Best Pre-Workout for Weight Loss (2024): Ignite Your Fat Burning Potential

Pre-workouts are great for increasing energy, strength, and power during a workout, but could they also aid in weight loss? While pre-workout isn’t a magic solution for shedding pounds, its influence on exercise performance could indirectly support weight loss efforts by enabling more effective, calorie-scorching workouts. Furthermore, some of the best pre-workouts for weight loss are formulated with metabolism-boosting ingredients that may help you burn more calories. 

Our team of certified personal trainers, nutrition experts, and competitive athletes have rounded up 11 pre-workout supplements geared toward enhancing energy levels and boosting your workout intensity, all in the pursuit of aiding your weight loss journey. We’ve included our team’s expert insights, including my input as a registered dietitian nutritionist, regarding each product’s ingredients, solubility, taste, and effectiveness to help you choose the right pre-workout. 

Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider.

Best Pre-Workouts for Weight Loss

• Best Overall Pre-Workout for Weight Loss: Transparent Labs LEAN
• Best Pre-Workout for Women’s Weight Loss: Legion Pulse
• Best Pre-Workout for Men’s Weight Loss: XWERKS Ignite 
• Best Budget Pre-Workout for Weight Loss: Nutricost Pre-X
• Best-Tasting Pre-Workout for Weight Loss: Jacked Factory Nitrosurge
• Best Pre-Workout for Weight Loss and Muscle Gain: Kaged Pre-Kaged
• Best Natural Pre-Workout for Weight Loss: Onnit Alpha Brain
• Best Pre-Workout for Weight Loss and Energy: C4 Ultimate Shred
• Best Pre-Workout for Running and Weight Loss: MyProtein THE Pre-Workout
• Best Non-Stim Pre-Workout for Weight Loss: Genius Pre
• Best Pre-Workout for Weight Loss for Beginners: Huge Supplements Pump Serum
• Strongest Pre-Workout for Weight Loss: Transparent Labs Bulk Black

Best Overall Pre-Workout for Weight Loss: Transparent Labs LEAN

Good for: Athletes wanting improved stamina, focus, and fat burning during a workout. 

Transparent Labs LEAN Pre-Workout

GGR Score: 4.25

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Product Highlights

• Formulated for those looking to lose weight but maintain muscle mass
• 14 grams of evidence-based ingredients
• Naturally flavored and sweetened with Stevia
• Available in 9 different flavors
• Backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Includes vitamins/micronutrients to support thyroid production
• High levels of citrulline to increase oxygen delivery to muscles
• No artificial sweeteners
• No artificial colors
• 60-day money-back guarantee

Cons

• Bitter and unpleasant taste for some consumers
• Several reports of receiving wrong item

Bottom Line

Transparent Labs’ LEAN pre-workout supplement promises to deliver better endurance, power, alertness, and focus. The fat loss component is less of a guarantee with few reports of an actual change in body composition.

Transparent Labs LEAN is specifically designed to enhance energy and fat burning. Its combination of stamina-boosting ingredients, fat-loss support, and focus-enhancing components may benefit those wanting to intensify their workouts and change their body composition. 

LEAN contains effective doses of citrulline malate (6 grams), beta-alanine (2 grams), and BetaPure betaine (1.5 grams) to enhance energy, muscle endurance, and strength during a workout. Each serving offers two hundred milligrams of PurCaf organic caffeine to reduce the sense of effort and increase repetitions to failure. 

What makes LEAN unique is its fat-burning complex, consisting of chromium picolinate, zinc, and acetyl-L-carnitine. Chromium picolinate is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates and helps regulate blood sugar. Some research¹ suggests that chromium supplementation may help reduce body weight in obese individuals, but these effects are small. 

Zinc is required for thyroid hormone production and regulation. Zinc is needed for the conversion of thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3), which is essential for maintaining normal metabolism. Dysregulated thyroid hormones can lead to changes in metabolism and weight gain. 

Finally, L-carnitine serves as a crucial molecule for moving fatty acids across the mitochondrial membrane within cells. To put it simply, it facilitates the transport of fats into the mitochondria, where they undergo conversion into energy in the form of ATP, so you end up burning more fat. 

The one ingredient you won’t find here is creatine, though some people prefer a pre-workout without creatine.

GGR senior editor and certified personal trainer Nicole Davis tried this pre-workout and rated solubility a 4 out of 5 because the pre-workout powder didn’t completely dissolve. When combined, it results in a cloudy appearance with a few visible particles floating throughout.

LEAN comes in eight different flavors. The product contains only natural flavors and sweeteners. Nicole rated taste a solid 5 out of 5, saying it had a slightly bitter taste but wasn’t too sweet overall. 

RELATED: Best Weight Loss Supplements 

Best Pre-Workout for Women’s Weight Loss: Legion Pulse

Good for: Women wanting an energy boost and improved strength without artificial fillers, sweeteners, and flavors.  

