Crack Reloaded Pre-Workout Review

Crack Reloaded is a high-stim pre-workout supplement from Dark Labs. Dark Labs is most known for creating Crack Pre-Workout, Flame Pre-Workout, Ripper Fat Burner, and Herolean Fat Burner, which all feature either DMAA or DMHA.

Crack Reloaded, notably, does not contain DMAA or DMHA.

The question on everyone’s mind is: does it still slap?

The answer is undoubtedly “yes.” Crack Reloaded still hits hard.

Does it hit as hard as the OG Crack, Crack Gold, or Flame? Yes, but in a less euphoric way. Crack Reloaded has the same energy and focus with less euphoria.

I’d recommend Crack Reloaded to stim junkies that are looking for a heavy hitter to use on days they’re taking a break from the DMAA/DMHA stuff.

Let’s be real: Crack Reloaded still has 500 mg of caffeine in a full dose. It’s not a pre-workout for a “stim break.”

It’s also a great choice for people that want to step things up without ingesting DMAA/DMHA.

Thank you to Nutri Cartel for sending this product to Lift Vault to review.

Where to Buy Crack Reloaded

You can buy Crack Reloaded from the following retailers:

• Nutri Cartel
  • LIFTVAULT = 15% off
• Supp Kingz
  • LIFTVAULT15 = 15% off 
• Supps Central
  • LIFTVAULT15 = 15% off
• Muscle Players
  • LIFTVAULT15 = 15% off
• Muscle Factory SC
  • LV5 = $5 off
• Supp Plug
  • LIFTVAULT = 15% off

My Experience

Effects

The most prominent effects of Crack Reloaded are energy, aggression, and focus. You really get an excellent blend of intensity and tunnel vision, in-the-zone focus here.

At one scoop, this is a nice pick me up that I can use after work. At two scoops, Crack Reloaded delivered five hours of energy and focus.

You’re not getting much euphoria or mood elevation, but there’s definitely a bit of feel good vibes from the Beta-PEA, caffeine blend, and eria jarensis.

Does it compare to the DMHA in Flame Pre-Workout or the DMAA in Crack Pre-Workout? No, but that’s not what Crack Reloaded is here to do. Crack Reloaded is here to deliver productive energy and insane workouts without the DMAA or DMHA. For that, it absolutely delivers the goods. It’s a hitter, make no mistake.

Pumps are respectable on this pre-workout, but nothing exceptional. I always “worked my way into” a good pump with this pre-workout because it makes me push myself so hard in the gym, but I don’t think it’s quite as nice as the original Crack pre-workout when it comes to pumps. I really don’t care though, to be honest. I don’t buy Dark Labs products for the pumps.

For those who want a strong hitter without DMAA or DMHA, Crack Reloaded is a great option.

Flavor

I tried the green apple and it was delicious.

Crack Reloaded is also available cherry limeade and tangerine orange flavors.

Scoop

A level scoop of Crack Reloaded weighs 9.2 g, which is exactly what it should weigh. Dark Labs did a great job finding the correct scoop size here. Nice work!

Crack Reloaded Ingredients

L-Citrulline Malate 2:1 – 6,000 mg

L-Citrulline Malate is one of the most common pre-workout ingredients. It has extensive evidence supporting its effects on increasing nitric oxide production, power output, and endurance.

It is included in Crack Reloaded at a 2:1 ratio between L-Citrulline and Malic Acid, which is the standard ratio.

6 grams is the clinical dosage of L-citrulline malate, so it’s great to see Crack Reloaded nailing this dosage.

Beta Alanine – 3,200 mg

Beta Alanine has been repeatedly shown to increase maximal strength levels when taken regularly. Like Citrulline Malate, it is one of the most common and best researched pre workout ingredients on the market today.

And yes, beta alanine is also the “tingling” ingredient.

3.2 g is the clinical dosage, so that’s nice to see. The tingling is definitely apparent with Cracked Reloaded, but not too crazy.

Choline Bitartrate – 1,000 mg

Choline is a focus ingredient and is a chlorogenic source. Compared with Alpha GPC, choline bitartrate may not be as effective as a nootropic (source). This is another potential area of improvement for the product formula.

Still, the 1,000 mg of choline bitartrate will help focus; although, this claim is not as well researched. Doses usually range between 500 mg and upwards of 2,000 mg.

Agmatine Sulfate – 1,000 mg

Agmatine Sulfate is included as a “pump” ingredient, but research is more limited on this ingredient vs. the classic L-Citrulline. 

The 1,000 mg found in Crack Reloaded is within the range you’d typically see in a pre-workout supplement with Agmatine Sulfate, which occasionally ranges between 500 mg and 1,500 mg.

