Best Pre-Workout for Beginners 2024: 7 Top Picks Tested By Product Experts

The overall best pre-workouts aren’t necessarily the best pre-workout supplements for beginners. 

In fact, in my experience as a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach, I’ve learned that most people do better when they work themselves up from a gentle or moderate pre-workout to a more intense one—and can avoid some of the unpleasant side effects of stronger pre-workouts while doing so. 

Ahead, I’ve rounded up all of the best pre-workouts for beginners with just enough punch to get you started and keep you going, all while amplifying your fitness gains. 

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 Pre-Workout for Beginners in 2023

• Best Pre-Workout for Beginners Overall: Jacked Factory NitroSurge
• Best Pre-Workout for Beginners for Building Muscle: Transparent Labs BULK
• Best Natural Pre-Workout for Beginners: Onnit Alpha Brain Pre-Workout
• Best Endurance Formula Pre-Workout for Beginners: C4 Sport
• Best Stim-Free Pre-Workout for Beginners: Naked Nutrition Stim-Free
• Best Vegan Pre-Workout for Beginners: Genius PRE
• Best Budget Pre-Workout for Beginners: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout

Best Pre-Workout for Beginners Overall: JackedFactory NitroSurge

Good for: Anyone new to the weight room who wants to kick-start their workout journey

Best Overall

Jacked Factory Nitrosurge Pre-Workout Powder

GGR Score: 4.22

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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.

For fitness veterans, the name “NitroSurge” is a dead giveaway that this Jacked Factory pre-workout intends to blow your muscles up (in a good way). But if you’re new to lifting weights, you might wonder what the “nitro” refers to. 

The namesake is the two-scoop serving that contains a 6-gram dose of L-citrulline¹, a nitric oxide booster that is known to widen blood vessels and increase blood flow, creating that sought-after swell in your muscles during a workout. But that’s not the only great thing about NitroSurge: It also contains beta-alanine² and betaine anhydrous³, which have both been studied for their ability to reduce fatigue and extend exercise duration. 

WIth 360 milligrams of caffeine in two scoops or 180 milligrams of caffeine in one scoop, either serving size will provide a nice jolt of energy. The included theobromine⁴ and L-theanine⁵ support mental acuity and focus, so you can stay locked in during your entire session.

One thing we really like about NitroSurge is that it provides two supplement facts labels: one for a single-scoop serving and one for a double-scoop serving. This makes it easy for beginners to start small and work their way up to bigger doses of ingredients, including caffeine. While you won’t get the optimal doses of each ingredient with just one scoop, you can always stack this supplement with another item for a more profound effect without the extra caffeine.

All of this good stuff comes in at a price point of just $30 per container, or about $1 per serving, making it a top pre-workout option for beginners who are hesitant to spend a lot of cash on supplements. 

One callout is that Jacked Factory products aren’t third-party tested, but that’s not typically a concern for people who aren’t athletes. We’ve tested JackedFactory products and between our personal experience and the brand’s label transparency, we’re confident in our recommendation. 

“We tried Strawberry Margarita (which looks like it’s only available on Amazon) and it is wildly delicious,” says Kate Meier, GGR head of content. “Like, I’d drink this by the side of a pool over ice. Drink it all day!” The members of her weightlifting team also love it.

Best Pre-Workout for Beginners for Building Muscle: Transparent Labs BULK

Good for: Beginners who want to maximize their coveted newbie gains

Best for Building Muscle

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.

Between newbie gains and Transparent Labs BULK Pre-Workout, you’ll be the biggest lifter in the gym in no time. OK, that’s a false promise (probably), but BULK can 100% help you pack on the pounds thanks to its incredible pre-workout formula. 

As the name suggests, BULK is packed with muscle-building ingredients that work in a variety of ways. The main ingredients are citrulline malate (8 grams) for improvements in muscular endurance and general physical performance¹; beta-alanine (4 grams) for staving off muscle fatigue²; betaine anhydrous to reduce fatigue and increase work capacity³; L-tyrosine for focus⁶; and alpha-GPC (choline bitartrate⁷) for focus. 

BULK also contains L-theanine, theobromine, taurine, an adaptogen blend, and BioPerine, a black pepper extract that increases the bioavailability⁸ of nutrients consumed. 