Best for Women’s Weight Loss

Legion Athletics Pulse Pre-Workout

GGR Score: 4

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Product Highlights

• 100% nature-based
• Free from added sugar, food dyes, and other chemicals
• Full refund if not satisfied
• Can get with or without caffeine
• 15 flavors available

Pros & Cons

Pros

• All-natural ingredients
• Free from dyes and chemicals
• Naturally sweetened
• Intended to avoid the dreaded crash
• Full refund if not satisfied
• Can get with or without caffeine
• 15 flavors available

Cons

• Natural sweeteners make for a different taste—it may not be your cup of tea
• Only 21 servings per tub

Bottom Line

Formulated with all-natural ingredients, each of which are present at a high level, Legion Pulse's stim-free pre-workout formula is a fan favorite. If you’re trying to avoid artificial flavors and chemicals, this may be a good choice.

Legion Pulse is a gluten-free, vegetarian pre-workout supplement made with 100% natural ingredients. If you want to avoid artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners, this could be a good option. It’s designed to up your energy, maximize strength, and reduce fatigue. You can choose to order Legion Pulse with or without caffeine. 

Pulse contains a robust eight grams of citrulline malate, which assists in boosting nitric oxide production, facilitating improved blood flow, and enhancing nutrient supply to muscles. Citrulline malate may improve muscular endurance and strength during a workout. 

The supplement also features 3.6 grams of beta-alanine, 2.5 grams of betaine, and 300 milligrams of alpha-GPC. These ingredients collectively aim to reduce exercise-induced fatigue, promote muscle growth, and increase power during workouts, so you can push harder and burn more calories for weight loss.

Legion Pulse comes in 20 flavors with caffeine and eight without caffeine. The product is naturally flavored and naturally sweetened. Sweeteners include stevia and erythritol, a sugar alcohol that new studies² suggest could be correlated with blood clotting. However, this needs to be further studied.

Nicole Davis, GGR senior editor and certified personal trainer, rated taste a 4 out of 5 in our Legion Pulse review. She found Pulse to be sweet with a bit of a bitter taste. She didn’t love the aftertaste and noticed that’s when the sweeteners really came through.

The product’s solubility was impressive, and we rated it a 5 out of 5. The mixed solution is opaque without any grittiness or floaties. 

Jacob Penner, USA Weightlifting L-2 coach and GGR expert panel member, has tried roughly 50 pre-workouts, and this is one of his favorites. “This blend has a 1:1 ratio of l-theanine (350 mg) to caffeine (350 mg), so you get a really balanced experience,” he says. “If you set aside all of the high-stim pre-workouts, this is probably one of my favorites because every time I use it, I feel energized but not over-stimulated.”

Best Pre-Workout for Men’s Weight Loss: XWERKS Ignite

Good for: Men wanting to increase strength, reps, and work capacity while feeling laser-focused during a workout. 

Best for Men’s Weight Loss

Xwerks Ignite Pre-Workout

GGR Score: 4

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Product Highlights

• Designed to provide sustainable energy without the crash
• Uses a blend of caffeine, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, rhodiola rosea, DMAE, L-tyrosine, carnosyn beta-alanine, L-citrulline malate, as well as calcium and magnesium lactate.
• Xwerks claims that this product increases muscle growth and repair, enhances focus, and expands muscular endurance and work capacity
• Available in 4 flavors

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Natural ingredients
• Less caffeine than other pre-workout supplements on the market
• No crash
• Great-tasting

Cons

• Expensive
• May make you feel jittery or experience other side effects like headaches or digestive problems

Bottom Line

Xwerks Ignite is an all natural pre-workout supplement with both energy-boosting and focus-enhancing ingredients. It may be a good choice for those who want a clean and effective product with a dose of vitamins.

XWERKS Ignite offers a one-of-a-kind pre-workout blend of ingredients based around nootropics to deliver smooth, sustainable energy without the crash. This product is intended to increase your work capacity, reduce muscular fatigue, and increase reps at the gym. 

Ignite is made with the unique ingredients Rhodiola rosea and dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE). Rhodiola is neuroprotective and may help boost physical and mental performance during exercise. DMAE is a compound thought to enhance memory, concentration, and cognitive function.

Additionally, Ignite contains 3 grams of citrulline malate, 2 grams of L-tyrosine, and 1.5 grams of Carnosyn beta-alanine. These ingredients may improve muscle function, athletic performance, focus, and endurance. 

Lastly, each serving contains 150 milligrams of caffeine for greater energy levels and increased power output. Furthermore, caffeine may promote BMI and body fat reduction by increasing fat oxidation and boosting metabolism³. We go even further in-depth on the ingredients’ efficiency in our XWERKS Ignite review.

