Sifting through the best pre-workout supplements is overwhelming even for bodybuilders and powerlifters, much less the average guy just looking to pound out a few more reps. According to one study, men who regularly use pre-workouts do so for three reasons — more energy and focus, muscular endurance, and blood flow or “pump.” (1) The best pre-workouts for men support these outcomes with research-backed dosages of ingredients like caffeine, creatine, citrulline, or beta-alanine. But what do these actually do to your body?
That’s where we come in. With the help of a registered dietician nutritionist, we broke down a few of the key features you’ll want in a workout to achieve your desired effects. Does a strong hit of caffeine help you knock out more reps? Are you trying to shed a little weight before a competition? Or do you just want a pre-workout that tastes like a mojito? Read on to learn a bit more about common ingredients, clinically-backed dosages, and just which pre-workout is best for you, man.
The 9 Best Pre-Workouts for Men
- Best Pre-Workout for Men Overall: Transparent Labs BULK
- Best Pre-Workout for Men for Muscle Pumps: Jacked Factory Nitro Surge
- Best Pre-Workout for Men with Caffeine: XWERKS Ignite
- Best Pre-Workout for Men for Weight Loss: Transparent Labs LEAN
- Best Budget Pre-Workout for Men: Nutricost Pre-X
- Best Tasting Pre-Workout for Men: Legion Pulse
- Strongest Pre-Workout for Men: Gainful Pre-Workout (High Intensity)
- Best Non-Stim Pre-Workout for Men: 1st Phorm Endura-Formance
- Best All-Natural Pre-Workout for Men: Naked Nutrition Naked Energy
Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine.
Video Review
Join BarBend expert tester Jake Herod, NASM-CNC, and registered dietician nutritionist Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD, as they share some of the best pre-workout supplements for men.
How We Tested and Chose the Best Pre-Workouts for Men
Whether you’re a man looking to bulk up, lose weight, or just want the most delicious, best pre-workout drink for men, the BarBend team of certified personal trainers, USA Weightlifting coaches, and nutrition coaches has the experience to separate quality pre-workouts from not-so-quality options. As we tested more than 70 pre-workouts, using our supplement testing methodology, here’s what we considered:
- Ingredients: We prioritized pre-workouts with researched-backed ingredients and doses. Following advice from Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, we did our best to avoid high levels of caffeine, proprietary blends, and artificial sweeteners.
- Value: Many options on our list skew around $1.50 to $2 because we sought pre-workouts with high-quality ingredients in clinically-backed dosages. We think having a pre-workout that you are confident in is worth the extra cash.
- Third-Party Testing: Unfortunately, you can’t trust every brand’s formulas. That’s why we prioritized products that are third-party tested to help guarantee you’re getting accurate nutrition labels.
- Dosage: The ingredients in a pre-workout are only going to be effective if they’re dosed sufficiently, which is why we put a premium on doses that are backed by the research. Here are the recommended daily dosages of common ingredients you’ll find on pre-workout labels.
- Caffeine: 100-300 milligrams
- Creatine: 3-5 grams
- Citrulline: 6 grams
- Citrulline Malate: 6-8 grams
- Beta-Alanine: 3-6 grams
Best Pre-Workout for Men Overall: Transparent Labs BULK
- Caffeine: 200mg
- Key Ingredients: 8,000mg of citrulline malate, 4,000mg of beta-alanine, and 300mg of alpha GPC
- Flavors: Strawberry Kiwi, Piña Colada, Blue Raspberry, Black Cherry, Peach Mango, Tropical Punch, Watermelon, Sour Grape, Green Apple, Orange, Strawberry Lemonade, Lemon Lime
- Price Per Serving: $1.67
Specs
- Price Per Serving: $1.49
- Caffeine: 200mg
- Key Ingredients: 8g citrulline malate, 4g beta-alanine, 2.5g betaine anhydrous, 180mg caffeine, 360mg l-theanine, 1.3g taurine
- Flavors: Strawberry Lemonade, Strawberry Kiwi, Pina Colada, Blue Raspberry, Black Cherry, Peach Mango, Tropical Punch, Sour Grape, Watermelon, Watermelon Peach, Cherry Splash, Orange
- Sweeteners: Stevia
- Third-Party Testing: Yes (Informed Choice)
The 17 ingredients on the Transparent Labs BULK label is a who’s who of pre-workout powerhouses, with highlights including 200 milligrams of caffeine, 4 grams of beta-alanine, 8 grams of citrulline malate, and 2.5 grams of betaine anhydrous. Its hearty dose of caffeine (roughly equal to two cups of coffee) can boost energy levels, and its proper doses of taurine (1.3 grams) and L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine (alpha-GPC, 300 milligrams) can enhance focus and provide a pump. (2)(3)(4)
The hefty doses of key ingredients earned praise from our expert reviewer, Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, M.S., RDN, LD. “Transparent Labs BULK pre-workout packs in the citrulline malate with 8 grams per serving, which is on the upper end of what research has shown beneficial to exercise performance. Same with the beta alanine — you get 4 grams per serving. Talk about bang for your buck.”
