12 Best pre-workout energy drinks: Fuel your workout
Does the gym seem harder than usual on some days? Are you looking to take your workouts to the next level? With many options on the market, it’s essential to know what pre-workout energy drink to look for and what to avoid. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the best energy drink pre-workout, as well as how to choose the most suitable one for you with Liipoo AbsolutSweat hydration biosensor.
What makes a great pre-workout drink?
Pre-workout energy drinks are designed to boost your energy and mental focus. They supply your body with extra carbohydrates that raise blood sugar levels and other energy-boosting stimulants to keep you pumped. The best pre-workout energy drink is based on the quality of its ingredients, nutritional makeup, and formulation.
In essence, you’ll find:
● Caffeine: stimulates the central nervous system,
● Beta-alanine: boosts muscular endurance,
● Betaine anhydrous: improves strength, and power performance,
● L-citrulline: enhances oxygen and nutrient delivery to the muscles.
● BCAAs(Branch chain amino acids): improve endurance during a workout and increase strength by maintaining cellular energy and supporting protein synthesis.
Nonetheless, it’s wise to read the ingredients label to ensure you get the right dose of supplements. For instance, too much caffeine can cause health issues like anxiety, insomnia, and heart attacks. But worry not. Below is a breakdown of energy drinks with caffeine and caffeine-free pre-workout energy drinks. Read on!
6 Best stimulant-based pre-workout drinks (with caffeine)
1. Transparent Labs BULK
Transparent Labs is a top pre-workout formula designed to provide energy, endurance, and pumps per scoop. Its high dosage of beta-alanine, coupled with nootropics, reduces muscle fatigue and promotes the right mood for workouts. With over 17 active ingredients, this drink mix is third-party tested to ensure purity and potency. It is naturally sweetened with Stevia extract and comes in several flavors, including strawberry lemonade, raspberry, and peach mango.
Price: $50 per 662g Preseries Bulk bottle
Key features
● Beta-alanine high dosage
● Moderate caffeine
● Mood-boosting nootropics
● Excellent solubility
● Stevia sweetener
Pros
● Mixes easily
● Naturally flavored
● Smooth energy
● Gluten-free
● Great subscription discounts
Cons
● Limited free shipping
● No unflavored option
2. Skratch Labs Sport Hydration Drink Mix
Skratch Labs Sport Drink mix is developed to replenish lost calories, electrolytes, and fluids instantly. This best pre-workout energy drink hydrates faster than water and has the right amount of sugar and caffeine to boost performance. There are no artificial colors or preservatives to mess with your gut, making it ideal for elite athletes and everyday performers. Its electrolyte profile is close to perfect to replace the sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium lost in sweat.
Price: $22 per resealable bag
Key features
● Correct electrolyte profile
● Gluten and dairy-free
● One-time purchase
● Verified non-GMO
Pros
● Fast hydration
● No gut distress
● No artificial flavors or sweeteners
● Plant-based
● Different flavors
Cons
● Limited shipping
● No subscription options
● Relatively high sodium count
3. Tailwind Nutrition Endurance Fuel
Tailwind Nutrition Endurance Fuel is super fine and dissolves in water instantly. It's formulated with the right quantities of electrolytes and carbohydrates to support your extreme activities. This best pre-workout energy drink comes in four caffeinated flavors Raspberry Buzz, Matcha Green Tea Buzz, Tropical Buzz, and Colorado Cola. Also, Tailwind’s Endurance Fuel contains 0.6g of potassium, magnesium, sodium, and calcium salts for fast absorption and helps replace electrolytes lost when you sweat.
Price: $39.99 for 50 servings pouch, $25 for 30 servings pouch, and $2.50 for single serving stick
Key features
● Non-GMO
● Gluten-free
● 30 and 50 servings
● No gut bombs
● Perfect pocket size
Pros
● Clean endurance fuel
● Tasty flavors
● Easily dissolves
● Correct electrolytes dose
Cons
● Limited shipping
● None post-workout、
4. El Jefe Pre-Workout
El Jefe is a powerhouse designed to give you that skin-ripping, wired feeling for a nice energy pump. The L-Citrulline and Beta Alanine in the formula promote nitric oxide production for improved muscle fullness and vascularity during workouts. With El Jefe, you can experience unparalleled energy and mental focus to crush your fitness goals. Plus, it comes in 4 flavors, and ingredients like Yohimbine HCL support metabolism and keep you dialed in your workout.
