Apollon Nutrition Bare Knuckle - Non-Stimulant Nitrate Infused Pre-Workout V6 Review

Bare Knuckle V6 is presented as an upgrade to the original Bare Knuckle formula, designed as a stimulant-free pre-workout that the brand says pushes performance further. The page says the formula is loaded with massive clinical-level doses, heavy nitrate technology, extreme focus support, full performance hydration and advanced pump ingredients, and that it contains zero proprietary blends, zero fillers and zero stimulants. The brand states that every ingredient was selected for a purpose and every dose was built to perform. The page groups the formula into several areas. For pumps and blood flow, it lists 10,000mg L-Citrulline, 4,200mg Arginine Nitrate (NO3-T), 508mg Vaso-Drive AP and 400mg Grape Seed Extract, and it says the result is explosive pumps, enhanced vascularity and increased nitric oxide production. For focus, it lists 6,000mg L-Tyrosine, 800mg Alpha GPC and 400mcg Huperzine A, and it claims tunnel-vision focus without crash, jitters or heart-racing overstimulation. For performance and hydration, it lists 6,400mg Beta Alanine, 5,000mg Betaine Anhydrous, 3,000mg Taurine, Himalayan Pink Salt with Potassium, and AstraGin for absorption, and it says the product supports endurance, power output, hydration, muscular performance and recovery. The page explains dosing by scoop. Each tub provides 40 half servings or 20 full servings. The brand says a half scoop already hits harder than most non-stim formulas, while a full scoop is more aggressive. It advises new users to assess their tolerance first and describes the product as feeling more like a strong pre-workout than a typical stim-free formula. The page names its intended users as late-night trainers, athletes cycling off stimulants, pump chasers, strength athletes, focus-driven lifters, and anyone tired of weak stim-free formulas. The product is sold in the grape, pineapple blackberry margarita and strawberry margarita flavours, with a one-time purchase price of $64.99 and a subscription option. The page also carries a Prop 65 style lead warning and the brand's commitment statement covering evidence-based formulation, third-party lab testing, transparent ingredients and US manufacturing. The page does not print a full supplement facts panel or a barcode in the text provided.

Product Focus: CirculationAlso covers:HeartMusclesRanked among:Nitric oxide supplements
Tier ⓘ
Tier 3 · Rank 11
Tier 3 · Reviewed. Strong review agreement, with limited or early support from human studies. Rank 11 within Tier 3 for Circulation; 25 of 53 overall. Tiers run from 1, the strongest evidence, to 5. How we grade →
Evidence ⓘ
72 /100
How strongly the evidence says this product works: human studies count most, then real reviews, then our biohacker panel.
Positive Reviews
92% of 69
Biohacker Mentions
10 of 10

Study, Trial or Testing Result Summary

Members Only41 human studies · 19 improved
41 human studies19 improved13 no effect64,778 people studied

The label lists only nitrates at 20.5 grams per serving. That is far above the roughly 400 milligrams used in studies and probably reflects the whole scoop rather than the nitrate content, so the true nitrate dose cannot be confirmed. The citrulline and beta alanine named in the store listing were not graded here. For blood flow, the nitrate evidence is mixed. A pooled review of 14 trials in people with heart failure or high lung blood pressure found nitrates raised the heart's pumping output during exercise and slightly lowered resting blood pressure, but did not improve oxygen use [1]. A pooled review of 11 trials in people with chronic lung disease found better blood vessel function and exercise capacity [2]. In adults with high blood pressure, a single nitrate-rich beetroot juice drink improved blood vessel lining function and heart blood supply [3], and in another small trial it lowered blood pressure and improved small vessel blood flow in muscle [4]. Other trials found no benefit. Six weeks of nitrate did not help exercise or blood vessel widening in heart failure [5], and 16 weeks did not lower blood pressure or artery stiffness in early high blood pressure [6]. Animal and cell studies are never counted.

