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What is The Curse by JNX Sports?
JNX Sports The Curse is a powdered pre-workout, to be mixed with water before your session. A 5 g serving delivers 155 mg of anhydrous caffeine, for under 5 kcal. The 250 g tub holds 50 servings, which makes it one of the longest-lasting formats in the category.
The Curse is a long-standing formula, on the market since the early 2010s, and it has kept the same positioning throughout: a very small scoop, 5 g, where most current pre-workouts sit somewhere between 10 and 15 g. Alongside the caffeine you will find CarnoSyn® beta-alanine, creatine monohydrate, L-citrulline, arginine alpha-ketoglutarate and an olive leaf extract.
The flavours in the range: Lemon, Lemon Rush, Peach, Peach Mango, Fruit Punch, Blue Raspberry and Green Apple. The composition is identical across all of them, only the flavouring and the colouring change. The other formulas in the category can be browsed in our boosters selection.
What does a serving of The Curse contain?
| Per 5 g serving | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | under 5 kcal | — |
| Anhydrous caffeine | 155 mg | only active with a stated figure |
| Beta-alanine (CarnoSyn®) | undisclosed | part of a blend |
| Creatine monohydrate | undisclosed | part of a blend |
| L-citrulline | undisclosed | part of a blend |
| L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate | undisclosed | part of a blend |
| Olive leaf extract | undisclosed | part of a blend |
| Pack size | 250 g, i.e. 50 servings | |
155 mg of caffeine is the equivalent of two espressos. That is a measured dose for a pre-workout, and it counts in the product's favour: plenty of products in this category climb to 300 or 350 mg per serving, which becomes a genuine problem as soon as you train late in the day or already drink coffee. Here you stay below the 200 mg benchmark set for a single intake in a healthy adult.
The downside, and it needs saying plainly: apart from the caffeine, no dosage is published. Beta-alanine, creatine, citrulline and arginine are bundled into blends for which only the trade name is disclosed. There is no way, then, to know whether the beta-alanine comes close to the 3.2 g usually cited, or whether the creatine even reaches a gram. Given the size of the scoop — 5 g in total, of which 155 mg is caffeine — the arithmetic is quickly done: those four ingredients share less than 5 g between them, flavourings and sweeteners included. They are therefore present in amounts well below the reference dosages, and it would be dishonest to let you believe otherwise.
Put another way: this product is first and foremost a sensibly dosed stimulant, with a token supporting cast. That is not a flaw in itself, provided you buy it for what it is. If you want creatine at a useful dose, that means 3 to 5 g a day and it is taken separately, from our creatine monohydrate category. If citrulline is what interests you, reckon on 6 g per serving, which on its own is more than the entire scoop.
On the regulatory side, there is nothing to claim: no health claim is authorised in Europe for caffeine, beta-alanine, creatine at this dose, citrulline or arginine. We describe ingredients and the one published figure, never a promised effect.
Ingredients list
Beta-alanine (CarnoSyn®), creatine monohydrate, L-citrulline, citric acid, natural and artificial flavourings, L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate, anhydrous caffeine, calcium silicate, silicon dioxide, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, olive leaf extract, colours depending on the flavour.
Gluten-free formula, manufactured in the United States. Produced in a facility that also handles peanuts, tree nuts, milk, egg, wheat, crustaceans, fish and soya: traces are possible.
How do you take The Curse?
Serving: 1 scoop of 5 g. Liquid: 150 to 250 ml of cold water. Timing: 20 to 30 minutes before training. Frequency: one serving a day, and no more than 5 consecutive days out of 7. Duration: the manufacturer sets no cycle length, but does impose this 5-days-in-7 pattern.
One scoop, and one only. You will read elsewhere that you can go up to two or three scoops: we do not advise it and we will not repeat it. Two scoops is 310 mg of caffeine; three is 465 mg, more than the 400 mg daily benchmark set for an adult, swallowed in one go. The manufacturer itself recommends assessing your tolerance with a single scoop: stick to that.
The 5-days-in-7 rule deserves to be respected. It is not folklore: tolerance to caffeine builds quickly, and two days off a week are enough to preserve the effect. It is also a simple way of not turning a training-day product into a daily habit.
No evening servings. 155 mg of caffeine at 19:00 is still active at bedtime. If you train late, our caffeine-free booster category suits your situation better, and you will keep your night's sleep.
Finally, expect possible tingling on the skin after taking it: that is the beta-alanine, the sensation is temporary and harmless. And do not combine it with any other source of caffeine on the same day — coffee, an energy can or a stimulant fat burner all add up.
Who is The Curse for, and who is it not for?
