MusclePharm Combat Pre-Workout Review – Good ingredients?

Combat Pre-Workout ranks 70th ouf of 125 pre-workouts – See complete list here

Pros

• Contains proven ingredients
• No proprietary blend
• Good caffeine and L-citrulline dose

Cons

• Many ingredients under-dosed
• Missing key ingredients in a pre-workout

With MusclePharm producing several training enhancers—this Combat Pre-Workout review will explore whether this particular one deserves to be ranked among the best.

Let me start by saying this.

Often when looking for a bodybuilding supplement, it’s easy for us to seek out those products made by the “big boys” in the game. You assume you’re going to obtain something that won’t wreck your health or be packed full of placebos.

True words, right?

But here’s the issue—being a leading player doesn’t always mean every single supplement produced is the best one in that category—and pre-workouts are no exception.

The best pre-workouts can send training off the scale—producing extra reps, creating explosive power, and rapidly reducing recovery time. The worst ones generate little more than a buzz.

Listen up.

This Combat Pre Workout review gives you the unadulterated facts—without bowing to pressure from MusclePharm’s reputation.

If you want to know the whole truth—read on.

MusclePharm Combat Pre Workout Review

Let me start by clearing up any ambiguity—this isn’t an MP Assault Pre Workout review or an MP Assault Black Pre Workout review—those are entirely different products.

This is a Combat Pre Workout review.

Right, that said, down to business.

MusclePharm is a massive company. Traded publicly on Wall Street, it has numerous big names as owners, with the largest stock (over $7M) being held by Arnold Schwarzenegger.¹

Founded back in 2010, it’s rapidly grown to be one of the largest manufacturers and suppliers of bodybuilding nutritional supplements—including Combat Pre Workout.

This particular enhancer is part of a wide range of energy-boosting products sold by MusclePharm—of which at least six are pre-workouts.

Formulated to elevate training performance, MusclePharm claim that Combat Pre Workout will:

• Provide explosive energy.
• Raise mental focus and increase strength levels.
• Promote impressive muscle pumps.
• Optimize your training program.
• Not be picked up on drug tests—being third-party checked for banned substances.

All pretty standard promises that you’d expect from a pre-workout, right?

Before we see in this Combat Pre Workout review whether it can achieve these claims, let’s check if it’s a supplement for you.

Who Should Use MusclePharm Combat Pre Workout?

If you’re new to the pre-workout market, you could be wondering if they’re the right supplements for your needs. Hence, I’ve put together a checklist for this Combat Pre Workout review to see if they’re suitable.

Pre-workouts are mainly for guys who:

• Are dissatisfied with their current training performance and demand
• Find themselves struggling to reach their target reps.
• Need more motivation to hit the gym.
• Feel that their results are hampered by post-training recovery being too long.
• Require additional mental strength to generate the willpower in order to knock out that final lift.
• Find muscle fatigue cuts their sessions short.
• Want more power to push out the seriously heavy iron.

Sound familiar? If that’s the case, using one of the best pre-workouts on the market could help you achieve your goals.

Who Should Not Use MusclePharm Combat Pre Workout?

While the best pre-workouts are tools that the serious bodybuilder should have in his pocket—they aren’t for everyone.

The people who should steer clear of these supplements are:

• Sofa athletes—if your idea of building muscle is chomping down on a donut and watching the ball game, pre-workouts aren’t going to help—you still need to work yourself hard.
• Synthetic junkies—the best pre-workouts are 100 percent natural and safe—if you prefer to see your balls shrink and stab yourself with a hypodermic, get yourself some ‘roids instead.
• Young bucks—pre-workouts are for real men: if you’re under 18, stay away—your time will come.
• Training newbies—if you’re new to the lifting game, first get yourself accustomed to the machines, formulate a training program, and sort out your nutrition—then consider knocking back the supplements.

How Does MusclePharm Combat Pre Workout Work?

This supplement is designed to improve your performance in even the most demanding sessions by:

• Reducing fatigue and boosting stamina by alleviating the unwanted effects of muscle acidosis.
• Including stimulants to heighten energy levels.
• Creating pumps by using compounds that dilate the blood vessels.
• Boosting the mind-muscle connection through the use of ingredients thought to improve brain activity.

