Never dread going to the gym again.

It’s not always easy to get yourself to go, but luckily pre-workout supplements exist and are legal to buy. After you take a pre-workout shake, within minutes your body will be craving exercise – it’s crazy.

If you’re looking for an extra boost during your next workout, taking a pre-workout is one of the best and safest ways to do just that.

Pre-workout supplements will help you be able to go harder for longer, helping you improve at a more efficient rate.

So what are pre-workout supplements and are they really worth all the hype?

We’ll get there, but first we’ve ranked the top 5 pre-workout supplements on the market. Then, we’ll break down exactly how pre-workout supplements work along with the benefits and side effects.

So what’s the best pre-workout supplement on the market in 2020?

1- Old School Labs VINTAGE BLAST

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Old School Labs’ VINTAGE BLAST is a powerful pre-workout supplement with a unique two-stage release for an intense pump.

What makes this supplement so unique and better than the other pre-workout supplements out there?

According to the manufacturer:

“Most pre-workout supplements are glorified stimulants that overload your central nervous system and give you a temporary “rush.” As your body adapts, you start upping the dose – at the expense of your health – or switch to another product, which is no better.

These pre-workout supplements create dependency and actually impede your progress in achieving lasting results. Vintage Blast is the only nitric oxide pre workout supplement specifically formulated with two stages to deliver powerful sustained results.

Recommended for both men and women, Vintage Blast is the #1 best-selling pre-workout of its kind, and will get you up and running from the first scoop.”

Here’s the official supplement facts:

It is recommended that when first trying the supplement, assess your tolerance with one-half scoop mixed with 14-16 oz. water, 15 to 30 minutes before your workout.

Then continue with 1 scoop 15 to 30 minutes before workouts. Accustomed athletes can take up to 2 scoops before competitive events. Due to its potency, do not exceed the recommended dosage and avoid taking before bedtime.

This supplement is 100% non-GMO and gluten free, vegetarian friendly, no proprietary blends, third-party tested, CGMP quality certified, and manufactured in the U.S.A.

2- The Original ALPHA GX7 Pre-Workout

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One of the most potent pre-workout supplements on the market, ALPHA GX7 is known for fast-acting powerful effects.

Packed with 1500mg of citrulline and 2000mg of beta alanine, GX7 immediately improves your drive, focus, and strength with a single serving.

The main ingredients in ALPHA GX7 includes:

  • Niacin
  • Beta-Alanine
  • Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate
  • Citrulline Malaze
  • L-Carnitine
  • Mucuna L-Dopa 20%
  • Taurine
  • Caffeine
  • Theobromine
  • Yohimbe HCL

This pre-workout supplement comes in a delicious watermelon flavor that is sure to be one of the best tasting pre-workout supplements out there. Finally, a pre-workout that actually tastes great simply with water.

Not the cheapest pre-workout on the market, but you get a high quality supplement. Comes in a 30 serving tub, 1 scoop per serving.

3- Vitamin Bounty Pre-Workout

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Vitamin Bounty Pre-Workout is a unique blend of potent boosting ingredients in a refreshing blue raspberry flavor.

This supplement contains 2000mg of Beta-Alanine per serving, so you’ll get a massive lift in carnosine levels in your body and you’ll be able to perform high intensity workouts like never before.

Also, this supplement is packed with Arginine Alpha-ketoglutarate (AAKG) to help maximize the beneficial muscle-building effects of working out, helping you get visible and tangible results faster in less time.

People love the way this pre-workout makes them feel. Here’s a recent customer review, written by Carrie G.:

“I’ve been using this for about a week now. It tastes good, just a little grainy at the end. I do notice that it makes my lips feel tingly almost immediately, and then my face, but only for about 5 minutes. Other pre-workout drinks make my skin red and splotchy, this one doesn’t. I feel more energized during my workouts and feel that my lifting days are better and I am getting more out of them. I will be buying this product again.”

It’s also sugar-free and free of unnecessary fillers and preservatives. Designed, formulated and produced in the USA.

4- Cellucor C4 RIPPED Pre-Workout

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As one of the most popular brands in the health space, Cellucor makes a powerful pre-workout supplement backed by a reputation of quality supplements.

C4 RIPPED is a unique pre-workout blend designed to enhance fat loss by harnessing the power of L-Carnitine, Green Coffee Bean Extract, Caps Imax Cayenne Fruit Extract and Coleus Forskohlii Root Extract.

This particular pre-workout is free of creatine. Some people may like this because they are cycling off creatine for a period of time and still want the positive boosts of a pre-workout.

Only contains 1600 mg of Beta Alanine and 1000 mg of Arginine AKG, which is a bit smaller dosage compared to other leading brands. Also one of the higher priced pre-workouts on the market.

This supplement is manufactured in a GMP certified facility.

5- Optimum Nutrition Essential Amino Energy

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Optimum Nutrition offers one of the most affordable and natural pre-workout supplements on the market – Essential Amino Energy.

