We all want to get the most out of our workout, right? We want to show up to the gym ready for action and full of energy, that way, we can maximize our results and obtain that body we’ve always dreamed of. This is what everyone wants, but it’s often much easier said than done.
Many of us don’t have the energy, focus, or motivation to get through a full workout on a daily basis. Some of us even struggle to make it to the gym and get started with a workout. If only there was a way to give our bodies the boost they need before starting our workout each day.
If this sounds like you, well, you’re in luck. With the help of supplements — more specifically, pre-workouts — you can give your body that much-needed boost and maximize your performance at the gym. They’re easy to add to your routine and don’t take long to kick in.
Of course, not all pre-workouts are created equal, and you’ll have to do your research before finding one that’s right for you. Don’t worry, though; that’s where we come in. Today, we’ll be taking a look at one of the more popular formulas in the market today — Gorilla Mode by Gorilla Mind.
We’ll discuss this pre-workout’s ingredients, its benefits, and give you a final verdict on whether or not it’s worth the price. So, let’s jump into this Gorilla Mode review to see what this pre-workout truly has to offer!
What Is Gorilla Mode?
Gorilla Mode is an extremely powerful, premium stimulant pre-workout formula brought to you by Gorilla Mind. They offer a wide range of different supplements, including pre-workouts, post-workouts, nootropics (Gorilla Mind Rush), testosterone boosters (Gorilla Mind Sigma) sleep support, cognitive health support (Gorilla Mind Smooth), recovery, fat-burners, and botanical formulas (Gorilla Mind Turkesterone).
The Gorilla Mode formula is designed to increase energy, focus, drive, endurance, power, nitric oxide levels, intramuscular hydration, and strength. It contains 12 unique ingredients that each come with their own benefits, allowing you to achieve the absolute most out of your workout.
The 12 unique ingredients making up the Gorilla Mode formula include L-Citrulline, GlycerPump, Creatine Monohydrate, Malic Acid, Betaine Anhydrous, L-Tyrosine, Agmatine Sulfate, Kanna, Caffeine Anhydrous, BioPerine, N-Phenethyl Dimethylamine Citrate, and Huperzine-A.
Before we dive into the unique benefits of each ingredient, we’re going to answer a few questions you might be asking yourself — including where energy comes from, how safe and effective caffeine is, and what nitric oxide is. Don’t worry; we’ll break it all down for you below!
How does the body normally produce energy?
Our bodies produce energy from the food we eat. A majority of this energy comes from carbs, which are broken down into glucose (sugar). Once broken down, the glucose is converted into ATP, also known as adenosine triphosphate. ATP is the body’s main energy-carrying molecule.
When glucose isn’t readily available, the body can convert both fat and protein into energy to maintain homeostasis — though this is rare. That’s why if you’re feeling a little tired or fatigued, a high-carb snack will do the trick. In fact, it’s a more reliable source of energy than caffeine.
How does caffeine provide energy?
Many people believe caffeine is a true and direct source of energy, but that’s not true. Instead, it acts as an indirect source of energy via an increased metabolic rate and its effects on the nervous system. Unlike glucose, the energy boost from caffeine is short-lived and unreliable.
The increased metabolic rate means your body is burning more calories and producing more energy as a result, especially when you’re not active. It also acts as a stimulant by blocking the effects of adenosine and releasing adrenaline. This makes you more alert, aware, and energetic.
How much caffeine is too much for a pre-workout?
In addition to being an unreliable source of energy, caffeine can be dangerous when taken in high amounts. That’s why the FDA highly recommends never exceeding 400mg of caffeine in a 24-hour period. Anything under that amount is safe to consume and will carry useful benefits.
For reference, an 8-oz brewed coffee contains 95mg of caffeine, a 1-oz espresso contains 64mg of caffeine, an 8-oz cola contains 22mg of caffeine, and most energy drinks (Monster, Red Bull, Rockstar, Bang, etc.) contain 100-200mg of caffeine. It can add up very quickly, and at 175 mg, Gorilla Mode does include a solid amount of caffeine. If caffeine is a concern for you, there are a few pre-workout options out there with little to no caffeine. For example, BlackWolf Pre-Workout offers a caffeine-free option, and Pre Lab Pro includes only 80 mg of natural caffeine.
What is nitric oxide and why is it important?
Anytime you’re searching for a pre-workout, you’ll likely come across the term nitric oxide. It’s a molecule that the body produces naturally, and it plays an important role in vasodilation, which helps widen blood vessels and increases circulation — allowing blood and nutrients to flow freely.
With higher levels of nitric oxide, you’ll experience an improved recovery rate, reduced fatigue levels, better endurance and performance, increased availability of energy and glucose use, and an improved muscle pump. That’s what makes nitric oxide a workout enthusiast’s best friend.
