Epi 2.0 Get Big or Go Home (Sponsored)

LeanEngineer said:
Good to here. Everyone needs rest days. What do you usually do for cardio?
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Recently I have been hitting Fasted AM cardio and some evening cardio, incline walking for 30-40 minutes each session. Every so often I will do some HIIT with battle ropes and/or sprint intervals. I despise cardio haha

Afi140 said:
Nice workout and update. How has sleep been? I'm a caffeine and sleep addict so I feel you. If I am lacking in either of those departments my day is no Bueno lol
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Sleep has been rock solid, but thats not surprising with how exhausted I have been and the no carbs a few hours before bed. Pretty much been sleeping the whole night through. But yeah I am the same man, just a bit too much caffeine in the day and I cant fall asleep, and then I am exhausted the next day, resulting in needing more caffeine and the vicious cycle continues haha.

mountainman33 said:
What kind of weights are you using on your exercises?
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I should start tracking this a bit more consistently (and I will start to log weights), but honestly for most lifts I will vary weight based on the contraction I am getting from set to set and/or workout to workout. Also, I should note weights for all exercises have not decreased since starting the Epi 2.0 so strength is staying the same which is amazing for the aggressiveness of this cut I am going through right now.

Calfs I was using a 45lb plate on the seated calf, 3-4 plates each side on leg press, bodyweight on GHR (super slow motion), 50-70lbs on leg curl, and bodyweight on reverse crunch

I am currently focusing on form and contraction and getting that rock solid painful contraction through a full ROM and I adjust the weights accordingly, so they might seem light, but it is starting to be very effective and more long term benefits. I found when I purely focused on weight moved and not contraction areas, I was spinning my wheels with progress. Most time for a set I will keep weight the same for a few sets, but its not uncommon that I switch weight each set either. Very feel based right now. Also, due to lower carb and diet, strength is dropping for reps, so I will hit a few sets with the heavy weight, but then thanks to the Epi 2.0 I can use a decent weight and hit for great reps. Gets that endurance up which I am loving for this.
 
Haha I feel the same way. I have to really make myself do cardio and when I do it I usually don't give it the effort I need to give it. But fasted AM cardio is usually how I do it.
 
LeanEngineer said:
Haha I feel the same way. I have to really make myself do cardio and when I do it I usually don't give it the effort I need to give it. But fasted AM cardio is usually how I do it.
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Metabolic conditioning my friend. That's where it's at.
 
LeanEngineer said:
Haha I feel the same way. I have to really make myself do cardio and when I do it I usually don't give it the effort I need to give it. But fasted AM cardio is usually how I do it.
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Dude I feel you. I can play sports all day. Basketball, soccer, whatever. No problems with running/sprinting around for sport. But as soon as its for "cardio" its like a mental switch haha. Or its just no body want to play no more. Hopefully with the nice weather coming ill be outside a bit more.
 
End of week 3 Yall.

Morning weight - 206 lbs (-6)

Run has been good thus far. This week was rough for me. Lots of days where I have been super hungry, run down, exhausted, and weak. Gym sessions were medicore. Been spot on with diet, almost cheated today but didnt.

But I must give it up to the -Epi for carrying me through more than I could have without it. Ive been feelin pretty crappy the past few days, so I didnt think pics today would do the progress justice. I will post some either within the next few days or just right at the end of the bottle and put some comparisons up between start, week 2, and final.

Hit SHOULDERS today. Favorite body part to train and used some new techniques. Did some mechanical drop set style workout complexes with very high TUT. There were 5 complexes with 4-6 movements per complex and usually 5ish reps per movement and 3 rounds through. Felt awesome and I a excited to start this new shoulder phase. Will be hitting shoulders at least 2 times per week with one session being the TUT Complexes. Also did some arm work after the shoulders but was BEAT.
 
we all have off weeks. Always good to change up routines so i am sure hit should help with progress. good stuff so far. Looking forward to the final week for sure.
 
Afi140 said:
we all have off weeks. Always good to change up routines so i am sure hit should help with progress. good stuff so far. Looking forward to the final week for sure.
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Me too brotha. Been a great experience thus far overall.
 
Monday - Back (quick Memorial Day lift)

Was a morning lift, which I am not used to because it always seems like I am sluggish and slow moving. This morning lift was no exception. But after a bit of warmups I got moving. Felt better as I went. No crazy PRs or anything. Actually felt a bit weaker than usual who knows why along with a headache to start.

Back
Lat pulldown - 65x15, 80x12, 90x8, 90x8 drop to 65x6, 90x8 drop 65x5
seated row - 3x12, 2x8 drop x6 (its a freemotion peice and figured # were arbitrary, also worn off)
bent DB Row - 55x10, 65x8, 65x8, 65x8 drop 50x6
reverse pec dec - 70x20, 70x15 drop 45x12, 70x15 drop 45x10
shrugs (cable rope) - full stack for 4xfail (about 15-20) with 2 sec peak contraction

shrugs sound more impressive than they are. The full stack isnt too much for that on the freemotion crossovers.

