In this long-term review of Tongkat Ali, we assess the effectiveness of Tongkat Ali as a daily supplement after 5 years. We shall deep-dive insights how incorporating Tongkat Ali in sports proved to be a game-changer for 39-year-old Alimin who completed his first ultramarathon race in the UTMB World Series in Chiang Mai, Thailand in December 2024.
Does taking Tongkat Ali the long term the answer to optimal strength, endurance and overall men’s health?
After taking Tongkat Ali for 5 years, his transformation journey from a 200:1 Tongkat Ali extract to a standardized clinically tested Tongkat Ali root extract showed noticeable improvements in his running performance after 8 weeks.
If you are new to ultramarathons, trail running is full body workout that combines endurance, strength, and mental resilience – which demands higher mental and physical strength compared to road running. From beginner to world class athlete, the journey to the world of ultramarathons involves not only pushes physical boundaries but also consuming the right balance of training, diet, nutrition, and supplementation that helps you progress to achieve your health goals.
As a banker who balances between work and a 5-day-per week training regime, Alimin has been taking Solaray Tongkat Ali supplements for over five years. According to him, Solaray Tongkat Ali proved to be working to a certain level as there are other top Tongkat Ali brands in the UK and US which offers similar potency.
In a recent running event in early 2024, he switched to AKARALI’s clinically tested Tongkat Ali extract after a friend recommended it due to its stronger potency from higher bioavailability through a process known as standardized hot-water extract.
Here is what he said after 8 weeks.
“I’ve been a happy user of AKARALI ever since I made the switch. It provides stronger effects with 50% less dosage compared to other Tongkat Ali brands.”
Alimin’s transformation journey as a trail runner began in January 2024 to complement his strength training regimen at the gym. And to our surprise, he never ran a single mile during his university days in Nottingham, United Kingdom.
After graduation and years of strength training in his glowing 30s, his places great importance on nutrition and supplements. To achieve his fitness goals from strength training and running, Tongkat Ali is amongst his top choice of nutrition and supplement for runners.
According to him, he has increased his running endurance from 1 kilometre non-stop when starting out to now a 20-kilometre non-stop distance after taking standardized Tongkat Ali for the first 8 weeks. This marks a significant endurance boost and a testament of Tongkat Ali’s performance-enhancing capability if you are taking it as a daily supplement for the first 4 to 8 weeks.
Tongkat Ali enhances muscle strength by boosting testosterone levels, and aids quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and calves in power generation, improves core stability, and supports hip flexors and tibialis anterior for efficient strides for runners.
In terms of pace improvement, he says he is now able to maintain a 4-5 min/km pace from the road path leading all the way through the trail after taking standardised hot-water Tongkat Ali root extract for more than 3 months. According to experienced marathon runners, Alimin’s rapid progress in less than 4 months was remarkable given his significant improvements in running speed, strength and stamina – at par with other highly-trained athletes.
“If you are new to running at 39 years old, it may take you 6 to 12 months before you can do a half marathon. But Tongkat Ali supplementation may shorten the time, helping you to be a stronger and faster runner” said a certified nutritionist.
Let’s look at how Tongkat Ali transformed Alimin’s journey into a better sports athlete.
Reviewer Test Profile:
Alimin typically runs 40-50 kilometres per week, achieving impressive results for a beginner-intermediate trail runner. His best times include a sub-4-hour finish for a 24-kilometer trail race and a sub-1-hour time for a 10-kilometer road race. This year, he participated in four trail races, even securing a 3rd place podium finish in an 8km Men’s Open.
Adhering to strict dosage protocol of 200mg to 400mg daily before his training, he attributes a significant part of his performance and progress to Tongkat Ali’s effects on endurance, focus, and recovery.
“Tongkat Ali boosts my endurance and provides clarity of mind, helping me maintain a positive mindset during races.”
According to experts, endurance runners are highly exposed to elevated stress (with marked increased in cortisol levels) – thus long term use of Tongkat Ali may help reduce cognitive stress and improve mental focus, which is helpful when navigating through unknown terrains and technical forest trails during ultramarathons.
