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If there’s one thing we love here at GGR, it’s the best pre-workouts. In this Kaged Pre-Kaged Elite Review, we had Jacob Penner, NSCA-CPT, USAW-L2, CF-L1, test it out. Kaged Muscle is a brand we always seem to come back to, so we were amped to try what Kaged calls the “most elite pre-workout ever formulated.”
Pre-Kaged Elite contains organic caffeine and over 20 premium ingredients, and Jacob was tasked with using Pre-Kaged Elite as a fuel for his own intense training sessions and reporting back on his experience. Let’s check out his assessment.
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.
Elite Fitness Professionals Who Personally Test Elite Supplements
As fitness professionals, dietitians, and personal trainers, we order, open, and test each nutritional supplement ourselves so that we can provide you with an accurate and truthful description of what you can expect. Our rating is based on our GGR supplement testing methodology. We give products a rating of 1 to 5 based on:
- Quality of the formulation
- Taste/solubility
- Side effects
- Third-party testing
- Price/value
- Customer reviews/service
Kaged Pre-Kaged Elite
Kaged Pre-Kaged Elite
Product Highlights
- Pre-workout formulated with creatine monohydrate and creatine nitrate
- 5 grams of total creatine
- Expensive—$3 per serving
- Third-party tested
- 3 flavors: Strawberry Lemonade, Fruit Punch, Glacier Grape
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Pre-workout and creatine in one
- Contains 5 grams of total creatine
- Third-party tested
Cons
- Expensive
Bottom Line
If you're looking for a product that combines a pre-workout with creatine, Kaged Pre-Kaged Elite might be a good choice.
A Quick Look at Kaged Pre-Kaged Elite
Kaged Muscle is known for making high-quality, third-party-tested sports nutrition supplements with an emphasis on wellness. That’s why products like their pre-workout and whey protein powder are free of GMOs, gluten-free, and made with clean products. Pre-Kaged Elite is labeled by Kaged as an all-in-one pre-workout that’s “not for the faint of heart.”
Before You Buy
- There are some stimulants and nitric oxide boosters, but not a ton, so don’t expect skin-ripping muscle pumps.
- Buying directly from Kaged may result in greater discounts and a 60-day return policy if cost is a concern.
Is Pre-Kaged Elite Worth It?
At one penny shy of $3 per serving, Pre-Kaged Elite pre-workout is not for the frugal. So, it’s suggested you make a very astute assessment of whether the supplement fits what you’re looking for in a pre-workout before making the investment.
RELATED: Best Cheap Pre-Workout
That said, it is packed with high-quality ingredients that can help with performance, mental focus, muscle growth and even hydration. Along with being third-party tested, it could hold a lot of value for serious athletes.
Great for:
- Serious athletes looking to invest in their bodybuilding and performance goals
- Those looking for an all-in-one pre-workout rather than a stack
- Individuals who want clean energy without the jitters
Not recommended for:
- People used to having amino acids in their pre-workout
- Fitness buffs on a budget
- Those who are used to the effects of a high-stim pre-workout
Kaged Pre-Kaged Elite Specs
| Price per serving | $3.00 |
| Serving size | 1 scoop (36 g) |
| Flavors | Fruit Punch, Orange Mango, Glacier Grape, Caribbean Sunrise, Strawberry Lemonade |
| Caffeine dosage | 388 mg |
| Beta-alanine dosage | 3.2 g |
| L-citrulline dosage | 10 g |
| Creatine dose | 5 g |
| Other ingredients | Betaine Anhydrous, L-Carnitine Tartrate, Taurine, L-Tyrosine, Alpha-GPC, Huperzine A |
| Sweeteners | Sucralose |
| Third-party tested? | Yes, Informed Choice |
| Benefits | Supports energy levels, provides clean energy, assists with a bigger pump |
Experience Using Kaged Pre-Kaged Elite
To say our tester Jacob Penner, NSCA-CPT, USAW-L2, CF-L1, is a seasoned fitness professional would be an understatement. That said, he was more than happy to do a book report on this popular pre-workout.
RELATED: Best Pump Pre-Workout
The effects on his muscle pumps weren’t quite as profound as he’s used to, but he was generally a fan. “I’d use this again! Really like the flavor and the effects,” Jacob says. “Wouldn’t use it on a day I need a massive burst of energy or pump, but I would use it for routine training.”
Price Per Serving
We had to give 1 out of 5 stars as this pre-workout is quite pricey by market standards. The price may vary based on what discounts or programs you opt into. Either way, the price per serving can range from $2.39 to $3.00, which is steep for most budgets.
