PRODUCT ANALYSIS

Company: Kinetica

Product Name: Complete

Product category: All-in-one

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Continuing my product analyses for the Kinetica sports-supplement range, I now focus on Kinetica Complete – the Company's offering to the 'All-in-one' product category. But before I go any further, perhaps it's best to talk briefly about what the point of an 'All-in-one product' is, why it should be taken, and most importantly – what you should look for in an ideal 'All-in-one' product.

There are many aspects to body building, from weight management to boosting performance. Covering all of the bases to optimize your body and health can often take many different supplements. Managing these supplements can be difficult and time consuming (and expensive). All in one supplements help to minimize the time and effort required to get your desired body. The all in one supplements are designed to have all your body building needs in one easy package. They are pre-balanced for the most effective design to enhance your work outs and the most efficient way to reach your goals.

However, as this product analysis will demonstrate, some of these designs are more effective than others once a variety of factors are taken into account, such as basic usage logistics i.e. serving, cost per kilo etc, and the obvious nutritional ingredients and compounds. For me, an 'All-in-one's' greatest strength is also it's greatest weakness – while these products like to include several other popular and cutting edge supplements i.e. creatine, Beta-Alanine, HMB to provide a host of additional benefits, these benefits may be somewhat inconsequential based on the quantity that is added to the product. Jack of all trades, Master of none" can be a pitfall of this product type, but there is still no denying the attraction of taking such a product.

Instead of juggling several different methods to boost your athletic performance, take an all in one supplement to get what you need and be on your way. There has never been an easier or more effective way to manage your work out program and your supplement intake.

But what are some of these additional supplements that can be found in All-in-ones? This analysis reveals several popular choices:

Creatine	Creatine is a natural substance used by skeletal muscles as energy for contracting. Since the early 1900's it has been recognized that supplementing your diet with creatine supplements raises the amount of creatine found in the muscles. Creatine supplements dramatically increase the level of creatine in the muscles, leading to better muscle growth, decreased muscle deterioration, and increased power and performance for anaerobic activity due to higher and faster energy creation in the skeletal muscle. There now exist many different types of creatine on the market, but the type most commonly used in All-in-one supplements is creatine monohydrate – the oldest and most well-documented variety of creatine. Creatine monohydrate refers to creatine that has been bound with a molecule of water
L-Glutamine	Glutamine plays key roles in protein synthesis, providing energy to the cells, pH balance in the kidneys, and a part of several anabolic processes. Despite the fact that the body regularly produces glutamine, supplementing the diet with glutamine and L-glutamine can enhance the efficiency of these processes. For bodybuilders, L-glutamine in particular appears to play an important role in maintaining muscle mass, as the higher levels through the body prevents the leaching of L-glutamine from muscle tissue for other processes. Because of its role in cellular energy and anabolic mechanisms, bodybuilders often use a great deal of their natural glutamine and L-glutamine while exercising. The body can replenish this by breaking down muscle, and to prevent this, a glutamine or L-glutamine supplement can be used. The supplement may not only halt or slow down the rate of muscle deterioration, but may also increase the protein synthesis required to build muscles and also increases body immunity.
Beta-Alanine	Beta-Alanine is a relatively new product on the sports-supplement market that boasts some incredible properties and benefits. It is a product that I highly recommend reading about http://www.beta-alanine.net. Whilst there is a lot of science to read through and understand on this cutting-edge amino-acid based supplement, the benefits of including this supplement is an All-in-one include: Boosts explosive muscular strength and power output Increases lean muscle mass Boosts muscular anaerobic endurance Increases aerobic endurance Increases exercise capacity so you can train harder and longer
HMB	HMB stands for β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate, a byproduct (metabolite) of the breakdown of the amino acid leucine. HMB is produced naturally by the body and can also be gotten through dietary measures, however the amount necessary for an improved body exceeds the amount a reasonable person would get through diet alone. Because of this, the HMB supplement is popular among body builders and those trying to gain lean muscle and cut down on body fat. HMB has been shown to be effective at increasing lean muscle while decreasing muscle deterioration. Other benefits include lowered body fat and cholesterol and enhanced muscle repair after exercise.
BCAA’s	Bcaa's (Branch chain amino acid) consist of leucine, isoleucine, and valine. They establish a recovery process which will increase your performance and gains. They also improve protein synthesis allowing better benefits of your protein intake. It has been shown the Bcaa's also can stimulate fat loss. Studies have shown that amounts of bcaa's that are within the bloodstream, prevent muscle breakdown, which then the body uses fat for energy. Your immune system can also be improved. Bcaa's can reverse glutamine loss which is essential to immune health. Last, bcaa's are truly a great anti-catabolic aid. They suppress the muscle proteins for fuel, which thereby spares your muscles. With all the benefits associated with supplementing BCAAs, they are a staple in any serious athlete's diet.
L-Leucine	L-leucine is widely used as an ingredient in supplements for muscle building because of its many beneficial effects on sports performance. It helps preserve lean muscle tissue, supplies the body with energy under stress and keeps muscle glycogen (glucose stored in muscle tissue used to power muscular contraction) and nitrogen balance in check. Along with isoleucine and valine, it is one of the three essential branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) that make up a significant portion of the total amino acid count in the body's protein structure. One of the main functions of leucine is in regulating protein metabolism in the body. The availability of leucine is of critical importance in controlling the net synthesis of protein. It has long been decided that Leucine should be taken in an ideal ratio of 2:1:1 (2 parts leucine to 1 part isoleucine and 1 part valine). However, research now suggests that ratio should be as high as 4:1:1. Leucine is regarded as the most important of the three BCAAs.
Taurine	Taurine is a type of pseudo-amino acid recently touted as a miraculous energy and diet aid by numerous diet companies and is also considered a fundamental acid for regulating skeletal tissue functioning in animals and humans. Taurine is found in trace amounts in the body and is normally included in energy drinks because it is hypothesized that it increases energy due it to its effects on skeletal tissue, although actual studies have not yielded any substantial results. Most taurine in energy drinks is synthetic and features a combination of vitamin E and cysteine, which are precursors to natural taurine. It is heavily believed that taurine is a viable diet aid, and to an extent, a potent energy source, but studies conducted on these effects reveal that this is not necessarily the case although there is evidence supporting its weight loss benefits

