THE QUAD TEST:
Invite your closest, dearest bro on a leg-day sesh. Tear those legs up. Then on the next day, whilst your bro is taking a much-needed bro-rest for his sore legs–sprawled out, eyes closed–take the bony point of your elbow and grind it deep into his quads.
If he dies, then you did leg-day right.
That’s how you do the “quad test” for a well-accomplished leg workout.
On a separate note, here’s the supplement review for EPIQ Quad Test, a cool, orange, high-quality testosterone booster with low-quantity results.
Table of Contents
About EPIQ Quad Test
Manufactured by EPIQ, Quad Test is a “Quad-Source Testosterone Booster” that, don’t get it twisted, has more than four T-boosters in its stack, most notably: Rhodiola & other anabolic adaptogens. The only problem: These dosages are too damn low! Formula notes:
- Test Androgenic Plus Matrix: With exception to Zinc, the bulk of this formula is locked away in Quad Test’s 508 mg proprietary blend.
- Clinical Dosages: Or so the story goes, although we have a hard time believing it when 8 herbs & 1 mineral share that 508 mg dosage.
- Crazy Claims: Not that they’re outrageous or anything, they’re just bona fide crazy. As in not at all based in reality. SEE: Formula Analysis.
EPIQ Quad Test Supplement Facts |
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Serving Size: 3 Liquid Capsules Servings Per Container: 28 |
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Ingredients | Amount Per Serving |
Zinc (as zinc gluconate) | 7.5 mg (50% DV) |
Test Androgenic Plus Matrix | 508 mg |
Rhodiola root extract (as Rhodiola crenulata) Standardized for 3% salidrosides | ** |
Maca root extract (as Lepidium meyenii) | ** |
Tribulus fruit extract (as Tribulus terrestris) Standardized for 45% saponins | ** |
Pedalium whole aerial plant extract (as Pedalium murex) Standardized to saponins | ** |
Ginkgo leaf extract (as Ginkgo biloba) Standardized for 6% terpene lactones | ** |
Turmeric root extract (as Curcuma longa) Standardized for curcuminoids | ** |
Ashwagandha root and leaf extract (as Withania somnifera) (Sensoril®) | ** |
Shilajit extract (PrimaVie®) Standardized for 50% fulvic acids | ** |
Boron citrate Standardized for 5% boron | ** |
Other Ingredients: Medium Chain Triglycerides, Gelatin, Titanium Dioxide, Soy Lecithin, Silicon Dioxide, Carmine |
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Directions: Take 1 serving (3 liquid capsules) with a glass of water twice daily. Read the entire label before use and follow directions provided. |
Oy vey! EPIQ thinly spreads 513.5 mg across 3 liquid capsules while ironically boasting of “clinical doses.”
Clearly, something is broken here. But we’ll get into what exactly that is after we take a look at the ingredients chosen for this slick orangesicle, starting with:
- Zinc – Brought to us in digestible gluconate form at a proper 7.5 mg (15 mg daily) serving. Zinc sits at #2 on our BIG List of T-Boosters for its direct involvement in T-synthesis. Low Zinc = Low T, so good job EPIQ.
If EPIQ is to provide only one mineral, Zinc is the right choice. (Although, adding Magnesium & B6 would do nice to round out the ZMA angle.) But that’s only one of Quad Test’s ten ingredients, the bulk of which are hidden in the supplement’s dosage masking proprietary blend.
Check it:
Test Androgenic Plus Matrix
How does a formula only manage 508 mg in a 3 capsule serving? On average, this allows for a possible 56.4 mg per ingredient, nowhere near enough to providing those “clinical dosages” mentioned on EPIQ’s website. Although, EPIQ somewhat makes up for this by the quality of its ingredients, most of which are delivered as potent standardized extracts.
The T-boosters in this blend:
- Rhodiola – Powerful anti-stress, anti-fatigue performance enhancer
- Ashwagandha – Relaxing anti-stress adaptogen, patented Sensoril extract
- Shilajit – ATP energizing total test booster, grows on rocks
- Boron – Increase “free” T, reduce excess estrogen in just 7 days
While it’s standardized for 3% salidrosides, EPIQ’s rhodiola is not the superior Rhodiola rosea but rather the cheap Rhodiola crenulata. Additionally, the Test Androgenic Plus Matrix provides a combination of quality Tribulus, Maca, & Pedalium Murex “in a precise combination you won’t find anywhere else.” A potentially misleading statement as it’s doubtful to be a uniquely positive combination, based on the blend’s overall low dosage.
