Best Pre-Workouts in 2024

Posted on March 1, 2024

 

It’s always reassuring to know that when motivation might be lacking, there’s an outstanding pre-workout there just waiting for you.

 

Sometimes the pre-workout can be enough in its own right to draw you into where the action is so you can grind through the workout.

 

Given that most pre-workouts these days are delicious, with balanced backnotes like fine wines, you might want to prepare it on ice with some soda water or Sanpellegrino.

 

If you start utilizing those little umbrellas or colourful straws though, you know you've gone too far!

 

When the stimulants from a suped-up pre-workout kick-in, the energy rush is real and can transform a general sense of boredom or repetition into something else entirely.

 

Apart from the obvious benefits of caffeine, active ingredients like beta-alanine, trimethylglycine (betaine) and Citrulline stand out as heroes.

 

With scientifically verified benefits for a broad range of ingredients, the major question is: does the product contain enough to make a real difference?

 

This review looks at a range of leading pre-workouts that offer more than your average supplement.

 

You will notice that dosages tend to be quite large compared to some supplements that might be around the five gram mark.

 

However, fitting six to eight grams of L-Citrulline DL-Malate into a five gram serve is obviously not a possibility, at least in this reality.

 

Once full quantities of active ingredients are included into a pre-workout, especially if they are amino acids, the serving sizes tend to blow out.

 

And there’s nothing wrong with that!

 

It’s not like you digestive system will be working overtime to break down amino acids, as they are in fact ready to absorb as is.

 

So if you’re looking for a new pre-workout to help you forge new progress in the gym, this is the article for you!

 

Best Pre Workouts (Overall Category)

 

 

Stimul8 Hardcore is a strong all-round pre-workout, offering 350mg of hard-hitting caffeine, which is equivalent to around 3 cups of coffee.

 

With 150mg L-Theanine, this helps to reduce jitteriness and support that calm focus that is needed for a quality session.

 

L-Theanine is a non-proteogenic amino acid that is naturally found in green tea along with caffeine.

 

The two natural ingredients work well together, ensuring you have plenty of balanced energy to power through your session.

 

Finaflex Stimul8 Hardcore contains full clinical dosages of L-Citrulline Malate (6g), Betaine (2.5g) and Beta-Alanine (3.2g).

 

This combination of active ingredients makes the pre-workout is suitable for strength training, bodybuilding and higher repetition work, such as Crossfit.

 

With Agmatine, Tyrosine and Alpha GPC, expect a well-rounded pump, stamina and enhanced focus.

 

Stimula 8 Hardcore is the kind of pre-workout that will suit a wide range of training styles. Just watch the caffeine level if you’re a beginner!

 

 

The most common reason companies don’t include an exciting new pre-workout ingredient into their formulations is cost.

 

That ingredient is Inositol Stabilized Arginine Silicate, which is included at full clinical dosage of 1,500mg per 26.8g serve.

 

This is one of the very few ingredients that has been shown to increase pre-exercise energy levels, even though it is not actually a stimulant.

 

In fact, this nutrient can promote mental flexibility, processing speed, cognitive processing and even enhance you performance during complex cognitive tests.

 

This is quite a remarkable inclusion that sets CBUM Thavage Pre-Workout apart from its competitors.

 

But don’t forget, there’s Alpha GPC, Tyrosine and Huperzine A to back up the natural nootropic effects of this powerhouse ingredient.

 

To top this off, Inositol Stabilized Arginine Silicate has been shown to increase post-workout muscle pumps and reduced markers of muscle damage.

 

Working in conjunction with the agmatine and citrulline, and you’ve got a truly epic supplement that supports muscle blood circulation like no other.

 

CBUM Thavage Pre-Workout ticks all the boxes when it comes to a supplement that refuses to water down active ingredients.

 

Of course, this is naturally reflected in the higher cost of the product, which simply can’t be avoided.

 

This may not be the first choice for weekend warriors of beginners in the gym—though it absolutely can be, perhaps with 40 serves per container.

