If your workout goal is to burn fat and maintain muscle, you’ll know how difficult the process can be. Losing fat takes time, patience, and hard work. This can be frustrating, especially if you’re not seeing the results that you’d like.
We can’t break the laws of thermodynamics, so if you want to lose weight, you have to burn more energy than you consume. This involves either eating less or burning more calories through your workouts.
If you’re eating less food, you may not be as energized to perform to your best in the gym, so you won’t burn as many calories as you want to.
If this sounds familiar, a pre-workout may be able to help. These efficient tools are packed with ingredients that can help you reach maximum efficiency while you train. As the name suggests, you take these supplements before your workout.
Depending on the one you go for, your choice may help you maintain muscle and lose weight simultaneously.
As there are so many pre-workouts to choose from, it can be difficult to know which one you should go for. To make this choice a little easier, we’ve listed the top 10 best pre-workouts for weight loss below.
We’ve also included a handy guide that explains what you should look out for when shopping for one of these supplements. You’re sure to find one that suits you in our list below!
10 Best Pre-Workouts For Weight Loss
Preseries Lean By Transparent Labs
PreSeries LEAN is a powerful pre-workout supplement that’s suitable for both men and women. This supplement is designed for those that are ‘cutting’ – ie. looking to lose weight. It’s full of ingredients that are designed to accelerate athletic performance.
Citrulline malate, beta-alanine, and BCAA’s are all included at effective dosages. These substances will help you power through your workout without becoming fatigued.
PreSeries LEAN also contains their Fat Burning and Thyroid complex. This targeted solution increases metabolism, helping individuals burn stubborn fat without losing muscle.
The supplement is free from artificial dyes, filler ingredients, and dangerous additives. Each tub is large and is available in several different flavors. The BCCAs within are vegan, making this product vegan and plant-based friendly.
If you’d prefer to buy in bulk, Transparent Labs reduces the price slightly, giving you more for your money.
Pros
- Contains 21 ingredients proven to increase performance
- Fat Burning Thyroid complex designed specially for weight loss
- Bulk purchasing reduces the cost
- Vegan friendly
Cons
- More expensive than the average pre-workout
- Can only be bought from the brand’s website
POWHER
This brightly packaged supplement is clearly marketed towards women. Some pre-workouts designed for women may contain less powerful ingredients, but POWHER’s formula contains ingredients in optimum dosages for effective results.
This is a good choice for people who don’t want to increase their caffeine intake by much, as one serving contains less caffeine than a cup of coffee. To make the effects last, POWHER uses a caffeine amplifier called EnXtra.
This substance prolongs the caffeine effects for up to 5 hours without increasing your caffeine intake.
It’s also filled with B vitamins that help the body feel more energetic, so it’s ideal when you’re in a calorie deficit. Vitamin B6 may also help reduce inflammation caused by exercise, making you feel less sore after your workout.
Pros
- Designed for women
- Large amount of B vitamins
- Low caffeine content
Cons
- Only available in one flavor
RSP AminoLean
RSP’s AminoLean is made for both men and women. It uses caffeine from Green Tea Extract and Green Coffee beans. These may have other health benefits other than weight loss. Each serving has 125 mg of caffeine, a little more than a cup of coffee.
This amount allows people to take more or less depending on their caffeine tolerance. You’ll be able to get the benefits without feeling jittery.
The formula also contains L-Carnitine and Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), substances that support the metabolism during weight loss periods.
The BCAAs and EAAs support muscle building during workouts, helping you gain more muscle without increasing your calorie intake.
The pre-workout is free from sugars, carbohydrates, and calories, ideal for those that are dieting. It’s also available in 7 different fruit flavors, so there’s something for everyone.
Pros
- Suitable for men and women
- Not too much caffeine per serving
- Variety of flavors
Cons
- Lots of artificial flavorings
NITROSURGE Shred
NITROSURGE is marketed as a thermogenic supplement, so it’s clear that this pre-workout is ideal for weight loss. Each serving contains 180mg of caffeine, which is a lot more than the average coffee cup.
This product is better for those that have a higher caffeine tolerance, as the amount could make some people feel nauseous or jittery.
The supplement also contains nitric oxide, a substance that improves blood flow to the muscles. This is great for increasing pumps and endurance, helping you go harder for longer.
Nitric oxide also improves mental focus, so whether you’re doing cardio or resistance training, you’ll find yourself pushing yourself to the maximum.
It’s available in 6 different fruit flavors, including black cherry, watermelon, and blueberry lemonade. There are 30 servings per tub, which will last in between 1 – 2 months depending on how much you workout.
