In case you don’t remember, one of my very first Testing The Trainer reviews here on the site was about Tracy Anderson  – a celebrity trainer who’s main claim to fame is that she used to help Madonna work out. Needless to say I’m not a fan of Ms. Anderson’s ‘Method’ and I said so pretty clearly. The post got a BIG response here at ATF and still receives comments to this day.

So today I’m taking a look at another of Tracy’s programs called ‘Metamorphosis.’ But are the training methods for this one any better? Here’s my take…

Product Pitch

Tracy is at it once again claiming she can change body types with this program. This is the woman who flat out states that she can give any woman a ‘teeny-tiny’ dancer’s body by following her advice. Well in the new ‘Metamorphosis’ program, Tracy has identified and actually named specific female body types. Tracy says women fall into one of the following categories: Omnicentric (even fat distribution), Abcentric (more fat in stomach), Hipcentric (more in hips) and Glutecentric (butt fat!). Apparently she has a workout designed for each body type that will give you the body you’ve always wanted. In fact “Metamorphosis can challenge your DNA to change your body forever!

Click here to view the embedded video.

In typical Anderson fashion, the infomercial discusses how most exercise programs focus on compound, big muscle group exercises. But in Tracy’s program, her workouts focus on the smaller ‘accessory’ muscles that help tighten up your body. In essence, it’s her “Method” with slightly different wording.

The Metamorphosis program comes with a dance cardio DVD, an eating plan and three workouts. However if you sign up for an extended program, you can have new Metamorphosis DVD’s shipped to you automatically. The cost for the initial program is about $90 and you’ll also need 3lb. weights and a yoga mat. Turns out Tracy never uses more than 3lb. in any of her workouts!

The Angry Trainer Says

Everything I said in my initial review of Tracy’s Method holds true. But the Metamorphosis infomercial actually made me laugh! Watching this video was like seeing a Saturday Night Live episode. The “Dance Cardio” portion of the program? It’s a joke and in my opinion actually looks silly. Truthfully Tracy looks like an uncoordinated child jumping around. And the exercises that are shown look equally as useless. I found myself saying “what the heck is that”, or “what’s that doing?” when seeing these absurd “exercises”. I watched many of the program’s movements and from a muscular balance point of view they made me cringe. There’s tons of hip flexor and front shoulder work and body positioning that I think compromises form and exercise integrity and other exercises that in my view simply do NOTHING.

The naming of body types is just silly, and as I’ve said countless times before NO amount of exercise or specific training programs will reduce fat in a given area. If Tracy knew anything about how and why the human body stores fat and why it’s so difficult to mobilize it from certain areas, even she’d know it can’t happen. Sure the infomercial features the usual testimonials from women saying how the program changed their bodies. But when you look closely at the before and after pictures do you know what you’ll see? Weight loss, that’s it. These women are the same shape but a bit smaller from their fat loss. Nobody changed body types and no one looks like a teeny-tiny dancer.

The weight loss is minimally caused by Tracy’s workouts and has everything to do with what these women are eating…or I should say what they’re NOT eating. Once again I think Tracy’s program is a big fat fail!

The Angry Trainer says: Still Big Promises, Still Full Of BS!

While driving in my car a few weeks ago I heard a radio infomercial for a breakthrough weight loss system. It went something like this – “Lose 14 inches off your legs, waist, thighs and arms in just an hour! Just get wrapped”

Okay! I laughed of course but I needed to find out exactly what’s being sold here. Most of these ‘systems’ say that using a body wrap will help motivate you to get on a healthy program and stay motivated long term. But what exactly is a body wrap and does it work?

Let’s take a closer look…

Product Pitch

Many body wraps are a combination of minerals that are applied to the skin in specific areas and then ‘wrapped’. In about 60 minutes, the companies promise that you’ll LOOK visibly thinner and toned, cellulite will be diminished and your skin will be smooth and soft. Some companies even ‘guarantee’ that you’ll lose inches…

The wraps contain certain minerals, which vary from kit to kit, but which generally contain ingredients that work to accelerate water loss. By wearing the wrap for about an hour and even possibly exercising lightly in it, water is forced out from under the skin making the recipient appear thinner. In essence, these wraps target subcutaneous water stores (water within the skin) However some people have suffered serious skin reactions so it’s advised that people with sensitive skin avoid the procedure.

