INTRODUCTION TO PRE-WORKOUTS Welcome to the ultimate 2017 guide to pre-workouts, where weâll discuss anything and everything pre-workout-related, including: How does a pre-workout supplement work Why you should take pre-workout supplements When to take pre-workout supplements What the main pre-workout ingredients are âŚand more! This guideâs purpose is to introduce you to the ingredients these products feature, what those ingredients do to the body, and how to combine different pre-workout products for optimal results. In addition to that, weâll also discuss the chemical structure of different ingredients, side effects, recommended dosages, how and when to take pre-workouts, natural & artificial flavours (including the difference between them), and more. Finally, weâll compare different pre-workout products and grade them in accordance with the results we got back from our extensive testing. What we found out may surprise you. How does a pre-workout supplement work? Pre-workouts are a novel concept. They were developed to help athletes reach their maximum potential whilst training. In the meantime, however, much research has been done â showing us that certain pre-workout blends can also be consumed by individuals looking to improve their overall health â not just necessarily for professional athletes. So, whether youâre a professional lifter, sprinter, Olympian, or just an office patron looking to get fit and stay in shape â pre-workouts CAN help you achieve your goals. What do pre-workouts do to your body? Supplementing with a pre-workout leads to many benefits for the human body, including: Improved performance Increased strength Decreased muscle breakdown during strenuous workout sessions Increased stamina Increased endurance Increased protein synthesis Improved delivery of nutrients Improved focus and energy Increased metabolic rate (burning fat) Putting hormones in check As you can tell, pre-workout supplementation can be beneficial for anyone: regardless of their goals and training programs. The right approach to pre-workout supplementation can make or break your body, sort of speaking. Miss a scoop, and your energy levels may suddenly become zapped in the middle of a rep. Take too much of a pre-workout, and your sleep patterns will probably jump all over the place, thus making you fatigued and grumpy the next morning. Needless to say, you have to strike an optimal balance between energy, strength, focus, and stamina, and weâre here to help you do just that. What do pre-workout supplements feel like? Do you know those feelings of excitement, feel-good greatness, and additional strength to crush those workout pumps like never before? Thatâs what training on a pre-workout supplement feels like. Of course, you may occasionally have days when a pre-workout isnât even needed â when youâre packing so much energy in your body that a single gym session just simply isnât going to cut it for you. Unfortunately, those days may be far and few between â being that you cannot plan ahead to have the greatest working session ever. There is hope, however. By meticulous planning and the right amount of pre-workout supplementation â you can train your mind before training your body. This way, not only will you get the best of both worlds â but youâll also take matters into your own hands. Continue below to find out how to chisel your body to perfection and prove the naysayers wrong. What are the main ingredients in pre-workout supplements? Usually, pre-workout supplements will have some sort of combination of the following ingredients, with slight variations from one product to another: Creatine Monohydrate Taurine BCAAs (branched chain amino acids, Leucine, Isoleucine, and Valine. Whey Protein Carbohydrates Caffeine Tyrosine Beta-Alanine Citrulline Malate Anti-Oxidants (Protectors of the muscles) Vitamin E Alpha Lipoic Acid N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) Other Weâll get into each of these ingredients next. PRE-WORKOUT INGREDIENTS: EXPLAINED Power & Strength If you are training for strength, then you should be on the lookout for pre-workouts that contain these particular ingredients as follows. They will help you immensely in improving your overall strength â meaning youâll have more power, a stronger body, and increased progress whenever you decide to hit the gym. Creatine Monohydrate Creatine Monohydrate is a very popular supplement among athletes, mainly because itâs the most cost-effective supplement when it comes to strength and mass gains. creatine is known as a nutritional sports ergogenic, and also a physiological sports ergogenic â meaning it improves athletic performance, removes pre-existing psychological barriers, and increases recovery speed after intense workout sessions. For a supplement to be an ergogenic aid, it has to be legal. creatine monohydrate is a legal supplement that healthy adult individuals can take without any unwanted side effects â given they consult with their physicians first. In fact, creatine is