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Pre-workout supplements help boost performance, energy and focus in the gym – as long as you know what you’re putting in your body.

You See, pre-workout supplements aren’t as regulated by the FDA the way pharmaceutical medicines are. That means, while supplement companies can test ingredients to prove that they effective, there are still many concerns over the quality and effect these ingredients can have on the body, if not taken in proper doses. That’s why the workout community depends on its own members to share any reviews, information and experiences they have.

So here are our seven tried-and-tested pre-workout supplements. Links to ingredients and buying info can be found at the end of each section. You can also check out this ranked list of pre-workout supplements by SupplementReviews.com.

PRE Stim-Free by Nutrabio

Why we like it. It’s a stimulant-free pre-workout alternative for those sensitive to ingredients like caffeine or who hit the gym late at night. We like that there are no proprietary blends and that there’s full label disclosure. There’s also more of a focus on hydration, with the added electrolytes, so you won’t find yourself having to hit the water bottle so often.

What’s in it: https://www.bodybuilding.com/store/nutrabio/pre-stim-free.html

VaporX5™ Next Gen by Muscletech

Why we like it. Affordable and effective, with no under dosed ingredients or fillers. A very noticeable increase in strength and energy. Gives you long-lasting, solid energy, which makes it great for morning or lunchtime workouts. Little to no tolerance buildup.

What’s in it: https://www.bodybuilding.com/store/muscletech/vapor-x5-next-gen-pre-workout.html

Pre-Kaged™ by Kaged Muscle

Why we like it. Pre-Kaged targets the mind-to-muscle connection, energizing your brain and shocking your muscles into anabolic overdrive to help you crush personal records and workout plateaus. We also like the full label disclosure, free of banned substances, no artificial flavors or colors (yet all four natural fruit flavors are awesome). It’s also third-party tested to guarantee that what’s on the label is in the bottle.

What’s in it: https://www.bodybuilding.com/store/kaged-muscle/pre-kaged.html

Total War by Redcon1

Why we like it. The new Total War formula, without the DMHA, keeps the caffeine and higenamine the same, ups the Eria jarensis, adds naringin, replaces alpha Yohimbine with regular Yohimbine and also adds n-coumaroyl dopamine. It gives you a great blend of razor-sharp focus, almost-immediate, hard-hitting energy and pump with no vicious crashes. It also helps you get through high-intensity workouts with shorter rest periods in between. It’s not for the faint of heart, but for the serious athlete or gym goer who expects to perform at the highest level.  

What’s in it: https://www.bodybuilding.com/store/redcon1/total-war.html

Outlift® Amped by Nutrex Research

Why we like it. There are several improvements over the original Outlift® and it offers more stims. The MagnaPower™ creatine magnesium chelate adds magnesium – which aids in 325 enzymatic reactions, including the synthesis of fat, protein and nucleic acids, neurological activity, muscular contraction and relaxation, cardiac activity and bone metabolism. The creatine magnesium chelate also doesn’t give you the bloating some people experience with creatine monohydrate, which was in the original Outlift. Another addition, Kaff2 Citrate 50.2% (yielding 200 mg of caffeine), is an additional source of caffeine over the original – but one that burns slower, so you don’t amp up all at once and then crash. Another addition is theacrine (as TeaCrine®), a stimulant with a mood-boosting, soreness-reducing effect. Finally, the addition of rauwoiscine enhances blood pressure control, thermogenesis and fat utilization.  

What’s in it: https://www.bodybuilding.com/store/nutrex/outlift.html

Pre F0 by Magnum Nutraceuticals

Why we like it. The pumps on this are awesome. Plus, the dosing and mixture of ingredients is powerful, so you don’t need to increase your dosing after just one day. It also doesn’t make you crash or make you drowsy before that second lift or cardio session.

What’s in it: https://www.supplements.co.nz/products/magnum-pre4-50-servings

Loco by Myoblox

Why we like it.  Allows you to get fired up and hammer out some tough workouts, while keeping you buzzing and not letting you crash. Consistent energy and kick to help you make the most out of your workouts.

What’s in it: https://suppz.com/loco-myoblox.html