The 7 Best Pre-Workouts for Bodybuilding in 2023

Are you on your bodybuilding journey searching for the perfect pre-workout to add to your routine? 

Great! You’ve come to the right place. 

We’re taking you through the best pre-workout for bodybuilding. We’ll go through the products, what to look for, and tips for buying pre-workouts for bodybuilding. 

Our winner is Hooligan Pre-Workout by Apollon Nutrition, and you’ll find out why shortly.

Get ready to get your pump on; let’s do this thing!

The Top 7 Recommended Pre-Workouts for Bodybuilding

1. Hooligan Pre-Workout – Apollon Nutrition
2. Pump Pre-Workout – Transparent Labs
3. Bulk Pre-Workout – Transparent Labs
4. El Jefe Pre-Workout – ASC Supplements
5. Sicario Pre-Workout – ASC Supplements
6. Godzilla Pre-Workout – Ryse Supplements
7. Wrecked Pre-Workout – Huge Supplements

Hooligan Pre-Workout – Apollon Nutrition

Hooligan Pre-Workout by Apollon Nutrition is the best bodybuilding pre-workout with lots of caffeine. It stands out because it has no banned ingredients or exotic stimulants while still giving you all the energy you need for a good pump. 

Hooligan Pre-Workout is not the best pre-workout for beginners. You need to know what you’re doing to get all the advantages of taking this highly caffeinated product. But it’s all worth it, with maximum focus and power guaranteed to give you a good go during your workout. 

Key Ingredients:

• L-Citrulline – 8,000 mg
• Beta Anhydrous – 2,500 mg
• Agimate Sulphate – 1,500 mg
• Lion’s Mane – 1,000
• Alpha GPC 50% – 600 mg
• Theobromine – 500 mg
• Caffeine Anhydrous – 450 mg
• Grape Seed Extract – 400 mg
• Himalayan Pink Salt – 300 mg
• Rhodiola Rosea Root PE – 300 mg
• Di0Caffine Malate – 200 mg
• elevATP – 150 mg
• CoffeeBerry – 100 mg
• AstraGin – 50 mg

Pump Pre-Workout – Transparent Labs

Pump Pre-Workout by Transparent Labs is the best non-stim pre-workout for pumps. It contains cell-volumizing and vasodilation nutrients to help you get the best pump on without any junk or fillers. 

This is the way to go if you’re into a cleaner pre-workout. The name says it all; Transparent Labs is all about being upfront and honest about what they put into their products. 

At the same time, they’re transparent about what you can expect while taking it. Looking at the Pump Pre-Workout, you’re in for hours of increased focus, blood flow, and muscle mass. 

Pump Pre-Workout was selected by Lift Vault as one of the best pre-workouts for pumps.

Key Ingredients:

• L-Citrulline – 8,000 mg
• Arginine Nitrate – 2,500 mg
• BetaPure™ Betaine Anhydrous – 2,500 mg
• L-Tyrosine – 500 mg
• L-Glutathione – 250 mg

Bulk Pre-Workout – Transparent Labs

Bulk Pre-Workout by Transparent Labs is the best bodybuilding pre-workout for beginners. It has no artificial preservatives, flavoring, or coloring. 

Beginners often want to hit the ground running when it comes to pre-workout supplements, but you need to be careful about what you’re putting into your body. 

It’s best to start with something like the Bulk Pre-Workout by Transparent Labs and work your way up to more intense products if needed. 

This product’s ingredients are based on scientific evidence, so you know what you’re getting will lead to a better workout.

