Force Factor Ramp Up

Force Factor Ramp Up Review

Force Factor is an American company that according to the company information was founded by two Harvard rowers in 2009.

We expected to see some details about these two Ivy Leaguers but surprisingly after making this claim there was zero information about the people behind this company.

Even worse Force Factor does not appear to be as top drawer as the claimed Harvard connection would have us believe.

We found that Force Factor have a string of customer complaints around billing and collection issues. Customers have found it difficult to cancel payment agreements that they have unwittingly entered into, after signing up for a free trial.

In many cases this has happened when customers, who have just bought one supplement, such as Ramp Up are then invited to sign up for a free trial for another product without realising they are entering a long term agreement called the VIP membership.

Sometimes people have simply responded to a freebie offer on the Force Factor website.

In most cases, customers do not realise until payment is taken from their bank accounts.

Over 132 customers have complained about Force Factor on one consumer website alone plus the company has generated numerous complaints via bodybuilding website forums, Amazon and similar.

Source: http://www.bbb.org/boston/Business-Reviews/vitamins-and-food-supplements/force-factor-llc-in-boston-ma-117868/complaints#breakdown

Force Factor Ramp Up is a fat burner that contains small amounts of caffeine and green tea plus a propriety herbal blend of ingredients.

This supplement looks to be one of the weaker fat burners we have seen and although we do not recommend buying strong fat burners because of the risk of side effects – the amount quantities here are minimal and unlikely to do much.
The caffeine content is equivalent to one cup of coffee for example.

Force Factor Ramp Up also contains White Willow extract, which is known for potential side effects such as intestinal bleeding. According to the product information this ingredient is to relieve pain and swelling of the muscles following a work out.

As well as Ramp Up, you can buy a whole range of Force Factor products.

These include Nitrous Oxide Boosters – VolcaNO – said to help competitors get better, faster and stronger, Test X180 Ignite – said to skyrocket libido, boost energy and burn fat.

The promised free trial does not apply to Force Factor Ramp Up but for these more expensive supplements in the Force Factor.

The Force Factor advertising advises that you use their supplements in combination for the best results.

What Does Force Factor Ramp Up Claim To Do?

According to the product information, Force Factor Ramp Up has three key features.

It will:

• Burn Fat
• Maximize Energy & Stamina
• Resist Muscle Fatigue & Soreness

Force Factor Ramp Up is described as a;

Potent energy-maximizing formula heightens fat oxidation for upper limit efficiency, sculpting physique while simultaneously fuelling power output.

And

delivers a workout that will pump you up, not beat you down.

You are advised to take Ramp Up in combination with other Force Factor Supplements.

Take Force Factor Ramp Up along with Force Factor Nitric Oxide Booster, Glutamine, and Whey to attain the ideal workout.

Force Factor also claim to offer a free trial for many supplements!

So What Does All This Mean?

We are concerned about some of the ingredients contained in this formula. White Willow is known for causing stomach related side effects – including intestinal bleeding in extreme cases. Marine coral is ecologically unsound and belongs in the realms of crystal healing and new age mumbo jumbo because it does not appear to be effective for anything. Even worse, it is dangerous if it comes from a polluted area.

The green tea /caffeine combo can be effective for weight loss but ingredient amounts seem low and although Alpha Ketoglutaric acid sounds interesting, there is controversy around safety. Some sources advise you seek the advice of your doctor before you try it.

We cannot see this supplement doing much for weight loss.

So Does Force Factor Ramp Up Work?

In view of all the customer complaints about Force Factor, whether Ramp Up actually works seems almost like a side issue.

However, we don’t think it will work in the way as described. It contains potentially dangerous ingredients which are unproven and the green tea and caffeine are in very low quantities. In addition, if you are suckered into a free trial it will cost you a lot more than you bargained for.

So What Is Force Factor Ramp Up and What Are The Ingredients For Force Factor Ramp Up?

Force Factor Ramp Up is described as a fat burner. Serving size is equal to one capsule.

• Green Tea Extract (120mg): is rich in the antioxidants Polyphenols and Catechins, which are excellent for maintaining health. Green tea has been found to promote modest weight loss because it can increase the speed of the metabolism and the rate at which you burn off fat Contains caffeine
  Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23140132
• White willow bark (salicylic acid) (100mg): White willow may be effective for treating lower back pain however does not seem to work for other types of joint pain. You need to take care with this ingredient because it can cause stomach problems especially bleeding. Aspirin is derived from white willow but has been modified to avoid this problem.
  Source: http://www.thepoisongarden.co.uk/atoz/salix_alba.htm
• Caffeine (100mg): Caffeine raises the speed of the metabolism and perks you up although you can become quickly accustomed to the effects. When this happens the weight loss often slows too. An average cup of instant coffee contains around 100mg of caffeine so here in equivalent quantities.
• Alpha Ketoglutaric acid (50mg): This acid is present in the human body and plays a role in chemical reactions involved in the production of energy (the Krebs cycle).
  It is sometimes taken to improve athletic ability and it works in the body’s pathway to heal wounds and repair muscle.
  Not a lot is known about this as a supplement ingredient. It may be effective but has been know to irritate the stomach lining.
  Source: http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/Alpha-ketoglutaric-Acid.htm
• Marine Coral Calcium (contains 71 trace minerals) (50mg): This ingredient is promoted by alternative medicine for everything from a cure to cancer to weight loss. Worryingly there are environmental concerns about the exploitation of marine coral. This is an endangered ecosystem that takes millions of years to grow.
  If this does not bother you, one common area of coral harvest is Okinawa and supplement coral from this area can be contaminated by lead and mercury

