Best Pre-Workout for Men (2025): Power Through Your Workout

Transparent Labs BULK is meant for people who are looking to increase their muscle mass, though people often get their supplements from this company due to its promise to use natural ingredients and provide transparent labeling at all times.

Some gym-goers be thrown off by the lower caffeine levels, but registered dietitian Laila Ouldibbat says that’s actually a good thing for individuals looking to get in as many reps as possible. “Moderate doses have been found to ‘significantly increase repetitions to failure and readiness to invest effort in athletes,’’’ she says, pointing to a pair² of studies³. 

Those increased reps and effort can help build muscle gain, which is exactly the goal of those looking to BULK (puns are always intended around here). There is no creatine in this product, but I personally didn’t miss it. There’s also 4 grams of BCAAs, which have the potential to support muscle growth (the jury is still out, according to research).

RELATED: Best Creatine

The 4 grams of beta-alanine is more than the daily recommended dose, and though that amount can help boost muscular endurance and reduce muscle soreness, it can lead to a notable skin-tingling sensation that may be uncomfortable for those who haven’t taken much of the amino acid in the past. 

As someone who’s taken his fair share of beta-alanine in the past, I feel like most trained individuals will be just fine taking this pre-workout, but I wouldn’t recommend it for beginners. I almost always go with blue raspberry when ordering pre-workouts, and this one gets a 5 out of 5 from me. It tastes exactly like one of those gas station slushees.

The solubility also gets a 5 out of 5, as it dissolves very well with no floaters or clumps.

Read more about my experience with this pre-workout in our Transparent Labs BULK review.

At just over $1 per serving (and under $1 if you put it on a monthly subscription), Nutricost Pre-X is the most affordable pre-workout that still delivers clinically-recommended doses of ingredients proven to increase strength, energy, and focus. “I like that this product features a combination of nitric oxide boosters, ergogenic aids, and cognitive enhancers,” says registered dietitian Perry Nix, MS, RD, LD.

In addition to containing all the classic pre-workout ingredients, Nutricost has Alpha-GPC, which, according to Nix, is considered a nootropic “due to its ability to enhance cognitive function, potentially improving memory, and learning abilities.”

We had two competitive weightlifters try Pre-X, and both said it was one of the best pre-workouts they’ve used. “Many pre-workouts make me feel worse—like they can make me nauseous or even uneasy because of all the ingredients,” says Jacob Penner, a Level 2 weightlifting coach and president of the USAW Weightlifting State Organization for North & South Carolina. “I don’t feel like that at all with this. I’m not irritable.”

Jacob, however, notes the effects might depend on your caffeine tolerance. A level scoop contains 300 milligrams of caffeine, which didn’t do much for him, but a scoop and a half did the trick. “With this, I felt motivated and focused to finish my workout, but I wasn’t stimulated very much,” he says, giving it a 5 out of 5 for overall effects.

“I’d use it again and keep using it,” he adds. “This feels like a clean product without anything stupid in it, so it’s not causing negative side effects.”

If you’re also an athlete who’s worried about what they put in their body, breathe easy. Nutricost products are third-party tested for banned and harmful substances.

Last, but certainly not least, Jacob rated the blue raspberry flavor a 5 out of 5. “I have always liked the Nutricost pre-workout for the taste, they do a really good job,” he says. (There’s also watermelon, fruit punch, grape, and peach mango).

Not only does Legion Athletics Pulse Pre-Workout have 100% natural ingredients— with no artificial sweeteners, flavors, or food dyes—but all of its ingredients are present in research-backed doses to maximize energy production and strength levels.

We should warn that each two-scoop serving comes with 350 milligrams of caffeine, which might be a lot for some people, but you can easily just take one scoop. Unfortunately, that does mean you won’t get the clinical dose of ingredients like citrulline and beta-alanine, but you’re still getting a good amount of each with a half-serving. This is why we docked a few points, giving the formulation a 3 out of 5, rather than our full 5-star rating.

There are also 350 milligrams of the amino acid L-theanine, which can help boost mental awareness and counteract some of the negative side effects of caffeine.  

Citrulline is an ingredient that’s been linked to increases in high-intensity performance, and Legion puts 8 grams in each full serving, which is the amount that most researchers use in studies. 

Beta-alanine is an amino acid that has been found to support an increase muscular endurance and decrease fatigue in high-performance athletes, but it does create a skin-tingling sensation known as paresthesia (it essentially feels like you’re very itchy, though that feeling subsides after taking beta-alanine for a while). 

The one callout we have is the flavor, which earns a 4 out of 5. Several of our testers agree that Legion has a bitter taste that may take some getting used to. Matt Dustin, CSCS, PN1-NC, tried the Fruit Punch.