It suits a trained adult looking for a straightforward pre-workout, sensibly dosed in caffeine without excess, who has no wish to pay the price of a fifteen-ingredient formula. The ratio between the number of servings and the size of the tub is its strongest argument: 50 sessions in 250 g lasts a long time.
It is not suitable for under-18s, nor for pregnant or breastfeeding women. The manufacturer formally advises against it in cases of caffeine sensitivity or cardiovascular disorders. If you are on medical treatment — particularly for high blood pressure or a heart condition — a doctor's opinion is required before purchase, and the product must not be combined with any other stimulant.
Mind the allergen traces. The formula is gluten-free, but the facility handles peanuts, tree nuts, milk, egg, wheat, crustaceans, fish and soya. In cases of severe allergy this point is decisive, and it is rarely highlighted on product pages in this category.
What you should not expect from it. Do not count on this product for your creatine intake or for a pronounced vascular effect: the amounts involved are too small. A pre-workout does not make you progress, does not make up for a lack of sleep and does not replace a properly built programme. What it gives you is perceived energy at the moment you start — and on that front, at 155 mg, it does exactly what it says.
The Curse or a fully disclosed pre-workout?
That is the real choice in this category today, and it pits two philosophies against each other.
A fully disclosed pre-workout states every line: 6 g of citrulline, 3.2 g of beta-alanine, 200 mg of caffeine. You know what you are paying for and you can compare two products line by line. In return, the scoop is bigger — often 12 to 20 g — and the tub lasts far less time. Our creatine-free pre-workout category and our citrulline selection show you what stated dosages look like.
The Curse plays the other card: small serving, contained price, 50 sessions in a tub. For someone who simply wants a lift before the session without getting into label comparisons, it is a defensible choice and an honest one about its caffeine level.
The most rational solution is often to separate the two: a simple stimulant on one side, and your actives at a useful dose on the other. A beta-alanine is taken every day, rest days included, which a pre-workout does not allow; and an L-arginine or a seriously dosed citrulline will do more for the feeling of a pump than any undisclosed blend.
Frequently asked questions
How much caffeine per serving?
155 mg for a 5 g scoop, roughly two espressos. That is a moderate dose for this category and it stays below the 200 mg benchmark set for a single intake in an adult. One serving a day only, and no other source of caffeine alongside it.
Can you take two or three scoops?
We formally advise against it. Two scoops amount to 310 mg of caffeine and three to 465 mg, more than the 400 mg daily benchmark in a single intake. The manufacturer itself recommends sticking to one scoop to assess your tolerance. Stick to that.
Are the dosages of the other ingredients known?
No. Only the caffeine carries a figure; the beta-alanine, creatine, citrulline and arginine are bundled into blends that are not broken down. The whole scoop weighs only 5 g, flavourings and sweeteners included: these ingredients are therefore present well below the reference dosages.
How many servings in a tub?
Fifty 5 g servings in the 250 g tub. At four training sessions a week, that comes to around three months. It is one of the best ratios in the category on this specific point, most competitors offering 20 to 30 servings per tub.
Why not go beyond 5 days out of 7?
Because tolerance to caffeine builds quickly and the same dose ends up producing nothing at all. Two days off a week are enough to preserve the effect. It is the manufacturer that sets this rule, and it is consistent with what we know about this molecule.
Which flavours are available?
Lemon, Lemon Rush, Peach, Peach Mango, Fruit Punch, Blue Raspberry and Green Apple. The composition is identical across all of them; only the flavouring and the colouring change. The scoop is mixed into 150 to 250 ml of cold water depending on how concentrated you want it.
Does the product contain gluten?
No, the formula is declared gluten-free by the manufacturer. It is, however, produced in a facility that handles peanuts, tree nuts, milk, egg, wheat, crustaceans, fish and soya: traces are possible, which matters in cases of severe allergy.
Where can you buy The Curse by JNX Sports?
The 250 g tub can be ordered from this page in the available flavours, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is the pre-workout we recommend to anyone who finds recent formulas too heavily loaded with caffeine: 155 mg is reasonable, and the tub lasts a whole season. We simply remind you never to double the scoop. The rest of our selection can be browsed in the sports nutrition category.
What is JNX Sports The Ripper?
The Ripper is a powder to be mixed with water from the fat burners category, sold in a tub and dosed at 5 g per serving. It comes as a fruity drink to be made up in the morning, rather than a capsule to swallow. That is a genuine practical difference: you drink 180 to 250 ml of flavoured water, which often replaces the wake-up coffee.