Fans of the wrap method recommend twice-weekly visits / applications as part of a health and fitness program. Some even suggest up to four visits per week if you’re in a hurry to get thin quick for an event! The cost per wrap can vary from $50 all the way up to $250 at an upscale spa. Ka-ching!

The Angry Trainer Says:

So here’s the deal, from what I can tell these wraps do actually do what they claim – to an extent that is. I don’t think you’ll be loosing 30 inches across your body but I think you will feel a bit tighter and LOOK slimmer. Tyra Banks went through the process on her talk show and lost 9 inches in an hour. But keep in mind you are NOT THINNER or LESS FAT after a wrap. You simply lost water weight.

I personally think these wraps are problematic for a couple of reasons. Although most claim that having a wrap doesn’t dehydrate you, I can’t see how only subcutaneous water is lost – in other words while sweating out the pounds while all wrapped up, you most also lose intra-cellular water as well. And that worries me. Dehydration can lead to a whole host of issues and you’ll feel lousy.

Second, psychologically you’ll be addicted to this procedure. The instant gratification is great – but any results you see WON’T last long. The body strives for balance and will very quickly reset your water stores which means within a few days you’ll be right back where you were. I think the suggestion to use wraps up to four times per week is crazy – AND quite costly. Plus although the wrap is said to help you along in your fitness plan, I suspect many people who use wraps will likely skip the exercise part!

The bottom line is that we all know we can’t lose 10–30 inches of body mass in an hour, well, not unless you’re going under the knife. So yet again we have another treatment that doesn’t last, doesn’t produce anything real, promises quick results and is pretty costly. What do you think I’m going to say?

The Angry Trainer says: Wraps Won’t Work In The Long Term – Save Your Money!

All information contained within this site, Angry Trainer Fitness.com, is for informational purposes only.  It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health problem – nor is it intended to replace the advice of a physician.  No action should be taken solely on the contents of this website.  Always consult your physician or qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health or on any opinions expressed within this website. Please see your physician before changing your diet, starting an exercise program, or taking any supplements of any kind.

You may recall about a month ago I announced that Angry Trainer Fitness had partnered with Lifeline USA , a brand that I strongly believe reflects our core values at ATF.

Lifeline has a whole range of gear for you to check out, but today I want to talk to you about just one product – the Jungle Gym XT. Truth be told, this product was the catalyst for my wanting to be involved with the company in the first place. You probably know that I’m a HUGE fan of suspension training and have referenced it here on the site numerous times before. But it was only relatively recently that I came across a Jungle Gym in a local fitness center and found it to be FAR superior to any system on the market.

So how different can it really be? A LOT! Here’s why…

I’ve always liked the other suspension systems on the market but there are a few things that have irked me with continual usage. For one, the foot straps or cradles aren’t great and I can never seem to get my heel or ankle set in position just right. Plus I wasn’t fan of the big, bulky buckles or the fact that it’s a single point system – meaning that both straps originate in a V-formation above your head. I was always trying to rig my old system so that the straps and handles were placed wider.

Well the Jungle Gym solves those problems and what really caught my eye were the handles – they’re AMAZING. Instead of being grips with a cheap foam coating that absorbs sweat (and eventually tears), these babies are molded and formed with a cleanable rubber surface. And that problem that I had with getting my foot in the straps? Not any more!

The handles are big and allow for a great grip and the best part is it’s a 2–point system. So that means each handle is suspended individually allowing for a broader variety of grips and angles for you to train your body with. Now just in case you take it outside or want a single point system, no problem. The unit comes with a connector that allows you to suspend the handles together and throw them say over a tree if you like and wall anchors if you want to mount it in your garage or basement.

I have to be honest, when you compare the Jungle Gym to other suspension systems on the market it’s easy to see the differences. The Gym is sturdy and very well designed and executed. There are no frayed edges on the straps, no stitches popping and all the molded pieces are perfect. Sure there’s only so many ways you can suspend two straps to workout, but in my book how something looks and the ease with which it functions are key.

