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Products Considered
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Hours of Research
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Experts Interviewed
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Customers Consulted
Organic pre-workout supplements contain only natural, plant-based ingredients.
The advantage of such products is that they are easier for the body to process and absorb, and are also associated with fewer side effects.
This is because they do not contain artificial ingredients like artificial sweeteners or colors and they all contain food ingredients.
There are many organic pre-workouts on the market, but finding good ones can take days. Our team spent over two weeks searching for the best organic pre-workout supplements to compile this list.
Let's take a look.
Editor's Choice
An excellent supplement for those looking to build muscle. It contains creatine and L-citrulline to help you dramatically improve your results.
Key features:
• Increases mental and physical performance
• Acetyl-L-Carnitine helps accelerate fat burning
• Does not contain proprietary blends
#2nd Best Choice
This is a pure supplement with no additional ingredients and has many benefits for both active training and overall health.
Key features:
• Suitable for intense endurance exercise
• Promotes better physical performance
• You can control the dose
#3rd Best Choice
A great vegan organic pre-workout for energy and better concentration, performance, and endurance. Can be a good pre-cardio supplement.
Key features:
• Suitable for vegans and compatible with many diet types
• Only certified organic ingredients
• 125 mg of caffeine for a smooth boost of energy
The Best Organic Pre-Workouts
1. 4 Gauge — Best Organic Pre-Workout
Specifications:
Form: Powder
Flavor: Fruit Blast
Special ingredients: Creatine, L-citrulline, caffeine, L-theanine
Diet feature: No data
This is an organic pre-workout supplement that contains only natural nutrients. The ingredients' effectiveness has been confirmed by various studies.
The big benefit of this product is that it does not contain proprietary blends. This means that the label is transparent—each ingredient is included at the exact dose written on the label. Knowing what you're consuming is essential to improving your health and workouts.
One of the best features of this organic pre-workout is that it contains L-citrulline, which is beneficial for muscle growth and improved athletic performance, especially if you are just starting to incorporate exercise into your daily routine. [1]
Pros:
Acetyl-L-Carnitine included to help boost fat burning
Cons:
Specifications:
Form: Powder
Flavor: Beet Root
Special ingredients: Beet Root
Diet feature: Sugar-free, soy-free, dairy-free, yeast-free, gluten-free, additive-free
After a few years of intense exercise, I took it to the next level and began using pure supplements for my workouts. This particular supplement has many advantages.
You control the dose and will not be faced with hidden patented ingredients. As a result, you can maximize the effect of your exercise and reach your goals.
Why is beetroot listed as a natural pre-workout supplement? It has many benefits for both general health and active training.
Beetroot helps control blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease, and improve digestion. It also improves blood flow to the brain and helps cognitive function, and it has anti-inflammatory properties. And the nitrates contained in it improve oxygen consumption, physical performance, and endurance. [2]
Pros:
Suitable for intense endurance training
Promotes better physical performance
You can control the dose
Cons:
Additional supplements may be required
Specifications:
Form: Powder
Flavor: Lemon Berry, Passionfruit Guava, Strawberry Mango, Watermelon Replenisher
Special ingredients: Rhodiola rosea, ginseng, beet root, yerba mate, etc.
Diet feature: Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, non-GMO
This supplement is great if you're on a vegan diet. The organic pre-workout is formulated with only certified organic ingredients to help you get energy and better concentration, performance, and endurance.
The pre-workout powder contains 125 mg of caffeine per serving. This is a good dose to get a smooth burst of energy without having to face side effects like a sharp wave of fatigue after exercise.
It has only 30 calories per serving, making it a good smoothie base and a great option to support any meal plan.
Pros:
Suitable for vegans and compatible with many diet types
A dose of caffeine for a smooth boost of energy
Certified USDA Organic
Several flavor options
Cons:
Includes proprietary blends
4. Genius Pre
Specifications:
Form: Powder
Flavor: Blue Raspberry, Grape Limeade, Sour Apple
Special ingredients: L-citrulline
Diet feature: Vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO
Although caffeine is a popular and highly effective ingredient in pre-workouts, it has several side effects that lead people to look for products without it.
Genius Pre is one of those products. Instead of caffeine, this pre-workout supplement is formulated with nootropics to improve concentration and help you get more energy for intense workouts.
