Best Pre Workouts Of 2019 (So Far)

With the New Year passing, it’s time to get down and dirty on our new year resolutions. Whether you’re a beginner or a veteran, sometimes just getting to the gym can be difficult. That’s where a pre workout comes in handy. Pre workouts can help give you the energy you need to get to the gym after a long work day or get you out of bed for those early morning workouts. Not only can pre workouts give you an energy kick, they can help improve your blood flow, stamina, and focus†. But finding the best pre workouts for you can be even more difficult. And that’s where we come in.

Today we’re going over some of the best pre workout 2019 has to offer (so far). From stimulant free pre workouts to pre workouts for stimulant junkies, we got you covered.

*Please note these reviews are in no particular order*

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Best Pre Workouts:

•  Beginners
•  Intermediate Users
•  No BS
• Stimulant Heavy
  
• On A Budget (Under $25)
  

Best Pre Workouts: Classic Ingredients

A pre workout is as you might imagine something you take before you work out. It is designed to increase performance, energy, stamina , strength and focus at the gym during your workout.

Stimulants:

Caffeine has had numerous studies its probably one of the most studied ingredient out there. Some other common stimulants include; Theacrine(TeaCrine),Theobromine and Green Tea Extract. Lesser common but more potent stimulants include; 2-Aminoisoheptane, Synephrine, Rauwolscine, and Senegalia Berlandieri.

Pump/Vascularity :

These are products that help increase the blood flow going to and away from muscles, lactic acid removal and other waste products being removed. Some popular products include Citrulline Malate or L-Citrulline, Arginine or Agmatine Sulfate, and L-Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate (AAKG).

Cell Volumization/Hydration:

Creatine helps with energy levels, strength, and keeps the muscle cells hydrated. By increasing hydration in your cells you may retain more water, so it’s important to stay hydrated to avoid being bloated.

Glycerol comes from glucose, proteins, pyruvate, triacylglycerols and other glycerolipid metabolic pathways. After consumed, it is rapidly absorbed and distributed throughout body fluids, and then slowly metabolized through the liver and kidneys. Glycerol promotes the prevention of dehydration, improved exercise performance, and increased muscular pumps.

Focus:

Focus ingredients or nootropics are dime a dozen. There’s a lot of them and not a lot of research behind them. But there are some products that are popular in pre workouts and have a good reputation. These include: Acetyl L–Carnitine (ALCAR), Dimethylethanolamine (DMAE), L–Theanine,  and L-Tyrosine.

Endurance:

There’s more to pre workouts than the energy, focus, and pump complexes. These products “buffer” away lactic acid which help prevent the “burn”, so you can keep pressing on. Popular endurance boosting products include: Beta Alanine, Betanine Anhydrous, Citrulline and even BCAAs. BCAAs won’t buffer away lactic acid, but can be helpful for fasted training sessions.

Best Pre Workouts: Beginner Pre Workouts

Stim-Free

If your sensitive to stimulants or just looking for a pre workout to improve your pump, a stim-free pre workout may be the best option for you. Stim-Free products are great for beginners or for stacking with other products in a stack. Checkout How To Make A Pre Workout Stack for what to look for when stacking products.

PSP By Metabolic Nutrition

Features

• Stimulant Free
• Nitric-Oxide boosting†
• Improve Blood Flow†
• Enhance Recovery†
• Reduce fatigue†

Formula

PSP by Metabolic Nutrition is a true stimulant free product. It does contain a proprietary blend, which is where you’ll find the bulk of ingredients. But even without disclosing their prop blend, Metabolic Nutrition has a solid formula.
We have some classic nitric-oxide boosting† ingredients like Citrulline Malate, Arginine Silicate, and Agmatine Sulfate. There is also cell volumizing† ingredients (hydrated cells=larger pumps) like Glycerol, Glycoload™ and Creatine Monohydrate. Finally, PSP also has some functional amino acids to help improve your endurance, recovery and even your focus†; Beta Alanine, Tri-Pep™, N-Acetyl- L-Tyrosine and L-Norvaline.

