10 Best Pre-Workout Supplements for Men in 2023

With the increasing popularity of dietary supplements and the reliance on online product reviews and online communities in wellness purchase decisions, we take our list of the best pre-workout supplements for men in 2023 seriously! Also known simply as pre-workouts, these dietary supplements were selected based on their excellent quality of ingredients and formulation, efficacy in delivering results, and safety for long-term use. 

Easy to mix with water, delicious flavors without chemical aftertastes and chalky textures, and little to no side effects are also the characteristics of the featured pre-workouts for men. After all, if you’re drinking them, you may as well enjoy the sensual aspects of pre-workouts! 

Of course, price was considered since it’s part of the package. Keep in mind, nonetheless, that when you’re getting the best results from proper and regular use of your choice in a pre-workout for men, you’re getting top value for your money. This is definitely better than spending money on inferior pre-workouts and not getting effective results – and worse, putting your health on the line with banned substances and other potentially harmful ingredients. 

Most importantly, look for pre-workout supplements for men that have been party-tested, such as the Informed Choice, U.S. Pharmacopeia or NSF International, and categorized properly (i.e., not as drugs) the Food and Drug Administration. The company’s reputation for safe and effective products is also an important consideration. 

Do Men Need Pre-workout Supplements?

While these may seem unnecessary, pre-workouts have numerous benefits that come with their proper and regular consumption. These contain ingredients, which we will discuss later, chosen for their positive effects on the mind and body, from boosting physical energy and mental focus to improving muscle strength, pump and stamina. 

There’s also another aspect of pre-workout use that makes it ideal for boosting physical and mental energy. By providing your body with extra nutrients, particularly carbohydrates and glucose, drinking a pre-workout results in an increase in blood sugar levels. The result is extra physical energy and mental alertness vital during an intense workout. 

In other words, drinking a pre-workout is significantly more energizing than drinking black coffee or eating solid food before a workout! Besides, you don’t want to overeat before exercising. 

Furthermore, pre-workouts aren’t only excellent supplements for extra power and pump before intense resistance and cardio training sessions either! These nutritional supplements are also recommended for daily use, usually as a booster drink to power up the mind and body for the busy day ahead. 

What’s In A Pre-workout Supplement for Men?

The best pre-workouts for men in 2023 also fit the emerging fitness trends of the year and, thus, are worthy investments in your health and fitness. Drinking a pre-workout beverage before low-intensity workouts, movement snacks, and crowd workouts will support increased exercise capacity, just as it does with high-intensity workouts. 

But we cannot overemphasize that even the best pre-workouts for men aren’t substitutes for healthy diet, exercise and lifestyle habits! Regular and proper use of pre-workouts must be accompanied by these healthy habits, whether you’re aiming for weight loss or muscle mass gain – or both.  

As for the ingredients, the best pre-workout supplements for men include most of these safe and effective ingredients. 

• L-citrulline is a nitric oxide precursor with the specific pathway being L-citrulline to L-arginine to nitric oxide. Due to nitric oxide’s vasodilatory actions, more oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood flows into the muscles, cells and tissues. The results are more physical energy and endurance, more muscle power and pump, and faster muscle recovery. 
• Beta-alanine supports muscle strength and stamina, improves HIIT capacity, and increases overall endurance during intense physical activities.
• Caffeine, a powerful stimulant, can boost attention, focus and awareness that are essential in reaction times during exercise; provides an energy boost for a couple of hours; and facilitates fat burning. 
• Betaine anhydrous can speed up fat burning, promote muscle growth, and enhance body composition. 
• Creatine monohydrate is effective in increasing muscle performance including pump and power, as well as boosting cognitive function.
• Alpha-GPC plays an important role in the release of a neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, that enhances cognitive functions including learning and memory.
• Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) support muscle repair and growth as well as increase overall endurance. 

This isn’t an exhaustive list of ingredients of the best pre-workouts for men, but it must be said that it isn’t always in the quantity of the ingredients but in their quality and formulation. The Shifted Maximum and Premium pre-workouts, for example, don’t have a lengthy list of ingredients but these are our favorites because of their exceptional safety, quality and efficacy. 

