~SMac's Making Crazy Gains with CRE-02~

[center][b][color=blue][size=+2]SMac's Making Crazy Gains with CRE-02[/b][/color][/size]



[b][color=blue]CRE-02 Supplement Facts:[/b][/color]

[IMG]http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u19/SavageDiesel/CRE-O2-Web-Promo.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u19/SavageDiesel/CRE-02-Fact-Panel.jpg[/IMG]


[b][color=blue]Pertinent Information:[/b][/color]

First, a big thanks to MST for selecting me run this log and try out CRE-02; the formulation is quite unique, so I am expecting big things. Now, a bit about myself:[/center]

[b][color=black]Age:[/b][/color] 19

[b][color=black]Body Type:[/b][/color] Ectomorph

[b][color=black]Training Experience:[/b][/color]: In terms of background, I have been weightlifting for about 4 years, with the most serious weight training done this past year, as I no longer play any competitive varsity sports. I am no longer a varsity athlete (I go to a D1 school, and am now more focused on education and other things), but in high school I played varsity soccer and ran varsity winter and spring track for four years. I have used a few different weightlifting programs, but have found the most consistent success and currently am using a 5 day bodypart split, which is what I currently use.


[b][color=black]Current Training Schedule/Protocol:[/b][/color] As alluded to above, I am using a five day split, with workouts lasting about 70-90 minutes. I use fairly high volume, as I find I respond better to it and generally prefer it. For most exercises, I pyramid up in weight, working from lower weight and higher reps to higher weight and less reps in an effort to both build strength while also reaping the benefits of a higher rep range. I stick very closely to this five day split, though often rotate exercises/rep ranges/rest periods from workout to workout to prevent stagnation and spark growth.

I typically do 10-30 minutes of cardio post-workout, consisting of intervals on a track, intervals/steady state on an elliptical, jumping rope, etc. I try to mix it up to keep things fresh and consistently challenging. On my two off days, I typically perform cardio, consisting a run of 2.5-5 miles at a moderate to hard pace, or some sort of sprinting workout at a track.

[b][color=black]Goals/What I Will Be Looking For:[/b][/color]
My main goals during this log are to continue to progressively add weights to my lifts, while maintaining a fair level of endurance and hopefully adding a few pounds of muscle. I will be evaluating CRE-02 in the following areas: strength, endurance/oxygen utilization, recovery, pump, and mood enhancement. Now lets get things started!

1st in!


Looking good so far!

looks great so far!

[QUOTE=SavageOne;217157101]1st in!


Looking good so far![/QUOTE]

[quote=ncagey0513]Looks great so far![/quote]

Thanks guys! Just got back from my first workout with CRE-02, will post my full daily write-up shortly....

[center][b][color=blue][size=+1] SMac's Making Crazy Gains w/ CRE-02: Day 1[/size][/center]

The Workout: Arms[/b][/color]

Close Grip Bench Press
95x10
115x8
135x5
150x3

Seated Supinating Dumbbell Curls, superset w/
25x8
35x5
35x5
35x5
35x5

Overhead Dumbbell Extensions
50x8
65x8
85x5
85x4
85x3, drop set to
50x9

Dumbbell Preacher Curls, superset w/
20x8
25x5
25x4
25x3, drop set to
17.5x4

Dumbbell Skull Crushers
20x10
30x8
40x4
40x3, drop set to
25x6

Seated Dumbbell Hammer Curls, superset w/
30x6
30x6
30x5, drop set to
22.5x3

Single Arm Cable Pressdowns (underhand grip)
3 sets

20 minutes, moderate intensity, on the elliptical, followed immediately by 100 rope turns

[b][color=blue]Workout Thoughts:[/b][/color]
Exceptional workout today. Felt well-rested and ready-to-go, was focused on the task at hand, and had a great mind-muscle connection. Overall, everything felt in tune, making the session feel great. One of the best arm days I have had in recent memory.

