Everything You Need to Know Before Trying This Hardcore Pre-Workout

Hey fit fam! If you’re like me, you’re always on the hunt for the most intense pre-workout to take your workouts to the next level. Lately, I’ve been hearing a lot of buzz around a pre-workout called Beyond Raw DTF. It claims to give you extreme energy, power, and focus to absolutely crush it in the gym.

But is DTF really all it’s cracked up to be? I decided to test it out for myself and write this complete buying guide so you can see if Beyond Raw DTF is right for you. Get ready for a wild ride!

What is Beyond Raw DTF?

Beyond Raw DTF is an ultra-potent pre-workout supplement designed by GNC. It’s part of their Beyond Raw line which is aimed at hardcore athletes and bodybuilders who want intense workouts with maximum energy.

DTF stands for “Down The F*cking Gym” – which should give you an idea of how powerful this pre-workout is! It’s definitely not for the faint of heart. DTF is super high in stimulants to get you amped up and ready to obliterate your workout.

How Does Beyond Raw DTF Work?

The key to DTF’s hardcore effects lies in its unique blend of stimulants and performance-enhancing ingredients.

It contains a whopping 300mg of caffeine per serving from varied sources like caffeine anhydrous and Infinergy dicaffeine malate. This provides a rapid surge in energy and alertness to power you through the toughest workouts.

Beyond Raw DTF also contains Teacrine, a chemical cousin of caffeine, which provides smooth energy without the crash. It also has Alpinia galangal extract, which acts similarly to caffeine and can further enhance alertness and athletic performance.

Other key ingredients like beta-alanine, betaine, and L-citrulline help boost power output, muscle endurance, growth, and nitric oxide levels. Together, all these ingredients make DTF an absolute beast of a pre-workout. Just one scoop can transform you into a weight lifting machine!

What are the Ingredients In Beyond Raw DTF?

Here is the full list of scientifically-proven ingredients inside each scoop of DTF:

• Caffeine anhydrous and Infinergy Dicaffeine Malate – 300mg total caffeine for extreme energy, focus and improved performance
• Teacrine – Provides smooth, sustained energy and concentration without jitters
• Alpinia galangal extract – Works synergistically with caffeine to enhance cognitive function and athletic performance
• Beta-Alanine – Reduces fatigue and increases muscle endurance for more reps and sets
• Betaine anhydrous – Boosts strength, power, and muscle growth
• L-Citrulline – Enhances nitric oxide levels for insane muscle pumps and vascularity
• BioPerine – Increases absorption and bioavailability of other ingredients
• Hordenine – Natural compound that enhances energy and mental focus

As you can see, DTF has a precise blend of caffeine, performance enhancers, and muscle builders to help you train harder than ever before.

Is Beyond Raw DTF Safe?

While DTF is very potent, it is generally safe when used responsibly. GNC has a reputation for making clean supplements that are rigorously tested for quality and purity.

That being said, DTF does have a massive 300mg caffeine dosage per serving. If you have a low caffeine tolerance or sensitivity, you’ll want to be careful with this one.

I’d recommend starting with half a scoop at first to assess your tolerance, especially if you don’t regularly use stimulant-based pre-workouts. Never exceed one full scoop in a 24-hour period.

DTF is not recommended for anyone under 18 years old, pregnant/nursing women, or those with heart conditions or high blood pressure. As with any supplement, consult your doctor before using if you have any medical concerns.

But for healthy adults with some stim tolerance, DTF can be safely used to enhance your workouts. Just be smart with your dosing.

What Are the Benefits of Beyond Raw DTF?

Based on my personal experience, here are the main benefits you can expect from taking Beyond Raw DTF pre-workout:

• Insane energy – The high caffeine content gives you endless energy and motivation for beast mode training sessions. Just be prepared to channel it productively!
• Laser focus – DTF helps you zone in and concentrate solely on your workout with heightened mental clarity and alertness.
• Power and strength – Ingredients like betaine, beta-alanine and caffeine work together to help you lift heavier weight for more reps and sets.
• Muscle pumps – With its nitric oxide boosting ingredients, DTF gives you roadmap vascularity and skin-tearing muscle pumps.
• Decreased fatigue – The beta-alanine will help you keep pushing hard with reduced muscular fatigue. More volume = more gains.
• Better mind-muscle connection – The heightened focus helps you intensely contract the working muscle for each rep.
• Improved performance – DTF can boost speed, endurance, 1 rep maxes, and overall athleticism for any training goal.

As you can see, DTF covers all the bases to help you train harder, recover faster, and build more muscle. The energy surge is unreal!

How Should I Take Beyond Raw DTF?

