Intra & Pre-Workout Supplements

Best Pre-Workout Supplements: Complete Guide & Product Comparison

Finding the right pre-workout supplement can make a world of difference. Whether you're looking for explosive energy, enhanced endurance, or caffeine-free performance ... the right pre-workout can help take your training to the next level.

But with so many options available, how do you know which pre-workout supplements are worth the investment?

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about pre-workout: the common ingredients, benefits, and how to choose the best pre-workout based on your goals.

What Are Pre-Workout Supplements?

Pre-workout supplements are blends of ingredients designed to help support better workout performance. They're typically consumed 20-30 minutes before exercise for the ingredients to take effect. Most often, pre-workouts aim to support energy, focus, endurance, blood flow, and strength.

While many people think of pre-workout supplements as a bunch of caffeine to get all jacked up ... It's a generalization. Yes, a lot of pre-workout supplements have caffeine to support energy, but they're far more than that. There are pre-workout supplements designed for virtually any and all types of training.

What's In Pre-Workout Supplements?

Some pre-workout supplements have no caffeine or stimulants and focus on specific aspects of training, like blood flow. Other pre-workouts are designed to support endurance athletes, containing ingredients such as carbs and electrolytes.

In general, though, pre-workouts will typically contain a lot of the same ingredients:

Caffeine

Can help support energy levels, mental alertness, and improved endurance during exercise (1). Most pre-workout supplements fall in the range of 100-400 mg of caffeine per serving.

Caffeine works by blocking adenosine receptors in your brain, reducing perceived fatigue and increasing alertness.

Creatine Monohydrate

Can help support muscle energy during short-duration, high-intensity activities like weightlifting, sprinting, and HIIT workouts (2). Creatine increases phosphocreatine stores in muscles, supporting ATP regeneration during explosive movements.

Pre-workout supplements that contain creatine normally include between 3-5 grams per serving.

Nitric Oxide Ingredients

Ingredients like L-arginine and L-citrulline can help support blood flow and muscle pumps during training (3). Better blood flow means improved nutrient and oxygen delivery to working muscles.

Beta-Alanine

Can help support increased carnosine levels in muscles. This may help with fatigue management during intense workouts (4). Beta-alanine is also the ingredient known for causing a warm tingling sensation. This is normal and indicates the ingredient is working!

You'll most often find beta-alanine dosed between 2-5 grams, with 3.2 grams being a fully efficacious dose.

B-Vitamins & Electrolytes

Can help support energy metabolism and hydration during training sessions. B vitamins play a crucial role in converting food into usable energy. Electrolytes, on the other hand, support hydration and proper muscle contraction.

Benefits of Pre-Workout Supplements

When used properly, pre-workout supplements can help support multiple aspects of performance (1):

• Increased Energy and Alertness - Feel more energized and ready to tackle challenging workouts

• Enhanced Endurance - Push through more reps, sets, or cardio duration with reduced perceived fatigue

• Improved Focus - Better mind-muscle connection and concentration during technical lifts

• Better Muscle Pumps - Increased blood flow creates satisfying pumps and may support nutrient delivery

• Reduced Fatigue - Ingredients that buffer acid buildup to help maintain intensity longer

Choosing the Right Pre-Workout From Our Collection

Not all pre-workout supplements are created equal. Many are designed to support specific styles of training, while others can be more versatile. At the end of the day, it all comes down to your personal preferences, workouts, and what you're looking to get out of a pre-workout. Here's how to choose from our collection above:

Match Your Caffeine Tolerance

High Caffeine - Project-1 Pro: Our most comprehensive pre-workout supplement, designed to help support energy, focus, and performance. Great for intense training sessions and experienced pre-workout users.

Moderate Caffeine - Megawatt & Project-1: Options that can help support energy and focus without excessive stimulation. Great for afternoon workouts or those with a lower caffeine tolerance.

Caffeine-Free - Endura-Formance, AlphaSurge, and AlphaSurge DRV: Great for evening training, stimulant-sensitive individuals, or stacking with other caffeinated products.

Consider Your Training Goals

Strength & Power: Choose pre-workout supplements with creatine monohydrate or ElevATP® like Project-1 or Project-1 Pro.

Endurance & Stamina: Look for beta-alanine and electrolytes, which can help support endurance and reduced fatigue.

Blood Flow & Pump: AlphaSurge and AlphaSurge DRV are designed to help support blood flow and muscle pumps. Project-1 and Project-1 Pro also contain similar ingredients, which can help support vasodilation.

All-Around Performance: Project-1 & Project-1 Pro are designed to help support all-around performance and can be a good option for virtually any training style.

1st Phorm Pre-Workouts: A Detailed Comparison

Compare our pre-workouts to find the best match for you and your goals!

Stimulant-Based Pre-Workouts

Stimulant-Free Pre-Workouts

When and How to Take Pre-Workout Supplements

Optimal Timing: Take your pre-workout supplement 20-30 minutes before training for best results.

Dosage: Start with a half serving if you're new to pre-workout supplements or sensitive to caffeine, then adjust as needed.

