Apollon vs Panda Face/Off  Pre-Workout Review

Apollon vs. Panda, it is time for their Face/Off with this unique collaboration. This product features high-energy stimulation with 400 mg of eria, 550 mg caffeine, 800 mg of alpha GPC, and solid, clinical dosages of all ingredients, to name a few. 

I would suggest this pre-workout to healthy individuals without a cardiac history; otherwise, a lower serving would be preferred for lightweight, caffeine users. I enjoyed running this product, as it gave excellent, usable energy without needing to interrupt your routine to calm your heart rate.

Thank you, Jake with Nutricartel, for sending this full product for review! 

Where to Buy Face/Off by Apollon Nutrition vs. Panda 

You can buy Face/Off by Apollon Nutrition vs. Panda from the following retailers:

• Nutri Cartel
  • LIFTVAULT = 15% off
• Supps Central
  • LIFTVAULT15 = 15% off
• Muscle Factory SC
  • LV15 = 15% off

Experience

Surprisingly, it took 15 minutes before I noticed substantially increased energy, likely due to the citrate. At 20 minutes, the jitters began, placing my heart rate 30 beats above my baseline. Feelings of tingles across my forehead and blood pressure increasing were felt near my carotid arteries, likely due to the alpha yo. At this point, these weren’t negatives but just noted. 

Around 45 minutes in there were still some jitters, but they were beginning to fade. Heart rate and energy remained elevated, and strength and endurance were great! Stamina and endurance seem excellent, as my muscles began to tremble during contraction. 

At 50 minutes, I was shocked, as I still had an elevated heart rate due to the caffeine/alpha yo/eria combination. I was feeling really good and had to move a lot to expend the energy. Due to the heart stimulation and the fat burner ingredients, I was dripping with sweat. Be careful on bent-over or HITT training, as the more you challenge your heart with circulation, the more your heart rate dramatically increases. I had to slow things down a couple of times as I started to get a little light-headed, and my heart was beating fast! 

An hour and fifty minutes later, my heart rate is still cruising at 120 beats per minute! I looked at the time with surprise, as I felt I had accomplished so much. I had tons of energy left over, endurance and strength were great, and the pump was full. My muscles were trembling under load, I felt even more trembling after my training sessions while sitting in the car. This was a high-energy pre-workout! Focus was the weakest element once I felt the heart rate increase, but it reached a 4.5 out of 10 initially. 

Comparing this to other Apollon products I have tested, I highly recommend this one! If you have had Timecop, which was more focus-based, you will like this more for the high energy, even with a lower dosage. The flavor was much improved, and the Panda collaboration was a success. There are bits of real Panda in every bite! 

Side Effects

I experienced an atypically elevated heart rate, especially with certain movements. However, I don’t consider these effects negative for my purposes.  

Flavor

I was sent “Hooligan’s Blood” for review, which tasted pretty good and much improved for an Apollon product. It starts with a hint of pineapple and then a bit of fruit punch. I am no stranger to Apollon Nutrition flavor systems, but this one takes the cake on better tasting. I understand some people don’t care what it tastes like, but I like it to taste better for the cost of the product. The suggested amount of water is 8-10 ounces per serving, and I enjoyed it most, around 12 ounces with the two serving doses.

Dose/Scoop Size

The serving size is 22 grams at a full two-scoop serving, a large offering compared to many products. The serving amount is a hefty, rounded scoop, but the scooper may change as the manufacturing does. I suggest using a food scale to prevent unwanted effects from high-stimulant ingredients like those contained in here. A large, rounded scoop can prevent overdose.

I used the full, two-scoop dose with each serving. Apollon put this as a 40/20 serving tub, the market standard for many pre-workouts. I didn’t like how narrow the tub is, yet the scooper is short-handled (not all scoops are showers), as I had to turn the tub over a lot to get the appropriate scoop size. 

Ingredients

Like other Apollon supplements, this one goes big with many high stimulants and caffeine. With all the collaborations, I don’t know who manufactures which product, but it appears to be Apollon in this case. I like the combination of high Apollon Hooligan effects added with some Panda, as they are both effective products on their own. Everything is clinically based here or highly, efficiently dosed. Below is the two-scoop breakdown, which most users are likely to run. I have no suggestions for the formulation, as it was effective, but more so, dose this product based on your ability to handle high stimulation.

