For anyone trying to decide between Ghost Pre-Workout vs C4 Pre-Workout, we’ll give it to you straight. If you want a quality pre-workout, then Ghost is the answer!
Learn more about the key differences and the pros and cons of each of these pre-workouts with this detailed pre-workout review.
For other great pre-workouts, check out these curated roundups:
Key Differences Between Ghost and C4
C4 is a significantly more popular pre-workout than Ghost but is still considered the weakest of the two – with the main difference being the lack of key ingredients and effective doses.
Although Ghost doesn’t max out much with their ingredients, they still deliver more clinically dosed ingredients with scientific backing than C4 does. In Ghost, you get an almost double dose of key ingredients and ingredients not found in C4, such as Nitrosigine and Senactiv.
Another difference is that C4 uses proprietary blends and is not fully transparent in some of its ingredients – a big no-no when it comes to pre-workout supplements.
All of these key differences point towards Ghost as the superior pre-workout by a long shot.
Which pre-workout is better overall?
Ghost is the better pre-workout in every measurable way, offering more clinically dosed ingredients and transparency.
Which pre-workout is better for energy?
Ghost offers the most energy out of the two. With 100 mg more caffeine than C4 and 1.5 mg of Alpha Yohimbine, you get long-lasting energy with Ghost.
Which pre-workout is better for pumps?
Packing a clinical dosage of L-Citrulline and Agmatine Sulfate, Ghost is the better pre-workout for pumps.
Which pre-workout is better for beginners?
Both pre-workouts are suitable for beginners, but C4 might be a better pick because it has less caffeine and a cheaper price point.
Product Overviews
Ghost Pre-Workout Overview
Simply the best tasting pre workout supplement for beginners.
Ghost Lifestyle came into the sports nutrition industry in 2016 with its flagship product, Ghost Legend – a stimulant-based pre-workout that saw a revision of its formula in 2021. The new V2 formula seems to improve significantly on the original version.
This pre-workout houses a 4 g dose of L-citrulline for boosting nitric oxide production. However, with 3.5 g being the lowest dose for L-citrulline, this dosage wouldn’t be considered optimal by any means.
Ghost Supplement also contains 1.5 mg of Nitrosigine, which has been linked to improving pumps when exercising, as well as 50 mg of Senactiv, another patented compound designed to help boost energy and improve muscular preservation.
You’ve also got 300 mg of Alpha GPC, 100 mg of Theobromine, and 250 mg of caffeine – all of which will likely make a big difference to your performance when the pre-workout kicks in.
Pros:
- Most ingredients are clinically dosed
- More complete blend of ingredients for pump, focus, and energy
- Lots of fun flavors.
Cons:
- More expensive than C4, but still reasonably priced
C4 Pre-Workout Overview
C4 is the first pre-workout many people try. While this doesn't necessarily mean it's good, it does give it a popularity that is hard to ignore.
It's biggest advantages are that it is cheap and tastes good. Most ingredients are underdosed, but if you don't care about that then it's a fine starting point for beginners.
Hailed as “America’s #1 Selling Pre-Workout Brand”, C4 Pre-Workout has been on the market for some time as one of the best, if not the best-selling pre-workout in the world. However, this popularity is not owed to the product itself but rather the marketing, price point, and distribution.
However, Cellucor C4 is one of a few pre-workouts that completely misses the mark. This pre-workout supplement is riddled with red flags, such as the severe underdosing of key ingredients like l-citrulline, beta-alanine, arginine, and creatine nitrate.
To add more fuel to the fire, Cellucor also uses proprietary blends, which legally allows them to pack together multiple ingredient dosages and hide the amount used.
It’s safe to say that there are other pre-workouts on the market that are more effective.
Pros:
- Very affordable on a per-serving basis (30 full servings)
- Easy to find
- Tastes good.
Cons:
- Every ingredient is underdosed (except for 150 mg of caffeine which may be best for beginners)
- Lack of transparency – uses a proprietary blend.
Conclusion
Looking at the cold, hard facts of both pre-workouts, Ghost is by far the better choice. With scientifically-backed ingredients and solid clinical doses, you’re already getting the best pre-workout for enhancing your gym sessions.
Use Ghost Pre-Workout if:
- You want a great pre-workout with a well-rounded blend of ingredients
- You want a pre-workout with fun, delicious flavors
- You want to enhance your pump, focus, energy, and muscle growth.
Use C4 Pre-Workout if:
- You want a super affordable pre-workout
- You’re an absolute beginner.
