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Scivation Xtend - Review

drizzt

By drizzt
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drizzt Veteran member

drizzt

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Scivation Xtend

Alright, I got bored at work today, so thought I'd pass some time writing a review. I've been using Xtend for about a month now, thought it'd be nice to give my thoughts on it (skip to the Overall part if you cbf reading :)).

  • Taste/Smell/Serving - 9/10
    I went for "Refreshing Watermelon" flavour - it smells good, actually does taste quite refreshing, but there is the slightest hint of an unnaturally flavoured tinge to it. I also received a comment along the lines of "It smells chemical" from a workmate, not sure if he was taking the piss or not, but I think it smells great!
    With 2 scoops (one serve) I can fill my shaker up with water (approx 700mls) and it tastes pretty good, not too watery at all. When to take the serves are slightly vague, but the general consensus (I read) is to take it before (one serve), and then during (one serve) the workout. The label mentions to sip as desired throughout training days, but see the Side Effects part of this review for why I don't do that.
  • Solubility - 10/10
    Easily soluble in cold water, 30secs shaking seems to do the job fine - after which you leave it to sit for a little bit (not long). Never experienced any clumps. Very good.
  • Effectiveness - 7/10
    The front label reads: "Scientifically Proven to Build Muscle and Burn Fat!", "Enhance Recovery", "Reduce Fatigue", "Decrease Soreness", "Sugar and Stimulant Free". I can safely say it contains no sugar/stims (going by both the label, and the "feel" of taking it), but the rest could be debated I guess...
    The score for this is a bit muddy, as I started taking this supp a week into my new diet, because it called for BCAAs pre-workout (fasted). So a reduction in overall fatigue has happened, but how much of that is attributable to Xtend is anyone's guess. A decrease in soreness and enhancement of recovery are along the same lines (have noticed improvements), so I won't get into that.
    As for building muscle and burning fat - I guess that depends on if you believe in the effectiveness of the BCAAs used to formulate the powder. That's beyond the scope of this review.
    As a positive for Xtend, I have recently tried working out without taking it, and I notice I'm a little less "into" the workout (however that could be tagged on a variety of environmental factors). As a negative for Xtend, my energy levels throughout the day are really good at the moment, which I attribute almost completely to the diet. Hence a bit of a mediocre score here - it may do what it says, but there is so much else contributing to my current state, that I don't really know for sure if it fulfills what it claims to do. I'll give it the benefit of the doubt and say it has a hand in it.
  • Price - 8/10
    After a quick scan of similar products (note; commercial blends, not taking into account other BCAA sources), it's not the cheapest, but by no means is it the most expensive BCAA powder out there either. Expect to pay a similar price for a similar amount of serves for other products. I got mine in a Bodybuilding.com order I was making, so the shipping was slightly cheaper, and I worked out that adding it to my order cost roughly $80NZD at the time (for the 90 serves). If you are ordering by itself, expect to pay about $90NZD from bodybuilding.com (using the slow shipping option), or order locally and pay $109 from bodybuilding.co.nz (the only local store I found that sold the 90 serve tub).
    At 90 serves per container, I take 2 serves on training days (4 scoops), so this should last 45 training days. At 4 days per week (usually 3, but I occasionally take a 4th day), that's about 11 weeks, or almost 4 months supply. For $100 I think that's a pretty reasonable amount :nod:
  • Side Effects - 5/10
    There is only one side that I've experienced whilst taking Xtend, but it's bad enough to make me drop 5 points off this score. It makes you piss. Like. A. Racehorse. Never have I visited the wharepaku so often as when I've been sipping on Xtend. I encountered the worst of this side effect when I decided it'd be a good idea to sip on whilst walking the one and a half hours to my gym. Terrible, terrible mistake! :doh:
    Just as I was walking out of my local town about 30mins into my walk (still in reasonable range of toilets) I felt it coming on. I think to myself; "ahh, I can hold it", and continue the walk. About 10mins of further sipping, I'm ready to burst, and break into a jog. I desperately look for a bush to sidle into, but on a main highway, in bright yellow clothing, such privacy is but a distant memory. I get to semi-civilization (Old Hutt Road), stop into Mitre 10 and ask to use the bathroom, to which; "staff only" was the reply :cry: 2 more mins wasted. I decide to man up and try to make it to the gym (about 30-40mins from Mitre 10), no more time will be spent trying stores. About 10mins later it was like an oasis had appeared in front of me... a portaloo! Thank god! I sprint into the construction site and take the longest standing visit any man has ever taken. I saved the rest of my Xtend for the gym locker room :nod:
    Honestly, take it only when you have quick, easy, and unobstructed access to a bathroom.
  • Overall - 7/10 (not an average)
    Taste is pretty damned nice, solubility is impeccable, effectiveness seems ok, price isn't bad for this type of product, but man, the side effect is annoying! If you take this, make sure you are - or will be in the next 10-20mins - in range of a bathroom, or discrete bush/forestry. During a 1.5-2 hour Sheiko workout, I need to take on average 3 toilet breaks. Still, there are worse sides out there, and if you are looking for a BCAA supp that tastes nice, and mixes great, then give it a go. This side may also be the case with other BCAA supps - I don't know - I haven't tried others, so feel free to chip in if you have the same thing with other BCAA powders :)

Next, I'm looking at trying USP labs version of BCAA - Modern BCAA. Still got about half a tub of Xtend to chew through yet though.

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Monarchking Veteran member

Monarchking

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good review.

Ive started drinking this while playing cricket, and when in the nets.

I went the grape and its solid as, got me some lemon n lime 2day, so will let ya know how that goes.

Ive been mixing 4 scoops to about 2 some times 3litres of water, as far as the pissing goes, I always wake up in the middle of the night and take a huge fucken piss 2x. But then again, i train at 4-5oclock(2litres water) and usaly in bed at 8:30 so yea always had that problem.

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Chemo Senior member

Chemo

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xtend is the shit, i could sip on that all day. by far the most pleasant tasting bcaa ive tried! works great with a lil glucose for circuit training. i think the main perk of xtend is the taste, im surprised you scored the pricing so high, its quite expensive for a bcaa source, but compared to commercial blends its on par for sure.

Cant wait till I run outta my custom bcaa blend from true protien, going straight back to xtend.

LGs BC EAA mix isnt bad though worth the try ay.

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drizzt Veteran member

drizzt

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im surprised you scored the pricing so high, its quite expensive for a bcaa source, but compared to commercial blends its on par for sure.

Yeah, I compared to other commercial blends as opposed to anything else. Sorry, should've mentioned, will edit :)

good review.

Ive started drinking this while playing cricket, and when in the nets.

I went the grape and its solid as, got me some lemon n lime 2day, so will let ya know how that goes.

Ive been mixing 4 scoops to about 2 some times 3litres of water, as far as the pissing goes, I always wake up in the middle of the night and take a huge fucken piss 2x. But then again, i train at 4-5oclock(2litres water) and usaly in bed at 8:30 so yea always had that problem.

True, that much water? I suppose once I've chewed through about half of my shaker in a gym session, I'll refill/top up with water and it still doesn't taste too bad. Never really thought about mixing in with anything larger than a shaker, could be a goer for long outings :nod:

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tomsammce Veteran member

tomsammce

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i just got some of this from shotgun, watermelon flavour. tastes good.

was just deciding on how to have the doses have been having 6 scoops a day so 3x 2 scoop drinks.

but think i will start mixing 3 scoops to 3litres of water and try drink 6litres per day, will make the water drinking abit more pleasent and easier.

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