The 7 Strongest Pre-Workouts of 2024, Our Favorites and Expert Picks

If you’re regularly turning to your best pre-workout for a much-needed energy boost before training, odds are that you can develop a tolerance to the formulation. Rather than accepting defeat or trying to double up on dosages (do NOT do that), opting for a new formula may be all you need to keep your performance primed for success. The strongest pre-workouts can provide hearty servings of trusted ingredients like caffeine, citrulline, and other common pre-workout ingredients to help your engine stay running at max effort while keeping your pre-training consumption in check.

Of course, when you’re talking about high-octane workout supplements, you need to be mindful of how much you’re taking in of these ingredients. There’s no need to overindulge on a good thing if it’s going to wreck your health in the long run. To help you toe the line between efficiency and excessiveness, we’ve gotten hands-on with dozens of premium-grade pre-workouts and consulted with our in-house experts to assemble our picks for the best strong pre-workouts. Ready your shaker cups and let’s get fueled up for an intense training routine.

The 7 Strongest Pre-Workouts of 2024

• Strongest Pre-Workout Overall: Transparent Labs BULK Black
• Strongest Pre-Workout for Blood Flow and Pump: Jacked Factory Wick Mode
• Strongest Pre-Workout for Focus (Alpha-GPC): Onnit Alpha-BRAIN Pre-Workout
• Most Affordable, Strongest Pre-Workout: Nutricost Pre-X
• Strongest Pre-Workout with Creatine: Gainful Pre-Workout (High-Intensity)
• Strongest Pre-Workout for Taste: Legion Pulse
• Strongest Pre-Workout with BCAAs: JYM Pre-JYM

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. Individual needs for vitamins and minerals will vary.

Strongest Pre-Workouts Video Review

Join BarBend expert tester Jake Herod, NASM-CNC, and registered dietitian and nutritionist Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD, as they walk through some of the strongest pre-workouts on the market.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPHvsGCsucM

How We Tested and Chose the Strongest Pre-Workouts

The BarBend team is made up of competitive athletes, certified personal trainers, and lifelong fitness enthusiasts. To determine the strongest pre-workouts available today, we tested over 70 different profiles from the industry’s best brands, using our supplement testing methodology to rate each profile on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Below are some of the categories and components that played into our rankings.

Proper Dosing

The strongest pre-workout supplements, naturally, feature formulations that take the dosing of each ingredient to the extreme. However, there is such a notion as too much of a good thing, so we looked for powders that pushed the limit as far as possible while still remaining safe or within recommended daily dosages.

For example, studies report that the maximum daily caffeine intake for athletes should not exceed 400 milligrams. (1) As such, we looked for pre-workouts offering a decent serving that didn’t surpass this recommended limit. All of the pre-workouts in this guide feature a listed caffeine content between 275 and 400 milligrams.

[Related: Dr. Jim Stoppani on the Pros and Cons of Caffeine, Coffee, and Alcohol]

We also examined ingredients that could be dosed beyond their daily recommendations, as they’re more tolerable by most athletes. L-citrulline, for example, can be very helpful for nitric oxide production, blood flow, and power output. (2) 

Additionally, research states that an effective dose for boosted athletic performance sits somewhere between 6,000 and 8,000 milligrams. (3) All of the pre-workouts included in this guide feature citrulline servings within or beyond this limit, as studies suggest the dietary amino acid is fairly tolerable by most athletes.

Of course, we always recommend taking your personal sensitivities into question before signing up for a high-quality pre-workout powder. Every athlete’s response to these ingredients can be different, so while we may feel that a powder is worthwhile, it could be too powerful for some.

Ingredient Transparency

When you’re looking through pre-workout formulas to try and find a suitable makeup for boosted energy levels and exercise performance, you want to ensure that the ingredients and dosages listed on the tub are actually present in the mixture itself. This means that pre-workouts featuring one or multiple proprietary blends leave much to question when it comes to the potency and performance of the powder itself.