This explains why runners are choosing Tongkat Ali as a natural supplement before and during races to help regulate not just stress hormones (i.e cortisol), but also testosterone – two interlinked key hormones that are closely associated with endurance, stamina, power and overall sports performance.
Tongkat Ali’s adaptogenic and ergogenic benefits extend beyond a long and sustainable energy boost, making it a suitable option for many athletes who opt for a more natural energy booster compared to energy gels that are packed with sugar.
Alimin highlighted how Tongkat Ali supplementation delayed muscle fatigue and helped him maintain a steady pace during challenging ascents, citing an approximately 10% increase in performance for endurance as well as strength during longer 10-20km trail runs.
“It maintains my muscle volume and performance while providing better sleep quality. Overall, I’ve noticed less muscle soreness and better recovery time, especially after tough races.”
In preparation for races, he incorporates a balanced routine of long runs, speed work, and core strength training. Tongkat Ali plays a vital role in this regimen, extending to boosting recovery.
After his recent 24-kilometer race at the annual UTMB Chiang Mai event in Thailand, for example, he recalled how he was fully functional in less than a day, a recovery rate he attributes to AKARALI.
Long runs and endurance races often test mental resilience as much as physical endurance. Alimin highlights Tongkat Ali’s impact on his mental focus and its ability to balance cortisol levels in particular, noting that he is more aware of his thoughts and was able to manage negative thinking during long and challenging runs after taking Tongkat Ali for 8 weeks.
“It was like a lightbulb moment when I realised that I could better compartmentalise stressful thoughts like work deadlines, put them aside for the moment, and just focus on and enjoy the race.”
As trail runs require a higher level of coordination and stress management – eating the right food and supplements help you to navigate challenging courses; or instances when you get lost in the forest, or surviving through a bad weather.
This mental clarity, focus from the effect of stress reduction has become a significant advantage, allowing him to stay focused and motivated throughout ultramarathon races.
Alimin combines Tongkat Ali with multivitamins and Omega-3 fish oil for daily maintenance, alongside whey protein and creatine for strength training.
According to health coaches, combining creatine and Tongkat Ali have synergistic effects for building lean muscle mass, or accelerating fat burn – and this particularly useful if you are into weight training.
According to him, the incorporation of Tongkat Ali also reduces one of the common side effects of using creatine – water retention; he was happy to note that the combination not only gives him better gains, but a leaner overall physique as well.
“Tongkat Ali decreases water retention associated with creatine, giving my muscles a leaner appearance. I’ve also gained lean mass faster.”
After 8 weeks of using Tongkat Ali, Alimin observed notable synergistic effects with Tongkat Ali’s natural anabolic properties, especially in terms of lean mass gains. This feedback may not be surprising as many natural bodybuilders have now use Tongkat Ali as an effective testosterone bodybuilding supplement in the US, UK and Australia to build and maintain less muscle mass.
For trail running and strength training, Alimin has been using a maintenance dose of 200mg per day for approximately 2 months now.
While he typically takes his dose in the morning or before bed, he’s considering experimenting with mid-race supplementation to test its as-needed effects on performance after seeing great results with other runners.
Speaking to him in person, he was also interested to see how trying a higher daily dose of 400mg per day might boost the benefits he is already currently seeing.
Having years-long experience with other Tongkat Ali brands like Solaray, which uses a less potent generic extract, Alimin finds AKARALI’s Tongkat Ali superior due to its efficacy at lower doses and faster results.
He highlights AKARALI’s high-quality, standardized hot-water extract, which ensures consistent bioactive benefits, making it a trusted choice for athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
He was also pleased to learn after 8 weeks that standardised hot-water Tongkat Ali root extract is widely clinically tested on both men and women, noting this was an important factor for him as he has always been cautious of supplements with extraordinary claims that could lead to side effects.
“This proprietary Tongkat Ali root extract is one of the most important breakthroughs in clinical tested supplements, much like creatine.”
For new users who has not taken Tongkat Ali before, Alimin encourages other runners and athletes to try clinically tested Tongkat Ali, highlighting its benefits for endurance, strength, recovery, and overall performance.