[b][color=blue]Dosage:[/b][/color]
The dosing of CRE-02 is something which I assume I may have to tinker with to achieve optimal results. Today, I took 3 caps, with my pre-workout meal, 90 minutes before hitting the gym (instructions on the bottle recommend taking 60-120 mins. before physical activity).

[b][color=blue]Pump/Vascularity[/b][/color]
Okay, I know it is only day 1, and of course it happened to be very convenient that the first day fell on a scheduled arm workout...that being said, the pump was insane! I have tried many pump type products, as well as creatine products, and few have rivaled the pump I got today. I am not one to gush so early on, but I have to admit the alteration was definitely noticeable. I got some comments from a few classmates I hadn't seen since last semester that my veins looked crazy, so I know others perceived a difference as well.

The interesting thing I observed right away is that the pump felt a bit different today. My arms got very swole, much more than normal, and veins were incredibly visible, yet the muscular tightness which usually seems to accompany such a pump was definitely toned down. This was highly unusual, and I found myself checking my arms in the mirror a few times, as the feeling of my arm muscles almost did not match up with what I was visibly observing.

[b][color=blue]Strength:[/b][/color]
Obviously as I mentioned above, it is only the first day, so I was not expecting much here. That being said, I was able to set a new PR in cgbp, which was pretty surprising since I had been stagnating a bit there as of late. Also able to add a few reps here and there to some sets of other movements, so overall I was happy with the strength component.

[b][color=blue]Endurance/Oxygen Utilization[/b][/color]
It is worth mentioning that normally, endurance in the gym is not an issue for me; I feel as though I have a fairly high level of endurance, so I have noticed that most products which claim to aid endurance seem to have a lessened effect upon myself. I did not notice much of a perceptible difference today in terms of endurance while lifting.

However, during my post-lifting cardio, I definitely noticed that everything felt much easier than it should have. Normally, my legs are pretty fatigued after an intense leg day (which was yesterday), so cardio seems to drag a bit. Such was not at all the case today, the entire session just felt easier and went by quickly, and I seemed to be breathing a bit less hard than normal.

[b][color=blue]Recovery:[/b][/color]
No real changes/improvements in recovery today.

[b][color=blue]Changes in Mood:[/b][/color]
Based on my prior experience with Cordygen V02, I figured I would experience an increase in my sense of well-being from CRE-02. Such was definitely the case, as around an hour after taking it, I noticed that I became slightly more energetic and noticed a definite increase in mood. This mood enhancement was incredibly strong for only the first day, much stronger with the first dose of an supplement I can remember taking; it really made my entire workout just feel much easier. Hopefully such effects remain constant throughout the log.

[b][color=blue]Other Thoughts:[/b][/color]
Wow, for only the first day, I must say I am pretty impressed with the rapidity of some of the above-mentioned effects; definitely a great omen.

Noticed that my pump lasted much longer than normal; even after my cardio session, my arms were more pumped than they would be right after finishing a set of curls sans CRE-02.

Also, this was a bit strange, but I observed that for most of the workout, I was a bit flushed; I didn't feel any hotter, but I noticed that my neck and face were more red than normal.

Throwing my hat in on this one bud...lol. :D

BTW...I'll try to hit you up to respond to your pm's tomorrow sometime when I get a chance bud.

Cheers to ya bud! :)

[QUOTE=smssambear19;217393191]Throwing my hat in on this one bud...lol. :D

BTW...I'll try to hit you up to respond to your pm's tomorrow sometime when I get a chance bud.

Cheers to ya bud! :)[/QUOTE]

Good to know you'll be hanging around for this one. And that sounds good to me.

Great info in your update!

Those supersets are killer! Pump City!

[QUOTE=SavageOne;217445631]Great info in your update!

Those supersets are killer! Pump City![/QUOTE]

Yeah, I love supersets for arms as it makes the workout much quicker and puts me in a more intense state of mind without all the waiting around...oh wait, the pumps are sick too :D!

