The 10 Best Pre-Workout Supplements for Weight Loss (2023)

If you’re looking to add a pre-workout supplement to your weight-loss plan, we’ve got you covered!

While the best method for weight loss is to ensure a calorie deficit, a pre-workout supplement that aids weight loss is a great addition to your health plan.

Lean Pre-Workout from Transparent Labs is the best overall choice for a weight loss pre-workout, but there are many more great options available that can be tailored to your needs.

We’ve reviewed the 10 best options below and included some key information that you need to be aware of when choosing the best pre-workout for weight loss for your journey.

The 10 Top Recommended Fat Burning Pre-Workouts

1. Lean Pre-Workout – Transparent Labs
2. Superhuman Burn Pre-Workout – Alpha Lion
3. Superhuman Burn Stim-Free – Alpha Lion
4. Black Tulip Pre-Workout – Apollon Nutrition
5. Herolean Pre-Workout – Dark Labs
6. Nitrosurge Shred – Jacked Factory
7. Clean Burn – Kaged
8. Powher Pre-Workout
9. CaloriBurn Gains Candy – Alpha Lion
10. Chaos Fat Burner – Apollon Nutrition

If you’re in a hurry, here are our top four recommended pre-workouts for aiding weight loss.

1. Lean Pre-Workout – Transparent Labs

Best Weight Loss Pre-Workout for Beginners

This pre-workout for weight loss is designed to be the best supplement for cutting weight and is perfect for both men and women. Transparent Labs Lean will help you to lose stubborn fat while maintaining lean muscle mass.

Transparent Labs Lean has no artificial flavors, coloring, or preservatives and is vegan! They’re 100% transparent with their formula, meaning there are no hidden nasties in the mix.

Serving Size: 16.5g

Available Flavors: Sour Peach, Blue Raspberry, Green Apple, Orange, Cherry Limeade, Sour Grape, Strawberry Lemonade, Tropical Punch, Watermelon

Package Size: 513g

Key Ingredients:

• Citrulline Malate 2:1 | 6,000 mg
• Beta-Alanine | 2,000 mg
• BCAA 2:1:1 | (Instantized) (Fermented) 2,500 mg
• BetaPure™ Betaine Anhydrous | 1,500 mg
• Acetyl L-Carnitine HCl | 630 mg

2. Superhuman Burn Pre-Workout – Alpha Lion

Best Overall Pre-Workout for Weight Loss & Fat Burning

Alpha Lion’s Super Human Burn Pre-Workout supplement is one of the best pre-workout supplements for fat burning.

With a 100% transparent label and seven trademarked ingredients, this thermogenic pre-workout supplement will give you the necessary boost needed to maximize your workout for weight loss.

The SXT™ Sustained Energy and Focus System will ensure that you start your routine off strong and maintain momentum throughout. It doesn’t have the steep dropoff that is associated with many traditional pre-workout ingredients, thanks to the unique, tri-source caffeine.

Serving Size: 1 Scoop (14.8g)

Available Flavors: Hulk Juice, Cherry Popper, Smurf Juice

Package Size: 310.8g

Key Ingredients:

• L-Citrulline – 4 g
• Caffeine Anhydrous – 225 mg
• L-Theanine – 225 mg
• Acetyl L-Carnitine – 1 g
• MitoBurn (L-beta-Aminoisobutyric Acid) – 500 mg
• Advantra Z Bitter Orange Extract (Synephrine) – 100 mg
• CaloriBurn GP (Grains of Paradise Seed Extract, 6-Paradol 12.5%) – 40 mg

3. Superhuman Burn Stim-Free – Alpha Lion

Best Stim-Free Pre-Workout for Weight Loss

Perfect for when you need that extra boost for a stimulant-free workout, Superhuman Burn Stim-Free packs a lot of punch. Providing energy and endurance for a hardcore workout without the use of caffeine and other intense stimulants, this pre-workout combines an energy boost with some great fat-burning power.

This is the best fat burning pre-workout if you’re looking for a supplement that is stim-free, supports weight loss, and perfect for an intense cardio session.

Serving Size: 1 Scoop (14.8g)

Available Flavors: Cotton Candy, Swole Sangria, Berry Bubbly

Package Size: 310.8g

Key Ingredients:

• L-Citrulline – 4 g
• Acetyl L-Carnitine – 1 g
• MitoBurn (L-beta-Aminoisobutyric Acid) – 500 mg
• Cocoabuterol (Cocoa extract) – 100 mg
• Advantra Z Bitter Orange Extract (Synephrine) – 100 mg
• CaloriBurn GP (Grains of Paradise Seed Extract, 6-Paradol 12.5%) – 40 mg

4. Assassin Black Tulip Pre-Workout – Apollon Nutrition

Best Hardcore Pre-Workout for Weight Loss

This thermogenic pre-workout from Apollon Nutrition is perfect for those looking to smash their PRs and shine on the competition floor (or stage). Assassin Black Tulip is one of the best pre-workouts for fat loss.