Noting that the effects are much more potently felt by those past the age of 35, he suggests starting with a maintenance dose of one capsule daily paired with consistent training, adequate rest, and a balanced diet for optimal results.
“Tongkat Ali provides good maintenance of basic bodily functions like extracting energy from macro-nutrients. It helps with anabolic muscle building, running endurance, and slows down fat accumulation as well as water retention.”
For beginner to intermediate trail runners, Tongkat Ali offers a sustainable way to enhance sports performance for many male and female athletes. Alimin’s long term review of Tongkat Ali alongside his transformation journey demonstrates how incorporating quality standardized Tongkat Ali root extract can unlock new levels of endurance, strength, focus, and resilience.
AKARALI has helped running communities such as RunThrough UK, KJRC and PCRR to achieve their Personal Best (PB), enabling runners to run longer distances with higher endurance and improve their overall athletic performance – which is evidenced in their speed work training and recovery runs. Being a reputable Tongkat Ali brand in the US and UK, AKARALI has enabled many runners to achieve better performance in major marathon races around the world.
Whether you’re aiming to conquer your first trail race or push personal limits at the gym, long term consumption of clinically tested standardized Tongkat Ali extract could be the key to elevating your performance faster and more effectively.
Tell us a little bit about yourself (name, age, where you live, what you do for a living, etc.), your running background, and how you discovered Tongkat Ali and AKARALI
Hi. I’m Alimin, Ali for short. I’m 39 years old. I live in Kuala Lumpur and work for a bank. I just got into trail running earlier this year to complement my strength training. I’ve been taking Tongkat Ali for at least 5 years. A friend asked if I would like to try and compare AKARALI against my current brand. I’ve been a happy user of AKARALI ever since I made the switch.
How many kilometres do you typically run per week? What is your best time for different distances like 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and full marathon?
I normally run 40-50k a week with best 24k trail race of sub 4 hours. I clocked sub 1 hr for 10k road race.
How often do you participate in high-endurance races like marathons or ultramarathons? Have you noticed any specific benefits from using Tongkat Ali in your training or races?
I’m fairly new to trail running. This year I joined 4 races with one 3rd position placing. I observed Tongkat Ali boosted my endurance and provide clarity of mind notably in having positive mindset in any races. It also accelerates anabolic muscle building.
Can you describe a specific instance where Tongkat Ali noticeably improved your performance or endurance during a marathon or ultramarathon?
Tongkat Ali helped me in staying focussed in the course of the races and helped delaying fatigue. This allowed me to maintain my pace especially in ascent.
What other supplements do you use in combination with Tongkat Ali? How do they complement each other, and have you noticed any synergistic effects?
I mainly take my supplement as maintenance which includes multivitamin, fish oil and, of course, Tongkat Ali before bed or in the morning. All 3 provides an essential booster to my basal metabolism and training needs. I take whey protein and creatine for my strength training. I notice Tongkat Ali decreases water retention associated with my creatine intake. This makes my muscles looks leaner instead of rounded. I also observed that I gain lean mass faster.
How do you prepare for a marathon / ultramarathon? Does your preparation routine include Tongkat Ali, and if so, how?
My preparations include mostly easy long run trainings, 20% speed work and core strength training. I take the 3 supplements to complement my high-protein and high-carb diet. Tongkat Ali is an important addition as it maintains my muscles volume and performance. Tongkat Ali also supports my recovery and rest in that it gives me better sleep quality.
Do you feel that Tongkat Ali has contributed to improvements in your stamina or endurance levels? Can you provide any specific examples or data from your runs?
The improvement is noticeably as my run distance has increased from 1km non-stop to 20km non-stop. I am able to maintain pace 4-5 min/km from the road path all the way through the trail.
How does Tongkat Ali affect your recovery process after high-endurance runs? Have you noticed any changes in muscle soreness, fatigue, or overall recovery time?
I noticed it takes less time for me to be fully functional and without pain/cramps after training or races. I was able to recover in less than a day after my 24k UTMB race in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I also sleep better with my current AKARALI intake.
How has Tongkat Ali impacted your mental focus and clarity during long runs like marathons or ultramarathons?