As for the ingredients that must be avoided when choosing pre-workouts, artificial sweeteners and flavorings, sugar alcohols, banned substances in sports, and banned ingredients in fitness supplements are on top of the list. Beware of ingredients like N,a- DEPEA, DMBA, DMAA, and oxilofrine, too. 

Note, too, that good things consumed in excessive amounts can cause side effects. This is particularly true for caffeine, which can cause difficulty in sleeping, increased stress levels, and increased blood pressure and heart palpitations in excessive amounts. We suggest a 350-milligram per day limit to avoid these side effects, as well as starting with less than a full scoop when taking high-stim pre-workouts. 

With that said, here are our 10 best pre-workouts for men that will likely dominate the fitness supplements market in 2023. 

1. Shifted Maximum Pre-workout 

Clean ingredients and effective results are behind the success of Get Shifted, a well-known fitness supplements company that manufactures the Shifted Maximum pre-workout. Sports and nutrition science underline every product, from research to production, too; products include a probiotic complex and a collagen complex.  

The Shifted Maximum pre-workout is intended for professional and amateur athletes as well as fitness enthusiasts with hardcore needs in their fitness supplements. The ingredients are few but these were selected for their proven efficacy in increasing overall exercise performance, even improving muscle mass gain and body composition. These ingredients are also beyond their clinically effective doses, meaning every scoop provides a steady and stable supply of extra physical and mental energy for a few hours. 

The ingredients are categorized into four complexes with specific ingredients and their exact amounts. The 100% transparency is, indeed, a point in its favor considering many pre-workouts have proprietary formulas. 

The muscle complex ingredients support muscle strength, power and stamina that contribute to delay in muscle fatigue, fast muscle recovery, and faster muscle mass gain. We love that L-citrulline (8 grams) is well above the 6-gram clinically effective dose, meaning better nitric oxide action. 

The energy complex consists of two versions of caffeine – caffeine anhydrous and delayed-release caffeine – that amount to 350 milligrams. This is below the 350-milligram limit for effective stimulation without the jitters, slumps and crashes caused by caffeine overdose. The delayed-release caffeine is felt in the body for more than 12 hours, too, sans the side effects. 

The stamina complex’s main ingredient is beta-alanine, and it works well with the other active ingredients to boost physical stamina and exercise capacity. The focus complex that improves stress adaptation and facilitates the release of neurotransmitters responsible for cognitive performance. 

The bottom line: Shifted Maximum pre-workout is the best pre-workout because of its balanced formulation of ingredients in clinically effective doses. With consistent use, your mind and body will be ready for every grueling workout and everyday challenges. 

• Active ingredients: L-Citrulline, creatine monohydrate, betaine anhydrous, red spinach extract, caffeine anhydrous, delayed-release caffeine, taurine, beta-alanine, Rhodiola Rosea, B Vitamins and electrolytes, Co-Enzyme Q10, L-Tyrosine, Alpha-CPG, and L-Theanine
• Caffeine: 300 mg 

2. Shifted Premium Pre-workout  

Yet another excellent pre-workout from Get Shifted is its Shifted Premium pre-workout, and it’s proof that quality matters more than quantity. While both the Shifted Maximum and Premium pre-workouts are all-in-one pre-workouts, the Premium pre-workout is intended more for fitness enthusiasts with less hardcore needs in their fitness supplements. 

The reason: The Shifted Premium pre-workout has lesser amounts of the same ingredients in Shifted Maximum workout, and there are a few ingredients in Shifted Maximum pre-workout that aren’t in its sister product. The latter ingredients include delayed-release caffeine, Co-Enzyme Q10, B vitamins and electrolytes; the former ingredients include 6 milligrams of L-citrulline in Premium versus 8 milligrams in Maximum, among others. 

Like the Shifted Maximum pre-workout, however, the Shifted Premium pre-workout should be used as a daily booster beverage. While their exercise-related benefits are experienced most during intense physical exercises, the boost in physical and mental energy is welcome during daily activities, too. In both instances, satisfied users report that they feel more energized, focused and motivated after drinking Shifted Premium, and its effects last for several hours, to boot. 

