The Top 6 Best Pre-Workout Supplements for Weight Loss in 2022

For many people, getting and staying active can be quite difficult. Primarily because they just don’t have the energy. This is the reason that so many people are turning to pre-workout supplements, or pre-workouts, to give them that energy boost that they need to power through a workout.

Typically, pre-workouts are taken approximately 15 minutes to 45 minutes prior to a workout and contain stimulants such as caffeine and others that help to improve the intensity of your workout.

However, when you start your search for the best pre-workout supplement on the market, you are likely to find yourself overwhelmed. There are so many different options with various formulations, which can make it quite difficult to know what you should be looking for in a pre-workout supplement.

When you are selecting a pre-workout supplement, you need to consider your goals and the type of workouts you typically engage in: cardio, HIIT, strength training, walking/running, etc.

Most of the ingredients in these supplements are meant to improve various aspects of your workout performance. Some ingredients increase strength and power, while others improve your endurance, and even others improve energy levels, as we mentioned. When you know what ingredients are best for the type of workout you are engaging in, you will find the process of determining the best pre-workout for you that much easier.

In this article, we’re going to outline the top 6 best pre-workout supplements for weight loss. And just like selecting the best detox tea for weight loss or weight loss supplements in general, obtaining the best is always a primary goal because they make quality a priority. Then, we’ll explain who should be using pre-workout supplements, the benefits of taking a pre-workout supplement for losing weight, and how we chose the ones for our list. By the time you have finished reading, you will have a better idea of how to find the best one for you.

Top 6 Best Pre-Workout Supplements for Weight Loss

Once again, since there is such a wide variety of options, choosing a pre-workout supplement can be complicated. However, you don’t really have to stress too much over it. Below, we’ve reviewed what our team considers to be the top 6 best pre-workout supplements for weight loss on the market today.

XWERKS Ignite

XWERKS Ignite comes in a variety of exciting and delicious flavors: orange, green apple, watermelon, and blue raspberry. According to their website, this formula is effective for improving energy levels, and increasing motivation and focus throughout your workout session. The best thing is, there are no jitters, and you won’t experience a crash once it starts wearing off. Plus, it helps with post-workout muscle recovery without any side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, or other issues that are typically associated with pre-workout supplement consumption.

XWERKS Ignite contains the following ingredients:

• Caffeine
• CarnoSyn Beta-Alanine
• L-tyrosine
• Rhodiola Rosea
• Vitamins B6 & B12
• DMAE

Each container offers 30 servings, at 30 grams each. XWERKS backs all of their products with a 30-day, 100% money back guarantee.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Pre Lab Pro

Pre Lab Pro Pre-Workout formula comes in a flavor that is reminiscent of fresh berries and offers a variety of benefits when used as part of your daily workout routine. The manufacturers promise that this pre-workout blend will increase your anabolism, endurance, cardio, recovery, stamina, strength, speed, and endurance.

The best part is, this pre-workout supplement contains unique ingredients that most pre-workout formulas do not contain. Some of these ingredients are nootropic supporting and some are homeostasis, which makes it one of the highest quality pre-workout supplements on the market today.

Pre Lab Pro contains the following ingredients:

• Red beetroot powder
• Natural caffeine
• L-theanine
• Setria Performance Blend

Each container offers 20 servings, at 30 grams each. Pre Lab Pro offers a 30-day, 100% money back guarantee.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Legion Athletics Pulse Pre-Workout

Legion Athletics Pulse Pre-Workout is known for their natural ingredients. Plus, according to their website, this formula will help you focus and will improve your mood. This delicious pre-workout comes in a blueberry lemonade flavor. However, it is different from other pre-workout brands because it comes in two formulas: caffeinated and non-caffeinated.

Legion Athletics Pulse Pre-Workout promises to increase strength, energy, and endurance and, similar to some of the other products on the market, the natural contents can help reduce muscle fatigue.

If you want to try out a natural formula, this is definitely one of your best options.

Legion Athletics Pulse Pre-Workout contains the following ingredients:

• 8 grams of Citrulline malate
• 6 grams of beta-alanine
• Natural caffeine (caffeinated version)

Each container offers 21 servings, at 15 grams each. Legion Athletics Pre-Workout is backed by Legion’s 355-day, no questions asked, 100% money back guarantee. The claim is only good on the first product purchased.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Blackwolf Pre-Workout

The Blackwolf brand is fairly new to the workout supplement arena, so it is not as well-known as many of the other pre-workouts on our list- but that doesn’t mean they are not quality products. They are associated with Muscle Club Limited, which is one of the well-known supplement companies in the United Kingdom. They are very quickly making a name for themselves in the industry.

They are made with clinically proven ingredients and come in quality packaging and are available in three delicious flavors: green apple, blue raspberry, and fruit punch. Plus, they offer caffeinated and caffeine free formulas.

