29
Considered
162
of Research
100
Examined
12
Interviewed
While the supplement industry has come a long way in the last 10 years when it comes to texture and flavor, there are still a lot of pretty nasty tasting products out there.
Of course, it’s not all about flavor.
The supplement still has to do what it claims it does, but we shouldn’t have to drink these shakes while pinching our nose, right?
So, our team here at Total Shape decided to set up an elaborate taste test of more than 40 different pre-workout supplements. It was a fun experience and has given us a list of the best tasting pre workout supplements to share with you.
Top 10 Pre-Workouts That Taste The Best (September 2023)
1 - Gorilla Mode Pre-Workout (Editor's Choice)
After a heated debate and the editor's vote, we all agreed that Gorilla Mode was the best-tasting pre-workout supplement.
Despite the limited flavor options, Gorilla Mode never failed to keep me hooked, and the online reviews regarding the taste are pretty impressive.
I especially liked Bombsicle pre-workout since it allows me to enjoy a more extreme version of a popsicle without the associated guilt with the cold dessert.
Of course, it has also shown great results with our client's fitness goals because of its formula designed to boost energy, mental focus, and endurance.
- L-Citrulline : 4500mg
- Creatine Monohydrate : 2500mg
- Caffeine : 175mg
- Claims to have a nitric oxide boosting formula
- High dose of caffeine may help with mental focus and fat burning
- Many positive comments about good endurance and energy boost
- Good feedback on the available flavors
- More flavor options would be great
Get 10% off using coupon code: TOTALSHAPE
2 - Transparent Labs Pre-Workout
Because Transparent Labs only uses natural ingredients, it’s a vegan friendly pre-workout and you’ll find that it tastes great unlike many other products.
I also like that this natural pre-workout is not too powerful on the stimulant side of things.
Available in a good selection of flavors like green apple, I would just suggest adding a bit more water, so it’s not overpowering.
- L-Citrulline : 6000mg
- BCAA's : 2000mg
- Caffeine : 180mg
- Has no artificial additives or flavors
- Contains a broad range of amino acids including BCAAs
- Flavors like green apple and blue raspberry are quite refreshing
- A moderate dose of stimulants may help to avoid the jitters
- You may want to mix each scoop with a bit more liquid for a less powerful flavor
Get 10% off using coupon code: TOTALSHAPE
3 - 4 Gauge Pre-Workout
Another personal favorite that made it to this list of best tasting pre-workout supplements is 4 Gauge. It’s marketed mainly for pump and power, so the fact that it tastes better than most pre-workouts is a bonus.
The blend of ingredients promotes better blood flow during workouts, which means improved oxygen delivery, which results in bigger gains fat loss [1].
There are no artificial sweeteners and the pre-workout formula dosages are transparent, so you know exactly what you’re getting with 4 Gauge pre-workouts.
- L-Citrulline : 6000mg
- Creatine Monohydrate : 1000mg
- Acetyl L-Carnitine : 500mg
- Has a good amount of citrulline and creatine for better pump
- Contains caffeine and l-theanine for energy and mental focus
- Ideal for strength and endurance training
- Void of artificial flavorings
- Not suitable if you’re sensitive to caffeine
4 - NITROSURGE Pre-Workout
This best pre-workout is favored by most of my bodybuilder clients for the strong pump effect it claims to have.
There is a good selection of tastes, and I would recommend trying the fruit punch one first.
The only downside is that there are some artificial flavors involved.
Check out our Nitrosurge review.
- L-Citrulline : 3000mg
- Beta Alanine : 1600mg
- Caffeine : 180mg
- Good reactions from bodybuilders about the increased pump effect
- Added beta alanine may help with reducing muscle fatigue
- Combination of caffeine and L-theanine may boost mental focus
- Available in tasty flavors (watermelon and fruit punch are a favorite)
- It does have some artificial ingredients
5 - Cobra Labs The Curse Pre-Workout
Cobra Labs stood out for me as there were quite a few reports of its pre-workouts combining fast-acting with best-tasting characteristics.
From my teams’ feedback, the pre-workout has helped with workout stamina, and the available tastes are pretty refreshing, I have to say.
Personally, I get annoyed when I see proprietary blends in pre-workouts, but it does seem to work well.
