Going to the gym ready for the intense workout ahead isn’t always 100% possible, even among gym rats. Feeling lethargic and lazy happens to the best of us – and if it sounds familiar, you should consider the best pre-workout supplements sold on Amazon.
This isn’t just anecdotal evidence, as numerous studies have pointed to their wide range of benefits! These include increased physical energy, mental focus and muscle recovery, and even improved fat loss. But it’s also important to use the best pre-workouts safely and smartly.
For beginners, pre-workout supplements – oftentimes referred to simply as “pre-workouts” – are multi-ingredient dietary supplements formulated to improve athletic performance. The best pre-workouts featured here are sold in powdered form that should be mixed with water and stirred well before consumption.
The recommended time between consumption and physical exercise varies between 20 and 45 minutes, but it takes about 30 minutes before the desired effects kick in. The best pre-workouts work by increasing blood sugar levels before a workout and supplying extra energy during a workout. The result: A more energizing effect than, say, taking a shot of black coffee or eating bananas before an intense workout.
The best pre-workouts from Amazon featured here have different ingredients and amounts, but all of these products were chosen for their efficacy. Their common ingredients are L-citrulline as nitric oxide precursors and caffeine to boost physical energy and focus; beta-alanine is also notable for its acid buildup prevention.
These are the three ingredients in pre-workouts that we believe are crucial for high effectiveness. Of course, creatine is of crucial importance, too, due to its proven effectiveness in improving muscle mass, strength, and recovery time.
We also considered other factors in ranking the best pre-workouts on Amazon. Ease of consumption, delicious flavor choices and great value for the money were also factored in. If you’re going to spend money on pre-workouts, then you may as well get an excellent balance between overall quality and price!
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Listing of the Best Pre-workout Supplements
1. Shifted Premium
The beauty of Shifted Premium lies in its well-balanced ingredient profile, excellent effectiveness, and great flavors. There are none of those ingredients that cause massive jitters or just provide a significant energy boost in the first 30 minutes of an intense workout followed by a sudden crash.
Instead, there’s a slow yet steady and sustained buildup of energy and focus 30-45 minutes before an intense workout. During the workout, the effects remain – a steady supply of pumping action, physical energy, and concentration. Most users assert that the anti-fatigue effect contributed to getting in a couple more reps while still enjoying a sense of clarity and calmness; there was no rushing effect.
These are the core modalities that should be in the best pre-workouts; thus, Shifted Premium makes it to the top of the list. The combination of L-citrulline and other ingredients with nitrates (e.g., beetroot powder) is responsible for the physical energy, mental focus, and pumping action combo. The stable energy levels during the workout also meant that there was none of the sudden post-workout crash, an unpleasant experience when its effects are prolonged.
Other benefits include the absence of post-consumption digestive issues, fewer tingles from beta-alanine, and lighter doses of certain ingredients. The pleasing, albeit limited, choices and flavors are a plus.
Active Ingredients: L-citrulline, creatine monohydrate, beta-alanine, caffeine anhydrous, red spinach extract, L-tyrosine, L-theanine, Alpha GPC, and beetroot extract.
2. Cellucor C4 Sport
Manufactured by Cellucor, the C4 Sport pre-workout exceeds the overall performance of its predecessor, the aptly-named Original pre-workout launched in 2011. Both come in powdered form and should be mixed with water – the recommended dose is 1-2 scoops for 200 ml of water, but beginners are well-advised to start with one scoop. Once mixed well, the drink should be consumed 20-30 minutes before an intense workout, but it can also be taken daily for the best results.
When consumed properly and regularly, the C4 Sport pre-workout increases physical energy that allows the user to lift heavier weights, perform more reps, and train harder. The physical energy levels are sustained steadily, too, throughout the workout, so there’s little to no risk of a sudden drop. Even the mental focus and mood are stable, too, meaning it’s possible to maintain a positive attitude even through a grueling training session.
The result: Better and faster muscle growth combined, particularly when faster muscle recovery comes into the equation. This is true whatever your fitness goals may be, whether for weight loss or a Mr. Universe competition. But it’s important to keep within the recommended doses, too.
Flavors available are Watermelon, Blue Raspberry, and Fruit Punch, and everyone has a great taste. Every tub contains 30 servings or is good for one month.
Active Ingredients: L-Citrulline, caffeine, creatine monohydrate, carnosyn beta-alanine, AAKG, Vitamins B6 and B12, and magnesium
3. Nitrosurge
Jacked Factory is the company behind Nitrosurge, a pre-workout supplement in a wide range of flavors (e.g., Blue Raspberry, Fruit Punch, and Strawberry Margarita) with pleasant tastes and no stomach aftereffects. But its most shining quality is its exceptional performance in the core modalities of the best pre-workouts.
Nitrosurge increases pump action thanks to its optimum quantity of L-citrulline that boosts nitric oxide production resulting in increased blood flow. Muscle strength, stamina, and recovery increase in the process, and there’s delayed muscle fatigue during an intense workout.
With beta-alanine as an active ingredient, Nitrosurge also aids in preventing lactic acid buildup and, thus, allows for longer workouts. The ingredient also boosts muscle power and strength, even promoting fat loss and muscle growth.
