7g BCAAs, 3.5g Leucine, Plus Electrolytes for Intra-Workout Support
XTEND Original BCAA is a no-frills intra-workout amino drink. It aims to give you a solid hit of branched-chain amino acids, some glutamine for recovery, and electrolytes to keep you hydrated during training. This isn't a caffeinated pre-workout or an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink formula. It's focused on helping your workout performance and recovery with stuff that's easy to drink mid-session.
The main event is 7g of BCAAs in a 2:1:1 ratio: 3,500mg L-leucine, 1,750mg L-isoleucine, and 1,750mg L-valine. Leucine is the key player here—it kicks off muscle protein synthesis, which is your body's way of building and repairing muscle. That 3.5g dose is legit and hits the sweet spot for getting that muscle-building signal going. In real life, it helps keep your training strong when you haven't eaten or need amino support around workouts. Isoleucine and valine round it out—they work together with leucine. BCAAs are connected in how your body uses them, so the full 2:1:1 mix makes sense for a workout drink. Isoleucine helps with getting glucose into cells, and valine supports nitrogen balance and might ease fatigue during long hauls.
You get 2,500mg of L-glutamine too. It's not a game-changer for performance, but this dose helps with recovery. It's useful for tough training periods, sweaty workouts, or back-to-back sessions when you're feeling beat. It's not why you'd buy this, but it adds value.
Xtend Original BCAA by Xtend contains 0.64mg Vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxine HCL), a standard dose for muscle recovery and growth.
Key Highlights
- 3,500mg L-Leucine — this is the star of the show and a dose that really counts. Leucine flips the switch on muscle protein synthesis, helping your body build and repair muscle, and 3.5g per scoop is a strong amount.
- 7g Total BCAAs in a 2:1:1 Ratio — that's the proven ratio that keeps leucine high while giving solid isoleucine and valine. You get the full BCAA team, not just leucine flying solo.
- 1,750mg L-Isoleucine — this helps balance the BCAA crew for muscle support and energy. It aids glucose uptake and makes the drink better for actual gym demands than single-amino options.
- 1,750mg L-Valine — it finishes the BCAA lineup and avoids overloading on just one amino. In a BCAA mix, it helps with nitrogen balance and fights fatigue in longer workouts.
- 2,500mg L-Glutamine — not a massive performance booster, but a nice touch for recovery. It shines in high-volume phases, cuts, or frequent sessions when you need extra help bouncing back.
- 220mg Sodium — smart add for an intra drink since sodium keeps you hydrated, supports nerves, and helps muscles contract. It turns this into more than just flavored aminos, especially if you sweat buckets.
- 170mg Potassium — pairs with sodium for better fluid balance and muscle contractions. Together, they make this way more practical for training than plain BCAAs.
- Stim-Free Design — zero caffeine means you can use it late, during fasted sessions, two-a-days, or with your own pre-workout. It's flexible support without forcing stimulant timing.
Xtend Original BCAA by Xtend contains 0.64mg Vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxine HCL), a standard dose for muscle recovery and growth.
Who Is This For?
- Early morning lifters who train before eating and want aminos without a full meal. That 3.5g leucine helps signal muscle repair, while sodium and potassium beat plain water for hydration.
- Bodybuilders cutting calories who want workouts to feel less breaking-down. The 7g BCAAs shine with leucine keeping things anabolic on low food, plus glutamine and electrolytes for recovery and hydration in deficits.
- CrossFitters or circuit folks who pour sweat and need more than flavored water intra. Sodium and potassium handle fluids and muscle work, BCAAs cover aminos in those grindy sessions.
- Late-day trainers avoiding stims that kill sleep but wanting shaker support. Stim-free means workout help without the insomnia from caffeine drinks.
- Endurance types adding aminos to runs or rides with built-in light electrolytes. Not full fuel, but clean for hydration, aminos, and less wear from training.
- Athletes with two-a-days or frequent sessions needing easy recovery boosts. Simple to sip between and fits high-density weeks.