Formulation
We gave the formulation 4.5 out of 5 stars for the sheer number of premium ingredients and dosages that truly make this supplement feel like an all-in-one pre-workout. Let’s look at some key ingredients:
- Organic green coffee bean and tea extract (388 mg): The caffeine comes from PurCaf® 100% organic green coffee beans. Most of the research done on green coffee beans has been done on animals. However, what we do know is that green coffee beans may provide more clean energy that doesn’t give the jitters some get from fully roasted coffee beans.
- Betaine anhydrous, as BetaPower (2.5 g): Research has indicated that supplementing with betaine anhydrous for 15 days straight1 is able to boost power output, strength and endurance, as well as improve the quality of the reps.
- L-Carnitine Tartrate (1.5 g): Carnitine has been shown to help improve athletic performance, decrease fatigue in lean muscle, and enhance muscle recovery2.
- AlphaSize Alpha-GPC (300 mg): Science has shown that one week of consistent use3 of Alpha-GPC helps improve mental focus along with lower body strength and power output.
- Taurine (2 g): Often found in energy drinks, taurine has also been shown to help improve brain function4.
- L-citrulline (10 g): Research suggests that this compound boosts blood flow to the muscles by increasing nitric oxide production5.
- Beta-alanine (3.2 g) – When taken daily, beta-alanine has been shown to assist in delaying fatigue which allows you to pump out more reps6 during those intense training sessions.
There are also electrolytes for hydration, but we have to knock the missed opportunity to include 5 grams of creatine monohydrate, which is the gold standard form of creatine and 5 grams is arguably the best creatine monohydrate dosage.
Instead, there is 5 grams total of creatine monohydrate and creatine nitrate and studies have shown that creatine monohydrate performs slightly better7 than creatine nitrate.
Taste and Solubility
Jacob gave the flavor 4 out of 5 stars saying that it was, “very citrusy but not overpowering. Super easy to drink.” He also gave 5 out of 5 stars in solubility, which is a hard rating to get if you’re a pre-workout! “Dissolves great,” Jacob reports. “I mix it in just a water bottle—no blender at all—and it completely dissolves.”
Side Effects
We gave a 5 out of 5 stars here based on Jacob’s feedback, as Jacob didn’t experience any of the typical negative pre-workout side effects like jitters or tingles. “I feel like I have a constant amount of energy—not hyper, no spikes, no lows. Not tingly at all,” Jacob says.
Third-Party Testing
We gave 5 out of 5 stars for third-party testing as Pre-Kaged Elite pre-workout has been tested by Informed Sport, which is one of the most robust certifications in sports nutrition due to thorough testing for banned substances.
Pre-Kaged Elite vs Pre-Kaged Original Pre-Workout
Pre-Kaged Pre-Workout
Kaged Pre-Kaged Pre-Workout
Product Highlights
- Contains research-backed dosages of key ingredients like caffeine, creatine, and citrulline
- Informed Sport-certified, meaning it’s been tested for quality assurance and banned substances.
- 7 flavors are available
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Good formulation of research-backed ingredients
- Label transparency
- 7 flavors and users overwhelmingly like the taste
Cons
- Big serving size
- Expensive
Bottom Line
Kaged Pre-Kaged is expensive, but is formulated with research-backed dosages of key ingredients like caffeine, creatine, beta-alanine, and citrulline.
We’ve reviewed Pre-Kaged from Kaged before and the best way to think of it is as Elite “lite.” That’s because it has some similarities to Elite in terms of formulation, but it has lower doses and fewer ingredients.
For example, despite being similarly priced, Pre-Kaged original has less caffeine, beta-alanine and l-citrulline. The creatine is not only creatine HCl, but isn’t even close to the efficacious dose. What Pre-Kaged original does have that Elite lacks is a superfood complex along with some branched-chain amino acids.
| Pre-Kaged Elite | Pre-Kaged | |
| Price per serving | $3.00 | $2.25 |
| Serving size | 1 scoop (36 g) | 1 scoop (29.6 g) |
| Flavors | Fruit Punch, Orange Mango, Glacier Grape, Caribbean Sunrise, Strawberry Lemonade | Fruit Punch, Cherry Bomb, Pink Lemonade, Grape, Krisp Apple, Orange Krush, Berry Blast |
| Caffeine dosage | 388 mg | 274 mg |
| Beta-alanine dosage | 3.2 g | 1.6 g |
| L-citrulline dosage | 10 g | 6.5 g |
| Creatine dosage | 5 g | 1.5 g |
| Third-party tested? | Yes, Informed Sport | Yes, Informed Sport |
Read our Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged review for all of our thoughts on this product.
Customer Experience
You may return items purchased from Kaged within 60 days for a refund, store credit, or replacement, but you cover the price for shipping. Amazon typically does not accept returns on consumable products like pre-workout supplements.