So, with all that being said, lets meet this week's contestants!

2.0 THE CONTESTANTS

3.0 METHODOLOGY

I conducted my analysis by targeting two comprehensive categories that would allow the full value and effectiveness of these All-in-one products to be witnessed:

1. Basic Information – This category would cover the purchasing and usage logistics of the product. Designed to give an idea of value for money and personal preference, this category incorporated the following subdivisions:

• Serving size (g)

• Servings per largest size container

• Largest size container available (kg)

• Explosive Nutrition price (£)

• Price per Kilo (£/kg)

• Price per serving (£)

• Number of available flavours

2. Nutritional Information – This category would provide the basis for comparison on nutritional quality and purity. Essentially, for determining the actual effectiveness of the All-in-one product. This category incorporated the following subdivisions, with data being collected where possible:

• Energy (kcal)

• Protein (g)

• Carbohydrates (g)

• Carbs from sugars (g)

• Protein:Carbohydrate ratio

• Fat (g)

• Fat from saturates (g)

• Monosaturates (g)

• Polyunsaturates (g)

• MCTs (g)

• Dietary fibre (g)

• Sodium (g)

• Cholesterol (g)

• L-Glutamine

• Creatine Monohydrate (g)

• Glycine (g)

• Taurine (g)

• Digestive enzymes (g)

• BCAAs (g)

• L-Leucine (g)

• Beta-Alanine (g)

• Electrolyte replenishment (g)

• HMB (g)

Once the above numerical values were correlated, a simple point system was created to simplify the data and provide an overall points score value. With six products being studied, a score of 1-6 was given to each subdivision score, with 1 being the lowest desirable value, and 6 being the most desirable value e.g. the product with the largest number of servings scored 6, the fewest scored 1 etc.

You will notice that in several of the subdivisions for the products concerning nutritional information, there were no numerical values that could be collected. In the absence of competitor information, maximum points were rewarded to those products that disclosed the quantity and quality of its ingredients. This is not to say, however, that they truly were the top rated product in that particular subdivision. However, without comparative information, receiving maximum points was a reward for product transparency.

