The Strongest Pre-Workouts of 2025, Our Favorites and Expert Picks

Your favorite pre-workout supplement may be your tried-and-true secret weapon at the gym. After all, “pre-workout supplements are created to help you perform at your peak during your workouts,” says Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD. But if you’re regularly turning to your best pre-workout for a much-needed energy boost before training, odds are that you can develop a tolerance to the formulation. Rather than accepting defeat or trying to double up on dosages (do NOT do that), opting for a new formula may be all you need to keep your performance primed for success. The strongest pre-workouts can provide hearty servings of trusted ingredients like caffeine, citrulline, and other common pre-workout ingredients to help your engine stay running at max effort, all while keeping your pre-training consumption in check.

Of course, when you’re talking about high-octane workout supplements, you need to be mindful of how much you’re taking in of these ingredients. There’s no need to overindulge on a good thing if it’s going to wreck your health in the long run. To help you toe the line between efficiency and excessiveness, we’ve applied our hands-on supplement testing methodology to dozens of the most potent pre-workouts and consulted with our in-house experts to assemble our picks for the best strong pre-workouts. Ready your shaker cups and let’s get fueled up for an intense training routine.

The 8 Strongest Pre-Workouts of 2025

• Strongest Pre-Workout Overall: Transparent Labs BULK Black
• Strongest Pre-Workout for Blood Flow and Pump: Jacked Factory Wick Mode
• Strongest Pre-Workout for Focus (Alpha-GPC): Onnit Alpha-BRAIN Pre-Workout
• Strongest Pre-Workout on a Budget: Nutricost Pre-X
• Strongest Pre-Workout with Creatine: Gainful Pre-Workout (High-Intensity)
• Strongest Natural Pre-Workout: Legion Pulse
• Strongest Pre-Workout for Strength and Power: JYM Pre-JYM
• Strongest Pre-Workout for Taste: Jacked Factory NitroSurge

Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine. Individual needs for vitamins and minerals will vary.

Strongest Pre-Workouts Video Review

Join BarBend expert tester Jake Herod, NASM-CNC, and registered dietitian and nutritionist Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD, as they walk through some of the best strong pre-workouts on the market.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPHvsGCsucM

[Related: Are Pre-Workouts Overhyped?]

Strongest Pre-Workout Overall: Transparent Labs BULK Black

Pros

High servings of caffeine and citrulline malate

Free of artificial dyes, flavors, sweeteners, preservatives

Informed Choice certified

Cons

Beta-alanine can cause tingles

Lower caffeine dose than others

Stevia can cause GI distress (5)

As BarBend expert reviewer Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD puts it, “When you take BULK Black, you better have your game face on.” While this high-stimulant pre-workout doesn’t feature as much caffeine as other powders in this guide — which commonly feature caffeine content over 350 milligrams — this Transparent Labs offering is our favorite high-octane supplement thanks to its robust formulation, enjoyable flavor variety, and impressive transparency and third-party certification.

In addition to the 275 milligrams of caffeine, we also appreciated the 8,000 milligrams of citrulline malate per serving. This dietary amino acid has been linked to improved strength, muscular endurance, and aerobic performance — all helpful benefits in the best pre-workouts for men when trying to transition into training mode. (2) 

Additionally, each serving of BULK Black features 4,000 milligrams of beta alanine, which can help bolster high-intensity training. (4) However, this higher dosing can lead to more unwanted “tingles” that may be more of a distraction than a welcomed sensation.

We rate Transparent Labs BULK Black a perfect 5 out of 5 for the taste. “When trialing the Peach Mango offering, I was so impressed by the flavor that I actually wanted to sip it rather than gulp it down,” says our tester, a certified personal trainer. “It’s that good.” The solubility of this pre-workout powder also scores highly at 5 out of 5, as it blends easily in our shakers with no residue or gritty texture left post-mixing.

BULK Black also left our tester with no undesirable side effects, leading to a 5 out of 5 rating for the category. “I waited less than a half hour for it to kick in, and I had no energy dropoff afterward,” our tester says. However, this product is sweetened with stevia, which one of our testers associates with a “chemical aftertaste.” And while this ingredient does help Transparent Labs maintain its, well, transparent makeup free of any artificial dyes, flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives, it can lead to some gastrointestinal distress in some athletes. (5) Be sure to take your own stomach sensitivities into question before ordering a tub for yourself.