Chloride – 380 mg

Chloride is often overlooked in electrolyte discussions, but it’s an important member of the electrolyte family. Chloride is the body’s most abundant anion (negatively charged atom or molecule) and is critical in keeping us alive. 

Chloride is necessary for basic and complex breathing processes, digesting food, fighting disease, balancing cell fluid, and more. Chloride is a key part of any electrolyte mix because the body loses it through sweat.

Sodium – 180 mg

Sodium is the most important electrolyte since it is readily lost through sweating. Sodium dosage depends on which source you look at, but all electrolyte products contain various amounts ranging from 50mg to 1g (as seen in LMNT). The proper dosage depends on your unique needs, diet, exercise, and nutrition, which is affected by previous medical history (i.e., hypertension). Sodium affects the taste and isn’t desired by all users, but as a personal preference, I enjoy higher for great muscular contraction through cellular hydration.

L-Citrulline – 8 g

L-citrulline is one of the most common pre-workout ingredients. Extensive evidence supports its ability to increase nitric oxide production, power output, pumps, blood flow, and endurance. It is typical for this ingredient to contain malic acid in malate, which has some benefits similar to beta-alanine. However, you want 6-8 grams of pure l-citrulline for proper clinical dosage, and some products may list the malic acid as a separate ingredient. This is a hefty dosage, which exceeds the clinical dose, which isn’t a bad thing to do.

Beta-Alanine – 3.5 g

Beta-alanine has been shown to support muscular endurance and act as a lactic acid buffer. Depending on the source of this ingredient, you may feel the paresthesias tingling effect. This feeling is often desirable in the sports community, as it makes you feel the intensity after ingestion. This may be negated by diet and intake of beta-alanine. 

Beta-alanine requires regular intake to be effective, akin to creatine. Daily beta-alanine supplementation is recommended to become effective, with a three to five-week loading period. Three to four grams is the recommended daily dosage for beta-alanine, putting face/off in the standard clinical dose range.

Betaine Anhydrous – 2.5 g

Betaine is included to help increase your power output. However, research needs to be more consistent around this claim. The typical range for betaine is between 1.5 g and 5 g, but generally, 2.5 grams is on the high end for what is in the market. Per the clinical trials, daily supplementation is required to obtain the full benefits.

L-Tyrosine – 2 g

L-tyrosine boosts cognitive performance in stressful environments. Pre-workouts include it as a focus ingredient and help achieve anti-stress effects. The typical dosage range is 500 mg to 2,000 mg for exercise.

Lion’s Mane Mushroom Extract (30% Polysaccharides) – 1 g

Lion’s Mane (yamabushitake) is a relatively new nootropic, with some research supporting anti-anxiety, cognition boosting, and general well-being effects.

According to Examine, only a single human study has involved lion’s mane. The individuals orally consumed one gram three times a day. While that dosage appeared effective, it is unknown if this is optimal.

This contains 1000 mg of lion’s mane, which is an efficient dosage compared to market standards, but there isn’t enough research to determine if this is an effective dose. Additional research is needed to confirm lion’s mane’s benefits and optimal dosage.

Alpha GPC 50% (Alpha Glycerylphosphorylcholine) – 800 mg

Alpha GPC is a cholinergic compound that is produced within the body. It is used for enhancing cognition and increasing power output. Based on several studies, Alpha GPC dosages should be between 300 and 600 mg. At 800 mg, this is above the top end of the efficient dosage range.

Sodium Chloride (Pink Himalayan Sea Salt) – 500 mg

Salt helps retain water, enabling you to achieve fuller muscle bellies during your workout. This can help prevent muscle spasms and allow for good contraction.

500 mg is a highly effective dosage for this ingredient; however, it is diet-dependent as not everyone will need higher amounts (for comparison, FSU Dyehard has 300 mg, and Hooligan Bare Knuckle has 250 mg).

It also contains essential electrolytes! More info can be found at Supplements in Review.

N-Phenethyldimethylaminecitrate (Eria Jarensis) – 400 mg

Eria Jarensis is a stimulant frequently seen alongside DMHA in high-stim pre-workouts.