 

Surely, Thavage will rise to the top of pre-workout popularity amongst serious bodybuilders and anyone looking to attain absolute nutritional support without compromise.

 

 

Delivering a solid 390mg of caffeine per serve means that you will experience the full fury this pre-workout has to offer.

 

Key ingredients are delivered at optimal dosages, including a 2.5 grams of betaine, 3.2g beta-alanine and 6 grams of pure L-Citrulline.

 

This means, while the pre-workout functions to stimulate and motivate you to train, you can experience the optimised nitric oxide via citrulline conversion to arginine.

 

This means peripheral blood flow is supported, allowing muscles to receive more glucose, amino acids, fatty acids and oxygen to support performance.

 

Beta-alanine allows for the buffering of lactic acid, while the methyl donor betaine supports overall performance and the type of body composition everyone wants.

 

Core Nutritionals Fury Pre-Workout contains several trade-marked ingredients, including S7, Creatine Magnapower and Vasodrive AP.

 

Though according to the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, the ideal time to supplement with creatine is post-workout.

 

 

However, the benefit is only marginal, meaning that pre-workout creatine is absolutely fine. Given that Fury contains 1.5g of Creatine Magnpower per serve, it is still recommended that you take an additional 3.5g of creatine post-workout.

 

Magnesium is a crucially important mineral that supports the phosphocreatine energy system, and it’s inclusion in Creatine Magnapower is definitely a plus.

 

With S7 to promote nitric oxide synthesis and performance, Vasodrive AP is a natural tripeptide derived from casein protein, a by-product of cheese manufacture from milk.

 

Vasodrive AP has been shown to promote exercise performance by enhancing recovery, as well as supporting healthy endothelial function and blood pressure regulation.

 

Fury offers 2,000mg of L-Tyrosine per serve, along with Citicoline, a natural cholinergic nootropic ingredient.

 

The authors of a study published in 2020 by Basic and Clinical Neuroscience stated that “Citicoline improves human psychomotor vigilance, arousal, and visual working memory with significant amelioration of oxidative stress compared with placebo.”

 

 

Few pre-workouts offer the muscle filling and pump effects of glycerol, given that it tends to blow out the serving sizes given that grams are needed.

 

Musclesport Rhino Black Series however, delivers two grams of GlycerSize, a trademarked glycerol concentrate that contains 65% glycerol content.

 

Formerly called GlycerPump, any ingredient that delivers glycerol is a winner given the broad effects of this nutrient for muscle and hydration.

 

Whether you’re looking to prevent dehydration or gain an epic muscle fullness effect and pumps that last, GlycerSize is going to assist you in this process—along with the 6g Citrulline Malate.

 

Musclesport have included 2 grams of Creatine Magnapower, which delivers creatine and magnesium to fuel explosive strength and power.

 

With creatine and magnesium, you can literally never go wrong—though you will still need to top up on another few grams of creatine post-workout.

 

Rhino Pre-Workout contains taurine, tyrosine and 400mg caffeine, making this a strong pre trainer that beginners could start on a half serve quite easily.

 

 

If stimulants and energy are what make or break a pre-workout for you, then Kamikaze from Athletic Sport is the supplement for you!

 

Offering a gigantic 450mg caffeine anhydrous and dicaffeine malate per serve, this pre-workout packs enough punch to knock out a rhinoceros.

 

350mg of that is pure caffeine, also called caffeine anhydrous, while dicaffeine malate (Infinergy) is included at 100mg.

 

Infinergy is a more sustained release caffeine, which ensures the full 450mg does not impact you all at once and wear off at the same time as well.

 

However, this doesn’t mean Kamikaze pre-workout is for beginners or anyone who is remotely unaware of their caffeine sensitivity.

 

If in doubt, start with around 1/8^th of a dose or contact your healthcare practitioner for advice regarding the suitability of caffeine for you.