Flavors: Blue Raspberry, Fruit Punch, Green Apple, and Watermelon

PSP Review By Tim: I’m pretty sensitive to caffeine so that limits my pre options. PSP provides the pump and focus of a stimulant based pre and then some. Sameday also made the ordering process very easy and fast!

PMP By GAT

Features

Formula

PMP from GAT features a semi-disclosed formula. It’s important to note not all the flavors of PMP are stimulant free. So if you were planning to stack pmp with a stimulated product, go with the Orange Cream or Blue Raspberry flavors. 

PMP’s N.O. Blend consists of similar ingredients to what was in PSP, with the exception of including both L-Citrulline and Citrulline Malate.The only difference between L-citrulline and citrulline malate is the addition of malic acid. Meaning, citrulline malate promotes additional blood flow to exercising muscles, as well as providing increased energy to boost performance levels†.

This combined with the Pump Enhancing blend will promote a really great pump. Now if you’re looking for a pump-focused pre workout but wanted energy as well, the other flavors of PMP are a great option. The 525mg you’re getting from the Energetics blend will be more than enough to get your through your workout without being jittery†.

Flavors: Strawberry Banana, Raspberry Lemonade, Orange Cream, Blue Raspberry, Green Apple, and Berry Blast

PMP Review by N/A: This is leg day material right here. Taste alone gets you a buzz, but what follows after is sensational. Them reps keep coming. #1 pre for me.

Amino Blends

If you’re looking for a product that is stimulated but isn’t as intense as a pre workout, then amino blends are great option for you. Amino blends are also great if you tend to workout later in the evening due to the amount of caffeine generally being less than a pre workout.

Amino X Edge By BSN

Features

• Increases Energy And Focus†
• Increases Muscle Protein Synthesis†
• Improve Endurance†
• Promotes Recovery†
  

Formula

Within our first blend, the Amino Acid Interfusion, we have our BCAAs (L-Leucine, L-Valine, L-Isoleucine) as well as some other amino acids. Of these amino acids we have L-Alanine, Taurine, and L-Citrulline. L-Alanine though containing the same molecular formula as Beta Alanine, is not the same ingredient. L-Alanine helps promote the break down of sugar and acid and is a source of energy in the body†. Where Beta Alanine helps promote muscle and brain carnosine†. Taurine is found in several organs and has a widespread of benefits. Including being effective for promoting endurance, increasing alertness and enhancing recovery. †. L-Citrulline on the other hand, as mentioned above, is better for promoting blood flow†.

Next Amino X Edge also offers a Efforsorb™ Endura Composite, which contains your electrolytes. This is great if you prefer to take your pre workout/BCAA’s during your workout.

In the last Blend, the Energy and Focus Blend, Amino X Edge offer 125 mgs of caffeine per serving, so roughly around the equivalent of 2 espressos. The other 200mgs goes to Longan Extract and Lindera Extract. Longan Extract may help improve memory but it also has anti-inflammatory properties. And lastly, the Lindera Extract may help improve cognition and memory.

So even though Amino X Edge isn’t a traditional pre workout, you’re still getting all the benefits from a pre workout with a little extra.

Flavors: Fruit Punch, Watermelon, and Strawberry Orange

Review By Tori: I love the strawberry orange flavor, and the caffeine boost helps a lot. It feels more like a “natural” energy boost. I use this everyday, sometimes twice a day, and always before a workout. Now I skip a cup of coffee and just take a scoop of this which saves me from all that sugar.

 

Amino Energy By Optimum Nutrition

Features

• Essential Amino Acids Help Rebuild Muscle †
• Beta-Alanine Promotes Longer & Stronger Workouts †
• BCAAs for Endurance Support †

Formula

Amino Energy from ON is a little different from our other amino blends. For starters, the caffeine in the energy blend in Amino Energy comes from natural sources such as Green Coffee Bean Extract and Green Tea Leaf Extract. Secondly, Amino Energy’s has a lot of variability. One serving of Amino energy is 2 scoops, but you’re able to go up to 3 serving (6 scoops) to obtain the energy desired. 