Nicole Davis, GGR senior editor and certified personal trainer, tried the watermelon flavor and thought it was just OK. She rated the taste a 4 out of 5 because although it was sweet it also had an artificial flavor. 

This pre-workout is very soluble, earning it a 5 out of 5 for this category. Nicole thought the consistency was very thin once dissolved, which you don’t get with every pre-workout. 

RELATED: Best Pre-Workout for Men

Customer reviews on the XWERKS website are mostly positive. One customer says, “Great nootropics that push you through your workout without the unreal amounts of headache-producing caffeine some brands tout.” Another writes, “No jitters or after effects like headaches. Gives me a boost of energy and has made my workouts amazing.”

Best Budget Pre-Workout for Weight Loss: Nutricost Pre-X

Good for: Folks on a weight loss journey looking for an affordable pre-workout boost 

Best Budget

Nutricost Pre-X Pre-Workout

GGR Score: 4.1

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Product Highlights

• Pre-workout formula with B vitamins
• 300 mg of caffeine per serving
• About $1 per serving
• Third-party tested
• 5 flavor options

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Contains B vitamins
• Gluten-free and non-GMO
• Affordable price per serving

Cons

• Not enough research to support the ingredients that claim to support cognitive function
• Caffeine content may be too much for some folks

Bottom Line

Nutricost Pre-X is an affordable pre-workout at about $1 per serving. There are five flavors to choose from, each with a light and refreshing taste. Each serving contains 300 milligrams of caffeine, which is equivalent to about 3 cups of coffee.

Most folks will understand that there are some days when getting to the gym can feel like such a drag. But that’s where pre-workout comes in, giving you a boost of motivation and a metaphorical kick in the pants. 

And if you need a kick in the pants for most of your workouts (like we do) we appreciate ones that offer an affordable price per serving. Nutricost Pre-X is an exceptional budget option with prices on Amazon ranging from about $1.09 to $0.62 per serving, which is why it earns a 4.5-star rating from our testers for price per serving. 

We liked our testing experience with Nutricost Pre-X pre-workout because it not only boosted GGR tester and senior director of content Kate Meier’s energy levels—with 300 milligrams of caffeine—it also gave her mental focus to stay on track during her workout. 

In the Pre-X formulation, you’ll find alpha-GPC⁴, which is an ingredient that’s been shown to increase neurotransmitters for cognitive function and can potentially improve endurance performance and increase natural growth hormone secretion. 

When it comes to taste and solubility, Pre-X earns a 4.5 and 4-star rating, respectively. “I actually look forward to drinking the Blue Raspberry flavor, it’s very tasty,” says Kate, but notes you will find a bit of sediment at the bottom of your shaker cup. 

Best-Tasting Pre-Workout for Weight Loss: Jacked Factory Nitrosurge

Good for: Anyone easing into pre-workouts who desires more energy without the intense hype and sensations from stronger dosages. 

Best for Beginners Weight Loss

Jacked Factory Nitrosurge Pre-Workout Powder

GGR Score: 4.2

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Product Highlights

• Vegan pre-workout 
• 180 mg of caffeine per scoop 
• Manufactured in USA in cGMP certified facility

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Available in multiple sizes: 30 or 60 servings
• Subscribe and save 15%
• Available in 11 flavors
• 100% money-back guarantee
• Manufactured in USA in cGMP certified facility
• Vegan
• Affordable at under $1 per serving (1 scoop serving)

Cons

• Mixed reviews on taste
• Mixed reviews on effectiveness
• Contains sucralose

Bottom Line

Jacked Factory Nitrosurge Pre-Workout is a generally positively reviewed pre-workout with 180 milligrams of caffeine and a large variety of flavor options.

Jacked Factory is full of nitric oxide boosters that will help give you that jacked look while lifting weights. The product includes two supplement facts labels: one for a single scoop serving, and one for a double scoop serving. If you are a pre-workout beginner, you may want to start with a single scoop so you can build up to higher doses of certain ingredients, like caffeine. 

Each two-scoop serving contains 6 grams of L-citrulline, which aligns with the clinically studied recommended dosage of 3-6 grams. L-citrulline is a nitric oxide booster that increases blood flow to the muscles, giving you a visible pump during your workout.

It also contains beta-alanine and betaine anhydrous⁵, which studies show may reduce fatigue, enhance strength, and extend exercise duration. Some consumers may notice a tingling sensation in their hands, arms, or neck after taking Nitrosurge. This is due to the beta-alanine and is entirely normal and harmless, typically subsiding within an hour.

With 360 milligrams of caffeine in a double scoop serving or 180 milligrams of caffeine in a single scoop, either serving will provide a sufficient surge of energy. Research⁶ shows that caffeine may help reduce appetite, which could help you consume fewer calories and lose weight. 

