There’s no better feeling than when you’ve perfected your own little workout plan, have it color-coded and stuck on your wall.
Then Monday comes along and it’s been a long, stressful day at work. You’re just getting ready to drive home and cuddle up with your blanket when you remember you have that gym schedule to stick to. It’s leg day, but you just don’t have the energy.
If only there was something that could wake you up, because the thought of dragging yourself to that big cold gym makes you want to run home and cry.
Pre-workouts are the perfect supplement for when you need that extra boost to get you to the gym. Their array of ingredients target muscle strength and can provide you with energy to push yourself harder.
Lets delve a little deeper into the magic that is pre-workouts.
What Are Pre-Workout Supplements?
Pre-workouts can be taken in various forms such as shakes, meals, and pills. They are designed to help you go harder in the gym, battling against any feelings of fatigue. They also help you feel energized, and some even aid in muscle recovery.
You’ll feel a surge of energy when taking them, making you feel like you can take on the world. All in all, their overall aim is to support you during your workout.
The aim is to take your pre-workout supplement, be it a shake or pill, around 30 minutes before a workout. This is so you can feel all the magic happen as you start working out, and ease any fatigue you may be experiencing.
The main ingredient in many pre-workouts is caffeine. Including this component can improve your energy levels and performance.
Most pre-workouts come In the form of powders to be added to water for a shake. As great as they are, their one downfall is that some of these products don’t taste great, and that’s putting it lightly.
Finding a pre-workout shake that won’t have you pinching your nose to consume is very important as you can’t be starting every gym session with a bad taste in your mouth.
Finding a tasty pre-workout can be overwhelming as there are so many out there. We’ve decided to do the work for you and have come up with a list of 10 of the best tasting ones for you to try. Before we dive in, there are a few things you need to be aware of.
While some may claim certain brands are great and help their performance, you may not feel the same, as different ingredients can react differently in each ody. Therefore, some trial and error is involved in finding the right pre-workout for you.
Blackwolf Pre-Workout
This pre-workout comes in three different flavors: green apple, blue raspberry, and fruit punch, so one is bound to be to your liking.
These citrusy flavors are known for being some of the best on the market, and their fruit punch flavor is caffeine-free. So if you hate those caffeine crashes, or you prefer working out at night but don’t want to be up all night, this would be a great option for you.
Aside from their delicious flavors, these pre-workouts are packed with some other beneficial ingredients that’ll generally improve your workout experience. To name a few, Its creatine and dynamine components have been included to give you lasting energy throughout your workout, along with L-tyrosine to help you stay focused.
Whether you are new to the pre-workout game or are used to taking them, this wonderfully tasting option is a good one to try.
Pros
- Nice tasting flavors.
- Three flavors to choose from
- Many energy-boosting ingredients
Cons
- Only one flavor is caffeine-free
Transparent Labs Lean
If you’re looking for something a little more natural, then Transparent Labs is the choice for you. This is considered a more natural product as it contains no artificial coloring, no artificial sweeteners or preservatives, and it is gluten-free & non-GMO.
It is also a vegan-friendly product! Its lovely flavors do not disappoint, with several to choose from such as blue raspberry, sour grape, strawberry lemonade, tropical punch, green apple, and orange.
In case this brand didn’t sound appealing enough already, Transparent Labs have 100% transparency in their formula being completely honest about where they source their ingredients. This product also targets burning fat while preventing muscle loss, and even supports thyroid complex.
Pros
- Vegan-friendly
- No harmful additives
- Delicious flavors
Cons
- Includes caffeine: Those who react badly to caffeine shouldn’t use this product.
Bucked Up Pre-Workout
Bucked Up is known for its amazing flavor and results when used. They offer some seriously mouth-watering flavors such as chai apple, caramel apple, strawberry kiwi, and pink lemonade (among many others, too many to include).
Aside from those delicious flavors, Bucked Up pre-workout contains many ingredients that’ll aid you in your workouts. Some of these include citrulline and beta-alanine. These will boost your blood flow helping your performance.