Amino Energy’s Amino Blend is really geared to improve your endurance and recovery, so you can take Amino Energy before, during, or after your workout. Within the blend, we have our BCAAs, Taurine, Citrulline, Beta Alanine, Arginine and a lot more amino acids. The Glutamine, Threonine, and Histidine are going to help promote recovery†. The Tyrosine and Phenylalanine may help improve your focus†. Lastly the Lysine, and Methionine may help improve your metabolism.

Flavors: Blue Raspberry, Grape, Peach Lemonade, Iced Mocha Cappuccino, Strawberry Lime, Sweet Mint Tea, Watermelon, Half and Half Lemonade and Iced Tea, Fruit Fusion, Iced Chair Latte, Pineapple, Lemon Lime, White Peach Tea, Orange Cooler, Cotton Candy, Blueberry Mojito, Iced Cafe Vanilla, Green Apple, and Raspberry Black Tea

Natural Flavors: Simply Fruit Punch, Simply Watermelon, Simply Peach tea, and Simply Raspberry Lemonade

Review By Stev: Great Product overall. I have been using it for years now. All the flavors are great. Really loving the new COTTON CANDY flavor. 

Best Pre Workouts: Intermediate Pre

Nitraflex By GAT

Features

Formula

Nitraflex from GAT features an entirely prop blend formula. Within this blend we have 3 complexes; the Vasoactive Arginase-Regulating NO Precursor Complex, the Acute Energy, Focus, Intensity, Neuromodulating, Endurance Complex, the Clinically-Studied Testosterone-Enhancing Complex. Now don’t let the long chemical names scare you, these are all ingredients we’ve seen before and will seen in other products. Because of this, we won’t be going over ingredients previously explained.

In our first complex we have:

Citrulline, Citrulline Malate, L-Argnine Malate, L-Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate (AAKG), Resveratrol, and Pterostilbene.

Of the ingredients not previously discussed we have: AAKG, Resveratrol and Pterostilbene. Firstly, L-Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate (AAKG) is a derivative of Arginine, which may regulates amino acid synthesis, energy production, and formation of free radicals. Next Resveratrol, which comes from red wine, may help lower blood pressure by increasing the production of nitric oxide. Lastly, Pterostilbene is chemically related to resveratrol, but more potent and may be better absorbed.

The next complex contains: 

CarnoSyn® (Beta-Alanine), Caffeine, DMAE, N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine, Theanine, and Rauwolscine.

DMAE has been seen to reduce the buildup of the ‘age pigment’. This pigment impairs cognitive function and is associated with cognitive decline with age.The next ingredient, Theanine is known for it’s relaxation without sedation affect. Why include this in a pre workout? When combined with Caffeine, Theanine is known to suppress the potential jitters that users experience. Theanine is also great for managing anxiety and even lowering blood pressure. The last ingredient in this blend, Rauwolscine is a stimulant that is an alpha-receptor antagonist, meaning it can block the action of the receptors responsible for stopping lipolysis (fat breakdown).

The Last Complex:

In the last complex we have Calcium fructopyranose borate (CFB). This ingredient has been shown to increase testosterone in health subjects. The average increase in total and free testosterone in a 6-week study was 56% and 29.5% respectively. In a second study, total and free testosterone increased on 3 hours after a single dose of CFB.

With that said, a follow up question you may have is, ‘Can women take Nitraflex?’

The answer is yes. Women can take Nitraflex and shouldn’t have any concerns of increased testosterone.

Flavors: Blue Raspberry, Fruit Punch, Pink Lemonade, Pina Colada, Black Cherry, Watermelon, Grape, Orange, Pineapple, Green Apple, and Peach Mango

Flavors With Creatine: Lemon Lime, Cotton Candy, Rocket Pop, and Cherry Limeade

Review By Alonzo: I could tell the difference immediately after taking this product. It gave me the energy need to increase my workouts. I also like the the Black Cherry flavor. I highly recommend this product. 

Woke AF By DAS Labs

 

Features

• High Stimulant†
• Intense Energy†
• Laser Focus†

Formula

Woke AF is our first completely disclosed label. Going through the label we have some solid ingredients that we expect from a solid pre workout; Citrulline Malate, Beta Alanine, Caffeine, and Taurine. But Woke AF offers a few ingredients that we don’t normally see in a pre workout as well. 

