You’ve got to hand it to MuscleTech – when it comes to picking out the diamonds in the rough, there are few brands more adept. MuscleTech always seems to be on the cutting edge of ingredients, whether we’re talking about paraxanthine as a promising stimulant alternative to caffeine, the new dileucine peptide, or aXivite, a fat-burning powerhouse with far more upside than your standard pepper extract.
MuscleTech Leans into aXivite Phenylcapsaicin
When aXivite hit the scene, MuscleTech didn’t waste any time. They were the first big name to throw this new thermogenic ingredient into several of their formulas, and it has benefited them in major ways. Beyond added thermogenic heat, research is supporting greater performance as well.
In the supplement world, brands that let themselves become complacent and stop searching for new and innovative ingredients eventually lose out or become “legacy” brands. Yet, despite their age, MuscleTech hasn’t had that problem lately! Besides working with the most fun athletes in the industry, a major key has been their use of novel ingredients, incorporating them into targeted formulas that work synergistically to get the job done.
Not just capsaicin, aXivite is phenylcapsaicin
aXivite is an enhanced form of capsaicin, the spicy compound found in chili peppers. It’s been shown to have a wide variety of effects, with the most apparent being its fat-oxidizing, metabolism-boosting power. But more than that, we’re seeing increased performance metrics as well, showing that there’s more to this spice than just weight loss.
The issue is that plain old capsaicin can lead to some stomach upset, to say the least. But the manufacturers of aXivite, aXichem, solved this problem by binding capsaicin to a phenyl group, increasing absorption and decreasing gastrointestinal distress.
MuscleTech’s aXivite Options
MuscleTech saw the potential and jumped on the opportunity early, adding it to several of their products:
Looking back, their decision to get an early jump on aXivite was a slick move. Paraxanthine may have gotten the most attention in the Burn iQ launch, but something else seemed to propel this formula further — we now know what. As we dig deeper into what aXivite can do, it’s looking more and more like MuscleTech made the right call.
Spicy Food and Capsaicin: More Than Just Heat, but with Drawbacks
While some love spicy food and others hate it, research repeatedly shows compelling health and performance benefits when consuming capsaicin, the compound responsible for the heat in chili peppers. Capsaicin has been found to boost metabolism,[1] promote weight loss,[2] improve cardiovascular health,[3-7] reduce inflammation,[8,9] fight oxidative stress,[10] and even potentially increase lifespan.[11]
However, taking enough capsaicin to get these benefits often causes gastrointestinal distress.
Enter aXivite from SEE Nutrition
The solution? Meet aXivite, an innovative formulation of phenylcapsaicin, distributed in the US and Canada by SEE Nutrition. By binding capsaicin to a phenyl group and using microencapsulation, aXivite provides the benefits of capsaicin with 8 times greater bioavailability and reduced GI side effects.[12]
Recent studies have demonstrated aXivite’s potential as an ergogenic aid for athletes and fitness enthusiasts:
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Improved Resistance Training Performance
A 2023 study found that 2.5mg of aXivite significantly improved mean velocity and reduced velocity loss during squats at 70% 1RM in trained men. It also decreased perceived exertion and markers of muscle damage.[13]
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Enhanced Fat Oxidation During Exercise
Another 2023 study showed aXivite increased fat burning and reduced heart rate during steady-state aerobic exercise performed at each participant’s maximal fat oxidation intensity.[14]
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Boosted Power Output
A third 2023 study found aXivite improved lifting velocity during squats and increased countermovement jump height after a multi-exercise workout in trained individuals.[15]
These performance benefits are thought to stem from aXivite’s ability to activate TRPV1 receptors, which can modulate pain signaling from nerve fibers involved in exercise-induced fatigue.[16] By desensitizing these nerves, improving blood flow, and enhancing endorphin release,[17] aXivite may allow athletes to train harder for longer.
Greater effects, lower doses
Importantly, these studies showed significant effects at much lower doses (1.5 – 3mg) compared to regular capsaicin (12 – 24mg), likely due to aXivite’s enhanced bioavailability. This makes it a promising ingredient for sports nutrition products aiming to boost performance and recovery.
While more research is always needed, the current evidence suggests aXivite could be a game-changer in the world of ergogenic aids and metabolism-boosting supplements. Its ability to enhance metrics like lifting velocity, fat oxidation, and power output while reducing perceived exertion makes it relevant for a wide range of athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
As our understanding of aXivite grows, we may see it incorporated into pre-workout formulas, fat burners, and recovery aids. For now, those interested in its potential benefits can look for supplements containing aXivite, keeping in mind that a dose of 2.5mg appears to be most effective based on current research.
