Redcon1 Total War Reloaded – Outstanding Core Pre!
Check out Redcon1 Total War Reloaded! This is an outstanding “Core” Pre that storms into the category with an impressive formula, an open label, 30 servings, and a respectable price point. Of course, Redcon1 is a big name – and they make great products, right? In this edition of Supplement Spotlight, we’ll take an in-depth look at this impressive formula, plus offer Stack suggestions to optimize its effectiveness. Ready? Then let’s get started!
Redcon1 Total War Reloaded – A Quick Recap
| Total War ReloadedProduct Feature | Focus | Key Takeaway |
| Value-Minded, Streamlined Formula | Affordably priced “Core” type pre-workoutadded to the Total War lineup. | Delivers a high-value, budget-friendly option thatadvertises itself as “America’s Best Tasting Pre-workout.” |
| Formula Strategy | Combines 6 effective active ingredients withan electrolyte base (Himalayan Pink Salt). | Focuses heavily on overall gym performance, cellular hydration,and ATP energy production over a pure muscle pump. |
| Ingredient Highlights | Includes clinical doses of Creatine (5g),Beta-Alanine (3.2g), and Caffeine (350mg). | Delivers reliable strength, fatigue-buffering (with expected tingles),and a strong, high-potency energy boost. |
| User Experience & Directions | 1 scoop mixed in 4–6 oz of cold water,taken 30 minutes before training. | Straightforward protocol: 1 scoop mixed in 4-6oz water. |
| Stacking | Stacks well with virtually any other supplement. | Upgrade the pump potential by stacking it withextra Citrulline. |
What Is Redcon1 Total War Reloaded?
Redcon1 Total War Reloaded is a “Core” type pre-workout that features 6 effective ingredients (plus electrolytes) at a price far less than typical pre-workouts. It’s a new addition to the Total War lineup and it’s also one of the best tasting pre-workouts you will ever try – in fact, Redcon1 is so confident you’ll like the taste that Total War advertises itself as “America’s Best Tasting Pre-Workout”!
Let’s Look At The Ingredients!
Serving Size – 1 Scoop / Servings per Container – 30
Vitamin C – 100 mg
Choline – 205 mg
Sodium (pink himalayan salt and disodium phosphate) – 264 mg
Potassium – 183 mg
Vitamin C and electrolyte minerals, mainly from Himalayan Pink Salt.
L-Citrulline Malate 2:1 – 6 Grams
To be honest, I prefer pure citrulline. However, this version of citrulline malate is in a 2:1 ratio, which means that there is 4 grams of citrulline and 2 grams of malic acid. That’s more citrulline than most Pre’s using this blend.
What Is L-Citrulline?
L-Citrulline is a non-essential amino acid, which means it’s made by the body. Also, it is one of three amino acids in the urea cycle. That’s a process that removes excess ammonia from your body. (1)
The primary reason it’s in a pre-workout is for the pump. Therefore, if you want the pump benefits you need to supplement it, and you need the clinical dose (at least 3 grams). Of course, in this day and age, many pre-workouts contain up to 10 grams. In comparison, Total War Reloaded is giving you 4 grams. (2, 3)
So Why Blend It With Malic Acid?
Malic acid supports ATP production. Therefore, the combination helps nutrient delivery and waste product removal through the increased blood flow caused by the pump, which improves endurance and performance. Malic acid improves those same components through ATP production. So it’s less about a great pump and more about overall in the gym performance.
Even so, I would still want more citrulline, and I will address that in the “Stack Suggestions” section.
Creatine Monohydrate – 5 Grams
Creatine is a natural nutrient found in our bodies (it’s also available through diet and supplements). It’s made up of three amino acids – arginine, glycine and methionine. Approximately 95% of the body’s creatine supply is found in the skeletal muscles. The remaining 5% is scattered throughout the rest of the body, with the highest concentrations in the heart, brain and (in men) the testes. (4)
ATP
When your muscles use ATP for energy, it is broken down into two simpler chemicals: ADP (adenosine di-phosphate) and inorganic phosphate. This process of ATP turning into ADP releases the energy, and is what gives your muscles their ability to contract. As you may know, we do not have an endless supply of ATP. Our muscles only contain enough ATP to last roughly 10-15 seconds at maximum exertion.
This is where creatine comes in.
It’s at this point that creatine (as creatine phosphate) enters the picture. Creatine phosphate is able to react with the ADP in your body and turn it back into ATP.
Water-Based Pumps (Cell Volume)
Creatine has also been shown to pull water into your muscle cells, increasing the size of your muscles – or water based pumps. In fact, creatine is the original cell volumizer, a term that didn’t really get used in the supplement industry before creatine came along. As many of you know, this concept is one of the things that put creatine monohydrate on the map, and in the process created an entirely new supplement category.