[Related: Best Supplements for Muscle Growth]
Beta-alanine has been shown to increase resistance training performance by supporting an increase in carnosine, which leads to increased muscular endurance. However it has been reported to produce the skin-tingling sensation known as paresthesia, especially with the 4 grams present in BULK’s formula. (5)
Citrulline malate, meanwhile, can work to aid recovery and potentially support increased blood flow by prompting an increase in nitric oxide, helping to provide a muscle pump. (6)
“Increasing circulation to muscles is vital to performance, endurance, and recovery,” notes Dr. Jennie Stanford, MD, FAAFP, DipABOM.
The lineup of ingredients is (for the most part) just that — transparent — and its formula is Informed Choice certified. The inclusion of patented AlphaSize, which is alpha-GPC, may also help improve focus and motivation. (7)
While Bourgeois rated BULK’s overall formula a 4.25 out of 5 and appreciated the L-citrulline and beta-alanine, those proprietary blends gave her pause. “BULK contains a list of rockstar ingredients, but some are proprietary blends so you don’t really know how much of each ingredient you get in the blend.”
The 12 available flavors, including Strawberry Kiwi Raspberry Mojito, Blue Raspberry, Peach Rainbow, and Blue Raspberry, earned a 5 out of 5 for taste from our tester, a certified nutrition coach and personal trainer. “The Blue Raspberry was perfect — not too sweet and it actually tasted like Blue Raspberry.”
Read our full Transparent Labs BULK Review.
Best Pre-Workout for Men for Muscle Pumps: Jacked Factory Nitro Surge
Jacked Factory’s pre-workout is affordable, comes in 13 flavors, and contains fully-dosed ingredients that may help with muscle growth, like the 1.6g of beta-alanine.
Specs
- Price Per Serving: $0.87
- Caffeine: 180mg per scoop
- Key Ingredients: 3g l-citrulline, 1.6g beta-alanine, 1.25g betaine anhydrous, 180mg caffeine, 90mg l-theanine, 25mg AstraGin
- Flavors: Fruit Punch, Cherry Limeade, Blue Raspberry, Arctic White, Swoleberry, Green Apple, Cherry Bomb, Pineapple, Watermelon, Grape, Sour Peach Rings, Blueberry Lemonade, Black Cherry, Cotton Candy
- Sweeteners: Sucralose
- Third-Party Testing: No
If you’re looking for a pump that can provide an extra edge for muscle growth, then the combination of blood-flow-supporting ingredients in the Jacked Factory Nitro Surge formula may be able to help. Each scoop of Nitro Surge contains 2.5 grams of betaine, 1.6 grams of beta-alanine, and 3 grams of L-citrulline, which can work to increase nitric oxide production in the body, resulting in increased blood flow to active muscles. (8)
[Related: Best Nitric Oxide Supplements]
During intense workouts, water and blood are drawn into those active muscles as lactic acid begins to build up, so the increased nitric oxide can help it along. (9) The creatine in the Nitro Surge formula can also allow additional water to be pulled into the muscles, possibly enhancing your pump even further. (10)
“Helping your body get rid of excess lactic acid is one of the best ways to promote muscle recovery,” says Dr. Jennie Stanford, MD, FAAFP, DipABOM.