Caffeine boosts not only physical energy levels but also sustains mental concentration throughout an intense training session. But don’t worry about feeling jittery as the caffeine levels are manageable, and other ingredients, such as theobromine and betaine, offset the possible side effects.
Nitrosurge is best for individuals looking for a basic pre-workout blend, such as beginners or amateur fitness enthusiasts.
Active Ingredients: L-Citrulline, beta alanine, betaine anhydrous, caffeine anhydrous, L-theanine, theobromine, and AstraGin.
4. Ghost Legend
Manufactured by Ghost Lifestyle, Ghost Legend is its flagship product for good reasons. As a pre-workout supplement, it’s formulated to deliver more physical energy, mental focus, and muscle action during an intense workout. By enhancing athletic performance in the gym, Ghost Legend promotes faster weight loss and muscle gain.
We love that Ghost Legend has a 100% transparent ingredients list; thus, there’s no guessing game involved. Every 16.5-gram scoop has one gram of carbohydrates and five calories. Note, too, that Ghost Legend is formulated for muscle-pumping action, stamina, and strength, meaning it’s suitable for beginners and intermediate users.
When consumed 30 minutes before an intense workout, it boosts muscle-ripping pumping action, thanks to the L-citrulline action on increasing nitric oxide levels. Most users say that they can perform more reps per set not only because of increased muscle strength and stamina but also because of delayed muscle fatigue. There are also reports of faster muscle recovery time, perhaps due to the addition of a proprietary ingredient.
Ghost Legend can also be stacked with other dietary supplements, such as Ghost Pump. Ghost Legend’s energy-boosting effects can be felt two hours after it has been consumed, too. The wide range of delicious flavors, such as Sonic Cherry Limeade, Swedish Fish, and Warheads Sour Watermelon, is a bonus.
Active Ingredients: L-citrulline, beta-alanine, Nitrosigine, and Senactiv
5. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard is a pre-workout supplement primarily intended for bodybuilders and athletes whose pre-workout requirements are more intense. With its optimum combination of the three essential ingredients and other scientifically-proven ingredients, the pumping actions are through the roof!
This is also in powdered form that should be mixed with cold water and taken 20-30 minutes before an intense workout. But it can also be taken daily for the best results since it will boost energy, mood, and concentration levels. Every container contains 30 servings, or for a month’s supply, and there are different delicious flavors available (e.g., Blueberry Lemonade, Green Apple, and Fruit Punch).
Yet another thing we liked about Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout is its seal of approval from Informed Choice. This means it has been tested by a third party for the safety and purity of its ingredients and the accuracy of the amounts listed on its ingredients label. This is also a low-calorie (10 calories) product with 2 grams of carbohydrates in each scoop.
As for its overall performance, it’s proven to boost physical energy and mental focus, and mood. The result: More reps can be performed, more time can be spent exercising, and more muscle growth and fat loss can be observed.
Active Ingredients: L-citrulline, beta-alanine, caffeine, creatine, N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine, and citrus bioflavonoids.
6. Redcon1 Total War
The Total War pre-workout lives up to its hype of being an all-in-one pre-workout formulated to boost physical energy and stamina, mental focus, and mood. Unlike inferior pre-workouts, RedCon1 LLC even offers a money-back guarantee in case of customer dissatisfaction with the product. But thanks to evidence-backed ingredients and formulation, which have been verified via third-party testing, customer dissatisfaction is rare.
As a total package, each scoop of Total War (about 14.7 grams) contains nearly 12 grams of active ingredients. This means that the pre-workout powder is, indeed, powerful in its effects! There are no banned substances or artificial colors too.
When taken 30 minutes before an intense workout, the boost of physical energy and mental focus kicks in nearly as soon as you start working out. There are little to no caffeine-induced jitters with high-caffeine pre-workouts, but the energy kick is significant yet steady and stable throughout the workout. This is true for mental concentration, too, but the level differs between individuals.
As for the pumping action, it’s satisfactory for beginners and intermediate-level athletes. You may want to stack it with a pump pre-workout supplement (Big Noise). There’s a wide range of flavors, too, from Green Apple to Tiger’s Blood.
Active Ingredients: Citrulline malate, beta-alanine, agmatine sulfate, caffeine anhydrous, juniper extract, taurine, di-caffeine malate, and green tea extract
7. Bare Performance Nutrition Flight
The Flight pre-workout supplement, the flagship product of Bare Performance Nutrition (BPN), can be taken as a standalone pre-workout or stacked with other products (e.g., Intra Flight) for better results. When taken regularly and properly, it can give satisfactory to exceptional results depending on the individual’s response.
Every scoop contains a trinity of pre-workout ingredients combined with complementary ingredients that boost their overall performance. Most users report a good boost in physical energy and endurance, stable mental concentration, and a decrease in muscle soreness and recovery time. There’s little to none of the dreaded post-workout crash, thanks to the balance of ingredients.
As for the pumping action power, you should see a significant increase with consistent use. Getting in two or more reps, perhaps even getting longer workout sessions, will make a huge impact on weight loss and muscle gain goals.
