Since it’s so expensive I only used it at races (after a few trial runs on normal rides of course) and it seemed to make a pretty significant speed increase for me. Could be placebo though, but either way, speed is speed.
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just tried it and no luck
The stuff is greatly fantastic, when used correctly and consistently. Remember…more is really more. 
Yup! I agree, and I believe the stuff is incredible…IMO
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So after 2 TR indoor sessions, haven’t tried it outdoors yet, could be still placebo effect feeling where the legs feel mildly stimulating and positive. Obviously no menthol scent and no soreness either given the workouts were Tallac and Carillon +2 (SST)…
Now for the lotion composition and application… definitely applies better as it feels and looks like a lotion now compared to the old where it look like a typical cycling embrocation. Also since I tend to sweat a bit more on the legs, I didn’t get that oily feeling compared to the previous where I had to immediately wipeoff the legs and get in the shower to clean up. So far i’m happy with the positive effects with the new stuff but will save it for the harder workouts and upcoming races and events.
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Hopefully an option for us folks who don’t shave their legs! 
Question, IF we use PR lotion for training rides, could we be missing some of the training benefit?
Similar questions?
- With or without a fan?
- With or without motivational music?
- With or without visual distraction?
- With or without caffeine?
Each of those has been shown to alter RPE at the very least, if not more in the form of quantitative improvement in output.
Considerations range around what you are getting (or limiting) within a particular workout, what happens for the stress and related adaptation, and whether or not we have the same capability / tool / aid in our actual events.
If we are seeking to maximize the stress we apply to drive greater adaptations, I think using the “aids” in training makes sense. Considerations do exist as to whether we will be limited without those in our events. So thinking about having it in one and not the other is valid.
For AMP PRL, we can theoretically use it in both, and that is generally advised. Maybe we are limiting ourselves by denying potential adaptation (physical or psychological) if we end up in situations without that aid?
More questions than answers and not enough data to really know one way or the right now.
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Use it for races only. Love it. Placebo or not, I’ll take it.
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I’ve started using up the tube that I had previously purchased before hearing the flo cycling podcast. I originally purchased the lotion for race days, but didn’t feel any difference during those races so I started writing off the idea that this stuff worked.
But, after hearing the podcast, the creator of the product advocated that we should primarily be using this on hard training days and that he believed lowering RPE, would let you attain more adaptation faster.
I’ve often been slow to warm up for my workout intervals. So, lets say I’m doing a number of intervals, I’ve noticed that the early ones I sometimes have had issues with, then I start to come good. With the lotion I’ve felt that I can get right into the workout without have an initial high RPE on the early intervals.
As far as I’m concerned if it seems to be working, at maybe $35 a month I don’t have a huge issue using the stuff.
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I’ve used the old formula before and felt pretty good using it.
I got my hands on a few packets of their new formula and am excited to try those!
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The marginal gains podcast had an interesting episode on the placebo effect recently.
https://marginalgainspodcast.cc/the-placebo-effect-and-marginal-gains/
The placebo effect can be quite beneficial, and I don’t think we should ignore the benefits of it.
That said, I’m skeptical regarding the underlying claims of this product, but I know people that swear by it. I also find it interesting that there is a competing lotion, Lactigo, that also has menthol but does not have sodium bicarbonate. They also have studies saying it works 
I’d like to see more research/data on this as it is interesting, but I don’t want to pay $35/month for placebo lotion. More detailed data confirming the underlying claimed mode of benefit would be good, for example. For PR lotion, why is a topical analgesic in there, but considered by them to not be the active ingredient? Maybe because you couldn’t sell just Menthol lotion for $35/tube? Maybe I should just believe it works, and put some bicarb in Bengay and get my placebo gains at a discount 
PR lotion: $3.30/ounce
Bengay vanishing scent (menthol gel): $1.92/ounce. (I expected this difference to be bigger quite honestly.)
Generic menthol gel rub is about $0.45-$0.86/ounce.
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So, by mistake, i applied a one leg test at two different races. I had the to-go packets and got one leg lubed up and couldn’t find the packet for the second leg. I did, mid-race, actually notice a difference and remarked on it. Tried the opposite leg at the second race and again, felt a little difference.
since then, I bought some and have used it sparingly. I have not been magically DOMS free as a result of using it, but i do enjoy some more spring/less fatigue/soreness.
I’m sold on it’s benefits, but it’s not a substitute for training and nutrition, obviously.
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From my understanding of their claimed mechanism, it is not local to a body part - ie the bicarbonate goes through the skin, into the blood, where it buffers (ie reacts with in a measured way) the H+ ions in the blood. It does not do anything in the muscles - I don’t think they even claim that. I recall that during a podcast interviewing a person from AMP human he even said you should put it all over your body (I think this was the Flo cycling podcast.)
Their “non-active” ingredients (menthol, among others) will have a location specific effect, so that may be a big part of what you are noticing.
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I bought a tube of the new stuff and tried it out tonight for my scheduled ramp test. The test still hurt and I can’t say I felt anything different during the test. Result was what I expected. Post-test, the legs are feeling really good, but I can’t honestly remember how my legs normally feel after a ramp test. The real test is this weekend with a 63 mile road race.
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This is partly true. Tests show the biproduct in blood and urine. So some circulates through the body, but a higher concentration of the bicarb remains where you apply it. Thus, their recommendation to apply it specifically where you want the effect.
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Trynextgen_now for 20% off. Even works on the buy 4 bottles, get 1 free deal. 5 bottles for $117.
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I’ve watched this before. The TLDR version is “So does it work? We don’t know”