For most passionate athletes, a workout is incomplete without using a pre-workout supplement. A decent pre-workout can quickly turn that boring workout into a HIIT session and can give you the boost you need to overcome that afternoon slump.
Pre-workouts come in a wide variety of dosages, ingredients, and effects. Other workout products don’t have this. Therefore, finding the best one for your needs can be a bit of a challenge. Most of them are gender-neutral, but there are a few options on the market that are formulated specifically for men, and others are formulated specifically for women. Some are formulated to facilitate lean muscle mass gain and others are formulated to help with weight loss.
No matter what the formulation, there’s one thing they all have in common and that’s the fact that they are formulated to help you blast through your records in the gym and on the field or anywhere else you compete.
If there’s one thing we all agree on, it’s that we want our daily workouts to provide us with the best possible outcomes. After all, not only does it make the effort worth it, it’s also critical for your overall health to make sure that you are achieving the best possible results with your workout. A pre-workout is a supplement that is designed to help boost the endurance and efficiency of your workouts.
However, since these supplements have distinct dosages and a variety of ingredients, they don’t all provide you with meaningful benefits. If you don’t know much about these supplements or the ingredients in them, it can be almost impossible to choose one. That is why we’ve put together a list of the best pre-workout supplements you’ll find on the market today. This should help point you in the right direction.
Every set and rep you do will go from boring/hard to amazing. You’ll think the weights are lighter and the pumps are larger. If you’re dedicated to workouts and training, you really do need to add a pre-workout to your regimen. While it’s true that adequate sleep, a proper diet, and staying hydrated do wonders for your workout- a pre-workout will level up your workout, turning it into something much more.
The following list is exactly what a serious athlete would want to get their hands on. If you’re interested in getting started with pre-workouts or you just want to try something new, this article will help. You will find everything you need to know about pre-workouts to help you increase muscle mass, burn fat, and push past your plateaus so you can get more from your workout.
These supplements contain ingredients such as caffeine and amino acids, along with other ingredients that burn fat, increase endurance, facilitate adequate blood flow, improve focus, and so much more. We took the time to learn everything we could about the various options and created a list of the best pre-workouts to choose from. If you choose one from here, you can be sure that it is safe and effective.
19 Best Pre-Workouts At-A-Glance
| Product | What to Know |
| XWERKS Ignite | Offers a unique blend of ingredients that are clinically proven |
| Transparent Labs Pre-Workout | Collection of 6 different pre-workouts to meet personal goals |
| Legion Athletics Pulse Pre-Workout | Boosts nitric oxide levels, which improved athletic performance |
| Cellucor C4 Original Pre-Workout | NSF certified to improve energy, training, and performance |
| Cellucor C4 Extreme | Next-gen premium pre-workout for beginners |
| Ghost Lifestyle Legend | For anyone that wants to be a legend in the gym, on the field, or in general |
| PreLab Pro | Highest quality supplement made by this brand |
| Steel Supplements Amped-AF | |
| Alani Nu Pre-Workout | Naturally & artificially flavored for energy and endurance |
| CrazyBulk Intensive Pre-Train | Powerhouse pre-workout formula |
| Blackwolf Pre-Workout | Proven ingredients for proven results |
| 4 Gauge | Explosive formula |
| Bauer Nutrition BRF Pre-Workout | Natural energy booster for intense workouts |
| Beast Sports Beast Mode Black | Explosive energy for renowned results |
| Huge Supplements Wrecked | Proven ingredients to improve focus, power, and energy |
| Huge Supplements Wrecked Extreme | Same ingredients as Wrecked, just stronger |
| IdealFit IdealLean Pre-Workout | Helps women level-up their workouts |
| Powher Pre-Workout | One of the best options for women |
| TestoPrime | Boosts testosterone to enhance workout sessions |
19 Best Pre-Workout Reviews
After going through lots of different pre-workouts, we’ve come up with what we feel are the top 19 best pre-workouts on the market today. Hopefully, this can help you find one that you like. If you do decide you want to get started or if you want to try something new, you’ve got 19 options here. Start with one of these and try until you find one that you like.
XWERKS Ignite
| Product | XWERKS Ignite |
| Ingredients | CaffeineL-tyrosineBeta-alanineRhodiola RoseaVitamin B6 & B12DMAE |
| Servings per container | 30 servings (1 scoop per serving) |
| Cost | $49.00 |
| Guarantee | 100% money-back guarantee |
XWERKS is a well-known name in the fitness world. Their pre-workout formula, Ignite, is available in four delicious flavors: green apple, orange, watermelon, and blue raspberry. Their focus is on bringing something different to the market.
