I still remember my very first pre-workout. It was a tiny trial sachet of BPN Flight sent for free with my protein order. Just a basic fruit punch flavor, but man did it transform my workouts! The clean rush of energy felt so much smoother than the itchy intensity of 5-hourEnergy shots. I was hooked.
Over the past 3 years, I‘ve expanded to try BPN‘s entire performance line as a regular part of my programming. I‘ve stacked pre-workouts, intra BCAAs and post-workout whey isolate timed with cardio circuits and strength training splits. I‘ve even tweaked specialty products like In Focus for triathlon prep focus.
With this review, I want to provide the unbiased, first-person usage perspective and expertise I wish I had when starting out. Had someone mapped out the real noticeable benefits over time, best stacks for different goals, hidden subscription perks and key tips for maximizing results…it would have streamlined a ton of trial and error!
By background, I‘m a certified trainer and have been obsessively tracking my fitness for over a decade. I know what moves numbers and what‘s just marketing fluff. Through my own exhaustive personal testing and Synthesis with guidance from sports medicine experts, I‘ve dialed in an elite supplement protocol.
Now I can‘t wait to pay forward the knowledge on what works and help others build their own champion stacks! Let‘s dig in…
My Backstory and Goals for Supplementation
I first stepped into the gym as a scrawny high school freshman hoping to make the basketball team. I got hooked on strength sports through powerlifting in college before shifting to obstacle course racing and functional fitness.
These days I train 5x a week split between power, endurance and mobility work. I track everything through spreadsheets – body comp scans, 1 rep max tests across 10 lifts, benchmark WODs, resting heart rate, daily nutrition etc.
I don‘t just care about chasing arbitrary numbers though. True success for me means optimizing to the point that training and active lifestyle efforts translate into tangible life improvements. Crushing a challenging hike without joint pain. Having the strength and stability for advanced calisthenics skills. Building resilient mobility to play freely with my kids for hours. Never missing a ski day due to injury or fatigue.
BPN‘s precise high-intensity supplements align closely to those objectives. I don‘t expect pills and powders to replace proper programming, biomechanics and lifestyle fundamentals. But strategically selected compounds absolutely offer that incremental edge.
The difference between grinding out my last rep each set versus smooth, powerful lifts. The energy for both morning endurance training AND evening skills work in the same day. Rapidly bouncing back rather than being sore for a week. By synergizing key stack protocols with periodized training, I‘ve taken performance and DoA capacity to heights not otherwise possible natty.
Let‘s analyze why BPN makes the cut…
Ingredient Quality Puts BPN in the Top Tier
With a background in biology and experience designing supplement stacks, I‘m quite opinionated on nutrient forms and delivery methods! On the surface, pre-workouts or proteins may appear similar. But subtle distinctions matter hugely.
The bestanalogy is nutrition bars. A candy bar and protein bar both contain "carbs", "fats" and "protein". But we instinctively know the difference between sugary empty calories versus a balanced healthy meal replacement. Same for supplements.
I prioritize natural extracted compounds over synthetic shortcuts likely to cause tolerance or adaptation issues. Prefer plant-based citrullines and nitrates from fruit/veg sources rather than manufactured in a lab. Seek out evidence-based cognitive enhancers such as AlphaSize® over underdosed "kitchen sink" formulations.
And I have zero tolerance for proprietary blends disguising weak inputs or unwanted fillers like silicon dioxide.
BPN checks those boxes across their clinical-backed ingredient panels transparent labeling. Their products utilize premium biologically active nutrient forms ideal for high performance. I notice an immense difference in practice through tangible intensity, stamina and recovery improvements.
The focused line also makes stacking intuitive – I can fine tune different pathways based on limiting factors without redundancy or conflicts. Let‘s analyze a few favorite compounds…
Nitrates – The Secret Ingredient for "Cardio" Gains
Endurance athletes swear by beet root juice for its natural nitrates. The nitrosative effect dilates blood vessels allowing more oxygen transport so you can sustain higher workloads before hitting the dreaded anaerobic threshold. I definitely notice serious endurance boosts with just a small 150mg beet nitro dose.
Most pre-workouts load up on stimulants for a quick rush then crash. The smart innovation behind Flight is balancing clean caffeine with 350mg beet root nitrates. Alongside training, this expanded my aerobic capacity and makes threshold/HIIT work actually enjoyable!
Flight gives me tangible endurance expansion perfect for metcon work capacity and active restitution on lighter days. I can push longer duration at higher intensity without draining CNS or overtraining. Huge for improving baseline load tolerance.
L-Citrulline – My MVP for Recovery and Muscle Pumps
Citrulline stands out as one of the rare "must-have" pre-workout ingredients with mountains of research supporting performance benefits. It widens blood vessels for nutrient delivery and waste removal. But unlike cheap arginine, citrulline raises nitric oxide levels long-term for exponentially greater muscle pumps and growth signaling.