Its formula is built around two blends named by the manufacturer. The first, Extreme Muscle Fuel Blend, weighs 2,500 mg and brings together beta-alanine, guarana extract, raspberry ketones and anhydrous caffeine. The second, Ripper Shred Matrix, weighs 1,450 mg and gathers taurine, acetyl L-carnitine, green coffee extract, green tea extract, cinnamon bark extract and olive leaf extract standardised to 40% oleuropein. To these are added vitamin C, vitamin B5, vitamin B12 and chromium picolinate.
The flavours listed: Blue Raspberry, Lime, Pineapple, Red Grape, Watermelon, Fruit Punch, Raspberry Lemonade and Peach Mango. The product belongs to our fat burner powder and weight loss sections.
What does a 5 g serving contain?
| Item | Per 5 g serving |
|---|---|
| Energy | 42 kJ / 10 kcal |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrate | 1 g |
| Fibre | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 0.05 g |
| Extreme Muscle Fuel Blend | 2,500 mg |
| of which anhydrous caffeine | 200 mg |
| Ripper Shred Matrix | 1,450 mg |
| Vitamins C, B5, B12 and chromium | amounts not disclosed |
This table has to be read for what it is. Only one active ingredient in this formula is quantified individually: caffeine, at 200 mg per serving. Everything else is published as a proprietary blend — you know the total weight of the two blends and the list of what they contain, but not the breakdown. It is therefore impossible to know how much beta-alanine, carnitine or green tea extract you are actually taking. That is the manufacturer's right, it is also the product's limitation, and we would rather write it down than work around it.
The same goes for the vitamins and the chromium: their amounts do not appear in the labelling data available to us. Yet a nutrition or health claim can only be used if the product provides at least 15% of the nutrient reference value per serving. Without figures, that threshold cannot be checked, and we will therefore make no claim for the vitamin C, the B5, the B12 or the chromium in this formula.
That leaves the figure that really counts. 200 mg of caffeine is the equivalent of two to three espressos in a single glass. That is a straightforward dose, at the level of a full pre-workout, and it is what you will feel. For reference, EFSA considers that a single intake of 200 mg and a total of 400 mg per day raise no safety concern in healthy adults. You are exactly at the single-intake limit — hence the importance of what follows.
Finally, 10 kcal per serving and 1 g of carbohydrate: the drink is nutritionally neutral. It does not break a fast in the caloric sense of the term and slots into a calorie-restricted diet without a second thought.
How should The Ripper be taken?
Dose: 5 g, i.e. one scoop. Liquid: 180 to 250 ml of well-chilled water. Timing: 15 to 30 minutes before breakfast, or 30 to 45 minutes before the session. Frequency: 1 serving per day, 2 at most for regular users, the second 5 to 6 hours after the first and never after 16:00. Duration: cycles of 60 days at most, followed by 2 to 4 weeks off. The tub covers 30 days at one serving per day.
Start with a single serving for two days, long enough to gauge your tolerance. This is not a token precaution: with 200 mg of caffeine in one go, a body unused to it may react with trembling, a racing heart or nausea. If that happens to you, half a scoop will do perfectly well, and you will lose nothing.
Use well-chilled water: it dissolves better and the taste is markedly more pleasant. Start at 180 ml and go up to 250 ml if the flavour seems too concentrated to you. Drink immediately after making it up.
The 16:00 rule is not negotiable. Caffeine has a half-life of several hours: a serving taken at 17:00 is still working at midnight, and degraded sleep largely cancels out whatever you hoped to gain during the day. Finally, drink enough water throughout the day, and do not combine this product with a caffeinated pre-workout booster: you would double the dose without noticing.
Who is The Ripper for, and who is it not for?
It is aimed at healthy adults over 18, used to stimulants, and running a calorie deficit. Outside that framework, it serves no purpose.
The manufacturer does not advise it for pregnant and breastfeeding women, nor in cases of high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, psychological disorders, or liver or kidney disorders. It also states that it should not be combined with alcohol or with other stimulants. These statements are not a matter of style: at 200 mg of caffeine per serving, they exist for a reason.
Two expected effects, worth knowing about before they take you by surprise. Beta-alanine causes passing skin tingling — paraesthesia — on the face, the neck or the forearms. It is unpleasant the first time, harmless, and it fades. Caffeine, for its part, can cause nervousness, restlessness and insomnia, especially if you add coffee on top during the same day.
As for allergens, none is an ingredient, but the product is made in a facility that handles PEANUTS, TREE NUTS, MILK, EGG, WHEAT, CRUSTACEANS, FISH and SOYA. In the event of a severe allergy to any of them, refrain.
What you should not expect from it, and this is the most important paragraph on this page: this product does not make you lose weight. "Fat burner" is a commercial category name, not a promise of an effect, and no weight-loss claim is authorised for the ingredients in this formula. What caffeine does is make you more alert and more inclined to train. The rest — the calorie deficit — is your work, and without it this tub will be of no use at all.