Mixing: Mix with 8-12 oz of cold water and drink additional water during your workout. See the label on your pre-workout for recommendations on mixing as well.

Evening Training: Choose caffeine-free options like Endura-Formance, AlphaSurge, or AlphaSurge DRV if you're training close to bedtime and don't want caffeine or stimulants to interfere with your sleep.

Why 1st Phorm Pre-Workout Supplements Stand Out

At 1st Phorm, our mission is to help real people earn real and long-term results. We know you don't take shortcuts when it comes to your health and fitness goals. That's why we don't take shortcuts with the products that can help support your goals.

Every one of our pre-workouts is designed with intention.

• Efficacious Dosing - No "fairy dust" amounts or proprietary blends

• Research-Backed Ingredients - Every ingredient is added for a specific purpose

• No Artificial Dyes - Clean formulations without unnecessary additives

• FDA-Inspected Facilities - Manufactured under strict quality control

• Excellent Flavors - Sour Gummy Worm, Berry Lemonade, Strawberry Pineapple, and so much more to choose from

• 110% Money-Back Guarantee - We believe in every single product we put our name on, which is why they all come backed with our 110% money-back guarantee. You'll also get FREE USA Shipping with your order of $100+

Ready to elevate your training? Explore our pre-workout collection above to find the best match for you and your goals!

Frequently Asked Questions: Pre-Workout Supplements

Q: What Is the Best Pre-Workout Supplement?

The best pre-workout is the one that you believe helps support your training the most. Individual preferences can and will vary from person to person.

Q: When Should I Take Pre-Workout Supplements?

Take pre-workout supplements 20-30 minutes before training for optimal absorption and effectiveness. I'd also recommend avoiding any stimulant-based pre-workouts within 6 hours of bedtime if sleep quality is a concern of yours.

Q: Are Pre-Workout Supplements Safe?

Quality pre-workout supplements are safe for healthy adults when used as directed (1). Start with a half serving to assess your tolerance, stay hydrated, and avoid exceeding recommended doses.

Q: Do Pre-Workout Supplements Really Work?

Yes, research supports that pre-workout supplements can help support exercise performance, increase energy, and reduce fatigue when they contain clinically effective doses of proven ingredients (1, 2, 4).

Q: Can I Take Pre-Workout Every Day?

Yes, pre-workout supplements can be taken every day. Most people take their pre-workout on days they train and take a break from it on days they don't to maintain better caffeine sensitivity.

Q: What’s the Difference between Pre-Workout and Energy Drinks?

Pre-workout supplements are designed to help support energy and performance in workouts and will contain ingredients for that purpose. Energy drinks, on the other hand, are typically designed to be used anytime throughout the day for a pick-me-up. While energy drinks can have ingredients that can help support workout performance, it's not common.

Q: Will Pre-Workout Help Me Lose Weight?

Pre-workout supplements could help support weight loss indirectly if your workout intensity increases as a result of taking one, allowing you to burn more calories during training (1). However, pre-workout supplements are not designed to address weight loss directly.

Q: Can I Take Pre-Workout on an Empty Stomach?

Yes, many people take pre-workout supplements on an empty stomach without issues. However, if you experience nausea or stomach discomfort, try taking it with a small snack.

Q: Why Does Pre-Workout Make Me Tingle?

The tingling sensation (paresthesia) comes from beta-alanine, a common ingredient in pre-workout supplements. It's harmless and indicates the ingredient is working to buffer acid buildup (4).

Q: How Long Does Pre-Workout Last?

The effects of pre-workout supplements typically last 1-3 hours, with caffeine's peak effects occurring 30-60 minutes after consumption. Individual responses can vary depending on metabolism and tolerance.

Frequently Asked Questions: 1st Phorm Pre-Workout Supplements

Q: Which 1st Phorm Pre-Workout Is Best for Beginners?

Megawatt is ideal for beginners due to its moderate caffeine content (150mg) and versatile formula. When you give it a try, start with a half serving to assess your tolerance.

Q: Can I Stack 1st Phorm Pre-Workout Supplements?

Yes! Many customers combine AlphaSurge or AlphaSurge DRV (caffeine-free pump formulas) with Megawatt or Project-1 (caffeine-based formulas). Avoid combining pre-workouts that both contain caffeine and stimulants. That's when you can get in trouble.

Q: Do 1st Phorm Pre-Workouts Contain Artificial Dyes?

No, our pre-workout supplements don't contain any artificial dyes. We focus on clean, effective ingredients that serve a purpose.

References: 

(1) Harty PS, et al. Multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements, safety implications, and performance outcomes: a brief review. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2018;15(1):41.

(2) Kreider RB, et al. International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2017;14:18.

(3) Gonzalez AM, Trexler ET. Effects of citrulline supplementation on exercise performance in humans: A review of the current literature. J Strength Cond Res. 2020;34(5):1480-1495.

(4) Trexler ET, et al. International society of sports nutrition position stand: Beta-Alanine. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015;12:30.