When it comes to reaching your fitness goals, the right pre-workout supplement can make all the difference. These specially formulated products provide a powerful boost of energy, focus, and endurance, helping you power through even the toughest workouts. As we enter 2024, the market is flooded with a wide range of pre-workout options, each claiming to be the best of the best.
That’s where our comprehensive guide comes in. We’ve thoroughly researched and tested the top pre-workout supplements on the market to bring you the ten best options for both men and women. Whether you’re an experienced athlete or just starting out, our list has something for everyone. From high-intensity formulas with caffeine and nitric oxide boosters to balanced options for beginners, get ready to elevate your training with our top picks of the best pre-workout supplements.
List of 10 best Pre Workout
- Best Pre Workout for Mens: Bucked Up Pre-Workout
- Best Pre Workout for Pump: Ryse Pre-Workout (Godzilla)
- Best Pre Workout for Energy and Endurance: C4 Original Pre Workout Powder
- Best Pre Workout for Weight Loss: Ghost® Greens Pre Workout
- Best Pre Workout for Muscle Gain: Gorilla Mode Pre-Workout Formula
- Best Pre Workout for Increasing Strength: REDCON1 Total War Pre Workout
- Best Pre Workout for Women: Alani Pre Workout Cosmic Stardust
- Best Pre Workout for Focus: Raw Nutrition Cbum Thavage Pre-workout
- Best Pre Workout for Muscle Recovery: Bucked Up Woke AF Pre-Workout
- Best Pre Workout for Beginners: Beyond Raw LIT™ Pre Workout
1. Bucked Up Pre-Workout
Pros
- High Caffeine for Energy/focus
- Nitric Oxide Boosters for Pumps/endurance
- Cognitive Enhancers for Focus
- No Artificial Flavors/dyes
- Variety of Flavors
Cons
- Potential Stimulant Side Effects
- Proprietary Blends Lack Transparency
- Premium Pricing
- Limited Third-party Testing
- Individual Tolerance Varies
Bucked Up is redefining the pre-workout game with its transparent, clinically-dosed formula packed with powerful ingredients. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just starting your fitness journey, Bucked Up delivers epic results which is why it tops our list of best pre workout supplement for both men and women.
Its potent blend of stimulants like caffeine, nitric oxide boosters, and nootropics like alpha-GPC provides unmatched energy, endurance, focus, and pumps. With great flavors and no artificial dyes, Bucked Up is the ultimate pre-workout for those seeking a clean, hard-hitting boost to level up their training. Try it and see why athletes everywhere are switching to this fully transparent, clinically-dosed pre-workout.
Here is the detailed Bucked Up Pre-Workout Review 2024
| Price | $49.99 |
| Serving size | 1 scoop (10.3 g) |
| Price Per Serving | $1.67 Per Serving |
| Caffeine Per Serving | 200mg caffeine per serving |
| Certifications | GMP CERTIFIED |
| How to Use | Take 1 serving 15-30 minutes before your workout for more energy, pump, focus, endurance, and hydration. Note: Bucked Up Pre-Workout will not break a fast or affect ketosis. |
| Key Ingredients | AlphaSize Alpha GPC, Taurine, Deer Antler Velvet Extract, AstraGin, Senactiv, Beta-Alanine, Himalayan Rock Salt, |
2. Ryse Pre-Workout (Godzilla)
Pros
- Massive muscle pumps
- Increased stamina, endurance
- Clean, sustained energy
- Laser-focused mental clarity
- Fully transparent ingredients
- Various flavors
Cons
- Potential stomach issues
- Too much caffeine?
- Caffeine crash risk
- Likely premium priced
- Individual tolerance varies
RYSE PRE-WORKOUT (GODZILLA) is a high-performance supplement designed to fuel your workouts and enhance overall fitness. It delivers a powerful energy boost, increased endurance, and enhanced mental focus through a potent blend of clinically-backed ingredients, including 200mg of caffeine, 6g of citrulline malate, and 2g of beta-alanine.