Lastly, we do appreciate how Transparent Labs keeps this BULK Black pre-workout reasonably priced at $1.83 per serving. Other potent pre-workouts can often cost over $2 per serving, so finding a formulation that’s well-rounded and affordably priced is always a perk worth noting.

Read our full Transparent Labs BULK Black Pre-Workout Review.

Read More

Strongest Pre-Workout for Blood Flow and Pump: Jacked Factory Wick Mode

Pros

High L-citrulline can increase blood flow for pump

Effects set in within 15 mins

Great taste and solubility

Budget-friendly

Cons

Two-scoop servings up the price

Can be too strong for some

One scoop means lower l-citrulline

Looking for a strong pre-workout to make those veins practically pop right out of your skin? The ingredients you’re looking for in the best pump pre-workouts are ones that will bolster blood flow and nitric oxide production for that extra-swole aesthetic, and Jacked Factory Wick Mode has all that in spades.

“It has research-backed doses of beta-alanine and L-citrulline to improve endurance and increase nitric oxide production,” explains Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD. She says that this pre-workout makeup is a great multitasker thanks to its caffeine, L-citrulline, and beta-alanine.  (2)(4)(14)

Bourgeois rates the formulation at 4 out of 5 because the 300 milligrams of caffeine may be too much for some athletes. Plus, this high-stimulant pre-workout isn’t third-party tested.

In terms of taste, one of our testers — BarBend editorial team member, certified personal trainer, and competitive Olympic lifter Kate Meier — tried out the Osaka Black Cherry flavor and wasn’t disappointed. “It has a great dark cherry taste. Not too sweet at all, which I really like because I’m not a fan of overly sweet drinks.” Former BarBend editorial team member Mike Shafer also tried out the Blue Raspberry and reports that it tastes “fantastic. Just what you’d imagine Blue Raspberry to be like.” Both rate the taste a 5 out of 5.

Solubility also ranked high, earning a 5 out of 5 from both of our testers, who found it easy to dissolve it with a few quick jostles of the shaker bottle. “Perfect solubility here,” Meier says. “I think I shook it like 7 times and it was dissolved completely.”

Our testers also note that Wick Mode left them with no unwanted side effects despite the heavier dosages of ingredients. “This is great for both energy and focus,” Shafer says. “I take just one scoop before jiujitsu, and that’s the perfect amount of energy. Before I hit weights, I do like 1.5 scoops for that added boost and it’s great.” Meier agrees, adding that there isn’t a sharp comedown. As such, we score Wick Mode at 4.75 out of 5 for its effects.

That strength may come at a cost, though: both of our testers report effects wearing off within an hour or so. Expect the typical pre-workout tingles, too (though only you can decide whether that’s a pro or a con).

Read More

Strongest Pre-Workout for Focus (Alpha-GPC): Onnit Alpha-BRAIN Pre-Workout

Pros

Alpha-GPC can help bolster memory, motivation, and focus (8)

Probably won’t produce tingles

Our testers experienced a heightened mental boost

Cons

Pricey

Does contain blends

Not much L-citrulline

Admittedly, taking a high-stimulant pre-workout can leave you somewhat unfocused and scatterbrained, especially if you’re more susceptible to caffeine. Thankfully, Onnit Alpha-BRAIN Pre-Workout combats these effects with a blend of nootropics — including 300 milligrams of alpha-GPC — to help you reel in your thoughts. Studies indicate that alpha-GPC can influence the synthesis and release of acetylcholine in the brain, which is vital in memory, motivation, arousal, and attention. (8)

Our tester definitely felt the improved focus, even when they put this to the test for both work and a workout: “This absolutely gave me more focus than my typical coffee or tea. After my training session, I had to sift through a crowded inbox and get my presentation locked in. I had plenty of mental energy for both my workout and my work with Alpha-BRAIN.”

Alpha-BRAIN also comes with a dose of ashwagandha, admittedly something you might typically associate more with calm than a pre-workout pump. But for the best pre-workouts for focus, Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD, approves.

“I like that this formula contains ashwagandha to help promote mental agility during stressful workouts. It also contains 2.4 grams of L-citrulline. Most research points to training benefits in doses of at least 3 grams, but combining it with beta-alanine is sure to give you a good pump for a hard-hitting workout. Plus, I like that this formula is sugar-free.” (2)(4)(6)

Overall, Bourgeois gives the formulation a 3.25 out of 5, docking points for the inclusion of proprietary blends and relatively little L-citrulline.“Dietary supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA, so adding a layer of mystery to the product by not disclosing the amount of each ingredient in the blend gives me pause,” she explains.