“The initial taste isn’t bad, but it leaves a pretty bad aftertaste,” says Matt. “I used it for a week or two, but after a while, I just couldn’t finish the tub. It’s hard to get down.”

Another tester said, “It’s sweet but does have a bit of a bitter taste, and you taste the sweetener afterwards. Weird aftertaste.”

Pulse might be an acquired taste, but I will say, I got this down before a strength training workout and felt all the positive effects. Read more in our Legion Pulse review.

Most people chug their pre-workouts, but GGR Head of Content and weightlifting instructor Kate Meier says she likes to savor the taste of Jacked Factory Nitrosurge’s strawberry margarita flavor. “It is wildly delicious,” Kate says in our Nitrosurge pre-workout review. “Like, I’d drink this by the side of a pool over ice. Drink it all day.” Kate has tried dozens of pre-workouts, and Nitrosurge is one of the few that earned a 5 out of 5 on taste.

On top of that, Jacked Factory Nitrosurge comes out to just under $1 per scoop if you only use one scoop per session (it’s even less than that if you put it on a monthly subscription). 

As is the case with most budget-friendly products, Nitrosurge doesn’t provide quite as much oomph as the other pre-workouts on this list, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy it. 

It’s a great choice for those looking for a low-caffeine workout—it contains 180 milligrams of caffeine, which is roughly two 8-ounce cups of coffee. Another key ingredient is L-Theanine, which when combined with caffeine can help increase reaction time and energy⁴.

Pre-workout beginners should also consider Nitrosurge, as the caffeine dosage is a bit more manageable.

“I took this in the morning and did just one scoop, which really only gives you a half dosage of the active ingredients you’d find in other pre-workouts,” says one of our testers. “So 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.”

It also has 1.6 grams of beta-alanine, which registered dietitian Laila Ouldibbat says can help mitigate muscular fatigue and increase endurance. 

RELATED: Best Greens Powder

If you’re sensitive to caffeine, you can pick up a stimulant-free pre-workout that will still provide the best pre-workout ingredients without the jitters and crash. 

RELATED: Creatine vs Pre-Workout

1st Phorm Endura-Formance is one of our favorite stim-free pre-workouts (both for men and women) because it combines creatine and beta-alanine, both of which can help promote power and stamina in your workout, plus other ingredients like betaine anhydrous, Peak O2 mushroom blend and S7 antioxidant blend. The latter combo is said to maximize oxygen and nutrient delivery to muscles and fight fatigue. The formula also contains ample sodium and potassium, perfect for those who sweat a lot or are participating in endurance sports. 

Former GGR senior staff writer, CPT, and endurance athlete Amanda Capritto is a huge fan of Endura-Formance, rating it a 4.5 out of 5 for taste. “I ordered Berry Lemonade and it’s easily one of the best-tasting supplements I’ve tried,” she explains. 

Although this formula only earned a 3.75 out of 5 for formulation by our testing rubric, Amanda touts the unique ingredients—Peak O2 blend and the S7 compound—as something noteworthy. 

“I don’t know if it’s placebo from knowing what’s in the powder or if it’s actually working, but I definitely feel like this helps with my triathlon training sessions,” she says. Read our 1st Phorm Endura-Formance review for more about our experience.

It should be noted that no supplement, regardless of its marketing claims, is going to be the magic key for weight loss. That said, LEAN has some ingredients that, coupled with a good training plan and diet, could help support your weight loss journey. 

Most notably, this pre-workout formula contains research-backed doses of iodine and zinc to assist thyroid function, which plays a huge role in regulating your metabolism. There’s also selenium to support hormone metabolism and antioxidant function. 

The 180 milligrams of caffeine might seem low—it’s about a cup and a half of coffee—but Laila points out that Transparent Labs adds a compound called Infinergy that helps prolong caffeine’s performance-enhancing side effects (increased energy and stamina). In other words, the caffeine will stay in your system longer and you won’t experience a crash. 

She also says the lower caffeine content won’t interfere with your body’s internal thermometer, or thermoregulation, like some people see with higher doses (this is why some people might feel a bit cold if they drink too much coffee). 

RELATED: Best Pre-Workout for Weight Loss

There are also 6 grams of citrulline malate, which can support reduced muscle fatigue and improve training performance. 

The solubility is one minor callout, earning a 4 out of 5. Our tester said, “It’s not opaque. Floaties were in there once mixed.”

As far as the flavor goes, Transparent Lab LEAN earns a 4 out of 5. Caine Wilkes, OLY, USAW-L1, tried it and said, “If I’m being picky, the flavor was more sour than grape, but it wasn’t an unpleasant flavor.”