According to the manufacturer, this formula is effective for increasing energy, focus, and motivation throughout your workout session without jitters. Additionally, it facilitates muscle recovery without side effects. You experience sustained, quality energy without the crash that comes with most pre-workouts when they start wearing off.
Click here to buy XWERKS Ignite
Transparent Labs Pre-Workout
| Product | Transparent Labs Pre-Workout (6 formulas) |
| Ingredients | Citrulline malateCaffeineBetaine anhydrousL-theanineVitamin B6 & B12Vitamin D3Other effective ingredients |
| Servings per container | 30 servings (1 scoop per serving) |
| Cost | $49.99 |
| Guarantee | N/A |
Transparent Labs is also well-known and respected in the fitness industry. This brand is famous because it offers several targeted pre-workout formulas, each with a specific goal/desire in mind.
At this time, Transparent Labs is offering 6 different pre-workout formulas. Some of them are caffeinated, while others are stim-free. Their stim-free products are available in Strawberry Lemonade, Blue Raspberry, and Green Apple.
Some help you bulk up, others help you gain weight- while others help you lose it. Surveys show that their stim-free options is one of the best ones on the market.
Click here to buy Transparent Labs Pre-Workout
Legion Athletics Pulse Pre-Workout
| Product | Legion Athletics Pulse Pre-Workout |
| Ingredients | 8 grams citrulline malate3.6 grams beta-alanineNatural caffeine |
| Servings per container | 21 servings (1 scoop per serving) |
| Cost | $35,99 |
| Guarantee | 100% money-back guarantee |
Pulse, by Legion Athletics, is made with natural ingredients and claims to lighten your mood and enhance your focus when you use it.
We feel this is one of the best-tasting pre-workouts on the list and it has been proven to improve strength, endurance, and energy. Additionally, it’s similar to other pre-workouts on the market in that the natural ingredients help to reduce muscle fatigue.
It is available in two formulas: caffeinated and non-caffeinated. The caffeinated version is available in Blood Orange, Grape, Arctic Blast, Watermelon, Strawberry Kiwi, Fruit Punch, Cherry Limeade, Sour Candy, Bubble Gum, Blueberry Lemonade, and a few other interesting options. The non-caffeinated version is available in Tropical Punch, Blue Raspberry, Green Apple, and Fruit Punch.
If you want to try a natural supplement to increase your energy and muscle stamina, Pulse is the ideal option.
Click here to buy Legion Athletics Pulse Pre-Workout
Cellucor C4 Original Pre-Workout
| Product | Cellucor C4 Original Pre-Workout |
| Ingredients | 1 gram creatine150 mg caffeine1.6 beta-alanine150 mg caffeine1 gram arginine |
| Servings per container | 30 servings (1 scoop per serving) |
| Cost | $29.99 |
| Guarantee | 30-day 100% money-back |
Since Cellucor launched their pre-workout, C4, in 2011, it has been a hit. In fact, when you ask most people about pre-workout supplements, this is the first one they think of because it has been around for over a decade. Even though it’s been around for longer than many of the others, it’s still among the most effective and efficient options on the market.
Of course, it is because it contains 4 ingredients that are clinically proven to improve workout efficiency at a price that almost everyone can afford. Each container offers a reasonable number of doses, and assists in improving workout capacity on several levels.
Cellucor’s customer base agrees that this pre-workout has many benefits and the oversized tubs are very affordable. The cost per serving is much lower than you might expect.
If you want a pre-workout formula that is made with ingredients that are clinically proven and is known for ensuring their customers are satisfied, Cellucor C4 Original is the perfect option for you.
Click here to buy Cellucor C4 Original
Cellucor C4 Extreme
| Product | Cellucor C4 Original Pre-Workout |
| Ingredients | 1 gram creatine150 mg caffeine1.6 beta-alanine150 mg caffeine1 gram arginine |
| Servings per container | 30 servings (1 scoop per serving) |
| Cost | $29.99 |
| Guarantee | 30-day 100% money-back |
Cellucor is such a great company, we couldn’t help but include it twice. Their C4 Extreme formula is quite similar to their Original formula, only better. C4 Extreme does not contain sugar or calories, which means it’s better for you than the Original. Plus, this option facilitates weight loss better than others. Cellucor C4 Extreme is available in Strawberry Margarita and Icy Blue Razz.
Click here to buy Cellucor C4 Extreme
Ghost Lifestyle Legend
| Product | Ghost Lifestyle |
| Ingredients | 4 grams L-citrulline3.2 grams beta-alanine 50 mg Senactiv1.5 grams Nitrosigine |
| Servings per container | 25 servings (2 scoops per serving) |
| Cost | $44.99 |
| Guarantee | Yes |
Legend by Ghost Lifestyle is a pre-workout that blends ingredients for energy and focus with ingredients to increase pumps. This pre-workout will make you feel like a legend. It is vegan-friendly, gluten-free, soy-free, and sugar-free.