Gorilla Mode Ingredients
Now that we’ve learned a little background information regarding the Gorilla Mode formula, we can start to unpack what makes it so unique compared to other pre-workout supplements — the ingredients. This is where we get a true idea of just how effective this formula really is.
The formula contains 12 ingredients — L-Citrulline, GlycerPump, Creatine Monohydrate, Malic Acid, Betaine Anhydrous, L-Tyrosine, Agmatine Sulfate, Kanna, Caffeine Anhydrous, BioPerine, N-Phenethyl Dimethylamine Citrate, and Huperzine-A. Below, we will take a closer look at each one!
L-Citrulline
Benefits: increases vasodilation and blood flow, lowers blood pressure, increases nitric oxide and growth hormone levels, improves exercise performance
Source: a non-essential amino acid that the body produces naturally, also found in watermelon, legumes, meat, and nuts; unlike most amino acids, it’s not used to build protein; it’s converted into arginine, which is then converted into nitric oxide
Recommended Dosage: 3,000-6,000mg per day
Side Effects: no reported side effects, even when taken in high dosages
Creatine Monohydrate
Benefits: increases muscle mass, strength, and exercise performance, protects against neurological disease, helps the body produce ATP, improves cell signaling, raises anabolic hormones, increases cell hydration, reduces protein breakdown, lowers myostatin levels
Source: a substance that’s chemically similar to an amino acid, produced naturally in the body via arginine, methionine, and glycine; most of the creatine in your body is stored in your muscles; creatine monohydrate is the safest and most-studied form of creatine
Recommended Dosage: 3,000-5,000mg per day
Side Effects: no reported side effects, even when taken in high amounts
GlycerPump
Benefits: hydrates the body, allows water to stay in the body longer, improves endurance, increases muscular pump
Source: a patented form of glycerol that yields 65% glycerol content, glycerol is a naturally occurring substance that helps the body retain and attract water
Recommended Dosage: 1,000-3,000mg per day
Side Effects: can cause headaches, dizziness, bloating, nausea, vomiting, thirst, and diarrhea when taken in high amounts
Malic Acid
Benefits: cleanses and rejuvenates the skin, keeps the skin hydrated, has anti-aging benefits, helps with fibromyalgia, improves the body’s absorption of creatine, increases physical performance, promotes energy production
Source: a member of a family of fruit acids called alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), was originally extracted from apple juice, gives juices and some wines their tart taste, also produced naturally in the body when glucose is converted into energy
Recommended Dosage: 1,000-2,000mg per day
Side Effects: can cause headaches, diarrhea, nausea, and allergic reactions in high amounts
Betaine Anhydrous
Benefits: helps metabolize homocysteine and converts it into methionine (one of three amino acids used to produce creatine), can improve athletic performance (insufficient evidence), attracts water into muscle cells, improves cellular hydration, supports heart health
Source: a chemical that occurs naturally in the body, but is also found in beets, spinach, cereals, seafood, and wine, consists of glycine attached to three methyl groups, it’s commonly used to treat high levels of homocysteine in urine
Recommended Dosage: 1,000-2,000mg per day
Side Effects: can cause body odor, nausea, stomach upset, and diarrhea when taken in high amounts
L-Tyrosine
Benefits: helps the body produce dopamine, noradrenaline, adrenaline, thyroid hormones, and melanin, improves mental performance in high-pressured situations, can improve mood
Source: a non-essential amino acid that’s produced naturally in the body via another amino acid called phenylalanine; it’s also found in cheese, turkey, fish, dairy, and other foods high in protein
Recommended Dosage: 500-2,000mg per day
Side Effects: generally regarded as safe when taken as directed
Agmatine Sulfate
Benefits: can help build muscle, stimulates luteinizing hormone production, impacts testosterone levels, improves the synthesis of nitric oxide, increases appetite, and supports a better mood
Source: a chemical that’s naturally found in bacteria, plants, animals, and humans, it’s made from arginine (amino acid)
Recommended Dosage: 500-750mg per day
Side Effects: can cause diarrhea, upset stomach, and nausea when taken in high amounts
Kanna
Benefits: improves mood and cognitive function thanks to the alkaloids, helps the brain maintain serotonin levels
Source: also known as Sceletium tortuosum, a succulent plant native to Southern Africa and a member of the ice plant family, is commonly made into a mood-boosting tea
Recommended Dosage: 50-200mg per day
Side Effects: no side effects when taken as directed, but can cause headaches, loss of appetite, and depression when taken in extremely high amounts
Caffeine Anhydrous
Benefits: reduces fatigue, improves concentration, provides an energy boost, enhances athletic performance, relieves tension headaches, contains antioxidants, acts as a stimulant for the central nervous system
Source: made from the seeds and leaves of the coffee plant, differs from normal caffeine because it’s dehydrated after being harvested, making it highly concentrated caffeine
