Ascent Pre-Workout Review (2024): A Natural, Minimalist Pre-Workout for Clean Energy

To put together our Ascent pre-workout review, we did what we do best: We tried the supplement for ourselves first, so you don’t have to. Ascent is a pre-workout with its most notable ingredients being natural caffeine from coffee fruit extract, 5 grams of whey protein isolate, and an impressive electrolyte matrix.

Verified buyers love this pre-workout drink for its great taste and smooth energy without the jitters. However, given its formulation, is it really worth the price per serving? We rated and scored this supplement for ourselves using the GGR criteria. Read on to discover what we thought.  

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.

We Test and Tell

Our product testers have tried nearly 60 pre-workout supplements in a continuing effort to find the best (and the worst) pre-workouts on the market and report the lowdown right back to you. We have a team of professionals specializing in powerlifting, endurance training, CrossFit, and sports nutrition to give you raw, honest feedback to help you get the most value out of your exercise supplements. 

Ascent Pre-Workout

Ascent Pre-Workout

GGR Score: 4.07

Check Price

Product Highlights

• Gluten-free pre-workout
• Informed-Sport certified
• Made in USA
• 150 mg of caffeine per serving

Pros & Cons

Pros

• No artificial flavors or sweeteners
• Caffeine sources from coffee fruit extract
• Third-party certified

Cons

• More than $1 per serving
• Produced in a facility with tree nuts and peanuts

Bottom Line

Ascent Pre-Workout sources caffeine from coffee fruit extract and does not contain artificial ingredients. It’s third-party tested certified and offers a gluten-free formula. Ascent notes that Orange Mango is tangy and sweet while the Raspberry Lemonade is more tart. Ascent also partners with Greenspark to plant trees in Honduras for every order placed.

A Quick Look at Ascent Pre-Workout

Ascent is a family-owned business based in Denver, Colorado, and has been making protein powder for 30 years. Ascent’s “hard work” story is described by the company as their determination to provide clean protein powder and other supplements that have zero artificial ingredients, natural added sugars, and ingredients you can pronounce. 

They also take pride in the fact that their products are third-party tested for banned substances. The hard work put into their pre-workout is shown in a gluten-free supplement without any artificial sweeteners or excessive ingredients; just a simple formulation designed to boost energy and hydration levels naturally. 

Before You Buy

• This is not a typical high-stim, pump-inducing, shirt-ripping pre-workout. The dosages and effects are relatively mild compared to other pre-workouts.
• The inclusion of whey protein powder in the pre-workout makes it unsuitable for vegans or those with a dairy allergy.
• The scoop size is slightly larger than average for the number of ingredients it contains.

Is Ascent Pre-Workout Worth It?

Given the unconventional formulation of Ascent pre-workout, there are definitely people who would be more well-suited for it and others who may be disappointed with the ingredients it includes. At about $0.95 per serving, it’s likely worth a try for most people.

Ascent Pre-Workout Specs

Experience Using Ascent Pre-Workout

Our head reviewer on GGR Everything Lindsay Scheele tried Ascent pre-workout. She thought the formulation left a bit to be desired, but she overall enjoyed the product. 

“Do I wish this had other ingredients like creatine or beta-alanine, citrulline, or more, YES,” Lindsay says. “However their whole deal is clean ingredients and I can get behind that. I would for sure use this again though. I love Gorilla Mode and that is my go-to, but I am going to be using the rest of this and see how I feel after a month of use.” 

RELATED: Gorilla Mode Pre-Workout Review

In addition, she says the price is reasonable and on par with the value you get. “It is way cheaper than Gorilla Mode and if you want the other ingredients you will need to supplement, but this was my favorite pre-workout I tried out of the ones I tested.”

Price Per Serving

Ascent costs about $0.95 per serving regardless of your flavor selection. Whether the value is worth it for you depends on what you are looking for in your pre-workout. If you’re trying to get absolutely jacked on energy with a major pump to boot, this likely isn’t the supplement for you and you can probably find a pre-workout with those ingredients for a similar price. 