Price: $54.49 per container or $1.37 per serving
Key features
● Flexible dosing
● Effective pre-workout ingredients
● High solubility
● Mood nootropics
Pros
● Quick absorption
● Explosive energy
● Sustained endurance
● Metabolism boost
● Improved cognitive functions
Cons
● Unverified third-party testing
● Relatively expensive
● Contains sucralose
5. Nu Pre-Workout Powder Hawaiian Shaved ICE
The Alani Nu Hawaiian Shaved ICE powder pre-workout product contains 200mg of caffeine per serving. It’s packed with other ingredients like Sodium Citrate, Silica, Sucralose, and Potassium to turn your workouts up a notch. Other amino acids like L-Theanine prevent you from crashing. As one of the best pre-workout energy drinks, you get the endurance and performance you need. On top of that, you enjoy the crisp flavors you deserve.
Price: $39.99 for a one-time purchase and $37.99 for a subscription basis
Key features
● 200mg Caffeine
● Gluten and sugar-free
● Low-calorie product
● Natural and artificial flavors
Pros
● Lasting pre-workout pump
● Crisp flavors
● Transparent ingredients
● High caffeine dosage
● Vegan friendly
Cons
● Limited shipping
● Allergen warning
● A bit pricy
6. Promix Pre-Workout
The Promix Pre-Workout is loaded with the right amount of caffeine for your next pump session with no artificial flavors or sickly sweeteners. It contains ingredients such as L-citrulline to enhance blood flow & reduce soreness, Tyrosine to support cognitive performance, and Beta-alanine and taurine to aid muscular endurance. This pre-workout energy drink is plant-based, ideal for vegans, and is third-party and NSF-certified for extreme sports and athleticism.
Price: $34.99 for 30 servings pack
Key features
● Keto-friendly formula
● Soy and gluten-free
● Zero calories
● Beta-alanine
Pros
● All natural ingredients
● Vegan and dairy-free
● No antibiotics
● No soy
● Muscular endurance
Cons
● Lower tingling sensation
● Requires two scoops per serving
6 Best non-stimulant pre-workout drinks (caffeine-free)
1. Klean Athlete Klean Creatine
Creatine is a trendy non-caffeinated pre-workout energy drink for muscle building, anaerobic, and all-out exercise. Klean Creatine contains 5 grams of highly effective creatine monohydrate per serving. Hence, with 4 to 5 scoops daily, you’ll get the recommended 20 to 25 grams daily during creatine loading. Klean Creatine is very soluble and simple to take. This product promotes high-intensity workouts by helping regenerate ADP to ATP energy in the blood cells.
Price: $27.88 one time purchase or subscribe and save 15%
Key features
● Pure creatine monohydrate
● High solubility
● NSF certified
● ADP to ATP conversion
● Non-GMO and gluten free
Pros
● Affordable and accessible
● Third-party tested
● Vegan friendly
● Lasting pump
● Refundable
Cons
● Expensive creatine option
2. Alpha BRAIN
Alpha BRAIN is a caffeine-free pre-workout energy drink that helps optimize cognitive function, including muscle memory, mental speed, and focus. Its main ingredient is Vitamin B6, ideal for students studying, professionals at work, gamers, artists, and business owners. Besides, it's unflavored for smooth drinking and gluten-free so that anyone can drink it. Plus, it gets you in the zone where your brain produces more Alpha waves, enabling you to tune off distractions and focus on your tasks.
Price: $66.90 for one-time-purchase
Key features
● Caffeine free
● Dietary supplement
● Gluten-free
● Capsule form
● Unflavored
Pros
● Boosts memory
● Cognitive focus
● Aids reaction time
● Alpha waves production
Cons
● Relatively expensive
● Requires swallowing
3. Transparent Labs Stim-Free Pre-Workout Caffeine
As the name suggests, Transparent Labs Stim-Free is one of the best energy drinks for pre-workouts. It contains zero caffeine or stimulants. Instead, it’s packed with evidence-based ingredients like citrulline malate, BCAAs, and betaine to enhance muscle blood flow for improved mental focus and body performance. This formula strikes the perfect balance between sweetness and tartness, with over seven flavors colored with beetroot and stevia extract.