Starting from the top, we have Alpha GPC is mainly known for its ability to improve your cognition. This means that it might improve your mind-muscle-connection while lifting weights.

Next we have Dendrobium. This is our first non-traditional stimulant in Woke Af. The secret behind Dendrobium is the presence of phenlyethylamine (PEA), which sends out important neurotransmitters, giving you that “runner’s high” effect many athletes feel when working out. Sticking with stims, we also Synephrine HCl (Bitter Orange Extract). This stimulant is generally more common in fat burners. However it is very effective and very similar to ephedrine.

The last 3 ingredients are kind of like bonus ingredients; they’re not exactly needed but they may be beneficial for some individuals. Firstly, Deer Antlet Velvet Extract is believed to increase your testosterone levels and help increase muscle growth too. However more research is need on this ingredient.

The next ingredient, Astragin is a patented ingredient that’s shown to improve the absorption rate of supplements (i.e. increases the absorption of the ingredients in this formula). Our last ingredient, Actagin is believed to improve your recovery times and maximize muscle growth. But again more research is needed.

Flavors: Grape, Blue Raz, and Blood Raz

Woke AF Review by Mark: Seriously the best on the market. No jitters and I feel like I get more out of my workouts.

Condense By Purus Labs

 

Features

Formula

Condense like most of the best pre workouts, is mostly a blend. However, Purus Labs does disclose the amount of each ingredient in the blend. Now right off the bat, what we like about condense is that each ingredient is dosed effectively, but you also have some wiggle room.

Condense contains our classics Caffeine and Beta Alanine, however instead of Citrulline we have versions of Betaine. Betaine, like Citrulline, will function as a “pump” ingredient. Whether or not it’s better or worse than Citrulline, varies person to person. In addition to the Betaines, we also have Sodium Nitrate. Sodium Nitrate will work in the same fashion for increasing blood flow.

Flavors: Natural Florida Orange, Crisp Apple, Natural Sangria Lemonade, Melonberry Cooler, Fresh Sliced Pineapple, and Island Punch

Review By Brenton: All of the preworkouts from Condense have a good flavor, give a good boost and motivate me for my workouts. Also, Same Day Supplements has been nothing but great ever since I started ordering my preworkout from them.

C4 By Cellucor

 

Features

• Explosive Energy †
• Intense Focus †
• 150mg of Caffeine Per serving

Formula

C4 has a love hate relationship with a lot of consumers. C4 offers a basic but effective formula if you’re just starting to use pre workouts or if you’re sensitive to stimulants. However we will say, C4 isn’t really “pump-oriented”. The only ingredient working towards increasing your blood flow here is the AAKG. Otherwise C4 doesn’t really stray from the “standard pre workout”.

As for the Explosive Energy blend, there are two ingredients we haven’t already covered; Velvet Bean Seed Extract and Theacrine. The Velvet Bean Seed Extract  may help improve your focus while also functioning as a mood booster †.Theacrine on the other hand has been noted to increases mental clarity, boosts energy, and improves mood and motivation†.

Flavors: Cherry Limeade, Watermelon, Orange Burst, Frozen Bombsicle, Strawberry Margarita, Icy Blue Razz, Tart Candy Explosion, Pink Lemonade, Fruit Punch, and Juicy Candy Burst

Review By Ally: I’ve used this brand a lot. C4 good for workouts. The flavor is just the great, especially the strawberry margarita. I would say its worth the money.

Best Pre Workouts: No B.S.

In this category of best pre workouts, we’re covering the pre workouts geared to be functional. In other terms, these are pre workouts that don’t contain fluff.

Smokin Guns By Caliber Nutrition

 

 

Features

• Rapid Recovery†
• Enhanced Stamina†
• Rock Hard Pumps†
• Target Focus†
• Natural Energy Blend†

Formula

Smokin Guns has made a feature in nearly every pre workout list post since it’s release. Why? Because it works.

Caliber Nutrition understands that when it comes to the vast amount of pre workouts available, a lot of them aren’t giving you what matters. So what does matter in a pre workout? Unfortunately its not the stimulants. In fact when you have a stimulant-heavy pre workout, it actually takes away from the blood flow-endurance boosting ingredients.