 

The usual suspects are included, such as 6g L-Citrulline, 2g Beta-Alanine and 2.5g betaine, which means you have the amino acid support needed for some epic training sessions.

 

Kamikaze is a top tier pre-workout that not only tastes special but also offers ingredients and potency to get the job done in style.

 

Packing additional actives including epicatechin, alpha GPC, English walnut, Shilajit, AstraGin and Ashwagandha (KSM-66), this pre-workout ensures you don’t have to be a kamikaze pilot to experience the thrill of a lifetime.

 

 

A smooth caffeine rush can be the difference between a chaotic training session and a focused and productive one.

 

GAT Nitraflex Black offers two specialised ingredients that aim to clarify your caffeinated experience by improving focus, reducing mental stress and improving the energy come-down.

 

L-Theanine is a non-proteogenic amino acid naturally found in green tea (alongside caffeine) and other plants that has demonstrated some interesting clinical benefits.

 

Theanine helps to increase alpha brain wave activity, which we experience when we are in a mentally relaxed but alert state, such as walking through a rainforest or at the beach.

 

This makes it an exceptional partner for caffeine, which Nitraflex Black Pre-Workout contains at 350mg per serve.

 

Alpinia Galanga is related to the ginger and turmeric family (Zingiberacea) and aims to reduce the caffeine crash effect, so you’re not dragging your knuckles around an hour post-workout.

 

This pre-workout contains effective dosages of beta-alanine, L-Citrulline and betaine, with a massive 2,000mg agmatine to assist with muscle pumps and fullness.

 

With Vitamin C, Taurine, Choline, Theobromine and Black Pepper Extract to assist absorption, this supplement will have you training like it’s your last chance for gains in this lifetime!

 

 

Best Non-Stim Pre-Workout for Pumps

Pumptropic delivers a stimulant-free pre training experience packed with natural nootropics and energising ingredients for gaming, bodybuilding or cardio.

 

With Inositol Stabilized Arginine Silicate, you can enjoy increased pre-workout energy levels, without the caffeine or other stimulants.

 

Nootropics include alpha glycerophosphate, potassium glycerophosphate, choline bitartrate and tyrosine, making the absolutely ready to deliver sharp focus and enhanced cognitive performance.

 

With betaine, also known as trimethylglycine, prepare yourself for enhanced performance, strength and support for an overall healthy body composition.

 

Core Nutritionals Pump Non-Stim offers the benefits of betaine nitrate, to promote exercise performance along with nitric oxide synthesis.

 

Nitrates are natural compounds found in a range of natural plants, such as beetroot, and support the nitric oxide production via an alternative pathway to citrulline/arginine.

 

With the power of betaine (trimethylglycine) in addition to nitrates, this ingredient is a sure-fire powerhouse to support muscle pumps and training intensity. 

 

Pump Non-Stim Pre-Workout contains HydroMax, a trademarked form of glycerol designed to enhance intracellular water and muscle fullness.

 

Glycerol is a unique nutrient, delivering key benefits to that post-workout pump and the retention for hours to come.

 

With Beta-Alanine, Citrulline, Alpha GPC and Peak O2, this caffeine-free pre-workout from Core Nutritionals is a must-have for the serious night time gym junkie or stimulant averse.

 

Arms Race Daily Pump Stim Free is the third caffeine free pre-workout added to the Sporty's Health list of premium supps.

 

With robust nitric oxide support via L-Citrulline, ViNitrox and Betaine Nitrate, you can be sure that muscle circulation will be supported.

 

This fuels working muscles for epic training, while enhancing overall muscle fullness and pumps.

 

With the aforementioned benefits of betaine, this is a caffeine-free pre-workout that does not disappoint.

 

Best Pre-Workout for Weight Loss

Most women do tend to want a pre-workout containing thermogenics, as well as the typical ingredients needed to fuel an epic session.

 

However, if you’re not necessarily in need of fat-burners, the best pre-workouts are in the general category already discussed, where CBUM Thavage and Athletic Sport Kamikaze were the low-fat cream of the crop.

