Best Cheap Pre-Workout (2024): Aim to Get Big On a Budget with These Pre-Workouts

Pre-workout is like food: Just because it costs more doesn’t mean it’s better. So, the best pre-workout supplements aren’t always the most expensive ones. In fact, many people in the bodybuilding world prefer a low-cost pre-workout because they may use it daily or even multiple times a day. 

The picks on this list are our favorites because they include brands that contain most of the same ingredients of the best pre-workout supplements that cost a bit more. If you’re the type who has to maintain a stack or otherwise take multiple supplements, keeping recurring costs low is probably a priority. 

Likewise, if you’re just dipping your toe in the sweet waters of pre-workout, it makes sense that you don’t want to spend a fortune on something you may not even like once you try it. So, after careful review, we came up with a list of the best cheap pre-workouts supplements with a solid balance of quality and value for when carbohydrates just aren’t doing it for your daily energy boost. 

Our team of registered dietitians, certified personal trainers, and competitive weightlifters still want to make sure your cheap pre-workout helps you in the gym, which is why we look at these important factors when deciding our top picks:

• Ingredients: Does it have science-backed compounds, vitamins, and minerals?
• Taste: Can you swallow it without wincing?
• Price: Is it truly affordable?

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.

Best Cheap Pre-Workout

• Best Cheap Pre-Workout Overall: Nutricost Pre-X Pre-Workout
• Best Cheap Pre-Workout for Building Muscle: MuscleTech Vapor X5
• Best Cheap Pre-Workout for a Pump: Jacked Factory NitroSurge
• Best Stim-Free Cheap Pre-Workout: Raw Nutrition Pump
• Best-Tasting Cheap Pre-Workout: Pro Supps Mr Hyde
• Best Natural Cheap Pre-Workout: Naked Energy
• Best Cheap Pre-Workout for Beginners: Cellucor C4

Best Cheap Pre-Workout Overall: Nutricost Pre-X Pre-Workout

Good for: People who want a basic pre-workout that doesn’t overdo it on the stimulants

Best Overall

Nutricost Pre-X Pre-Workout

GGR Score: 4.14

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Product Highlights

• Pre-workout formula with B vitamins
• 300 mg of caffeine per serving
• About $1 per serving
• Third-party tested
• 5 flavor options

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Contains B vitamins
• Gluten-free and non-GMO
• Affordable price per serving

Cons

• Not enough research to support the ingredients that claim to support cognitive function
• Caffeine content may be too much for some folks

Bottom Line

Nutricost Pre-X is an affordable pre-workout at about $1 per serving. There are five flavors to choose from, each with a light and refreshing taste. Each serving contains 300 milligrams of caffeine, which is equivalent to about 3 cups of coffee.

We’re fans of Nutricost Pre-X for a few reasons, the main one being that it’s a super approachable pre-workout whether you’re a seasoned weightlifter or just getting started. In a nutshell, it has great flavors that our team loves, but the beta-alanine is lower than those found in comparable products. This is actually great for beginners who may not be used to the skin-tingling effects of beta-alanine.

At around $1 per serving, Pre-X has 1.5 grams of Nitrosigine, a form of L-arginine. Arginine has been shown not only to be a nitric oxide booster to help blood flow to the muscles¹, but can also be uniquely helpful at stimulating muscle growth. Plus, Nutricost Pre-X has plenty of other ingredients to help with your pump: citrulline and betaine, for example.

GGR expert panelist Jacob Penner, USAW-L2, uses Nutricost Pre-X routinely and likes the pump and the effects he feels during his workout. “I get a decent pump from Pre-X when I take it before heavy squats and dumbbell accessories,” he says. 

However, he doesn’t feel quite as stimulated as other pre-workouts he’s taken. “I have a pretty high tolerance for caffeine and have taken high-stim pre-workouts before,” Jacob explains. “So with this, I was motivated and focused throughout my workout, but wasn’t stimulated much.” He rates the effects a 4 out of 5.

