We’ve compiled a short list for you, so you can quickly get the best pre workout products on the market (in fact, our top pick can be found right here). 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 to buy.
Best Pre Workout (Top 5 Picks, Tested, Reviewed By Experts)
1. Optimum Nutrition Platinum, Pre- Raspberry Lemonade 30 servings 8.45 Ounce
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.
2. Legion Pulse Pre Workout Supplement – All Natural Nitric Oxide Preworkout Drink to Boost Energy & Endurance. Creatine Free, Naturally Sweetened & Flavored, Safe & Healthy. Fruit Punch, 21 Servings
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.
3. Cellucor C4 Original Pre Workout Powder Energy Drink w/ Creatine, Nitric Oxide & Beta Alanine, Icy Blue Razz, 30 Servings
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.
4. MuscleTech Performance Series Vapor X5 Next Gen Pre-Workout Powder
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.
5. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout with Creatine, Beta-Alanine, and Caffeine for Energy, Flavor: Blueberry Lemonade, 30 Servings
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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, which can have numerous benefits for exercise.
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.
Vitamin B12
B12 is naturally produced by the body, but it also is sometimes included in energy drinks and pre workouts.
BEST PRE WORKOUT
We highly recommend any of these choices, but you can also check out some of our other great picks, right here.
