A Skin-Protecting Pre-Workout Supplement with NeuroRush!
Collagen is all the rage. As a protein source with a unique amino acid profile, it has different use cases than sources like whey protein and meets a need that is often overlooked. Collagen is critical for the health of our nails, skin, joints, and the entire “scaffolding” of tissues and tendons that make up the human body.
In recent years, collagen supplements have exploded in popularity. Typically marketed toward a more beauty-focused demographic than bodybuilding supplements, collagen has stood largely on its own. Now, a brand known for its collagen products is venturing into the pre-workout arena—with a twist.
Obvi has become well-known for its collagen products, largely aimed at women. For those wanting to take advantage of the major benefits of collagen while getting amped for a workout, look no further.
Obvi Pre + Collagen is a novel combination that includes pre-workout ingredients like citrulline, beta-alanine, and tyrosine, along with a collagen matrix from four different sources. As hoped, it’s strong but not too strong, with 175 milligrams of caffeine from natural sources. But then it gets a little extra kick:
Additionally, Obvi’s pre-workout features NeuroRush from Aura Scientific, one of our favorite innovative ingredients on the market. NeuroRush is an advanced coffee fruit extract that serves as an additional mood and focus booster, beyond what caffeine can provide.
This ingredient is in some of the most popular sports nutrition products over the past six months, and we believe it’s a big reason for their success — so we’re happy to see it reach new markets here.
We’ll dive into how Obvi Pre + Collagen works and detail NeuroRush a bit, but first, let’s check PricePlow for good Obvi deals and watch our video review of the new flavor:
Each 8g scoop of the Obvi Pre + Collagen supplement contains the following ingredients:
L-Citrulline Malate (2:1) – 3000mg
L-citrulline is a powerful amino acid known for its nitric oxide-boosting properties, which enhance blood flow, oxygen, and nutrient delivery throughout the body, making it a popular ingredient in pre-workout supplements. Found naturally in watermelons and other plants,[1-5] L-citrulline is used to improve athletic performance and promote a strong muscle “pump” by increasing nitric oxide (NO) levels.
By supporting the ureagenesis cycle, L-citrulline helps remove ammonia from the body, potentially reducing fatigue and enhancing energy production in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).[1] For it to be effective, L-citrulline is converted into L-arginine in the kidneys, which is then transformed into NO, causing blood vessels to dilate and improving blood flow.
Studies suggest that supplementing with 3 to 6 grams of L-citrulline before exercise can significantly enhance performance, especially in high-intensity activities, lower blood pressure, reduce muscle soreness, and aid recovery.[1,6-12]
It’s important to note here that we have citrulline malate, where citrulline is mixed with malic acid in a 2:1 ratio, so we have 2 grams of citrulline here. This fits the target demographic, who likely doesn’t want to get huge amounts of muscle pumps – but we still do expect a sensation of blood flow.
Beta Alanine – 1600mg
Beta-alanine is an amino acid that helps the body produce carnosine, which buffers lactic acid build-up in muscles,[13,14] delaying the onset of muscle fatigue and improving endurance. Research, including two large meta-analyses from 2012 and 2016, has shown beta-alanine’s effectiveness in enhancing performance in exercises lasting from 30 seconds to 10 minutes.[15,16] Additionally, studies confirm beta-alanine’s safety, with no toxicity issues, making it a reliable choice for endurance support in athletic activities.[14,17]
However, the doses in most studies use 800 milligrams spaced out four times daily, so this is just half of that. There are studies showing that lower doses of beta-alanine do still contribute to increased carnosine levels.[18] An additional study showed that lower doses may even have acute endurance effects for smaller individuals,[19] so for Obvi’s user base, this dose is fine.
Those who want to get the 3.2 gram daily dose that’s in much of the research cited above will want to supplement more elsewhere in their day, but the reduced dose will also reduce the tingling sensation that high doses of beta-alanine can produce.
Multi Collagen Matrix I, II, III, V, and X – 1,000mg
Obvi’s Multi Collagen Matrix contains not one, not two, but four sources of collagen, running the gamut of the animal kingdom. Included in the matrix are collagen peptides from bovine, fish, chicken, and eggshells.
Collagen is a major component of skin, bones, and connective tissues, acting as a “glue” to maintain tissue integrity. The typical diet often lacks sufficient collagen, especially in modern processed and plant-based foods, making collagen supplementation beneficial to replenish these essential amino acids.
Collagen is available in different types, and Obvi’s matrix contains Types I, II, III, IV, and X:
- Type I: supports skin and bones.[20]
- Type II: beneficial for joints and combats inflammation.
- Type III: found in blood vessels and connective tissues.[21]
- Type IV: regulates cell adhesion and migration, providing a scaffold for stability.
- Type X: helps repair and restore bones and cartilage.