Pros
- Delivers a powerful energy boost
- Proven endurance enhancing ingredients
Cons
- Uses some artificial flavorings
- No vitamins
NDS Nutrition Cardio Cuts 4.0
As the name suggests, NDS Cardio Cuts pre-workout will help you torch calories while you workout. You can take this before cardio or weight training, as the formula supports fat burning and muscle toning alike.
The supplement is filled with their Tone-Lean complex, a blend of L-Carnitine, MCTs, and L-Glutamine. These all help with losing fat and maintaining muscle.
The product also contains a thyroid support complex that keeps the metabolism in peak condition, which is ideal for those that are cutting.
Cardio Cuts also contains ingredients that help the body feel energized These include Raspberry Ketones, caffeine, and Ashwagandha. Beta-alanine is also included, increasing your endurance and stamina.
These substances all help perform at your best while you train, helping you to burn more energy and lose weight in the process.
It also contains important vitamins C, D, and B6. These keep your body in peak condition while you train. Cardio Cuts is available in 6 different flavors, including Gummy Bear, Razz Lemonade, and more interestingly, Bombsicle.
Pros
- Designed for both pre cardio and pre-weight training
- Variety of flavors
- Includes important vitamins
- Keto-friendly
Cons
- Costs more than the average pre-workout
- Uses artificial flavors
Blackmarket Tone Pre-Workout
This supplement contains an ‘Energy Focus Blend’ that makes you feel energized without increasing your food intake. The important ingredients within this compound are Beta-Alanine, Caffeine, and Vitamin B12.
The beta-alanine will give you that tingling sensation that gets you prepared for a workout, while caffeine lowers your appetite and increases your endurance. Each serving has 300 mg of caffeine within it, which can be a lot for some people.
If you have a low caffeine tolerance, it’s best to work up to a full serving slowly.
Tone also contains a ‘Weight Loss/Antioxidant Blend’ that’s designed to accelerate fat burning. Some of the ingredients are Conjugated Linoleic Acid, Raspberry Ketones, and Green Tea Extract.
These substances have been proven to support the metabolism, but as they are used in a proprietary blend, we don’t know how much of each ingredient is in this product.
That being said, this product has decent reviews online. Consumers have loved the variety of flavors and the increased energy that comes after taking this supplement.
Pros
- High Caffeine content
- Several B Vitamins
- Proven ingredients that increase energy and support metabolism
Cons
- Includes proprietary blends
- Artificial flavors
Cellucor C4 Ultimate Shred Pre-Workout
C4’s original pre-workout formula is one of the most popular ones on the market. Cellucor has also made this version, which is specially designed for those who are cutting. It’s suitable for both men and women and is packed with thermogenic ingredients.
Each serving has a massive 300mg of caffeine along with 3.2g of Beta-Alanine. These ingredients will keep you energized and will increase your endurance, helping you reach your maximum potential as you work out.
This supplement also includes C4’s Ultimate Shred & Thermogenic Matrix. One of the star ingredients in this compound is N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine. This helps to increase concentration and improve one’s mental state. You may notice that your focus becomes sharper and that you feel calmer as a result.
The ingredients used are proven to support weight loss, but this ‘Matrix’ is another way of covering up their proprietary blend. Despite this, many reviews have said that they have been sweating more after taking this, which could indicate that the thermogenic ingredients do work.
We do know that C4 Ultimate Shred contains lots of caffeine, a decent amount of beta-alanine, and is full of important vitamins that support the body. It’s also available in four different flavors that suit different tastes.
Overall, this is a powerful supplement that promotes better mental focus, stronger pumps, and increased endurance.
Pros
- High Caffeine Content
- Important vitamins for increased energy
Cons
- Uses artificial flavors
- Includes proprietary blend
MuscleTech Vapor X5 Ripped
If you’re looking for a supplement that tastes amazing, you have to try Vapor X5 by MuscleTech. Most pre-workouts tend to come in generic fruit flavors, but Vapor X5 comes in interesting ones like Icy Rocket Freeze and Miami Spring Break.
Their ‘Ripped’ version combines MuscleTech’s best-selling pre-workout supplement with an advanced weight loss formula. It uses classic energy-boosting ingredients like caffeine and L-Citrulline that give you an energized pump in the gym.
Caffeine also works to support your metabolism, especially when combined with C.canephora robusta, also known as a green coffee extract. Studies have shown that green coffee extract can promote weight loss due to the chlorogenic acid within.
There’s 150mg of caffeine per serving, which is enough to increase energy levels without the jittery feeling afterward. The unique flavors are interesting to try, but it also comes in Fruit Punch and Strawberry Limeade for those that have classic taste buds.
At 20 calories per scoop, this does have more calories than most pre-workouts, but as long as you factor it into your diet plan, this isn’t a huge amount to worry about.
