C-Bum Thavage – A Great Mid-Stim Pre!
Raw Nutrition C-Bum Thavage is a Great Mid-Stim Pre! This is a well rounded pre-workout that gives you the choice of 1 scoop, or 2 scoops, with a moderate caffeine dose even at max dosing. That makes it a great choice for anyone who does not want a ton of caffeine. In this edition of Supplement Spotlight, we’ll take a good look at Thavage. Ready? Let’s get started!
What Is Raw Nutrition C-Bum Thavage Pre-Workout?
C-Bum Thavage is a moderate caffeine moderate stim pre-workout that features an open label and acceptable dosing. It is not high dosed like many of the newest pre-workouts, yet it offers flexible 1 or 2 scoop dosing that allows it to work well for lifters new to pre-workout supplements as well as those lifters that want a low to mid-stim-based Pre.
About Raw Nutrition
As of April 2025, Raw Nutrition became majority-owned by a leading European sports nutrition company called The Quality Group. Originally, Raw Nutrition was founded in 2019 by CEO Dom Iacovone, multi-Olympia winner Chris Bumstead, and coach Matt Jansen, who all remain key stakeholders and partners. In fact, when The Quality Group purchased a majority stake, founders Dom Iacovone and Chris Bumstead became co-owners of The Quality Group itself as part of the deal. (1)
Who Is “C-Bum”?
Chris Bumstead is widely known as “CBum”. He is a legendary Canadian IFBB pro bodybuilder, who has become well-known for winning the Mr. Olympia Classic Physique division six consecutive times (from 2019 through 2024). He is known for his 6’1” frame, narrow waist, and “golden era” look, he is considered a modern icon of the sport of bodybuilding.
Let’s Look At The Ingredients!
40 Servings per Container / Serving Size – 1 Scoop
L-Citrulline – 3000 Grams
Citrulline is perhaps the most effective nitric oxide boosting ingredient currently on the market. So what is it? It is an amino acid that, once it’s in the body, converts into arginine. What’s the advantage of citrulline over arginine? Citrulline absorbs much better which means that citrulline does a better job of functioning like arginine than arginine itself. (2, 3, 4)
Beta Alanine – 1.6 Grams
This is a common pre-workout ingredient that indirectly extends endurance. How, you might ask? By increasing levels of carnosine in your body. Carnosine is what actually buffers lactic acid so you can push farther in your sets.
The other thing beta alanine is known for is a temporary, harmless tingling effect. While this effect doesn’t bother most lifters, there are some that do not want to deal with it. Raw Nutrition understands this, and therefore C-Bum Thavage provides half the clinical dose per scoop. If you use 2 scoops, you will get the full dosage. Also, remember that a glass of water and a bit of time will help relieve the tingling effect. (5)
Betaine Anhydrous – 1. 25 Grams
Betaine is an osmolyte which means it pulls water into your muscle cells, thereby creating water based pumps. Ingredients that do this are typically called cell volumizers (creatine monohydrate was the first). In addition, betaine is thought to work similarly to creatine. For example, betaine is thought to help improve strength and power, like creatine. For these reasons, these two compounds work well together. (6)
L-Tyrosine – 1 Gram
Taurine is an amino acid that has a major role in the manufacture of the neurotransmitters dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters improve focus and mood, while also easing anxiety. (7)
Taurine – 1 Gram
Taurine is a type of amino acid that is not involved in the creation of protein. In recent years it has become a popular ingredient in energy drinks because of its cognitive benefits. It’s also an osmolyte, like betaine, which means it pulls water into your muscles, making it a powerful cell volumizer. (8)
Arginine Nitrate (NO3-T®) – 1 Gram
Arginine Nitrate (NO3-T®) is a patented and effective nitric oxide-boosting ingredient that combines L-arginine and nitrate. You will find that C-Bum Thavage uses multiple nitric oxide boosters for a powerful pump! Of course, add in the cell volumizers and your pump will explode!
Agmatine Sulfate – 500 mg
This is another effective nitric oxide-boosting ingredient that you will find in Thavage, as well as some pre-workouts and pump boosters. (9)
Coconut Fruit Water Powder – 250 mg
Coconut water powder has become popular as one of the go-to hydration ingredients for many pre-workouts, intra workouts and hydration supplements.