Supplementing with collagen has shown multiple benefits, including reduced joint pain,[22,23] improved skin elasticity,[24] and better cardiovascular health.[25] Notably, the positive effects on skin elasticity can persist weeks after stopping supplementation, suggesting long-term benefits. Collagen also helps improve hair, skin, and nail health,[24,26] supporting overall connective tissue integrity.
For athletes, collagen may enhance joint recovery and reduce pain, though it’s not a substitute for muscle-building proteins like whey or plant-based protein powders. While collagen’s amino acid profile is rich in glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, it lacks the essential amino acids needed for muscle growth and protein synthesis.[27]
L-Tyrosine – 500mg
L-tyrosine is an amino acid that serves as a precursor to neurotransmitters like dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline, which are crucial for focus, motivation, and energy, particularly under stress.[28-32] By boosting these neurotransmitters, L-tyrosine enhances mental clarity and resilience, making it a valuable anti-stress and nootropic supplement, even at smaller doses.
Additionally, L-tyrosine supports thyroid health by aiding the production of thyroid hormones T3 and T4, essential for regulating metabolism.[33,34] This is especially beneficial for body recomposition, as it helps sustain energy levels and metabolic rates during intense workouts and caloric restriction, promoting fat loss and muscle preservation.[33,34]
Beet Root Extract – 250mg
Beetroot, in various forms, enhances athletic performance by increasing nitric oxide (NO) production through the nitrate-nitrite pathway. Consuming nitrates, like those in beets, leads to NO production, which promotes vasodilation, expanding blood vessels and improving blood flow.[35-38] This increased circulation allows for more efficient oxygen and nutrient delivery, boosting performance and recovery.[38-41] Studies have shown that nitrate supplementation improves circulation, aerobic efficiency, strength, recovery time, cellular energy, and endurance, making beetroot a valuable addition to athletic and pre-workout regimens.[42-50]
This will help support the citrulline malate for additional blood flow.
Natural Caffeine from Green Tea (175mg)
Caffeine, a widely recognized stimulant, can cross the blood-brain barrier,[51] impacting both mental and physical performance. It boosts mood, focus, and vigilance by inhibiting adenosine, a compound that promotes fatigue, thereby reducing tiredness and increasing alertness.[52,53]
Additionally, caffeine elevates cellular energy production by inhibiting phosphodiesterase, which raises levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), a molecule that encourages energy generation in cells.[52-55] This dual action not only improves endurance and athletic performance but also enhances cognitive functions such as attention, working memory, and reaction times, making it an effective ergogenic aid for both mental and physical activities.[56-58]
At 175 milligrams, this is a solid dose but isn’t too much — and we have another synergistic ingredient with it next:
NeuroRush (Coffee [Coffee arabica] Fruit Extract) – 100mg
NeuroRush, a coffee fruit extract from Aura Scientific, contains 50% chlorogenic acid and 5-caffeoylquinic acid, compounds shown to reduce mental fatigue and support alertness during mentally demanding tasks.[59]
Coffee fruit extracts are often praised for cognitive and mood benefits due to chlorogenic acid’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can improve cognitive function and promote longevity.[60-63] NeuroRush’s effects are felt at even low doses, and studies have noted its “mental energizing” qualities, enhancing vitality without overstimulation, making it ideal for low-stim pre-workouts.[59]
Additionally, coffee fruit extract has been found to improve mood and cognitive performance when combined with low doses of caffeine, amplifying its effects in both high-caffeine and low-stim products.[59]
Mood, Vigilance, and More True to Energy
NeuroRush is an experiential ingredient that increases the focus and feel of supplements it’s in. Paired with moderate doses of caffeine, it provides a bit more ‘pop’ to the product. There’s research showing increased vigilance, which is a nice effect we enjoy from the ingredient.
The constituents in NeuroRush bring a pre-workout supplement like this one closer to their natural state. After all, caffeine isn’t alone in coffee — it’s paired with several other constituents like the chlorogenic acids found in NeuroRush.
Added Nutrients
- Vitamin C (111% DV)
- Biotin (3333% DV)
- Choline (7% DV)
These combine to support collagen production, and the choline comes from choline bitartrate, which helps support acetylcholine production for increased focus and cell membrane support.
Products in the supplement industry are typically broken down into pretty strict categories. Protein powders, pre-workouts, multivitamins, and so on. That’s why it’s always exciting to see brands that combine categories in new and interesting ways, as in the case of Obvi’s Pre + Collagen.
We love seeing some of our favorite ingredients like NeuroRush join the natural caffeine sources in products at stores like Sprouts — it wasn’t long ago we announced NeuroRush in our introductory Aura Scientific article.
Truth be told, there’s been a gap in the market of pre-workouts marketed towards women, and this product fills that gap nicely.