the most potent supplement out of hundreds of other supplements that currently sell on the market. Furthermore, creatine can also be found in small quantities of some animal foods, whilst it can be also produced in the body â in the kidneys and liver to be exact. The body produces creatine thanks to several amino acids: Arginine, Methionine, and Glycine. In continuation, however, most of the creatine contained within foods is eliminated upon cooking. The human body keeps 90% of its creatine reserves in the muscle tissue. Bodybuilders deem creatine as their favourite supplement for achieving optimal results in the least amount of time. Creatine Monohydrate is the best creatine incarnation yet since itâs the most cost-effective muscle and mass âgainerâ supplement out there. Creatine supports protein synthesis, which is a chemical process responsible for natural muscle growth. Protein Synthesis Protein synthesis is a process which involves RNA (Ribonucleic Acid), nitrogen, enzymes, and other ingredients that structurally arrange certain proteins in the body. Basically, protein synthesis refers to muscle growth. An individualâs growth entirely depends on how well theyâre going to optimise the process of protein synthesis. Creatine Monohydrate Dosage There have been numerous studies about the effects of creatine on muscle growth and mass gains. Over 70% of these studies reported positive effects and significant results out of creatine supplementation among both healthy and diseased individuals. The consensus of these combined studies shows that optimal creatine supplementation should not exceed 20-30 grams per any given day. These dosages have to be consumed four to five times in equal doses throughout a whole week. Many professional athletes prefer creatine powder over other creatine forms. Creatine powder can easily be mixed into liquids and quickly ingested for it to find its way into the bloodstream. In addition, creatine works best when taken together with carbs. This substance can be taken either before or after a workout. Creatine Research As a supplement, creatine is used to double or even triple an individualâs maximum power. In fact, Creatine also increases speed, helping with intense workouts such as sprints, triathlons, and other high-intensity interval training (HIIT) disciplines. On top of that, this substance can aid in burning fat, and also improve the strength in elderly individuals. Additionally, supplementing with creatine can increase the overall creatine levels in the body, which significantly improves performance over prolonged periods of time. According to a study about creatine supplementation and exercise performance, creatine can improve athletic performance due to a process that helps sustain maximum energy production in individuals who take this supplement. Creatine Benefits The benefits of Creatine Monohydrate supplementation are huge. As little as 20-30 grams per day for one straight week can considerably increase intramuscular concentrations of free creatine during recovery after strenuous workout sessions. Moreover, this substance also lead to improved performance in so-called ârepetitive, short-term (5-10 seconds), high-intensity cycle ergometer sprint testsâ, without any significant side effects taking place. In addition, creatine supplementation significantly helped with isokinetic, isotonic, and isometric exercise such as leg curls, pull-ups, and planks accordingly. In these individuals, creatine had a role in decreasing muscle lactate accumulation, which enhanced performance that is directly impacted by the lactic acid energy structure. Thus, we come to the conclusion that creatine is a highly effective supplement, and cannot be so easily dismissed. Taurine Taurine has been a subject of many speculations â especially true in recent years when this substance experienced a surge in popularity among both athletes and the general population. A popular myth describes taurine as a substance distilled from bull urine or even bull semen â which is factually incorrect. So, what is Taurine, and what does Taurine do? Taurine is a conditional amino acid (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) that can be naturally found in meat, fish, and dairy products. The body stores taurine in the eyes, brain, heart, and muscles â whilst it also is available in supplement form. According to the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), supplementing with taurine does not have any adverse effects on the potential recipient â granted you donât exceed 3,000 milligrams per day. Taurine Benefits Taurine helps with: Lowering blood pressure â thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. This substance is also shown to improve the work of the left heart ventricle, which calms the central nervous system. Improving physical function â when taken as short-term supplementation, taurine calms the body down and reduces physical stress after a workout. In fact, taurine is shown to improve the condition among