It maxes out your endurance for cardio and strength training, speeding up fat loss and lean muscle gains.

Serving Size: 1 Scoop (16g)

Available Flavors: Cherry Lemonade, Pineapple Orange

Package Size: 320g

Key Ingredients:

• Theobromine 500mg
• L-Carnitine L-Tartrate 2g
• Grains Of Paradise (Aframomum Melegueta) 200mg
• Caffeine 485mg
• P-Synephrine 120mg
• Yohimbine 4mg
• L-Carnitine 1g

5. Herolean Pre-Workout – Dark Labs

Best Pre-Workout for Weight Loss with DMAA or DMHA

One of the best hardcore, stimulant-filled, fat-burning pre-workout supplements on the market, Herolean Pre-Workout from Dark Labs is an excellent choice for those wanting a euphoric, high-intensity workout experience.

This pre-workout supplement has the added perk of appetite suppression, making it even more beneficial as a fat-loss aid. The additional stimulants work as a diuretic, which can assist in reducing fluid build-up – ideal for those athletes getting lean for a competition.

Serving Size: 1 Scoop (5.1g)

Available Flavors: Green Apple, Tropical Punch

Package Size: +/-155g

Key Ingredients:

• ⁣⁣⁣L-Carnitine L:-Tartrate: 2000mg ⁣
• Caffeine Anhydrous: 300mg
• Green Coffee Bean Extract (50% Chlorogenic acid): 150mg ⁣
• 2-Aminoisoheptane (DMHA): 200mg
• Synephrine: 50mg
• Gamma-Butyrobetaine Ethyl Ester HCl: 25mg
• Yohimbine HCl: 10mg
• Alpha Yohimbine: 3mg

6. Nitrosurge Shred – Jacked Factory

Best Value Pre-Workout for Weight Loss

Free from artificial dyes and fillers that are often found in other pre-workout supplements, Nitrosurge Shred is a focus-enhancing, fat-burning, thermogenic pre-workout that’s great for both men and women.

The potent ingredients are clinically dosed, giving you the perfect combination of stimulants for a hardcore workout. The formula will boost your nitric oxide production, ensuring that you get the most powerful pumps possible.

While many premium pre-workout supplements are fairly pricey, Jacked Factory’s Nitrosurge Shred is affordable and offers a 100% money-back guarantee.

Serving Size: 1 Scoop (7.2g)

Available Flavors: Lemon Lime, Watermelon, Fruit Punch, Orange Pineapple, Black Cherry, Blueberry Lemonade

Package Size: 216g

Key Ingredients:

• L-Citrulline (Per Serving: 2 g)
• Beta-Alanine (Per Serving: 1.6 g)
• Acetyl L-Carnitine HCL (Per Serving: 1 g)
• Theobromine (Per Serving: 50 mg)
• BioPerine (Per Serving: 2.5 g)
• Caffeine + L-Theanine (Per Serving: 180 mg / 90 mg)

7. Clean Burn – Kaged

Best Pre-Workout for Weight Loss with Apple Cider Vinegar

Excellent as a coffee replacement or before a cardio workout, Clean Burn from Kaged is one of the best pre-workouts that contain Apple Cider Vinegar. This powerful pre-workout supplement is Informed-Sport certified, meaning that it has been tested for banned substances, making it safe for athletes.

This healthy pre-workout is GMO-free, gluten-free and vegan, making it an accessible product to all fitness fanatics. The delicious orange-mango flavor is achieved without artificial additives, keeping true to the Clean Burn name.

Serving Size: 1 Scoop (6.8g)

Available Flavors: Orange Mango

Package Size: 204g

Key Ingredients:

• ChromeMate® Chromium 400mcg
• Capsimax® Hot Pepper Extract 100mg
• Green Tea Extract 1000mg
• EGCG from Green Tea 500mg
• Carnipure™ L-Carnitine 3000mg
• Gymnema Sylvestre 300mg

8. Powher Pre-Workout

Best Women’s Pre-Workout for Weight Loss

If you’re looking to increase your focus, boost your motivation, and have a solid workout without being overstimulated, then this is the pre-workout for you. Powher has a low stimulant formula, resulting in great focus and the ability to achieve amazing results without the side effect of a caffeine crash or the jitters.

