Cellucor C4 is a Pre-Workout supplement designed to boost your energy, focus, and endurance.
Priced at $29.99 for 30-servings or $49.99 for a 60-servings, users of C4 can enjoy benefits such as:
- Heightened focus
- Increased pumps
- Boosted endurance
- Maximised energy
There are various flavors to choose from, with options including Orange Burst, Strawberry Margarita, and Fruit Punch.
Continue reading for a complete overview of C4’s ingredients, how effective it is, and how you should take it.
How Does it Work?
Cellucor C4 contains a series of ingredients that can take your workouts to the next level.
For example, caffeine provides you with a boost of energy when you need it the most.
In addition, the inclusion of creatine boosts your recovery, while beta-alanine can effectively decrease muscle fatigue.
The Ingredients
As with all other supplements, it’s important to read up on the ingredients before you take it.
Full details of Cellucor C4’s ingredients can be found on the supplement facts label.
However, this doesn’t include the 425 mg ‘Explosive Energy Blend’. The dosages of other ingredients in this blend aren’t listed by the manufacturer, other than caffeine at 150 mg.
Read below for a closer look at each ingredient.
Beta-Alanine – 1.6g
With beta-alanine being a common feature in pre-workouts nowadays, it’s easy to see why the manufacturer included it in Cellucor C4.
When lifting heavy weights, this particular compound will kick in and provide you with increased power output so that you can get better results in the gym [1].
Creatine Nitrate – 1 g
Many weightlifters use creatine as a staple supplement for getting better results in the gym. The reason for this is that it helps the body to go harder for longer.
In fact, a 2012 study [2] found that creatine can accelerate your resistance training and improve your aerobic performance.
The most common form of this ingredient is creatine monohydrate. Creatine nitrate, on the other hand, is simply a newer form of this particular compound.
A 1 g dosage should provide you with a small boost in the gym, but you’d need to take it in higher amounts for maximum benefit.
Caffeine – 150 mg
Arguably one of the most important ingredients to have in a stimulant-based pre-workout supplement, caffeine provides you with a boost of energy, improved focus, and increased power output [3].
The 150 mg dosage in C4 is slightly higher than what you’d find in a regular cup of coffee which provides you with 100 mg of caffeine.
Caffeine dosages are higher in alternative products in the market, but 150 mg is an optimal amount if you’d like to avoid unwanted side effects.
Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate – 1 g
This particular compound is an amino acid that supports blood flow and muscle pumps. So, it’s easy to see why Cellucor included it in C4 Pre-Workout.
In addition to this, Arginine is also said to help with muscle recovery and boost protein synthesis.
A 2011 study [4] even found that Arginine may provide some ergogenic benefits with a 1-RM on the bench press. However, further evidence is required to back up this claim.
Other Ingredients
- Malic acid
- Natural flavors
- Citric Acid
- Silicon Dioxide
- Sucralose
- Calcium Silicate
- Acesulfame Potassium
- FD&C Red
Tyrosine and Theacrine (Teacrine)
According to a 1995 study [5], L-Tyrosine can reduce some effects of lower body negative pressure stress.
It effectively reduces the stress hormone cortisol which is usually produced when working out. At the same time, it improves your focus, too.
Theacrine, on the other hand, is a natural stimulant that can elevate your mood, increase your motivation, as well as boost your energy levels.
A 2019 study even confirmed that theacrine favorably impacts endurance, especially when combined with caffeine [6].
How to Take Cellucor C4?
As mentioned earlier in the review, Cellucor C4 comes in either a 30 or 60-serving container.
Each serving is 6.5 g and includes a variety of ingredients that help you to get better results during your workouts.
It is best to consume C4 with around 6 fl oz of water (approx 177 ml). For optimal results, you should take C4 around 20-30 minutes before your workout.
Only healthy adults aged 18 or above should take Cellucor C4.
Side Effects
Within Cellucor C4, you’ll find a total of 150 mg of caffeine per serving. If you stick to the recommended serving size, this shouldn’t affect you too much and most people will avoid unwanted side effects.
However, it all depends on your individual toleralance of caffeine, which varies from person to person.
So long as you keep your overall daily caffeine intake in check, you’ll be able to avoid side effects such as insomnia and jitters.
Summary
That concludes our Cellucor C4 Pre-Workout review.
The inclusion of science-backed ingredients such as caffeine and beta-alanine is great for those looking to accelerate muscle gains and get better results in the gym.
However, there is room for improvement in that the creatine dosage could be higher, which would further improve muscle recovery and strength.
References
- Maté-Muñoz, J.L., Lougedo, J.H., Garnacho-Castaño, M.V., Veiga-Herreros, P., Lozano-Estevan, M. del C., García-Fernández, P., de Jesús, F., Guodemar-Pérez, J., San Juan, A.F. and Domínguez, R. (2018). Effects of β-alanine supplementation during a 5-week strength training program: a randomized, controlled study. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 15(1).
- Kim, D.-H., Kim, S.-H., Jeong, W.-S. and Lee, H.-Y. (2013). Effect of BCAA intake during endurance exercises on fatigue substances, muscle damage substances, and energy metabolism substances. Journal of Exercise Nutrition & Biochemistry, [online] 17(4), pp.169–180. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4241904/ [Accessed 1 May 2020].
- Cappelletti, S., Daria, P., Sani, G. and Aromatario, M. (2015). Caffeine: Cognitive and Physical Performance Enhancer or Psychoactive Drug? Current Neuropharmacology, 13(1), pp.71–88.
- Wax, B, et al. “Effect of L-Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate Ingestion on Muscular Strength and Endurance.” Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, vol. 25, Mar. 2011, p. S111, 10.1097/01.jsc.0000395756.12955.a0. Accessed 3 Dec. 2019.
- Dollins, Andrew B., et al. “L-Tyrosine Ameliorates Some Effects of Lower Body Negative Pressure Stress.” Physiology & Behavior, vol. 57, no. 2, Feb. 1995, pp. 223–230, web.mit.edu/dick/www/pdf/863.pdf, 10.1016/0031-9384(94)00278-d. Accessed 15 July 2020.
- Bello, Marissa L., et al. “The Effects of TeaCrine® and Caffeine on Endurance and Cognitive Performance during a Simulated Match in High-Level Soccer Players.” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, vol. 16, no. 1, 18 Apr. 2019, 10.1186/s12970-019-0287-6