Nutricost is pretty transparent with their ingredient list, too, as their supplements are manufactured in an NSF-certified and GMP-compliant facility. The pre-workout also rates high for taste and solubility, earning a 4 out of 5 in both. Jacob tried blue raspberry, and says it tastes “just like you’d want blue razz to taste.” The supplement mixes well, too, although it leaves behind some minor granules.

Learn more in our Nutricost Pre-X Pre-Workout review.

Best Cheap Pre-Workout for Building Muscle: MuscleTech Vapor X5

Good for: Those who want to get a solid pump on a budget

Best for Building Muscle

MuscleTech Vapor X5

GGR Score: 4

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Product Highlights

• Very affordable pre-workout
• Available in Blue Raspberry Fusion, Miami Spring Break, Fruit Punch Blast flavors
• 150 mg of caffeine per serving
• 1.5 g of creatine and citrulline per serving
• 1.6 g of beta-alanine per serving

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Very affordable
• Comes in three flavors
• Good dosages of caffeine and beta-alanine

Cons

• Not third-party tested
• A bit light on citrulline
• Some don't like creatine in their pre-workout

Bottom Line

MuscleTech Vapor X5 is a very affordable pre-workout available in three flavors. It contains good dosages of caffeine and beta-alanine, but is a little light on citrulline according to the research-backed daily recommended amount.

What does 67 cents per serving get you with MuscleTech’s Vapor X5? Creatine monohydrate, betaine, taurine, l-theanine, beta-alanine and Nitrosigine®. Right off the bat, though, we have to highlight a catch. Vapor X5 promises 3 grams of creatine, 3.2 grams of beta-alanine, and 2.5 grams of betaine, but that’s only if you plan on taking two scoops at a time.

Now, this is likely safe if it’s promoted on MuscleTech’s product page, but the problem is you may not have the tolerance for that much powder and the ingredients within. Furthermore, if you do have the tolerance, you now have a tub that’s only going to last 15 days (assuming daily use) instead of 30. 

That said, 2.5 grams of betaine is exactly how much was used in the study with athletes that showed betaine can aid in improving muscular endurance and the quality of reps performed² after 15 straight days of supplementation. 

It worked well enough for Jacob Penner, a USA Weightlifting Level-2 coach and GGR expert panel member who gave the powder a 4 out of 5 for effects. “I don’t get the tingling you normally get with pre-workouts, I just feel more energized,” Jacob says. He gave the Blue Raspberry flavor a 4 out of 5 on taste—”Tastes like your standard berry-flavored drink,” he says—and a 5 out of 5 for solubility.

Additionally, Vapor X5 contains Nitrosigine, a form of l-arginine, which was originally developed as a heart disease treatment but is now commonly used as a vasodilator in pre-workout products due to its ability to lower blood pressure and help increase blood flow³. It’s even been touted in recent research as superior to traditional l-arginine in its ability to help reduce fatigue.

The combination of ingredients that help with blood flow and can help you perform more reps, can aid in providing a pump and, even indirectly, can support some of that muscle gain you’re looking for. 

Best Cheap Pre-Workout for a Pump: Jacked Factory NitroSurge

Good for: Those who want a big pump without a big price tag

Best for a Pump

Jacked Factory Nitrosurge Pre-Workout Powder

GGR Score: 4.225

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Product Highlights

• Vegan pre-workout 
• 180 mg of caffeine per scoop 
• Manufactured in USA in cGMP certified facility

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Available in multiple sizes: 30 or 60 servings
• Subscribe and save 15%
• Available in 11 flavors
• 100% money-back guarantee
• Manufactured in USA in cGMP certified facility
• Vegan
• Affordable at under $1 per serving (1 scoop serving)

Cons

• Mixed reviews on taste
• Mixed reviews on effectiveness
• Contains sucralose

Bottom Line

Jacked Factory Nitrosurge Pre-Workout is a generally positively reviewed pre-workout with 180 milligrams of caffeine and a large variety of flavor options.

If you’re looking for a pump without breaking the bank, Jacked Factory NitroSurge has you covered. One scoop has 3 grams of L-citrulline, which may stimulate nitric oxide production and promote blood flow to the muscles⁴. In other words, it can help your muscles receive more nutrients and allow you to achieve a greater muscle pump.