Additionally, it contains deer antler velvet extract and Astragin to promote muscle recovery and absorption. With its transparent formula and no proprietary blends, RYSE PRE-WORKOUT (GODZILLA) is a reliable choice for serious athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
We recommend this product because it offers a comprehensive blend of ingredients that support both physical and mental performance, with transparent and clinically-backed dosages.
Here is the detailed Ryse Pre-Workout Review
| Price | $49.99 – $56.18 depending on flavor |
| Serving size | 1 scoop (20g) |
| Price Per Serving | $2.84 per serving |
| Caffeine Per Serving | 400mg (mixed sources for a sustained, smoother ride) |
| Certifications | Not Mentioned |
| How To Use | Mix 1-2 scoops with water 20-30 minutes before your workout, avoiding dry scooping. |
| Key Ingredients | 11g citrulline for pumps, 400mg caffeine for sustained energy, Thinkamine™ for focus, beta alanine for endurance, betaine anhydrous for strength, creatine for muscle growth, choline bitartrate for memory, pink Himalayan sea salt for hydration, zumXR caffeine for lasting energy, VasoDrive-APR for vasodilation, theobromine for mood, plus ingredients for flavor and texture. |
3. C4 Original Pre Workout Powder
Cons
- Underdosed ingredients
- Uses artificial colors
- Mild energy boost
- Lacks pump support
- Not for high-stim tolerance
Cellucor C4 Original is a popular pre-workout supplement designed to provide a boost of energy and focus for your workouts. With a blend of ingredients like caffeine, beta-alanine, and citrulline, it aims to support performance and endurance. The product is known for its incredible flavors and affordable price point, making it accessible for fitness enthusiasts on a budget.
While the formula is mild and suitable for beginners, it may not provide the same level of performance benefits as more advanced pre-workouts. C4 Original is a good choice for those new to pre-workouts or looking for a budget-friendly option to support their fitness journey.
| Price | $29.99 – $59.99 depending on size |
| Serving size | 1 scoop (6.5g) |
| Price Per Serving | $1.00 per serving |
| Caffeine Per Serving | 200mg |
| Certifications | Not Mentioned |
| How To Use | Mix 1 scoop with 6-8 oz of water and consume 15-30 minutes before your workout. Do not exceed 2 scoops per day. |
| Key Ingredients | 200mg caffeine for energy, 2g CarnoSyn beta-alanine for endurance, 1g arginine AKG for pumps, 1g creatine nitrate for power, and vitamins C, niacin, B6, B9, and B12 for health. |
Also Read | What is Non-Stim Pre-Workout? Benefits and Ingredients
4. Ghost® Greens Pre Workout
Pros
- Muscle pumps
- Long-lasting energy rush
- Digestive Enzymes
- Vegan Friendly
- Low in Carbs and Fat, Helps in Weight Loss
Cons
- May upset stomach
- Artificial Flavors
- Potential energy crash
- Premium priced
- Caffeine Free
The Ghost Greens Matcha Latte is a comprehensive superfood powder that combines 19 individually sourced Greens and Reds with a full 100mg dose of Spectra, Prebiotics, 10 billion CFUs Probiotic, and digestive enzymes. This unique formula supports overall health and gut health, making it suitable for those looking for a nutritious supplement.
With its high-quality ingredients, improved mixability, and affordable price, Ghost Greens Matcha Latte is a great addition to any supplement routine. The Matcha Latte flavor offers a subtle, earthy taste similar to a traditional matcha latte, making it a refreshing choice for those who want a healthy and delicious supplement.