It comes in a variety of interesting and unique flavors, including Sour Patch Kids Redberry, Swedish Fish, Sonic Slush (Cherry Limeade or Ocean Water), Welch’s Grape, and so many more.
If you want to be considered a legend, this pre-workout is for you. Keep in mind this company also offers a variety of other fitness supplements as well to help you in your fitness journey.
Click here to shop for Ghost Lifestyle Legend
PreLab Pro
| Product | PreLab Pro |
| Ingredients | Beetroot powderNatural caffeine L-theanineSetria performance blend |
| Servings per container | 20 servings (1 scoop per serving) |
| Cost | |
| Guarantee | 30 day, 100% money-back |
PreLab Pro’s pre-workout formula is available in a fresh berry flavor and provides a wide variety of benefits when consumed during a workout session. According to the company, this pre-workout will improve your anabolism, endurance, cardio, speed, strength, recovery, and stamina.
The best thing is, that this pre-workout is made with unique ingredients that are not found in many other formulations. Some support homeostasis and others have a nootropic effect, which makes it one of the best all-around pre-workout options.
Steel Supplements Amped-AF
| Product | Steel Supplements Amped-AF |
| Ingredients | 4 grams L-citrullineVitamin B6 (40 mg) & B12 (500 mg) 2.5 grams Betaine Anhydrous 3.2 grams Beta-alanine |
| Servings per container | 30 (1 scoop per serving) |
| Cost | $50.00 |
| Guarantee | Yes, on unopened products only, 15% restocking fee applies |
Steel Supplements Amped-AF is one of the newer pre-workouts on the market. Even so, there are plenty of clinical trials backing up its efficacy as a superior pre-workout supplement. It stands out from the rest of the options due to its use of high-quality, unique ingredients to ensure users get the best results.
This is a bit on the expensive side, at $50 per container of 30 servings. They do offer refunds on unopened products. However, a 15% restocking fee will be charged. You can get samples on some of their products on their website, which might be a good option if you’re not really sure if it’s going to work for you.
Steel Supplements Amped-AF is produced by a trustworthy manufacturer. You don’t have to be concerned about dangerous chemicals and users have reported no negative side effects. In fact, customer reviews indicate that it is highly effective and will increase muscle mass, improve your overall performance, increase the duration and intensity of your workouts, as well as a variety of other benefits.
This is one of the best pre-workouts you’ll find on the market and comes in four flavors at this time: Black Cherry Sherbet, Blueberry Kiwi, Berryburst, and Blue Raspberry.
Click here to shop for Steel Supplements Amped-AF
Alani Nu Pre-Workout
| Product | Alani Nu Pre-Workout |
| Ingredients | 200 mg caffeine6 grams L-citrulline500 mg L-tyrosine200 mg L-theanine1.6 grams beta-alanine |
| Servings per container | 30 servings (1 scoop per serving) |
| Cost | $39.99 |
| Guarantee | N/A |
Alani Nu is known for offering a wide variety of unique flavors in their pre-workout and, according to customer reviews, this product is one of the best.
One of the primary ingredients in this pre-workout is L-theanine. This helps to counteract the jitters and crashes that are often associated with the 200 milligrams of caffeine that is in this formula. Unlike many of the other brands on the market that flood your body with an array of natural ingredients with varying, unproven dosages, Alani Nu offers a few select ingredients at considerable dosages that have been proven.
Click here to shop for Alani Nu Pre-workout
CrazyBulk Intensive Pre-Train
| Product | CrazyBulk Intensive Pre-Train |
| Ingredients | KSM-66 AshwagandhaCitrulline malateL-taurineL-tyrosineBeta-alanineBetaine anhydrousVitamin CEnXtra (Caffeine booster) |
| Servings per container | 20 servings (1 scoop per serving) |
| Cost | $39.99 |
| Guarantee | 60-day, money-back guarantee |
CrazyBulk is a well-known name in the fitness industry as offering a high-quality alternative to dangerous steroids. Their pre-workout, Intensive Pre-Train provides stamina for HIIT workouts, decreases fatigue, and increases energy levels over the long haul. However, the benefits don’t stop there.
By consistently consuming Intensive Pre-Train daily, you’ll notice an increase in your overall energy. You’ll be able to focus better on your workout sessions from start to finish and you don’t have to worry about becoming fatigued right in the middle. Therefore, we can all agree that this pre-workout is packed with many advantages.