Furthermore, the included theobromine and L-theanine support mental focus, so you can avoid distractions for a more effective workout. Research⁷ suggests that L-theanine combined with caffeine is beneficial for improving performance during cognitively demanding tasks. 

Nitrosurge comes in 12 flavors, including cherry limeade and cotton candy. GGR product testing experts and avid weightlifters Jacob Penner and Kate Meier rate taste a 5 out of 5. “We tried Strawberry Margarita (which looks like it’s only available on Amazon). It is wildly delicious. Like, I’d drink this by the side of a pool over ice. Drink it all day,” Kate says in our Nitrosurge pre-workout review.

We rated solubility a 5 out of 5. Our testers put one scoop in a shaker cup with 500ml of water and it dissolved perfectly. 

Our testers tried a single scoop, which only gave them half the dosage of the active ingredients. They didn’t experience any tingle, itchiness, or hype because of the lower dosages. Jacob says, “This is what makes it really good for a beginner who isn’t ready to get the mad-hype feeling you get with other pres. I like that you still get 180mg of caffeine with this so you get the energy, but without all the other effects”

Best Pre-Workout for Weight Loss and Muscle Gain: Kaged Pre-Kaged 

Good for: Bodybuilders wanting a powerful pre-workout that contains creatine and BCAAs for improved energy and muscle gains. 

Best for Weight Loss and Muscle Gain

Kaged Pre-Kaged Pre-Workout

GGR Score: 4.16

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Product Highlights

• Contains research-backed dosages of key ingredients like caffeine, creatine, and citrulline
• Informed Sport-certified, meaning it’s been tested for quality assurance and banned substances. 
• 7 flavors are available

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Good formulation of research-backed ingredients
• Label transparency
• 7 flavors and users overwhelmingly like the taste

Cons

• Big serving size
• Expensive

Bottom Line

Kaged Pre-Kaged is expensive, but is formulated with research-backed dosages of key ingredients like caffeine, creatine, beta-alanine, and citrulline.

Kaged Pre-Kaged is formulated to provide you with improved energy, focus, endurance, and strength for better workouts and greater gains. It’s vegan, keto-friendly, gluten-free, and made without artificial flavors.

Pre-Kaged contains creatine HCL (1.5 grams) and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) to speed up muscle growth. When you gain more muscle, your body burns more calories throughout the day, even at rest, which could support weight loss. 

Creatine HCL could be more absorbable and result in greater body composition changes compared to creatine monohydrate⁸. BCAAs, which consist of leucine, lysine, and valine, are known for their role in the production of new muscle and reducing soreness post-workout.

RELATED: Creatine HCL vs Monohydrate

Other ingredients include L-citrulline (6.5 grams) for nitric oxide production and the best pumps, BetaPower betaine (2.5 grams) to enhance strength and muscle endurance, and Carnosyn beta-alanine (1.6 grams) to enhance mental clarity and recover faster. 

Pre-Kaged includes 274 milligrams of caffeine, which may be a bit much if you’re sensitive to the potential side effects of caffeine. Consider starting with a half scoop to avoid caffeine jitters and assess your tolerance.

GGR senior editor and certified personal trainer Nicole Davis tried the Krisp Apple flavor. “When you open the shaker you smell it first, before tasting, and it definitely smells and tastes like apples,” she says in our Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged review. Nicole liked that the flavor wasn’t too sweet and rated it a 5 out of 5. All flavors are sweetened with sucralose and stevia. 

Nicole rated solubility a 4 out of 5. The solution was a little thick and did not completely dissolve. The thickness may have contributed to the odd mouthfeel she experienced after each sip. 

Best Natural Pre-Workout for Weight Loss: Onnit Alpha Brain

Good for: Individuals wanting an effective, natural pre-workout that improves focus, energy, and intensity. 

Best Natural Pre-Workout for Weight Loss

Onnit Alpha BRAIN Pre-Workout

GGR Score: 4.2

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Product Highlights

• 200 mg of caffeine
• Includes beta alanine and L-citrulline
• Priced around $3/serving; subscribe-and-save option available
• 2 flavors currently available

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 200 mg of caffeine
• Tiger's Blood flavor tastes great
• Includes 225 mg of ashwagandha extract
• Contains beta alanine and L-citrulline
• Subscribe-and-save option is available

Cons

• Only 2 flavors available, and Yuzu Peach isn't popular among our product testers
• $3/serving is expensive
• Key ingredients like citrulline and beta-alanine are under-dosed

Bottom Line

Onnit's Alpha BRAIN Pre-Workout is a unique blend of ingredients that our testers enjoyed for workouts where they wanted to be focused and energized. It only comes in two flavors; the Tiger's Blood flavor is our preferred choice.

Onnit Alpha Brain is made with natural flavors, sweeteners, and colors. This pre-workout is formulated with key ingredients that support the mental focus and physical energy you need to make the most of every training session. 

