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TOP 5 PRE WORKOUT SUPPLEMENTS 2024Pre-workout supplements -
Research on the effectiveness of pre-workout supplements is very limited. Nonetheless, some studies suggest that certain ingredients may benefit athletic performance 1.
Nitric oxide is a compound that your body naturally produces to relax blood vessels and improve blood flow. Pre-workout supplements often include some of the common compounds that your body uses to make nitric oxide.
These include L-arginine, L-citrulline, and sources of dietary nitrates, such as beetroot juice 2 , 3 , 4. Research suggests that supplementing with these compounds boosts oxygen and nutrient transport to your muscles, potentially enhancing athletic performance 5.
However, while L-citrulline has been shown to boost exercise performance , studies note that L-arginine is broken down before it reaches your bloodstream. Overall, as most of the available research on nitric oxide focuses on young men, it remains unclear whether these results apply to other populations.
More research is needed. Caffeine is frequently used in pre-workout supplements to increase energy and focus. This stimulant may improve mental alertness, memory , and exercise performance, as well as help reduce body fat 6 , 7. Creatine is another chemical compound naturally produced in your body.
Some pre-workout formulas include branched-chain amino acids BCAAs , which have been shown to help increase muscle growth and decrease muscle soreness when taken before a workout 11 , Nonetheless, BCAAs are naturally found in dietary sources of protein, so you may already be consuming an adequate amount throughout the day Certain ingredients in pre-workout supplements, such as creatine, caffeine, beta-alanine, BCAAs, and nitric oxide precursors, have been shown to support athletic performance.
Pre-workout supplements frequently contain artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols. While these ingredients enhance flavor without adding calories, some sweeteners may cause intestinal distress and discomfort. In particular, a high intake of sugar alcohols may trigger uncomfortable symptoms like gas, bloating, and diarrhea — all of which can disrupt your workout Some people report a similar digestive response from eating certain artificial sweeteners like sucralose.
You may want to avoid pre-workout formulas that contain large quantities of these sweeteners. Otherwise, try a small amount first to see how you tolerate it. Excessive intake of this stimulant can lead to side effects , such as increased blood pressure, impaired sleep, and stress 16 , In the United States, dietary supplements like pre-workouts are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration FDA as foods, not as drugs.
Due to regulatory gaps, product labels may be inaccurate or misleading. If supplement safety and quality are compromised, you may inadvertently consume banned substances or dangerous amounts of certain compounds 1. To ensure safety, only buy supplements that have been tested by a third party, such as NSF International or U.
Pharmacopeia USP. Certain ingredients in pre-workout supplements may lead to adverse effects. Always check the label before purchasing to ensure that your product has been tested by a third party. If you frequently lack energy or have difficulty making it through your workout, consider other lifestyle factors like hydration, sleep , and diet, rather than resorting to supplements.
For example, a banana and a mug of coffee is a suitable, cheap alternative to a pre-workout supplement. Just be mindful of their ingredients and your total intake — and keep the following factors in mind.
Most pre-workout supplements can be taken about 30—60 minutes before you work out. This allows enough time for the ingredients to reach your bloodstream and kick in. Lastly, if your pre-workout contains caffeine or other stimulants, consider the time of day that you take it since it may disrupt your ability to fall asleep.
Regardless of whether you choose to use a pre-workout supplement, fueling for exercise is incredibly important and can make a big difference in how you feel and perform in your training session The International Society of Sports Nutrition ISSN has found that consuming carbs and protein before and after exercise can improve both strength and body composition Think ahead to your workout so that you can plan a balanced meal containing carbs, protein, and fat about 2—3 hours beforehand.
For example, try a veggie omelet and whole wheat toast with avocado spread , plus a side of fresh fruit. If time gets away from you, try an easily digestible source of carbs like a piece of fruit about 30—60 minutes before your workout. If you skip the pre-workout supplement but still want the performance-boosting effects found in caffeine, drink a cup of coffee alongside a pre-workout snack.
If you prefer to use one anyway, be conscientious about its ingredients and your total intake. If you have any health conditions, you may want to check with your doctor before trying a pre-workout supplement. Try this today: Instead of relying on a pre-workout supplement before your next training session, try having a banana with a cup of coffee for a nutritious, energy-boosting snack.
I started because I a lot of my friends that were experienced in the gym recommended creatine to me. I couldn't really noticed a difference other than needing to drinking a lot of water then feeling bloated.