Oh, and we’d be remiss not to note that all of these quality ingredients are present in the clinically indicated doses in sports nutrition research. Proper dosing, and the fact that Transparent Labs posts certificates of analysis and composition for all of its products, are reasons why the brand appears on many of our nutrition guides, including our list of the best protein powders.

BULK also contains about the same amount of caffeine as two cups of coffee (200 milligrams per serving), which will give you a nice energy boost but shouldn’t cause jitters or other negative side effects of caffeine in people who are used to consuming it.

We do wish Transparent Labs didn’t omit creatine in this pre-workout, since creatine is proven to be one of the most impactful supplements for athletic performance and muscle gain. Transparent Labs says that they omit creatine because caffeine blunts its effects when taken together, but research on that topic is scarce and inconclusive. A 2017 study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning⁹ found no change in performance among groups that consumed creatine alone or creatine with caffeine.

Anthony O’Reilly, GGR performance editor and product tester, has tried BULK and really likes the Blue Raspberry flavor, saying, “It’s hard to describe the taste of blue raspberry but that’s exactly what this tastes like. It’s not too sweet, which is a good thing.”

Read our full Transparent Labs BULK review for more details on this pre-workout.

Best Natural Pre-Workout for Beginners: Onnit Alpha Brain

Good for: Beginners who want a pre-workout with naturally-sourced ingredients

Best Natural

Onnit Alpha BRAIN Pre-Workout

GGR Score: 4

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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.

Onnit Alpha Brain contains natural ingredients, sweeteners, and many other natural pre-workout staples such as beta-alanine, l-citrulline, and AlphaGPC for increased energy, strength, and focus. While some of the ingredients are under-dosed, beginners should start at lower doses before working their way up to larger ones, especially for ingredients like caffeine.

There’s 200 milligrams of caffeine, which is about two cups of coffee, along with 50 grams of Dyanmine, an ingredient proven to prolong caffeine’s energy-boosting capabilities. The combination also helps increase reaction time, according to researchers.

Onnit and researchers warn, however, warn that you should avoid caffeine after taking this pre-workout because Dynamine stays in your system longer, so it could cause disruptions to your sleeping patterns.

Jacob Penner, USAW-L2 coach and owner of North Carolina-based Endless Strength Weightlifting, said the Alpha Brain pre-workout 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,” he continues. “No tingles from this one. Two of our testers said they still got a good pump from this pre-workout.”

The flavor department was a mixed bag. “The Tiger’s Blood taste is tropical, but not pineapple; more coconutty/watermelon/strawberry,” Jacob says. The Yuzu Peach was bitter and some members of Jacob’s weightlifting team couldn’t finish their drink.

Read more in our full Onnit Alpha Brain pre-workout review.

Best Endurance Formula Pre-Workout for Beginners: C4 Sport

Good for: Experienced or beginning endurance athletes looking for some extra oomph

Best Endurance Formula

C4 Sport

GGR Score: 4

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Product Highlights

• Third-party tested by NSF-certified for Sport
• 200 mg of caffeine and 1 g of creatine
• Affordable
• 3 flavor options

Pros & Cons

Pros

• C4 has a history of good-tasting pre-workouts
• Third-party tested for purity and banned substances
• Low per-serving cost

Cons

• Key ingredients like L-citrulline are missing
• Some ingredients, like creatine, are underdosed

Bottom Line

C4 Sport is a third-party tested pre-workout supplement that we recommend for those who only take pre-workouts occasionally, or those who are new to them. Although it contains 200 milligrams of caffeine and is third-party tested by NSF-Certified for Sport, some key ingredients are missing or underdosed.

Cellucor’s C4 brand is a widely loved pre-workout—especially for beginners—for its budget-friendly price and minimal ingredients. C4 Sport is no different, with servings costing little more than $1 before any subscription savings. With a clinically proven dose of 200 milligrams of caffeine, this pre-workout is packed with beta-alanine and other ingredients to prevent muscular fatigue during your running or strength workouts.

RELATED: Best Supplements for Runners

Beta-alanine² has been shown to reduce fatigue and allow athletes to go for longer workouts and exercises—as well as another ingredient in C4 Sport, betaine anhydrous³. New lifters or cardio enthusiasts looking to get through lengthy workouts can get a ton out of this pre-workout.

C4 Sport also contains the muscle-building ingredient creatine, this time in the form of creatine nitrate. A 2024 randomized controlled trial¹⁰ showed that it can increase cognitive function and focus when taken with caffeine.