Alpha Brain contains pre-workout staples such as beta-alanine, L-citrulline, and AlphaGPC for increased energy, endurance, strength, and focus. The L-citrulline dose of 2.4 grams is a little low considering the clinically studied recommended dosage is 3-6 grams. 

This product offers 200 milligrams of caffeine and 50 grams of Dynamine, ingredients that improve cognitive performance during mentally taxing tasks when combined. With caffeine, Dynamine may help improve working memory, cognitive control, and reaction time.

What’s more, each serving provides 225 milligrams of Nooghanda, a trademarked form of ashwagandha extract. Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that supports improved memory, focus, and stress relief. Some research⁹ indicates it may also improve physical strength and power. 

Alpha Brain comes in two flavors, Tiger’s Blood and Yuzu Peach. Both are sweetened naturally with stevia and colored using vegetable juice. 

GGR head of content Kate Meier tried this product, along with several members of her weightlifting team. “We had multiple people on our team try this,” she says in our Onnit Alpha Brain pre-workout review, “and they all agreed: This brings great focus and clarity to your workout. It’s not overly stimulating; it’s more of just feeling very present and ready to do the work. No tingles from this one. Two of our testers said they still got a good pump from this pre-workout.”

Best Pre-Workout for Weight Loss and Energy: C4 Ultimate Shred

Good for: Anyone who’s looking for a metabolism- and energy-boosting pre-workout

Best for Energy

C4 Ultimate Shred

GGR Score: 4

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Product Highlights

• Contains ingredients proven to increase metabolism
• 300 milligrams of caffeine per serving
• Positive reviews on taste
• $2.75 per serving

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Contains ingredients linked with increased metabolism
• Good taste
• 300 milligrams of caffeine
• Subscribe and save option

Cons

• Some key ingredients, like L-Citrulline, are underdosed
• Expensive if not placed on a subscription

Bottom Line

C4 Ultimate Shred contains numerous ingredients proven to increase your metabolism, which could lead to weight loss. Although some key ingredients, like l-citrulline, are underdosed you will get a big energy boost from the 300 milligrams of caffeine and other stimulants in this pre-workout.

With 300 milligrams of caffeine plus additional stimulants, C4 Ultimate Shred are for the people who really want to be energized while walking into the weight room. Plus, it contains multiple ingredients that have been linked with a faster metabolism, which could help with weight loss.

We want to be clear: None of these ingredients are the magic key to shedding pounds. That said, they could have some benefit with regular use. For example, it contains 20 milligrams of cayenne extract. One of the main compounds in cayenne peppers and other spicy foods is capsaicin, which a 2017 meta-analysis¹⁰ says “has multiple benefits for metabolic health, especially for weight loss in obese individuals.” The 20 milligrams used in each serving of C4 Ultimate Shred is higher than the dosage used in many of the studies referenced in that meta-analysis, though some used far more.

Still, the formulation only received a 2 out of 5 from our certified nutrition coaches because it only contains 1 gram of l-citrulline (the recommended dose is around 6 grams) and less than half the recommended amount of betaine. It’s also not third-party tested, though we like that they show how much of each ingredient is in a serving.

While we haven’t tried this specific C4 product, we’ve taste tested many of their other products and all have received a 4 or 5 out of 5 on taste. The Ultimate Shred is available in four flavors: Frozen Bombsicle, Cherry Limeade, Orange Creamsicle, and Pink Lemonade.

Best Pre-Workout for Running and Weight Loss: MyProtein THE Pre-Workout

Good for: Runners wanting to elevate their energy and power output with fewer muscle cramps. 

Best for Running and Weight Loss

MyProtein THE Pre-Workout

GGR Score: 3.4

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Product Highlights

• 4 grams of citrulline, 50 milligrams of theacrine, and 2,500 milligrams of betaine anhydrous
• Available in 9 flavors
• Mixes well with water.
• Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Mixes well
• 9 flavors
• Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free

Cons

• Uses sucralose for flavor

Bottom Line

THE Pre-Workout supplement is made by a reputable brand and can potentially help support your health and fitness goals. Its higher cost may be prohibitive to some.

MyProtein THE Pre-Workout is formulated to elevate your next run to its fullest potential. It contains adequate doses of the most effective ingredients to give you prolonged energy and power. 

THE Pre-Workout provides 4 grams of L-citrulline to amplify blood flow to your muscles, improve strength, and intensify power. Each serving also provides 2 grams of beta-alanine, which enhances muscle buffering capacity, meaning you can run further without experiencing muscle fatigue. 

RELATED: Best Pre-Workout with Creatine

Furthermore, it offers  2.5 grams of betaine to boost power output, enabling you to push yourself harder during sprints. With 150 milligrams of caffeine, you’ll feel energized without the crazy jitters you may experience with other pre-workouts much higher in caffeine. BioPerine, a patented black pepper fruit extract, is a less common ingredient included in THE Pre-Workout for its potential to support enhanced nutrient absorption. 