We looked for transparent ingredients lists when compiling this round-up of the strongest pre-workouts, placing an emphasis on powders that clearly outlined their per scoop dosages and servings. While some of the pre-workouts in this guide do feature blends, we made sure that the servings were also listed rather than hidden under the guise of a marketing label like “ultra focus” or “hydration mix.”

[Related: The Complete Guide to Pre-Workout Supplements]

Third-Party Testing

Regardless of a pre-workout’s potency, most athletes would like to consume a dietary supplement that’s free of any banned substances or heavy metals. Thankfully, many brands employ third-party testing to give some reassurance to their products. Independent labs including Informed Choice, Informed Sport, NSF, and Labdoor analyze each formulation and ultimately certify that the makeup is factual and free of any contaminants or unwanted parcels.

We looked for strong pre-workouts offering at least some verification of third-party testing. While some may showcase a stamp of approval across the container from one of the aforementioned labs, others may include their third-party findings right on the product page. This can be especially helpful for strength athletes that need to abide by governing athletics agencies like the International Weightlifting Federation, International Powerlifting Federation, and others.

[Related: How Long Does It Take to Get Good at Strength Sports? A Newbie’s Guide]

Taste

Hitting your sports nutrition goals is made all the more easier if your supplements actually taste good. While we understand that every palate is different from athlete to athlete, we included strong pre-workouts in this guide that we actually preferred when it comes to taste. After all, if one of your colleagues enjoys the flavor of a pre-workout powder, it can go a long way in helping you muster up the confidence to give it a whirl.

Additionally, we examined pre-workouts that offered a bit of variety across their flavor profiles. This can be a good notion to think through, especially if you find a formulation and ingredients list that aligns with your preferences. All of the strong pre-workouts included in this round-up feature multiple available flavors, with some rosters including as many as 20 different tastes to choose from.

[Related: Pre-Workouts: They’re Not Overhyped, But Are You?]

Strongest Pre-Workout Overall: Transparent Labs BULK Black

As BarBend expert reviewer Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD puts it, “When you take BULK Black, you better have your game face on.” While this high-stim pre-workout doesn’t feature as much caffeine as other powders in this guide — which commonly feature caffeine content over 350 milligrams — this Transparent Labs offering is our favorite high-octane supplement thanks to its robust formulation, enjoyable flavor variety, and impressive transparency and third-party certification.

In addition to the 275 milligrams of caffeine, we also appreciated the 8,000 milligrams of citrulline malate per serving. This dietary amino acid has been linked to improved strength, muscular endurance, and aerobic performance — all helpful benefits when trying to transition into training mode. (2) 

Additionally, each serving of BULK Black features 4,000 milligrams of beta alanine, which can help bolster high-intensity training. (4) However, this higher dosing can lead to more unwanted “tingles” that may be more of a distraction than a welcomed sensation.

[Related: The 8 Best Pre-Workouts for Men, CSCS-Tested, RDN-Approved]

We rated Transparent Labs BULK Black a perfect 5 out of 5 for the taste. “When trialing the Peach Mango offering, I was so impressed by the flavor that I actually wanted to sip it rather than gulp it down,” said our tester, a certified personal trainer. “It’s that good.” The solubility of this pre-workout powder also scored highly at 5 out of 5, as it blended easily in our shakers with no residue or gritty texture left over post-mixing.

BULK Black also left our tester with no undesirable side effects, leading to a 5 out of 5 rating for the category. However, this product is sweetened with stevia, and while this ingredient does help Transparent Labs maintain its, well, transparent makeup free of any artificial dyes, flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives, it can lead to some GI distress in some athletes. (5) Be sure to take your own stomach sensitivities into question before ordering a tub for yourself.

Lastly, we do appreciate how Transparent Labs keeps this BULK Black pre-workout reasonably priced at $1.83 per serving. Other potent pre-workouts can often cost over $2 per serving, so finding a formulation that’s well-rounded and affordably priced is always a perk worth noting.

Read our full Transparent Labs BULK Black Pre-Workout Review.

Strongest Pre-Workout for Blood Flow and Pump: Jacked Factory Wick Mode

Looking for a strong pre-workout to make those veins practically pop right out of your skin? The ingredients you’re looking for are ones that will bolster blood flow and nitric oxide production for that extra-swole aesthetic, and Jacked Factory Wick Mode has all that in spades.

