C4 Ripped and the regular C4 are both top sellers at the big-time retailers. In today’s C4 Ripped review we are going to focus on this new product and give it the full BPW shake-down. As with all my reviews I’m going to start by rambling about nothing in particular for about a paragraph or so. Then we’ll actually start talking about C4 Ripped in detail. We’re going to talk about both flavors and give you the answer to your burning question – “what’s the best flavor of Cellucor C4 Ripped?”. Then we’re going to talk performance. We’ll probably spend a good deal of time going over the C4 Ripped versus C4 Regular/Original because I know that’s what many of you are curious about. After the performance review we’ll get into formula and packaging, with of course a final review summary at the end. I’ll finally assign a final score to Cellucor C4 Ripped and then advise if you should buy it or not. So without further ado- here it is. My official Cellucor C4 Ripped reviews!
C4 (‘classic’ / OG version) is one of the most classic pre workouts of all the times. It’s one of my favorite reviews that I’ve done, and I always get good feedback from the readers on it. Go give it a read if you want to know more about my thoughts on original C4 pre workout. But in the meantime I’ll give you the sparknotes: It tastes great, it kicks relatively hard, and it has sort of a crumby formula. DESPITE that average to below average formula it performs absolutely amazing. Amazing being kick-in-the-butt, long-lasting, face-melting energy. The strength and endurance are also boosted, but that is more a function of the product just giving you all that energy! I was so excited when Cellucor released their new versions of C4 because I really do love the original.
The two new versions of Cellucor are C4 Ripped and C4 Mass. There is also a C4 50x version that is supposed to be super concentrated and even more energizing than the original! I will focus this review, however, on the Cellucor C4 Ripped version. The C4 Ripped is actually rated much higher than the other two versions, so I was super excited to find out what was in store after I purchased BOTH flavors of this new formula.
C4 Ripped is described as a creatine-free pre workout with ingredients specific to fat loss. I found this to be quite a blunt, if not unimaginative description. Because it’s from Cellucor, I knew there were bound to be copious amounts of beta-alanine in the product. This company in particular has always preferred to load up their pre workouts with this face-tingling ingredient, and C4 Ripped is no exception. But before we talk too much about performance, let’s discuss the taste of Cellucor C4 Ripped.
Cellucor C4 Ripped Flavor Review Grade: 9.6
The three flavors that Cellucor C4 Ripped comes in are Cherry Limeade, Fruit Punch, and Raspberry Lemonade. I took it upon myself to order all three flavors of C4 Ripped because, well, I care about you all and I need you to know which flavor of C4 Ripped is best. And of course It’s ballar to have three different versions of the same pre workout. I love variety! Lol. I have like a C4 Ripped bar in my kitchen now. It’s wonderful. You know what else is wonderful? The cherry limeade flavor:
Cherry Limeade: Cherry Limeade is by far the best flavor of Cellucor C4 Ripped. I don’t know that this flavor combination has ever been done better. My personal theory is that Cellucor copied the Pre-Jym flavor from Jym Stoppani’s own Pre-Jym pre workout (which I’ve of course reviewed), but not only did they copy the flavor- they copied it and then made it BETTER. Now that’s crazy, because I truly enjoyed Mr. Stoppani’s flavoring on his pre workouts. Like REALLY enjoyed them. Pre Jym might be my favorite pre workout of all time when it comes to strength enhancements. The cherry limeade C4 Ripped tastes more fruity and sweet than Pre-Jym, and has that token ‘C4’ sweetness to it. It is truly enjoyable.
Fruit Punch: The second best flavor of C4 Ripped is the fruit punch. There’s not a whole lot to say about this flavor because it is exactly what you think it is. It’s the classic Hawaiian Punch flavor that you’ve known and loved since childhood. I think C4 Ripped might even surpass the original Hawaiian Punch taste to be completely honest with you! There’s more of a pine-apple taste, and also a bit more of a tart sweetness. It’s less smooth, and has way more ‘punch’. It’s simply delicious and you look forward to literally every sip.
Raspberry Lemonade: I have to rank the raspberry lemonade flavor last on the list because it doesn’t blow me away the same way that the other two did. Where some companies have done raspberry lemonade super well, I don’t think Cellucor has found the same magic with this flavor as with the other two. There is just too much lemon and not enough berry for me in this flavor of Cellucor C4 Ripped. But hey, two for three isn’t that bad. Try the cherry limeade you will love it. Ok now that the taste has been flushed out, how about the performance? Is C4 Ripped as good as original C4?
Cellucor C4 Ripped Versus C4 Original Performance-wise:
Ok so I’ve taken C4 Ripped for two workouts now and I have to say I’m impressed. I mean- you expect a massive company like Cellucor to churn out something pretty special, and I’m here to tell you that they have. This pre workout kicks about the same as the original C4, but in my opinion gives a much cleaner feeling of energy. The beta-alanine is certainly still there, but at the same time it doesn’t make you claw at your face the same way the original did. I really think my endurance has been superior with C4 Ripped pre workout than with the original C4.