Kaged provides customer support via live chat on their website, or you can contact them by calling 844-445-2433 or emailing support@kaged.com.
Ordering Kaged Pre-Kaged Elite
With the Subscribe & Save program, you can save 10% and receive free shipping every four, six, or eight weeks. You also get free shipping on orders over $75. Otherwise, shipping in the U.S. is $6.49 flat. Those who shop online often can streamline the checkout process by using Shopify and ShopPay.
Customer Reviews
On the company site, Pre-Kaged Elite is rated 4.8 out of 5 stars based on 390 pre-workout reviews. Most reviews say it’s their favorite pre-workout, but the more critical reviews complain about the taste.
On Amazon, the pre-workout reviews average 4.2 out of 5 stars based on 883 ratings at the time of this writing. People rave about the muscle pumps, clean energy, and mental focus. But many complain about the price, flavor, and some experienced serious nausea.
Final Verdict of Our Kaged Pre-Kaged Elite Review
Whether your goals are bodybuilding or casual lifting, Pre-Kaged Elite pre-workout is a solid choice. It has compounds to support a diverse set of fitness goals, even containing electrolytes for hydration.
RELATED: Best Electrolyte Drinks for Hydration
Customer feedback is polarizing about the taste, and the high quality comes with one of the highest price tags on the market. Even if you are an athlete who is concerned about banned substances, there are more affordable alternatives out there. However, Pre-Kaged Elite can offer a lot of value for most if cost is not an issue.
- Great option for those who don’t want to take multiple supplements (creatine, electrolyte powder, etc.)
- Great formulation with 20 active ingredients, plant-based, free of artificial colors, sweeteners or banned substances, but you’ll pay a pretty penny for it.
Full Rating
Pre-Kaged Elite
If you're looking for a product that combines a pre-workout with creatine, Kaged Pre-Kaged Elite might be a good choice.
Product Brand: Kaged
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 59.99
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.3
Kaged Pre-Kaged Elite: FAQs
What is the difference between Pre-Kaged Elite and normal?
The difference is that the original has fewer total ingredients and lower dosages of the same ingredients.
How much caffeine is in Pre-Kaged elite?
There is 388 milligrams of caffeine in Pre-Kaged elite.
What is the best and most healthy pre-workout?
If you want help to boost your mental focus and energy during those intense training sessions, there are a lot of great pre-workout supplements you can try. From our list of the best pre-workout supplements, here are our top picks:
Best Pre-Workout Overall: Transparent Labs BULK
Best Pre-Workout for Women: Legion Athletics Pulse
Best Pre-Workout for Men: XWERKS Ignite
Best Pre-Workout for Beginners: Jacked Factory Nitrosurge
Best Budget Pre-Workout: Beyond Raw Lit Pre-Workout
Best-Tasting Pre-Workout: Podium Fuse
Best Caffeine-Free Pre-Workout: 1st Phorm Endura-Formance
Best Vegan Pre-Workout: Onnit Alpha BRAIN Pre-Workout
Best Natural Pre-Workout: Pre-Lab Pro
Best Sweetener-Free Pre-Workout: Naked Nutrition Naked Energy 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
- Hoffman JR, Ratamess NA, Kang J, Rashti SL, Faigenbaum AD. Effect of betaine supplementation on power performance and fatigue. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2009;6:7. Published 2009 Feb 27. doi:10.1186/1550-2783-6-7
- Koozehchian MS, Daneshfar A, Fallah E, et al. Effects of nine weeks L-Carnitine supplementation on exercise performance, anaerobic power, and exercise-induced oxidative stress in resistance-trained males. J Exerc Nutrition Biochem. 2018;22(4):7-19. doi:10.20463/jenb.2018.0026
- Bellar D, LeBlanc NR, Campbell B. The effect of 6 days of alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine on isometric strength. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015;12:42. Published 2015 Nov 17. doi:10.1186/s12970-015-0103-x
- Jakaria M, Azam S, Haque ME, et al. Taurine and its analogs in neurological disorders: Focus on therapeutic potential and molecular mechanisms. Redox Biol. 2019;24:101223. doi:10.1016/j.redox.2019.101223
- 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
- Hoffman J, Ratamess NA, Ross R, et al. Beta-alanine and the hormonal response to exercise. Int J Sports Med. 2008;29(12):952-958. doi:10.1055/s-2008-1038678
- Galvan E, Walker DK, Simbo SY, et al. Acute and chronic safety and efficacy of dose dependent creatine nitrate supplementation and exercise performance. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2016;13:12. Published 2016 Mar 31. doi:10.1186/s12970-016-0124-0
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