Nicole Davis, GGR senior editor and certified personal trainer, really liked the taste of this product, rating it a 5 out of 5. Although this pre-workout is artificially sweetened with sucralose and ace-K, she didn’t find it overly sweet and liked that it has a slightly sour taste. 

Solubility wasn’t as impressive, and we rated it a 3 out of 5. The powder didn’t completely dissolve giving the drink a cloudy taste and there were visible floaties.

Nicole rated effectiveness a 4 out of 5 in our MyProtein pre-workout review. She felt energized and focused during her workout. She says the beta-alanine caused a bit of tingling, but that went away quickly.

Best Non-Stim Pre-Workout for Weight Loss: Genius Pre

Good for: Athletes wanting the mental focus and concentration from a pre-workout but without the caffeine. 

Best Non-Stim

Genius Pre

GGR Score: 4

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Product Highlights

• Caffeine-free
• $1.89 per serving
• 3 flavor options
• Nootropics for increased alertness

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clinically dosed ingredients
• Great for pumps
• No stimulants or caffeine

Cons

• Only 3 flavor options
• Some customers say it has a poor taste
• Only 20 servings per tub

Bottom Line

Genius Pre stimulant-free pre-workout uses nootropics in place of caffeine to increase energy levels and awareness.

Genius Pre is a caffeine-free pre-workout infused with nootropic ingredients and formulated to unlock your greatest physical potential. This product is enriched with cognitive-boosting components to keep you in peak mental form during your workout, without the stimulants.

Genius Pre is packed with substantial doses of citrulline malate (6 grams), CarnoSyn beta-alanine (2 grams), and betaine (2 grams). These components elevate nitric oxide production, enhance blood flow, and strengthen the mind-muscle connection for more effective workouts.

Beyond these performance-boosting ingredients, Genius Pre incorporates nootropics for enhanced cognitive function. L-tyrosine, for instance, may help enhance cognitive flexibility in task-switching performance. Additionally, alpha-GPC can help support focus and memory, ensuring you’re fully immersed in your training session.

Genius Pre offers four flavor options, all free of artificial flavors and sweeteners. Jacob Penner, USA Weightlifting L-2 coach and GGR expert panel member, absolutely loves the Blue Raspberry flavor, which he says tastes just like a blue ICEE. He rated taste a 5 out of 5 and says, “Taste-wise, this is one of the best pre-workouts I’ve ever had, and I’ve had 50+ pre-workouts.”

Regarding solubility, Jacob says in our Genius pre-workout review that it, “Blends very well; I did one scoop with about 16 oz of water; no noticeable issues with blending.” Ultimately, he rated solubility a winning 5 out of 5. 

Jacob compared the effects of this pre-workout to how you might feel after taking a mood stabilizer, euphoric, calm, and focused. He rated effects a 4 out of 5 and says, “I was relaxed, not stimulated; clear, and ready to take action.” 

Best Pre-Workout for Weight Loss for Beginners: Huge Supplements Pump Serum

Good for: Individuals looking for a tasty pre-workout that gives you a huge pump. 

Best-Tasting

Huge Supplements Pump Serum Non-Stim

GGR Score: 4

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Product Highlights

• Available in four flavors
• Formulated to improve workout performance 
• Claimed to increase pump and muscle fullness 
• Claimed to enhance endurance and increase focus

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Reportedly effective
• No post-workout crash
• Taste is popular
• Mixes well

Cons

• Sucralose may cause GI distress
• Artificial ingredients
• Expensive

Bottom Line

Although it does contain artificial ingredients, the Pump Serum Stimulant Free Pre-Workout powder is designed to pump you up for your next workout without any post-workout crash.

Pump Serum is a pre-workout thoughtfully designed to enhance nitric oxide production, promote vasodilation, and sharpen mental focus. This stim-free product includes 13 ingredients that work together to help you get the most out of each workout, without the caffeine crash later on.

The main ingredients include L-citrulline (4 grams), betaine (1.5 grams), and GlycerPump (1.5 grams). GlycerPump is a patented, highly concentrated source of glycerol powder. It’s used in athletic supplements to support hydration by retaining fluid in the blood and tissues. Besides enhancing hydration, GlycerPump has the potential to boost exercise performance, endurance, and muscle pumps.

Other ingredients include beet root extract, a nitric oxide booster, and L-tyrosine, a cognitive enhancer. L-tyrosine is an amino acid and precursor to several neurotransmitters, including dopamine and epinephrine, which play an important role in mood regulation and mental focus. The L-tyrosine in the product could help you stay more alert and on task during your workout.

