Thavage Pre-Workout Review (2024): Take One Scoop or Two to Boost Your Focus

As a sports dietitian, I always default to recommending plenty of carbohydrates before a workout. The thing is, though, every once in a while we just need something with a little more kick to it. And no, I’m not talking about an energy drink, I’m talking pre-workout. 

RELATED: Best Pre-Workout

The one we’re looking into today is Chris Bumstead’s very own in our Thavage pre-workout review. Considering the number of Mr. Olympia titles this man has, we had to try this one. Read on to see what we thought of this “natural” pre-workout that’s rapidly growing in popularity. 

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. GGR also recommends choosing a product that has been third-party tested for quality.

Over 60 Pre-Workouts Reviewed

As a team full of CrossFit Level 1 trainers, personal trainers, and registered dietitians, we are committed to giving you our honest experience, which means both the good and the bad—and even sometimes the ugly. 

For this Thavage pre-workout review, GGR performance editor and expert product tester Anthony O’Reilly tried the sports nutrition supplement himself before his own bodybuilding workouts. He gave the supplement ratings in key categories based on GGR’s unique supplement testing methodology. 

Thavage Pre-Workout

CBUM Thavage Pre-Workout

GGR Score: 3.7

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Product Highlights

• Pre-workout powder
• 6 flavor options
• Designed by 4x Mr. Olympia Chris Bumstead
• Third-party tested
• About 23 mg caffeine per serving

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Flexible dosing
• 15-day no-hassle return policy
• Subscribe and save 10%

Cons

• Pricey per serving
• Even more expensive if you double dose

Bottom Line

CBUM Thavage Pre-Workout is designed by Chris Bumstead, who has been reigned Mr. Olympia four times. In addition to a small dose of di-caffeine malate, this pre-workout is also forumatled with L-citrulline, betaine anhydrous, L-tyrosine, alpha GPC, and huperzine A. The website provides a breakdown of each ingredient and its benefits. Additionally, you will have access to documentation related to third-party testing for this pre-workout.

A Quick Look at CBum Thavage Pre-Workout

CBum pre-workout is so named because, according to Raw Nutrition, the dietary supplement was “personally designed” by Chris Bumstead. Bodybuilder Chris Bumstead, known as CBum, is from Canada and competes in the IFBB Pro League.

From 2019 to 2023, Chris Bumstead has won five consecutive Mr. Olympia Classic Physique titles. Thavage is so named because of Chris Bumstead’s lisp, which would be his pronunciation of “savage.”

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Before You Buy

• Flavors vary in price, so before buying, check what your desired flavors cost.
• Price per serving gets expensive when you consider you actually need 2 scoops.
• It may contain a banned substance that could cause trouble for college athletes.
• While it claims to be a “natural” product that’s free of artificial ingredients, it is sweetened with sucralose, otherwise known as an artificial sweetener also called Splenda.

Is Thavage Pre-Workout Worth It?

CBum pre workout is deceivingly well-priced, but only because it works best with more than one serving. It’s not a high-stim pre-workout supplement, but has enough nitric oxide boosters, nootropics, and caffeine to support increased energy. Basically, if you don’t mind the lack of creatine and amino acids, this pre could be worth the price for some laser focus and motivation. 

Thavage Pre-Workout Specs

Experience Using Thavage Pre-Workout

“To be clear, this pre-workout should only be used for high-volume, bodybuilding-style training sessions,” GGR Performance Editor Anthony O’Reilly says after trying the Raw Nutrition supplement for himself. “It’s not the one I’d reach for when going for a PR, but if I’m just lifting moderately heavy, then this is one of my go-tos.”

RELATED: When to Take Pre-Workout

Price Per Serving

It’s unclear why, but the scoop size and price vary between flavors. The price for one scoop of pre-workout is $0.90 to $1.12. Green Crush is the flavor that’s currently priced at the low end. However, since you really need two scoops to get the recommended dosages of active ingredients, consider this price to double; that then takes us to the high end of the spectrum for cost per serving.

Formulation

You have the option to take one scoop or two, depending on your tolerance. One scoop might be less intimidating for beginners, but just know that the dosages for two scoops are more in line with what you need to see athletic performance benefits. We recommend you start with one if trying Thavage for the first time and eventually work your way up to two scoops. 

