{"id":120053,"date":"2025-11-05T23:18:29","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T23:18:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/120053\/"},"modified":"2025-11-05T23:18:29","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T23:18:29","slug":"14-best-pre-workout-powders-of-2025-according-to-gym-rats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/120053\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Best Pre-Workout Powders of 2025, According to Gym Rats"},"content":{"rendered":"

Much like protein powder<\/a>, the best pre-workout powders on the market today are a far cry from what they were in the early aughts. The first time I was introduced to pre-workout was during my freshman year of college, when a fellow member of the wrestling team peer-pressured kindly encouraged me to suck down a shaker tin full of ambiguous, neon-blue liquid before a group lift. Did I feel like my face was peeling off? Yes. Did I get an Arnold-esque<\/a>, skin-splitting pump that would set me on a path of meatheaddery for the rest of my life? Also yes.<\/p>\n

Pre-workouts, for any non-gym rats<\/a> out there, are supplements folks take before\u2014you guessed it\u2014working out<\/a>. Typically, pre-workout has two main purposes: increasing energy and helping achieve bigger \u201cpumps,\u201d or the (temporary) swollen feeling and appearance of your muscles during or after working out, caused by blood rushing into the muscles you\u2019re exercising.<\/p>\n

The Best Pre-Workouts, According to GQ\"Protein<\/a>Best Overall<\/p>\n

Transparent Labs BULK Black<\/p>\n

Read More<\/a>\"Gorilla<\/a>Best High-Stim<\/p>\n

Gorilla Mind Gorilla Mode<\/p>\n

Read More<\/a>\"Image<\/a>Best Non-Stim<\/p>\n

Transparent Labs Stim-Free Pre-Workout<\/p>\n

Read More<\/a><\/p>\n

In This Guide<\/p>\n

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Because there are so many potions and powders out there, we put together this list of our personal favorite pre-workout picks, which I\u2014along with my network of personal trainers, competitive athletes, and general-purpose meatheads\u2014have tested ad nauseam over the years. I\u2019ve also personally ingested countless tubs of the picks below because I\u2019m a sick, sick man to help better serve you, our dear readers, with the best anecdotal reviews and bro-scientific rundowns on the web. And, while we\u2019re currently striving for our PHDs (Pretty Huge Delts), we\u2019re very much not doctors, so you should always consult a healthcare professional before taking any sort of supplement. So ready your shaker cup, pop on an old Ronnie Coleman video<\/a>, and let\u2019s get down to business.<\/p>\n

The Best Overall: Transparent Labs BULK Black<\/p>\n

\"Protein<\/a><\/p>\n

Transparent Labs<\/p>\n

BULK Black<\/p>\n

It’s been a while since we’ve crowned a new best overall spot when it comes to pre-workout, but after months of rigorous testing, weeks of crippling DOMS, and hundreds of sickening pumps, we’ve settled on Transparent Labs BULK Black as not only our top pre-workout, but the winner of a 2025 GQ Fitness Award<\/a>, too. Why? Because it’s packed with a ton of high-quality, nitric-oxide-boosting pump ingredients including 8000mg of citrulline malate, 2500mg of betaine, and more. It also has 325mg of organic caffeine\u2014a little more than two white Monster energy drinks’ worth\u2014which I think is the sweet spot between \u201cfired up\u201d and \u201cstaring at yourself in the locker room mirror contemplating a trip to the ER.\u201d Plus, the combo of alpha-GPC, L-tyrosine, and L-theanine makes for (anecdotally) a non-jittery energy and focus that helps you lock in whether you’re about to walk out a big squat or staring down the barrel of a particularly gnarly looking WOD.<\/p>\n

The Best High-Stim Pre-Workout: Gorilla Mind Gorilla Mode Pre-Workout<\/p>\n

\"Gorilla<\/a><\/p>\n

I\u2019ll probably get some Broccoli Head accusations for this one, but when it comes to high-octane pre-workout, it\u2019s tough to beat Gorilla Mind\u2019s Gorilla Mode. With 10,000mg of L-citrulline and a whopping 400mg of caffeine per two-scoop serving (that’s like necking two cans of Celcius), you\u2019re in for some major pumps and (possibly too much) energy. And before you come for me, I’m aware that Gorilla Mind makes Lightening<\/a>, an even higher-stim pre, but honestly, I think that’s a little overkill. Plus, there\u2019s a decent amount of electrolytes and five grams of creatine per two-scoop serving in this one, which means on days I take Gorilla Mode, I can skip supplementing with creatine<\/a> on top of that. To top it off, in my experience, the flavor offerings are decent, and it mixes really well.<\/p>\n