“It has research-backed doses of beta-alanine and L-citrulline to improve endurance and increase nitric oxide production,” explains Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD. She says that this pre-workout makeup is a great multitasker thanks to its caffeine, L-citrulline, and beta-alanine.

Bourgeois rated the formulation at 4 out of 5 because the 300 milligrams of caffeine may be too much for some athletes. Plus, it’s not third-party tested.

In terms of taste, one of our testers — BarBend editorial team member, certified personal trainer, and competitive Olympic lifter Kate Meier — tried out the Osaka Black Cherry flavor and wasn’t disappointed. “It has a great dark cherry taste. Not too sweet at all, which I really like because I’m not a fan of overly sweet drinks.” Former BarBend editorial team member Mike Shafer tried out the blue raspberry and reported that it tastes “fantastic.” Both rated the taste a 5 out of 5.

Solubility also ranked high, earning a 5 out of 5 from both of our testers, who found it easy to dissolve it with a few quick jostles of the shaker bottle.

Our testers also noted that Wick Mode left them with no unwanted side effects despite the heavier dosages of ingredients. “This is great for both energy and focus,” Shafer says. “I take just one scoop before jiujitsu, and that’s the perfect amount of energy. Before I hit weights, I do like 1.5 scoops for that added boost and it’s great.” Meier agreed, adding that there isn’t a sharp comedown. As such, we scored Wick Mode at 4.75 out of 5 for its effects.

That strength may come at a cost, though: both of our testers reported effects wearing off within an hour or so. Expect the typical pre-workout tingles, too (though only you can decide whether that’s a pro or a con).

Strongest Pre-Workout for Focus (Alpha-GPC): Onnit Alpha-BRAIN Pre-Workout

Admittedly, taking a high-stimulant pre-workout can leave you somewhat unfocused and scatter-brained, especially if you’re more susceptible to caffeine. Thankfully, Onnit Alpha-BRAIN Pre-Workout combats these effects with a blend of nootropics — including 300 milligrams of alpha-GPC — to help you reel in your thoughts. Studies indicate that alpha-GPC can influence the synthesis and release of acetylcholine in the brain, which is vital in memory, motivation, arousal, and attention. (8)

Alpha-BRAIN also comes with a dose of ashwagandha, admittedly something you might typically associate more with calm than a pre-workout pump. But for mental focus, Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD approves. “I like that this formula contains ashwagandha to help promote mental agility during stressful workouts. It also contains 2.4 grams of L-citrulline. Most research points to training benefits in doses of at least 3 grams, but combining it with beta-alanine is sure to give you a good pump for a hard-hitting workout. Plus, I like that this formula is sugar-free.“

[Related: The Best Pre-Workout Ingredients for Focus]

Overall, Bourgeois gives the formulation a 3.25 out of 5, docking points for the inclusion of proprietary blends and relatively little L-citrulline.“Dietary supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA, so adding a layer of mystery to the product by not disclosing the amount of each ingredient in the blend gives me pause,” she explains.

One of our testers strongly recommends this workout for athletes squeezing in a sweat session during or right before a busy workday. “I was able to tune out my over-crowded inbox and an upcoming presentation and focus on what really mattered: the barbell.”

And while the taste of the pre-workout was underwhelming for some of our testers, one of whom noted an artificial, tart taste in the Tiger’s Blood (i.e. tropical) flavor, they all found excellent, 5-out-of-5 solubility. That’s extra important when you need to focus less on clumps in your drink and more on the work in front of you.

Most Affordable, Strongest Pre-Workout: Nutricost Pre-X

The most powerful pre-workout in the world isn’t going to matter all that much if you can’t afford it. Fortunately, Nutricost Pre-X Pre-Workout fits the bill (pun intended) with a powerful combination of ingredients that doesn’t sacrifice power for price. At less than one dollar per serving when you buy the 60-serving pack, Pre-X goes a long way with a minimal cash investment.