individuals affected by cardiovascular disease. Decreasing the side effects of Parkinsonâs disease â according to a study by Forrest Ritiker, taurine helps with brain cell regeneration. As a matter of fact, patients diagnosed with Parkinsonâs disease showed lower amounts of taurine than the control group. This opens new possibilities for treating Parkinsonâs that werenât available to scientists and physicians before. Helping with metabolic syndrome â supplementing with taurine may reduce triglycerides to lower insulin resistance and regulate the metabolism of glucose, battle against obesity, and lower high blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. According to a review published in the Food & Function journal, the researchers found compelling evidence that taurine efficiently battles metabolic syndrome both in animals and humans. Alleviating the side effects of periodontal diseaseâ this substance also helps with keeping the antioxidant levels in check to prevent or altogether stop gum disease. Taurine is a known antioxidant. Antioxidants are in a constant clash against free radicals â which are dangerous particles that do damage to the body. A study showed that individuals who were affected by gum disease saw an improvement in their condition â right after taking taurine supplements. The ingredient enhanced the lipid peroxidation productsâ (or TBARS) levels â thus directly hastening the healing factor among these patients. Improving athletic performance â individuals who use taurine as a supplement may see an improvement in their athletic performance, especially when it comes to sprints, or short high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts. The Health and Exercise Sciences Research Group at the University of Stirling in Scotland did a research where they tested runners before and after taking taurine supplements. 99.3% of the subjects saw a staggering few seconds improvement in their results â which can mean snatching that first place medal during a professional race. This concludes the ingredients that help with building power & strength. But thatâs not the whole story. MUSCLE GROWTH Getting in top shape has everything to do with training your muscles. Whether youâre crushing your 10th bicep curl, or deadlifting the heck out of every possible barbell in the gym â supplements can immensely speed up the process and make your goals come true quicker than ever. During our extensive research, we stumbled across some surprising results regarding how supplements affect the body and what they do to the muscle fibers after digestion. You can check them out below. BCAAs (Branched-Chain Amino Acids) The first question that pops to mind is âWhat are BCAAs made out of?â â BCAAs comprise of three amino acids: Leucine, Isoleucine, and Valine. Rather than being metabolised in the liver, BCAAs are metabolised in the muscle tissue. This means that BCAAs are broken down quickly so that they can immediately be used for energy when needed. Taking BCAA supplements before working out will prevent amino acid depletion â and therefore stop muscle loss dead in its tracks. What do BCAA supplements do? Branched-chain amino acids (or Leucine in particular) stimulate protein synthesis â moreso than what normal proteins can do on their own merit. But not only that, BCAAs also increase the cellâs capacity to perform protein synthesis. So in a way, BCAAs work on a cellular level to build muscle like no other supplement that is currently available on the market. Furthermore, BCAA supplements also reduce the rate at which protein breakdown happens. These amino acids do this by changing the chemical pathways that enable for protein breakdown to happen. These pathways include several components and complexes, one of which is a substance called mRNA â a family of molecules that carry information from DNA all the way to the ribosome in the body. Once they get there, mRNA convey the amino acid profile that later adds the information about gene expression. Itâs a complicated biological/chemical process that involves many factors â but the main point is that BCAAs play a key role in it. BCAAs Supplementation Benefits When taken in supplement form, BCAAs require no digestion whatsoever and are quickly absorbed right into the bloodstream. They immediately increase the number of amino acid levels in the blood as opposed to peptide-bound amino acids. This means that even as small of an amount as three grams of BCAA supplementation can spike up BCAA levels without much hassle. Compared to other popular supplements, BCAAs are much more potent and highly absorbent â exactly whatâs needed just before an intense workout. And not only that, but supplementing with BCAAs means faster protein synthesis and protein degradation alike. In addition, these branched-chain amino acids circumvent the liver and âjumpâ straight into the bloodstream â meaning more energy, faster. On top of that, isoleucine and valine belong to the glucogenic amino acid family, since they have