| Price | $44.99 per tub |
| Serving size | 1 scoop (12.5g) |
| Price Per Serving | $1.80 per serving |
| Caffeine Per Serving | 0mg caffeine per serving |
| Certifications | Non-GMO |
| How To Use | Mix 1 scoop (12.5g) with 8-10oz of water or beverage of choice. Adjust liquid amount to taste preference. Consume daily |
| Key Ingredients | This formula includes 19 individually sourced greens and reds, a 100mg Spectra blend of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, 2g prebiotic fiber from chicory root, a 10 billion CFU probiotic blend, a 110mg digestive enzyme blend (BioCore), and matcha powder for flavor. |
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5. Gorilla Mode Pre-Workout Formula
Pros
- Boosts Performance
- Hydration and Muscle Pumps
- Electrolytes for Recovery
- Energy and Metabolism
- Cognitive Enhancement
Cons
- High Caffeine Content
- Potential for Tingling
- Expensive
- Potential Side Effects
- Artificial Sweeteners
Gorilla Mode Pre-Workout is a powerful supplement designed to enhance your workout performance. It combines a unique blend of ingredients to increase focus, drive, and endurance. With a massive nitric oxide pump, it supports intramuscular hydration and energy levels. The formula includes L-Citrulline, GlycerPump, Agmatine, Creatine, and Betaine to provide a significant boost in muscle strength and endurance. Additionally, it contains nootropic ingredients like L-Tyrosine, Kanna, and Huperzine A to improve mental focus and clarity.
This product stands out due to its high-quality ingredients and scientifically-backed formula. It is suitable for those looking to improve their workout performance and mental focus. The supplement is available in various flavors and can be purchased from the manufacturer’s website or other online retailers. Overall, Gorilla Mode Pre-Workout is a reliable choice for those seeking a comprehensive pre-workout supplement.
6. REDCON1 Total War Pre Workout
Pros
- Increased Energy and Focus
- Helps boost nitric oxide levels
- Improve muscular endurance and reduce exhaustion
- Improve Focus and muscle pump
- Affordable Price Point
Cons
- Potential for Tingling Effect
- Artificial flavors
- Not for late workouts, High caffeine may disrupt sleep.
- Overly Stimulating
- Digestive Discomfort
Redcon1 Total War Pre-Workout is a high-stimulant supplement designed to enhance workout performance. It contains over 320mg of caffeine per serving, along with other ingredients like citrulline malate and beta-alanine to improve endurance, energy, and focus. This pre-workout is ideal for individuals who can tolerate high levels of caffeine and want a potent energy boost. With 27 flavors to choose from, it offers a variety of options for users. Consider Total War if you are looking for a pre-workout that can help you push through intense workouts and achieve your fitness goals.
Total War Pre-Workout is a popular choice among bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts due to its effective dosages and transparent labeling. It is available in 30 servings and can be ordered from the Redcon1 website or other online retailers. With over 22,000 customer reviews on Amazon, it has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars. While it may not be suitable for everyone, particularly those with low caffeine tolerance, Total War is a reliable option for those seeking a high-stimulant pre-workout.
| Price | $42.99 |
| Serving size | 1 Scoop (15g) |
| Price Per Serving | $1.43 Per Serving |
| Caffeine Per Serving | 320mg Caffeine |
| Certifications | ABC conducts third-party testing on REDCON1 supplements and vitamins to ensure ingredient levels, heavy metal content, and Prop 65 compliance. |
| How To Use | Assess your tolerance by taking 1/2 scoop prior to training. Once your tolerance is assessed, mix (1) scoop with 4-6 ounces of water 30 minutes prior to training. Do not exceed (2) scoops in a 24-hour period |
| Key Ingredients | 6g Citrulline Malate, 3.2g Beta-Alanine, 1g Taurine, and 1g Agmatine Sulfate, along with caffeine, natural and artificial flavoring, calcium silicate, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium (Ace K). |
7. Alani Pre Workout Cosmic Stardust
Pros
- Best Pre Workout For Women
- Multiple flavors available
- Manufactured in a GMP Compliant Facility, ensuring the highest quality & safety
- Transparent Labeling
- Affordable Price
Cons
- Artificial Sweeteners
- Less suitable for those with caffeine sensitivity
- Can cause digestive health issues
- Side effects like jitters, anxiety, or insomnia in sensitive individuals
- Absence of third-party testing
Alani Nu Pre Workout Cosmic Stardust is a potent supplement designed to enhance your workout performance. With 200mg of caffeine and amino acids like L-Theanine, it provides sustained energy and endurance. The formula includes L-Citrulline Malate and Beta-Alanine to improve muscle pumps and performance. This pre-workout is ideal for those seeking a high-stimulant supplement with a crisp flavor. It is available in a variety of flavors, including Cosmic Stardust, and is suitable for both men and women.