“Nutricost Pre-X Workout Complex contains as much caffeine as around 3 cups of coffee, as well as 200 mg of alpha-GPC,” explains Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD. The caffeine will give you that classic pre-workout energy boost, while the alpha-GPC kicks in to enhance your focus, Bourgeois says.

Overall, she ranks the formulation of Nutricost Pre-X a 3.75 out of 5. It’s got the L-citrulline you want for performance and recovery, she says, but at 4,000 milligrams, it’s less than athletes typically expect from a powerful pre-workout. “It also contains sucralose, which may cause GI troubles for some people.”

[Related: How Much Caffeine Is in Pre-Workout?]

But these hiccups don’t have to be a reason not to invest. Our testers give it a 4.5 out of 5 for taste. “Pre-workout can be a chore, but I actually get excited to drink this every day,” one of our testers said. “I just toss it into cold water, shake it up, and go.”

Our testers tended to drink this one right from their shaker bottles, noting that it dissolves quickly but leaves some sediment at the bottom, “almost like little beads.” We rank this a 4 out of 5 for solubility.

All that combines for an intense drink, our testers say. “This hits you right away, gives you a smooth ride, and doesn’t fade out for a couple of hours,” one of our testers says. That gives you a whole lot of time to get your workout on with plenty of energy to keep going. That said, if you’ve got a high caffeine tolerance, you might not be hit as hard. “Even though I was pretty immune to the caffeine, this helped me focus, probably with the Alpha-GPC.”

Overall, our testers gave the effects of Nutricost Pre-X a praise-worthy 4 out of 5 ranking. Certainly seems like a worthy (and affordable) addition to your stack.

Strongest Pre-Workout with Creatine: Gainful Pre-Workout (High-Intensity)

One of the things we like most about Gainful is that you can customize pretty much everything, including your pre-workout. You can go for a non-stim pre-workout if you want to skip the caffeine jitters; choose a moderate dose of caffeine and creatine; or opt (like we did here with Gainful Pre-X High-Intensity) for the high-powered version with both a lot of caffeine and creatine. You’ll get 5,000 milligrams of creatine in just one serving here.

“It’s hard enough to get going in the morning without having to remember separate scoops for your pre-workout and creatine,” one of our testers said. “I loved getting both in one here. But I do have a sensitive stomach, so I usually needed to get a little food in me first instead of taking this big creatine/caffeine combo first thing in the morning.” They give the formula a 4 out of 5 rating, and advise you to steer toward the moderate-intensity customization if you want just a little less creatine (3,000mg compared to 5,000mg).

Speaking of the formula, Gainful Pre-Workout boasts L-theanine, L-citrulline, Beta Alanine, and BCAAs, all the usual suspects of a solid pre-workout, plus no artificial sweeteners, dyes, flavors, or preservatives. Aficionados of L-citrulline will note, though, that at 4,000mg per serving, this is a bit on the low end of the spectrum. But yes, the whole thing is totally plant-based.

In terms of taste, Gainful exceeds expectations. “Not going to lie: I usually dread the taste of pre-workout. But I really like the Strawbery Lemonade flavor, a definite 5-out-of-5. Just make sure you’re drinking it cold. It’ll be a lot better that way.”

[Related: What Does Creatine Do? Here’s How the Mass-Boosting Supplement Actually Works]

One of the biggest obstacles to calling Gainful Pre-X your main pre-workout? It only comes with 14 servings per container. Unless you’re very diligent, you might be signed up for automatic renewal upon ordering, so make sure you’re going back to check until you’re ready to commit.

Strongest Pre-Workout for Taste: Legion Pulse

A strong pre-workout’s potency is only valuable for your fitness goals if you don’t mind drinking it, right? As such, it’s pivotal that you choose a strong pre-workout that has enough taste to match its high-octane formulation. For our money, Legion’s Pulse pre-workout checks all boxes in the flavor department.

