What Is Cytomax 24 Stick Pack?
Cytomax 24 Stick Packs are portable, convenient, pre-workout supplements that provide the necessary macronutrients and amino acids to help power an athlete’s workout. Each stick contains a sweet, flavored powder that individuals are meant to mix with water and drink before or during a workout. The powder in the stick provides sufficient carbohydrates to give users the energy necessary to exercise, and it also has the vitamins and proteins necessary to prevent or treat nutrient loss from the vigorous physical activity. Bodybuilders are encouraged to carry the sticks with them, so that they can conveniently drink one in preparation for working out at any time or place.
Cytomax 24 Stick Packs are similar to other sports drinks, but they differ in a number of crucial ways, which athletes should consider when shopping. First of all, these sticks are not loaded with unhealthy sugar, and instead rely on all-natural Stevia to provide delicious sweetness without the added calories. Second, the carbohydrates in these pre-workout supplements come from a proprietary Cytomax Sports Performance Mix, which has been used by elite athletes for decades. Specifically, each of the sticks contains a proprietary Advanced Carbohydrate System, a mix of Electrolytes, and an Amino Acid Peptide Blend, all of which works together to prepare an athlete’s body for a strenuous workout. Finally, unlike traditional sports drinks, these sticks are portable, and can be added to water for a convenient workout beverage nearly anywhere, without needing to carry around heavy or cumbersome bottles.
Manufacturer
The manufacturer of Cytomax 24 Stick Packs is CytoSport, an American sports nutrition company, which is known in part for its pre- and post-workout supplemental beverages. Cytomax was founded in 1998 by the father and son team of Greg and Michael Pickett. Its products are sold internationally, including in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia, and are carried by numerous online merchants. There most popular beverages are also sold in various retail locations, including gyms and other athletic suppliers. CytoSport also has a large social media presence, with popular accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
CytoSport has a long history of partnering with reputable organizations and companies to promote their brands and share the results of their nutritional research. In 2006, CytoSport began to work with the University of Southern California to provide its athletes with supplemental recovery drinks, and it continues to partner with them to this day. In 2010, CytoSport partnered with the Chicago Cubs, providing its athletes and fans with its nutritional protein drinks. It has also been recognized by the beverage industry, and in 2009 it was voted the Beverage Company of the Year by the Beverage Marketing Corporation. Most recently, the founder of Cytosport, Greg Pickett, was named one of the 2013 Top 100 US Entrepreneurs by Goldman Sachs, rewarding him for his innovations in business and sports nutrition.
How Cytomax 24 Stick Pack Works?
Cytomax 24 Stick Packs are extremely convenient, portable, powdered drink mixes, which provide an immediate boost of carbohydrates and amino acids, used as pre-workout supplements. Individuals are instructed to pour one pouch, or stick, into an 8-ounce glass of water, and to mix well. Although the sticks are intended as pre-workout supplements, they can also be consumed during especially vigorous workouts for an extra boost.
Each stick contains 22 grams of carbohydrates, electrolytes, and an amino acid blend, which work together to deliver energy quickly. The proprietary blend of carbohydrates is made of a combination of glucose, fructose, and lactate. These three sources travel on different biological pathways to provide the energy efficiently and effectively.
These crucial carbohydrates are supplemented by electrolytes, which are necessary for continued exercise, and amino acids, which prevent fatigue and help fuel muscles. These ingredients aid in hydration, and by drinking it in a full glass of water, athletes are able to begin their workout fully hydrated. Unlike other supplements, this pre-workout supplement drink mix does not contain added protein, fat, or caffeine.
Ingredients of Cytomax 24 Stick Pack
The main ingredient in Cytomax 24 Stick Pack is its “Advanced Carbohydrate System”, made of Maltodextrin, Crystalline Fructose, Dextrose, and Alpha-L-Polylactate, which provides critical energy. These carbohydrates are joined with an “Amino Acid Peptide Blend” made from L-Alanine and L-Gutamine, which gives energy to muscles and stops workout fatigue. Electrolytes are also essential, especially when combined with water as a means to prevent dehydration. The electrolytes in this supplement include 120 milligrams of Sodium, from Sodium Citrate, 60 milligrams of Potassium, from Potassium Citrate, Monopotassium Phosphate, and Potassium Succinate, 6 milligrams of Calcium, from Dicalcium Phosphate and Calcium Succinate, and 14 milligrams of Magnesium, from Magnesium Oxide and Magnesium Succinate. Ascorbic Acid also provides 100% of the recommended daily value of Vitamin C in a single serving.
