For this XWERKS Motion BCAA review, we had both Anthony O’Reilly, GGR Performance Editor, and Kate Meier, GGR Senior Director of Content, test out the BCAA supplement—if that’s what Motion actually is… But we’ll get to that later.
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XWERKS Motion contains a unique blend of performance-enhancing compounds from a patented type of carbohydrate to electrolytes for hydration. It’s a supplement that truly is one of a kind. So, we had some fitness buffs and a registered dietitian take a really close look at Motion and let you know if it’s worth your green.
Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider. GGR also recommends choosing a product that has been third-party tested for quality.
Whether You’re Fueling or Re-Fueling, We Know Our Supps
To give you a complete understanding of the nutritional supplements we review, our practice is to order, open, and test each nutritional supplement ourselves as fitness professionals, registered dietitians, and personal trainers. Our rating is based on our GGR supplement testing methodology. We give products a rating of 1 to 5 based on:
- Quality of the formulation
- Taste/solubility
- Side effects
- Third-party testing
- Price/value
- Customer reviews/service
XWERKS Motion
XWERKS Motion
Product Highlights
- Backed by clinical trials
- Designed to help you perform longer
- Includes BCAAs and cluster dextrin
- Replaces energy levels fast
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Doesn’t cause stomach discomfort
- Multi-purpose formula
- Backed by science
- Sugar-free
- Gluten- and dairy-free
Cons
- Hard to mix
- Contains artificial sweetener
Bottom Line
XWERKS Motion is an electrolyte mix that has BCAAs and cluster dextrin, meaning it can fuel you through a workout and also help you recover. With a mid-range per serving cost, this product may be worth a try for those looking for a multipurpose supplement.
A Quick Look at XWERKS Motion
XWERKS is an Arizona-based supplement company that sells whey protein powder, pre-workout supplements, creatine, and even weight loss gummies. The majority of their products are geared toward boosting muscle protein synthesis, fat loss, and supporting general athletic performance.
RELATED: XWERKS Grow Whey Protein Review
As far as XWERKS Motion is concerned, it’s a multi-purpose supplement that can help reduce muscle soreness when taken post-workout along with helping with hydration and energy when taken pre-workout.
Before You Buy
- It does contain soy, so be vigilant if you have allergies
- The price is a bit steep, so be sure it fits your fitness goals before adding it to your regimen
- Keep in mind there are no flavor options, so be wary if you get bored of supplement flavors quickly
Is XWERKS Motion Worth It?
To answer this, you need to ask yourself are BCAAs worth it? Because that’s what Motion offers in an impressive ratio if not an impressive quantity. What is the most novel about XWERKS Motion is that it contains over 25 grams of Cluster Dextrin®, which is a special type of carbohydrate that may be beneficial to athletic performance and is easier on the stomach.
Outside of that, without being third-party tested, it’s a high price to pay for a BCAA supplement. Unless you’re an endurance athlete or an early morning lifter, it’s debatable if the value of this supplement justifies the higher-than-average price of $1.97 per serving.
Great for:
- Endurance athletes or those who take post-workouts to refuel
- Individuals with sensitive stomachs
- People who don’t like overly sweet-tasting supplements
Not recommended for:
- Those who love flavor options for their supplements
- People on a keto or otherwise carb-controlled diet
- Individuals who avoid artificial sweeteners
XWERKS Motion Specs
| Price per serving | $1.97 |
| Serving size | ~34 g |
| Flavors | Raspberry Lemonade |
| Carbs per serving | 28 g |
| BCAAs per serving | 3 g |
| Electrolytes per serving | 149 mg |
| Other notable ingredients | Cluster Dextrin, sucralose, soy |
| Third-party tested? | No |
Experience Using XWERKS Motion
This was tested by both Anthony O’Reilly, GGR Performance Editor, and Kate Meier, GGR Senior Director of Content, and both had a generally positive experience taking Motion. Anthony mentions that he loves it, adding that it boosts his energy levels especially when he needs an extra kick in the pants to work out early in the morning with no time for breakfast.
RELATED: Best Protein Powder for Sensitive Stomachs
Price Per Serving
We have to give it a 2 out of 5 for price here. Just 30 servings costs $59.00 which comes out to almost $2 per serving. For a BCAA supplement or even a high-quality pre-workout, this is pricey by market standards. You will save 10 cents per serving if you opt to subscribe and save, bringing the price down from $1.97 to $1.87. However, it’s still steep for most budgets.
Formulation
We gave XWERKS Motion a 3 out of 5 rating for formulation. The product is gluten free, dairy free, and vegan-friendly, but the fact of the matter is, this isn’t really a BCAA supplement! For one it only has about 3 grams of BCAAs compared to the 5 grams of BCAAs found in most BCAA supplements.
