Smack Pre Workout Review

Smack is a pre-workout supplement from Vices & Vibes. It’s a high stim pre-workout, containing 300 mg of DMHA, 300 mg of caffeine from multiple sources, and 250 mg of eria jarensis.

Even though this supplement is called smack, the effects are smooth and, at times, subtle. The most notable effects are focus and some mood elevation. This is definitely not an over-the-top energy kind of experience, nor is it aggressive.

I’d recommend this to fans of strong pre-workouts that want something a bit lower on the caffeine side (total caffeine per serving = 300 mg) and prefer focus and mood elevation in their workouts. If you’re looking for something that’ll have you climbing up the walls and seeing sounds, then I don’t think Smack is for you.

Smack, really, is for those looking for a productive workout without any fuss or distractions.

Thank you to Nutri Cartel for sending me a tub of Smack to review.

Where to Buy Smack Pre Workout

You can buy Smack from the following retailers:

• Nutri Cartel
  • LIFTVAULT = 15% off
• Supp Kingz
  • LIFTVAULT15 = 15% off
• My Supplement Plug
  • LIFTVAULT = 15% off

My Experience with Smack Pre Workout

I’ve tried Smack several times over the last few weeks, both at a full serving (two scoops) and a half serving (one scoop).

Overall, I’m a fan of this pre-workout and it’s definitely one I’ll keep using.

Effects

The most apparent effects of Smack are focus and mood elevation. The energy is there, but is not “up front” and is kind of subtle. I think this is because of the equal blend of caffeine anhydrous and dicaffeine malate, with 150 mg of caffeine coming from each source.

The caffeine release from the dicaffeine malate is slower than the caffeine anhydrous, which means you’re not getting hit with all 300 mg at once. Instead, you’re getting 150 mg immediately, with the next 150 mg coming on slower and lasting longer. The result is a smoother, longer-lasting pre-workout experience.

In terms of focus and euphoria, these are also subtle but still noticeable. At the gym I felt dialed-in, ready to work, and enjoying my music. After the gym I still felt productive and energetic, ready to run some errands and take care of some work at the house.

Overall, it’s productive and pleasant without getting your heart rate up or making you feel crazy. If that sounds good to you, then you’ll probably enjoy Smack. If you want to be feeling like the Hulk or Spiderman, just smashing stuff and crawling around like a goblin, Smack is probably not for you.

Smack is for those of us who recognize that the best pre-workout is the one that helps you get work done in the gym, not necessarily the one that feels the most intense.

Scoop Size

The scooper provided with Smack is absolutely perfect. A level scoop clocks in at 7.3 grams, which is precisely half a serving. Two level scoops will get you a full serving.

Side Effects

I didn’t really notice any side effects from Smack. There is a small comedown, but it didn’t have a negative impact on my mood. It’s just a little noticeable after the energy and focus finally wear off, as would be expected with any stimulant.

Flavor

Smack is currently only available in watermelon candy flavor. It’s a bit sour and tastes sort of like watermelon sour patch kids.

It’s not somewhere between “not bad” and “pretty good.” The flavor is definitely tolerable and not gross. You’ll be fine.

Smack Pre Workout Ingredients

Here are the ingredients in Smack Pre Workout.

Citrulline Malate 2:1 – 6,000 mg

Citrulline Malate (2:1) is one of the most common pre workout ingredients. It has extensive evidence supporting its effects on increasing nitric oxide production, power output, pumps, blood flow, and endurance. 

Usually, L-Citrulline Malate has a 2:1 Ratio of Citrulline and Malic Acid (hence the Malate). With Smack, you are getting 4 g of pure L-Citrulline, which is exactly the effective dose of 4 g. 

Beta-Alanine – 3,2000 mg

Beta-alanine has been shown to support muscular endurance and can act as a lactic acid buffer. 

However, 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 needed to be effective.

3 to 4 grams is the recommended daily dosage for beta-alanine. Smack clocks in at 3.2 g, the standard dosage.

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 Smack 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.

L-Tyrosine – 1,000 mg

Tyrosine helps “smooth out” some of the harsher effects of stimulants and increases focus. Some limited research also shows it can act as a cognitive booster in stressful environments.

1 gram (1,000 mg) is a great dosage and lands within the range recommended for use in an exercise setting (source). 

Choline L-Bitartrate – 1,000 mg

Choline is included as a focus ingredient. 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 bitartate will help with focus, it’s just not as well researched.

2-Amino-5-Methylhexane – 300 mg

DMHA is also a stimulant and is quite similar to DMAA in terms of effects, it just requires a larger dosage. This made it a popular pre workout ingredient for replacing DMAA.

Of course, nothing lasts forever and the FDA began issuing warning letters to companies that included DMHA in their products in April 2019.

300 mg is a high dosage for this ingredient when it is included in pre workouts. For ingredients like this though, the source is more important than the amount.

Related:

• DMHA Pre-Workouts
• DMHA vs DMAA

N-Phenethyldimethylamine – 250 mg

Eria Jarensis commonly appears alongside caffeine and DMHA and is said to help enhance the stimulant effects.

250 mg is a great dosage. It is usually included in amounts between 200 mg and 300 mg per serving.

Infinergy Dicaffeine Malate (75% yield) – 200 mg

This is essentially the “extended release” form of caffeine. This helps achieve two things: longer lasting effects of the pre workout and a smoother ride on the energy train with less crash.

As dicaffeine malate is 75% caffeine and 25% malic acid, a 200 mg dosage yields 150 mg of caffeine. Combined with the 150 mg of caffeine anhydrous, that brings the total caffeine dosage to 300 mg in a full serving of Smack.

Caffeine Anhydrous – 150 mg

Caffeine anhydrous is the standard form of caffeine found in coffee, energy drinks, soda, etc. It helps improve focus, can provide euphoria, and has well-documented positive effects on athletic performance, including power output.

150 mg is a low dosage for a high-stim pre-workout, but don’t forget that the dicaffeine malate also provides 150 mg of caffeine, bringing the total up to 300 mg in a full serving of Smack.

Noopept – 25 mg

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

25 mg is a solid dosage for noopept.

Isopropylnorsynephrine – 20 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.

There is not a ton of research available regarding isopropylnorsynephrine, but 20 mg seems like a decent dosage according to Stack3d.

Black Pepper Extract – 5 mg

Black pepper extract is an absorption aid. 5 mg is a standard dosage.

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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.