One of our testers strongly recommends this pre-workout for athletes squeezing in a sweat session during or right before a busy workday. “I was able to tune out my over-crowded inbox and an upcoming presentation and focus on what really mattered: the barbell.”

And while the taste of the pre-workout was underwhelming for some of our testers, one of whom notes an artificial, tart taste in the Tiger’s Blood (i.e. tropical) flavor, they’ve all found excellent, 5-out-of-5 solubility. That’s extra important when you need to focus less on clumps in your drink and more on the work in front of you.

Read More

Strongest Pre-Workout on a Budget: Nutricost Pre-X

Pros

Budget-friendly

Packs plenty caffeine

Alpha-GPC may promote focus

Cons

Too strong for training in evening

Low on the L-citrulline

Sweetened with sucralose

The most powerful pre-workout in the world isn’t going to matter all that much if you can’t afford it. Fortunately, Nutricost Pre-X Pre-Workout fits the bill (pun intended) with a powerful combination of ingredients that doesn’t sacrifice power for price. At less than one dollar per serving when you buy the 60-serving pack, Pre-X goes a long way with a minimum cash investment.

“Nutricost Pre-X Workout Complex contains as much caffeine as around 3 cups of coffee, as well as 200 mg of alpha-GPC,” explains Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD. The caffeine will give you that classic pre-workout energy boost, while the alpha-GPC kicks in to enhance your focus, Bourgeois says. (8)(14)(16)

Overall, she ranks the formulation of Nutricost Pre-X a 3.75 out of 5. It’s got the L-citrulline you want for performance and recovery, she says, but at 4,000 milligrams, it’s less than athletes typically expect from a powerful pre-workout. “It also contains sucralose, which may cause GI troubles for some people.” (2)(5)

But these hiccups don’t have to be a reason not to invest. Our testers give it a 4.5 out of 5 for taste. “Pre-workout can be a chore, but I actually get excited to drink this every day,” one of our testers says. “I just toss it into cold water, shake it up, and go.” Another one of our testers says the Peach Mango is “much better than I expected, without that artificial taste.”

Our testers tended to drink this one right from their shaker bottles, noting that it dissolves quickly but leaves some sediment at the bottom, “almost like little beads.” We rank this a 4.5 out of 5 for solubility, with one of our testers happy to report that “I just had to add a small amount of extra water, swish it a bit, and it was all gone.”

All that combines for an intense drink, our testers say. “This hits you right away, gives you a smooth ride, and doesn’t fade out for a couple of hours,” one of our testers says. That gives you a whole lot of time to get your workout on with plenty of energy to keep going. That said, if you’ve got a high tolerance for caffeine in your pre-workout, you might not be hit as hard. “Even though I was pretty immune to the caffeine, this helped me focus, probably with the Alpha-GPC.”  (8)

Overall, our testers give the effects of Nutricost Pre-X a praise-worthy 4 out of 5 ranking. Certainly seems like a worthy (and affordable) addition to your stack.

Read More

Strongest Pre-Workout with Creatine: Gainful Pre-Workout (High-Intensity)

Pros

Contains 5 grams of creatine

Moderate caffeine dose

Impressive taste

Cons

Creatine dose can be high for some

Some may want more caffeine

Only 14 servings per container

One of the things we like most about Gainful is that you can customize pretty much everything, including your pre-workout. You can go for a non-stim pre-workout if you want to skip the caffeine jitters; choose a moderate dose of caffeine and creatine; or opt (like we did here with Gainful Pre-X High-Intensity) for the high-powered version with both a lot of caffeine and creatine. You’ll get 5,000 milligrams of creatine in just one serving here. (15)

“It’s hard enough to get going in the morning without having to remember separate scoops for your pre-workout and creatine,” one of our testers says. “I loved getting both in one here. But I do have a sensitive stomach, so I usually needed to get a little food in me first instead of taking this big creatine/caffeine combo first thing in the morning.” They give the formula a 4 out of 5 rating, and advise you to steer toward the moderate-intensity customization if you want just a little less creatine (3,000mg compared to 5,000mg).