• Betaine anhydrous: Betaine anhydrous has been shown to improve muscular endurance, muscle strength, and the quality of reps¹ after supplementing for 15 days.
• Caffeine Anhydrous & Di-Caffeine Malate: Thavage contains two types of caffeine, which has been shown in several studies to promote mental focus². Di-caffeine malate in particular is made with malic acid, which is also used to boost cognitive function. 
• Alpha-Glyceryl Phosphoryl Choline 50%: A recent study showed that αGPC increased motivation³ in subjects, especially when taken at night.
• L-citrulline: Studies have indicated that l-citrulline may also help improve blood flow by boosting nitric oxide production⁴, especially when combined with the Nitrogisine that’s also included in CBum pre workout.
• Nitrosigine: Can increase exercise blood flow and reduce muscle fatigue⁴.
• Theobromine: When taken with caffeine, theobromine, the main alkaloid in cocoa beans, works to improve mood and cognitive function⁵.
• Beta-alanine: Research suggests beta-alanine can delay muscle fatigue⁶ and lactic acid buildup, enabling you to pump out more reps.
• Taurine: Science suggests this compound may be able to help improve brain function⁷ for better focus during your workouts. That’s what puts Thavage on our radar as a prime pre-workout to help you keep your mental focus during those intense workouts. 
• Sodium: Along with potassium, sodium is an electrolyte that can help support cellular hydration and prevent cramping during your workout, Raw Nutrition’s pre-workout contains 200 milligrams. For perspective, a 20-ounce bottle of Gatorade contains 270 milligrams of sodium.
• L-tyrosine: It has been shown that L-tyrosine can improve cognitive function⁸ in athletes, especially those training in hot weather.

Though it’s not present on the ingredient list, the product’s description claims it contains bitter orange, which has been named a banned substance by the NCAA, which lists it as a stimulant. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health⁹, “The fruit of bitter orange contains p-synephrine and other naturally occurring chemicals. p-Synephrine is structurally similar to ephedrine, the main component in the herb ephedra, but p-synephrine has different pharmacologic properties (how the component acts). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned the use of ephedra in dietary supplements because it raises blood pressure and is linked to heart attack and stroke. Bitter orange is commonly used as a substitute for ephedra in dietary supplements.”

Taste and Solubility 

Anthony rated Thavage pre-workout a 4 out of 5 for taste. He tried the Dragon Fruit and said, “Very fruity! Kind of reminds me of the Starbucks pink drink but a little less sweet, which is just fine for my tastebuds. It’s a little diluted when only using one scoop, but I mostly just do 2 scoops of this since that’s what gets you the full dose of everything.”

He also remarks that the pre-workout dissolved perfectly, rating it 5 out of 5 for solubility.

Side Effects

Anthony experienced no negative pre-workout side effects from CBum pre-workout and rates the effects 4 out of 5. “The two main benefits I got from this were focus and pumps,” he said. “The energy was there but it wasn’t anything too special.” He continues with praise for the mental focus and pump: 

“The focus felt like someone put horse blinders on my brain and the only thing I could think of was lifting weights. The pump—well, it’s no surprise that a five-time classic physique Mr. Olympia endorses this product. Absolutely juicy.”

RELATED: Does Pre-Workout Help Build Muscle?

Third-Party Testing 

Vertex Analytical Labs offers some third-party testing results for each flavor of CBum Thavage pre-workout on the company website. It’s important to note, however, that these results only reflect the supplement’s potency.

In other words, the consumer is assured that the pre contains the dosages listed on the label, but Thavage pre-workout is not certified by Informed Choice or NSF for Sport. This means the product hasn’t been necessarily tested for banned substances or contaminants. So, it may not be the best pre-workout for athletes who submit to drug testing and its possible inclusion of bitter orange makes it out of the question for NCAA athletes. 

Comparison to Kaged Pre-Kaged  

Kaged Pre-Kaged

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 a well-known sports nutrition supplement our testers have also taken for a spin. Compared to CBum pre workout, Kaged is more than two times the price per serving but also has a scoop size that is twice as large. Kaged also has branched-chain amino acids, two times the l-citrulline and caffeine content, and is third-party tested by Informed Choice. 

Check out our full Kaged Pre-Kaged review for more info.

Customer Experience 

A standard Amazon return policy applies when purchasing pre-workout from Raw Nutrition on Amazon, which is what we did. Due to the nature of this supplement, returns and refunds are not accepted. Contact Amazon’s customer service by phone, chat, or email if you have other inquiries.