Plus at just $99, The Jungle Gym costs less than HALF of what the other major suspension systems cost! The Gym also comes with a 90-minute workout DVD and for an additional $29.99 you can purchase the strap extenders or wall anchors. Plus Lifeline is offering FREE shipping on all orders over $50 in the USA. If this sounds good to you head on over to the Lifeline website  and place your order.

I’ve been using the Jungle Gym for about a while now and I love it! You can literally train your entire body in 30 minutes or less. Slipping your feet into the cradles allows for shoulder pushups, ab and hamstring work, core and stability training, plus you can perform traditional presses, row, curls and even triceps extensions as well as an entire selection of full body / non–traditional exercises. Trust me, use the Jungle Gym as part of your program for a month and you’ll see and feel the difference.

By the way in case you’re wondering, Lifeline aren’t paying me for this review. Angry Trainer Fitness has an affiliate program in place with the company but by now you should know I won’t put my name to any brand I don’t believe in!

All information contained within this site, Angry Trainer Fitness.com, is for informational purposes only.  It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health problem – nor is it intended to replace the advice of a physician.  No action should be taken solely on the contents of this website.  Always consult your physician or qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health or on any opinions expressed within this website. Please see your physician before changing your diet, starting an exercise program, or taking any supplements of any kind.

Hi everyone – how are you all doing!

It’s time for The Angry Trainer to turn salesman again. I am of course talking about our official Angry Trainer T-shirts that we recently started selling here on the site.

This is your chance to show your love for ATF – and show all the guys and girls in your gym just how seriously you take your fitness!

The Angry Trainer shirts are Gildan brand 100% heavyweight pre shrunk cotton blends and made for any abuse you can throw at them. After all, they are Angry Trainer shirts!

We have three styles for you to choose from – all in basic black. The first is obviously a regular T, the second is a sleeveless (or muscle T) and the final is a ladies T, which is contoured a little at the waist and has shorter sleeves. Whichever you choose – they all look awesome.

Each shirt features our Angry Trainer Fitness logo across the front, and on the back we have our website tagline “Fitness Facts Not Fiction”. Both phrases are a tasteful size and not too in your face, just like me! (I’m not a huge fan of shirts that feature oversize logos)

The price for each shirt is $19.99 + a shipping and handling fee of $5.95 per order. So for just over $25, you can wear your Angry Trainer shirt with pride and show some love. The shirts are super easy to purchase, just go to our online checkout and using your credit or debit card, pay securely through PayPal. And don’t worry if you don’t have a PayPal account, you won’t need one. Once your order is received and processed, please allow 10 business days for delivery.

As you know we don’t charge for any elements of the site – including all our free workout videos. So if you’re a regular ATF reader and want to show your support for the site – you know what to do!

A few weeks ago you may recall that I reviewed GNC’s new line of Beyond Raw products.  At the time I focused on Ravage, which is a pre–workout supplement and Re-Built Mass, which is a post workout shake. And truthfully I loved them both! Now it’s time for Part 2 – where I’m taking a look at a few more products in the Raw line…

However before I start, I need to get something off my chest! I’ve posted a few pics of the Beyond Raw containers in my cabinets, tweeted that I was using them, and a few of you have inferred that I’m selling out and pitching products – and some others have suggested I shouldn’t be discussing supplements at all!

As I always say, IT’S YOUR CHOICE to use supplements or not. I personally choose to supplement my diet with products because I’m looking for an edge – and if you want to do the same, I’d like you to be informed.

But, I’ll NEVER put my name on anything or suggest for you to try a product if I don’t genuinely love it and believe it to be beneficial. In fact the actual campaign that I was originally part of has concluded and I’m not getting any monies for this review. I’m writing this simply because I want to share what I believe to be a great supplement line with you. I get asked to discuss a lot of products here at Angry Trainer Fitness and I’m very picky about what I’ll feature on the site – unlike many other online personalities who’ll shill for anybody for the right price.

Okay now that’s out of the way. Let’s talk some Beyond Raw products.

RE-GROW – First up we’ve Re-Grow. One of the biggest issues that people have with Re-Built Mass is the sheer number of calories it contains. Re-Built packs 850 calories in total, many of which come from carbohydrates. Well guess what? Re-Grow has only 380 calories with just 19 grams of carbs! Plus it’s got 60 grams of high quality protein blends.

