February 2023 Update: Check out the latest version of Sicario in our review of Sicario Pre-Workout v2.
Sicario from ASC Supplements is a stim-free pump & focus enhancer pre workout. Notable ingredients include L-Citrulline, VASO6, Pine Bark Extract, L-Tyrosine, and Lion’s Mane – it’s truly a loaded label.
Nutri Cartel sent me a tub to test out and review for you, which I’ve been doing for the last few months.
If you just want to know if I liked it and recommend it: I did and I do. It’s a great pump pre workout.
If you want some more details on my experience and the ingredients, keep on reading.
Fully loaded pump and focus formula. Too many ingredients to list. Comes in flavored and unflavored - great for stacking with a high-stim pre workout or taking alone!
Discount codes:
LIFTVAULT for 15% off at Nutrition Cartel
Where to Buy Sicario + Discount Codes
You can buy Sicario at most retailers that carry ASC Supplement products. Here are a few of them:
- Nutri Cartel
- Save 15% with code LIFTVAULT
- Muscle Players
- Save 15% with code LIFTVAULT15
- Supp Kingz
- Save 15% with code LIFTVAULT15
My Experience
I’ve been using Sicario for a few months now and I gotta say it’s a great pump pre workout. In fact, I included it on my list of best pump pre workouts.
I tend to stack Sicario with El Jefe and it’s an excellent combination of stimulants from El Jefe and pumps from Sicario. On my higher rep workouts, especially upper body sessions when I’m hammering chest and arms, Sicario definitely shines as a pump enhancer.
If you’re taking it alone as a stim free pre workout I’d recommend two scoops, but if you’re stacking it with another pre workout, especially one that already has pump ingredients, one scoop should suit you just fine.
Sicario is especially great for stacking because it offers an unflavored version, which is super convenient. I wish more companies did that.
Plus, with its L-Tyrosine, Alpha GPC, and Lion’s Mane, Sicario would be a great caffeine free pre workout if you want to take a stim break.
All in all, this is a great formula for those looking for a pump enhancer or a stim-free focus enhancer. Recommended!
Sicario Ingredients Label
The ingredient label for Sicario pump pre workout is below. It is a loaded label, certainly one of the most stacked labels for a pump pre workout we’ve seen in a while.
Citrulline (4 g)
L-Citrulline 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.
Although most research uses a variation known as L-Citrulline Malate (2:1), anecdotal evidence supports that L-Citrulline delivers much of the same benefit.
When included as pure L-Citrulline, we like to see 4 grams as the dosage. Two scoops of Sicario is right on the money, delivering 4 grams of this all-star ingredient.
When stacking this product, I’ll often take just one scoop, as many of my pre workouts already contain pump ingredients, including citrulline malate.
Betaine Anhydrous (2.5 g)
Betaine is included to help increase your power output. However, research is pretty inconsistent around this claim.
Betaine often finds itself included in pump formulas because it theoretically could indirectly “…enhance vasodilation and cellular swelling during resistance training.”
2.5 grams is a pretty strong dose of this ingredient. (More info: Examine)
GlycerPump (2 g)
GlycerPump is a patented form of glycerol powder. Glycerol powder assists with hydration and allows the body to absorb more water than it normally would. This obviously helps stave off dehydration and can have mild improvements on endurance.
But the real reason it is often included in pre workout supplements is that all of this extra water absorption can help your muscles swell up, giving you a “swole” look.
2 grams is a solid dosage for GlycerPump. It usually ranges from 2 to 3 grams per serving in good supplements.
Agmatine Sulfate (1.5 g)
Agmatine sulfate assists endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), which signals vasodilation.
1.5 grams is an excellent dosage for this ingredient. You usually want to see at least 1 gram.
Pomegrante Extract (800 mg)
Pomegranate extract, along with beetroot extract (which is not in Sicario), are often included in pump supplements because of their polyphenol content.
Doses of 1,000 mg of pomegranate extract have been shown to significantly increase blood flow and blood vessel diameter.
VASO6 (300 mg)
VASO6 is a proprietary blend of green tea catechins that has shown to increase vasodilation by 50%, increasing blood flow to muscles.
300 mg is the recommended dose for VASO6. For additional detail on this ingredient, check out The Supplement Engineer.
Pine Bark Extract (200 mg)
Pycnogenol, the active ingredient in pine bark extract, has been reliably shown to create a notable increase in blood flow.
L-Tyrosine (2 g)
L-Tyrosine helps “smooth out” some of the harsher effects of stimulants and increase focus. Some limited research also shows it can act as a cognitive booster in stressful environments.
2 grams is an excellent dosage and lands within the range recommend for use in an exercise setting (source).
Alpha GPC (600 mg)
Alpha GPC is a cholinergic compound that is produced within the body. It is used for enhancing cognition and increasing power output.
For athletic purposes, doses tend to range from 300 mg to 600 mg. Doses for reducing the effects of cognitive decline are much higher, around 1,200 mg per day.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom (600 mg)
Lion’s Mane are a type of mushroom, also known as yamabushitake or hou tou gu.
They have a wide range of potential benefits, including reduction of anxiety and cognitive decline.
Unfortunately, there has only been one human study completed so far. As this study used a daily dosage of 3,000 mg of Lion’s Mane split into three dosages throughout the day, there is limited understanding of what constitutes an optimal dosage.
Huperzine A (200 mcg)
Like Alpha GPC, Huperzine A is a cholinergic that acts as a cognitive enhancer. It tends to be taken in doses of 50 mcg to 200 mcg.
Astragin (50 mg)
AstraGin is a patented ingredient that aids the absorption of pre workout ingredients.
It usually ranges between 25 and 50 mg.
Fully loaded pump and focus formula. Too many ingredients to list. Comes in flavored and unflavored - great for stacking with a high-stim pre workout or taking alone!
Discount codes:
LIFTVAULT for 15% off at Nutrition Cartel
Sicario Pre Workout Review (ASC Supplements)
Summary
Sicario is an excellent pump & focus enhancer in the stim-free category. Can be taken alone or combined with stim pre workouts. This one delivers on the promise of its ingredients label!
Pros
- Excellent pumps and vascularity
- Great at one scoop or two scoops
- Great focus package
- Unflavored option for stacking with other pre workouts
Cons
- If you want beta alanine or Himalayan pink sea salt, this product doesn’t have them.