Beta-alanine is the biggest ingredient we want to call out here. It’s a very common pre-workout ingredient, and when it gives you a tingly feeling, it’s a sign you’re experiencing the nerve-stimulating effects of this compound. 

An itching or burning sensation—called paresthesia—is typically felt in the arms, head, and neck within 10 to 15 minutes of taking a pre-workout that contains beta-alanine. However, if a person is highly sensitive to it, it may occur everywhere. Don’t worry, it’s not harmful, just weird. So, if you can overlook this sensation, studies show you may be able to perform 22% more reps⁵ than if you had not taken beta-alanine.  

Our product testers, GGR senior director of content Kate Meier and her weightlifting teammate Jacob Penner, also a member of the GGR expert panel, gave it a 4 out of 5 for effects.

“I took this in the morning and just did one scoop, which really only gives you a half dosage of the active ingredients you’d find in other pre-workouts, aside from caffeine,” says Jacob, a USAW Level-2 weightlifting coach. “I don’t feel itchy or hype, because ingredients like beta-alanine are halved. This is what makes it really good for a beginner who isn’t ready to get the mad-hype feeling you get with other pre-workouts.” 

All in all, for a reasonable price, NitroSurge provides all the usual suspects of pre-workout ingredients in amounts that aren’t at all intimidating. If you need something skin-ripping and rush-inducing, you can probably find something more intense, but NitroSurge is a solid pre-workout supplement overall. 

Oh, and it tastes amazing, too. Kate and Jacob tried Strawberry Margarita and said in our NitroSurge Pre-Workout review that it’s wildly delicious. “Like, I’d drink this by the side of a pool over ice,” Kate says, giving it a 5 out of 5 on taste.

Best Stim-Free Cheap Pre-Workout: Raw Nutrition Pump

Good for: Caffeine-sensitive athletes and gym goers who want performance benefits without the jitters

Best Stim-Free

RAW Nutrition Pump

GGR Score: 4

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Product Highlights

• Stimulant-free pre-workout powder
• Designed to increase blood flow to your muscles
• Claimed to deliver improved endurance
• Added sodium to support hydration
• Comes in 5 flavors
• Third-party tested

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Taste is popular
• Includes Lion's Mane extract
• Reportedly effective
• Supports hydration
• Affordable

Cons

• Contains sucralose
• Artificial flavors

Bottom Line

Raw Nutrition’s Pump is a stimulant-free pre-workout formula designed to enhance your next workout with ingredients like l-citrulline and Lion's Mane extract.

This caffeine-free pre-workout gives you so much good stuff for a pump without the jitters for those who are sensitive to any sort of dose of caffeine. Raw Nutrition’s pre-workout also contains betaine and beta-alanine to help delay fatigue during your workouts, along with l-citrulline to help promote the blood flow you need for a pump. 

RELATED: Best Pump Pre-Workout

Raw Nutrition’s pre-workout formula also contains lion’s mane extract, which has been purported to help reduce fatigue in animal subjects, but we were not able to find any published studies that showed significant benefits to humans. 

GGR staff writer Lauren Strong’s husband Matt—a competitive powerlifter— tried Raw Nutrition Pump, as he used to have a hard time falling asleep from drinking pre-workout before his after-work session. “This stim-free has actually been a decent solution for him,” Lauren says. Matt gave it a 4 out of 5 on effects, saying the one-point deduction came because it’s not the best on an empty stomach.

One thing I really want to point out here is the electrolytes. There are 210 milligrams of sodium from sea salt, but then also 500 milligrams of Himalayan pink salt. This, along with the 12.5 milligrams of potassium, make this supplement a solid tool for helping with hydration as one serving contains more sodium than even a standard Gatorade. 

Finally, Raw Nutrition Pump also contains agmatine, which studies suggest can alter the metabolism enough to aid in fat loss⁶ when taken on a long-term basis. If you are on a weight loss journey, Raw Nutrition Pump may actually prove to be a helpful addition to your toolkit in the event you decide to stick with it as a consistent part of your supplement regimen over the long haul.