The nootropics include huperzine A to improve memory and mental function, taurine to improve athletic performance and increase energy, and L-tyrosine to help in situations associated with strong physical and mental stress and to maintain mental clarity even with a lack of sleep. [3, 4, 5]
Pros:
Contains nootropic ingredients for better concentration
Has beta-alanine and L-citrulline malate for better muscle building
Third-party tested for purity and quality
Pleasant taste
Cons:
Beta-alanine may cause temporary skin itching
5. Legion Pulse
Specifications:
Form: Powder
Flavor: Fruit Punch, Green Apple, Blueberry Lemonade, Watermelon, and more
Special ingredients: L-citrulline
Diet feature: No data
This pre-workout supplement includes a high dose (350 mg) of caffeine, giving you a powerful workout boost and increased focus.
In addition, it contains L-citrulline DL-malate, which helps you get energy from food and increases the flow of oxygen to your muscles, which improves endurance during training and helps you cope with muscle soreness afterward. [6, 7]
L-theanine has been added to reduce stress and anxiety that can be triggered by strenuous exercise and to improve sleep to speed up the recovery process.
Pros:
Provides a strong boost of energy and improves concentration
Accelerates post-workout recovery
Wide range of flavors
Mixes well; no lumps
Cons:
Large dose of caffeine can cause side effects
What to Look For When Buying an Organic Pre-Workouts
As with conventional supplements, organic pre-workouts are also used to provide more energy for effective exercise and improved post-workout recovery.
Therefore, I've compiled a list of points to look for to find the best organic pre-workout and get the best results from your workouts.
Natural Ingredients
•
Caffeine is one of the most common natural stimulants used in sports supplements. This is due to the many health benefits of caffeine.
It stimulates the nervous system, allowing you to get a good boost of energy and feel more invigorated. Caffeine also improves physical performance, speeds up metabolism, and helps burn more calories. [8, 9]
But because caffeine is associated with side effects such as insomnia, anxiety, headaches, indigestion, and heartburn, you should be careful with high doses and not exceed the recommended 400 mg daily allowance. [10]
•
Green tea is beneficial for exercise because it increases your performance and improves recovery from strenuous exercise. [11]
It is also a great source of antioxidants, which can be beneficial for heart, brain, and liver health and can help improve skin conditions and reduce the risk of cancer. [12]
•
Yerba mate is a powerful antioxidant that contains many beneficial nutrients.
It is used in pre-workouts to boost energy levels, improve mental focus, and improve physical performance.
In addition, it reduces appetite and speeds up metabolism, which is good for losing weight. [13]
•
Beetroot has many health and fitness benefits. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial plant compounds.
Beetroot is in sports supplements used because it contains many inorganic nitrates, which improve performance and endurance, especially during high-intensity exercise. [14]
•
Amino acids are used by the body to make proteins that help the body digest food, grow, repair body tissue, and more. In addition, they can be a source of energy. [15]
It is quite common to find branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in pre-workout supplements. They help build muscle mass, reduce muscle pain that occurs after exercise, improve mental focus during exercise, and reduce fatigue. [16, 17]
Certified Organic
Choose USDA Organic Certified products. This ensures that all ingredients used in the pre-workout supplement are organic.
Formulated for Men or Women
I recommend choosing a product that is specifically formulated for your gender.
Different doses of nutrients are recommended for men and women; men usually need higher doses.
The correct doses of ingredients are important for you to get boosts in energy, performance, and concentration.
Taste and Flavor
Of course, taste is something you can't check before buying a pre-workout, but it is still worth paying attention to.
Because organic pre-workout supplements are often made from plant ingredients, their flavor can leave a lot to be desired.
If you're the type of person who isn't willing to put up with this, then consider pre-workouts that have a fruity flavor or the popular vanilla and chocolate flavors.
If you are into smoothies, go for unflavored supplements because these won't overpower your fruits, berries, and vegetables.
Price
Organic products are more expensive than conventional products, and this is also true for pre-workout supplements.
To get a good product, you need quality ingredients, and this comes with a price. Here you get what you pay for.
I tried to bypass inexpensive pre-workouts for this list because low price usually indicates a lower-quality product.
Find an option that combines price and quality. It is better to pay a little more to ensure that you are using an effective, safe product.
Organic vs Non-Organic Pre-Workouts
Organic pre-workouts are believed to be better than non-organic ones as they offer more health benefits. Just like non-organic food, non-organic supplements are produced using pesticides and other toxic compounds which can lead to adverse health effects. But organic supplements are free of artificial colors, sweeteners, and flavors.
Organic pre-workouts are believed to be safer and healthier because they contain natural ingredients instead of synthetic ones.