the property to convert into glucose and ward off potential fatigue while training. In simpler terms â BCAA supplementation provides more energy, faster. Whey Protein Usually, Whey Protein is considered as a post-training supplement ingredient and most individuals opt out from taking it as a pre-workout. In some cases, however, whey protein can be just as effective when taking it pre as opposed to post-workout. This is very much owed to the fact that whey protein is built out of BCAAs, which â as weâve shown above â aids in protein synthesis and muscle growth. Additionally, ingesting Whey Protein will stimulate insulin levels to rise higher than ever before. This serves several purposes: Increased protein synthesis Mitigated breakdown of muscle tissue Whey Protein, combined with BCAAs, is the ultimate muscle growth formula for everyone looking to âchiselâ their body to perfection. Quickly-Digested Carbs These carbohydrates are also known as high glycemic carbs, and are essentially carbs that get digested quicker than low glycemic carbs. To be honest, these carbs are tricky to work with, but they can mean everything in the world if correctly utilised in a diet. Glycemic Carbohydrates Definition To unravel the mystery behind carbs, we have to tap into the way of how your body uses different forms of energy when training. For instance, whilst doing a workout, your body employs ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) to make sure the muscles contract as needed. After ATP levels are exhausted, the body then turns to CP (Creatine Phosphate) as its main energy source. Whatâs interesting to note is that your body only keeps CP for about 8 to 12 seconds of working effort. Afterwards, the body swiftly switches to glycolysis â a process which uses glycogen and blood sugar to replace the depleted ATP levels. The body undergoes this same process over and over again in-between doing sets. Then, carbohydrates enter the equation and help the muscle cells to restore the previously âdrainedâ ATP levels. By munching on high glycemic carbs pre-workout â youâre making sure that muscle glycogen is always at your disposal when needed. Using High Glycemic Carbs Pre-Workout The reason for using fast-acting carbs vs. other carbs is due to the effect they trigger on the levels of insulin in the body. Insulin is an anabolic (muscle-building) hormone thatâs inversely proportional with another hormone â Cortisol. Cortisol is a catabolic hormone that peaks and wastes muscle tissue during training. By ingesting high glycemic carbs pre-workout, the body will release the hormone insulin â thus making sure you get both the anabolic and anticatabolic effects insulin is known for. Use 20-40 grams of high glycemic carbs for optimum results. ENERGY & FOCUS It doesnât matter if youâre the greatest lifter in the world â if your energy and focus levels plummet â your training suffers also. Itâs time to change that, and we just happen to know the most important ingredients that will do just that. Tyrosine Tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid that does many things in the body. Once ingested, this amino acid interacts with several neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine) in order to hasten a chemical process called âcatecholamine synthesisâ. This process prepares the body for physical activities by raising blood pressure, increasing heart rate, and doing other physiological changes. Moreover, tyrosine supplementation also helps with decreasing stress levels after a workout â especially if an individual enters an over-training frenzy. In fact, tyrosine gets rid of built-up stress like no other supplement that is currently selling on the market. Caffeine Caffeine is probably the most widely consumed stimulant in the world because even those who do not exercise usually take caffeine daily. This substance is both a stimulant and a metabolic stimulant â since it kick-starts the metabolism like no other ingredient. It does this by playing a vital role in releasing fatty acids into the bloodstream, which later get used as energy. Thus, caffeine can be a great fat loss supplement when taken pre-workout. Caffeine Benefits (short term effects) From an athleteâs perspective, caffeine is an excellent performance enhancer that has the following benefits: Increased wakefulness Improved & faster thought flow Increased focus Improved overall coordination of the body In the gym, caffeine will lead to better, faster, and more quality gains, as well as a stronger body and improved athletic performance. Caffeine Dosage For optimum results, itâs best if you take moderate doses of caffeine and do not exceed the recommended dose as labeled. Too much caffeine can have adverse effects and can actually impair your workout long-term. Also, caffeine dosage is highly dependent on an individualâs level of tolerance. Some pre-workout products recommend that you take a small serving just to test your tolerance level and proceed accordingly. A typical dosage equals 