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Working out can sometimes be quite a chore. While coffee is a great way to get yourself amped up – there are also a number of other great pre workout products out there to choose from.
There are also a record number of pre workouts on the market – and it’s always important to opt for quality. We’ve aggregated tens of thousands of user reviews, tested the top picks, and determined what the best pre workout choices are.
If you just want the best pre workout products – simply click on of the below links, and make a purchase. But if you’ve got more time, or want more information – we’ve also included the top factors to look for, when deciding on the best pre workout product.
Our Top Pick
Optimum Nutrition Platinum
Caffeine is by far one of the most important pre workout ingredients – and this choice from Optimum Nutrition is loaded with it. Each scoop contains 200 mg of caffeine (that is equal to two cups of coffee), and also a wide variety of other beneficial substances – with no fillers.
Other Great Picks
Legion Pulse
Pulse has 175 mg of caffeine per scoop, and also contains no artificial sweeteners. Reviews from customers have been overwhelmingly positive, and Pulse also comes in at a great price point, per serving.
Cellucor C4
C4 from Cellucor has been around for a number of years now – and for good reason. It offers a good profile of beneficial ingredients, and also has creatine.
It is #3 on our list only because some customers do not want the bloating effects of creatine, and the price is slightly more per scoop, than our top two picks.
MuscleTech Vapor X5
Vapor has been around for quite some time now, and it is one of the stronger pre workouts available on the marketplace. For example, it offers 190 mg of caffeine, per scoop, along with yohimbe.
It falls to #4 on our list only because some exercisers feel a little bit overwhelmed by the strength of this product, and the price could be slightly more competitive.
Optimum Nutrition Gold
This pre workout has some of the absolute best customer reviews, and the taste and nutrition profile are hard to beat.
It also contains no banned substances, which make it an ideal choice for college and professional athletes.
What To Look For In A Pre Workout
Gym goers are always searching for the newest, and best pre workout. While coffee is always a good choice, the latest and greatest flavors made by supplement manufacturers can provide some nice variety.
As the supplement industry has grown, there have been more and more products created – which makes it harder than ever to determine what is truly the best pre workout.
Luckily for you, our experts have put in the hours, and tested many of the best pre workout products on the market. Some were great, some were terrible, and some were just mediocre.
Quality manufacturing is one of the biggest things to look for in the supplement world, as many manufacturers do not follow proper guidelines, and make some very sketchy products. These products have contained illegal steroids, methamphetamines, and even more dangerous ingredients.
This is why it’s crucial to look for products that have great user reviews, and a proven history of safety. Since ephedra was banned in 2004, manufacturers have been searching for a “magic” weight loss ingredient.
But – largely – they have yet to find it. While products like Jack3d initially seemed to be great – they were later banned.
You must always research the company before buying any pre workout product – but luckily we’ve already done the legwork for you. Powders seem to be better than any pre workout capsules, as they will enter your bloodstream more quickly – which means you’ll quickly feel more energetic, and ready to conquer the world in no time.
While the standard is to include stimulants like caffeine in pre workout products – there are also “non-stim” versions of pre workout products. These will help protect your adrenal glands, as chronic stimulant use can burn these glands out.
Caffeine
Caffeine is by far one of the most important ingredients, when looking for the best pre workout. Many don’t realize that caffeine is, in fact, a drug. More popular than cigarettes or alcohol, caffeine is the most widely consumed drug in the world, as a matter of fact.
200 mg is a common dosage amount for a pre workout product – which is equivalent to two cups of coffee. Is this enough? Well, that depends.
For people with a low caffeine tolerance – 200 mg is more than enough. But if you routinely take in huge amounts of caffeine – 200 mg may not give you much energy.
However, be careful in consuming more than 200 mg from a pre workout – while the caffeine amount goes up with each serving – so does the dosage of the other listed ingredients. If you need more caffeine than 200 mg, space it out throughout your day, and opt for coffee or tea.
Beta Alanine
Beta alanine is a popular ingredient for many different pre workouts, and for good reason. It is the building block of carnosine, which helps deal with acid inside your muscles. For this reason, it is seen as a pretty valuable ingredient to put in a pre workout product.
Some studies have shown that beta alanine helps with muscular endurance, which makes it very valuable for a pre workout product. When you are engaging in short bursts of exercise, like weightlifting, beta alanine has been studied to be particularly useful.
Beta alanine works best with taurine, which is an ingredient commonly found in pre workout products (as well as in Red Bull and other energy drinks). Recommended amounts of taurine for pre workouts range between 700 mg to 1500 mg.
If you take beta alanine for the first time, you may be slightly put off by the tingling sensation all over your body. However, this is nothing to be worried about – it’s a harmless side effect called paresthesia.
Yohimbe
This interesting ingredient has a wide variety of purported uses, but sometimes is used in pre workout products. Yohimbe dilates the blood vessels, which means it is also sometimes seen in erectile dysfunction products.