According to our tester, a Level-2 USA Weightlifting coach, the taste is fairly enjoyable. However, they did notice a slight aftertaste, which they accredited to the natural sweetener. We still kept the taste rating high for pulse, though, thanks to the 20 available offerings that allow you to pick and choose between palate-pleasing profiles. “It’s a sweet pre-workout, and I don’t necessarily hold the aftertaste against it. I mean, it’s not like I don’t have a plethora of offerings to choose from when it comes to finding that perfect flavor,” our tester added.

Additionally, we appreciate that Legion offers Pulse in a stim-free variety that’s free of any caffeine. This can be helpful for athletes looking to wean off the stimulant, or those that have an undesirable sensitivity to the component.

[Related: The Best Non-Stim Pre-Workouts, Personally Tested by Our Experts]

Regardless of your pick between stim-free or high-stim, Pulse has shown to be highly soluble. We scored this pre-workout at 5 out of 5 for the category thanks to its simple mixability in any beverage of our choosing. Our only true issue with this pre-workout when it comes to blending is its lack of an unflavored option. This flavorless profile would allow us to mix the powder with other helpful supplements without fear of flavor cross contamination.

Another major benefit of this strong, tasteful pre-workout is its transparency. “I love that this product is tested by a third-party lab,” adds Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD. “You know what’s advertised is what you get, and there’s total transparency in the formula. There are no proprietary blends, and all ingredients are backed by scientific research that Legion has linked to their website.”

Be mindful, though, that this potent pre-workout is only available in 20-serving tubs. This means that daily supplementation will require frequent reordering. It’s a minor gripe, yes, but when other pre-workouts are available in 30-serving and even 40-serving tubs, it is worth pointing out.

Read our full Legion Pulse Pre-Workout Review.

Strongest Pre-Workout with BCAAs: JYM Pre-JYM

Your pre-workout supplement doesn’t need to be solely focused on boosted energy or muscle pumps. For example, a pre-workout with a solid mix of branched-chain amino acids can also support muscle growth and decreased soreness. (9) If this formulation sparks some curiosity, we recommend Pre-JYM, which features 6 grams of BCAAs for a well-rounded formulation designed to focus on energy and performance in multiple pathways.

[Related: Everything You Need to Know About BCAAs]

As far as the effects go for this high-quality strong pre-workout, our tester, a certified personal trainer, rated Pre-JYM at a perfect 5 out of 5. “I really felt stimulated with this supplement and could see a visible difference in my pumps during training,” they stated. “Additionally, I felt like I had a constant store of energy, which was great when tackling longer sessions in the gym.”

We also appreciated the solubility of this pre-workout, scoring it at 5 out of 5. Mixing this powder with water was a breeze, which helped us keep focus on the tasks at hand rather than blending the powder vigorously enough to achieve that optimal mixture.

Pre-JYM Is available in four flavor offerings, which is a slightly lighter roster than other pre-workouts we’ve tested. Still, we gave the taste a 4.5 out of 5 thanks to its enjoyable sensations across the board. “I liked the rainbow sherbet variety,” states our tester, a Level-2 USA Weightlifting coach. “It felt like an explosion of sweetness — the perfect pick-me-up before a hard-nosed training session.”

However, we do caution that this JYM offering is sweetened with sucralose. Studies report that this artificial sweetener can lead to some GI distress in some athletes. (10) If you’re someone that routinely deals with a sensitive stomach, it may be best to forgo this BCAA-rich formulation.

Finally, while we do trust the heir of the Jym lineup, Jim Stoppani, we would have liked to see more third-party testing associated with this pre-workout. There are no stamps of approval across the packaging, which does give some room for speculation regarding the dosages and included ingredients.

Read our full JYM Pre-JYM Pre-Workout Review.

Benefits of the Strongest Pre-Workouts

Strong pre-workouts provide many of the same potential benefits that regular pre-workouts provide, only more so because of the increased potency of the formulas used. They offer more energy, higher doses of ingredients, and (oftentimes) an improved value over run-of-the-mill pre-workouts. Here are some pre-workout benefits you can expect with these high-octane offerings.

