El Jefe Pre Workout Review (ASC Supplements)

El Jefe pre workout is a pre workout supplement known for its powerful stimulant ingredient matrix. Notable ingredients include two types of caffeine, DMHA, eria jarensis, and alpha yohimbine. On the effect side, focus and mood elevation are most notable and the overall experience is pleasant and well balanced.

My friend over at Nutrition Cartel was kind enough to send me over a sample to review for Lift Vault readers.

I also have a promo code (LIFTVAULT) that will provide a 10% discount at Nutrition Cartel if you’re interested in trying out El Jefe pre workout.

Let’s get to it!

My Experience with El Jefe Pre Workout

I have had a really pleasant experience with El Jefe and it has become one of my go-to pre workout supplements. I find its effects to be a great balance of euphoria and energy without any nasty side effects.

Although a full serving of El Jefe is 2 scoops, I’ve taken 1.5 scoops and even 1 scoop (in the evening) with positive effects. I’d recommend starting at 1.5 scoops, as that may be all you need and that will give you 30 servings instead of 20 servings.

El Jefe kicked in pretty quickly, probably within 20 to 30 minutes. Energy, focus, and mood elevation were all apparent by that point.

From there, I had really solid energy and an excellent mood for the remainder of my two hour workout. I didn’t feel jittery or tweaked out, but definitely felt dialed in and focused with a happy mood.

I cruised through my workout and even did a few extra sets of accessories because I was feeling so good.

The best part, in my opinion, is how smooth El Jefe feels afterward. There is no noticeable crash effect. Mood and energy stay upbeat!

All in all, this was a great experience. I was pleasantly surprised by El Jefe, as I was a bit turned off by its proprietary blend ingredient label (one of the few downsides it has).

El Jefe Ingredient Label

This breakdown of the ingredient label will not include the dosages of each ingredient because El Jefe uses a proprietary blend formula. This means it lists each ingredient, typically in descending order by amount, but doesn’t disclose the amount of individual ingredients.

Citrulline Malate – 7 grams

Citrulline Malate is one of the best-researched pre workout ingredients, consistently demonstrating increases in power and nitric oxide alongside decreases in fatigue (Examine).

7 grams is a clinically effective dosage.

Beta Alanine – 4 grams

Beta alanine has consistently shown to support muscular endurance and can act as an a lactic acid buffer. Regular intake of beta alanine is required in order to achieve these benefits, but 4 grams is in line with recommended dosages.

Betaine Anhydrous – 2.5 grams

Betaine is included to help with power output. Research is inconsistent on this claim, but it is a popular ingredient nonetheless.

2.5 grams is within the range of recommended daily dietary supplementation on Examine.

Taurine – 2 grams

Taurine is kind of a “miscellaneous” pre workout ingredient with a range of potential, albeit limited, physical benefits. It can aid in blood flow, reduce cramping, and act as a booster to anti-oxidant defense systems (Examine). It’s a pretty insignificant ingredient in pre workout compared to other ingredients, but doesn’t hurt anything either.

2 grams is a solid dosage of taurine to achieve any effects it has to offer.

Nitrosigine – 1.5 grams

Nitrosigine is an ingredient that helps increase nitric oxide levels, muscle size, and mental acuity (source).

1.5 grams is a clinical dosage of Nitrosigine.

ElevATP – 150 mg

This is a proprietary blend comprised of ancient peat and apple extract that is shown to increase ATP, leading to increases in maximal power output (source).

150 mg is a clinical dosage of ATP.

Choline Bitartrate

Choline is often included in doses ranging from 1 to 2 grams to help boost mental focus as a nootropic. However, it is often included in Alpha GPC form for this purpose and Choline bitartrate may not be as effective for nootropic purposes (source).

Caffeine Anhydrous – 300 mg

Caffeine anhydrous is the typical form of caffeine, well known for increasing energy, power, and focus.

El Jefe contains 300 mg of caffeine anhydrous, which is a solid dose.

Theobromine

Theobromine is a stimulant that is sort of a “caffeine light” ingredient.

Eria Jarensis Extract

Eria Jarensis is a stimulant that is commonly seen alongside DMHA in high stim pre workouts.

Juglans Regia Extract

DMHA is a stimulant, similar to DMAA, known for boosting energy, focus, and mood. It comes in many different forms, of which Juglans Regia Extract is one. Others include 2-aminoisoheptane and kigelia africana.

Related: Where to Buy DMHA Powder Online, Best Pre Workout with DMHA

Di Caffeine Malate

This is the “extended release” version of caffeine, which helps extend the effects of the pre workout and provide a smooth “come down” instead of a rapid drop in energy, which can occur with large doses of caffeine anhydrous.

Hordenine HCL

Hordenine (N,N-dimethyltyramine) is a stimulant that is often included in recent “nootropic” products. It is not widely researched, so much of the information available comes from anecdotal accounts.

Higenamine HCL

Higenamine is thought to have similar mechanisms to ephedrine, which has led to usage as a fat burner, though this is not well researched.

Alpha Yohimbine (Rauwolscine)

Alpha Yohimbine, also known as “alpha yo,” is a polarizing stimulant. Some individuals are particularly sensitive to alpha yohimbine and will always avoid any pre workout containing it. Common negative side effects can include anxiety, headaches, chills, sweating, frequent urination, and increased blood pressure.

Personally, I did not feel any of these negative side effects with El Jefe, so I don’t think the dosage of Alpha Yohimbine is too high. I have felt chills and some anxiety from high doses of Alpha Yo, so I am not immune to them, but El Jefe did not give me any of those side effects.

Huperzine A

Like Alpha GPC, Huperzine A is a cholinergic that acts as a cognitive enhancer. 

Conclusion

El Jefe impressed me and it is a pre workout I’d recommend. It is strong, but not insanely strong, which is honestly all I need most days.

If you’ve never had a strong pre workout before, El Jefe will be more than enough.

If you’re a grizzled pre workout veteran, I think you’ll appreciate the pleasant effects of the pre workout on days you only need to be going 90 mph instead of 100 mph. 😉