The Ripper or a caffeine-free burner?
That is the real decision in this category, and it does not depend on the formula but on your day. The question to ask yourself is simple: how much caffeine do you already consume, and at what time do you train?
A product from our caffeine-free fat burner section is the better choice in three very common cases. If you already drink three or four coffees during the day — add them up, you will be surprised by the total. If you train in the evening, because no adjustment of timing will make 200 mg of caffeine compatible with a 20:00 session. And if you are simply sensitive: palpitations, clammy hands, anxiety. In those situations the stimulant-free option is objectively better, and we would rather tell you so than sell you this one.
The Ripper keeps two clear advantages. The drink format first: 5 g in a large glass of cold water is more pleasant than a handful of capsules and it contributes to morning hydration. Then the straightforward caffeine dose: if you are looking for a kick before a fasted session, 200 mg does the job without needing a pre-workout on top. If you would still rather have the capsule format, the whole capsule burners section answers the same intention.
Frequently asked questions
How much caffeine is in one serving, and can two be taken?
200 mg per 5 g serving. Two servings come to 400 mg, the daily total that EFSA considers to raise no safety concern in healthy adults — but on condition that you drink nothing else caffeinated alongside. The manufacturer caps it at two servings per day, the second 5 to 6 hours after the first and never after 16:00.
Why are the ingredient doses not stated?
Because the manufacturer publishes them as proprietary blends: 2,500 mg for the first, 1,450 mg for the second, without detailing the share of each ingredient. Only the caffeine is quantified separately. You therefore cannot compare item by item with a product that does set out its own amounts.
Where does the tingling after taking it come from?
From the beta-alanine. It is a known effect, called paraesthesia: a pins-and-needles sensation on the face, the neck or the arms, appearing 15 to 20 minutes after taking it and lasting half an hour. It is harmless and it lessens with habit. Taking the serving with a little food often eases the sensation.
Can it be taken on an empty stomach in the morning?
Yes, that is the way of using it chosen by the manufacturer: 15 to 30 minutes before breakfast. At 10 kcal, the drink weighs nothing. Just be aware that 200 mg of caffeine on an empty stomach hits harder and sometimes sits less well — if you feel nauseous, take it after a few mouthfuls.
Can it be combined with a pre-workout?
No, not on the same day and above all not a few hours apart. Most pre-workouts contain 150 to 300 mg of caffeine; by combining them, you would go well beyond the 400 mg daily figure. Choose one or the other. The same care applies to a tea, a soft drink or a coffee taken straight afterwards.
How long does a tub last, and should a break be taken?
The manufacturer states 30 days of daily use per tub, at one serving per day. It recommends cycles of 60 days at most followed by 2 to 4 weeks off. That break has a real point: tolerance to caffeine sets in quickly, and it is stopping that resets it, not raising the dose.
Does this product cause weight loss on its own?
No. No weight-loss claim is authorised for these ingredients, and we will make none. What causes fat loss is a calorie deficit held over time. A stimulant can help you train when motivation is lacking — that is a helping hand, not a mechanism.
Where can I buy JNX Sports The Ripper?
The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe.
This is exactly the kind of product where a two-minute conversation prevents a bad purchase. At our Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, the first question asked is never "which flavour?" but "how many coffees a day, and at what time do you train?". Depending on the answer, we point you either to this tub or to a stimulant-free version. The full section can be browsed in our sports nutrition.
Who is Cobra Labs, and why does the tub say "JNX Sports"?
Cobra Labs is an American sports supplement brand, known for one product above all others: the pre-workout The Curse. It made a name for itself in a specific niche, that of a clear-effect booster, sold at a much lower price than premium brands.
A bit of history will answer the question most buyers have when looking at the label: in July 2019, Cobra Labs was rebranded as JNX Sports. Same team, same products, new identity. The Curse, The Ripper, and The Shadow followed the name change without changing their nature. In other words, if you're looking for "Cobra Labs" and receive a tub marked JNX Sports, it's neither a counterfeit nor a mistake: it's the same product, under the brand's current name. We have kept the Cobra Labs name on this page because that is still how the majority of customers search for the range.
The brand states that its products are manufactured in the USA. In France, it is not distributed in supermarkets and arrives via specialized retailers.
What is the Cobra Labs range worth?
What the brand does well is the perceived energy for a contained price. Its two flagship formulas are based on the same principle: a small dose of powder, a strong caffeine load, and very pronounced fruity flavors. The number of servings per tub is high, resulting in one of the lowest costs per session in our booster section.
