We test and review fitness products based on an independent, multi-point methodology. If you use our links to purchase something, we may earn a commission. Read our disclosures.
Onnit’s popular Alpha Brain supplement is a favorite of Joe Rogan, who says so on his podcast. Now Joe Rogan is far from an expert on nutrition and wellness, but customer reviews can speak to the positive effects of Alpha Brain on the enhancement of brain performance and focus. In fact, clinical trials have shown the Alpha Brain supplement to be among the best nootropics out there (but it should be noted that many of these trials were funded by Joe Rogan himself).
A new addition to the Alpha Brain family, Alpha Brain pre-workout contains solid compounds that have been shown to aid in better brain function and increased energy for your workout. Our team has tried this product personally, and we want to give you our honest thoughts in this Onnit Alpha Brain Pre-Workout review.
RELATED: Best Pre-Workouts
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. GGR also recommends choosing a product that has been third-party tested for quality.
More Than 50 Pre-Workouts Tested
Our team here at GGR has personally tried more than 50 pre-workouts and researched dozens more—yes, we’re wired all the time, thanks for asking! We use our knowledge as nutrition coaches, personal trainers, and coaches, and also lean on our nutritionists and dietitians, to determine which products are worth it and for whom.
Onnit Alpha Brain Pre-Workout
Onnit Alpha BRAIN Pre-Workout
Product Highlights
- 200 mg of caffeine
- Includes beta alanine and L-citrulline
- Priced around $3/serving; subscribe-and-save option available
- 2 flavors currently available
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 200 mg of caffeine
- Tiger's Blood flavor tastes great
- Includes 225 mg of ashwagandha extract
- Contains beta alanine and L-citrulline
- Subscribe-and-save option is available
Cons
- Only 2 flavors available, and Yuzu Peach isn't popular among our product testers
- $3/serving is expensive
- Key ingredients like citrulline and beta-alanine are under-dosed
Bottom Line
Onnit's Alpha BRAIN Pre-Workout is a unique blend of ingredients that our testers enjoyed for workouts where they wanted to be focused and energized. It only comes in two flavors; the Tiger's Blood flavor is our preferred choice.
A Quick Look at Onnit Alpha Brain Pre-Workout
Onnit has managed to put together some of the best, new nootropics in the sports nutrition world along with common, performance-enhancing pre-workout ingredients like beta-alanine in its new Alpha Brain pre-workout.
The original Alpha Brain supplement first made its way onto the scene with Onnit CEO Aubrey Marcus talked about the product on The Joe Rogan Experience, and Aubrey has expressed that he himself takes the product prior to recording his podcast to get into a flow state, where you’re able to work, inspired and uninterrupted, for hours.
The original supplement comes in capsule form with ingredients like the Onnit Flow Blend, with amino acids l-tyrosine and l-theanine to supposedly help with brain wave activity by releasing dopamine and serotonin; Cat’s Claw extract, which comes from the bark of an Amazon rainforest vine and supposedly promotes “cellular integrity”; the Onnit Focus Blend with Alpha GPC, bacopa monnieri, and Toothed Clubmoss (huperzia serrata), all of which aid in the production and support of neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the body; and the Onnit Fuel Blend with l-leucine and pterostilbene, which supposedly help to maintain a “healthy brain environment.”
Phew.
Alpha Brain pre-workout does not have such an extensive ingredients list, but still promises to support mental performance and increase physical energy to kick your workout’s butt.
Before You Buy
- Carefully plan your caffeine intake for the day before you take this pre-workout to avoid a potential overdose; one serving provides 200 mg.
- Be sure to budget accordingly and hunt the Onnit website for discounts by signing up for a subscription or their mailing list as this is not a cheap supplement
Is Onnit Alpha Brain Pre-Workout Worth It?
While Onnit talks a big game and has an even bigger price tag to justify its effectiveness, is Alpha Brain pre-workout worth the price tag? Here’s what we think, depending on who you are.
Great for:
- Those who take pre-workout for the quick energy boost
- Workout enthusiasts who want to enhance their focus
- People on a keto diet or looking for a sugar-free pre-workout supplement
RELATED: Best Pre-Workout for Focus
Not recommended for:
- People on a budget
- Those who are sensitive to caffeine
- Individuals who prefer to cycle in a variety of flavors for their pre-workout
Onnit Alpha Brain Pre-Workout Specs
| Price per serving | $3.00 |
| Serving size | 1 scoop (10.4 g) |
| Flavors | Tiger’s Blood, Yuzu Peach |
| Key ingredients | Beta alanine, l-citrulline, African oil palm extract, ashwagandha extract, caffeine anhydrous, Alpha-GPC, theobromine, Dynamine |
| Third-party tested? | Yes |
| Benefits | Aids with muscular fatigue, endurance, mental focus, and alertness |
Experience Using Onnit Alpha Brain Pre-Workout
Our team tested Onnit Alpha Brain pre-workout and could attest to the effectiveness of the nootropic ingredients and their effects on mental clarity. Here’s some feedback from GGR Head of Content Kate Meier and her weightlifting team:
“We had multiple people on our team try this, and they all agreed: This brings great focus and clarity to your workout. It’s not overly stimulating; it’s more of just feeling very present and ready to do the work. Also, no tingles from this one. Two of our testers said they still got a good pump from this pre-workout, too.”
