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

Pros & Cons Of CBUM's Thavage

CBUM Pre-Workout Review

Over the course of a 3 week period, at an average of 4 times per week, I added the Thavage by CBUM to my pre-workout regime. I can confidently say this is an excellent product that I'd gladly recommend to a lot of folks.

It's well-formulated, effectively dosed, well-rounded pre-workout, and from what I've felt, drinking this before hitting the gym got me hyped for lifting ten out of ten times.

That said, let's delve into a much more comprehensive review of CBUM Thavage Pre-workout.

My Ratings Explained

There are three things I look at when giving my ratings - ingredients, effectiveness, and price.

As for ingredients, I can't say I'm blown away. They're not bad by any means - they're quite good. But this product suffers from a common problem most pre-workout supplements do, and that's unnecessary complexity. You could take out several ingredients, and the outcome would still be as good.

At the same time, this concoction has definitely put me in the mood to lift some heavy weights, and truth be told, that's the only thing that matters.

Finally, the price may seem incredible at first glance, but as you'll learn rather quickly, single-scooping isn't the most efficient way to use this product, making this a pretty pricey pre-workout shake.

Key Details

Will My Performance Increase?

Yes, your performance will increase if you take CBUM Thavage pre-workout. It happened to me, and I'm absolutely certain it will happen to you.

Here's how and why.

For starters, I love the pump I get from this pre-workout, even though I’m not someone who is particularly obsessed with it. 

But, since I noticed I get all nice and swole while working out, I brought a sewing tape measure with me, and I measured my quads before and after a pretty grueling leg day.

Results? A literal three-inch difference!

As for energy and focus, all of that’s pretty standard. It affected my cognitive performance, and while I do admit I don’t have a hard time keeping focus in the gym, with this, I was as sharp as ever.

I didn’t miscount my reps, my mind-muscle connection and muscle contractions were perfect, and it literally felt like I could zone in on any muscle in my body.

Performance-wise, I felt stronger. I didn't up my one-rep max by 30% (nor will you, because pre-workout isn't a PED), but I did manage to squeeze in a few extra reps and push until literal failure on several exercises.

True story: a week ago, I went way too low on a hack squat and got "stuck" at the bottom, completely swallowed by the machine. Now, I can't say with absolute certainty that it was the CBUM Thavage pre-workout that helped me, but a few deep breaths and a massive roar later - I pushed up from the deepest squat I ever was in.

One thing I have to mention is I did double-scoop CBUM Thavage Pre-Workout, as that is the only way to get the near-maximum efficacious dose of every vital ingredient in this formula.

However, a single scoop (otherwise known as half-Thavage) was also effective. I was upbeat, focused, and my pumps were solid.

Learn More - Is Pre-Workout A Steroid?

How Will I Feel Post-Workout?

If my experience is anything to go by, you’ll feel darn good post-workout.

Since this is a solid formula with clean and easy-to-handle stimulants, I didn't have any issues with crashing or feeling drained after a few hours. And remember, I was double-scooping almost every single time.

The increased energy weaned off gradually after two/two-and-a-half hours, depending on how and what I ate and how hard I went at the gym. While muscular fatigue was definitely there after working out heavily - crashing on the couch four hours after resistance training just wasn't in the cards for me, and I don't see it in yours either.

One thing I'll say is don’t drink this pre-workout as soon as you wake up. If you do, a midday crash is pretty much inevitable. 

If you flush your adenosine receptors with a ton of caffeine early in the morning, you're bound to crash after several hours because you'll disrupt the natural flow of cortisol, which is essentially what keeps you alert and awake.

What Are The Possible Side Effects?

The list of possible side effects associated with taking CBUM pre-workout is limited. 

Beta-alanine tingles and mild restlessness from a high dose of caffeine are the only side effects I've experienced.

To be fair, you may get anxious or jittery from a high caffeine dose.[1]

In addition, betaine, suspected to aid in fat digestion, regulate cellular fluids, and cellular heat shock prevention, could also cause heartburn. Still, I didn't have this issue either - probably due to a moderate betaine dose.

And speaking of digestive tract issues, I can confirm that CBUM Thavage pre-workout is very gentle on the stomach. Nausea, bloating, or diarrhea are also some of the possible side effects I didn't have to cope with.

What Flavors Are Available And How Do They Taste?

CBUM Thavage Pre-Workout is available in 6 flavors and they're all completely different:

All of these are quite tasty for pre-workouts, but I would disagree with several reviews indicating this is one of the tastiest pre-workout supplements. Maybe it's just a matter of taste, but I just wouldn't go that far.

The taste is more than fine (at least with the ones I tried), but more importantly - there's no aftertaste! That's a major win in my book.

Another thing I'm sure you'll like to hear is that all of these mix well with water if you mix a single scoop of Thavage with 8oz of water.

However, one thing I noticed with two full scoops is that the drink feels chalky unless I mix it in at least 12-15oz of water.

Is It Value For Money?

CBUM's Thavage Pre-Workout provides a lot of value for the money and is most certainly worth it - even at $2.50 per double-scoop serving.