There is also a caffeine content of 200mg per serving, which will give you a great level of energy.
With each serving, you also get a handy dose of B12, a vitamin that is great for energy and health.
Pros
- Variety of lovely flavors
- Performance-enhancing
- Vitamins for health
Cons
- Contains artificial flavors
Vintage Blast
This option has really been praised for how good it tastes. It’s available in three flavors: blueberry lemonade, smoked pineapple, and peach lemonade.
Aside from its flavors, what made it to this list is how it prioritizes hydration as well as energy. Ensuring you are hydrated will enhance your energy to enable you to keep on going throughout your workouts.
What makes this option stand out from the rest is its two-stage formula. This means it won’t deliver all its ingredients at once, making you experience a steadier energy boost.
It provides you with amino acids such as beta-alanine and L-citrulline malate which improve endurance and boost performance. It also includes micro-encapsulated caffeine which releases slowly into the body, giving you an energy boost.
It also boasts a variety of vitamins and minerals such as sodium, which helps to keep body fluids at a steady balance, and vitamin B12.
Pros
- Nothing artificial
- Contains several vitamins and minerals
- GMP certified
Cons
- Does not state if it is vegan friendly
MTN Ops Yeti
This option is loved by many, and not just because of the amazing flavor options available. This pre-workout supplement is great for giving you a boost that doesn’t end in a crash.
It contains creatine, arginine, and L-citrulline for pump support. It also provides you with some vital vitamins such as vitamin C for immune function, D3, B6/12, and folic acid.
There is also caffeine in this product, at 200mg in each serving.
Some of its flavors include tiger’s blood, green apple, watermelon, and blue raspberry.
Pros
- Variety of delicious flavors
- A good amount of vitamins are included
- Gluten-free
Cons
- Contains artificial sweeteners.
Gorilla Mode
This option has been said to be one of the best-tasting pre-workouts out there. When consuming this you’ll experience a big increase in nitric oxide levels, energy, focus, hydration, and a boost in muscle strength. This is due to its doses of L-Citrulline, GlycerPump, Agmatine, Creatine, and Betaine.
The choice of flavors available with this brand is volcano burst, jungle juice, bombsicle, fruit punch, firefly lemonade, and lemon and lime.
Pros
- Variety of good flavors
- Provides energy for your workouts
- Enhanced muscle strength
Cons
- Does not state is product is vegan friendly
Gauge Pre-Workout
This is an all-natural four-in-one formula and the fact that it tastes pretty great is a bonus. Its fruit blast flavor is a favorite among users, as well as its performance-enhancing qualities. Its four in one is as follows:
- Explosive power: This formula also stimulates the mind as well as the body, enabling you to lift more weight.
- Extended stamina: This aids in improving your endurance, enabling you to work out for longer.
- Lazer focus: This ensures you will focus more on your session and give dedication to whatever you are working on that day
- Incredible Muscle Pump: The added blood flow this gives you will have you feeling pumps to your muscles, enabling you to go harder.
Pros
- Emphasis on body pump
- Good taste
- All-natural
- Contains caffeine for mental focus and energy
Cons
- If you are sensitive to caffeine this is not an appropriate option
JNX Sports The Curse
This product mixes very smoothly with water which is not always the case with powder. The flavor is said to be lovely and refreshing, with tropical storm being a popular choice.
Experience some intense focus and energy due to the caffeine and olive leaf extract in this formula. This pre-workout also enhances nitric oxide production in the body, aiding you in lifting heavier weights, and pushing more reps to gain more strength and muscle.
Enjoy a hefty container providing you with 50 servings so you don’t need to restock as much.
Pros
- More servings available
- The powder mixes easily with water
- Refreshing tastes
Cons
- Some reviewers stated not feeling too much of the effects, so would be better for beginners
Nitrosurge Pre-Workout
This maximum strength pre-workout delivers exactly what you need to up your performance in the gym. This option also boosts your nitric oxide levels to enable you to feel those pumps through your body.