This is because stimulants are vaso-constrictors. Whereas something like Citrullline is a vaso-dilator. When an ingredient is a vaso-constrictor, it narrows your veins. As a result, your heart has to pump harder to get your blood to the same area (increasing your blood pressure). A vaso-dilator does the opposite.

Endurance Pump Complex

Including the Citrulline Malate, Smokin Guns has 11.25 grams of active ingredient in the Endurance Pump Complex alone. This complex is geared to get your blood pumping and your muscles hydrated. There are three ingredients in this complex we haven’t previously discussed; including Beet Root Powder, Coconut Water Complex Powder, and Rhodiola Root Extract.

The first ingredient, Beet Root Powder, is a great source for natural nitrates. Nitrates are said to improve physical performance similarly to nitric oxide. Next we have Coconut Water Complex Powder, which is packed with electrolytes and nutrients to hydrate the body and replenish lost mineral salts. And the last ingredient in this complex, Rhodiola Root Extract, will aid in reducing the effects of physical exhaustion that results in fatigue. This is more related to stress and the ‘burnout’ effect of prolonged physical exercise.

With that said, Smokin Guns isn’t a completely stim-free formula. But the ingredients working towards your energy complex are naturally sourced.

Focus & Energy Complex

Smokin Guns contains 2.04 grams of active ingredients that provide a “natural” energy boost. In contrast with most pre workouts that focus on stimulants and leave you feeling jittery. In this complex we have; L- Phenylalanine, Glucuronolactone, Acetyl-L-Carnitine HCl, Green Coffee Bean Extract, Chocolate Bean Extract, L-Theanine, Velvet Bean Seed Extract, Inositol, and Phosphatidyle Serine. Of these ingredients, we have not already covered in this post: Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Glucuronolactone,Chocolate Bean Extract, Inositol, and Phosphatidyle Serine.

Firstly, Acetyl-L-Carnitine is an amino acid naturally produced in your body to generate energy. In simple terms, it helps your mitochondria burn fat and create more energy — especially for your muscles and brain. Next, when you combine Glucuronolactone with other substances such as caffeine, it may improve performance, particularly on tasks that require large amounts of focus and attention.

Chocolate Bean Extract  or Cocoa extract is a supplement that promotes circulation and effective energy production. This plus the Green Coffee Bean Extract, are the main contributing factors to your natural energy boost. Inositol is a type of carbohydrate made from glucose that’s naturally produced in the human body, and is also found in fruits, grains and nuts. In high enough doses, it seems to have a positive effect on nervous system modulation. Inositol has an effect on nerve transmission, assisting in the transportation of fats with and throughout our bodies. The last ingredient, Phosphatidyle Serine may blunt the release of cortisol following training, but it also may lower perceived levels of post-exercise muscle soreness.

Flavor: Bullet Punch

Smokin Guns Review By Lucia: Hard to believe has no stims because this is an amazing preworkout! Clean direct energy!! Hope they don’t change the formula!!

Outlift Amped By Nutrex Research

 

 

 

Features

• Full Clinically Dosed Formula
• Promotes Intense Workout Energy, Power & Strength†
• Amplifies Muscle-Pump †
• Helps Reduce Fatigue†
• No proprietary blend & No Artificial Colors

Formula

Outlift Amped is our second fully disclosed label. What we love about this formula is that its completely clinically dosed. In other words, each ingredient is dosed effectively per serving. 

Unlike with most pre workouts, Outlift Amped doesn’t separate it’s ingredients into different blends. To help go over each ingredients purpose we have separated them into categories. 

Stimulants

Outlift Amped isn’t a stimulant heavy pre workout. But it does contain 400mg of stims per serving. So although it may not make the cut for someone with a high tolerance to stimulants, it shouldn’t be taken lightly. Within the stims we have three types of Caffeine (Kaff2 and Caffeine Anhydrous), Rauwolscine, and Theacrine.

Caffeine Citrate (Kaff2) is the ideal stimulant for those looking to increase energy as quickly possible because it appears to raise caffeine blood levels faster than other caffeine sources. Caffeine Anhydrous is your standard caffeine. TeaCrine on the other hand, boosts energy, mental clarity and clean focus but without the jitters, fatigued crash and tolerance build-up over time.

