We review our favorite weapons, optics, lights, and slings on m4carbine.net and discuss their various strengths and weaknesses so I figured why not do the same with training supplements. Fitness is so important to one’s ability to train and fight and a good protein powder is an excellent adjunct to exercise and nutrition regimens. Obviously it can help you build and maintain muscle when using weight training but it can also speed recovery and prevent muscle loss during cardio.
The protein I’m reviewing here is Nitrean from AtLarge Nutrition. The company was started a few years ago by a group of fitness junkies who weren’t happy with the products that were available at the time. It’s a blend that has whey, casien, and egg proteins. Thiss blend is supposed to have benefits above just using whey.
Over the last four months I decided to test the claims. My program included general weight training using a 6 rep max and cardio for 30-60 minutes 3-5 times a week. I used the protein for pre- and post- workout shakes and for a pre-bedtime protein supplement. All in all six scoops a day. I went from benching 225X6 to 275X6, squatting 265X6 to 325X6, deadlifting from 270X6 to 355X6, and doing pullups with bodyweight to bodyweight+25lbsX6. I noticed my recovery was somewhat faster than normal and I could lift two days on, one off instead of my normal one on one off. I feel a major benefit of this protein was during cardio. I suspect it helped me stave off catabolysis by keeping my amino acids elevated during longer sessions. In other words I think it changed the two steps forward, one step back progress of lifting and running to maybe a two steps forward, one half step back.
I was really impressed with the Nitrean. I don’t have any affiliation with the manufacturer but I felt compelled to share this product based on my experience. In my unscientific experience the theory behind the blend is valid. It also blends much better than any protein I’ve used. It doesn’t clump up and I’m able to just funnel it into a bottled water, shake, and drink with no lumps. Like any protein it’s not appetizing but tastes fine to me and isn’t chalky like Muscle Milk. The only downside is the price but they have a lot of sales. They’re running one right now for 20% off. The way I see it I train hard, eat right, buy the best weapons and ammo that I can afford etc. Why not apply the same logic to my nutritional supplement?