To get the full DTF experience, you’ll want to follow the proper dosing protocol:

• Take 1 rounded scoop (8.1g) with 8-12 oz of water around 15-30 minutes before your workout.
• Do not exceed 1 scoop within a 24 hour period. I suggest only using DTF on your hardest training days when you really need the boost.
• Start with 1/2 scoop to assess tolerance if you’re new to high-stim pre workouts.
• Drink plenty of water and avoid taking DTF on an empty stomach to minimize side effects.
• Stack DTF with Beyond Raw LIT or BCAAs during your workout for better hydration, performance and recovery.
• Cycle off DTF for 1-2 weeks every 2 months to avoid building too much tolerance to the stimulants.

When used correctly, DTF will take your workouts to the next level every time! Just be responsible with your dosing.

How Long Does DTF Take to Show Results?

One of the best things about DTF is how fast it kicks in. Most users start to feel the effects within 15-30 minutes of taking it.

The caffeine provides an immediate surge in energy, focus and motivation so you can tackle your workout with full intensity right from the start.

Performance benefits like increased power output, vascularity and endurance also begin within the first workout.

You’ll find yourself lifting heavier weights, grinding out more reps and recovering faster between sets.

Some effects like increased muscle growth may take a few weeks of consistent use to fully notice – but in general DTF starts working rapidly to enhance every workout.

Can I Use DTF for Muscle Growth?

Absolutely! While DTF wasn’t created solely as a muscle builder, the right supplementation can definitely support your gains.

Here’s how DTF contributes to muscle growth:

• Boosts workout performance – You can lift heavier weight and train harder/longer which stimulates more muscle fiber breakdown and growth.
• Increases power output – More power allows you to lift heavier loads and do more reps, creating greater mechanical tension.
• Reduces fatigue – The beta-alanine allows more total volume per workout to induce hypertrophy.
• Improves mind-muscle connection – You can intensely focus on contracting the working muscle through each rep.
• Enhances recovery – Faster recovery between workouts means more frequent muscle protein synthesis.

So while DTF won’t directly build muscle on its own, it creates the perfect environment in your body and mind to train for maximum hypertrophy. The increased energy and focus are key!

Are There Any Side Effects of DTF?

DTF is pretty safe when used correctly, but some users may experience minor side effects, especially when overdoing the dosage. These can include:

• Jitters or anxiety from the high stim content
• Energy crash after it wears off
• Dehydration – be sure to drink enough water!
• Flushing skin or tingling sensation
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Trouble sleeping if taken too late
• Upset stomach if taken on an empty stomach

These side effects are usually mild and can be avoided by starting slow with your dosage and not exceeding the recommended serving. Speak to your doctor if any symptoms concern you.

What Do Reviews Say About DTF?

Looking at reviews from bodybuilders and athletes online, the consensus is that DTF more than lives up to its hardcore hype:

“Best pre-workout I’ve ever used. Gave me the energy to smash PRs and get shredded.”

“This stuff transforms you into a beast in the gym. Crazy intense workouts.”

“Strongest pre-workout I’ve tried. Gives insane endless energy but no crash after.”

“Next level focus and stamina. Beat all my rep PRs when I started using this”

While a few users complain about jittery side effects, most love DTF and say it takes their training to the next level. The extreme energy seems to be a big motivator to push harder.

Where Can I Buy DTF?

Since it’s part of their exclusive Beyond Raw line, the only place you can buy authentic DTF pre-workout is on the GNC website, or at GNC retail stores.

I’d recommend buying directly from the GNC site to take advantage of discounts, BOGO deals, and fast, free shipping.

Be wary of any third party sellers claiming to sell DTF online, as the authenticity can’t be verified. Your best bet is straight from the source at GNC.com or local stores.

How Much Does DTF Cost?

A 30-serving tub of Beyond Raw DTF costs $39.99 on the GNC website. However, they always have sales and promo codes available.

Some money saving tips for DTF:

• Buy 2 get 1 free – Adds 3 tubs to your cart for just $80, lowering cost to $26 per tub
• 20% off code – Brings 30-serving tub down to $32
• Free shipping on orders $49+
• Loyalty rewards program – Earn points and discounts on future purchases

With current deals, you can usually get DTF for around $30-35 per tub if you buy a few at once. A great bargain for such an intense pre-workout!

Is DTF Effective for Energy and Focus?

Oh yeah, energy and focus are where DTF truly shines in my experience. With 300mg total caffeine plus other stimulant ingredients, this stuff will have you bouncing off the walls with energy in the gym.

I don’t recommend taking DTF for mundane daily tasks where hyper-focus and energy aren’t required. This is made purely for intense training.

The tingling rush hits you hard and fast, and the heightened focus is perfect for dialing in on your workout with zero distractions.

If you’re looking for pre-workout energy that’s smooth and sustainable, DTF might be too much. But for maximum intensity, DTF delivers insane energy and aggression!

Can DTF Be Stacked with Other Supplements?

