+1 to being careful about those, i prefer organic and normal food, to any supplements like that before workout. I would rather eat a banana, sometimes i do get an energy bar to keep me going on long workouts. But i have seen people use 5hr energy and one of my friends likes it, but you never know what it will do to you in a long run.

I don´t think that you have to worry about any banned substances being inside a caffeine shot, especially considering that you can pick these things up at any 711 or CVS. However, this stuff does affect your performance, good for some, bad for others. It´s really how your body reacts to caffeine. It´s convenient because its just a 2 oz. shot so you can drink it right before a workout without having to worry about a bunch of fluids sloshing around in your stomach. Still, many people are negatively affected by caffeine. The first time I used this stuff i had the best run of my life (really fast, felt great, and it was even at altitude--4000 ft). But as i continued to use it, the effects i felt the first time could never be reached. This is like most supplements, but eventually all it did for me was wake me up (because of the caffeine) and not really affect my performance at all (good or bad). Plus i´d become a caffeine addict. I think if you regularly drink caffeine it won´t be too much of an energy booster, but if you take it once every blue moon and dont normally drink coffee, you may indeed like it. just dont get addicted!
sorry for the rant, just trying to help

Have tried it only because it I got it in a goodie bag in a couple of races. Didn't notice a darn thing either time so personally I wouldn't waste my money on it and would rather have a cup of coffee.
I drink a fair amount of coffee though through out the day and even before training and races so maybe I am not a good indicator.

I've used it (RedLine, 5hr, RedBull) pre-sprints and 5k races where it's all-out anyways. Back when ephedra was legal (remember "Mini Thins"?), tried that too. Just don't over do-it. I didn't read the label the first time. Those little bottles are two servingsa and I dumped the whole bottle into my Polar bottle and was a little too amped on the bike. I train on a lake loop that is uber-popular with cyclists. There's a 7-11 on the corner and in the summer, there is an endless parade of spandex. The 7-11 has racks of energy supplements planted right by the register and cyclists pick up stuff all the time. Also, people put them in their 'special needs' bags on long-course tris.

NO EXPLODE sounds like a product that should be on the pepto bismol aisle

NO Explode is actually a pretty good precursor for hard workouts because the nitric oxide gives you a ¨boost¨(at least my mind believes it!)

I used No Explode pre-workout when I was lifting a couple years ago...it was definately an intense rush of energy. It kind of worried me since I was at the gym convincing myself I could lift more than I probably could. But it was by far my best lifting session.

I don't think I'd use it for endurance workouts since it would probably cause me to push too hard during the peak intensity...maybe for a sprint