Blackwolf Pre-Workout contains the following ingredients:

• 200 milligrams of betaine
• 3000 milligrams of creatine
• 1,000 milligrams of taurine
• 600 milligrams of L-tyrosine
• 1,000 milligrams of L-arginine
• 6,000 milligrams of L-citrulline
• 3,200 milligrams of beta-alanine
• 10 milligrams Huperzine (fruit punch only)
• 150 milligrams of DMAE (fruit punch only)

Each container of Blackwolf pre-workout contains 22 servings.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Bauer Battle Ready Fuel Pre-Workout

For the budget-conscious athlete, we have Bauer Nutrition Battle Ready Fuel (BRF) Pre-Workout. It is a stim-free pre-workout supplement that improves your focus, increases the intensity of your workouts, improves endurance, and provides an array of other advantages. Though they are a budget-friendly option, the quality is still top-notch.

Bauer Nutrition BRF Pre-Workout contains the following ingredients:

• Whey protein isolate
• Caffeine
• Vitamin C
• Clarion CLA

Each container offers 15 servings, at 30 grams each. Bauer Nutrition’s BRF is backed by Bauer Nutrition’s 60-day money-back guarantee.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

4 Gauge

4 Gauge offers a pre-workout supplement that provides customers with extreme performance with zero jitters. The packaging is interesting- it looks like a shotgun shell. The primary goal of this supplement is to make customers look good and feel good about themselves.

Additionally, 4 Gauge promises to improve your focus and you don’t have to be concerned about energy crashes. There are no artificial sweeteners in this product and since it’s low in calories, you can be sure that it’s not going to ruin your weight loss goals.

4 Gauge contains the following ingredients:

• 150 milligrams caffeine
• 6,000 milligrams of L-citrulline
• 100 milligrams of Rhodiola Rosea
• 200 milligrams of L-theanine

Each container of 4 Gauge offers 20 servings, at 28 grams each.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Do You Really Need a Pre-Workout Supplement?

The truth is, you don’t necessarily need to use a pre-workout supplement because it is possible to get everything your body needs to meet your fitness goals through your typical diet. It’s also critical that you understand that supplements like this are just that- supplements. They are not made to replace healthy eating habits.

That being said, if you want to push past your current limits and feel like you want to use a pre-workout, make sure that you keep the following things to look for and things to avoid in a pre-workout in mind. This way, you can be sure that you are getting a quality supplement and not a knock-off.

Finally, make sure that you keep in mind that these are made for healthy adults, but it’s still recommended that you speak with your medical provider before you start on this or any other supplement.

Things to Look For & Avoid in a Pre-Workout

Choosing a pre-workout supplement is a very personal thing. You have to consider your personal goals and find one that supports those. However, there are some common things that you should make sure are included and some that it’s best to avoid. Below, we’ll explore those:

Things to Look for in a Pre-Workout

Currently, there’s not a lot of research that has been done on the overall effectiveness of pre-workout supplements. However, some studies indicate that there are certain ingredients that may be beneficial for athletic performance. We will take a closer look at those here:

Beta-Alanine

Beta-alanine is a common ingredient in pre-workout formulas. It is an amino acid that is believed to prevent lactic acid accumulation in your muscles. This means that your workouts can be harder and longer.

Research indicates that beta-alanine is quite effective. That being said, one of the most common side effects associated with it is a tingling sensation throughout the body. This sensation is harmless, but many people find it unpleasant and see this as a reason to not use it. On the other hand, there are also plenty of people who don’t even notice it.

BCAAs

Another common ingredient in pre-workout supplements is branched-chain amino acids, or BCAAs. Studies have shown this ingredient to decrease post-workout muscle soreness and increase muscle growth when taken prior to working out. Additionally, BCAAs are found in protein sources, so chances are, you may already be getting the BCAAs that you need.

Caffeine

Caffeine is a stimulant that is often found in pre-workout supplements. The reason it is included is because it improves energy level and increases focus. According to research, caffeine has been shown to increase mental alertness, improve memory, and improve exercise performance. Additionally, some research indicates that it may help with body fat reduction.

Creatine

Creatine is also commonly found in pre-workout supplements. This is a chemical that is also naturally produced in your body and found in protein sources such as red meat, poultry, and seafood. Creatine is primarily stored in your muscles, where it is converted to phosphocreatine and ultimately produces ATP. It facilitates the production of strength and energy.

Not only is creatine commonly included in pre-workout supplements, it is also a standalone supplement as well, popular with weightlifters, bodybuilders, and power athletes. Research shows that when levels of creatine in the body are high, workout performance, muscle mass, post-workout recovery time, and strength are all significantly improved.

Nitric Oxide Precursors

Finally, beetroot juice, L-arginine, and L-citrulline are often included in pre-workout supplements. These are known as nitric oxide precursors and help your body naturally produce nitric oxide, which is a compound that is proven to relax your blood vessels, which improves blood flow.