The key to the top-class performance of Powher’s pre-workout is EnXtra. This caffeine amplifier is an extract from Alpina galanga, a member of the ginger family. This powerful ingredient can help the effects of caffeine to last for up to 5 hours longer than normal, making it possible to use less caffeine while still achieving excellent results.

Serving Size: 1 Scoop (10g)

Available Flavors: Pink Lemonade

Package Size: 250g

Key Ingredients:

• Folic acid (400 ug)
• Vitamin B12 (3 ug)
• Vitamin B6 (2 mg)
• Natural Caffeine (100 mg)
• RedNite (500 mg)
• Leucine (2,000 mg)
• Tyrosine (500mg)
• Cocomineral (coconut water powder) (500 mg)
• OxyJun (400 mg)
• Beta-Alanine (2,000 mg)
• EnXtra (300 mg)

9. CaloriBurn Gains Candy – Alpha Lion

Most Versatile Weight Loss Supplement

This Grains of Paradise fuelled muscle gains candy has been tested using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography to prove its quality and effectiveness. Alpha Lion is transparent with its CaloriBurn Gains Candy formula, which has been carefully created to ensure ultimate performance both in and out of the gym.

Grains of Paradise has been given Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) status by the FDA, making it an obvious choice for those wanting a safe and reliable pre-workout option.

If you’re sensitive to taste, these capsules are the best pre-workout supplement for you, as you can take them with just a cup of water – no interesting fruity flavors to navigate!

3 – 5 sentences describing the product and what makes it stand out

Serving Size: 1 Capsule

Available Flavours: N/A

Package Size: 60 Capsules

Key Ingredients:

• CaloriBurn Grains Of Paradise Seed Extract (6-Paradol 12.5%) 40mg

10. Chaos Fat Burner – Apollon Nutrition

Best Pre-Workout Capsules for Weight Loss

If you’re looking to engage in intense workouts to cut fat and lose weight, then this is the best pre-workout supplement for you. Suitable for beginners and experienced athletes, the flexible dosing allows you to adjust to the intensity gradually.

One of the strongest thermogenic pre-workout supplements available on the market, Chaos Fat Burner will soon have you smashing your goals and more!

Serving Size: 4 Capsules

Available Flavours: N/A

Package Size: 240 Capsules

Key Ingredients:

• Vitamin B12 (250mcg)
• Green Tea Leaf Extract (750mg)
• Caffeine Anhydrous (200mg) and Caffeine Citrate 50% (200mg)
• Paradoxine Grains of Paradise (225mg)
• InnoSlim (125mg)
• Capsimax (50mg)
• Gamma Butyrobetaine Ethyl Ester HCl (GBB) (30mg)
• Alpha Yohimbine (1.5mg)

General Advice for Buying A Pre Workout for Weight Loss

There are so many different pre-workouts available on the market that it can be difficult to choose the right one for your journey. We’ve put together some tips and tricks for finding the best pre-workout for weight loss.

If you want to know more about proven fat-burning ingredients or wondering how thermogenic pre-workouts can assist you in losing weight, we’ve got the answers for your below.

What to look for when buying a pre-workout supplement for weight loss

1. Look for a Fully disclosed ingredient label

A high-quality and reliable supplement brand will be transparent with its formula and ingredients list. It is best to avoid products that use fillers, additives, or unnecessary extra ingredients in their formulas.

Look for a product that uses all-natural ingredients or ingredients that are backed by peer-reviewed scientific studies.

Be aware that even natural ingredients can interact with medications or have effects on pre-existing conditions, so make sure to check in with your primary care provider before starting to use a new pre-workout supplement.

2. Decide how much caffeine is right for you

Some people can handle more caffeine than others, and if you’re beginning on your pre-workout supplement journey, you definitely want to opt to play it safe rather than risk overdoing it with the caffeine.

Too much caffeine can cause anxiety and heart palpitations and can land you in the hospital. Be sure to read your labels carefully and adjust the dose to suit your tolerance levels, if necessary.

The following is a loose guide for caffeine tolerance levels:

• 0 mg to 100 mg: beginner friendly
• 100 mg to 200 mg: average
• 200 mg to 300 mg: suitable for those with a caffeine tolerance
• Over 300 mg is for experienced pre-workout users

There are caffeine-free pre-workouts available on the market, so if you’d prefer to avoid adding caffeine into the mix or are caffeine intolerant, these will be a good option for you. These are often referred to as ‘Stim-Free’ pre-workout supplements.

