At one time, most people didn’t give much thought to their personal overall health and fitness- but over the past few years, that has shifted. As a general rule, people are looking for ways to improve their well-being. They are taking steps to improve their overall quality of life, such as:
- Dietary changes
- Increasing physical activity
- Taking supplements to aid a variety of goals
When it comes to working out, whether at home or in the gym, almost anyone can engage in some type of physical activity. Many of those who are working out have started taking a pre-workout supplement, typically referred to simply as “pre-workout”. These supplements are helpful because most of them work all day and finally get to their workout in the evenings.
Unfortunately, by the time they are able to get to their workout, they are mentally and physically drained. They don’t have the energy to do anything. This is where a good pre-workout comes in handy. It offers the physical and mental energy you need to get through your workout and reach your health goals.
On those days you’d rather skip the workout and go veg on the couch, a pre-workout can give you the energy you need to maximize your performance. There are lots of options on the market, which can make it complicated to choose the best one.
Another reason that people use pre-workouts is to help them alleviate the stress of the day and improve endurance and stamina to power through a good workout. Since stress seems to be at an all-time high over the past few years, these supplements have surged in popularity. The manufacturers have picked up on this and are starting to offer a variety of formulas. These formulas support goals such as:
- Rapid muscle growth
- Energy bursts
- Reduction of recovery time
- Minimize fatigue following a workout
Additionally, some of the pre-workout formulas actually have a thermogenic effect, that is they burn fat. This helps increase endurance. Finally, there are some pre-workout supplements on the market that actually offer several of the above benefits combined.
Now, we can all agree that variety is the spice of life. However, when it comes to choosing a good pre-workout, variety only complicates things. One of the most important things to remember is that choosing the best pre-workout is a personal decision. You have to think about what exactly you want to get from your supplement to determine which is best. In addition, so many companies have learned how lucrative the pre-workout supplement niche is, that they’re all coming out with their own versions.
After all, these supplements are flying off the shelves, so it makes sense that they want a piece of the market share. Unfortunately, this makes things even more complicated for those who want to improve their health and well-being. It’s harder to find the best one to help reach those goals.
Of course, that is what we are here for. We’re going to explain more about pre-workouts and how to choose the best one. We’re also going to offer you reviews of what we feel are the top 3 pre-workouts on the market today. Hopefully, we can help you decide on one to help you get started.
Of course, it’s important to keep in mind that just because you start with one doesn’t mean you have to stick with it. You can switch if you find that it’s not the right one for you. In fact, experts encourage you to experiment to find the one that works best. After all, everyone is different. What works for one person may not necessarily work for another.
Top 3 Best Pre-Workouts
Below, we’re going to review what we believe are the top 3 best pre-workouts on the market today. Again, if you do choose one of these, don’t feel like you’re stuck with it. If it doesn’t work for you, try something else. We will be looking at:
- XWERKS Ignite
- Transparent Labs Preseries
- CrazyNutrition Intensive Pre-Train
XWERKS Ignite
The first one on our list is XWERKS Ignite. XWERKS is well-known and loved in the fitness industry. Their pre-workout formula supports their reputation. This one stands out because it doesn’t have the side effects that are often associated with other pre-workouts.
Most of the other pre-workouts on the market will give you energy- but that is followed by a crash once it wears off. Ignite gives you the energy you need to get through your most intense workouts and gently lets you down as it wears off. Ignite increases nitric oxide in your system and is one of the strongest options you’ll find.
When you take XWERKS Ignite, you don’t have to worry that you’ll run out of energy in the middle of your workout session, no matter how intense it is. Plus, you won’t need to supplement with additional caffeine- it provides all the energy you need.
Ignite contains a variety of ingredients proven to enhance your workout, including:
- Vitamins B-6 and B-12
- L-tyrosine
- Rhodiola rosea
- Beta-alanine
- Caffeine
According to their website, this combination of ingredients ensures that you don’t have to be concerned about the physical or mental fatigue that comes with an intense workout session. Plus, it will increase muscle mass, give you more explosive energy, encourage faster repair/recovery, and improve your endurance. If you are looking for a quality pre-workout without the crash, this is one of your best options.
XWERKS Ignite is available in four delicious flavors:
- Watermelon
- Blue raspberry
- Orange
- Green apple
There are 30 servings in a container, which costs $49. The company does have a subscription program that saves 5%, which brings the cost to $46.55 each. You can have it auto-shipped every 15, 30, 60, or 90 days.