400 mg is a huge dosage for this ingredient; being an exotic stimulant and others found in this product, it isn’t clinically studied but isn’t currently the highest on the market. The most eria jarensis I’ve ever seen in a pre-workout is 500 mg with Flame Pre-Workout (which is fantastic).

Caffeine Anhydrous – 300 mg

Caffeine anhydrous is the standard form of caffeine, known for increasing energy, alertness, motivation, and mood. The caffeine content varies for each product. The 350-450 range is the typical dosage for sports supplements, and some products may contain other forms, such as below. We have the addition of caffeine citrate and dicaffeine malate, bringing the total caffeine content to 550 mg in two servings.

Less is more, as your dependency will lead to diminishing returns as you increase your intake. The overall combination of many factors, such as sleep, when you take caffeine, diet, and nutrition, affect how much you will need.

Caffeine Citrate – 200 mg

Caffeine citrate is a faster-acting version of caffeine when compared to caffeine anhydrous. It’s not very common in supplements. Some popular pre-workouts, like Wrecked Extreme and M2, include this ingredient.

Caffeine Citrate is usually 50% Caffeine and 50% Citric Acid, meaning the 200 mg included yields 100 mg of actual caffeine.

DiCaffeine Malate – 200 mg

Di-caffeine malate is the extended-release version of caffeine, which usually slowly releases and adds to energy/focus later in the workout, delaying or preventing a crash depending on the formulation of stimulants in the pre-workout. Typically, 75% caffeine anhydrous and 25% malic acid, meaning 200 mg, would yield 150 mg of actual caffeine. 

N-Methyltyramine HCl – 100 mg

N-methyltyramine HCl, often called NMT HCl, is a chemical compound that belongs to the class of alkaloids and isn’t one I typically see in the market. It is a derivative of tyramine, a naturally occurring trace amine found in various plants and animals, including humans. It is chemically related to other compounds like tyramine, synephrine, hordenine, and octopamine, which the second and third are more common. It is important to note that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned it. NMT is also used for weight loss. 

It is sometimes used in dietary supplements and sports nutrition products, particularly those marketed for weight loss, energy enhancement, and athletic performance. NMT has effects similar to other stimulants, such as increased heart rate, metabolism, and energy levels.

However, it’s important to note that the scientific evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of NMT for these purposes is limited. Typically included at a dosage of around 200 mg in supplements, the included 100 mg is less than the typical dosage, but you won’t notice due to the other high stimulants.

Isopropylnorsynephrine – 60 mg

Synephrine is a well-researched ingredient that has been shown to aid in weight loss. It is a common ingredient in many reputable weight loss supplements. It may also appear on ingredient labels as bitter orange extract. You may also see iso-norsynephrine, which is also a lipolytic agent and is generally considered to be a stronger version of synephrine.

“In general, bitter orange extract alone (p-synephrine) or in combination with other herbal ingredients did not produce significant adverse events as an increase in heart rate or blood pressure or alter electrocardiographic data, serum chemistry, blood cell counts or urinalysis. p-Synephrine alone and in combination products were shown to increase resting metabolic rate and energy expenditure, and modest increases in weight loss were observed with bitter orange extract/p-synephrine-containing products when given for six to 12 weeks.” Synephrine Meta-Analysis

Synephrine also increases energy and controls appetite. A standard dosage for this ingredient would be around 50mg, which is exceeded here with a highly efficient dosage.

AstraGin – 50 mg

Like Bioperine (black pepper extract), AstraGin increases the bioavailability of nutritional supplements. In other words, it helps your body absorb more of the ingredients in the product, which helps the effectiveness of the ingredients. As the serving size increases, so does the need for a digestion aid. 50 mg is the actual manufacture dosage, and typical to find when included.

Alpha Yohimbine (90% Rauwolscine) – 2 mg

Rauwolfia Vomitoria Extract, or Alpha Yohimbine, or simply “alpha yo,” is a “love it or hate it” stimulant. Some individuals are susceptible to alpha yohimbine and avoid any pre-workout with it outright. Common adverse side effects include anxiety, headaches, sweating, frequent urination, and increased blood pressure.

If you are sensitive to the effects of Alpha Yo, I’d suggest starting with one capsule to assess if the effects are too strong for you. Dosages can range from 0.5 to 3 mg, with the ladder being very potent.