34
Considered
137
of Research
94
Examined
8
Interviewed
One of the lesser-known benefits of pre-workout is that it can improve your focus.
Focus is very much needed for an intense workout, and luckily, several brands have products that can help you focus.
However, not all of them have the correct dosage or combination for it to affect you.
We've been in the fitness and nutrition industry for almost a decade, and one of the questions we often get is how to choose the best product out of so many options. We understand this struggle and this is why we've put together this detailed guide based on the actual feedback of our clients.
So let's dive right in and take a close look at the best pre-workout supplements on the market and see if they can actually improve your focus.
Our Top Pre-Workouts For Focus (September 2023)
1 - Gorilla Mode Pre Workout (Editor's Choice)
While many pre workout supplements boost energy, Gorilla Mode also enhances mental clarity.
Gorilla mode contains sufficient powerful stimulants and high-dosed nootropics to improve energy and overall mood.
Caffeine, L-tyrosine, Kanna, and huperzine A work together to improve cognitive functions, sharpen focus, and elevate mood, making staying focused and avoiding distractions easier.
I take Gorilla Mode every day before my gym workout, and it always gives me an energy boost and increased stamina. Moreover, I enjoyed working out more because of the increased mental concentration from this pre workout.
- Modulates pain receptors so you can perform better
- It helps reduce stress, resulting in improved mood
- It contains piperine, which enhances absorption
- The high dose of ingredients makes it a worthwhile health investment
- Some customers dislike the taste of certain flavors
Get 10% off using coupon code: TOTALSHAPE
2 - Transparent Labs BULK Pre Workout
Transparent Labs is a very popular pre workout.
There are no artificial sweeteners, flavors, additives, or dyes. It’s a clean supplement. The brand is also known for other supplements like intra and post workout drinks.
They chose high quality ingredients that not only help with bulking up but also to help with concentrating while working out.
It has several elements that help with focusing, including N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine, L-Theanine, and Caffeine Anhydrous.
- Nothing artificial
- Vegan-friendly
- Suitable for mass building
- Not a great choice if you aren’t looking to bulk up
Great and clean supplementation to my workouts and sport’s training. Focus and intensity realized. Highly recommend!
- Christopher L., Reviewer
At 180mg per serving for caffeine, I think it gave me just the right energy boost. It helped me laser in my focus and work on improving my strength training.
Get 10% off using coupon code: TOTALSHAPE
3 - 4 Gauge
4 Gauge claims to have 4 benefits; increased strength, sharp focus, great energy boost, and intense pumps.
It has the coveted L-theanine and caffeine combo that gives you the best results for focusing. I also like how it had a high caffeine content while providing no artificial sweeteners.
They only had one flavor, Fruit Blast, but now they added two more flavors so the users can't get bored. Depending on your preferences, you can choose between the classic fruit flavor, refreshing Frozen Lemonade, or Pina Colada.
- L-theanine and caffeine ingredient combo
- Good taste
- No artificial sweeteners
- May cause an upset stomach
I liked the overall taste, and it gave me a huge energy boost that lasted for hours. See our full 4 Gauge review.
4 - NitroSurge Black Pre Workout
Let’s start with the ingredient list.
Most of the ingredient amounts are on their label. At first glance, I was happy about their dosage. The only problem I had was that it included an artificial flavor.
I tried the lemon-lime flavor. It mixed well, but I wasn’t a fan of the taste. The only other option was sour gummy, which didn’t sound appealing to me.
- Increased mental focus
- Transparent label
- Mixed well
- Has artificial flavor
- Not a fan of the taste
The pre workout kicked in anyway, and I felt like I was able to focus on my workout and give my performance some extra boost.
5 - Myth Journey Pre Workout
It contains 200mg of caffeine, which makes it one of the higher options on this list. I was disappointed that it doesn’t include L-theanine. It doesn’t have the unique combination that allows for increased focus.
It does have taurine. It could potentially help prevent caffeine jitters, but it’s not a stimulant meant for focus.