In addition, it’s loaded with essential amino acids and has 10 grams of Glutamine, which has been shown to protect and fuel your hard earned muscle mass. Plus this formula also has a creatine pre-cursor, which means that it helps your body make more creatine. More creatine equals more energy, more energy equals better workouts, better workouts equals more fitness and muscle strength! Result!

Sounds good right? But does it work? I switched from Re-Built Mass to Re-Grow about a month ago and honestly I absolutely love it! I look forward to drinking it, it’s like a treat after busting my butt in the gym. I’ve been in a ‘lean out’ phase for weeks now and I believe it’s helping me spare muscle mass while cutting calories and training hard.

If you’re looking for an awesome post–workout shake that tastes great, doesn’t bloat you or upset your stomach, and is low in sugars and total carbs, Re-Grow is a good bet! I’d buy stock in this product.

Rating: Fantastic!

REFINE – This next product is going to be a bit controversial because quite simply, it’s a fat burner. I’ve been asked numerous times before if fat burners are good or not and in truth, I usually suggest for people to NOT use them. And the reason is simple – they’re not magic pills. They won’t take you from being a couch potato with a gut to a six-pack in 8 weeks. I really feel that trainees abuse these types of supplements and attempt to use them in place of a sound diet and exercise program.

But if you’re at a plateau, or looking for a kick-start, REFINE may work well for you. As with most brands, each serving has 200mg of caffeine, but that’s not all. I won’t run down the entire list of ingredients, but it contains L-Carnitine, Vitamin B6, Zinc, Yohimbe bark, Taurine, L–Tyrosine and Green Tea extracts to name a few. What does all that mean? Well, in short you get amped up, potentially leading to fat burn – IF your diet is right.

Have you ever tried a fat burner and got the shakes about 20 minutes later? Or nauseous or anxious? We all know the products I’m talking about! I haven’t experienced any of those side effects with REFINE. In fact I feel really good, energized and ready to go. I use it on and off about 3 days per week and I’d say I’ve had favorable results. Trust me, I’ve used a lot of fat burners and I like the feeling I get when I use this one.

Rating: Very Good – No shakes, steady energy and a good boost.

As with my first review, I do need to stress that supplements are just that – SUPPLEMENTS. My diet and training has been near perfect. I’ve been extremely focused and driven for weeks now and I know that using these products has helped me get closer to my goal. But no supplement is a miracle worker!

Remember, before you take any supplement of any kind you must consult your physician and read the labels thoroughly. Especially when it comes to REFINE, which has caffeine and other stimulants, BE SMART. Ask yourself if this is the right time to try a product like this? Is everything in your program on point or are you looking for a quick fix.

Lastly, I have all the GNC Beyond Raw products, but I don’t use them ALL at the same time. Depending on where you are in your program and what your goals are, you may choose to use different supplements. But I don’t think going the whole hog is a good plan – so pace yourself, okay!

In a few week I’ll review two others products in the lineup and show you my ‘after’ pictures.

Related Articles:

Does Creatine Work?

Do Supplements Really Work?

Are Sugary Post Workout Snacks Good?

All information contained within this site, Angry Trainer Fitness.com, is for informational purposes only.  It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health problem – nor is it intended to replace the advice of a physician.  No action should be taken solely on the contents of this website.  Always consult your physician or qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health or on any opinions expressed within this website. Please see your physician before changing your diet, starting an exercise program, or taking any supplements of any kind.

Time for another special offer here at Angry Trainer Fitness – and I’m thrilled to tell you about this one!

I receive a lot of inquiries from companies who ask me to test out their products and offer my thoughts here on the site. If I love the product I’m only too happy to oblige – you’ve seen my raves for Gym Boss and Lifeline for example.

On the flipside I recently tested out a health bar for a company that tasted like death! You won’t be reading about that one here on the site!!!!

Thankfully today’s product is a good one! Up for my Angry Review this week is the Kamagon Ball  which at first sight probably reminds you of those bouncy balls with handles that you played with as a child. So what exactly is it and is it a worthy training tool?