More Energy

If regular pre-workouts provide a jolt of energy, then the strongest pre-workouts can be compared to tapping into the power grid itself with their higher caffeine and stimulant content. Generally, pre-workouts contain 100 to 200 milligrams of caffeine per serving, which is about equal to one or two cups of coffee. (11)

The strongest pre-workouts (like those on this list) contain between 275 and 400 milligrams on average — between 69 and 100 percent of your daily recommended caffeine intake. (1) If that’s not enough to give your training sessions a spark, then you may be out of luck.

Of course, we understand that some athletes may be more sensitive to the energy-boosting effects of caffeine. For these circumstances, we recommend opting for a non-stim pre-workout or looking at pre-workout alternatives to help fuel your in-gym performance.

Greater Value

Pre-workouts generally range from $1.25 to $3.00 per serving, with the stronger pre’s being on the higher end of that spectrum. When you purchase a strong pre-workout, you’re receiving higher dosages of many common pre-workout ingredients. Many of them cost the same, if not only slightly more per serving than regular pre-workouts, which is a solid value, thanks to the increased potency of the formula. If you can afford it, the extra coin is worth the return you’ll receive in potential results from well-dosed strong pre-workouts.

[Related: What Are the Side Effects of Pre-Workout?]

Higher Dosing

Along the same lines as the caffeine content, strong pre-workouts tend to contain higher doses of other popular ingredients, which can make them potentially more effective. It’s not uncommon for strong pre-workouts to contain double or triple the number of favorite ingredients, like citrulline, beta-alanine, betaine, and nootropics (like alpha-GPC) when compared with a more standard issue pre.

The downside of this is that the scoops and serving sizes are larger — with some being the size of a scoop of protein powder — which some folks might not like. If you’re looking for a higher dose, though, the trade-off is probably worth it.

Common Pre-Workout Supplement Ingredients

There are a ton of ingredients that companies put in their pre-workout products with claims to boost mental focus, energy, endurance, and blood flow. We’ll break down some of the most common ingredients you’ll find in these stronger pre-workout blends, and go over what benefits they’re commonly understood to provide.

Alpha-GPC

Alpha glycerophosphocholine, also known as alpha-GPC, is a precursor to acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter involved in memory, attention, and most importantly here — muscle contraction. Taking between 300mg and 600mg of alpha-GPC can have nootropic effects, such as cognitive enhancement and improved focus, as well as potential improvements in muscle power output. (12)

Beta-Alanine

Beta-alanine is linked to improved endurance, both in cardio-focused workouts and strength training with higher reps. (4) Because it can help allow you to push further than you otherwise would have for more reps, it may help with hypertrophy and strength. 

The standard dose of beta-alanine is between 1,600 and 3,200 milligrams, though the pre-workouts on this list can have upwards of 4,000 milligrams. (4) Be aware that a harmless but sometimes uncomfortable side effect of large doses of beta-alanine is skin tingling, which you will likely experience with these potent pre-workouts.

Betaine Anhydrous

This ingredient is commonly found in red beets and is the main ingredient in beetroot extract — though it can also be found in lesser amounts in leafy greens. Betaine is best known for links to power output and muscular endurance, but it might also slightly decrease post-exercise cortisol, which can actually be helpful in your body’s response to stress. (13)

Caffeine

When you think of a pre-workout, the first thing that comes to mind is likely the stimulant effects, and that’s exactly what is at the forefront of these stronger formulas. Caffeine is usually the main stimulant and has well-established potential ergonomic effects, such as better endurance, lower perceived exertion, improved power output, and even enhanced cognition. (14)

Most of these pre-workouts have a potent stimulant effect with most having a minimum of at least 275 milligrams of caffeine per serving. For reference, a regular cup of coffee before a workout has about 100 milligrams of caffeine, so you’re ingesting three to four cups of coffee per scoop with these formulas. (11)

Creatine

Creatine is likely the most thoroughly-researched ergogenic aid aside from caffeine. It can help power output, anaerobic capacity, fatigue, and even improve cognition all while increasing muscle size by potentially drawing more water into your muscles depending on the type of creatine you use. 