Being able to mix in a single scoop or double scoop gives you a measured way to explore how your body might react to the L-citrulline or beta-alanine. “Since you can do a one- or two-scoop serving, this would be good for someone just starting to use a pre-workout,” said our tester, rating the effects of Nitro Surge a 4 out of 5. “I use some pretty strong pre-workouts, and I still got a bit of a muscle pump boost from the two-scoop serving.”
Research suggests that the pumps our testers experienced when they used Nitro Surge may trigger protein synthesis, which could result in muscle gain. (9)
[Related: 7 Pre-Workout Ingredients You Can Take for a Better Pump]
When our expert reviewer, Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, M.S., R.D.N, L.D., reviewed the lineup of ingredients, she rated it a 3.75 out of 5 and noted its caffeine dosage. “I am a fan of the moderate caffeine content. Each serving provides as much as 180 milligrams, so around two cups of coffee.”
Two areas where Nitro Surge stood out during testing were its 14 available flavors and very affordable price — both got a 5 out of 5 from our testers. “I wanted to pour the Strawberry Margarita over ice and sip it by the pool. I could drink it all day long,” remarked one of them, a certified personal trainer.
For those using one scoop, the $0.87 per serving would be lower than the average range we typically see in pre-workouts — $1 to $2. Just remember to double that price if you end up using two scoops per serving.
Read our full Jacked Factory Nitrosurge Review.
Best Pre-Workout for Men with Caffeine: XWERKS Ignite
XWERKS Ignite contains ingredients that help both strength and endurance athletes before a training session. We also love that you can choose from four different flavors.
Specs
- Price Per Serving: $1.63
- Caffeine: 150mg
- Key Ingredients: 3g citrulline malate, 1.5g beta-alanine, 2g l-tyrosine, 150mg caffeine
- Flavors: Green Apple, Orange, Blue Raspberry, Watermelon
- Sweeteners: N/A
- Third-Party Testing: No
If you find yourself hitting your mental and physical stride midway through your second cup of coffee, XWERKS Ignite can help you reach that level just before your workout (11).
A typical cup has around 80 to 100 milligrams of caffeine, so if you go back and forth between non-stim vs. stim pre-workouts, the 150 milligrams in this formula may just be the Goldilocks amount for you. It was for our tester, a certified personal trainer, who rated the effects of this pre-workout powder a 5 out of 5. “I just felt great energy and focus during my workout.”
That mental clarity could come courtesy of L-tyrosine, an amino acid, and Rhodiola rosea, an herb that has been shown to improve focus during stressful situations — like heavy lifts. (12)(13)
When she got a look at the caffeine content, our expert reviewer, Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, M.S., RDN, LD, appreciated that XWERKS didn’t overdo it. “If you can tolerate a cup of coffee without any negative side effects, chances are you can tolerate the caffeine in this pre-workout,” she said.
Known to enhance muscular endurance, 1.5 grams of beta-alanine can also help your body achieve homeostasis as it loses water and minerals while you sweat. It may also produce the hallmark skin-tingling sensation common to pre-workouts. (5)(14)
[Related: The Complete Guide to Pre-Workout Supplements]
However, Bourgeois called out the dosages of the key ingredients — like beta-alanine. “While I like that Ignite contains citrulline malate to support blood flow, I wish it contained more. Research shows 6 to 8 grams is ideal, but Ignite only contains 3 grams,” she explained, rating its overall formula 2.5 out of 5.
“The same goes for its beta-alanine — each serving only provides 1.5 g, which is a little less than I’d like to see in a pre-workout of this cost,” she said. “It also doesn’t pack any creatine into its formula and it’s not third-party tested.”
While its flavor earned a 4 out of 5 from our tester, they did notice a bit of an artificial taste. “You could always dilute it with water, but it tasted really sweet — like, unnaturally sweet.”
