Axe & Sledge Hydraulic V2!
Axe & Sledge Hydraulic V2 takes the stim-free pre-workout category to new heights! Yes, it’s that good, and in this edition of Supplement Spotlight, we will find out why. Are you ready to dive right in and check it out? Then let’s get going!
What Is Axe & Sledge Hydraulic V2?
Axe & Sledge Hydraulic V2 is a state-of-the-art non-stim pre-workout. It stands above the crowd by featuring several trademarked ingredients such as Vasodrive-AP®, Citrapeak®, Cognatiq®, Hydromax®, and AstraGin®. Hydraulic V2 promotes huge pumps, extended endurance, increased performance, and elevated focus. How’s that for an impressive list of ingredients and benefits!
Let’s Look At The Ingredients
40 Servings per Container – Serving Size = 1 Scoop
L-Citrulline – 4000 mg
L-Citrulline is without a doubt one of the most effective nitric oxide boosters on the market. It is a non-essential amino acid that is known for its effect on the production of nitric oxide. The way it works is by converting into l-arginine once in the body. The amino acid arginine is used by the body to stimulate nitric oxide production. But, and it’s a big but, citrulline is much better absorbed than arginine because it bypasses digestion. That means citrulline goes right into the bloodstream, outperforming arginine at arginine’s own game. (1, 2)
Beta-Alanine – 1600 mg
Most, if not all, pre-workouts contain beta-alanine. So what is it? Beta-alanine is a non-proteinogenic amino acid, which means it is an amino acid that is not involved in the creation of protein. Beta-alanine works indirectly by inhibiting lactic acid buildup, it does this by increasing carnosine levels in the body. Here’s how it works. When combined with the amino acid histidine, it forms the dipeptide carnosine, which is the compound that buffers acid in the muscles, extending
your endurance.
The thing is, the problem with beta-alanine is that it causes a temporary, harmless, itching and tingling sensation that some lifters just can’t deal with. For that reason, many companies will use a lower dose – and that’s the case here. The dose used by Axe & Sledge is half the clinical dose. This lower dose causes less tingles while still doing a decent job of blocking acid buildup and improving endurance. Of course, you have the option to use 2 scoops, which would double everything, including pumping up beta-alanine to the full 3.2 g clinical dose. (3)
Hydromax® Glycerol Powder 65% – 1500 mg
Glycerol is a newer ingredient that seems to be taking the supplement market by storm. So what is glycerol? It is an osmolyte that hyper-hydrates your muscles, promotes water-based pumps, and supports extended endurance. In the case of Hydraulic V2, it’s also a branded ingredient. This is one of the most impressive newer ingredients on the market. Also, the use of so many branded ingredients is an example of Ave & Sledge commitment to quality. I like to see as many branded ingredients as possible in any formula, and Hydraulic V2 has really come through! (4)
L-Taurine – 1000 mg
Let’s get technical, OK? Taurine is a non-proteinogenic amino-sulfonic acid. What a mouthful! That just means it is not involved in the creation of protein and has a different structure than other amino acids. So what does taurine do? It enhances cognitive function (which is why it’s in energy drinks) and functions as an osmolyte (think water-based pumps). In this case, it works with glycerol for the pumps, but also supports tyrosine for the cognitive benefits. (5)
L-Tyrosine – 500 mg
L-Tyrosine is an amino acid that elevates focus and improves cognitive function. It’s involved in the production of the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. These neurotransmitters control focus, mood, alertness, and help you cope with stress. It also has a major role in the production of thyroid hormones T3 and T4. (6)
VasoDrive-AP® – 254 mg
Vasodrive AP, another patented ingredient, is a tripeptide, which means it consists of three amino acids (valine, proline, and proline), derived from casein protein. At first glance, you might think it is a compound that stimulates protein synthesis, but it actually promotes vasodilation by stimulating nitric oxide production. This means better pumps and improved nutrient delivery to the working muscles. (7)
CitraPEAK® Glucosyl-Herperidin – 100 mg
CitraPEAK® is a brand name for glucosyl-hesperidin, a highly bioavailable citrus flavonoid used primarily in sports nutrition supplements. It has been shown to increase energy, physical output, and endurance by improving oxygen delivery to the muscles. This interesting ingredient also promotes the release of nitric oxide, which causes vasodilation (the widening of blood vessels). This leads to better blood flow, enhancing the pump. (8)
CognatiQ® Coffee Fruit Extract – 50 mg
CognatiQ is a patented, natural ingredient that is derived from coffee fruit extract. While it does not contain any caffeine (at first glance you may have thought it did, like me). What it does do is enhance cognitive function, elevate focus, improve memory, and support brain health. (9)
AstraGin® – 25 mg
This is a patented ingredient that is derived from Panax notoginseng and Astragalus. AstraGin improves absorption and bioavailability of the ingredients in the Axe & Sledge Hydraulic V2 formula. (10)
After looking at the ingredients, it should be clear that this is a very impressive formula!