It doesn’t have to be taken with pre-workout, either. It’s an anytime supplement — the point is to increase the creatine in your muscles over time, rather than loading creatine quickly. The dose is generally 5 grams per day of creatine monohydrate — though different forms, like creatine hcl, have smaller effective dose sizes. (15)

Citrulline

Research suggests that the effective dose of citrulline is between 6,000 and 8,000 milligrams to help potentially improve blood flow, endurance, and power output in athletes. (3) You’ll notice, though, that some pre-workouts go beyond this recommended serving. This is due to the fact that citrulline is generally tolerable by most athletes, meaning an excessive dose is less likely to cause potential side effects or harm.

How Strong is Too Strong (for Pre-Workouts)?

Just like most supplements, it depends on the person. We’d love to be able to give a hard line for a cutoff, but some people are more tolerant of stimulants and other ingredients than others. You may have to throw on your lab coat and experiment for yourself.

Most supplement companies that make strong pre-workouts (like the ones on this list) recommend starting with half a scoop to assess your tolerance. You can always increase the amount, but you can’t take it out once you’ve ingested it.

When Should I Take a Strong Pre-Workout?

The pre-workouts on this list are all quite stimulant-heavy, and it should go without saying that they shouldn’t be taken close to bedtime for better sleep. Following the instructions on the product’s label is always recommended. Generally, though, you want to take your pre-workout somewhere around 20 to 30 minutes before you hit the gym.

[Related: Want to Get Better Sleep? Here’s Everything You Need to Know]

If you’re taking a potent pre-workout and you notice a high caffeine dosage on the label, be sure to make note of that if you are working out at night.

How to Choose the Strongest Pre-Workouts

These sorts of products can make some folks a little concerned about side effects and unintended consequences. They’re legal, so the potential for damage is low, but there are a few things worth keeping in mind.

Dosage

When searching for a strong pre-workout, you want to ensure that your dosages are higher than the average powder yet still fall within your daily recommended intake when necessary. While some ingredients (like citrulline) can be fine for consumption beyond the daily dosages given their more tolerable makeup, others, like caffeine, need to be balanced. 

According to studies, you shouldn’t exceed 400 milligrams of caffeine per day. (1) This can be a good marker to set for yourself when trying to decide between high-octane pre-workouts.

You should also be sure to take your personal tolerances into account before deciding on a strong pre-workout. After all, each athlete is different when it comes to their experiences with certain ingredients. For example, the jitters associated with beta-alanine may be fine for some, but the skin-ripping tingles of high doses may be too much to bear for others. (4) Read carefully through the labels to confirm that a pre-workout’s formulation aligns with your needs and wants before purchase.

Ingredients

A solid pre-workout should contain a formulation that proves its worth beyond just added energy. The endurance, blood flow, and muscle growth perks associated with the popular nutritional supplement come from the inclusion of added ingredients. As such, you’ll want to search for a pre-workout formulation that contains a plethora of ingredients beyond your standard caffeine.

For example, a pre-workout with ample amounts of citrulline malate can be great for facilitating intra-workout pumps. (2) Other ingredients, like creatine and alpha-GPC, can prove to be beneficial when it comes to overall strength and focus during your in-gym sessions.

If you’re already considering a stronger pre-workout as your go-to for pre-training benefits, it helps to take into consideration the other benefits associated with the supplement. Make sure your powder can provide additional support beyond just a jolt of energy — it can make the costs of these potent supplements all the more approachable (more on that in a bit).

[Related: Best Natural Pre-Workouts]

Third-Party Testing

Having a strong pre-workout that’s also third-party tested can go a long way in ensuring your confidence in your product of choice. After all, heightened dosages of key ingredients and the promise of maximum energy or muscle pumps can lead to some wiggle room for brands to skirt the lines when it comes to the actual potency of each formulation.

When looking for a worthwhile strong pre-workout, it can be beneficial to look for a makeup with either a stamped approval from an accredited third-party testing lab, or (at least) a quality layout of lab results from an independent testing center. This can prove especially beneficial for strength athletes that need to have a heightened awareness of their nutritional supplements in order to abide by their respective governing agencies.