As always I’ll tell it to you straight! When I first saw the Kamagon Ball and watched the exercise videos I said “Give me a break”. This is a case of the old Alfonso who thinks (on occasion) that he knows everything. But once I actually tried the ball myself and read how it functions I was a convert!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Think of the Kamagon Ball as a bigger, water filled kettlebell with handles on each side. The more water you fill it with, the heavier it gets. But that’s not all that happens. Since the ball is filled with water, when you swing it, lift it, or just plain old hold it during an exercise, the water sloshes around inside which requires a greater need for stability. They call this ‘Hydro Inertia’ and let me tell you, you can feel it. It calls into play many stabilizers and a greater need for balance than a regular old weight. In fact it’s actually kind of genius and once I thought about it more, I found myself asking why I hadn’t come up with this idea!

You can use the Kamagon Ball for just about any exercise. You can swing it like a kettlebell, use it as a dumbbell, grip both the handles and hold it for abs, legs, presses and virtually any exercise you currently perform. It’s really part Kettlebell, medicine ball and dumbbell all in one! You and a partner can even each take a side and perform buddy movements.

The ball comes in two sizes; large, which can be filled with water and weighs up to 45 pounds (52lbs when completely full) and a smaller ball that I find more suitable for certain movements. It weighs in at 2lbs. empty and can be filled up to 13lbs. Both balls have fill lines that show you which level corresponds to which weight in pounds. And they come in 6 colors so you can be fit AND fashionable!

I’ll be honest I love my Kamagon Balls (no jokes please). You all know I preach and hammer into your heads the need for functional, real fitness and working with this product definitely delivers. I highly recommend that you try one and see for yourself. I’m not being paid for this review and I wouldn’t tell you it’s a great product if it weren’t.

But wait, it gets better! Kamagon is giving Angry Trainer Fitness fans a 20% Discount. All you have to do is head to the Kamagon website and type in the code – TAT2012 during checkout. The normal price is around $150, so you’ll save $30! That’s awesome right?

Two emphatic thumbs up for the Kamagon Ball. I recommend you try one today.

All information contained within this site, Angry Trainer Fitness.com, is for informational purposes only.  It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health problem – nor is it intended to replace the advice of a physician.  No action should be taken solely on the contents of this website.  Always consult your physician or qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health or on any opinions expressed within this website. Please see your physician before changing your diet, starting an exercise program, or taking any supplements of any kind.

Time for another Infomercial Insanity here at Angry Trainer Fitness, where I take on another health and fitness product and tell you if it’s worth your hard earned cash!

This time around I’m taking a look at a dietary supplement called Sensa  It’s a product that you simply sprinkle on your food and supposedly it will help you lose up to 30 pounds in no time! In fact during the commercial, you can see people sprinkling it on ice cream cones, cheeseburgers and French fries. And they all lost weight!

But can you really eat those foods along with Sensa and lose weight? Hmm…

Product Pitch

Sensa has received a lot of press lately. It’s been featured in numerous newspapers and magazines and even in a Dateline report.

So here’s the deal. The product manufacturer says Sensa has ‘tastants’ in it, which when consumed with food make you feel fuller faster and more satisfied – so as a consequence you eat less. Dana Devon, who’s a TV personality and news anchor, is the spokesperson for the product and she supposedly got turned onto the product when she was asked to produce a story on the brand. Dana admits that she thought it seemed to good to be true but says it helped her lose 20 pounds.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The company’s big selling pitch is that during a 6 month clinical study featuring 2,500 participants, about 1,500 people lost an average of 30 pounds over the course of 6 months by using Sensa. And apparently the people who lost weight achieved their results without changing their eating habits OR adding exercise to their lifestyle.

According to the product, hundreds of thousands of people have said YES! to Sensa and lost millions of pounds collectively. Right now the company offers a FREE 30 day trial kit with absolutely no obligation. If you’re not satisfied simply send it back. Otherwise a 1 month kit will run you $60, with a 6 month supply comes in around $300.

The Angry Trainer Says:

To me this is madness! Once again we have a product that isn’t teaching anyone anything! Even if Sensa did work, which I don’t believe it does, what kind of message does it send to say you can eat ice cream, burgers and fries, and not workout? Simply sprinkle Sensa on your food and lose weight? That’s a terrible suggestion in my opinion.

