The Best Pre-Workouts Of 2025, Plus Expert Tips To Pick The Right Blend
Pre-workout—a nutritional supplement that can boost energy, improve athletic performance, ease muscle fatigue and speed up recovery—is a product class that tends to make bold claims on its effectiveness yet has minimal regulation. That makes figuring out the safest and most appropriate blend for you a little tricky. To learn more about the best pre-workouts and pinpoint reliable options for athletes with different needs, I consulted with a dietitian and personal trainer for their expert insights. Based on their guidance and my extensive research, I found that Transparent Labs' Bulk Pre-Workout is the best option for most people—it's made with quality ingredients and independently tested to meet stringent safety standards.
Build muscle, boost energy and so much more with the best pre-workouts.
When you're shopping for pre-workout, you'll want to start by considering your fitness goals, caffeine tolerance and any dietary restrictions. From there, look for key ingredients like beta-alanine, creatine and L-citrulline—all amino acids or amino-acid compounds that support endurance, muscle building and blood-flow improvements, respectively—to ensure that the formulas meet your needs. And finally, think about additional details like the presence of natural versus artificial components, variety of flavors and their taste, and cost per serving. With all that in mind, below you'll find some of the best pre-workouts of 2025, whether you're lifting, endurance training or looking for a boost of energy.
Amazon
Caffeine per serving: 200 milligrams | Serving size: 1 scoop (20.7 grams) | Key ingredients: Caffeine, beta-alanine, L-theanine, citrulline mallate | Servings per container: 30 | Dietary considerations: Vegan, gluten-free
Transparent Labs Bulk Pre-Workout is a good option for most people: It has a bit less caffeine than other options in this guide, but you still get the energy you need for a workout, minus the intense jitters or crash when you're done. It also includes beta-alanine to support endurance, as well as L-theanine, an amino acid that's said to promote relaxation, to manage any caffeine-induced 'wired' sensations.
What really makes Bulk stand out, though, is the brand's commitment to transparency. Transparent Labs clearly labels all ingredients in this formula and doesn't use any artificial flavors or sweeteners (instead, Bulk is sweetened with stevia). These ingredients are also third-party purity tested and verified for efficacy, and the results are clearly published on the brand's website. Fortunately, you don't have to pay a premium for that degree of transparency—at just $1.66 per serving, the peace of mind that comes from clean ingredients, clear labeling and high safety standards is very accessible.
Amazon
Caffeine per serving: 175 milligrams | Serving size: 1 scoop (10 grams) | Key ingredients: Caffeine, creatine, beta-alanine, L-citrulline, L-tyrosine | Servings per container: 30 | Dietary considerations: Not vegan-friendly
Coming from one of the more trusted names in the supplement industry, Optimum Nutrition's Gold Standard Pre-Workout delivers a solid blend of muscle-building ingredients. It contains beta-alanine, L-citrulline, L-tyrosine and creatine monohydrate—all the staples we look for in a well-rounded blend to support endurance and boost strength. And that last ingredient, creatine monohydrate, is especially important because it provides muscles with more energy and allows you to train harder. It's also relatively low in caffeine (175mg per serving), which helps lessen the jittery feelings and energy crash you might get from a more intense blend. Notably, this formula is nearly half the price of our best overall pick, Transparent Labs Bulk, though it also has slightly lower levels of key ingredients like beta-alanine. A single serving costs just $0.83, making it the most wallet-friendly blend in this guide.
In terms of downsides, there are a couple: For one thing, 175mg of caffeine might not be enough if you're used to stronger formulas; if that's the case and you opt for this formula, you might need to tweak your routine by adding a cup of coffee or timing carbs from food to get a natural energy boost. There are also some artificial flavors in this product, including sucralose as a sweetener. That said, overall, this is a well-balanced pre-workout that supports muscle gain from a brand with a solid track record in the supplements space.
Amazon
Caffeine per serving: N/A | Serving size: 1 scoop (20.4 grams) | Key ingredients: Citrulline malate, beta-alanine, L-tyrosine | Servings per container: 30 | Dietary considerations: Not vegan-friendly, gluten-free
For a pre-workout that delivers performance benefits without caffeine, consider the Stim-Free Pre-Workout from Transparent Labs. Designed for those who train in the evening (so caffeine doesn't affect nighttime sleep) or are sensitive to stimulants, this formula packs in a number of other worthy ingredients to boost energy and improve performance: citrulline malate for enhanced blood flow, beta-alanine for endurance and L-tyrosine to promote focus and mental clarity. Plus, it's naturally flavored and sweetened with stevia, and colored with beetroot powder, which studies have shown can also improve athletic performance.
This formula costs $1.67 per serving, which is a bit more than budget options like Optimum Nutrition's Gold Standard Blend, but it's still fairly priced for a stim-free formula that maintains quality via natural ingredients and third-party testing. If you're after a similar non-stim blend that's clean and costs a bit less ($1.15 per serving when it's on sale), Legion Pulse Pre-Workout may be a good option to explore.
Amazon
Caffeine per serving: 350 milligrams | Serving size: 2 scoops (24 grams) | Key ingredients: Caffeine, citrulline malate, L-theanine | Servings per container: 20 | Dietary considerations: Not vegan-friendly, gluten-free
Legion Pulse Pre-Workout is a great choice for those who value performance and flavor variety. With a vast selection of naturally-sweetened flavors to choose from, like fruit punch, blue raspberry, sour candy and tropical kiwi, there's a taste for just about every preference. You can find it in caffeine and caffeine-free versions, which is nice to see for those who workout late or don't want stimulants. Packed with ingredients like citrulline malate to promote anaerobic performance and relieve muscle fatigue, beta-alanine for endurance and L-theanine to help manage energy, it delivers a well-rounded experience for tough workouts.
