While pre-workouts are all the rage, some people prefer the pump without stimulants. If that sounds like you, then PUMPED-AF is exactly what you're looking for.

PUMPED-AF is designed to provide maximum vasodilation and substantially increase cellular volume.

The result is increased muscle fullness, skin splitting pumps, and increased training capacity. 

It's great for men and women looking to improve endurance and performance across a number of athletic activities ranging from powerlifting, CrossFit, cycling, swimming, and traditional resistance training. 

If you've been searching for an effective stimulant-free pre-workout, then look no further than PUMPED-AF.

And now it's been reformulated with an updated formula that provides an even more vascular pump and muscle hardness!

Here's a detailed ingredient and benefits breakdown of the brand new PUMPED-AF and how it can improve your training: 

Benefits of PUMPED AF:

• Stimulate free pre-workout.
• Increased muscle hydration.
• Extreme muscle fullness.
• Increases endurance.
• Achieve that “pumped” feeling in your muscles we all seek from a great workout.
• Improve cognitive function, stress resiliency, and mood.

Here are the key ingredients in PUMPED-AF:

Sodium (as Sodium Chloride)

Sodium is the major positive ion (cation) in the fluid outside of cells. The chemical notation for sodium is Na+. When combined with chloride, the resulting substance is table salt. Excess sodium (such as that obtained from dietary sources) is excreted in the urine. Sodium regulates the total amount of water in the body and the transmission of sodium into and out of individual cells also plays a role in critical body functions. Many processes in the body, especially in the brain, nervous system, and muscles, require electrical signals for communication. The movement of sodium is critical in the generation of these electrical signals. Therefore, too much or too little sodium can cause cells to malfunction, and extremes in the blood sodium levels (too much or too little) can be fatal.

Here's how the body uses sodium chloride:

For nutrient absorption and transportation

Sodium and chloride play an important role in your small intestine.

Sodium helps your body absorb:

• Chloride
• Sugar
• Water
• amino acids (building blocks of protein)

Chloride, when it’s in the form of hydrochloric acid (hydrogen and chloride) is also a component of gastric juice. It helps your body digest and absorbs nutrients.

Maintaining resting energy

Sodium and potassium are electrolytes in the fluid outside and inside your cells. The balance between these particles contributes to how your cells maintain your body’s energy.

It’s also how nerves send signals to the brain, your muscles contract, and your heart functions. 

Maintaining blood pressure and hydration

Your kidneys, brain, and adrenal glands work together to regulate the amount of sodium in your body. Chemical signals stimulate the kidney to either hold on to water so it can be reabsorbed into the bloodstream or get rid of excess water through the urine.

When there’s too much sodium in your bloodstream, your brain signals your kidneys to release more water into your blood circulation. This leads to an increase in blood volume and blood pressure. Decreasing your sodium intake can lead to less water being absorbed into the bloodstream. The result is a lower blood pressure.

L-Citrulline

L-citrulline is a non-essential amino acid, meaning that it is made in the body and is not required through diet.

The name citrulline comes from the word Citrullus, the Latin word for watermelon, as the fruit contains this amino acid (1.1- 4.7 mg/g).

L-Citrulline is available as a supplement and can be found in a variety of foods.

Foods that contain L-citrulline include:

• Watermelon (highest amount)
• Squash
• Melons
• Cucumber
• Pumpkin

Though l-citrulline is found in some foods, it’s mostly produced from l-arginine (by fermenting l-arginine with special microorganisms) or synthetically.

L-citrulline supplements have not been approved by the FDA for medical use and generally, lack solid clinical research. Regulations set manufacturing standards for supplements but don’t guarantee that they’re safe or effective. Speak with your doctor before supplementing.

In the body, L-citrulline is produced in the liver and intestines, either from L-arginine (10%) or L-glutamine (90%).

Mechanisms of Action

Some researchers suggest that L-citrulline plays an important role in muscle strength, heart health, the production of important enzymes, and increasing arginine levels.

L-citrulline is one of the three amino acids in the urea cycle (the other two being L-arginine and L-ornithine). The urea cycle converts a toxic compound called ammonia into urea, which is then eliminated from the body through urine.

After ingestion, L-citrulline is converted to L-arginine by the kidneys and is released into the bloodstream by the kidneys so that it is available to the whole body.

L-arginine is a precursor to nitric oxide. Nitric oxide synthase produces nitric oxide from L-arginine. Nitric oxide plays a crucial role in the immune system and heart and blood vessel health. Many of the benefits of L-citrulline are due to L-arginine and nitric oxide.