All in all, if you’re a late-night exerciser, having a stimulant-free pre-workout on deck is probably a good idea to keep you from staying up half the night jacked on Green Apple-flavored supplements. 

Best-Tasting Cheap Pre-Workout: Pro Supps Mr. Hyde

Good for: Athletes who need to take a pre-workout that’s safe and a steal

Best-Tasting

ProSupps Mr. Hyde Pre-Workout

GGR Score: 4

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Product Highlights

• Low-stim pre-workout 
• Third party-tested  and banned substance-tested
• 1,000 mg of creatine 
• 222 mg stimulant matrix: 206 mg caffeine + 16 mg theacrine
• ProSupps listed benefits: Aids muscle strength, increases blood flow, provides lean energy, improved focus, great pump

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Soy- and gluten-free
• Vegan
• Subscribe and save 20%
• Banned-substance free and Informed Choice Certified
• Made in the USA in a cGMP Compliant facility

Cons

• Only 2 flavors available in 60-serving containers: Blue Razz Popsicle and Lollipop Punch
• Contains sucralose
• Manufactured in facility that processes allergens
• Customers complain dye turns their tongues blue
• Mixed reviews on taste and effectiveness

Bottom Line

ProSupps Mr. Hyde pre-workout is a low-stim that is third party-tested for banned substances and Informed Choice Certified. ProSupps shares that this supplement improves energy, focus, and pumps to improve your workouts. Customer reviews for this product are mixed. Some customers said it was their favorite pre-workout and others didn’t feel much of a change in their workouts.

With flavors like Lollipop Punch and Pixie Dust, ProSupps Mr. Hyde lands on our list for its great taste, but the perks don’t stop there. Mr. Hyde is also vegan-friendly, soy-free, gluten-free, and contains zero added sugar. It should be noted, though, that it is sweetened with sucralose, an artificial sweetener you may know as Splenda. 

Certified personal trainer and nutrition coach Anthony O’Reilly tried the Blue Razz Popsicle flavor and gave it a 5 out of 5 on taste. “It really tastes like those sticky ice pops you got from an ice cream truck on hot summer days,” he says.

Along with 1 gram of creatine and about 200 milligrams of caffeine, Mr. Hyde also contains something called choline bitartrate. Researchers found that choline-based supplements, such as pre-workout, can improve explosive power⁷ during resistance training, allowing test subjects to maintain their power even when they are fatigued.

Another huge reason why I am so excited about this supplement is the fact that ProSupps Mr. Hyde boasts a seal of third-party testing certification from Informed Choice, which is a third-party lab that tests supplements to confirm that they are safe and do not contain banned substances. Not to be dramatic, but this just makes my sports dietitian heart just sing with delight.

At $0.66 per serving it’s one of the best cheap pre-workout supplements on our list in terms of the combination of taste, value, and ingredient quality. This is an especially good choice if you’re an athlete who is strapped for cash, but needs a pre-workout that’ll keep you drug-test ready without skimping on active compounds. 

Best Natural Pre-Workout: Naked Energy

Good for: People looking for an economical workout with all-natural ingredients

Best Natural

Naked Nutrition Stim-Free Pre-Workout

GGR Score: 4.35

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Product Highlights

• Caffeine-free/stimulant-free 
• Plant-based ingredients 
• Claimed to improve focus, performance, and recovery
• Includes CarnoSyn beta-alanine
• Unflavored
• No additives or artificial ingredients
• Third-party tested for efficacy

Pros & Cons

Pros

• No additives or artificial sweeteners
• Non-stimulant
• Non-gmo
• Vegan and keto friendly
• Free from sugar, soy, and dairy

Cons

• Some don’t care for the taste
• Not a lot of reviews of the non-stim version

Bottom Line

If you are looking for a clean pre-workout supplement with a simple list of natural vitamins and minerals, Naked Nutrition's Stim Free Pre Workout may be for you.

The problem with cheap supplements? A lot of times, they’re also made with cheap ingredients and “proprietary blends” with labels so vague and confusing you barely know what you’re taking most of the time. Not with Naked Energy, though. 