The remaining ingredients–Ginkgo & Turmeric–assist with circulation & antioxidant capacity, respecitvely. Key benefits to general male (& female) health & wellness.
Formula Analysis
There are a few bones to pick with EPIQ Quad Test, namely in how it advertises itself. Let’s start with the product description: The Advanced Quad-Source Testosterone Booster.
The “Quad-Source” modifier is off, or at least confusing, given that there are more than four sources (i.e. ingredients) to this formula. Perhaps this is based on the next misleading claim: “Key Ingredients Backed by 4 Clinical Studies”–yet, that still doesn’t quite explain it.
This claims suggests that there are 4 clinical studies that evaluated all of the key ingredients. In reality, there are a few ingredients each backed by 4 clinical studies, in which the ingredients are delivered with different administration techniques than what’s provided by Quad Test. For example:
- The Rhodiola-Ginkgo Study – One of our favorite studies, demonstrating positive performance benefits with 1,080 mg daily of Rhodiola + Ginkgo, split into 4 daily servings of 270 mg.
Quad Test cites this as one of their 4 clinical studies, yet the product clearly doesn’t provide 1,080 mg of Rhodiola + Ginkgo daily. C’mon, doggs… The ingredient qualities speak for themselves, no need to make things up!
One final bugaboo: EPIQ Quad Test provides a “Superior to the Competition” table, comparing Quad Test’s benefits to two unnamed competitors, both of which are implied as inferior for their use of proprietary blends:
Yet, EPIQ QUAD TEST relies on a proprietary blend to hide its dosages that logistically cannot provide clinical doses to all of its ingredients, at least not for testosterone boosting. Perhaps the Shilajit, Boron, & Ashwagandha are sufficiently dosed, but we’re simply taking Quad Test’s word for it (at $59.99 for a 2-week supply).
EPIQ Quad Test Benefits
Predicated on the 4 human clinical trials cited by EPIQ, Quad Test is claimed to:
- Boost free testosterone within the normal healthy range
- Decrease serum cortisol
- Enhance athletic performance
And EPIQ Quad Test certainly chooses the right ingredients for these tasks, a diverse roster that also includes estrogen reduction & sex boost on libido. Our only hang-up (again) is the overall low dosage of Quad Test’s blend. On that note, EPIQ Quad Test seems to “fill in the gaps” with quite a bit of Medium Chain Triglycerides, healthy anti-inflammatory, antioxidant fatty acids. You may very well consider Quad Test as a particularly male healthy, particularly expensive “fish oil” supplement, if you prefer.
Who Takes It?
Muscle-Motivated Men. While great for general male health, the combination of increased “free” T, reduced cortisol & estrogen is typically referenced in the anabolic context of muscle building. The cut beefcake curling dumbbells on Quad Test’s website corroborates with this notion.
Any Side Effects?
None reported. None expected. EPIQ Quad Test provides premium quality ingredients that seem to react well together, with minimal-to-no risk on the digestive system. On the whole, the customer reviews are free of side effect incidents.
EPIQ Quad Test Summary
Pros
- Premium Quality. This is the standard to shoot for on herbal extracts.
- Diverse Content. Very little overlap in ingredient bioeffects.
- Positive Reviews. On the customer side of things, EPIQ fairs well.
Cons
- Misleading Ads. Blatant misuse of clinical research & graphic data.
- Low Dosage. Clinical dosages are an impossibility for every ingredient.
- Prop Blend. Especially egregious given the company’s implicit criticism of “competitor” products’ use of proprietary blends.
Pricing & Buying Info
- 1 Bottle (2 weeks): $59.99
- Available online and in retail stores
The EPIQ website links to 3 retailers: GNC, Bodybuilding, & Lucky Vitamin. For the cheapest option, go with Bodybuilding, potentially saving an additional $10 on this product.
Final Word on EPIQ Quad Test
While we’re not fans of the proprietary blends, some of the best T-boosters on the market make proper use of them. EPIQ Quad Test’s proprietary blend formula is simply not large enough, lowering our confidence in its clinical efficacy. Having said that, the ingredients are noice & impressively potent. Perhaps that’s enough to save this supplement? Fine. Just cut that price in half or double the servings, then maybe we’ll give it another chance.
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