Speaking of the formula, Gainful Pre-Workout boasts L-theanine, L-citrulline, beta-alanine, and BCAAs, all the usual suspects of a solid pre-workout, plus no artificial sweeteners, dyes, flavors, or preservatives. (2)(4)(9) “I got the tingles from this one, but they weren’t intense since the beta-alanine levels aren’t the highest,” one of our testers notes. Aficionados of L-citrulline will note, though, that at 4,000 milligrams per serving, this is a bit on the low end of the spectrum. (2) But yes, the whole thing is totally plant-based.

In terms of taste, Gainful exceeds expectations. “Not going to lie: I usually dread the taste of pre-workout. But I really like the Strawberry Lemonade flavor, a definite 5-out-of-5. Just make sure you’re drinking it cold. It’ll be a lot better that way.”

One of the biggest obstacles to calling Gainful Pre-X your main pre-workout? It only comes with 14 servings per container. Unless you’re very diligent, you might be signed up for automatic renewal upon ordering, so make sure you’re going back to check until you’re ready to commit.

Read More

Strongest Natural Pre-Workout: Legion Pulse

Pros

Uses natural ingredients

Available without stimulants

Delicious flavor

Cons

Only 20 servings per container

Slightly bitter aftertaste

Pre-workouts get a bad reputation for being full of artificial sweeteners, colors, and ingredients. And in some cases, that’s warranted. But Legion’s Pulse couldn’t be more opposite. For those who want a strong, natural formula, this is a winner. Our RD, Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, even gives the formula a 4.5 out of 5 rating.

Another major benefit of this strong, transparent pre-workout is its transparency. “I love that this product is tested by a third-party lab,” adds Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD. “You know what’s advertised is what you get, and there’s total transparency in the formula. There are no proprietary blends, and all ingredients are backed by scientific research that Legion has linked to their website.”

According to our tester, a Level-2 USA Weightlifting coach, the taste is fairly enjoyable. Plus, you get 20 available flavor options. “It’s a sweet pre-workout, and I don’t necessarily hold the bitter aftertaste against it. I mean, it’s not like I don’t have a plethora of offerings to choose from when it comes to finding that perfect flavor,” our tester adds.

Additionally, we appreciate that Legion offers Pulse in a stim-free variety that’s free of any caffeine. This can be helpful for athletes looking to wean off the stimulant, or those that have an undesirable sensitivity to the component. “I didn’t get jittery,” another one of our testers explains. “I was just extra eager to dive into my workout and give it my all. I absolutely love the energy from this pre-workout.”

Regardless of your pick between the best non-stim pre-workouts and versions with plenty of jolt juice, Pulse has shown to be highly soluble. We score this pre-workout at 5 out of 5 for the category thanks to its simple mixability in any beverage of our choosing. Our only true issue with this pre-workout when it comes to blending is its lack of an unflavored option. This flavorless profile would allow us to mix the powder with other helpful supplements without fear of flavor cross contamination.

Be mindful, though, that this potent pre-workout is only available in 20-serving tubs. This means that daily supplementation will require frequent reordering. It’s a minor gripe, yes, but when other pre-workouts are available in 30-serving and even 40-serving tubs, it is worth pointing out.

Read our full Legion Pulse Pre-Workout Review.

Read More

Strongest Pre-Workout for Strength and Power: JYM Pre-JYM

Pros

Added BCAAs can help with muscle growth and reduced soreness (9)

Budget-friendly

Mixes easily in shaker bottle

Cons

Sweetened with sucralose

No third-party testing

Limited flavor options

Your pre-workout supplement doesn’t need to be solely focused on boosted energy or muscle pumps. For example, a pre-workout with a solid mix of branched-chain amino acids can also support muscle growth and decreased soreness. (9) If this formulation sparks some curiosity, we recommend Pre-JYM, which features 6 grams of BCAAs, including all those fancy BCAA benefits, for a well-rounded formulation designed to focus on energy and performance in multiple pathways.

As far as the effects go for this high-quality strong pre-workout, our tester, a certified personal trainer, rates Pre-JYM at a perfect 5 out of 5. “I really felt stimulated with this supplement and could see a visible difference in my pumps during training,” they say. “Additionally, I felt like I had a constant store of energy, which was great when tackling longer sessions in the gym.”

“The pump was unbelievably good,” another tester says. “It didn’t last as long as some other versions, but when it was there, it was very strong.”

