Xtend XTEND Original BCAA Powder 7g BCAA and 2.5g L-Glutamine, Sugar Free Post Workout Muscle Recovery Drink with Amino Acids for Men & Women, 30 Servings

Hands down one of my TOP Intra-workout BCAA. Read my review to find out why & if this is for you too!
What’s up my Amazon Family, it’s me your boy HardbodybyAnthony. For those of you who have not read or seen any of my reviews, I am Certified Master Trainer for over 20 years & I have many certifications, one of which is a certification in supplementation, so because of my years of knowledge and dedication in helping people achieve healthier lives through exercise & nutrition, is the reason why I do these reviews… in hopes I can help someone, even if that is just one.• I personally buy & use BCAA’s 4 times per day. This “Scivation Xtend” BCAA’s is one of my go to products. This happens to be an Inta-workout meant to be drank throughout your workout. To be honest, because I do take an extremely powerful intra-workout, I actually chug this before I go to train. All other times I use a more basic BCAA which is PM & PM. Let me break this down for you a little to help you figure out if you too, should be taking this!———————————————————— Product Information: ————————————————————• BCAA’s are essential for gaining muscle mass, but are especially helpful for maintaining muscle mass while on a calorie-deficit diet. BCAA stimulate protein synthesis, and might do so to a greater extent than a normal protein on its own. BCAA’s also increase synthesis of the cellular machinery responsible for carrying out the process of protein synthesis. As a result, BCAA’s not only increase’s the rate of protein synthesis, but they also increase the cell’s capacity for protein synthesis! SAY WORD! BCAA’s also reduce the rate of protein breakdown by decreasing the activity of the components of the protein breakdown pathway, and also by decreasing the expression of several complexes involved in protein breakdown. Lastly & real amazing is BCAA supplementation reduces the amount of tryptophan (makes you sleepy) that enters the brain, and therefore reduces the amount of serotonin produced. This might allow you to workout harder & longer! Bottom line my Amazon peeps…. BCAA’s provide you with more muscle mass retained, and a greater percentage in loss of body fat.———————————————————— Ingredient Breakdown: ————————————————————• Sodium which is added for anyone who trains intensely. It acts as a vasodilator, allowing more blood into the muscles via sodium pumps, which in turn produces more powerful muscular contractions and eventually leads to more muscle mass. Salt also helps keep water in the muscles to allow for better work output, and helps with countless processes on the cellular level.• Potassium is added because if you have an intense workout your potassium reserves will be SAPPED! Potassium, sodium and calcium, are all key minerals which plays a role in muscular energy.• Vitamin B6 can & will be depleted if you are training intensely. Vitamin B6 helps fine-tune the essential bodily processes that need to be in place in order for you to feel strong during a workout, or any other time of day.• L-Leucine is the strongest of the BCAA’s, & it is responsible for the regulation of blood-sugar levels, the growth & repair of tissues in skin, bones and of course skeletal muscle. Reason why it SHOULD be on the high end of the 2:1:1 ratio Minimum dosage 2500mg & this is 3500mg!• L-Glutamine is the most common amino acid found in your muscles. During intense training, Glutamine levels are greatly depleted in your body, which decreases strength, stamina and recovery. It could take up to 6 days for Glutamine levels to return to normal, and Glutamine plays a key role in protein synthesis. Studies have shown that L-Glutamine supplementation prevents your muscle from being catabolized (can minimize breakdown of muscle and improve protein metabolism in order to provide Glutamine for other cells in the body). This is especially useful for people ‘cutting down’. Especially during summer when you’re trying to get rid of some body fat without losing any muscle. Glutamine is needed throughout your body for optimal performance. Your small intestines requires the most Glutamine in your body, and your immune system also needs Glutamine because Glutamine levels deplete during workouts, bodybuilders are more susceptible to illnesses & this is why L-Glutamine supplementation is so important, not necessarily to gain more muscle, but for the ‘maintenance’ effects of L-Glutamine. Suggested daily dosage is 5g minimum of 2 times per day. I take Glutamine 4x’s per day.• L-Isoleucine Is very similar to leucine in just about every way. Isoleucine promotes muscle recovery, regulates the blood-sugar levels and stimulates HGH release. But isoleucine holds its own in wound recovery. Minimum dosage 1250mg & this is 1750mg.• L-Valine helps the repair and growth of muscle tissue, as commonly attributed to BCAA’s. It maintains the nitrogen balance and preserves the use of glucose. Minimum dosage 1250mg & this is 1750mg.*** (A good BCAA would have a total dose of L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine & L-Valine at 5000mg (5g) & the 2:1:1 break down amounts are above)• L-citrulline malate combines two parts L-citrulline, a non-essential amino acid active in the urea cycle with one part DL-malic acid,a racemic mixture of dicarboxylic acids which help to support energy production. L-citrulline is a central part of the urea cycle, which allows the body to dispose of excess nitrogen. whereas L-citrulline DL-malate produces cellular energy in the form of ATP. L-malic acid is naturally present in the body’s cells, and is involved in gluconeogenesis, the metabolic pathway that creates glucose for the brain. L-malic acid supplements help support energy production. Athletes and bodybuilders interested in physical performance may want to consider L-citrulline DL-malate supplementation.———————————————————— Electrolyte Blend 1180mg: ————————————————————• Trisodium Citrate Dihydrate, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Chloride pretty hefty amount.—————————————————————-— Final Thoughts: ——————–———————————–————• This is 30 servings, 1 scoop per serving and each scoop is a whopping 14.17g per scoop which is pretty hefty. The Intra-workout I take that I drink throughout my workout is 22.5g. The price is MORE than reasonable and cost effective, especially considering what you do get in this & this is way better than the basic BCAA’s that even cost more! This mixes excellently, tastes great & they have MANY flavors to choose from! This “Scivation Xtend BCAA is IMO one of the best, if not top 2-3 on the market, HANDS DOWN! I purchase this on the regular & also give it to my oldest daughter who trains like her Old Man…. ME!• In closing, as you can imagine, BCAA’s are a huge part of my recovery as it should be with anyone that trains hard & frequently. “Scivation Xtend BCAA” is dosed 10,500mg per servings of amino’s alone (including the Glutamine & L-citrulline malate), which is BANANAS, so in comparison to the many BCAA’s i’ve purchased and/or reviewed on Amazon, these “Scivation Xtend” BCAA” is at the TOP of the BCAA world, especially the L-Glutamine, L-citrulline malate, Potassium & B6 are all a bonus.

