Gakic VO2 Max SX-7 claims to be MuscleTech’s “most advanced non-stimulant pre-workout” they’ve ever created.
What it claims to do:
- Increase strength by 22.5% immediately after first use
- Increase muscle endurance by 21%
- Boost muscle growth stimulus
We’ve analyzed MuscleTech’s pre-workout, to help you decide whether it’s worth your hard earned cash.
Take a look:
About the Company
MuscleTech is an established supplements brand that was started in 1996. It’s owned by a company called Iovate Health Sciences Inc. and is best known for their fat burner series.
However, MuscleTech’s Gakic series of pre-workouts are also well-known in the supplements market.
The Ingredients and How They Work:
Gakic VO2 Max SX-7 has a very small nutrient profile and promises to deliver some massive results. Can you really benefit from this pre-workout after the first use?
Almost immediately, what you’re hit with is a proprietary blend. One thing’s for sure – you’ll never find out the exact quantities of the ingredients involved in this blend.
Take a look at our analysis of the product’s main ingredients:
Glycine
This is an amino acid and neurotransmitter. One of Glycine’s benefits is improving your sleep quality, which is definitely not what you’re looking for in a pre-workout.
Its other use is as a sweetener/taste enhancer, which isn’t vital either.
This is part of a proprietary blend, and you never know whether it’s taking up the bulk of it. You could be wasting your money on something that doesn’t give you an energy boost or added mental focus.
L-arginine
L-arginine is an essential amino acid that is important for blood flow and nitric oxide levels. However, this is where the problems start.
L-arginine isn’t absorbed properly when taken orally, meaning you won’t have the potential to activate in your system.
A better option would be L-citrulline. It is easier for your body to absorb and is converted into L-Arginine in your kidneys – bypassing the problem.
We recommend looking for a pre-workout with L-Citrulline instead of L-arginine to get the best value for your money.
See SupplementTester’s
– Highest Rated Pre Workouts Here –
Ketoisocaproate Calcium
Also known as alpha-ketoiscaproic acid, it’s a keto acid of leucine (which is an amino acid). There hasn’t been much proven about this ingredient – this is worrying, as the blend could consist mostly of this acid, meaning you could be wasting your money.
Terminalia Bark Extract
This is a tree bark which is traditionally used to improve cardiovascular health. It’s claimed that this ingredient lowers blood pressure and pulse rate.
These benefits have been seen in some studies at doses of 500mg, which is the same dose in Gakic VO2 Max SX-7. However, is lowered blood pressure the main advantage you’re looking for when taking a pre-workout supplement? Terminalia Bark Extract also comes with potential hazards to those pregnant or with a newborn child.
You’d benefit more from having beetroot extract in this product, as it’s the best natural source of nitrates you’ll fine – this helps give you a great muscle pump, which is what you want during your workout.
With a proprietary blend taking up the majority of this pre workout’s contents, you can never be sure what you’re getting.
Check out which ingredients work and which don’t in our
– Pre workout ingredients guide –
Side Effects
The main worry with proprietary blends is that you don’t know the exact measurements of the individual ingredients in them. Even a safe nutrients can pose risks if taken at a high dose, especially to those sensitive to that ingredient.
Also, the Terminalia Bark Extract poses some risks to those that are pregnant or breastfeeding – the safety of this ingredient is unknown, as there isn’t enough reliable information to prove it’s safety.
Take a look at some of Gakic VO2 Max SX-7’s possible side effects:
- Risks if taken during pregnancy
- No concrete evidence to prove it’s safe to those breastfeeding
- Risks to those sensitive to ingredients in the proprietary blend
Not what you’re looking for? See your best options in our
– Top 3 Pre Workout Page –
Pro’s and Con’s
Pro’s
- Some great ingredients included like L-arginine
Con’s
- Its main content is a proprietary blend
- Terminalia Bark Extract has some serious potential side effects
- The proprietary blend includes some ingredients that may not benefit you at all
- Very small nutrient profile – not great value for your money
Gakic VO2 Max SX-7 Review Conclusion
For a product that’s claimed to be “most advanced non-stimulant pre-workout” that MuscleTech has ever created, it’s not great. It’s small nutrient profile mostly includes ingredients that won’t benefit you in a pre-workout, and it even comes with potential side effects.
We recommend looking for a more honest supplement that is clear about its ingredients and quantities, so you know exactly what you’re paying for.