Want to start each workout bursting with energy, and know when you’re done that you’ve achieved real results? Then N.O.-Xplode by BSN is the pre-workout supplement you’re looking for. N.O.-Xplode’s special blend of nitric oxide (NO) and CEM3 (Creatine Ethyl Ester Malate) will propel you to maximum workout performance and help you build the stacked body you’re striving for.

Instant Results
The secret behind N.O.-Xplode is a special process called NOMeta-Fusion. NOMeta-Fusion boosts your NO levels up high, so your blood vessels widen and blood flow to your muscles is maximized. You’ll see bigger muscles right away, and be primed for serious long-lasting pumps.
And the effects of N.O.-Xplode are long-term—by enlarging your blood vessels, N.O.-Xplode trains your muscles to go beyond what they’ve done before. N.O.-Xplode’s Muscle Volumizing Creatine Matrix enlarges your muscle cells so they’ll be able to hold more creatine, giving you the size and rock-hard physique you’re looking for.
N.O.-Xplode provides outstanding muscle hydration by maximizing the flow of muscle-hydrating, muscle-building nutrients to your muscle cells, stuffing your muscle cells with the nutrients they need to grow while you’re recovering.

Superior to Current Creatine Supplements
It may take days or weeks for you to see results with creatine supplements, and most are full of sugar, which encourages buildup of fat. You may want to pack on solid muscle, but instead, you end up puffy and bloated. N.O.-Xplode’s formulation ensures you won’t retain water or put on fat. And unlike many creatine supplements, N.O.-Xplode is easy to absorb—no stomach cramps or painful bloating. You’ll start each workout feeling lean and ready to bust out some quality sets.

Intense Mental Focus
As anyone who works out knows, the body is only half the equation. N.O.-Xplode incorporates methylxanthine and nootropic nutrients so you’ll start every workout focused and ready to perform at your max. With this intense mind-body connection in place, you’ll leave the gym satisfied you’ve put 100 percent into your workout.

Great Flavors
BSN N.O.-Xplode comes in a variety of delicious flavors—no choking down unpalatable clumpy and chalky concoctions. From Orange Citrus Ice to Fruit Punch to tried-and-true Lemon Lime, there’s a flavor to match every taste. It’s a refreshing way to start your workout.

You Owe It to Yourself
Whether you’ve tried current creatine supplements or not, you owe it to yourself to make N.O.-Xplode a part of your routine. It’s not often that a unique product, one that can revolutionize and revitalize your workouts, comes onto the market. Give N.O.-Xplode a try and stop spinning your wheels in your workout. N.O.-Xplode will put the rubber on the road and supercharge your workouts to a whole new level.
—Ken Nail

If you’re a dedicated bodybuilder, you’re probably aware of nitric oxide (NO) boosters on some level. Because they seem to work very well, they’re extremely popular with bodybuilders and other athletes.

NO and Bodybuilding

Your body produces NO naturally. It has a number of purposes, but for the serious bodybuilder, the main benefit is that it increases blood flow in muscle cells. That’s important because better blood flow allows muscles to receive more oxygen. That in turn allows the bodybuilder to endure more-intense workouts and recover faster after exercising.

If you’re looking to boost your workout results with an NO supplement, you won’t have a problem finding them. In fact, the challenge will be to choose the right one. To help you decide, here’s an overview of some of the top sellers.

BSN: NO-Xplode and Nitrix

BSN’s NO-Xplode is a supplement you take before working out to get extra energy and fast results. It blends NO with a creatine compound for more-intense workouts and larger muscles almost immediately. One advantage to this product is that, unlike some other NO supplements, it contains no sugar.

However, as with all supplements, there are possible downsides and side effects to watch out for. Before adding NO-Xplode to your regimen, make sure you’re healthy. And if you experience sleeplessness, tremors, dizziness, or other serious side effects, discontinue use and seek medical advice.

Nitrix, another BSN product, aims to deliver the same surplus energy and fast results all NO supplements claim. But it adds another feature: a timed-release mechanism to sustain the effect. According to BSN, this advance allows Nitrix to maintain near-constant levels of the supplement in the user’s body for long-term benefits.