This powder contains beta-alanine and caffeine, to increase your energy levels.
This is also known to have a lovely taste, especially the blue raspberry flavor. Aside from this one, there are several others to choose from such as cherry limeade, arctic white, blueberry lemonade, grape, cotton candy, green apple, and pineapple, all sounding very delicious indeed.
Pros
- Variety of flavors to choose from
- Beta-alanine can help with managing muscle fatigue
- Caffeine and L-theanine can boost mental focus
Cons
- There are a few artificial components
Beyond Raw Lit Pre-Workout
This gluten-free formula is not for the faint-hearted. Eliminate any obstacles in your path because this intense pre-workout will have you ready to take on the world. It’s important to note that caution should be taken as users have reported the feelings to be a little intense if a lot is taken, so it’s best to start with small scoops.
This brand has been praised for its flavors, they even have a ‘gummy worm’ flavor which sounds pretty interesting and creative. Others include fruit punch. Icy fireworks, and orange mango.
This contains 1.5g of creatine, 3.2 g of beta-alanine, and 250 mg of caffeine.
Pros
- Interesting and nice flavors.
- Gluten-free
- Sugar-free
Cons
- Said to have quite intense effects.
Buyer’s Guide
Finding an appropriate pre-workout supplement for you can sometimes be overwhelming, especially as there are so many ingredients involved (many with strangely spelled names). This buyer’s guide is going to go over certain ingredients and what they are.
It is also going to cover other basics you should know to ensure you are making a purchase that suits you best.
Caffeine
As mentioned before, caffeine is a very common ingredient in most pre-workouts. Most have a range of 150mg to 300 mg of caffeine in each serving. This amounts to around three cups of coffee. While caffeine is a great stimulant, not all people react well to it.
They can sometimes experience jitters, energy crashes, and in severe cases, palpitations. If you are someone who doesn’t respond well to caffeine, then there are plenty of pre-workout options that are caffeine-free.
It’s important to read all the ingredients and see if the ones your choose do contain stimulants such as caffeine.
Creatine
When searching for the right pre-workout supplements you’ll probably notice that a lot of them contain creatine. This is a substance found naturally in muscle cells. It is what helps muscles produce energy during physical exercise.
Consuming this as a supplement is popular among bodybuilders and athletes, as it helps improve performance and aids in muscle strength and growth.
Here is where it gets a little scientific. Your body’s creatine, 95% of it at least, is stored in your muscles as phosphocreatine. By taking supplements of creatine you are increasing your body’s stores of phosphocreatine which in turn will help your body produce a molecule called ATP.
The more ATP your body has, the better it can perform during exercise as ATP is an energy molecule.
There is another side to this supplement, with people claiming that it can cause weight gain, kidney damage, and liver damage. Despite these claims, more research needs to be done on the negative sides of taking creatine. Many health professionals still believe it to be safe to take.
Beta-Alanine
Many pre-workout supplements contain amino acids, which are compounds made of nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. There are around 9 essential amino acids that aren’t produced naturally by your body, so we can obtain them by consuming animal proteins such as poultry, meat, and eggs.
When you eat protein, it is broken down into amino acids and these help your body build muscle.
Beta-Alanine is a type of amino acid. Although it is a non-essential one, it is still important and has benefits when used for working out. Studies show that this amino acid extends exhaustion time which means you can perform for longer without experiencing that fatigue feeling.
Nitric Oxide
Another added supplement you may find in pre-workout substances is Nitric Oxide. This is another compound that is found naturally in the body. It causes your blood vessels to widen, promoting insulin and human growth hormones.
More research needs to be done on how much this can improve performance, but based on the studies that have been done, scientists believe that the enhanced blood flow that these supplements provide, can improve performance, promote healing, and enhance heart health.
