YouTube and Instagram sensation Bradley Martin has created his own line of supplements: BMFIT Nutrition.

Martin has gained popularity as a weightlifter and source of solid exercise information; it looks like he’s trying to branch out into the supplement world.

There are hundreds of companies, each with their own BCAA options, so I was interested to see what Martin could bring to the table. Let’s take a look at BMFIT Performance Nutrition BCAA.

The Ingredient Blend

Like most BCAA products, BMFIT Performance Nutrition BCAA contains both brand-chained amino acids and recovery. This is designed to reduce stiffness in the days following workouts and accelerate muscle growth.

It’s a good strategy. However, the recovery blend is proprietary, meaning we don’t know exactly how much of each ingredient it contains. This makes evaluating it difficult.

BCAAs – 2:1:1 Ratio: 5 grams

Branched-chain amino acids – leucine, valine, and isoleucine – are the most important compounds when it comes to muscle growth. They make up more than 1/3 of required aminos for muscle regeneration. [1]

Apart from general recovery and growth, each BCAA also plays a unique role. Leucine stimulates protein synthesis while valine and isoleucine increase uptake and manage energy levels. [2] [3] [4]

A 2:1:1 ratio is very popular and has been shown to be effective for general athletic performance, and 5 grams is a good amount, comparable to other successful supplements.

Recovery Complex: 2.9 grams

This proprietary blend contains glutamine, taurine, leucic acid, and betaine HCI.

After the BCAAs, glutamine is the next most important amino acid for new muscle growth. It accelerates recovery and reduces fatigue. Taurine boosts blood flow. [5] [6]

Leucic acid is a relatively novel ingredient that supports overall muscle growth. Betaine HCI lessens fatigue during high-intensity weightlifting. [7] [8]

The ingredients seem solid, proprietary blend notwithstanding. The BCAAs are good, and the recovery ingredients are simple instead of being a long list of micro-dosed compounds.

Safety and Dosage

I was happy to see that BMFIT Performance Nutrition BCAA doesn’t contain any stimulants, even caffeine, or potentially dangerous compounds. Everything is completely natural and has been shown to be very safe for men and women of all ages.

Suggested use is pretty simple: Mix 1 scoop in 10-12 ounces of water. For optimal results, take during your workout.

I don’t really see the benefit in taking it during your workout. It will likely give the same recovery boost if taken before, during, or directly after. There aren’t any pump/energy ingredients, so you won’t notice a boost during exercise.

The Verdict

Unfortunately, BMFIT Performance Nutrition BCAA hasn’t been released yet, so we don’t know where it will be available or how much it will cost. However, I like the simplicity and focus of ingredients, so if the price is reasonable I’ll definitely give BMFIT Performance Nutrition BCAA a try.

As soon as we get more information, this review will be updated with prices, flavors, and immediate results. Check back soon!

References

[1] Shimomura Y, Murakami T, Naoya Nakai N, Nagasaki M, Harris RA (2004). “Exercise Promotes BCAA Catabolism: Effects of BCAA Supplementation on Skeletal Muscle during Exercise”. J. Nutr. 134 (6): 1583S–1587S.

[2] L-Leucine. Layne E. Norton, Donald K. Layman. “Leucine Regulates Translation Initiation of Protein Synthesis in Skeletal Muscle after Exercise.”

[3] L-Valine. Gomez-Merino D, Béquet F, Berthelot M, Riverain S, Chennaoui M, Guezennec CY. “Evidence that the branched-chain amino acid L-valine prevents exercise-induced release of 5-HT in rat hippocampus.”

[4] “L-Isoleucine.” National Center for Biotechnology Information.

[5] Carvalho-Peixoto J, Alves RC, Cameron LC. “Glutamine and carbohydrate supplements reduce ammonemia increase during endurance field exercise.” Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2007 Dec;32(6):1186-90.

[6] Moloney MA, et al. “Two weeks taurine supplementation reverses endothelial dysfunction in young male type 1 diabetics.” Diab Vasc Dis Res. 2010 Oct;7(4):300-10.

[7] Antti A. Mero, et al. “Effects of alfa-hydroxy-isocaproic acid on body composition, DOMS and performance in athletes.” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2010, 7:1.

[8] Hoffman JR, et al. “Effect of betaine supplementation on power performance and fatigue.” J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2009 Feb 27;6:7. doi: 10.1186/1550-2783-6-7.