Not all pre-workouts are created equal. Not even close. In fact, among all supplement categories, you may find the most variation in ingredients, overall quality, and effectiveness among pre-workouts.
We’ve been in the pre-workout business for a full decade and have seen countless brands come and go, each claiming to have the best formula out there.
Today we want to help you know what to look for in a pre-workout, regardless of what brand or formula you end up going with. Of course, we’ll recommend Kaged pre-workouts, and explain why, but most of all we want you to be informed to make the best decision for you.
The Best Pre-Workout for You Depends on Your Goals
There’s a reason we sell seven different pre-workouts: the best one depends on you. There is no “best pre-workout” for everyone.
Let’s get into what these boxes are to check so that you can make an informed decision for yourself.
1) Third-Party Tested for Banned Substances
First and foremost, your pre-workout must be third-party certified.
Safety and trusting that what’s on the label is in the bottle should always be a top priority.
After all, there are infamous examples of pre-workouts getting taken off the market for having more stimulants than the label claimed, and even ingredients that led to positive drug tests.
One of the most critical aspects to consider is whether the product has been third-party tested for banned substances.
This isn’t just important for competitive athletes, who without a banned-substance-free certification risk failing a drug test. We believe everyone should have the peace of mind that their supplement is clean and free from contaminants.
Look for the “Informed Sport” logo on the bottle
At Kaged, we take this seriously. That's why we go beyond the typical industry standards and ensure all of our pre-workouts are independently tested by Informed Sport.
Look for this logo on the back of the bottle.
Informed Sport is a globally recognized program. Their testing methods are thorough, analyzing over 250 substances on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) list, along with other harmful contaminants.
On all Kaged pre-workouts, you’ll see this logo on the back of the bottle, as shown here in the lower right.
If you see a pre-workout without this logo, take a pause.
2) Clean Label, No Junk
A clean label is non-negotiable when selecting a pre-workout.
At Kaged, we believe quality starts with transparency and a commitment to using only the best ingredients.
- Non-GMO (genetically modified organisms have no place in your pre-workout)
- Gluten-free
- No flavors or colors from artificial sources
- Less than 1g of sugar
You won’t find any synthetic flavors or colors — no Red 40, Blue 1, or any other artificial additives that are unfortunately common in many supplements and sports drinks.
But it doesn’t stop there. We take extra care to ensure that the ingredients we use are clean and effective.
Organic Caffeine, Not Synthetic
For example, our pre-workouts feature organic caffeine from green coffee beans, not synthetic alternatives.
Plant-Based Aminos, Not From “Animal By-Product”
Additionally, our amino acids are plant-based, and sourced from non-animal origins. This might seem like a small detail, but it’s a significant one—sometimes amino acids in the supplement industry are derived from animal by-products, which is a term that hides exactly where the aminos come from. Sometimes it can be bird feathers, rotting animal cartilage, and other scraps.
Plant-based aminos are the clean option.
3) Science-Backed Ingredients, Not Generic Alternatives
When it comes to pre-workout supplements, the difference between a good workout and a great one often lies in the form of the ingredients.
Take Beta-alanine, for example. It’s a common, well-researched ingredient in many pre-workouts, known for its ability to buffer acid in muscles, allowing you to push harder for longer during intense workouts.
While generic beta-alanine might be cheaper and easier to source, it doesn’t offer the same level of research-backed benefits as Carnosyn® beta-alanine.
Carnosyn® is a patented form of beta-alanine that has been extensively studied and shown to be effective in supporting athletic performance. With over 55 clinical studies and more than 20 published papers, Carnosyn® is the gold standard in Beta-alanine supplementation.
This kind of evidence means you can trust that the ingredient will deliver on its promises.
When looking at your pre-workout label, check if they use patented ingredients over generic alternatives. It’s true, there’s a lot of nuance here. Sometimes generic ingredient forms perform just as well in research studies. But if a label is packed with only generic ingredients, that’s a red flag they may be sourcing cheaper ingredients for the sake of cutting costs, at your expense.
4) Science-Backed Doses (No Proprietary Blends)
It’s legal for supplement companies to hide the dose of their ingredients under the guise of a “proprietary blend.”
That means they can list several ingredients together, hiding the dose of each one. Then, you’ll often see them brag about how many ingredients are in their pre-workout, but you don’t know how much they have of each! We call this "pixie-dusting"—adding tiny amounts of popular ingredients to list them on the label.
If you don’t get the proper dose, you won’t get the proper benefits.
Let’s use beta-alanine for our example again.
Research indicates that an effective dose of beta-alanine ranges from 1.6 to 3.2 grams per day, which has been shown to enhance performance by increasing muscle carnosine levels, delaying the onset of muscle fatigue, and improving endurance.