Click here to shop for CrazyBulk Intensive Pre-Train
Blackwolf Pre-Workout
| Product | Blackwolf Pre-Workout |
| Ingredients | 2,000 mg betaine1000 mg L-arginine3,000 mg creatine 6,000 mg L-citrulline600 mg L-tyrosine3,200 mg beta-alanine1,000 mg taurine10 mg Huperzine (Fruit Punch) 150 mg DMAE (Fruit Punch) |
| Servings per container | 22 servings (1 scoop per serving) |
| Cost | $44.99 |
| Guarantee | N/A |
Blackwolf is not as well-known as most of the other brands on this list. However, that does not mean that they do not produce a high-quality pre-workout supplement. Their products come in high-quality packaging and are made with ingredients that have been clinically proven in numerous studies. Plus, it is available in a variety of delicious flavors.
Blackwolf is associated with MuscleClub Limited, which is one of the well-known fitness supplement companies located in the UK. They are fairly new to the industry, but have quickly shown that they can stand with the rest and make a name for themselves in the market.
You can find Blackwolf Pre-Workout in three flavors: green apple, fruit punch, and blue raspberry. Plus, they offer two formulations: one with caffeine and one without.
Click here to buy Blackwolf Pre-Workout
4 Gauge
| Product | 4 Gauge |
| Ingredients | 150 mg caffeine600 mg L-citrulline100 mg Rhodiola Rosea200 mg L-theanine |
| Servings per container | 20 servings (2 scoops per serving) |
| Cost | $45 |
| Guarantee | N/A |
According to the website, 4 Gauge provides its customers with the ultimate pre-workout to improve their overall athletic performance without the jitters that often come with other options.
One of the things that makes this one stand out is its packaging. It looks like an oversized shotgun shell. The primary goal of 4 Gauge is to give customers confidence in their bodies and make them feel more fit.
When you use 4 Gauge, you get improved focus without worrying about experiencing that “crash and burn” feeling when it wears off. There are zero artificial sweeteners in this pre-workout, and it won’t affect your weight loss goals, as it is low in calories.
Click here to shop for 4 Gauge Pre-Workout
Bauer Nutrition BRF Pre-Workout
| Product | Bauer Nutrition BRF Pre-Workout |
| Ingredients | CaffeineWhey protein isolateClarinol CLAVitamin C |
| Servings per container | 15 servings (1 scoop per serving) |
| Cost | $26.99 |
| Guarantee | 60-day 100% money-back |
If you are on a budget, BRF (Battle Ready Fuel) by Bauer Nutrition may be one of the best options for you. This is a well-known raw energy booster that can be found on popular shopping sites, such as Amazon.
This is a stim-free pre-workout that promises to zero in your focus, increase workout intensity, improve endurance, and so much more. Even though this one costs much less than most of the other options, the benefits are not lacking at all.
Click here to shop for Bauer Nutrition BRF Pre-Workout
Beast Sports Beast Mode Black
| Product | Beast Sports Beast Mode Black |
| Ingredients | 500 mg taurine400 mg caffeine1,600 mg beta-alanine |
| Servings per container | 30 servings (1 scoop per serving) |
| Cost | $39.99 |
| Guarantee | 60-day, money-back |
As indicated by the name, Beast Sports Beast Mode Black is a powerful pre-workout supplement. Some say it’s one of the most powerful ones you will find. It offers significant dosages to increase energy levels.
When you consume this pre-workout supplement on a daily basis, you’ll see a significant improvement in nitric oxide levels in your body. According to the website, this formula offers 380% higher dosages compared to the original Beast Mode.
Click here to shop for Beast Sports Beast Mode Black
Huge Supplements Wrecked
| Product | Huge Supplements Wrecked |
| Ingredients | 250 mg caffeine2,000 mg betaine anhydrous3,200 mg beta-alanine 1,000 mg L-tyrosine9,000 mg L-citrulline |
| Servings per container | 25 servings (1 scoop per serving) |
| Cost | |
| Guarantee | N/A |
Huge Supplements Wrecked is available in four delicious flavors, including Bomb Popsicle, Peach rings, Raspberry Mojito, and Rainbow Burst. One container offers 25 servings. Compared to most of the other brands, this one is a little on the high side- but it is worth it because it contains 18 of the most effective ingredients you’ll find in significant dosages.
Though the price is much higher than others, Huge Supplements claims it is because the dosages are much more effective than with other similar products. Therefore, the value is much higher, which is one of the factors we considered when we were creating this list.