3. Look out for underdosed ingredients

You want to be sure that you’re getting the best possible results from your pre-workout supplement, so it’s important to check that the ingredients aren’t underdosed. At least seventy-five percent of the ingredients should be within the correct dosage range in order for the pre-workout supplement to be considered worthwhile.

Recommended doses of key ingredients:

• MitoBurn (250-500 mg)
• Synephrine (30-60 mg)
• Grains of Paradise (40-50 mg)
• 5-HTP (100 mg)
• White Willow Bark (120-240 mg)
• InnoSlim (250 mg)
• Capsaicin (2-6 mg, or 1-2.5g of cayenne pepper)
• EGCG (400-500 mg pure EGCG)

A great way to ensure that you’re choosing the best option is to read reviews, do your research, and choose a trusted brand that has a reputation for transparency and quality.

4. Look for these Key ingredients in pre-workout supplements for weight loss

A good pre-workout for weight loss will contain ingredients that will help your body to burn fat. They’ll also contain ingredients that will boost your metabolism, improve your focus and increase your energy. You’ll find some of the most important ingredients listed below:

MitoBurn
MitoBurn (AKA β-aminoisobutyric Acid, or L-Baiba) is a self-affirmed GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) non-protein amino acid metabolite from NNB Nutrition. It is found in a variety of nutrition bars, grain-based bars, sports drinks, and powdered supplements.

Synephrine (Bitter Orange)
Bitter orange can be used to combat obesity, assist in fat loss, increase athletic performance, and for many other purposes. Scientific backing for its benefits is currently lacking.

Grains of Paradise
Grains of Paradise, also knowns as Aframomum melegueta, is part of the ginger family. It is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties, as well as its fat-burning qualities and ability to kill certain bacteria.

5-HTP
A byproduct of L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, is sourced from the seeds of the African plant Griffonia simplicifolia. This ingredient increases the levels of serotonin present in the brain, directly affecting brain function and the central nervous system.Serotonin has a positive influence on sleep, mood, pain tolerance, appetite, and body temperature.

White Willow Bark
White Willow bark contains a substance that works in a similar manner to aspirin called salicin. It can be used to reduce pain and fever. When added to a pre-workout, it can help reduce the muscle pain and exhaustion associated with a hardcore workout. It can also treat osteoarthritis and the flu.

InnoSlim
Created by blending Astragalus membranaceus and Panax notoginseng, InnoSlimⓇ has been designed specifically to assist weight loss. It is similar to AstraGin, but has the added benefit of assisting in the reduction of metabolic syndrome symptoms.

Capsaicin
Extracted from chili peppers, Capsaicin is the compound that gives chilies their heat. It is widely regarded as a beneficial supplement for weight management and fat loss.The theory is that the compound boosts your metabolism, making it easier to burn fat and lose weight. It does this by increasing your oxygen consumption and your body temperature, which in turn increases how many calories you burn.

EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate)
Recent research has shown that catechin, which is found in the plant compound known as EGCG, can help protect your cells from damage, as well as prevent disease. EGCG is most commonly found in green tea but can be found in other natural substances such as cranberries, kiwis, and avocados.This wonderful compound can offer a number of different health benefits, including the reduction of inflammation and increased weight loss, and can also assist in preventing heart disease.

L-Carnitine
A naturally occurring chemical produced in the brain, liver, and kidneys, L-carnitine turns your body fat into energy. Not only is it great for fat loss, but it also plays an important role in brain and heart function, as well as muscle movement and other key body processes.

Alpha yohimbine 
This potent dietary supplement is most well-known for its treatment of erectile dysfunction. However, it is also a great aid for fat loss and can be a great addition to your cutting routine.You should be careful with Yohimbe as, unfortunately, it is often dosed inaccurately, and the doses in the supplements can be vastly higher than what is stated on the label. Ingesting a high dose can have negative side effects and result in an overdose.

What are the benefits of pre-workout for weight loss?

Here are five ways taking pre-workout for weight loss can benefit your health journey:

1. Contain Ingredients specific for weight loss

Pre-workouts specifically designed for fat burning and weight loss will be tailored for that purpose and contain ingredients known for assisting in weight loss and fat burning. Look for a thermogenic pre-workout if you want to really boost your fat-burning sessions.

2. Increases workout intensity

The stimulants found in pre-workouts give you a big energy boost and make it possible for you to work out harder and faster. They assist with more intense cardio, heavier lifts, and improved endurance.

3. Improves motivation

Also contributed to by the stimulants and energy-enhancing vitamins and minerals found in your pre-workouts, these supplements are likely to increase your motivation. They achieve this by giving you a powerful energy boost, increasing your endorphins, and providing a sense of heightened euphoria.