Side effects may include diarrhea and nausea. As with any supplement, it’s important to make sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on dosage.

Nutrex: Niox

Nutrex’s Niox is another NO supplement that promises to boost energy levels, increase muscle mass, and help you build a stronger, healthier physique. Niox claims an extra effect that helps users see results faster: a special liquid capsule delivery system that affects muscle cells more quickly and dramatically.

Special instructions for Niox use include taking the product on an empty stomach and making sure you drink plenty of water. If you have psychological or heart problems, be sure to seek medical advice before adding Niox to your regimen.

MHP: Anadrox Pump & Burn and TRAC

MHP’s Anadrox Pump & Burn addresses two common goals among bodybuilders: building muscle mass while also burning fat. The dual action can help bodybuilders who want to achieve muscle definition and larger muscle size. It also claims to deliver the extra energy and fast results other NO supplements provide.

As with other NO supplements, taking Anadrox Pump & Burn can result in side effects in some individuals. These may include nausea, diarrhea, and weakness.

TRAC, also from MHP, offers efficient NO delivery through a timed-release mechanism. It claims to increase the availability of creatine for sustained athletic activity or weight lifting, which translates into more energy and fast recovery times. This product contains no sugar, which is good news for the calorie-conscious body builder.

The manufacturer reports that there are no adverse side effects noted for creatine. However, potential users should be aware of side effects associated with all NO supplements and take precautions accordingly.

Pinnacle NoX2

Pinnacle’s NoX2 is another popular NO supplement that may help bodybuilders pump up their workouts and enjoy fast results. It enlists a compound comprising beta cyclodextrin, cephalins, inulin, and xanthan to deliver NO to the muscles to enhance energy availability.

Pinnacle warns that people with blood pressure issues, thyroid or liver problems, psychiatric diseases, or diabetes should not take NoX2. Pregnant or nursing women should also avoid the supplement.

Which Should You Choose?

Each individual’s body works differently. Every athlete has unique goals and concerns. That means the best course of action when choosing a supplement is to do a little research and draw your own conclusions. The good news is that when you’re in the market for an NO supplement, you’ll have plenty of products from which to choose.

—Sherry Ciurczak

Muscle-building supplements infused with nitric oxide (NO) and creatine give bodybuilders and other athletes an opportunity to build strength, improve performance, and even enhance mental focus. High-intensity training and endurance workouts require appropriate supplementation, but many supplements do have significant side effects. Because NO helps dilate blood vessels and increase circulation, some users may experience an elevated heart rate, increased blood pressure, or trouble sleeping.

The Whys of NO Supplementation

NO supplements make it easier for the body to increase oxygen and blood flow. This is especially helpful during training, since it can boost energy and encourage stronger and harder muscle pumps. Bodybuilders and endurance athletes need to build up endurance by performing at a higher level during each training session; NO supplementation makes this much easier, and encourages both the body and mind to last longer than average.

NO supplements such as BSN NO-Xplode, and other creatine supplements can help maintain healthy NO levels both before and after training, encouraging muscle fullness and increasing mental alertness. However, these supplements’ energy-boosting ingredients may include B vitamins or caffeine, which can increase the heart rate. As a result, you may have a tough time relaxing or sleeping, even hours after your workout.

Restless Nights

Sleep doctors and brain researchers have observed sleep and behavioral patterns to determine what constitutes healthy sleep. As a result of these studies, they’ve also drawn some interesting conclusions about the role of NO during the sleep cycle.

A group of researchers at the Children’s Hospital Boston and the University of Helsinki have found that NO production occurs in a specific part of the brain during the natural sleep cycle. Adenosine, the compound that ultimately produces sleep, is released only after NO is present in the system. Increasing the level of NO actually encouraged sleep and relaxation, which is why some sleeping pills now contain NO compounds.