Now down to the serious stuff in this Combat Pre Workout review—let’s see what it contains.

Ingredients

As you can see from the MusclePharm Combat nutrition label, it includes eight ingredients. These are categorized into sections designed for energy and performance, pump, and focus.

Here they are in detail.

Beta-alanine

An ingredient that’s included in all the best pre-workouts. This compound can stave off fatigue by reducing levels of the muscle-killing lactic acid.²

Caffeine Anhydrous

Another powerful element for a pre-workout. The potent anhydrous form (all the water has been removed) can elevate energy and enhance focus.³

L-Citrulline

So far, it’s looking good in this Combat Pre Workout review. Citrulline has the effect of boosting nitric oxide levels—which opens up the circulatory system.

This enables increased volumes of oxygenated blood to enter the muscles, raising stamina, power, and forming impressive pumps.^{4 5}

Vaso6

Made from extracts of green tea—this trademarked compound claims to generate massive pumps. The theory being specific vasodilating catechins have been selected to open up the blood vessels.

While there’s some evidence that tea (green or black) can improve blood flow, there’s little research into Vaso6 itself. Citrulline and arginine would appear to be more beneficial ingredients.⁶

Tyrosine

An amino acid which can increase focus and alertness.⁷

Alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine (GPC)

Only discovered in 1998, this compound has been shown to improve memory and concentration.⁸

L-Theanine

A potent supplement that I like to see in a pre-workout, due to its ability to:

• Boost alertness and determination.⁹
• Lower inflammation.¹⁰
• Enhance slumber.¹¹

Huperzine

Yet another ingredient which has been shown to increase focus—you can see a pattern emerging here.¹²

Ingredients Breakdown

We’ve already seen in this Combat Pre Workout review what it contains—but are they the best ingredients for a pre-workout?

For comparison, I’ve created a checklist of the most potent performance-enhancing compounds—ingredients that should be found in the real serious pre-workout supplements.

Let’s see if it matches the Combat Pre Workout formula:

• ✘L-Arginine
• ✘Betaine Anhydrous
• ✘Acetyl-L-Carnitine
• ✓Caffeine
• ✓Beta-Alanine
• ✓Citrulline Malate
• ✘Black pepper extract (Bioperine)
• ✓L-Theanine

So, with half of the best pre-workout ingredients, it seems that Combat is an average supplement.

But it’s not that simple.

Firstly, apart from caffeine (200 mg), all the other vital compounds are underdosed.

Three grams of citrulline is half of what you would see in the most powerful pre-workouts. There should be a least one more gram of beta-alanine, and the theanine content should be at least doubled.

This, combined with the fact that it omits four of the scientifically proven performance enhancers, makes it a less than average supplement.

However, there could be one benefit.

The high number of focus-enhancing ingredients may improve concentration—but it appears unlikely this formula will raise the physical aspect of your training.

Muscle Pharm Combat VS Other Muscle Pharm Pre Workouts

As I mentioned at the beginning of this Combat Pre Workout review, MusclePharm manufactures more pre-workouts than just the one currently being reviewed.

Here are the main differences.

MusclePharm Combat vs. MusclePharm Pre Workout Wreckage

Wreckage is the more powerful supplement, as it contains higher levels of beta-alanine, citrulline, and caffeine. However, much of the formula does echo Combat Pre Workout ingredients.

MusclePharm Combat vs. Assault

MusclePharm Assault concentrates more on all-around muscle building, with its formula including the ATP-boosting creatine and numerous vitamins. But, surprisingly, it lacks the pump-boosting ingredient citrulline, found in Combat.

There also appears to be more reports of Assault Pre Workout side effects than those associated with the Combat product.

MusclePharm Combat vs. Assault Black

Assault black tries to be the complete pre-workout, by including ingredients known to boost strength, endurance, stamina, and energy. This, however, translates into a heavy product, with over 15 different compounds and a large serving.

MusclePharm Combat vs. MusclePharm Pre Workout Natural Energy

Natural energy attempts to increase sporting performance by using organic extracts in its formulation. It does, unfortunately, include a proprietary blend—meaning the ingredients cannot be quantified.

The MP Pre Workout Natural Energy reviews aren’t overly impressive.