Click here to shop for Huge Supplements Wrecked
Huge Supplements Wrecked Extreme
| Product | Huge Supplements Wrecked Extreme |
| Ingredients | L-citrullineCaffeineL-tyrosineBetaine anhydrousBeta-alanine |
| Servings per container | 20 (1 scoop per serving) |
| Cost | |
| Guarantee | N/A |
Wrecked Extreme is one of the newest formulas available from Huge Supplements, and is an “extreme” version of the original (as the name indicates). This is the strongest pre-workout of the three offered by Huge Supplements.
Huge Supplements Wrecked Extreme contains the same basic ingredients as the original Wrecked formula, but in higher dosages. Overall, this is an ideal pre-workout to improve overall performance and increase muscle growth.
Click here to shop for Huge Supplements Wrecked Extreme
For Women: IdealFit IdealLean Pre-Workout
| Product | IdealFit Ideal Lean Pre-Workout for Women |
| Ingredients | 1500 mg beta-alanine150 mg caffeine3000 mg citrulline1500 mg betaine310 mg fat loss blend |
| Servings per container | 30 servings (1 scoop each) |
| Cost | $23.99 |
| Guarantee | 100% risk free guarantee |
IdealFit IdealLean Pre-Workout is the first one on our list that is formulated specifically with women in mind. It is available in a few different flavors: Pink Lemonade, Cherry Limeade, Passion Fruit, Blue Raspberry, and Pineapple Mango. They offer regular and Stim-Free options.
This is one of the more affordable options on our list and, as we mentioned, it is specifically formulated with women in mind. It helps to improve workout capacity and is more effective for women than standard pre-workout supplements.
This pre-workout contains moderate dosages of pre-workout ingredients and, according to the website, provides high power and efficiency to users. You can also check their website for rave reviews from their customers.
Click here to shop for IdealFit IdealLean Pre-Workout for Women
For Women: Powher Pre-Workout
| Product | Powher Pre-Workout |
| Ingredients | EnXtra (caffeine booster) Vitamin B-6Pantothenic acid Caffeine |
| Servings per container | 25 servings (1 scoop each) |
| Cost | $45.00 |
| Guarantee | 90-day money-back guarantee |
Powher Pre-Workout is another pre-workout formula that is formulated specifically for women. While it’s true that women can consume the standard pre-workout formulas, those that are formulated with women in mind are usually much better because the dosages are adjusted to fit their bodies. Powher Pre-Workout offers advantages to women who regularly engage in HIIT workouts.
This formula is ideal for women who prefer a pre-workout that contains ingredients that have been scientifically proven and don’t want overly potent dosages. This pre-workout contains effective ingredients at lower, but still effective dosages.
Click here to shop for Powher Pre-Workout for Women
For Men: TestoPrime
| Product | TestoPrime |
| Ingredients | Panax GinsengFenugreekD-Aspartic AcidKSM Ashwagandha |
| Servings per container | 30 servings (4 capsules per serving) |
| Cost | $59.99 |
| Guarantee | Lifetime money back guarantee |
TestoPrime is the only pre-workout on our list that is formulated specifically for men. It is marketed as a testosterone booster and pre-workout supplement. According to the website, this product contains natural ingredients to improve protein synthesis and target hormone levels. According to the website, this product will increase blood flow and physical energy, as well as increase motivation, improve protein synthesis, burn fat, and so much more.
This is a stim-free pre-workout that promises to mitigate the problems that are associated with low testosterone levels in men, which helps you both in and out of the gym.
Click here to shop for TestoPrime for Men
Why Should You Consider Using Pre-Workouts as Part of Your Regimen?
The best pre-workout on the market provides users with a rush of energy to increase motivation to start an exercise routine. This is the most effective approach for staying energized/focused prior to your next workout, competition, and cardio activity. It is also beneficial and useful to use during a performance. Additionally, pre-workouts provide a plethora of vitamins/minerals to help your body prepare for the intense workouts.
How Did We Choose the best 19 Pre-Workouts
When it comes to pre-workouts, there are lots of different formulations. Each one is formulated with the appropriate ingredients for its intended purpose. There are some brands that believe certain dosages are scientifically backed and emphasized more often.
Unfortunately, there are plenty of supplements that have the appropriate nutrition, but in the wrong amounts. Many of these actually hide this fact behind “proprietary blends”, while there are others that show their high dosages immediately. That being said, keep reading to learn more about the various factors we considered when creating our list.
Customer Reviews
When you are considering making a purchase of any kind, customer reviews are one of your greatest resources. Their opinions are valuable. It’s important to note that many pre-workouts may be harmful- especially if you buy from an unknown source. That being said, the best ones are NSF Certified for Sport, meaning they have been through a barrage of tests and have been proven high-quality. We preferred pre-workouts that were supported by independent lab studies and other forms of validation.