Price: $49.99 for a one-time purchase
Key features
● Stimulant-free
● non-GMO
● Vegan-friendly
● Third-party tested
Pros
● Evidence-based ingredients
● No artificial flavors
● Crispy flavors
● Stevia sweetened
Cons
● No creatine or BCAAs
● Low solubility
4. Gatorade Gatorlyte Rapid Rehydration Electrolyte Beverage
Developed by Gatorade’s sports scientists, Gatorlyte pre-workout energy drink is made with a specialized blend of 5 electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride, and calcium. This formula is scientifically formulated for rapid rehydration and has less sugar or calories than most leading sports drinks. It’s available in different natural flavors, including Orange, Strawberry Kiwi, and Cherry Lime.
Price: $31.99 for a one-time purchase and $28.79 on a subscription basis
Key features
● Five electrolytes
● Rapid rehydration
● Naturally flavored
● Lower sugar
Pros
● Lower calories
● No artificial sweeteners
● Specialized electrolytes blend
● Gluten-free
● On-the-go hydration
Cons
● Relatively expensive
● Limited flavors
5. Legion Pulse Stim-Free
Legion Pulse Stim-Free is a caffeine-free pre-workout energy drink in six flavors. This drinking formula is sweetened with erythritol and stevia for your taste buds. Labdoor Certified third-party tests it to assure quality and purity. Legion offers 20 servings per container, with each scoop containing all-natural ingredients such as L-citrulline, betaine anhydrous, and alpha GPC to support muscular energy levels and enhance cognitive functions, respectively.
Price: $39.99 for a one-time purchase
Key features
● NSF certified
● FDA inspected
● Allergen free
● Natural flavored
Pros
● No artificial sweeteners
● No food dyes
● Clinically-effective doses
● Safe and effective
Cons
● Moderate tingling sensation
● Itchy skin
6. NutraBio PRE Stim-Free
The NutraBio PRE Stim-Free is a non-caffeinated drink for sports, losing or gaining body weight, and boosting the immune system. It comes in two flavors, namely dragon fruit candy and watermelon. NutraBio contains a high dose of L-citrulline, which expands your veins and arteries to improve blood flow to your muscles. Other key ingredients include leucine and beta-alanine for power, strength, and endurance. This drink is gluten-free, non-GMO, and perfect for vegetarians.
Price: $49.99 for a 573g bottle
Key features
● Non-GMO
● Vegan friendly
● Allergen-free
● Stimulant-free
Pros
● Mind-blowing muscle pumps
● Supercharged mental focus
● Enhanced muscular endurance
● Maximizes power and strength
Cons
● Only two flavors
● Fewer servings than similar products
You might wonder which energy drink is best for pre-workout. It is paramount to find the right drink to hydrate. Avoid drinks with higher concentrations of sodium (Na+) or potassium (K+) than your body fluids. It can create an osmotic effect which involves your cells draining water into the bloodstream to balance the concentration levels and avoid cellular dehydration. This way, you might drink a lot of water but still feel thirsty.
Pre-hydrate scientifically with Liipoo AbsolutSweat hydration biosensor
In other news, sweat-tracking technology has come to our aid to enhance workout efficiency and choose the best pre-workout energy drink. This innovation can monitor your sweat loss, hydration level and electrolyte depletion and provide replenishment plans for before, during, and after workouts. Without a doubt, you can improve your athletic performance scientifically by quantitative and qualitative analysis of your sweat.
The Liipoo AbsolutSweat hydration monitor is specially designed for athletes and fitness lovers. It analyzes your sweat and provides real-time sweat data through the AbsolutSweat app, such as glucose or electrolyte levels, dehydration tolerance, and water loss, etc. Also, you get a personalized hydration plan and hydration alerts, like when to hydrate, in real-time to ensure athletes make informed decisions about their training routine.
Key features
● Prehydrate scientifically: Liipoo tracks your sweat loss and hydration patterns from previous training sessions, to accurately assess your prehydration needs for the upcoming workout. This way, you can avoid bonking and potential sports injury.
● Track sweat data: The Liipoo AbsolutSweat hydration biosensor collects and analyzes your body fluids data instantly. It identifies biomarkers in your sweat and sends real-time hydration alerts of your Na+, K+, water, and glucose levels for timely replenishment.
● Accurate hydration alerts and plans: The Liipoo AbsolutSweat hydration biosensor adapts to your body’s hydration needs. It recommends a personalized hydration plan so you can stay hydrated and lower the risks of early workout fatigue.