That said, it’s not quite a pre-workout supplement either given that the carbohydrate content is the only “pre” feature outside of some electrolytes: calcium, magnesium, and potassium. There’s no creatine, beta-alanine, etc., for a pump or other athletic performance benefits. But let’s review the active ingredients in XWERKS Motion to see what benefits it might offer.
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The three branched-chain amino acids each have their roles in the body:
- Leucine: As a BCAA that activates a crucial metabolic pathway1 for building muscle, leucine plays a major role in helping to build muscle.
- Isoleucine: Improves glucose transport to muscles, which can help reduce fatigue and muscle soreness during exercise2. This makes isoleucine particularly useful in XWERKS Motion due to the high carb content of the supplement.
- Valine: Helps regulate blood glucose and promotes muscle recovery, as well as preventing muscle breakdown.
What’s more, Motion has these BCAAs in a 2:1:1 ratio (two parts leucine, one part isoleucine, and one part valine), which is the best ratio for BCAAs, according to a 2008 study3, in order to optimize the benefits. The problem here is the total BCAA content is only 3 grams. So, it’s not the best supplement to take if you’re just taking it for the branched-chain amino acids.
Another novel ingredient in XWERKS Motion is Cluster Dextrin®, which is a highly branched cyclic dextrin. It’s a fancy way of saying it’s a better alternative to maltodextrin, which is a super common carbohydrate source in supplements like weight gainer protein powder.
Studies have shown4 that highly branched cyclic dextrin like Cluster Dextrin causes less GI discomfort than other high carb sports drinks and is more effective at reducing time to exhaustion, especially during endurance exercise.
Other studies have shown an additional benefit of taking cluster dextrin after training5 for post-workout recovery. Scientists say that taking Cluster Dextrin helps replenish muscle glycogen quickly, especially when consumed with a high-quality protein like whey protein.
However, it is unclear whether Cluster Dextrin is more effective than carbs from nutritious whole foods like oats and fruit for post-workout recovery.
RELATED: Post-Workout Recovery Myths
Motion is also sweetened with sucralose, known more commonly as Splenda. So, if you dislike artificial sweeteners, this isn’t the supp for you. Finally, the product contains soy for some reason, which means it may also have GMOs. Also if you have an allergy, steer clear.
Taste and Solubility
Our testers gave XWERKS Motion a score of 3 out of 5 for flavor since our testers had mixed feelings.
Anthony reported that it tasted like “scented BCAA powder,” which was a letdown since we had previously tested their protein powder and loved the flavor. However, Kate thought it was tasty. It’s unfortunate, though, that Motion only comes in raspberry lemonade flavor, which doesn’t give consumers much of an option for variation.
We rated it 5 out of 5 for solubility as our testers found it mixed quite well even without a shaker.
Side Effects
We gave Motion a rating of 3 out of 5 for effects as Kate didn’t notice a significant change in energy levels or her strength, but noted that she did feel good during her exercise overall.
Third-Party Testing
We rated this 1 out of 5 as XWERKS is not third-party tested by any recognized body. Thus, this particular supplement wouldn’t be safe for athletes.
XWERKS Motion vs Transparent Labs Intra
Transparent Labs Intra
Transparent Labs CoreSeries Intra EAAs
Product Highlights
- Delivers a balanced ratio of essential amino acids (EAA) designed to reduce muscle breakdown when training
- Contains naturally occurring electrolytes from added coconut water powder
- Each 18.7-gram scoop provides 6,700 milligrams of EAA, 2,000 milligrams of citrulline malate 2:1 ratio, 2,000 milligrams of taurine, 1,250 milligrams of BetaPure betaine anhydrous, 1,000 milligrams of coconut water powder, 150 milligrams of ElevATP, and 50 milligrams of AstraGin
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Sweet taste
- Good mixability
- Added electrolytes
- Users report feeling more energized
- Contains several clinically studied ingredients
- Uses clinical doses
Cons
- Expensive
- Settles after mixing
- Some clumps present after mixing
Bottom Line
Transparent Labs CoreSeries IntraWorkout Essential Amino Acids (EAAs) offers a balanced ratio of easily digestible EAAs formulated to reduce muscle breakdown and encourage muscle growth.
Considering both of these made our list of the Best BCAA Supplements, we thought it would be fun to compare Motion with Transparent Labs Intra workout supplement. Both supplements contain electrolytes, though Transparent Labs Intra has significantly more.