Formulations
Today’s pre-workout consumers are becoming pickier. The community is becoming more informed about the most important ingredients and dosages, as well as the effect they have on the body. As we mentioned, some brands hide behind “proprietary blends”- which is something that you want to avoid. We made sure to consider everything.
Some consumers are more aware of what they are putting in their bodies than ever before. We preferred formulas that contained no added flavors and sweeteners, synthetic ingredients, or artificial flavors. In order to provide the intended results, some pre-workouts incorporated natural ingredients/flavors. Of course, even though it may not be necessary for everyone, the best bodybuilding supplements use all-natural components.
Flavors
The formula may be just what you are looking for. However, if the taste/flavor is unpleasant, you’re not likely to buy it again. Taste/flavor played a significant role in whether or not we added it to our list. Of course, we don’t just rate the overall taste, we rate the overall flavors (when the product comes in various flavors).
Many of the products are designed to be mixed with water so that you can taste the flavor of it. Some of them have more flavor than others. Another factor we considered was texture and mixability. Some blend smoother than others and some leave behind clumps. We chose the smooth mixing options.
Satisfaction/Money-Back Guarantee
Most of the pre-workouts on our list come with a 30- to 60-day money-back guarantee. A few offer a 365-day money-back guarantee and some have a lifetime guarantee (on the first purchase). Some of them will accept returns on opened products while others only accept unopened. Finally, some charge a restocking fee and others do not.
Price vs. Value
Prices for pre-workouts vary. They can be as low as $10 per container or as high as $100+. You have to decide what you are willing to spend. We included a variety of price points on our list to meet every budget. However, it’s important to note that a $10 supplement can be just as good as the $100+ supplement. You have to read the label to find out what is in it and look at the customer reviews to find out if the value of the pre-workout is worth the price.
What Ingredients Should You Expect in a Pre-Workout?
When it comes to the best ingredients for a pre-workout, it’s important to remember that not all ingredients are created equal. In order to be effective, a pre-workout needs to contain the appropriate ingredients. Following are some ingredients that should be included in a high-quality pre-workout.
Anhydrous Caffeine
Caffeine is a natural stimulant that has been heavily researched. Anhydrous caffeine is a form of caffeine in which the water has been removed. It’s a concentrated version that will take effect immediately. When you are shopping for a pre-workout, you’ll want to make sure that it includes anhydrous caffeine, also sometimes called caffeine anhydrous. This ingredient will improve alertness, energy, and overall athletic performance. However, even though it’s effective, it should only be used in moderation.
Anhydrous Betaine
You can find anhydrous betaine in dietary sources such as quinoa, beets, and spinach and it is also commonly found as an ingredient in pre-workout formulas. This ingredient ensures that fluid in muscle cells is balanced. Things like physical and mental performance, strength, and power are influenced by muscle hydration. Like the other ingredients we’re listing here, anhydrous betaine is backed by science.
Citrulline
One of the highly potent ingredients in pre-workouts is citrulline. This is an amino acid that improves circulation. You’ll notice that you have more stamina and are able to push out more pumps because more blood is reaching your cells. There is a lot of scientific evidence regarding the efficacy of this ingredient, which is why it’s included so often.
Tyrosine
Tyrosine is another amino acid that is commonly included in pre-workouts. This ingredient is responsible for the production of dopamine and noradrenaline. Research indicates that tyrosine can help with physical and mental performance during stressful times. It’s often included in pre-workouts because it’s able to improve cognitive functioning.
Nitric Oxide
Nitric oxide is not typically included as an ingredient itself, but there are several nitric oxide precursors that are included in pre-workout formulations. This substance has proven to stimulate muscle contraction/relaxation, helping with the regulation of blood pressure. Blood vessels are relaxed, which allows blood to flow through easily.
What Does Science Say?
There is lots of scientific evidence to support the use of pre-workouts. Research has proven these supplements to improve physical and mental performance in a variety of ways. There have been numerous research trials that have been conducted and proven these effects. Researchers have determined that pre-workouts are efficient “ergogenic aids” for active individuals. This is just a clever way to express that pre-workouts can improve overall performance in the gym or on the field. These findings have been confirmed in a wide variety of studies.
One of the most common brain stimulants today, caffeine, is one of the primary ingredients in approximately 60% of pre-workout supplements. According to research published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, it increases concentration, mood, and arousal. Therefore, a pre-workout supplement can definitely improve your concentration when working out.
Caffeine also facilitates weight loss. In fact, researchers discovered that workouts are approximately 11% more effective when combined with caffeine. This increases weight loss, making it easier to reach your weight loss goals.
Another common ingredient is citrulline. One study showed this chemical to improve bench press reps by 53%. In another study, cyclists were able to pedal for 12% longer before reaching exhaustion after taking citrulline.
