Pre Black by SP Nutrition Pre-Workout Review

Pre-Black is a pre-workout supplement from SP Nutrition. Fueled by 3 g Beta-Alanine, 100 mg L-Norvaline, 350 mg Caffeine, 255 mg AMP Citrate, 120 mg DMHA, 20 mg Noopept, Pre-Black has plenty of focus and energy to go around. 

Due to the AMP Citrate and DMHA, I would only recommend this to advanced users of pre-workouts.

Read on for additional details of my experience, the best prices for the Pre-Black pre-workout, and a breakdown of its ingredient label. 

Where to buy it

You can buy Pre-Black at the following retailers:

• Supp Kingz
  • LIFTVAULT15 = 15% off

My Experience

I tried Pre-Black just once, but it gave the energy and focus I needed for a long, 3+ hour workout. Additionally, I had lasting energy for the remainder of the day.

Effects

The main benefits of this product are the intense focus and energy. Unfortunately, the pumps are lacking.

Within just 3 minutes, I felt the Beta-Alanine tingles. At just three grams, they were far more intense than I expected and lasted a good 30 minutes. For intensity, I’d give the product an 8.5 out of 10.

Within 7-10 minutes, a wave of smooth energy came over me. It wasn’t sudden or overly powerful and lasted 4+ hours.

A few minutes after the energy started, a tunnel-vision type of focus swept over me. The all-day focus kept me zeroed in on my task without the urge to wander off.

Sadly, the pumps were nothing to write home about.

Absolutely no adverse side effects were noted.

Flavor

The flavor I tried was Sour Grape, and considering what’s in the formula, I enjoyed the flavor. It had no chemical, bitter, or sour taste. I would describe it as a smooth grape gummy bear. Out of 10, I’d give it a 9.

Two other flavors are available: Pineapple Mango and Rocket Pop.

Scoop Size

A whole serving is 15 grams, which is almost a dead-flat scoop (good on SP Nutrition).

Ingredients

Beta-Alanine – 3,000 mg

Beta-alanine has been shown to support muscular endurance and act as a lactic acid buffer. 

However, beta-alanine requires regular intake to be effective, akin to creatine. Daily supplementation of beta-alanine is recommended, with a loading period of three to five weeks to become effective.

3 to 4 grams is the recommended daily dosage for beta-alanine, putting Pre-Black right in the range.

Creatine Monohydrate – 2,500 mg

While creatine will improve strength levels when supplemented daily, doses will need to be within the 3 to 5 gram range. Pre-Black falls short of that minimum but may promote muscle hydration during training. 

Taurine – 1,500 mg

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

1.5-grams is a solid dosage of taurine and should provide effects it has to offer. Other products usually have 500 mg to 2 grams.

L-Citrulline – 3,000 mg

L-Citrulline is one of the most common pre-workout ingredients. Extensive evidence supports its ability to increase nitric oxide production, power output, and endurance, making it an essential pump pre-workout ingredient.

L-Arginine – 500 mg

Arginine is required to create nitric oxide in the body. However, it has performed unreliably in studies when measuring blood flow. This is thought to be due to the poor bioavailability of L-Arginine compared to other supplements, like L-Citrulline, which is processed in the kidneys and turned into arginine.

The standard dosage for L-Arginine is 3 grams to 6 grams. Pre-Black falls very short of a clinical dosage (Examine).

L-Norvaline – 100 mg

L-Norvaline is a unique amino acid and a form of the BCAA valine. It is an arginase inhibitor, which helps prevent the breakdown of arginine in the body. This effect makes the nitric oxide production of citrulline more effective.

Some sources suggest that a standard dose of L-norvaline is between 100 mg and 200 mg, or even up to 400 mg. I am not sure how well-supported this claim is (Source). So at 100 mg, Pre-Black is within the typical dose you’d see in other pre-workouts. (100-400mg)

Glucuronolactone – 200 mg per serving

Though there is not much research on glucuronolactone, it is often included for detoxification and energizing purposes and is commonly found in energy drinks.

Some supplement manufacturers claim that glucuronolactone helps extend the effects of caffeine.

Caffeine Anhydrous – 350 mg

Caffeine needs no introduction, but it’s one of the most researched sports supplements. Most fat burners will range between 175 mg and (as with the great M2) and 600 mg (as with the smoothest Hooligan).

Typically, pre-workouts range from 250 to 450 mg, putting the 350 mg in Pre-Black right within that range.

Theobromine – 50 mg

Theobromine is a “caffeine light” stimulant ingredient found in chocolate, some tea plants, and the Kola Nut. Its name means “Food of the Gods.” Greek “theo” means gods and “broma” means food. As anyone with a sugar craving, you can understand why.

Some anecdotal evidence suggests that Theobromine can contribute to mood elevation, focus, and stimulation.

Most doses range from 100 mg-400 mg, so Pre-Black is half the lowest dose you’ll typically see.

Noopept – 20 mg

Noopept, known as N-Phenylacetyl-L-prolyglycine ethyl ester, is a synthetic nootropic ingredient with cognitive boosting and psychostimulatory effects. It’s in the racetam family of nootropics. In terms of focus ingredients, Noopept is the star of this formula.

20 mg is a typical dose of noopept for pre-workouts.

There is even some evidence for noopept in neuroprotective health (Alzheimer’s Discovery Organization)

AMP Citrate – 255 mg

1,3 dimethylbutylamine HCL, also known as 1,3 DMBA, DMBA, 4-amino-2-methylpentane, AMP, or AMP Citrate, is a very rare stimulant nowadays (this is the only product I know of that contains it). A decade or so ago, it was more common.

It’s in the realm of DMHA regarding its effects on motivation, energy, and mood. Typical doses are between 100-400mg, putting Pre-Black in the range.

2-Amino-6-Methylheptane – 120 mg

2-Aminoisoheptane, 2-Amino-6-Methylheptane, DMHA, Kigelia Africana, Juglans Regia (J. Regia), Octodrine, and Dimethylhexylamine. DMHA is a stimulant, similar to DMAA, for boosting energy, focus, and mood. 

120 mg is a pretty low dose; however, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll “feel” it because it says something on the label, but luckily, I felt it here.

L-Tyrosine – 500 mg

L-Tyrosine helps “smooth out” some of the harsher effects of stimulants and increases focus. Some limited research also shows it can act as a cognitive booster in stressful environments. 

According to Examine, it appears to preserve working memory during acute stressors. Acute stressors include temperature changes, psychological distress, and sleep deprivation. From the same Examine article, L-Tyrosine seems to be able to preserve attention while under stress

Typical doses for exercise applications are between one and three grams. With 500 mg, Pre-Black lands on the lower side. 

Methylliberine (as Dynamine ®  40% tasteless) – 120 mg (yielding 48 mg of pure Dynamine) per serving

Dynamine combines nicely with caffeine to enhance mood, focus, and energy. Unlike caffeine, Dynamine does not harm heart rate or blood pressure (from the NIH). Per the study, the doses were between 100 and 150 mg per serving, putting Pre-Black’s 48 mg at less than half the minimum dosage.