Last Updated on February 7, 2023 by Michael Brockbank
The C4 Pre-Workout Explosive Energy drink by Cellucor is a dietary supplement with the intention of giving you a boost during activities. The purpose behind it is to provide an elevated routine by giving you the energy to grind through a workout. But does it really work as well as the developer claims?
In my experience, it performed relatively well. Though, keep in mind that I’m talking about the “Original” C4, not the “Sport” energy drink.
What Is C4 Pre-Workout Explosive Energy?
The C4 Pre-Workout original drink mix is a powder that you simply add to six ounces of water. I mix mine with eight ounces of water, which thins it out slightly. However, it still tastes good.
I have a personal affinity for blue raspberry, and Cellucor does a decent job of capturing the flavor in the Icy Blue Razz line. Although it still has that dietary supplement “zing” to it that most similar drinks have, it doesn’t taste all that bad. In fact, I rather enjoy it.
Why Would You Want C4 Pre-Workout?
The C4 Pre-Workout Explosive Energy drink is for those who need that added boost to get through their routines. The ingredients within the product are conducive for the body to supply that energy.
The supplement also contains a variety of components that work to enhance muscle development and definition. Although it’s not as concentrated as other muscle-building drink mixes, there is a level of workout-improving elements within this energy drink.
Where Can You Find It?
You can easily find the Cellucor, C4 Original Explosive Pre-Workout Supplement, Icy Blue Razz, 60 Servings container in various places both online and off.
It’s comparatively priced among similar products and may be worth the investment if you want to get more out of your workout routine.
You can grab yours by clicking the link above, or it’s widely available in many stores both health-related and grocery.
Will C4 Pre-Workout Work For You?
I like to work out first thing in the morning. When I have the C4 Pre-Workout soon after getting up, I can start to feel its effects within 10 minutes. That’s because I am drinking it on an empty stomach, which allows the body to absorb the ingredients much faster.
After 15 minutes, I feel like I can do just about anything. I do get an itchy tingle after 15 minutes or so. This may be caused by what’s called, “niacin flush.” This is when your face and chest tingle or develop a slight itchiness.
It’s only temporary and is caused when the capillaries of the skin are opened thanks to the niacin.
Like all dietary supplements, the actual effects people experience will differ. This is because everyone has a unique physiology. This means I cannot guarantee that you will feel the same as I do about this product.
You may or may not have a completely different experience. All I can say is that I can personally feel the difference.
From a scientific point of view, the components within C4 Pre-Workout support the claim of the manufacturer.
Ingredients
- Beta-Alanine
- Creatine Nitrate (NO3-T)
- Arginine AKG
- N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
- Caffeine Anhydrous
- Velvet Bean Seed Extract
- TeaCor Tetramethyluric Acid
Nutritional Aspect
Perhaps the most prominent nutritional value in C4 Pre-Workout is vitamin B12. This is an “energy” vitamin and is in other products such as Mio energy drinks. You’ll have a boost of 583% of your daily value.
Next would be the vitamin C content of 417%. Then, obviously, is the amount of niacin at 150% daily value.
These numbers are directly from the canister.
Would I Recommend the C4 Pre-Workout Mix?
Perhaps the biggest selling point of the C4 Pre-Workout mix is its affordability. It’s much cheaper than a lot of competing drink mixes on the market, and according to the science behind the powder, works quite well.
In fact, it’s among my favorite pre-workout supplements that I’ve tried thus far. Though, that’s probably because I don’t have a lot of disposable cash laying around.
This means that it probably has one of the bigger bangs for your buck. At around $0.67 per serving, it’s not all that expensive and has the potential to help you boost your workouts.
During my trial with C4, I found it helpful for both weight training at the gym as well as cardio exercises I do at home. So, you don’t necessarily have to be slamming tons of weight every day to reap the rewards of the pre-workout drink mix.
An affordable way to deliver a bit more “umph” behind all of your exercise routines. The best part is that it’s not overly expensive to try it out for yourself.
Science Behind Cellucor C4 Pre-workout
So now that we know what’s in C4 Pre-Workout, what does it all mean? It’s one thing to spout off the ingredients, but it’s another to let people know what all of that entails.
Let’s break it down.
Beta-Alanine
According to studies, beta-alanine demonstrates a capacity to improve exercise intensity. However, the effects are short-lived and begin to decrease after about five minutes during the workout.
This means beta-alanine is a good supplement for improved energy levels, but only for a short time.
Creatine Nitrate
I am unable to find any good studies regarding creatine nitrate. However, it seems to be a popular combination. Creatine is used to boost muscle density while nitrate makes it more soluble in water. This means it has the potential to work faster as it is more quickly digested.
If you’re concerned about the health risks, studies show that 2g of creatine nitrate per day over a 28-day cycle demonstrated no adverse effects.
Arginine AKG
Although arginine AKG has been found to increase L-arginine levels, it’s not clear if there is truly any real effect on exercise.
However, it may be beneficial for those who live sedentary lifestyles, smokers, or those with high blood pressure and diabetes. On the other side of the coin, though, it’s also been known to negatively interact with certain medications that can worsen certain symptoms.
N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
Not a lot of scientific information is available about this compound. However, one study suggests that L-tyrosine improves cognitive function during high-stress moments.
In laboratory animals, L-tyrosine enhanced the production of dopamine, a component in the body that contributes to moods, energy levels, and motivation.
Caffeine Anhydrous
Caffeine anhydrous has a pronounced improvement when it comes to energy levels during exercise. However, it’s only slightly better than drinking coffee.
What makes caffeine anhydrous a great component for C4 Pre-workout is that it already comes within the supplement. There is no need to brew a pot.
What’s more, is that the caffeine’s effects are amplified by what the energy supplement provides in addition.
Velvet Bean Seed Extract
The velvet bean plant has the potential for a range of medicinal purposes. From anti-oxidants to anti-venom, the velvet bean plant can do it all. As for the seeds, there is evidence for anti-oxidants as well as improving neurotransmitters in the brain.
This means that it effectively acts as an agent to improve mental stability as well as protect the brain from free radicals.
TeaCor Tetramethyluric Acid
Tetramethyluric acid is a substance in a range of dietary supplements. Although it doesn’t have a significant impact on cognitive abilities, it does have the potential to heighten a person’s mood as well as feel more energetic.
While the study I did find about tetramethyluric acid pertains to a different product, the base substances are quite similar.
How Do You Boost Your Workouts?
There are days when I am quite sluggish and just can’t seem to get my motor running. On those days, I can definitely feel the difference when having a pre-workout energy drink as opposed to just slogging through at the gym.
Do I think you absolutely need a pre-workout to have a decent exercise? Absolutely not. However, there is no denying that some products like C4 can add to the experience.
What kinds of things do you find most beneficial when you’re working out?
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