Also, when it came to awarding points, the products serving size was used instead of a 100g value. After all, it's what you actually intake at the time of consumption that matters most, not an arbitrary weight of 100g (although this is still an important benchmark to measure against). For each category, an overall points scored" chart was created to illustrate how the product had scored and faired against its rivals in each of the subdivisions.

Finally, the points from both 'Basic Information' and 'Nutritional Information' were combined together for each product to facilitate an overall picture on the product's true effectiveness, and value as an All-in-one product.

4.0 numerical analysis

Fig 4.1 Correlated values for Basic and Nutritional Information

As you can see from Fig 4.1, several of the later subdivisions could not provide meaningful comparative findings due to a lack of disclosed information. In those instances, no graphs were designed to reflect those values.

5.0 results: basic information

Fig 5.4 Explosive Nutrition Price (£)

Fig 5.5 Explosive Nutrition price per kilo (£/kg)

Fig 5.5 is a useful tool to illustrate the value or cost effectiveness of each of the products, based on their price per kilo (£/kg). Obviously, the product with the lowest price per kilo received maximum points. In this instance, Kinetica ranked 5^th with a value of £19.98/kg. Due to its excellent container size, Reflex was able to offer the best price per kilo at £11.25 per kilo. Due to its very small container size and relatively high unit cost, Maximuscle had the highest price per kilo at £27.46 (nearly 2.5 times as expensive as Reflex per kilo).

Fig 5.6 is another useful tool to illustrate the value or cost effectiveness of each of the products, based on their price per recommended serving. Obviously, the product with the lowest price per serving received maximum points. In this instance, Kinetica ranked 1^st among its competitors with the lowest price per serving of £0.44. Sci-MX offered the highest price per serving at £2.03

Fig 5.6 Explosive Nutrition price per serving (£)

Fig 5.7 Number of available flavours from Explosive Nutrition

Fig 5.8 illustrates the number of available flavours for each product from the Explosive Nutrition website. Whilst not considered an essential factor in deciding the overall effectiveness of a particular product, is does allow for user preference to be determined for those of us in need of variety. Kinetica offered the fewest available flavours at just 2, along with Sci-MX. Garnell offered the most flavours with an impressive choice of 5.

Fig 5.8 illustrates the overall points score for each of the products taking into account the combined points for each of the selected criteria. Under the category of 'Basic Information', Kinetica ranks joint last along with Sci-MX with 20 points. The product with the greatest combined points score belong to PhD Synergy ISO-7 with 31 points. It must be remembered, however, that this chart is not designed to show the actual effectives of the products as an All-in-one. Instead, this chart is designed to illustrate the purchasing logistics of each of the products.

What is interesting to note is the points split between the 6 products. It is clear to see there is an appreciable margin between the top three and bottom three products: PhD, Garnell and Reflex scored very similarly to each other with a 3 point spread. Maximuscle, Kinetica and Sci-MX again scored almost identically with a 1 point spread. The difference between these two groups is 7 points

Fig 5.8 Overall points score for 'Basic Information'

6.0 Results: nutritional information

Fig 6.1 Calories (kcal)

Fig 6.1 illustrates the number of calories both per 100g and per serving size. For the purposes of an All-in-one, where more calories are considered desireable to meet a broad spectrum of training needs, the product with the most calories received maximum points. What is most noticeable about these results is that, although the calories per serving may vary considerably, all six products share a very similar number of calories per 100g, with a total variance of only 41 calories. This clearly illustrates different lines of reasoning, with both Reflex and Sci-MX having much larger serving sizes than their counterparts.

Fig 6.2 illustrates the amount of protein per 100g and per serving size. Obviously, the product that delivers the most protein received maximum points. Here, Kinetica placed 3^rd with 42.3g of protein per serving. Reflex provided the most at 55g per serving, with Maximuscle providing the least at 30g per serving.

Fig 6.2 Protein (g)

Fig 6.3 Carbohydrates (g)

Fig 6.3 illustrates the amount of carbohydrates per 100g and per serving size. For the purposes of an All-in-one product, where low carbs is not a sought after quality, the product that provided the most carbs received maximum points. Kinetica again placed 3^rd with 28.8g per serving. Sci-MX dominated the competition with a massive 80g, whilst Garnell had the least amount of carbs at just 18.8g per serving.

