Redcon1 Tango Grape

[crpav]

Thank you Redcon1 and Cheftepesh for a chance to receive, use and review a tub of their new Creatine product. Not only creatine but also a bit more with Betaine Anhydrous, Creatine HCl, Creatine Magnapower, Taurine and L-Ornithine L-Aspartate.

I used a scoop after my workout this morning mixed in a little over 10 ounces of water.





First off upon opening the tub the smell of the powder is a nice grape smell. Easy to tell that it's grape and not overpowering. It mixed easily with barely any foaming. Color as seen is a cloudy white so no artificial purple colors or anything. Flavor is easy to drink. Smooth grape flavor more on the sweet side but not overly sweet. I would say a nice white grape sort of candy grape flavor. Wouldn't mind a bit more sour grape but it is enjoyable. Not much settlement or grit but does need to be shook up if let sit. As for results I will update after a few more uses. Going to be honest as it's creatine and some added stuff not a product where one will say "yep, I can feel it working" like a stim product would/could do. It's a flavored creatine with added recovery

Mixability - 8.5/10
Flavor - 9/10
Overall - ?/10 Will edit after more uses.

Day 1 of log:

This morning I started with and warmed up with lateral dumbbell raises for 5 sets:

Set 1 - 8 pounds for 20 reps
Set 2 - 10 pounds for 15 reps
Set 3 12 for 10
Set 4 15 for 5
Set 5 8 for 10

Lat pulldowns:

Set 1 Weight 5 (50) for 15
Set 2 6 for 12
Set 3 7 for 10
Set 4 8 for 10
Set 5 9 for 6
Set 6 10 for 5
Set 7 6 for 10

Standing barbell shoulder/military press

Set 1 - Bar (45) for 10
Set 2 - 65 for 10
Set 3 - 85 for 10
Set 4 - 95 for 5
Set 5 - 105 for 5
Set 6 - 115 for 5
Set 7 - 125 for 5
Set 8 - 135 for 3
Set 9 - 95 for 6

I wasn't feeling it this morning so ended with cable triceps extensions/pushdowns:

Set 1 - weight machine 3 for 10
Set 2 - 3 for 10
Set 3 - 3 for 10
Set 4 - 4 for 5

And then lighter shrugs concentrating on squeezing the upper back/traps together:

Set 1 - 35 for 15
Set 2 - 45 for 10
Set 3 - 55 for 10
Set 4 - 40 for 10

Finsihed off with dumbbell curls. 3 sets of 10 at 20 pounds then 1 set of 5 at 25. Went light as ran out of time and since feeling sore from getting back into heavy lifting this week just wanted to keep it light on the curls.

[Cheftepesh]

Nice first workout my friend. Good to see you like it.

[crpav]

Had a busy day yesterday NOT AT WORK. Had a few doctor's appointments in a city 100 miles over. One for son to check on his ear tubes, which were good, and the other for a cortisone shot in my right ankle which has been a problem for a long time so hope it helps.

I did get to the gym and now that I write this realize I messed up my training schedule. I am doing a 5x5 for the most part with a little variation here and there to add accessories or substitute for deads and squats since issues with knee and ankle. Supposed to be Monday - workout A, Wednesday - B then Friday -A again. Next week then is Monday - B, Wednesday - A and Friday - B. Yesterday was supposed to be chest, back and squat day but some how got messed up and did the same exercises I did last Friday. Whoops. Anyway, workout was:

Standing barbell shoulder/military press

Set 1 - Bar (45) for 12
Set 2 - 65 for 10
Set 3 - 85 for 10
Set 4 - 95 for 5
Set 5 - 115 for 5
Set 6 - 135 for 5
Set 7 - 145 for 3
Set 8 - 135 for 3

Barbell curl:
Set 1 bar (25?) and 10s on each side for 15
Set 2 bar and 20 on each side for 10
Set 3 bar and 25s on each side for 6
Set 4 bar and 30 pounds on each side for 5
Set 5 same as above
Set 6 bar and 25s on each side for 5

Set 1 Weight 5 (50) for 15
Set 2 6 for 12
Set 3 7 for 10
Set 4 8 for 10
Set 5 9 for 6
Set 6 10 for 5
Set 7 6 for 10

cable triceps extensions/pushdowns:

Set 1 - weight machine 3 for 10
Set 2 - 3 for 10
Set 3 - 3 for 10
Set 4 - 4 for 5

Dumbbell shrugs:

Set 1 - 35 for 15
Set 2 - 45 for 10
Set 3 - 55 for 10
Set 4 - 65 for 5
Set 4 - 70 for 5

Had to end workout there as a rush to get home, shower, eat and hit the road to make appointments.

Had a scoop of Tango post workout and really like the flavor.

[Cheftepesh]

Great workout. Have you been working on bulking or cutting?

