5 Best Clean Pre-Workouts (Dietitian’s Top Picks)

Pre-workout supplements are a way to help you get more from your workout, whether that means lifting more weight, being more motivated to exercise, or working out longer.

However, pre-workout supplements can often be jammed full of dodgy ingredients and proprietary blends.

That’s where a clean pre-workout steps in.

A clean pre-workout pumps you full of energy, focus, and enhanced performance without garbage like additives, artificial sweeteners, and proprietary blends that contain surprise ingredients.

In this guide to the best clean pre-workouts, a nutritionist walks you through the top transparent and clean pre-workouts for every type of user and workout goal.

By the end, you will have a crystal-clear idea of which clean pre-workout is best for you.

Let’s jump right in.

Clean Pre-Workouts – Quick Look

After having tested and evaluated over 50 different pre-workouts, analyzed the ingredients, and checked with third-party certification organizations, here are the best clean pre-workouts on the market:

· Transparent Labs Bulk Black – Best high-stim clean pre-workout

· 4 Gauge – Best clean pre-workout with creatine

· Transparent Labs Stim-Free – Best clean pre-workout without caffeine

· Transparent Labs Pump – Best clean pre-workout for a big pump

· Honey Badger Pre-Workout – Best budget-friendly clean pre-workout

Later, we will look at each of these clean pre-workouts, what we like about them, key ingredients, and much more.

What Makes a Pre-Workout Clean?

Before jumping into our list of clean pre-workouts, it’s best to settle on what a “clean” pre-workout actually is, as the definition is subjective and will vary by user.

We used several criteria in narrowing down this list of the best clean pre-workouts.

They include:

✅ No Artificial Sweeteners – Many people have adverse reactions to artificial sweeteners such as sucralose, which can be up to 1,000 times sweeter than sucrose. We chose pre-workouts that use Stevia or other naturally occurring sweeteners. While not all of the pre-workouts on this list don’t have artificial sweeteners, we highlighted the ones that meet this criteria.

✅ No dodgy ingredients – The primary ingredients to look for in a clean pre-workout include natural caffeine, beta-alanine, citrulline malate, L-tyrosine, theobromine, and electrolytes like potassium and sodium. A good clean pre-workout also contains potassium and sodium, which behave as electrolytes, warding off dehydration when exercising.

✅ No Proprietary Blends – Proprietary blends are made-up concoctions that supplement companies use to pump a pre-workout full of additives and for “spiking” purposes. We love pre-workouts that are clean and avoid proprietary blends.

✅ Third-party testing – It’s one thing for a supplement company to say what a pre-workout contains, it’s another for a third-party tester to confirm purity and contents. For a truly clean pre-workout, we rely on pre-workout brands that utilize third-party testing to confirm the contents of pre-workout blends.

✅ Athlete Approved (where possible) – One of the best third-party certifications for pre-workouts is the certification for sports organizations that test supplements for substances on the WADA drug list. Certifications such as NSF, Informed Choice, and Certified for Sport are excellent indications that what is on the label is in the shaker cup.

With those criteria in place, let’s move on to the best clean pre-workouts.

The Best Clean Pre-Workouts for More Energy and Focus

Transparent Labs Bulk Black Pre-Workout

⭐ Strongest clean pre-workout

Transparent Labs Bulk Black Pre-Workout

The Transparent Labs Bulk Black is an elite pre-workout that is absurdly clean despite being chock-full of performance-boosting ingredients.

Let’s start off with the caffeine content, which is a whopping 275mg, making the Bulk Black the top clean pre-workout with high-stim.

Each serving of the Bulk Black includes a ton of clinically tested ingredients at research-backed dosages, including:

· L-citrulline malate (8,000mg)

· Beta-alanine (4,000mg)

· L-tyrosine (1,000mg)

· Caffeine anhydrous (275mg)

· Theobromine (50mg)

The Bulk Black is sweetened using Stevia, a naturally occurring sweetener sourced from plant leaves, with no artificial sweeteners or additives used for flavoring.

The Transparent Bulk Black is also my favorite high-stim pre-workout because this brand has one of the best manufacturing processes in the supplement space. Transparent Labs uses a GMP and FDA-certified facility.

They also third-party test the Bulk Black for purity, making it truly a clean pre-workout.

Among the third-party testers is Informed Choice, making Bulk Black ideal for athletes who seek to avoid banned substances in their pre-workouts.

Available in ten different flavor options, you can save 10% on the Bulk Black (and get free shipping!) by opting for a subscription when ordering.

I’m a huge fan of Transparent Labs pre-workouts , and the Bulk Black is the strongest clean pre-workout they offer.

Shop the Transparent Labs Bulk Black Pre-Workout and Save 10% by Subscribing by Clicking Here Today

4 Gauge Pre-Workout

⭐ Best clean pre-workout with creatine

4 Gauge Pre-Workout

The 4 Gauge Pre-Workout is one of my favorite new pre-workouts, not the least of which is because of the cool packaging, with this extremely clean pre-workout powder packaged in a container that looks like a shotgun shell.