According to research, nitric oxide precursor supplementation may improve the transportation of oxygen and nutrients to your muscles. This would, in turn, improve your performance on the court or on the field.

That being said, while research has proven L-citrulline to improve workout performance, L-arginine actually breaks down in your system before it gets to your bloodstream. Therefore, while it may increase nitric oxide production, it really does not have a direct impact on your workout performance.

Things to Avoid in a Pre-Workout

Pre-workout supplements have been determined to be generally safe for healthy adults- but that does not mean they are completely risk free. There are a few things that you need to keep in mind when you are choosing the best pre-workout supplement for you. We’ll take a look at those below.

Sugar Alcohols and Artificial Sweeteners

Unfortunately, a lot of the pre-workouts on the market include sugar alcohols and/or artificial sweeteners. Manufacturers add these ingredients to improve the flavor without increasing the calorie count. Some people have issues digesting these things though and end up with digestive discomfort and gastrointestinal distress.

Some of the common side effects of consuming too much sugar alcohol are gas, bloating, and diarrhea. All of these can interrupt your workout. Some people have reported similar effects from artificial sweeteners- but this has not yet been proven.

Many people prefer to completely avoid pre-workouts with large amounts of either of these. Then again, there are some that don’t have any issues tolerating it. You may wish to try a small amount to see how it affects you.

Excess Caffeine

As we mentioned, when it comes to pre-workout supplements, caffeine is the ingredient that gives you energy. That being said, there are some that contain high amounts of caffeine that lead to some undesirable side effects, including increased blood pressure, anxiety/jitters, or insomnia.

Most of the time, a single serving of a pre-workout contains the caffeine content of 1 to 2 cups of coffee. If you’re like most people, your pre-workout is not your only source of caffeine. You’re probably drinking coffee, soda, tea, and maybe even energy drinks. You may end up overdosing on caffeine.

Not 3rd Party Tested

In the United States of America, the Food & Drug Administration, or FDA, does regulate supplements, including pre-workouts. however, they fall under the category of food, not drugs. This leaves gaps in the regulations, which means that manufacturers may print false or misleading information on their product labels.

If you end up consuming a pre-workout where the safety and/or quality have been compromised, you may be exposed to dangerous levels of certain ingredients or even ingredients that have been banned for one reason or another. In order to make sure you are purchasing supplements that have been third party tested, look for the NSF International or USP (U.S. Pharmacopeia) stamp on the package.

What are the Advantages of Pre-Workout Supplementation?

There are several advantages of pre-workout supplementation. These are as follows:

• Muscle Gain
• Endurance
• Strength
• Energy
• Improved post-workout recovery
• Improved athletic performance
• Motivation for HIIT workouts

Potential Disadvantages of Using a Pre-Workout Supplement

If you’re just getting started with pre-workout supplementation, it’s important to note that though it has a variety of advantages, you may also experience a few disadvantages. We are going to take a look at some of the reported side effects below to help you come to an educated decision about whether or not you want to use a pre-workout as part of your training regimen.

Anxiety

One of the common ingredients in pre-workout supplements is caffeine. This is what gives you the energy to complete your workout. Research indicates that it decreases fatigue and increases energy.

Unfortunately, the flip side to that coin is that it can make you feel jittery, make you restless, increase your heart rate, make you feel sleepy, but unable to sleep, anxiety, headaches, and nausea.

Bloating

The second side effect that some users have reported is bloating- likely due to the creatine content. Creatine does increase lean body mass and HIIT capacity, but it also brings some side effects, which are typically mild, but include things like bloating, water retention, and other digestive issues.

Digestive Upset

The third commonly reported side effect from pre-workout supplementation is digestive upset. There are actually several of the common ingredients that could trigger digestive upset, including:

Another potential trigger for digestive upset is not using enough water when mixing it. The directions are there for a reason- to be followed. If your dose is too concentrated, you could cause yourself to have diarrhea, which isn’t good when you’re trying to work out.

Headaches

Some people experience headaches when they are using a pre-workout, which is most likely contributed to the citrulline. This is an amino acid that increases blood flow to your muscles- which results in muscle mass gains. However, your brain is also a muscle, which means blood flow is also increased there. This could trigger headaches and, in some cases, migraines, because of the pressure change.

Conclusion

Pre-workouts are supplements that you take prior to your workout to give you energy to power through your workouts, lose fat, and increase lean muscle mass gains. There are so many options on the market, it can be hard to choose the best one. Unfortunately, there is no specific supplement that is right or wrong for everyone. You have to decide for yourself what it is that you need to reach your fitness goals. However, there are some general things to be aware of and keep in mind when you are shopping for a pre-workout. Don’t forget to check out the 6 reviews that we did. Maybe one of those will be what you need.

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