Best Proteins | Best Mass Gainers | Best Pre-Workouts
For a certain type of lifter, there’s nothing like the feeling that comes along with taking a pre-workout and then hitting the gym. A good pre-workout supplement can turn an early morning slog into a fire training session, or an afternoon slump into an ultra-productive workout.
The right one, paired like a fine wine with the right workout, takes every set and rep from “solid” to “spectacular.” The weights feel lighter, the pumps feel bigger. If you’re serious about training—and are friends with caffeine—it’s a can’t-miss experience.
If you’re looking for a new favorite pre, or you’re just searching for the perfect one to get you started, this list is exactly what you need. No matter what your goals might be—get yoked, burn fat, keep on keepin’ on, or you just want to get a little more out of your workouts—you can find what you need here.
Here are the best pre-workouts of 2021.
How We Choose the Best Pre-Workouts
We’ve been in the business of selling supps—and taking them—for the last 20 years, which means we know the best supps because our team members and athletes have tried them and put them to the test.
For this list, we took it a step further and used a rather comprehensive collection of data to help us make our decisions. Here is what we considered before finalizing the list:
- Customer Ratings and Reviews: Our customers are our most valuable resource, and we learn a lot about our products through them. We trust their opinion, and they trust us to deliver the best.
- Formula: Today’s pre-workout users are more discerning than ever. Our community knows a heck of a lot about the essential pre-workout ingredients and dosages and how they impact the body. We certainly took it all into account.
- Flavor: The formula might be great, but if the taste isn’t, then you’re probably not going to buy it again. Rest assured, flavor was a big part of how we made our decisions. And our customers don’t just review products—they rate flavors like true connoisseurs. And they know their stuff.
- Value: We care about the money our customers spend with us. So, you’d better believe the pre-workouts in this list are all a great value.
Best-Tasting Pre-Workout: EVL ENGN
- Rating: 9.1 out of 10
- Servings per container: 30
- Caffeine level per serving: 300 mg
If flavor is high on your priority list, you can’t get better than ENGN Pre-Workout. Not only is it formulated to help increase your energy, power, and focus, our users have repeatedly let us know it’s one of the best-tasting pre-workouts on the market.* It also has a laundry list of other popular ingredients including creatine monohydrate, beta-alanine, betaine anhydrous, choline bitartrate, L-tyrosine, and agmatine sulfate.
You don’t have to take our word for it. With more than 3,000 customer reviews, each of the four flavors ranks over a 9 out of 10. No matter which one you choose, we’re sure you’re going to love it.
Bonus: Look out for limited-edition flavors you can only find on Bodybuilding.com. If you’re shopping, that means there’s usually a new flavor to try, but you have to act fast!
Flavors: Blue Razz (9.4), Cherry Limeade (9.4), Furious Grape (9.5), Pink Lemonade (9.5)
Best Pre-Workout for Strength Training: Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged Sport
- Rating: 10 out of 10
- Servings per container: 20
- Caffeine level per serving: 188 mg
Exclusive to Bodybuilding.com and Amazon, this less-caffeinated version of the wildly popular original Pre-Kaged has clinically-studied doses of key ingredients such as caffeine, electrolytes, and beta-alanine. It has just enough caffeine to dial you in for a big lift, but is formulated to keep your muscles firing properly and your energy levels high without the jitters. Everything you want from a pre-workout is in there: vascularity, pumps, hydration, and explosiveness.*
Pre-Kaged also tastes great—founder and CEO Kris Gethin won’t stand for anything less—and is informed-sport certified, which means it’s safe for athletes at any level. Pair Pre-Kaged with one of Kris Gethin’s many workout programs, or with the sport of your choice, and you’ll be ready for anything.*
Flavors: Mango Lime (10), Glacier Grape (N/A)
Best Pre-Workout for Cardio Training: Optimum Nutrition AmiN.O. Energy
- Rating: 9.5 out of 10
- Servings per container: 30
- Caffeine level per serving: 100 mg
To millions of athletes worldwide, this legendary pick-me-up needs no introduction. With over a dozen flavor options, 5 grams of amino acids per serving, and multiple size options, AmiN.O. Energy is a top competitor in the pre-workout arena designed to support muscle endurance and recovery.
AmiN.O. Energy is a great choice for those who want a smooth boost of energy. If you’re hitting a tough cardio workout, or if you’re just not into balls-to-the-wall-style pre-workouts, this is the primo option. With 100 milligrams of caffeine per serving, it’s a perfect “just enough” energy booster any time of day. Just add more scoops depending on your energy needs.
With so many highly-rated flavors, you can bet any choice will be a good one.
Flavors: Blue Raspberry (8.5), Blueberry Mojito (8.9), Concord Grape (9.2), Cotton Candy (8.0), Fruit Fusion (8.6), Green Apple (8.9), Juicy Strawberry Burst (9.5), Lemon Lime (8.3), Orange Cooler (9.0), Peach Lemonade (8.7), Pineapple (8.5), Strawberry Lime (8.3), Watermelon (9.0)
Best High-Energy Pre-Workout: Rising Labs Overkill
- Rating: 9.5 out of 10
- Servings per container: 30
- Caffeine level per serving: 100 mg
Combat veteran and powerlifter KC Mitchell knows a thing or two about an athlete’s energy needs. His business, Rising Labs, is relatively new to the scene, but has already made a big impact on the industry and earned plenty of diehard fans.