Tuesday - Chest (AM fasted an PM Cardio about 30 mins each)
Slow moving but felt great once I got going again. No preworkout today woohoo. And still feeling great.

Super incline DB chest press - 55x12, 65x12, 70x12, 70x10, 70x8 drop 45x7, 70x8 drop 45x5
Smith machine incline press - 45's x 12, 225x8, 185x10, 185x10, 185x10 drop 45s x12
dips - bodyweight 4x12-14
Cable fly - 4x12 with 30lbs each cable with 2 sec peak contraction
DB Pullover - 3 sets of 10 with 65lbs
ab work
cardio

I have been keeping tabs on everything going on, and nothing new to report with the Epi. Not even increased vascularity, but muscle fullness and endurance are still shining through. Fat loss has been slow but steady. I will be waiting till end of the bottle to post any new pics so you will have a "surprise" ending and will do comparisons so you can give me your opinion on how well the transformation went.

I would say vascularity is moderate at this point. Been dosing 2 and 2 on empty stomach. I am thinking I will try dosing the full 4 preworkout and see if that has any difference also empty stomach.
 
You can try all 4 pwo, I do know there was a study published that showed prolonged epi levels in system were most beneficial. IOW spread out doses appear to work best. But give it a shot, so knows.
 
mountainman33 said:
You can try all 4 pwo, I do know there was a study published that showed prolonged epi levels in system were most beneficial. IOW spread out doses appear to work best. But give it a shot, so knows.
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I just saw you posted about that on the other log. Something to think about I guess. Ill keep ya updated on what I do with dosing and what happens. But thats a good point about the steady levels.
 
Good to know about the dosing. And nice chest workout yesterday!
 
LeanEngineer said:
Good to know about the dosing. And nice chest workout yesterday!
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Thanks man. Always been self-conscious about my chest due to either psuedo-gyno or actual gyno from puberty. Always had pointy boobs, and so for the longest time I didnt hit chest. Started getting smarter and realizing if I brought my upper chest up (from nothing haha) and gain a chest split that it would help give a little illusion of a "flatter" chest or at least fuller and not boob-like and soft. Will probably get surgery or a consult at least at some point in the next few years.
 
great job keep it up - what other supps are you using while on cycle? any cycle support and/or PCT? sarm?
 
big5f said:
great job keep it up - what other supps are you using while on cycle? any cycle support and/or PCT? sarm?
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Appreciate it bro. It an -(-)Epicatechin log not Epistane though
 
big5f said:
great job keep it up - what other supps are you using while on cycle? any cycle support and/or PCT? sarm?
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Yea no need for on cycle or pct for epicatechin.
 
Wednesday - Off day.
AM Fasted Cardio, PM Cardio, 30 min sessions each.

Thursday - Shoulders/Bi's

shoulder girdle warmup
lateral raise - 10sx12, 15sx20 for 4 sets. 15sx18 drop 10sx8
spider curl - 65 for 5x12
Seated inc DB curl - 30s for 4x10
reverse fly - 90x12, 70x15 for 3 sets, 70x12 drop 45x7
upright rows - 95 for 5x10-15
cable rope raises - 47 for 5x10-15
cable hammer curl - 35 for 4x12
lateral raise finish - 15s for 1x22 with forced reps to fail

Feelin real good. Sorry I am not more detailed, but honestly I havent felt anything from the Epi 2.0 other than the endurance during workouts and muscle fullness. And nothing is really changing with it either. Muscle fullness is the same it has been, and endurance during workouts is the same it has been.

This is not a negative, but actually a positive to me. The product is consistent and does what it does consistently. I know what I can expect and even though pumps might not be getting better over time or increased vascularity while lifting, while cutting the endurance is still there and strength isnt decreasing either.

Muscle fullness while cutting is also uncommon, and muscle retention is hard enough as is. The Epi is keeping both these factors while cutting, so thats HUGE!

Today - Legs

Will update after my lift
 
Yesterday - Leg workout

plate loaded Seated Calf Raises - 45 for 5x20
Leg Press - 45s for warmup, 225 for 15, 315 for 3x12, 405 for 3x8 (Not actual #s but you get it)
w/ plate raise between earlier sets w/ 45 for 3x20
Glute/Ham Raise - Bodyweight for 4x10-12
Plate loaded SL Ham Curl - 35 for 5x8-12
seated calf raise - 1x23
30 minute hike after workout

Felt good coming out of this workout. I had a lower back injury a while ago, but still dealing with the bulged disc L5, S1 problems/pain. Will be starting to do deadlifts soon to get those going again and bring back that back strength.