200 mg of Caffeine supplementation. ENDURANCE When it comes to long-term training â increasing your endurance is key. More endurance means more reps, more sets, and increased barbell weight â all leading to a shredded physique as the ultimate goal. These ingredients are crucial if you want to âbeatâ your opponents in the long run. Citrulline Malate Citrulline Malate is a non-essential amino acid that is similar to taurine, due to their properties to avoid becoming proteins during protein synthesis. Citrulline Malate optimises blood flow and converts to another amino acid called Arginine. Citrulline often comes paired with Malate (also known as a âTCA cycle intermediateâ). This chemical bond leads to more aerobic energy that is produced in the cell mitochondria â all thanks to CM. Citrulline Malate Benefits CM reduces the fatigue triggered by intense workout when taken before a workout. On top of that, CM also increases ATP production, which as weâve shown above, is crucial for proper energy utilisation while working out. Citrulline Malateâs greatest benefit is its property to get rid of so-called âendotoxinsâ â one of which is the athleteâs greatest enemy â lactic acid. Lactic acid builds up in the muscle tissue during training and causes fatigue among individuals â thus impairing progress in the gym. Once these endotoxins are eliminated â youâll have more energy to crush your workout plan and add more sets as time goes by. Citrulline Malate Dosage To make the most out of it, itâs best to reach for 3 to 6 grams of CM immediately before your workout. Additionally, some pre-workout products contain just the right dosage of citrulline malate â with the math already done. Beta-Alanine Yet another non-essential amino acid â Beta-Alanine has the property to increase carnosine levels in the muscles. Carnosine is a substance called âdipeptideâ, built up from beta-alanine and histidine. Carnosine cannot be directly ingested because it immediately gets âdissolvedâ by the enzyme carnosinase before it enters the bloodstream. On the other hand, ingesting beta-alanine will result in it being carried straight to the muscle tissue, where it will resynthesise with histidine to produce carnosine. Carnosine Benefits Carnosine is a known antioxidant that alleviates fatigue when you take Beta-Alanine in supplement form (as discussed above). Intense training leads to a drop in PH levels, which in turn causes fatigue. Carnosine prevents this by delaying a chemical process known as âneuromuscular fatigueâ â allowing training to continue. Or in simpler terms: more reps with increased weight. Beta-Alanine Dosage For the best possible results, itâs recommended to take 2-2.5 gram dose of Beta-Alanine about 30 minutes before workout, followed by another identical dose later in the day. Sometimes, taking Beta-Alanine or products that contain it can cause a tingling sensation on the skin. This is harmless in most cases, but if not sure â feel free to consult with a certified physician or dietitian. Most quality pre-workout blends will include beta-alanine in their formulas. ANTIOXIDANTS Lots of individuals (including pro athletes) have heard about antioxidants, but very few of them know what these substances do. To put it plainly: antioxidants neutralise free radicals, period. When oxygen gets in contact with certain substances â it can form free radicals, which are bad for the human body. When free radicals get in contact with the cell membrane or DNA â there is the possibility that they inflict some damage upon the important building blocks that they are. Muscle cells are not exempt from this rule either, as they too can be damaged by free radicals. On the other hand, antioxidants are the âantidoteâ of free radicals. Intense training hastens a process called âoxidative stressâ â which is the underlying factor increasing the number of free radicals in the body. Antioxidants âhuntâ free radicals before they get the chance to damage cells. Vitamin E Vitamin E is a lipid-soluble antioxidant found in human tissues and plasma. This substance is a very powerful antioxidant because it has the ability to influence other antioxidants â besides its own properties. Without adequate Vitamin E levels â other antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid and glutathione, would not be able to function in their full capacity. This is why Vitamin E is a very important pre-workout ingredient for anyone wanting to take their game to the next level. Aim for 100 to 400 UIs of Vitamin E 30 minutes before working out. Alpha Lipoic Acid This ingredient is not only an extremely powerful antioxidant, but it also has some similar properties like insulin, and thus directly affects muscle growth. Alpha Lipoic Acid does this by increasing glucose uptake by the muscle cells, whilst also decreasing glucose uptake when it comes to fat cells. Or in plain language: Alpha Lipoic Acid supplementation leads to less fat and more muscles. Optimal dosage: 200-400 mg 30 min. right before a