CBUM’s Thavage Pre-Workout Review – Does It Work Well?

What Is CBUM's Thavage Pre-Workout From RAW?

RAW Nutrition is the company behind CBUM Thavage Pre-Workout powder. Based on the number of Amazon reviews, I would say that this is a relatively new product.

The Amazon rating is 4.4 out of 5 stars, which is great, but it is necessary to wait for a few hundred more reviews before we take the rating for granted.

Globally famous Canadian IFBB professional bodybuilder Chris Bumstead is one of the key people at RAW Nutrition and someone who designed the flavoring for this supplement.

So it's no surprise that Cbum Thavage pre-workout is the supplement he uses.

Considering Bumstead is a three-time Mr. Olympia Classic Physique winner, I guess we can trust his judgment regarding supplements.

One serving size is 13.4 grams, and there are 40 servings. Most people take two scoops, but I'll discuss that in more detail later.

The amount of calories per serving is 5, so it is suitable for those who want to trigger fat loss.

My Experience Taking CBUM's Thavage Pre-Workout

After checking the supplement’s nutrition facts, I knew I would need two scoops.

Since I always test supplements for an extended period (at least 20 days, usually more), I decided to take only one scoop before the first two training sessions to check if it might be enough.

As expected, I barely felt any effect from one scoop. That’s why the experience I'm going to convey to you is based on taking two scoops.

For those who have never used pre-workout, I recommend starting with one scoop and gradually increasing it, because I'm quite sure that even one scoop will be useful in the beginning.

1. Flavor

CBUM Thavage Pre-Workout is available in 7 flavors:

My choices were Blackberry Lemonade and Green Crush.

They are tasty for pre-workouts, but I would disagree with several reviews indicating this is one of the tastiest pre-workout supplements. Maybe I didn't make a good choice, or it's just a matter of taste.

All things considered, the taste is fine and has almost no aftertaste, which I find even more important.

Both flavors mix well with water, but when you take two full scoops, sometimes it is a bit chalky.

2. Performance Increase

I was wondering how a lot of different ingredients would affect the performance increase. RAW Nutrition did a good job with this one.

I was taking two scoops 20 to 30 minutes before training, and almost every time, I noticed I could do more reps and sets.

People often have unrealistic expectations of pre-workout powder. Keep in mind that this is not a performance-enhancing drug. It is a natural supplement.

If the pre-workout can make you do a few reps more or prolong your training for 15 minutes, that's more than enough.

In the long run, those small improvements will help you reach your fitness goals faster.

Learn More - Is Pre-Workout A Steroid?

3. Pump

The pump is often taken as the most important criterion for the effectiveness of pre-workout supplements.

I think that the pump is nowhere near as important as energy and focus, but it can certainly make the workout better, at least from the mental side.

When you look at your arms in the mirror and see improved blood flow, your motivation will skyrocket.

There is no doubt that CBUM Thavage Pre-Workout will help you with that. It contains several ingredients which improve blood flow significantly.

4. Focus

For me, focus is what I want to primarily get from a pre-workout powder.

I find mental focus the most important for two reasons.

The first one is concentration, which is necessary to maintain a high intensity throughout the training. The second is the mind-muscle connection which maximizes muscle development.[1]

This product did not disappoint me. It gave me mental sharpness for at least an hour, usually more.

5. Energy

The energy I got from this pre-workout is similar to a double espresso.

Since I'm ordering double espresso only when I'm very tired, the impact of CBUM's Thavage Pre-Workout on my energy levels is great.

I did not take longer breaks than 45 seconds between sets and a minute between exercises. That is in line with my training program.

Learn More - Coffee Vs Pre-Workout (Which Give You More Energy?)

6. Side Effects

If you consider the beta-alanine tingle and mild restlessness from a high dose of caffeine as side effects, you can expect that after taking two scoops of it.

I even like those side effects because they make me pumped up for training.

As for digestive issues, I can confirm that it is very gentle on the stomach. I did not experience nausea, bloating, or diarrhea.

Kudos to RAW Nutrition for making pre-workout with little to no side effects.

Learn More - Can Pre-Workout Make You Tired?

7. Post-Workout

Several times after training, I felt more tired than usual, but I wouldn't say it was a crash. Instead, I think the pre-workout pushed me to do more, and that's why I was more tired.

In general, both the rise and decline of energy and focus are smooth.

A few ingredients contributed to reducing muscle soreness.

Since it contains a large number of different stimulants, you should give your body at least a few hours to process all those ingredients, or your night's sleep might suffer.

8. Cost & Where To Buy

CBUM's Thavage Pre-Workout is available on the official website and on Amazon. On average, it's a few dollars cheaper on the official site. Surprisingly, not all flavors cost the same on Amazon.