With that said, it's not the cheapest option—a serving costs $2.25 if you can't find it on sale, which makes it one of the more expensive pre-workouts in this guide. And while the natural flavors help keep the formula clean, they can also alter the taste. You may need to find a flavor you like or just get used to the muted and slightly bitter aftertaste. Still, if you're looking for a versatile product with a lot of flavor and formula options, Legion is a solid way to go.
Amazon
Caffeine per serving: 300 milligrams | Serving size: 1 scoop (15.8 grams) | Key ingredients: Caffeine, beta-alanine, L-citrulline, L-arginine | Servings per container: 20 | Dietary considerations: Vegan-friendly, keto, gluten-free
Cellucor C4 Ultimate Shred Pre-Workout is great if you're looking to lose weight, but it's important to note this formula isn't a magic fat burner—that's just not how pre-workout works. Instead, it provides energy that helps you focus and power through tough workouts, so you can train harder, stay consistent and burn more calories over time. With 300mg of caffeine per serving, it's on the stronger side, making it a good option for early-morning workouts or high-intensity sessions when you need that extra push.
Because this blend contains ginger and cayenne, some reviews note that it's a bit spicy going down, but the heat isn't overwhelming. It's also expensive, at $2.75 per serving when it isn't on sale, so it'd be nice to see the brand increase the total servings per container from 20 to 30. Ultimately, though, it's a useful pre-workout to fuel intense sessions and support any weight-loss goals you may have.
Amazon
Caffeine per serving: 300 milligrams | Serving size: 1 scoop (21.5 grams) | Key ingredients: Caffeine, L-citrulline, beta-alanine | Servings per container: 30 | Dietary considerations: Vegan-friendly, gluten-free
If you've ever asked about the best flavors in the supplement space, you've probably heard of Ghost because they're known for getting flavors right. The Ghost Legend Pre-Workout leans heavily into candy-inspired flavors, like Swedish Fish, Sonic Cherry Limeade, Warheads Sour Watermelon and Sour Patch Kids Redberry, all of which taste like the real thing.
Beyond flavors, Ghost Legend isn't lacking in the performance department, either. Each scoop contains 300mg of caffeine for energy, along with ingredients like L-citrulline for muscle recovery and beta-alanine for endurance. You'll definitely feel the classic tingling sensation due to the beta-alanine, but it's manageable. And at $1.50 per serving, you don't wind up paying a premium for access to name-brand tastes. Ultimately, if flavors matter as much as function and you want a blend that you'll actually look forward to drinking, Ghost Legend is as tasty as they come.
The Forbes Vetted gear team writes and regularly updates a vast library of health and wellness guides. From supplements like protein powders to recovery tools, we evaluate products and break down complex topics in the fitness space to help you make more informed decisions.
We pulled back the curtain and took a closer look at what goes into an effective, transparent pre-workout blend, keeping these key factors in mind:
When it comes to finding the ideal pre-workout, there are a few key variables to keep in mind. Look beyond the flashy labels and bold claims, and consider your goals, ingredients and other details, like taste and cost per serving. Here's how to break it down:
Pre-workouts contain a lot of hard-to-pronounce ingredients, and these are rarely the same from one blend to the next. With that said, here are some of the most common and effective ingredients, and what they do:
Beyond the individual ingredients, you should also consider how they're blended. According to Ramos Jr., there are a few key ingredients many pre-workouts have in common for optimal efficacy: 'A solid pre-workout includes caffeine (for energy), creatine (for power) and citrulline malate (for blood flow).'
Of course, the ratio of these ingredients matters, too, to ensure these formulas are safe and can help you reach your specific fitness goals. It's important to prioritize products that clearly label their ingredients (whether natural or artificial) and list the specific amounts of each. On the flip-side, Ramos Jr. explains, users should 'be cautious of products that hide dosages behind proprietary blends—those are often under-dosed or packed with unnecessary fillers."
Caffeine is an important ingredient in most pre-workouts, but not everyone reacts to it in the same way. If you're sensitive to stimulants or prefer to exercise in the evening, low-stim or stim-free pre-workouts will be a better option, as these contain little to no caffeine.
On the other hand, if you'd like to take advantage of the energy and motivation that caffeine can provide, simply look for pre-workouts that contain it. Most formulas contain 150 to 300 milligrams of caffeine per serving, which equates to between one and three cups of coffee. Just be aware of the potential side effects, like jitters or trouble falling asleep.
It's easy to look at the many pre-workouts on the market and assume they're all the same, but different ingredients set each one apart, and the one that's right for you depends on your goals. Here are the primary reasons people reach for pre-workout, and what to look for based on your needs.
There are plenty of other variables to consider if you're looking to use pre-workout, but the biggest ones are usually taste, cost and dietary restrictions.
If a pre-workout doesn't taste good, you probably won't want to consume it, so it's worth looking for options that you'll actually enjoy by considering the different available flavors for each brand. On another note, if you follow a plant-based diet or have specific allergies, you'll want to look out for formulas that match your needs: For example, some of the amino acid compounds found in pre-workouts, including several of the options here, are derived from animal products and thus are not vegan-friendly.
Beyond taste, it's worth looking at the cost per serving—some tubs of pre-workout may look affordable, but in reality, they often contain fewer servings or weaker ingredients. A good pre-workout should strike a balance between performance, flavor and overall value.
And finally, if pre-workouts simply don't agree with your body? 'Natural alternatives work great too: bananas, honey, oatmeal, sweet potatoes and water [with a sprinkle of Himalayan pink salt] can all provide clean fuel,' says Ramos Jr.
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