During training sessions, you will likely observe that you’re more in the zone than without drinking Shifted Premium. Your pumps and lifts are better, too, and you’re getting more reps done with each successive session. Your muscles are less sore and you’re also recovering from muscle soreness faster. 

Both Shifted Maximum and Premium pre-workouts also mix easily with cold or tap water; one level scoop mixed with 8-10 ounces of water is the recommended ratio. There’s little to no residue left at the bottom with a good mixing, and it can be consumed immediately or stored in a thermos for later use. The flavors – Berry and Tropical – are true to taste and without an unpleasant aftertaste. 

Since the ingredients used are safe for human consumption – and there are no banned substances either – there’s a low risk of side effects (e.g., irregular bowel movements). The caffeine content hits the Goldilocks spot for the average adult and, thus, even newbies can start with a full scoop. 

• Active ingredients: L-Citrulline, creatine monohydrate, betaine anhydrous, red spinach extract, caffeine anhydrous, taurine, beta-alanine, Rhodiola Rosea, L-Tyrosine, Alpha-CPG, and L-Theanine
• Caffeine: 250 mg 

3. Bucked Up Woke AF 

Intended for professional athletes including weightlifters and bodybuilders, the Bucked Up Woke AF pre-workout supplement is also popular among intermediate-level fitness enthusiasts. Since it’s a high-stimulant pre-workout, newbies to pre-workouts must be careful about their initial consumption – start with half the recommended dosage for a couple of weeks to build up your tolerance. 

What we love the most about the Woke AF pre-workout is that it contains all three ingredients in their clinically effective doses that we consider vital in pre-workout efficacy. The trifecta includes L-citrulline (6 grams), beta-alanine (3.2 grams) and caffeine (333 milligrams), and the combination results in a near-instantaneous boost in physical and mental energy. 

Most users report the significant burst in physical energy and mental alertness 15-20 minutes after taking Woke AF pre-workout in its recommended dosage. During the intense exercise session itself, the feelings of being more awake, alert and active remain so there’s less need for rest between sets and more motivation to perform one more set. The pump and power from your muscles can be greater, too, than without the pre-workout drink, but it can take a few more drinks to see the difference. 

Even after your workout, you may still notice that you’re not as tired as you expected, and it’s due to the combination of amino acids and vitamins in the Woke AF pre-workout. You still have the physical and mental energy to spend time on more relaxing activities, although there’s none of the jitters that come with consuming 2-3 cups of coffee in one go. 

The only side effect that users report is the mild tingling or tickling sensations on the skin caused by beta-alanine. But it resolves on its own, and some users even think of it as a sign that Woke AF works. The fact that it comes in several yummy flavors, such as Blue Raz, Miami, and Rocket Pop, is a bonus. 

• Active ingredients: L-citrulline, beta-alanine, caffeine anhydrous, theobromine, taurine, Vitamin B12, and Synephrine HCl
• Caffeine: 333 mg

4. Gorilla Mode Nitric 

By hitting the markers that make for the best pre-workouts for men, Gorilla Mode Nitric pre-workout is highly recommended for professional athletes and hardcore fitness enthusiasts. There’s nothing mild about its effects on the mind and body but it isn’t too strong that being stoned out of your mind becomes possible. The reason for it is that it’s a stimulant-free workout! 

Yes, there are ingredients that give the sustained level of physical energy, mental focus and motivation throughout an extended training session. No, there’s no high levels of caffeine that can cause jitters, palpitations and slumps otherwise. What Gorilla Mode Nitric pre-workout lacks in strong stimulants it more than makes up for in other beneficial ingredients that improve overall exercise performance. 

Most of the ingredients support significant increases in nitric oxide production and intracellular hydration. In turn, the tissues, muscles and cells of the body receive more oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood as well as more hydration. The results include more muscle pump and power, delay in muscle fatigue, and faster muscle recovery, even better cardiovascular endurance. 