But let’s get to the good stuff and what makes it an excellent clean pre-workout.

For starters, it’s crafted with zero additives or artificial sweeteners, which can cause a lot of users gut distress (artificial sweeteners, as we will see later, do more than just give users gut issues).

And second, it’s got 1,000mg of creatine monohydrate per dose. Creatine is one of the most studied supplements on the planet.

One of many papers published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that supplementing with creatine before or after workouts increases muscle mass and strength (Antonion & Ciccone, 2013).

[Looking for a pre-workout that doesn’t have creatine? Reference the 5 Best Pre-Workouts with Creatine for our top picks.]

Other key workout-boosting ingredients include:

· L-citrulline malate (6,000mg)

· L-carnitine (500mg)

· L-theanine (200mg)

· Caffeine anhydrous (150mg)

The 4 Gauge does not contain beta-alanine, a naturally occurring amino acid that can leave some users skin feeling itchy or tingling (the 4 Gauge also made the cut in our list of the best pre-workouts without beta-alanine).

Although it comes in limited flavor options, the 4 Gauge tastes great, has small packaging (perfect for people who take their pre-workout at the gym), and the natural and clean ingredient profile is void of additives, surprises, or banned substances.

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Transparent Labs Stim-Free Pre-Workout

⭐ Best clean pre-workout without caffeine

Low-stim pre-workouts

Low-stim pre-workouts are an excellent option for people who are sensitive to caffeine and don’t enjoy the jitters, restlessness and insomnia that can result from supplementing with caffeine.

The Transparent Labs Stim-Free is the perfect pre-workout for people who want the boost of a pre-workout without caffeine or stimulants.

Like its caffeinated brother, the Transparent Labs Stim-Free Pre-Workout is manufactured in a GMP and FDA-certified facility, with each batch third-party tested to ensure purity and ingredient accuracy.

The key performance-boosting ingredients include:

· L-citrulline malate – 8,000mg

· Beta-alanine – 4,000mg

· Betaine anhydrous – 2,500mg

· Taurine – 1,500mg

· L-Tyrosine – 1,000mg

The ingredient list is short but clinically-tested, giving users a full boost of energy and focus without the crashes typical of caffeine supplementation.

Made without any artificial coloring, or artificial sweeteners (like the Bulk Black, the Stim-Free using Stevia), and manufactured at the highest levels possible, the Transparent Labs Stim-Free is the best clean pre-workout on the market without caffeine.

Available in seven flavor combinations, with a 10% discount for ordering via subscription, the Transparent Labs Stim-Free is a clean and proven pre-workout for better workouts without the use of caffeine.

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Transparent Labs Pump Pre-Workout

⭐ Best clean pre-workout for pump

pump

Nothing quite beats a solid “pump” at the gym, that moment when your muscles fill with blood, the seams of your t-shirt ripping and straining from the surge of muscle mass.

For lifters and bodybuilders looking for a clean pre-workout to solicit that much-vaunted pump, the Transparent Labs Pump Pre-Workout is the best option for you.

The pump that happens is mainly as a result of nitric oxide production, which floods working muscles with blood, dilating blood vessels and filling out your muscles.

Each serving of the Transparent Labs Pump is designed to give you tons of energy and focus, but also increased nitric oxide production. And, of course, doing it in the cleanest way possible.

With each scoop, you are getting:

· L-citrulline malate – 8,000mg

· Arginine nitrate – 2,500mg

· Betaine Anhydrous – 2,500mg

· L-Tyrosine – 500mg

· L-Glutathione – 250mg

· Astragin (a blend of roots) – 50mg

Other key ingredients include potassium and sodium (to prevent the performance-crashing effects of dehydration when lifting) and Vitamin C, a proven precursor to testosterone.

I should note that the Pump Pre-Workout does not have caffeine, making it an ideal choice for lifters and bodybuilders who want a clean pre-workout without stimulants and a huge pump when lifting.

Transparent Labs makes the Pump in a certified facility that is FDA and GMP-certified. They use zero additives or artificial sweeteners, and no banned substances, either, making the Pump an excellent clean pre-workout for natural bodybuilders and athletes.

Flavor options are a little more limited with the Pump Pre-Workout (just two flavors last time I checked), but Transparent Labs makes the cleanest pre-workouts on the market while also offering a 10% discount when you subscribe to their supplements.

Shop the Transparent Labs Pump Pre-Workout and Save 10% by Clicking Here

Honey Badger Pre-Workout

⭐ Best budget-friendly clean pre-workout

Honey Badger

The Honey Badger Pre-Workout is one of the lesser-known pre-workouts on the market, which is too bad, as having it used for a couple of years now, I can attest to its effectiveness and how clean it is.

The ingredient profile is short, but the Honey Badger Pre-Workout uses only clinically studied dosages and ingredients, and of course, it’s extremely clean with zero additives or artificial sweeteners.