What it doesn't do is the rest of the range. No protein, no standalone creatine, no micronutrition: the brand is mono-thematic, entirely built around stimulants. It necessarily complements other products, starting with the protein section.
Which Cobra Labs products do we sell?
The Curse, the pre-workout
This is the product that brings people to this page, so let's give the label figures. The 250 g tub contains approximately 50 servings of 5 g. One serving provides 155 mg of caffeine — the equivalent of about two espressos — and combines CarnoSyn® beta-alanine, creatine monohydrate, L-citrulline, L-arginine AKG, and olive leaf extract.
The instructions are simple: one serving diluted in 150 to 250 ml of cold water, 20 to 30 minutes before your workout. Always start with a single scoop, even if you are used to other boosters: caffeine tolerance varies greatly from person to person, and the goal is not to test your limit.
Two sensations need to be explained before the first use. The tingling on the face and forearms comes from beta-alanine: it is a known harmless paresthesia that diminishes with habit. The rest — alertness, desire to start the session — comes from caffeine, and nothing else. If these two effects suit you but you are looking for the same thing in the evening, see our caffeine-free booster section.
The Ripper, the thermogenic
A powdered thermogenic fat burner, with one 5 g dose in a large glass of water, containing 200 mg of caffeine per dose, as well as green tea and green coffee extracts, acetyl-L-carnitine, guarana, taurine, beta-alanine, cinnamon, and vitamins B12 and C. It plays the same role as our other powdered fat burners: a stimulant to take during a period of caloric restriction, whose actual benefits we explain below. It is obviously not to be combined with The Curse on the same day.
Our reseller's opinion
What works. The Curse is an effective booster for its cost. The cost per session is very low, the flavors are good, the effect is immediate and consistent, and the 5g format avoids the thick 20g shakes that some people can't stomach before training. For someone who simply wants a boost before working out without committing to a monthly budget, it's a rational choice.
The main limitation, and it's a significant one: the formula relies on proprietary blends. The ingredients are grouped under trade names — "Energizing Muscle Fuel Blend", "Amplifier Blend", "Mind Control Matrix" — and only the total blend is indicated, not the dose of each active ingredient. However, the arithmetic is undeniable: a total dose of 5g, including 155mg of caffeine, leaves only a few grams to be shared between creatine, beta-alanine, citrulline, and arginine. For comparison, citrulline is usually studied at around 6 to 8g per serving, and beta-alanine at around 3 to 6g per day: these ingredients therefore cannot be present in full doses in The Curse. They are included, but in quantities that the label does not allow us to know. In other words: what you feel with this product largely comes from the caffeine.
Two additional caveats. The creatine dose contained in a booster never replaces a daily intake of creatine monohydrate, which relies on regularity and not on training days – if you're interested in creatine, buy it separately, it's very inexpensive. And for The Ripper, the caveat is the one we state for the entire category: a thermogenic does not cause fat loss. Fat mass loss comes from a sustained caloric deficit over time; what this product provides is a stimulating effect that makes this period easier to tolerate during training. See our weight loss section for the complete picture.
These products are not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, adolescents, or individuals with heart conditions, hypertension, or those currently on medication. For any such questions, your doctor is the point of contact.
The Curse or ABE by Applied Nutrition?
This is the most common comparison, because we sell both and they target the same buyer.
The Curse focuses on cost per session: small dose, low price, old and proven formula, but dosages not detailed. Applied Nutrition's ABE is more expensive, newer, with flavors that have become its signature, and a higher caffeine load. Both deliver on their promise of energy.
In practice: if you train often and budget matters, The Curse offers the best effect-to-price ratio in our range. If you want the best taste and a more contemporary formula, go for ABE. And if your priority is to know exactly what you're consuming, dose by dose, you should aim for a booster with a fully detailed label: look at Gat Sport, Naughty Boy, or Redcon1, or even make your own pre-workout from isolated ingredients — it's more tedious, and often cheaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Curse a good pre-workout?
Yes, if you expect energy and alertness before a session, at a very low cost per dose. No, if you expect spectacular pumps or an effect on strength: the ingredients that would contribute to these cannot be present in full doses in 5g of powder.
The Curse or The Ripper: which one to choose?
They are not used at the same time and do not combine. The Curse is a pre-workout: it is taken 20 to 30 minutes before a session, for energy and alertness. The Ripper is a thermogenic designed to accompany a period of caloric restriction, with a higher caffeine load — 200 mg versus 155. If you only need to take one and you are training, take The Curse: it provides the same stimulating effect when needed. The Ripper only makes sense if you are actually in a caloric deficit, and it will not make fat disappear for you. In any case, only one of the two per day, and never late in the day.
How much caffeine does The Curse contain?
