As a fitness trainer who's been on their own weight loss journey, I know how easy it can be to fall for flashy packaging and catchy names on weight loss supplement products.
When Pharmafreak Ripped Freak became the talk among some of my clients and readers, it drove me to do some research.
To provide a more in-depth analysis and to avoid giving my sole experience, I consulted a certified nutritionist with whom we assessed the ingredients and did a 30-day trial period with 100 participants to see what kind of results it might provide.
Here's what I found.
What Is PharmaFreak Ripped Freak?
Pharmafreak Ripped Freak claims to be the first and only hybrid fat burner. The company calls it such because the formula contains ingredients that aim to boost metabolic processes and stimulate brainpower.
The caffeine-containing dietary supplement comes in convenient capsules.
I was impressed with the idea of combining fat burners with nootropic-type supplements. In theory, a product like this should help you lose weight, feel more energized, and stay motivated during workout sessions.
You're probably wondering: Is there any scientific backing to these claims?
So, with the help of a certified nutritionist and 100 test participants, we dug deep to see if Pharmafreak Ripped Freak's claims held any water.
Suitable For Men & Women
PharmaFreak Ripped Freak
Rated With Total Shape's Scoring System
PharmaFreak Ripped Ingredients
Ripped Freak contains two proprietary blends in its weight loss formula — something I'm not particularly fond of in supplements.
A proprietary blend means the manufacturer lists the active ingredients but not the exact amounts. That makes stacking the supplement with a pre-workout supplement quite difficult.
Here’s what’s on the label.
1. Caffeine
According to a study we found on BMC, caffeine is a common fat-loss ingredient, and it may work by triggering your thermogenic metabolism [1]. In other words, it raises your body temperature by releasing the energy stored in body fat.
However, like many caffeine-containing medications, you need to be cautious, especially if you're sensitive to stimulants.
Some of our test group members actually reported experiencing jitteriness an hour or two after taking Pharmafreak Ripped Freak. So you might want to be careful, especially with the optional second serving.
That said, we also received some positive reviews from clients, saying the product helped them shed a few pounds with more intense cardio workouts — which I attribute to the caffeine.
2. Green Tea Leaf Extract
Green tea is a common ingredient in fat burners. According to a study in BMC, this ingredient has the ability to lower bad cholesterol levels [2].
There's also some evidence that green tea may improve metabolic processes that could help you more efficiently process calories from your diet; however, more evidence is needed [3].
Within 20 minutes of taking Ripped Freak, most of our clients (about 80%) reported a boost in their energy levels.
However, only a third of our test group participants observed noticeable fat loss of about 1–2 pounds after four weeks of regular exercise combined with supplement use.
3. Olive Leaf Extract
Nutritionists seem to be a bit split on this ingredient, and there’s a lack of human studies to prove that it may help you lose weight [4].
While it may trigger some positive effects on your appetite and metabolism, we generally prefer to see proven ingredients, which our dietician always points out when reviewing supplements.
As expected, most users in our test group didn’t seem to experience significant appetite suppression, with only 15% reporting decreased hunger levels.
4. Green Coffee Bean Extract
There's growing evidence that green coffee beans may boost chlorogenic acid levels, which have been linked to processes that transform excess calories into fat [5].
So, it might not help you lose weight but instead aims to help keep it off once it’s gone.
Among our long-term Ripped Freak test participants, about 25% reported consistent weight loss of about 5–6 pounds on average over a two-month period. Most importantly, there were no cases of weight regain after an additional follow-up.
5. CH-19 Sweet Red Pepper Extract
CH-19 Sweet Red Pepper is a fancy scientific term used for an ingredient that has been linked to thermogenesis.
A recent study suggests that it may help prevent fat accumulation, but more controlled studies may be needed [6].
This ingredient is just another form of capsicum, and each capsule of Ripped Freak contains 200 mg, which, according to our dietician, may be more than enough to promote thermogenesis.
6. Raspberry Ketones
Raspberry ketone is one of the ingredients that may trigger an increase in epinephrine and norepinephrine [7].
These neurotransmitters may help provide a brain energy boost but are also linked directly to weight management.
“A healthy norepinephrine response manifests as "attention": feeling sharp, alert, focused, vigilant, aroused, etc. For intense moments of action, norepinephrine works with epinephrine in the bodily response to stress.”
- Dr. Ramon Velazquez Ph.D., writer at MindLabPro.com.
Our clients and I agree that it helped boost our focus and alertness, which encouraged us to work out a little bit longer and harder.
7. Gallic Acid
Gallic acid is an antioxidant and polyphenol common in teas and fruits like strawberries and grapes.
Some studies confirm that it can help reduce excess fat storage and body mass index in obese individuals [8].
However, our dietician, who has more than a decade of experience in the field, said that more research and human studies are needed to confirm its effects on obese and non-obese adults.
How Does It Work And When Should You Take It?
Ripped Freak hybrid fat burner works by boosting metabolic activity to release energy stored in body fat. You should take one capsule on an empty stomach first thing in the morning with an 8-ounce glass of water about 30 minutes before breakfast.
You can also take another capsule in the early afternoon to keep the metabolic boost running for an optional second serving. Whether you take your second serving largely depends on how you respond to caffeine and if it influences your sleep.
How It Worked For Us
I tried taking a second capsule when I planned to do heavy workouts, and it did provide higher energy levels that lasted throughout the day.
In our study, participants who combined the supplement with a healthy diet and regular exercise had a 50% higher rate of weight loss and lost about 5 pounds a month on average.
Those who didn't exercise regularly or consume a healthy diet only lost 1–2 pounds. So, if you're thinking this supplement is a free pass to remain on your couch and binge-eat junk food, think again.