Key Ingredients:

• Caffeine Anhydrous – 180 mg
• Infinergy™ (Dicaffeine Malate) – 30 mg
• Astragin™ – 25 mg
• Citrulline Malate 2:1 – 6,000 mg
• AlphaSize® Alpha-GPC – 300 mg
• L-Tyrosine – 1,000 mg
• BCAA 2:1:1 – (Instantized) (Fermented) 4,000 mg
• Beta-Alanine – 4,000 mg
• Theobromine – 50 mg
• BetaPure™ Betaine Anhydrous – 2,500 mg
• L-Theanine – 360 mg
• Taurine – 1,300 mg

El Jefe Pre-Workout – ASC Supplements

El Jefe Pre-Workout by ASC Supplements is the best hardcore bodybuilding pre-workout. It provides you with intense focus, energy, and performance – that’s why we named it one of the strongest pre-workouts.

This is for experienced bodybuilders looking for an extreme pump. The combination of nootropics and stims keeps you going for a good few hours, even on a heavy workout day. 

El Jefe Pre-Workout by ASC Supplements works quickly, so grab it on the way to the gym and be ready for the workout of your life. 

Key Ingredients

• Citrulline Malate 2:1 – 7 g
• Beta-Alanine – 4 g
• Betaine Anhydrous – 2.5 g
• Taurine – 2 g
• Nitrosigine – 1.5 g
• Caffeine – 400 mg

Sicario Pre-Workout – ASC Supplements

Sicario Pre-Workout by ASC Supplements is the best non-stim pre-workout for focus. You shouldn’t have to miss your workout because you got busy in the morning but don’t want to take pre-workout too late in the day. 

That’s where Sicario Pre-Workout comes in. Say goodbye to restless nights and hello to a pre-workout you can take at any time. Get ready for laser focus and an enhanced performance without any of the unwanted stim side effects. 

Key Ingredients

• Vitamin C – 250 mg
• Vitamin B6 – 20 mg
• Vitamin B12 – 500 mcg
• Chloride – 300 mg
• Sodium – 180 mg
• 3D Pump Breakthrough – 6 g
• Beta Alanine – 3.5 g
• Arginine Nitrate – 3g
• Betaine Anhydrous – 3 g
• Taurine – 2 g
• Pink Himalayan Sea Salt – 500 mg
• Pine Bark Extract – 250 mg
• L-Tyrosine – 3 g
• Alpha Glycerylphosphorylcholine – 800 mg
• AstraGin – 50 mg

Godzilla Pre-Workout – Ryse Supplements

Godzilla Pre-Workout by Ryse Supplements is the best pre-workout for pumps. It is a solid pre-workout with energy and pump ingredients to get those muscles going before your workout. 

It is an excellent overall body pre-workout and is a great alternative to Hooligan, which has 450 mg of Caffeine Anhydrous. Godzilla, on the other hand, has 350 mg. It might not sound like a lot, but 450 mg is a serious amount of caffeine to take in one sitting.

Overall, Godzilla is a fantast pre-workout for those looking to get a serious pump in. It’s packed with 12 ingredients, five of which are clinically studied and trademarked to give you the best results possible. 

Key Ingredients

• L-Citrulline – 9 g
• Hydrolyzed Casein Tripeptides – 300 mg
• Creatine Monohydrate – 5 g
• Vincamine – 20 mg
• Pink Himalayan Sea Salt – 500 mg
• zumXR Extended Release Caffeine – 50 mg
• Betaine Anhydrous – 5 g
• Choline Bitartrate – 1.6 g
• Caffeine Anhydrous – 350 mg
• Citrulline Nitrate – 2 g
• Beta-Alanine – 6.4 g
• Theobromine – 200 mg

Wrecked Pre-Workout – Huge Supplements

Wrecked Pre-Workout by Huge Supplements is the best well-rounded pre-workout for bodybuilding, putting it at number one on our list. 

It has all the ingredients necessary to give you the best workout possible. It’s also among the strongest of the best pre-workout supplements, but don’t worry; everything’s been measured and studied to keep things safe. 

Wrecked Pre-Workout by Huge Supplements is an excellent alternative to Hooligan and Godzilla. It has only 250 mg, compared to the 350 mg and 450 mg of the others.