Thank you for sharing! At higher doses, creatine can cause some bloating. Maintenance doses closer to 3—5 grams daily could be more suitable for some people. We encourage our readers to share their unique experiences to create a helpful and informative community here on Healthline.
Our editors will also review every comment before publishing, ensuring our high level of medical integrity. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by experts. Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strive to be objective, unbiased, honest and to present both sides of the argument.
This article contains scientific references. The numbers in the parentheses 1, 2, 3 are clickable links to peer-reviewed scientific papers.
While pre-workout supplements may boost your exercise performance, you may be worried about side effects. Here are 5 side effects of pre-workout….
There are several dietary supplements that can help increase muscle mass and strength. Here are the 6 best supplements to gain more muscle. What I love most about this product is its combination of nootropics to support brain function and focus.
Ignite also contains beta-alanine, which can enhance muscular endurance and help regulate muscular pH. Ignite does contain sucralose an artificial sweetener. RELATED: Best Pre-workout for Men. Formulated with all-natural ingredients, each of which are present at a high level, Pulse is a fan-favorite.
We had men and women test the Legion Athletics Pulse Pre-Workout. It has been specifically designed to boost energy levels, support increased strength and endurance, and help reduce fatigue.
We rated this high in terms of effects, giving it a 4 out of 5. Jacob Penner, USA Weightlifting L-2 coach, has used Legion Pulse before more than two dozen workouts. He has personally tried roughly 50 pre-workouts himself, and says this is one of his favorites.
Pulse contains 8 grams of citrulline malate, which is the exact dose used in research studies showing improvements in muscular endurance and strength performance in both men and women 3.
Each serving also has 3. This typically only happens the first week or so taking beta-alanine. This dose can be overwhelming to those who are sensitive to caffeine, but you can always just take half. Jacob and GGR editor Nicole Davis both really like the taste.
For more, check out our Legion Pulse pre-workout review. The fat loss component is less of a guarantee with few reports of an actual change in body composition.
LEAN pre-workout is a supplement designed for individuals who want to lose body fat as part of a healthy diet and exercise plan and maintain muscle mass.
Jacob Penner, USA Weightlifting L-2 coach and owner of Endless Strength Weightlifting, has used LEAN before several weightlifting workouts. LEAN contains both iodine 13 and zinc 14 , which can be beneficial for supporting thyroid function, as well as selenium 15 , which is required by the thyroid for antioxidant function and metabolism of hormones.
While these ingredients are safe to use, the benefits are usually only seen in individuals who are deficient in them. The verdict is still out there on whether or not they can aid in weight loss for otherwise healthy adults.
This product also contains L-theanine, which when combined with caffeine, can provide a synergistic effect in promoting cognition and attention 5. The recommended dose of beta-alanine is 3 grams a day, so at only 2 grams per serving, LEAN is hitting just under the mark. However, there are 6 grams of citrulline malate per serving, which is the research-backed dose shown to help reduce fatigue and support improved performance in the gym 2.
That being said, you are getting a quality product free from artificial sweeteners and colors, so you may find the price is worth it. Nicole Davis, GGR editor and a certified personal trainer, tried the Tropical Punch Flavor, rating it a 5 out of 5. Good for: Individuals looking for a beginner-friendly pre-workout to enhance energy and support focus in the gym.
Jacked Factory Nitrosurge Pre-Workout is a generally positively reviewed pre-workout with milligrams of caffeine and a large variety of flavor options. Our expert product testers agreed Jacked Factory Nitrosurge is the best pre-workout for beginners because it gives you the option to use one or two scoops with clear labeling of dosages for both options.
The one-scoop option, which we recommend for beginners, provides enough energy to help you power through your workouts without overloading you with pre-workout ingredients that rookies sometimes struggle with, such as beta-alanine the face itch is no joke.
Kate and her team tried the Strawberry Margarita flavor of Nitrosurge, giving it a perfect 5 out of 5 for taste. I could drink it all day. It is by far my favorite pre-workout. Read all of our thoughts on this product in our Nitrosurge pre-workout review.
Good for: People looking for the all-in-one pre-workout supplement to train harder, build muscle, and support increased strength. Kaged Pre-Kaged is expensive, but is formulated with research-backed dosages of key ingredients like caffeine, creatine, beta-alanine, and citrulline.
