The 10 Best Pre-Workout Supplements Of 2021
If you enjoy a good workout with great pumps, energy, and focus, you'll love pre-workout supplements.
They're a great way of boosting your workout performance. They allow you to push beyond your limits; they're incredible for athletes.
You can't really compare them to any other type of supplement, and they're unique when it comes to effectiveness.
At SupplementsReviewer.com, we've reviewed dozens of different supplements. But our favorite type of review is when we test a pre-workout.
What we noticed in our years of reviewing supplements is that there are quite some shady products out on the market.
Proprietary blends, useless fillers – you get the idea.
That's why we are writing this article to give you a list of top-rated, effective, and safe products to choose from.
Unlike many other articles, we've done our homework and have carefully researched every product and ingredient.
It's safe to say that we know what works and what doesn't.
Today, we're going to present you with our top 10 best pre-workout supplements list of 2021.
The 10 Best Pre-Workouts Of 2021
Contents
A well-formulated pre-workout supplement can do wonders when it comes to boosting your workout performance.
That's why you want to make sure you're getting the best of the best instead of a cheap, underdosed product.
1. Wrecked: Most Stacked Pre-Workout
We've tried many different products, but none came near the effectiveness of Wrecked by Huge Nutrition.
It is the most stacked pre-workout supplement of 2021. The formula behind this product is amazing as it dramatically helps boost focus, pump, and energy.
Each ingredient in this product is clinically dosed, meaning it was designed to give the best possible results.
Besides a ton of energy, skin-tearing pumps, and laser focus, you'll actually get your money's worth when buying it.
One scoop is 21.1 grams, which means Wrecked contains 2 to 3 times as much as your average pre-workout.
One scoop will deliver a mind-blowing workout experience, one that you won't forget.
You can only order Wrecked from the official Huge Nutrition website.
2. PreSeries Bulk
Preseries Bulk by Transparent Labs is another excellent value pre-workout. It's loaded with different high-quality ingredients.
With a product like Preseries Bulk, you'll be boosting your workout performance from different angles.
It's good to know that it's completely free of artificial sweeteners, coloring, and preservatives.
You get what you see on the label, meaning it's a clean product.
It's solid for getting you a good pump, energy rush, and mental focus. This product is also available in different flavors on the official site.
3. AMPED AF By Steel
If you're after something durable, we've got Amped AF by Steel Supplements.
This pre-workout has made it to the top 3 of our list because it's incredibly potent and contains several stimulants.
It's comparable to a DMAA pre-workout; that's how strong it is. Because it is so strong, it's advised to start with just half a scoop.
After half an hour of taking it, you will start to notice a significant increase in both energy and focus.
But it's quite expensive at $55 per 30 servings. If you're after something different, give it a go.
4. Redcon1 Total War
The fourth place on our list of best pre-workout supplement goes to Total War by Redcon1.
The product consists of staple ingredients such as L-Citrulline, Beta-Alanine, and Agmatine Sulfate.
These ingredients will definitely take care of you when it comes to energy and pumps.
Redcon1 also has a stimulant-free pre-workout called MOAB. Check out our review if you aren't a big fan of stims.
5. Beyond Raw LIT
Right behind Total War, we have LIT by Beyond RAW. It's a clinically dosed product created to help you get the most out of your workout session.
They've added several quality ingredients such as Creatine to give you that extra boost. On top of that, you'll also find the essential ingredients such as Caffeine and Beta-Alanine.
LIT delivers a good set of ingredients, which you will notice when hitting the weights. But, some might find it too weak since the dosages are average.
6. DAS Labs Bucked Up
Bucked up by DAS Labs is a well-known pre-workout supplement. It has made our list because it delivers a smooth rush of energy and focus.
It contains deer antler velvet extract, which is a unique ingredient. But, the clinical data on it is insufficient to say if it's genuinely beneficial.
Bucked Up contains the staple ingredients and a few additions, making it a simple PWO formula that can boost your workout performance.
Despite the basic formula, it is still quite expensive at nearly $50 per 30 servings. This is quite a hefty price considering one scoop contains just 10 grams.
7. Pre Jym
Pre Jym is supported by science to provide you with a massively dosed product.
It has a wide variety of ingredients, making it a lot stronger than many of the pre-workout supplements you've seen. When we see this product, we see intense pumps and a rush of energy.
It is quite expensive, but on the other hand, you're getting a massive serving size. In our opinion, it's worth spending the extra bucks.
We think that the formula could've been better, but it's a pre-workout that we had to include in our top 10.
8. Nutrex Outlift
Outlift by Nutrex is a popular product that can improve your workout capacity and performance.
We've tested it, and it delivered results. The massive dosage of L-Citrulline and creatine helped us improve pumps, strength, and energy.
It's available in 7 refreshing flavors. Despite the massive serving size, the taste is still okay, but we didn't enjoy drinking it.
It also contains a high amount of caffeine per serving. One scoop of this pre-workout contains 350mg, which we found a tad too much.
9. Ape Shit Primeval Labs
Next up, we have Ape Shit by Primeval Labs, an excellent product to get you hyped up for a training session.
We enjoyed this product for the energy rush. We were missing that focus and pump.
Several key components, such as Huperzine A, Yohimbine Extract, and Caffeine, helped us with a good training session.
What we didn't like about this product was the fact that you have to take two scoops to get the real effects. One tub contains 40 scoops, but that'll only be 20 servings if you're not sensitive to stims.
10. GAT Nitraflex
Last on our list of best pre-workout supplements of 2021 is Nitraflex by GAT Sports. The product is said to help you achieve a high-intensity training session.
And it did just that. With one scoop of Nitraflex, we pumped out more reps and had an overall excellent training session.
