Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-Workout Review(2019) – Is it Banned?

Written by Gudmundur Gudmundsson

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Today’s bros have probably heard of the film “300.” If you don’t know what this movie was, it’s an action-filled take on an actual bit of Greek history, specifically when 300 Spartans prevented the assault of a million Persian soldiers. That’s right, 300 vs 1 freaking million.

More than the awesome film, it featured the legendary Spartans, an elite society of soldiers with six pack abs and really good muscle cuts. This film and its really muscular actors were the first thing I recalled when I got my hands on  Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-workout.

Spart Nutrition is a reputable company with really good reviews all over the internet, but is  Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-workout really worth the Sparta name?

Read my Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-workout review to find out!

Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-workout review
Want to know what’s better than Kraken pre workout? Find out in our article on the best pre workout supplements on the market.

About Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-workout

Sparta Nutrition is a supplement company that’s been operating for years now and have drawn quite a following due to their high quality line of gym necessities. While they’re mostly known for their protein powders, they also sell BCAAs, fat burners, ketogenic supplements, and pre workouts.

Below is what we observed on their bottle:

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  • No prop blend. Everything can be seen, from the first to the last ingredient.
  • Long formula. It ain’t super long, but longer than the usual lot we review.
  • Two serving suggestions: It’s great that their scoop can be for noobs or for vets like us.
  • Good dosing. I see a lot of grams, bro.

I also like how their webpage isn’t trying to look too serious or “manly” just because they have the word “Sparta” in their company name.

Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-workout Review: nutrition label

Other Ingredients: Gum Acacia, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Silicon Dioxide, Calcium Silicate, Acesulfame Potassium, Sucralose, Citric Acid, Potassium Chloride

Directions: As a dietary supplement, take 1 to 2 scoop (s) of Kraken with 8-10 oz of water. Consume 30 minutes prior to exercise. Do not exceed recommended daily intake.

Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-workout Review: ingredients list

Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-workout ingredients review

I’m so far impressed with Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-workout. Great company, cool-looking bottle, professional marketing that doesn’t try to be too serious, based on the ingredients I’m seeing, it looks to be something that is anything but traditional.

Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-workout also recommends a maximum of two scoops per serving, so I’m going to review their ingredients based on two scoops just to save us the trouble of making the wrong assumptions.

  • B-Vitamins. B Vitamins are necessary for optimal muscle function during tough workouts. The fact that they’re severely depleted during exercise – and how its easily excreted – should give supplement manufacturers the go-signal to add heaps of B vitamins. However, Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-workout only added a minimum amount. I say minimum because we’re so used to seeing B-vitamins in the hundreds to thousands of percentage per serving.
  • Citrulline is the compound responsible for triggering nitric oxide production in the body. Nitric oxide is the very thing that gives you that vascular look and pumped-up feel. As you know, more pumps equals more lifts and that’s why bros like citrulline. While the 4 g dosage is within the good range, the form of a plain L-Citrulline is a bit of a turn off, bro. We like it as Malate for maximum bioavailability and sustained nitric oxide production.
  • Beta Alanine. Beta alanine is the best ingredient for endurance and muscle recovery right next to creatine monohydrate. The dosage is good, but it could also lead to itching.
  • HydroMax Glycerol Powder (65%). Coming in at 2 g, this premium form of glycerol is known for boosting muscle hydration, endurance, and increasing muscle pumps. The brand HydroMax is a more stable form of Glycerol which is always great to have.
  • Taurine works similarly to Glycerol, but with benefits to stress and even fatigue.
  • N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine. NALT is a mood and focus enhancer. It’s the best form of tyrosine for absorption and brain boosting properties. At 500 mg, you’ll get a good feeling of mental clarity and unbridled attention during training.
  • Gallate as Vaso-6. Vaso-6 is a patented brand that helps boost nitric oxide production. It’s clinically proven to increase vasodilation by up to 50%. At least, that’s what the sales page says. However, what I do like about adding this patented ingredient in is how Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-workout clearly wants the best pumps for you. At 300 mg, it’s at the best working dosage.
  • This is a premium ingredient used as a “safer” alternative to caffeine for a price. This brand is known to give you the same energy caffeine would, but without the jitters and crashing.
  • We all know what caffeine is known for and what it can do for your workouts. At 250 mg, it’s at my preferred sweetspot.
  • This is actually an antioxidant sourced from chocolate. As a preworkout, it seems to have similar energy-boosting properties to caffeine.
  • N-Methyl L-Tyramine. Banned in sports, tyramine works like synephrine in that it gives you a quick burst of energy by tinkering with your thyroids. At 30 mg, it’s just within the minimal effective dose.
  • Cocoa Seed Extract. Another energy booster, but at a really small dosage. Wonder why they bothered adding it.

Was Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-workout banned before?