We also appreciate the solubility of this pre-workout, scoring it at 5 out of 5. Mixing this powder with water was a breeze, which helped us keep focus on the tasks at hand rather than blending the powder vigorously enough to achieve that optimal mixture.

Pre-JYM Is available in four flavor offerings, which is a slightly lighter roster than other pre-workouts we’ve tested. Still, we give the taste a 4.5 out of 5 thanks to its enjoyable sensations across the board. “I liked the Rainbow Sherbet variety,” says our tester, a Level-2 USA Weightlifting coach. “It felt like an explosion of sweetness — the perfect pick-me-up before a hard-nosed training session.”

However, we do caution that this JYM offering is sweetened with sucralose. Studies report that this artificial sweetener can lead to some GI distress in some athletes. (10) If you’re someone that routinely deals with a sensitive stomach, it may be best to forgo this BCAA-rich formulation.

Finally, we would have liked to see more third-party testing associated with this pre-workout. There are no stamps of approval across the packaging, which does give some room for speculation regarding the dosages and included ingredients.

Read our full JYM Pre-JYM Pre-Workout Review.

Read More

Strongest Pre-Workout for Taste: Jacked Factory Nitrosurge

Pros

Delicious flavor

11 flavor options

Nutrition info for one and two scoops

Cons

Not third-party tested

Contains sucralose

If you’re going to be sipping a pre-workout supplement several times per week, you want a product that actually tastes delicious and refreshing. You also might want a good flavor variety to help fight palate fatigue — Jacked Factory Nitrosurge ticks all those boxes.

“This pre-workout is insanely delicious,” according to our tester, who gives the flavor a 5 out of 5 rating. “The flavor is so good, I’d like to sip it throughout the day with ice but have to remind myself it’s actually a pre-workout supplement.” Another tester calls it, “sweet, but not overly sweet, which is a very good thing in a pre-workout.” They also give the solubility a 5 out of 5 rating, as it mixes and dissolves perfectly.

We do wish the formulation had some higher doses of ingredients, though. Jacked Factory Nitrosurge offers info for one and two scoops. The two-scoop ingredient values are more in line with other high-stim pre-workouts but that does mean you get fewer servings per container.

“Nitrosurge scores a 3.75 out of 5 for its formulation,” according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN. “It gets high marks for the ingredients used but deductions for the low dosages.” Luckily, though, this is a pretty budget-friendly product, so it won’t be too pricey to buy more frequently.

Our pre-workout-loving tester who tried two scoops said the effects were pretty mild, unfortunately. Another tester took two scoops, too, and while the energy wasn’t a huge lift, they explain: “I felt extremely focused and got a decent pump. I also got a lot of tingles with two scoops (not one). That said, one scoop is great for using it before a cardio session.”

Read More

How We Tested and Chose the Strongest Pre-Workouts

The BarBend team is made up of competitive athletes, certified personal trainers, and lifelong fitness enthusiasts. To determine the strongest pre-workouts available today, we tested over 70 different profiles from the industry’s best brands, using our supplement testing methodology to rate each profile on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Below are some of the categories and components that played into our rankings.

• Proper Dosing: We looked for powders that pushed the limit as far as possible while still remaining safe. For example, studies report that the maximum daily caffeine intake is 400 milligrams. (1) Additionally, research states that an effective dose for boosted athletic performance for L-citrulline sits somewhere between 6,000 and 8,000 milligrams.(2)(3)
• Ingredient Transparency: We looked for transparent ingredients lists when compiling this round-up of the strongest pre-workouts, placing an emphasis on powders that clearly outlined their per scoop dosages and servings. As best as possible, we avoided proprietary blends.
• Third-Party Testing: We looked for the strongest pre-workout supplements with third-party testing. Independent labs including Informed Choice, Informed Sport, NSF, and Labdoor analyze each formulation and ultimately certify that the makeup is factual and free of any contaminants or unwanted parcels.
• Taste: While we understand that every palate is different from athlete to athlete, we included strong pre-workouts in this guide that we actually preferred when it comes to taste.

Benefits of the Strongest Pre-Workouts

Strong pre-workouts provide many of the same potential benefits that regular pre-workouts provide, only more so because of the increased potency of the formulas used. They offer more energy, higher doses of ingredients, and (oftentimes) an improved value over run-of-the-mill pre-workouts. Here are some pre-workout benefits you can expect with these high-octane offerings.