Price Per Serving
Onnit’s Alpha Brain pre-workout contains only 20 servings, which is low by industry standards as most pre-workout supplements contain at least 30 for a clean, 30-day supply. What’s more, each tub of Onnit’s nootropic supplement would cost you $59.99 without discounts. This means the price per serving comes out at $3.00, which is pretty steep compared to most other pre-workout supplements.
For perspective, the average cost per serving for pre-workouts is generally around $1 to $1.75 depending on the quality and number of ingredients. If this becomes your go-to pre-workout, be sure to budget accordingly.
To learn more on how to save, check out our Onnit Coupon guide.
Formulation
The active ingredients of Alpha Brain’s formulation are:
- Beta-alanine
- L-citrulline
- African oil palm extract
- Ashwagandha extract
- Caffeine anhydrous
- Alpha-GPC
- Theobromine
- Dynamine
It also contains natural ingredients with no artificial colors or sweeteners, is gluten-free and sweetened with stevia. While beta-alanine and l-citrulline are common pre-workout ingredients, we want to highlight some novel ingredients like NooGandha. It’s a relatively new, patented form of ashwagandha, a nootropic with proven athletic performance1 benefits and an ability to aid in optimal brain performance.
RELATED: Best Ashwagandha Supplement
Also included is Dynamine, a stimulant that enhances the effects of caffeine by increasing alertness and energy. However, the amount of valid research to be found on this compound is slim. It is also important to note that Onnit recommends not taking this supplement together with any other foods, drinks, or supplements that contain more than 50 milligrams of caffeine.
You can achieve this level of caffeine with just four ounces of black coffee, eight ounces of black or green tea, or 12 ounces of caffeinated soda, so it doesn’t take much to reach the danger zone.
Lastly, Alpha Brain Pre-Workout contains palm oil, and it’s unclear for what reason. Palm oil is a good source of the antioxidant vitamin E, however, it does not seem to have any properties to enhance athletic performance.
Taste and Solubility
When our team tested Alpha Brain pre-workout, we found the solubility and Tiger’s Blood flavor to be just fine, but the same couldn’t be said for the Yuzu Peach flavor.
“The Tiger’s Blood taste is tropical, but not pineapple; more coconutty/watermelon/strawberry,” Kate explains. “We MUCH preferred this one to the Yuzu Peach; some of our testers really didn’t like the flavor at all, and others said they could drink it, but it wouldn’t be their go-to choice because it seemed bitter, not sweet or tart.”
Side Effects
This product does contain beta-alanine, which is one of those neurotransmitters that may give you a tingling sensation on your skin and can be alarming if you’re not used to it. Don’t worry, though, it’s harmless.
RELATED: Best pre-workout for weight loss
As far as the other ingredients in this pre-workout, it is perfectly safe to take daily for healthy adults as long as you take as directed and aren’t on prescription medications. The biggest potential side effect is an overdose of caffeine, which Onnit warns about right on the label. Be extra careful to not obtain caffeine from any other sources like coffee, tea, or energy drinks while using this supplement.
Third-Party Testing
Onnit’s products, including Alpha Brain pre-workout and Onnit plant-based protein, have been third-party tested by Informed Sport, so you can rest assured that what’s on the label is what’s in the container. This is especially important for athletes who are drug-tested.
Comparison to Genius Pre
Genius Pre
The Genius Brand Genius Pre
Product Highlights
- Caffeine-free nootropics-based pre-workout
- Doubles as a productivity booster
- No artificial sweeteners or flavors
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Subscribe and save 20%
- 30-day satisfaction guarantee (from the ship date)
- Available in 4 flavors
Cons
- Only available in 20 serving containers
- No 3rd-party certifications
- May cause skin tingling
Bottom Line
The Genius Brand Genius Pre is a stimulant-free, nootropic-based pre-workout designed to help improve your focus and performance in the gym. It has very positive reviews, although customers do wish they could buy containers with more than 20 servings so they didn’t have to purchase as often.
Both Genius and Alpha Brain work to maintain brain health and mental clarity. They both also come only in 20-serving containers, lack proprietary blends, include all natural ingredients, and contain beta-alanine and l-citrulline. However, Genius Pre also contains l-tyrosine and huperzine. L-tyrosine has been shown to2 enhance mental and physical performance.
Huperzine A has been traditionally used as an Alzheimer’s treatment3. However, the sports nutrition industry has started including it more commonly in pre-workout as it is thought to have uses beyond brain health and Alzheimer’s treatment, but may help enhance focus as well.
The biggest comparison here is price with Genius costing just $1.89. However, unlike Alpha Brain pre-workout, Genius Pre is not third-party tested.