Read our full XWERKS Ignite Pre-Workout Review.
Best Pre-Workout for Men for Weight Loss: Transparent Labs LEAN
Transparent Labs LEAN Pre-Workout is made with a fat-burning-focused formula. Luckily, though, this one has a pretty moderate dose of caffeine and it's third-party tested, too.
Specs
- Price Per Serving: $1.66
- Caffeine: 180mg
- Key Ingredients: 6g citrulline malate, 2g beta-alanine, 1.5g betaine anhydrous, 180mg caffeine, 180mg L-theanine
- Flavors: Strawberry Lemonade, Sour Grape, Fruit Punch, Sour Peach, Blue Raspberry, Green Apple, Orange, Tropical Punch
- Sweeteners: Stevia
- Third-Party Testing: Yes Informed Choice Certified
Disclaimer: Please note that none of these products describe themselves as weight loss supplements and should not be taken as such. Please consult with a medical professional before beginning any weight loss protocol.
When you’re searching for the best pre-workout for men’s weight loss, you can’t get past the need of a calorie deficit — expending more calories than you’re consuming. But to support your weight loss endeavors, Transparent Labs LEAN shares some ingredients commonly found in fat burners, like acetyl-L-carnitine. (15)
Also, the inclusion of iodine may support thyroid health, and thyroid function is central to weight management. (16) Research has indicated that as you lose weight, your thyroid can reduce its hormone production and slow your overall metabolism. (17)
Also, the inclusion of iodine has been shown to help support thyroid health, which can affect weight management efforts. (16) Research has indicated that as you lose weight, your thyroid can reduce the production of hormones and slow your overall metabolism. (17)
Our expert reviewer, Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD, also highlighted the iodine and zinc when she scoured the label. “I’m a fan of its vitamin and mineral profile. You’re getting a hefty dose of zinc, copper, selenium, and iodine with every scoop.”
She pointed out that while the dosages of active ingredients for blood flow — L-citrulline and beta-alanine — are clinically backed, they are on the low end of the recommended ranges. “While I love that this pre-workout contains beta-alanine, it contains the lower end of what studies find to be the recommended dose in pre-workouts,” she called out.
[Related: The 7 Best Pre-Workouts for Weight Loss]
“Each dose of Transparent Labs Lean provides 6 grams of citrulline malate. It’s been proven to be a nitric oxide enhancer, but…most research points to a recommended 6 to 8 grams per dose,” she added. (6) The overall formula earned a 4 out of 5 from Bourgeois, but she appreciated that Transparent Labs had its profile third-party tested and is Informed Choice certified.
When our testers mixed up their servings, they noticed they didn’t perfectly blend — its solubility earned a 4 out of 5 — but gave its taste a 5 out of 5. “It wasn’t too sweet, which some pre-workouts tend to be,” said one tester, a certified personal trainer.
Bourgeois also emphasized that anyone sensitive to caffeine should be wary of the amount in LEAN. “Transparent Labs Lean is not a pre-workout for those who prefer to avoid caffeine in their supplements. Each scoop contains around the same amount of caffeine as two cups of coffee.” (11)
Read our full Transparent Labs LEAN Review.
Best Budget Pre-Workout for Men: Nutricost Pre-X
Nutricost Pre-X Pre-Workout is one of our favorite budget-friendly pre-workout supplements. This comes in five flavors, too and multiple size options, for those who prefer to buy in bulk.
Specs
- Price Per Serving: $0.83
- Caffeine: 300mg
- Key Ingredients: 4g l-citrulline, 2g beta-alanine, 2g taurine, 1.5g betaine anhydrous, 300mg caffeine
- Flavors: Blue Raspberry, Fruit Punch, Grape
- Sweeteners Used: Sucralose
- Third-Party Testing: Yes
Unfortunately, pre-workout supplements aren’t the cheapest products. Some can cost well over $50 for 30 servings. But that doesn’t mean you need to spend tons of money for a high-quality product. For those shopping on a budget, we recommend Nutricost Pre-X pre-workout. At only $0.83 per serving, this one earned a 5 out of 5 rating in the cost category. Plus, you can subscribe to recurring deliveries and save 10% to 15% of the list price.