Type | Powder |
Ingredients | Vitamins B-6 and B-12, L-tyrosine, Rhodiola Rosea, Beta-alanine, Caffeine |
Dosage | 1 scoop per day |
Side Effects | None |
Cost/Servings (per container) | $49 for 30 servings
Subscribe & Save: $46.55/container |
Guarantee? | Yes, 30 days |
Transparent Labs
The second pre-workout on our list is Transparent Labs Preseries. Transparent Labs also has a great reputation for providing high-quality supplements to consumers. They are different because they offer not one- but six- different pre-workout formulas- each one targeted for a different goal:
- Preseries Stim-Free
- Preseries Stim Booster
- Preseries Bulk
- Preseries HowToBeast
- Preseries Lean
- Preseries Jesse James West
Transparent Labs only uses ingredients that are backed by science in appropriate dosages to meet the intended goal. These ingredients include:
- Sodium
- L-theanine
- Potassium
- Boron
- Vitamin D-3
- Zinc
- Taurine
- Vitamin B-6 & B-12
- L-tyrosine
- Theobromine
- Caffeine
If you’re looking for a targeted formula, Transparent Labs Preseries is your best option- plus, it’s budget-friendly. You get 30 servings for $49.99. They do not have a subscription program at this time. They do offer a few different flavors so you don’t have to worry about getting bored:
- Orange
- Tropical punch
- Sour grape
- Green apple
- Strawberry lemonade
- Blue raspberry
Type | Powder |
Ingredients | Sodium, L-theanine, Potassium, Boron, Vitamin D-3, Zinc, Taurine, Vitamin B-6 & B-12, L-tyrosine, Theobromine, Caffeine |
Dosage | 1 scoop/day |
Side Effects | None |
Cost/Servings (per container) | $49.99/30 servings |
Guarantee? | Yes, 60 days |
Shop For Transparent Labs Here
Crazy Nutrition Intensive Pre-Train
CrazyNutrition was founded in 2013, making it the youngest company on our list. Don’t let that fool you though- they have established a name for themselves. Their pre-workout contains a combination of ingredients that will give you the energy you need without the jitters- and you won’t crash when it wears off.
When you’re working out, you’ll notice that your concentration and focus are laser-sharp, which means you will achieve your best performance. The powerful combination of ingredients provides you with optimum blood flow. Ingredients include:
- L-arginine
- KSM-66 ashwagandha
- Vitamin C
- Citrulline malate
- Taurine
- Betaine anhydrous
- Beta-alanine
- L-tyrosine
- Piperine
- EnXtra caffeine booster
CrazyNutrition Intensive Pre-Train comes in a few different flavors, one of which is caffeine free:
- Green apple (caffeine free)
- Fruit punch
- Blue raspberry
Each container costs $39.99 and contains 20 servings. CrazyNutrition offers a subscription program, which brings the cost down to $31.99 per container and you choose how often you want it delivered.
Type | Powder |
Ingredients | L-arginine, KSM-66 ashwagandha, Vitamin C, Citrulline malate, Taurine, Betaine anhydrous, Beta-alanine, L-tyrosine, Piperine, EnXtra caffeine booster |
Dosage | 1 scoop/day |
Side Effects | None |
Cost/Servings (per container) | $39.99/20 servings
Subscribe & Save: $31.99/container |
Guarantee? | Yes, 60 days |
How We Chose Top 3 Best Pre-Workouts
As mentioned, in today’s market, there are so many different options, it’s important to take the time to evaluate them. After all, it’s important that you take the time to determine which ones are real and will live up to their claims, versus the ones that are fake and don’t stand behind their products.
Unfortunately, there’s so much information and misinformation out there, it can be confusing. There are several things that we considered to determine if a supplement was quality or not. We’ll look over those below:
Scientifically Backed Ingredients
As you can see just by the three supplements we’ve reviewed here, there are lots of potential ingredients and combinations that can be included in pre-workout supplements.
Each ingredient has a different impact on your body and your workout performance. Once you understand more about these ingredients, it’ll be easier to make a decision.
Common Pre-Workout Ingredients
Some of the scientifically-backed ingredients found in pre-workout supplements include:
Clinically Proven Dosages
Not only is it important to include ingredients that are scientifically proven, but it’s also important that they are available in clinically proven dosages. After all, if the dosage isn’t high enough, it won’t be effective and if it’s too high, it could potentially be dangerous.
In addition, some manufacturers hide behind the words “proprietary blend” so they don’t have to list specific dosages for each ingredient. These products need to be avoided because there’s no way of knowing exactly what is in them or how much.
Honesty & Transparency of the Manufacturer
Since the supplement industry is not regulated by the FDA, it’s easy for manufacturers to exaggerate what their supplements can do. For example, some promise to provide results almost overnight. If you find a supplement like this, it’s best to avoid it. Additionally, some manufacturers promise to offer results with little to no effort from you. Again, this isn’t true- there’s no such thing as a miracle supplement. Nothing will work without some effort.
In addition to being honest, we looked for manufacturers who were transparent about their ingredients and dosages. Another factor that goes along with this is third-party testing and providing the results of that testing to the public. If a company seems to be hiding something, they probably are- it’s best to avoid them and go with a company that is 100% honest and transparent.
Reputation of Manufacturer
Pre-workouts are popular, and manufacturers have learned that. That is why there are so many different options on the market. However, they don’t necessarily do the research before they release their products. Of course, age isn’t everything. There are companies that have only been around for a few years and quickly made a name for themselves. Do the research and find out about the company before buying supplements from them.
Conclusion
In recent years, there has been a push for people to become more aware of their overall health and wellness. Many have added supplements to their repertoire- and one of those supplements is pre-workouts. There is some research indicating that you can get more from your workouts by using these supplements. Unfortunately, there are so many options, it’s hard to choose one.
That’s why we’ve done the work for you. We’ve narrowed down your options to what we feel are the top 3 supplements on the market. If you’re interested in getting started with pre-workouts, start here and find one that works for you.
Affiliate Disclosure:
The links contained in this product review may result in a small commission if you opt to purchase the product recommended at no additional cost to you.
Disclaimer:
Any advice or guidelines revealed here are not even remotely a substitute for sound medical advice from a licensed healthcare provider. Make sure to consult with a professional physician before making any purchasing decision. Individual results may vary as the statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.