In terms of workout products, Naked Energy is one of those brands that people get when they want to supplement their workout with a more minimalist approach. Their pre-workout maintains these standards by being made without using GMOs or additives, artificial colors, or artificial sweeteners, and it’s able to provide a great taste even while being naturally flavored. All of this at only $0.90 a serving, too. 

GGR senior staff writer Amanda Capritto is training for a triathlon and reaches for Naked Energy among other pre-workouts. “This one has become my go-to because I always feel energized and focused when I take it.”

Those who are sensitive to stimulants can take advantage of the Naked Energy stim-free variation. It is also the version of the product that does not contain beta-alanine for those who would also like to avoid the tinglies. 

RELATED: Best Stim-Free Pre-Workout

It’s worth noting that, since Naked wants to keep all its ingredients natural, but still make sure they are delicious, one of the major ingredients in the flavored version is cane sugar. In other words, if you’re looking for a pre-workout that is 100% sugar-free, then this is not for you. 

With regards to the active ingredients included in this pre-workout formula, they can be summed up very simply as the common players: beta-alanine, creatine monohydrate, l-arginine with some vitamins and minerals thrown in. Other than that, as well as being third-party tested, Naked Energy is one of the few pre-workout powders on the market with a formula that is as simple and natural as it is for the cost. 

Best Cheap Pre-Workout for Beginners: Cellucor C4

Good for: People who want a pre-workout powder that’s on the mild side

Best for Beginners

Cellucor C4 Pre-Workout

GGR Score: 4

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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.

Cellucor is a household name in sports nutrition. I remember in my personal training days, “C4” was basically synonymous with any pre-workout because it was such a common favorite among the trainers. This is especially true considering many of us new trainers were on a considerable budget, but still had to get our pump on! So C4 was the go-to. 

A combination of creatine and citrulline malate, which science says can help increase blood flow to the muscles³, can help you get a decent pump. I will say though, the amount of these active ingredients, which also include caffeine, vitamin C, and beta-alanine, is pretty small compared to most conventional pre-workout supplements. 

This can be great for those who are scared off from pre-workouts because of the intensity they may feel from all of the ingredients. However, the tricky thing about pre-workouts of a moderate-to-lower potency is that, when some feel like they need a little more, they may take multiple servings to bump up the energy levels and ingest more active ingredients. 

That said, as Cellucor C4 says on the package, you really want to take this pre-workout (any any pre-workout for that matter) as directed. If the formulation isn’t doing it for you, there are other, more potent formulas, right on this list. Last but not least, Cellucor C4 uses artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners in its product, so those looking out for these should keep that in mind. 

We’ve written a full C4 pre-workout review if you’d like to learn more about this supplement.

Other Cheap Pre-Workouts We Tested

We’ve researched and tested more than 50 pre-workouts, and there were a few that we considered for this list but ultimately didn’t include.

• Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout: We like this pre-workout, but it comes in at about $1.10 per serving, so just missed the cut.
• Huge Supplements Wrecked: Same here, we like this pre-workout but it comes in at about $1.25 per serving.
• Alani Nu Pre-Workout: This is a good formula for beginners, and those who like super sweet drinks. It also comes in at about $1.15 per serving.
• Cira Pre-Game: This formula is aimed at women, and in general, we like it. A couple of the ingredients are slightly underdosed, but for the $1.16 price per serving, it’s a solid option.
• Six Star Pre-Workout Explosion: At $0.53 per serving, this is one of the cheapest pre-workouts we tried. However, we’re not fans of the Advanced Pump Complex and Explosion Blend that appear to be proprietary blends. You can’t tell the exact amount of each ingredient.

RELATED: Six Star Creatine X3 Review

How We Picked and Tested the Best Cheap Pre-Workout

When shopping for pre-workout on a budget, you definitely want to be on high alert. It’s so easy for a company to slap a flashy label on a supplement that’s essentially pixie stix powder with a couple of milligrams of cheap, synthetic caffeine sprinkled in to give you just enough of a kick to keep coming back. So, we compiled this list of the best pre-workout supplements all under $1 per serving using the following criteria:

Price

Well, duh. This was the biggest factor in terms of which brands we chose to include on this list. “Cheap” does not mean “low-quality” as far as we are concerned, but affordable is probably a better term. There are some people in the bodybuilding community who insist on spending hundreds of dollars on supplements and that’s totally their choice. 

