Before i start this review i have to say regardless of the content to follow, the Black Cherry flavour Xtend Perform tastes like Dr Pepper, so if you like Dr Pepper simply stop reading now and go buy a tub!!! Seriously it tastes amazing! I have been a huge fan of Xtend for many years and can say this is honestly one of my favourite flavours in the range of Xtend formulas.
Let’s face it what’s not to love about a supplement that contains ingredients called "King Trumpet" and also "Turkey Tail", those have to put a smile on anyone’s face. After being introduced to the original Xtend it fast became an essential supplement for me, boosting recovery, growth and providing a great tasting bridge between meals when required. Whether you use Xtend pre, intra, post or simply sip during the day or night it is an awesome supplement. So i was intrigued when i saw the latest product in the Scivation range "Xtend Perform".
Many of you would be forgiven for thinking Scivation had entered the market for sexual performance enhancers but sorry to disappoint this is focused on Athletic performance and not bedroom prowess!
So what about the ingredients, well "Perform" contains the proven BCAA ratio and also Citruline Malate (the go to for pump and endurance in most pre workout supplements) and Glutamine found in the original Xtend Formula, but what about the other compounds with the fancy names. Well Cordyceps Militaris is associated with an enhanced lactic threshold which is clearly advantageous to Athletes, there are also some studies hinting at its capability to improve VO2 max and aerobic capacity. Then we have a big hitter in the world of traditional Chinese medicine with Ganoderma Lucidum. This mushroom has a wealth of scientific and anecdotal evidence promoting its use (in relation to the supplements purpose) for reducing symptoms of chronic fatigue, sleeplessness and wellbeing. Pleurotus Eryngii is another mushroom, and its effects are typical to those associated with Cordyceps in general.
It should also be noted that alongside the general attributes of the included mushrooms such as immune boosting, suppression of fatty acid absorption, and potential testosterone increase, they are also thought to provide a multitude of overall health benefits in general.
When I am trying out a new product I like to isolate the variables to ensure a fair evaluation, so for the past week or so I have kept all other variables static other than introducing Xtend Perform into my supplement regime. At first I can honestly say I noticed nothing from this other than addictive Black Cherry flavouring. Then around about 5 days in I noticed a marked difference in my levels of fatigue, subtle but apparent. This was particularly evident on Leg Day. I was unlikely to notice a profound difference in recovery as I am already huge fan and 6 scoop a day Xtend user. So soreness and general recovery were no different, however to anyone not currently using BCAA products this will undoubtedly have a remarkable effect on recovery, together with the workout boosting anti-fatigue elements.
I think Xtend Perform will suit those who tend to have high intensity sessions the best and who will benefit from shorter rest and enhanced recovery between sets, those who prefer a slower paced, heavy weight, lower rep, long rest type workout are less likely to feel substantial benefit over the standard Xtend formula, and for those who do endurance sports and those who respond well to intra workout fuelling; mixing Xtend Perform with Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin would be a suitable option.
So in summary Xtend Perform scores as follows:
Taste – Black Cherry was a 10/10 for me
Mixability – 10/10 Scivation have always been on form with the mixability of their Xtend products, within few shakes the powder is fully dispersed with no froth or Leucine flakes visible.
Ingredient Profile / Effectiveness – 8/10 like I say this strangely had no effect initially over standard Xtend but crept up on me, plus much of the evidence for Cordyceps is anecdotal with more scientific evidence required. However this most certainly enhanced recovery between sets more so on the big muscle group days, as I always train high volume in the 6 to 15 range. Regardless of the lack of proven support for many of the claims for Cordyceps, Xtend Perform contains a perfect dose of BCAA and Citruline Malate which has many effects including Nitric Oxide boosting and endurance.
Price – 9/10 I love Xtend in all forms and it has become essential in my supplement stack, I wouldn’t think twice about adding Perform for specific purposes. This is also cheaper than a lot of other over hyped sub quality BCAA / Recovery supps available with sub optimal dosing.