Pros
- 150mg of caffeine per serving
- Lots of flavors to choose from
- Good dosage of key ingredients
Cons
- Uses artificial flavorings
- More calories than the average pre-workout
Honey Badger Performance Energy Pre-Workout
This pre-workout is ideal for those who are dieting, as it has 0 calories per serving! It’s also suitable for several eating plans, including vegan, keto, Paleo, and gluten-free. Honey Badger is also sugar-free, which is ideal for those who are trying to cut down on sugar.
The supplement is available in four different flavors which are all free from artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners. Honey Badger gets its color and taste from natural sources and is sweetened with stevia leaf extract.
It delivers as a pre-workout too, as it contains sufficient doses of important ingredients. These include beta-alanine, L-Citrulline Malate, and of course, caffeine. Each serving has 150mg of caffeine within; enough to give an energy boost without a crash later.
If you’re looking for a cleaner pre-workout supplement that actually delivers, Honey Badger is a great choice.
Pros
- Free from calories
- Suitable for several diet plans
- Free from artificial sweeteners
Cons
- Only available in fruit flavors
RAW Synergies ThermoPre
RAW Synergies creates nutritional products for women, though men can take this pre-workout too. Thermopure is full of ingredients that can promote weight loss, including black pepper, Ashwagandha, yerba mate, and capsicum.
Research has shown that these substances can increase metabolism, increasing the number of calories that you burn at rest.
Thermopure also has ingredients that can maximize your performance in the gym. Beta-alanine, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, and caffeine can increase your energy levels and help you burn more calories. You won’t need to increase your food intake for energy, which is ideal for those that like high-intensity exercise.
This pre-workout is only available in one flavor, but it’s free from artificial sweeteners and dyes. Each serving contains 250mg of caffeine, which can be a lot for some people, but as there are two scoops per serving, you can halve the dosage easily.
Pros
- Lots of thermogenic weight loss ingredients
- Good dosage of energy enhancing ingredients
- Uses natural flavors
Cons
- Only available in one flavor
- High caffeine content may be too much for some people
Buyers Guide
What is Pre-workout Used For?
Pre-workout supplements are used to give you energy while you exercise. These are usually taken around half an hour before a workout and can be in pill or powder form. Pre-workouts have various ingredients in them which are designed to maximize athletic performance.
Best Pre-Workout Ingredients For Weight Loss
Pre-workout supplements can be full of different ingredients, but some of these are better than others, especially when it comes to weight loss.
Caffeine
If you’re a coffee drinker, you’ll know how a cup in the morning can make you feel alert for a few hours. Coffee contains caffeine, a stimulant that’s popular within several pre-workout supplements.
Other than making you feel alert, caffeine also boosts concentration, improves reaction time, and athletic performance. This is great when you’re in the gym, as it helps you push through taxing workouts.
Better endurance means you’ll be able to work out for longer, whether you’re on the treadmill, at a fitness class, or in the weight room.
Caffeine also has thermogenic properties that can help you lose weight too. Doses between 100 to 400 milligrams of caffeine can speed up your metabolism, effectively increasing the number of calories you burn.
Caffeine can be a great weight loss tool, as long as you’re in an energy deficit. However, too much caffeine can be dangerous. We’ll get into the reasons why below, but be sure that you don’t exceed more than 400 mg of caffeine each day.
Beta-Alanine
This amino acid has fantastic effects. When you’re getting through a tough workout, beta-alanine helps to make you less tired as you go on. It increases your physical endurance which helps you perform better in the gym.
Beta-alanine is converted into carnosine, a protein that lowers lactic acid buildup. Lactic acid is responsible for the soreness you get after a workout. Carnosine helps to reduce muscle fatigue, helping you get a few more reps in until failure.
When you’re on a weight loss plan, you’re going to be consuming fewer calories. This can mean that there may be days when you lack the energy to get through a workout. Beta-alanine helps you train harder for longer, all without eating more and compromising your diet.
Another bonus is that beta-alanine is responsible for the tingling sensation you get after taking pre-workout. Most people like this feeling, as it can act as a signal telling you when to start your gym routine.
Citrulline Malate
Citrulline Malate is a powerful ingredient that helps you get the most out of your training sessions. When it is consumed, it turns L-arginine into nitric oxide. This compound helps to increase blood flow by dilating the blood vessels.
Increased blood flow means that oxygen and important nutrients can get to the muscles easier. As a result, your muscles will be less fatigued and your body will have more stamina, helping you perform better in the gym.
As you exercise, your muscles will have a build-up of lactic acid and ammonia. As these substances increase, your muscles will start feeling worn out. This can stop you from getting through your workouts, which can be detrimental to your weight loss goals.
Citrulline malate relieves muscle soreness, helping you reach your maximum potential in the process.
N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine
Also known as NALT, this substance works on the neurotransmitters in your brain, helping to reduce stress and improve concentration.