Key Ingredients:

• L-Citrulline – 8000 mg
• Hydromax™ (65% Glycerol) – 4000 mg
• Beta Alanine – 3500 mg
• Betaine Anhydrous – 3000 mg
• Malic Acid – 3000 mg
• Agmatine Sulfate – 1500 mg
• L-Tyrosine – 1500 mg
• Alpha GPC 50% – 600 mg
• Lion’s Mane Mushroom Powder – 600 mg
• Caffeine Anhydrous – 250 mg
• N-Phenethyl Dimethylamine – 250 mg
• Theobromine – 150 mg
• Di-Caffeine Malate – 100 mg
• Himalayan Pink Salt – 196.5 mg
• S7 (Green Coffee Bean Extract, Green Tea Extract, Turmeric Extract, Tart Cherry, Blueberry, Brocolli, Kale) – 75 mg
• Black Pepper Fruit Extract – 10 mg
• Rauwolscine (Rauwolfia vomitoria Root Extract) (std. Min 90% Alpha Yohimbine – 1 mg

Tips for Buying a Bodybuilding Pre-Workout

Avoid Proprietary Blends

If you don’t know, the term proprietary blends refer to a mix of ingredients in a product without giving the exact measurements. They are sometimes called “blends, proprietary formulas, or complex.” 

You may notice this on some dietary supplements with a long list of ingredients with missing amounts. 

Now, we’re not about judging anyone here, but proprietary blends can be extremely dangerous to your health. Not having the exact amount of a certain ingredient listed can lead to a whole host of problems. 

Firstly, if you have no idea how much of an ingredient you’ve consumed, it is very easy to consume too much. If you take a pre-workout along with any other product and don’t know the amounts, you could be in a dangerous situation. 

Secondly, how do you trust that you’re getting what your body needs? Pre-workouts have stringent guidelines to stick to, to give users the best results possible.

Now say you’re on your way to a training session but have no idea how much of any ingredients you’ve consumed; you have no clue whether you’re benefitting. 

Lastly, there isn’t really a way to know if upping a particular ingredient will benefit you if you don’t know how much you’ve taken. 

The pre-workout game is about testing and finding what works for your needs. That’s difficult to evaluate without knowing your dosages.

Look for Pump Ingredients

L-Citrulline 

Bodybuilders tend to chase “the pump,” so it’s good to prioritize pre-workouts with at least 4 grams of L-Citrulline or 6 grams of Citrulline Malate.

Studies suggest that L-Citrulline is an excellent ingredient for improving O2 levels during your workout. 

You need oxygen during your workouts to improve your blood flow. This is particularly important when bodybuilding to enhance muscle growth. 

Additionally, a study suggested that L-Citruilline helped improve muscle protein synthesis, which in its basic form, is the way muscle mass grows.

In fact, L-Citrulline made it onto our list of the best pump supplements!

Glycerol 

Your pre-workout supplement should have at least 2 g of Glycerol. This ingredient has been scientifically proven to improve physical endurance. Meaning it makes you stronger and able to withstand a longer workout.

Additionally, the heart rate can reduce significantly after taking Glycerol before a workout. This is great for bodybuilders as the heart takes on a lot of strain with heavy weight lifting. 

Agmatine Sulfate

A pre-workout supplement should have at least 1 g of Agmatine Sulfate to affect your pump sessions. 

The ingredient works by increasing nitric oxide, which helps improve athletic performance. You can expect better muscle growth along with a reduced recovery time between workouts. 

VASO6

There should be at least 300 mg of VASO6 in your pre-workout supplements. VASO6 is an extract from green tea that increases nitric oxide production in the body.

Some scientific studies suggest that some vasodilation occurs within 15 minutes of taking a supplement with VASO6 in it. 

It can also relax the blood vessels, which gives you a fuller look. 

S7

Your pre-workout supplements should have at least 50 mg of S7. This is a combination of plant-based ingredients, including:

• Turmeric extract
• Green tea extract
• Blueberry
• Tart cherry
• Green coffee bean extract
• Kale
• Broccoli

S7 has been shown to improve your pump session by increasing nitric oxide production. 