While we haven’t tried C4 Sport ourselves, we’ve used quite a few of Cellucor’s other C4 pre-workouts, and can attest to them having solid ingredients and doses. Plus, their flavors taste great—a factor that might be more significant for some users.

C4 Sport comes in three flavors—Watermelon, Hawaiian Punch Fruit Juicy Red, and Icy Blue Razz. The pre-workout is also sugar-free, although it is sweetened with some artificial sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame potassium. If you’re looking to avoid artificial flavors and ingredients, you may steer clear of this, but for some lengthy endurance to get you through each workout, C4 Sport is a great option that is also NSF Certified for Sport, ensuring it’s free of banned substances for athletes. 

Best Stim-Free Pre-Workout for Beginners: Naked Nutrition Stim-Free

Good for: New fitness enthusiasts who don’t want a jolt of caffeine but do want muscle-building ingredients

Best Stim-Free

Naked Nutrition Stim-Free Pre-Workout

GGR Score: 4.25

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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.

For a caffeine-free boost of energy, try Naked Nutrition Energy Stim-Free, a high-quality pre-workout that contains several ingredients to help with muscle growth, hydration, and mental focus, but without the potential crash of an energy drink full of caffeine. It’s one of our top picks for the best stim-free pre-workout powders overall.

The ingredients list includes CarnoSyn, a patented form of beta-alanine shown to increase carnosine production; arginine¹¹, an essential amino acid that can create muscle pumps; L-citrulline; and elevATP, a patented compound that has been studied for its ability to increase ATP production in the body¹². (ATP is the “currency” of muscle contraction, which is why this is a great pre-workout ingredient.)

Additionally, Naked Stim-Free contains vitamin B6, vitamin B12, niacin, folate, vitamin C, and calcium, all of which play different but important roles in human health and exercise performance. 

This pre-workout is unflavored, and it is free from artificial sweeteners, dyes, flavors, soy, GMOs, gluten, and proprietary blends. That is to say, it’s one of the best natural pre-workouts there is. 

Best Vegan Pre-Workout for Beginners: Genius PRE

Good for: People on a vegan diet who want a gentle energy boost

Best Vegan-Friendly

The Genius Brand Genius Pre

GGR Score: 4.26

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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.

A vegan-friendly and stim-free pre-workout, Genius PRE is a great choice for the beginner who just wants to remain focused during workouts without being overstimulated. Not only is this free of animal products, but it’s also free from preservatives, fillers, soy, and is non-GMO.

RELATED: Best Vegan Protein Powder

We turned to Jacob Penner, a certified personal trainer, USA Weightlifting coach, and someone who has tried more than 50 pre-workouts, for his thoughts on Genius PRE.

“This is stim-free, so it doesn’t get you all jacked up. I felt almost euphoric taking this, actually. It gave me a very calm focus,” he says, giving the overall workout experience on PRE a 4 out of 5. “It almost felt like taking a mood stabilizer, because I was relaxed, not stimulated; clear, and ready to take action.”

That would make sense, because this unique pre-workout formula contains nootropics like choline and huperzia. These are in addition to clinically-backed dosages of pre-workout staples like l-citrulline malate, carnosyn, betain anhydrous, l-tyrosine, l-arginine, and taurine.

RELATED: Best Pre-Workout For Muscle Gain

In terms of flavor, there are three options: Blue Raspberry, Grape Limeade, and Sour Cherry. Jacob says this gets a perfect score. “I took Blue Raspberry. Absolutely love the taste – this is like a blue icee,” he says, also rating it perfectly for solubility.

Genius PRE is third-party tested, which means that what’s on the label is accurate in terms of ingredients and dosages. However, we should point out that third-party testing often increases the price of a product; Genius PRE clocks in at about $1.90 per serving, making this one of the more expensive pre-workouts for beginners.

Also, Jacob notes that if you’re looking for a pump, you’ll get one, but it may not last long after the workout.

“I did a workout with a lot of upper back work, and my shoulders were so pumped up from it,” he says. “The pump was really good, but it didn’t last long. Pretty much by the time I was done lifting, the pump was fading.”

Best Budget Pre-Workout for Beginners: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout

Good for: Beginners on a budget

Best Budget

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.

Optimum Nutrition is one of our favorite budget-friendly supplement brands, and we’re fans of their Gold Standard Pre-Workout not only for its low price, but also for its modest caffeine content, 3 grams of creatine monohydrate, beta-alanine, and fantastic taste and solubility. 