I personally found Transparent Labs’ flavors to be just fine, but they were a bit flat. I did enjoy the increased energy boost without the crash. You can find out more in our Transparent Labs LEAN review.

If you’ve heard of Jim Stoppani, you shouldn’t be too surprised to learn that his Pre JYM Pre-Workout was our top choice for the best pre-workout for focus. In addition to the 300 milligrams of cognitive-boosting caffeine, the expert exercise physiologist includes Huperzine A, a cognitive enhancer linked with improved memory and mental function⁵, and Taurine, an amino acid that can also act as a neurotransmitter, according to studies⁶.

Our expert product testers certainly felt the effects. “It’s almost like putting horse blinders on your head that only allow you to focus on the weights,” says Anthony O’Reilly, GGR performance editor and product tester.

Anthony also loved the Pineapple Strawberry flavor and gave it a 4.5 out of 5, saying, “It’s very tropical. I want to drink this while on a beach, but without the caffeine.”

Jacob Penner, a USA Weightlifting Level 2 coach who has tried more than 50 pre-workouts, had a similar experience, and his entire team loves JYM Pre-Workout.

“This actually has ended up being the team’s favorite pre-workout of potentially all time, and these guys have literally used 50+ pre-workouts,” says Jacob. “It is now their go-to, even with all the other pre-workouts we have here. For the last few months, this is the one they grab most often and enjoy the most, both in taste and in effects.”

We’re also big fans of the 2 grams of creatine, and the 6 grams of citrulline malate.

I want to drink this while on a beach but without the caffeine—it’s that good. Read more in our JYM pre-workout review.

Onnit Alpha Brain pre-workout uses stevia to sweeten their pre-workout. Although stevia doesn’t always agree with people, it’s a natural product so it’s a good choice for those who want to avoid any artificial sweeteners, colors, or preservatives.

It’s a balanced formula with caffeine, beta-alanine, citrulline, and ashwaghanda that earns a 4 out of 5 for the formulation.

Jacob Penner—a USA Weightlifting Level-2 Coach and owner of North Carolina-based Endless Strength Weightlifting—had three of his teammates try Alpha Brain pre-workout and they all reached the same conclusion: “This brings great focus and clarity to your workout.”

That’s not too surprising, since Alpha Brain has 200 milligrams of caffeine per scoop. You probably already know caffeine can boost energy, which is why you probably drink it, but it can also increase our mental alertness—which is what Jacob and his team felt. Unlike some strong pre-workouts, this one was a little more forgiving.

“It’s not overly stimulating; it’s more of just feeling very present and ready to do the work,” Jacob says. The pre-workout supplement contains Dynamine, which is a substance that can prolong caffeine’s effects. For that reason, Jacob and Onnit recommend not eating any other foods or beverages that contain more than 50 milligrams of caffeine to avoid staying up late at night or potential heart issues.

What about the pumps, you ask? “Two of our testers said they got a good pump from this pre-workout,” Jacob continues. This surprised us a little bit since it only has 2.4 grams of L-Citrulline, the substance that promotes blood flow to the muscles, which can result in increased vascularity. The recommended L-Citrulline dose is closer to 6 grams.

Check out our full Onnit Alpha Brain pre-workout review for more information.

Creatine is one of the most-proven strength supplements on the planet, and it’s one of the compounds that helps make Cellucor C4 Ultimate Pre-Workout one of our top choices for lifters looking to increase strength and muscle mass.

“This feels like a natural step up from C4 that a lot of people have been looking for,” says frequent pre-workout user and USA Weightlifting Level 2 coach Jacob Penner. “This is a good fit for people who may be accustomed to the traditional C4 pre-workout and are ready for something with a bit more oomph.”

Some people might notice that the 1.5 grams of creatine in each scoop is lower than the clinically recommended dose of 3-5 grams. That said, even low doses of creatine have been proven to increase muscle power and prevent musculoskeletal injuries in athletes, according to sports nutrition studies⁷. Cellucor uses a type of creatine called creatine nitrate, which researchers say⁸ is just as effective and safe as creatine monohydrate (the kind found in most sports supplements).

As Jacob points out, C4 Ultimate is different from the C4 Original that many people tried when they first started training. We rate Ultimate’s formulation a 4.5 out of 5. It contains 300 milligrams of caffeine (Original has 200), 3 grams of L-Citrulline for pumps (Original has 1.2 grams), and a research-backed 3.2 grams of beta-alanine (Original has 2 grams).

It also contains L-Tyrosine, an amino acid that plays an important role in brain cognition. In other words, it might help you focus more in the gym (though 2015 research⁹ says its effectiveness can vary from person to person).