Side Effects

Speaking in general, the best pre-workout supplements are entirely safe and unlikely to cause damage to your body,

However, as with ingesting any product, they can sometimes produce some minor side effects. These may include:

• Paresthesia (tingling)—from beta-alanine, it’s harmless, and the effect wears off after an hour or so.
• Insomnia
• Stomach discomfort.
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Headaches.
• An agitated feeling.

Before After Results

The best pre-workouts can take your training from the average to the immense. But can this supplement elevate your game?

For a sincere Combat Pre Workout review, I’ve collated some genuine testimonials from guys who have been using this product.

Here are their opinions:

“This product gives me the focus and drive to push through.”

TY

“I perform noticeably better with this product!”

Ebon

“By far the worst MP pre-workout product I’ve tried”

Aaron

“The effects of the supplement are definitely noticeable”.

Avazquez

“Doesn’t give me the initial explosion of energy.”

Justin

“Horrible feeling during and after workout…it gave me anxiety, nausea, and the shakes.”

James

“This is the worst pre-workout I’ve ever tried…I can’t tell ANY energy difference.”

C

“May have had more focus…but no energy, no pumps, nothing else. Trash if you ask me.”

Abdul

Where to Buy MusclePharm Combat Pre Workout?

If, after digesting all of this Combat Pre Workout review, you decide it’s perfect for your needs—you can purchase it from the official MusclePharm website, Amazon, bodybuilding.com, Walgreens, and Walmart.

Conclusion

Let me round off this Combat Pre Workout review by saying this:

It’s a supplement made by a huge company, but it appears the effects it provides are far from immense.

Listen.

The most significant praise I can give this pre-workout is that it does contain a lot of proven focus-enhancers—and some guys have indicated it’s improved their concentration levels. But, if that’s all you’re after, it would be more useful to go for a single nootropic supplement.

Apart from focus, it’s a weak formulation.

It lacks critical training boosters, like arginine, carnitine, and betaine. Even the seriously useful compounds, such as citrulline and beta-alanine, are sadly underdosed. In my opinion, this supplement will provide little to no gains in your workouts.

Here’s my advice.

If you genuinely want to boost your training and witness phenomenal results, avoid this product. Instead, get hold of one of the best pre-workouts available. That is a product which includes hefty doses of all the scientifically proven enhancers I talked about earlier.

FAQ

“How to Take MusclePharm Combat Pre Workout?”

Mix one full scoop with 8-12 ounces of water and consume 30 minutes before your training commences.

“How Much Does MusclePharm Combat Pre Workout Cost?”

When purchased from the official MusclePharm website, one container (273 grams – 30 servings) costs $29.99.

“Is MusclePharm Combat Pre Workout Safe?”

This supplement should cause no serious health issues. However, some users may experience side effects, such as nausea, rapid heartbeat, headaches, and insomnia.

“Where Can You Buy MusclePharm Combat Pre Workout?”

This product can be obtained from Walgreens, Amazon, Walmart, and the official MusclePharm website.

“Does MusclePharm Combat Pre Workout Work?”

Containing a high number of focus-enhancing ingredients, it may improve the mind-muscle connection.

However, lacking in some of the most potent proven workout-boosting ingredients and underdosed in others—it’s unlikely to raise physical performance.

“Is There a Money-Back Guarantee?”

Yes.

If you’re not satisfied, MusclePharm will refund your money as long as the product is returned within 90 days of purchase, and no more than 75 percent of the supplement has been consumed.

“How Long Do You Have to Take MusclePharm Combat Pre Workout Before Seeing Results?”

Some guys have reported small boosts of energy and focus within 30 minutes of using this MusclePharm pre-workout.

However, other users have supplemented this pre-workout for many weeks and not witnessed any enhancement to performance.

“Do They Ship Worldwide?”

Currently, MusclePharm only ship to states within the USA. However, third-party vendors may have their postage policy—check with them directly.

References

1. https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexmorrell/2013/10/17/sports-supplement-company-backed-by-arnold-schwarzenegger-facing-sec-investigation/#7c5041064d5a
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3374095/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1356551
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5999519/
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14599231
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19101751
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3863934/
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22071706
9. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1179/147683010X12611460764840
10. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1177/0148607112458798
11. https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/2/2/13/htm
12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14725492