Pump/Endurance

In our pump and endurance section we have all the essentials; Citrulline Malate, Beta-Alanine, Betaine Anhydrous, Taurine and Creatine. However in Outlift Amped, we don’t have a standard creatine monohydrate. Instead, we have Creatine MagnaPower.

Research has shown Creatine MagnaPower to be a superior form of creatine. It creates a higher level of absorption and utilization than creatine monohydrate. Creatine MagnaPower enhances the body’s ability to generate and regenerate ATP for maximum muscle performance.

Focus

One feature we look for to be one of the best pre workouts is the ability to give that tunnel vision effect. Of course like in every supplement, the effects will very person to person. But having clinically dosed ingredients does help nudge the product as a whole in the right direction. There are 2 focus improving ingredients in Outlift; N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine and Choline Bitartrate.

Studies suggest Choline Bitartrate is an essential nutrient that increases Acetylcholine levels, mental energy, and cognitive processing, while also supporting athletic strength and performance. Acetylcholine supports healthy muscular contractile force which is very important during intense training.

What’s Left

The last ingredient BioPerine doesn’t really do anything on it’s own but it increases the absorption rate and increases the bioavailability of all the other substances that are mentioned.

Flavors: Fruit Candy, Peach Pineapple, and Cosmic Burst

Outlift Amped Review By John: Have tried them all. By far the best I have used. Not just for workouts, but for cognitively demanding tasks/professions.

Animal Fury By Universal Nutrition

 

Features

• Potent, Powerful Pre-Workout Formula
• Precisely Dosed With Proven Ingredients
• Designed To Maximize Energy, Focus and Performance†

Formula

Animal Fury is a a great example of a no BS pre workout. No prop blends, no crazy ingredients, just gains. But what we love about Fury is the dosages. In Fury we have 14,350 mgs of active ingredients per scoop. This comes from the 5000mg in the BCAA blend, 6000mg of Citrulline Malate, 2000mgs of Beta Alanine, 1000mgs of L-Tyrosine, and 350mg of Caffeine.

However, most of these ingredients are not at their clinically dosed levels. The benefit of not having each scoop fully clinically dosed, is that you would have more wiggle room. This isn’t the case in Fury. Universal Nutrition claims one scoop is all you will need — and not to go over one serving. Again it has 350mgs of caffeine per scoop. Which is roughly equivalent to 4 cups of coffee.

In addition to your classic and proven pre workout ingredients, we also have a BCAA blend. So you get the endurance and recovery benefits of an intra workout as well.

Flavors: Watermelon, Green Apple, Blue Raspberry, Orange, and Lemonade

Animal Fury Review By Lori: Great Taste, super energy, definitely in my future rotation.

Venom By Dragon Pharma

 

Features

• Explosive Energy and Pump†
• Extremely Potent Formula
• 1g of Creatine Per Serving

Formula

Venom separates its ingredients into two fully disclosed matrix’s; the Strength-Endurance Matrix and the Energy & Focus Matrix. Venom is great intermediate pre workout with a total of 6,150mgs of active ingredients. However we placed it under no BS for it’s use of classic ingredients. With that said, we would expect this product to be more energy focused over pump.

Here’s why:

In the Strength-Endurance Matrix, we have Beta-Alanine, Creatine, AAKG, and L-Citrulline. All great ingredients, but a bit under dosed. The Beta Alanine is at good sweet spot but all the other ingredients are lower than we like to see. Pump ingredients like AAKG and Citrulline are generally potent and effective at 3-6 grams and the “proper” dose for  Creatine mono is generally 5 grams (daily).

Now although it’s not exactly proper dosing, its still will be effective for some users. And you can go up to 2 scoops of Venom before training.

In the Energy & Focus Matrix, we have 3 versions of Caffeine for a total of 425mgs per serving, 25mgs of Theacrine and 200mg of 2-Amino-5-Methylhexane. Don’t let the long chemical name throw you off this ingredient is more commonly known as DMHA. DMHA is the ingredient that’s going to raise the intensity for Venom. Although not exactly the same, DMHA is very chemically similar to DMAA. And because of this, they act very similarly too.