“I’d score Nutricost Pre-X a 3.75 out of 5 for its formula,” according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN. “It contains powerful ingredients, but the doses of some miss the mark just a bit.” It has a lot of caffeine, specifically. It also falls a little short of the ideal L-citrulline serving, as research suggests you need at least six to eight grams, though there’s no ideal dosage, according to Bourgeois. (6)
Both of our product testers were pretty satisfied with the flavor, rating it a 5 out of 5. “I really liked the Blue Razz flavor, especially when it’s cold,” one tester said. “It’s easy to drink and I remember enjoying the watermelon, too, in the past.”
After mixing this pre-workout in a shaker cup with a blender ball, we didn’t notice any clumping. However, our testers had to rate this category a 4 out of 5, as they noticed some sediment on the bottom of the cup.
After sipping a single scoop, our testers definitely felt the effects, especially on an empty stomach. Both noticed increased energy and some pre-workout jitters. “This hit me pretty quickly because I hadn’t eaten beforehand,” one tester said. “But it was steady throughout my workout, I didn’t have any come down later. It was sustainable, focused energy.”
Best Tasting Pre-Workout for Men: Legion Pulse
This pre-workout supplement can come with or without caffeine and in 16 different flavors. Each serving provides 350 milligrams of L-theanine and eight grams of citrulline malate, which may facilitate better pumps.
Specs
- Price Per Serving: $2.25
- Caffeine: 350mg
- Key Ingredients: 8g citrulline malate, 3.6g beta-alanine, 2.5g betaine anhydrous, 350mg caffeine, 350mg l-theanine, 300mg alpha-GPC
- Flavors: Apple Cider, Arctic Blast, Blood Orange, Blueberry Lemonade, Cherry Limeade, Frosted Cranberry, Fruit Punch, Grape, Green Apple, Mojito, Peach Ring, Pina Colada, Pink Lemonade, Rainbow Sherbet, Sour Candy, Strawberry Kiwi, Strawberry Margarita, Tropical Punch, Watermelon, Blue Raspberry
- Sweeteners: Stevia leaf, erythritol
- Third-Party Testing: Yes
If 20 choices for flavor aren’t enough, it may be a “you” problem. Just kidding. But from classics like Pink Lemonade and Grape to more unique tastes like Frosted Cranberry and Rainbow Sherbet, we think most people should be able to find a flavor of Legion Athletics Pulse to enjoy. While our testers landed on a 4 out of 5 for overall taste, the sheer variety and impossibility of flavor fatigue are what intrigued us.
Its 350 milligrams of caffeine is roughly equivalent to 3.5 cups of coffee, so when our expert reviewer, Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, M.S., RDN, LD, scrutinized its formula, she highlighted those aspects. (11) “I love that Legion Pulse is available with or without caffeine, and there’s no added sugar, food dyes, or other chemicals,” she said. “Plus, It’s third-party tested for safety, giving you that extra peace of mind.”
[Related: The 7 Best Betaine Supplements]
Overall, she was impressed with the all-natural lineup that still incorporated classic pre-workout ingredients.“While Pulse doesn’t contain any creatine, it does have citrulline malate, beta-alanine, and betaine anhydrous to support muscle mass, endurance, and recovery,” she added, rating its formula 4.5 out of 5. “Legion Pulse [earns] high marks for its natural ingredients, all of which serve a purpose.”
It’s worth noting, though, that a 3.6-gram dose of beta-alanine is enough to potentially cause one’s skin to tingle, which may not feel great to all athletes. (14) We did like how smoothly this product dissolved, though, leaving zero clumps or sediment.
While we love all-natural ingredients, you are going to have to pay for them. At $2.25 per serving, Pulse exceeds the average range for pre-workouts by 25 cents, prompting a 2 out of 5 value score from our tester, a certified personal trainer.
Read our full Legion Pulse Pre-Workout Review.
