BulkSupplements.com BCAA 2:1:1 Powder - Branched Chain Amino Acids, BCAAs Amino Acids Powder - Unflavored & Gluten Free, 1g per Serving, 500g (1.1 lbs) (Pack of 1)

This BCAA powder has become a regular part of my training routine. It helps reduce soreness and keeps me feeling energized during long workouts. The mixability is great with no clumping, and the flavor is smooth without being overpowering. I’ve noticed better recovery and less muscle fatigue since adding it to my stack. Whether I’m lifting or doing cardio, it gives me a nice edge. Solid product with great results.Ask ChatGPT

I think it's best if I give a quick rundown of my past BCAA experience before grading this. I have been using this for a couple of weeks after switching from Aminocore BCAA, which is made by ALLMAX Nutrition. There is an ingredient in that product called Alpha K.I.C., which is supposed to help with fatigue, but I didn't personally notice any difference from the other BCAA brand I've taken in the past (Optimum BCAA, Cellucor BCAA, USP Labs Modern BCAA, and Scivation Xtend). In fact, I almost felt queasy when I took it, so I wanted to make a change. Now on to the actual review:First, I have seen some reviews complain about the taste. Yes, BCAAs in their natural form do not taste very good. The fact that these have that taste is a good thing, because the taste is pure BCAAs, and not a bunch of fillers and artificial ingredients. As someone who lives their life with a Paleo/Primal mindset, I don't want all of the artificial ingredients that come with flavored BCAA products. Now, you can easily mask this taste by adding it to juice, but I usually just mix with water and drink it down. QUICK TIP: BCAA powder will mix better in warm water than if you use cold water. I usually drink it with room temperature water so that I'm not left with a foamy mess on top.As far as performance goes, I would rate this as good as the other BCAA product I've taken; probably better than the Aminocore. There are no miracles in a bottle. This is a supplement, and should be treated as just that. With that said, I do work out fasted, and this does help me get through my workouts without hitting a wall. I'm sure the black coffee before hand helps, but the BCAA will help give your body some form of fuel, and they really help prevent crashing, dizziness, and stomach aches.In terms of value, I think this is where it hits the mark. Do you see a fancy plastic tub with superstar athletes on it? Is there a flashy metallic label anywhere? Have you read about this brand in a muscle magazine, or seen their products advertised on the internet? No to all of those questions, right? Good. That means you aren't paying for the marketing, and you're paying for the product. BulkSupplements relies on their product to sell without all of the fluff and marketing. Looking at the reviews, I think they do a very good job of it. I take 10 grams of BCAA's either before I train or when I wake up on non-training days. If my math is correct, I'm getting 50 servings for $30. Most other BCAA's will cost you $25 - $30 for 30 servings, so there is definite value here.Next, I want to hit on the fact that this product is manufactured in China. If you don't want to purchase this product because of that reason, I respect that, but please keep in mind that over two-thirds of the BCAAs consumed in the U.S. come from China. If you question the larger supplement companies on where they manufacture their BCAAs, don't expect an open and honest response like one reviewer received. Now if you are able to find a U.S. supplier, be prepared to pay a premium price. Even then you most likely won't be supplied with reports showing where they derive the BCAAs from. I have conducted research in this area, and the difference between China and U.S. manufactured BCAAs is marginal. As I mentioned, this a supplement. The majority of your BCCA consumption should come from high quality grass-fed meats, eggs, and quality protein sources. For a weight-loss or training aid, you can't go wrong with this product.Finally, I like what this company is doing. They're offering people supplements at a fair price, and are backing it with honest customer service. The product description isn't telling you that you'll "get ripped", "lose massive amounts of fat", or providing any other ridiculous claims. It only states information that I've seen backed up by a lot of research, and I like that honesty in a supplement world filled with false claims that over promise results.

In short: Wanted something simple, proven and I could readily mix with Gatorade, Powerade or other liquids. Goals with the product are to see testable performance gains over time, which I will.Long Story:Been weight lifting in some capacity since I was 16. I'm almost 40 and have been doing Crossfit for the last 3 years exclusively. I look like I workout but also have enough of a dad's bod not to be intimidating. You know the shape that someone says "oh they workout, but they also don't turn down taco's either."The current Male Champion at the Crossfit Games had some good advice in a recent movie about the CF Games. He said " buy products that have no hype or special blends. Simpler is better!" Been focusing on training & improving my diet over the last couple years so now is a good time to add supplements to shore up weak areas. Went with BCAA, Glutamine, Creatine Monohydrate because they have proven track record IMO and are as old as dirt in the supplement realm. Stumbled across Bulk Supplements on Amazon while doing some research. Seemed like a no-nonsense product with packaging and definitely NO HYPE marketing screaming " I'm the best so buy me." I mean it's basically white powder in a nice sealable white bag.So I ordered from them. The packages came as described. No scoops provided which is fine. Simple fine thread resealable bags (though I wish they went with the double seal method like zip lock does to help ensure freshness), though no trouble sealing bags so far. The taste mixed with just water is not very specific, not enjoyable either but very very and easily MASKABLE TASTE with any flavored liquid (simple go-to is chocolate milk). Product mixtures seem to dissolve clear with no clumps at all with little effort of stirring.Nice thing about CrossFit is that it constantly gives you measurable means & methods on your performance. I don't think these supplements will make or break me, but realistically give me a 2% gain. While that might not sound like a lot the compounding effects over months, days and years add up and that's what I am in for.I can already tell I can push myself just a little harder than I use to after about a month of using these supplements. The quantity should last me a few months and at the price point can't be beaten for quality. WIN-WIN in my book.Update: 12/4/2009. Love the products still and stand by them. I definitely can tell when I have been on them for longer than a week. Use them when trying to trim up and ready for competitions (local crossfit events) or other highly physically challenging situations. When I'm on glutamine, creatine, and BCAA (in order from most helpful to least helpful for me) I notice some bigger improvements than off when I'm off and just adjusting my diet. The biggest changes occur naturally when I clean up my diet for a while and add in supplementation. So even if "placebo is an effect" this stuff makes me feel better and allow myself to push harder during workouts. That's what I want and willing to pay for.