Because this pre-workout is stim-free it could be a suitable option for individuals who prefer to work out at night. This pre-workout won’t leave you jittery, anxious, or buzzing, like some other supplements with stimulants that make sleep impossible. 

GGR head of content and expert product tester, Kate Meier, tried the Cherry Berry flavor and thought it was pretty good, rating it a 4 out of 5. “It isn’t incredibly tart, but it is definitely sweet. It does taste like cherry with berries.” Although the instructions say to mix it with 8-12 ounces of water, she found that it made the taste too concentrated and ended up adding extra water for a more desirable taste.

The powder mixed well overall, but it did settle a little, so we rated solubility a 4 out of 5. You may need to shake it before each sip to avoid the sediment at the bottom. 

Kate felt the effects of this pre-workout, even without the caffeine, and says, “You definitely feel a pump! Gets the blood flowing. Doesn’t have that high-energy effect, of course, because it’s stim-free.”

Strongest Pre-Workout for Weight Loss: Transparent Labs Bulk Black

Good for: Those wanting a potent pre-workout to take their energy levels, strength, and endurance to the next level. 

Strongest for Weight Loss

Transparent Labs Bulk Black Pre-Workout

GGR Score: 4.5

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Product Highlights

• Clinically dosed pre-workout 
• Over 17 g of active ingredients 
• Vegan 
• No artificial, sweeteners, coloring, or preservatives

Pros & Cons

Pros

• No artificial sweeteners, coloring, or preservatives
• 3rd-party lab tested
• Transparent ingredients
• Subscribe and save 10%
• Available in 5 flavors

Cons

• Manufactured in a facility that also processes allergens
• Limited reviews
• Some flavors may be sold out

Bottom Line

Transparent Labs BULK BLACK is a step-up from the original BULK pre-workout with more stimulants for people looking for a bigger energy boost before their workout. It is also very positively reviewed by customers.

Transparent Labs BULK BLACK pre-workout offers a more potent version of the Transparent Labs’ BULK pre-workout formula. BULK BLACK boasts elevated levels of caffeine anhydrous and Infinergy. It’s formulated to enhance strength, endurance, and blood flow to the muscles. BULK BLACK is free of artificial sweeteners, flavors, and food dyes. 

Key ingredients in this potent pre-workout include 8 grams of citrulline malate, 4 grams of beta-alanine, and 2.5 grams of BetaPure betaine anhydrous. Citrulline malate may help improve strength and aerobic performance, since it’s thought to absorb better than the commonly used L-citrulline. 

Beta-alanine, commonly underdosed in other pre-workouts, increases muscle carnosine levels, delaying muscle fatigue and improving endurance. Betaine is synergistic with citrulline and beta-alanine, supporting reduced fatigue so you can complete more reps. 

Moreover, this supplement incorporates nootropics to enhance mood and sharpen focus. For instance, L-tyrosine, an amino acid thought to assist in the synthesis of neurotransmitters, plays a role in attention, motivation, and mental focus. Alpha-GPC is known for its potential ability to improve cognitive function, improving memory, learning, and focus.

Anthony O’Reilly, certified personal trainer and GGR performance editor, tested the Peach Mango flavor and rated it a 5 out of 5. “It tastes so good that I actually want to sip it rather than just gulping it down like most pre-workout.”

The powder mixed really well. Anthony didn’t experience any unwanted clumps or floaties, so he rated solubility a 5 out of 5.

Anthony acknowledges this product comes with a higher price tag, but thinks it’s absolutely worth it. He rated this product’s effects a 5 out of 5 and says, “Energy was quick, long-lasting, and non-crashing.” He experienced some minimal face tingles and noticeable strength gains and mental focus. 

More Than 75 Pre-Workouts Researched and Tested

It’s fair to say we’ve tested a lot of pre-workouts. Tons of them include quality ingredients that could take your workout to the next level and help you lose weight. Here are a few more pre-workout products that didn’t quite make this list.

• Gorilla Mode: The product contains 2.5 grams of creatine and a whopping 9 grams of L-citrulline for enhanced strength, muscle growth, and a massive pump. Read our full Gorilla Mode pre-workout review for more info.
• 4 Gauge: Made with beetroot juice to boost nitric oxide production and creatine to support muscle protein synthesis. Doesn’t include beta-alanine, so you won’t experience any annoying itching or tingling. 
• Blackwolf Pre-Workout: Includes L-arginine for increased nitric oxide production and delivery of oxygen and nutrients to your muscles. 

Can Pre-Workouts Help You Lose Weight? 

The main purpose of pre-workouts isn’t weight loss, however, they can indirectly support weight loss efforts in several ways. For instance, pre-workout commonly contains stimulants that enhance energy levels and alertness. This can lead to more effective workouts, allowing you to exercise at a higher intensity for longer, which may increase calories burned and contribute to weight loss over time.