Nightmares are generally a result of disturbed REM sleep and poor sleeping habits. Too much caffeine during the day, a poor diet, and consuming sugar late in the day can all disrupt sleep and make it difficult to get through the natural healthy cycles of sleep. Reducing caffeine intake is one of the simplest strategies to avoid sleeplessness and nightmares. Exercising earlier in the day can also help the body relax naturally in the late evening.

Blood Pressure’s Relationship to NO

Blood pressure varies during different parts of the day, and is at its lowest during sleep. Diet and exercise can help keep blood pressure steady, and low levels of NO are commonly associated with those with high blood pressure. Still, since NO supplements naturally increase blood circulation and dilate blood vessels, this can lead to increased blood pressure that needs to be managed appropriately for those already suffering from hypertension.

People with heart conditions or high blood pressure need to be especially careful with NO supplements, since the supplements may lead to discomfort or even danger. NO supplements that do not contain caffeine are a better choice for those who regularly suffer from sleeplessness, insomnia, or disturbed sleep.
—Sabah Karimi

A successful training and workout schedule requires consistency and persistence, but it’s also important to work through different levels and stages of challenges. The body can adapt very easily to continuous use of a given supplement and will gradually build up a resistance. Overcoming this hurdle often involves cycling your diet and supplements, such as nitric oxide (NO) boosters, so your body can make the most of each supplement combination.

Why Cycling Works

As you introduce new activities and processes into your routine, your body may react immediately to a shift, and require increasing amounts of time and support for recovery. At this level, NO supplements can be introduced with immediate results. The next stage is adaptation, when the body becomes used to the effects and begins to adjust. This is followed by a notable resistance, when you’ll find you need a lot more of the supplement to get the same effect as before. The final stage is familiarization, where the body becomes used to the change and adapts completely; at this stage, it can become difficult to experience any effects at all.

Instead of reaching the final stages of resistance and familiarization with NO supplementation, you want to challenge your body to stay in the adaptation stage, constantly encouraging growth and benefiting from the effects of supplementation instead.

Cycling Recommendations for Leading NO Boosters
The recommended cycle for NO boosters varies depending on body type, level of activity, and overall health. Bodybuilders and trainers have devised a standard cycle that works for most athletes and ongoing users, but results do vary by individual. Adjusting your NO supplements will depend largely on your reaction to certain levels at each stage. Some starting points for specific products may be:

BSN’s NO-Xplode and Nitrix

BSN NO-Xplode contains powerful ingredients that work best on a cyclical basis: 12 weeks on and four weeks off is recommended for this NO booster, you can stack it with BSN Nitrix and Cellmass for increased effects.

Nutrex’s Niox
Nutrex’s Niox doesn’t necessarily need to be cycled, you can stack it with creatine and other NO boosters for ongoing effects. However, you can vary the levels of Niox to get a different response over a training period.

MHP’s Anadrox Pump & Burn and TRAC
MHP’s Anadrox Pump & Burn produces results after daily supplementation of four capsules in the morning, and four capsules in the afternoon (possibly before a workout). Adapting to this supplement will lead to no pump during the workout, and it may mean you should take two to four weeks off from it.

TRAC is a creatine supplement that can increase energy levels and stimulate dopamine, adrenaline, and norepinephrine. The time-released formula provides a quick burst of energy, and the addition of arginine makes this an especially powerful supplement. Weight and strength gains are impressive, especially after the first few weeks and months. However, cycling TRAC can produce ongoing effects in the long term. A cycle of 12 weeks on and four weeks off should work well for most bodybuilders and other athletes.

Pinnacle’s NoX2
NoX2 from Pinnacle also provides positive effects with a cycle of 12 weeks on and four weeks off. It can provide considerable strength and muscle gains during the first three months, and the body can rest for a month before pushing onward to the next level with supplementation.

Is It Dangerous Not to Cycle?
Potential dangers do exist if you follow a nutrition and exercise program without cycling. The first is adaptation and familiarization, where supplements have little or no effect on the system. This can take a few months or years to develop, but adapting in this way can make it very difficult to reach higher goals, and you may even experience withdrawal if you don’t maintain a certain level of supplements. NO boosters in particular can lose their initial effects after just a few months of use.