Gold Standard Pre-Workout is a good pre-workout powder for beginners because it contains essential ingredients, and it has a little bit of help from sweeteners and gums to improve the taste and texture. While artificial sweeteners and emulsifiers are often things that health-conscious people want to shy away from, they’re generally recognized as safe by the FDA and can make supplements more palatable to beginners. 

Aside from the great taste and texture, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout is less cost-prohibitive than many other pre-workouts with its price per serving of $1.

The modest 175 milligram-dose of caffeine will boost energy levels without hyping you up to an excessive level, and acetyl-L-carnitine hydrochloride¹³ and N-acetyl L-tyrosine¹⁴ bolster that effect with their effect on focus and reaction time. Creatine, beta-alanine, and L-citrulline provide ergogenic benefits, while AstraGin¹⁵, a bioavailability enhancer, is there to increase absorption of all of those nutrients. 

The doses of some of these ingredients could be higher (such as the 1.5-gram dose of beta-alanine), but overall, we think this is a great formulation for beginners. And it comes in yummy flavors like Blueberry Lemonade, Fruit Punch, Green Apple, and Watermelon.

Kate, GGR head of content, says some members of her weightlifting team have been using this pre-workout for years. “The flavors are always absolutely delicious; sweet but not too sweet,” she says, “and it dissolves perfectly in just 8 ounces of water.”

Other Pre-Workouts We Researched

Our roster of certified trainers, nutrition coaches, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts has tested more than 50 pre-workouts. Here are some others we think beginners might want to take a look at—or avoid. 

• Cellucor C4 Original: This long standing, widely loved pre-workout is a budget-friendly choice with a minimalistic ingredient list that’s a good starting point for beginners. 
• Transparent Labs Stim-Free: Naked Energy Stim-Free is our choice for a caffeine-free option for beginners, but Transparent Labs Stim-Free Pre-Workout would be a good next step for someone wanting to increase their intake of performance-enhancing ingredients.
• Pre JYM Pre-Workout: Created by a popular bodybuilding athlete, Pre JYM is a quality pre-workout that our testers really enjoy. It might be a little strong for a beginner, though.
• Onnit Total Strength and Performance: Onnit’s popular pre-workout is a blend of BCAAs, glutamine, and beta-alanine, but it doesn’t contain some pre-workout ingredients we think are more important, like citrulline.
• XWERKS Ignite: This is an all-around good choice, but it didn’t beat out any of our above top picks for beginners specifically. 
• Gorilla Mode: We don’t recommend this one for beginners or athletes due to the inclusion of N-Phenethyl Dimethylamine Citrate, which is a banned substance in some countries. 
• Cira Pre-Game: Cira Pre-Game is a good option for those new to pre-workout, since it contains a mild amount of caffeine and all of the essential pre-workout ingredients.
• Blackwolf: We recommend this caffeine-free pre-workout for people who want a stim-free supplement to help build muscle. 
• Transparent Labs LEAN: This would be a good option for someone who is looking to support thyroid function to maintain or manage weight; otherwise, it’s a basic (but high-quality) pre-workout. 
• Bucked Up Woke AF: This pre-workout is not recommended for beginners (or anyone, really) due to the extremely high level of caffeine and other questionable stimulants. Read our full Woke AF review.
• Redcon1 Total War: Total War is probably too stimulant-heavy for beginners, but it could be something you work your way up to. Read our full Total War pre-workout review.

How We Picked and Tested the Best Pre-Workout for Beginners

Want to know how we choose products for our nutrition guides? Here’s a glimpse into our process for selecting pre-workouts. 

Benefits of Pre-Workout

The main benefits of pre-workout are energy, focus, increased exercise capacity/endurance, and increased strength. Some pre-workout ingredients may also assist with post-workout recovery and muscle soreness, although that’s not generally the main purpose of pre-workout. 

The extent to which you experience these benefits depends greatly on the specific ingredients in the pre-workout you take, the dose of each ingredient in the pre-workout, and your personal tolerance to the ingredients (especially the stimulants). 

Dosing and Interactions

Some ingredients in pre-workout may interact with medications, although pre-workout is generally considered safe to consume. If you take any prescription medications or regularly take any over-the-counter medications, it’s always advisable to consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian before trying a new supplement in case of any potential interactions. 