Rising Labs’ flagship pre-workout, Overkill, stacks 300 milligrams of caffeine with patented ingredients like Dynamine, Infinergy, dicaffeine malate, and KSM-66 for maximum energy. It’s probably a little high-octane for a newbie, but if you’re a pre-workout connoisseur and you need a high-powered blend to help you crush some weights, Overkill is one you should try.
Flavors: Blood Orange Kiwi (7.7), Chili Mango (N/A), Wolf Blood (8.0)
Best Natural Pre-Workout: Cellucor C4 Natural Zero RTD
- Rating: 9.2 out of 10
- Servings per container: 1
- Caffeine level per serving: 120 mg
If you’re in the market for a natural pre-workout, Cellucor’s C4 Natural Zero is a worthy choice from a proven brand. It’s especially convenient because it’s an RTD, so you can throw it in your bag without having to worry about finding a clean shaker bottle.
Natural Zero is naturally flavored and sweetened. With 120 milligrams of natural caffeine from Coffeeberry® Energy, plus 250 milligrams Cognizin® citicoline, it has zero sugar and zero calories, but offers both energy and focus from its nootropic ingredients.
Don’t worry though, its clean ingredients don’t have any negative impact on the flavor. The Strawberry Coconut flavor is rated 10 out of 10!
Flavors: Blueberry Lemonade (9.7), Cherry Lime (9.0), Strawberry Coconut (10)
Best Stimulant-Free Workout: EVL PumpMode Nitric Oxide Stimulant-Free Pre-Workout
- Rating: 9.7 out of 10
- Servings per container: 20
- Caffeine level per serving: 0
Evlution Nutrition is one of the OG supplement companies that’s stuck around because they keep making great products like this stim-free pre. PumpMode Nitric Oxide Stimulant-Free Pre-Workout supports muscle pumps, mental focus, and energy—all without caffeine! That means you can get the energy you need for your workout, without any of the jittery side-effects.*
PumpMode is loaded with 1000 milligrams of betaine nitrate to deliver the NO you need to drive vascularity, support good contraction, and help you stay hydrated.*
Flavors: Blue Raz (9.2), Furious Grape (9.3), Unflavored (9.0)
Best for Weight Management: MuscleTech Vapor X5 Ripped Pre-Workout
- Rating: 9.5 out of 10
- Servings per container: 30
- Caffeine level per serving: 150 mg
If your main fitness goal is to shed some fat, MuscleTech’s Vapor X5 Ripped is an excellent choice for a pre-workout. Its formula was designed to support those seeking to lose weight, which means it includes 500 milligrams of L-carnitine.*
Don’t worry, though, you’ll still get all the other benefits of a pre-workout—explosive energy, improved focus, and more intense workouts.* Plus, the flavors are banging!
Flavors: Icy Rocket Freeze (9.7), Strawberry Limeade (9.4)
Best for Women: JYM Supplement Science Pre JYM
- Rating: 9.1 out of 10
- Servings per container: 30
- Caffeine level per serving: 300 mg
More women than ever are in the gym kicking ass, and they need a pre-workout to help them do it. Pre JYM by JYM Supplement Science is the perfect, scientifically-based product for making gains or burning fat in the gym.
Loaded with proven ingredients such as CON-CRET® Creatine HCl for power, AlphaSize™ alpha GPC, 7 grams of citrulline malate, and 300 milligrams of caffeine for maximum energy, taking Pre JYM will help you have a great workout, no matter what your goals are.*
Pre JYM has a lot of delicious flavors to choose from. In this big list, you’ll be sure to find something that you’ll be excited to drink, and not just because of the improvements to your workout.
Flavors: Black Cherry (6.9), Cherry Limeade (8.5), Grape Candy (8.4), Orange Mango (8.5), Pineapple Strawberry (8.3), Pink Lemonade (8.4), Rainbow Sherbet (7.9), Raspberry Lemonade (8.5), Strawberry Kiwi (6.7)
Best Ready-to-Drink: C4 RTD
- Rating: 9.9 out of 10
- Servings per container: 1 (11.66 fl. oz.)
- Caffeine level per serving: 300 mg
Can you get better than the legacy powerhouse that is C4? As it turns out, yes, you can! Your favorite pre-workout is now available in a convenient ready-to-drink can. That’s right: No shaker. No powder spills. Just a strong energy push, perfectly pre-mixed to deliver the energy you need right when you need it.
Enjoy C4 before you train, or, if you’re having one of those low-energy days, use it as that emergency energy pick-me-up to keep you focused and alert all day. Don’t rely on the gas station for that last-minute energy buzz—spend less and have your on-the-go energy shipped directly to your door.
Flavors: Fruit Punch (N/A), Icy Blue Razz (N/A), Orange (9.2), Watermelon (9.3)
Best Mental Focus: MusclePharm Wreckage Pre-Workout
- Rating: 9.6 out of 10
- Servings per container: 25
- Caffeine level per serving: 300 mgs
Sometimes, what you really need is a boost to the brain. If your head isn’t in it, you can bet your body won’t be either. MusclePharm’s Wreckage was developed with a neuro-focus blend, including 100 milligrams Alpha GPC, and 100 milligrams of NeuroFactor™ whole coffee fruit concentrate to support mental focus and intensity.
Wreckage was also created to help you get a great pump! With 5 grams of citrulline, AstraGin®, and Vaso6™ for vascularity, you’ll have a hard time not taking a few extra looks in the mirror.
Wreckage has your back on flavor, too. Check out that 10/10 on the Fruit Punch option!
Flavors: Fruit Punch (10), Berry Lemonade (9.4)
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.