Proprietary Herbal Blend (80mg)

• Cayenne: culinary spice believed to increase metabolism if taken in high levels.
• Yerba Mate Extract: Natural herbal extract taken from a South American plant. Contains high levels of caffeine
• Meadowsweet: Natural herb that may have medicinal application
• Winter Green: Culinary flavouring and toxic in high levels
• Bladderwrack: This seaweed sea plant is high in iodine but the safety and effectiveness for human use has not been established.
• Mustard seed: common culinary spice that contains vitamins.

Does Force Factor Ramp Up Have Any Side Effects?

Some customers have experienced side effects. One reviewer wrote:

Really good at inciting my stomach to doing cart wheels and acid reflux during sets. Maybe I have too sensitive of a stomach or maybe this stuff has just way too much cayenne

Looking at the ingredients list, this effect is more likely caused by the white willow extract or Alpha Ketoglutaric acid rather than the cayenne.

Another man reported:

Give me that sick feeling every time I took it.

Potential side effects include:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Acid reflux
• Stomach discomfort
• Feeling sick
• Vomiting

If you are very sensitive to caffeine, you may notice:

• Jitteriness
• Sleep disturbances

Any Force Factor Ramp Up Reviews From Customers?

Yes and some customers seem satisfied.

One wrote;

Been using this for 3 yrs and find it gives me extra stamina and that needed drive! Gives that extra needed energy>

Let’s just hope that the marine coral comes from somewhere clean or this reviewer may have been unwittingly ingesting lead and mercury for the last three years.

Some Amazon customers have complained about the free trial.

Force Factor tricked me into a “subscription” that I never knew I was signing up for, and never wanted.

Then they started automatically charging my credit card and when I called them up to cancel, they were EXTREMELY difficult to deal with. VERY hard to cancel the so-called “subscription” that they tricked me into (via a free trial), and VERY hard to return the product that I never wanted.

We also found a long list of customer complaints from other sources (132 on the BBB website alone)

Here is a typical complaint.

This company uses deceptive marketing practices that border on fraud and appear completely unethical.
I was offered a free two-week sample and all that was required was that I pay the $4.99 Shipping and Handling charge. There was no discernible or reasonable notice given that I would be signing up for a $69.99 + shipping + tax monthly subscription. My credit card was charged for this without my authorization. When I noticed the charge on my bank statement, I contacted Force Factor customer service and they refused a refund until the product I never ordered nor received was returned to them. Plus if it did show up I would be responsible for the return shipping.

Source: http://www.bbb.org/boston/Business-Reviews/vitamins-and-food-supplements/force-factor-llc-in-boston-ma-117868/complaints#breakdown

What About A Guarantee

Force Factor has a guarantee tucked away in the small print. It only applies to people who have signed up to the membership programme so it might not apply to Force Factor Ramp Up.

It states:

If you, the buyer, are unhappy with the product for any reason — even if you’ve used the full supply of the supplement — you can return the remaining supply or empty bottle for a full refund of the purchase price minus shipping and handling

To obtain your refund in the United States and Canada, call us at 1-877-492-7243 Mon-Fri: 9am – 9pm Eastern Time (US) and Sat: 12pm – 5pm Eastern Time (US).

Customers located in Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, please call us at +1 (877) 301-6149.

Customers in Australia, please call us at 1800-084-649.

Customers in the United Kingdom, please call us at 0808-1012202.

You will be given a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number. To receive your refund, your return must be received at our shipping facility within 30 days of purchase.

Be sure to clearly write the return merchandise authorization (RMA) number on the outside of the box. Our shipping department is NOT allowed to accept any packages without an RMA number. You pay for return shipping.

There are PO boxes for returns outside the USA. We advised you to use registered post when sending returns.

Where Can I Buy Force Factor Ramp Up?

If for some reason you are keen to want to try this supplement, you can get it via the Force Factor website.

One container of 60 capsules (2 weeks – 1 month’s supply) costs $49.95.

If you live outside the USA, you can contact the company via a local phone number to find out more about shipping costs.

Areas outside the US include the UK, Canada and Australia

You can also buy 60 capsules of Force Factor Ramp Up via Amazon.com for $21.49 including free shipping to US addresses.

Remember that if you buy via Amazon you will NOT be automatically signed up for auto billing but Force Factor may contact you to invite you into a “free trial” for a more expensive supplement.

A 60 capsule container of Force Factor Ramp Up is also available via Amazon.co.uk for £13.80.