What Stim Break?! MST Caffeine Free RagNOrok-ELITE!

[jalfrey]

I'm a big fan of caffeine. Some days I thing I have around 600-700mg of it over the course of the day. That means I'm also a big fan of pre-workouts. Unfortunately, I also know that kind of thing can take its toll on my adrenal glands. So after having not taken a stim break in over a year and a half...here goes!

Big, big thanks to jwa254 and MST for selecting me for this log and putting their money where their mouth is. I'm always appreciative of companies that do this. But enough supp whoring. Let's get straight to the log!


I added the red circle for emphasis.


I'm a big fan of this!


And the all important profile!

I'll post thoughts on taste, mixability, all that jazz after a few times of dosing. Same with the types of workouts I'm doing. For now and to keep this intro short, here's the damage report for my first session with RagNOrok-ELITE!

Warm Up
Arm circles--2x15
Rotator Cuff--2x15
Cable Crosses--4x15x20lbs (I like to change the angle on each set of these. I start high and keep dropping the cable chassis until its just below my shoulder by the 4th set.)

DB Prison Press--4x8x75lbs, 4x10x65lbs (These are on an adjustable bench. I start flat, do a set, then incline the bench a notch each set. After 4 sets, I reverse the process.) 1 min rest between sets
DB Decline--4x12x45lbs (Weak because of shoulder pain) 30 secs rest

French Press--2x12x30, 1x12x40 1 minute rest
Victory Press--3x15x25 30 secs rest

Straight ext--2x12x85,70,60 30 secs rest

All I have to say is, "What's caffeine?" Seriously, just yesterday I used 300mg pre-workout and 100mg intra. Today I used nothing but didn't miss it a bit! My focus was intense! This could be the start of a beautiful relationship.

*sigh*And it's just the start! Better things to come Tune in tomorrow!

[franchise1124]

Subbed - looks like you're off to a good start!

[jwa254]

subbed. glad the caffeine free version got to you. I always worry about small details like that being looked over.

[jalfrey]

Subbed - looks like you're off to a good start!

subbed. glad the caffeine free version got to you. I always worry about small details like that being looked over.

Thanks for joining in guys! I was a bit concerned about that too, but I would've been grateful for either tub!

Here's a better view of the ingredient profile. BTW, it's 3:00pm. I left the gym at 6:50am and I'm still not missing the caffeine!

[jalfrey]

Day 2
Felt a little bit fuzzy still going into the gym today. I don't know if it's my glands realizing that I've gone caffeine-free or what! But, seriously, I didn't get the best night of sleep last night so I'm going to blame the fuzziness on that. Once I got to the gym everything fell into place.

I performed the same workout I did last Wednesday. It's a lower/heavy routine for back.

Warm Up
Narrow grip low row--1x20x70, 15x100

Single arm face pull-2x55,4x55,6x55,8x55,10x55 (no rests between sets)

Narrow grip lat pull--4x6x200,2x6x180 (1 min rest)

Kroc rows--3x12x80, 1x7x100 (1 min)

Wide cable low row-- 2x8x180,3x6x200 (45sec-1 min)

Underhand cable low row--2x8x160,1x8x180 (1 min)

I actually hit an extra rep on those heavy Kroc rows vs last week with caffeine! That's awesome! Even more so because I really hate doing them

Got a pic this morning of RagNOrok post-mixing--


I stirred it 10 times in both directions with about 10oz of water. I even let it sit for a couple of minutes, but it's still pretty sandy in the bottom. Now granted, there are a lot of ingredients in there. But, that still a lot of sand. Mixability--4/10
This isn't something I usually take into account for PWO myself. That's because I normally take it pixie-stick style: scoop directly into mouth and flush down with water. I do it both for time's sake and because it's mildly unpleasant which helps me wake up, too

[Gutterpump]

Subbed. Looking great so far. I could use a stim break myself! I just can't seem to kick the coffee habit though.

[franchise1124]

Another solid workout in the books. Glad things fell into place for you once you were in the gym!

[jalfrey]

Subbed. Looking great so far. I could use a stim break myself! I just can't seem to kick the coffee habit though.

Agreed about the coffee habit. I've started to feel some of the withdrawals, so I did go with a half-tab of caffeine this morning. I think I'm going to step down and use a half-dose every other day until maybe Monday or Tuesday. Needless to say, I had an awesome workout. Maintenance leg day!

