C4 Pre-Workout Review (2024): Why Is It America’s Top-Selling Pre-Workout?

When something remains popular for many years I have to ask myself, “Self, is this popular because it’s actually good or because the vast majority of people tend to go along with what’s trending?” This usually applies to things like TV shows (*cough* “Game of Thrones” *cough*), but it can also be true for things like the best pre-workouts.

This C4 pre-workout review takes a close look at a supplement that’s been beloved by millions for more than 15 years. As a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach, I wanted to test this pre-workout’s effects on my energy, pumps, and focus—and I think I’ve found out why it’s America’s best-selling pre-workout powder. 

Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider.

C4 Yourself Why We Have the Best Pre-Workout Reviews 

Garage Gym Reviews became a fitness industry powerhouse thanks to our in-depth, hands-on reviews of barbells, weight benches, and dumbbells. We took that same testing methodology and the principle of being brutally honest with everything we test and applied it to pre-workouts, creatine, protein powders, and more. 

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We’re also certified personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and weightlifting coaches who would only recommend supplements that we’d either take ourselves or recommend to our clients. 

Cellucor C4

Cellucor C4 Pre-Workout

GGR Score: 3.9

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Product Highlights

• Powerful ingredients
• Gives a solid boost of energy
• Dissolves well
• Affordable price per serving

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Powerful ingredients
• Gives a solid boost of energy
• Can aid in training performance
• Dissolves well
• Affordable price per serving

Cons

• Some users report unpleasant aftertaste
• Gives some people headaches
• Some experience tingling in the face

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for an affordable pre-workout drink from a big-name supplement company, give C4 a look.

A Quick Look at the C4 Pre-Workout 

Cellucor launched their first C4 pre-workout in 2011 and has since had a stronghold on the supplement industry. It is the official energy drink of the South by Southwest festival, has partnered with Skittles and Starbursts for energy drink collaborations, and can be spotted in supplement and grocery stores just about everywhere. 

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The C4 original pre-workout is only one of the pre-workouts they offer and is its most basic formula in that it has all the vital active ingredients needed in a pre-workout (mainly caffeine, beta-alanine, and citrulline), but the dosages are minimal, to say the least. There are other versions of C4 pre-workout with different dosages, such as C4 Extreme and C4 Ultimate. 

But as the age-old saying goes, you can’t judge a product by its nutrition label. 

Before You Buy

• There’s a 60-day money-back guarantee if you don’t like the pre-workout 
• You can save even more money by ordering C4 pre-workout on a subscription basis 

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Is the C4 Pre-Workout Worth It?

The C4 Original Pre-Workout is one of the most budget-friendly supplements out there, and it’s not even close. A 30-serving tub costs just under $1 per serving and a 60-serving tub is just 83 cents per serving—and those prices drop drastically if you order them on a subscription basis. 

But there are times when it might be worth spending just a little more to get a bigger bang for your buck. Is this one of those times? I’ll say it depends on your goals. 

General gym-goers or home gym athletes just looking for an extra energy boost will be happy with C4, but if you’re an aspiring strength athlete, you might want a supplement with a little more oomph than this offers.

C4 Pre-Workout Specs

Experience Using C4 Pre-Workout 

I won’t bury the lede: I was pleasantly surprised by how well C4 pre-workout boosted my energy and muscular endurance. I say “pleasantly surprised” because several of its ingredients are under-dosed, meaning the amount is less than the clinically-recommended doses usually required to boost athletic performance. 

I took C4 original pre-workout for several days before writing this review to get a true gauge on how it impacted my workouts, and I’ll be breaking down my thoughts on how well it delivered on its three main promises: explosive energy, improved muscular endurance, and enhanced pumps. 

Energy 

Let me just start off by saying that I’ve taken some of the strongest pre-workouts on the market and I have been known to drink enough cold brew to take down a baby elephant, so I didn’t think C4 pre-workouts 150 milligrams of caffeine (the equivalent of a grande hot Starbucks coffee) was going to have much of an impact on my energy levels. 

