My N.O. Xplode experiment!

[morningstar]

So, after the somewhat controversial thread about N.O. Xplode, I decided to try this stuff out. It was about $70, so was quite an expensive experiment!

As a test, I did the following workout of my own design. Like others I've recently posted, this was a full body strength workout based on the Tabata system (20 seconds per set, 10-second rest after each set, 1-2 minute rest between body parts), but this one was over two hours.

It was about twice as long as I would have normally done (and the normal version is very challenging as is!) and I wanted to see how I felt with the supplement with a longer workout.

I used half a scoop of the NOX, half an hour before my workout. I didn't feel jittery; in fact, I usually have more of a reaction to just straight coffee than I did with NOX. After, I didn't feel wiped like I normally would. I still have lots of energy to get the rest of everything done that I have to do today. I would absolutely use it again.

This is the workout I did:

TABATA EXTENDED FULL BODY CHALLENGE (132 MINUTES)

Chest: Push Ups
1. 10 push ups
2. 10 push ups
3. 10 push ups
4. 10 push ups
5. 10 wide push ups
6. 10 wide push ups
7. 10 wide push ups
8. 10 wide push ups

Legs: Narrow Squats – 75 lbs
1. 10 narrow squats
2. 10 narrow squats
3. 10 narrow squats
4. 10 narrow squats
5. 10 narrow squats
6. 10 narrow squats
7. 10 narrow squats
8. 10 narrow squats

Shoulders: Presses, 25-20-15-12 lb DB
1. 8 overhead press
2. 8 overhead press
3. 8 overhead press
4. 8 overhead press
5. 8 military press
6. 8 military press
7. 8 military press
8. 8 military press

Abs: Crunches
1. 20 crunches on the ball
2. 20 crunches on the ball
3. 20 crunches on the ball
4. 20 crunches on the ball
5. 20 butterfly crunches
6. 20 butterfly crunches
7. 20 butterfly crunches
8. 20 butterfly crunches

Legs: Dynamic Lunges – 15 lbs DB
1. 8 forward lunges, left leg
2. 8 forward lunges, left leg
3. 8 forward lunges, right leg
4. 8 forward lunges, right leg
5. 8 back lunges, left leg
6. 8 back lunges, left leg
7. 8 back lunges, right leg
8. 8 back lunges, right leg

Back: Two Arm Rows, 90 lb
1. 8 overhand rows
2. 8 overhand rows
3. 8 underhand rows
4. 8 underhand rows
5. 8 wide rows, overhand
6. 8 wide rows, overhand

Biceps: Curls, 25-20-15 lb DB
1. 8 bicep curls
2. 8 bicep curls
3. 8 bicep curls
4. 6 bicep curls, half rep holds
5. 8 wide angle curls
6. 8 wide angle curls
7. 8 wide angle curls
8. 6 wide angle curls, half rep holds

Oblique Abs: Mix, 10 lbs
1. 10 side plank hip dips, right
2. 10 side plank hip dips, right
3. 10 side plank hip dips, left
4. 10 side plank hip dips, left
5. 20 Russian Twists
6. 20 Russian Twists
7. 20 Russian Twists
8. 20 Russian Twists

Legs: Wide Squats – 75 lbs
1. 10 wide squats
2. 10 wide squats
3. 10 wide squats
4. 10 wide squats
5. 10 wide squats
6. 10 wide squats
7. 10 wide squats
8. 10 wide squats

Triceps: Mix, 20-15 lb DB
1. 20 tricep dips
2. 20 tricep dips
3. 20 tricep dips
4. 20 tricep dips
5. 8 skull crushers
6. 8 skull crushers
7. 8 skull crushers
8. 6 skull crushers, half rep holds

Legs: Plie Squats – 75 lbs
1. 10 plie squats
2. 10 plie squats
3. 10 plie squats
4. 10 plie squats
5. 10 plie squats
6. 10 plie squats
7. 10 plie squats
8. 10 plie squats

Abs: Mix
1. 8 roll ups
2. 8 roll ups
3. 8 roll ups
4. 8 roll ups
1. 30 mountain climbers
2. 30 mountain climbers
3. 30 mountain climbers
4. 30 mountain climbers

Chest: Bench Press/Chest Flyes, 35-30-25-20 lb DB
1. 8 bench press
2. 8 bench press
3. 8 bench press
4. 8 bench press
5. 8 chest flyes
6. 8 chest flyes
7. 8 chest flyes
8. 8 chest flyes

Shoulders: Lateral Raises, 15-12-10 lb
1. 8 lateral raises, straight arm
2. 8 lateral raises, straight arm
3. 8 lateral raises, straight arm
4. 8 lateral raises, straight arm
5. 8 lateral raises, bent arm
6. 8 lateral raises, bent arm
7. 8 lateral raises, bent arm
8. 8 lateral raises, bent arm

Legs: Static Lunges – 15 lbs DB
1. 10 static lunges, left leg
2. 10 static lunges, left leg
3. 10 static lunges, left leg
4. 10 static lunges, left leg
5. 10 static lunges, right leg
6. 10 static lunges, right leg
7. 10 static lunges, right leg
8. 10 static lunges, right leg

Oblique Abs: Mix
1. 20 bicycles
2. 20 bicycles
3. 20 bicycles
4. 20 bicycles
5. 15 squirms, right side
6. 15 squirms, right side
7. 15 squirms, left side
8. 15 squirms, left side