Avoiding this pitfall is simple by adopting a cycling routine; your body will be challenged to make use of variable supplements and nutrition sources, and grow accordingly. In most cases, the cycle of 12 weeks on and four weeks off will offer significant muscle and strength gains.
—Sabah Karimi

Because U.S. government surveys have found that one-third to one-half of all adults take vitamin and mineral supplements daily, government regulators are taking a closer look at nutritional supplements of all types. This is especially true of those taken in large amounts by bodybuilders and other athletes who hope that supplementation will make a difference in their performance.
One of the supplement substances being closely examined is nitric oxide (NO), which is the primary component of NO-Xplode, manufactured by BSN. To understand what’s being looked at here, you need to know that NO is the amino acid arginine and arginine alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) repackaged with a new name. NO is a free-form gas that’s produced in the body and used for intercellular communication, or communication between the body’s cells.
Enzymes in the body break down the amino acid arginine to make this gas. A molecule consisting of one atom of nitrogen and one atom of oxygen, NO is produced when the amino acid L-arginine is converted into L-citrulline through an enzyme group known as nitric oxide synthase (NOS).
NObel Prize
Discovering how NO works in our bodies is an exciting, important chapter in the history of cardiovascular medicine. In 1998, the Nobel Prize was awarded to three Americans for their independent discoveries concerning NO as a signaling molecule in the cardiovascular system, one that produces another substance known as a second messenger. Second messengers help in some way to carry a message from the outside of the cell to the inside.
Faulty Extrapolation?
Supplement manufacturers and many bodybuilders have taken that fact to a theoretical level unsupported by medical research. The theory is that supplementation creates and sustains levels of NO in the skeletal muscles—levels that are assumed to enhance oxygen delivery, glucose uptake, muscle velocity, and muscle growth.
However, when researchers at Baylor University in Texas examined the effects of AKG supplementation on body composition and training adaptations in experienced gym users, they found no significant differences between the body mass, fat-free mass, fat mass, or percentage of body fat measurements of those taking the supplement over those in the control group. Researchers concluded that while supplementation may enable users to increase bench presses by one repetition, no evidence exists to show that NO affects body composition.
NO Evidence?
Another study also found that supplementing with NO does not contribute to changes in body mass, fat-free mass, fat mass, or percentage of body fat. “The primary ingredient in NO is arginine, which has been shown to have no beneficial muscle building effects,” one researcher stated.
Judging from these findings, NO supplements are not helpful. However, they remain popular with bodybuilders, who are particularly interested in the fact that NO enhances blood flow, thereby delivering additional nutrients to muscles.
While NO is itself beneficial, it’s important to note that no solid medical evidence exists that supports the idea that taking it in supplement form does anything particularly beneficial for your body. Our bodies appear to manufacture sufficient NO to take care of our health needs. Indeed, in supplement form, NO can cause diarrhea and nausea.
—Julie Crawshaw

While most supplement manufacturers recommend taking their bodybuilding supplements in cycles, opinions among bodybuilders about this topic are almost as varied as the bodybuilders themselves. Discussion of how to determine supplement-taking cycles is a fixture on bodybuilding blogs and forums.
Why Cycle?
The theory behind supplement cycling is this: If you continuously supplement with a substance that your body already produces naturally, your body over time will become lazy and stop producing the substance itself—meaning you’ll have to take the supplement for the rest of your life.

