ANABOLIC KING & ALPHA MASS X – by ATS Labs – RESULTS (B-)

ANABOLIC KING & ALPHA MASS X – by ATS Labs – RESULTS (B-)

Starting BODY Numbers – 237.8 lbs; 32.3 Body Fat

Ending BODY Numbers – 235.4 lbs; 31.9 Body Fat

2.4 lbs DECREASE and .4% Body Fat Decrease

Results Summary:

This is a more complicated review to give on this product.  Anabolic King and Alpha Mass X by ATS Labs (Achievements Through Science Labs) are a different type of product then I have taken before.  Up to this point the focus has been more on thermogenic and weight loss.  However, these products are for bulking and building muscle.  The idea was that I would take a cycle and build as much muscle as possible in order be able to lose more weight using that increased muscle when I went back on a cut cycle.

So as I started to apply this – I noticed a few things.  I gained a butt load of weight really quick.  Within the first week I went from 237 pounds to 243.  To be honest for some this is a great… for me I wasn’t emotionally prepared for this.  Having struggled with my weight, even though I could logically see that it was GOOD weight increase, I wasn’t ready to actually address the numbers.  This was surprise to me, and I learned a lot about myself – a lot of things that I didn’t really know. 

I immediately panicked and I shouldn’t have.  My wife pointed out how obvious this increase in weight was actually a good thing – the body composition indicated a lot of it was muscle.  This was still hard. 

As a result I started to change my behavior.  I still hit the gym every day and did weights… heavy weights and low reps.  I kept this up because I really started to love the improvement I could see everything single time I revisited a exercise.  I was able to increase my lift by 5 to 10 pounds on nearly EVERY exercise EVERY TIME I repeated an exercise during the week.  In this light it was FREAKIN AWESOME. 

But because of those numbers I started to watch more of my diet, and not in the way I should have.  I knew that if I wanted to build muscle I needed to eat more and focus on protein.  I still focused on protein, but I pulled back the amount – and in hindsight I didn’t’ do my muscles any justice.  By the second week I was still up from my starting weight, and I started to do cardio every other day rather than weights every day.  From there I was able to shred some more weight.  This helped me emotionally recover.  But again, I didn’t do the actual objective of gaining muscle any favors.

With that being said, even without doing what I wanted right. I was very happy with this – and it wasn’t because of the numbers.  It was because I could see and feel a HUGE different in my body.  My composition changed.  I didn’t see tons in the numbers, but in my posture, and in the shape and form of my body – it was incredible. 

I gave this a B- because I didn’t get the numbers I wanted (even though it was primarily my fault and I was unprepared for actual weight gain) – but I gave it a B because I was pretty surprised as a result of what I did do.  Despite myself, my body still changed pretty phenomenally.  I felt like if I actually did what I was supposed to do it would have been remarkable.

So I loved it, I loved the way I felt, I loved the results – I honestly just wasn’t ready for them!

This was definitely more on me than it was on ATS Labs.  I was impressed enough with how I felt that I was eager to try there other products.

ANABOLIC KING & ALPHA MASS X – by ATS Labs – INTRODUCTION

ANABOLIC KING & ALPHA MASS X – by ATS Labs – INTRODUCTION

After having really focused on weight loss and surprisingly having found some success with some previously tested supplements, I found myself in an odd place.  I have been a little concerned about becoming bored, and plateauing.  I have found myself working hard at the gym with my cardio, and not seeing as much movement as I would like, and I have also found myself halfway through my workout and not really being as mentally engaged as I previously have.

With this, I consulted with my guy at the nutrition store I have come to enjoy (my local COMPLETE NUTRITION here in American Fork).  When I walked through where I was at, he made the comment, that seems obvious now, that I should at least incorporate some muscle increase and weight lifting into my program.  The most muscle I can get the more fat I can burn. 

With that in mind, I decided to take whatever recommendation he would make, and I would go all out and focus on muscle building.   There was something about this was that a little intriguing…. The idea of building muscle and being “one of those gym bros” kind of was a secret sense of comfort.

What was recommended to me was Alpha Mass X by ATS Labs and Anabolic King by ATS Labs.  I have never heard of the company before, or the product; but I went for it.