DTF can definitely be stacked with other supplements to enhance your workouts and results even further:

• Protein – Take with protein post-workout to supply muscles with amino acids and optimize growth. Whey or casein work great.
• Creatine – The classic muscle builder pairs perfectly with DTF to boost strength and size gains.
• BCAAs – During workout for increased endurance, hydration and muscle protein synthesis.
• Citrulline – Additional citrulline can enhance the nitric oxide pumping effects.
• Betaine – More betaine pre-workout will further boost power and strength output.

Just be cautious when combining DTF with other stimulants, as it already contains a massive dose. But for non-stim workout supplements, DTF stacks very effectively!

What Flavors Does DTF Come In?

DTF currently comes in 2 extremely unique and delicious tasting flavors:

Blue Raz – An icy blue raspberry flavor. This provides a cooling effect and tasty sweet-tart flavor. My personal favorite!

Sour Green Apple – A tangy sour apple flavor. Provides a crisp apple taste with a mouthwatering sour kick.

Both contain zero sugar and mix easily in water with no clumping. I suggest using cold water to make them ultra refreshing as the stimulants hit you!

Does DTF Contain Common Allergens?

GNC does a great job of making most Beyond Raw products allergen-friendly. DTF is formulated to be free of:

• Gluten – Less gastrointestinal issues
• Dairy – Better for lactose intolerant individuals
• Soy – Avoid soy allergy symptoms
• Peanuts – Safe for those with peanut allergies

It’s also vegan friendly, containing no animal products. And it has zero added sugar.

So if you have common food allergies or follow a special diet, DTF can still be used safely with no worries. As always, check the label if allergies are a concern.

Who Should Not Use DTF?

While generally safe, DTF is an extremely potent pre-workout – so it’s not for everyone:

• Those under 18 years old
• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Individuals with medical conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or thyroid issues.
• People taking prescription stimulants or antidepressants that could interact with the caffeine content.
• Those with caffeine sensitivities or who do not regularly use caffeinated pre-workouts.

It’s always smart to consult your doctor before trying any intense supplement like DTF, especially if you have underlying health conditions or concerns. Don’t take chances with your safety.

How Does DTF Compare to Other Pre-Workouts?

After trying tons of pre-workouts over the years, I can honestly say DTF is the strongest I’ve experienced, at least in terms of sheer energy.

Compared to more mainstream pre-workouts like C4 or Pre Jym, DTF easily has 2-3x as much caffeine content per serving at 300mg. Plus additional stimulants for greater intensity.

While a stim-junkie’s dream, it may be overkill for those who want a more moderate energy boost. Products like Bucked Up or Total War would be a step below DTF for stimulants.

I’d only recommend DTF if your caffeine tolerance is already high, and you want extreme, head-banging energy that leaves nothing in the tank by workout’s end. It’s made for a wild ride!

Is DTF Vegan-Friendly?

Yep, DTF is 100% vegan friendly. It contains no dairy, eggs, meat or other animal byproducts.

Even better, it’s flavored naturally rather than using artificial dyes. This makes DTF a great choice for vegan bodybuilders, athletes and fitness enthusiasts looking for a clean plant-based pre-workout.

What’s the Recommended Dosage?

The maximum recommended dosage is 1 scoop (8.1g) per day, taken about 15-30 minutes before training.

It’s best to start with 1/2 scoop at first to gauge tolerance, especially if new to high caffeine pre workouts like DTF.

Never exceed 1 full scoop within a 24 hour period. I suggest only taking DTF before your hardest, most intense training sessions 1-2 times per week when you really require the strong stimulant effect.

Be sure to cycle off fully for 7-14 days every 8-12 weeks to avoid building too much tolerance. And drink plenty of water before, during and after taking DTF!

My Final Thoughts on Beyond Raw DTF

Well, there you have it amigos! That wraps up this complete buying guide all about Beyond Raw DTF pre-workout.

To summarize:

• DTF is an insanely high-stim pre-workout made for hardcore training.
• It provides relentless energy, sharp focus and superior performance… if you can handle it!
• The formula contains a scientifically proven blend of stimulants and muscle builders.
• Workouts are taken to the next level with heightened energy, strength, stamina and muscle pumps.
• Minor side effects can occur so start with low dosages and don’t overdo it.
• Available exclusively online and in stores at GNC.
• The price is fair for such a hardcore product, especially when on sale.
• Perfect for stacking with protein, creatine, BCAAs and more.

So is DTF worth buying? I believe it is, but only if you truly desire the most intense workouts possible. This stuff is NOT subtle by any means. Proper dosing is key.

If you’re seeking a supercharged pre-workout to unlock beast mode and PRs in the gym, DTF deserves a shot. Just brace yourself for the wild ride and be smart with it!

Have you tried DTF or other Beyond Raw supplements? I’d love to hear about your experience! Leave a comment below and let’s connect.