Recommended Dosage: no more than 400mg per day
Side Effects: can cause restlessness and caffeine overdose when taken in high amounts
N-Phenethyl Dimethylamine Citrate
Benefits: increases dopamine and noradrenaline levels, improves concentration, focus, and alertness, reduces appetite, reduces anxiety symptoms, aids fat loss, and improve athletic performance
Source: also known as Eria Jarensis Extract, a plant in the orchid family that’s native to China and Southeast Asia, is a banned substance due to its similarity to PEA, DMAA, and more
Recommended Dosage: 125-250mg per day
Side Effects: can potentially show up on a drug test, shouldn’t be taken with too many other stimulants
BioPerine
Benefits: improves nutrient absorption, bioavailability, and metabolism, boosts serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine levels in the brain, acts as an antioxidant
Source: a patented form of Piperine, which is an alkaloid extracted from black pepper (also known as Piper Nigrum), was discovered in 1819 by a Danish chemist
Recommended Dosage: 5-20mg per day
Side Effects: generally regarded as safe
Huperzine-A
Benefits: prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine, improves memory, increases mental energy, acts as an antioxidant
Source: a water-soluble alkaloid that’s derived from Huperzia serrata, also known as Chinese Club Moss, a plant native to Southeast Asia
Recommended Dosage: 50-200mcg, should be cycled five days on and 2 days off due to the long half-life
Side Effects: can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, anxiety, dizziness, thirst, and constipation when taken in high amounts or when not cycled properly
Gorilla Mode Dosage, Packaging, and Pricing
You can tell Gorilla Mode is a pre-workout supplement just by looking at the packaging. It comes in a black tub with a black top and orange gradient strips on top and bottom. The open-mouthed gorilla logo and ‘Gorilla Mode’ on the front of the label is also orange gradient, which stands out.
The ingredient label clearly lists each ingredient, as well as the dosage of each ingredient, which is definitely a plus — unlike those that feature a proprietary blend. This gives you a clear idea of what you’re putting in your body. Let’s take a closer look at the dosage of each ingredient:
- L-Citrulline – 4,500mg
- GlycerPump – 1,500mg
- Creatine Monohydrate – 2,500mg
- Malic Acid – 1,500mg
- Betaine Anhydrous – 1,250mg
- L-Tyrosine – 750mg
- Agmatine Sulfate – 500mg
- Kanna – 250mg
- Caffeine Anhydrous – 175mg
- BioPerine – 5mg
- N-Phenethyl Dimethylamine Citrate – 175mg
- Huperzine-A – 200mcg
The supplement is available in powdered form. Each tub contains 40 servings, with each serving being one scoop (15 grams). You’re directed to take 1 or 2 scoops before a workout. Since you’ll want to cycle it 5 days on and 2 days off, the tub should last you two months.
Each tub costs you $39, but you can save money by purchasing three tubs for $107 (saving you $10). It’s available in 10 flavors, including Volcano Burst, Tiger’s Blood, Mango Peach, Fruit Punch, Firefly Lemonade, Mojo Mojito, Bombsicle, Lemon Lime, Jungle Juice, and Watermelon.
Gorilla Mode Pros vs. Cons
Quality pre-workout supplements are always extremely difficult to find. Most of them either contain the wrong ingredients, harmful ingredients, unnecessary ingredients, too much of an ingredient, or not enough of an ingredient. Like most supplements, they’re never perfect.
Gorilla Mode, despite containing a lot of powerful ingredients, is no different. There are things we like about it, but also things we don’t like about it. Don’t worry; we’re going to be transparent by listing out the various pros and cons associated with the Gorilla Mind pre-workout formula.
Let’s take a look!
Pros
- Improves energy, nitric oxide levels, and athletic performance
- Available in 10 flavors
- As a powder, it’s easy to add to your routine
- Can bundle and save money at the same time
- Has a very marketable appearance with its packaging and logo
- L-Citrulline and Agmatine Sulfate increase nitric oxide levels
- GlycerPump and Betaine Anhydrous help hydrate the body during a workout
- Creatine Monohydrate is the safest form of Creatine
- Creatine Monohydrate improves muscle mass and ATP production
- Malic Acid improves Creatine absorption and energy production
- L-Tyrosine improves performance in high-pressured situations
- Kanna improves mood
- Caffeine Anhydrous and N-Phenethyl Dimethylamine Citrate improve energy, alertness, and focus
- Huperzine-A improves memory and mental energy
- BioPerine improves nutrient absorption, bioavailability, and metabolism
Cons
- N-Phenethyl Dimethylamine Citrate can show up on a drug test and is similar to banned substances
- Huperzine-A should be cycled due to its long half-life
- 175mg of Caffeine per serving is a high amount
- Shouldn’t be taken with any other stimulants or Caffeine products
- Not available in capsule form
- Can be dangerous when taking two scoops before a workout
Claims vs. Reality
The three main claims made by Gorilla Mind with their Gorilla Mode supplement were intense focus and drive, a huge nitric oxide pump, and increased endurance and power. It’s safe to say that these ingredients fall in line with those claims, which is good news for your workout.