It is rather expensive. One pack costs between $50 and $60. It is indicated that there are 40 servings, but as the majority will take two scoops, we come to a price of almost $3 per training session.

RAW Thavage Pre-Workout Nutrition (Amounts For 2 Scoops)

Here's the in-depth analysis of CBUM's Thavage Pre-Workout ingredients and dosages:

L-Citrulline – 6000 Mg

CBUM Pre-Workout formula contains 6000mg of L-Citrulline, an amino acid that improves nitric oxide synthesis. This leads to vasodilation - the widening of blood vessels.

Muscle pumps, better nutrient delivery, and ATP production are just some of the benefits.[2]

Lower perceived exertion is one more benefit of citrulline worth mentioning.

This dose should help you see an improvement in training performance and build lean muscle mass.

Beta Alanine – 3200 mg

Beta-alanine is another non-essential amino acid that is an indispensable part of most pre-workout supplements.

Improved performance and increased endurance are certainly the main reasons why you will find beta-alanine in 90% of pre-workout supplements.

It simultaneously affects exercise capacity, reduces muscle fatigue helps you get rid of lactic acid. Beta-alanine also prevents cramps.

When consuming beta-alanine with BCAAs and creatine monohydrate, results are even better.[3]

Learn More - BCAA Vs Pre-Workout (How They Compare?)

Betaine Anhydrous – 2500 mg

Betaine anhydrous works somewhat similarly to creatine, but those two are different in structure.

It can be found in many foods since it is a naturally occurring byproduct.

Betaine acts as a methyl donor, and clinical studies have not yet determined how exactly it affects strength, fat digestion, muscle contraction, and power.

Betaine anhydrous helps balance the level of fluids inside and outside the cells as well.

That mechanism is more evident because it is an osmolyte and, like creatine, it regulates cellular fluids preventing heat shock.

L-Tyrosine – 2000 mg

L-Tyrosine is important for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. As the thyroid regulates so many functions in our body, people who have an underactive thyroid should take tyrosine too.

When we talk about the benefits of this non-essential amino acid for workouts, we should mention improved cognitive abilities, mental focus, and muscular endurance.[4]

2000 mg is a higher dose but not an unusually high one since most pre-workout supplements contain 500-2000 mg.

Taurine – 2000 mg

If you have ever taken any of the supplements that are supposed to help burn fat, they probably contained taurine.

Taurine stimulates the body’s ability to use fat as fuel instead of other sources.

It also reduces muscular fatigue and improves cognitive performance. Many reports that regular intake of taurine leads to fewer cramps.

You can safely take up to 6000 mg of taurine daily.

Nitrosigine (Inositol-Stabilized Arginine Silicate) – 1500 mg

Nitrosigine is a combination of the amino acid arginine with inositol, a carbocyclic sugar, and the chemical compound potassium silicate.

I'm not sure if I've ever tried a pre-workout that contains Nitrosigine. Its primary role is nitric oxide production, and it also improves recovery. It gives excellent muscle pumps together with citrulline.[5]

1500 mg is the recommended daily dose.

Agmatine Sulfate – 1000 mg

RAW Nutrition obviously wanted to emphasize a pump, so this is another ingredient that should improve your blood flow before training.

Agmatine Sulfate is naturally created from the amino acid arginine.

It prevents the breaking down of arginine, which is why the pump lasts longer compared to taking most pre-workouts free of this chemical substance.

There are reports that Agmatine Sulfate increases pain tolerance, but this has not been proven yet.

Coconut Fruit Water Powder – 500 mg

Hydration is of utmost importance during physical activity.

If you don't hydrate properly when you sweat, you risk electrolyte imbalance, which will certainly affect your performance and can also be dangerous.

Coconut Fruit Water Powder will help you replenish electrolytes similar to sports nutrition and hydration drinks you can find in every store.

You should not rely solely on this powder for cellular hydration because this dose is not enough.

Alpha-GPC – 400 mg

Alpha-GPC is more and more often found both in pre-workout supplements and dietary supplements used in the prevention and treatment of progressive neurologic disorders.

Alpha-GPC stimulates the synthesis of neurotransmitters, thus improving focus, memory, and mood.

What is especially important for training performance is better mind-muscle connection and, therefore, better muscle contractions thanks to this organic compound.

Caffeine Anhydrous – 260 mg

260 of the total 304 mg of caffeine in CBUM's RAW Pre-Workout comes in anhydrous form.

Most people drink coffee to wake up in the morning and get the necessary awareness for the rest of the day. Caffeine is added to pre-workouts for the same purpose.