Benefits of Organic Pre-Workout Supplements
The best part about organic pre-workout supplements is that you get all the benefits of normal pre-workouts—energy, high levels of performance, and better post-workout recovery—but with even more health benefits.
Organic pre-workouts use only natural ingredients that are grown without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which means that you will not get residues of these substances in the final product and they will not end up in your body.
In addition, organic pre-workout supplements do not contain toxic colors, artificial ingredients, or artificial flavors.
Side Effects of Organic Pre-Workout Supplements
As with conventional supplements, organic pre-workout supplements include ingredients that may cause side effects in some people. These can be anxiety, insomnia, bloating, gas, sudden surges of energy followed by fatigue, and more.
Side effects are due to individual intolerances or high doses of certain ingredients in the product.
To minimize the risk of unpleasant side effects, I always start with just half a scoop of any new pre-workout supplement and increase to the full dose slowly. This allows me to test my body's response to the ingredients.
FAQs
Are pre-workout supplements safe?
Yes, pre-workout supplements are safe, but their ingredients can be associated with certain side effects due to individual intolerances or high doses. Therefore, before buying, check the ingredients to minimize the risk of unpleasant effects.
How long do pre-workouts last?
The effect of pre-workouts can last from 30 minutes to 2 hours. The duration is influenced by the ingredients, each of which acts for a certain amount of time. Therefore, choose a pre-workout based on your fitness goals so the ingredients in the product contribute to achieving those goals.
Is buying an organic pre-workout worth it?
Yes, an organic pre-workout is worth it. It allows you to get a natural boost and better performance from natural ingredients. It's better than preparing your own homemade organic pre-workout supplement in the form of snacks, which can turn into a complete meal and take a lot of time.
Conclusion
Organic pre-workout supplements have several advantages over conventional ones, as they allow you to get energy for training, high performance, quick recovery, and at the same time have greater benefits for your health.
After a long search and thorough analysis of products from different manufacturers, I can name 4 Gauge Pre-Workout as the best natural pre-workout supplement. Its also a great organic pre workouts if you are looking for a good muscle definition.
It contains only natural ingredients, and their effectiveness has been confirmed by many studies.
In addition, the product does not contain proprietary blends, so you will know the exact doses of each nutrient and will have better control over your athletic performance.
Samrudha Salvi ‧ Co-Founder & Nutritionist (Stanford)
Samrudha is a certified nutritionist and also a Co-founder for Welcyon.com. He has also featured in many publications including CNBC, Entrepreneur amongst others. He brings more than 10 years of experience with him.
References:
1. Melinda Ratini, DO, MS, L-citrulline, retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/l-citrulline-uses-and-risks
2. Dan Brennan, MD, Health Benefits of Beetroot, retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-beetroot
3. WebMD, Huperzine A, retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-764/huperzine-a
4. WebMD, Taurine, retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1024/taurine
5. WebMD, Health Benefits of L-Tyrosine, retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-l-tyrosine
6. National Librarv of Medicine, Citrulline: from metabolism to therapeutic use, retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23022123/
7. National Library of Medicine, l-Citrulline supplementation improves O2 uptake kinetics and high-intensity exercise performance in humans, retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26023227/
8. National Library of Medicine, Caffeine and sports activity: a review, retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7960313/
9. Servane Rudelle, Mario G. Ferruzzi, Isabelle Cristiani, Julie Moulin, Katherine Macé, Kevin J. Acheson, Luc Tappy, Effect of a Thermogenic Beverage on 24-Hour Energy Metabolism in Humans, retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1038/oby.2007.529
10. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much?, retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/spilling-beans-how-much-caffeine-too-much
11. National Librarv of Medicine, Anti-Fatigue Effect of Green Tea Polyphenols (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG), retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28539729/
12. Naghma Khan and Hasan Mukhtar, Tea Polyphenols in Promotion of Human Health, retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6356332/
13. Dan Brennan, MD, Are There Health Benefits to Drinking Yerba Mate?, retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-yerba-mate
14. National Library of Medicine, Dietary inorganic nitrate improves mitochondrial efficiency in humans, retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21284982/
15. U.S. National Library of Medicine, Amino acids, retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002222.htm
16. National Library of Medicine, Leucine regulates translation initiation of protein synthesis in skeletal muscle after exercise, retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16424142/
17. National Library of Medicine, Influence of ingesting a solution of branched-chain amino acids on perceived exertion during exercise, retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9124069/