Pre-Kaged is the one-stop shop when it comes to pre-workouts. Pre-Kaged gets a gold star for being third-party tested, as well as Informed Sport-certified. Perhaps if they took out the 6. In terms of flavor, both Anthony and Nicole Davis, GGR editor and certified personal trainer, says the taste gets a perfect 5-out-of-5 rating.
Read more in our Kaged Pre-Kaged review. Although it does contain artificial ingredients, the Pump Serum Stimulant Free Pre-Workout powder is designed to pump you up for your next workout without any post-workout crash.
Huge Supplements always nails the flavor department, and the Huge Supplements Pump Serum is no exception. Huge Supplements uses sucralose, which might give some people an artificial aftertaste but we felt that there was just enough in their pre-workout supplements.
Kate says it lives up to its name by giving you a noticeable pump. In addition to 4 grams of L-Citrulline 8 grams if you take a two-scoop serving , Huge also has beet root powder extract, which has been linked with improved athletic performance and reduced muscle soreness, according to studies Get your shaker cup ready: We rated this a 4 out of 5 for solubility.
RELATED: Huge Supplements Discount Code. RELATED: Onnit Coupon Code. The Performance Blend is a combination of BCAAs, glutamine, and beta-alanine.
Out of those three, beta-alanine has the most research backing up its use as a performance aid. When taken consistently for four weeks, beta-alanine can increase muscular endurance and help delay fatigue 4. The second category is the Power Blend, and contains a handful of ingredients linked to maintaining hormone health.
The combination of d-aspartic acid 18 , longjack extract 19 , and nettle root extract 20 may assist with supporting testosterone production. The Support Blend is the third category and contains red clover extract, luteolin, and resveratrol. These ingredients can support mood when consumed in an adequate dose.
While this product contains ingredients with a decent amount of evidence to suggest they could positively affect your workout, the use of proprietary blends makes it difficult to know how effective the doses are.
Our list of the best stim-free pre-workouts has more recommendations for anyone trying to steer clear of caffeine or other stimulants.
Although expensive, 4 Gauge pre-workout supplement provides research-backed doses of high-quality and nature-based ingredients to give users the best possible outcomes. Taking a closer look at the ingredient label, I can see that 4 Gauge uses research-backed ingredients to provide a balance between strength, focus, energy, and muscle pumps.
Perhaps more impressive is the combination of caffeine and L-Theanine found in the product. When taken together, this dynamic duo can support increased energy levels, enhance cognitive function, and help ease levels of daily stress 5.
If you came looking for incredible muscle pumps, grab your dumbbells or adjustable dumbbells and listen up. The research-backed combination of citrulline malate 3 and beetroot extract 17 can contribute to significant increases in nitric oxide production, supporting blood flow and nutrient delivery to your muscles.
The downside? Good for: Those who want an energy boost without the caffeine crash after their workout. Pre-Lab Pro is vegan and vegetarian-friendly, allergen-friendly, non-GMO, soy-free, gluten-free, and free from artificial flavors and synthetic additives.
Pre-Lab Pro has 80 milligrams of caffeine per serving, which is less than a standard-sized Red Bull can and much less than the several hundred milligrams found in most pre-workouts.
When combined, these two substances have been shown to increase energy and reaction time. GGR Senior Editor and certified personal trainer Nicole Davis tried this pre-workout supplement, which unfortunately only comes in one flavor: Natural Berry.
Tastes like drinking a Flintstones vitamin. Transparent Labs Stim-Free Pre-Workout is an uncaffeinated pre-workout powder that will not give you the jitters or tingling commonly associated with pre-workout supplements.
This pre-workout contains a blend of citrulline malate, beta-alanine, L-tyrosine, taurine, and elevATP, a compound claimed to increase ATP activity in muscle cells.
We gave Transparent Labs Stim-Free pre-workout a near-perfect 4. It is essentially a caffeine-free version of their standard pre-workouts for those who prefer to train at night, or simply want all their caffeine to come from coffee.
The primary ingredient is citrulline malate, which a review 27 stated was vital for nitric oxide production to help support skeletal muscle function and improve blood flow to muscles. I felt focused at all times and there was no energy crash at the end of my workout.