Best Non-Stim Pre-Workout for Men: 1st Phorm Endura-Formance
This pre-workout is designed to help with endurance. It features added electrolytes, as well as adaptogenic mushrooms, turmeric, tart cherry, and betaine.
Specs
- Price Per Serving: $1.50
- Caffeine: 0g
- Key Ingredients: 5g creatine monohydrate, 3.2g beta-alanine, 2.5g betaine, 1g Peak02 blend, 1g tyrosine, 50mg S7 blend
- Flavors: Strawberry Pineapple, Peach Ring, Black Cherry, Berry Lemonade, Grape, Orange
- Sweeteners: Sucralose
- Third-Party Testing: No
If the caffeine in many pre-workouts leaves you feeling jittery or anxious, 1st Phorm Endura-Formance has you covered. As one of the best non-stim pre-workouts we’ve used, it eschews caffeine entirely, while still providing clinically-backed doses of beta-alanine and betaine. Its formula also includes sodium — a key electrolyte lost when we sweat — and 5 grams of creatine, which may slow lactic acid build up and delay muscle fatigue so you can push harder. (18)
“Endura-Formance scores a 4.25 out of 5 for its formulations, with high marks for the scientific-backed doses and deductions for the multiple proprietary blends,” according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN.
When our tester tried out this caffeine-free pre-workout, they highlighted the types of workouts they find it most useful for. “The ample amount of sodium is why I love using it with endurance workouts,” they said, rating the effects of its formula 5 out of 5. “I also love seeing creatine, beta-alanine, betaine anhydrous, and L-tyrosine.”
[Related: 6 Creatine Benefits All Lifters Should Know About]
Another area where our tester felt a boost was in the flavor department. “I don’t say this lightly — the Berry Lemonade was one of the best-tasting supplements I’ve tried,” she said, rating its taste 4.5 out of 5. “It wasn’t too sweet, and just a little tart — a perfect combo.”
Endura-Formance sits pretty middle-of-the-road where price is concerned. One 30-serving container costs $44.99, which is about $1.49. You can definitely find products both cheaper and costlier than this pick, earning it a 3.5 out of 5 for cost.
Best All-Natural Pre-Workout for Men: Naked Nutrition Naked Energy
Naked Nutrition Naked Energy is a simple, powerful formula that is vegan-friendly. It comes in several flavors as well as options for a non-stimulant version.
The all-natural lineup of Naked Nutrition Naked Energy is not just our pick for the best all-natural option for men, it’s one of the best natural pre-workouts we’ve tested. This pre-workout eschews artificial flavors, color dyes, fillers, and sweeteners, though it does include natural cane sugar in the Citrus and Fruit Punch options flavors. If you’re cutting back on sugar, you’ll want to opt for the Unflavored option.
After analyzing its ingredient list, our expert reviewer Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, M.S., RDN, LD, came away impressed. “I love that this pre-workout only contains 10 ingredients — all vegan-friendly and gluten-free, GMO-free, dairy-free, and soy-free,” she said. “It provides a hefty dose of vitamin C and a 200-milligram dose of caffeine — not to mention a small dose of creatine to boost exercise performance all that much more.”
Considering that the average cup of coffee contains around 80 to 100 milligrams of caffeine, the 200-milligram dose per serving might be a bit much for non-coffee drinkers. (11) Fortunately, Naked Energy has a stimulant-free option, making it a healthy option for men who prefer to minimize caffeine intake.
Our tester, a certified personal trainer, actually liked that there were smaller amounts of beta-alanine and creatine. “I didn’t feel any tingles, which I liked, but it’s probably because of the low dose of beta-alanine,” they reported. Meanwhile, Bourgeois rated its formula 3.75 for those lower amounts, saying, “It has a fairly low dose of L-arginine.”
[Related: The 8 Best Natural Pre-Workout Ingredients to Pump Up Your Training Session]
While one tester thought the unflavored option should possibly be mixed with a sports drink for flavor, they rated the Citrus flavor a 5 out of 5, saying, “It wasn’t too sweet and I actually enjoyed it.”