This supplement contains just 100 mg of caffeine per serving, but it is sourced naturally from ingredients like green coffee extract and green tea extract.

It also is loaded with 5 grams of free-forming amino acids and just a few calories per serving, making it a great option for someone looking for a simple, natural, and affordable pre-workout supplement.

The ingredients in this supplement are not only great to take before workouts, but they can also be used during exercise and as a post-workout recovery supplement. Some people even take this supplement for an energy boost to get you through the day, instead of an energy drink or cup of coffee.

Comes in a 30 serving tub, green apple flavored.

What are pre-workout supplements?

Pre-workout supplements are unique blends of ingredients that prepare your body for high output exercise.

Taking a pre-workout will help you feel jacked, pumped, excited, and thrilled to workout. You can take it before lifting at the gym, going for a run, cruising on a bike, or taking a hike.

Specifically, pre-workout supplements improve your mental focus, energy levels, and endurance.

If you take a pre-workout supplement and don’t do any physical activity, you might fidget in your seat and feel anxious. This is because they give you high energy levels and make you want to move and be active.

How do pre-workout supplements work?

Pre-workout supplements work to increase blood flow, heart rate levels, and energy levels in your body.

This is why when you take a pre-workout you might feel a little warm and it might make your skin tingle. You’ll also feel the urge to move, sitting still is near impossible.

Many popular pre-workout supplements contain caffeine, beta-alanine, and creatine. These all work together to help you feel energized, focused, and pumped.

How do you take a pre-workout supplement?

It’s not a shock that pre-workout supplements are taken before a workout.

But some pre-workout supps are better taken more than an hour in advance of a workout, others are better taken right before or during. Pay attention to the supplement label for directions on the optimum time to take the pre-workout.

Generally, pre-workout supplements are taken 15-30 minutes before a lengthy or rigorous workout, whether it be a lifting session at the gym, a hike, a bike ride, or a swim.

It is very important that you remember to make sure you are drinking plenty of water.

Pre-workout supplements are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and even creatine. These are great for your body, but you need to drink a lot of water when you take them in high amounts to help your kidney process all of the ingredients.

Also, be cautious to not take your pre-workout supplement too late in the day, as they have a tendency to keep you from falling asleep for a while.

If you only workout in the evenings and you take a pre-workout supplement, you might want  to try a natural sleeping aid to help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

What are the benefits of pre-workout?

Pre-workout supplements have a ton of benefits for athletes, body builders, weight lifters, and even people looking to lose weight.

Some of the specific benefits are:

  • To improve strength

Most pre-workout supplements contain ingredients like creatine, which boost strength, power, speed in the muscles. This ingredient can boost your phosphagen system by lifting adenosine triphosphate stores.

Another ingredient that is common in pre-workout supplements is caffeine which is known to enhance endurance and build up your tolerance for muscle fatigue.

  • To improve endurance

Beta alanine, a non essential amino acid, has been found to not only to lessen lactic acid in the muscles, but also fight fatigue in muscles as well.

Another ingredient that supports endurance is Citruline malate, which is known to fight against fatigue and help your endurance and strength. 

  • Muscle pump improvement

AAKG and arginine or Arginine Alpha ketoglutarate is an ingredient also used in pre-workout supplements. They can provide almost instant improvement on the overall performance of your muscles (like a natural test booster). A better pump when you workout means you can workout longer without feeling as tired and sore, and you can throw up more weight without feeling too weak.

What are the side effects of pre-workout?

Just like any other supplement, pre-workout supplements are meant only to be taken as directed on the label. Taking more than the recommended dosage or taking too much in a short period of time can cause serious side effects.

Some common side effects of pre-workout supplements you should watch out for:

  • Dehydration

If taken in larger amounts, pre-workout supplements may contribute to dehydration. Both caffeine and creatine are diuretics, which make you urinate more frequently than normal. Creatine also uses water to operate, thus increasing your chances of getting dehydrated.

  • Kidney damage

This side effect is something that you can get when you take pre-workout supplements over a long duration of time.

If you have any existing kidney problems, pre-workout is not going to help them at all. Larger doses of pre-workout can heighten the current kidney problems, possibly leading to kidney failure.

  • High blood pressure

Both caffeine and creatine are stimulants that can cause a prominent increase in your blood pressure levels. If you take any medications for high blood pressure, check with your doctor before trying any pre-workout supplements.

Recap

Getting the best pre-workout supplement is a must for those who want to get the most out of their training, no matter the sport.

It’s the best way to enhance and boost performance and focus, and improve blood flow to enhance the delivery of nutrients throughout your body.

Pre-workout supplements are powerful – only for people who want to maximize the potential of their body to grow and to push their strength and endurance to the maximum.

Check out the rankings at the top of the page to see which pre-workout supplement best fits your needs.


The HealthRanks Team

The HealthRanks Team is composed of like-minded health experts who share a passion for sharing their health knowledge for the benefit of others. Check out our about page for more information.

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