155 mg per 5g serving according to the label, which is roughly two espressos. The generally accepted safety benchmark for healthy adults is 200 mg in a single dose and 400 mg over the day: so, factor in coffee, tea, and energy drinks before doubling the dose.
Can I take two doses of The Curse?
It's possible according to the label, but we don't recommend it by default: two doses bring the caffeine intake to 310 mg at once. If you feel the need to increase, it's more often a sign of habituation than a real need — a break of one to two weeks restores sensitivity much better than a double dose.
Where to buy The Curse in France?
From specialized sports nutrition retailers, both online and in-store; the product is not distributed in French supermarkets. We have it in stock and ship throughout France and Europe.
Cobra Labs and JNX Sports, are they the same?
Yes. Cobra Labs changed its name to JNX Sports in July 2019, with the same team and products. A tub marked JNX Sports The Curse is the product you are looking for under the name Cobra Labs.
How to recognize an authentic product?
Check the French labeling affixed by the importer, the batch number, the expiration date, and the security seal. For a highly sought-after and inexpensive product, parallel imports are common: a significantly below-market price on a general marketplace is the main warning sign. We source through the official channel.
Is The Curse suitable for athletes subject to doping controls?
We do not claim any third-party anti-doping certification for this range, and the presence of proprietary blends makes label analysis impossible to perform yourself. If you are subject to controls, check lot by lot with the manufacturer and refer to the list of prohibited substances published by the AFLD.
Why does it tingle after taking it?
That's beta-alanine. This tingling sensation on the face, neck, and forearms is a well-known paresthesia, with no identified danger, which appears within minutes of taking it and disappears on its own. It subsides with regular use and is in no way an indicator of the product's effectiveness.
Should I take it for every session?
No, and it's even counterproductive. Caffeine tolerance builds up quickly: reserving the booster for difficult sessions preserves its effect, while daily use transforms it into mere maintenance of a dependency. A creatine-free pre-workout or a session without any stimulant works perfectly well the rest of the time.
Where to buy The Curse near Montpellier?
The Curse and The Ripper are available in our store in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, at 285 rue des Portes Domitiennes. For a booster, two questions are worth asking before purchasing: what is your real tolerance to caffeine, and what time do you train? These prevent most unpleasant surprises, starting with sleepless nights.
If you prefer to order online, we ship everywhere in France and Europe.
Food supplements are part of a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. They are not a substitute for medical advice.
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Who is Cobra Labs, and why does the tub say "JNX Sports"?
Cobra Labs is an American sports supplement brand, known for one product above all others: the pre-workout The Curse. It made a name for itself in a specific niche, that of a clear-effect booster, sold at a much lower price than premium brands.
A bit of history will answer the question most buyers have when looking at the label: in July 2019, Cobra Labs was rebranded as JNX Sports. Same team, same products, new identity. The Curse, The Ripper, and The Shadow followed the name change without changing their nature. In other words, if you're looking for "Cobra Labs" and receive a tub marked JNX Sports, it's neither a counterfeit nor a mistake: it's the same product, under the brand's current name. We have kept the Cobra Labs name on this page because that is still how the majority of customers search for the range.
The brand states that its products are manufactured in the USA. In France, it is not distributed in supermarkets and arrives via specialized retailers.
What is the Cobra Labs range worth?
What the brand does well is the perceived energy for a contained price. Its two flagship formulas are based on the same principle: a small dose of powder, a strong caffeine load, and very pronounced fruity flavors. The number of servings per tub is high, resulting in one of the lowest costs per session in our booster section.
What it doesn't do is the rest of the range. No protein, no standalone creatine, no micronutrition: the brand is mono-thematic, entirely built around stimulants. It necessarily complements other products, starting with the protein section.
Which Cobra Labs products do we sell?
The Curse, the pre-workout
This is the product that brings people to this page, so let's give the label figures. The 250 g tub contains approximately 50 servings of 5 g. One serving provides 155 mg of caffeine — the equivalent of about two espressos — and combines CarnoSyn® beta-alanine, creatine monohydrate, L-citrulline, L-arginine AKG, and olive leaf extract.
The instructions are simple: one serving diluted in 150 to 250 ml of cold water, 20 to 30 minutes before your workout. Always start with a single scoop, even if you are used to other boosters: caffeine tolerance varies greatly from person to person, and the goal is not to test your limit.
Two sensations need to be explained before the first use. The tingling on the face and forearms comes from beta-alanine: it is a known harmless paresthesia that diminishes with habit. The rest — alertness, desire to start the session — comes from caffeine, and nothing else. If these two effects suit you but you are looking for the same thing in the evening, see our caffeine-free booster section.