L-Citrulline is also formed as a by-product in the production of nitric oxide from arginine. It can be recycled back to arginine in what is known as the citrulline-NO cycle.

Benefits of L-Citrulline

L-citrulline is possibly effective for improving exercise performance.

A randomized clinical trial on 30 heart failure patients showed that citrulline may increase exercise capacity. Those who were given l-citrulline were able to exercise on a treadmill for longer.

As previously mentioned, healthy men who were given L-citrulline also saw an increase in exercise capacity, either by being able to do more bench presses or cycle faster.

Fig: Changes in plasma NOx before and after a 4 km TT. Values are means ± S.E.M. n= 22  Ref: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26900386/

Fig: Completion times of the 4 km TT after placebo or L-citrulline supplementation. Values are means ± S.E.M. n = 22, * p < 0.05, indicating a significant difference from placebo  Ref: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26900386/

Fig: PO profile during the 4 km TT (a) and mean PO (b) of the 4 km TT after placebo or L-citrulline supplementation. Values are means ± S.E.M. n = 22. * p < 0.05, indicating a significant difference from placebo  Ref: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26900386/

References:

• J Nutr. 2016 Dec;146(12):2643S-2651S  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27934657/
• Nutrients. 2018 Jul 19;10(7):921 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30029482/
• Cardiol J. 2010;17(6):612-8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21154265/
• J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2016 Feb 19;13:6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26900386/

Betaine Anhydrous

Betaine anhydrous is a chemical that occurs naturally in the body, and can also be found in foods such as beets, spinach, cereals, seafood, and wine. A form of betaine called betaine anhydrous helps in the metabolism of homocysteine, a chemical involved in the normal function of many different parts of the body, including blood, bones, eyes, heart, nerves, and the brain.

Betaine anhydrous prevents the buildup of homocysteine seen in people who have problems with its metabolism from birth. Homocysteine is involved in the normal function of many different parts of the body, including blood, bones, eyes, heart, muscles, nerves, and the brain. Betaine anhydrous prevents the buildup of homocysteine in the blood.

Fig: Percent change in bench press volume for placebo (n = 12) and betaine (n = 11) for 3 training micro-cycles. Note: * = Significantly (p < .05) different than placebo. Ref: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23967897/

Fig: Percent change in bench press volume for placebo (n = 12) and betaine (n = 11) for 3 training micro-cycles. Note: * = Significantly (p < .05) different than placebo. Ref: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23967897/

Fig: Bar graph for body fat percentage for placebo (n = 12) and betaine (n = 11) for pre- and post-treatment. Note: Significantly (p < .05) different than pre-treatment.  Ref: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23967897/

Fig: Bar graph for lean body mass (kg) for placebo (n = 12) and betaine (n = 11) for pre- and post-treatment. Note: Significantly (p < .05) different than pre-treatment  Ref: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23967897/

References

• J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2013 Aug 22;10(1):39.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23967897/

Glycersize (>65% Glycerol Powder) 

Glycersize is an advanced form of glycerol that delivers more glycerol per gram than conventional glycerol products. Where previous forms of glycerol products only contained between 10% and 25% glycerol, Glycersize yields a 65% glycerol content.

How does Glycersize work?

Glycersize supports improved hydration and nutrient absorption due to its ability to enhance the cell’s ability to absorb water. Imagine Glycersize transforming your cells into ultra-absorbent sponges and encouraging them to soak up extra water and nutrients and thereby improving endurance, performance, muscle fullness, vascularity, and pumps! In simple terms, Glycersize sends extra fluid into the muscles resulting in improved hydration, endurance, performance, and Massive Pumps!

PRO TIP: Glycersize truly shines when combined with adequate hydration. To get the most out of Glycersize supplementation, make sure to consume enough water and stay properly hydrated.

What is Glycerol?

Glycerol or glycerin is a colorless, odorless, viscous liquid that is sweet-tasting and mostly non-toxic. It is widely used in the food industry as a sweetener and humectant and in pharmaceutical formulations. Glycerol is an important component of triglycerides (i. e. fats and oils) and phospholipids. Glycerol is a three-carbon substance that forms the backbone of fatty acids in fats. When the body uses stored fat as a source of energy, glycerol and fatty acids are released into the bloodstream. The glycerol component can be converted into glucose by the liver and provides energy for cellular metabolism. Normally, glycerol shows very little acute toxicity and very high oral doses or acute exposures can be tolerated.