These powerful, beneficial ingredients are sweetened, not with high calorie sugar or artificial, chemical sweeteners, but with the all-natural sweetener Stevia. This keeps the calorie count down to a low 90 calories per serving, and makes them suitable for people with diabetes, though they should always check with their doctors first. The Cytomax Stick Packs are naturally gluten free, which means they are safe for individuals who cannot digest gluten. They are also lactose free, so they are appropriate for people with a lactose intolerance, but they are not vegan or fully dairy free, as they contain whey.
Advantages
One of the greatest advantages to the Cytomax 24 Stick Pack is its convenience and portability, allowing for the pre-workout supplements to be used anywhere, at any time. Athletes can take a pack to the gym and mix up a quick drink before working out. They can even mix up another during the workout, if they have been exercising a lot and need an additional boost. They can also be brought when traveling, including on airplanes, which don’t allow typical sports drinks to be carried through the screening area. In fact, they can even be taken on camping trips and mixed with water before vigorous hikes or other exertions, or carried when cycling.
Another advantage of this drink mix is its flavor, which is sweet without being too sugary or cloying. This comes from Stevia, so it adds a natural sweetness without adding extra calories. The Cytomax Stick Pack comes in 5 different flavors, which are Cool Citrus, Grape, Pomegranate Berry, Tangy Orange, and Tropical Fruit. This allows individuals to pick a delicious flavor that they really enjoy, which encourages them to keep using it and keep working out.
Certificates
CytoSport, the manufacturer of the Cytomax 24 Stick Pack, can boast of an NSF certification, one of the more prestigious of certifications in the world of nutritional supplements. The NSF is a public health organization that checks supplements and other nutritional products for safety, labeling accuracy, and appropriate ingredients. They check for over 120 banned ingredients, and keep up-to-date with all of the legal and professional standards. The NSF certification is recognized by the most professional athletic organizations, including MLB, MLBPA, NFL NFLPA, NHL, and the PGA. Customers who use products that are NSF-certified, including Cytomax 24 Stick Pack, can feel secure that they are fully in compliance with every standard for appropriate athletic supplements.
Like all supplement manufacturers that are located in the United States, CytoSport is also under the purview of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). THe production of the CytoSport supplements are certified as being produced in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). These standards ensure that labels accurately and honestly tell consumers exactly what they are getting in each serving. They also guarantee that the ingredients used are safe and effective.
Testimonials
In addition to my strength training regimen, I like to ride my bicycle regularly to build up stamina. The Cytomax 24 Stick Pack gives me more than a month’s worth of drink mixes that I can take with me on my rides. When things get tough, I mix one drink and give myself a boost to keep going!
– Tim K., Washington, DC
I’ve been getting older, and sometimes I don’t have the energy to get through the workouts I’d like to do. One of these drinks and I’m back in action! The Tangy Orange is delicious and reminds me of my childhood.
– Mike P., Memphis, TN
Gonna buy another one of these as soon as I can find it. They’ve been great to bring when I travel. I like to work out on the road and carrying one of these pack is a lot easier than carrying a big bottle of expensive sports drink.
– Paul M., Sacramento, CA
I like to take a box of these with me when I travel. I take one of them before every workout, and it’s no problem carrying it past the TSA. I do have to also take a protein supplement, but these are great for the fast energy right before I work out.
– Ben J., Jacksonville, FL
Awards & Media Coverage
The Cytomax 24 Stick Pack has received a great deal of praise from athletes in the cycling community, including amateur and professional bicyclists. They praise the supplement for providing a healthy supply of energy and support, with a good taste, that can be carried anywhere. This supplement has received positive reviews on various websites. It also is mentioned on social media and in cycling forums, where users do mention a preference for an older variety that used a different sweetener.
This supplement’s manufacturer, CytoSport, has also received a great deal of media attention and a number of awards. In 2005 one of their protein supplements was named Product of the Year by a prominent Bodybuilding website, and in 2013 their founder, Greg Pickett, was named one of the Top 100 US Entrepreneurs by Goldman Sachs. They have also partnered with famous organizations, including the University of Southern California in 2006 and Chicago Cubs in 2010. CytoSport has unfortunately also been on the receiving end of some controversy over a protein supplement beverage, which resulted in negative media attention. However, the company has not faced similar charges in the years since, and their products go through rigorous safety testing and continue to meet the high supplement standards of the FDA.