The Ripper, the thermogenic
A powdered thermogenic fat burner, with one 5 g dose in a large glass of water, containing 200 mg of caffeine per dose, as well as green tea and green coffee extracts, acetyl-L-carnitine, guarana, taurine, beta-alanine, cinnamon, and vitamins B12 and C. It plays the same role as our other powdered fat burners: a stimulant to take during a period of caloric restriction, whose actual benefits we explain below. It is obviously not to be combined with The Curse on the same day.
Our reseller's opinion
What works. The Curse is an effective booster for its cost. The cost per session is very low, the flavors are good, the effect is immediate and consistent, and the 5g format avoids the thick 20g shakes that some people can't stomach before training. For someone who simply wants a boost before working out without committing to a monthly budget, it's a rational choice.
The main limitation, and it's a significant one: the formula relies on proprietary blends. The ingredients are grouped under trade names — "Energizing Muscle Fuel Blend", "Amplifier Blend", "Mind Control Matrix" — and only the total blend is indicated, not the dose of each active ingredient. However, the arithmetic is undeniable: a total dose of 5g, including 155mg of caffeine, leaves only a few grams to be shared between creatine, beta-alanine, citrulline, and arginine. For comparison, citrulline is usually studied at around 6 to 8g per serving, and beta-alanine at around 3 to 6g per day: these ingredients therefore cannot be present in full doses in The Curse. They are included, but in quantities that the label does not allow us to know. In other words: what you feel with this product largely comes from the caffeine.
Two additional caveats. The creatine dose contained in a booster never replaces a daily intake of creatine monohydrate, which relies on regularity and not on training days – if you're interested in creatine, buy it separately, it's very inexpensive. And for The Ripper, the caveat is the one we state for the entire category: a thermogenic does not cause fat loss. Fat mass loss comes from a sustained caloric deficit over time; what this product provides is a stimulating effect that makes this period easier to tolerate during training. See our weight loss section for the complete picture.
These products are not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, adolescents, or individuals with heart conditions, hypertension, or those currently on medication. For any such questions, your doctor is the point of contact.
The Curse or ABE by Applied Nutrition?
This is the most common comparison, because we sell both and they target the same buyer.
The Curse focuses on cost per session: small dose, low price, old and proven formula, but dosages not detailed. Applied Nutrition's ABE is more expensive, newer, with flavors that have become its signature, and a higher caffeine load. Both deliver on their promise of energy.
In practice: if you train often and budget matters, The Curse offers the best effect-to-price ratio in our range. If you want the best taste and a more contemporary formula, go for ABE. And if your priority is to know exactly what you're consuming, dose by dose, you should aim for a booster with a fully detailed label: look at Gat Sport, Naughty Boy, or Redcon1, or even make your own pre-workout from isolated ingredients — it's more tedious, and often cheaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Curse a good pre-workout?
Yes, if you expect energy and alertness before a session, at a very low cost per dose. No, if you expect spectacular pumps or an effect on strength: the ingredients that would contribute to these cannot be present in full doses in 5g of powder.
The Curse or The Ripper: which one to choose?
They are not used at the same time and do not combine. The Curse is a pre-workout: it is taken 20 to 30 minutes before a session, for energy and alertness. The Ripper is a thermogenic designed to accompany a period of caloric restriction, with a higher caffeine load — 200 mg versus 155. If you only need to take one and you are training, take The Curse: it provides the same stimulating effect when needed. The Ripper only makes sense if you are actually in a caloric deficit, and it will not make fat disappear for you. In any case, only one of the two per day, and never late in the day.
How much caffeine does The Curse contain?
155 mg per 5g serving according to the label, which is roughly two espressos. The generally accepted safety benchmark for healthy adults is 200 mg in a single dose and 400 mg over the day: so, factor in coffee, tea, and energy drinks before doubling the dose.
Can I take two doses of The Curse?
It's possible according to the label, but we don't recommend it by default: two doses bring the caffeine intake to 310 mg at once. If you feel the need to increase, it's more often a sign of habituation than a real need — a break of one to two weeks restores sensitivity much better than a double dose.
Where to buy The Curse in France?
From specialized sports nutrition retailers, both online and in-store; the product is not distributed in French supermarkets. We have it in stock and ship throughout France and Europe.
Cobra Labs and JNX Sports, are they the same?
Yes. Cobra Labs changed its name to JNX Sports in July 2019, with the same team and products. A tub marked JNX Sports The Curse is the product you are looking for under the name Cobra Labs.
How to recognize an authentic product?
Check the French labeling affixed by the importer, the batch number, the expiration date, and the security seal. For a highly sought-after and inexpensive product, parallel imports are common: a significantly below-market price on a general marketplace is the main warning sign. We source through the official channel.