Sodium and potassium act primarily as electrolytes to promote hydration, though studies 28 tell us they can also assist in helping you get a pump. Similarly, beetroot powder is added for color and can also help improve nitric oxide production Amanda Capritto, GGR staff writer and expert product tester who also tested this pre-workout, said the Cherry Limeade flavor was tasty and not overly sweet, though she said it was difficult to get it thoroughly mixed.
If you are looking for a clean pre-workout supplement with a simple list of natural vitamins and minerals, Naked Nutrition's Stim Free Pre Workout may be for you. It is gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and non-GMO. Also, there are no proprietary blends in Naked Energy, which is third-party tested.
It does have one gram of creatine, which is better than nothing but not enough to cause a significant uptick in strength and muscle mass. When it comes to flavors, Naked Nutrition has three—all of which contain no artificial sweeteners: Unflavored, Fruit Punch, and Citrus.
Nicole tried the unflavored option and said it was a bit bitter, though it would go well with a sports drink. The 90 cents per-serving cost is another big plus in our books, and each container comes with 50 two-scoop servings. While Gorilla Mode receives mixed reviews, it is formulated with all the key ingredients you want in a pre-workout drink to improve performance in the gym.
However, if you are sensitive or want to avoid stimulants, this may not be the supplement for you. Gorilla Mode has been formulated specifically to support increased energy, focus, muscle strength, and endurance. The combination of L-Citrulline 16 , GlycerPump 24 , and Agmatine 25 can boost nitric oxide production, promote increased blood flow, and improve intramuscular hydration.
Several people tested Gorilla Mode for us, including Jacob Penner, USA Weightlifting L-2 coach and owner of Endless Strength Weightlifting Club. Moving down the ingredient list, we see a unique blend of nootropics designed to support enhanced focus and mood 9. The combination of L-Tyrosine 6 , Kanna 26 , and Huperzine A 22 are known for their cognitive-supporting properties and their ability to help ease daily stress.
Add in the milligrams of caffeine and 2, milligrams of creatine per serving and you have yourself a pre-workout cocktail that could help get you closer to your goal of bigger, stronger muscles 8.
There are some countries, like Australia, and some sports associations where the stimulant is banned. In terms of taste, we had mixed results. I mixed one scoop with 20 ounces of water, and it tastes like all three flavors of a rocket pop at once.
It just tastes like something sweet. Endura-Formance is formulated with all the key ingredients one would look for in a pre-workout drink. While the taste is not for everyone, most users experienced improved performance at the gym.
Endura-Formance is their premium pre-workout product containing research-backed ingredients shown to enhance muscular endurance and speed up the recovery process after a tough treadmill workout.
Certified personal trainer and former competitive triathlete Amanda Capritto used Endura-Formance when training for her races and says it always gave her a boost, giving it a 5 out of 5 for effects. As a reminder, sodium is an electrolyte that can help fuel longer workouts that leave your clothes drenched in sweat.
Amanda points to two other ingredients that make this a perfect fit for runners: PeakO2 and S7. The Genius Brand Genius Pre is a stimulant-free, nootropic-based pre-workout designed to help improve your focus and performance in the gym.
With no preservatives, no proprietary blends, no artificial flavors, and no banned substances, Genius PRE is a vegan-friendly pre-workout ideal for anyone looking for a clean product. We should also point out that this is a stimulant-free product, so there is no caffeine, and no big energy boost like you might get from other products.
Jacob Penner, a USA Weightlifting coach who has been testing different pre-workouts for years, used Genius PRE a number of times to check out its efficacy. He gave it a 4 out of 5 for its workout effects.
Pretty much by the time I was done lifting, the pump was fading. In terms of formulation, we gave this a 4 out of 5, only knocking it down a point because it lacks a stimulant, which is something most people are looking for in a pre-workout. However, by all other accounts, this checks a lot of boxes with its ingredient lineup.
Amanda Capritto, certified sports nutrition coach and GGR senior staff writer, points out that there are clinically-backed ingredients and dosages of key pre-workout players like l-citrulline malate, carnosyn, betain anhydrous, l-tyrosine, l-arginine, and taurine. There are also nootropics like choline 31 and huperzia serrata 22 , which support cognitive function.
I felt almost euphoric taking this, actually. In terms of taste, Jacob rated this a perfect 5 out of 5. Absolutely love the taste — this is like a blue icee.
Read more in our Genius pre-workout review. Fuel your body with a delicious pre-workout supplement with nutrients and 14 active ingredients for an energy-boosting workout.