Jacob says it worked on him, giving the overall effects a 4 out of 5. “This is a stimulating, exciting pre-workout,” he says in his C4 Ultimate Pre-Workout review. “I felt enthusiastic about lifting.”

And the taste? A 5 out of 5, according to Jacob. “The name of the flavor I tried is “Sour Batch Bros” — and it tasted just like Sour Patch Kids,” he says. “C4 always does a good job with flavors. I’ve been using C4 variations for more than a decade. I always like the flavor.”

In terms of the best pre-workout for beginners, you generally want to start with something that isn’t over-stimulating. Genius PRE is a great introduction to anyone who’s never taken this supplement before. It doesn’t have any caffeine, so you won’t get an insane and potentially unmanageable energy boost. Instead gives you that “pump” feeling that many enjoy when using pre-workout.

“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,” says Jacob Penner, USA Weightlifting L-2 coach. Jacob has tested more than 50 pre-workouts, and rated this one a 4 out of 5 for its overall workout experience.

Jacob dinged Genius PRE a point for its overall effects simply because it doesn’t give you a shot of energy (which can be good for a beginner), and because the pump didn’t last very long.

“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.”

RELATED: Best Protein Shakes

Where Genius PRE shines is in its formulation, which has pre-workout staples like betain anhydrous, l-citrulline mallate, and carnosyn. It also has nootropics like choline, which could explain why Jacob felt increased focus after taking it.

The price is about $1.90 per serving, which is on the expensive end. That could be due in part that this pre-workout is third-party tested. That’s an important factor (and one we pay attention to during our product review) because third-party certification means we can trust the label of the pre-workout.

Jacob says the taste of the Blue Raspberry is “one of the best I’ve ever had,” giving it a perfect 5 out of 5.

For more, check out our Genius Pre-Workout review.

There are dozens, if not hundreds of high-stim pre-workouts you could’ve picked but our choice goes to El Jefe for two reasons, with the biggest being that they specify how much caffeine is in their pre-workout—300 milligrams, plus an additional 100 milligrams of a slower-releasing form of caffeine called di-caffeine malate (which stays in your system longer than regular caffeine).

The other is that it was one of the few high-stim pre-workouts we tried that we actually felt good on while taking, as opposed to the many that made us too sick to even train.

“It kicked in almost right away,” says Mike Raedy, a competitive weightlifter and jiu-jitsu athlete. “I didn’t feel like my skin was crawling but still had that energy. The biggest thing was the focus. This is one of the best feelings of being ‘locked in’ compared to others I’ve tried, and I’ve used 20-30 different pre-workouts.”

Caffeine, however, is the only stimulant clearly labeled on this pre-workout. We’d go into the many other stimulants found on the supplement facts label, but El Jefe uses a proprietary blend so it’s tough for us to decipher if any of them are present in research-backed amounts. It also contains some ingredients prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), so we wouldn’t advise this for any athletes who have to undergo drug testing.

It’s also a little pricey, and only earns a 3 out of 5 for price and value. There are certainly more affordable options on the market.

Mike says the Orange creamsicle flavor tastes like an orange Smarty. “Not too sweet,” he says. Check out our El Jefe Pre-Workout review for more information about this product.

Transparent Labs Stim-free pre-workout is a non-stim version of their BULK and LEAN pre-workouts that you can use during later training sessions. It contains 6 grams of muscle-stimulating citrulline malate as the caffeine versions to support blood flow and nutrient delivery.

The addition of Huperzine A and L-Tyrosine helps with mental focus, a job usually done by caffeine. You also get sodium and potassium to help with hydration and may even help you get a pump, according to some comparative studies¹⁰.

Even though there’s no caffeine, we like the dosing used for the ingredients in this product, and give it a 4 out of 5 for the formulation.

Anthony O’Reilly, GGR’s performance editor, has tried most of Transparent Labs’ pre-workouts and says the stim-free version is on par with the rest of them. Amanda Capritto, GGR staff writer and product tester, said she felt the beta-alanine tingles were stronger than with other pre-workouts she’s taken, but nothing that’s going to turn her off from taking this in the future.

Anthony also had some issues with the solubility, and gave it a 3.5 out of 5. He said, “This powder gives me some persistent chunks even in a shaker bottle, which is a little bit annoying, but I think worth it for the quality of the ingredients (and fine if you just down it quickly).”

All of our product testers agreed the taste was good and not overly sweet, though some noted a “chemical” aftertaste and that their shaker bottle was a bit foamy when using this powder. Read more in our Transparent Labs stim-free pre-workout review.