I was wrong. I definitely felt more energized after taking C4, though not so much that I wanted to launch out of my Nike Metcon 8s as I sometimes feel with stronger pre-workouts. 

In a classic example of “Do as I say and not as I do,” I should warn you that excessive caffeine intake can lead to heart issues, poor sleep, and caffeine dependence. It’s great to have a product like C4 in your pantry to help cut down on the amount of caffeine you take everyday. 

Caffeine, however, isn’t just for waking people up—many studies have shown it can potentially decrease your rate of perceived exertion (or how hard you have to push yourself to complete an exercise) and increase muscle power, as illustrated by a December 2020 review article¹ published in the Frontiers of Sports and Active Living journal. 

In a March 2018 review and meta-analysis², researchers agree that more studies should be done to explore this link, especially in women, and that future studies should do a better job at ensuring test subjects and data analyzers are unaware of who’s receiving caffeine and who’s receiving a placebo. 

How Much Caffeine Should I Take Before My Workouts?

According to a 2001 report³ from the Committee on Military Nutrition Research that reviewed numerous studies, most studies agree that people looking to take advantage of caffeine’s strength-training benefits should take anywhere from 2-9 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. So a 200-pound person would need around 180 milligrams of caffeine to get the best effects. 

In other words, the answer to this question is the same as how much protein you need—it depends.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends most adults take no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine per day. 

Muscular Endurance 

Muscular endurance refers to your muscles’ abilities to perform the same exercise for an extended period of time—in plain English, it’s a test of how many reps you can eke out, which means you can build muscle much quicker. 

I definitely felt like I was able to do more bench press, lat pull-down, and goblet squat reps on the days I took C4 pre-workout. The pre-workout contains an ingredient called CarnoSyn Beta-Alanine, which is a special form of the amino acid beta-alanine to help delay muscle fatigue, increase muscular endurance, and regulate acid buildup in muscles. 

The problem is C4 only contains 1.6 grams of CarnoSyn, despite the fact that its creators state on their website that at least 3.2 grams are needed per day to “get the edge over the competition.” 

Beta-alanine has been known to cause a slight itching sensation known as paresthesia, which can be felt even at lower doses (this sensation will usually only last a few minutes). 

Pumps 

In my opinion this is where C4 underperformed. I tried this on several back and biceps days and while I felt a pump, it wasn’t anything that made my shirt feel overly tight. 

Cellucor C4 has one gram each of creatine and citrulline malate, both of which have been connected with increased pumps, though they’re usually required in larger amounts. For instance, several studies, such as this April 2011 randomized trial⁴, called 2-3 grams of creatine per day a “low dose,” and most studies use around 8 grams of citrulline malate, as cited by this December 2021 critical review⁵. 

Price Per Serving

C4 Original pre-workout is one of the most, if not the most, affordable pre-workout supplements currently on the market. The 30-serving tub comes out to just 99 cents per serving (before taxes and shipping and handling) and the 60-serving tub only costs 83 cents per serving. 

You can get further savings by ordering your pre-workout on a subscription basis, which not only drops the price by 35% but also gives you free shipping. A 30-serving tub delivered every month costs 65 cents per serving and a 60-serving tub is only 54 cents per serving. 

C4 Pre-Workout Ingredients and Formulation

Cellucor C4 does a pretty good job of listing its ingredients and their quantities. There’s only one case of them using a proprietary blend, which they call an “explosive energy blend,” but in that case there are only two ingredients with undisclosed amounts—velvet bean seed extract, which, according to a June 2020 study⁶ published in the journal 3 Biotech, has been connected to improved motivation, and theacrine, a naturally occurring, low-release stimulant that gives an energy boost like caffeine. 

Citrulline Malate 

Citrulline malate can be found in many pre-workouts, including stimulant-free supplements, because it’s been shown in a May 2010 study⁷ to increase blood flow and nitric oxide and oxygen delivery to the muscles, which can boost your athletic performance, give you better pumps, and help improve post-workout recovery. 

The C4 Original pre-workout only has one gram of citrulline malate, well below the 8 grams used in most studies⁵ (most pre-workout use around 6 grams, which has still been linked to improved performance in the gym). 