Transparent Labs Intra workout is also cheaper, has other performance ingredients, has flavor options like blue raspberry, and contains all EAAs, which Motion does not. However, Intra has only 1 gram of carbs, so you won’t get that blood sugar spike for exercise fuel like you will with Motion.
| XWERKS Motion | Transparent Labs Intra | |
| Price per serving | $1.97 | $1.50 |
| Serving size | 1 scoop (~34 g) | 1 scoop (18.7 g) |
| Flavors | Raspberry Lemonade | Strawberry Lemonade, Blue Raspberry |
| Carbs per serving | 28 g | 1 g |
| BCAAs per serving | 3 g | 4.5 g |
| Electrolytes per serving | 149 g | 415 g |
| Other notable ingredients | Cluster Dextrin, sucralose, soy | Taurine, Betaine Anhydrous, L-Tyrosine, |
| Third-party tested? | No | Yes, Informed Choice |
Customer Experience
For some reason, XWERKS sells its other sports nutrition products like its XWERKS Lift Creatine on Amazon, but Motion is not available on the platform. So, you’ll have to get it straight from the company site. If you need assistance or need to make a return, you can email support@xwerks.com within 30 days to get a full refund.
Ordering XWERKS Motion
The Subscribe and Save feature on XWERKS allows you to save 5%, which is admittedly a sad discount when you compare it to other sports nutrition supplement brands who usually offer 10% or 15% off. You can ship anywhere in the continental U.S. for $5 flat rate, with free shipping for orders over $75. If ordering internationally, the cost depends on your location.
Customer Reviews
On the XWERKS website, Motion averages a rating of 4.5 stars out of 42 reviews. Most reviews praise the content of carbs and the noticeable boost in energy levels the supplement gave them.
Final Verdict of Our XWERKS Motion BCAA Review
XWERKS Motion is an interesting supplement that seems to be a BCAA supplement, pre-workout, and post-workout all in one. However, when you strip everything away, it’s little more than a carbohydrate powder with some amino acids and electrolytes sprinkled in. So, if you’re looking for something solely for amino acid supplementation, there are better (and cheaper) options.
- Contains Cluster Dextrin, a special carb that can help delay fatigue, lower the stress response of exercise, and is easier on the stomach than other high-sugar sports drinks.
- If you really want to know if your athletic goals require a carbohydrate drink, talk to a sports registered dietitian.
- Contains soy and artificial sweeteners.
- There are calories and carbs, so it will break a fast and not fit into a keto or low-carb diet.
Full Rating
XWERKS Motion
XWERKS Motion is an electrolyte mix that has BCAAs and cluster dextrin, meaning it can fuel you through a workout and also help you recover. With a mid-range per serving cost, this product may be worth a try for those looking for a multipurpose supplement.
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 59.00
Product In-Stock: InStock
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XWERKS Motion: FAQs
Do BCAAs actually work?
There is no doubt that BCAAs are effective, but not to the extent that is usually attributed to them, especially in terms of muscle growth. Most fitness goals can also be met through consuming essential amino acids in the form of whole foods, such as dairy products and lean animal proteins.
What are the side effects of BCAAs?
There are generally no negative side effects to healthy individuals who take BCAAs. However, for those with impaired kidney or liver function, supplementation is not recommended.
Should I take BCAAs every day?
It’s not harmful to take BCAAs every day, but as long as you are eating enough protein from whole foods it’s likely not beneficial for lean muscle mass. If you are concerned about whether or not you are getting enough essential amino acids, talk to a registered dietitian.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
References
- Kimball SR, Jefferson LS. Signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms through which branched-chain amino acids mediate translational control of protein synthesis. J Nutr. 2006;136(1 Suppl):227S-31S. doi:10.1093/jn/136.1.227S
- Gualano AB, Bozza T, Lopes De Campos P, et al. Branched-chain amino acids supplementation enhances exercise capacity and lipid oxidation during endurance exercise after muscle glycogen depletion. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2011;51(1):82-88.
- La Bounty P, Campbell B, Oetken A, Willoughby D. The effects of oral BCAAs and leucine supplementation combined with an acute lower-body resistance exercise on mTOR and 4E-BP1 activation in humans: preliminary findings. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2008;5(Suppl 1):P21. Published 2008 Sep 17. doi:10.1186/1550-2783-5-S1-P21
- Suzuki K, Shiraishi K, Yoshitani K, Sugama K, Kometani T. Effect of a sports drink based on highly-branched cyclic dextrin on cytokine responses to exhaustive endurance exercise. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2014;54(5):622-630.
- Ivy JL. Regulation of muscle glycogen repletion, muscle protein synthesis and repair following exercise. J Sports Sci Med. 2004;3(3):131-138. Published 2004 Sep 1.