[center][b][color=blue][size=+1] SMac's Making Crazy Gains w/ CRE-02: Day 2[/b][/color][/size][/center]

The Workout:
Lifting--Off
Cardio--Road run of about 3.25 miles, moderate-hard intensity. Followed by a 5 minute cool down jog, then 5 80 meter strides (sprinting at about 75%).

[b][color=blue]Workout Thoughts:[/b][/color]
Great run today. Ran a route I have never run before, and I felt pretty good during it. The course was much much flatter than I am used to, so that made things feel a lot faster and a bit easier. I did not time myself, but I felt the pace was pretty quick.

[b][color=blue]Dosage:[/b][/color]
Took 3 caps with one scoop of whey protein 90 minutes before the run.

[b][color=blue]Pump/Vascularity[/b][/color]
Can't really comment here today. I did not get any sort of weird pump during the run, so that was definitely a good thing.

[b][color=blue]Strength:[/b][/color]
N/A.

[b][color=blue]Endurance/Oxygen Utilization:[/b][/color]
Due to running a totally new route as I mentioned above, things were totally shaken up today, endurance was a bit hard to quantify. I did feel exceptionally good during the run, breathing felt easier, and I did not seem to tire out despite pushing the pace, so I feel that endurance was definitely up a bit.

[b][color=blue]Recovery:[/b][/color]
No real soreness from yesterday's workout.

[b][color=blue]Changes in Mood:[/b][/color]
Feeling of improved mood and sense of well-being was there today, though much less strong than yesterday...perhaps it has to do with the fact that today's meal w/ CRE-02 lacked any carbs? Also noticed that, both today and yesterday, felt a slight increase in mental alertness and focus after taking CRE-02, which was great today as this came on right towards the end of a lecture.

[b][color=blue]Other Thoughts:[/b][/color]
Solid second day; noticed an increased ease in my run which is always nice. Will be hitting up back tomorrow, hoping to set a new PR on deads.

Well, it's early in the morning (at least by college campus standards lol, so hopefully the place should be nice and empty) and I will be off shortly to the gym for today's back workout, hoping for some big things.

your results on the first day are exactly what i experienced. this stuff is the real deal, and i'm glad we're getting some unbiased feedback on it. i've had four people on campus sample it so far and they've all been blown away with one serving.

[QUOTE=ncangey0513;218129681]your results on the first day are exactly what i experienced. this stuff is the real deal, and i'm glad we're getting some unbiased feedback on it. i've had four people on campus sample it so far and they've all been blown away with one serving.[/QUOTE]

Yea, it truly was an impressive start, and I had great workout again today with it, will be updating shortly...

[center][b][color=blue][size=+1] SMac's Making Crazy Gains w/ CRE-02: Day 3[/size][/center]

The Workout: Back[/b][/color]

Deadlifts
95x12
135x8
185x5
225x5
255x4
300x1!, drop set to
225x5, drop set to
135x15

Wide-Grip Pullups
BW+20x4
BW+20x4
BW+20x4, drop set to
BWx6

Iso-Lateral Hammer Strength Front Lat Pulldowns
100x8
120x8
125x7

Rack Chins
BWx10
BW+10x8
BW+20x6
BW+20x6, drop set to
BWx5

Dumbbell Rows
60x8
65x7
65x7

Straight Arm Pulldowns, superset w/
3 sets

Cable Reverse Flies
3 sets

[b][color=blue]Workout Thoughts:[/b][/color]
Great back workout. Because thursdays are such a long day for me class-wise, I either have to hit the gym early in the morning or late at night. Last week, I went late at night, was way too drained from the day, and had a ****ty back workout as a result. As a result, today I hit the gym early in the morning, before any classes...and it was awesome. The gym was dead, so I had the run of the place for once, and I was just mentally zoned in.

[b][color=blue]Dosage:[/b][/color]
Took the 3 caps with breakfast (my only meal pre-workout), 2 hours before the gym.