When I tried it, I got hit with energy hard and fast. I was able to push myself to put in an extra rep or two.
- Contains taurine to prevent caffeine jitters
- High caffeine content
- Improved energy
- Doesn’t have L-theanine
The taste was a little weak, but at least it’s not terrible.
6 - Cellucor C4 Original
It contains artificial colors, sweeteners, and flavors. If you are looking for a clean supplement, then this isn’t it.
If those additives don’t bother you, then let’s take a look at how it helps focus. It does have caffeine and tyrosine. It’s in a proprietary blend, though, so I can’t determine if I was getting a good dose.
Regardless, tyrosine is solely for brain function. So I was excited to try it out.
- Energizing workout
- Good amount of caffeine per serving
- Contains tyrosine
- Proprietary blends
It gave me energy, focus, and mental clarity that helped me achieve my workout goals. It’s a pre workout best for strength and focusing.
Related Article: Cellucor C4 pre-workout review
7 - ProSupps Mr. Hyde Signature Series Pre Workout
There are a lot of additives in this pre workout that can help with focus. L-theanine, caffeine, l-citrulline, and tyrosine are all present.
I like how clear their nutrition label is on their tub. It doesn’t hide any ingredient amounts in a proprietary blend.
However, it’s not a clean supplement as it contains artificial flavors, sweeteners, and colors.
- Transparent label
- Increased energy
- A lot of functional ingredients for focus
- Underdosed
- Contains a lot of artificial substances
I tried it anyway. I felt like it increased my energy but not my focus. It turns out a lot of the focus-inducing ingredients don't come in sufficient amounts.
8 - Vintage Blast Preworkout
It’s a pre workout filled will amino acids, including citrulline malate and beta alanine.
It doesn’t contain creatine though. But since I was looking for ingredients to help with focus, it being creatine-free didn’t bother me.
The only ones that I saw that could improve focusing were caffeine and tyrosine. However, the tyrosine was underdosed at 250mg.
- Increased energy and focus
- No jitters or caffeine crash
- Contains helpful amino acids
- No creatine (Which could be a pro to some people)
- Underdosed amount of tyrosine
I tried it out anyway. I got a boost of energy with no jitters or caffeine crashes. Tyrosine could have helped with that, but I'm not sure, given it's not the right amount.
9 - Alpha GX7 Preworkout
The ingredients that could help with improving focus are caffeine and L-Carnitine. I’m happy to say that they have the correct dosage for both per serving.
It does have the trifecta of artificial substances; flavor, sweetener, and color. It’s a little disappointing since it has the correct dosage I wanted.
The watermelon flavor tasted great and dissolved well. It got me in the mood to exercise.
- Correct dosage of focus-related ingredients
- Tastes great
- Boosted energy and focus
- Contains artificial substances
I felt like I was in the zone and was able to complete my workouts with a little extra energy.
10 - Tier 1 Plus Pre workout
Tier 1 has earned the trust of people like Alan Aragon and Eric Helms. I wanted to see what the big deal was, and I put this on the list of pre-workouts to try.
It has 300mg of caffeine and 3g of tyrosine per serving. It has the correct dosage for efficiency, and both are great at improving alertness and boosting mental performance.
There’s no fluff with their ingredient list as the only other ones are creatine and beta alanine.
- Proper dosage
- No filler ingredients
- Boosted energy and focus
- Not for caffeine-sensitive people
It gave me an energized workout, and I was able to focus and power through.
11 - Legion Pulse Preworkout
It has the coveted caffeine and L-theanine combination to help improve focus.
At 350mg of caffeine per serving, it can be too much for people who are sensitive to caffeine or don’t have a tolerance.
Legion Pulse does offer caffeine-free versions. However, I’m not sure if you would still get the same focus benefits.
- Caffeine and L-theanine combo
- Caffeine-free versions available
- Improved focus and energy
- Bitter taste
The Legion Pulse pre workout supplement comes in flavors like green apple and blue raspberry. A lot of people didn’t like the taste and thought it was bitter.
