Scivation Xtend Review |
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What is Scivation Xtend
It’s a Branch Chain Amino Acid (BCAA) supplement that’s designed to enhance recovery, reduce fatigue and decrease the likelihood of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). One of the claims is that it will help ‘burn fat’ – that is, in itself pretty misleading (but what’s new there).
Like most things that require you to spend significant portions of your pay-check on, it often falls under the ‘heavily scrutinised’ category. And with good reason – those are some significantly bold claims on the label, matched up with sh*tload of ‘asterisks’ on each one. Do I hear a collective ‘sigh’?
Why you’d use it
Other than being used as suggested on the label, Scivation Xtend can be used for an entirely different purpose – that is namely, to prevent muscle catabolism during periods of caloric restriction and or fasting.
This may make sense for those of us that train in a fasted state (without eating before, during or after the training window) where the likelihood of the body using muscle proteins as fuel becomes a concern (albeit a ‘small’ one).
For that reason, it might be worth a try for those that train in the mornings (early) whom don’t have their first meal until around lunch time.
The caveat
BCAA’s do in fact raise insulin levels which activate the mTOR pathway thus negating the health benefits of autophagy during a fast or whilst training fasted. For this reason, I wouldn’t recommend consuming Scivation Xtend or any other BCAA for that matter before or during your ‘fasted workouts’ and only ingest a serving 1 hour post-workout at a maximum (if in fact the ‘full’ benefits of fasted-training are to be maintained).
Would I use it again?
At the time of writing, I have around 10grams of Xtend around 1hour post training, then another similar serving 2 hours later. The reason for this is to increase anabolism which is great in terms of ‘muscle gain’.
In conclusion
Scivation Xtend is a great supplement when used sparingly and in times of absolute need as described above. If DOMS or fatigue are an issue for you ongoing, then perhaps give them a try. Otherwise, you can probably save your hard-earned money for something like whole foods or even whey protein.
| RATING | 8/10 | Interested in purchasing? $45.99 USD |
Clint,
I’m a fan of Xtend. I use it during fasted training and also as a sports drink replacement during soccer games. The new formula is electrolyte enhanced and a better option than sugary sports drinks like Gatorade.
Alykhan
I agree. A better option albeit an ‘expensive’ one ;)
Love this intra-workout supplement, I always take a scoop of it in my drink bottle during my workout, before my workout i usually take 1mr (http://www.bpisports.info) to get pumped up for my workout.
Clint, you mention that you don’t recommend BCAA’s pre workout in this review due to spiking insulin, yet in your post http://staging.revealthesteel.com/crudefitness/weight-training-while-fasted-its-easier-than-you-might-think/ you state otherwise… has your view changed due to updated research or am I not understanding? Also, I am using Rustys Visual Impact program and have just started ESE… ESE doesn’t specify any particular training methods, but concentrates on a 24 hour fast once per week. Did you find this method more effective than the leangains approach, which is more detailed. The reason I ask is because you mention in your VI review that you adopted both of these methods.