Bolt, X-gels, and the Reactive Quest for Strength
- Thread starter bolt10
- Start date
bolt10
Well-known member
Final Review X-gels + Burn24
Essential Info:
1) First two weeks were higher volume/typical bodybuilding split, then the last three weeks of the log were my venture into RTS. Continuing RTS and while I didn't log the fourth week due to ArA saturation (and Burn24 usage) it will still be part of what I considered for this final review.
2) I used Enhanced + 2g X-gels + GlycerGrow + PLCAR/ALCAR throughout the log.
-Strive + 30-50g carbs were taken intra most of the time. Cissus, Aqua Red, and Clout taken throughout as "staples". Alpha-T2 was added half way point.
Positives
Pumps/Vascularity/Muscle Fullness:
-This is one of the most profound aspects of ArA usage in my extensive history with the ingredient. No doubt that X-gels delivered here. While the majority of this log wasn't really pump inducing styled training I got solid pumps throughout.
-Vascularity rose to top form by the mid-point of this log. All day vascularity all over and extremely vascular legs. Even when I was even leaner last summer I did not have this level of leg vascularity. Burn and X-gels definitely left me veiny all day and pretty much every day of the log.
-While muscle pumps weren't insane due to training, my muscles were "dense" all day long throughout most of the log.
Strength/Endurance
-This was my main objective with this log. I have seen strength gains on ArA but it was always a nice benefit not my main goal. This log my main goal was some nice solid strength gains.
-This was definitely achieved (these were within only 3-4 weeks of each-other):
Squat w/Belt- 340lbs x 4 >>> 355lbs x 4
Deadlift w/Belt- 325lbs x 5 >>> 370lbs x 4
10lbs added on pretty much every Bench variation (2ct, 3ct, competition, touch n go, etc).
-Endurance increased quite a bit as well. Dropped from 16minutes of density training week 2 to 12 minutes in week 4 but hit the same/just slightly less reps despite 4 minutes less time to do work.
Bloat
-This relates mostly to Burn24 but I also notice that on ArA I can tend to eat more carbs than usual. I was eating the majority of my carbs in two specific meals and with this combo I hardly ever was "bloated" or had lethargy from the huge meals.
Lean Mass Gain/Fat Loss
-Over the 5 weeks I gained 3lbs. I look leaner as well. These pics are 4 weeks apart and show some progress but aren't the best. At the very least I feel I didn't add any fat based on looking leaner all around (legs and abs have seen the greatest improvement):
Before:After (these are actually from the end of week 2 and week 5 so not even the entirety of the log)
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Negatives
Joint Pain/Recovery
-These were the two biggest areas I was worried about based on the training I had laid out and the usual issues some note with ArA.
-First off DOMS were very intense at certain points but I actually recovered very well. Even during my highest stress/volume/intensity weeks I did not ever feel run down or like I wasn't recovering fast enough between sessions. This was impressive considering I bench, squat, deadlift in some compacity three times per week for each lift (a different variation). So while this is under the negatives I would say I did NOT notice any detriment to my recovery.
-I did note some elbow pain by the end. It got pretty bad in the week that I didn't actually log, but I notice nothing so far the past several days. Hard to tell if the X-gels increased this, but I haven't noticed it so far this week (1.5 weeks since stopping dosage).
Overall
-Overall I absolutely love ArA so the use of X-gels was a very welcome addition. Usually I use ArA to maximize body composition changes, but I saw some very solid results in terms of strength on a very non-body composition oriented program. Despite the lack of body composition specific goals I saw some very nice effects on top of great strength gains. The combination of the ArA with Burn24 made it quite easy to manage a plentiful caloric intake while maximizing lean body mass improvement and strength gains. This combo will definitely find its way into some sort of recomp cycle and other volume themed training blocks.
Honestly ArA is on my short list of ingredients that I keep coming back to using and the quality of SNS X-gels definitely lived up to how effective this stuff really is, even with a totally different approach to training than I usually use with it. Already looking forward to getting my hands on some more for future use.
bolt10
Well-known member
Another bolt log, yes please. Never have tried Bioforge yet.
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Thanks for the comments guys. Join the new log if you enjoyed this one please. I always appreciate the feedback.
bolt10
Well-known member
Trying out the X-gels? Not currently at the moment...everyone wants the Alphamine because it is summer time. My old lifting partner is joining me again soon and he is thinking of doing some RTS and wants to hop on some ArA too so I am trying to convince him to do it!
Spaniard
Well-known member
Trying out the X-gels? Not currently at the moment...everyone wants the Alphamine because it is summer time. My old lifting partner is joining me again soon and he is thinking of doing some RTS and wants to hop on some ArA too so I am trying to convince him to do it!
Lol gotta shed during the summer... maybe stay lean year round? Weird concept I know haha!