Hey, how about trying a bodybuilding post-workout supplement l0aded with 12 grams of BCAAs per two servings?
Yep, you read that right.
While a good number of post-workouts can only muster a 4:1:1 BCAA ratio for customers, Inner Armour BCAA PEAK’s main selling point is the 12:1:1 BCAA ratio we earlier mentioned.
That’s just for starters, folks. Buckle up for another exciting review.
About Inner Armour BCAA PEAK
The manufacturer dubs Inner Armour BCAA PEAK a “Powerful Leucine-Loaded 12:1:1 Ratio of BCAAs” on its official website. Formula notes:
- 12:1:1 BCAA ratio. One of the few post-workouts which emphasize leucine as much.
- Five grams of glutamine per two servings. Helps preserve muscle mass and increase HGH levels.
- Expensive. $44.99 for a 354-gram container.
Inner Armour BCAA Peak Supplement Facts (Watermelon, 354 grams) |
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| Serving Size: 1 Scoop (11.8 g) 2 Scoops (23.6 g) Servings Per Container: 30 Servings 15 Servings |
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| Nutrient | Amount Per Serving | % Daily Value | Amount Per Serving | % Daily Value |
| Calcium (As Calcium Silicate) | 36 mg | 4% | 72 mg | 7% |
| BCAA Peak 12:1:1 | ||||
| L-Leucine | 6.2 g | † | 12.4 g | † |
| L-Isoleucine | 500 mg | † | 1000 mg | † |
| L-Valine | 500 mg | † | 1000 mg | † |
| L-Glutamine | 2.5 g | † | 5 g | † |
| Other Ingredients: Citric Acid, Natural and Artificial Fruit Punch Flavor, Acesulfame Potassium, Sucralose® | ||||
| Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, mix 1 scoop with 470 mL of water and consume before, during, and/or after training. BCAA Peak™ is best taken in one of two ways: 1. As a pre/intra workout drink mix. 2. Immediately after exercise and before your post-workout shake (Nitro-Peak™ or Mass-Peak™). Additional servings may be used to meet your daily amino acid requirements. | ||||
12:1:1 BCAA Ratio: An Undisputed King Among Post-Workouts
Okay, we were a bit disappointed when we reviewed Inner Armour Anabolic Peak, a mass gainer which had too many flaws for our liking.
The manufacturer bounced back when we gave its Inner Armour Test Peak a good rating. It’s one of the few testosterone boosters we recommend you buy.
Now, the question looms: can the company maintain the momentum with its post-workout supplement, Inner Armour BCAA PEAK?
With its incredible 12:1:1 BCAA ratio, we are confident it can.
Inner Armour BCAA PEAK’s formula is downright simple: it “combines the powerful 12:1:1 ratio of branched-chain amino acids – leucine, isoleucine, and valine – with 2.5 grams of l-glutamine in every serving,” per the manufacturer’s official website.
If a 12:1:1 BCAA ratio doesn’t grab you, nothing will.
To put things in perspective, many post-workout supplements boast of a 4:1:1 BCAA ratio – they have four grams of leucine, one gram of isoleucine, and one gram of valine per serving.
Inner Armour BCAA PEAK blows them out of the water with an astonishing 12.4 grams of leucine per two servings (6.2 grams per serving).
Can you say muscle growth, people?
According to the company’s official website, “Leucine has been identified by modern research as playing the most vital role in the synthesis of new muscle protein.”
Hey, we’re not going to argue with that. Research has proven it, we know it, and you know it – leucine is king.
Because of leucine’s ability to stimulate muscle protein synthesis, you will recover faster, increase exercise performance, and ward off the negative effects of aging.
In addition, leucine helps preserve muscle proteins even if muscle protein synthesis plateaus.
The takeaway: this BCAA is an invaluable asset in keeping muscle waste at bay.
It doesn’t stop there.
Some studies also suggest leucine helps you lose weight. You read that right.
When leucine activates a special protein known as mTOR in the hypothalamus (a part of the brain which helps produce many of the body’s hormones), it triggers the release of a hormone which helps increase satiety.
Gain muscle and lose weight at the same time? Thank you, leucine.
Factor in a 12:1:1 BCAA ratio found in Inner Armour BCAA PEAK , you will reap these benefits a hundredfold, believe us.
On the other hand, the spotlight on leucine in Inner Armour BCAA PEAK places a lot less emphasis on the two other BCAAs, isoleucine and valine.
One serving has 500 milligrams (one gram per two servings) of each – not much by any standards. A good number of post-workouts have at least one gram each per serving. This one takes two scoops for you to get one gram of isoleucine or valine.
Honestly, the minuscule dosages almost renders them obsolete. Still, there’s no disputing the fact they have important post-workout benefits.
Isoleucine helps boost muscle recovery, increase energy, prevent muscle wasting, repair muscle tissue, and maintain a positive nitrogen balance for muscle growth.
For its part, valine helps regulate the immune system, repair muscle tissue, and increase endurance.
The final major ingredient of Inner Armour BCAA PEAK is 2.5 grams of glutamine per serving.
If leucine helps prevent muscle wasting, glutamine does it one better.
Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid. Some studies reveal glutamine helps offset the decline of protein synthesis.
The bottom line: when leucine’s job of kickstarting muscle protein synthesis ends, glutamine’s job of muscle preservation begins.
It’s a potent one-two post-workout punch, if you ask us.