10/9
Kb swings 2x15x35 (30 sec rest)
Stair mill 5min

Leg ext--4x10x120 (30 sec rest)

Leg curl--2x10x90,70 (30 sec rest)

Weighted run--backwards--20x68, forwards--20x68 (no rest)
Hammer Hack Squats--5x3x374, 5x6x234 (1 min rest)
Farmer walk-tabata session 65lb DBs

I normally hate leg day, but once again my focus was intense and this was another great workout. It was a little harder to judge the pump but it was there!

I hope to get a video up tomorrow with my reflections on how this stuff tastes!

[franchise1124]

Lol How can you hate leg day? Another solid workout man. Looking forward to the video

[jalfrey]

Happy Friday, all!

Today was my high volume back day. I've found that frequently training one major bodypart while working the others at a maintenance level each week is something that works for me. Right now my concentration is my back on M,W,F. I do a mid-rep, low/heavy, and high-vol day each week. Here's today's damage report--

10/10
Underhand diverged rows 12x75,95,115,135,155,135,115,95,70 tofailure (30 secs rest)

rev flyes 12x120,15x105,105,105, 23x90 (45 secs rest)

Single arm lat pull 9x60, 15x48, 18x36, 25x24, 30x12 (no rest)

Wide grip low--100x84 (did this in 6 sets, no more than 15 secs rest)

And here's a goddawful vid I made. Remind me, no more videos before 6:00AM...

[jalfrey]

Lol How can you hate leg day? Another solid workout man. Looking forward to the video

Maybe hate is a strong word...dislike might be better. I know it's a necessary evil, but that doesn't mean I gotta like it. Leaves me wheezing!

[franchise1124]

You really meant it when you said high volume...solid workout there!

Agree with your video regarding the taste. It's something tropical and not overwhelmingly sweet which is a huge plus.

[jalfrey]

Couple of quick updates for today. Not much new of note for yesterday's workout. I took 100mg of caffeine along with a scoop of RagNOrok and managed to bump everything up 5lbs from last week. I'll take it!

10/13
Warm up
Wide low row--2x15x75

Wide lat pull down--8x140,160,160,170,170,160 (45 sec rest)
Rack pull--8x275,295,295,305,12x225 (1 min rest)
Wide Tbar--8x125,125,135,135,12x90 (30 sec rest)
Db pullover-8x70x2 (45 sec rest, wasn't really feeling these)
Lat pullover 60x55,40x45 (20 sec rest)

[jalfrey]

Today I went with a scoop and a half of RagNOrok to see what the difference I might be able to tell. Wow! Got into the zone and didn't want to leave the gym! Just really dialed in and wanted to keep pressing on after I should've stopped!
Warm up
Cable cross--4x15x25(from different angles)

Hammer flat--6x3x187,12x97 (45 sec rest on all sets)
Hammer incline--3x187,207,217,227,237,12x97
Hammer decline--3x187,207,217,217,207,207,12x97
Cable cross--4x6x43

Straight tri extension--12x50,65, 8x95,95,95

Single arm Rope kickbacks--12x25,25,25,25(no rests)

So now I have the dilemma, continue at 1.5 scoops or just do that on the days I need a little extra? Decisions, decisions...

[franchise1124]

Interesting stuff. Any notable differences between your 1.5 scoop day versus your 1 scoop + 100mg of caffeine day?

Strong lifts on both days either way. Good work man

[jalfrey]

Interesting stuff. Any notable differences between your 1.5 scoop day versus your 1 scoop + 100mg of caffeine day?

Strong lifts on both days either way. Good work man

Thanks, man. I honestly don't think I can tell a difference between the two dosages. This weekend, I may try the 1.5 scoop for endurance testing. Otherwise, the focus and pump seems to be the same. That's pretty great since being 200+lbs, I sometimes have to use a scoop and a half to get optimal results from some preworkouts.

Today was a little lower intensity than normal as I was in the beginning stages of some seasonal crud. I used the 1.5 scoop dose and am still happy with the results on everything but the wide low rows. I had to back off the weight from last week a bit on those. But like I said, still a good workout!