Price

Given their heightened dosages and more potent formulations, you can expect to pay more for stronger pre-workouts than you would a normal stim-rich supplement. On average, the best strong pre-workouts will cost around $1.96 per serving, with some coming in closer to $2.50 per dose. 

In the end, though, it’s always recommended to take your personal budget into consideration. If your budget can’t stomach the price upfront, odds are that you’ll likely enjoy the physical powder less over a regular supplement regimen.

Final Word

Pre-workouts can be a great way to get that extra kick you need to make your way to the fitness center or focus up in a crowded gym. These stronger-than-average formulas are more potent, and thus, can potentially elicit greater effects than more basic pre-workouts. That said, these are for experienced lifters who have been taking supplements for years and need the extra boost to gain an edge, or simply for it to be effective anymore.

Whether you’re looking for a skin-splitting pump, all-out energy, laser focus, or a combination of them all, we’ve got a solid option for you on this list. It’s best to keep in mind, though, that these are tools to potentially help you achieve your goals and won’t replace hard work and dedication — they just might make the road a bit easier and less bumpy.

FAQs

References

1. Hull, M., & Examine.com. (2023, August 21). How much caffeine is too much?. Examine. https://examine.com/articles/caffeine-consumption/
2. Gonzalez, A. M., & Trexler, E. T. (2020). Effects of citrulline supplementation on exercise performance in humans: A review of the current literature. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 34(5), 1480–1495. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31977835/
3. Neri, L. (2023, November 2). Citrulline benefits, dosage, and side effects. Examine. https://examine.com/supplements/citrulline/
4. Holmer, B. (2023, September 21). Beta-alanine benefits, dosage, and side effects. Examine. https://examine.com/supplements/beta-alanine/
5. Kasti, A., Nikolaki, M., Synodinou, K., Katsas, K., Petsis, K., Lambrinou, S., Pyrousis, I., & Triantafyllou, K. (2022). The effects of stevia consumption on gut bacteria: Friend or foe? Microorganisms, 10(4), 744. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9028423/
6. Damianou, A. (2024, February 26). Creatine benefits, dosage, and side effects. Examine. https://examine.com/supplements/creatine/
7. Patel, K. (2023, January 31). What is creatine nitrate?. Examine. https://examine.com/articles/what-is-creatine-nitrate/
8. Murray, M., & Michaux, M. (2023, December 18). Alpha-GPC benefits, dosage, and side effects. Examine. https://examine.com/supplements/alpha-gpc/
9. Khemtong, C., Kuo, C.-H., Chen, C.-Y., Jaime, S. J., & Condello, G. (2021). Does branched-chain amino acids (bcaas) supplementation attenuate muscle damage markers and soreness after resistance exercise in trained males? A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutrients, 13(6), 1880. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34072718/
10. del Pozo, S., Gómez-Martínez, S., Díaz, L. E., Nova, E., Urrialde, R., & Marcos, A. (2022). Potential effects of sucralose and saccharin on Gut Microbiota: A Review. Nutrients, 14(8), 1682. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9029443/
11. MediLexicon International. (n.d.). How much caffeine in a cup of coffee. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324986
12. Parker, A. G., Byars, A., Purpura, M., & Jäger, R. (2015). The effects of alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine, caffeine or placebo on markers of mood, cognitive function, power, speed, and agility. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12(sup1). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4595381/
13. Lee, E. C., Maresh, C. M., Kraemer, W. J., Yamamoto, L. M., Hatfield, D. L., Bailey, B. L., Armstrong, L. E., Volek, J. S., McDermott, B. P., & Craig, S. A. (2010). Ergogenic effects of betaine supplementation on Strength and Power Performance. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 7(1). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20642826/
14. WebMD. (n.d.). Caffeine: Overview, uses, side effects, precautions, interactions, dosing and reviews. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-979/caffeine
15. Gann, J. J., McKinley-Barnard, S. K., Andre, T. L., Schoch, R. D., & Willoughby, D. S. (2015). Effects of a traditionally-dosed creatine supplementation protocol and resistance training on the skeletal muscle uptake and whole-body metabolism and retention of creatine in males. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12(sup1). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4594933/