Pine Bark Extract

The recommended dose for Pine Bark Extract in pre-workout supplements is at least 50-100 mg. The ingredient comes from the French maritime pine.

It is used in pre-works for bodybuilding because it can improve cardiovascular health and increase nitric oxide production. 

On top of that, studies suggest it may enhance focus, which always helps when you get a good pump on. 

Betaine Anhydrous 

You should have about 2.5 g of Betaine Anhydrous in your pre-workout supplement to get an effective result for your pump sessions. 

Betaine Anhydrous occurs naturally in the body, helping with DNA replication and blood pressure regulation. Plus, it also helps regulate cell fluids and homocysteine levels, so it does a lot. 

In terms of what it does in a pre-workout, it helps increase your endurance and ability to lift heavier weights. Which, let’s be honest, is the whole point. 

Clinical doses of other key pre-workout ingredients

We can’t break down each ingredient, or we’ll be here forever. But here are a few more key ingredient dosages to take note of when looking for the best pre-workout supplements.

• At least 3.2 grams of beta-alanine
• At least 2.5 grams of betaine anhydrous
• At least 750 mg of creatine HCL
• At least 3 g of creatine monohydrate
• At least 1 g of agmatine sulfate

Get the Right Amount of Caffeine for You

Caffeine is a stimulant; we all know that. But it doesn’t mean that you can’t use it in the best pre-workout safely. 

It all depends on your personal tolerance.

Some people are A-okay with the equivalent of five cups of coffee in one sitting. In contrast, others feel dizzy after the equivalent of one cup. 

So, it’s not to say that higher doses of caffeine in your pre-workout are wrong; it’s all about what you can handle and feel comfortable with. That’s why there are options with higher caffeine dosages and other stimulant-free pre-workouts.

Bodybuilders tend to have long workouts because they’re working muscle groups with lots of exercises. Some bodybuilders enjoy highly caffeinated pre-workouts to give them the energy and motivation for these long workouts.

But again, this works for some and not others, so you should find the best pre-workout that works with your needs. 

There are even options for a natural pre-workout powder that can offer many of the same athletic performance benefits. The same goes for vegan pre-workout supplements.

So, don’t fret if you’re looking for a natural pre-workout.

Here are the basic guidelines for caffeine:

• 200-250 mg: beginners
• 250-350 mg: intermediate
• 350+ mg: experienced users

Go with a Brand You Trust

There is no doubt that the brands on our list have loyal followings. That’s what makes them so popular because they genuinely work. 

Once you’ve found a brand with all the things you’re looking for, it’s best to stick with it. There is a best pre-workout supplement for everyone in the bodybuilding game; you just have to know what to look for. 

It’s essential you feel comfortable with what you’re taking. Don’t go with something because your gym buddy says it’s the best. Try it, but if it doesn’t work, don’t push it. 

The best pre-workout supplements come from regulated brands that have put in the work to bring customers the best on the market. 

It should go without saying that purchasing a shady product without any listed pre-workout ingredients or known studies shouldn’t be making its way into your gym bag. 

Fully disclosed ingredient label

Whatever brand you go with, it’s vital that all their products fully disclose all ingredients. There should be a clear label with measurements. 

For example, Transparent Labs posts its certificates of composition and certificates of analysis.

It’s nice when brands go the extra mile by posting additional info on their online product pages. It makes things a lot easier and can give you a sense of trust in what you’re taking. 

What Are the Advantages/Benefits of Pre-workouts?

There are a lot of advantages to taking the best pre-workout supplements, particularly if you’re in the bodybuilding game. If you take your passion seriously, a pre-workout can make all the difference. 