Additionally, some ingredients like caffeine and green tea extract, may boost your metabolic rate and promote the breakdown of fat for fuel. This means you could increase calorie burning throughout the day, which could help you shed pounds.

Some ingredients in pre-workout, like caffeine, could have appetite-suppressing effects. These effects can help with portion control and result in a calorie deficit needed for weight loss.

Pre-Workout Weight Loss Ingredients 

Certain pre-workouts include fat-burning ingredients that may promote weight loss. Here are a few ingredients that are commonly found in pre-workout supplements that could help you achieve your weight loss and fitness goals. 

• Caffeine: Caffeine has the potential to boost metabolic rate and promote fat burning, potentially contributing to weight loss. Caffeine might also have an appetite-suppressing effect, reducing the likelihood of overeating.
• Green Tea Extract: Green tea extract, which is full of antioxidants, may reduce the production of ghrelin (a hunger hormone) and may decrease appetite. It could also promote the breakdown of stored fat for energy.
• Capsaicin: Capsaicin is the compound in red chili peppers that makes them spicy. It increases thermogenesis, the production of heat in the body, causing the body to burn more calories.
• L-Carnitine: L-carnitine is an amino acid involved in fatty acid transport that may help burn fat during exercise.

Benefits of Pre-Workouts for Weight Loss

While pre-workout supplements are not direct weight loss products, they can offer several benefits that may support weight loss efforts.

Increased Metabolism

Pre-workouts commonly contain ingredients that enhance muscle growth, like creatine. Increased muscle mass raises metabolism, meaning you burn more calories, which could help you lose weight. Additionally, pre-workout ingredients, like caffeine, are known to increase your metabolic rate, so you scorch even more calories. 

Some Ingredients May Suppress Your Appetite

Pre-workout ingredients like caffeine and green tea extract may have appetite-reducing effects. For instance, green tea extract reduces ghrelin, a hormone that makes you feel hungry. You could find yourself less interested in unnecessary snacking and large portion sizes. 

Better Focus

It’s no secret that when your focus is zoned in, your workout is more effective. When you’re able to train strategically and without distractions, you’re more likely to push yourself to the next level. This means more reps, heavier weights, and further distances, which is likely to mean more calories burned. 

How We Picked and Tested the Best Pre-Workout for Weight Loss

Our team of product testers, consisting of certified personal trainers, registered dietitians, and CrossFit coaches, took many factors into consideration to choose the best pre-workout supplements for weight loss. With our first-hand experience using these products, we were able to take notes regarding ingredient quality, cost, taste, solubility, and effectiveness. 

Ingredients

We looked for pre-workout supplements that specifically contained high-quality ingredients that may support weight loss, like caffeine, green tea extract, and L-carnitine. Additionally, we aimed to choose products with clinically effective doses of common pre-workout ingredients, such as citrulline, beta-alanine, and betaine, to amplify your workouts so you can burn more calories.

RELATED: Types of Pre-Workout

Cost

We intentionally selected a wide range of pre-workout options to fit different budgets. Supplements with fewer, basic ingredients are often more affordable, while those with a unique blend of ingredients, including amino acids, creatine, and herbal extracts, can be more costly. Consider the dosages of ingredients and number of servings when making a decision about the cost-effectiveness of a product.

Taste

If you’re going to add a pre-workout to your supplement stack it needs to taste good. This is something you’ll likely be taking several times a week and you’re less likely to be consistent if you’re choking each sip down with disgust. Our testers provide reliable feedback regarding taste. Also, check out customer reviews on the product website to see what others have to say. 

Solubility 

There’s nothing worse than a clumpy, gritty pre-workout that just won’t mix. We don’t expect every product to completely dissolve (although that’s nice), but we do expect a smooth drink that’s easy to consume and doesn’t require a lot of extra shaking. 

Best Pre-Workout for Weight Loss: FAQs

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.

References

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8. França, E. , Avelar, B. , Yoshioka, C. , Santana, J. , Madureira, D. , Rocha, L. , Zocoler, C. , Rossi, F. , Lira, F. , Rodrigues, B. and Caperuto, É. (2015) Creatine HCl and Creatine Monohydrate Improve Strength but Only Creatine HCl Induced Changes on Body Composition in Recreational Weightlifters. Food and Nutrition Sciences, 6, 1624-1630. doi: 10.4236/fns.2015.617167.
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Anthony O'Reilly, CPT, CNC

Anthony O'Reilly is a NASM-certified nutrition coach and personal trainer whose work has been featured in Muscle & Fitness and BarBend, and previously was an award-winning reporter and photographer for newspapers on Long Island and Queens, NY. After spending most of his life overweight, he dropped 80 pounds and took control of his health and fitness. Outside of work, he still enjoys Little Debbie cakes but offsets them with rigorous hikes and workouts. He's an avid Manchester United supporter, through thick and thin.

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