Flavors: Vanilla Cola, Cherry Cola, Fire Cola, Fruit Punch, Orange Cola, Sour Apple, Pineapple, and Watermelon

Venom Review by Orlando: What I liked about this product was that it kept me energized throughout my entire workout, it kept me focused, and I had an amazing pump!!!

Best Pre Workouts: Heavy Stims

This section is for all our stim-junkies. With the removal of DMAA from pre workouts late 2017- early 2018, we have all been sitting at the edge of our seats waiting for the next big thing. Full disclaimer—as of January 2019, we haven’t seen a formula rise to the top yet…but as soon as a pre workout takes the spot light we’ll let you know.

ESP Extreme By Metabolic Nutrition (Original Formula Limited Stock)

 

Features

• Explosive Power and Performance†
• Intense Energy and Focus†
• Multi-Strength, Fast Acting†

Formula

Of our stimulant loaded pre workouts we have ESP Extreme. First and foremost, this formula is not going to stay for long. Our current inventory may be all that’s available until the change so act fast!

If you’re just glancing at label you may not see it right away, but ESP Extreme 500mgs of Caffeine per scoop. That alone is going to get you ready to go for the gym. But it’s not the only stimulant in this formula. As a whole ESP Extreme contains a total of 5366.8 mg active ingredients.

Within it’s prop blend, ESP Extreme contains: Beta Alanine, 1,3, 7-Trimethylpurine-2 6-Dione (caffeine), 2-Aminoisoheptane (DMHA), 3, 7-Dimethyl-1H-Purine-2,6-Dione (Theobromine), N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine, and Choline Bitartrate. 

Our stims in this formula are Caffeine, 2-Aminoisoheptane, and Theobromine. The primary alkaloid found in cocoa and chocolate is theobromine. Theobromine is used as a bronchodilator and a vasodilator. It is closely related to caffeine. However unlike caffeine, theobromine has an additional methyl group, making it’s effects last longer.

Flavors: Fruit Punch, Green Apple, Watermelon, and Blue Raspberry

ESP Extreme Review by Jon B: I love this pre workout. Keeps you sharp and focused during your workout. No crash afterward.

Mesomorph By APS Nutrition

 

Features

Formula

It’s is no surprise that Mesomorph is still one of the strongest pre workouts available. Even with the removal of DMAA, it is still the King of Pre Workouts.

Mesomorph contain 1860 mg of stimulants alone per serving. Just to reiterate, this is not a beginner pre workout. Then you add in the other blends and you got around 12860 mg of active ingredients. In the stimulant blend, there are intense stims like Senegalia Berlandieri Extract and Isopropylnorsynephrine HCl. But you also have Glucuronolactone, Methylxanthine Anhydrous (Caffeine), Phenylethylamine Alkaloids, Theobromine, and Naringin.

Mesomorph is a proprietary blend, so we can’t be sure how much of each ingredient is in the blend; that includes the caffeine.

But what are the other stims?

Senegalia Berlandieri Extract is our first intense stimulant. It’s properties include increasing energy, and suppress your appetite, while also providing a feeling of euphoria. This ingredient is very popular in fat burners because of these properties as well. Isopropylnorsynephrine HCl is the other intense stimulant in this matrix. It’s also known as Octopamine and is another alkaloid found alongside Synephrine in Citrus Aurantium.

What about the matrix’s?

As we mentioned before, we like to see pump ingredients dosed individually at 3-6 grams. So having a prop blend of only 6.5 grams of Beta Alanine, Citrulline Malate, and AAKg, translate to it being more stimulant focused than pump focused.

The Cell-Volumizing Matrix is at 4.5 grams, containing 3 versions of Creatine, L-Taurine, Ascorbic Acid, and Agmatine Sulfate. Ascorbic Acid is just vitamin C. Adding vitamin C can reduce cortisol levels allowing for longer lasting workouts and decreased soreness.

Flavors: Green Apply Candy, Tutti Frutti, Tropical Punch, Pink Lemonade, Watermelon, Grape, Snowcone, Carnival Cotton Candy, Pineapple, Rocketpop

Mesomorph Review by Denise: Decent flavor. But then again I’ve never really tasted a GOOD preworkout haha. I felt like I hit a plateau with preworkout supps and nothing was working for me anymore. My friend recommended this to me. Felt that surge of energy that I needed to lift heavy. Will buy again.