10/15
Warm up
Face pull--2x15x60

Single arm Hammer low row--6x94,4x119,129,129,129,6x129,12x94 (30 se rest)
Close grip lat pull--4x6x180,2x6x200 (1 min rest)
Wide grip cable low row--4x7x185,2x3x205 (1 min rest)
Underhand cable low row--2x8x145,185 (45 sec rest)

Barbell torques--8x8x25lbs

Something to make up for a lackluster report--

[Gutterpump]

Great log so far man, thanks for all the detail. Extra points for the prowler pic! I need access to one again. That looks like Carol Leblanc Bazinet

[jalfrey]

Great log so far man, thanks for all the detail. Extra points for the prowler pic! I need access to one again. That looks like Carol Leblanc Bazinet

Thanks for providing the name of the lovely lady in the pic. Looks like hnnnnggg to me!

Yesterday I was still getting over my cold, so I just hit leg day hard enough to get a light sweat and my heart pumping good. Nothing to brag about, so I won't record the workout here.

Today, solidified my decision to stick at 1 scoop for the rest of the log. I'll probably continue to alternate days with 100mg or so of caffeine. RagNOrok is just really great for both focus and pumps at just one scoop! This morning I pixie-sticked a scoop and chased it with a half-tab of caffeine. That reminds me, I haven't noted how intense the BA "tingles" are from this stuff. After 5-10 minutes, they're there! I've taken other supplements that claim to have a clinical dosage of BA, but no tingles happen. It might be stupid, but I like to feel that BA is in a product I'm taking. Probably goes back to my first PWO that contained it. Still tingles every time I take it.

Today was high-volume day on the back. Felt good and pumped after I left the gym!

10/17
Hammer High row--Warm Up--2x15x90
4x12x180, 4x12x140, 30x130 (30 sec rest)

SuperSets (1 min rest between supersets)
Chest supported rev flyes--12x30,15,15,15,30x15
Chest supported underhand rows--12x30,30,30,30,30,30x30

Single arm lat pull--12x60,18x45,26x30,38x15 (no rest)

Single arm wide landmine rows--2x18x45 (no rest)

[jalfrey]

Ugh, Monday...

Woke up a little late today, but I wasn't about to let that keep me from wreaking RagNOrok havok in the gym! I slammed my supp. Felt that familiar tingle and and completed today's damage with 30-45 sec rest between sets...

10/20
Underhand barbell rows (elbows in)--2x15x95

Overhand bb rows (elbows flared)--8x185,205,205,205,185,185
DB pendelay rows (elbows flared)--4x10x45 pper hand
Landmine rows (elbows in)--8x100,115,115,125, 12x45
Cable upright rows--10x63, 3x8x83
Underhand diverged rows--50x90, 50x70

Oh yeah! Great pump across the upper back today!

[Gutterpump]

Looking good man, great numbers!

[jalfrey]

Looking good man, great numbers!

Thanks!

Had another great workout today. Really felt the stretch on those flyes and hitting moves with different grips. I'm thinking about taking a deload week and concentrating on major lifts next week. I've been lifting at 110% for about 7 weeks now and I'm feeling a bit "blah." My attitude may change by the weekend. But for now, that's my plan. While I'm in the gym, I'm still amped up and the endurance I'm getting from RagNOrok is incredible, but the rest of my day has me feeling low energy...we'll see what happens!

10/21
High Cable Crossovers--3x15x20 (20 secs rest)
Low Cable Crossovers--3x15x20 (20 secs rest)
Close Grip Incline--8x185,185,175,175 (45 secs rest)
Reverse Grip Incline--8x155,155,155,155,12x135
Flat DB Fly--4x8x35s

SS
Hammer seated dip
Neutral Grip then Reverse Grip--4x8x110 each

[franchise1124]

Solid numbers as usual. Interesting to see how things go when you deload. Getting adequate rest?

[jalfrey]

Solid numbers as usual. Interesting to see how things go when you deload. Getting adequate rest?

Thanks, man. I'm interested to see how they go as well. Like most of us, I like to go wide open at the gym so the concept of de-loading is almost foreign to me. I've gone for longer periods without doing it before. But, I've usually changed up my workout scheme every month or so. I'm also hitting the gym 6 days most weeks as I use Saturdays to try out new exercises or work on something that I didn't hit hard enough through the week. Rest is something I don't get quite enough of through the week. I aim for 6.5-7 hours of sleep a night. I'm going to get a sleep aid over the weekend, too.

As has been the case this week, I wasn't feeling like hitting the iron until I got into the gym. Once I got going and felt RagNOrok kicking in, I surprised myself by hitting not one, but TWO PRs for strength! Boo-Yaa!

