid; I would shop Pac Sun and Zumies all the time. So this speaks to my youth. They may have something here. We will have full reviews posted on FI when we complete the tubs. For now, based on the labels, this is a must-try brand.