Back: Mix, 35-30 lb DB
1. 8 pullovers
2. 8 pullovers
3. 8 pullovers
4. 8 pullovers
5. 8 pull up attempts
6. 8 pull up attempts
7. 8 chin up attempts
8. 8 chin up attempts

Legs: Step Ups
1. 10 step ups, left side
2. 10 step ups, left side
3. 10 step ups, left side
4. 10 step ups, left side
5. 10 step ups, right side
6. 10 step ups, right side
7. 10 step ups, right side
8. 10 step ups, right side

Biceps: Hammer Curls, 20-15 lb
1. 8 hammer curls on the ball
2. 8 hammer curls on the ball
3. 8 hammer curls on the ball
4. 8 hammer curls on the ball
5. 8 hammer curls
6. 8 hammer curls
7. 8 hammer curls
8. 6 hammer curls, half rep holds

Oblique Abs: Mix, 15-10 lbs
1. 20 side to side twists with dumbbell
2. 20 side to side twists with dumbbell
3. 20 overhead side to side bends with dumbbell
4. 20 overhead side to side bends with dumbbell
5. 12 woodchoppers on the ball with dumbbell
6. 12 woodchoppers on the ball with dumbbell
7. 12 woodchoppers on the ball with dumbbell
8. 12 woodchoppers on the ball with dumbbell

Triceps: Mix, 25-20-15 lb DB
1. 8 overhead extensions
2. 8 overhead extensions
3. 8 overhead extensions
4. 8 overhead extensions
5. 8 Tricep bench press
6. 8 Tricep bench press
7. 8 Tricep bench press
8. 8 Tricep bench press

 

[meowracer]

Awesome!! A half scoop is just what works right for me too. Glad you decided to try it, and that it worked! That is quite the workout. I feel the same way - really good during the workout, and afterwards too.

 

[pinkquinn]

I initially had great workouts with NO, but susequently noticed I started feeling worn down,and edgy after I had been taking it for a few weeks. I took half the recommended dose.

My dh likes it and has no visible side effects from it but discovered that when he takes it his liver releases some enzymes that lead the doctor to believe that is was hard on his liver. After doing some research we found that other people had the liver issue as well.

We stopped taking it, and saved some cash.

I have taken just the NO tablets minus anything else and noticed that I had alot of positive effects but none of the negative sketchiness. The tablets are very spendy, I don't know if they even make them anymore.

 

[macska]

You go girl, that is one tough workout. I'm currently not using NoXlp but now I'm tempted to pick up a jar tomorrow!

 

[morningstar]

I initially had great workouts with NO, but susequently noticed I started feeling worn down,and edgy after I had been taking it for a few weeks. I took half the recommended dose.

My dh likes it and has no visible side effects from it but discovered that when he takes it his liver releases some enzymes that lead the doctor to believe that is was hard on his liver. After doing some research we found that other people had the liver issue as well.

We stopped taking it, and saved some cash.

I have taken just the NO tablets minus anything else and noticed that I had alot of positive effects but none of the negative sketchiness. The tablets are very spendy, I don't know if they even make them anymore.

Thank you, pinkquinn! It's always good to be reminded that if a substance is strong enough to have an effect, it can have a negative effect too. How often were you taking it per week when you started to notice the negative effects? I'm expecting to take it no more than twice a week, three times tops.

 

[meowracer]

morningstar - that is about what I do too - about 2-3 days at most.

pinkquinn - when you say 1/2 the recommended amount, is that the amount that they say on the jar for most people, b/c that is a lot (they suggest 1-3 scoops, but I would think only big muscle dudes could take that much). Or did you mean half a scoop?

 

[pinkquinn]

I took 1 scoop (crazy, I know) every day I worked out...so 5 days a week.

Now that I think about it I may have been worn and edgy because I was taking it to the next level, KWIM?

Also it could have been the caffenine too. I'm pretty sure I didn't give up my morning joe.

I definately noticed an increase in strength and cardio endurance.

I think I did not cycle off it as recommended.

I remember like 7 years ago when NO supps first came out you could get pure tablets. Those were great. I felt like I had iron lungs. Oh well.

Your workouts look like they would make me puke! I can see how NO would work for you. Good stuff you crazy nut. I am about to hop on the crazy train myself.

 

[morningstar]

UPDATE

After quite a bit of experimentation with NOX, I've come to some conclusions (note: I've only been taking 1/2 scoop, no more than a few times a week; others might have other results taking more or less. I did continue drinking coffee):

• I don't like the feeling that something other than my own strength, endurance, whatever, is responsible for my performance
• I don't actually think it helps my endurance at either cardio or strength
• It doesn't help me lift any heavier and in fact, maybe the opposite
• It does help me run faster for sprints, but I poop out earlier for the longer intervals
• I think it actually excels at helping with recovery after a hard workout. If I don't take it before a workout, but take it after instead, I regain my energy quicker and can get the other things in my day done
• It actually helps me concentrate on tasks that require a lot of mental focus that have nothing to do with exercise
• I find that straight coffee is more effective for giving me energy to work out

(you know, even I can't believe I did that workout I posted at the beginning of the thread!)

 

[syzygy314]

Well, I have nothing to say about NOX other than I don't, personally, like using artificial means to get through my workouts/day. I won't even use protein powders.

I do want to say: Darn you, Morningstar! You keep posting these and I haven't even worked my way through your other ones yet! LOL!

Well, I'm copying this to my Evernote file to add to the others so I have a few to try!

You go girl!