4. Suppresses appetite

Many of the fat-burning ingredients included in pre-workouts double as appetite suppressants. This greatly benefits weight loss as you’ll naturally start to eat less and be more likely to avoid binges. If you make sure to follow a healthy diet in combination with taking your pre-workout supplements, you should find yourself getting toned and trim fast.

5. Can boost your metabolism

Not only will the caffeine in the pre-workout for weight loss boost your metabolism, but the fact that you’re building up muscle and increasing your muscle fibers over time will also play a big role in improving your metabolism. This will, in turn, greatly assist in your weight loss efforts.

What’s the best way to use pre-workout for weight loss?

To start with, you’re going to want to make sure that your pre-workout doubles as a fat burner – not all pre-workouts are made for fat burning. Some are designed for gains. Choosing a thermogenic pre-workout for weight loss will help you to burn fat while you exercise.

Most pre-workout drinks require you to take them before your workout, often 20-30 minutes prior. This gives the pre-workout time to be digested and enter your bloodstream, giving you the best fat-burning power while you’re at the gym.

Depending on the pre-workout formula, you may wish to start with a reduced dosage to monitor your tolerance. Hardcore pre-workout formulas often contain more caffeine and stimulants than found among your typical pre-workout ingredients, so if you’re a beginner, be careful when using more intense pre-workout powders.

Lastly, a pre-workout for weight loss is not going to fix a bad diet. It is vital that you combine your pre-workout supplement and exercise with a healthy diet to ensure the best possible results. Time spent slaving away in the gym and money invested in expensive supplements will all go to waste if you’re not keeping your eating habits in check.

Why is there controversy about pre-workout supplements for weight loss?

Over the years, there has been a fair amount of controversy around fitness supplements, especially those such as pre-workout supplements, as they can contain a high percentage of stimulants. Some pre-workouts contained substances such as DMAA andDMHA, which are now banned due to their risky side effects.

You’ll note that it is still possible to purchase pre-workouts that have banned substances in them – there is even one included on our list. We recommend doing this only if you’ve done the necessary research and are aware of all the risks associated with the substances.

There was also a period of time when there was little to no third-party testing of pre-workouts, resulting in some very risky substances and formulas being on the market. It is advised that one only purchases a supplement that has gone through third-party testing to prevent any avoidable risks.

While competing athletes are allowed to use supplements to assist them in getting the best out of their training, they need to be sure that none of the ingredients are banned by their sporting association in order to prevent incurring penalties. Using natural and stim-free pre-workouts can make this easier.

Some of the strongest pre-workouts can be risky for beginners, and many brands will suggest starting with a reduced dosage to gauge tolerance and avoid potential health risks.

Prerequisites/precautions for using pre-workout for weight loss

Avoid overdoing it on the caffeine

Caffeine is one of the typical pre-workout ingredients and will assist you in your weight loss journey, but it is important that you don’t overdose. Always check the label beforehand and make sure that you can tolerate the amount of caffeine included in the pre-workout.

Pre-workout is often used as a coffee substitute due to its high caffeine levels, so bear this in mind before combining the two.

Be cautious around banned substances

Some of the more hardcore pre-workout formulas still contain banned substances. While these can be great fat-burning ingredients, they are banned for a reason, and you need to weigh up the risks before choosing to add them to your routine.

If you’re competing, you’ll want to avoid any pre-workouts with banned substances, as it will likely cause you to be penalized or disqualified.

Start with a smaller dose

When using a pre-workout for the first time, consider taking a reduced dosage to ensure that you can tolerate the substance. Many supplements will suggest this on their label – follow the recommended guidelines to ensure your safety.

Check-in with your primary care provider

A pre-workout for weight loss can contain ingredients that interact with other medications or are not suitable for people with various health conditions. Be sure to chat with your primary care provider before starting to use a pre-workout in order to ensure your safety.

You should also inform your doctor that you’re using a pre-workout if you’re sick and are prescribed any medication.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

It’s easy to see that the best pre-workout for weight loss is the Superhuman Burn from Alpha Lion. Both the Standard and Stim-Free versions came out tops in our reviews and are a worthwhile investment. With powerful ingredient lists containing well-dosed ingredients and a transparent formula, it is clear why Superhuman Burn is the best.

Alpha Lion’s CaloriBurn Gains Candy is a great alternative for those who prefer a capsule to a powder, and the Powher Pre Workout is the best low-stim pre-workout option for the ladies.

Banned substance free and packed with proven fat-burning ingredients, the above pre-workouts will have you burning fat and adding muscle mass in no time.

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.