Lions Mane Extract – 1,000 mg

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

According to Examine, there has only been a single human study of Lion’s Mane, and the individuals took 1 gram orally three times a day. While that dosage appeared effective, it is unknown if this was optimal.

Crack Reloaded contains a solid 1,000 mg of lion’s mane, and there isn’t enough research available to determine if this is an effective dose for one time. More research is needed for this particular ingredient, but it is promising.

Anecdotally, this is an appropriate dose (depending upon the quality and purity of the ingredient source).

Alpha GPC 50% – 600 mg

L-Alpha GPC creates choline, a molecule associated with increased cognition found naturally in eggs. This is the unique ingredient found in the newest generation of Legion’s Pulse pre-workout(300 mg) and Apollon Nutrition’s Overtime Nootropic (600 mg).

Some early research suggests a notable increase in power output due to  Alpha GPC supplementation. (More info: Examine)

It is unclear if 600 mg is sufficient to achieve cognitive improvements. A 2015 study using 250 mg and 500 mg doses did not observe any measurable cognitive improvements in healthy test subjects.

Beta-PEA – 500 mg

B-Phenylethylamine (Beta PEA) is a neurotransmitter that inhibits uptake and efflux (i.e. removal) of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin levels (2008 study). It is included here for the purpose of increasing focus and motivation.

This ingredient is not well understood and needs additional research. 500 mg is a solid dosage, the same amount in Assassin and Overtime.

It is banned by WADA.

Eria Jarensis – 500 mg

N-Phenethyl Dimetylamine is also known as Eria Jarensis. Eria Jarensis is a stimulant that has grown in popularity with extreme pre workouts as other alternatives, like DMAA or DMHA, or have become more difficult to sell without running into legal issues.

Doses typically range between 200 mg and 300 mg, so the 500 mg in Crack Reloaded is massive.

Caffeine Anhydrous – 350 mg

Caffeine anhydrous is the standard form of caffeine found in coffee, energy drinks, etc. It’s what you expect when you hear “caffeine”: the energy, focus, motivation, and mood boost.

350 mg is a very solid dose for caffeine anhydrous. For the caffeine-naive it is an extremely strong dosage and for the caffeine-tolerant it is more than decent.

Caffeine Citrate – 150 mg (75 mg yield)

Caffeine citrate is a faster acting version of caffeine when compared to caffeine anhydrous. As such, it also wears off more quickly. It is definitely interesting to see this ingredient included, as it is not very common in pre workouts.

Caffeine citrate provided a 50% yield when compared to caffeine anhydrous, so a 150 mg dose of caffeine citrate is equivalent to 75 mg of caffeine hydrous.

Kaff2 Malate (Dicaffeine Malate) – 100 mg (75 mg yield)

Di-caffeine malate is the extended release version of caffeine, which can lengthen how long a pre workout lasts and help offset crash effects from caffeine anhydrous.

At the standard 3:1 ratio, 100 mg of di-caffeine malate has an effective dose of 75 mg of caffeine.

Theobromine HCL – 100 mg

Theobromine is a stimulant that is a “caffeine light” ingredient found in chocolate, some tea plants, and the Kola Nut. Its name means “Food of the Gods,” Greek “theo” meaning gods, and “broma” meaning food. As anyone with a sugar craving, you can sort of understand why.

Most doses range from 100 mg-400 mg, so this is on the lower end.

Isopropylnorsynephrine – 50 mg

Isopropylnorsynephrine is a lipolytic agent, meaning it helps break down fat into glycerol (energy). It is a “fat burner.” It may also possess energizing effects and be stronger than synephrine (bitter orange extract).

There is not a lot of research around dosage, but 50 mg should be enough to get at least you going.

Noopept – 30 mg

Noopept, also known as N-Phenylacetyl-L-prolyglycine ethyl ester, is a synthetic nootropic ingredient with cognitive boosting and psychostimulatory effects.

30 mg is a very solid dose of noopept.

Alpha Yohimbine – 2 mg

Also known simply as Alpha Yohimbine or “Alpha Yo,” rauwolscine is a “love it or hate it” stimulant.

Some folks are particularly sensitive to alpha yohimbine and will always avoid any pre workout supplement containing it.

Common negative side effects can include anxiety, headaches, chills, sweating, frequent urination, and increased blood pressure.

For most folks, 2 mg falls within the edge of the “tolerable” range. Negative side effects tend to become more prominent north of 2 mg. I think 2 mg was a good call for Alpha Yohimbine dosage in Crack Reloaded.

About Kyle Risley

Kyle Risley founded Lift Vault in 2016 to make finding great powerlifting programs easier. Since then, the site has grown to include hundreds of programs for strength, bodybuilding, Olympic weightlifting, and more. He currently lives in Massachusetts and continues to compete in powerlifting.