Ordering Thavage Pre-Workout

CBum Thavage Pre-workout can be ordered through Amazon and the checkout process is the same as with any other item, though shipping may vary depending on your Amazon membership. If ordering through Raw Nutrition, you can save 10% with the Subscribe-and-Save feature, which delivers every four, six, and eight weeks. The cost of shipping varies depending on your location and Raw Nutrition ships worldwide with rates determined at checkout. 

RELATED: Best Pre-Workout for Men

Customer Reviews

Thavage pre-workout reviews on Amazon currently average 4.5 out of 5 stars based on 991 reviews with many praising the increased energy, taste, and mental focus they get from the dietary supplement. Negative reviews complain of the product containing sucralose even though it claims to be “all natural,” its laxative effects, and unpleasant flavors.

Thavage pre-workout reviews echo the same highlights, with a rating of 5 out of 5 stars based on 964 reviews.

Final Verdict of Our Thavage Pre-Workout Review

I do have to say the claim that Thavage pre-workout is free of artificial ingredients makes me scratch my head. As noted on the label, this product is sweetened with sucralose, otherwise known as an artificial sweetener also called Splenda. 

Reviewers do seem to dig the flavors and focus this pre provides. Despite the product page’s claim that one serving “does it all,” it’s actually two scoops that contain the clinically effective dosages of nitric oxide boosters, compounds to assist with cognitive function and stim content. 

Here are some other highlights of Thavage pre-workout:

• Contains a good amount of sodium and potassium for hydration
• College and elite athletes should run the formulation by their coach or dietitian before taking
• Reviews about the focus, energy boost, and flavor are excellent

Full Rating

Thavage Pre-Workout

CBUM Thavage Pre-Workout is designed by Chris Bumstead, who has been reigned Mr. Olympia four times. In addition to a small dose of di-caffeine malate, this pre-workout is also forumatled with L-citrulline, betaine anhydrous, L-tyrosine, alpha GPC, and huperzine A. The website provides a breakdown of each ingredient and its benefits. Additionally, you will have access to documentation related to third-party testing for this pre-workout.

Product Brand: CBUM

Product Currency: $

Product Price: 49.99

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
3.7

Thavage Pre-Workout Review: 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

1. Hoffman JR, Ratamess NA, Kang J, Rashti SL, Faigenbaum AD. Effect of betaine supplementation on power performance and fatigue. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2009;6:7. Published 2009 Feb 27. doi:10.1186/1550-2783-6-7
2. McLellan TM, Caldwell JA, Lieberman HR. A review of caffeine’s effects on cognitive, physical and occupational performance. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. 2016;71(1):294-312. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.09.001
3. Tamura Y, Takata K, Matsubara K, Kataoka Y. Alpha-Glycerylphosphorylcholine Increases Motivation in Healthy Volunteers: A Single-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Human Study. Nutrients. 2021;13(6):2091. Published 2021 Jun 18. doi:10.3390/nu13062091
4. Rogers JM, Gills J, Gray M. Acute effects of Nitrosigine® and citrulline malate on vasodilation in young adults. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2020;17(1):12. Published 2020 Feb 24. doi:10.1186/s12970-020-00343-y
5. Janitschke D, Lauer AA, Bachmann CM, Grimm HS, Hartmann T, Grimm MOW. Methylxanthines and Neurodegenerative Diseases: An Update. Nutrients. 2021;13(3):803. Published 2021 Feb 28. doi:10.3390/nu13030803
6. Hoffman J, Ratamess NA, Ross R, et al. Beta-alanine and the hormonal response to exercise. Int J Sports Med. 2008;29(12):952-958. doi:10.1055/s-2008-1038678
7. Jakaria M, Azam S, Haque ME, et al. Taurine and its analogs in neurological disorders: Focus on therapeutic potential and molecular mechanisms. Redox Biol. 2019;24:101223. doi:10.1016/j.redox.2019.101223
8. Coull NA, Watkins SL, Aldous JW, et al. Effect of tyrosine ingestion on cognitive and physical performance utilising an intermittent soccer performance test (iSPT) in a warm environment. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2015;115(2):373-386. doi:10.1007/s00421-014-3022-7
9. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Bitter orange. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/bitter-orange

Destini Moody, RD, CSSD, LD

Destini Moody, RD, CSSD, LD is a sports dietitian and the head of performance nutrition for the NBA G League Ignite. In addition to working with pro athletes, Destini has ghostwritten four weight loss and wellness cookbooks. She also authors online content covering fitness and nutrition topics.

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