In spite of this, we believe there are plenty of brands out there that are also capable of offering the best pre-workout supplements at a price that is affordable for everyone regardless of their budget. The good news is, all of the quality supplements that we have included above will cost you no more than $1 per serving. 

Ingredients

As much as we wanted to make sure that these pre-workout supplements were wallet-friendly, we also wanted to make sure they contained at least the most basic ingredients that could be found in similar, but generally more expensive, products.

Generally speaking, citrulline, beta-alanine, l-tyrosine, creatine, caffeine and maybe betaine are the most common pre-workout ingredients and many picks on this list feature most of these and then some. Depending on your individual fitness goals, this may be all you need without the extra cost.

RELATED: Best Pre-Workout With Creatine

Benefits of Cheap Pre-Workout

Great for Daily Use

Probably the greatest benefit of using a cheap pre-workout is saving money. After that, the second best is the fact that you can use the supplement on a regular basis without discretion. 

Most of the performance-enhancing compounds you’ll find in pre-workout supplements have to be taken consistently for you to see the benefits, so keeping the cost low of something you’re going to run through super fast with daily use is never a bad thing. 

Energy Boost

Not saying a cup of coffee is expensive (well, it may be, depending on who you ask and how important coffee is to their morning quality), but if you’re looking to increase energy levels before you head out to the gym, pre-workout can come in handy.

Many pre-workouts, even the cheap ones, contain a combination of caffeine and other stimulants. They may even have nootropics to help you focus when you’re still trying to wake up. In any case, a cheap pre-workout can be a practical way to not only achieve that morning pick-me-up, but get some other potentially pump-inducing ingredients in you at the same time. 

Increases Blood Flow

The words “pre-workout” and “pump” are so intertwined that most people almost expect every pre-workout to give them a muscle pump. While this isn’t always the case without fail, most pre-workouts do contain ingredients known as nitric oxide boosters. 

By boosting your body’s production of nitric oxide, you can increase blood flow⁸ to the muscles, which can translate to a more dramatic muscle size post-workout, possible increased muscle gain and better endurance. 

Aids in Muscle Recovery

Speaking of nitric oxide, there are nitric oxide boosters and creatine that can be found in even cheap pre-workouts, helping to pump blood into the muscles. In the same way that the body floods a wound or other injured area with blood, the body supplies the injured area with antibodies and other healing compounds in order to assist in the healing process. 

RELATED: Best Muscle Recovery Supplements

Since your muscles also count as body tissues, the same mechanism applies here. So, it’s likely that your muscles can recover faster after intense exercise if they’re saturated with blood because the muscle tissue can repair itself from the damage caused by the exercise.

Dosing and Interactions 

It’s always important to use sports nutrition supplements exactly as directed on the label. However, it is arguably the most important to do so when taking pre-workout. Unlike supplements like protein powders, which have a generally straightforward ingredient list, there are various substances like amino acids, nitrates, stimulants and, occasionally, unknown fillers often contained in pre-workout. 

These ingredients can change your heart rate, blood pressure, and require an extraordinary amount of processing and metabolization on the part of your liver and kidneys. This can cause unwanted side effects that can cause your health to be seriously compromised if you take them incorrectly, or if these body systems/organs are already compromised and not working optimally. 

Make sure you track your caffeine intake from other sources, such as green tea and coffee, if your chosen pre-workout contains stimulants such as caffeine. You may overdo it on the caffeine if you consume too much within a 24-hour period, and this can also be harmful.

Generally speaking, if you have heart problems, you should not take pre-workout due to the supplement’s ability to alter blood pressure in dramatic ways. Furthermore, taking pre-workout supplements is not recommended if you suffer from liver or kidney disease. 

It is recommended that any new dietary supplement be discussed with your physician, especially if you’re concerned about any side effects. In particular, if you take prescription medications, this is recommended, since several dangerous interactions may occur.