[b][color=blue]Pump/Vascularity[/b][/color]
Normally for me, with early morning workouts, pumps are either hit or miss, with the preponderance of the time being a miss. Today was not the case, as I got a above-average pump; it was not as insane as on arm day, but it was definitely better than on your average back day. Vascularity came on strong in the arms at the end of the workout.

[b][color=blue]Strength:[/b][/color]
So pumped to get 300 on deads, definitely a PR, first time I hit 300 on anything (besides leg press, which doesn't count)! Also bumped up the weights on rack chins, which was great, and felt really strong doing everything else.

[b][color=blue]Endurance/Oxygen Utilization[/b][/color]
Had to pick up the pace a bit more than normal to squeeze in the full workout before class, and my endurance definitely kept up. Did not get tired despite the fast pace, and I felt a bit less fatigued at the end of my workout than normal. Did not have time to do cardio today however...

[b][color=blue]Recovery:[/b][/color]
Did not notice a huge difference in recovery, save when it came to the drop sets...all the drop sets in today's workout felt easier than normal (especially for deads), meaning I should eventually be adding significant reps to such sets

[b][color=blue]Changes in Mood:[/b][/color]
Felt the slight increase in well-being and mental focus again. Such was a huge factor in allowing me to have a great workout and mind-muscle connnection despite the early hour.

[b][color=blue]Other Thoughts:[/b][/color]
Awesome workout today, hoping for more of the same tomorrow when I hit up chest.

awesome looking workout. nothing like a pr on one of the big three to keep up your confidence. just curious, what's your pre-workout meal/timing look like?

[QUOTE=ncangey0513;218189161]awesome looking workout. nothing like a pr on one of the big three to keep up your confidence. just curious, what's your pre-workout meal/timing look like?[/QUOTE]

So true, PRs rock. The meal really depends on my class/activity schedule for the day...for example, today since I lifted early, the only thing I had before was breakfast (big bowl of oats, skim milk, 1 scoop of whey protein) before I lifted. On days where I lift later, the meal may be something light like 1/2 cups of oats+1 scoop protein (if in-between meals), or something such as a roast beef sandwich on whole wheat bread plus a small salad w/ chicken (my typical lunch). As you can see, there is a lot of flexibility here.

i gotcha. seems similar to mine, since i have to schedule my preworkout meal around classes. lately, i've been doing 1 cup+ of oats with lean protein 2 hours preworkout, then taking cre-02, and about a half hour preworkout i have some type of simple carbs with my preworkout mix.

[QUOTE=ncangey0513;218198081]i gotcha. seems similar to mine, since i have to schedule my preworkout meal around classes. lately, i've been doing 1 cup+ of oats with lean protein 2 hours preworkout, then taking cre-02, and about a half hour preworkout i have some type of simple carbs with my preworkout mix.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, you have to get creative sometimes with the whole class bit and scheduling...just curious, what is the "preworkout mix?"

[QUOTE=SMac2347;218199701]Yeah, you have to get creative sometimes with the whole class bit and scheduling...just curious, what is the "preworkout mix?"[/QUOTE]

actually, it's just whatever pre-workout product i'm taking :p. i made it sound like i was brewing something in my laboratory, but that's not the case. usually ragnarok or sp250. i take them strictly for an increase in energy/mood, since i'm usually drained from classes and waking up at 6:00.

[QUOTE=ncangey0513;218204111]actually, it's just whatever pre-workout product i'm taking :p. i made it sound like i was brewing something in my laboratory, but that's not the case. usually ragnarok or sp250. i take them strictly for an increase in energy/mood, since i'm usually drained from classes and waking up at 6:00.[/QUOTE]

Oh, gotcha...yea it did sound like you had some special kind of concoction going on lol, that's why I asked. I definitely hear you on the need for energy after a long draining day of classes, that is why I try to keep some type of stim/pre-workout product on hand to use only on days when I need the extra energy boost.