The Best Non-Stim Pre-Workout: Transparent Labs Stim-Free<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/a><\/p>\n

Transparent Labs<\/p>\n

Stim-Free Pre-Workout<\/p>\n

To me, everything from Transparent Labs feels like The Gentleman\u2019s Choice\u2014and while that\u2019s probably from the heavily advertised third-party testing and how neat and clean the packaging is, the brand\u2019s stim-free pre-workout is nothing to scoff at. With a healthy dose of pump products (including citrulline malate, arginine nitrate, and betaine), I\u2019ve gotten some absolutely bulbous pumps from this stuff. The best part is that since there\u2019s no caffeine in the formula, I can take this after 6 p.m. and still get a restful night\u2019s sleep. Conversely, if I\u2019m working out in the morning, I can either pop a caffeine pill<\/a> or chug a Celsius<\/a> to get an energy boost as well. The only thing I\u2019d change would be to add a more comprehensive electrolyte package, but since this is a pre-workout and not a hydration supplement, I can\u2019t really complain.<\/p>\n

The Best Value Pre-Workout: Nutricost PRE<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve said it before, and I\u2019ll say it again: Nutricost is my go-to brand for affordable supplements. I love both their stim and non-stim pre-workout complexes\u2014and not just because the price is most definitely right. There are a ton of heartily dosed pump and stimulant compounds in both products which deliver top-tier pumps and loads of energy. I probably use the PRE-SF (SF meaning \u201cstimulant-free\u201d) three to four times a week in conjunction with a few other pre-workouts in my rotation, and slug some PRE on days when I get to workout in the morning or when I’m generally lacking energy.<\/p>\n

The Best Pre-Workout for Beginners: Cellucor C4 Sport<\/p>\n

\"C4<\/a><\/p>\n

Even if you had no idea what pre-workout was before you read this article, you\u2019re probably aware of C4 in some capacity, whether you saw it in a locker room, sold behind the counter at a gym, or as part of a meme<\/a> wherein a bunch of pajama-clad Gen-Z teens hog a bench<\/a> during peak hours. Jokes aside, this is probably where many folks got introduced to pre-workout\u2014it\u2019s certainly the first one I tried\u2014and it\u2019s a solid beginner\u2019s product, especially if you\u2019re not sure whether or not you\u2019re going to like taking pre-workout at all. For seasoned guzzlers, it\u2019s got caffeine and some pump products (along with some itch-inducing beta-alanine<\/a>), so it\u2019ll get you going in a pinch. For novices, it\u2019s a great gateway product.<\/p>\n

The Best No-Frills Pre-Workout: Jacked Factory Nitro Surge<\/p>\n

Jacked Factory<\/p>\n

Nitro Surge<\/p>\n

The best thing about Jacked Factory\u2019s Nitro Surge\u2014besides the sweet company name\u2014is the short-and-sweet ingredients list. It\u2019s got everything you need, and nothing more, with a tolerable (for me) dose of caffeine at 180mg per scoop. I\u2019d love it if it had a touch more L-citrulline per scoop, but anecdotally, this stuff gives me great pumps every time. Plus, it\u2019s very affordable, comes in a ton of different flavors, and (this is really anecdotal) the last three tubs I got, the scooper was always always at the top. My only gripe is also the thing I love most about it: The ingredient list is so short, you could probably snag the individual components from Nutricost<\/a> and make it yourself. (However, that\u2019s a huge pain in the ass, so I\u2019ll stick with Nitro Surge.)<\/p>\n

The Best Tasting Pre-Workout: Legion Pulse<\/p>\n

If taste is your number-one priority when it comes to pre-workout, you\u2019re generally going to be out of luck, since not many of the products on the market today are super enjoyable to drink, IMO. However, Legion\u2019s Pulse is an exception: With a laundry list of flavor options that also seem to be perpetually on sale, there\u2019s truly something for everyone here. Additionally, the ingredients are well-dosed, and cover all the major bases when it comes to big pumps and loads of energy. It’s not my go-to pre-workout, but one of my gym buddies absolutely swears by this stuff and refuses to drink anything else. (He’s also more jacked than I am, so maybe I should give it another go.)<\/p>\n