Most manufacturers recommend that bodybuilders give their bodies a rest from supplements from time to time. For example, BSN
recommends taking its nitric oxide (NO) product NO-Xplode on a minimal cycle of six weeks, an optimal cycle of 12 weeks, and a resting phase of four weeks. However, manufacturers’ cycling recommendations may be largely due to concerns about increased liability that might arise from advocating continuously supplementing with substances that the Food and Drug Administration has approved for sale but says that the degree of need for has not been established.
Whether or not to take supplements continuously or in cycles is a matter of continuing debate. Though no long-term studies are available to suggest that continuous supplement use adversely influences the body’s production of the substance being supplemented, anecdotal evidence suggests that this may well be the case.
Diminishing Returns?
For example, when most people begin taking creatine they find that it helps to build body mass. However, after a few weeks, many report that the gains they believe they made begin to diminish. And so, in order to avoid the continued diminishing returns that seem to occur from taking creatine-containing supplements such as CytoSport’s Muscle Milk and Cytogainer without a break, many bodybuilders take them in cycles that consist of three phases: loading, maintenance, and rest.
Loading
The loading supplementation phase translates to filling up your muscles with creatine much as you fill up your car with gasoline. During the creatine-loading phase, many bodybuilders commonly consume four servings of creatine per day: one before breakfast, one before lunch, one about two hours before working out, and the final one in the evening.
Maintenance and Rest
During the maintenance phase, the amount of creatine taken usually drops by about half, and during the resting phase, it ceases altogether. So, a typical creatine supplementation cycle would consist of taking 20 grams of creatine every day for a week-long loading phase, 10 grams of creatine for a two-week-long maintenance phase, and no creatine for a three-week resting phase.
Complications Arise
Taking multiple supplements, as most bodybuilders do, further complicates the cycling issue. Since individual metabolisms vary as much as individual genetic compositions do, it’s perfectly possible that a supplement cycling program that works spectacularly for one person may not work at all for another. Finally, though judging from the blogs, most bodybuilders seem to use a cycling ratio of four weeks on a supplement and two weeks off, perceived individual results about using a strict times “on and off” program also vary. Perhaps the best path is to follow the trope of balance in all things.
—Julie Crawshaw

Many users of N.O.-Xplode claim that the nitric oxide (NO) booster loses its effects after just a few weeks. While results vary for everyone using the supplement, the general recommendations are to cycle it so your body won’t readily adapt to the supplement or your training program. Cycling a supplement is important throughout a training period, helping the body avoid falling into the familiarization stages where supplements have little or no effect. N.O.-Xplode can be best used on a cycle of 12 weeks on and 4 weeks off, enabling users to recover easily and maximize their gains.
Still, N.O.-Xplode’s initial effects may not last longer than the first few weeks. Why does this happen, and how can you maximize your gains with minimal side effects?

N.O.-Xplode Basics
N.O.-Xplode is designed to provide a boost of energy during any workout, reducing fatigue and enhancing alertness and focus. The NO booster can help build strength, power, and endurance, delivering oxygen and other essential nutrients to the muscles throughout the training session. Making the body reach healthy NO levels can be challenging, but supplements and the appropriate training routine can help. NO is essential for stamina and endurance, encouraging dilation of the blood vessels and enhancing oxygen flow throughout the body; many athletes and bodybuilders find they can achieve this state easily with a serving of N.O.-Xplode before a workout.

Maximize the Effects
N.O.-Xplode contains creatine to encourage muscle gains, and arginine, an amino acid that aids in NO conversion. This conversion process is essential to promote muscle growth, but many users have found the effects of N.O.-Xplode are limited to only the first few weeks of use. One way to overcome this is to take the supplement for a month and then cycle off for the next. This ensures that the body does not have time to adapt and can continue to experience the “pump” during each use.
Another way to maximize the effects of N.O.-Xplode or other NO boosters is to take them on an empty stomach. This provides the best results before a workout, but most athletes and bodybuilders need to eat something before training. Incomplete digestion can lead to minimal results, so an alternative strategy is to consume an easily digestible food at least an hour before the workout, followed by a pre-workout protein shake that includes a scoop of N.O.-Xplode. This ensures that the body will digest everything completely and absorb the supplements rapidly, although some people may experience side effects from this potent combination. It’s best to try different approaches and adjust according to your body’s response during each session.
Finally, drinking plenty of water throughout the day is essential for any supplements to work properly. NO supplements in particular require appropriate timing and a healthy diet for optimum results. Knowing when to take the supplement is essential, and making sure the body is well-hydrated is a natural part of training for maximum potential.
—Sabah Karimi

Athletes, bodybuilders, and exercise enthusiasts have long turned to protein powders, creatine, prohormones, and other dietary supplements to enhance their performance. Many take their supplementation further by stacking—combining different supplements effectively for maximum results.

