Myprotein Pre-Workout Review (2024): Average, But Beginner-Friendly, Pre-Workout

If you’re looking for a way to bring an edge to your workouts, you may be considering purchasing one of the best pre-workout supplements. Designed to enhance energy, focus, and exercise performance, most pre-workout supplements contain caffeine as the main energizing ingredient. Some pre-workouts are also formulated with ingredients to support muscle strength and power.

Pre-workouts that are lower in caffeine—think about the amount in a cup of coffee—are a good option for beginners. Myprotein THE pre-workout is one example. But does it offer any other advantages over other pre-workouts, and is it the best pre-workout for your needs?

In this Myprotein pre-workout review, we’ll cover taste, mixability, formulation, price, and more to help you decide if this pre workout is worth trying.

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’re THE Pre-Workout Expert Testers 

Good luck opening any social media outlet and filtering through all the workout-related products marketed by the fitness industry and endorsed by wellness influencers. At Garage Gym Reviews, we know what works for one doesn’t for all. That’s why we’re dedicated to testing and weeding through the vast selection of workout supplements and gear to best help exercisers of all levels and walks of life. 

Our expert review testers are exercise and nutrition professionals, including certified personal trainers, registered dietitians, CrossFit trainers, and competitive athletes. When it comes to testing workout supplements, our pro testers incorporate pre-workouts, the best protein powders, and more into their daily exercise and nutrition routines to report back on how these supplements perform in real life. We’ve tested more than 60 pre-workouts and counting, so we’ll put our collective experience to the test in this review. 

MyProtein THE Pre-Workout

MyProtein THE Pre-Workout

GGR Score: 3.4

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Product Highlights

• 4 grams of citrulline, 50 milligrams of theacrine, and 2,500 milligrams of betaine anhydrous
• Available in 9 flavors
• Mixes well with water.
• Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Mixes well
• 9 flavors
• Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free

Cons

• Uses sucralose for flavor

Bottom Line

THE Pre-Workout supplement is made by a reputable brand and can potentially help support your health and fitness goals. Its higher cost may be prohibitive to some.

A Quick Look at Myprotein THE Pre-Workout 

Myprotein is a sports nutrition and activewear brand that was started in 2004. The nutrition line includes whey protein and plant-based protein powders, protein bars, collagen, creatine, amino acids, and more. 

THE pre-workout is their pre-workout supplement designed to boost energy, enhance muscle function during exercise, and grow muscle. THE pr- workout contains caffeine, but Myprotein also offers a caffeine-free pre-workout called The Pump. 

RELATED: Does Pre-Workout Help Build Muscle?

THE pre-workout has an average price point, but it’s also available on subscription, which brings the cost down to under $1 per serving—a great price.

Before You Buy

• This pre-workout is available only on the Myprotein website (sorry, Amazon lovers!).
• You’ll get the best deal by ordering THE pre-workout on a subscription.
• Know that there’s no money-back guarantee and the return policy for supplements is unclear.

Is Myprotein THE Pre-Workout Worth It? 

If you’re new to taking a pre-workout supplement, we recommend starting with a formula that contains a lower dose of caffeine per serving. Myprotein THE pre-workout may be a good starting point for beginners and anyone who doesn’t tolerate products with high amounts of stimulants. (On the other hand, if you’re sensitive to caffeine or need to avoid it, a stim-free pre workout will be a better choice.)

Competitive athletes may need a formula that packs more of a boost. Although the ingredients in THE pre-workout are vegetarian/vegan-friendly and gluten-free, this formula contains some artificial flavors and colors and is sweetened with sucralose.

Myprotein THE Pre-Workout Specs

Experience Using Myprotein THE Pre-Workout 

Nicole Davis, one of GGR’s Senior Editors, tested Myprotein’s THE pre-workout to see how it impacted her workouts and compared to other pre workouts she’s tried. Her takeaway matches many of the customer reviews on the Myprotein website; THE pre-workout is solidly average with some room for improvement.

Nicole gave this pre-workout high points for taste, but it’s not the best dissolving pre-workout she’s ever had. Although this product contains our go-to ingredients for pre-workouts, the dosage is less than the amounts clinically recommended for exercise benefits. Still, Nicole reported she felt energized and focused after taking this pre-workout. 

Price Per Serving 

As far as pre workout prices go, Myprotein falls in the mid range, giving it a score of 3 out of 5. A 30-serving tub sells for $44.99, which is roughly $1.50 per serving. However, you can save by ordering your pre-workout as a subscription. 