This morning I took my cherry-limeade flavor C4 Ripped dosage at 1.5 scoops about 15 minutes prior to my workout. I had so much energy after 15 minutes that I ended up jogging to the gym in anticipation of the workout to come.
My workout consisted of dumbbell lateral raises times 20 reps, followed immediately by twenty stationary lunges holding the dumbbells, followed by several bodyweight squats. And by several I mean 30 with a wide stance, and then 20 with a narrow stance. After catching my breath I did the entire thing again in reverse.
Cellucor C4 Ripped gave me the power and endurance that I needed to complete three entire ladder cycles of this workout (going through the order forwards, and then backwards). I felt so, SO energized for the first half of the workout, and then even as I knew I SHOULD have been getting tired during the second half, I somehow found the mental and physical energy to push onward with this amazing pre workout.
As for the ‘Ripped’ element of Cellucor C4 Ripped, I don’t think I see much result in terms of fat-loss after just two days. The product is certainly going to improve my workouts, and by that logic it SHOULD have a positive influence on my physique- but don’t buy this pre workout thinking it’s going to magically make the fat fall off of your body. It’s a pre workout, not a fat burner.
Can women take Cellucor C4 Ripped?
One last touchpoint on the performance side of things: I know a bunch of you may ask me if females can take Cellucor C4 ripped, and if it’s going to be safe. The answer is that yes, women can safely take Cellucor C4 Ripped. It does have a slightly masculine appearance in terms of packaging – but don’t like that deter you. I actually called Cellucor to confirm, and the rep told me that “Cellucor C4 Ripped is designed for both men and women…start with one scoop to asses your individual tolerance”. So there you have it, ladies! Ok. Let’s talk about the ingredients panel.
Cellucor C4 Ripped Formula Grade: 8.5
The only reason I’m not giving Cellucor C4 Ripped an ‘A’ on the formula is because they still do hide their ingredients in blends. I literally hate when supplement companies do that, but I do understand the rationale behind it. Like. It would be too easy for the competition to copy them if they are using the totally transparent formula like Pre-Jym and some others. But like I mentioned – this formula is super good. Here are some of my favorite ingredients within it:
- L-Carnitine Tartarate
- Capsimax
- Coleus Forskohlii
- N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
- Caffeine
- Mucuna Pruriens
I’ve always been partial to all kinds of L-Carnitine Tartarate so this might be the top ingredient in this product. Another thing I’m not in love with in regard to the formula is the Arginine AKG. This stuff has never given me any sort of real performance benefit, and it still sort of flummoxes me that Cellucor insists on making this the primary ingredient in their pre workout products (it is also heavily featured in their original C4 formula). But all in all this ingredient deck is sound. Props for using the Mucuna pruriens for some mood support, too! Ok let’s talk packages. That’s what she said Lol. Oh boy. Hashtag over-tired.
Cellucor C4 Ripped Packaging Grade: 9.0
I’ve got to give Cellucor an ‘A’ on packaging because they really do do a nice job when it comes to the overall product appearance and design. The aesthetics of the original C4 have clearly carrieed over to this updated version of one of the world’s most well-known pre workout energy drinks. A chrome container serves as a shiny, attention-grabbing backdrop to the blaring black and yellow arrangement that swarms over it. The overall feel is that of urgency, seriousness, and total effectiveness. Brutal effectiveness, even. I think it has a sort of ‘construction-zone’ theme, that totally reinforces the three emotions mentioned just previously. Like. Construction zones are urgent, serious, and quite effective. There’s a sense of danger about the whole thing that grabs your attention immediately and totally. Usually I’d say such a design tactic is cheap, or tacky- but this goes beyond tactic. This is Cellucor’s design ethos and soul, and it’s completely original in this industry. Simply put: It’s bloody brilliant.
Cellucor C4 Ripped Review Summary:
- Cellucor C4 Ripped Versus C4 Original Performance-wise: 9.0
- Cellucor C4 Ripped Formula Grade: 8.5
- Cellucor C4 Ripped Packaging Grade: 9.0
- Cellucor C4 Ripped Value Grade: 9.0
Another thing that Cellucor is always pretty good at creating is value. At $1.33 per serving, Cellucor C4 Ripped is about 50% more expensive than the original C4, which at this point is more of a budget pre workout than anything. I think C4 Ripped is an incredibly well designed product from powder to package- and is absolutely worth a try. Totally grab the cherry lime flavor, and tell them that Allie Lewis’ Cellucor C4 Ripped Review told you to get it.*
Cellucor C4 Ripped Final Review Score: 9.0
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