Axe & Sledge | The Grind V3 | EAAs + BCAAs + Hydration

When Axe & Sledge Supplements first made its debut in the sports nutrition industry back in 2018, The Grind was one of the five original products we launched.

Since IFBB and co-founder/co-owner Seth Feroce started bodybuilding he was introduced to the benefits of consuming essential amino acids, specifically around his intense training sessions. So it’s no surprise that The Grind was one of the foundational products Axe & Sledge was built on.

Since 2018, The Grind has gone through several stages of rebranding with new designs and countless flavor extensions. But the formula has always remained the same… until now!

We’re excited to announce that The Grind just got an upgrade!

Here are some of the upgrades we made to the formula:

• Increased BCAAs from 5 grams to 6 grams
  • Including 3 grams of Leucine for maximizing muscle protein synthesis
• Increased EAAs from 2.55g to 3 grams
• Increased Sodium from 16mg to 150mg
• Increased Potassium from 60mg to 100mg
• Added AstraGin® to promote absorption
• No artificial dyes or colors
• New Look
• Enhanced Flavor Profiles

What Stayed The Same

The Grind is still...

• 30 servings
• Vegan-friendly
• Soy-free
• Gluten-free
• Dairy-free
• Sugar-free
• Stimulant-free
  

The Grind will be re-launching in the following flavors:

• Orange Sherbet
• Juicy Nectar
• Deadlifts & Gummy Bears
• Sour Electric Lime

Keep reading to learn more about The Grind, including the benefits of taking EAAs and how to use it for optimal results!

What is The Grind?

If you're new to Axe & Sledge Supplements, The Grind is our essential amino acid and branched-chain amino acid formula. It's normally used during and/or after training sessions promote muscle protein synthesis, support hydration, and enhance recovery.

Consuming free form amino acids offers an advantage compared to whole food protein sources because they are digested and absorbed much quicker. This is one of the reasons why Seth consumes The Grind directly after training sessions to kickstart the recovery process before consuming whole-food protein.

Now that you know what The Grind is, you may be wondering what EAAs are and why they are important?

EAAs 101

Essential amino acids are amino acids that the body cannot synthesize on its own, so they must be obtained from food or supplements. These amino acids are crucial for various bodily functions, including protein synthesis, enzyme production, immune function, and overall growth and repair.

There are nine essential amino acids:

• Histidine
• Isoleucine
• Leucine
• Lysine
• Methionine
• Phenylalanine
• Threonine
• Tryptophan
• Valine

The Importance of Essential Amino Acids

Each essential amino acid has specific benefits that contribute to overall health and bodily functions. 

Here's a breakdown of the benefits each one has to offer:

Histidine

Helps produce histamine, which is important for immune response, digestion, and regulating sleep. It's also involved in the growth and repair of tissues and the production of red blood cells.

Isoleucine

Plays a key role in muscle metabolism, immune function, and energy regulation. It is particularly important for athletes, as it helps with muscle repair and endurance.

Leucine

Essential for muscle protein synthesis and maintaining muscle mass, especially during periods of stress or physical exertion. It also helps regulate blood sugar levels and promotes fat loss by enhancing fat oxidation.

Lysine

Important for collagen production, which is essential for skin, cartilage, tendons, and bones. It also helps in the absorption of calcium and the production of enzymes and hormones.

Methionine

An antioxidant that helps prevent cellular damage. Methionine is also involved in the detoxification process and the synthesis of other amino acids, including cysteine.

Phenylalanine

A precursor to tyrosine, which is needed to produce important neurotransmitters like dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. It supports mood regulation, focus, and overall brain function.

Threonine

Vital for the formation of proteins, collagen, and elastin, which are crucial for the structure of skin and connective tissues. It also supports the immune system and digestive health.

Tryptophan

Known for its role in producing serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, sleep, and appetite. It can help manage symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Valine

A branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) that helps stimulate muscle growth and repair, supports energy production, and regulates blood sugar levels. Like isoleucine, it’s particularly important for athletes and those engaging in intense physical activity.

In summary, essential amino acids are all important for maintaining good health, ensuring proper body function, and supporting muscle, immune, and brain health.

But, what's the difference between EAAs and BCAAs?

EAAs vs BCAAs

Branched-chain amino acids or BCAAs for short, are simply a subset of the nine EAAs mentioned above. They are named after their branched molecular structure. Only three of the nine essential amino acids are also classified as BCAAs, which include:

• Leucine
• Isoleucine
• Valine

A few years ago BCAA supplements were more popular than EAA supplements likely because they were cheaper, easier to flavor, and research was lacking on showing the importance of the other essential amino acids.

Although BCAAs are very important for muscle protein synthesis, they can’t fully do their job without the other six essential amino acids present. Since BCAAs and EAAs work better together, we included all of them in The Grind to ensure your body is getting all of the amino acids it is not able to synthesize on its own.

AstraGin® For Superior Absorption

Besides increasing the total amount of amino acids, we added AstraGin® from Nuliv Science to support the absorption of amino acids so you get more out of every scoop! AstraGin^® is a patented, plant-based compound providing full-spectrum gut support through absorption, microbiota population, and a healthy intestinal wall environment. Research shows that AstraGin® improves the absorption of BCAAs by 69%, leucine by 58%, and total amino acids by 43%!

Electrolytes

As mentioned above, The Grind used to have a small amount of electrolytes, but we decided to bump up the dose of Sodium to 150 milligrams and Potassium to 100 milligrams.

The primary reason for the added electrolytes is to further support total body hydration, muscular contractions, and nerve impulses which help enhance recovery and performance. The Grind uses high bioavailable sources of each that are readily absorbed by the body.

Suggested Use

Whether you’re a bodybuilder, powerlifter, endurance athlete, cross fitter, hybrid athlete, or just an average joe trying to get in the best shape of their life, The Grind is a great addition to your supplement stack!

For optimal results, we recommend mixing 1 scoop of The Grind in 10-12 ounces of water. If you prefer a lighter flavor profile, you can increase the amount of water to 14-16 ounces per scoop. The Grind can be used any time of the day, but we recommend taking 1 serving during or after training. Another great time to utilize The Grind is before cardio in the morning to jumpstart muscle protein synthesis and hydration.