Alpha-GPC (50%) – 200 mg
Alpha-GPC is a common nootropic ingredient that occurs naturally in the brain. It’s actually 40% choline by weight and a premium type of choline thanks to its superior absorption. Choline is used in the production of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which as we have seen is a mood enhancer. (10)
Caffeine Anhydrous – 130 mg
This is caffeine that has had all the moisture removed, which makes it more concentrated. I think it goes without saying everyone knows what caffeine does. What some lifters may not realize is that, beyond energy and mental alertness, caffeine also improves exercise performance and stimulates thermogenesis, which is an important part of fat loss. (11)
L-Theanine – 75 mg
L-Theanine is an ingredient that helps relax your mind yet does not cause any feelings of drowsiness. It is usually paired with caffeine, which provides several benefits. First of all, this helps smooth out the for-some-users harsh effects of caffeine. In addition, it also supports focus, attention, and overall cognitive function, while at the same time easing anxiety. (12)
Bitter Orange (Citrus auranitum) (6% Synephrine) – 50 mg
This ingredient is also known as synephrine and citrus aurantium, and you will see it in pre-workouts under any one of these names. Originally, synephrine was the ingredient that replaced ephedra way back when that compound was first banned. It’s considered to have effects that are similar to ephedra but more mild. This includes energy, focus, appetite control, and thermogenesis. As you can see, C-Bum Thavage covers fat loss as well as all facets of in-the-performance(13)
Di-Caffeine Malate (delivering 22.5 mg Caffeine) – 32 mg
This ingredient is a complex that consists of 75% caffeine and 25% malic acid. The caffeine is absorbed more slowly, reducing jitters and the “crash” effect. Malic acid is involved in ATP production.
AstraGin® (Astragalus membranaceus & Panax notoginseng) Root extracts – 12.5 mg
This is a patented ingredient that is derived from Panax notoginseng and Astragalus. AstraGin® improves absorption and bioavailability of the C-Bum Thavage ingredients it is paired with. (14)
Huperzine A Extract – 50 mcg
This is an nootropic ingredient that improves focus and indirectly increases levels of acetylcholine. It performs this function by blocking an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase, which controls the breakdown of acetylcholine. By blocking this enzyme, more acetylcholine becomes available to enhance cognitive function. (15)
A Quick Look At Thavage
| C-Bum Thavage Pre-Workout Benefits | C-Bum Thavage Highlights | |
| Increased Energy | Flexible 1 or 2 Scoop dosing | |
| Pumps | Ideal for beginners or advanced lifters | |
| Enhanced endurance | Moderate caffeine | |
| Improved Focus | ||
| Hydration | ||
| Improved performance | ||
| Supports fat loss |
How Do I Use It?
C-Bum Thavage is a moderate-caffeine pre-workout, so beginners or lifters who prefer low caffeine can use 1 scoop. More advanced lifters can use 2 scoops, but even at that level, those who like high-stim Pre’s will be getting 305 mg of caffeine, but there is also 50 mg of bitter orange for a nice stim effect. Still, if you want a lot of stims, Thavage may not be the best choice for you.
How Does C-Bum Thavage Work For Lifters Cycling Caffeine?
Some lifters prefer to cycle their pre-workouts. That’s because you can build up a tolerance to the stims, especially if you use your Pre 4-6 times a week. Cycling a pre-workout means you might use a high-stim Pre for maybe 2 to 3 weeks, then cycle off to a lower caffeine/lower stim Pre to give your nervous system a break. Then, you go back to a higher-Stim pre and you can feel the effects again. C-Bum Thavage is ideal for this purpose, especially since you can use 1 or 2 scoops.
Stack Suggestions
Every great Stack starts with a high quality protein powder, such as Hi-Tech Precision Protein, a hydrolyzed whey protein providing 25 grams per serving. This is one of the very few protein powders that was formulated to dramatically enhance protein synthesis. The way it accomplishes this is by allowing leucine to be released in the initial stages of protein synthesis. Not to mention, it tastes absolutely delicious and there’s a number of tantalizing flavor choices!