See all 41 studies →Hide the studies

Review Totals and Summary

Members Only69 reviews · 92% positive
69 reviews · Apollon Nutrition website (Judge.me) 69
92% positive4% neutral4% negative

The store shows 69 ratings in total (Apollon Nutrition website, via Judge.me), with an average of 4.62 out of 5. The themes below come from the written reviews that could be read on that page, and only a handful of those include any text, so the written detail is very thin even though the rating count is not. Most ratings are five stars, with a small share of lower ones. All the written comments concern the powder, so no other forms needed to be set aside. What buyers praise most is the stimulant-free positioning. Kent Fiedor, the most detailed reviewer, says the formula contains the essential ingredients he wants without caffeine, and he highly recommends it. Performance feedback is also positive. One reviewer titled their comment "Insane Focus and Pump," which fits the page's emphasis on pumps, blood flow and mental focus from its nootropic ingredients. Another reviewer, Grayson F, left only a title, "Straight Gas," which hints at a strong energising effect even without caffeine, though there is no review text to confirm any details. One short review simply loves the taste and calls it a great pre-workout. The main complaint is taste. One reviewer says the performance is great but the taste is bad. Opinion on flavour is therefore mixed: one person loves it and another dislikes it. The comments are too brief to say anything about mixing, texture or aftertaste, so flavour-sensitive buyers should choose their flavour carefully. On dosing, Kent Fiedor started with a half scoop because of the formula's beta alanine content. He also added extra L-citrulline to his routine and planned to move up to a full scoop. This suggests that people sensitive to beta alanine may want to begin with a half serving and adjust gradually. As for who it seems to suit, the product appeals to people who want a pre-workout without caffeine or other stimulants, and to those who care about pumps and focus. It may also suit users who are happy to tweak their own dosing, such as starting low or adding extra citrulline. Nothing in the written feedback speaks to value for money or price. Several of the ratings are just stars with a title or a store invitation note and no body text. They add to the overall average without adding written detail. The written themes overall are strong focus and pump, appreciation for a stim-free option, mixed views on taste, and the tip to start with a half scoop. Anyone looking for detailed long-term feedback will not find it here, because the written comments are short and recent.

Biohacker Summary

Members Only10 of 10 recommend it
10 of 10 biohackers on our panel recommend it

Nitrates are the main ingredient here, and the panel is split by source. Of the eight panelists who spoke about them, four recommend them and one uses them, mainly from beetroot and leafy greens or powders, to widen blood vessels, improve blood flow, and support workout power and endurance. One panelist advises taking them 60 to 90 minutes before training, with the largest carb meal, and another pairs them with creatine; one panelist noted the benefit is not seen in elite athletes. Three panelists are neutral, and several warn against nitrates in processed and cured meats, linking them to cancer risk, migraines, depression, and inflammation, while one explains that plant nitrates behave differently thanks to vitamin C. Other cautions include avoiding nitrates for cluster headaches, one warning about arterial stiffness, and one claiming nitrates block iodine absorption, and no one said they stopped taking them.