These aren’t just mere words either as satisfied users report that their lifts are higher and better, their weights are heavier, and their exercise sessions longer with consistent use of Gorilla Mode Nitric pre-workout. Over time, the fat and weight loss followed by lean muscle mass gain become more evident. 

The boost in physical and mental energy doesn’t take too long either to become evident after drinking the pre-workout. Just 15 minutes in, there’s a sense of being pumped up and ready, a faster progress toward being in the zone. 

The Gorilla Mode Nitric pre-workout doesn’t skimp on the flavors, too. There are Bombsicle, Firefly Lemonade, and Jungle Juice flavors, which are a few of the 12 yummy flavors available. 

• Active ingredients: Sodium, potassium, L-citrulline, creatine monohydrate, betaine anhydrous, malic acid, GlycerPump, Nitrosigine, agmatine sulfate, VasoDrive AP
• Caffeine: None 

5. Wrecked Pre-workout 

The term “getting wrecked” may have a negative connotation in the fitness industry but rest assured that regular and proper use of the Wrecked pre-workout supplement leads to positive results! It is one of the best pre-workouts for men because of its safe ingredients, significant improvements in overall exercise performance, and low risk of side effects. Professional and amateur athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and even newbies looking for beyond-the-basic pre-workout will find Wrecked pre-workout a great choice. 

With over 17 ingredients, the Wrecked pre-workout doesn’t skimp on substance and synergy between ingredients either! When consumed daily, both on training and rest days, these ingredients are optimally absorbed by the body’s cells and get to work. 

If you’re worried about your body being accustomed to the Wrecked pre-workout, you may want to cycle off to a stim-free pre-workout in 6-8 weeks. This recommendation applies to every other high-stim pre-workout featured here, too. 

Be sure to drink the Wrecked pre-workout 30 minutes before warm-ups, but you should be able to feel a sudden burst of energy after drinking it. Then, it’s followed by a sustained buildup of physical energy and mental clarity in the next couple of hours before a gradual fade-off happens. There are little to no reported cases of sudden and significant slumps in energy, thanks to the balanced formulation of ingredients. 

Even better, satisfied users report steady improvements in their muscle pump and power after a week or two of using Wrecked pre-workout. The increase in muscle strength and stamina is also evident even after a few uses. Users typically experience the feeling of “being in the zone” after 15 minutes.

The powder itself mixes well with cold or tap water, leaves little residue at the bottom, and leaves a favorable aftertaste in the mouth. There are a few flavors available – Raspberry Mojito, Bomb Popsicle and Peach Rings, among others – and each one has a distinct flavor profile and doesn’t taste too sweet. 

• Active ingredients: L-Citrulline, Hydromax, beta-alanine, betaine anhydrous, malic acid, agmatine sulfate, L-Tyrosine, Alpha GPC, lion’s mane mushroom powder, N-Phenethyl Dimethylamine, theobromine, Himalayan pink salt,  green coffee bean and green tea extract, turmeric extract, tart cherry, blueberry, broccoli, kale, black pepper fruit extract, Rauwolscine and alpha yohimbine 
• Caffeine: 350 mg 

6. Pre-Kaged Pre-workout  

Why be caged in a prison of an exercise plateau when there’s Pre-Kaged pre-workout? Made by Kaged, a self-proclaimed elite supplement brand, the Pre-Kaged pre-workout becomes a necessity when you want next-level exercise performance. Professional and amateur athletes benefit from its daily use, as do fitness enthusiasts and the occasional gym-goer, thanks to its safe, quality and effective ingredients. Plus, vegans and vegetarians can also enjoy its health benefits. 

Note that the Pre-Kaged pre-workout is a high-stim product, meaning it has a high caffeine content equivalent to drinking 3-4 cups of black coffee in one go (i.e., single scoop mixed with 16-ounce water). Individuals with low tolerance for caffeine or who are new to high-stim fitness supplements should start with just a half scoop and then gradually increase until the full-scoop dosage is reached, usually in 1-2 weeks. 

Drinking the Pre-Kaged pre-workouts about 15-30 minutes before warm-ups is recommended, which will enable the active ingredients to be absorbed into the bloodstream. While the cellular processes cannot be seen, the effects can be experienced 15 minutes after drinking the pre-workout, starting with a sudden yet pleasant surge of physical energy, alertness and wakefulness. 