Another thing that irks me is the ‘average’ weight loss of 30 pounds in 6 months. For one, that’s not impressive – that’s just a touch over one pound per week for 6 months. Plus let’s not forget that only 1,500 out of the 2,400 study participants lost that amount of weight. So what were the other 900 participants results? I find it odd that they don’t provide that information. And Dana Devon? I’ve seen her on TV for years and she’s never appeared overweight. The supposed ‘heavier’ picture of her on the Sensa site hardly looks like she’s 20 pounds overweight.

Okay let’s concede for arguments sake that Sensa’s ingredients do work as they say and make you feel fuller sooner. So you’ll lose some weight right? But what about your health? Remember the participants didn’t change their eating habits or exercise. I’d like to see studies on cholesterol and triglyceride levels, blood pressure and other health markers. In my opinion this product is way off base and is exactly what’s WRONG with our way of thinking. Telling people they can eat junk food and lose weight does nobody any favors.

Finally this stuff is expensive! Who’s going to use Sensa for the rest of their life? Like all supplements once you stop taking it any benefits from its use will disappear. And you’ll just gain all the weight back.

Once again I find myself getting really pissed off and remembering why I’m the Angry Trainer in the first place. It’s consumers that keep companies like this in business and making billions.

There are no powders, pills or shortcuts to a healthy, fit and productive life. You must learn to eat right, exercise and in the process, save yourself $600 per year! How about sprinkling a little common sense on your plate instead?

The Angry Trainer says: I think Sensa is Absolutely Insane!

All information contained within this site, Angry Trainer Fitness.com, is for informational purposes only.  It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health problem – nor is it intended to replace the advice of a physician.  No action should be taken solely on the contents of this website.  Always consult your physician or qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health or on any opinions expressed within this website. Please see your physician before changing your diet, starting an exercise program, or taking any supplements of any kind.

By now you all know how I excited I get when I find a health and fitness product that I really like! I’m sure you’ve seen my posts here on the site where I’ve championed various fitness brands that I believe in – and want to share with all of you out there! And by now you hopefully know that I’ll never endorse anything unless I truly believe in it (no Shake Weights here at ATF!) So here we go with another Angry Trainer Approved product!

Yep, I’m super ecstatic to announce that Angry Trainer Fitness is partnering with Lifeline USA , a leader and pioneer in functional fitness since 1973.

I hadn’t realized it but I’ve used various Lifeline USA products both personally and professionally for over 15 years now. But it wasn’t until I tried the Jungle Gym suspension trainer that I looked a bit deeper into the company that made it. The Jungle Gym was so superior to all other suspension systems that I’ve used (yep, even better than that OTHER suspension system I like!) that I just had to know who was behind it. And the more I researched Lifeline, the more I recognized many of the other products they produce. Turns out Vice President John Hinds invented the Jungle Gym system over 10 years ago and through listening to customer feedback, honed and perfected his creation into what you see on the market today. I’ll have a full review of the Jungle Gym soon but honestly it’s truly awesome and highly recommended by yours truly!

Here’s the deal – since we launched ATF over 18 months ago I’ve picked various products from different companies that I like but I had yet to come across an entire product line that was right on par with my own Angry Trainer philosophy, ideology and passion – until now. Lifeline makes really awesome equipment. They’ve got a Power Wheel, which is a total core, abs, legs, shoulders – heck all over body trainer! They supply kettlebells and resistance bands – and you know how much I love those! There’s a power jumper to help increase explosive leg strength, weighted speed ropes and a pushup power developer called the Pullup Revolution Pro – which among other things can be used to help you build up to performing pull ups on your own. They’ve also got portable power sprinters and so much more. Seriously I went through the entire product lineup and absolutely love each and every one. That says a lot.

What’s most appealing to me besides the company’s products is the brand’s mission and philosophy. Like myself, Lifeline USA promotes functional fitness and athletic performance. In essence they encourage you to use the machine – your body – and improve your quality of life. One of my mantras is ‘look fit, be fit’ and that’s exactly what they stand for too.

Over the coming months we’re going to be running some contests here on the site and using Lifeline products in some of my ATF videos. But in the meantime I HIGHLY recommend you visit the company website and have a browse around. There are a lot of great fitness tools I can’t wait to share with you all.

Imagine a job where you love to workout and get to try new exercises and products and then share your opinions and experiences with others. Well that’s what I get to do – and I love it!

