No Explode (or No Xplode) is manufactured by BSN Nutrition who happens to be the nutritional supplement provider of the UFC. They are the makers of an entire line of sports supplements and No Explode has won ‘Muscle Builder Product of the Year’ and ‘Nitric Oxide Product of the Year’ for the past 4 years straight according to Bodybuilding.com. BSN manufactures products that promise to increase size, manage weight, gain more energy, build strength and get better performance. No Explode is a pre-workout supplement designed to amplify strength, mental focus, performance and training intensity.

The No part of No Explode stands for nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a gas that is produced in the body and all bodies require it to perform physiological processes. It also increases blood flow which is important for those who are strength training because that will help carry more nutrients into the muscles where they are then likely to become larger when put through stress.

No Explode also contains amino acids, including arginine. It is possible to overdose on arginine so it’s always suggested to start out slowly with products containing them, especially since many protein powders also contain arginine. Keep track of how much you’re taking in in regards to amino acids from all the supplements you’re taking.

No Explode Side Effects

Before taking any kind of sports supplements it’s always important to speak with a physician to be sure you’re in good health. If you have any pre-existing condition such as high or low blood pressure, anxiety, stroke, heart, liver or thyroid disease, depression or diabetes or if you are taking certain medications, it is advised that you do not use No Explode.

Some users have reported the following side effects:

• Sleeplessness – to avoid this, don’t take No Explode any sooner than 5 hours before you go to bed for the night.
• Dizziness
• Nervousness
• Headaches
• Heart Palpitations
• Diarrhea

If you start to notice any of these side effects, lower the amount that you’re consuming or use less often and if they continue or become bothersome, discontinue use immediately. It should also be noted that you might feel like you have to have a bowel movement a few minutes after consuming it. This is normal. If it is diarrhea, that could be a sign that you are taking in too much arginine (an amino acid that is in No Explode and many protein powders).

Recommended No Explode Usage

It’s important to first figure out your tolerance level and that is how much No Explode you need to feel its benefits. This will be different for every individual. It’s recommended to start with 1 scoop and build up to 3 scoops of the powder if necessary.

On training days:

Mix 6 ounces of water for every 1 scoop of powder 30 to 45 minutes before a training session. It doesn’t start working immediately it takes a little bit of time. The length of time that it will take will depend on the individual. The maximum time is usually 45 minutes while some people may start feeling the effects much sooner.

Non-training days:

Mix 6 ounces of water with 1 scoop on an empty stomach. When I’m using No Explode, I actually only use it on workout days to make it last longer.

I am a physically active female who performs both strength training and cardio exercises on a regular basis. I began taking this supplement when my husband had ordered it for himself and had been raving about it. I absolutely hate cardio, so the first time I tried it was prior to a cardio training day. I took 1 scoop of the powder with about 6 ounces of water and then waited about 30 minutes. Around the half hour mark, I did begin to feel more energized and focused. I remained focused throughout my cardio training, which is normally hard for me because I am so unmotivated to run. I was able to train harder and perform longer than usual.

I’ve also used it before strength training and it helped me go from benching 75 pounds to 100 pounds in 2 weeks’ time. It really did give me the pump to lift heavier. Even now, if I don’t take it, I do feel weaker but I don’t like taking supplements regularly. I do still take No Explode every now and then, usually on cardio days since that’s what I have the hardest time getting motivated for. I get excited to lift weights, but not so much for running.

If you don’t want to or can’t afford to spend the money on No Explode, a great alternative is caffeine or caffeine pills. I’m very sensitive to taking just straight caffeine so I don’t do it very often, but it is a lot cheaper and it will give you the energy you need to get through a workout. If you are also sensitive to it, begin by taking 1 200 mg capsule and drink plenty of water through the day, especially during a workout. For greater fat loss, take 1 or 2 200mg capsules on an empty stomach prior to a cardio session.