Archive for October, 2009

BSN NO-Xplode: The First and Best Pre-Workout Supplement

October 28th, 2009

BSN NO-Xplode

NO-Xplode is not an anti-explosive agent. NO-Xplode is probably the worlds most popular pre-workout supplement and the mother of all energy drinks. Unlike other energy drinks this is designed to be consumed before a workout. Before I share my thoughts on NO-Xplode I should back up and cover what exactly a “pre-workout supplement” is.

Pre-Workout Supplements

I pre-workout supplement is something, generally a drink, that is designed to be taken 15 to 30 min before starting your workout. Furthermore, they are generally designed for weightlifting workouts but would be used for other sports. They generally consist of caffeine, creatine, and l-arginine. Caffeine is there to amp you up and get you in the gym, creatine to give you that little performance boost and l-arginine is a nitric oxide precursor. Nitric oxide dilates your blood vessels during muscle contraction, increasing the blood flow or as users would describe, giving you a much bigger pump.

The NO-Xplode Experience

BSN basically invented the pre-workout segment with NO-Xplode. They sell tons of this stuff. Let me describe how it works on me after consuming:

2 to 3 min: I can feel my heart rate raise and my breathing becomes deeper and quicker.
10 min: I am starting to talk faster and do things faster
30 min: I WANT TO LIFT SHIT, NOW!!!!!!
60 min: This workout is amazing, I’m amazing, I should tell everyone on twitter how pumped my [today's muscle group] is right now! (note: this is also why my iphone stays in the car)
90 min: I can workout forever.
Post workout: I’m tired. I need protein, dinner and enjoy the zen time.

I know caps are obnoxious, but I think it accurately describes the feeling.

Granted you can take NO-Xplode and not have a good workout. Its an aid, not an auto-pilot. Furthermore, I have it on shaky authority that in 5% of people NO-Xplode does noting, my wife is among them. Sucks for her.

BSN NO-Xplode NT

BSN just released an updated version of NO-Xplode. It will be interesting to try. You find after a few jugs of NO-Xplode that all the flavors basically taste the same, its not a bad thing, they just taste the same. I am also planning on branching out when I have finished my current jug. I think I might try the VPS NO-Shotgun, which I gather is similar to Bang!.

Do Your Homework

Now I did a lot of reading before trying a pre-workout supplement. I tried to understand exactly what every ingredient was designed to do. I have even had conversations with my doc about what supplements I use. For those in need of dot connecting… Do your homework and talk to your doc, everyone’s different, I’m not a medical type, look after yourself.

If you workout in the evening and are sensitive to caffeine you might want to look for a strictly NO/caffeine free product. You also need to cycle. a few months on, month off. The package outlines the plan and I believe is generally a good philosophy.

NO-Xplode do not shake warning label

Don’t Shake No-Xplode

Finally, Can You Shake No-Xplode? There is a big warning label on NO-Xplode that says, do not shake. A little research shows reveals the reason. NO-Xplode is essentially carbonated. If you put it in a small vessel and shake it you could be creating a small bomb, kinda like a shaken can of soda. Despite what BSN’s site says, I doubt it would kill you… I mix it with a spoon, sloshing in a circular motion in a shaker bottle works as well. If you are feeling paranoid, do it with the drinking lid open.

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Surefire Outdoorsmen E1L

October 21st, 2009

Surefire E1L

By this point its no secret that I am a fan of Surefire. So it should not surprise anyone that I have bought another. I found that my Surefire 6P was not really pocket sized and I needed something smaller. After doing a bunch of research I settled on the Surefire E1L.

Surefire 6P LED vs Surefire E1L

The E1L is significantly shorter than the 6P. It is also narrower. You can carry it around in your pocket without giving up to much space. It has variable outputs. Low: 5 lumens and High at 45 lumens. On the low setting it has 45 hours of battery life! Surefire does make a similarly size flashlight that can match the 6P LED’s 80 lumen output, the Surefire E1B. And the E1B is actually the same suggested retail price.

I chose the E1L over the Over the E1B (B for Backup) strictly because I could buy the E1L at REI, thus taking of 20% (during REI’s fall sale).

Surefire 6P LED vs Surefire E1L

The one complaint I have about the E1L is the clip. If the clip could be reversed it would be perfect for attaching to the inside of you pocket (think the clips on pocket knives). That would avoid the problem of feeling around in your pockets to find it, especially when you need it fast.

Overall I have been very happy with the E1L.

Moving Servers – Done!

October 21st, 2009

There may be problems with my site today. I am attempting to move this site.

Update: if everything went right we should be back in action. Let me know if anyone sees anything amiss.

District 9 Target

October 21st, 2009

I have a friend who is handy with the large format. Totally hooked me up.

District 9 Range Target

My friend cleaned the image up a little before he printed it. I will see if I can get my hands on the original file, for your downloading pleasure.

Update: District 9 Alien Silhouette Target (770KB PDF)

All Hale Apple

October 20th, 2009

New Apple Hardware released today. Sick looking iMac. Much needed redesign on the mouse. Updates to the MacBook and Mini Mac.

If you create any sort of product with which a user interacts, Jony Ive should be your hero.

Apple

/Nerd Transmission

Pants High Tech Enough For Your iPhone: High-End Arc’teryx Menswear

October 15th, 2009

I have often wondered why the latest technological advance in menswear is wrinkle resistance. Come on, I am packing an iPhone, laptop and at least 6 distinct methods of communication. So why are my weekend pants more high-tech than my work pants?

Looks like Arc’teryx is finally stepping up. Check these out:

Arc'teryx High Tech Mensware

You are looking at $350 worth of pants. Sure this is better value than dropping $350 at Armani or Saks but still more than I want to spend.

I tend to think Arc’teryx is over priced to begin with. I am actually not trying to be negative. Industry leaders are always expensive as is high end fashion.

[Via: High-End Arc’teryx Menswear | Gear Review | Gear Junkie]

Mountain Hardwear Alchemy Jacket

October 8th, 2009

Mountain Hardwear Alchemy Jacket

I have kinda been on a firearm and flashlight tangent for a while. Now its time to review a item that has been on my list for a long time. Mountain Hardwear’s Alchemy Jacket is probably the best jacket I have ever owned. Its perfect for all manor of active cold weather activities, let me tell you why:
» Read more: Mountain Hardwear Alchemy Jacket

Without Gun Control, This Could be Your Town!

October 1st, 2009

» Read more: Without Gun Control, This Could be Your Town!