workout. N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) NAC is an N-acetyl derivative from Cysteine (another non-essential amino acid). N-Acetyl-Cysteine helps to remove toxins from the liver, and it also raises glutathione levels â thus helping with the anti-oxidative processes in the body. In gym terms, NAC is a crucial ingredient in delaying workout fatigue. This substance regulates potassium levels whilst also attenuating a so-called âsodium potassium pumpâ levels. This âsodium potassium pumpâ regulates sodium and potassium levels in the cell membrane. And when cells have everything they need to do their job â this translates to stronger lifts and more efficient training. Optimal dosage includes 300 to 600 mg before training. TOP TEN PRE-WORKOUTS 2017 OK, so now that weâre packed with knowledge, letâs see which pre-workout products made it on our top 10 list. 1. CELLUCOR C4 Cellucor C4 is a blast â no pun intended. This is the most popular pre-workout formula on the market â and for a good reason also. C4 contains a carefully mixed formula that heightens endurance, gives extra energy, and improves focus for otherworldly pumps. Additionally, Cellucor C4 is great for both newcomers and veteran athletes. It contains Vitamin C, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, and Vitamin B12 for an extra antioxidant boost and improved energy + focus. This product is also packed with Beta-Alanine, Creatine Nitrate, and Arginine â which as we saw above â are some of the main ingredients that immensely improve endurance when taken in supplement form. To top even that, Cellucor C4 contains a special âExplosive Energy Blendâ that, as its name suggests, unlocks the explosive potential that is within all of us. And multiplies it by 10. 2. BLACKSTONE LABS DUST V2 Blackstone Labs Dust V2 is a slick-looking pre-workout formula that combines several dosed ingredients for ultimate power. This product is not your ordinary supplement: it contains Citrulline Malate, Eduramax, Caffeine, Yohimbine Bark, and Beta-Alanine that make it that much more potent and a great value for the buck. Blackstone Labs Dust V2 is perfect for several reasons. First, it reacts with certain pathways in the nervous system â thus improving focus tenfold. Second, this formula is jam-packed with several very potent stimulants that will elevate your workout to godlike heights. Last, Blackstone Labs Dust V2 is meticulously researched, carefully engineered, and perfectly dosed to adhere to the most demanding exercises, ever. Featuring ingredients such as yohimbine bark, di-caffeine malate, caffeine anhydrous, beta-alanine, citrulline malate, and more, there's no wonder why Dust V2 made it to the #2 slot on this list. 3. NUTREX OUTLIFT Craving for an optimal dosage without hampering performance? Meet Nutrex Outlift â a clinically dosed pre-workout mix for advanced users. Itâs powerful, itâs strong, itâs potent â and itâs for real. Outlift contains Taurine, BCAAs, Caffeine, and other ingredients commonly found in pre-workouts, with a slight difference â itâs clinically dosed at scoop level! This is different from concentrated micro doses as far as potency goes. In addition, Nutrex Outlift contains proven ingredients such as Citrulline Malate, Creatine, and Beta-Alanine, dosed according to all major scientific studies in regards to these ingredients. Granted, Outlift is not suitable for beginners, but advanced and pro users will find it more than fitting for their needs. As the old adage went: Science is the closest paradigm to truth â and Nutrex Outlift is finally here to prove it. 4. OPTIMUM NUTRITION GOLD STANDARD PRE-WORKOUT ONâs newest pre-workout âfuelsâ the muscles, gives additional energy and focus, and provides a natural solution to get more gains. This product contains Acetyl-L-Carnitine HCI and N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine, both substances known to offset fatigue and regulate the sodium-potassium pump for increased and improved workout efficiency. In addition, Gold Standard includes carefully dosed Creatine for additional strength, power, and size. Gold Standard is a powerhouse of a pre-workout that has the following benefits: Improving mental alertness Improving sports performance across all workout stages Enhancing power and strength Delaying fatigue Improving lactic acid buffering Sharpening focus thanks to Caffeine and Ginseng Validated dosage using sports science and clinical studies Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout delivers nutrients which improve physical performance whilst doing both aerobic and anaerobic exercise. This product enhances the metabolism, so itâs perfect for all of the early birds and individuals who want to make the most out of their mornings. 