At the same time, many would disagree with me, seeing how the average serving dose of a pre-workout comes at $1.50.

The thing is, and trust me on this one, as I've tried and tested a ton of them, most of those dollar-fifty pre-workouts are not as effective as a single scoop of Thavage. In fact, there's a very good chance most of them are far less effective compared to a single scoop of CBUM's pre-workout, yet they cost more.

So, while CBUM Thavage pre-workout certainly isn't as budget-friendly as some other options, it offers a pretty good value for money, in my opinion.

Who Is It Best For?

CBUM Thavage pre-workout is best for seasoned gym-goers looking to maximize their performance and build some lean muscle mass in the gym, considering the price, efficacy, ingredients, and a few other criteria.

But at the same time, I also believe that this could be a decent beginner-friendly product as it's got everything that one might need and then some. Sure, there are some borderline-efficacious ingredients that are only useful if you're at the top of your game (like CBum is), but Thavage has a splendid foundation of ingredients if you're just getting started.

Also, the dosages have been deliberately set at those levels, so anyone can either single or double-scoop, depending on where they are on their fitness journey.

Who Is It Not Good For? 

Pre-workout supplements should generally 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 (still present in the CBUM Thavage Green Crush flavor).

Although it is not harmful to healthy adults, not on the WADA list of prohibited substances, and will not cause you to fail a drug test - synephrine is still part of the WADA Monitoring Program. It's also banned by the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association).[2]

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

Other Online Reviews

Tips For Increasing Performance Using CBUM Thavage

As I mentioned in the beginning, if you want to make the most of this pre-workout - you will absolutely need to double-scoop.

If you do, you'll get all the goodies you need for a massive pump, lots of energy, and clear-headedness Zen masters can only hope to achieve.

Jokes aside, double-scooping is definitely the move here, especially if you’re a regular in the gym.

I'll get into the details and dosages in a bit, but with 6 grams of citrulline, 1.5 grams of Nitrosigine (inositol-stabilized arginine silicate), and over 300 mg of total caffeine - you can't help but perform at your best.

If it worked for a stim-head like me, it'll work for anyone.

Another tip I'd like to give you is that if you're feeling particularly blue that day, try mixing this one with cranberry juice (the Blackberry Lemonade flavor works best for this).

Cranberry juice is filled with antioxidants and some nice, complex carbohydrates that will add to your overall energy boost and will get you out of the slump.

Ingredients - Effectiveness & Amount

And now for the main event - the in-depth analysis of CBUM's Thavage Pre-Workout ingredients and dosages.

As far as the key ingredients go - this is one of the best pre-workout formulas on the market.

From now on, I'll cover the double-scoop dosages, as that is the serving size I was taking and is the one recommended by RAW Nutrition. And probably 4x Mr. Olympia himself. 

Caffeine (anhydrous + Di-Caffeine Malate) - 305 mg

260 of the total 305 mg of caffeine in CBUM Pre-Workout comes in anhydrous form.

This is an excellent dose that will probably shake up even the hardest stim-heads.

As you know, caffeine is the most important ingredient in pre-workout formulas, and it is the main driver behind the energy boost you will get to experience.

Apart from energy, caffeine is known to enhance thermogenesis (which can boost fat oxidation, or in other words, help you burn fat faster), improve your power output and muscle strength, as well as you aerobic and anaerobic capacity, etc.[3]

Di-Caffeine Malate, is a pretty similar compound to regular caffeine, it's just that it has a longer half-life than, offering prolonged effects.

Citrulline  - 6 g

CBUM Pre-Workout formula contains 6000mg of L-Citrulline, an amino acid that improves nitric oxide synthesis. This is a very effective dose that will certainly lead to increased NO levels and vasodilation - the widening of blood vessels.

Nitric oxide production, better blood flow, better nutrient delivery, better pumps, and ATP production are just some of the benefits associated with citrulline.[4]

Lower perceived exertion, decreased muscle soreness, and improved muscle endurance are also some of the benefits linked to oral citrulline supplementation, however, these require a bit more research to be fully understood.

L-Tyrosine – 2000 Mg

As you can tell by the name, L-Tyrosine is necessary for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. As the thyroid regulates many functions in our body, people with underactive thyroid should take tyrosine, too.

When discussing the benefits of this non-essential amino acid for workouts, we should mention its effect on the synthesis of catecholamines, resulting in improved cognitive function, mental focus, and even muscular endurance in certain conditions.[5]

At 2000, you're getting the maximum efficacious dose, according to current research, and I'm all for it.

L-Theanine – 150 Mg

L-Theanine is an amino acid naturally found in green and black tea. It reduces stress and anxiety, and it's probably safe to say we all need that. 

Also, when you think about it, the body and mind experience a workout as a certain type of stress, which is why the presence of theanine in the supplement is helpful.

In addition, while we don't completely understand the synergistic connection between theanine and caffeine, we do know that theanine does help lower the adverse effects of caffeine, like jitteriness and anxiousness.

And yes, at 150mg - you're getting a perfect dose.