How to Use
Mix 1 scoop with 10 to 16 ounces of cold water—tweak for taste. Best to start sipping 10-15 minutes before and keep going through the workout, since it's for intra amino and hydration, not pre energy. Full scoop is fine for most adults—no caffeine to test tolerance on, but half works for trying flavor or stomach feel. Shaker with ice mixes it quick. Good on empty stomach, like morning or fasted cardio. Fine between meals or with a small snack too. Add creatine and protein elsewhere in your day for full setup—don't use this as your only protein. No need to cycle since it's stim-free and no tolerance build-up. Keep it sealed in a cool, dry spot to avoid clumps.
What to Expect
Minutes 0 to 10: it's like drinking flavored water with purpose—no buzz, no gut issues. Minutes 10 to 30: settles as your go-to intra drink, keeping hydration even during warm-ups and early sets. Minutes 30 to 60: shines in longer workouts, with BCAAs and electrolytes making things feel less draining. Minutes 60 to 90: you notice less fade, not a huge boost—that's what a stim-free amino should do. Days 1 to 7: figure out if you like it pre, during, or both. Weeks 2 to 4: consistency pays off, especially fasted, dieting, or stacking volume, with better recovery from regular use.
Key Ingredients
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L-Leucine — 3500mg — Clinically relevant leucine dose for muscle protein synthesis signaling
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L-Isoleucine — 1750mg — Rounds out the BCAA profile for complete intra-workout support
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L-Valine — 1750mg — Completes the BCAA triad for balanced training amino support
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L-Glutamine — 2500mg — Adds recovery support beyond the core BCAA complex
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Sodium — 220mg — Supports hydration, muscle contraction, and workout fluid balance
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Potassium — 170mg — Complements sodium for electrolyte and neuromuscular support
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Vitamin B6 — 0.64mg — Supports amino acid metabolism in the background
Xtend Original BCAA by Xtend contains 0.64mg Vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxine HCL), a standard dose for muscle recovery and growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many BCAAs are in XTEND Original BCAA per serving?
Each serving provides 7g total BCAAs in a 2:1:1 ratio: 3,500mg L-leucine, 1,750mg L-isoleucine, and 1,750mg L-valine. That leucine dose is the key number because leucine is the BCAA most directly tied to mTORC1 activation and muscle protein synthesis signaling.
Does XTEND Original BCAA contain caffeine or stimulants?
No. This is a stim-free formula, which makes it a strong option for evening workouts, fasted cardio, or stacking alongside a separate pre-workout without increasing caffeine intake.
Is the 3.5g leucine dose actually meaningful?
Yes. 3.5g leucine is the most clinically relevant part of the formula and sits comfortably in the range commonly associated with triggering the anabolic signaling response tied to muscle protein synthesis. It is one of the reasons this product has stayed relevant in the BCAA category.
What does the glutamine do in this formula?
XTEND includes 2,500mg L-glutamine per serving as a recovery-support ingredient. It is not the main performance driver here, but it broadens the formula beyond pure BCAAs and makes sense for high-volume training blocks or repeated weekly sessions.
When should I take XTEND Original BCAA?
The best use case is shortly before and during training. Sip it through your workout to take advantage of both the amino profile and the sodium-potassium electrolyte support, especially if you train fasted or sweat heavily.
Can I use XTEND Original BCAA while fasting?
Many people do, especially for morning training. Just remember that while it is useful in a fasted-workout setup, the amino acids do count as a nutritional input and would not fit a strict zero-calorie fast.
Is XTEND enough to replace my protein shake?
No. BCAAs support training and recovery, but they do not provide all essential amino acids required to fully replace a complete protein source like whey, casein, egg, or a well-formulated EAA/protein product.
What electrolytes are included?
Each serving provides 220mg sodium and 170mg potassium. These are practical, moderate amounts that improve hydration utility during training, though they are not intended to replace a high-electrolyte endurance formula for extreme sweat losses.
Can I stack XTEND with creatine?
Yes, and that is one of the smartest stacks for this product. XTEND handles intra-workout amino support and hydration, while creatine monohydrate supports phosphocreatine replenishment and long-term strength and power output.
Does XTEND use proprietary blends?
No. This formula is fully disclosed, so you can see the exact amounts of leucine, isoleucine, valine, glutamine, sodium, potassium, and vitamin B6 on the label.