Fig 6.4 illustrates the amount of carbohydrates derived from sugars in each of the products. Whilst having some quick absorbing sugars post-workout is not a bad thing at all, for the purposes of an All-in-one, where a bigger proportion of time-released, low-glycemic carbs are more desirable, the product with the least amount of sugars received maximum points. Kinetica provided the most sugars at 14.2g per serving, whilst Garnell provided the fewest sugars at just 3.3g per serving. Both Sci-MX and Maximuscle did not disclose the sugar content of their products, and received no points.

Fig 6.4 Carbohydrates from sugars (g)

Fig 6.5 Protein : Carbohydrate ratio (1:)

Fig 6.5 illustrates the protein to carbohydrate ratio, a very useful factor for the efficiency of protein assimilation and a scientifically proven variable for optimum strength gains and recovery. These figures represent how many grams of protein for every gram of carbohydrates. Although this figure varies amongst the scientific community and on the type of athletic demand the body is placed under, a generally agreed ratio of 2:1 (twice the number of carbs to protein) is desirable, with the most points being rewarded accordingly. Sci-MX has the best ratio at 1.78:1. For me, Sci-MX and Reflex have the best values, a positive balance of carbs to protein. Kinetica places 3^rd with 0.68:1, Garnell last with 0.462:1.

Fig 6.6 illustrates the amount of fat per 100g and per serving size. For the purposes of an All-in-one supplement, the product with the most fat received the most points (in contrast to saturated fat levels). Kinetica has the most fat per serving at 8.28g, Garnell the least amount at 1.8g.

Fig 6.6 Fat (g)

Fig 6.7 Fat from saturates (g)

Fig 6.7 illustrates the amount of fat from saturates per 100g and per serving size. Obviously, the product with the least amount of saturated fat received maximum points. Kinetica possesses the most saturated fat at 6.8g per serving (although this could be from healthy fats such as MCT's, unfortunately no information was disclosed on this value). PhD provided the least saturated fat at 1.4g per serving. Sc-MX, Garnell and Maximuscle did not disclose this information on their product labels, and so received no points.

Fig 6.8 illustrates the amount of dietary fibre per 100g and per serving size. Whilst not essential to the function of an All-in-one product, dietary fibre aids in the digestion process, and so the product that provided the most dietary fibre received maximum points. Reflex provided the most fibre at 3.9g per serving, whilst Kinetica provided the least amount at 0.36g. Sci-MX, Garnell and Maximuscle did not disclose this information, and so were rewarded no points.

Fig 6.8 Dietary Fibre (g)

Fig 6.9 Sodium (g)

Fig 6.9 illustrates the amount of sodium per 100g and per serving size for each of the tested products. Although some sodium is a valuable necessity to replenish lost reserves due to intensive exercise, for the purposes of recommended daily nutrition, the product with the lowest amount of sodium received maximum points. Reflex had by far the most sodium with 0.225g per serving. Kinetica had the least sodium with just 0.06g per serving. Sci-MX, Garnell and Maximuscle did not disclose the sodium content of their products, and so no points were rewarded.

Fig 6.10 illustrates the amount of L-Glutamine per 100g and per serving size for each of the tested products. Given the importance of L-Glutamine in muscle recovery and maintaining muscle size, the product that supplied the most L-glutamine received the most points. Kinetica ranked 2^nd here, providing 6.03g per serving. Reflex provided the most L-glutamine with an impressive 10g per serving, while PhD provided the least at 2.6g per serving.

Fig 6.10 L-Glutamine (g)

Fig 6.11 Creatine monohydrate (g)

Fig 6.11 illustrates the amount of creatine monohydrate per 100g and per serving size. Given the importance of creatine to supply skeletal muscles with a greater energy source to allow for superior strength and size gains, the product with the most creatine received maximum points. As you can see from the above chart, while the amount per 100g of creatine may vary considerably, the average amount provided per serving size for each of the products as about 5g. Kinetica supplies 3.6g per serving, Garnell the most at 5.25g per serving, and PhD the least at 2.6g per serving.

Fig 6.12 illustrates the amount of taurine per 100g and per serving size. Whilst scientific studies have yet to reveal any concrete evidence, the inclusion of taurine is mostly for energy purposes, as well as for benefits to skeletal muscle tissue function. Given this reasoning, the product with the most taurine received maximum points. Kinetica possessed the least amount of taurine at 0.63g, whilst Reflex provided the most taurine at 1.5g per serving.

