Test Drive: EFX Sports Karbolyn
Welcome to the second installment of Test Drive! In this installment, I review my experience with the popular EFX Sports Karbolyn powdered carbohydrate supplement. I have been interested in trying this product for quite some time, so I have to say I looked forward to Test Driving EFX Sports Karbolyn. Keep reading to see how it worked for me!
What Is EFX Sports Karbolyn?
EFX Sports Karbolyn is a designer carbohydrate powder made from potato, rice, and corn. Even though it acts like a complex carb by giving you sustained cellular energy, it absorbs faster than simple carbs!
What Are The Ingredients?
EFX Sports Karbolyn consists of one ingredient:
Karbolyn (derived from potato, rice, and corn) – 50 Grams
Other ingredients include Citric Acid, Sucralose, Natural & Artificial flavors. It should be noted that there is a “Neutral” flavor, which adds nothing else to the product.
Karbolyn is a food-based, clinically studied carbohydrate supplement powder. It was designed for bodybuilders and other athletes who want a fast way to quickly and easily load muscles for extended cellular energy. It also improves recovery. EFX Sports Karbolyn is sugar-free. It ensures you are optimizing glycogen stores before your workout without feeling bloated or cramped.
What Are The Claims?
- Fast Glycogen Loading Fuel Source
- Perfect For Pre, Intra, Post-Workout
- Enhance Endurance
- Amplify Muscle Pumps
- Maintain High Levels Of Training Intensity
- Optimize Strength & Power Output
How I Used EFX Sport Karbolyn
As per the directions, I mixed Karbolyn with 16 ounces of water 30 minutes before my workout. I mixed it with a serving and a half of BPI Sports 1MR pre-workout. I should note that the 1MR I used featured a fully disclosed label. To be clear, I will not use a product that consists of prop blends. It mixed up easily and this combo tasted good. I also drank about another 12-14 oz of water while I trained. Post-workout, I had a bottle of protein water providing 15g of protein.
I’m also using whey protein. That’s the only other supplement I’m using right now. It would be interesting to add creatine and Raw Nutrition Pump2 (glycerol) to Karbolyn.
The Workout
Currently, I’m working out in a local gym and I’m following a 3-day, legs/push/pull routine. One day is performed at home using free weights, my power rack, and my lat machine. At the gym, I’ve been trying out plate-loaded leverage machines, which I have to say, I like so far. I take all working sets to momentary failure and often use rest-pause (or drop sets if I’m using a stack machine). I also perform all reps slow and controlled while emphasizing the negative. On the Dip Machine, I hold the handles in the fully stretched position for a 3-4 count at the end of every working set.
Here’s the workout:
Plate-Loaded Chest Press
2 warmup sets x 15 reps
3 working sets x 6-8 reps
Plate-Loaded Shoulder Press
3 working sets x 6-8 reps
Side Laterals
2 working sets x 10-12 reps
Seated Plate-Loaded Dip Machine
2 working sets x 10-12 reps
Ab Machine
3 working sets x 10-15 reps
The Results
I found I could handle a few more reps with the same weight I used the last time I did this workout (about 5 days). I was able to add weight (10lbs) to the Dip Machine, and still reach my rep goal. The increased endurance makes sense (it is, after all, carbohydrates used for ATP). Still, I have experienced greater endurance using glycerol. Nevertheless, the carbs helped, and Karbolyn also supports post-workout recovery. Finally, since carbs help pull water into the muscles, the pumps were great! (1)
Do I Recommend EFX Sports Karbolyn?
I definitely recommend EFX Sports Karbolyn. I only used one serving pre-workout, EFX suggests 1 serving before, 1 serving during, and 1 serving after. Since I’m 68 (with health issues), and since I train with very little rest between sets, I’m not in the gym long enough to warrant using it during my workout. Even so, I can see using a serving as part of a post-workout shake. My workouts are short. If you train for around an hour or longer, or engage in endurance training/events, I recommend their servings suggestions.
Recap
I hope you benefited from this edition of Test Drive. If you would like to give EFX Sports Karbolyn a try, or just see what we have to offer, stop by illpumpyouup.com today, check us out and stock up!
References:
- Fernández-Elías, V. E., Ortega, J. F., Nelson, R. K., & Mora-Rodriguez, R. (2015). Relationship between muscle water and glycogen recovery after prolonged exercise in the heat in humans. European journal of applied physiology, 115(9), 1919–1926. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3175-z