I am more aware of my thoughts and able to identify and manage negative thinking. During my 24K in UTMB Chiang Mai, it was like a lightbulb moment when I realised that I could better compartmentalise stressful thoughts like work deadlines, put them aside for the moment, and just focus on and enjoy the race.
Do many runners or endurance athletes in your community use Tongkat Ali? If so, what feedback have you heard from them regarding its benefits?
About 20. It helps with their endurance, speed and recovery. Some even mentioned improvement in their personal lives.
What makes AKARALI’s Tongkat Ali different from other supplements or brands you may have tried?
AKARALI provides better effect with 50% less dosage compared to the previous brand I used. The effect comes within a month for me. I noticed I could gain muscles faster, and harder to accumulate fat and water.
How long have you been using Tongkat Ali, and do you cycle it or take it consistently? What dosing schedule works best for you in terms of running performance?
I’ve just been taking AKARALI consistently for about 2 months now. I take it as maintenance. 1 tablet (200mg) before bed or in the morning. I have heard some runners have positive effect when taking it during races. I will try to do the same to test the effects.
How does AKARALI Tongkat Ali make you feel during runs compared to other performance-enhancing supplements you’ve used?
I don’t take artificial performance-enhancing supplements for my runs, as I believe in organic supplements like Tongkat Ali. Along with adequate training and sleep complemented with good diet, I believe this is more than enough to perform at your peak.
Have you noticed any improvements in your stress levels or ability to handle the physical and mental demands of high-endurance running since incorporating Tongkat Ali into your routine?
AKARALI provides me the awareness of my thoughts and it also allows me to stay focused longer in long runs, strength training, and races.
Do you think Tongkat Ali can benefit other runners or endurance athletes? If yes, what specific benefits would you highlight?
Definitely. At the basic level, Tongkat Ali provides good maintenance of basic bodily functions like extracting energy from macro-nutrients. It helps with anabolic muscle building, running endurance, and slows down fat accumulation as well as water retention.
What would you like people who haven’t tried Tongkat Ali to know about its potential benefits for runners and endurance athletes in general?
Mainly it keeps you focused on the race and delays fatigue. Tongkat Ali is more than just a testosterone booster, as many promote it. It helps with keeping your energy level stable throughout the day. This proprietary Tongkat Ali root extract is one of the most important breakthroughs in clinical tested supplements, much like creatine.
What advice would you give to other runners or endurance athletes who are considering trying Tongkat Ali for the first time?
Start with a maintenance dose of 1 capsule per day (dosage may differ for men and women) for 2 months to see optimal beneficial effects. Some runners may experience faster results, especially those above 35 years old.
Alex Kua leads AKARALI’s Global Partnership Community to help athletes, sports communities, and thousand of others optimize their well-being through evidence-based research that enables them to make better informed decisions. His legal and business consulting background underpins the rigorous data-driven approach in his writing – from hours of interviews, real-world performance data, and firsthand experiences of real people – offering actionable insights that connects clinical research, emerging health trends, and real-world applications. He is also an experienced researcher in herbal nutrition, with years of deep technical knowledge on Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia), including quality standards, industry benchmarks, lab tests, clinical trials, and the use of natural herbs by collaborating with top scientists, herbal experts, and nutritionists. As part of the core team behind AKARALI’s knowledge portal, he empowers people worldwide to access the benefits of high-quality herbal nutrition in a way that is effective, sustainable, and safe. He is also an avid runner, with regular participation in local sports communities and running events.
Our articles are third party reviewed by our panel of experts and medical advisors to ensure the facts are accurate and credible. These are validated against multiple source references which include but not limited to research studies, peer-reviewed journals, pre-clinical studies, clinical tests and other credible publications.
Our panel of medical advisors and experts are highly experienced in their individual fields. However, they do not provide any medical advice or recommendations arising from content published in this article.
Disclaimer:
The content published on this website is for educational purposes and should not be viewed, read, or seen as a prescription or constitute any form of medical advice. We recommend you consult your nearest GP or doctors before consuming Tongkat Ali or any products which contain Tongkat Ali. For further information, kindly refer to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for more information.