With that said, this supplement is far from perfect. I’m not a big fan of the use of N-Phenethyl Dimethylamine Citrate, especially since the formula already has an effective stimulant in Caffeine Anhydrous. It’s not only banned in some parts of the world, but it can be dangerous when mixed with other stimulants.
In addition to that, Huperzine-A has a long half-life that sometimes lasts more than 24 hours. If you don’t cycle this supplement, you could end up with high amounts of it in your body at one time, which would lead to some unwanted side effects. Unfortunately, they market it as a daily supplement.
Outside of those two things, the 175mg of caffeine is a bit high. While caffeine is safe when taking less than 400mg per day, it doesn’t leave a lot of room for someone to take two scoops per day — especially since most of us consume a lot of other beverages that contain caffeine.
All in all, this supplement should be safe if you’re careful with it and take it responsibly. Unfortunately, a lot of people won’t do that and will put themselves in harm’s way.
Gorilla Mode Alternatives
The supplement market is booming like never before, especially when it comes to pre-workout formulas designed to help you maximize your results at the gym. There are plenty to choose from, and they all claim to do the same thing, which makes it hard to pick the right one for you.
While Gorilla Mode is a powerful supplement for the right person, it could be too powerful for other people. If that’s the case with you, there are better options out there that are cleaner, safer, and better overall. Don’t worry; we’re going to fill you in on some of our personal favorites.
Pre by Performance Lab
Performance Lab is a line of supplements brought to you by Opti-Nutra Ltd. The Performance Lab Pre formula is designed to enhance muscle power, strength, aerobic and anaerobic endurance, and blood flow to the muscles. All in all, it helps you get the most out of your workout and maximize results.
There are seven ingredients included in the Pre formula — Himalayan Pink Salt, Sodium, Iron, L-Citrulline, L-Glutathione, Creatine Monohydrate, Beta-Alanine, and Maritime Pine Bark Extract. The vegetarian-friendly capsules are made of prebiotic fiber to improve absorption in the body.
Since it’s in capsule form, you don’t have to worry about adding any powder to a drink. You will, however, need to take six capsules per serving. Each bottle contains 120 capsules, enough for 20 servings, and will cost you $39. You can receive a free bottle when purchasing 3 at once.
Stim by Performance Lab
Another member of the Performance Lab supplement line by Opti-Nutra Ltd., their Stim formula is designed to give your body the energy boost it needs. Although it’s not marketed as a pre-workout supplement, it can certainly be used as one. It’s safe, clean, and very effective.
There are seven ingredients included in the Stim formula. Four of them are included in the NutriGenesis® Caffeine Balance B-Complex — Vitamins B2, B6, B9, and B12. Outside of those, the formula also contains natural caffeine and two amino acids — L-Theanine, and L-Tyrosine.
Instead of taking six capsules per serving, this supplement only requires you to take one capsule. Each bottle contains 30 capsules, which is enough for one month when taking it daily. It costs $39 per bottle, but you can take advantage of a free bottle when purchasing three at once.
Energy by Performance Lab
Yet again, another supplement in the Performance Lab line offered by Opti-Nutra Ltd. Their Energy formula is designed to work similarly to their Stim formula. The main difference between the two is the Energy formula gives you an energy boost without the use of a stimulant.
There are six ingredients included in the Energy formula — Magnesium, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, R-Lipoic Acid, Coenzyme Q10, BioPQQ, and BioPerine. Since there aren’t any stimulants, it focuses on boosting energy at a cellular level, by improving the function of the mitochondria.
You’ll need to take two capsules per serving, and each bottle contains 60 capsules, meaning it’ll last you one month when taking it daily. It’s a little more expensive than the other two, costing you $49 per bottle, but you still get the same deal by receiving a free bottle when purchasing 3.
Final Verdict: Gorilla Mode
There are so many pre-workout supplements out there that can help you maximize your performance when working out. Gorilla Mode is certainly one of those, but it’s more suited for the advanced and ‘hardcore’ workout enthusiasts — not so much for the rest of us.
Even for those that are advanced, you have to be careful with the Gorilla Mode formula. It can quickly turn into a dangerous formula when not taken properly, which could turn a lot of customers off. The good news is there are a ton of great alternative options out there to choose from.
If you’re looking for a super clean, effective, and safe formula, you can trust the Performance Lab supplement line. They have a Pre formula, which is your typical pre-workout supplement, but they also have the Energy and Stim formulas — which are strictly designed to boost energy.
Either way, a better workout is just around the corner with one of these supplements. They’re well worth the investment, and you’ll start to see those much-needed results in no time!