Endurance is great still. Feel like fat loss has been stagnant that past few days and the hunger isnt really there anymore. Who knows. Could be a hiccup for the past 2 or 3 days, so I will keep tabs on that. Diet has been consistent and have not cheated or anything since starting this log. If you have an interest in what my diet has been, Id be more than happy to post it in detail. Just for quick reference though numbers have been about 300g pro, 150g carb, 85g fat.

Back is looking lean, but seems like I am holding a bit of water in the front. Might just be a bit flat. AGain, will keep tabs on it.

Today - Off
AM Fasted Cardio - 30 mins
PM Cardio - 30 mins
 
Nice looking workouts and detailed posts! keep up the good work
 
Sorry I missed yesterday guys. It was my birthday and did some things with the lady friend.

I did hit the gym tho. It was my shoulder/bi day

Shoulder complex (5 complexes 3 rounds each) can post if more interest in the complexes.
reverse flys - 70 for 4x15 w/ last set drop to 40x8
face cable curls - 55 for 5x12 (weight is kind of trivial)
rope hammer curls - 45 for 4x12
cable lateral raise finishers- 4x15 for pump
inc walk - 30 mins

Today - Back
Lat Pulldown- warmup, 75x15, 85x12, 100 for 3x8 and last set drop to 70x8
SA Cable Lat iso pull - 70 for 4x8-10
Seated cable row- 65 for 4x10-12
SA DB Row - 85 for 4x10-14
Hammer Strength high row - 275 for 4x8-12
incline walk - 30mins

Everything is feelin good. Comin up on the last day of this bottle tomorrow I believe. Again, not much changing but I am not complaining. Will have a more detailed and thorough post tomorrow along with a review and whatnot.
 
Sorry about missing yesterday, but felt like crap. Had a headache and light headed all day along with being weak. I tried the gym but left after about 15 minutes pissed at how aweful I felt. Had sort of a refeed last night and felt much better in the gym today. Tried doing chest yesterday, but not even worth noting. Hit shoulders today and felt great in the gym. Will post pics after this as comparisons.

Shoulders-
warmup
lateral raise - 5 sets of 20's for 10-12 drop to 10's for 8-10
w/ smith machine upright rows - 135 for 5x12-14
rear delt fly - 70 for 4x14-20
lean away db lateral - 10s for 4x12-14
w/ modified rope face pull - 4x12-15
cable raise - 45 for 4x12-14
w/ cable shrug - stack for 4x12-15
 
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Starting weight - 212 lbs
Ending weight - 205 lbs

Camera work could be better (girlfriend) but hopefully you can see it well enough.

Might do a quad shot too for comparison.

Front pose doesnt do it justice on how I look, but again, hopefully you can see some differences.
 
Looks good man!!! Keep up the hardwork!
 
Final write up and Review:

So this was a pretty awesome run. It was only 30 days worth, while I was cutting, so I would like to give this is a run for a bit longer while bulking and see the other side of it. Either way, I was impressed with the product. Between the beginning and ending photos there is only a 7 pound difference. I can say that the product kept me fuller than any other cut I have done, on a pretty aggressive cut too. And the endurance during the workouts were outstanding. I didnt see much pump effects or vascularity, but its probably due to the low carbs and does not reflect on the product. I didnt get energy from the Epi 2.0, but once I got a warmup set or 2 in, I felt really good and the workout was cake. Strength was low and I did not see strength increases, but my sets felt smooth and was bangin out reps fairly easy with some decent weight.

Epi 2.0 by Vital Labs
Epi 2.0 is an -(-)Epicatechin product that has been formulated for advanced absorption. In each bottle is a 30 day supply at recommended dose for 4 pills per day, split into 2 doses.

Dosing
Super easy. 2AM and 2 preworkout split. Had to play around with timing preworkout to get the best effect, and found it was about 45-1hr preworkout on an empty stomach.

Effects - 5/5
I was very happy with what this product brought to the table. On an aggressive cut, it kept my muscles fuller, endurance was sky high, workouts and cardio felt much easier (I hate cardio so this was a huge plus), and helped keep workout intensity up.

Fuller muscles
increase endurance
easy cardio
increase workout intensity

Value - 4/5
Great product and price for what you are getting, I would just like to see it priced between $45-50 to compete with the other Epi products on the market and make an 8 weeks run a tad more affordable ($10 I know but it adds up and makes a difference in deciding on a product)

Overall - 4/5
Awesome product and worked how it should. For a natty product, you couldnt ask for much more. This would make for an awesome stack with some other natural anabolics or even tagged onto a PH run/PCT. Only complaint I have while using it was some minor lower stomach bloating I had the whole run. Could have been due to the added ingredients, but who knows. Wasnt bothersome other than visually to me. But other than that, improved workouts, muscle retention, and fuller muscles I couldnt ask for more on a cut.
 
Nice man! Glad you enjoyed your run! Good stuff for sure
 
Yep thanks for the review and I'm glad u enjoyed it!
 
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