Caffeine 

We don’t have to tell you about caffeine’s benefits—but here’s a refresher: increased alertness, power output, and metabolism. 

C4 has 150 milligrams of caffeine anhydrous, which despite being on the lower end can still benefit some people. 

Beta-Alanine 

This amino acid is linked with decreased muscle fatigue, which is why many pre-workouts have the clinically-recommended dose of 3.2 grams of the stuff. C4, however, only has half that amount. 

It might be a good idea for beginners or those new to taking pre-workout to start with something like C4 to get used to the itching sensation known as paresthesia. 

Creatine

Not all pre-workouts contain creatine, so it’s nice to see that C4 has included 1 gram of it in their pre-workout. Creatine, one of the most-researched dietary supplement ingredients, can increase muscle strength, improve recovery, and boost muscle growth, according to this November 2003 review of studies⁸.

C4 Flavors: Taste and Solubility 

Cellucor C4 original pre-workout comes in nine flavors: 

• Cherry Limeade
• Strawberry Watermelon
• Grape 
• Watermelon
• Frozen Bombsicle
• Icy Blue Razz
• Fruit Punch 
• Pink Lemonade (60 servings only)
• Strawberry Margarita (60 servings only)

I went with the Pink Lemonade flavor, and while it didn’t transport me back to hot summer days by the pool, it still tasted pretty good and wasn’t overly sweet. I shook one scoop with 6 ounces of water in my shaker bottle and there were no clumps. 

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Side Effects

There was a slight itching sensation due to the beta-alanine, but other than that the only side effect I felt from C4 was increased energy. 

Third-Party Testing 

Some of Cellucor’s C4 products are certified by the National Sanitation Foundation as banned substance-free, but the C4 Original Pre-Workout does not have that certification (or at least it’s not advertised on the website or tub). 

That said, C4 Original pre-workout doesn’t contain any controversial pre-workout ingredients and should be good for most athletes. 

C4 Pre-Workout vs Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 

Optimum Pre-Workout

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout

GGR Score: 4.6

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Product Highlights

• Reputable brand 
• Combines 175 milligrams of caffeine with 3 grams of creatine monohydrate and 1.5 grams beta-alanine
• Available in 4 flavors
• Mixes well
• Tastes good

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Contains creatine
• A slew of vitamins in this formula
• Reputable brand
• Tastes good
• Affordable
• Mixes well

Cons

• Some flavors reported to have a synthetic aftertaste

Bottom Line

Made with simple yet effective ingredients, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout provides users with a good boost of energy, improved focus, and enhanced performance.

If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly pre-workout with a little more of a kick, we’d recommend Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard. It has 175 milligrams of caffeine (slightly higher than C4), 3 grams of creatine, and 1.5 grams of beta-alanine per serving (still below the recommended dose). 

If you’re looking for a pump, you should know Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard only has 0.75 grams of citrulline in it, which is below C4’s 1-gram dose. 

* Based on 30-serving container 

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C4 Pre-Workout vs Transparent Labs BULK 

BULK Up

Transparent Labs BULK Pre-Workout

GGR Score: 4.25

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Product Highlights

• Formulated to help support muscle gain 
• 20 grams of research-based active ingredients per serving 
• 8 flavor variations are available

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Transparent ingredient list
• No artificial sweetener or color
• Moderate dose of caffeine
• 8 flavor options
• 60-day money-back assurance

Cons

• No creatine
• Some users report it tastes bad

Bottom Line

Transparent Labs’ BULK supplement is attractive to those whose primary focus is split between potential muscle gain and a pre-workout pump. While the taste is questionable, the product works well for most users.

Transparent Labs BULK pre-workout is similar to C4 in that it also contains a low caffeine dose (only 180 milligrams), but it blows C4 out of the water with its other ingredients. It has 4 grams of beta-alanine (more than the clinically-recommended dose) and 8 grams of citrulline.

It is more expensive than C4, but if you’re looking for a pre-workout with ingredients in clinically-backed doses, then this is one of the best picks for your money. 

