Thoughts on GNC Ravage

Hey Heidi,

I've looked up Ravage. I don't ever read the descriptions for stuff like this because I don't feel like getting jerked around and lied to. I always check the ingredients. When I look for a supplement of "this" nature, a purported nitric oxide stimulator and energy/performance enhancer, I pay close attention to what's actually in it.

This is not an alternative recommendation, but I've found that something that works well sometimes for me is Black Powder by MRI. If I use a supplement for "energy," this is all I ever use, nothing else. I usually take 1/4 to 1/2 of a serving when I use it. This amount has got just enough caffeine in it to give me a little pick up and it's usually easy on my system. I'm not keen on the sodium or the magnesium in Black Powder, but I think as far as supplements for "energy" go, Black Powder is the only "quick fix supplement" out there that I feel safe using, personally. No jitters, no "Dark Rage" (another supplement from Satan's closet), just a nice little energy uplift that I can easily burn off in my workout. It's proven that a small amount of caffeine improves athletic performance. I don't condone supplement use in my clients, and I'm not offering alternative recommendations, I'm just sharing anecdotal evidence that relates to this topic.

In regards to Ravage, it contains Yohimbie bark powder extract. This is also known as Yohimbine. This is one of those herbs that can kill you if you have enough of it. From the label, there is no way to tell how much extract is in this supplement, and there is no way to know whether or not the extract is standardized. There are also a number of other compounds that I don't agree with in this supplement, but Yohimbine is always a definite NO! N-O. ... NEVER... Ever.. I think that drives home the point.

BUT.. in case it doesn't. Tell your client that veterinarians use Yohimbine to bring animals out of anesthesia. That's a fact. Tell him to pay attention to what he's putting into his body. Yohimbine has plenty of legitimate medicinal uses, but that's where it needs to stay. There should be no unsupervised or "recreational" use of this substance.

Your client has probably fallen prey to "The Supplement Man." Read my blog on supplements if you have time! Many people start using a supplement for energy, they see how it affects them and they don't want to workout without it--most of the time, the caffeine in the supplement is what exacts the "energy" effect and makes the workout seem less strenuous. Clients decide that they need these supplements to workout because without them, they won't have the energy and they won't get better results.

I think you've done well with this client so far.

The only other thing that I can suggest you might could do other than what you've already done would be to compile some directed facts on the ingredients in this supplement. As a trainer, you can offer your client facts without giving recommendations. Your client will most likely still have a hard time coming off of Ravage. The decision is his, but DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT! Now that you know that he's taking this supplement with no intention of stopping, you need to protect yourself, professionally. Do everything that your scope of practice allows, and refer him to a physician. Whether or not he goes is his business, but at least you did what you were supposed to do as a professional.

I hope that helped you out a little. I always like reading supplement issues. I learn something new every time without fail! Thanks for sharing this experience!