Mechanism of action

Glycerol accumulates in body fluids, except those found in the eyes and brain, increasing osmotic pressure and the total volume of water in the body. It can also be used as an energy substrate, and if consumed in large enough quantities, could contribute to the energy yield during training.

When glycerol is consumed orally, as in the case of sports supplements, it’s rapidly absorbed by the body and distributed between fluid compartments before being metabolized by the liver and kidneys. If it’s consumed along with a hefty amount of fluid, osmotic pressure increases which helps your body retain that large volume of fluid and leads to the expansion of various fluid spaces in the body. This creates a state of “hyperhydration”, which is of great benefit to hard-training athletes, particularly endurance athletes

Fig: Changes in anaerobic power of subjects (mean ±SE) Ref: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3590833/

Fig: Changes in anaerobic power of subjects (mean ±SE) Ref: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3590833/

Fig: Changes in exercise time of subjects (mean ±SE) Ref: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3590833/

References:

• National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Database; CID=753, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/753
• J Hum Kinet. 2012 Oct; 34: 69–79.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3590833/

Beet Root Extract (Beta vulgaris) (std. to contain 1% Betanin)

Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) is a root vegetable also known as red beet, table beet, garden beet, or just beet.  Packed with essential nutrients, beetroots are a great source of fiber, folate (vitamin B9), manganese, potassium, iron, and vitamin C. 

Beetroots and beetroot juice have been associated with numerous health benefits, including improved blood flow, lower blood pressure, and increased exercise performance. Many of these benefits are due to their high content of inorganic nitrates.  Here are some benefits of beetroot for heart health and exercise performance.

• Lower blood pressure: Studies show that beetroots or their juice can reduce blood pressure by up to 3–10 mm Hg over a period of a few hours.  Such effects are likely due to increased levels of nitric oxide, which causes your blood vessels to relax and dilate.
• Increased exercise capacity:  Numerous studies suggest that nitrates can enhance physical performance, particularly during high-intensity endurance exercise.  Dietary nitrates have been shown to reduce oxygen use during physical exercise by affecting the efficiency of mitochondria; the cell organs responsible for producing energy.  Beets and their juice are often used for this purpose because of their high inorganic nitrate content.  Consumption of beetroots may improve running and cycling performance, increase stamina, boost oxygen use, and lead to better exercise performance overall.

Fig:. Average running velocity during each segment of a 5-km treadmill time trial. Data are means±standard error of the mean. P values reflect the significance of differences between trials with P≤0.05 considered significant Ref: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22709704/

References:

• Hypertension. 2008 Mar;51(3):784-90  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18250365/
• Cell Metab. 2011 Feb 2;13(2):149-59 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21284982/
• J Acad Nutr Diet. 2012 Apr;112(4):548-52 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22709704/

Agmatine Sulfate

Agmatine is a compound naturally formed from the amino acid L-arginine. It is a neurotransmitter found predominantly in neurons. Because it is capable of targeting multiple receptors, researchers are investigating it in the context of a wide spectrum of complex diseases.

Furthermore, some research suggests that agmatine may play a role in cognitive function, stress resiliency, mood, and athletic performance.

Mechanisms of Action

Agmatine is a natural component of the inner workings of many cells, and as such, it has complex interactions with cellular function. Researchers have been working to untangle agmatine’s mechanisms and effects by studying human and animal cells as well as bacteria.

Agmatine appears to block the production of NOS (nitric oxide synthase).  Thus, some researchers believe agmatine may regulate nitric oxide levels. 

The effects of eNOS and iNOS expression by agmatine treatment following transient global ischemia in rat hippocampus. Representative expressional levels of eNOS (A) and iNOS (C) at 6 h after agmatine treatment (100 mg/kg, i.p), and densitometric data (B, D). Data represent means±SD for n=5/NC, n=3/EC and Agm group per each time point.

Agmatine References:

• Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2012 Jan;36(1):502-19
• Exp Neurobiol. 2017 Dec;26(6):380-389
• Anat Cell Biol. 2010 Sep;43(3):230-40

Creatine Monohydrate

Widely known for its muscle building and brain boosting benefits, creatine is a naturally occurring molecule in the human body and is
responsible for replenishing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) during fast muscular movements through the phosphagen system. It is the most researched supplement in human history that has a solid track record of benefits with more being discovered nearly every year. 