Fig 6.12 Taurine (g)

Fig 6.13 Digestive enzymes (g)

Fig 6.13 illustrates the amount of digestive enzymes included per 100g and per serving size. Digestive enzymes, whilst not considered essential to the functioning of an All-in-one product, are becoming increasingly popular in a wide variety of supplements to increase the efficiency of assimilation of the ingested nutrients. Aminogen is the most commonly used digestive enzyme, and here the product that provided the largest amount of digestive enzymes per serving received maximum points. Sci-MX provided the most enzymes at 0.145g per serving, whilst Kinetica provided the least at 0.12g per serving. Both Garnell and Maximuscle chose not to include digestive enzymes in their All-in-one's, and no data was made available by PhD, which received no points.

Fig 6.14 illustrates the amount of BCAAs (Branch Chain Amino Acids) per 100g and per serving size. As detailed at the beginning of this analysis, the inclusion of BCAAs is considered essential for the many added benefits they provide, such as recovery, increased protein synthesis, fat loss and providing an anabolic environment for your muscles. Obviously, the product that provided the most BCAAs received maximum points. PhD provided the most BCAAs with an impressive 15.25g per serving, whilst Sci-MX provided the least at 8g per serving. Unfortunately, Kinetica, Garnell and Maximuscle did not disclose this product information, and subsequently received no points.

Fig 6.14 BCAAs (g)

Fig 6.15 L-Leucine (g)

Fig 6.15 illustrates the amount of L-Leucine per 100g and per serving size. Although included in the BCCA breakdown, l-leucine is considered to be the most important of the three BCAAs, primarily for its role in the synthesis of protein in the body. Obviously, the product that provided the most l-leucine received maximum points. Kinetica supplied the least amount of l-leucine at 2.16g, whilst PhD supplied the most l-leucine at 7.06g. Sc-MX, Garnell and Maximuscle did not disclose the l-leucine content of their products, and so they received no points.

Fig 6.16 illustrates the amount of Beta-Alanine per 100g and per serving size. As detailed at the beginning of this analysis, Beta-Alanine provides fantastic enhancements to explosive strength, power and muscular endurance. Obviously, the product that supplied the most beta-alanine received maximum points. Reflex provides the most at 1.8g per serving, whilst Garnell provided the least at 0.432g per serving. Kinetica, PhD and Maximuscle chose not to include beta-alanine in their All-in-ones, and so received no points.

Fig 6.16 Beta-Alanine (g)

Fig 6.17 HMB (g)

Fig 6.17 illustrates the amount of HMB provided per 100g and per serving size. As detailed at the beginning of this analysis, HMB is a metabolite of l-leucine, and is of particular benefit in increasing lean muscle mass, increasing fat loss and boosting muscle repair. Obviously, the product that provided the most HMB received maximum points. Having allegedly patented the HMB market, Maximuscle shares the most supplied HMB with Sc-MX at 1.5g per serving. As far as I can tell, neither Kinetica, Reflex, PhD nor Garnell chose to include HMB in their All-in-ones, and so received no points.

Fig 6.18 illustrates the overall points score for 'Nutritional Information', taking into account the combined points for each of the sub-divisions. Here, Kinetica places 3^rd amongst its competitors with 56 points. Reflex dominates the competition with a very impressive points score of 84, with Sci-MX coming in second with 68 points. Considering Kinetica Compete had a smaller serving size than both Reflex and Sci-MX, this is a respectable standing. PhD and Garnell trailed in with 50 points and 38 points respectively, whilst the lowest-performing product belonged to Maximuscle with a total score of only 27 points, revealing huge discrepancies between not only itself and the top-performing product, Reflex, but also to each one of its competitors.

Fig 6.18 Overall points score for 'Nutritional Information'

Fig 6.19 Grand total combined points score to illustrate overall product effectiveness

Fig 6.19 illustrates the combined total points score for both 'Basic Information' and 'Nutritional Information' providing a grand points score to determine each product's effectiveness, value and worth as an All-in-one product. Here, it is clear to see that Reflex dominates the competition with an impressive total points score of 112, the only product to achieve a triple-digit points score. Sci-MX placed 2^nd with 88 points, only slightly beating out PhD at 81 points. Kinetica placed 4^th overall, marginally falling short of PhD with 76 points. Garnell followed in 5^th place with 69 points, whilst Maximuscle's poor showing in this analysis meant that it could only gather a mere 48 points in total.

