Muscle & Fitness Goodies & A Giveaway!!!

A short time ago, I was contacted by Muscle & Fitness (insert giddy screech here!) and asked if I would be interested in reviewing one of the sample boxes from their Supplement Sampling Program. Of course, I said yes (because what normal person would say anything other than "hellz ya!"?!?!) and a few weeks later a box of goodies showed up on my doorstep!

Before I tell you about the supplement box I received, let me tell you a little bit about the program. You may sign up to receive 5-7 samples of different products each month. The cost of the membership is $15 a month or $11.25 with an annual membership. Shipping is free and members receive $15 off any $75+ order from the Muscle & Fitness store when they join. If this sounds like something you might be interested, you can find additional information about the program at the Muscle & Fitness Store.

Let's talk about the sample box I received, shall we?!? :)

Goodies!!

The box I received contained the samples that were mailed to members for the month of August. Included in the box were the supplement samples, pamphlets advertising certain products, and a postcard describing the samples in the box and what they are used for. I really liked that the postcard was included because I hadn't heard of some of the samples and it was nice to have a "Cliff's Notes" version of what they are & what they do.

The first supplement sample I tried was the MHP X-Fit Trainer. I received two packets (Cranberry Orange & Citrus Lime) of this particular sample and decided to try the Cranberry Orange flavor first. X-Fit Trainer is a pre-workout supplement that is said to, among other things, increase energy by 79% and improve mental focus & maximize workout intensity.

It was a "Workin' On My Wheels" workout the day I decided to try this and I knew that I would need all of the help I could get in order to kill my workout. The instructions on the packet state to take it 30 minutes before training and since the drive to my gym from my house is 25 minutes, I took it right before climbing in the car to leave. I'm not a huge fan of cranberry so I was a little concerned about how the drink would taste. I was pleasantly surprised when I sipped it and it reminded me of a less sugary version of Hi-C. Score!!

I did feel a slight tingle before & after my workout but it wasn't anything crazy. As I began my workout, I felt more focused on the exercises, reps, and my form. This is not to say that I'm not usually focused on my workouts when I do them but this was different. I didn't feel like I could push ridiculously high weight but did feel like I could knock out more reps  than normal during certain exercises. It's funny because when I got to the end of my workout (including a 3 mile run) despite being sweaty & stank  slightly smelly, I still felt like I could keep going.

A few days after trying the Trainer sample, I used my usual pre-workout supplement and I was disappointed. I just didn't feel the same way I did when I took Trainer. I hate to say this but once I finish the container I have of my current pre-workout supplement, I think we're going to break up...shhh...don't tell ;)

The next sample I tried out was Image Sports SAAs with Energy. This sample could not have come at a better time because I had just been reading an article entitled "7 Exciting New Supplements" in the September/October issue of Muscle & Fitness Hers. One of the new supplements that is mentioned in the article is silk amino acids. These amino acids are said to more than double exercise endurance while at the same time increasing muscle mass and decreasing body fat (pg.68).

The packet states that you can take these amino acids before, during, or after a workout. You may also take it on a non-training day, first thing in the morning. The amino acids I'm currently taking do not dissolve well in water so I brought a spoon with me just in case. The powder mixed well with my room temp water so I never had to take my spoon out of my backpack!

Half-way back to work & still hadn't taken a sip!

The watermelon flavor was very subtle and for that, I was eternally grateful! Watermelon is not one of the flavors at the top of my yummy list so I stalled a little after mixing the drink before sipping it...lol!

I am intrigued by this particular type of amino acids and will be having The Boss #2 do some research to determine if I should add it to my supplement "Power Pack"!

Tom was eyeballin' the Bullnox sample so I begrudingly graciously let him have it. I asked him to share his thoughts on it and this is what he wrote up:

"I have tried over a dozen pre-workout supplements in the past from popular (N.O. Explode, Super Pump, Neurocore, Jack3d, 1MR, White Flood, nanoVAPOR, hemorage, etc) and some not so poplular (noxipro, NO ignite, anadraulic state GT,  and a few others).  I can definitely tell which pre-workout supps are for energy, focus, and pumps…   Just a quick back story on my review of Bullnox.  I work out at the Fire Station every shift and my captain received the same sample pack (1.5 servings).  We are not new to pre workout supps, so he took the whole packet.  After about 10 minutes he was flush red and ready to workout, however he could not focus and had cold sweats…  After about 20 minutes it subsided, and he was able to start his workout and said it was a good and very strong preworkout supplement.  With that in mind, I used about ¾ of the sample at about 4am.  Got the usual burning sensation on tops of hands, feet, scalp, and redness in the face.  Had a great back workout with a decent pump which I normally do not get from Jack3d and 1MR.  I would compare it with a mix of Superpump and a super concentrated preworkout.  Overall a great product and will definitely try again.  Taste was probably the best I’ve had for sure, mixed very well and left minimal amount of residue in the cup."

If you've made it to the bottom of this endless post, congrats! :) Guess what?? The folks at Muscle & Fitness sent me an additional sample box and I'm giving it away to one of you! Tell me you're excited about that?!?!

All you have to do to enter is tell me what supplement you would love to try that's available from the Muscle & Fitness Store. That's it! Easy peasy! The contest will end at 12:00 am on Sunday, September 23rd so get your entries in now! Winner will be announced Monday, September 24th!


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Disclaimer:

I received these products free of charge and received no compensation for this review.
All opinions expressed are my own (and Tom's)!