Wicked By Innovative Labs

 

Features

Formula

Wicked is a great stim-focused pre workout. But there is an important thing to note about the label; the serving size is 2 scoops.

Like Mesomorph, Wicked is also a prop blend. In total for the blends there is 9,480mgs of active ingredients. This is broken up into 3 blends: N.O. Amplification Matrix, Anabolic Cell Volumizer, and the Neurogenic Energizers. When you look at the label, you’ll notice that the stimulant content only makes up 390mgs of the formula, less than the caffeine content in other pres.

So why is Wicked a heavy stimulant pre workout?

As the saying goes, sometimes less is more. Well at least that’s the case with Wicked. The Neurogenic Energizer blend only contains: Caffeine, 2-Aminoisoheptane, Histidine, and Rauwolfia Serpentina Extract. Yet, some customers prefer Wicked over the other top stimulant pres (even Mesomorph!). The caffeine content takes up the majority of this blend at 300mgs and 2-Aminoisoheptane is dosed at 70mgs. The remaining 20mgs is broken up between the Histidine and Rauwolfia Serpentina Extract.

What about the other blends ?

In our N.O. blend we have Beta Alanine, Citrulline, and Red Wine Extract standardized to 30% glycerol. Glycerol has also been shown to help athletes store extra water, delaying the need for hydration. Red wine has been used by competitive bodybuilders for decades due to its special digestive properties that increase vascularity.

Anabolic Cell Volumizer

In this blend we have Creatine, 2 aminoethanesulfonic acid silicate (Taurine), Agamatine Silicate, (N- (Aminoiminomethyl)-beta-alanine), D-Ribose, and Creatinol-O-Phosphate. Agmatine Silicate (4-aminobutyl) guanidine silicate, which is a byproduct of Arginine that is produced through a process called decarboxylation. It is basically Arginine with the carboxylic acid end removed. The benefits of Agmatine Silicate include: Increase muscular pumps, enhances nitric oxide (NO) production, improves nutrient delivery to muscle cells, improves muscle cell insulin sensitivity and boosts endurance and decreases recovery time. Agmatine Silicate may also increases appetite even when full, making it easier for underweight individuals to gain weight and muscle.

Flavors: Punishing Punch and Grueling Grape

Review By Christian: Wicked works! The energy is non stop, it will hit you in like 30-45 min it’ll put u in the Zone. There is tunnel vision, strong stuff. It makes u wanna go beyond what your capable. I like this product! Awesome job innovative Labs

 

Dust X By Blackstone Labs

 

Features

Formula

Dust X is our only heavy stimulant pre workout with a transparent label, so you can see how much of each ingredient you getting.

When you’re looking at the label you can see Dust X has 150 mg of 2-Aminoisoheptane and 350 mg of caffeine. That’s a lot on its own. Now add in the Huperzine A, Higenamine, DMAE, and L-Tyrosine for the laser-like focus and even more energy. Huperzine works together with DMAE to promote long-lasting focus, concentration, and alertness during training. Higenamine enhances fat burning during a workout and adds that “little something extra” that missing from all other pre workouts.

In addition to all the stims, Dust X has good range of pump ingredients. Agmatine works in conjunction with Citrulline Malate to provide a constant and powerful surge in nitric oxide all workout long. Though it is slightly under-dosed per serving. But we would say if you wanted to take that pump to the next level you should try stacking it with something like Hype Extreme.

Flavors: Sour Gummy Bear, Cotton Candy, Pineapple Mango, Passion Fruit, and Cherry Limeade

Dust X Review By Andre: after testing C4 and ape shit, I’m using dustx, it’s certainly stronger than the other two, 2-aminoisoheptane makes the stimulant difference, some ingredients needed to get better doses, but it’s a great pre workout, I have never used the old ones with dmaa, so these with dmha for me work well.

Best Pre Workouts: Cheap Pre Workouts (Under $25)

Amino Energy Blends $19.99

 

Features