Creatine is one of the most popular ingredients in pre-workouts. This is primarily because it’s been proven to have a major impact on performance in sports. Therefore, creatine is one of the most preferred supplements for athletes, whether professional or amateur. When engaging in strength training and HIIT workouts, creatine speeds up muscle cell production. Therefore, if you are interested in boosting strength gains or lean muscle mass, you should consider using creatine.
Who Should Be Using Pre-Workouts?
While most people might think that only serious athletes can benefit from using a pre-workout supplement, the truth is anyone can. If you want to get the most from your workouts, a pre-workout can help you.
As we’ve mentioned, bodybuilders are most often associated with this type of supplement, and they swear by them. Those who use them claim that pre-workouts boost endurance, pumping, and muscle development.
Therefore, pre-workout supplements may benefit the following groups:
- Bodybuilders
- Anyone wanting to lose weight
- Anyone wanting to level up their workouts
- Anyone wanting to increase the effectiveness of their workouts
- Cyclists
- Runners
- Weekend warrior athletes
A pre-workout is the ideal supplement for anyone wanting to increase the intensity of their workouts. If you just want to go to the gym and keep doing what you’ve been doing, you may not really need to use a pre-workout.
Of course, using a pre-workout will help you break through your personal records and elevate your performance. Ingredients such as beta-alanine, L-carnitine, and caffeine are found in many formulations and can improve your performance on lifts, endurance events, and anaerobic circuits. When it comes to improving athletic performance over the long-term, pre-workouts are the best tool since they contain so many performance-enhancing ingredients.
Benefits Associated with Pre-Workouts
As we’ve already mentioned a few times, pre-workouts are composed of a variety of ingredients. The term “pre-workout” covers a range of products, from simple amino acid combos that increase the accessibility of protein to your muscles prior to and following a workout to stimulants, energy boosters, and herbal extracts that are more advanced and help you get the most from your workout.
Many of these supplements are designed with serious athletes in mind, and several are designed specifically for certain sports, such as weightlifting.
Anaerobic performance is improved by beta-alanine, which is an energy supplement that is a popular ingredient in pre-workouts, improves your muscle’s ability to produce power. According to experts, beta-alanine increases the production of a chemical in your muscles known as carnosine. This helps reduce the levels of lactic acid.
Carnosine acts as a buffer, which delays the beginning of the burn that turns into exhaustion during HIIT workouts. Beta-alanine boosts the concentrations of carnosine and improves performance limited by intramuscular acidity. Two types of exercise that fall into this category are intense intermittent exercise and continuous HIIT moves that last more than 60 seconds.
Since brief lifting sets are not limited by intramuscular pH, a beta-alanine supplement alone won’t make a difference. Therefore, make sure that you’re aware of what your workout is going to involve before you rely on beta-alanine.
L-carnitine is an amino acid often found in pre-workouts that helps you gain anaerobic strength and power. It improves the hormonal response in resistance training.
Creatine is often found in pre-workouts in either monohydrate or nitrate form. However, it’s important to note that it’s not always included. This ingredient helps improve strength and lean muscle mass. This, in turn, improves the quality of your training sessions because phosphocreatine levels are increased- which increases ATP.
Phosphocreatine is critical for quick, explosive movements such as squats or bench presses. If you would like immediate improvements in lifting capacity, a pre-workout that includes creatine may be beneficial.
BCAAs are often included in pre-workouts to help prevent muscle pain. After all, not all of the ingredients are there to improve your performance. Sometimes, they’re there to help you avoid unpleasant effects of intense training, such as soreness in your muscles. For example, training that involves a variety of unusual muscle contractions such as deadlifting, squatting, and running hills can cause injury- but a pre-workout that contains BCAAs can help prevent these injuries.
Caffeine improves performance in a variety of situations. It is a well-known ergogenic ingredient found in almost every pre-workout supplement on the market. It is highly effective with a variety of physical tasks. It has been proven to improve everything from long-term endurance workouts to tasks that require coordination and quickly stopping/starting.
Yohimbe is a more advanced ingredient that is sometimes included in pre-workouts that is known to assist in the reduction of body fat. classic ingredients, such as L-carnitine, caffeine, and beta-alanine enhance performance, but many manufacturers are pushing the envelope by adding new, cutting-edge ingredients.
Common Questions about Pre-Workout Supplements
Of course, you always want to make sure that all of your questions are answered before you start anything new. Therefore, we’ll go over some of the common questions about pre-workout supplements.
Is there a difference between pre-workouts and post-workouts?
Absolutely. A pre-workout is designed to improve your performance during your workout session. They improve both short-term and long-term athletic ability by combining a variety of ingredients that have been proven to improve immediate and extended performance.