With Myprotein’s subscription, you’ll save 40% on every shipment of THE pre-workout, bringing the price down $26.99 per tub, which shakes out to 90 cents per serving. You’ll also score free shipping with a subscription, making it the most cost-effective choice if you like the product.

Formulation

Here, we’ll review the key pre-workout ingredients and dosages in THE pre-workout. There is a disclaimer on the Myprotein website that the nutrition information may vary based on flavor. Images of the nutrition information for each flavor are not available. The dosage information for each ingredient is based on the Strawberry pre-workout flavor, which doesn’t appear to be currently for sale. This is a bit confusing, but we’ll do the best we can with the available information.

Caffeine

The most important function of a pre-workout is to boost energy and alertness so you not only feel “ready” to workout, but can work harder and bring more power to your training. Each serving of THE pre-workout contains 150 milligrams of caffeine anhydrous, which is about the same amount of caffeine found in one and a half cups of coffee.

Beta-Alanine

Beta-alanine is a nonessential amino acid that’s been found to improve exercise performance when taken daily. It also acts as a pH buffer, which can counteract the buildup of lactic acid in muscle tissue and delay muscular fatigue during exercise. 

The International Society of Sports Nutrition⁴ recommends taking 4 to 6 grams per day as part of a loading phase to increase muscular carnosine stores. THE pre-workout contains just 2 grams of beta-alanine per serving.

L-Citrulline

One of the benefits of L-citrulline, or the related citrulline malate, is enhanced blood flow. It works by increasing the body’s production of nitric oxide ⁶, which relaxes blood vessels. Taking L-citrulline in a pre-workout can help increase oxygenated blood to muscles during exercise. The result? Increased power output—aka better pumps—and potentially an increase in reps before muscle fatigue sets in. THE pre-workout contains 4 grams of L-citrulline per serving, slightly lower than the research-backed dosage of 6 grams per day. 

Creatine 

Each serving contains 2 grams of creatine monohydrate. Creatine draws water into muscles and helps your muscles produce ATP energy, which results in improved athletic performance, muscle growth, and faster workout recovery⁵. 

Typically, creatine is taken post-workout to support growth and repair, but there are still benefits to taking it before a workout. Although this formula contains creatine, research supports a 5-gram daily dose for the most beneficial effects, so you’d have to supplement with more creatine to hit that number. 

RELATED: When Is The Best Time to Take Creatine?

Theacrine

Each serving also contains 50 milligrams of theacrine, which is a substance found in tea leaves. It’s marketed as having similar benefits as caffeine, but without the side effects or potential for dependency. More research is needed on theacrine benefits, but a 2019 study¹ found combining theacrine with caffeine improves exercise endurance and focus more than caffeine alone. 

B Vitamins

THE pre-workout contains vitamins B3 (niacin), B12, and folic acid. B vitamins support metabolism and cellular energy production. Each serving provides roughly 100% of the daily amount of B3 and folic acid and over 1,000% of B12. If you take other supplements that contain B vitamins, you’ll likely be taking more than you need on days you use THE pre-workout, so be cognizant of this.

Betaine Anhydrous

Betaine² is a natural substance found in animal and plant foods. It’s added to pre-workouts to support power and strength during exercise. Studies have had mixed results³ on its effectiveness. THE pre-workout contains 2.5 grams of betaine anhydrous. 

RELATED: Best pre-workout for weight loss

N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine

L-tyrosine is a nonessential amino acid that may help sharpen focus and mental performance⁷ during short-term periods of stress, such as a training session. A 2019 study found combining L-tyrosine with caffeine increases the accuracy⁸ of athletic movements, which may be important in professional level sports. Each serving of THE pre-workout contains 750 milligrams of N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine.

Taste and Solubility 

Myprotein THE pre-workout comes in a long list of flavors, including but not limited to:

As of the time of this review, not all flavors listed on the Myprotein website are available for purchase. In addition to the above flavors, limited-edition flavors may be available. 

Nicole, our product tester and Senior Editor, tried THE pre-workout in Ruby Red Grapefruit. She loved this flavor, rating it a 5 out of 5 and saying “a lot of pre workouts are cloyingly sweet but this one was perfect—not too sweet and slightly sour.” 