Well, kind of. It wasn’t this formula per se, but the formula that got Sparta Nutrition in trouble was the original version that had dimethylethylamine or DMEA.. DMEA is amphetamine-like in structure which is known to significantly boost your energy, focus, and even reduces your appetite. However, all these benefits come with a price as DMEA is also known to increase blood pressure and heart rate.

As any bro in the supplement world will tell you, you do not want to be caught with DMEA because not only is the FDA banning it in competition, it might make you look like someone trying to smuggle bad stuff, you know. So if you have DMEA with you, don’t brag about it.

Ever since the FDA’s intervention, Sparta Nutrition has since removed it and replaced it with a “safer” Tyramine.

Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-workout Review: formula analysis

Wow. Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-workout definitely has quite a complex formula. It has 11 ingredients, almost half of which are for pumps and the other half for energy. So what I’m trying to say is, Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-workout is one big complex pump-energy blend.

I personally loved how Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-workout’s angle on adding multiple ingredients that pump you up. You’d think it would be better to just add 10 g of citrulline and call it a day, but no. You see, while that would really work, adding multiple ingredients to do the same thing can also act as a way to cover for other fitness benefits that a solo ingredient can’t.

Beyond pumps, Glycerol can help increase blood circulation, taurine can make fat burning more efficient for energy, and Vaso-6 can guarantee efficient nitric oxide management, making every pump count.

For the energy part, I like how they separated TeaCrine and Caffeine’s doses. Normally, supplements would rather use one and not both. However, TeaCrine is pricey and Caffeine is known to give us a mad case of jitters and sweats sometimes.

By having both, Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-workout was able to reduce the costs without having to sacrifice energy and risk of side effects. If those two energy ingredients won’t perk you up, Tyramine with its synephrine-like effects should get you just right.

Tying the knot together are N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine and Beta alanine. One ingredient for maximum focus and anti-stress and the other for raw strength, endurance, and muscle recovery.

So, Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-workout has an intelligent way of designing formulas. However, I can’t find a real good reason why they would include theobromine and cocoa seed extract. Sure, they have some energy and fat burning benefits, but the doses we were given are not the doses they’re known to work in.

There’s also the issue with it being stackable. I know supplements are supposed to work on their own, but some of the best supplements leave room for potential stacks and customization, bro. I don’t know how I can stack with 11 ingredients in a bottle. That shit’s wack for real.

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Regardless of why they added what and where, Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-workout has given me a reason to want to try this shit out. Massive pumps, mad yet clean energy, and good old fashioned I’m not usually a fan of long formulas, but maybe Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-workout is on to something.

So, does Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-workout work?

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It works for pumps, energy, and focus. Formulating a long and complicated formula paid off.

Does Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-workout have a lot of caffeine?

It has 250 mg caffeine or roughly two and a half cups of brewed coffee with two scoops. Is that a lot? Not for me, know. I’ve built a moderate tolerance to caffeine, allowing me to drink a venti and actually be at home with the buzz instead of regretting ordering that big a cup.

So, is Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-workout any good or just hype?

It’s definitely really good, but I also feel like there was a bit of overhyping going on. However, the formula does give me reason to smile, so perhaps the hype is justified.

Benefits and Side effects

Massive pumps, a generous dose of energy, and raw lifting strength and muscle recovery are all inside this can.

Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-workout is formulated for bros who want a fresh take on pump-energy blends. Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-workout is not the usual generic formula, has potent stimulants, and is quite innovative in its own way.

The 3.2 g of beta alanine might give you quite an itch my bros. But that’s temporary. The 250 mg caffeine shouldn’t be that bad, unless you’re not used to that much coffee. If you’re not a regular drinker, you might experience jitters, crashing, and even headaches.

Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-workout Review: pros and cons

Pros

  • No prop blend. We like supplements that don’t hide anything.
  • Good dosing. Almost every ingredient is generously dosed.
  • Clean energy. Well, almost.
  • Innovative formula. Not just your typical pre workout.
  • The 500 mg NALT helps.

Cons

  • Too complicated. Some users don’t like taking too many things at once for one purpose.
  • Unnecessary additions. Just ditch the chocolate ingredients.
  • Even more if you go for two scoops.

Pricing info

  • 1 Can (40/20 servings): $49.99
  • Available online and in retail stores
  • Flavors: Bombsicle, Rainbow Candy, Sour Gummy Bear, Sex on the Beach, Cotton Candy, Cola Pop, Watermelon Candy

Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-workout Review: summary

Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-workout is a bonafide supplement capable of improving your gym numbers through properly dosed ingredients capable of massive pumps, energy boosts, and mental focus. Some users may find the formula a bit too complicated, others will probably see it as something exciting.

The only nitpicks I have for it are the unnecessary additions of ingredients and the price tag. If not the complicated formula, the fact that it’s almost twice as expensive as some of the best pre workouts would be the reason why it’s not flying off shelves.

If you have the budget and don’t mind the complicated formula, then Sparta Nutrition Kraken Pre-workout is the right pre workout for you.

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