I had a good experience. It did what I wanted, which was to improve my energy and focus for an intense workout.
What Ingredients In Pre Workout Help With Focus?
Ingredients in a pre-workout that help with focus include tyrosine, caffeine, L-theanine, and acetyl L-carnitine. Let’s take a quick look at each one.
Tyrosine
Tyrosine is popular in workout supplements because it may help improve memory and mental alertness [1].
It sets off specific neurotransmitters in your brain that could boost mental performance. No studies suggest that it has physical benefits [2].
The recommended dosage for tyrosine is 500mg. I notice that some pre workout supplements underdose this amino acid, so be aware of how much you are getting in each serving.
Caffeine
Caffeine has numerous benefits related to mental focus, including:
- Improved mood
- Increased mental function
- Improved alertness
- Better short-term recall
- Quicker reaction time
- Decrease the likelihood of depression
The recommended daily intake is between 200-400 mg. Anything more than that is considered unsafe by the USDA [3]. It is also one of the main additives for thermogenic pre-workouts and organic pre-workouts.
If you're sensitive to caffeine, you can try stimulant-free supplements instead. This ensures you won't suffer from any side effects, such as jitteriness and sleeplessness at night. Otherwise, you might negate all the positive effects listed above.
L-Theanine
When it comes to focusing, L-Theanine is best friends with caffeine.
One study says that this combination can help people focus better, feel more alert, and less tired [4].
There is no exact recommended dosage since there isn’t much research on it.
However, most studies used doses in the range of 97-400 mg per day.
Acetyl L-Carnitine
There are many forms of L-Carnitine, but the acetyl L-Carnitine version may be best for your brain.
Some early studies have suggested that acetyl L-Carnitine can help improve markers of learning [5].
Overall, it’s a great option to improve brain health.
The recommended dose for acetyl L-Carnitine ranges from 500-2,000mg per day.
How Does Pre Workout Help With Focus?
A pre-workout helps with focus by delivering brain-boosting ingredients such as caffeine, tyrosine, and acetyl L-carnitine.
Pre-workout supplements are usually known for giving you an energy boost and improving your muscle growth.
It can help increase your alertness and make you more focused on your tasks.
What Are The Other Benefits Of Pre-workout?
Other benefits of pre-workout supplements are:
- Improving exercise performance
- Increasing fat loss
- Building muscle mass
- Improving recovery time
- Producing nitric oxide, which improves blood flow. (A better blood flow means oxygen and other nutrients are carried through the body quicker. L-citrulline malate is the amino acid that causes this reaction.)
People take pre-workouts to help their workout routine. It can improve energy levels, which leads to you meeting your physical goals- regardless if it’s to gain muscles or lose weight.
Does Drinking Coffee Have The Same Benefits?
Drinking coffee doesn't have the same benefits, but it’s quite similar to a pre-workout supplement.
Coffee has caffeine, which can certainly aid in improving alertness and increasing energy. However, it lacks other ingredients that aid focus like L-theanine.
Pre-workouts also tend to have high caffeine content, especially compared to coffee or green tea. So, if you're caffeine-sensitive, consider avoiding coffee if you're taking pre-workout after. Otherwise, you might find yourself feeling too jittery or unable to sleep later on.
One of the key advantages of pre-workout supplements is their ability to enhance exercise performance. These supplements often contain ingredients that promote focus, stamina, and energy levels, which can positively impact physical performance during workouts.
Moreover, certain pre-workout powders include ingredients like green tea extract, which has been linked to improved exercise endurance and fat oxidation.
By increasing fat loss and supporting muscle building, pre-workout supplements can aid individuals in achieving their fitness objectives, whether it's gaining muscle mass or losing weight.
Additionally, the production of nitric oxide through amino acids like L-citrulline malate enhances blood flow, ensuring that oxygen and nutrients reach the muscles more efficiently, ultimately benefiting workout performance and post-exercise recovery.
What Are The Side Effects Of Pre-Workouts?