Stimulants

Apart from Bitter Orange Fruit Extract (known to boost energy and metabolic rate) found in Green Crush flavor, CBUM's Thavage Pre-Workout relies on caffeine and caffeine alone for stimulatory effects.

While there is some theobromine in there (in every flavor but Green Crush), the amount is 5 times lower than the minimum efficacious dose, so I wouldn't call its stimulatory effects significant in any way, shape, or form.

Boosters

As you can see, this formula is very complex, and quite a few of these are, for lack of a better term, unnecessary.

Coconut water powder is just a super low dose of electrolytes (supposed to help with improved cellular hydration), betaine's slightly underdosed (and overall not that effective), and beta-alanine doesn't really work unless you take it separately on your off days, even if you take it solely for enhancing your body's ability to delay lactic acid build-up.

Thankfully, there are no BCAAs in here, and if you look closely - you'll spot a gem.

Nitrosigine, a very pleasant surprise, is a combination of the amino acid arginine with inositol, a carbocyclic sugar, and the chemical compound potassium silicate. In layman's terms - these additions make arginine useful and bioavailable.

Now, this is my first time trying a pre-workout that contains Nitrosigine.

From what I've read (and noticed), this thing delivers excellent muscle pumps together with citrulline.[6] At the same time, I have to say that there's no way I could know whether my pumps came from Nitrosigine or citrulline (and I'd lie if I said I could), so as always, I'll trust the scientific data, which is overwhelmingly positive.

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

How Does it Compare To Other Pre-Workouts?

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

CBUM’s Thavage Vs Ghost Pre-Workout

CBUM's Thavage and Ghost have many ingredients in common. As similar products, they're both types of sports nutrition and are great for boosting athletic performance and cognitive function.

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

One thing that's in Ghost's favor is flavor. It's honestly one of the most delicious pre-workouts out there.

That said, from an exercise performance standpoint - CBUM's Thavage is an objectively better product than Ghost.

Related Article - Ghost Legend Pre-Workout Review 

CBUM’s Thavage Vs RYSE Pre-Workout

Out of all three, RYSE is arguably the most famous and definitely the cheapest. Although, if you take a look at the ingredients - the price difference becomes less significant.

Unlike the previous two, which utilize L-Citrulline, RYSE does not. They are taking an alternative approach to pump-boosting, and from what I've experienced - I'm not a fan.

On the other hand, RYSE contains 370mg of caffeine, which will knock anyone's socks off, considering 400mg is the maximum daily dose according to the doctors.

All things considered, I'd give CBUM's Thavage another win, because it is a better all-around product, and much easier to half-dose if necessary.

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

CBUM's Thavage Vs Gorilla Mode Pre-workout

If there was ever a worthy foe to CBUM Thavage pre-workout supplement - it would be Gorilla Mind.

Both of these pre-workouts offer a ton of potent ingredients (and a few less vital ones), and both are formulated in a way that you can both single and double-scoop them and still reap the benefits.

However, if we put them head-to-head - Gorilla Mode edges out CBUM Thavage pre-workout.

It's got more L-citrulline, more caffeine, and a daily maintenance dose of creatine monohydrate - at the exact same price. This, of course, doesn't mean that more is generally better. It's just that, in this case, it is.

Gorilla Mode is also beta-alanine-free, proving that less is also sometimes better, but more importantly - no itching like with Thavage.

Learn More - Gorilla Mode Pre-Workout Review

Considerations Before Giving You My Final Verdict

If you've come this far, I guess you may as well stay for a minute longer, and find out why you can genuinely trust this review. 

My Expertise In Supplements

I've tried numerous pre-workout supplements over the years. Whenever something new appears on the market, I want to test it.

I'm passionate about sports nutrition, and I want to learn how to improve all aspects of my well-being through training and supplements, and I want to do it in the most efficient manner.

Because of it, I genuinely despise the state of the supplement industry and I don't want anyone to fall victim to marketing ploys and buzzwords like I did when I was a kid.

So, what I do now is stay up-to-date on the latest scientific research and studies, I try these supplements, and I channel all of that into these reviews.

Reviewing Other Products

I also review other products, not just pre-workouts.

As I was skinny my entire life, I also love to experiment with dietary supplements for muscle growth, muscular endurance, muscle soreness, or anything else that helps me get a bit bigger and stronger.

I'm also interested in fat loss and fat-burning supplements, although this is for the sole purpose of disproving everything about their proposed effects.

Common Questions About CBUM's Thavage

Final Verdict

All in all, I can confidently say that Chris Bumstead has done an awesome job with this product - no matter how involved he was in the process.

The double dose of CBUM Thavage Pre-Workout is great for regular gym-goers, athletes, and bodybuilders alike - as long as you don't mind paying the premium that comes with it.

If you are searching for a pre-workout that offers more bang for your buck, then I recommend the Cellulor C4 Ultimate.

References: 

1. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/caffeine-side-effects
2. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/bitter-orange
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20421833/
4. https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/japplphysiol.00192.2014
5. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00421-011-1921-4
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7041093/