Read our full Genius Pre-Workout review to see what else we like about this supplement.
Customer Experience
If you need to contact customer service while using Onnit, there is no live chat, but you can contact customer service at (855) 666-4899. However, you can send an email to help@onnit.com or fill out the query form on the Contact Us page of their website.
If you need to return something, you can return certain items within 90 days of purchase, and anything returned after this deadline may qualify for store credit. To qualify for a full refund, supplements must be returned at least half full.
Before you head to the post office, though, you have to fill out Onnit’s refund request form on their website. Finally, you have to cover the return shipping charges and any shipping fees you incurred at the time of purchase are non-refundable.
Ordering Onnit Alpha Brain Pre-Workout
When you’re ready to order Alpha Brain pre-workout, you should know that you get 15% off your first order and recurring orders when you sign up for a subscription plan that will have your supplement delivered to you at a frequency of as little as seven days or as much as every 90 days.
You can order from the company’s website in the same way as you would at other retail sites. Your selections need only to be added to your virtual bag, shipping information entered, and payment made. No need to make an account.
Orders over $150 qualify for free shipping and all products have a processing speed of two business days. Standard shipping is 7 to 10 business days and costs $7.65.
Customer Reviews
Reviews of Alpha Brain pre-workout are only available on Onnit’s website at the time of this writing. It holds a 4.4 out of 5-star review rating with 24 customer reviews.
Final Verdict of Our Onnit Alpha Brain Pre-Workout Review
Overall, does Alpha Brain work? We would say yes, from our experience. It also contains the doses of nootropics shown to work in clinical trials. However, if you’re taking pre-workout from the brain performance, there are probably cheaper options out there with more flavors to choose from.
We are also slightly confused by the inclusion of palm oil, but do like that Alpha Brain pre-workout is made with all natural ingredients and is third-party tested. All in all, if you can afford it, it’s not a bad supplement to have on your shelf. You might just want to go ahead and sign up for their subscription plan to save money and have a new tub delivered every 20 days.
Onnit Alpha Brain Pre-Workout Rating
Onnit Alpha Brain Pre-Workout
Our Alpha Brain pre-workout review will dive into this new supplement from Onnit to see if it provides the same mental benefits as the original Alpha Brain supplement.
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 51
Product In-Stock: InStock
3.6
Onnit Alpha Brain Pre-Workout FAQs
Does Onnit Alpha Brain really work?
According to Alpha Brain reviews from customers who have tried the product, it does appear to work in terms of cognitive performance and mental clarity.
Is Onnit Alpha Brain like adderall?
Due to adderall being a prescription medication, it’s difficult to compare its effect on cognitive function to that of the nootropic ingredients like those in Onnit Alpha Brain. However, the pre-workout does seem to have a similar effect on stimulating the nervous system.
What are the negative side effects of Onnit Alpha Brain?
Due to the pre-workout dietary supplement containing as much caffeine as two cups of coffee in a single serving, negative side effects may include trouble sleeping, jitters, and risk of caffeine overdose. Only take dietary supplements as directed and consult your physician with any concerns about the safety of new supplements before taking them.
How long does Alpha Brain take to kick in?
According to the suggested use guidelines on Onnit’s product page, Onnit Alpha Brain appears to take effect 20 to 30 minutes after ingestion.
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
- Bonilla DA, Moreno Y, Gho C, Petro JL, Odriozola-Martínez A, Kreider RB. Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on Physical Performance: Systematic Review and Bayesian Meta-Analysis. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2021;6(1):20. Published 2021 Feb 11. doi:10.3390/jfmk6010020
- Zaragoza J, Tinsley G, Urbina S, et al. Effects of acute caffeine, theanine and tyrosine supplementation on mental and physical performance in athletes. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2019;16(1):56. Published 2019 Nov 26. doi:10.1186/s12970-019-0326-3
- Friedli MJ, Inestrosa NC. Huperzine A and Its Neuroprotective Molecular Signaling in Alzheimer’s Disease. Molecules. 2021;26(21):6531. Published 2021 Oct 29. doi:10.3390/molecules26216531
Further reading
Find all of the original CrossFit girl WODs, plus the “new girls” and the “newest girls” here. Read more
Onnit’s popular Alpha Brain supplement is a favorite of Joe Rogan, who says so on his podcast. Now Joe Rogan is far from an expert on nutrition and wellness, but customer reviews can speak to the positive effects of Alpha Brain on the enhancement of brain performance and focus. In fact, clinical trials have shown the Alpha Brain supplement to be among the best nootropics out there (but it should be noted that many of these trials were funded by Joe Rogan himself). » Read more about: Onnit Alpha Brain Pre-Workout Review (2024): Stimulate Your Brain and Body » Read more
The Rep Fitness Adjustable Bench is one of the best value benches currently available. The Rep Fitness Flat Bench is also a great option at a great price for those looking for a capable bench with a large weight capacity. Read more
This watch is packed with health and fitness tracking features, but is it worth the price? Find out in our Garmin Forerunner 965 review! Read more