When you need a massive energy boost for the gym beyond your cup of coffee, you want a pre-workout supplement with research-backed ingredients for performance — plus caffeine. Total War Pre-Workout fits the bill, though it’s a steep place to start for newbies. Then again, many of the best pre-workout supplements are.
Our expert tester for this, BarBend fitness writer Ben Emminger, has got a whole lot of experience with pre-workouts. He’s used many a supplement over his training career, and our overall team has tested a combined 110-plus pre-workouts using our supplement testing methodology to rate each product. In this Total War Pre-Workout review, we’ll give you all the details — all told, combining Emminger’s experience with my own as a certified nutrition coach, we think Total War is a fabulous energy boost with no crash (if you’re used to caffeine), but you may have to contend with scattered focus and a whole lot of tingles. Here’s what you need to know.
Medical disclaimer: 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.
Featuring 320 milligrams of caffeine powder with 250 milligrams of caffeine anhydrous, REDCON1 Total War Pre-Workout promises to roll over any exhaustion. It's also got 150mg of juniper extract to boost blood flow for a solid pump.
Main Takeaways
- According to our expert tester, Redcon1 Total War Pre-Workout’s 320 milligrams of caffeine will give you a big kick of energy, but may scatter your focus — it’s best suited for experienced pre-workout users and caffeine lovers.
- The 3.2 grams of beta-alanine is within the clinical dosing recommendations and left our tester with a sustained burst of the tingles.
- Total War Pre-Workout comes in 25 creative, fruity flavors and uses artificial sweeteners.
- Redcon1 products are third-party tested and manufactured in a GMP-certified factory.
Total War Pre-Workout Specs
| Price Per Serving | $1.43 |
| Caffeine | 320mg |
| Key Ingredients | L-citrulline or citrulline malate, beta-alanine, agmatine sulfate, taurine, caffeine anhydrous, juniper berry (Juniperus communis), di-caffeine malate, theobromine, Bioperine (black pepper extract), natural and artificial flavors, calcium silicate, silica, disodium phosphate dihydrate |
| Flavors | Tropical Snowcone, Plum Fusion, Vice City, Tiger’s Blood, Strawberry Mango, Green Apple, Grape, Sour Gummy Bear, Rainbow Candy, Orange Crush, Watermelon, Baja Bomb, Strawberry Kiwi, Cali Splash, Blue Raspberry, Blue Lemonade, Pineapple Juice, Fruit Punch, Kiwi Lime, Tropical Punch, Rainbow Sherbert, Rocket Bomb, Outdoor Punch, Pregame Punch, Island Icey (Store Exclusive) (25) |
| Sweeteners | Sucralose, acesulfame potassium |
| Third-Party Tested | Yes |
| Price Per Serving | $1.43 |
Total War Pre-Workout comes from supplement company Redcon1. They state that they were the first company to pioneer listing out ingredients and moving away from proprietary blends. It is a great move that helps consumers know exactly what they’re getting, as proprietary blends obscure how much of which ingredients you’re getting. There’s no such ambiguity here, which is great.
In this case, you’re getting 320 milligrams of caffeine — 250 milligrams from caffeine anhydrous and 70 milligrams from di-caffeine malate. Di-caffeine malate may have a slower release, so it doesn’t all hit at once (which could trigger side effects), it may last longer, and you may not have a hard crash.
According to registered dietitian Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, one of our expert reviewers, that amount of caffeine can be a blessing or a curse for you: “Each serving contains around the same amount of caffeine as three cups of coffee — a less-than-ideal dose for those sensitive to caffeine jitters or the dreaded caffeine crash.” But if you’re used to a lot of caffeine, you might experience no crash at all. This is a very know-thine-own-body type of situation.
Beyond caffeine, Total War Pre-Workout also contains hefty dosages of nitric oxide boosters (L-citrulline or citrulline malate, green tea extract, and juniper berry for blood flow and pumps), beta-alanine (for less fatigue and more muscular endurance), and taurine (which has mixed research on cognitive enhancement). (1)(2)(3) It also contains theobromine from cacao, which may work with caffeine for energy. (4)
Total War Pre-Workout comes in 25 flavors and uses the artificial sweeteners sucralose and acesulfame potassium. It costs $1.43 per serving, which is a moderate price. They state that they do third-party testing, but they are not NSF-Certified for Sport. With 0 calories, this supp could also work as one of the best pre-workouts for weight loss.
