Gaining peak performance in any exercise program is always a careful balance of diet and choosing the right intensity levels. And as a certified personal trainer, I always make sure that my clients have those two things perfected before I get them to take pre-workout supplements.
One product I have seen more often at the gym is Six Star’s Pre-Workout Explosion. The problem with many of these supplements is that they over-hype the benefits and underdeliver on the formula.
So, I got the team together with a dietitian and nine clients for five weeks to do some research and testing. To avoid bias, we employed the double-blind methodology where the testers knew not which supplement they were taking.
Here’s what we found.
What Is Six Star Pre-Workout Explosion?
Six Star Pre-Workout Explosion is a pre-workout supplement that claims to have an advanced pump complex and scientifically researched dose for better muscle performance.
It comes in powder form that you mix with cold water and drink about half an hour before your resistance training session.
According to a study found on the National Center for Biotechnology Information website, it’s based on natural ingredients that include amino acids like beta-alanine, which have been linked to improved workout performance [1].
The company also claims that it can help you lose weight quickly, which would be interesting for anyone going through a cutting phase.
The formula has slightly changed since it was first introduced in 2017, with some noted changes to the supplement blend, which is now considerably stronger.
The question is whether it’s strong enough.
Tailored for Men and Women
Six Star Pre-Workout Explosion
Rated With Total Shape's Scoring System
Is Six Star Pre Workout Good?
We started recording training data for one week without any men's pre-workout supplement to figure out how well this pre-workout helps with performance.
Then we went through three weeks of training with Six Star's Pre-Workout Explosion. I personally monitored the performance metrics of each test subject during this time to ensure data accuracy.
Here is what we found out.
Energy Boosting
The first thing we noted was a moderate improvement in strength. One of the test subjects, a powerlifter, reported a noticeable improvement in his lifting capacity, especially squats after taking the supplement before his workout.
Our recorded workout intensity was higher for weight loads and reps, which would translate into faster muscle growth over time.
But the improvements were not as explosive as the company claims or what we have experienced with other supplements.
According to another study found on the National Center for Biotechnology Information website, one of the reasons is a weaker dose of beta-alanine; most studies have used a dose of over 2 grams compared to 1.5 grams in Six Star [2].
More on those shortly.
Support Muscle Endurance
On the muscle fatigue data, we did see some improvements with the formula. It seems like it works quite well to reduce the impact of lactic acid buildup and muscle soreness.
Our dietician who specializes in sports nutrition attributed this to the presence of amino acids, specifically beta-alanine in the pre-workout powder. He asserts that it increases muscle carnosine levels to buffer lactic acid and support muscle endurance.
Studies have shown a link between L-arginine and fatigue, giving athletes the ability to push themselves a little bit further [3].
Muscle Pumps
The Six Star supplement claims to have an advanced pump complex for increased blood flow to muscles.
I personally tried the supplement in my arm day. I didn't get incredible muscle pumps as purported on their marketing pages, but still, they were better than doing it without the aid of dietary supplements.
So, the claim that the supplement gives skin-splitting muscle pumps and vascularity is a bit far-fetched, according to my experience with it.
The problem might be that this blend doesn’t contain enough L-citrulline for maximum blood flow [4].
The proprietary blends for L-citrulline, L-arginine, and taurine come to a total of 500 mg. However, studies suggest that you need over 3,000 mg of L-citrulline to make a difference.
We also found that other pre-workouts focus a lot more on pump and vascularity.
“Citrulline supplementation increases the body’s arginine levels. Because arginine is the main substrate for the synthesis of nitric oxide, citrulline ingestion can indirectly increase nitric oxide production.”
- Antonis Damianou, Personal Trainer & Fitness Writer at Examine.com
Six Star Dosage
Like most other pre-workouts, Six Star comes in powder form that you mix with water. We found that the powder dissolves very quickly, which isn’t something you see with all pre-workouts.
The flavor options were also pretty good, and they didn’t seem overly sweet or artificial tasting. My favorite was Fruit Punch.
- Provides a good improvement for endurance during tough workouts
- Reasonably good improvement for strength from beta-alanine and creatine monohydrate
- It mixes easily, and the flavor is tasty as well
- The claim of having an advanced pump complex is exaggerated
- There are proprietary blends on the nutritional label, which makes stacking difficult
Does It Have Downsides?
Yes, the Six Star Pre-Workout supplement does have a few downsides that I need to highlight.
First of all, there is no need to hide behind a proprietary blend for these supplements. It only makes it difficult to stack up against other supplements.
And it’s generally a red flag when I see supplement companies list potent ingredients this way. It usually means that they want to hide a very low dose.
Also, our tests indicate that this pre-workout wasn’t strong enough to get you hardcore muscle pumps.
Six Star Explosion does contain L-citrulline to boost nitric oxide levels and dilate blood vessels. But it’s nowhere near strong enough. That alone is worth a lot to get you to your fitness goals faster.
Other pre-workouts reviewed:
How Does It Compare To Other Products?
After collecting all the testing data we needed for this supplement, we compared it to three other best-in-class supplement products.