N.O.^{7 TM}

Punica granatum

Punica granatum L. (Punicaceae) is the fruit with the highest phytoestrogen concentrations, which contains significant amounts of phenolic antioxidant. The use of punica granatum has beneficial effects contributing to:

• Reduction in systolic blood pressure
• Increase in the endothelium-dependent relaxation in coronary arteries
• Reduction in oxidative stress
• Inhibition of eNOS phosphorylation at its inhibitory residue Thr495
• Improve in lipid profile.

Taken together, these effects can protect against the development and/or progression of coronary vasclular diseases. Most of these effects may be related, at least in part, with estrogenic actions of phytoestrogens.  Punica granatum was used to analyze the functionality of the endothelium. The treatment significantly increased vasodilator response when compared to their respective control group (see figure below)

Fig: Dose-response curves to bradykinin (0,1–1000 ng) in isolated hearts. Sham group (A) and OVX group (B) before (closed symbols) and after (open symbols) perfusion with L-NAME (100 μM) for 20 min. Data were expressed as mean ± SEM; n = 6–10 animals per group. ∗p < 0.05 compared with the vehicle group before L-NAME. #p < 0.05 compared with both groups after L-NAME.

References:

• Espín J. C., García-Conesa M. T., Tomás-Barberán F. A. (2007). Nutraceuticals: facts and fiction. Phytochemistry 68 2986–3008.
• Front Pharmacol. 2016; 7: 522.

(-) Epicatechin: (–) epicatechin is the most abundant flavanol found in and absorbed from dark chocolate, and is thought to exhibit health-promoting biological activity.  Additionally, (–)-epicatechin was demonstrated to be the only catechin stereoisomer capable of inducing vasodilation of the femoral artery upon direct infusion into the bloodstream.  Results from human trials indicate that (–)-epicatechin elicits beneficial effects on the vascular system. Acute administration of 200 mg of (–)-epicatechin resulted in the augmentation of nitric oxide production and reduced endothelin-1, a marker of oxidative stress, in healthy men.  Similar results were reported for nitric oxide production in healthy males after ingestion of (–)-epicatechin-rich cocoa.

Fig: Mean (± SEM) plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) concentrations before (□) and 2 h after (▪) (A) and mean (± SEM)

Fig: Proof-of-concept: Vascular response after oral ingestion of (–)-epicatechin. (A and C) FMD (A) and PAT (C) index significantly increased 2 h after ingestion of 1 or 2 mg/kg epicatechin in water (filled columns) but not water alone (open column; n = 3; cross-over). (B and D) Time course of FMD (B) and PAT (D) index after ingestion of water (open circles) or 1 mg/kg (–)-epicatechin in water (n = 3). Data represent means ± SEM. *, P < 0.05 vs. baseline at 0 h of respective day; #, P < 0.05 vs. respective time point on control day.

References:

• Ottaviani JI, Momma TY, Heiss C, Kwik-Uribe C, Schroeter H, Keen CL. The stereochemical configuration of flavanols influences the level and metabolism of flavanols in humans and their biological activity in vivo. Free Radic Biol Med. (2011
• Schwarz et al Front. Nutr., 21 December 2018
• Loke WM, Hodgson JM, Proudfoot JM, McKinley AJ, Puddey IB, Croft KD. Pure dietary flavonoids quercetin and (–)-epicatechin augment nitric oxide products and reduce endothelin-1 acutely in healthy men. Am J Clin Nutr. (2008) 88:1018–25
• Hagen Schroeter, Christian Heiss, Jan Balzer, Petra Kleinbongard, Carl L. Keen, Norman K. Hollenberg, Helmut Sies, Catherine Kwik-Uribe, Harold H. Schmitz, and Malte Kelm  (–)-Epicatechin mediates beneficial effects of flavanol-rich cocoa on vascular function in humans.  PNAS January 24, 2006 103 (4) 1024-1029;

5-hydroxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-8-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-7-[(2S,4S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-3-[(3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one  

Icariin is a chemical compound classified as a prenylated flavonol glycoside, a type of flavonoid.  It is thought that icariin is an active component of Epimedium extracts, as it has been shown to share several mechanisms of action with compounds used in Western medicine to treat impotence. In particular, icariin is a weak PDE5 inhibitor in vitro and enhances the production of nitric oxide.

Like stimulants and the pump? Perfect!

PUMPED-AF can be combined with any of our pre-workouts and fat burners to create the perfect pre-workout personalized just how you like it!