We didn't like the fact that the product contains a proprietary blend. This means we don't know the exact dosage of each ingredient.
We also think it's missing some critical ingredients for optimizing pumps. It's still a great one to try if you are looking for a moderate power PWO.
Ingredients Should You Look For In a Preworkout
Using a proper set of ingredients is crucial when it comes to these types of supplements.
There are certain types of effective ingredients that have also been backed up by clinical studies.
If you plan on getting a different pre-workout supplement than the ones we've mentioned above, make sure it contains one or more of the following ingredients.
Citrulline Malate
By far, one of the most effective pre-workout ingredients is L-Citrulline Malate. It's a non-essential amino acid that, along with a few other ingredients, usually forms the base of a formula.
L-Citrulline is such a popular ingredient because it significantly boosts nitric oxide (NO) and exercise performance.
When nitric oxide is raised, more blood will get pushed into the muscle. It's a great nitric oxide booster. Due to the increased blood flow, you'll get a much better pump.
With increased exercise performance, you'll be able to increase your work capacity in the gym. Expect to get in more reps and sets.
To experience the sports-boosting benefits, you must consume at least 6,000 milligrams of L-Citrulline Malate.
Beta-Alanine
Another effective staple ingredient is Beta-Alanine. It's the ingredient that makes you itchy when taking a pre-workout (which is harmless).
It's also a non-essential amino acid. You'll often find this in supplements because it increases muscular endurance, reduces fatigue, and boosts pumps.
To experience this compound at its full potential, you must get in at least 3000mg of Beta-Alanine.
Caffeine
Caffeine is the most found stimulant in pre-workout supplements. It's an excellent compound for boosting energy and focus.
In our opinion, caffeine should be found in every stimulant pre-workout. It's a robust natural performance enhancer that will boost your workout performance.
The sweet spot is typically around 200mg for most. You'll also find it in many fat burners.
Pre-Workout Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question about the use or effects of pre-workout supplements?
Check out our most frequently asked questions!
1. How Long Does Pre-Workout Last?
The effects of a pre-workout supplement will last anywhere from 1,5 to 3 hours. How long the effects will last is based on two crucial factors:
- Product formulation. Each pre-workout has different ingredients and dosages. One will be stronger than the other and therefore have much longer-lasting effects. We always advise starting with half a scoop when it comes to trying a new product.
- Sensitivity to stimulants. These types of supplements often contain stimulants such as caffeine to boost your energy. If you've never had caffeine or another stimulant before, you're going to be more sensitive to it than somebody that takes them every day. A high sensitivity will make the effects last longer.
It's hard for us to say precisely how long the effects will last. Once you've tried these supplements a few times, you'll start to understand your tolerance and sensitivity.
2. When Should I Take Pre-Workout?
Take your pre-workout about 30 minutes before hitting the gym. By taking it about half an hour before your workout, your body has enough time to absorb the ingredients.
Consider mixing in a BCAA supplement to support you with muscle recovery and muscle growth.
3. How Long Does It Take For Pre-Workout To Kick In?
Generally speaking, it takes about 20 to 40 minutes for a pre-workout to kick in fully. There are a few factors that play a role in how fast it will start working.
The main factor is your sensitivity to stimulants. If you're extremely sensitive to stimulants found in these products, you'll start to notice the effects faster.
If you're used to taking stimulants, it will take slightly longer to feel the effects. So, on average, we're looking at roughly 20 to 40 minutes to fully experience the effects.
Taking a pre-workout on an empty stomach will also make it kick in faster.
4. Why Does Pre-Workout Make You Itchy?
The reason why pre-workout makes you itchy is because of a specific ingredient called Beta-Alanine. It causes immediate paresthesia, which is a burning or itching sensation of the skin.
The itching sensation is mainly experienced in the face, hands, and or feet. It's not dangerous and will typically only last for about 20 minutes.
Beta-Alanine is a staple ingredient found in many PWO supplements, mainly because it's an excellent performance-enhancer.
The more Beta-Alanine found in a product, the more itchiness you will experience. You can read more about the mechanisms of the itch caused by Beta-Alanine here.
5. How Do I Get Pre-Workout Of My System?
There's not a lot you can do to get pre-workout out of your system quickly. Once you've taken it, your body starts to absorb the ingredients.
Then the effects will last for about two hours on average. So the best thing you can do is calmly wait for it to pass and make sure to drink plenty of water.
6. Should I Cycle Off These Supplements?
We don't advise taking a pre-workout every day. Most of us use it roughly two to three times per week for one month.
After this month, you should cycle off for two weeks and give your body a break. You can use an intra workout supplement instead during this off period.
After the two weeks off, you can start using it again. Make sure to keep giving your body breaks so that it doesn't get used to it.
The Bottom Line
Pre-workout supplements are an fantastic way to boost workout performance and intensity. They'll help optimize energy, focus, strength, and overall performance.
Over at SupplementsReviewer, we're huge fans of PWO supplements and will continue using them.
That means we will keep providing you with our honest experiences on some of today's most popular products.
Our top 10 best pre-workout supplements of 2021:
- Wrecked – Huge Nutrition
- Preseries Bulk – Transparent Labs
- Amped AF – Steel Supplements
- Total War – Redcon1
- LIT – Beyond RAW
- Bucked Up – DAS Labs
- Pre Jym – Jym
- Outlift – Nutrex
- Ape Shit – Primeval Labs
- Nitraflex – GAT
If you have experience with any of the above products and brands, share your experience in the comments. If you think a product should be added to this list, contact us for review.
Don't forget to read our other articles, we've recently released the top 10 best testosterone booster supplements.