I notice major differences stacking 6g citrulline (EndoPump) with nitrates (Flight) pre-workout. Light-head euphoric blood flow paired with clean balanced energy sustains me through challenging strength sessions. I achieve beastly skin-tearing pumps every workout. More importantly, I recover rapidly even train high frequency specialized lifts like Olympic weightlifting at sub-max volume.
Optimizing Usage and Timing for Different Goals
Blanket supplement advice rarely translates optimally across training phases, biomechanics and lifestyle factors. Through meticulous tracking and periodization, I‘ve formulated targeted usage guides based on tangibleCause and Effect from my own blood, sweat and tears!
Here are my top customized stack protocols…
Pre-Season Strength Building Mesocycle
GOALS
- Increase muscle cross section surface area
- Prioritize hypertrophic adaptations
- Raise work capacity
STACK
- Pre: Flight (mid) + S.P.A.R.Q (high stim)
- Intra: EAA Max
- Post: Whey Protein
STRATEGY
- Stim cycling prevents nervous system accommodation while expanding capacity
- Stacked nitrates and citrullines feed muscles during eccentric overload sets
- Essential amino acids flow to stimulate mTORC1 signaling muscle protein synthesis
- Fast-digesting whey isolates deliver amino acids within 45 minute anabolic window
RESULTS
Gained 12 lbs over a 16 week mesocycle concentrated in chest, shoulders and back. Increased compound lift maxes by 15-20% utilizing progressive overload schemes. Achieved muscle roundness and joint stability for higher complexity skills training.
Competition Prep Cutting Phase
GOALS
- Retain maximum lean muscle mass
- Mitigate metabolism slowdown
- Support fat utilization with high protein intake
STACK
- Pre: S.P.A.R.Q (moderate stim) + LipoBurn Extreme
- During: EAA Max + Clusterburn
- Post: Whey Isolate
STRATEGY
- Appetite suppressants combat hunger pangs
- CLA before fasted cardio shifts fuel source partitioning to stored fats
- Aminos offset potential catabolism
- Capsaicin and grains of paradise heat thermogenesis
- Casein digests slower to prevent amino acid spikes
RESULTS
Maintained 172 lbs at 8% body fat cutting at 1000 caloric deficit over 12 weeks. Batch cooking, macro cycling and strategic supplementation made prep sustainable. Stage weight hit perfectly 3 days out from competition without needing drastic water manipulation.
Injury Recovery and Joint Health Support
GOALS
- Prevent excessive inflammation
- Regenerate connective tissue
- Reinforce stability
STACK
- Curcumin + Omega-3 with meals
- Collagen protein smoothies
- Topical CBD cream
STRATEGY
Curcumin is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory to dampen cytokine immune response
Collagen peptides provide building blocks for cartilage and ligaments
Omega fatty acids reinforce cell membrane flexibility and fluidity
RESULTS
Proactive joint stack brought mild elbow tendonitis to manageable levels over 4 weeks. Avoided major setbacks through conservative loading, movement pattern optimization and strategic supplementation support.
Trail Running VO2 Max Boost
GOALS
- Raise aerobic power
- Improve oxygen uptake and utilization
- Enhance capability for altitude exposure
STACK
- Beet root capsules
- Cordyceps militaris
- Daily multi (iron)
STRATEGY
- Nitrates expand vessel diameter for nutrient flow
- Cordyceps increase erythrocytes and mitochondrial density
- Iron aids hemoglobin for oxygen binding
RESULTS
Shaved 30 seconds off best 8km trail time over 6 week mesocycle. Did not hit hard anaerobic threshold during multi-peak mountain runs. Felt acclimatized quickly at 10k+ elevation trekking Kilimanjaro.
Cost Savings – Secret Subscription Perks
Let‘s talk finances. I don‘t have mountains of disposable income to burn exhaustively testing every shiny new supplement like those YouTube influencers.
Early on I invested in some coveted hardcore pre-workouts, buying into promises of unlimited energy and abrasive branding. But for 2-3x the price of BPN‘s stacks, I saw no additional return. Just turn off the harsh dyes and hide filler ingredients behind "proprietary formulas" and sudden there‘s nothing unique!
I calculated cost per servings for over 50 mass market, commercial brands along with niche, luxury clinical suppliers. BPN consistently lands near top value bridging quality ingredients generally only found in upwards of $60 tailored formulations.
Their subscribers save 23% plus earn free products which reduces the per-unit pricing further. I limit stacks to what I can reasonably afford long-term. BPN makes that possible without major compromise.