Alpha Mass X by ATS Labs (Achievements Through Science Labs)

Product Goal: “Extreme Anabolic Growth Agent”

What is it supposed to do:  To be honest I am new to this – but I suppose it is to increase muscle growth and maximize the results from my new weight lifting regimen.

Ingredients:  The ingredients are broken up into three sections.  The first sessions has Zinc, Vitamin B6 and Magnesium Oxide all in underwhelming amounts.  I am usually used to seeing some of these supplements with excessive amounts of whatever they put in… but this seemed okay, and typical ingredients. 

The next section is the “MassX GH boosting blend” which contains: Deer Antler Velvet and something called Trigonelle foeum-greecum.  I only understand Deer Antler Velvet, which I understand has been hyped to help with growth hormone, but in reality has only shown to be great for recovery (and therefore helps build in that fashion).

The last section called “MassX muscle Matrix” with three ingredents I have never heard of: 3,5,7-trihydroxy-4-methoxyflavon; 3,4-divanillyitetrahydrofuran; and Mucuna Pruriens.  I have no idea what any of that is – so don’t ask me.

Directions: The directions are to take this 2 to 3 times daily, and there doesn’t seem to be any restriction as to when to take it.  In talking with the gym I bought it from they said I should take it before the gym, after the gym, and before bed.  That sounds like a plan to me.

Price:  I paid $99.99 for this bottle.

Anabolic King by ATS Labs (Achievements Through Science Labs)

Product Goal:  Support Muscle Growth

What it is supposed to do:   I believe this is supposed to support an increase in testosterone production, as well as decrease estrogen.  This is supposed to be through increasing testosterone and then inhibiting the conversion of the excess testosterone into estrogen; which will both keep the testosterone levels elevated (increasing muscle growth), as well as keep estrogen levels low.  This large “differential” between testosterone and lowered estrogen is supposed to be some secret sauce.

Ingredients: Again the ingredients in this is broken down into three sections:

The first being “Growth Matrix” including: 5a-androstan-3B-ol-17-one; and Androst 3,5-dien-7,17-dione.  Two more ingredients I have no idea what they are.

The second section being “Aromatase Inhibiting Complex”.  This is the complex that is supposed to inhibit the conversion of excess testosterone into estrogen, preventing that from happening and creating that differential.  This section includes: Pomegranate Extract, White Button Mushroom extract, Chrysin, Luteolin, Kaempferol, Quercetin, Soy Isoflavones, and Stinging Nettle.  At least this section has some ingredients that I have heard and seen before, however, I am not sure how they work… they are just more common to me.

The Third Section is “Absorption Amplifier” and includes: Black Pepper Extract,  and 6,7 Dihydroxybergamotin.  Although I have never heard of that last one, I have plenty of supplements that include Black Pepper Extract to increase absorption, and for the most part I do notice positive results from those products over similar products.

Directions: The direction on this is similar to the other product… 2 to 3 times daily.

Price: The price I paid for this bottle at my Complete Nutrition store was FREE because of a rare buy one supplement and get the other of equal or less value free.  This is normally $99.99.  Honestly, it was only because of the sale, I was so ready to try stacking both of these products together.

MY PLAN

So here is my plan.

After talking with the guy at the store, it was clear that there were not any stimulants to speak of in these.  With that beings said, I did opt for a pre-workout which I wanted to try.  I picked Bucked-UP as a pre-workout I would take once I got up in the morning (5:00 AM) so that I would at least be able to make it to the gym.  For the last six months I have been using diet pills (hence the blog) and trying tons of stimulants, I suppose I am afraid that if I don’t use something that I won’t be able to get there.

I also have been recommended to increase my food and protein intake.  I really am not too comfortable not being in ketosis, but it sounds like I need to increase my caloric intake.  A part of me is excited about this and another part of me is terrified about it – just being honest.  I have worked so hard to lose weight, and strict no carb lifestyle seems to be the only way I can maintain and lose weight.  I’m a little nervous about this – but I will make sure I give it a go and see if I can’t just focus on muscle increase.

I will also take each pill three times a day, once before the gym, once before work after breakfast, and once before bed; as directed by the guy at the store and in line with the directions.

Lets see where we go from here.