As readers of this blog know, I have a caffeine problem. Only a year ago, I used to limit my caffeine intake so I wouldn’t be termed “addicted.” I would have coffee only every other day. Then I gave in because coffee is just that good. The slippery slope led to experimenting with pre-workout supplements (which often entail caffeine), and now I have reached the pinnacle of a caffeine problem where I am reviewing products whose sole purpose is to caffeinate you. Enter stage right Vital4U’s Screamin Energy Max Hit.

I only agree to review products that I’m sincerely interested in using. Besides simply enjoying the taste of coffee, I’m also an avid gym goer and always looking for something to give me a kick and pump. My typical regimen is mixing together some scoops of BCAAs, creatine, glutamine, beta alanine, and arginine before I hit the weights. (These are pretty standard supplements if you follow that stuff. Maybe one day I’ll write more about my #fitlife and become a fitness blogger. Probably not.) However, taking all those powders on the road can be a pain. When I heard about Vital4U, I saw a solution.

Vital4U’s Screamin Energy (it pains me not to add an apostrophe after Screamin’, but that’s not the product’s name…) is less than one fluid ounce and contains 185 mg of caffeine (and 40 calories and 9 grams of sugar). You’d get that much sugar if you made yourself a latte plus some. Ingredients include real coffee, ginseng, B vitamins, and some natural flavors and sweeteners.

Also, this isn’t some new gimmick on the block. Vital4U’s been around since 1987 and is a small company out in Southern California. I was impressed by the customer service and package I got when I ordered the product. Besides the Screamin Energy Max Hit, I received samples of Screamin Energy Ultra (“Hard, Intense Energy” with a power blend), some soluble fiber in a drinkable pack similar to the Max Hits, two samples of Liquid Energy Ginseng Drink (a bit lighter on the caffeine), some daily vitamins, and a postcard from Martin who packed my box. (Thanks, Martin!) Oh yeah, I also got a water bottle.

That said, I kicked off my sampling with the Ultra and had a great gym session. The next few days I tried the Max Hit. First, this stuff tastes pretty good—if you like coffee. It definitely has that bitter, roasty taste, but that’s why I drink coffee to begin with. It also hits you pretty fast given the volume and contents. The biggest sell for me is, it’s just easy.

I probably won’t take Max Hits every day (my poor heart, you know), but this stuff is great for packing up for on the go. For example, I can grab a pack and take it right before an evening gym session, or instead of hauling around a bunch of supplements when I travel, I bring a Max Hit pack and guzzle it down before hitting the squat rack. (It is summer. You have to keep the body fine-tuned.)

For those wanting to try Vital4U’s Screamin Energy products, use the code TOLDOVERBRUNCH on your first order to get 25% off. And let me know what you think of it!

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