If You Plan To Cycle Your Pre-Workout
If you plan to cycle from a high-caffeine Pre to a modern/low caffeine Pre (Thavage), a good higher caffeine pre-workout is mandatory. While there are a number of great choices, the one I typically go with is Gorilla Mind Gorilla Mode. This is a high-dosed Pre that provides 400 mg of caffeine and features a balanced formula and an open label. As many of you know, this is the product that hit the market hard thanks to its extreme dosing. Now, thanks to this product, most Pre’s have amped up their dosing to match. As a side note, this product contains 5 grams of creatine monohydrate, so my next suggestion is the creatine you’ll need to use on your off-days when you use this Pre.
Next up, I suggest creatine, specifically AllMax Nutrition Creatine Monohydrate. This is the original version of creatine that has been heavily tested and consistently proven effective over and over again. And this has been the case since it was first introduced back in the early 90s. This specific AllMax product features Crea-Syn™, which is a branded creatine monohydrate that is the purest creatine you can buy (99.9% pure!). Not to mention, it’s also micronized, which means the powder is broken down into very small particles for easier digestion and superior absorption.
My next Stack suggestion is a good multi-vitamin. Like pre-workouts, there are a number of great choices, but my go-to is usually AllMax Nutrition VITASTACK. This is a comprehensive vitamin/mineral pack featuring 7 nutrient complexes!
These are all cornerstone products, using them is a must.
Finally, you can add any number of additional products to individualize your stack. For example, I might add Competitive Edge Labs MPC-185, a leucine peptide that turbocharges the anabolic power of leucine, ramping up protein synthesis stimulation in a big way!
I might also add a good EAA formula, such as NutraBio EAA Pure, to use as an intra-workout. This is an important concept because it ensures you stay in an anabolic environment throughout your training sessions, and works with products such as Precision protein to maximize protein synthesis.
You could also go with a prohormone, such as Hi-Tech Haladrol, or Hi-Tech Andriol, a milder prohormone you can use year round, no PCT required. If you do use Halodrol, make sure you understand how to use prohormones, and make sure you follow with a PCT, such as 5% Nutrition Post Gear.
Summary
Well that brings me to the end of this edition of Supplement Spotlight. We have seen just how impressive C-Bum Thavage is, and that it’s ideal for those who do not want ultra-high caffeine. I’ve used several Raw Nutrition products and have always been impressed. Now it’s your turn – so stop by illpumpyouup.com today and stock up!
References:
- https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250401643282/en/RAW-Nutrition-Joins-Forces-with-The-Quality-Group-in-Category-Defining-Co-Ownership-and-Partnership
- Figueroa, A., Wong, A., Jaime, S. J., & Gonzales, J. U. (2017, January). Influence of L-citrulline and watermelon supplementation on vascular function and exercise performance. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27749691
- Breuillard, C., Cynober, L., & Moinard, C. (2015, April). Citrulline and nitrogen homeostasis: an overview. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25676932
- Bahri, S., Zerrouk, N., Aussel, C., Moinard, C., Crenn, P., Curis, E., … Sfar, S. (2013, March). Citrulline: from metabolism to therapeutic use. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23022123
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/beta-alanine-101
- https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/80/3/539/4690529
- Deijen, J. B., & Orlebeke, J. F. (n.d.). Effect of tyrosine on cognitive function and blood pressure under stress. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8293316
- https://www.botanical-online.com/en/natural-medicine/characteristics-properties-taurine#Taurine_as_osmolyte
- Haulică I, et al. Preliminary research on possible relationship of NO with agmatine at the vascular level. Rom J Physiol. (1999). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11068606
- https://examine.com/supplements/alpha-gpc/
- https://examine.com/supplements/caffeine/
- https://www.braintropic.com/the-encyclopedia-of-nootropics.pdf, p. 103
- Stohs, S. J. (2017, October). Safety, Efficacy, and Mechanistic Studies Regarding Citrus aurantium (Bitter Orange) Extract and p-Synephrine. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28752649
- AstraGin® – Better Health Through Better Absorption (getastragin.com)
- Treating senile dementia with traditional Chinese medicine. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2684515/