5. EST SPORTS METHYL MASS 2.0 EST Sports Methyl Mass 2.0 is a designer pre-workout that covers all the bases! It's a high stimulant pre-workout that you don't build a tolerance to thanks to the inclusion of Thearine Skin splitting pumps from the Agmatine Glycerate and Hydro Mass hydrating system Performance and strength-inducing ingredients from the Beta Alanine and Crea-Mass Test boosting benefits thanks to the E-Bolish Technology EST Sports Methyl Mass 2.0 is a specifically designed pre-workout formula that boosts athletic performance and builds muscle like no other. It is packed full of âexplosiveâ ingredients, which pump energy and improve overall vascular response. With EST Sports Methyl Mass 2.0âs formula â every outcome is specifically tailored to aid in power, endurance, and strength at the gym. Unleash the true potential of a carefully-crafted hydration protocol to pump iron like a true pro. On top of all that, ESTâs own formula will increase your focus even when you're out of the gym. 6. BETANCOURT B-NOX ANDRORUSH Whilst proprietary blends are slowly becoming obsolete, Betancourt B-Nox Androrush smartly avoids the backlash thanks to a tested formula that works. Where this product excels is its ability to boost concentration, motivation, and focus. On top of that, B-Nox contains added testosterone to aid in growth and power. Androrushâs only downside is that next to being powerful, this product is also not for individuals with a sensitive stomach. However, everyone else can enjoy the benefits that Betancourtâs own B-Nox Androrush provides, which include: Increased libido Above average muscle growth Improved concentration and focus Sharper senses And more Betancourt B-Nox Androrush is a pre-workout that works. 7. MUSCLEPHARM ASSAULT BLACK Energy, strength, and pumps â the three main advantages of using Assault Black â now in an all-new, all-black container for additional motivation to crush that workout for good. Assault Black contains no proprietary blends, is transparent in its dosage, and exists to serve individuals who want to âget thereâ before the competition does so. Some of its ingredients include: Citrulline Malate â to renew energy lost during intense training Beta-Alanine â to delay fatigue and increase lean mass gain Agmatine Sulfate â to increase vasodilation and spare extra energy for that last rep BCAAs (L-Leucine, L-Valine, L-Isoleucine) â to promote muscle protein synthesis and stop fatigue dead in its tracks Caffeine Anhydrous â to stimulate the mind to break barriers easy and naturally Plus, MusclePharm Assault Black is packed with additional BioPerine Black Pepper that enhances all other ingredients; bioavailability and makes you work harder through their absorption. 8. BSN NO-XPLODE BSN NO-Xplode is specially engineered to âfuelâ your body with energy, focus, and motivation when your body needs it the most. Since its inception, NO-Xplode went through several revisions to finally settle for its current state. As it stands, BSN NO-Xplode is now used by trainers and prospective athletes worldwide because of its comprehensive engineering and a variety of benefits, including: Improved alertness Increased concentration Jacked-up physical performance Maximised preparation Additional motivation Explosive strength BSN NO-Xplode is a great way to start building your body â one rep at a time. 9. BPM LABS BLACK LABEL THE ONE 2.0 Lacking in motivation? Slacking behind in reps? BPM Labs Black Label The One 2.0 provides a definitive answer to all of these questions, and more. This product is designed for advanced users and professionals who want to break records and come up on top. Some of its major benefits are: Excellent energy with additional motivation Skin-crushing pumps Increased Nitric Oxide levels, and thus improved vasodilation Enormous improvement in power and strength Helps with recovery and recuperation post-workout The One 2.0 contains CarnoSyn Beta-Alanine, Creatine Monohydrate, Creatine Ethyl Ester, L-Arginine Malate, L-Arginine AKG, Nandina Domestica Extract, Pouchong Tea Extract, Naringen, Vitamin B3, Bitter Orange Peel Extract, and Thiamine. All of these ingredients work in unison to bring about the best of your potential and provide extreme energy for days to come. As a reminder: BPM Labs Black Label The One 2.0 is not for individuals who are just beginning to enter the game. 10. APS NUTRITION MORPH 3 Morph 3 is the latest Morph incarnation coming from the labs of veteran nutritional experts APS Nutrition. This pre-workout is perfect for individuals looking to cut on reps, but increase their power output. Morph 3 is also unique in several aspects: It contains the novel ingredients Icariin 50 and Creatinol-O-Phosphate for additional strength Contains NO fillers Increases endurance and stamina Includes a scientifically proven Thermo-energy matrix for skin-tearing pumps Enough Beta-Alanine and Citrulline Malate per serving to offset potential fatigue while training During our testing, weâve come to the conclusion that APS Nutrition Morph 3 is a bit on the lean side, but nevertheless is an excellent pre-workout with all the right ingredients in place. Either way, APS Nutrition is already developing their newest pre-formula â and in the meantime â Morph 3 will suffice.