5 Best Pre-Workout Supplements, Endorsed by Health Experts and Proven Effective

If you’re like me, you’ve realized that the year is almost over and you’re trying to figure out how to achieve those New Year’s resolutions you made back in January.

According to Insideout Mastery, health-related New Year’s resolutions are the most popular: 48% want to exercise more, making it the most popular New Year’s resolution. Health-related resolutions cover the top three, with a Swiss study showing that 70% of all resolutions relate to physical health.

Having the energy to do a workout can be hard enough, let alone having the energy to go to the gym. Pre-workout can be the last ingredient to give you the boost you need to reach your goals.

What are pre-workout supplements?

Pre-workout supplements are widely used to enhance the performance and experience of exercise, and one of the primary reasons for their use is to increase energy levels, which is often achieved with the help of stimulants such as caffeine.

Robor Fitness said a good pre-workout should contain caffeine, beta-alanine and citrulline. And while these three may be the main attraction, B vitamins and L-theanine also deserve an honorable mention.

It goes without saying that you know you’ve found a good pre-workout when a company is transparent about the amount of each ingredient used. Think of it as a nutritional CV; it should tell you everything you need to know about what you’re putting into your body.

What is the best pre-workout?

If you’re interested in adding a pre-workout to your exercise routine, here’s a list of pre-workout supplements that are endorsed by health experts and proven to be effective:

1. Onnits Alpha Brain before training

Sports Illustrated’s 2023 Top Pick, voted the best pre-workout overall for Onnits ingredients formulated to improve your focus, memory and processing speed. Alpha Brain pre-workout is a combination of nootropics, amino acids and caffeine that aim to give you both a cognitive and energy boost before your workout.

2. Transparent Labs Bulk

Often cited as the best overall pre-workout supplement, Bulk is highly rated for its effectiveness in improving workout performance.

BarBend chose Bulk as their top pre-workout choice because of its ingredient transparency: no additives, no gluten, and no artificial sweeteners, colors or flavors. If you read the label, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting and how crucial it is if you’re taking other supplements as well.

3. GNCs Beyond Rav

Sports nutritionist Rachel Baker reviewed the best GNC pre-workout supplements and found Beyond Rav at the top of her list.

Baker said it was chosen because it has the most innovative ingredients that have research to back them up, and (because) each product is clinically dosed to give you everything you need to conquer your workouts.

4. Factory Nitrosurge Build

Jacked Factory Nitrosurge Build is particularly noted for its muscle-enhancing benefits, making it a popular choice among those looking to bulk up, according to BarBend.

BarBend wrote: There’s a difference between a pre-workout that energizes you and a pre-workout with ingredients that can help you build muscle. We’ve found the latter in Jacked Factory Nitrosurge Build with a formula designed to support testosterone production and help you get a solid pump, both of which can help you pack on a few lean pounds.

5. NutraBio before training

NutraBio pre-workout stands out as a runner-up by Set For Set because its formula meets a wide range of fitness goals.

Clinically dosed ingredients offer a complete pre-workout that covers you from hydration to energy to pump and focus, said Set For Set. This product breaks down the formulation into different matrices, but clearly states the dosage.

To avoid potential health risks, it is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional when deciding what to do before training, especially for those with pre-existing health conditions or those taking other medications.