You may recall a few months ago GNC sent me a box of various products to review here on the site. Well I’ve now been asked to test out and review a new line of hardcore supplements called Beyond Raw. Yep, The Angry Trainer is in guinea pig mode once again!

Now in total I was sent 3 months worth of pre and post workout drinks, a nighttime anabolic supplement and a fat burner. But for today’s post, I’m only going to share my thoughts on the pre and post workout drinks. Firstly, it’s just too much information to give you all at once. And secondly, I chose to split my usage of the different products across two months. My thinking was that if I achieved incredible results but through taking 4 different products, how would I know which was responsible?

Okay – so here we go.

Ravage – What a great name for a pre workout drink right? GNC calls Ravage a potent, ultra concentrated pre workout hybrid because it’s supposed to increase your performance in so many ways. Even though it’s just 25 calories per serving, this stuff packs a serious punch. I’m sure you know I’ve taken quite a few pre workout supplements and the one thing that’s always bothered my is the tingling in my face or my heart beating out of my chest.

With Ravage I didn’t get those feelings, and in fact I’ve stopped using other brands because of it. It was quite a relief to try this product and tolerate it really well. So what’s in it? How much time Do you have? Here we go – It has what they’re calling an ATP Creatine Optimizing Module, which without boring you is a series of ingredients designed to help your muscles create energy. It also has a Nitric Oxide Vasodilation Amplifier, which in simple terms in supposed to rush amino acids into the blood stream and muscles to create an anabolic (growth and preservation) state. I know, don’t all similar products say that?

Here’s my experience – I LOVE this stuff. Plus I’m a sucker for fruit punch flavored anything. No joke when I used it for the first time, I took it about 30 minutes prior to my workout on an empty stomach. I looked like a freaking road map – my veins were everywhere, in my legs, arms, shoulder, etc. And I definitely felt a kick for sure. In fact I had to force myself to leave the gym because I felt like I could just keep going. My endurance has been amazing, and my muscles do get a serious pump. Now remember I train many different ways, so don’t think this is just for bodybuilders or weight lifters. I’ve used it before going out for sprints, 3 mile runs, swinging kettlebells, suspension training, core work, plyo’s and of course straight weight training. And I went a step further – I stopped using it on purpose for a weeks worth of workouts and I can honestly say I wasn’t as strong, has less endurance and was not as veiny. Those are facts.

If you’re looking for a pre –workout supplement, Beyond Raw Ravage may be just for you. I had terrific results with it.

Rating: Awesome! I Love this stuff.

Re-Built Mass – This is the mother of all post workout shakes!  This bad boy comes in at 850 calories and a whopping 60 grams of fast, medium and slow acting proteins. Plus, are you ready and sitting down? It has 130 grams or 520 calories of carbs, but just 10 grams of sugars. It also has 10 grams of fat, half of which are saturated. Re-Built also has 10 grams of various forms of creatine to really help support muscular energy and strength. Not to mention it’s got a full amino acid profile, L–glutamine and CLA, a form of fat shown to preserve lean mass and promote fat loss.

Okay, enough with reading the ingredient list  – does this stuff work or what? I’ll tell you this – it tastes amazing! I started off using the full serving size, which is 3 mammoth scoops i.e. the entire 850 calories. But for me, it was a bit too much – I didn’t gain fat, but I wasn’t hungry at all for hours afterwards. So I went down to 2 scoops and a more reasonable 600 plus calories and felt much better. Here’s the thing with Re-Built Mass – it doesn’t contain anything that’s really new, but where it separates itself is that it has many scientifically and clinically proven ingredients all wrapped up in one product. If you were to try and supplement your diet with everything it contains you’d spend a small fortune. So without a doubt it’s convenient and the ingredients are impressive.

Even if you’re not looking to gain tons of muscle, I’d still recommend this product but I’d use just one scoop instead of three. It’s a great post workout drink that doesn’t cause cramping or any stomach issues like gas or worse (we’ve all experienced that lovely feeling!) In the month that I’ve used Re-Built, I’ve taken it on average 4 days per week and had favorable results. I should share though that I’ve been on and off a Keto (no carb) diet for two weeks at a time prior to using the product. So I think my body was super sensitive to the calories, especially from carbs – and just sucked it up like a sponge. Now keep in mind, I’m no beginner so seeing any progress or change is huge. I know that if had this product when I was younger it absolutely would have sped my gains up. For you younger guys, people that are naturally thin (including women), or anyone that trains hard and with intensity, I suggest giving it a go.