• Remain focused: You need to be in the zone when getting your pump on; it’s time to put your head down and go at it. Supplements help here with ingredients like Beta-Alanine and Alpha GPC. When you need to focus on your form and reps, a pre-workout comes in super handy. 
• Quicker recovery: Although pre-workouts are used before the workout, it doesn’t mean they can’t help afterward. Many of the best pre-workout products help with muscle recovery so you can get back in the gym ASAP.
• Increased energy: This is one of the biggest reasons bodybuilders take a pre-workout supplement. Life doesn’t stop because you’re working out, so it helps to have a little extra support to boost energy levels to get your pump on. 
• Increased blood flow: Increasing nitric oxide is how pump supplements can improve blood flow. This helps with muscle growth and recovery while improving your endurance. 

Addressing the Controversy

Look, there is always going to be controversy with everything in life. No product can avoid it, especially if it works. It’s the same with the best pre-workout; the competition is fierce. 

Looking at whether pre-workout supplements are safe or not all comes down to what you’re using. All the products on our list are totally safe and can genuinely help you in your bodybuilding endeavors. 

However, it’s all down to your personal needs. If you’re particularly sensitive to caffeine, then it’s pretty obvious that a high-caffeine pre-workout will make you feel lousy. 

It’s the same with certain health conditions. If you have heart problems, taking a high-caffeine pre-workout is not the way to go. That’s why caffeine-free pre-workout exists in the first place. 

The best Pre-workout will come from a trusted brand with a transparent label listing every ingredient with the amounts. They wouldn’t be allowed on the market otherwise. 

Where you can get into trouble is buying sketchy products under the table. You should never do this. As tempting as it is to listen to false promises, we can guarantee the negative effects will be so much worse. 

No product is worth your health. You should be using the best pre-workout supplement to help you get to where you want to be in a healthy and controlled way. 

Prerequisites/Precautions for Using Pre-workouts

While the products on our list are safe, that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few things to consider before taking your pre-workout. 

Start slow: We recommend this for any new product. You don’t know how you will respond, and once you’ve overdone it, there’s no going back. So start off slow; use half the lowest dosage if that makes you feel more comfortable. Once you’re used to the product, you can slowly increase the dosage. 

Follow the dosage: We can’t stress this enough: DON’T take more than recommended. The number of times gym enthusiasts make this mistake is alarming, even the trained professionals. The dosage is there for a reason. A caffeine overdose is not fun and is, in fact, deadly if severe, so watch what you’re doing when mixing your pre-workout. 

Stop if you feel anything strange: If you notice anything weird when you start taking your pre-workout, stop! It might be a slight allergic reaction or something major, so it’s best to give the pre-workout a miss if you feel anything is off. Look out for hives, swelling, or throat closing. Contact your doctor or 911 immediately.  

Mild reactions: Using a pre-workout can cause mild reactions, so it’s important to know what’s “normal.” Skin flushing can happen, but you shouldn’t have hives that itch. Nausea is common at the start; you can lower your dose to prevent this. Tingling in the hands and feet can also happen, but this should resolve as your body gets used to the product. 

FAQs

Is Pre-workout better than creatine?

The two work differently. Creatine helps increase strength through high-intensity workouts. Pre-workout is more for increasing energy, blood flow, and endurance to help you get through the intense training that ultimately builds muscle mass. 

Does pre-workout hurt testosterone? 

No! There is no scientific evidence showing that pre-workout supplements affect testosterone negatively. Certain pre-workout ingredients may boost testosterone if taken at the correct dosage, but not by much. You can test your testosterone and chat with your doctor to see what might suit your specific needs. 

Is pre-workout worth it? 

Absolutely, a pre-workout supplement can greatly improve your athletic performance. It all depends on your needs, but with so many options, there is undoubtedly the right pre-workout supplement for you. 

About Kyle Risley

Kyle Risley founded Lift Vault in 2016 to make finding great powerlifting programs easier. Since then, the site has grown to include hundreds of programs for strength, bodybuilding, Olympic weightlifting, and more. He currently lives in Massachusetts and continues to compete in powerlifting.