● Real-time feedback: Get personalized reports after your workout on when, what, and how much electrolytes and water you need to replenish based on your sweat loss. That way, your body recovers faster,and you’re prepared for the next session.
How to use Liipoo AbsolutSweat hydration monitor
Step 1: Assemble and attach
Ensure all parts are intact, including the biosensor patch and hydration tracker. Assemble the sweat test kit and activate it by placing it in its charging port until the ring light turns green.
Download and pair the AbsolutTracker from the Google Play Store or Apple Store by either scanning the QR code, using the MAC No. under the QR code or selecting the tracker called RBS-P1 on your application.
Next, press the sweat patch unit on the charging case for 5 seconds and turn the tracker upside down, 180 degrees, with the 12 pins facing upwards.
After doing that, peel off the plastic case on the patch and press again AbsolutSweat for 5 seconds.
Next, remove the lower part of the tearable opening to ensure the device will easily stick to your chest. Press the tracker and sweat patch to fit.
Wipe the surface of your chest dry, then mount the AbsolutSweat monitor. Position it so it can’t fall off.
Step 2: Track and analyze
With a good connection, tap Start A Workout on the AbsolutSweat app on your phone. Confirm the type of workout, drinks, and replenishment reminder settings.
Begin your intense training session and ensure you sweat profusely. The sweat patch will then collect your sweat sample and analyze its composition, including your fluid intake record, Na+ and K+ concentrations, glucose levels, and fatigue tolerance, among many others. The data will then be sent to your AbsolutSweat app for analysis and feedback, such as real-time dehydration level, sweating rate, and real-time alerts for replenishing low essential components in your body.
Step 3: Get feedback and a solution
The AbsolutSweat app does its magic and provides a detailed report regarding sweat rate, fatigue level, dehydration tolerance, etc. It also offers an accurate solution for the best replenishment plan based on your age, height, weight, and health.
Conclusion
As we have seen, there are a handful of the best pre-workout energy drinks you can test and try out. The best pre-workout energy drinks you can buy have simple, minimal ingredients you can understand. Before deciding, read customers' and expert reviews, as well as consult your doctor in case of dietary restrictions. Luckily, thanks to technology, an advanced tool like Liipoo AbsolutSweat hydration biosensor can monitor your hydration levels in real-time and help you decide what is the best prehydration drink for you!
FAQs
1. Is Red Bull a good pre-workout?
Yes. Red Bull is an energy drink and will give you a special buzz to keep you pumped. It’s more of caffeine, which boosts aerobic exercise performance. If you’re doubtful about what to drink before exercising, utilize the Liipoo AbsolutSweat hydration monitor for an accurate analysis of your hydration level and electrolyte loss!
2. What to eat 30 minutes before the gym?
Eat a snack or fruit loaded with carbohydrates 30 minutes before the gym to give you the energy boost you deserve. If you’re running short of ideas on what to eat, the Liipoo AbsolutSweat monitor will tell you what to eat and drink, based on your sweat and hydration data from recent workout sessions.
3.What's the best natural pre-workout?
The 5 natural energy drinks listed above are among the best ones. However, some may taste differently than you or cause too many jitters. Use the Liipoo AbsoutSweat biosensor to monitor your hydration needs in every workout session, and decide what to prehydrate for your upcoming race or workout.
4. Do you really need a pre-workout?
Not necessarily. The healthiest pre-workout you can get comes from food. If needed, start with pre-workout calories and hydration before delving into pre-workout supplements. To save you the trouble of wondering if, use the Liipoo AbsolutSweat sweat tracker to provide a hydration plan and decide if you really need a pre-workout.
5. Can you take a pre-workout drink everyday?
Yes. Most pre-workouts are made of natural plants and fit dietary restrictions. However, you might not know what is the most suitable pre-workout drink for you, and the exact time and amount to take it. Luckily, the Liipoo AbsolutSweat monitor will help analyze your sweat, glucose loss and hydration status and suggest how to prehydrate properly for optimal performance.
6. How long before workout should I prehydrate?
To ensure you're well hydrated, aim to drink 8-20oz of fluids 30 to 45 minutes before a workout. However, the timing also varies from person to person. To get a personalized prehydration plan, use the Liipoo AbsolutSweat hydration biosensor to track and analyze your dehydration tolerance of all your workout sessions, and then you will get an accurate prehydration plan on when and how to replenish pre-workout.