Whilst Reflex appears to be in a league of it's own, its clear to see that there wasn't much points difference between 2^nd-4^th position with only an 8 point margin, so Kinetica can be proud of its achievement with Kinetica Complete.

7.0 LIMITATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS

As I have previously stated, it is my intention to provide a factual, unbiased numerical analysis on the selected products to the best of my abilities. However, the greatest problems I encounter when performing this task are as follows:

• Not having access to complete product disclosure when it comes to ingredients and compounds included in the products, and more importantly, specific numerical values

• Awarding points based on partially collected values – if a product lists an ingredient/compound quantity where other products fail to do so, maximum points are awarded based on available disclosed information – that is not to say that the score awarded is actually a fair representation of the product's ingredient/compound value (important ingredients/compounds are often left out i.e. glutamine, cholesterol, BCAAs – my personal pet peeve) for commercial reasons.

• All decisions made on awarded points under the category of 'basic information' are relevant only to that product being purchased through the Explosive Nutrition website – prices are not based on supplement brand company settings and actual number of available flavours produced by the supplement categories.

But enough with the disclaimers and excuses already! Based on this research, what conclusions are able to be made?

1. Kinetica Complete placed 4^th overall in terms of its effectiveness, value and worth as an All-in-one. Whilst not providing the smallest serving size at 90g, I feel that if the serving size were to be increased to become comparable to that of Reflex One-Stop Xtreme's and Sci-MX Omni MX Hardcore's 145g, Kinetica Complete would've performed even better. Serving size does appear to be a self-inflicted handicap with Kinetica products when compared to its rivals.

2. Reflex One-Stop Xtreme came top in this analysis by a considerable points difference – not only to the 2^nd place Sci-MX with an identical serving size, but over all of the competition. Also, it should be noted that as a company, Reflex was the most transparent with it's product ingredients and provided quantities. This not only makes such an analysis on their product more accurate, but is admirable of the company as a whole. It did exactly what it boasted: …designed to outperform all other mass and strength building supplements".

3. At only 2kg, Kinetica would do well to provide a larger size container for Complete – especially if you used more than the recommended serving size. At £19.98/kg, Kinetica was also the 2^nd most expensive All-in-one per kilo – another good reason to increase the container size for Complete.

4. Not including supplements such as HMB and Beta-Alanine in Kinetica Complete was also a weakness when compared to some of it's competitors. As one of, if not the newest All-in-one amongst its rivals, it should take advantage of recent trends and latest scientific research. However, a counter argument for this point would be being able to provide these supplements in sufficient quantities to receive the benefits. Also, the more added extras you chose to include, the price is also likely to increase as well.

5. At only 44p per serving, Kinetica Complete provided the best value for money for serving size amongst its competitors.

6. I would've liked to have seen a greater inclusion of carbohydrates in Kinetica Complete – the protein to carbohydrate ratio was disappointing at less than 1:1 – clearly this advantage can be seen in both Reflex and Sci-MX's approach to their macro-nutrient proportions.

7. Kinetica Complete does possess the most sugars and fat of any of the tested products. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to prove that these sugars are natural and subsequently more readily converted to energy. I also wasn't able to learn the MCT proportion of its fat content, although one must hope that this is the primary source of its high fat content. Again, MCT's are an ideal energy source that is more readily broken down and used by the body for energy.

8. Kinetica Complete also ranked 2^nd for the amount of l-glutamine included per serving, providing more l-glutamine per serving than Sci-MX Omni MX Hardcore's 145g serving.

9. I wouldn't touch Maximuscle products with a 10-foot barge pole. No, this is not a clerical, un-opinionated stated I should make, but based on Maximuscle Cyclone's performance in this analysis, would you say any different?

Bottom-line: Kinetica Complete is a worthy All-in-one product that holds it's own against the competition whilst boasting higher quality and purity of ingredients than many of its rivals. If you're looking to experiment with supplementation to provide for a number of athletic demands whilst looking for the convenience of having them all in one supplement – backed up by an appropriate exercise regime – then this product is a respectable choice.