The good news: glutamine isn’t just about muscle preservation.
Fitness experts believe it helps boost the immune and digestive systems, maintain a positive nitrogen balance, and increase human growth hormone (HGH) levels.
Aren’t you glad it’s in Inner Armour BCAA PEAK?
Let’s check out the formula ingredients (per two servings):
- Micronized l-leucine, 12.4 g: One of the most impressive – if not most impressive – serving of leucine we’ve seen in a post-workout. Even if it takes two servings to reach this amount, you will enjoy a full plethora of benefits: more muscle mass, increased performance, faster recovery, and some weight loss as well.
- Micronized l-glutamine, 5 g: The beauty of Inner Armour BCAA PEAK is its emphasis on the leucine-glutamine tandem: the former helps kickstart muscle protein synthesis while the latter helps offset its decline. Leucine helps build muscle, glutamine helps preserve it. Doesn’t it seem like a match made in post-workout heaven. It sure does to us.
- Micronized l-isoleucine, 1,000 mg: This BCAA helps increase your energy levels, boost the recovery process, repair muscle tissue, and maintain a positive nitrogen balance. These benefits complement those of leucine perfectly.
- Micronized l-valine, 1,000 mg: The final BCAA helps repair muscle tissue and amp up your endurance levels.
Formula Analysis
Like we said, Inner Armour BCAA PEAK’s post-workout formula is as simple as it gets, folks.
Let’s simplify it further: this product lives and dies with its leucine content.
Who can blame the manufacturer? Leucine is the anabolic amino acid. No other amino acid comes close.
We know about leucine’s muscle protein synthesis prowess – without it, there is no way you’ll grow muscle mass.
It bears repeating: leucine is not just about protein synthesis.
We already told you about its ability to prevent muscle wasting, increase performance, and boost recovery.
Plus, we bet you didn’t know leucine can also help you lose weight. Who ever said carnitine is the only potent weight-loss amino acid out there?
Here’s what you will get from Inner Armour BCAA PEAK: the beautiful and harmonious relationship between leucine and glutamine.
In a nutshell, leucine helps build your muscle. Glutamine helps preserve it. It’s as simple as that.
Now, the rest (regular exercise, sound nutrition, enough rest) is up to you. Believe us, folks, Inner Armour BCAA PEAK will do its part.
However, Inner Armour BCAA PEAK has three flaws.
First, there’s a transparency issue. The manufacturer may have divulged all of the ingredient amounts, but where are those for sodium, sugar, potassium, and the like?
The first thing that came to mind were the individuals who are monitoring their intake of these ingredients. How would they know?
Second, Inner Armour BCAA Peak has sucralose, which is also known as Splenda. Boo.
Just so you know, it’s an artificial sweetener which has been linked to many side effects such as weight gain. Unfortunately, that’s just the beginning.
Our advice: try a natural sweetener such as stevia leaf extract. Trust us, it’s worth it.
Finally, Inner Armour BCAA PEAK does not come cheap, folks: it’s priced at $44.99 for a 354-gram container.
Yikes.
Inner Armour BCAA PEAK Benefits
Inner Armour BCAA PEAK has the following benefits, per its official website:
- Helps activate cellular pathways for more muscle growth
- Shortens post-workout recovery
- Leucine-loaded 12:1:1 BCAA ratio
- Helps reduce DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness)
- Amps up athletic performance
- 2.5 grams of glutamine per serving
- Gluten-free, sugar-free, and carb-free
While we agree with most of hese claims, we’re a bit iffy about the “sugar-free” claim with the presence of an artificial sweetener such as Splenda. The manufacturer should have done its research and used stevia leaf extract instead.
Who Takes It?
Inner Armour BCAA PEAK is intended for healthy and active individuals who are at least 18 years of age and who want to increase muscle mass, shorten recovery time, increase energy levels, and achieve their daily fitness goals.
Any Side Effects?
We are a bit wary of Inner Armour BCAA PEAK’s sucralose (Splenda) content, which has been linked to weight gain and other side effects. If this concerns you, consult a doctor before consuming.
The manufacturer also issues a warning:
Inner Armour BCAA PEAK Summary
Pros
- 12:1:1 BCAA ratio. Twelve grams of leucine per two servings.
- Five grams of glutamine per two servings. Helps preserve muscle mass and increase HGH levels.
- Leucine-glutamine connection. Two amino acids with complementary post-workout benefits.
- No proprietary blends. Hallelujah.
Cons
- Transparency. Manufacturer doesn’t divulge sodium, sugar, and potassium contents.
- Dirty ingredient. Has Splenda, which has been linked to weight gain and other side effects.
- Expensive. $44.99 for a 354-gram container.
Pricing & Buying Info
- 1 354-gram Container (30-Day Supply): $44.99
- Available online and in retail
Final Word on Inner Armour BCAA PEAK
Admit it: a 12:1:1 BCAA ratio made your eyes pop out of their sockets.
However, you do realize it takes two servings to reach 12 grams of leucine when you consume Inner Armour BCAA PEAK, don’t you?
That’s not the only thing which fooled us.
The transparency, Sucralose content, and expensive price sure did.
In closing, Inner Armour BCAA PEAK will help you achieve your post-workout goals. However, you’re better off purchasing a cleaner post-workout such as MusclePharm Amino1 instead.
We recommend Inner Armour BCAA PEAK, but with reservations. Better – much better – if you use your hard-earned money for something else.
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