Benefits of Pre-Workouts for Men
Men may want to include a pre-workout in their supplement regimen for a variety of reasons — from boosting energy to potentially aiding in recovery. A pre-workout can also help you push harder, achieve better pumps, or build muscle. We broke down some benefits in detail below.
- Increased Energy: One of the most common reasons for taking a pre-workout is the energy provided by caffeine. With the average cup of coffee, you’ll be ingesting around 80 to 100 milligrams of caffeine. (11) Most pre-workouts include around 180 to 200 milligrams (and sometimes up to 350 milligrams) per serving.
- Better Recovery: BCAAs and other amino acids are the building blocks of muscles, so having them readily available may help to improve your recovery time between workouts. (19) There have also been studies that suggest creatine may be helpful in muscle recovery, but that area may need a bit more research. (20)
- More Muscle: Research indicates that L-citrulline may help support blood flow to active muscles, so it is often included in pre-workout formulas to increase muscle endurance. (6) Some pre-workouts also have creatine or BCAAs, which can promote recovery or muscle protein synthesis. (20)(19)
- Better Pumps: Ingredients like beta-alanine, betaine, and L-citrulline, are all common ingredients that you’ll find in many pre-workouts. They all have the same aim — help promote blood flow and potentially provide better pumps. (21)
Key Ingredients in Pre-Workouts for Men
Not all ingredients are equally beneficial in pre-workouts. We don’t recommend products that don’t meet our standards for safety and efficacy, but with so many options available, you’ll need to know what you’re looking at when you check out the label on a pre-workout.
If you’re wondering whether you can build a tolerance to any of these ingredients or just how they affect your body, check out our video below.
Here are a few of the common, key ingredients in pre-workouts for men, and how they can potentially provide a boost to your training.
- Caffeine: Caffeine provides energy but it can also cause side effects, like anxiety, diarrhea, and rapid heart rate. (2) In fact, a meta-analysis of studies about caffeine found that to avoid any reduction in total sleep time, a standard serving of pre-workout (about 217 grams) should be taken about 13 hours before bed — also known as the morning. (22)
- Beta-Alanine: While beta-alanine may help improve muscular endurance and possibly power, some people find the tingling sensation that can arise from those high doses to be uncomfortable and may want to search for a pre-workout with little to none of it in the lineup. (14)
- Citrulline: While some research has indicated that the amino acid L-citrulline may boost nitric oxide production, thereby enhancing the blood flow to active muscles, the specific dose is not ironclad. (6) Generally, the best citrulline supplements contain six to eight grams.
- Creatine: Research indicates that when the recommended dosage of 5 grams of creatine is taken consistently over time, creatine can reduce lactic acid build-up during resistance exercise, which would suggest that it can improve endurance. (17)
- Sweeteners: Most pre-workout supplements contain some kind of sweetener, like stevia, monk fruit extract, or sucralose. When possible, we recommend a natural sweetener, as artificial sweeteners can cause stomach unrest for some, according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN.
How Much Do the Best Pre-Workouts for Men Cost?
Depending on the ingredients, doses, flavors, and even the size of the scoop, pre-workouts can range anywhere from $0.87 per serving to upwards of $3. While most options we’ve tested tend to stay around $1 to $2, there are plenty of exceptions. Use our chart to quickly see which of these pre-workouts fits with your budget.
Best Pre-Workout for Men Overall | Transparent Labs BULK | $1.49 per serving |
Best Pre-Workout for Men for Muscle Pumps | Jacked Factory Nitro Surge | $0.87 per serving |
Best Pre-Workout for Men with Caffeine | XWERKS Ignite | $1.63 per serving |
Best Pre-Workout for Men for Weight Loss | Transparent Labs LEAN | $1.66 per serving |
Best Budget Pre-Workout for Men | Nutricost Pre-X | $0.73 per serving |
Best Tasting Pre-Workout for Men | Legion Pulse | $2.25 per serving |
Strongest Pre-Workout for Men | Gainful Pre-Workout (High Intensity) | $1.85 per serving |
Best Non-Stim Pre-Workout for Men | 1st Phorm Endura-Formance | $1.50 per serving |
Best All-Natural Pre-Workout for Men | Naked Nutrition Naked Energy | $1.50 per serving |
What to Consider Before Buying a Pre-Workout for Men
Along with the key ingredients in the formula, there are important factors to consider when selecting a pre-workout. While most people may be familiar with the effects of caffeine, you may not be aware of how much or when certain ingredients may affect your performance. Check out a few of these considerations to make before choosing a pre-workout.