For context, I've reviewed hundreds of supplements in the past five years. I've seen the best and worst. And although Six Star is not the best I've come across, it's certainly far from the worst.
First of all, we looked at Gorilla Mode pre-workout.
We noted much better pumps, increased energy, and even fat burning in our results.
Most notably, it has more than nine times as much L-citrulline and twice as much creatine, which would explain those results.
Then there’s 4 Gauge, which is a favorite with bodybuilders looking for intense, focused workouts through a combination of caffeine anhydrous, and L-theanine [5].
And then there’s Transparent Labs Stim-Free. It has almost three times as much beta-alanine, which is an amino acid that has even been proven to help endurance athletes [6].
Who Should Take Six Star Pre-Workout?
Athletes who are looking for a supplement to moderately boost energy and endurance could consider taking Six Star Pre-Workout Explosion.
It will probably boost your energy levels enough to work a bit harder at the gym and ultimately lose weight.
It’s also a good enough option if you like a moderate amount of caffeine that doesn’t make you overly jittery, as the pre-workout explosion blend contains only 135 mg of caffeine.
Who Shouldn't Take Six Star Pre-Workout?
Anyone with underlying heart conditions shouldn’t take Six Star Pre-Workout or any other pre-workout. These products can increase your heart rate and blood pressure, and you’d want to talk to a doctor first.
As a personal trainer, I recommend consulting a medical doctor first before adding pre-workouts to your diet or exercise program including whether or not you have an underlying medical condition.
Also, if you’re looking for maximum pumps and vascularity, this might not be the right supplement for you.
And if you try to avoid artificial flavors and sweeteners in pre-workout and other supplements, then Six Star isn’t going to be a good choice.
Based on our tests, there’s also a harmless tingling sensation from creatine, which most people prefer not to have during a training routine [7].
Where Can You Buy It?
You can buy Six Star Pre-Workout Explosion on Amazon and on the official company website. I would generally recommend that you only buy it from trusted sources as there are many counterfeit products out there.
Delivery time took about three days, which is pretty good and will keep you resupplied when needed. But I did find that the Fruit Punch flavor is often sold out.
Tailored for Men and Women
Six Star Pre-Workout Explosion
Rated With Total Shape's Scoring System
Other User Reviews
Here are some reviews we found on the Six Star Supplement.
“One of the better preworkouts I've had. I had the icy rocket flavor. The taste was average but it got me going and didn't make me itch like other preworkouts.”
- CBrooks, Official Website
“Helps boost your workout. Saw great increase in energy which helped my pump. However, felt it drop off near the end of the workout.”
- Brain666, Official Website
FAQs
Can You Take Six Star Pre-workout Explosion Every Day?
Yes, you can take Six Star Pre-Workout Explosion every day. All the ingredients are classed as generally safe to take, and you could take up to two scoops once your body gets used to the effects.
Does Six Star Pre-workout Explosion Contain Stimulants?
Yes, Six Star Pre-Workout Explosion contains stimulants in the form of caffeine anhydrous. For caffeine-sensitive individuals, that means avoiding it later in the day and not drinking too much coffee either to avoid difficulty sleeping.
To determine the right caffeine content for you, consider taking the lowest recommended dosage of Six Star Pre-Workout Explosion. You can always go higher if you feel like you can handle the stimulating effect later on.
What Unique Flavors Does Six Star Pre-Workout Offer Through Its Brand Partnerships?
Six Star Pre-Workout has partnered with Kellogg's to offer unique flavors like Frosted Flakes and Fruit Loops in their whey protein powders. These distinctive flavors set Six Star apart from other brands and cater to those looking for a nostalgic and tasty supplement experience.
How Do Different Versions of Six Star Pre-Workout Cater to Various Fitness Goals?
Six Star offers variations like Explosion, Explosion Ripped, and 4th Quarter Energy, each designed for specific fitness objectives. Explosion focuses on energy and performance, Explosion Ripped aims for weight loss and energy, and 4th Quarter Energy is tailored for endurance and late-game stamina.
What Insights Can Be Gained From an Ingredient Analysis of Six Star Pre-Workout?
An in-depth ingredient analysis of Six Star Pre-Workout reveals the effectiveness and purpose of each component. Understanding the specific ingredients and their dosages helps users gauge the product's potential impact on their workout performance and overall health.
Our Verdict on Six Star Pre-Workout
Based on our research, feedback from a dietitian, and the test results our clients provided, we wouldn’t advise our clients and readers to buy this pre-workout.
Between artificial flavors and the dosage of key ingredients being too low, we just didn’t get the same results as with other supplements.
We continue to recommend that you try out Gorilla Mode first, as it has a much better formulation with a stronger dose of all the science-backed ingredients.
This will give you boosted energy and stamina, as well as some great pumps during training.
We Recommend This Instead
Gorilla Mode
Rated With Total Shape's Scoring System
- Contains nitric oxide for insane pumps
- Many positive comments about good endurance and energy boost
- High dose of caffeine may help with mental focus and fat burning
- Tastes good
- Get 10% off using code: TOTALSHAPE
- Does not list calorie count
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