How does all that come together? According to our expert tester and BarBend fitness writer Ben Emminger, very well. He explains: “Overall, I’d rate this pre-workout at 4 out of 5. The flavor is enjoyable, the energy is very-much present, and I appreciate that there isn’t a heavy crash post-training. The beta-alanine-induced tingles may be overwhelming for some, but I don’t believe they’re overwhelming enough to forgo this formulation.”
Who Should Use / Who Shouldn’t Use Total War Pre-Workout
At 320 milligrams of caffeine per scoop of Total War Pre-Workout, this is a high-stim supplement. Those who prefer to skip the stims can check out some of the best non-stim pre-workouts. For everyone else, here’s which side you may find yourself on.
Recommended for:
- People who want caffeine as the only stimulant
- Experienced pre-workout users seeking a big energy boost
- People who don’t mind a slight artificial sweetener taste
Not Recommended for:
- Pre-workout newbies or people with a low caffeine tolerance
- Competitive athletes who want an NSF-Certified for Sport supplement
- Creatine users who want an all-in-one pre-workout supplement
Our Experience Using Total War Pre-Workout
Part of our rating process at BarBend is having our expert testers sample the products before their workouts. Our expert tester here, Ben Emminger, took Total War Pre-Workout out for several spins and rated his experiences out of a scale of 1 (womp womp) to 5 (fabulous). As a certified nutrition coach, I’ll also weigh in alongside registered dietitian Chelsea Rae Bourgeois on important factors like ingredients and formulation, dosages, price, and safety.
Ingredients and Formulation
Total War Pre-Workout has a solid mix of standard pre-workout ingredients — caffeine, nitric oxide boosters, beta-alanine, taurine, and other amino acids and substances like theobromine. Here’s how RD Bourgeois breaks it down: “Total War Pre-Workout hits all the essentials with its ingredients list. Together the ingredients can support energy, focus, muscle pump, and endurance.”
There are 320 milligrams of caffeine, and research suggests 3 to 6 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. (5) You’ll also get 6 grams of L-citrulline, which is under where Bourgeois would like it to be, but she says “the hefty dose of BioPerine has been linked to enhanced metabolism and increased bioavailability of several nutrients.” (6) You get 3.2 grams of beta-alanine; the recommended range is 4 to 6. (7) For taurine, you get 1 gram, which is the minimum recommendation. (8)
[Related: Ultimate Guide to Pre-Workouts]
You also get some extra “natural” ingredients like the fruits juniper berry and naringin, BioPerine (black pepper extract) for citrulline absorption, and green tea extract, which goes with the nitric oxide boosters. There is also 1 gram of agmatine sulfate, a form of arginine, which goes toward nitric oxide boosting, as well. (9)
Overall, Bourgeois gives the formula a 4 out of 5, a pretty solid standard.
Taste
You’ve got 25 flavors to choose from — but how do they really taste? Emminger, who’s taken this pre-workout for a spin several strength training sessions and a weekend run, puts it this way: “I sampled the ‘Vice City’ formulation, which is a Strawberry Piña Colada flavor. It was definitely true to flavor, although I feel the Piña Colada came through more than the Strawberry.”
Emminger rates the taste a 4 out of 5, saying: “It’s definitely sweet and enjoyable. It gave me images of lounging around the pool on a hot summer day. While Piña Colada isn’t my favorite flavor of choice, I wouldn’t mind having this on a regular basis.”
Solubility
In the quest to avoid clumpy pre-workout or a mouth full of chalk at the bottom of your drink, we had Emminger, weigh in on solubility. He reports that you’ll find typical pre-workout “behavior” from this powder: “This blended easily with water. I didn’t experience any unwanted clumps. However, there is some residue at the bottom of your cup, so I’d recommend a quick wash-out and sip to ensure you’re getting the full dose before training.”
