If you’re on a workout routine, you already know that consistency is the rule of the game, especially when trying to lose weight. But everyone has those mornings when they wake up with no motivation to hit the gym. Pre-workout supplements are designed to keep your energy up, so you can hit your fitness goals even when you don’t feel like it. 

Since various pre-workout supplement brands offer different nutrient profiles and benefits, consumers face the challenge of finding the right one to suit their needs.

Caffeine is typically the main energizing ingredient in these products, but some brands offer stimulant-free options. They may also include unique nutrient and herb blends that help improve your performance. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the best pre-workout supplement brands and important factors to consider when buying one.

Round-up of best pre-workout supplements for weight loss

Here is a round-up of the best pre-workout supplement for people who want to lose weight:

  • Best pump pre-workout supplement for people who want to lose weight: Kaged pre-workout
  • Best overall pre-workout supplement for weight loss: Naked Nutrition
  • Best pre-workout supplement for weight loss that supports clean energy: Nitrosurge pre-workout
  • Best pre-workout for weight loss that helps with focus: Gorilla Mode
  • Best women's pre-workout supplement for weight loss: Powher pre-workout
  • Best personalized pre-workout supplement for weight loss: Gainful pre-workout
  • Best plant-based pre-workout supplement for weight loss: Best Organic Pre-workout 

1. Kaged - Best Pre-workout for Pumps

Kaged pre-workout is a vegan-friendly supplement for consumers looking for a little boost before their exercise session. How much caffeine you get per serving depends on the product you get. For instance, Kaged Elite contains 388 milligrams of caffeine, but the stimulant-free variety has none.

Kaged pre-workout supplement provides coconut water to replenish lost electrolytes and keep you hydrated so you don’t tire out quickly. Other ingredients in this product that increase your stamina are citrulline, creatine HCL, carnosyn beta-alanine, tyrosine, taurine, and B vitamins.

It also contains Spectra, a blend of herbs and vegetables that drives metabolism and encourages blood flow by promoting nitric oxide production. 

All ingredients used in Kaged Muscle pre-workout are non-GMO and gluten-free. While it has no added sugars or artificial sweeteners, it doesn’t taste awful. This product comes in exciting flavors like grape, cherry bomb, fruit punch, and krisp apple. One reviewer on Amazon describes it as a true pre-workout supplement, and one of the best I have ever tried definitely, I will buy it again plus the taste is fantastic

2. Naked Nutrition - Best Pre-workout for Weight loss

If you’re on a special weight loss diet, Naked Nutrition pre-workout might be the right fit for you because it has zero calories, fat, and carbohydrates. This brand prides itself on being completely natural, meaning it doesn’t have filler ingredients like artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners. 

Consumers get essential micronutrients such as vitamins B6, B3, and B12. Although these nutrients don’t provide energy directly, they are involved in the reactions that help your body metabolize food.

Each serving provides 200 milligrams of caffeine, which keeps you pumped for an average two-hour workout. It also has vitamin C, a crucial antioxidant that supports tissue repair. 

The massive energy surge Naked Nutrition pre-workout provides is why it’s a popular choice. But this product has one drawback — how it tastes. In the words of one consumer, it tastes pretty horrible by itself. The good news is that you can easily fix that by adding other beverages like fresh juice or smoothies. 

3. Nitrosurge - Best Pre-workout for Clean Energy 

Nitrosurge pre-workout supplement is designed to help you stay focused on your routine. It may contain as much as 180 milligrams of caffeine per serving to charge your workouts without causing jitters. The company also makes caffeine-free options, such as Nitrosurge Natural and Pump Surge Stim Free, that contain energizing nootropics instead. 

In addition to caffeine, Nitrosurge pre-workout provides beta-alanine to reduce fatigue and L-citrulline to stimulate your body to produce more nitric oxide, a known vasodilator that encourages blood flow.

Since this product doesn’t contain creatine, it’s a good choice for people with health concerns or who can’t tolerate it. Most reviewers were pleased with the pump this product provides, with one buyer saying, This is one of the best, if not THE best pre-workout powder.

With a Nitrosurge pre-workout supplement, you’re sure of what you’re getting. It’s manufactured in a US facility that complies with strict quality and safety guidelines. There are no hidden ingredients, and all its contents are backed by research. 