RELATED: Best Pump Pre-Workout

However, if you just want to boost energy the clean way and improve your hydration levels with a tasty pre-workout drink, then Ascent can provide more value. 

Formulation

We gave Ascent pre-workout a 2 out of 5 rating in the formulation category, mainly because many of the common ingredients you would find to help boost weightlifting performance are simply not present. 

It’s great that there are zero artificial ingredients and it provides clean energy, but those looking for ingredients like l-citrulline, BCAAs, or beta-alanine would be disappointed. 

RELATED: Do BCAAs Give You Energy?

Below are the most notable ingredients:

• Caffeine – 150 milligrams
• Sodium – 250 milligrams
• Potassium – 32 milligrams
• Calcium – 25 milligrams
• Whey protein isolate – 5 grams
• Cane sugar – 1 gram

The highlights of this formulation are definitely the Ascent protein and electrolytes, which aren’t commonly included in most pre-workout supplements. I don’t know exactly why whey protein is included considering the dose is too small to significantly signal muscle building and most people take protein post-workout, not before. 

RELATED: Should You Drink a Protein Shake Before or After a Workout?

Also, while being a source of “clean energy” is admirable, the amount is about half of what you would typically find in a pre-workout, so expect this supplement to boost energy to a modest degree.  

The good news is that the hydration matrix is pretty great. Sodium, potassium, and calcium are the main electrolytes needed for hydration and the amounts in Ascent’s formulation are very close to that of a standard Gatorade, which has a formulation that is responsible for hydrating elite and professional athletes. 

So, if you’ve ever wanted the hydrating effects of Gatorade without all the added sugars, Ascent is a natural, affordable alternative with only 1 gram of added sugars from cane sugar. 

RELATED: Best Electrolyte Powder 

Finally, sodium citrate and citric acid are also included. Both ingredients can be used as flavoring agents, but sodium citrate can also play a role in rehydration¹. Sunflower lecithin is an ingredient added to help with the powder’s solubility. 

Taste and Solubility 

Lindsay rated Ascent pre-workout 4.5 out of 5 in the taste category. She says, “I ordered the Orange Mango flavor and it was delicious! After trying two other pre-workouts that tasted gross to just OK, this was a nice treat!”

As far as solubility, she gave it a solid 5 out of 5. “No issues, mixed easily in my water bottle with a little shake,” she reports. “It didn’t even have bits at the bottom after sitting on the counter for a while before I drank it.”

Side Effects

Follow the instructions carefully to avoid any negative pre-workout side effects. If you suffer from heart problems, you should avoid pre-workout. Also, consult your physician before starting any supplement regimen if you are taking prescription medications or have liver or kidney problems.

Lindsay didn’t report any complaints with Ascent pre-workout in terms of side effects. In fact, she says, “It was a hard workout with a lot of volume and it really helped me get through it!”

Third-Party Testing 

Ascent’s pre-workout supplement is third-party tested by Informed Sport. So, it has undergone testing by an independent lab to establish the supplement is free from banned substances, contaminants, and other harmful ingredients, making it sport certified for athletes who are required to participate in drug testing. Third-party testing is also reassuring for those concerned with supplement safety and adulteration. 

Comparison to Naked Nutrition Pre-Workout 

Naked Nutrition Pre-Workout

Naked Nutrition Naked Energy Pre-Workout

GGR Score: 4.13

Check Price

Product Highlights

• Naked Energy is a vegan pre-workout supplement formulated with just 10 ingredients and nothing artificial. 
• Three flavors are available: Fruit Punch, Citrus, and Unflavored.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Formulated with just 10 ingredients
• Affordable at less than $1 per serving
• Available in unflavored option
• Vegan

Cons

• Small dose of creatine
• No nitric oxide boosters, so don’t expect a muscle pump

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a vegan pre-workout supplement, Naked Energy may be a good choice. Made with just 10 ingredients and nothing artificial, it was designed to support increased energy without the fillers.

