Sicario V2 by ASC Pre-Workout Review

This product is version 2.0 of Sicario, containing fewer nootropic ingredients and Alpha GPC. This is more than your average pump product. It contains Beta Alanine, Alpha GPC, Tyrosine, and complete clinical dosages of all ingredients. Thank you, Jake, with Nutricartel, for providing this product for my review! I recommend this product to individuals looking to cycle off stimulant-based pre-workouts, those wanting a comprehensive quality stimulant-free pre-workout, anyone utilizing this product with fat burners, or those looking for a safe daily driver product they could combine with caffeine.

Where to Buy

You can buy Sicario 2.0 at the following retailers:

• Nutri Cartel
  • LIFTVAULT = 15% off

Experience

I enjoyed this product as a stimulant-free pre-workout, which is more than just breaking my stimulant tolerance. It is not just another pump product, as it helps you function while decreasing or stopping stimulant use. Within the first 15 minutes, I felt the Beta Alanine tingling from my head to my shoulders and into my lower back. By 40 minutes in, the focus came in nicely and created a solid, driven focus. I felt these aspects more as I continued using this product, and my caffeine tolerance decreased.

Siccario provided my muscles with a very satisfying fullness. I felt a great pump, but not a skin-splitting uncomfortable stretch that would reduce the duration of my training (a  possible result of continued nitrate usage). The vasodilation was one of the better aspects of this product, as it gave me the “google map routes” effect across my forearms and biceps. This product improved my endurance and performance as it helped give me a few extra sets during my workout sessions.

Since this product improved vascularity, my body could shuttle around nutrients to the muscle fibers that were broken down during my training. This increase in vascularity improved recovery by reducing the amount of DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness). One of the main reasons I enjoy utilizing stimulant-free products is that they help focus on the movement of the exercise, which allows me to improve my weightlifting goals, i.e., functional exercise over strength. I can work towards preventing injury by working on the contraction, where a high stimulant product may cause overstimulation with tunnel vision focus that allows for neglecting caution. I also enjoyed the focus element of this product after the gym, as it improved my mental acuity.

Side Effects

I noted no adverse side effects; however, the Alpha GPC does give an excellent focus, which some might argue is negative if taken close to bedtime. I will note that this product did come with several large clumps in the container, but this is normal for glycerol base products as it absorbs moisture. In comparison to the El Jefe Guerilla edition, it didn’t have clumping as it didn’t feature glycerol. These clumps broke apart so easily with my fingers, but one could do so with a spoon.

Flavor

Peach rings was the flavor I was sent to review, which is one of three available. The other two flavors are Cherry Creamsicle and Blue Razz Lemonade. This is a delicious tasty flavor; just as the name suggests, it does taste like candy. I found 12 ounces of water were adequate, as the directions suggest 8-14 ounces.

Dose/Scoop Size

I utilized this product as a stand-alone stimulant-free pre-workout to take a stimulant break and lower my tolerance levels. I use stimulant pre-workouts on training days. Occasionally, I will have some caffeine on my days off. For each use of this product, I consumed two rounded heaping scoops, as shown below.

Ingredients

Below is the breakdown per the 2-scoop formula, which is excellently dosed. This is the perfect product to help break the stimulant tolerance, ala a stimulant break with no caffeine, that we all can get from frequent pre-workout and energy drink consumption. I enjoyed using this as a stand-alone product; however, it could be used with a focus-based product or caffeine. 

I would be really interested in using Dark Labs Euphoria or other DMHA products in conjunction with Sicario as I feel it would really hit the mark. Using this product as I did worked well for my needs. However, others might want to use one serving and add it to a pre-workout containing pump ingredients to suit their needs. Even at the 1-serving mark, this product would be an excellent addition to any product. 

This is for version 2.0; however, you can still purchase version 1.0, which contains many differences, too many to highlight here. I would like to try version 1.0 to compare, as I have enjoyed higher nootropic-based stimulant-free products in the past. Please check out the review from Kyle on version 1.0.