4. Gorilla Mode - Best Pre-workout for Focus 

Gorilla Mode is arguably one of the best pre-workout supplements for increased energy and heightened focus. It’s packed with 4500 milligrams of L-citrulline in one scoop, which helps you perform better and significantly increases nitric oxide production.

Consumers get a decent energy pump from its 175 mg of caffeine without the nasty crash afterwards. This product also contains an impressive variety of nootropics like L-tyrosine, kanna, and huperzine A to fight brain fog and sharpen your senses. This product also contains agmatine sulfate to reduce muscle pain and promote faster recovery. 

Here’s one review summarizing what many consumers said about Gorilla Mode pre-workout, This product is probably the best pre I’ve taken. I notice that I am so much more focused when I take it, and it doesn’t make me jittery at all.

5. Powher - Best Pre-workout for Women 

There are only a few fitness supplement brands specifically designed to meet the needs of women, and Powher is one of them. Right off the bat, you’ll notice that it has significantly less caffeine than most brands—just 100 milligrams. This means consumers are less likely to experience an energy crash. 

Despite containing lesser amounts of caffeine than competitors, Powher still provides consumers with a decent energy pump because it has EnXtra, a caffeine-amplifying supplement. Oxyjun is another beneficial ingredient in this product that helps to reduce fatigue and supports cardiovascular performance.

Powher pre-workout also contains beta-alanine, instantised leucine, and L-tyrosine, along with a blend of essential nutrients, such as vitamin B6, folic acid, and vitamin B12, which are involved in your body’s metabolic process. 

One person describes Powher pre-workout supplement as the best pre-workout I’ve tried. No jitters, no disgusting aftertaste, no nausea…its the best!! I feel so strong during my workouts after taking Powher!” The best part is that, unlike most fitness products on the market, this one has a rich, pleasant flavor that consumers love.

6. Gainful - Best Personalized Pre-workout 

Many fitness brands provide all buyers with the same generic mix of ingredients, but Gainful pre-workout does things differently. This company creates a personalized blend to suit your needs. Your journey to finding the best pre-workout supplement begins with a quiz about your physical features, overall health status, fitness goals, and workout routine. 

This company also takes account of your food sensitivities and special diets, such as vegan, paleo, keto, soy-free, gluten-free, and lactose-free. Upon completing your quiz, your personalized formula gets sent to the DM, ensuring you get the most value for your money that supports your fitness journey. 

Gainful pre-workout generally contains flexible proportions of L-theanine, L-citrulline, beta-alanine, and branched-chain amino acids. These ingredients keep your energy up during your routine and help you recover quickly. 

7. Organic Muscle Natural - Best Organic Pre-workout 

Organic Muscle Natural pre-workout powder is certified organic by the USDA, so it’s a quality energy boost for your workouts. It’s naturally sweetened and available in three flavors, lemon berry, strawberry mango, and passion fruit guava. It doesn’t contain GMOs, gluten, or filler ingredients. 

This brand is made from 100% plant-based ingredients that work to support your physical and cognitive abilities. According to consumers, its 150 milligrams of caffeine “leaves you with a lot of energy and a great workout!”

Another exciting feature of the Organic Muscle Natural pre-workout supplement is that it contains 20 herbs and superfoods like turmeric, green tea, açaí, maca, and goji berry. This complex nutrient blend nourishes your body to improve your health and fitness. 

How to Choose a Pre-Workout Supplement

Here are some crucial factors to consider if you’re in the market for a new pre-workout supplement. 

1. Fitness Routine

Do you like to exercise right before bed at the end of the day? Then you might prefer a caffeine-free pre-workout supplement. This way, you won’t count sheep in bed while waiting for sleep to come after your routine. 

2. Food Sensitivities

If you’re caffeine sensitive, a high-caffeine pre-workout supplement isn’t the right fit. Additionally, if you have other dietary restrictions like nuts and dairy, go over the ingredients to ensure they’re safe for you. 

3. Quality

The market is saturated with many pre-workout supplements, and it’s hard to figure out which one to use. The best pre-workout supplements are typically manufactured in cGMP-certified facilities which follow strict regulations and standards. Also, check that independent labs test the product for quality and safety. 

4. Speak to Your Healthcare Professional

Not all pre-workout ingredients might be good for you, depending on your health status. If you have specific dietary needs or are on medication, you must get your new fitness supplement cleared by your doctor before you start using it.