Consumers should consider Alani Nu Pre Workout Cosmic Stardust due to its effective formula and transparent labeling. The supplement is gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and sugar-free, making it suitable for individuals with dietary restrictions. It is also manufactured in a GMP-compliant facility, ensuring the highest quality and safety standards. Overall, Alani Nu Pre Workout Cosmic Stardust is a reliable choice for those seeking a high-stimulant pre-workout with a crisp flavor and transparent labeling.
| Price | $39.99 |
| Serving size | 1 scoop (10-11 grams) |
| Price Per Serving | $1.19 Per Serving |
| Caffeine Per Serving | 200mg of caffeine |
| Certifications | Not Mentioned |
| How To Use | Mix 1/2 scoop in 6-8oz water 20-30 minutes before your workout. Once tolerance has been assessed, you may use one full serving (1 scoop). Do not exceed 2 servings per day |
| Key Ingredients | 6g L-Citrulline Malate, 1.6g Beta-Alanine, 500mg L-Tyrosine, and 200mg each of Caffeine and L-Theanine. |
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8. Raw Nutrition Cbum Thavage Pre-workout
Pros
- Designed by 5x Mr. Olympia Chris Bumstead personally
- Unique Flavor Options
- 15-day hassle-free refunds and returns.
- Transparent Labeling
- High-Stimulant Formula
Cons
- Costly per serving
- Lacks Key Ingredients (Creatine Aminos)
- Artificial sweeteners
- May require two serving size for full effect
- Effectiveness can vary depending on the user
The Raw Nutrition CBUM Series Thavage Pre-Workout supplement is a high-quality product designed to improve your workout performance. This pre-workout formula is carefully crafted to provide you with the energy, focus, and endurance needed to push through your training sessions effectively. With a blend of key ingredients like caffeine, beta-alanine, and creatine, this supplement aims to boost your strength, power, and overall workout intensity.
Consumers should consider this product for its ability to increase energy levels, improve focus, and support muscle endurance during workouts. What sets this pre-workout apart is its potent formula that can help users achieve their fitness goals more efficiently. The CBUM Series Thavage Pre-Workout is a reliable choice for those seeking a performance-enhancing supplement to take their workouts to the next level.
| Price | $44.99 |
| Serving size | 1 scoop 13.4 g |
| Price Per Serving | $1.24 Per Serving |
| Caffeine Per Serving | 152mg of caffeine |
| Certifications | Certified by Informed Sport |
| How To Use | The recommended dosage is to start with 1 scoop (half-thavage) and work up to 2 scoops (full thavage) based on tolerance. |
| Key Ingredients | The key ingredients include L-Tyrosine, L-Citrulline, Betaine Anhydrous, Alpha GPC, and Huperzine A. |
9. Bucked Up Woke AF Pre-Workout
Pros
- Keto/paleo-friendly
- Long-Lasting Energy
- Variety of Flavors
- Effective for Advanced Athletes
- Good Taste and Solubility
- Zero sugar
Cons
- High Stimulant Content
- Expensive
- Not Suitable for Beginners
- Potential Side Effects
- Can cause jitters & skin itchiness
The Bucked Up Woke AF Pre-Workout is a high-stimulant supplement designed to provide energy, focus, pump, and strength during workouts. With 333 milligrams of caffeine and additional stimulants, it is not recommended for beginners or those sensitive to high caffeine levels. However, for advanced athletes and those with a high caffeine tolerance, Woke AF offers a potent formula that can enhance performance and endurance.