Is The Curse suitable for athletes subject to doping controls?
We do not claim any third-party anti-doping certification for this range, and the presence of proprietary blends makes label analysis impossible to perform yourself. If you are subject to controls, check lot by lot with the manufacturer and refer to the list of prohibited substances published by the AFLD.
Why does it tingle after taking it?
That's beta-alanine. This tingling sensation on the face, neck, and forearms is a well-known paresthesia, with no identified danger, which appears within minutes of taking it and disappears on its own. It subsides with regular use and is in no way an indicator of the product's effectiveness.
Should I take it for every session?
No, and it's even counterproductive. Caffeine tolerance builds up quickly: reserving the booster for difficult sessions preserves its effect, while daily use transforms it into mere maintenance of a dependency. A creatine-free pre-workout or a session without any stimulant works perfectly well the rest of the time.
Where to buy The Curse near Montpellier?
The Curse and The Ripper are available in our store in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, at 285 rue des Portes Domitiennes. For a booster, two questions are worth asking before purchasing: what is your real tolerance to caffeine, and what time do you train? These prevent most unpleasant surprises, starting with sleepless nights.
If you prefer to order online, we ship everywhere in France and Europe.
Food supplements are part of a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. They are not a substitute for medical advice.
Sources
- ANSES — Les compléments alimentaires
- Règlement UE n° 432/2012 — allégations de santé autorisées
- Règlement CE n° 1924/2006 — allégations nutritionnelles et de santé
À intégrer dans une alimentation variée et équilibrée et un mode de vie sain.
Questions fréquentes — Cobra Labs
The Curse est-il un bon pre-workout ?
Oui, pour l'énergie et la vigilance avant une séance : c'est précisément ce pour quoi il est construit, avec 155 mg de caféine dans 5 g de poudre. Pour une congestion marquée ou une dose pleine d'acides aminés, les rayons citrulline et bêta-alanine complètent la formule.
The Curse ou The Ripper : lequel choisir ?
Ils ne servent pas au même moment et ne se cumulent pas. The Curse est un pré-entraînement : on le prend 20 à 30 minutes avant la séance, pour l'énergie et la vigilance. The Ripper est un thermogénique conçu pour accompagner une période de restriction calorique, avec une charge de caféine supérieure — 200 mg contre 155. Si vous ne devez en prendre qu'un et que vous vous entraînez, prenez The Curse : il apporte la stimulation au moment où elle sert. The Ripper trouve sa place pendant une période de déficit calorique. Dans tous les cas, un seul des deux par jour, et jamais en fin de journée.
Combien de caféine contient The Curse ?
155 mg par dose de 5 g selon l'étiquette, soit à peu près deux expressos. Le repère de sécurité couramment retenu chez l'adulte en bonne santé est de 200 mg en une prise unique et de 400 mg sur la journée : additionnez donc le café, le thé et les boissons énergisantes avant de doubler la dose.
Peut-on prendre deux doses de The Curse ?
C'est possible selon l'étiquette, mais nous ne le recommandons pas par défaut : deux doses portent l'apport en caféine à 310 mg d'un coup. Si le besoin d'augmenter apparaît, une pause d'une à deux semaines restaure la sensibilité bien mieux qu'une dose double.
Que trouve-t-on de Cobra Labs chez nous ?
The Curse, le pre-workout en pot de 250 g (environ 50 doses), et The Ripper, le thermogénique en poudre. En rayon à Vendargues et expédiés partout en France et en Europe.
Cobra Labs et JNX Sports, est-ce la même chose ?
Oui. Cobra Labs a pris le nom de JNX Sports en juillet 2019, avec la même équipe et les mêmes produits. Un pot marqué JNX Sports The Curse est le produit que vous cherchez sous le nom Cobra Labs.
The Curse convient-il aux sportifs contrôlés ?
La formule comportant des mélanges propriétaires, l'analyse d'étiquette ne suffit pas. Si vous êtes soumis aux contrôles, vérifiez lot par lot auprès du fabricant et référez-vous à la liste des substances interdites publiée par l'AFLD.
Pourquoi ça picote après la prise ?
C'est la bêta-alanine. Cette sensation de fourmillement sur le visage, le cou et les avant-bras est une paresthésie bien connue, sans danger identifié, qui apparaît dans les minutes suivant la prise et disparaît d'elle-même. Elle s'atténue avec l'usage régulier.
Faut-il en prendre à chaque séance ?
La tolérance à la caféine s'installe vite : réserver le booster aux séances difficiles lui conserve tout son effet. Un pre-workout sans créatine ou une séance sans stimulant conviennent parfaitement le reste du temps.