• More Energy: If regular pre-workouts provide a jolt of energy, then the strongest pre-workouts can be compared to tapping into the power grid itself with their higher caffeine and stimulant content.
• Greater Value: When you purchase a strong pre-workout, you’re receiving higher dosages of many common pre-workout ingredients. Many of them cost the same, if not only slightly more per serving than regular pre-workouts, which is a solid value, thanks to the increased potency of the formula.
• Higher Dosing: Along the same lines as the caffeine content, strong pre-workouts tend to contain higher doses of other popular ingredients, which can make them potentially more effective. (Be on the lookout for some of the common pre-workout side effects along with this larger dosing, too!)

How Much Do the Strongest Pre-Workouts Cost?

Pre-workout supplements can vary widely in cost. Generally, you can expect stronger pre-workouts to cost a little more than the average, considering the doses are higher.

Common Pre-Workout Supplement Ingredients

“The strongest pre-workouts typically boast ingredients that may boost energy, improve focus, enhance strength and endurance, and reduce muscle fatigue,” says Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD. There are a ton of ingredients that companies put in their pre-workout products with claims to boost mental focus, energy, endurance, and blood flow. We’ll break down some of the most common ingredients you’ll find in these stronger pre-workout blends, and go over what benefits they’re commonly understood to provide.

Alpha-GPC

Alpha glycerophosphocholine, also known as alpha-GPC, is a precursor to acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter involved in memory, attention, and most importantly here — muscle contraction. Taking between 300 milligrams and 600 milligrams of alpha-GPC may have nootropic effects, such as cognitive enhancement and improved focus, as well as potential improvements in muscle power output. (8)(12)

Beta-Alanine

Beta-alanine is linked to improved endurance, both in cardio-focused workouts and strength training with higher reps. (4) Because it can help allow you to push further than you otherwise would have for more reps, it may help with hypertrophy and strength. 

The standard dose of beta-alanine is between 1,600 and 3,200 milligrams, though the pre-workouts on this list can have upwards of 4,000 milligrams. (4) Be aware that a harmless but sometimes uncomfortable side effect of large doses of beta-alanine is skin tingling, which you will likely experience with these potent pre-workouts.

Hate the sensation of those classic pre-workout tingles? No problem. Try out one of the best pre-workouts without beta-alanine for an itch-free experience.

Betaine Anhydrous

This ingredient is commonly found in red beets and is the main ingredient in beetroot extract — though it can also be found in lesser amounts in leafy greens. Betaine is best known for links to power output and muscular endurance, but it might also slightly decrease post-exercise cortisol, which can actually be helpful in your body’s response to stress. (13)

Caffeine

When you think of a pre-workout, the first thing that comes to mind is likely the stimulant effects, and that’s exactly what is at the forefront of these stronger formulas. Caffeine is usually the main stimulant and has well-established potential ergonomic effects, such as better endurance, lower perceived exertion, improved power output, and even enhanced cognition.  (14)(16)

Most of these pre-workouts have a potent stimulant effect with most having a minimum of at least 275 milligrams of caffeine per serving. “The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine a day to be safe for most healthy adults. This is about the amount of caffeine in four cups of brewed coffee,” says Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD. Or, put another way, you may be ingesting three to four cups of coffee per scoop with these formulas. (11)

“If you have any cardiac conditions or tend to experience palpitations, you may not be a good candidate to take a pre-workout with caffeine,” says Dr. Jennie Stanford, M.D., FAAFP, DipABOM. “Be sure to consult with your physician before taking it to make sure it is safe.”

Creatine

Creatine is likely the most thoroughly-researched ergogenic aid aside from caffeine. It can help power output, anaerobic capacity, fatigue, and even improve cognition all while increasing muscle size by potentially drawing more water into your muscles depending on the type of creatine you use. 

It doesn’t have to be taken with pre-workout, either. It’s an anytime supplement — the point is to increase the creatine in your muscles over time, rather than loading creatine quickly. The dose is generally 5 grams per day of creatine monohydrate — though different forms, like creatine HCl, have smaller effective dose sizes. (15)(17)(18)

If you want to combine your supps, peruse our list of the best pre-workouts with creatine.