While performing warm-ups, the feeling of being extra-energized, focused and motivated continues to increase and reaches its peak about two hours after consumption. Many users even report a feeling of euphoria, a certain high that feels good all throughout. There’s little of the caffeine crash, however – instead, it’s more of a slow but steady fade-off, meaning there’s energy still for post-workout activities. 

The flavors aren’t the too bland or too strong, too sweet, or too chalky ones common in inferior pre-workouts for men either. Grape, Krisp Apple, and Pink Lemonade are a few of the available flavors. Yes, it’s also an Informed Choice product. 

• Active ingredients: Niacin, Vitamins B6 and B12, sodium, L-citrulline, betaine anhydrous, beta-alanine, creatine hydrochloride, coconut water powder, Spectra Total Ora Blend, taurine, and amino acids 
• Caffeine: 274 mg 

7. Pulse Pre-workout 

Legion Athletics, the maker of Pulse pre-workout, was created by fitness author Mike Matthews with the promise of clean, safe and effective supplements. And, indeed, the Pulse pre-workout supplement is as clean as a whistle – no microbes, allergens, heavy metals and other contaminants, as well as no chemical junk from artificial flavorings, sweeteners, and food dyes. What you will get with two scoops (i.e., the serving size) is optimal amounts of ingredients that boost physical and mental energy, muscle pump and power, and overall exercise performance. 

We also love that the Pulse pre-workout has caffeine-infused and caffeine-free versions, meaning consumers have a choice depending on your caffeine tolerance, cycling goals, and fitness goals. The main difference in ingredients is the presence of caffeine and L-theanine in the caffeinated version and their absence in the caffeine-free version. Both versions, nonetheless, are safe and effective as among the best pre-workout supplements for men. 

If you have a low caffeine tolerance, or you’re new to pre-workouts, or you’re cycling off a high-stim pre-workout, your best choice is the caffeine-free version. If you’re a veteran pre-workout user with a high tolerance for caffeine and prefer a high-stim pre-workout for your fitness goals, you will love the caffeinated version. You may also consider mixing a single scoop with a 12-ounce glass of water if you’re still trying out the caffeinated Pulse pre-workout for the first time. 

No matter your choice, the Pulse pre-workout immediately gets to work in boosting physical energy and endurance, mental clarity and alertness, and motivation. There’s an intense feeling of being pumped up and ready to attack the weights or the treadmill or whatever it is that you’re exercising on. The feeling lasts for a couple of hours – steady and strong with little to none of the slumps – so there’s still energy left after your workout. 

Other benefits include delayed muscle fatigue and decreased muscle soreness, as well as decreased time for muscle recovery. It’s much easier to get back to the gym this way. The wide range of tasty flavors, from Arctic Blast to Fruit Punch, is icing on the cake. 

• Active ingredients: Citrulline malate, betaine, beta-alanine, L-theanine, and Alpha-GPC 
• Caffeine: 350 mg 

8. Prolific Pre-workout 

The Prolific pre-workout supplement, a product of market leader PEScience known for its scientific approach to fitness supplements, is a high-stim pre-workout that professional athletes will benefit from. There are two caffeine sources in addition to the pump enhancers and cognitive performance boosters, most of which are in their clinically effective doses. This means superior exercise performance even with short-term yet consistent use. 

The Prolific pre-workout has the muscle pump enhancers, nitric acid precursors and cognitive performance enhancers in sufficient amounts, if not above clinically effective dosages. This means getting the increase in physical energy and endurance, mental focus and clarity, and feeling of motivation that you want from the best pre-workout for men. There’s also an adaptogen, Rhodiola Rosea, that supports exercise performance by reducing the feelings of stress and fatigue that come with intense workouts. 

Upon consumption, the Prolific pre-workout provides a steadier and smoother buildup of physical energy and mental focus. This is surprising considering the high caffeine content, which is about 4-5 cups of coffee in one go, but individuals with low caffeine tolerance will experience side effects. Being jittery, having palpitations, and experiencing significant ups and slumps are common among these individuals, but are uncommon in professional and amateur athletes used to high-stim pre-workouts. 