FAQs About the Best Pre-Workout for Beginners

Finally, here are some common questions from beginners who are looking for their first 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

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2. Stout JR, Graves BS, Smith AE, et al. The effect of beta-alanine supplementation on neuromuscular fatigue in elderly (55-92 Years): a double-blind randomized study. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2008;5:21. Published 2008 Nov 7. doi:10.1186/1550-2783-5-21
3. 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
4. Martínez-Pinilla E, Oñatibia-Astibia A, Franco R. The relevance of theobromine for the beneficial effects of cocoa consumption. Front Pharmacol. 2015;6:30. Published 2015 Feb 20. doi:10.3389/fphar.2015.00030
5. Owen GN, Parnell H, De Bruin EA, Rycroft JA. The combined effects of L-theanine and caffeine on cognitive performance and mood. Nutr Neurosci. 2008;11(4):193-198. doi:10.1179/147683008X301513
6. Neri DF, Wiegmann D, Stanny RR, Shappell SA, McCardie A, McKay DL. The effects of tyrosine on cognitive performance during extended wakefulness. Aviat Space Environ Med. 1995;66(4):313-319.
7. Kansakar U, Trimarco V, Mone P, Varzideh F, Lombardi A, Santulli G. Choline supplements: An update. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023;14:1148166. Published 2023 Mar 7. doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1148166
8. Fernández-Lázaro D, Mielgo-Ayuso J, Córdova Martínez A, Seco-Calvo J. Iron and Physical Activity: Bioavailability Enhancers, Properties of Black Pepper (Bioperine®) and Potential Applications. Nutrients. 2020;12(6):1886. Published 2020 Jun 24. doi:10.3390/nu12061886
9. Trexler ET, Smith-Ryan AE, Roelofs EJ, Hirsch KR, Persky AM, Mock MG. Effects of Coffee and Caffeine Anhydrous Intake During Creatine Loading. J Strength Cond Res. 2016;30(5):1438-1446. doi:10.1519/JSC.0000000000001223
10. Mabrey, G., Koozehchian, M. S., Newton, A. T., Naderi, A., Forbes, S. C., & Haddad, M. (2024). The Effect of Creatine Nitrate and Caffeine Individually or Combined on Exercise Performance and Cognitive Function: A Randomized, Crossover, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Nutrients, 16(6), 766. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16060766
11. Viribay A, Burgos J, Fernández-Landa J, Seco-Calvo J, Mielgo-Ayuso J. Effects of Arginine Supplementation on Athletic Performance Based on Energy Metabolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2020;12(5):1300. Published 2020 May 2. doi:10.3390/nu12051300
12. Joy JM, Vogel RM, Moon JR, et al. Ancient peat and apple extracts supplementation may improve strength and power adaptations in resistance trained men. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2016;16:224. Published 2016 Jul 18. doi:10.1186/s12906-016-1222-x
13. Ferreira GC, McKenna MC. L-Carnitine and Acetyl-L-carnitine Roles and Neuroprotection in Developing Brain. Neurochem Res. 2017;42(6):1661-1675. doi:10.1007/s11064-017-2288-7
14. Bloemendaal M, Froböse MI, Wegman J, et al. Neuro-Cognitive Effects of Acute Tyrosine Administration on Reactive and Proactive Response Inhibition in Healthy Older Adults. eNeuro. 2018;5(2):ENEURO.0035-17.2018. Published 2018 Apr 30. doi:10.1523/ENEURO.0035-17.2018
15. Curtis J, Evans C, Mekhail V, Czartoryski P, Santana JC, Antonio J. The Effects of a Pre-workout Supplement on Measures of Alertness, Mood, and Lower-Extremity Power. Cureus. 2022;14(5):e24877. Published 2022 May 10. doi:10.7759/cureus.24877

Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC

Amanda is a content writer and journalist with extensive experience in the health, fitness, lifestyle, and nutrition niches. Before joining Garage Gym Reviews, she worked as an independent writer for various brands and outlets.Her work has appeared in national and global digital publications, including Health.com and Shape.com (Meredith Corporation), CNET (Red Ventures, formerly ViacomCBS), LIVESTRONG (Leaf Group), Verywell Fit and The Balance (DotDash), SlickDeals (Goldman Sachs/Hearst), Health Journal, and more.Now, Amanda brings her expertise in fitness to the GGR team by testing equipment and writing authentic, honest reviews on everything you might need to stock your home gym.

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