Mix a single scoop in an 8-ounce glass of cold water, and drink 20-30 minutes before an exercise session. But beginners to pre-workouts are well-advised to start with ½ scoop and then determine their tolerance and response before making gradual increases in dosage.
Active Ingredients: L-citrulline, beta-alanine carnosine, betaine anhydrous, N-Acetyl tyrosine, caffeine anhydrous, DiCaffeine Malate, and Huperzine Serrata Extract
8. EVL Nutrition ENGN
Made by Evlution Nutrition, ENGN is a pre-workout supplement that boosts the intensity of physical energy and endurance, mental focus, and athletic performance. While these may sound like marketing hype, its ingredients list says otherwise!
Building lean muscle demands the trifecta of ingredients, and ENGN has all of them in the recommended amounts. By improving blood and oxygen flow to the muscle, the pre-workout boosts the power of pumping action. Lifting heavier weights and getting more reps becomes possible with consistent use.
The physical energy and endurance are up, too, thanks to the multiple caffeine ingredients. There’s the added benefit of delayed muscle fatigue and improved muscle recovery, too, which makes ENGN truly an engine for muscle-building goals. These benefits are of particular importance to professional athletes who want to maximize their training sessions.
ENGN’s performance complex stimulates efficient protein metabolism, enhances mental balance, and supports mood, too. The explosive energy that can be experienced via ENGN makes it suitable for gym rats and beginners alike. Most users report an increase in their mind-and-muscle connection, too, which contributes to better results.
Active Ingredients: CarnoSyn beta-alanine, caffeine anhydrous, creatine monohydrate, choline bitartrate, betaine, L-theanine, L-tyrosine, and Vitamins B6 and B12,
9. Bucked Up Pre-Workout
DAS Labs sells the Bucked Up pre-workout and markets it as an all-in-one product, but it can also be stacked. This is among the best pre-workouts because all its ingredients are safe and effective – no added calories, sugar, and banned substances.
Each 10-gram serving contains the recommended amounts of the trifecta of the best pre-workout supplements, too. There’s a noticeable increase in pumping action thanks to the increase in nitric oxide levels in the blood. The higher the flow of oxygenated blood, the longer your workout can be (i.e., delayed muscle fatigue). There’s less of the delayed onset muscle soreness, too, which oftentimes happens in a more severe form without a pre-workout.
The explosive physical energy and pumping action aren’t too rushed or forced either, thanks to the balance of ingredients. The caffeine levels are just the right amount, so there’s less risk of the jitters during workouts. Many users even report a noticeable increase in their heat production and, thus, in the burning of calories due to caffeine.
Since the mind and body go hand-in-hand, consistent use of Bucked Up also boosts the mental side of exercise. Better mood, focus, and cognition are common results among users.
Active Ingredients: Citrulline, beta-alanine, caffeine anhydrous, Alpha GPC, Actigin, AstraGin, taurine, and deer antler velvet
10. Legion Pulse
The ingredient profile of Legion Pulse may be simple, but the ingredients have been chosen for their power and efficacy. Think of Legion Pulse as a daily pre-workout – it can be taken on non-workout days – that will boost your physical and mental energy levels. There are no significant side effects when it’s taken daily but stick to the recommended dose.
Legion Pulse doesn’t have creatine as an active ingredient but still delivers increased physical energy and endurance. Plus, there are no artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners in all of its 12+ flavors, meaning you will get excellent value for your money. Legion Pulse also has a caffeine-free version, which is suitable for caffeine-sensitive individuals or fitness enthusiasts with nocturnal exercise habits.
The increase in physical energy and endurance can be observed even on the first try, and it can be impressive for beginners. Muscle strength and stamina improve with every consumption and workout, but there may be a slight tapering off afterward. Delayed muscle fatigue and increased muscle recovery are also reported among regular users.
Legion Pulse also shines in the mental concentration aspect! Most users assert that their mood during workouts remained stable, thus, allowing them to concentrate on getting the right reps and adopting the right posture.
Active Ingredients: Citrulline malate, caffeine, betaine, theanine, and Alpha GPC
Conclusion
These ten best pre-workouts on Amazon walk the talk and, thus, are suitable for beginners and fitness enthusiasts, even professional athletes. Your choice will largely depend on your personal preference and fitness goals, tolerance for and response to the ingredients and formulation in a pre-workout supplement, and your changing needs. Since most, if not all, of these featured Amazon-available pre-workouts, have reasonable prices, you can engage in a trial-and-error process.
When taken according to the recommended dosage and combined with a personalized training program, these pre-workout supplements will contribute to better fitness results. Fat loss and muscle growth, strength, and stamina become possible with every workout session.
Taking your pre-workout of choice in a consistent manner is also important for the best results. All of these pre-workouts can be taken daily, even during your cheat and rest days, since doing so allows the ingredients to work their magic, so to speak. The slow and steady buildup of these ingredients in your body means higher levels of physical energy and mental focus on your workout days.
Beware, nonetheless, of side effects that include stomach upset, irregular heartbeat, and changes in blood pressure or blood sugar levels. You may want to consult your doctor first if you have concerns about an underlying health condition before taking any of these pre-workouts.
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