At Kaged, that’s the dose you’ll find in our pre-workouts to ensure you’re getting the full benefits, rather than just a sprinkle of the ingredient that sounds good on paper but doesn’t deliver in practice.
5) The Right Amount of Caffeine for You
Caffeine is one of the most common and effective ingredients found in pre-workouts. It provides energy, supports focus, and even has been shown to support strength and endurance.*
However, the right amount of caffeine for you depends on your tolerance, goals, and when you train.
If you train in the late afternoon or evening, caffeine can be a double-edged sword. While it provides an energy boost, it can also disrupt sleep. If you’re sensitive to caffeine or need to avoid it later in the day, opting for a stimulant-free pre-workout is a smart choice.
At Kaged, we offer both our original Pre-Workout and the fully loaded Pre-Workout Elite in stim-free options, so you can still get all the performance benefits without the caffeine.
If you’re a competitive strength athlete, though, you may have read the research that shows upwards of 400mg can help you hit a new PR, and you may opt for the high-stimulant Pre-Workout Elite.
Perhaps you just want clean energy to support you, but don’t need these high doses, in which case, Pre-Workout Sport at 186mg or even Clean Burn at 166mg are what you’re looking for.
It’s also important to keep in mind the total amount of caffeine you consume throughout the day, including from sources like morning coffee, energy drinks, or tea.
Overconsumption of caffeine can lead to jitters, anxiety, and disrupted sleep, so balancing your intake is essential for both performance and overall well-being. If you take it on empty stomach, it can also lead to a crash.
6) The Right Price Point for You
Finding the right pre-workout isn’t just about the ingredients or the effectiveness—it’s also about finding a product that fits your budget. At Kaged, we’re committed to offering world-class pre-workouts at prices that won’t break the bank. We’re proud to take some of the lowest margins in the industry, ensuring that our products remain affordable without compromising on quality.
The price of your pre-workout will vary depending on which formula you choose and what your specific needs are.
For those new to pre-workouts or looking for a solid, all-around product that delivers clean energy, hydration, and endurance support, our Pre-Workout Sport is an excellent choice. Priced at just $1.25 per scoop, it’s an affordable option for beginners or anyone who wants a boost without all the bells and whistles.
(For more, check out this article on pre-workouts for beginners.)
For those who are more serious about their training and focused on building muscle, our Pre-Workout or Pre-Workout Elite might be a better fit. These formulas are designed with more advanced athletes in mind, offering a comprehensive blend of ingredients to support strength, power, and recovery.*
7) Goal-Specific Ingredients (Pump, Focus, Hydration, Weight Loss Support)
Next, think about your goals. Are you doing high-rep bodybuilding-style training? In that case, you’ll want to look for higher doses of pump ingredients like L-citrulline.
Are you training outside in the sun and need hydration support? Look for a pre-workout with electrolytes.
Is your mental focus keeping you from locking in every set? Look for nootropic ingredients in your pre-workout.
Is your goal healthy weight loss? Consider this direction.
Kaged Clean Burn doesn’t have the pump and muscle performance ingredients of other pre-workouts. Instead, it combines organic caffeine with ingredients shown to help boost metabolism and increase thermogenesis.* It’s perfect for cardio workouts, but it’s suitable for any training if your goal is weight loss.
Weight loss…
In sum, choose a product that matches your needs and goals.
8) Great Taste
The effectiveness of a pre-workout is crucial, but let’s be honest—if it doesn’t taste good, you’re going to have a hard time looking forward to drinking it before every workout.
he taste of your pre-workout might seem like a minor detail, but it can play a significant role in your motivation. When you genuinely enjoy the flavor, it becomes part of your pre-gym ritual, something you look forward to that can help set the tone for a great workout. This in turn will help you stay consistent with your training.
That’s why we offer a wide range of flavors across all our pre-workout products, with anywhere from 2 to 8 flavors per formula. Whether you prefer the classic, refreshing taste of Blue Raspberry or Fruit Punch, or you’re looking to try something different like Caribbean Sunrise or Strawberry Lemonade, we’ve got you covered. These flavors have been carefully crafted to provide a delicious, enjoyable experience with every sip.
We’re so confident in the taste of our pre-workouts that we back them with our best-tasting guarantee. If you don’t love the flavor you chose, you have 60 days to swap it for a different one or get a full refund. It’s our way of ensuring that you’re satisfied with not just the performance of our products.
Conclusion: Why Take a Pre-Workout at All?
The edge you need to push past your limits and achieve your goals often comes down to the small details.
A well-formulated pre-workout can be the difference between an ordinary workout and an extraordinary one, giving you the energy, focus, and endurance to excel in every session. As these great workouts add up, they could radically transform your long-term results.
But with so many options, we believe it's crucial to choose a pre-workout from a trusted, long-standing brand that backs up its claims with rigorous testing and transparent formulas.
SHOP KAGED PRE-WORKOUTS
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