[crpav]

Great workout. Have you been working on bulking or cutting?

Kind of in between currently. Weight was up due to post knee surgery last summer ad then into holiday eating. Last year strength training was my priority and was upt o 2700 calories a day. Being 5'8" at about 172 is where I hover so the calories work for me with 3 days I train. Would like to get back to more but family life now is priority. I am slowly upping the calories as well as the intensity and weight in the gym.

This morning's workout was chest, back and a little ab work.

Warmed up with a set of 25 pushups then stretched.

Flat dumbbell bench press:
Set 1 35s for 20
Set 2 45s for 15
Set 3 55s for 10
Set 4 65s for 5
Sets 5-10 70s for 5 each
Set 11 40s for 10

Seated cable Row:
Set 1 machine number 6 for 20
Set 2 8 for 15
Set 3 10 for 10
Set 4 12 for 5
Set 5 to 10 13 for 5
Set 11 14 for 5
Set 12 8 for 10

I also did cable crunches in between
Set 1 weight 5 for 15
Set 2 to 5 6 for 10

Incline barbell bench press:
Set 1 135 for 10
Set 2 155 for 6
Set 3 155 for 5
Set 4 155 for 5
Set 5 155 for 5
Set 6 155 for 5
Set 7 165 for 3
Set 8 135 for 5

That was it. Tango was taken with my morning vitamins before breakfast once I got home. I also ordered a tub of the strawberry Kiwi flavored Tango and another Grape.

[NurseGray]

3 days in and you ordered another two tubs already. Must be some good stuff

[Cheftepesh]

3 days in and you ordered another two tubs already. Must be some good stuff

This is what I like to hear.

[crpav]

3 days in and you ordered another two tubs already. Must be some good stuff

This is what I like to hear.

Well I do enjoy the flavor as well as the profile. I typically use standard creatine mono but do like flavored creatine to get away from the boring same old simple creatine consumption. I really wanted to try the other flavor as well so stocked up.

[Cheftepesh]

Well I do enjoy the flavor as well as the profile. I typically use standard creatine mono but do like flavored creatine to get away from the boring same old simple creatine consumption. I really wanted to try the other flavor as well so stocked up.

Agreed. When I find a product I like I do order a few extras.

[crpav]

Today was shoulder press day and got back into deadlifts. Started the sessions with facepulls.

Facepulls on cable machine:
Set 1 3 for 20
Set 2 3 for 15
Set 3 3 for 15
Set 4 4 for 10

Barbell shoulder/military press:
Set 1 Bar 45 for 10
Set 2 65 for 10
Set 3 95 for 5
Set 4 105 for 5
Set 5 135 for 5
Set 6 145 for 3
Set 7 145 for 3
Set 8 145 for 2

I then jumped to Deadlifts as well as lighter shoulder press with a wider grip:
Set 1 Deadlifts bar to warm up so 45 for 10
Set 1 shoulder press 95 for 5
Set 2 Deadlift 135 for 10
Set 2 shoulder press 95 for 5
Set 3 Deadlift 135 for 6
Set 3 shoulder press 95 for 5
Set 4 Deadlift 185 for 5
Set 4 shoulder press 95 for 5
Set 5 Deadlift 185 for 5
Set 6 Deadlift 205 for 5
Set 6 Deadlift 205 for 3
Set 7 Deadlift 135 for 5

Called it a session after that due to time and just spent from that and the week. Got home and had my serving of Tango with morning vitamins and breakfast.

[Cheftepesh]

Curious why you use 7 - 8 sets? Any reason you do this?

[crpav]

Curious why you use 7 - 8 sets? Any reason you do this?

Good question. I actually thought about it when I typed it. Any advice to clean up my routine is welcome. I think part is my warmup and slow build up to working sets then always have followed last with a lower weight set right after working set. I will clean it up and get back to a proper 5x5 so any advice is welcome.

[Cheftepesh]

Personally I run about 5 - 6 exercises per body part and 4 sets. Reps change depending on weight and day.

[sschantz]

In for interest.....

[crpav]

Monday I decided to clean up my routine and get back to more proper 5x5.

Warmed up with pushups then did barbell bench press. Was planning to stick to dumbbell presses that I switched to but the benches were all taken with new years people...

Set 1 bar - 45 for 10
Set 2 135 for 10
Set 3 - 7 185 for 5
Set 8 135 for 10

Yes I know it's more then 5 sets but the first 2 are warmup and then the working set for 5 sets then drop weight to do a quick 10.

Seated cable row(number before the reps is the position on weight stack):

Warmup on 6 for 10
Set 2 to 7 13 for 5
Set 8 7 for 10

Squats, slowly getting into them due to knee surgeries so light weight

Warmup with bar for 10
Set 1 95 for 10
Set 2 through 7 135 for 5
Set 8 95 for 10

Did a few incline bench press with dumbbells but forgot what I did for those. I don't track other than in my head.