Your Fitness Needs
Pre-workouts contain a number of different ingredients, each with its own benefits. Once you’ve established some clear goals for your fitness journey, you can begin searching for a pre-workout that provides the proper dosages of the ingredients that best suit them.
[Related: When to Take Pre-Workout — What’s the Best Time to Drink Your Pre-Workout Mix?]
If you’re looking for pulsating muscle pumps, for example, look for the combo of L-citrulline and beta-alanine. (6)(5) Those in search of the focus or mental clarity to lock into a workout, meanwhile, will want a combo ( around a 2:1 ratio) of L-theanine and caffeine. (23) In a market brimming with options, clear goals can help you narrow down your search.
Caffeine Sensitivities
Although caffeine is a prominent ingredient in many pre-workouts, its impact varies from person to person. If you’re like most of humanity and drink coffee regularly, you may have a sense of how it affects you, but adding even more caffeine via a pre-workout could lead to some undesirable side effects.
[Related: Coffee vs. Pre-Workout: Which Should You Use Before Your Workouts?]
If you are a coffee drinker, here’s a bit of context. The average cup of coffee contains roughly 80 to 100 milligrams of caffeine. (10) Well, if your pre-workout contains 200 milligrams of caffeine, that may be more or less than you need for the boost of energy and focus that’s right for you.
While caffeine has been shown to promote muscular endurance, movement velocity and muscular strength, too much can also cause side effects like anxiety, diarrhea, and increased blood pressure. (2) Also consider the timing of your ingestion, as it can cause disruptions in your sleep cycles if it’s used too late in the day. (22)
Dosage
When you inspect the label on a pre-workout, make sure you see the ingredients you need, but then consider how much of each is in the formula. Across these options, you’ll find several commonalities on the label.
[Related: The 8 Best Creatine Supplements for Men]
According to our expert reviewer Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, M.S., RDN, LD, common ingredients like beta-alanine or L-citrulline have clinically-backed effective doses or ranges to achieve maximum efficacy.
Consulting a Physician
We always recommend consulting your physician before beginning any new supplement or workout routine. While we can report on our experiences and present you with the research, only a trained health professional should be making personal recommendations for you.
A doctor or registered dietitian may be able to provide you with insight or perform tests to ensure that you’re not putting yourself at risk, especially when it comes to highly-caffeinated pre-workout formulas.
Best Pre-Workouts for Men FAQs
What is the best pre-workout for men?
We think Transparent Labs BULK is the best pre-workout for women and men both because it has everything you need for a boost while being upfront about their third-party-tested formula. With hefty doses of L-citrulline malate and beta-alanine, along with caffeine and alpha-GPC, their formula supports increased focus to help you pound out a few more reps. And don’t forget about the taste. Our testers loved several flavors, but with 12 options, you can probably find one that hits the spot.
What pre-workout gives the best pump?
We like Jacked Factory Nitro Surge for a pump. What we dig about its formula is that it’s designed to give you the option to use one scoop or two, depending on your experience level or how you’re feeling before a particular workout. With clinically-backed doses of L-citrulline, beta-alanine, and betaine anhydrous, you can expect muscle pumps without too much tingling.
Are pre-workouts worth it?
Most pre-workouts range from around $1 to $2 per serving, while some can exceed even that. If you start to do the math, the cost can add up pretty quickly, depending on how often you’re taking on heavy lifts. Until you feel it for yourself, it will be tough to say for yourself if it’s worth the extra cost, but we did our best to not only convey our experience using these, but bringing in our expert reviewer Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, M.S., RDN, LD, to provide a medical perspective for each option.
References
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