Vitamins
Taking vitamins is essential in helping your body develop and ensuring you are healthy. Many pre-workout supplements contain some essential vitamins and it is beneficial to look out for them when reading the ingredients.
The most common ones to be included will be B12 and Iron. These are vitamins that provide you with energy, that are very well suited in a pre-workout supplement. Some will also include vitamin C, which will boost your immune system.
Artificial Sweeteners
To make these supplements taste nice for consumption, some kind of sweetener is needed. Many of these ensure to have a low-calorie content and won’t contain sugar. However, due to this, you need to be on the lookout for any artificial sweeteners. Although they are sugar substitutes, their artificial nature makes them not ideal for our health.
However, there are plenty of natural products that have a sweet flavor and some products include them. Be on the lookout for ingredients such as monk fruit extract and stevia as these are natural and healthier options.
GMP Certified
GMP stands for Good Manufacturing Practices. This is a system that ensures products are produced adhering to quality standards. Most pre-workout supplements have to go through this process and if they are successful it will be shown in the details of the product.
It is important to ensure what you are purchasing has been GMP certified to ensure that your product is safe and has been produced in line with the appropriate guidelines.
Ingredient Transparency
Some brands and companies are completely transparent with their ingredients. This means they go further than just labeling certain ingredients. They will be open and honest with you about the origins of those ingredients and the practices used to acquire them.
Finding a company that has complete ingredient transparency ensures they are trustworthy and provide ethical ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Pre-Workout Supplements Worth It?
If the appropriate ingredients are chosen, then yes, pre-workouts are worth it as they will enhance your performance in the gym by giving you energy and helping your muscles recover.
Is It Bad To Take Pre-Workout Supplements Every Day?
The best days to take pre-workouts are days when you are going to the gym or engaging in some physical exercise. There are only risks involved if you are taking over the recommended amount. Therefore, it is important to read all labels carefully as they will give you a recommended dosage.
Can You Get Addicted To Pre-Workout Supplements?
Many pre-workouts contain the stimulant caffeine. Like any other stimulant, the more you take the less of the effects you will feel, which will lead to you wanting to take more. Some individuals can develop a dependence on these substances.
If this is a concern, then choosing a pre-workout supplement with a lower dosage of caffeine, or none at all would be wise.
Is Pre-Workout Supplement Bad For Your Heart?
If the pre-workout you have chosen to consume has a high dosage of caffeine, you must be wary of your regular consumption of caffeine in coffee, energy drinks, and so forth.
Increased consumption of caffeine can lead to some heart-related issues such as high blood pressure and can increase your risk of having a heart attack.
If you are a regular consumer of caffeine, it would be wise to either cut down on your caffeine consumption, or purchase a lesser dose of caffeine in your pre-workout supplement, or choose one with none at all.
Does creatine help beginners?
Creatine can help build strength and muscle no matter if you are a beginner or an experienced bodybuilder. However, it is good for beginners because it’ll give you that extra help to reach your goals.
It has been proven to be a safe supplement to take and has been widely studied, one of the most studied supplements out there. It will aid you in lifting more weights and completing more reps, which is great for someone who is a beginner.
This can also help you stay motivated when you are starting.
Final Thoughts
It’s important to understand that pre-workout supplements are not intended to be used as meal replacements, but more aiding in an already healthy diet. There are an array of options to choose from, as pre-workouts are a very popular supplement to take before working out.
It is important to know what your goals are. If it’s weight loss, then be sure to choose one that has low calories and a natural sugar supplement. If it’s muscle gain that you are after, then ensure you’ve got some creatine and good amino acids to help your muscles out.
It is crucial that you do your own research and read reviews before purchasing any supplements. This will give you an idea of other customers experiences so you have a better idea of what to expect.
It is also important to remember that it isn’t one size fits all. Some options and ingredients may work wonders for some, but not for others, so trying out a few before settling on one would be wise. We hope this list is useful to you, and if you are after some tasty pre-workout supplements, just take your pick from the list, you won’t be disappointed.