Third-Party Testing

Using pre-workout powder increases your risk of being exposed to illegal stimulants or banned substances, since this type of supplement is often adulterated with them. It is especially important if you are an athlete who gets drug-tested that you choose supplements carefully since the FDA does not regulate them. 

The multiple ingredients that pre-workout supplements contain also give too much room for mysterious proprietary blends that give sneaky companies a loophole to make labels confusing to either get away with including less active ingredients than it should. 

Whenever possible, GGR recommends purchasing supplements that bear a certification of third-party testing. Having been third-party tested, your pre-workout has been examined by a laboratory independent of the manufacturer and has been found to contain no banned substances. 

If this is a concern for you, then it is advisable to choose a pre-workout supplement that has been third-party tested and is endorsed with a label from NSF for Sport of Informed Choice. Whether you are drug-tested or not, third-party testing verifies to you, the consumer, that the product contains what is said on the label and in the amounts described.

FAQs About Cheap Pre-Workout

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. Wu G, Meininger CJ, McNeal CJ, Bazer FW, Rhoads JM. Role of L-Arginine in Nitric Oxide Synthesis and Health in Humans. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2021;1332:167-187. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-74180-8_10
2. Hoffman, J. R., Ratamess, N. A., Kang, J., Rashti, S. L., & Faigenbaum, A. D. (2009). Effect of betaine supplementation on power performance and fatigue. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 6, 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-6-7
3. Rogers JM, Gills J, Gray M. Acute effects of Nitrosigine® and citrulline malate on vasodilation in young adults. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2020;17(1):12. Published 2020 Feb 24. doi:10.1186/s12970-020-00343-y
4. 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://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003426
5. Hoffman, J., Ratamess, N. A., Ross, R., Kang, J., Magrelli, J., Neese, K., Faigenbaum, A. D., & Wise, J. A. (2008). Beta-alanine and the hormonal response to exercise. International journal of sports medicine, 29(12), 952–958. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2008-1038678
6. Nissim I, Horyn O, Daikhin Y, et al. The molecular and metabolic influence of long term agmatine consumption. J Biol Chem. 2014;289(14):9710-9729. doi:10.1074/jbc.M113.544726
7. Gage M, Phillips K, Noh B, Yoon T. Choline-Based Multi-Ingredient Supplementation Can Improve Explosive Strength during a Fatiguing Task. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(21):11400. Published 2021 Oct 29. doi:10.3390/ijerph182111400
8. Ahmad A, Dempsey SK, Daneva Z, et al. Role of Nitric Oxide in the Cardiovascular and Renal Systems. Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(9):2605. Published 2018 Sep 3. doi:10.3390/ijms19092605

Destini Moody, RD, CSSD, LD

Destini Moody, RD, CSSD, LD is a sports dietitian and the head of performance nutrition for the NBA G League Ignite. In addition to working with pro athletes, Destini has ghostwritten four weight loss and wellness cookbooks. She also authors online content covering fitness and nutrition topics.

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HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket Review (2024): Sauna Session Anywhere, Anytime

by Lauren Strong, CPT

Pre-workout is like food: Just because it costs more doesn’t mean it’s better. So, the best pre-workout supplements aren’t always the most expensive ones. In fact, many people in the bodybuilding world prefer a low-cost pre-workout because they may use it daily or even multiple times a day. The picks on this list are our favorites because they include brands that contain most of the same ingredients of the best pre-workout supplements that cost a bit more.  » Read more about: Best Cheap Pre-Workout (2024): Aim to Get Big On a Budget with These Pre-Workouts  » Read more

Schwinn 470 Elliptical Review (2024): A Reasonably Priced Home Cardio Machine

by Kate Meier NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1

In our Schwinn 470 Elliptical review, we take a look at the brand’s top-of-the-line machine. Read more

Best Time to Drink a Protein Shake, According to a Registered Dietitian  

by Stephanie Wells, MS, RD, LD, ACSM-CPT

Is there truth to the “anabolic window”? Find out in this article about the best time to drink a protein shake. Read more