 

There are some exceptional fat-burning pre-workout supplements available from Core Nutritionals, Muscle Nation and Onest, delivering quality ingredients with delicious flavours.

 

Firstly, Core Nutritionals Burn Thermogenic delivers on quality of ingredients like few others supplements, including standardised plant extracts to ensure full potency.

 

 

Packing Green Coffee Extract standardised to 50% chlorogenic acids and Garcinia cambogia standardised to 60% hydroxycitric acids means you can experience the full effects of metabolic elevation and appetite suppression.

 

Then throw into the mix Acetyl L-Carnitine that crosses the blood brain barrier to support neural energy and cognition, as well as fat-burning, with KSM-66 Ashwagandha for enhanced body comp and stress management.

 

With a host of other active ingredients as well as 200mg caffeine, this Burn Thermogenic from Core Nutritionals is certainly a premium supplement.

 

Muscle Nation Destiny Pre-Workout Burn offers a clinical dose of Acetyl L-Carnitine, with 2,000mg per serve.

 

With standardised extracts of coleus and green bean coffee, you can experience the fat-loss power of plants derived from quality manufacturers.

 

Coleus has been shown to increase cAMP and to be effective for the prevention of obesity, particularly when it is standardised to Forskohlii.

 

This pre-workout fat-burner packs plenty of nootropic support for focus and mood, with alpha GPC, theanine, Huperzine A, Tyrosine and Pterostilbene.

 

With 150mg caffine and Synephrine HCL, Muscle Nation Destiny Pre-Workout Burn is a formidable fat-burner that delivers where most products fall flat.

 

Onest Hyperburn offers a strong focus on staggered release caffeine, containing 100mg Infinergy along with 150mg caffeine anhydrous.

 

Though most companies max out at 50mg Infinergy, Onest have gone next-level to ensure your energy levels aren’t crashing any time soon.

 

And if that doesn’t sound enticing enough, how about 150mg L-Theanine to smooth out that caffeine-induced energy rush?

 

The fat-burning power of Hyperburn thermogenic pre-workout offers two forms of quality carnitine totally 2.25g per serve, along with other potent fat-burners.

 

With standardised Capsimax and Bitter Orange, you can be sure that you’ll be getting just the right amount of Capsaicinoids and Synephrine.

 

Overall, you can’t go wrong with any of these three thermogenic pre-workouts. Whether you’re looking to maintain your bodyfat percentage, lose weight or simply feel the burn while you’re training, Onest, Musclenation and Core Nutritionals have got some serious answers on offer!

 

Best Pre-Workout Snack or Meal

When it comes to eating before exercise, it all depends on the type of training you are doing and the duration as to whether this is actually important in the first place.

 

For instance, a half hour weight training session does not necessarily require an immense amount of fuel given that you’re well nourished throughout the day.

 

However, a two hour steady state cardio session may benefit from a light pre-workout snack or meal.

 

Though most prefer shakes or liquid nourishment before exercise, some foods are more useful than others when consumed before exercise.

 

It all depends on the ease with which your digestion can manage what you just consumed while you’re exercising.

 

As intense physical exercise does tend to draw the blood supply away from digestion, instead shunting to working muscles, the heart and lungs.

 

A quality source of easily digestible protein and carbohydrates would be ideal, with minimal fats and fibre.

 

For instance, low fat cottage cheese and rice crackers would be a reasonable pre-workout snack.

 

If you want to mix Nutella and Chocolate WPI with a little milk or water, to make a delicious topping for rice cakes, this would also make a decent pre-workout snack.

 

In terms of meals, perhaps the best might be a less oily poached white fish such as cod, haddock or sole.

 

This portion of fish could be served on rice (white rice may be more rapidly digested) and a small side salad of mostly leafy greens and a little low-fat dressing.

 

Bear in mind, that some people just don’t do well with food in their stomachs before exercise, particularly if that training session is high intensity.