Can't get over the amount of detail that you give. I've gotta get better at that!

Looks like it's working great for you as well!

[QUOTE=SavageOne;218314821]Can't get over the amount of detail that you give. I've gotta get better at that!

Looks like it's working great for you as well![/QUOTE]

For sure man, thus far the results have been very promising.

[center][b][color=blue][size=+1] SMac's Making Crazy Gains w/ CRE-02: Day 4[/size][/center]

The Workout: Chest[/b][/color]

Smith Machine Guillotine Press (not counting the weight of the carriage)
50x12
90x8
110x8
120x4
130x2, drop set to
90x5

Flat Dumbbell Press
65x5
65x3, drop set to
50x5

Incline Dumbbell Flies (squeezing all the way through)
25x10
25x8
25x7
25x6

Dips
BW+45x4
BW+45x4
BW+45x3, drop set to
BWx7

Incline Dumbbell Press
50x4
50x4
45x5

15 minutes on the elliptical, moderate steady state pace, followed by ~1/2 mile jog.

[b][color=blue]Workout Thoughts:[/b][/color]
Solid chest workout today. Energy was down a bit, but focus was great, and mood was interesting...kind of a happy, very calm demeanor, which is odd for me to experience in the gym. Luckily, managed to hit the gym before the booze crowd, so I could afford to be a bit more relaxed and go through the rigors of the workout at a slightly faster clip than normal.

I should note that, since I am still adjusting to the gym at school (coming from a great gym at home), there is still a bit of a transition; less machines and weights, more people, etc. so basically I am still trying to find my usual groove on certain days, chest days being one of them.

[b][color=blue]Dosage:[/b][/color]
Took the 3 caps with a light pre-workout meal an hour before hitting the gym.

[b][color=blue]Pump/Vascularity[/b][/color]
Pump did not come on until the end of the workout really. Once it came, it was there and was good, but I think this just shows I need to wait longer after taking my pre-workout meal + CRE-02 before hitting the gym, as I have on the prior 3 days.

[b][color=blue]Strength:[/b][/color]
As I mentioned above, am still adjusting to the gym a bit here, so strength is hard to evaluate as I'm doing slightly different movements or using equipment that does not feel the same (even though it puportedly weighs the same); that being said, I went up on weight for dips, and stayed about the same for everything else.

[b][color=blue]Endurance/Oxygen Utilization[/b][/color]
Interesting duality here today. During my workout, I felt great, no fatigue at all, as though I could have kept lifting forever.

However, cardio was a bit of struggle. Even though it felt easier than normal to breathe, the effort was a bit labored, and my legs just felt tired; I attribute such to my hammies and glutes being pretty fried from the deads yesterday, even though they weren't sore at all.

[b][color=blue]Recovery:[/b][/color]
Seemed to have a great increase in recovery from set-to-set today, and just felt ready to go faster than normal. Also, even though my legs and glutes felt fatigued from the deads, I felt surprisingly great otherwise; sometimes after a great back day, my systems just feel fried from everything, but I experienced no such effects and had no soreness to speak of.

[b][color=blue]Changes in Mood:[/b][/color]
Again, slight pick me up mood-wise after taking CRE-02, and I felt this was what was responsible for the happy, calm yet focused feeling I had in the gym.

[b][color=blue]Other Thoughts:[/b][/color]
Have noticed that although I am not "pumped" or whatever around the clock, some of my muscles, chiefly my arms, feel much harder than normal throughout the day.

fullness has definitely increased for me since starting cre-02, too. glad to hear we're having similar experiences.

[QUOTE=ncangey0513;218884291]fullness has definitely increased for me since starting cre-02, too. glad to hear we're having similar experiences.[/QUOTE]

Nice man. Thus far, CRE-02 is definitely different than other creatines I've used, and I look forward to how it all plays out over the remainder of the log.