Here’s a closer look:

· L-Citrulline malate – 2,500mg

· Beta-alanine – 1,600mg

· L-Tyrosine – 350mg

· Caffeine anhydrous – 150mg

· Pterostilbene – 10mg

· Vitamin C

The Honey Badger has 150mg of caffeine in it, which I found gave me a light buzz and increased alertness, perfect for working out for extended periods of time without any nasty crashes or jitters.

Individually, the Honey Badger costs $39 per container, but you can get a smoking deal on this clean pre-workout by doing what I did, and that’s ordering 3 and getting 1 for free.

Lifters, endurance athletes, and bodybuilders who want a clean pre-workout that delivers on performance without breaking the bank will love the Honey Badger.

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Clean Pre-Workout Supplements – FAQs

How are clean pre-workouts different from regular pre-workouts?

Clean pre-workouts are specifically formulated with natural and minimally processed ingredients.

While many regular pre-workouts will include heaps of additives, artificial sweeteners, fillers, and proprietary blends that sound great but are unclear regarding content, clean pre-workouts bypass all this and stick to what works.

Clean pre-workouts are also more transparent with ingredients, use better manufacturing processes, and utilize third-party testing to ensure the contents of the pre-workout is legit.

Do clean pre-workouts provide the same amount of energy as regular pre-workouts?

Yes, clean workouts are as effective for helping lifters be more energized and focused in the gym.

I’d argue that because there is no use of cheap fillers and additives in clean pre-workouts, the energy and performance benefits actually feel better.

What are the key ingredients in clean and natural pre-workouts?

Clean pre-workouts use ingredients like amino acids, vitamins, and caffeine sourced naturally.

Here’s a closer look at how these specific ingredients help workout performance:

· Caffeine – We all know this one! Caffeine is a natural stimulant that increases alertness, focus, and energy. Caffeine has been shown to enhance endurance and strength while exercising (Goldstein et al., 2010).

· L-Citrulline malate – An amino acid, Citrulline is a nitric oxide booster that increases blood flow to muscles and sends more oxygen to working muscles during exercise (Pérez-Guisado & Jakeman, 2010).

· Beta-alanine – Another amino acid, beta-alanine increases carnosine levels in your muscles, buffering lactic acid and delaying fatigue, allowing you to workout out longer (Hobson et al., 2012). It also gives some people that itchy, tingling skin.

· Creatine – One of the most studied supplements on the planet, creatine enhances muscle strength, power, and overall exercise performance. It’s exceptionally safe and supports ATP production, perfect for high-intensity workouts (Kreider et al., 2015).

· L-Tyrosine – Yet another naturally occurring amino acid, Tyrosine is key in increasing focus and alertness, keeping you sharp and focused when working out (Deijen & Orlebeke, 1994).

· L-Carnitine – L-Carnitine is an amino acid derivative, with some studies showing that it increases fat metabolism and improves workout endurance (Fielding et al., 2018).

· Taurine – When it comes to recovery and endurance, taurine has been shown to be effective at both, helping reduce exercise-induced damage (Rutherford & Spriet, 2000).

Are clean pre-workouts more expensive than regular pre-workouts?

Yes, but only marginally so. When broken down to cost-per-serving, clean pre-workouts are only pennies more per serving expensive than regular pre-workouts.

For people who exercise and supplement with pre-workouts regularly, a clean pre-workout is a no-brainer that will significantly increase your workouts while not destroying your bank account.

In the case of clean pre-workouts, you truly are getting what you pay for.

How can I tell if a pre-workout is clean?

Look for pre-workouts that are fully transparent about ingredients, manufacturing processes, and third-party testing.

The key red flags to be aware of are artificial sweeteners like sucralose and aspartame, proprietary blends, and trademarked ingredients, which can include a variety of ingredients undisclosed by the supplement brand.

The key ingredients in an effective (and clean!) pre-workout are caffeine, amino acids like citrulline malate, beta-alanine, tyrosine, and taurine, and electrolytes to bolster performance by reducing dehydration.

Who makes the cleanest pre-workouts on the market?

While many supplement brands make a range of clean and third-party tested pre-workouts, no one is as consistent and as clear with their manufacturing process as Transparent Labs.

As always, sit down with your healthcare professional before starting a supplement program or new exercise routine to ensure safety.

Conclusion

In the pursuit of gains in the gym, a clean pre-workout can be an excellent speed boost, generating more focus, higher levels of energy, and of course, faster results.

That said, nothing replaces a solid diet and nutrition plan alongside a consistent workout routine that focuses on progressive overload and constant improvement.

In the end, pre-workouts empower you to take control of your workouts while making the best choice possible about what you put into your body.

Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or a fitness beginner, pick one of our choices of the best clean pre-workouts above and take your workouts to the next level!

Disclaimer: The above is a sponsored post, the views expressed are those of the sponsor/author and do not represent the stand and views of Outlook Editorial.