Transparent Labs also sells a LEAN pre-workout, which is formulated to support weight loss and thyroid function. 

* Based on 30-serving container 

Financing and Money-Back Guarantee 

Cellucor’s checkout process doesn’t appear to have a financing option, though you can choose to pay via credit card or PayPal if you wish. 

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If you don’t like C4 for any reason, there’s a 60-day money-back guarantee that allows you to get a full refund (minus shipping and handling). 

Ordering Cellucor C4 Pre-Workout 

Once you choose your serving size and desired flavor, you simply choose how quickly you want to receive your C4 pre-workout (there’s an option for next day delivery) and then wait for it to arrive. 

Customer Reviews

C4 Original pre-workout has a 4.7 average rating (the same score it has on Amazon) with more than 570 customer reviews as of this writing. 

Some customers complained they had negative side effects after taking the supplement. 

Final Verdict of Our C4 Pre-Workout Review

The C4 Original pre-workout has a lot going for it: it’s affordable and provides a good amount of energy. If you’re curious about pre-workouts and have never taken them before, this is a good place to start. 
If you’re a supplement veteran who’s looking for something with a little bit of a kick, we’d recommend something that contains clinically-backed doses of citrulline and beta-alanine. We’re actually OK with the low caffeine amount, as that’s something many people might prefer in their pre-workout.

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C4 Pre-Workout Rating

C4 Pre-Workout

Our C4 pre-workout review examines why this has been one of the most popular supplements for more than a decade.

Product Currency: $

Product Price: 29.99

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
3.9

C4 Pre-Workout FAQs

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.

References

1. Martins GL, Guilherme JPLF, Ferreira LHB, de Souza-Junior TP, Lancha AH Jr. Caffeine and Exercise Performance: Possible Directions for Definitive Findings. Front Sports Act Living. 2020;2:574854. Published 2020 Dec 11. doi:10.3389/fspor.2020.574854
2. Grgic J, Trexler ET, Lazinica B, Pedisic Z. Effects of caffeine intake on muscle strength and power: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2018;15:11. Published 2018 Mar 5. doi:10.1186/s12970-018-0216-0
3. Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Military Nutrition Research. Caffeine for the Sustainment of Mental Task Performance: Formulations for Military Operations. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2001. 5, Doses and Delivery Mechanisms. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK223795/
4. Rawson ES, Stec MJ, Frederickson SJ, Miles MP. Low-dose creatine supplementation enhances fatigue resistance in the absence of weight gain. Nutrition. 2011;27(4):451-455. doi:10.1016/j.nut.2010.04.001
5. Gough LA, Sparks SA, McNaughton LR, et al. A critical review of citrulline malate supplementation and exercise performance. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2021;121(12):3283-3295. doi:10.1007/s00421-021-04774-6
6. Pathania R, Chawla P, Khan H, Kaushik R, Khan MA. An assessment of potential nutritive and medicinal properties of Mucuna pruriens: a natural food legume. 3 Biotech. 2020;10(6):261. doi:10.1007/s13205-020-02253-x
7. Pérez-Guisado J, Jakeman PM. Citrulline malate enhances athletic anaerobic performance and relieves muscle soreness. J Strength Cond Res. 2010;24(5):1215-1222. doi:10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181cb28e0
8. Rawson ES, Volek JS. Effects of creatine supplementation and resistance training on muscle strength and weightlifting performance. J Strength Cond Res. 2003;17(4):822-831. doi:10.1519/1533-4287(2003)017<0822:eocsar>2.0.co;2

Anthony O'Reilly, CPT, CNC

Anthony O'Reilly is a NASM-certified nutrition coach and personal trainer whose work has been featured in Muscle & Fitness and BarBend, and previously was an award-winning reporter and photographer for newspapers on Long Island and Queens, NY. After spending most of his life overweight, he dropped 80 pounds and took control of his health and fitness. Outside of work, he still enjoys Little Debbie cakes but offsets them with rigorous hikes and workouts. He's an avid Manchester United supporter, through thick and thin.

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