Naked Nutrition is another brand known for its use of natural flavors and lack of artificial flavors, sweeteners, or colors. Both Ascent pre-workout and Naked pre-workout are third-party tested, soy-free, and comparable in price and caffeine content, but Naked’s scoop size is much smaller. That said, Naked does contain some of the common pre-workout ingredients many weightlifting enthusiasts have come to expect.

The biggest difference between the two is that Naked is dairy-free and due to the Ascent protein coming from whey, it is not appropriate for vegans or those who are allergic to dairy. 

RELATED: Best Natural Pre-Workout

Customer Experience 

If you need support while using Ascent pre-workout, you can contact the company’s customer service by filling out the contact form on their website. You can also use their chat feature with operating hours being Monday-Friday from 8:00 am-4:00 pm MST. If you purchase on Amazon, you will need to contact their customer service instead.

Ordering Ascent Pre-Workout

To purchase Ascent pre-workout from Amazon, you follow the typical flow of checkout as you would with any other product. On the Ascent website, checkout procedures are handled by Shopify. So, all you need to do is add items to your virtual cart, fill in your shipping information, and select a payment method. 

Shipping is a flat rate of $5.99 to the continental USA with free shipping if you spend more than $79. Ascent’s website states that they do not ship internationally and they actually recommend you place your orders through Amazon. 

Therefore, check the refund policy on Amazon prior to ordering, as supplements may not be eligible for return once opened. 

Customer Reviews

Currently, Amazon ratings average 4.2 out of 5 stars based on 1,012 global ratings. Most reviewers love the flavor, the fact that they get zero jitters, and that there are no artificial ingredients. However, negative reviews are mostly complaints about the solubility. 

On the Ascent website, the supplement is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars based on 182 reviews. The most critical reviews state dissatisfaction with the solubility and flavor, such as it being too sweet or too strong. 

Final Verdict of Our Ascent Pre-Workout Review

So, Ascent is a natural, no-frills pre-workout supplement with a modest content of stimulants and a great profile of electrolytes for hydration along with a dash of whey protein powder. However, for you more seasoned pre-workout enthusiasts, the formulation likely won’t measure up to the powders you’ve become accustomed to. 

• Third-party tested
• Certified gluten-free with zero artificial ingredients or sweeteners
• Electrolyte content similar to premium sports drinks
• Customer reviews love the flavor and clean energy it provides

Full Rating

Ascent Pre-Workout

Ascent Pre-Workout sources caffeine from coffee fruit extract and does not contain artificial ingredients. It’s third-party tested certified and offers a gluten-free formula. Ascent notes that Orange Mango is tangy and sweet while the Raspberry Lemonade is more tart. Ascent also partners with Greenspark to plant trees in Honduras for every order placed.

Product Currency: $

Product Price: 29.99

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
4.07

Ascent 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. Timpmann S, Burk A, Medijainen L, et al. Dietary sodium citrate supplementation enhances rehydration and recovery from rapid body mass loss in trained wrestlers. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2012;37(6):1028-1037. doi:10.1139/h2012-089

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.

Further reading

Orgain Simple Plant Protein Review (2024): High in Organic Plant Protein, Low in Additives

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

Is the simplified protein from Orgain worth it? The GGR nutrition experts cover everything you need to know in our Orgain Simple Plant Protein review! Read more

11 Surprising Benefits of Running (Plus Expert Tips on How to Start)

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

You might know that jogging as exercise is good for you, but these benefits of running might just surprise you. Read more

Handstand Push-Ups: The Underrated Bodyweight Beast for Building Boulder Shoulders

by Christopher Covello

Handstand push-ups may look intimidating, but our step-by-step instructions and top trainer tips make them doable! Check out our guide right here! Read more

Sculpt Your Success: How To Make a Workout Plan You’ll Stick To

by Stephen Sheehan, CPT, CNC

Strength or cardio? Rest days or no days off? Learn how to make a workout plan from a certified personal trainer so you can crush your fitness goals. Read more