If you’re chasing that powerful muscle pump during workouts, nitric oxide boosters like Citrulline Malate and Nitrosigine are key players worth understanding.
This article breaks down the science, benefits, and differences between these two ingredients, plus how Bucked Up uses them to help enhance your training. Let’s explore which can best support your goals for increased blood flow and that satisfying gym pump.
What Drives the Muscle Pump: The Role of Nitric Oxide Boosters
That tight, full feeling in your muscles during a workout, often called the pump, isn’t just for show. It signals increased blood flow, which supports better performance, recovery, and even muscle growth. This happens through a process called hyperemia, where blood vessels expand to deliver more oxygen and nutrients to your muscles.
Nitric oxide, or NO, is a molecule that helps widen blood vessels, known as vasodilation. This allows more blood to reach your muscles while clearing out waste like lactate. Pre-workout supplements often include ingredients to ramp up NO production, and Citrulline Malate and Nitrosigine stand out for their ability to do just that.
Beyond the visual effect, boosting NO can improve endurance, cut down on fatigue during intense sessions, and possibly aid muscle repair over time. For athletes or anyone serious about training, these benefits can elevate workouts significantly.
Citrulline Malate: A Reliable Choice for Nitric Oxide Support
Unpacking Citrulline Malate
Citrulline Malate combines L-Citrulline, an amino acid, with malate, an acid involved in energy production. Often found in a 2:1 ratio in supplements, it’s one of the most studied options for boosting nitric oxide. While L-Citrulline is naturally in foods like watermelon, the doses needed for workout benefits come from supplementation.
L-Citrulline helps increase arginine levels in your blood, which then supports NO production. The malate part aids energy creation by playing a role in the Krebs cycle, helping your body produce ATP, the main energy source for cells.
How It Enhances Your Pump
L-Citrulline effectively boosts arginine levels and NO production in the body. After you take it, Citrulline enters your bloodstream and converts to arginine in the kidneys. This method works better than taking arginine directly, as Citrulline avoids breakdown in the gut for more consistent results.
With higher arginine levels, your blood vessels produce more NO, relaxing their walls and increasing blood flow for that pumped feeling. Additionally, malate may support ATP production and reduce lactate buildup, helping sustain energy during tough workouts.
Benefits for Performance and Recovery
Citrulline Malate offers several advantages beyond just a better pump. Here’s what it brings to your training:
- Boosts work capacity during intense resistance training with increased blood flow post-workout.
- Enhances oxygen use during exercise, supporting muscle endurance.
- Speeds up clearance of waste like lactate, aiding faster recovery.
These effects help deliver nutrients to muscles and clear out waste, supporting both immediate effort and long-term gains.
Bucked Up Options with Citrulline Malate
Bucked Up includes Citrulline Malate at effective doses in several products. Their original pre-workout pairs it with 200mg of caffeine and other ingredients for balanced energy and pump, ideal for most users. Woke AF steps it up with 333mg of caffeine and added stimulants, perfect for those accustomed to stronger pre-workouts while still leveraging Citrulline Malate’s benefits.


Nitrosigine: A Modern Approach to Nitric Oxide Enhancement
What Makes Nitrosigine Different
Nitrosigine is a patented blend of arginine silicate stabilized with inositol, designed for better absorption compared to regular arginine. This structure helps protect arginine from breaking down in the gut, ensuring more reaches your system to support NO production.
The inositol and silicate components add to its stability and might even offer extra benefits, like supporting mineral use in the body. This design tackles past issues with arginine supplements, providing a more reliable option for boosting blood flow.
How Nitrosigine Powers Your Pump
Nitrosigine delivers arginine more effectively than traditional forms for NO support. Unlike Citrulline Malate, which converts over time, Nitrosigine provides arginine directly, leading to quicker effects on blood vessel expansion.
Its ability to enhance blood flow stands out among other NO boosters. This fast action suits those wanting a rapid pump right after taking their pre-workout.
Standout Advantages of Nitrosigine
Nitrosigine brings specific benefits that set it apart. Here are a few key points:
- Triggers quick vasodilation, matching or exceeding other options for immediate impact.
- Increases NO during workouts, reducing fatigue and boosting blood flow.
- Offers visual effects like enhanced vascularity, appealing to bodybuilders.
Additionally, the silicate may support joint health, adding a potential recovery benefit alongside the pump effects.
Bucked Up’s Nitrosigine Formula
Bucked Up features Nitrosigine in Mother Bucker, their high-intensity pre-workout for experienced users. Combined with 400mg of caffeine and other potent ingredients, Nitrosigine delivers a fast, strong pump effect, aligning with the product’s focus on maximum performance.