Face pull--3x15x70

Hammer High Row--6x3x270, 3x3x290, 1x4x300 (PR!),12x180
Narrow Grip Lat Pulldown-5x3x185,3x200,200,200,205,205 (PR!),12x120
Rack pull--5x1x415,5x3x385,12x205
Wide pullover--100x50 (4 sets)

My plan for next week is to back off on both volume and weight next week. I'm thinking 5x5 compunds M,W,F and cardio T, Tr.

And just because...

[Gutterpump]

Congrats on the PR's!

5x5 is pretty tough, should be an interesting de-load! I like to switch things up like that from time to time too.

[jalfrey]

Congrats on the PR's!

5x5 is pretty tough, should be an interesting de-load! I like to switch things up like that from time to time too.

Thanks, man! It's always great to be able and look back on where I came from compared to where I am now. When I first started 5 years ago, I was able to do 8-10 reps of 70lbs on the pulldown. Feels good to see how much my strength has increased!

This morning I started the de-load. My goal is to still get a good sweat and decent pump without too much CNS stimulation. I dosed with the usual about 30 minutes before hitting the gym and performed the following with 20-30 secs of rest between sets.

10/27
DL--5x5x135
OH BB row--5x5x115
DB inc press--5x5x60s

Cybex Arc Trainer--18 min for 300kcal (according to machine[A2M])

BB Clean and press--5x5x70
KB squat--5x5x35s (a2g)

Haha, I was reminded of just how long it's been since I did any cardio beyond a warm-up! But, all in all, a decent workout where I felt accomplished without feeling overtaxed later in the afternoon. The RagNOrok carried me straight through it and my endurance was great!

[jalfrey]

Happy Candy Binging Day!!!

After a few days of lighter stuff, it seemed like today would be a good day to get back to business. I've been keeping at 1 scoop a day of RagNOrok all week. Today I added the 100mg of caffeine back to it and decided to superset chest and back. I may got along with this same scheme for the next 6 weeks or I may concentrate more on the chesticles. Not sure yet, but I'll get it figured out.

10/31
Warm-Up
Face Pulls--2x15x72
Pushups--2x15xBW

All pairs supersetted
DB Incline Press--4x6x80s (1st notch on adjustable bench)
OH BB Row--4x6x185

DB Incline Press--4x12x60s
UH BB Row--4x12x135

Flat Flyes--3x3x50s Dat dere PR!
Chest Supported Row--3x3x70s

Pec Deck--2x16x100
Reverse Flyes--2x16x100

And my favorite candy this time of year...

[jalfrey]

Started out an emphasis on chest and away from back this morning. I'm still working some details out on the next couple of months worth of workouts, though. I have to say, I've only got about a week's worth of product left for this log and it still feels like it did during the first week. I continued taking it during the de-load last week. And the effects just haven't died down! I still have increased endurance, great focus and pumps. I'm really quite amazed as normally my body would have acclimated a bit more.

Today's damage report--
11/3
Cable Crossovers--6x8x15 (started above shoulder height and dropped height between sets--no rests)

Board press--8x155, 3x8x135
Prison press--4x8x70s

Superset (45 secs rest)
Arnold press--4x8x55s
Lat raise--4x8x35s

Superset 945 secs rest)
Descending Prison flyes--4x8x30s
French press--4x8x75

Then, I still had energy in spades. So I decided to do some band work to really get my pump on. I grabbed a red band (don't know the tension) and worked on lat raises. Decided to do some overhead tricep extensions with a grey/silver band. I left the silver band on the mounting system they hook onto for storage. Well, about 7 reps in, this happened...


The mount ripped loose from the wooden wall and decked me in the back of the head! Might take the day off from the iron tomorrow. We'll see!

[franchise1124]

Solid work as usual, man. I can't see the image of what happened to you at the gym but hopefully you're ok.

[jalfrey]

Thanks, franchise! I took Tuesday off and hit the gym hard again yesterday. With RagNOrok coursing through my veins, I managed to hit two more PRs for strength. This time on chest. This morning I hit a PR on trap bar deads--475x3!! Yeah!


Crazy times right now. But I just wanted to check in since it's been a couple of days. Hopefully I can be more detailed tomorrow!

[franchise1124]

Gotta love PRs! Nice work man