Earning a perfect 5 out of 5 for its workout effects, Pre JYM Pre-workout is our pick for best for focus. Caffeine, of course, is one of the primary ingredients that help with increased focus 12 , as is Huperzine A 22 and L-Tyrosine 6.
Both also note that this pre-workout mixes perfectly in a shaker bottle with water. You can read more of their thoughts in our full JYM Pre-Workout review.
Good for: Those who want a high-quality and affordable pre-workout powder. C4 is the flagship product for Cellucor, and is considered by many as the No. Many people at Garage Gym Reviews have used both the C4 powder and the drink.
Here, we will dive into the specs of the powder. Olympia-level pumps from it, but your sleeves will feel a bit tighter than they were before you started the workout. It also contains 1. Check out our full C4 pre-workout review for more. BlackWolf Pre-Workout contains 11 scientifically proven ingredients designed to improve energy, focus, and performance without any unwanted side effects.
Containing 11 key ingredients and no proprietary blends, Blackwolf pre-workout is formulated to provide you with heightened focus support and maximal endurance to improve overall athletic performance. Whether you enjoy training in the evening, or just looking for a stimulant-free pre-workout, the fruit-flavored version of Blackwolf pre-workout is designed to support and enhance your performance without caffeine.
Nicole Davis, GGR senior editor, gave Blackwolf a try before one of her workouts. Each serving contains 6 grams of citrulline malate, which has been shown to promote increased blood flow 2. This can contribute to improved oxygen delivery to your muscles during workouts, as well as faster removal of metabolic byproducts caused by intense training sessions.
Similar to citrulline, L-Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate works as a nitric oxide booster 32 to help you get more out of your workouts. The 3. This product also contains creatine monohydrate 8 and betaine anhydrous 33 , both of which can assist with muscle strength and exercise performance.
Despite the absence of caffeine, you can still expect support for focus and concentration due to the addition of DMAE 14 and Huperzine A These powerful nootropics can enhance cognitive function during workouts.
In terms of flavor, Nicole rates it at a 3 out of 5. There are lots and lots of pre-workouts on the market. Deciding on the 18 best pre-workouts was no easy feat. We weighed the pros and cons of each product after analyzing these factors and using our GGR supplement testing methodology :.
Are important ingredients like caffeine, creatine, citrulline, citrulline malate, and beta-alanine included? Are there high levels of stimulants that have been shown to have detrimental effects?
Stimulants to keep an eye out for: High levels of caffeine, dendrobium, synephrine, DMAE, rauwolfia vomitora. This is subjective, but we base it on the views of our testers, as well as what the general consensus is in online customer reviews.
We took the individual flavor and full range of flavors into consideration. How well does this product dissolve in the suggested amount of liquid?
Are there floaties? Is it grainy? Is it super thick or super thin? Does it separate after a few minutes? What do customers think of the product? Are reviews consistent? Does the company interact with customer reviews? If not, you might as well buy a more affordable supplement.
This is particularly important for pre-workouts, because overloading on stimulants can be dangerous. Caffeine is a stimulant that targets the central nervous system, helping to support increased mental alertness while reducing the perception of fatigue Additionally, it can increase fat oxidation and spare muscle glycogen levels Creatine is a naturally occurring substrate that aids in energy production.
When taken as a dietary supplement, creatine has been shown to promote increased muscle strength, muscle size, speed, and high-intensity exercise capacity 8. Nitric oxide supports improved blood flow via vasodilation widening of blood vessels Citrulline malate is a compound that combines citrulline with malate, a substrate essential for the production of energy needed for muscle contractions.
Citrulline malate has been shown to help delay muscle fatigue and increase oxygen delivery to muscles 3. Beta-alanine is a non-essential amino acid that binds with histidine to form carnosine. In your muscles, carnosine acts as a hydrogen ion buffer to help delay fatigue and improve high-intensity exercise performance 4.
Wondering why you should consider drinking a pre-workout before your next sweat session? Some benefits include:.
Pre-workouts are probably best known for their ability to support increased energy and focus during workouts. Caffeine is well-known for its ability to boost energy and endurance levels during intense workouts 12 , and nitric oxide boosters like citrulline 15 and beetroot extract 17 can promote blood flow, which may result in more oxygen and nutrients being delivered to your muscles to maximize performance.
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