Exercising hard increases stress levels and puts the body in a fatigued state. Pre-workout supplements with NALT help activate the thyroid, norepinephrine, dopamine, and epinephrine hormones. As a result, you feel calmer, less stressed, and in control of your actions.
NALT also reduces brain fog, so you perform your workouts more efficiently and with purpose. This all helps you to lose weight and burn more fat.
Pre-Workout Ingredients To Avoid
Pre-workout supplements are safe to consume, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t come without risk. If you want to add them to your fitness regimen, it’s important to look out for these potentially harmful ingredients.
Too Much Caffeine
As stated previously, caffeine is one of the best pre-workout ingredients, especially when it comes to weight loss. However, an excessive amount of this stimulant can be harmful to the body.
Too much caffeine can cause several side effects, including irritability, stress, and poor sleep. More seriously, caffeine can have adverse effects on the heart. Increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and heart attacks are all possibilities that come with consuming excess caffeine.
In most cases, pre-workout supplements contain between 150mg to 300mg of caffeine in each serving. This is similar to the amount that’s within 1-2 cups of coffee. If you drink coffee on top of your pre-workout supplements, it’s important to check how much caffeine you’re consuming.
Most healthy adults shouldn’t exceed 400mg of caffeine each day. If you go over this amount, try to cut back gradually until you’re within safe limits.
Sugar Alcohols and Artificial Sweeteners
Pre-workouts are often full of sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners. These ingredients are popular as they provide appealing flavors, like tropical fruit and cola, without extra calories.
This may sound great, but sugar alcohols can cause intestinal issues, like bloating, gas, and diarrhea. These side effects may also be possible after consuming sweeteners. For instance, sucralose is known to cause intestinal discomfort if consumed in excess.
We’re focusing on weight loss here, so you may still want to go for brands that include these flavor-enhancing ingredients. Other brands that don’t use these will often use traditional sugar instead.
These products are less common, but the sugar adds lots of calories which can sabotage your fitness goals.
It’s best to check the label and see how many sweeteners are in your product. Try to avoid formulas that have large amounts of artificial flavorings in them. If it’s too difficult to find these, test your product out first by taking a small amount of the supplement.
Take note of how your body reacts. If you don’t notice any side effects, increase your intake and work up to the recommended dosage.
Proprietary Supplement Blends
The FDA states that ingredients in any product need to be listed in weight order. The ingredient with the greatest amount should be listed first, then they should be labeled in descending order.
Proprietary blends are a product that contains several substances in various quantities. It’s a way for companies to hide any cheap ingredients and low doses within their product. This helps them to cut costs and increase their profits while selling ineffective items.
It also hides any unsafe or risky substances that are in their supplement.
It’s important to know what dosage of each ingredient you are taking. If you see ‘proprietary blend’ listed on the label, your supplement probably lacks a sufficient dosage or contains hazardous ingredients.
Always check the label thoroughly and find out what ingredients are in your pre-workout before you buy them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Pre-Workout Should I Take For My Weight?
Pre-workout supplements all have different amounts of ingredients, so there isn’t one suitable amount that covers them all. Always follow the directions given by the supplement that you take. One of the most common ingredients in pre-workout is caffeine.
Most healthy adults can consume 400 milligrams of caffeine each day. It’s best to ensure that your supplement doesn’t make you go over this recommendation.
Does Pre-Workout Have Calories?
Pre-workout supplements generally don’t have a lot of calories, but they often use sweeteners and sugar alcohols to lower the calorie count. Some brands don’t use these artificial ingredients, but they may have a higher calorie count as a result.
Is It Bad To Take Pre-Workout Every Day?
If you take pre-workout every day, your body may start becoming used to its effects. Over time, you may need to take more pre-workout to get the desired result. To avoid this, some gym enthusiasts recommend taking these supplements in cycles. They take 6-8 weeks off so that the body can readjust again.
Can I Take Pre-Workout On An Empty Stomach?
The majority of pre-workouts are safe to take on an empty stomach. However, consuming these supplements without any food prior means that the substance enters your bloodstream quicker.
If you have low blood sugar issues, like hypoglycemia, you may find that training on an empty stomach will make you feel weak. Taking pre-workout on top of this may exacerbate these symptoms. If you suffer from low blood sugar or digestive issues, it’s always best to have a snack a few hours before your workout.
Conclusion
There you have it! These are the top 10 pre-workout supplements that can help promote weight loss. Do remember that it doesn’t matter what pills and potions you take, you won’t lose weight unless you’re in a calorie deficit.
That being said, as long as you’re following a controlled diet plan, pre-workouts can be an amazing tool when it comes to fat loss. The majority of these energy enhancers have a lot of caffeine in them, so if you have a low tolerance, work up to a full dose slowly.
Otherwise, have fun training!