Bonus hack – use code MENTEE at checkout for 12% off plus a free BPN gym stringer with subscription orders over $150! helmet
Safety First – Evaluating Drawbacks and Side Effects
With great power comes responsibility. Supplementing beyond baseline nutrition necessitates thorough risk analysis. I screen my stacks across five criteria:
1. Lab Testing – verify safety & accuracy
2. Mechanisms of Action – understand biological impact
3. Contraindications – rule out complications with health factors
4. Cycling Protocols – avoid dependence and attenuation
5. Symptoms Monitoring – track biomarkers, watch for abnormalities
For example, BPN‘s stim-free pump pre-workout EndoPump only uses well-researched citrullines and nitrates acceptable for daily use without cycling. The impact generates higher blood flow and nitric oxide. I confirmed clean certificates of analysis and no interference with medications.
In contrast, their high stim pre S.PAR.Q contains a raft of heavy hitters – 375mg caffeine, Eria Jarensis, etc. I watch my resting heart rate for unwanted spikes indicating nervous system fatigue. The 4 weeks on, 1 week off cycle prevents building tolerance.
Still issues can arise for those predisposed – underlying conditions, genetics, etc. I‘d have candid conversations with your doctor especially around products containing powerful cognitive enhancers and metabolic intensifiers.
And remember – NO supplement will outwork poor training, nutrition and lifestyle factors. Take care of foundations first before layering enhancement!
Optimal User Groups – Who Does BPN Best Serve?
With clean design ethos and lifestyle-sport focus, Bare Performance Nutrition centres serious athletes invested in competition and measurable self-improvement rather than casual dilettantes.
Their products shine supporting focused objectives – a final strength PR before weight class change, peaking for a PR half marathon, or hitting the stage shredded. Dedicated expert-level lifters will appreciate BPN filling precise niche needs around intensity, vascularity and recovery missing from mass appeal brands playing it safe.
Those living at the bleeding edge likely have tailored stacks from individual ingredients. But for broadly older teens, young adults and committed weekend warriors training hard and willing to activate compounds with lifestyle rigor, BPN offers quality craft supplements without needing a biochemistry degree!
I‘d also highlight BPN‘s value for practitioners like personal trainers and coaches buying in bulk for their locker rooms. The cost efficiency and lifestyle branding make it an easy retail recommendation.
Alternatives – What Other Brands Compare?
While Bare Performance Nutrition has become my default go-to, athletes have varying individual needs and preferences. I often get asked what brands stack up and might outperform BPN for different reasons.
Here are leading alternatives I‘d rank closely for quality and unique positioning…
1. Kaged Muscle – trails just behind BPN for formula transparency and purity. Their patented C-HCL chelated creatine improves solubility.
2. Thorne – the premium clinical supplement lab specialized in bioavailability. Cutting edge cognitive formulas.
3. Controlled Labs – legend status brand for epic maximal dosages and intense energy. White Flash will always remain GOAT pre-workout requiring liver insurance!
4. Transparent Labs – hardcore bodybuilding focus and science-first ethos. Leaders in fermented BCAAs and custom stacks.
I incorporate select products from the above brands into my programming based on seasonal needs and lagging training gaps. But BPN makes up 70%+ of my core stack.
The ideal balance – capturing the open label quality and lifestyle appeal I expect day-to-day with the targeted niche solution potency required for 12 week mesocycle optimization. BPN gets that blend right consistently.
My Final Verdict – Earned Trust Through Tangible Results
I respect Brands who walk the walk. BPN absolutely delivers on their promise to create products that enhance training capacity based on ingredients that work, not gimmicks and pixie dust.
After almost 200 workout logs systematically testing various combinations, I‘ve formulated my own winning protocols dialed specifically for my response. The progress speaks volumes – from struggle reps to smooth tempo pull ups at bodyweight +90 lbs. From fighting cramps and joint pain through 5km runs to largely effortless 10km trail flows.
That pervasive mind-muscle connectiondrive reflecting back PRs and newfound confidence each session. True supplements should EXPAND your potential…not become a crutch. BPN aligned to MY personal vision and training methodology makes that daily expansion possible.
Obviously there are no magic bullets. Without consistently laying those heavy ass weights down through grueling tri-set pyramids, I wouldn‘t have these delts to show off! But strategically dosed compounds precisely fill gaps on the marginal returns curve at the elite training levels. They amplify and accelerate results beyond what otherwise achievable naturally.
If you‘re an ambitious athlete unwilling to settle, who trains relentlessly in pursuit of proud goals and invest heavily into your own human potential, BPN deserves your attention. Their innovation and transparency will continue pushing this industry forward. I‘m thrilled to chronicle my own journey leveraging their contributions!
Care to join me? Let me know any questions in comments!