- L-Citrulline : 900mg
- Creatine Monohydrate : 3000mg
- Caffeine : 155mg
- Claims to target mental energy focus
- Available in large tubs of 50 servings
- Positive comments about the fast-acting effects
- Green apple is refreshing and mixes easily
- Details about the blend of ingredients are proprietary
6 - MusclePharm Assault Sport Pre-Workout
This seems to have become the best pre-workout favored by professionals.
It does have a lot of stimulants, but more importantly, it’s tested for banned substances.
I find most pre-workout flavors either chalky or unappealing, but the watermelon flavor of this one is pleasantly different. It hits the perfect amount of sweetness.
With added vitamins, it’s also more than just one of the best tasting pre-workout product choices.
- Beta Alanine : 1750mg
- Creatine Monohydrate : 3000mg
- Caffeine : 250mg
- Favored by many professional athletes for the strong stimulant effect
- Includes added vitamins to support healthy muscle function
- Tested for banned substances
- A good dose of creatine that may help increase stamina
- Caffeine and taurine combination may be a bit much if you’re sensitive to stimulants
7 - Cellucor C4 Extreme Energy Pre-Workout
I’ve used Cellucor pre-workout a few times when I needed that motivation for a tough gym session.
What I like is that it mixes fast and doesn’t taste too overpowering.
Just keep in mind that not all the flavors are naturally sourced.
Check out the Full Buyer's Guide for Cellucor C4 Pre-Workout.
- L-Citrulline : 1000mg
- Creatine Nitrate : 1000mg
- A strong dose of caffeine may help with motivation and fat loss
- Easy to shake into a smooth texture
- A completely sugar-free option that may reduce the impact on diets
- Many positive comments about the blue razz flavor
- It does contain some artificial flavors
8 - Jym Pre-Workout
What we like about this product is the low sugar and calorie amounts.
Sugar is something that is often used just to make things tastier.
One thing you need to keep in mind, though, is that there’s a lot of caffeine that most our trial participants report makes them jittery.
- Beta Alanine : 2000mg
- Creatine Monohydrate : 2000mg
- L-Citrulline : 6000mg
- 6 grams of BCAAs per serving
- Low in sugar and calories to not mess up your diet
- Nice flavor options available to mix things up a bit
- Contains only natural flavors for more natural taste
- High dose of stimulants may leave you jittery
9 - Evlution Nutrition ENGN Pre-Workout
It’s nice to see a pre-workout supplement that also has important vitamins alongside the protein sources, as this is something often overlooked from a muscle function point of view.
Definitely give the blue raz a try, as it seems to be the most popular based on the comments I read.
I just wish that the company would be open about the exact blend details.
In terms of taste and mixability, I particularly enjoyed the cherry limeade flavor. However, there are four other flavors, designed to suit different preferences..
- Beta Alanine : 1600mg
- Creatine Monohydrate : 2000mg
- Combines creatine and beta alanine for endurance and power
- Added vitamins that may support better performance
- Good reports about mental stamina from caffeine
- Largest selection of flavors on the market
- Some ingredients are hidden behind a proprietary blend
10 - BPI Sports 1.M.R Strength Series Pre-Workout
Considered the best for pre workout stamina boosts in the bodybuilding niche, it’s good to see that it’s not overly reliant on stimulants.
It’s more the carnitine and citrulline that may create natural power boosts [2,3].
The only thing I found is that the pre-workout sometimes remains a little bit grainy after shaking.
- L-Citrulline : 3000mg
- Caffeine : 250mg
- Combination of carnitine and citrulline for powerful muscle pump
- Claims to improve your stamina at the gym
- Rainbow ice flavor is refreshing
- A moderate dose of caffeine may reduce jitters
- The texture could be improved a little bit
Most Important Things To Look For When Choosing Pre Workouts
A good quality pre-workout supplement contains only natural ingredients that are backed by science.
Here are some of the more important ones that my dietitian mentioned we should focus on.
1 - L-Citrulline
Most pre-workout supplements contain some of it, and anything above 4 grams should increase nitric oxide levels [4]. This may have the positive effect of increasing blood flow to deliver more oxygen and energy to muscles. It gets your pumps on.
The best L- Citrulline supplement we've found is from a brand called BulkSupplements.
B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), B7 (biotin), and B12 (cobalamin), each essential for overall health but become even more important when you're actively trying to grow muscle and get stronger,
- Charlotte Hilton Andersen, Health & Diet Writer
2 - Beta-Alanine
Several clinical trials have shown that exercise and training results could be improved with a regular dose of beta-alanine [5]. If you see it on a nutrition formula label with at least 1 to 2 grams, then you could be onto a decent choice for pre-workouts.