Money-back Guarantee
Although there is no specific money-back guarantee from the manufacturer, according to the distributor, customers are able to make returns up to 90 days. If the wrong product arrives, or if it arrives damaged, customers should call a customer service representative and they will receive a new shipment for free, with the shipping paid for. If a customer simply changes their mind and wants to return an item that is still in its original, unopened packaging, they can do that too. They should call the customer service department and arrange for a return in exchange for store credit or a full refund. However, in this case, the customer will still be charged for the original shipping costs, as well as responsible for the cost of return shipping.
In all cases, customers are encouraged to talk to a customer service representative before sending back any items. Customers will also be given a tracking number for any returns, so they can check on the return shipment and credit. Any refunds will be credited back to the original method of payment. Customers may have to wait for up to 4 weeks for the credit to go through, but should use their tracking number to monitor the results.
Shipping
Items that are ordered by 1 pm Mountain Time from the website of the distributor of the Cytomax 24 Stick Pack are sent out the same day. Orders that are placed after 1 pm are sent out on the next business day, which excludes weekends and holidays. Customers should check on the availability of the item before placing the order, and this particular supplement is frequently out of stock due to its popularity and formula changes.
Shipping costs a flat rate of $5 per order when shipped within the Continental United States of America, regardless of the size or weight of the shipment. If customers spend over $50, which would be 3 orders of the 24-packs, shipping is free. Customers can also choose to pay extra for Express Shipping, and the price for that would be determined by the weight of the shipment, speed of delivery, and shipment location.
This supplement can also be shipping to Hawaii and Alaska, since it can be sent by United States Postal Service (USPS) mail, although purchasers may have to pay an additional shipping fee and shipments may be delayed. International shipping is also available through international mail, but certain restrictions and qualifications apply depending on the country to which it is shipped. Customers are also responsible for any extra taxes, duties, or fees incurred during international shipping, and are warned that shipments can sometimes be delayed by customs.
Customer Support
Individuals who have questions about the Cytomax 24 Stick Pack supplement, including its ingredients, usage, or storage, should contact CytoSport, the producer and manufacturer. They can be reached in a number of different ways, but they easiest is probably by filling out a contact form on their website. On their website, underneath this contact form, the contact information for all of their international branches is also listed. Customers can also use the toll-free number that is provided to talk to a customer service representative. Finally, customers can also reach out and communicate with CytoSport though one of their various social media accounts, including Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, although a more direct means is preferred.
For questions or concerns about orders, shipment, delivery, or returns, customers should instead contact the distributor from which they purchased the supplement. There are also a number of options to do this. The easiest is this case is to call the 24-hour toll-free number that is listed prominently on their website and talk to a representative immediately. Otherwise, customers can use email to address the issue with the customer support department. Again, customers can also use their social media accounts for direct communication, but these should be considered a last resort, only if more traditional methods of communication have failed.
Safe & Secure Checkout
Customers who purchase a Cytomax 24 Stick Pack online can feel confident that their purchase is made over a safe and secure connection. The distributor’s website is protected by 256-bit SSL encryption, which is the highest industry standard. It also holds numerous up-to-date and valid certifications, including being “Shopper Approved” by an online shopping reviewer. The website is also a Google Trusted Store, which is a very meaningful commendation from one of the most reputable sources. Customers can also be sure that their credit cards and personal financial information are kept completely secure throughout the authorization process.
Personal information that is provided on the CytoSport website also has some protection, though not as much as the protection provided for the financial information by the distributor’s website. For example, if an individual sends a comment to the company through the website, CytoSport then reserves the right to keep their contact information for internal usage. They may also use that information to send out promotional, informative, or educational materials to customers, which some customers may object to. However, according to their privacy policy, they do not sell the information to any third parties or make it available to the public.
Pricing
A single Cytomax 24 Stick Pack, which contains 24 individually wrapped packages, with one serving of the drink mix in each, costs from $24.99. This works out to less than $1.05 per serving, which is much less than most beverages of a comparable size, especially for pre-workout supplements or other sports drinks. Individuals are encouraged to use one serving before each workout, so one Cytomax 24 Stick Pack may last an amateur athlete or bodybuilder up to a month with minimal use. Athletes who want to use the supplement more frequently will obviously want to buy a larger quantity. Customers who spend over $50 get free shipping, so if they know that they will want a large quantity can save money buy purchasing a number of packs at once.
The price of slightly more than a dollar per drink is considerably lower than the most common workout drinks, and is similar to drinks like cheap soda or off-brand iced tea. The difference is that these packs include a healthy balance of carbohydrates, electrolytes, and amino acids to fuel workouts. There is also the matter of the convenience that comes with individually wrapped packages. Although buying a giant tub of supplement mix may be less expensive, the effort of keeping it clean and dry and carrying it while on the move may make the Cytomax 24 Stick Pack a better deal.
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