Consumers should consider Woke AF for its unique blend of ingredients, including deer antler velvet extract, which may have anti-inflammatory effects and speed up recovery. The supplement also contains citrulline malate and beta-alanine, which can increase oxygen and blood delivery to muscles and boost nitric oxide production, respectively. With 14 flavors available, Woke AF offers a variety of options to suit individual preferences. Its high caffeine content and additional stimulants make it a suitable choice for those seeking a strong pre-workout supplement.
| Price | $54.99 |
| Serving size | 12.1 grams |
| Price Per Serving | $1.83 |
| Caffeine Per Serving | 333mg of caffeine |
| Certifications | GMP-certified |
| How To Use | The recommended usage instructions are to take 1 serving 15-30 minutes before a workout for increased energy, pump, focus, endurance, and hydration. |
| Key Ingredients | Bucked Up Woke AF include Citrulline Malate, Beta Alanine, Caffeine Anhydrous, AlphaSize Alpha GPC, Taurine, Himalayan Rock Salt, Dendrobium, Deer Antler Velvet Extract, Synephrine HCL, AstraGin, ActiGin, among others. |
10. Beyond Raw LIT™ Pre Workout
Pros
- Gluten-free
- Sugar-free
- Clinically Dosed Ingredients
- Delicious Flavors
- Effective for Advanced Trainees
Cons
- Artificial Sweeteners
- May cause side effects (check warnings)
- Creatine is insufficiently dosed at just 1.5g
- Uncertain Effectiveness
- Limited Transparency
The Beyond Raw LIT Pre-Workout is a high-performance supplement designed to fuel your most demanding training sessions. With a clinically dosed formula, it provides an immediate surge of energy and mental intensity, followed by a second surge from a 250mg rapid- and targeted-release caffeine blend. This pre-workout also includes 2g of micronized creatine monohydrate to fuel energy production and 8g of L-citrulline malate for enhanced blood flow and muscle pumps.
Consumers should consider LIT Pre-Workout for its unique blend of ingredients, including CarnoSyn beta-alanine to fight muscle fatigue and improve performance. The product is also sugar-free and gluten-free, making it suitable for those with dietary restrictions. With its advanced formula and clinically studied ingredients, LIT Pre-Workout stands out as a reliable choice for those seeking a high-performance pre-workout supplement.
| Price | $39.99 |
| Serving size | 1 scoop (13.54 g) |
| Price Per Serving | $1.50 Per Serving |
| Caffeine Per Serving | 250mg of caffeine |
| Certifications | Not Mentioned |
| How To Use | Mix one well-rounded scoop of Beyond Raw Lit Pre-Workout into 8 fl. oz. of cold water and consume pre-workout. |
| Key Ingredients | Includes caffeine for energy and endurance, creatine monohydrate for power, and CarnoSyn beta-alanine to fight fatigue and improve performance. |
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Frequently Asked Questions
A pre-workout’s effects hit you in stages. The energy boost from caffeine kicks in within 30 minutes and lasts 1-3 hours depending on you. You’ll feel the most focused and pumped during your workout (1-2 hours) thanks to other ingredients. Certain benefits, like those from creatine, build up over time with regular use. Remember, everyone’s body is different, so how long you feel the effects can vary.
No, pre-workout supplements do not contain creatine. Creatine is a specific ingredient often used in separate supplements to enhance muscle strength and endurance. Pre-workout supplements usually contain a mix of ingredients like caffeine, amino acids, vitamins, and other performance-enhancing compounds.
The time it takes for pre-workout to kick in varies depending on the individual and the specific ingredients used. Generally, the effects of pre-workout can be felt within 30 minutes to an hour after consumption, with peak effects typically occurring within 1-2 hours.
Yes, pre-workout supplements can expire. The expiration date on the packaging indicates the manufacturer’s guarantee of the product’s quality and efficacy. Consuming pre-workout past its expiration date may result in reduced effectiveness or potential side effects like gastrointestinal issues or allergic reactions
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