The best Beta-Alanine supplement we've found is from a brand called Nutricost.
3 - Creatine
This has been shown to help with resistance training by allowing test subjects to work harder for longer in high-intensity training sessions [6].
The best creatine supplement we've found is from a brand called Transparent Labs.
4 - Vitamins
So many pre-workouts these days completely underestimate the need for vitamins in regular and exercise muscle function. Look out for things like B6 and B12, but vitamin D boosts may also help [7,8].
The best multivitamin supplement we've found is from a brand called Performance Lab.
5 - Stimulants
Yes, you could just have a few cups of coffee to get your brain in gear, but it’s much easier in concentrated form in a supplement [9]. Just make sure you don’t overstimulate late in the day, or you could end up with a sleepless night.
Otherwise, find a stimulant-free pre-workout to avoid these issues. The good news is that most of the best-tasting pre-workouts have stim-free versions that cater to people with caffeine sensitivity. Check your favorite brand and see whether they offer these products.
Other Resources:
Pre-Workout Supplements Vs. Meals
Many professional athletes will aim to get as many nutrients as possible from a good pre-workout meal. The problem is that some of the proteins, like BCAAs, would require quite a large meal to get the total boost needed.
And hitting the gym on a full stomach might not be a great idea.
With the above reviews, you have product choices that taste good, won’t make you feel full, and a formula that may provide you all the nutrients in a condensed and easily absorbed form.
Diving into the world of pre-workouts, you will find a multitude of flavors and ingredients. Pre-workout formulas generally include common ingredients like caffeine, creatine, beta-alanine, and amino acids for energy, strength, endurance, and muscle growth [10].
Choosing the best-tasting pre-workouts becomes a personal preference. Some prefer traditional flavors like fruit punch and blue raspberry, while others lean towards more exotic pre-workout flavors like green apple and orange mango.
The key is to find a balance between a formula that contains all the essential nutrients you need for an intense workout and a flavor that you can tolerate, or even enjoy. After all, a pre-workout that tastes great and aligns with your fitness goals can become an essential part of your fitness journey. From fruit flavors to exotic blends, the best-tasting pre-workouts not only fuel your workout but also make your pre-workout routine more enjoyable.
Can You Take Both Pre-Workout And Post-workout Supplements?
Yes, you can take both pre-workout and post-workout supplements, and in many cases, that may actually be a very sensible choice to make.
The pre workouts aim to make you get more out of your time at the gym, but this may also mean that your muscles could be considerably stiffer.
By taking a post-workout protein, you could speed up the recovery process as well.
It’s certainly an approach that is recommended in the bodybuilding industry, so if you want to see some faster bulking, definitely give it a try.
FAQs
Does L-Citrulline Taste Bad?
No, L-citrulline doesn’t taste bad. It is tasteless, odorless, and non-hygroscopic. This means that it won't affect the flavor of your beverages or foods when added to them.
What Pre-Workouts Taste the Best?
Pre-workouts that taste the best are Gorilla Mode, Transparent Labs, 4 Gauge, and NITROSURGE.
Our #1 Best Tasting Pre-Workout
Of all the pre-workout supplements we’ve tried, the one we all agreed satisfied our taste buds is the Gorilla Mode pre-workout. Not only that, but it boosts energy and endurance for our workouts.
With caffeine, L-Citrulline, and creatine, Gorilla Mode allows you to have longer workouts. These ingredients promote a boost in energy and blood flow to the muscles.
Let us know how it works out for you by joining the conversation on social media.
Our #1 Best Tasting Pre-Workout
Gorilla Mode Pre-Workout
- Claims to have a nitric oxide boosting formula
- High dose of caffeine may help with mental focus and fat burning
- Many positive comments about good endurance and energy boost
- Good feedback on the available flavors
- Get 10% off using code: TOTALSHAPE
- More flavor options would be great
About The Author
You May Also Like
The best-flavored pre-workout for me is Jym Pre-Workout since the taste is so natural.
I wonder what’s the best pre-workout flavor for others. Mine is pineapple mango. Yum!
Appreciate the detailed list, always looking for free workout supplement options. Focusing on the benefits helps optimize performance, looking forward to giving these a try.