Although the flavor earned nothing but praise, Nicole has a side note you should know—there was an off-putting, strong smell when she first opened her container of pre-workout. Since we only tested one flavor, we’re not sure if other flavors have the same weird smell. 

Also, several recent reviews note the pre-workout contains “some sort of glitter added to make it shiny/swirly.” One reviewer said her Rocket Pop flavored pre-workout mentioned mica powder on the ingredient list, which would add a sparkly effect but no health benefit. This ingredient is not mentioned on the product description and it’s not clear whether all of THE pre-workout flavors contain mica or not. Nicole didn’t experience this when she tested the product. 

One thing she did experience, though, was subpar solubility. Unfortunately, THE pre-workout didn’t mix as well as it tasted, leading to a score of 3 out of 5 in solubility. Nicole found she still had floating particles of the pre-workout powder visible in her shaker bottle after mixing with water. It was still drinkable, but it’s not the smoothest for solubility.

Side Effects 

Pre-workout side effects can range in severity, but the dosages in this pre-workout shouldn’t cause too many issues. 

Beta-alanine, one of the ingredients in Myprotein’s THE pre-workout, can cause a tingling or slightly itchy sensation. This side effect is called paresthesia⁴. It can often be felt in the face and/or hands and typically lasts only a few minutes. Nicole experienced some mild tingling, but it was short-lived.

Although this pre-workout doesn’t contain a large dose of caffeine, it may be enough to cause stimulant-related side effects, like the jitters, in people sensitive to caffeine. Nicole notes she doesn’t tolerate high-stimulant pre workouts, but didn’t experience any adverse effects from the caffeine content in this product.

Third-Party Testing 

Myprotein doesn’t advertise their products as third-party tested, nor do tubs of THE pre-workout contain a third-party testing certification seal. Third-party testing is important because supplements are not regulated in the United States, so it’s important to know that what’s on the label is what’s in the container. 

Myprotein products are made in Europe and are subject to the European Union’s manufacturing guidelines. Myprotein has been awarded the highest food safety rating available by the British Retail Consortium. They also claim to have built-in testing during manufacturing to ensure the safety and quality of their products.

Comparison to Kaged Pre-Kaged 

Kaged Pre-Kaged

Kaged Pre-Kaged Pre-Workout

GGR Score: 4.16

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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.

Kaged Pre-Kaged is a popular pre-workout on the market, and it may be a better choice for you in some cases.   

For one, Pre-Kaged pre-workout is third-party tested for purity and safety, so especially if you’re a competitive athlete, this is the way to go. 

Compared to THE pre-workout, Pre-Kaged contains almost twice the amount of caffeine and comparable amounts of creatine and beta-alanine. The caffeine in Pre-Kaged comes from organic coffee beans. It also contains a few bonus ingredients over THE pre-workout, like plant-based branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) to support muscle growth, coconut water powder to support hydration, and a blend of plant extracts for extra antioxidants. 

RELATED: Best Pre-Workout With BCAAs 

However, organic ingredients and third-party testing come with a higher price tag. Pre-Kaged costs $2.25 per serving versus $1.50 for THE pre-workout. That being said, newbies should be cognizant of Pre-Kaged due to the higher dose of caffeine.

Read our full Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged review to decide if this pre-workout is right for you. 

Customer Experience 

Myprotein doesn’t appear to offer a money-back guarantee or warranty on their pre-workout products and their return policy for consumable products isn’t clearly outlined on their website. Myprotein offers a 30-day return policy for clothing and accessories, but indicates returns for supplements and other non-clothing items must be requested through customer service. 

Customer service can be reached through live chat on the Myprotein website, direct message on Facebook or X (formerly Twitter), or by sending a message through your Myprotein account.

Ordering Myprotein THE Pre-Workout 

Myprotein is based in the UK but does have operations in the U.S. That being said, THE pre-workout is only available for purchase through the Myprotein website. Ordering is straightforward. Simply select whether you’d like to make a one-time purchase of THE pre-workout or receive monthly shipments through the “Subscribe & Gain” option. 

You get free shipping with a subscription. Without the subscription, you’ll pay $7.99 for standard shipping with tracking. If you need a rush order, there’s also 2-day express shipping for $19.99 and overnight shipping for $24.99.

Myprotein runs all kinds of promotions and free shipping deals, so be sure to check their website before checking out for the latest coupon codes. You can also score an extra 5% off when you purchase through the Myprotein app.