What ingredients are found in pre-workouts?
There are lots of different formulations when it comes to pre-workouts, but most of them are some blend of the same basic ingredients: amino acids, creatine, BCAAs, protein, B-vitamins, caffeine, and other nutrients.
Do natural pre-workouts exist?
If you are looking for natural foods and materials to use as supplements prior to a workout, consider supplements that contain natural caffeine, BCAAs, and green tea extract. These are natural supplements that can be taken prior to working out to boost your performance.
It’s important to note that there are a few specialized molecules, including beta-alanine that cannot be gotten in large quantities from natural sources and must be produced in a lab. So, while it’s true that natural ingredients provide a lot of advantages, in order to achieve optimal effects, you’ll need synthetic ingredients.
What is the average caffeine content in a pre-workout?
On average, one serving of a pre-workout supplement contains somewhere between 200 to 250 milligrams of caffeine, depending on the manufacturer. This is about the same amount of coffee you’d get in a Grande Dark Roast at Starbucks. The average small cup of coffee contains approximately 100 milligrams of caffeine. There are some pre-workouts that contain 250 to 400 milligrams, and others contain approximately 100 to 150 milligrams.
What does “pump” mean in the world of bodybuilding?
The term “pump” is used to describe muscle energy and endurance. There are many pre-workouts that advertise they are able to improve your “pumps”, which means you will be able to increase the intensity and length of your workouts.
Are pre-workouts bad for you?
While there’s nothing in the ingredient list of a pre-workout that is illegal, they’re also not FDA-regulated. Therefore, most people choose to use pre-workouts that have been third-party tested by agencies such as NSF, USP, orInformed Choice.
Out of all of the ingredients in pre-workouts, the one that is most likely to cause problems is caffeine. If you consume too much caffeine, it can cause anxiety, cramping, high blood pressure, and a host of other issues. However, as long as it’s kept at a level you can tolerate, the caffeine in a pre-workout can be a good thing.
How can pre-workouts help cognitive performance?
A pre-workout improves mental performance by improving cognition and focus. Some include herbal extracts for this purpose. Others include a variety of vitamins and minerals, as well as other nutrients.
Should you consume a pre-workout before or after your workout?
A pre-workout needs to be consumed before your workout. A good rule of thumb is approximately 30 minutes prior to starting your workout. This gives it time to absorb into your body and “kick in”. If you’re in a hurry, make sure that you consume it on an empty stomach so that it digests rapidly.
Can a pre-workout damage the kidneys?
In general, a pre-workout will not damage kidneys, but excessive consumption might. If you consume more than recommended, it could result in dehydration, high blood flow, and renal failure. Creatine and caffeine are often used in pre-workouts- both of these are diuretics and, in large doses, can have negative repercussions. Therefore, you should never take more than the recommended dosage of your chosen pre-workout.
What is the ideal way to consume a pre-workout?
Typically, pre-workouts come in powder form that can be blended into a beverage on its own or be added to your favorite protein shake. Some of the formulas are available in capsule form, which many find easier to take. The advantage of the powder is that it can be added to anything you like.
Is it safe to consume a pre-workout on an empty stomach?
Taking a pre-workout on an empty stomach is not harmful. In fact, some say it’s better because you get more of the primary effects that way. Of course, you will also get more of the side effects as well. For example, the caffeine may reach your system faster, increasing the adverse effects.
Should I consume a pre-workout at night?
To be honest, it’s really not the best idea to consume a pre-workout at night, as this can disrupt your sleep cycle- especially if it contains stimulants, such as caffeine.
Are pre-workouts important?
There really is no answer for this one, as it’s subjective. There are some people who feel that they are very important because those people want to push past their limits and break their own records. On the other hand, some people couldn’t care less either way. They don’t necessarily desire to push limits and shatter records. These people may not find a pre-workout that important.
Conclusion
Honestly, it wasn’t easy to determine the best pre-workouts- but we did it. We took the time to come up with a list of the 19 best pre-workouts to give you somewhere to start. If you are interested in using a pre-workout or if you’ve been using them and want to find a new one, start with this list. We’ve included charts under each one with quick facts to try and help you come to a conclusion quicker.
After all, many claim to improve your workout, but they don’t all follow through. That being said, there are also some that claim to have proven ingredients at appropriate dosages and others have high levels of caffeine and other stimulants. This is why so many people use them to improve endurance, lose weight, increase focus, grow muscle, and so much more.
Next time you’re in the market for a pre-workout, keep this list in mind and choose one from here. This way, you know you can trust it to be a quality supplement with effective ingredients at appropriate dosages.