Is it annoying to have to do a rinse to get the full dose? Sure, but if you’ve used pre-workout even half as much as we have, you’ll know it’s not unusual. “Yes, a wash-out is necessary, but this isn’t a unique experience for me — at least, from what I’ve experienced with pre-workout supplements.”
At the end of the day (erm…workout?), Emminger rates solubility a 4 out of 5.
Effects
Even if you have a high caffeine tolerance, you may want to strap in for this one. “This was more of an energy-boosting formulation than a focus booster,” Emminger says. “In all honesty, I feel like the present tingles left me somewhat scatter-brained. I’d recommend this pre-workout for evening sessions where you’re more energy-depleted yet aren’t particularly focused on future tasks or chores. You can come home and immediately relax or head to bed.”
At 320 milligrams of caffeine per serving, we admit that not everyone will be able to drop to sleep after this formula. While Emminger recommends this as a nighttime pre-workout for those with a high tolerance, we might also suggest it as a morning workout if this is going to be the strongest pre-workout you’ve taken in your journey so far.
But if you’ve got a good caffeine tolerance, Emminger reports that more good news is on the way: “Surprisingly, I didn’t experience a harsh crash post-training. I was able to smoothly come down without that dragging sensation I’ve had with other high-stim pre-workouts.”
He also notes a unique element in the beta-alanine presence. “The tingles do come, but they’re more of a slow, sustained burn than a quick hit post-consumption. I began to feel them a few minutes after downing my final sip. From there, I could feel the beta-alanine moving down my body, beginning at my lips and ears, then moving into my fingers, calves, and finally toes.”
Emminger admits to generally enjoying the classic pre-workout tingles — one of the most well-known side effects of pre-workout — but if even he was noticing them consistently, this might not be your top choice if you’d prefer to stay away from the itchies. Instead, you might want to look into one of the best pre-workouts without beta-alanine.
Price Per Serving
One tub of Total War Pre-Workout costs $42.99, and you get 30 servings, so it’s $1.43 per serving. On Amazon, the prices vary per flavor, ranging from $27 to $33, so you could get one for under $1 per serving. The brand’s price is not bad, and the Amazon option makes it even better. I’ll rate it a 4 out of 5.
Third-Party Testing
The FDA does not regulate dietary supplements, including pre-workouts, which means there is no guarantee that all ingredients are listed (including banned substances).
We like brands with third-party testing and verification that the label is accurate and the ingredients are safe.
Redcon1 states that they manufacture their products in GMP-certified factories, which means manufacturing is done “utilizing industry best practices.” (10) They also say that their products are “third-party tested with ABC for ingredient level verification, heavy metals, prop 65 compliance.” However, they don’t post a report from ABC, and it is not NSF Certified for Sport.
They do provide information and have the GMP stamp, so I’ll go with a 4.5 out of 5.
What To Consider Before Buying Total War Pre-Workout
Before buying Redcon1 Total War Pre-Workout, consider some top-level specs. If you’re into stim pre-workouts, what kind and how much is in it? The same goes for creatine. Then, you’ll want to consider price, other ingredients, and types of sweeteners, plus safety. Let’s not forget potential pre-workout side effects — the caffeine and beta-alanine may trigger jitters and tingles.
- Stimulants: There are 320 milligrams of caffeine, 250 milligrams of caffeine anhydrous, and 70 milligrams of slow-release caffeine from di-caffeine malate. That is not a small amount. And while beta-alanine isn’t a stimulant, it can have a big (itchy) impact on your body. According to registered dietitian Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, “If you tend to get itchy with beta-alanine supplements, you could be uncomfortable from multiple angles with this pre-workout.”
- Price: One tub of Total War Pre-Workout costs $42.99; you get 30 servings, so it’s $1.43 per serving.
- Sweeteners: Total War Pre-Workout contains the artificial sweeteners sucralose and acesulfame potassium. Sucralose might not agree with your stomach.
- Third-Party Testing: Redcon1 is third-party tested, though the results are not readily available online.