Vitamin B12 – 500 mcg

Vitamin B12 assists in the production of red blood cells. It helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to the muscle and boosts energy levels and muscle growth.

3D Pump Breakthrough – 6 g

3D Pump is a new pump ingredient introduced in late 2020. Supposedly, it is a pump enhancer that increases vasodilation (opens up your blood vessels to improve blood flow) and enhances performance. It is composed of pure L-Citrulline, Glycerol, and ALMA Extract (Phyllanthus Emblica) (fruit), but as a prop blend. If I had to guess, I’d say it’s 3 g L-Citrulline, 2 g Glycerol, and 1 g ALMA Extract.

From this review on the 3D Pump Breakthrough ingredient alone, it is supposed to help with the pump, blood flow, workout performance, and hydration. As it’s a new, non-scientifically reviewed ingredient, there’s no discernable dosage for it, but it seems as if 6 g of it is the average dose.

Beta-Alanine – 3.2 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 intensify. This feeling is often desirable in the sports community, as it does make you feel the intensity after ingestion and as you start training. This effect may be negated by diet and intake of beta-alanine. 

Beta-alanine requires regular intake to be effective, akin to creatine. Daily supplementation of beta-alanine is recommended, with a loading period of three to five weeks, to become effective.

3 to 4 grams is the recommended daily dosage for beta-alanine, putting Sicario in the standard clinical dose range.

Arginine Nitrate (as NO3-T®) – 3 g

Nitrate (NO3–T) is a small molecule produced in the body in limited amounts (as a byproduct of nitric oxide). It is obtainable via vegetables, particularly beetroot, other low-calorie tuber vegetables such as turnips, and leafy green vegetables such as spinach or rocket.

From Examine, noted benefits of nitrates are reduced blood pressure, improved blood flow and vasodilation, reduced oxygen cost of exercise (allowing you to go longer), and kidney protection. 

Betaine Anhydrous – 3 g

Betaine is included to help increase your power output. However, research is inconsistent around this claim. The typical range for Betaine is between 1.5 g and 5 g.

L-Taurine – 2 g

Taurine is a common ingredient with many positive effects, such as enhanced physical performance, improved DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness), improved blood pressure via higher cardiac output, possible reduction of cholesterol and triglyceride levels, increased uptake of glycogen to mitochondria for energy utilization (Examine). 

Taurine supplementation might block the uptake of Beta-Alanine as they are antagonistic, which wouldn’t be an issue if used aside from pre-workout. It is not commonly known that Beta-Alanine/Carnosine is a taurine-depleting antagonist (Examine). A 2 g Taurine dose is good (1-6 grams per day in studies); however, more would amplify the benefits.

Pink Himalayan Salt – 500 mg

Salt helps retain water, enabling you to achieve a swole look during your workout.

500 mg is a solid 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.

Pine Bark Extract – 250 mg

Pycnogenol, the active ingredient in pine bark extract, has been reliably shown to increase blood flow. 250 mg is a full dose. For comparison, FSU Dyehard has 300 mg. This extract has anti-inflammatory effects, which may aid in recovery from muscle fiber breakdown. It also aids in blood flow to assist in erectile dysfunction as well. 

L-Tyrosine – 3 g

L-Tyrosine boosts cognitive performance in stressful environments. It is included in pre-workouts as a focus ingredient.

3,000 mg is a massive dosage of L-Tyrosine that should also help achieve its anti-stress effects. It exceeds the range of the typical dosage range (500 mg to 2,000 mg) for exercise.

Alpha Glycerylphosphorylcholine (Alpha GPC) – 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, Sicario wonderfully exceeds the dosage. 

AstraGin – 50 mg

Like Bioperine (a black pepper extract), AstraGin helps absorb nutrients. 50 mg is the standard dosage for this ingredient.