Customer Reviews 

THE pre-workout has an average rating of 4.22 out of 5 stars based on 159 reviews on the Myprotein website at the time of this writing. Here are the main takeaways from customer’s reviews:

The consensus seems to be THE pre-workout has a few pros, but there’s room for improvement. As several reviews mention, “it’s pretty good, but not the best.” Most of these reviews didn’t elaborate on what could be better. 

Buyers are split on the taste of THE pre-workout. Some give flavor and mixability high marks, while others say it’s nothing special or that there’s a noticeable aftertaste. One reviewer notes the taste is “nothing to write home about” while another compares the taste to a children’s chewable vitamin.

On the other hand, some reviewers say this is their go-to pre-workout. One reviewer, who noted they’re new to taking pre-workout, preferred this product over the best-selling C4 pre workout.

As for how it works, several reviewers say it contains just enough caffeine, not too much or too little, to provide a nice energy boost without jitters. Several buyers wrote they experienced tingling and/or itching in the face and hands after taking this pre workout, while others didn’t, even if they’ve had tingling with other pre-workouts.

The bottom line? Be aware this product may contain ingredients not listed on the website and tingling or itching are potential side effects.

Final Verdict of Our Myprotein Pre-Workout Review

In our experience, THE pre workout tastes pretty good, but could dissolve in water better. It contains a modest amount of caffeine compared to high-stim pre workouts, so we think it’s a good choice for beginners and those who prefer lower amounts of stimulant. 

Without a subscription, this pre workout costs $1.50 per serving, which is average but with a lower amount of caffeine than other similarly priced options, so we think you’d have to really love the flavor to commit. The best way to find out if this pre-workout is your new go to is try it firsthand.

• Each serving of Myprotein THE pre-workout contains 150 mg of caffeine, 4 g of l-citrulline, 2 g of creatine, and 2 g of beta-alanine. 
• The main side effect is tingling, which is common in supplements that contain beta-alanine.

Myprotein THE Pre-Workout Rating

Myprotein THE Pre-Workout

In our Myprotein pre-workout review, we examine the formulation, taste, price, returns policy, and more to help you decide if it’s worth trying.

Product Currency: $

Product Price: 44.99

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
3.4

Myprotein THE 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. Bello ML, Walker AJ, McFadden BA, Sanders DJ, Arent SM. The effects of TeaCrine® and caffeine on endurance and cognitive performance during a simulated match in high-level soccer players. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2019;16(1):20. Published 2019 Apr 18. doi:10.1186/s12970-019-0287-6
2. Cholewa JM, Hudson A, Cicholski T, et al. The effects of chronic betaine supplementation on body composition and performance in collegiate females: a double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled trial. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2018;15(1):37. Published 2018 Jul 31. doi:10.1186/s12970-018-0243-x
3. Ismaeel A. Effects of Betaine Supplementation on Muscle Strength and Power: A Systematic Review. J Strength Cond Res. 2017;31(8):2338-2346. doi:10.1519/JSC.0000000000001959
4. Trexler ET, Smith-Ryan AE, Stout JR, et al. International society of sports nutrition position stand: Beta-Alanine. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015;12:30. Published 2015 Jul 15. doi:10.1186/s12970-015-0090-y
5. Wax B, Kerksick CM, Jagim AR, Mayo JJ, Lyons BC, Kreider RB. Creatine for Exercise and Sports Performance, with Recovery Considerations for Healthy Populations. Nutrients. 2021;13(6):1915. Published 2021 Jun 2. doi:10.3390/nu13061915
6. Gonzalez AM, Trexler ET. Effects of Citrulline Supplementation on Exercise Performance in Humans: A Review of the Current Literature. J Strength Cond Res. 2020;34(5):1480-1495. doi:10.1519/JSC.0000000000003426
7. Jongkees BJ, Hommel B, Kühn S, Colzato LS. Effect of tyrosine supplementation on clinical and healthy populations under stress or cognitive demands–A review. J Psychiatr Res. 2015;70:50-57. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2015.08.014
8. 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

Sharon Lehman, RD

Sharon Lehman, RD is a dietitian and health and nutrition writer. She earned a Bachelors degree in Dietetics from the University of Delaware and holistic health coach certification through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She has over 10 years experience as a dietitian and 5 years experience authoring evidence-based wellness content for various publications. She also specializes in culinary nutrition, recipe development, and food photography. You can view more of her work on her blog, Heart and Stove. (heartandstove.com)

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