Total War Pre-Workout Vs. Competitors
If you’re a nerd for fitness products, you may have found yourself here because you are not only considered Total War Pre-Workout but several other options, too. In the following table, we’ll make it a bit easier for you to compare the high-level considerations between Total War Pre-Workout and two of its competitors.
| Total War Pre-Workout | Legion Pulse | Jacked Factory Nitrosurge | |
| Price Per Serving | $1.43 | $2.25 | $1.00 |
| Caffeine | 320 mg (250 mg caffeine anhydrous and 70 mg caffeine from di-caffeine malate) | 350 mg, or a caffeine-free option for 0 mg | 180 mg per serving |
| Key Ingredients | L-citrulline or citrulline malate, beta-alanine, agmatine sulfate, taurine, caffeine anhydrous, juniper berry (Juniperus communis), di-caffeine malate, theobromine, Bioperine (black pepper extract), natural and artificial flavors, calcium silicate, silica, disodium phosphate dihydrate | L-citrulline dl-malate, beta-alanine, betaine anhydrous, caffeine anhydrous, L-theanine, alpha-glyceryl phosphoryl choline (GPC), erythritol, natural flavors, silica, stevia leaf extract, fruit and vegetable (color) | L-citrulline, beta-alanine, betaine anhydrous, caffeine anhydrous, L-theanine, theobromineAstraGin® |
| Flavors | Tropical Snowcone, Plum Fusion, Vice City, Tigers Blood, Strawberry Mango, Green Apple, Grape, Sour Gummy Bear, Rainbow Candy, Orange Crush, Watermelon, Baja Bomb, Strawberry Kiwi, Cali Splash, Blue Raspberry, Blue Lemonade, Pineapple Juice, Fruit Punch, Kiwi Lime, Tropical Punch, Rainbow Sherbert, Rocket Bomb, Outdoor Punch, Pregame Punch, Island Icey (Store Exclusive) (25) | Fruit Punch, Blue Raspberry, Peach Ring, Pink Lemonade, Blood Orange, Piña Colada, Rainbow Sherbet, Blueberry Lemonade, Strawberry Kiwi, Cherry Limeade, Sour Candy, Watermelon, Grape, Arctic Blast, Green Apple, Strawberry Margarita, Tropical Punch, Frosted Cranberry, Mojito (19) | Blue Raspberry, Grape, Green Apple, Strawberry Margarita, Watermelon, Pineapple, Arctic White, Sour Peach Rings, Cotton Candy, Blueberry Lemonade, Black Cherry, Cherry Limeade, Fruit Punch (13) |
| Sweeteners | Sucralose and acesulfame potassium | Erythritol and stevia leaf extract | Sucralose |
We chose Jacked Factory Nitrosurge and Legion Pulse because they are reputable brands and offer similar ingredients (and thus, effects) as Total War Pre-Workout.
The price varies — Legion Pulse is significantly more expensive than both, while Jacked Factory Nitrosurge is drastically cheaper. Jacked Factory also has the least caffeine, while the other two are similar. Sweetener-wise, Legion uses the natural sweetener Stevia and sugar alcohol erythritol, while the other two use artificial sweeteners.
Read our full Legion Pulse Pre-Workout review.
Places to Buy Total War Pre-Workout
- Redcon1.com
- Amazon
- Academy Sports Outdoors
- CVS
- Dick’s Sporting Goods
- GNC
- Meijer
- The Vitamin Shoppe
- Walgreens
- Walmart
Customer Experience and Brand Reputation
Here is what to expect if you purchase Total War Pre-Workout based on previous customers’ experiences.
- Shipping and Delivery:
- Time: After placing your order, processing takes 2 to 4 business days. UPS orders take 5 to 7 days for shipping. USPS expedited shipping takes 1 to 3 days.
- Price: There is free shipping for orders over $95; anything under will be calculated at checkout.
- Trial Period: Returns and exchanges are allowed within 30 days of receiving your order.
- Customer Reviews:
- Redcon1 Site: There are 8,567 reviews on the Redcon1 site with an average 4.8 out of 5-star rating.
- Amazon: There are 21,309 reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
- Customer Thoughts: Customers generally like this pre-workout and the energy boost from the caffeine. Others disagree on the level of intensity. Everyone has a different take on taste, texture, and solubility. They generally approve of the value for the money.