Tip: Start with half the recommended dosage. You will still be getting the desired boost in physical and mental energy without the caffeine-related side effects. You’re still able to improve your overall exercise performance, particularly in more muscle power, pump and stamina. 

Stack the Prolific pre-workout with the High Volume supplement for more nitric oxide action, meaning more oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood flowing to your muscles. This is a zero-caffeine supplement so there’s no danger of caffeine overdose when stacking. 

In terms of flavor and mouth-feel, the Prolific pre-workout comes in several distinctive and delicious flavors – Black Cherry, Mango Lemonade, and Strawberry Kiwi, among others – and these have great aftertastes and less chalky texture. 

• Active ingredients: L-citrulline, betaine anhydrous, taurine, citicoline, L-theanine, and Rhodiola Rosea
• Caffeine: 420 mg 

9. Psychotic Pre-workout 

In keeping with its theme, Insane Labz Pre-workouts takes pride in its Psychotic pre-workout supplement. We must say, however, that it isn’t as 100% transparent with its ingredients as we would like – the ingredients are listed as Psychotic Blend but their specific amounts aren’t stated. This is problematic for consumers who want to know exactly what and how much they consume with their dietary supplements. 

But since the Psychotic pre-workout has been proven safe and effective by thousands of users, we trust that the ingredients and their formulation hit the Goldilocks spot. Plus, Insane Labz makes their pre-workouts in an FDA-registered, GMP-certified facility, and that’s enough assurance for satisfied customers. 

There’s no risk of going insane with long-term use of the Psychotic pre-workout, but the muscle pump and power combined with extra physical energy and mental focus are insane! Satisfied users say that the extra boost in physical and mental energy allows them to perform more reps, lift heavier weights, and get more from their workouts. With more time for exercise and less time spent on recovery, faster achievement of weight loss and muscle mass gain goals is possible. 

There’s a concern that the amount of caffeine – not stated, by the way, on the ingredients label, too – would cause unpleasant side effects. But most Psychotic pre-workout users didn’t have this problem, but instead enjoyed a heightened sense of energy, focus and awareness that comes with high-stim pre-workouts. If you’re worried about caffeine’s side effects, start with half the recommended dosage and build your tolerance for 1-2 weeks. 

• Active ingredients: Beta-alanine, creatine monohydrate, AMPIBerry, OxyGold, Rauwolfia Vomitoria extract, Alpha Yohimbine 
• Caffeine: Not stated 

10. Mr. Hyde Signature Pre-workout 

The Mr. Hyde Signature pre-workout is among the best low-stim pre-workouts for men we’ve found so far, and it promises smooth and steady boost in physical and mental energy. The brand name is obviously in reference to the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde story, but there’s no need to worry as consistent use of the Mr. Hyde Signature pre-workout won’t turn you into a serial killer. Instead, you will kill it at the weights, treadmills and trails! 

There are no banned substances and other potentially harmful substances in the gluten-free Mr. Hyde pre-workout, and we like it that its ingredients list is 100% transparent – all the ingredients and their specific amounts per serving are clearly listed. There are four major categories of the ingredients – niacin as an active ingredient, and the stimulatory, intensity and strength matrices with specific ingredients. 

Every ingredient works in synergistic harmony with the other ingredients, and every ingredient in each matrix was chosen for their efficacy in boosting muscle strength or mental intensity or for its stimulatory effects. 

No wonder then that its thousands of satisfied customers assert that the Mr. Hyde Signature pre-workout is among the best pre-workouts for men they’ve used. There’s a near-immediate boost in physical and mental energy that becomes sustained throughout their intense workout, even extending toward their post-workout activities. The added benefit of increased cognitive function is a bonus.  

• Active ingredients: Niacin, L-Citrulline L-Aspartic acid, beta-alanine, creatine monohydrate, Nitrosigine, and choline bitartrate, L-theanine, N-Acetyl Tyrosine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, 
• Caffeine: 222 mg