Let’s Define Terms
The body’s natural metabolic pathways are the foundation for change in the human body; these pathways are the only way the body receives signals to burn fat, increase muscle production, or boost the metabolism. A simple way to intercept these “routes” is by stacking various nutritional supplements and tweaking the diet.

The BSN Stack is just one example of combining dietary supplements for an exponential effect. Instead of taking just one supplement at a time, you can get better results, faster, with the right combinations.
Why Stack?
Stacking supplements can increase the metabolism of nutrients and the key compounds in each dose. When you target different pathways simultaneously, your body is much more likely to absorb and use the nutrients available, and this can improve performance and lead to faster gains for your physique. Instead of taking different doses of supplements throughout the day, stacking lets you maximize each supplement so they’ll work in the body much more quickly and perhaps more efficiently.

Winning Combinations
A variety of supplement stacking combinations are available, and your final selection will depend on your health and fitness goals. Here’s a rundown on some of the most common stacking systems for enhancing a fitness-oriented lifestyle.

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  Nutrition support. Select from supplements that can make vitamins and minerals readily available to the body’s tissues and cells. This is important for muscle growth and repair, and even oxygen delivery throughout the body. BSN Syntha-6 is a rich protein source that also contains branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), essential fatty acids (EFAs), and glutamine peptides. These compounds all aid in lean muscle growth.


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  Muscle support. These stackable supplements can support healthy skeletal muscle tissue and easily improve the tone and bulk of muscles. BSN Axis-HT is a powerful anabolic-androgenic supplement that can increase testosterone levels to help build muscle. BSN N.O.-Xplode is a powerful creatine and nitric oxide (NO) formula that enhances intensity, makes it easier to increase muscle pumps, and provides a boost of energy to sustain a longer workout.


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  Performance support. These supplements can help with speed, concentration, focus, and mental agility to sustain a high level of performance. BSN EndoRush is an energy drink that can boost energy and performance during any workout. Infused with NO, it can also dilate blood vessels so you receive a blast of energy while exercising.

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  Weight management. These supplements are designed to reduce or control body fat, and may even increase lean muscle mass. BSN Thermonex is an ephedra-free fat burner that can help boost your metabolism and halt fat production.


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  Recovery support. These dietary supplements are designed to promote recovery and remove toxins from the body, and may aid with stress relief. Combined with herbal supplements and massage, a recovery formula can also promote relaxation and reduce stress in the body. BSN Nitrix is a proprietary NO blend that reduces fatigue and removes toxins from the body, helping improve the recovery process. For deeper relaxation, you may want to accompany this type of supplement with herbal supplements and massage.


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  Hormone support. These supplements are designed to increase or balance out hormone levels, especially testosterone, estrogen, and other prohormones. BSN CellMass offers a quality source of creatine that can increase testosterone levels for muscle-mass increases, strength-building, and improved performance.

The most common stacks for bodybuilders and those interested in building muscle include a combination of muscle support, weight management, and recovery support. This can include supplements such as:

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  Creatine monohydrate and protein supplements for increasing muscle mass. BSN True-Mass is a premium protein powder that can help you increase caloric intake after just a few servings.


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  Fat burners and thermogenic supplements for weight loss and preserving lean muscle mass. BSN Cheaters Relief can be especially useful for bodybuilders and athletes who have overindulged, working as a fat and calorie blocker for larger meals.


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  Glucosamine for muscle and joint support. BSN Lean Dessert Protein (LDP) is a protein shake that offers essential protein enzymes, fatty acids needed for healthy muscles and joints, and improved amino acid uptake for better recovery.

The Great Pyramid
The BSN Stack is designed as a supplement pyramid that helps you identify the key areas that need improvement and strategically combine the necessary products to enhance effects simultaneously—and reach your goals much faster. To guard against possible side effects from combining the powerful ingredients found in BSN supplements, you only use the supplements together in very specific combinations. This makes it easy to enhance only their positive effects while limiting the chances of any negative ingredient interactions.
—Sabah Karimi