[center][b][color=blue][size=+1] SMac's Making Crazy Gains w/ CRE-02: Day 5[/size][/center]

The Workout: Shoulders, Traps, and Abs[/b][/color]

Push Press (one of my friends/workout buddies is very into crossfit-type stuff, so I figured I'd give these a try since my shoulders always need a shake-up)
6 sets, working up to 125

Behind the Neck Barbell Press
55x10
75x7
85x5
85x5
85x5

Seated Dumbbell Shoulder Press, superset w/
45x5
45x5
45x5

Seated Dumbbell Lateral Raises
15x8
15x8
15x8

Hanging Leg Raises, superset w/
4 sets

Dumbbell Shrugs
5 sets

Cable Crunches
4 sets

Reverse Crunches
3 sets

Side Planks
3 sets

Run of about 1 mile, moderate-hard pace.

[b][color=blue]Workout Thoughts:[/b][/color]
Incredible endurance today. Was also mentally very focused, which made time fly by in the gym and really did not want to leave. Initially did not plan on doing any cardio, but I had so much energy left in the tank at the end of my workout I said f*** it and ran a mile around the track. Still playing around with the weights used, and numbers on behind the neck presses are down slightly as there is no bench with a back support that I can use for the movement as there is in my normal gym, but otherwise things went great.

[b][color=blue]Dosage:[/b][/color]
Took the 3 caps with lunch, 2 hours before hitting the gym.

[b][color=blue]Pump/Vascularity[/b][/color]
Solid pump today. Vascularity in the arms was incredibly evident. My muscles continue to feel a slight increase in hardness, which is always great.

[b][color=blue]Strength:[/b][/color]
As I mentioned above, still playing around with things. For the weights/movements that I feel are transferable from my usual gym, there was no increase.

[b][color=blue]Endurance/Oxygen Utilization[/b][/color]
Absolutely awesome today. I simply did not get tired at all and wanted to keep going, hence the quick mile run after the workout rather than giving cardio a break as planned.

[b][color=blue]Recovery:[/b][/color]
Good recovery from between sets today; things felt ready to go a few seconds earlier than usual. Chest is a bit sore, but overall, I feel much less fatigued/worn out than I usually am towards the end of the week, which points to a definite increase in recovery.

[b][color=blue]Changes in Mood:[/b][/color]
Again, slight pick me up mood-wise and focus-wise from the CRE-02.

[b][color=blue]Other Thoughts:[/b][/color]
None today.

[center][b][color=blue][size=+1] SMac's Making Crazy Gains w/ CRE-02: Day 6[/size][/center]

The Workout: Off[/b][/color]

[b][color=blue]Workout Thoughts:[/b][/color]
Even though I felt great and much better than normal yesterday, I took a scheduled day off. Normally I have the tendency to push my body too hard, so even though I felt good, I tried to stick to my plan; besides, I'll just go balls to the wall for legs day tomorrow.

[b][color=blue]Dosage:[/b][/color]
Took the 3 caps with breakfast.

[b][color=blue]Pump/Vascularity[/b][/color]
N/A

[b][color=blue]Strength:[/b][/color]
N/A

[b][color=blue]Endurance/Oxygen Utilization[/b][/color]
N/A

[b][color=blue]Recovery:[/b][/color]
N/A

[b][color=blue]Changes in Mood:[/b][/color]
Slight increase in sense of well-being still after taking the CRE-02.

[b][color=blue]Other Thoughts:[/b][/color]
Lots of great football on today, and I enjoyed watching it.

Will be hitting up the wheelz shortly. I am especially interesting to see if I get a pump in my legs, since usually I don't get much of one...

Workouts are looking insane! I'm noticing the same things that you are, with having more left in the tank at the end of a workout.

And, it's only day 5! :eek:

[QUOTE=SavageOne;219571531]Workouts are looking insane! I'm noticing the same things that you are, with having more left in the tank at the end of a workout.

And, it's only day 5! :eek:[/QUOTE]

I know man, I'm digging it!