See all 8 biohackers →Hide the biohackers
  • Dr. Eric Berg · Nitrates · neutral
    • 11 Oct 2026 · neutral · X ↗
      Dietary nitrates, once converted into nitric oxide, may help relax blood vessels and support healthy circulation.
    • 29 Aug 2026 · warns · YouTube ↗
      Warns that chemical nitrates in processed meats can break down into harmful things, create oxidation, and increase the risk for certain types of cancer.
    • 26 Jun 2025 · warns · Podcast ↗
      Warns that nitrates, when exposed to high heat, can turn into carcinogens.
    • 28 Sep 2023 · warns · Podcast ↗
      Lists nitrates as a top cause of iodine deficiency.
    • 5 Sep 2023 · warns · YouTube ↗
      Warns that nitrates, another waste product from fertilizers, block iodine absorption.
    • 29 Apr 2023 · warns · YouTube ↗
      Warns that nitrates, specifically sodium nitrate used to preserve processed meats, increase the risk of cancer. He distinguishes these from nitrates found in celery juice.
    • 1 May 2022 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends increasing nitrates from foods like beets, spinach, kale, and other leafy greens to improve nitric oxide production.
    • 12 Aug 2021 · neutral · Podcast ↗
      States that watercress has naturally occurring nitrates, which are good for the inside of the arteries, may help make arteries less stiff, help keep blood pressure from going too high, and may also help with exercise performance.
    • 20 Jun 2021 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      States that beets are loaded with natural nitrates that help to support blood pressure and arteries.
    • 23 Feb 2021 · warns · YouTube ↗
      Warns that nitrates, found in tap water at 10 times the recommended level, are known to cause cancer.
  • Peter Attia · Nitrates · recommends
    • 30 Aug 2026 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends avoiding foods with nitrates for patients with cluster headaches.
    • 12 Jan 2025 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Explains that nitrates, found in beetroot, are converted to nitric oxide in the body, which helps with vasodilation and improves blood circulation, thereby boosting V2 Max. However, he notes that this effect is not observed in elite athletes.
    • Date not recorded · neutral · Website ↗
      Discusses nitrates and athletic performance.
  • Dave Asprey · Nitrates · recommends
    • 7 Mar 2026 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends taking a source of nitrates with creatine to improve blood flow, leading to greater muscle perfusion and power output.
    • 13 Nov 2025 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends combining BFR with nitrates to help with nitric oxide production, provided the necessary enzymes are present to break down nitrate into nitrite.
    • 3 Jul 2025 · recommends · Podcast ↗
      Dave Asprey shares next-level stacking strategies by combining creatine with nitrates to maximize both mental and physical results and for peak performance.
    • 29 Apr 2020 · warns · YouTube ↗
      Dave Asprey warns that nitrates, found in cured meats like salami, hot dogs, and bacon, may cause mania, euphoria, hyperactivity, and insomnia due to their conversion into nitrosamines by gut bacteria.
    • Date not recorded · recommends · Website ↗
      Eating foods high in nitrates, such as celery, spinach, chard, arugula, and cabbage, can increase nitric oxide levels throughout the body.
  • Thomas DeLauer · Nitrates · recommends
    • 4 Dec 2025 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends using nitrates as a performance enhancer, consuming nitrate-rich foods or powders 60 to 90 minutes before a workout or mentally demanding task, and with the largest carb meal for blood sugar and metabolic control.
    • 6 Apr 2025 · warns · YouTube ↗
      Warns that nitrates can cause potential atherosclerotic issues, such as arterial stiffness, and can impact the brain, advising to avoid them when possible.
    • 27 Dec 2024 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends taking products high in nitrates, such as food products like tomatoes and beets, or supplements, to improve tissue quality and enhance power output during workouts.
    • 16 Dec 2024 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends taking products high in nitrates to enhance tissue quality and maximize performance during training and recovery days.
    • 8 Mar 2024 · warns · YouTube ↗
      Warns that nitrates in added processed meats can drive depression, noting that some supermarkets now label products as nitrate-free.
    • 18 Mar 2020 · warns · YouTube ↗
      Warns against large amounts of nitrates and nitrites in soups, as they can convert in the stomach and combine with proteins to create harmful nitrosamines.
    • 14 Nov 2019 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      States that nitrates and nitrites are not as bad as people think, often coming from celery powder, but prefers celery powder over artificial nitrites.
    • 24 Feb 2019 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends getting dietary nitrates to improve the ATP coupling phase by increasing oxygen availability and phosphocreatine synthesis.
  • Siim Land · Nitrates · uses
    • 19 Mar 2025 · uses · YouTube ↗
      States he eats plenty of dietary nitrates from beetroot and other vegetables.
    • 27 Jun 2024 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends supplementing with nitrates, found in beetroot juice, as it has been shown to improve VO2 max by increasing oxygen delivery to muscles through nitric oxide-induced vasodilation.
    • 7 Sep 2023 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Explains that nitrates, found in vegetables like beets and greens, are beneficial for the oral microbiome, acting as a prebiotic to favor good bacteria and reduce pathogenic ones like P. gingivalis.
    • 26 Aug 2023 · warns · TikTok ↗
      Warns that nitrates, found in processed meats, lead to inflammation.
    • 20 Dec 2022 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends foods high in nitrates like arugula, certain lettuces, or beetroot to further enhance nitric oxide production and blood flow delivery during exercise, helping to deliver collagen peptides.
  • Ben Greenfield · Nitrates · recommends
    • 11 Apr 2024 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends eating a diet rich in nitrates, such as arugula and beetroot, for erection quality.
    • Date not recorded · warns · Website ↗
      Ben warns that nitrates and nitrites, found in cured meats, have been linked to cancer in lab animals and humans, especially when consumed in high amounts or without natural nutrients like vitamin C.
    • Date not recorded · neutral · Website ↗
      Is not convinced that nitrates and nitrites are carcinogenic, noting that the body naturally produces large amounts of them and that the chemical structure is identical to those found in foods.
  • Dr. Mark Hyman · Nitrates · neutral
    • 9 Feb 2024 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Discusses the proposed mechanism that processed meat's high concentration of nitrates and nitrites, which are food additives, may promote insulin resistance by forming carcinogenic nitrosamines under high heat.
    • 3 Jan 2024 · warns · YouTube ↗
      Mentions that nitrates in ultra-processed meats can drive depression.
    • 28 Jun 2021 · warns · YouTube ↗
      Warns that nitrates, found in deli meats, are significant chemical triggers for migraines.
    • 10 May 2021 · warns · YouTube ↗
      Advises cutting down on nitrates in the diet to prevent cancer.
    • 14 Dec 2020 · warns · YouTube ↗
      Dr. Hyman advises against nitrates found in deli meats as a chemical trigger for migraines.
    • 15 Aug 2007 · warns · YouTube ↗
      Dr. H lists nitrates from deli meat as a chemical trigger that can cause migraines.
  • Dr. Rhonda Patrick · Nitrates · neutral
    • Date not recorded · neutral · Website ↗
      Rhonda clarifies that nitrates, found in plants, tend to form beneficial nitric oxide rather than harmful nitrosamines due to the presence of vitamin C in plants, which shifts the pathway.