Rating: Very Good – Tastes awesome, blends super easy and has an amazing list of super star ingredients.

In all, I really like both of these products and I’ll continue to use them long after my 3-month supply is gone.

I want to address something that should go without saying. You may or may not know that I get paid for these reviews. When a company calls on the Angry Trainer for a review, they know, because I’ve told them, that if I don’t like their product for any reason that I’m going to say so. I will never tell any of you that a product is good or that I’ve had a positive experience, or recommend it for the sake of a dollar. This site, brand and my name have been built on the authenticity of what I say and the truth. That will never change.

Also, before you take any supplement of any kind you must consult your physician and read the labels thoroughly!

Next month I’ll share my thoughts on two more Beyond Raw products – Re-Fine and Re – Forge. Let’s see if they score as high on the Angry Trainer’s list.

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Do Supplements Really Work?

Are Sugary Post Workout Snacks Good?

FitFluential LLC compensated me for this sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

All information contained within this site, Angry Trainer Fitness.com, is for informational purposes only.  It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health problem – nor is it intended to replace the advice of a physician.  No action should be taken solely on the contents of this website.  Always consult your physician or qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health or on any opinions expressed within this website. Please see your physician before changing your diet, starting an exercise program, or taking any supplements of any kind.

Let’s face it – eating right all the time can be hard. There are temptations everywhere and sometimes you can’t help but be caught short. Enter the protein bar. The savior of many a fitness fan’s diet!

For those of you that don’t remember, when protein bars first came out many years ago they tasted like chalk with chocolate. But even despite the bad taste it was hard to beat the convenience and the flavor did kind of grow on you after a while. Now the protein bar industry is bigger than ever with some of the bars on the market tasting more like candy bars than health foods!

So for today’s Angry Issue I’m asking you – what are your favorite – and least favorite – protein bars?

Previously here on the site I wrote down a list of my Top 10: Protein Bars including all the big brands like EAS, Met-RX, Detour, etc. But there are so many more options to choose from. Have you tried Oh Yeah bars? Holy moly, these things taste like candy (and have the fat content to back it up!) Yep, if you’re not savvy with reading the labels, you can take in up to 500 calories in less than 30 seconds eating one of these bad boys.

But if you look carefully and read the labels, you can actually get a great tasting bar that won’t add inches to your waist. Although they may slim down your wallet a fair amount – some of these bars are over $4 each! Although I guess when you consider that each bar is supposed to be a meal replacement or snack, that price isn’t too bad. I’ve got to be honest – I use bars as cheat meals many times. I haven’t eaten a Snickers, Twix or anything close to those products in years, so I eat protein bars for dessert. Sometimes I even cut them up and add them to frozen yogurt or top them with peanut butter. Plus if you’re really creative and have some time on your hands, you can actually make your own bars at home with some simple ingredients.

Of course if that’s not your style, here’s what I suggest.  I’d definitely look for varieties of protein bars that are 300 calories or less, have at least 20 grams of protein and no more than 5 grams of fat. As for carbs and sugars, it gets a little tricky. You’ll see the term “net carbs” on many bars and what that means is that that particular brand most likely uses glycerol or another carb-like sweetener. While these ingredients are sugars, or sugar alcohols that still carry the same calorie content, they have nearly no impact on blood sugar so they’re subtracted from the sugar content. The same holds true for bars with high fiber contents. Technically fiber is a carbohydrate, but if it’s indigestible then it really doesn’t count. Get it?

I’m still a really big fan of Met-Rx Colossal, Zone, Balance and Cliff Bars. I know that some of you purists will be aghast at the ingredients in some of those picks. I’m with you but remember I’m a realist when it comes to health and fitness. I don’t eat bars every day and when I do I want great taste. So if the bar I choose isn’t organic or all natural then so be it. I mean come on, in the scheme of things if the worst thing in my diet is a protein bar a few days per week I think I’m doing pretty well!

Okay enough talk – time to hear your picks… do you eat protein bars? If so which ones are your favorites? And what varieties have you tried and hated! Comment away…