Citrulline

Research suggests that the effective dose of citrulline is between 6,000 and 8,000 milligrams to help potentially improve blood flow, endurance, and power output in athletes. (3) You’ll notice, though, that some pre-workouts go beyond this recommended serving. This is due to the fact that citrulline is generally tolerable by most athletes, meaning an excessive dose is less likely to cause potential side effects or harm.

[Related: Best Pre-Workouts for Weight Loss, Tested and Expert Reviewed]

How to Choose the Strongest Pre-Workouts

These sorts of products can make some folks a little concerned about side effects and unintended consequences. They’re legal, so the potential for damage is low, but there are a few things worth keeping in mind.

Dosage

When searching for a strong pre-workout, you want to ensure that your dosages are higher than the average powder yet still fall within your daily recommended intake when necessary. While some ingredients (like citrulline) can be fine for consumption beyond the daily dosages given their more tolerable makeup, others, like caffeine, need to be balanced. 

According to studies, you shouldn’t exceed 400 milligrams of caffeine per day. (1) This can be a good marker to set for yourself when trying to decide between high-octane pre-workouts. On days you’re taking stronger pre-workouts, be extra careful to monitor and limit outside caffeine usage to avoid topping the recommended upper limit.

You should also be sure to take your personal tolerances into account before deciding on a strong pre-workout. After all, each athlete is different when it comes to their experiences with certain ingredients. For example, the jitters associated with beta-alanine may be fine for some, but the skin-ripping tingles of high doses may be too much to bear for others. (4) Read carefully through the labels to confirm that a particular pre-workout formulation aligns with your needs and wants before purchasing.

Ingredients

A solid pre-workout should contain a formulation that proves its worth beyond just added energy. The endurance, blood flow, and muscle growth perks associated with the popular nutritional supplement come from the inclusion of added ingredients. As such, you’ll want to search for a pre-workout formulation that contains a plethora of ingredients beyond your standard caffeine.

For example, a pre-workout with ample amounts of citrulline malate can be great for facilitating intra-workout pumps. (2) Other ingredients, like creatine and alpha-GPC, can prove to be beneficial when it comes to overall strength and focus during your in-gym sessions. (8)(12)(15)(17)

If you’re already considering a stronger pre-workout as your go-to for pre-training benefits, it helps to take into consideration the other benefits associated with the supplement. Make sure your powder can provide additional support beyond just a jolt of energy — it can make the costs of these potent supplements all the more approachable (more on that in a bit).

[Related: Best Natural Pre-Workouts]

Third-Party Testing

Having a strong pre-workout that’s also third-party tested can go a long way in ensuring your confidence in your product of choice. (19) After all, heightened dosages of key ingredients and the promise of maximum energy or muscle pumps can lead to some wiggle room for brands to skirt the lines when it comes to the actual potency of each formulation.

When looking for a worthwhile strong pre-workout, search for a makeup with either a stamped approval from an accredited third-party testing lab, or (at least) a quality layout of lab results from an independent testing center. This can prove especially beneficial for strength athletes that need to have a heightened awareness of their nutritional supplements in order to abide by their respective governing agencies.

Third-party testing also can help ensure a lack of banned substances and heavy metals in your product, as well as the peace of mind that comes from extra testing done on supps that are unregulated by the FDA.

Price

Given their heightened dosages and more potent formulations, you can expect to pay more for stronger pre-workouts than you would a normal stim-rich supplement. On average, the best strong pre-workouts will cost around $1.96 per serving, with some coming in closer to $2.50 per dose. 

In the end, though, it’s always recommended to take your personal budget into consideration. If your budget can’t stomach the price upfront, odds are that you’ll likely enjoy the physical powder less over a regular supplement regimen.