RAL Summary

Members OnlyTier 3 for Circulation

Tier 3 fits: 91% of 69 reviews are positive, and nitrate studies give some support for blood flow (19 of 41 human studies improved), though results are mixed [1][5].

Where the evidence disagrees: 13 of the 41 human studies found no effect.

More Details

Members OnlyBody systems · Combine with · Possible side effects

Body systems: Cardiovascular system, Muscular system

Combine with: For vascular and blood flow support, this pairs well with magnesium (glycinate or taurate) to support vessel relaxation, omega-3 fish oil (EPA/DHA) for endothelial function, and CoQ10 for cardiovascular energy metabolism. Vitamin C or other polyphenols (such as pomegranate or grape seed extract) may help protect nitric oxide from oxidation. Citrulline can be complemented with L-arginine or agmatine, and taurine and potassium may add support for circulation and fluid balance. For true blood pressure goals, consider potassium-rich foods, magnesium, hawthorn, and a product designed for blood pressure, under medical guidance.

Possible side effects: No major side effects reported in the studies. One reviewer disliked the taste, and another started with a half scoop because of the beta alanine content.

Supplement Facts

Potassium 25 mg · L-Citrulline 5000 mg · Beta Alanine 3200 mg
Supplement Facts
Serving Size 1/2 Scoop (20.5g) / 1 Scoop (41g)
Servings Per Container 40/20
Amount Per Serving% Daily Value
Calories5
Total Carbohydrate1 g
Total Sugars0 g
Sodium100 mg
Potassium25 mg
L-Citrulline5,000 mg†
Beta Alanine3,200 mg†
L-Tyrosine3,000 mg†
Betaine Anhydrous2,500 mg†
Arginine Nitrate2,100 mg†
Taurine1,500 mg†
Alpha GPC 50%400 mg†
Vaso-Drive AP (Casein Hydrolysate)254 mg†
Himalayan Pink Salt250 mg†
Grape Seed Extract (Vitis Vinifera) (Seed)200 mg†
AstraGin (Panax Notoginseng (Root) and Astragalus Membranaceous (Root))25 mg†
Huperzine A200 mcg†
† Daily Value not established.

Other ingredients: Natural & Artificial Flavors, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Sucralose.

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Graded November 7, 2026 by the Reverse Age Lab evidence engine, from human studies, real reviews and our biohacker panel. How we grade. Is this medical advice? No. Rala organizes the published evidence; go over any change with your doctor, especially if you take meds.