Thavage pre-workout caffeine dosage should provide everyone with an energy boost without side effects, but caffeine tolerance is individual.

L-Theanine – 150 mg

L-Theanine is an amino acid naturally found in green and black tea.

It reduces stress and anxiety, and we all need that. Also, the body and mind experience a workout as a certain type of stress, which is why the presence of theanine in the supplement is useful.

Bitter Orange (Citrus Aurantium) Fruit Extract – 100 mg

This is the only questionable ingredient in CBUM's RAW Pre-Workout from my personal standpoint.

Bitter orange extracts surely boost fat oxidation and metabolic rate. It also increases energy levels together with caffeine.

But Citrus aurantium contains synephrine, which is similar to ephedra, an FDA-banned substance.

Synephrine is not banned by FDA, but bitter orange is banned by The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).[6]

Di-Caffeine Malate – 64 mg

Di-Caffeine Malate has a longer half-life than Caffeine Anhydrous, offering added focus a bit longer.

This type of caffeine gives the supplement a prolonged effect. Di-Caffeine Malate will play an important role if your workouts last longer than an hour.

AstraGin Root extracts – 25 mg

AstraGin is a patented mix of the plants Panax notoginseng and astragalus membranaceous.

It improves the absorption of all nutrients, primarily L-citrulline and fat burning.

Huperzine A (H. serrata) Extract – 100 mcg

Huperzine A is one more ingredient equally common in pre-workouts and dietary supplements for cognitive function and age-related memory problems.

100 mcg is a relatively small dose to have a significant effect on focus.

Who Should Buy CBUM's RAW Pre-Workout?

So far, no one has reported any health problems after the consumption of RAW Nutrition CBUM Thavage Pre-Workout. The composition is completely transparent and seems safe.

That's why I think it's harmless for healthy adults.

If you have never taken a pre-workout supplement before, have health concerns, or are an allergy sufferer, consult your doctor first.

Who Should Not Buy CBUM's Thavage Pre-Workout?

Pre-workout supplements should be avoided by those under 18 years old, pregnant women, nursing mothers, individuals with chronic conditions, patients with high blood pressure, diabetics, and others.

Athletes should be cautious with Synephrine.

Although it is not on the WADA list of prohibited substances and will not cause you to fail a drug test, it is still part of the WADA Monitoring Program.

Learn More - Can You Take Pre-Workout When You're Pregnant?

How Does RAW’s CBUM Pre-Workout Rate Vs Alternatives?

I thought it would be a good idea to compare Thavage against Ghost and RYSE.

CBUM’s Thavage Vs Ghost Pre-Workout

CBUM's Thavage and Ghost have many ingredients in common for sports nutrition and cognitive function.

However, Ghost is less powerful and is better for beginners. It has less citrulline, beta-alanine, and caffeine but still offers decent pump, focus, and energy.

Ghost contains 50mg of AstraGin blend, compared to 25mg in CBUM, presumably to maximize citrulline absorption. It is also somewhat cheaper.

Related Article - Ghost Legend Pre-Workout Review 

CBUM’s Thavage Vs RYSE Pre-Workout

Of these three pre-workouts, RYSE is the most famous and the cheapest, although the price difference is insignificant.

Unlike the previous two, which are high on L-Citrulline, RYSE does not contain this amino acid, so the pump is significantly weaker.

On the other hand, it contains a significant amount of caffeine - 370mg compared to 250mg in two scoops of CBUM's Thavage.

Since they are quite different, it is up to you to decide which one better meets your needs.

Learn More - RYSE Pre-Workout Review (Is It Any Good?)

CBUM's Thavage Pre-Workout Supplement FAQs

Why is it called Thavage?

It's a joke by Chris Bumstead on account of his speech defect since he can't pronounce the word "savage" properly.

Who makes CBUM Pre-workout?

RAW Nutrition makes CBUM's Thavage Pre-Workout.

What brand is CBUM sponsored by?

CBUM is sponsored by Revive MD.

Final Verdict

A double dose of CBUM's Thavage Pre-Workout is great for regular gym-goers, athletes, and bodybuilders.

It is easy to conclude that this supplement was designed by a top-level professional like Chris Bumstead.

Beginners and intermediate exercisers should stick to one scoop because two scoops can be too strong for them.

If you are OK with its price, I believe you will not regret buying it.

References: 

1. https://journals.lww.com/nsca-scj/fulltext/2016/02000/attentional_focus_for_maximizing_muscle.4.aspx
2. https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/japplphysiol.00192.2014
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16953366/
4. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00421-011-1921-4
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7041093/
6. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/bitter-orange