5/5
Allright, some background info. I am a competitive rower, and for me it is important supps dont contain anything that is not on the label as I am WADA tested. Cannibal Swole does not have anything on the WADA 2014 banned list. I had to make sure though that there is no chance of cross contamination, so I asked the guys at C&P if the product is made in a cGMP Factory - Yes it is. Also that factory does not handle DMAA. So there is no concern about cross contamination.
I am a believer in NO products for endurance in the sense that increased nitric oxide has been shown in studies to improve blood flow, reduce oxygen cost of exercise and thus may improve performance.
I have now continuosly used almost a tub of Swole, 1 serving a day as I train pretty much every day. Here's my review.
Profile & Value: 9/10
Profile looks very good. Agmatine, Norvaline and NA-R-ALA are all well dosed. Can't comment about the resveratrol, but it looks there's plenty. COP is slightly underdosed at 500mg (2g would be the full dosage) and Citrulline Malate dose is low. Still, I think the value is excellent. I'd have paid the same from just using bulk agmatine and NA-R-Ala for the price of one serving. Also price/serving seems to be very good compared to other popular pump products, which usually require double scooping. One scoop of swole is definitely enough! And, if desired, you could easily add the remaining COP and Citrulline Malate from bulk ingredients, as I usually do, to get full doses of those (and still the value would be great).
Taste: 8/10
Tastes like sour apple juice. Reminds me of the taste of apple juice made from real fresh apples a farm nearby used to make when I was a kid. Took a few servings to get used to but now I love it.
Performance: 9/10
Now these are the ones that really matter.
- Vascularity: I see some increase during workout, but nothing crazy. Seems to get better post workout.
- Pump: Now this is where this product really shines and lives by its name - Swole! Strongest pump I have gotten from any pump product. In fact, I don't think I knew what pump meant before I "accidentally" used 1.5 servings of this in a workout where I was doing multiple sets of high rep chin ups (1 scoop turned out to actually be 6.2g, so a heaping scoop would be close 1.5 servings). My arms felt so full it was hard to squeeze my chin over the bar. Also I once did 1.5 servings when doing intervals on the rower - at one point my quads felt so pumped I could not extend my knees fully at the finish position of the stroke. I now make sure to use one even scoop only. The pump is still there, but it does not hinder performance/range of motion.
- Endurance: I think I have noticed on occasion a small boost in muscular endurance, particularly when doing high rep exercises in the gym I can squeeze that extra rep or two. This actually surprised me a little: at my performance level the performance boost from supps is usually so small it's hard to notice, as it is with the possible cardiovascular endurance this product might offer. Still, even a tenth of a second counts in a race.
- Glucose Disposal: Tested with glucometer, Swole stabilizes blood glucose after having carbs.
Negative side effects:
Just one side effect (apart from too much pump with overdosing): The next dump(s) I take, usually 3-6 hours after drinking Swole, I have loose stools. I googled and it might be the resveratrol in it that's causing it - it appears that not everyone's stomach can handle it. However it does not affect the training session in any way, as the sides show up so late, so it's just a small concern.
Verdict:
Swole is an excellent pump preworkout that lives up by its name. Also the value is hard to beat. I recommend. Rating: 9/10 - rounds up to 5/5.