[Related: Best Pre-Workout With Creatine]
Our Final Verdict on Total War Pre-Workout
Overall, Total War Pre-Workout is an effective high-stim pre-workout to help power up your exercise performance (though you might, like our tester, get a bit of the tingles and attention-scattering jitters). You get 25 flavors to choose from, though they’re artificially sweetened, and customers are mixed on the taste (our tester liked it).
What’s great about Redcon1 is that you can get single-serving samples of Total War Pre-Workout for $2.99 each if you’re in the mood to try it out before committing.
Total War Pre-Workout FAQs
Is Total War a safe pre-workout?
There is no guarantee that Total War Pre-Workout is safe since supplements are not FDA-regulated, but Redcon1 does say it has third-party testing on its products. That doesn’t necessarily make it unsafe; there is just no concrete answer. The caffeine content is under the daily recommended limit of caffeine (400 milligrams), but be mindful of how much you get if you drink coffee throughout the say. (11)
What does Total War Pre-Workout do for you?
The ingredients in Total War Pre-Workout may well give you an energy boost, increase endurance, and help improve exercise performance. Though our tester didn’t experience a huge pump or enhanced focus (in fact, his focus was a bit scattered), you might experience those things based on the included ingredients.
How long does it take Total War Pre-Workout to kick in?
Redcon1 recommends taking Total War Pre-Workout 30 minutes before training to give it time to kick in.
References
- Gonzalez, Adam M.1; Trexler, Eric T.2. Effects of Citrulline Supplementation on Exercise Performance in Humans: A Review of the Current Literature. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 34(5):p 1480-1495, May 2020. | DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003426
- Hoffman JR, Emerson NS, Stout JR. β-Alanine supplementation. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2012 Jul-Aug;11(4):189-95. doi: 10.1249/JSR.0b013e3182604983. PMID: 22777329.
- Chen Q, Li Z, Pinho RA, Gupta RC, Ugbolue UC, Thirupathi A, Gu Y. The Dose Response of Taurine on Aerobic and Strength Exercises: A Systematic Review. Front Physiol. 2021 Aug 18;12:700352. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2021.700352. PMID: 34497536; PMCID: PMC8419774.
- IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Coffee, Tea, Mate, Methylxanthines and Methylglyoxal. Lyon (FR): International Agency for Research on Cancer; 1991. (IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, No. 51.) Theobromine. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507032/
- Pickering C, Grgic J. Caffeine and Exercise: What Next? Sports Med. 2019 Jul;49(7):1007-1030. doi: 10.1007/s40279-019-01101-0. PMID: 30977054; PMCID: PMC6548757.
- Kim, J., Lee, K. P., Lee, D. W., & Lim, K. (2017). Piperine enhances carbohydrate/fat metabolism in skeletal muscle during acute exercise in mice. Nutrition & metabolism, 14, 43. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12986-017-0194-2
- Trexler ET, Smith-Ryan AE, Stout JR, Hoffman JR, Wilborn CD, Sale C, Kreider RB, Jäger R, Earnest CP, Bannock L, Campbell B, Kalman D, Ziegenfuss TN, Antonio J. International society of sports nutrition position stand: Beta-Alanine. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015 Jul 15;12:30. doi: 10.1186/s12970-015-0090-y. PMID: 26175657; PMCID: PMC4501114.
- Chen, Q., Li, Z., Pinho, R. A., Gupta, R. C., Ugbolue, U. C., Thirupathi, A., & Gu, Y. (2021). The Dose Response of Taurine on Aerobic and Strength Exercises: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Physiology, 12, 700352. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2021.700352
- Lowery RP, Joy JM, Dudeck JE, Oliveira de Souza E, McCleary SA, Wells S, Wildman R, Wilson JM. Effects of 8 weeks of Xpand® 2X pre workout supplementation on skeletal muscle hypertrophy, lean body mass, and strength in resistance trained males. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2013 Oct 9;10(1):44. doi: 10.1186/1550-2783-10-44. PMID: 24107586; PMCID: PMC3851572.
- GMP Certification. NSF.org. https://www.nsf.org/nutrition-personal-care/gmp-certification
- Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much? U.S. Food & Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/spilling-beans-how-much-caffeine-too-much