Time ran out. Bus life with work, 5 yar old son and life stuff so a little over an hour is what I have to lift.

[crpav]

Today was deadlift and shoulder press day with some biceps and triceps added. I start off each day I do deads or squats with leg curls as seems to help as hamstrings are warmed up.

I then did side lateral shoulder raises?? for 3 sets
Set 1 8s for 20
Set 2 10s for 12
Set 3 and 4 12 for 10
Set 5 8s for 10

I go light to work on squeezing, good form and to prevent injury.

Deadlifts:

Warmup with bar to stretch
Set 1 135 for 10
Set 2 185 for 5
Set 3 225 for 5
Set 4 225 for 5
Set 5 225 for 5
Set 6 245 for 3
Set 7 245 for 3
Set 8 135 for 5

Should barbell press
Set 1 warmup with bar at 45
Set 2 95 for 10
Set 3 105 for 5
Set 4 135 for 5
Set 5 145 for 3
Set 6 145 for 3
Set 7 145 for 2
Set 8 and 9 95 for 5

YEs I know probably a bit more sets than I should have done.

For biceps I just curled a 45 pound plate with both arms for 3 sets. Triceps I did cable push downs for 4 sets at 6, 6, 7 and 7.

Time ran out so time to head home.

[Cheftepesh]

What's your split?

[crpav]

What's your split?

I am doing a 3 day a week routine. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. t's tough enough to squeeze that in. I have been adding in another day for just biceps and triceps at home. Anyway Typical is Monday Flat bench, seated cable rows and squats. Wednesday would be Shoulder press, shrugs and deads. Friday is same as Monday. Then next week on Monday and Friday is what I did last Wednesday then Wednesday is what I did last Monday and Friday. Repeat. I should get back to bent over rows instead of seated cable rows.

I see I missed a few days...

Last Friday was Bench, rows and squats.

Working sets on Bench was

5 sets at 190 for 5 reps each

Seated Rows was cable weight 12

Squats I did:

5 working sets at 135 for 5 reps each

Only going low on squats to work on form, depth and because past back and knee injuries.

Monday was SHoulder Press, deadlifts and shrugs.

Shoulder Press working sets:

5 sets of 5 at 135

Deads working sets:

5 for 5 at 250

Shrugs I struggled at with grip due to pump so did:

35s for 15
44s for 10
55 for 5
60s for 5 at 2 sets

Today was bench, rows and squats.

Bench

Working sets:
5 sets of 5 reps at 195

Seated Row
5 sets of 5 at 13

Squats
5 sets of 5 reps at 145

Above does not include the warmup sets just working sets.

Still enjoying Tango. Only taking on workout days but wonder if I should take it everyday.

[Cheftepesh]

I am doing a 3 day a week routine. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. t's tough enough to squeeze that in. I have been adding in another day for just biceps and triceps at home. Anyway Typical is Monday Flat bench, seated cable rows and squats. Wednesday would be Shoulder press, shrugs and deads. Friday is same as Monday. Then next week on Monday and Friday is what I did last Wednesday then Wednesday is what I did last Monday and Friday. Repeat. I should get back to bent over rows instead of seated cable rows.

I see I missed a few days...

Last Friday was Bench, rows and squats.

Working sets on Bench was

5 sets at 190 for 5 reps each

Seated Rows was cable weight 12

Squats I did:

5 working sets at 135 for 5 reps each

Only going low on squats to work on form, depth and because past back and knee injuries.

Monday was SHoulder Press, deadlifts and shrugs.

Shoulder Press working sets:

5 sets of 5 at 135

Deads working sets:

5 for 5 at 250

Shrugs I struggled at with grip due to pump so did:

35s for 15
44s for 10
55 for 5
60s for 5 at 2 sets

Today was bench, rows and squats.

Bench

Working sets:
5 sets of 5 reps at 195

Seated Row
5 sets of 5 at 13

Squats
5 sets of 5 reps at 145

Above does not include the warmup sets just working sets.

Still enjoying Tango. Only taking on workout days but wonder if I should take it everyday.

Nice. Looks like a pretty good split.

[Cheftepesh]

Nice. Looks like a pretty good split.

Any updates

[crpav]

Been slacking posting my workouts. Gets a bit much with such a busy life to recall my gym sessions. Battling a small nagging soreness/pull/strain in my right shoulder that is from falling off a fence directly on it abuot 20 years ago. Never had it looked at or anything and just battled through self healing and such. Also lower back just won't loosen up so not doing squats or deads much until the tightness and pain subsides.