You can learn more about aXivite in our article, aXivite Phenylcapsaicin: Performance-Enhancing Spice with Less Burn. Now let’s talk about MuscleTech’s products that use it:
aXivite in MuscleTech Products
So far, three of MuscleTech’s products contain aXivite. Let’s run through them:
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Burn iQ Thermo Powder (and Burn iQ Capsules)
Alongside their popular EuphoriQ pre-workout launch, MuscleTech introduced both Burn iQ Powder and Burn iQ Capsules – an innovative fat burning supplement including not only aXivite, but enfinity paraxanthine instead of caffeine. Paraxanthine is caffeine’s primary metabolite and provides similar benefits with potentially fewer side effects, especially for those sensitive to caffeine.
The formula contains several research-backed ingredients for fat loss and cognitive enhancement, including:
- L-carnitine L-tartrate (3g): Support fat metabolism and muscle recovery,
- L-tyrosine (1.5g): Thyroid and cognitive support.
- Taurine (1g): Metabolic and cognitive benefits.
- Green coffee bean extract (400mg): Blood glucose control.
- Grains of paradise (40mg) and aXivite (30mg): Melt away the fat.
- Coleus forskohlii extract (200mg): Boost metabolism.
- Black pepper extract (10.5mg): Increase absorption.
- Huperzine A (10mcg): Cognitive enhancement.
Each two-scoop serving of the powder contains 30 milligrams of aXivite (supplying 1% phenylcapsaicin), and each three-capsule serving of the pills supplies 60 milligrams of aXivite (supplying 1% phenylcapsaicin).
For the full rundown on Burn iQ Thermo, check out our articles titled “MuscleTech Burn iQ Thermo Powder: The Smarter Way to Burn Fat“ and “MuscleTech Burn iQ CAPSULES: Convenient and Smart Weight Loss Support“.
You can also compare the differences in our article, “Pills vs. Powder: MuscleTech Burn iQ Fat Burners Re-Ignite The Age Old Question“.
MuscleTech Burn iQ Powder – Deals and Price Drop Alerts
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Alpha Test Thermo
Alpha Test Thermo is a unique formula that combines two different vectors: testosterone boosting and fat burning. This is a novel innovation in its own right, with these two modalities rarely being combined. Here are the ingredients:
Thermo Fire Plus Matrix
- L-carnitine L-tartrate (1000mg)
- Caffeine anhydrous (225mg): Increases metabolism and fat oxidation.
- aXivite (62.5mg): Here we go, a higher dose than above, yielding 1% phenylcapsaicin.
- Grains of paradise extract (20mg): Stimulates brown adipose tissue activity to increase calorie burn.
Test and Vitality Matrix
- Fenugreek extract (600mg): May increase free testosterone and improve strength/body composition.
- Boron citrate (200mg): Supports testosterone and vitamin D synthesis.
- Longjack extract (50mg): Potentially increases libido and sperm motility.
- Zinc (11mg): Critical for testosterone production.
For our comprehensive review of the Alpha Test Thermo formula, check out our article titled “MuscleTech Alpha Test Thermo: Burn Fat & Boost Test!“
MuscleTech Alpha Test – Deals and Price Drop Alerts
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Alpha Test Thermo XTR
Alpha Test Thermo XTR is an upgraded version of MuscleTechs fat-burning testosterone booster. This newer formulation builds upon the original Alpha Test Thermo, with some key differences and improvements.
The most significant change is the replacement of caffeine with paraxanthine, MuscleTech’s innovative caffeine alternative. Paraxanthine is caffeine’s primary metabolite and is touted to provide similar benefits with potentially fewer side effects, especially for those sensitive to caffeine.
Muscle Matrix
- L-carnitine L-tartrate (1000mg)
- KSM-66 ashwagandha (600mg): Stress reduction and testosterone support
Thermo Fire Matrix
- Enfinity paraxanthine (200mg)
- aXivite phenylcapsaicin (62.5mg): Same as above, 1% standardization
- CaloriBurn GP grains of paradise extract (40mg)
Test and Vitality Matrix
- Boron citrate (200mg)
- Longjack extract (75mg)
The formula also includes vitamins B6, B12, and zinc for additional hormonal and metabolic support.
For more in-depth coverage of the ingredients, check out our article titled “MuscleTech Alpha Test Thermo XTR: Upgraded Fat Burning Testosterone Booster“.
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Staying on the Cutting Edge
MuscleTech’s early adoption of aXivite is a perfect showcase of their willingness to be at the forefront of formulation. By incorporating this cutting-edge ingredient into multiple products like Burn iQ, Alpha Test Thermo, and Alpha Test Thermo XTR, the big league brand has positioned itself as an industry leader in innovation.
Add on their quick and early adoption of ingredients like paraxanthine, HMB free acid, and disodium ATP, and they’ve certainly been a brand to watch over the years. One of their coolest contributions to the fitness industry is their combination of various supplement categories, such as the melding of testosterone boosting and fat burning functions in the Burn iQ and Alpha Test Thermo products.
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