The side effects of pre-workout supplements include the following:
- Tingling sensation - This is caused by the ingredient beta-alanine. However, this isn’t a real cause for concern as it’s only temporary.
- Trouble sleeping - If you take a pre-workout with stimulants close to bedtime, you may have difficulty falling asleep at night.
- High blood pressure, dehydration, and digestive issues - These side effects may be experienced if you don’t follow the recommended dosage or you are sensitive to one of its ingredients.
Caffeine consumption and its effects are individual and are based upon gender, body mass, age, certain medications, and health conditions such as anxiety disorders.
- Toby Smithson, LDN, CDE
Other Resources You May Like:
FAQs
Does Pre Workout Increase Focus?
Yes, pre workouts can increase energy and focus. It has energy ingredients like caffeine and L-theanine that are scientifically proven to help improve brain function. They also include other benefits that can improve your workouts like potential weight loss, increase workout intensity, and support healthy muscles.
When Should I Take Pre Workout?
You should take pre workouts about 15-30 minutes before exercising. It allows enough time for your body to digest it and get into your system. It may take some experimenting to determine the best pre workout time for you.
How Long Does Pre Workout Last?
Pre workouts can last 3-6 hours, but on average, it lasts between 1-2 hours. There are a lot of variables that can change this time frame like ingredients, diet, training intensity, and what you did as a workout.
Is Pre Workout Bad For Your Health?
No. Pre workouts aren’t bad for your health as long as you take the recommended dosage. However, note that taking too much caffeine or other stimulating ingredients can lead to potential adverse effects. I would also recommend taking occasional breaks from pre-workout. Your body can create tolerance, so it’s ideal to have a break so you can still get the same positive benefits.
Does Pre Workout Make You Gain Weight?
Yes, pre-workout can make you gain weight, but it’s not as bad as it sounds. There are usually two culprits to weight gain:
- Increased water retention. Creatine is a common ingredient in pre workouts, but it also leads to muscles holding onto water. The water retention leads to weight gain.
- Increased muscle mass. Some people think the weight gain is from fat, but it’s more likely to be muscle. Pre workout ingredients help produce muscle, which naturally leads to weight gain.
Does Pre Workout Increase Muscle?
Yes, pre workouts can increase muscle. A lot of ingredients like creatine and beta-alanine can give you more strength. Of course, pre-workout alone can’t give you muscles. You also need a proper nutritional diet and an effective fitness routine. It does aid in the process of increasing muscle growth when used correctly.
Is It Okay To Take Pre Workout Every Day?
No. It’s not okay to take pre workout every day. If you have a rest day, then you don’t have to take it. Some people suggest that taking pre workout on a rest day can help with the muscle recovery process. I would recommend adequate hydration, sleep, and a proper diet to help with muscle recovery.
What is The Best Pre Workout For Focus?
After conducting a comparative analysis, our entire team determined that Gorilla Mode was the best pre-workout supplement to improve focus.
Many of the supplements on the list do not have more than two ingredients for enhancing focus and alertness, and some still contain a low dosage.
With Gorilla mode, you get a powerful stimulant complex with high dose Caffeine and N-Phenethyl Dimethylamine Citrate, as well as L-Tyrosine, Kanna, and Huperzine A as cognitive enhancing ingredients to improve your concentration, mood, and mindset.
All of the ingredients are also in reasonable proportions.
So, if you want to improve mental concentration to improve your workout, I recommend trying Gorilla Mode. Click here to visit the official website.
Our #1 Recommendation
Gorilla Mode Pre Workout
- Modulates pain receptors so you can perform better
- It helps reduce stress, resulting in improved mood
- It contains piperine, which enhances absorption
- The high dose of ingredients makes it a worthwhile health investment
- Get 10% off using code: TOTALSHAPE
- Some customers dislike the taste of certain flavors
About The Author
You May Also Like
Does pre-workout help you really focus?
I hope you’ll have a list of the best pre-workout for strength too, soon!