Anyway, had a good bench session last Friday but that is when it started acting up. Monday of this week I was able to get in a great sessions. Did shoulder press as my main big lift along with heavy shrugs, lat pulldowns, biceps and triceps.

For shoulder press I did 135 no problem but tried to jump up to 145 and only was able to get 3 reps so backed down to 135 for remaining sets. Shrugs did working sets at 85 pound dumbbells. Grip is tested at that weight for me. Lat pulldowns I kept it lighter to work on squeezing the lats and back. Biceps and triceps I also kept lighter and only used EZ curl bar with 25 on each side. All in all no issue with the shoulder.

Today I did bench and seated cable row but that is where the shoulder wasn't having much of it. Wanted to do working sets on bench at 205 but first set was only 4 reps (no spotter) so backed down to 195 for my sets. Seated cable row was good with no pain. Took it easy the rest of the session with light back exercises as well as some shoulder mobility work. Friday depends on how I feel and may just do light stretches and weights. If all feels good will do deads and squats.

This leads to a change I am starting Monday. Instead of the A-B-A, B-A-B, repeat split I am doing I will do a strength routine where I do one, possibly 2, main big lift/lifts each day followed by accessory work. Monday will be bench and rows, Wednesday will be squat and Friday deads. This way I am at full strength for my big lift each day and do it first then do the others. Willl update with progress on that Monday.

Tango still being used after each workout and still loving it.

[Cheftepesh]

Been slacking posting my workouts. Gets a bit much with such a busy life to recall my gym sessions. Battling a small nagging soreness/pull/strain in my right shoulder that is from falling off a fence directly on it abuot 20 years ago. Never had it looked at or anything and just battled through self healing and such. Also lower back just won't loosen up so not doing squats or deads much until the tightness and pain subsides.

Anyway, had a good bench session last Friday but that is when it started acting up. Monday of this week I was able to get in a great sessions. Did shoulder press as my main big lift along with heavy shrugs, lat pulldowns, biceps and triceps.

For shoulder press I did 135 no problem but tried to jump up to 145 and only was able to get 3 reps so backed down to 135 for remaining sets. Shrugs did working sets at 85 pound dumbbells. Grip is tested at that weight for me. Lat pulldowns I kept it lighter to work on squeezing the lats and back. Biceps and triceps I also kept lighter and only used EZ curl bar with 25 on each side. All in all no issue with the shoulder.

Today I did bench and seated cable row but that is where the shoulder wasn't having much of it. Wanted to do working sets on bench at 205 but first set was only 4 reps (no spotter) so backed down to 195 for my sets. Seated cable row was good with no pain. Took it easy the rest of the session with light back exercises as well as some shoulder mobility work. Friday depends on how I feel and may just do light stretches and weights. If all feels good will do deads and squats.

This leads to a change I am starting Monday. Instead of the A-B-A, B-A-B, repeat split I am doing I will do a strength routine where I do one, possibly 2, main big lift/lifts each day followed by accessory work. Monday will be bench and rows, Wednesday will be squat and Friday deads. This way I am at full strength for my big lift each day and do it first then do the others. Willl update with progress on that Monday.

Tango still being used after each workout and still loving it.

Good to see you back.

[crpav]

Update to "new" training routine I started last week.

Monday 2-26-18
Bench Press – 185
Seated Cable Rows – 13

Wednesday 2-28-18
Squat – 155
Military Press – 115

Friday 3-2-18
Deadlift – 155
Curls – bar plus 55
Triceps – bar plus 55

Monday 3-5-18
Bench – 190
Seated cable row – 13

Wednesday 3-7-18
Squat – 185
Military Press - 125

This does not include the accessory lifts or small lifts I throw in to finish my workouts. Still using Tango after each workout and loving it. I will say I seem to struggle to have good workouts on Friday's lately. I am so beat up and drained from the week the past few have been terrible. My lower back is also still stiff and sore. I have been stretching every night before bed but probably have to step it up and stretch more. Almost 40 so not getting any easier.

[Cheftepesh]

Update to "new" training routine I started last week.

Monday 2-26-18
Bench Press – 185
Seated Cable Rows – 13

Wednesday 2-28-18
Squat – 155
Military Press – 115

Friday 3-2-18
Deadlift – 155
Curls – bar plus 55
Triceps – bar plus 55

Monday 3-5-18
Bench – 190
Seated cable row – 13

Wednesday 3-7-18
Squat – 185
Military Press - 125

This does not include the accessory lifts or small lifts I throw in to finish my workouts. Still using Tango after each workout and loving it. I will say I seem to struggle to have good workouts on Friday's lately. I am so beat up and drained from the week the past few have been terrible. My lower back is also still stiff and sore. I have been stretching every night before bed but probably have to step it up and stretch more. Almost 40 so not getting any easier.

Over 40 here and no it does not get any easier.