2020 – UPDATED FLAVOR RANKINGS!!!!
DISCLAIMER: My Personal Preferences Below. Actual Results May Vary5/5 – BEST OVERALL FLAVOR: Italian Blood OrangeThis flavor tastes so similar to actual fresh squeezed oranges it’s pretty mind blowing. And I definitely notice the richness they imitate in blood oranges, so it’s not at all like a standard Tropicana OJ – it’s better! They really nailed it in the flavor department for this one. My favorite every time4/5 – DELICIOUS – WON’T GET BORED: Tropic Thunder, Watermelon Explosion, Knockout Fruit Punch, Pink LemonadeI could drink these flavors everyday. Tropic Thunder tastes EXACTLY like Pineapple – so if you love that, you’ll love this (I do). Watermelon Explosion is our childhood favorite Jolly Rancher. Knockout Fruit Punch – Hawaiian Punch without the sugar!. Pink Lemonade – As advertised3.5/5 – TASTY & ACCURATE FLAVOR: Glacial Grape, Freedom IceThese flavors still taste pretty good, I rotate in and out of them. What’s more impressive is how close they taste to their actual listed flavor. Glacial Grape is exactly like the purple frost Gatorade and Freedom Ice, I kid you not, is literally the same flavor as the three colored Bombscicles we had as kids. It has the lemon, blue raspberry and cherry flavor all in one – and it works really well in my opinion3/5 – JUST AVERAGE: Mango Madness, Strawberry Mango, Miami Ice, Lemon LimeThe mango flavors taste a little too artificial for me – it’s hard to recreate the actual mango taste in any product. I couldn’t see myself drinking these all the time. Miami Ice is pretty good, it’s like a strawberry coconut flavor (i dint notice much pineapple), but kind of average. Lemon Lime is pretty standard lemon lime (not lemonade though).2/5 – NOT A FAN: Strawberry Kiwi Splash, Smash Apple, Margarita, Black CherryBlack Cherry smells like a Cherry starburst when u mix it, but tastes diluted somehow. It’s not as “juicy” as the other flavors. Smash Apple is also chemically tasting. Margarita, i have to say is pretty spot on in terms of flavor (it’s a little salty and lime-forward, like the cocktail). Took awhile to get through the tub though because I wasn’t looking forward to drinking it after the first time. Strawberry Kiwi is not as good as the Strawberry Kiwi Snapples they used to make back in the day lol. It’s neither Strawberry and it’s neither Kiwi. I didn’t find the flavor very pleasant and I haven’t finished the tub from 6 months ago.1/5 – GROSS: Rainbow SherbetI was excited at the idea of this one, but the execution just doesn’t work here for me. Maybe it’s because a creamy ice cream flavor doesn’t go well in a sports drink. Strange aftertasteNOT TESTED: Blue RaspberryI generally don’t go for the “blue razz” flavor drinks because I don’t love raspberry anything. Iv’e heard good things about this one though, and some people say it’s their favorite!Overall, I love Xtend. I think there’s a flavor out there for pretty much everyone. Helps me stay hydrated – BCAAs probably better when you’re training fasted. I drink it intra workout and look forward to having it every day when I lift. Personally, i think the recommended 10-14oz of water is too little. I use the big 24 oz shaker bottles w/ one scoop and it’s perfect. Super refreshing. Highly Recommend!!!

I love the taste. Tastes better than Coca Cola, especially when served with ice.

It’s cheaper to get it in a bigger bottle. Have been drinking it, tastes good!

Good flavor. Easy dissolving