Comparing Citrulline Malate and Nitrosigine for Workout Pumps
Side-by-Side Breakdown
Both Citrulline Malate and Nitrosigine enhance nitric oxide and blood flow, but they work differently. Here’s a quick comparison to clarify their strengths:
|
Feature / Ingredient |
Citrulline Malate (CM) |
Nitrosigine (ASI) |
|
Mechanism |
Converts to arginine via the urea cycle |
Delivers arginine directly with higher absorption |
|
Main Benefit |
Sustained NO boost, energy support, endurance |
Fast NO increase, quick blood flow enhancement |
|
Typical Dose |
6-8g |
1.5g |
|
Bucked Up Products |
Bucked Up, Woke AF |
Mother Bucker |
Citrulline Malate offers a gradual, lasting effect with added energy benefits from malate. Nitrosigine hits faster due to its direct delivery, ideal for quick results.
Performance Impact in Training
Research shows both ingredients improve workout results, with slight differences in focus. Citrulline Malate increases work capacity and post-exercise blood flow markers. On the other hand, Nitrosigine provides a fast boost in vasodilation, matching CM for immediate blood flow gains.
Both support better blood flow and less fatigue during exercise, as confirmed by studies. Citrulline Malate often sustains effects longer, while Nitrosigine gives a quicker, stronger initial pump.
Why Bucked Up Blends Both for Maximum Effect
In Mother Bucker, Bucked Up combines 4g of L-Citrulline with 1.5g of Nitrosigine for a dual approach. Nitrosigine kicks in fast for an early pump, while L-Citrulline maintains blood flow over time. This covers different workout phases and accounts for individual responses, ensuring most users see results.
Adding HydroPrime Glycerol boosts hydration, enhancing the overall pump effect by supporting cell volume alongside blood flow.
Finding the Best Fit for Your Training Goals
Picking between Citrulline Malate and Nitrosigine depends on your needs and experience. Citrulline Malate suits those wanting lasting endurance and energy, as seen in Bucked Up and Woke AF, great for long sessions or beginners. Nitrosigine fits users after a fast, intense pump, like in Mother Bucker, catering to advanced athletes.
Timing matters too. If you train soon after taking a pre-workout, Nitrosigine’s quick action helps. For later workouts, Citrulline Malate’s sustained effect might work better.
Common Questions About Pump-Boosting Ingredients
Can You Combine Citrulline Malate and Nitrosigine for Better Results?
Yes, using both together can amplify their effects by targeting NO production in different ways. Citrulline Malate sustains arginine levels over time, while Nitrosigine provides an immediate boost. Bucked Up’s Mother Bucker uses this combo, with 4g L-Citrulline and 1.5g Nitrosigine, for both quick and lasting pump benefits, regardless of individual differences.
Is Malate in Citrulline Malate Just a Filler?
No, malate actively supports energy production in the Krebs cycle, helping create ATP. It also reduces lactate buildup, letting you push harder for longer. This dual role, alongside Citrulline’s blood flow benefits, makes it a valuable part of the mix in Bucked Up products.
Which Ingredient Works Faster for Blood Flow?
Nitrosigine often acts quicker, showing blood vessel expansion within 30-60 minutes due to direct arginine delivery. Citrulline Malate takes a bit longer, around 60-90 minutes, but maintains effects over extended periods. Your training style may sway which fits best, quick impact or sustained support.
How Long Do Pump Effects Last?
Nitrosigine’s effects peak within 2-3 hours, ideal for shorter sessions when taken 30-45 minutes before. Citrulline Malate lasts 3-4 hours, supporting longer workouts, though personal factors like metabolism can adjust these timelines. Combining them, as in Mother Bucker, aims to cover both quick and extended benefits.
Will I Build Tolerance to These Ingredients?
Tolerance to NO boosters is less common than with stimulants like caffeine, but some adaptation can happen. Cycling use, such as 6-8 weeks on and 1-2 weeks off, or switching between Citrulline Malate and Nitrosigine products, can keep effects strong. Good hydration and overall health also support consistent results.
Wrapping Up: Boost Your Workout Pump with Bucked Up
Both Citrulline Malate and Nitrosigine offer solid, science-backed ways to increase blood flow and achieve a strong pump during training. Citrulline Malate provides ongoing endurance and energy benefits, featured in Bucked Up and Woke AF. Nitrosigine delivers a fast, intense effect, highlighted in Mother Bucker for seasoned users.
Bucked Up stands out by using effective doses and transparent formulas across their pre-workout lineup. Whether you’re after a balanced start, higher stimulation, or peak intensity, their products aim to enhance your sessions noticeably.
For the best results, consider blending both ingredients as in Mother Bucker, capturing quick and sustained benefits. Pair this with proper hydration and nutrition to maximize your pump and training progress.