More Pre-Workouts We Love<\/p>\n

Huge Supplements<\/p>\n

Wrecked<\/p>\n

Wrecked is really well-dosed for pumps, with a whopping 10,000mg of L-citrulline, a ton of betaine, and a bunch of other muscle-engorging ingredients. The only reason it’s not my daily driver is probably the same reason a lot of people love it\u2014it packs 375mg of caffeine, or roughly 4.5 cups of coffee. (Don’t worry, though: Huge also makes Pump Serum<\/a>, a stim-free version.)<\/p>\n

Celsius<\/p>\n

On-the-Go Powder Sticks<\/p>\n

Not interested in a pump, but still want some pre-workout energy? Whack a Celsius packet into your shaker tin and blast off.<\/p>\n

Animal<\/p>\n

Primal<\/p>\n

Animal is a classic strength sport and bodybuilding brand, and its Primal pre-workout is a great option for those looking for a balanced pump and energy profile. Plus, it tastes surprisingly solid.<\/p>\n

Ghost<\/p>\n

Legend<\/p>\n

Ghost makes one of my favorite protein powders, and its pre isn’t anything to scoff at, either, with six grams of L-citrulline and enough beta alanine to get your face itching (in a good way).<\/p>\n

What to Look for in a Pre-Workout<\/p>\n

Back when I started taking pre-workout, the supplement market was the Wild West\u2014and to a large extent, it still is<\/a>\u2014and companies were whacking handfuls of dubious chemicals and powders into their formulas that were essentially amphetamine derivatives marketed as health aids (most infamously, DMAA<\/a>, but was yanked from the market years ago). These days, there are slightly higher standards out there\u2014though slightly being the operative word. That\u2019s why it helps to a) look for reputable brands with third-party ingredient testing, b) do some research on whatever chemicals you plan on ingesting, and c) always consult your medical provider before taking anything.<\/p>\n

The main mechanism by which pre-workouts increase energy is caffeine\u2014which has a boatload of studies showing it can increase energy and performance<\/a>\u2014in often insomnia-inducing doses. To increase the pump, brands use cocktails of purported nitric oxide boosters and vasodilators, including L-citrulline<\/a>, L-arginine<\/a>, betaine, and a host of other compounds with (sometimes inconclusive) science to back up a lot of their claims.<\/p>\n

As far as taste goes for pre-workouts, they\u2019re\u2026 generally bad\u2014not gonna lie, boys. Many of these compounds are bitter and downright nasty, which is why you\u2019ll see flavors intended to mask the tastes ranging from White Gummy Bear to Bomb Popsicle. (However, there are some less-bad ones that almost break into the drink-for-fun category, which we noted above.)<\/p>\n

How to Use Pre-Workout<\/p>\n

Personally, I like taking pre-workout right before I leave the house to go to the gym, since it\u2019s about a 20-minute walk from door to door, so the caffeine hits me about 10 minutes after I get to the gym. Austin Day\u2014ACE<\/a>-certified personal trainer, BJJ competitor, and coach at Performance360<\/a> in San Diego<\/a>\u2014likes to drink his pre-workout while warming up. \u201cI drink it slowly, so I usually finish it a couple sets into my first lift,\u201d he says. \u201cI drink it to get absolutely dialed in\u2014I let the caffeine hit my system, turn the speakers up, and get to work.\u201d And as always, remember to consult your medical provider before taking any supplements.<\/p>\n

How We Tested<\/p>\n

I personally tested each of the picks above, racking up countless over-caffeinated hours in the gym. I also consulted with my network of testers, which includes my fellow office gym rats; former NCAA athletes; NASM- and ACE-certified trainers; marathon runners<\/a>; and competitive powerlifters, strongmen, and BJJ grapplers.<\/p>\n

Pre-Workout FAQ<\/p>\n

What is the best pre-workout?<\/p>\n

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Our top pick for the best pre-workout is Transparent Labs BULK Black.<\/p>\n

What is the best time to take pre-workout?<\/p>\n

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Generally, the best time to take pre-workout is around 20-30 minutes before you start exercising.<\/p>\n

What is the best pre-workout supplement?<\/p>\n

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Caffeine is generally considered to be the best pre-workout supplement for energy and performance, while L-citrulline is thought of as the best pre-workout supplement for pumps.<\/p>\n