How Do I Use Hydraulic V2?
Mix 1-2 scoops of Hydraulic with 8-10 ounces of cold water. 20-30 minutes prior to training. New users should start with 1 scoop to assess tolerance.
What Can I Stack It With?
Axe & Sledge Hydraulic V2 can be stacked with anything. Many lifters use a non-stim Pre in conjunction with a standard, stim-based Pre for the ultimate in workout performance. Therefore, I suggest stacking it with a “Core” type pre-workout, such as Alpha Supps Pre. This is a streamlined, value priced pre-workout. It’s great by itself, and if you prefer a stim-free Pre, there’s no need to stack it with any other pre-workout. But if, like me, you like a stim-based Pre, stacking these two products together will turbocharge your workouts.
Next, I suggest a good protein powder, such as Hi-Tech Precision Protein. Why do I always suggest this one? First of all, it’s one of the very few proteins formulated to enhance protein synthesis. It does this by allowing leucine to be released in the early stages of protein synthesis. If that isn’t enough, it tastes amazing!
Finally, another supplement I always suggest is creatine, such as AllMax Nutrition Creatine Monohydrate. This is the original version that’s been tested and proven over and over again. In fact, no other supplement has been as well-researched as creatine monohydrate.
In the case of this specific product, it features Crea-Syn™, the purest creatine monohydrate on the market. Finally, AllMax Creatine Monohydrate is micronized, which means the powder consists of very small particles for superior absorption.
Summary
With a formula that covers pumps, endurance, focus, and performance, Axe & Sledge Hydraulic V2 stim-free pre-workout is easily the best non-stim Pre on the market! Don’t trust your workout performance to anything else – stop by illpumpyouup.com/ today and stock up on all the supplements mentioned in this article!
References:
- Pérez-Guisado, J., & Jakeman, P. M. (2010). Citrulline malate enhances athletic anaerobic performance and relieves muscle soreness. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 24(5), 1215–1222. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181cb28e0
- Breuillard, C., Cynober, L. & Moinard, C. Citrulline and nitrogen homeostasis: an overview. Amino Acids 47, 685–691 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-015-1932-2
- Trexler, E. T., Smith-Ryan, A. E., Stout, J. R., Hoffman, J. R., Wilborn, C. D., Sale, C., Kreider, R. B., Jäger, R., Earnest, C. P., Bannock, L., Campbell, B., Kalman, D., Ziegenfuss, T. N., & Antonio, J. (2015). International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: Beta-Alanine. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12, 30. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-015-0090-y
- https://www.nnbnutrition.com/ingredients/hydro-prime/
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1024/taurine
- 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.maypro.com/products/vasodrive-ap#:~:text=Derived%20from%20milk%20protein%20through%20a%20proprietary,acids%20joined%20together%20in%20a%20precise%20configuration.
- https://www.prinovaglobal.com/us/en/ingredients/branded-ingredients/citrapeak#:~:text=One%2Dof%2Da%2DKind,Ingredient%20for%20Pre%2DWorkout%20Applications
- https://www.futureceuticals.com/cognatiq
- AstraGin® – Better Health Through Better Absorption (getastragin.com)