The Top 5 Ingredients to Look for in a Pre-Workout Supplement

The ingredients list on many fitness supplements may be so long that it's hard to determine what’s really important for your fitness journey. Don’t let shady companies trick you with fancy claims. Here are the five most valuable ingredients you should look for in your pre-workout supplement. 

Caffeine

Several studies show that caffeine may boost endurance and performance. It may also help your body burn fat faster to promote weight loss. But pre-workout supplements aren’t the same as drinking a cup of coffee, as they provide double or triple the amount of caffeine. 

If you’re unsure how much caffeine you should take before your workout, start with a low dose, under 200 milligrams. Assess your body’s response, and then you can work your way up if you feel comfortable. 

Some people may be sensitive to caffeine; hence they experience jitters and other unpleasant reactions from taking small amounts. If that’s you, choose supplements that are caffeine or stimulant-free. 

Beta-Alanine

You’ll see beta-alanine in most pre-workout supplements because it manages exhaustion by regulating lactic acid build-up in your muscles. This aids endurance and enables you to exercise for more extended periods.

Citrulline

Citrulline is a non-essential amino acid that may elevate your workout routine. It’s typically seen in watermelon but added in pre-workout supplements as L-citrulline or citrulline malate. 

Studies show that consuming citrulline before exercise might help you accomplish more during your session and support faster recovery. Some experts believe it does this by increasing the production of nitric oxide, a potent vasodilator that promotes blood flow to muscles. 

Creatine

Your body makes creatine naturally as a form of stored energy. It’s also present in animal protein like fish and beef. Consuming creatine before your workout rapidly supplies your body with more power. One study found that taking 3 to 5 grams/day of creatine may maintain its stores in the muscles.

Electrolytes

When you sweat during your workout, you lose more than just water. Valuable electrolytes like sodium and chloride are excreted as well. You also lose other minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Sodium, potassium, and chloride are the primary electrolytes responsible for maintaining fluid balance in your body. Potassium also supports normal muscle contraction.

Drinking water alone isn’t enough to restore the proper electrolyte balance, leading to fatigue. Some quality pre-workout supplements contain essential minerals to replenish lost electrolytes. This fights dehydration and exhaustion. 

Takeaway

Using a pre-workout supplement may be the difference between a lousy gym session and a good one. If you lack motivation for your next workout, this pick-me-up can provide additional energy for better productivity. Some products also provide extra nutrients for improved mental focus. This article shares the best pre-workout supplements for your fitness journey as well as tips to help you find the right fit.

References

  1. Pre-Kaged Elite. All-In-One Pre-Workout 
  2. Kaged. What is SPECTRA?
  3. Naked Energy. Vegan Pre Workout Supplement
  4. Jacked Factory. Nitrosurge Pre-Workout - Best Pre Workout Powder 2022
  5. Theodorou, A. A., et al. (2021). Acute L-Citrulline Supplementation Increases Nitric Oxide Bioavailability but Not Inspiratory Muscle Oxygenation and Respiratory Performance
  6. Takeda, K., et al. (2011).Effects of citrulline supplementation on fatigue and exercise performance in mice
  7. Gorilla Mode Pre-Workout
  8. Pre-Workout - Powher Official
  9. Srivastava, S., et al. (2022). Effect of E-OJ-01 on Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction and Myocardial Oxygen Consumption: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
  10. Gainful. Pre-Workout
  11. Organic Muscle. Natural Pre-Workout – 100% Organic Vegan Preworkout
  12. Graham, T. E. (2001). Caffeine and exercise: metabolism, endurance and performance
  13. USDA. Coffee, brewed.
  14. Ghiasvand, R., et al. (2012). Effects of Six Weeks of β-alanine Administration on VO2 max, Time to Exhaustion and Lactate Concentrations in Physical Education Students
  15. Gonzalez, A. M. & Trexler, E. T. (2020). Effects of Citrulline Supplementation on Exercise Performance in Humans: A Review of the Current Literature
  16. Kreider, R. B., et al. (2017). International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine
  17. Consolazio, C. F., et al. (1963). Excretion of Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium and Iron in Human Sweat and the Relation of Each to Balance and Requirements - ScienceDirect
  18. Harvard Health. Potassium

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