Strongest Pre-Workouts FAQs

References

1. Hull, M., & Examine.com. (2023, August 21). How much caffeine is too much?. Examine. https://examine.com/articles/caffeine-consumption/ 
2. Gonzalez, A. M., & Trexler, E. T. (2020). Effects of citrulline supplementation on exercise performance in humans: A review of the current literature. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 34(5), 1480–1495. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31977835/
3. Neri, L. (2023, November 2). Citrulline benefits, dosage, and side effects. Examine. https://examine.com/supplements/citrulline/
4. Milioni, F., de Poli, R. A. B., Saunders, B., Gualano, B., da Rocha, A. L., Sanchez Ramos da Silva, A., Muller, P. T. G., & Zagatto, A. M. (2019). Effect of β-alanine supplementation during high-intensity interval training on repeated sprint ability performance and neuromuscular fatigue. Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 127(6), 1599–1610. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00321.2019 
5. Kasti, A., Nikolaki, M., Synodinou, K., Katsas, K., Petsis, K., Lambrinou, S., Pyrousis, I., & Triantafyllou, K. (2022). The effects of stevia consumption on gut bacteria: Friend or foe? Microorganisms, 10(4), 744. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9028423/
6. Gopukumar, K., Thanawala, S., Somepalli, V., Rao, T. S. S., Thamatam, V. B., & Chauhan, S. (2021). Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha Root Extract on Cognitive Functions in Healthy, Stressed Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2021, 8254344. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/8254344 
7. Patel, K. (2023, January 31). What is creatine nitrate?. Examine. https://examine.com/articles/what-is-creatine-nitrate/
8. Murray, M., & Michaux, M. (2023, December 18). Alpha-GPC benefits, dosage, and side effects. Examine. https://examine.com/supplements/alpha-gpc/
9. Khemtong, C., Kuo, C.-H., Chen, C.-Y., Jaime, S. J., & Condello, G. (2021). Does branched-chain amino acids (bcaas) supplementation attenuate muscle damage markers and soreness after resistance exercise in trained males? A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutrients, 13(6), 1880. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34072718/
10. del Pozo, S., Gómez-Martínez, S., Díaz, L. E., Nova, E., Urrialde, R., & Marcos, A. (2022). Potential effects of sucralose and saccharin on Gut Microbiota: A Review. Nutrients, 14(8), 1682. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9029443/ 
11. MediLexicon International. (n.d.). How much caffeine in a cup of coffee. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324986
12. Parker, A. G., Byars, A., Purpura, M., & Jäger, R. (2015). The effects of alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine, caffeine or placebo on markers of mood, cognitive function, power, speed, and agility. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12(sup1). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4595381/
13. Lee, E. C., Maresh, C. M., Kraemer, W. J., Yamamoto, L. M., Hatfield, D. L., Bailey, B. L., Armstrong, L. E., Volek, J. S., McDermott, B. P., & Craig, S. A. (2010). Ergogenic effects of betaine supplementation on Strength and Power Performance. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 7(1). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20642826/
14. Kruszewski, M., Merchelski, M., Kruszewski, A., Tabęcki, R., Aksenov, M. O., & Pągowski, Ł. (2022). Effects of Multi-Ingredient Pre-Workout Supplement and Caffeine on Bench Press Performance: A Single-Blind Cross-Over Study. Nutrients, 14(9), 1750. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14091750 
15. Gann, J. J., McKinley-Barnard, S. K., Andre, T. L., Schoch, R. D., & Willoughby, D. S. (2015). Effects of a traditionally-dosed creatine supplementation protocol and resistance training on the skeletal muscle uptake and whole-body metabolism and retention of creatine in males. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12(sup1). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4594933/
16. McLellan, T. M., Caldwell, J. A., & Lieberman, H. R. (2016). A review of caffeine’s effects on cognitive, physical and occupational performance. Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews, 71, 294–312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.09.001
17. Sandkühler, J. F., Kersting, X., Faust, A., Königs, E. K., Altman, G., Ettinger, U., Lux, S., Philipsen, A., Müller, H., & Brauner, J. (2023). The effects of creatine supplementation on cognitive performance-a randomised controlled study. BMC medicine, 21(1), 440. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-023-03146-5
18. Fazio, C., Elder, C. L., & Harris, M. M. (2022). Efficacy of Alternative Forms of Creatine Supplementation on Improving Performance and Body Composition in Healthy Subjects: A Systematic Review. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 36(9), 2663–2670. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003873
19. Sirois, J., Reddy, S., Nguyen, T., Walker, H., Rendall, J., Bergen, G., Reimers, M., Cermak, E., Tiwary, A., Helmes, E., Palmer, J., Teo, S., Mackle, T., Park, M., & Wang, C. (2024). Safety considerations for dietary supplement manufacturers in the United States. Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP, 147, 105544. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yrtph.2023.105544
20. Zhang, F. F., Barr, S. I., McNulty, H., Li, D., & Blumberg, J. B. (2020). Health effects of vitamin and mineral supplements. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 369, m2511. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m2511