Some manufacturers have touted yohimbe as a solution for fat loss, but the science on this is murky at best. Some studies show progress with fat loss, some studies show no progress.
One thing is for sure though – yohimbe is definitely a popular pre workout ingredient. With increased blood flow, you may feel good enough to pump out one or two extra reps – which can really add up over time.
However, some users report feeling uncomfortable when they take products with yohimbe, so start with a small amount, and see how well you tolerate it.
Citrulline
This is is an amino acid that turns into arginine, inside the body. Since biology and biochemistry tell us that supplementing with a precursor to something is a better way to raise that level inside the body, putting citrulline in a pre workout may help raise arginine levels, which hypothetically can lead to a better workout.
Citrulline is classified as a non-essential amino acid, but taking it may boost your immune system. Citrulline malate is the most studied form of citrulline, and 8 grams may help improve your performance in the gym (in addition to possibly reducing fatigue.
In addition to being a supplement, citrulline is also available from some foods. These include gourds, cucumber, bitter melon, watermelon, and pumpkins.
There are generally two types of citrulline available – citrulline malate, and l-citrulline. Citrulline malate is the form most commonly used in supplements, though researchers aren’t 100% certain this actually provides an advantage.
Creatine
This ingredient is one of the most popular for pre workouts, and the science behind creatine is a little more sound, though still far from definitive. One of its most useful properties is the increased production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate).
Some scientific evidence shows that creatine also may have protective benefits for the brain, and some research even shows that it may enhance performance, specifically in regards to weightlifting.
Creatine is one of the most well-studied ingredients in pre workouts, and there do seem to be some proven benefits. Mostly used in mass-gaining cycles, creatine can help you bust out extra reps, and will give you a slightly ‘fuller’ appearance.
This is mostly due to water retention in the muscles, but some studies have shown benefits to creatine in terms of actually gaining muscle, as well. Keep in mind you will need to eat a very nutritious (and protein-rich) diet as well – you can’t just rely solely on creatine, and expect amazing results.
Tyrosine
Tyrosine is only in some pre workout products, but it can be very effective. In essence, tyrosine increases dopamine levels, which means it makes you feel better.
This can obviously have numerous benefits for exercise. Tyrosine works best when taken regularly, but taking it in your pre workout may help aid your mood for the rest of the day.
Some scientific studies have even looked at tyrosine and depression – with early results showing that tyrosine may help. While the data is still early, it does look promising.
Typically, tyrosine is taken in doses of 500 mg to 2,000 mg. This is the amount usually added to pre workout supplements as well, and taking the supplement 30 to 60 minutes before exercise usually works best.
BCAAs
Branched chain amino acids are a vital tool for many pre workout products, as they are the building blocks of protein. Supplementing before, during, or after with BCAAs allows for better muscle performance, and increased gains – at least according to some scientific literature.
BCAAs are commonly also added to post workout powders, as their main goal is to help boost muscle growth. Since BCAAs may also help with fatigue, right after your workout is a great time to supplement with them.
Consisting of three essential amino acids, BCAAs are crucial for muscle growth, as well as numerous other functions. Valine, leucine, and isoleucine are the three essential amino acids contained in BCAAs – and they are deemed essential, because your body cannot manufacture them on its own.
Numerous beneficial results have been seen in scientific studies where BCAAs were used during exercise – with a 15% reduction seen in those who had been given supplemental BCAAs. Other studies have shown a 10% increase in stamina for those consuming BCAAs, compared to those given a placebo.
Vitamin B12
B12 is naturally produced by the body, but it also is sometimes included in energy drinks and pre workouts. It helps to raise energy levels, and it also may aid with stamina.
While B12 is found in foods, many are woefully deficient in this vitamin. Vegans and vegetarians are the most commonly impacted, since B12 is most frequently found in animal proteins – a food group which herbivores completely avoid.
Chronically low B12 can result in anemia, which means your body does not have enough red blood cells to help transport oxygen to vital organs. This results in weakness and fatigue, and left untreated – can cause much more serious complications.
B12 also helps with mood and depression – numerous scientific studies have proved this. Without B12, you can quickly start to feel tired and irritable, as you body and brain won’t be functioning optimally. While you may not need the mega-dose amounts of vitamin B12 that are common in pre workouts – any excess will be simply excreted via your urine, as B12 is a water-soluble vitamin.
Best Pre Workout
There you have it – our picks for the best pre workout. While coffee is always a good option – many of us opt for a pre workout powder instead.
No matter which choice you go with, be sure to check that your product has high-quality ingredients, and many great customer reviews. You do not want to test the waters with an unproven pre workout – many times they are very unsafe.
But there are many other great options for performance nutrition besides pre workouts. So be sure to check out our other great product reviews, in the health and wellness section.