Pros and Cons
First-hand accounts from clients and colleagues who have used Pharmafreak Ripped Freak range from significant weight loss to minimal effects on the same. It made me even more curious to try it myself.
A few people mentioned that taking just one capsule of Ripped Freak didn’t seem to have the same weight loss results.
The problem is that taking a second dose each day might make you feel jittery.
I personally didn't experience any jitters when I took two capsules, but I got so restless when I tried sleeping at night.
Overall, we thought there were more negatives than positives.
- Some positive reviews that it may support fat loss
- Unique hybrid fat burner might boost mental focus
- Not suitable for taking later in the day
- The proprietary blend makes stacking difficult
- Some of the ingredients may not be included in a strong enough dose
Suitable For Men & Women
PharmaFreak Ripped Freak
Rated With Total Shape's Scoring System
Side Effects
As previously mentioned, some of our test group participants, 17 of them in particular, experienced jitteriness and sleep disturbances — which is common when too much caffeine is in your system.
You need to consider this, especially if you're a coffee drinker, as it could end up messing with your sleep and exercise recovery.
We also noted a few online comments where people got an upset stomach when they took it in the morning before breakfast.
Our clients didn't like how it made them feel bloated or gassy during the first few days. But fortunately, it went away after a week or two.
Also, make sure you read the entire label, as using this product isn't suitable for people under 18, pregnant or nursing mothers, or if you're taking prescription medication.
Additionally, you might want to opt for a caffeine-free fat burner instead.
Customer Reviews
Here are some summaries of online reviews:
He takes 2 capsules daily and finds he gets a good mental and physical energy boost. He does mention that you should never take it later in the day to avoid a sleepless night. - Charlie from Boston
She thought that it didn’t work well with her pre-workout supplement as the overlapping ingredients had a too stimulating effect. - Laura from Long Island
He tried the supplement product for a few weeks but didn’t get the expected mental energy benefits. - Chris from Phoenix
He tried several supplement products, including Ripped Freak, for a cutting phase but didn’t notice any of them working well enough to lose weight and body fat. - Jonas from Mountain View
Other fat burners we've reviewed:
Fat Burner Alternatives
We tested Ripped Freak against three popular fat burner alternatives to give you a comprehensive review. Here’s what we found.
PhenQ
PhenQ stands out as a leading fat burner with its 5-in-1 approach, using natural ingredients for fat burning, appetite suppression, energy boosting, mood improvement, and halting fat production.
Unlike Ripped Freak's proprietary blend, PhenQ's clear ingredient label is something I, as a fitness coach, value for client transparency.
Our dietitians verify PhenQ's effective dosing of ingredients like caffeine, capsimax, and L-carnitine.
User feedback and body measurement tests from our test group further affirm PhenQ's effectiveness.
While PhenQ is pricier, it's exclusively available on the official website, offering a 60-day money-back guarantee and free bottles on multi-bottle purchases. This contrasts with Ripped Freak's wider availability but less transparent approach.
LeanBean
LeanBean, tailored for women, is a fat burner and appetite suppressant that supports female weight loss goals. It differs from Ripped Freak by using natural green coffee beans and glucomannan, avoiding heavy stimulants.
Additionally, it includes vitamins and minerals for immune and overall health support.
While Ripped Freak targets highly active individuals with a more intense formula, LeanBean offers a gentler yet effective alternative, especially appreciated by our stimulant-sensitive test group members.
Our tests showed that users experienced moderate weight-loss improvements with LeanBean when combined with a proper diet and exercise plan.
Instant Knockout
Instant Knockout, initially popular among bodybuilders and athletes like Ripped Freak's target audience, has gained traction with regular gymgoers, including a number of my own clients.
It stands out with a 100% vegan-friendly formula, showcasing a transparent label with effective doses of caffeine, L-theanine, and Glucomannan.
Our tests showed positive body composition changes in many users, though some reported headaches and jitteriness due to its stimulant-rich formula.
I value Instant Knockout's inclusion of vitamin D3 and B vitamins, which are absent in Ripped Freak, for overall health support.
While more costly than Ripped Freak, Instant Knockout's price aligns with other quality fat burners we've reviewed, such as PhenQ and LeanBean.
FAQ
When Should You Take PharmaFreak Ripped?
You should take PharmaFreak Ripped early in the morning before you eat a meal. This may allow the ingredients to absorb faster and trigger a metabolic boost.
How Long Does It Take for Pharmafreak Ripped to Work?
It takes PharmaFreak Ripped about an hour to work. However, you won’t notice the results on the weighing scales for at least four weeks.
Our Verdict on Ripped Freak
Based on the results and feedback from clients, we concluded that Ripped Freak doesn't seem to be the most effective product.
Not that it doesn't work, but it's more a case of not getting the greatest bang for your buck.
We continue to recommend and see the best results with PhenQ.
It doesn't have the same overstimulating effect and seems to strike a better balance of effective ingredients with rare and negligible negative effects.
We Recommend This Instead
PhenQ
Rated With Total Shape's Scoring System
- Suppresses your appetite
- Blocks body fat production to stop weight gain
- Improves your mood and energy levels
- High-quality, all-natural formula
- Get the BEST PRICE until the end of April
- Can be only purchased through the company website
About The Author
You May Also Like
What exercise routine do you recommend for people who are taking this? Thanks!
I’ve lost 1,7 kg so far and haven’t exercised this week, but I’ve drank a lot of water and eaten a nutritious diet. I wouldn’t say I had a lot of energy, but I do feel more energized than usual. I believe it is effective, so I intend to go to the gym the following week.