For me, this ingredient is one of the best things about the Total War Reloaded formula.
Beta Alanine – 3.2 Grams
Beta-alanine is a well-known fatigue buffer, which in turn enhances your endurance. It does this indirectly by increasing levels of carnosine in the body. In fact, it’s actually carnosine that buffers lactic acid.
The Tingles and Flushing
Beta Alanine is also known for a temporary, harmless tingling effect. This side effect bothers some lifters so much they don’t want to use a pre-workout that contains the clinical dosing. Since it’s clinically dosed here, you’ll have to decide for yourself if you can handle the dose or would rather avoid it. Personally, I just deal with it. (5)
Caffeine Anhydrous – 350 mg
Of course, caffeine is a tremendous energy enhancer. It also improves alertness, stimulates thermogenesis, and improves in the gym performance. This is the most popular version and is simply caffeine with all moisture removed. This creates a concentrated powder.
Himalayan Pink Salt – 140 mg
A form of sodium that contains over 80 trace minerals—including potassium, magnesium, and calcium. It’s here more for its electrolyte minerals than anything else.
Huperzia serrata (1% Huperzine A) – 20 mg
Huperzine A is an ingredient that comes from the toothed clubmoss plant of the species Huperzia serrata. Huperzia has a long history of use in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. (6)
What does Huperzine A do?
Huperzine A supports learning and memory by blocking the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine. That’s a chemical messenger in the body that is commonly known as the “learning neurotransmitter.”
Also, Huperzine A enhances overall cognitive function mainly because it is water-soluble and can cross the blood-brain barrier. Once it has done that, Huperzine is transported throughout the numerous regions in the brain. (7, 8)
How Do I Use It?
As per the label instructions, mix 1 scoop of Total War Reloaded in 4-6 ounces of cold water (I prefer at least 8 ounces) and drink it about 30 minutes before your workout. Drink plenty of water while you train.
Stack Suggestions
Here are some Stack suggestions that center around Redcon1 Total War Reloaded.
Stack # 1
Earlier I mentioned that I personally want more citrulline in my pre-workout. Here’s how:
- Redcon1 Total War Reloaded
- NOW Citrulline 750 mg – Here’s an easy way to get an extra 1500 mg of citrulline – take 4 capsules with Total War Reloaded! That gives you 5,500 mg of pure citrulline. Take 6 capsules and you’ve got 6250 mg, and finally take 8 capsules and you’re at the higher end with 7 grams.
- Hi-Tech Precision Protein – Here’s my go-to protein powder. If mass is your goal, this is the protein you want to use. Why? Because of the special Hi-Tech Pharma technology that allows leucine to be released right when protein synthesis begins.
- AllMax VITASTACK – This is an excellent multivitamin/mineral formula featuring 7 nutrient complexes!
- NutraBio EEA Pure – Here’s an impressive EAA formula with hydration and absorption ingredients plus outstanding NutraBio quality and transparency!
Stack # 2
All of the above but replace NOW Citrulline 750 mg with:
- MRI Performance NO2 Black – If you want serious pumps, go with the brand that brought the original NO2 to market! Wait until you check out this formula!
- EFX Sports Karbolyn – Here’s a carbohydrate powder that absorbs rapidly (but does not cause an insulin spike) for fast ATP energy to help you power through your toughest workouts. Just mix it in with your Pre (or use it by itself) and you will see the difference!
- Competitive Edge Labs MPC-185 – Here’s a turbocharged version of leucine for the ultimate in protein synthesis support!
Summary
Redcon1 Total War Reloaded – what an Outstanding “Core” Pre, right? Plus, you can literally stack it with any supplement you want! You’ll want to try it out before your next training session, but before you do, stop by illpumpyouup.com and build your Stack!
References:
- https://examine.com/supplements/citrulline/?show_conditions=true
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citrulline
- Wijnands, K., Vink, H., Briedé, J., Van Faassen, E., Lamers, W., Buurman, W., & Poeze, M. (2012). Citrulline a more suitable substrate than arginine to restore NO production and the microcirculation during endotoxemia. Retrieved July 04, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3362574/
- Bemben, M. G. (2012, September 23). Creatine Supplementation and Exercise Performance [Scholarly project]. In Springer Link. Retrieved May 21, 2016, from http://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00007256-200535020-00002
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/beta-alanine-101
- https://wa.kaiserpermanente.org/kbase/topic.jhtml?docId=hn-2880004
- https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/classification/12490
- https://www.braintropic.com/the-encyclopedia-of-nootropics.pdf
- https://www.examine.com/supplements/huperzine-a/
By Jim Brewster