Nowadays, many people are adopting vegan diets and lifestyles. Hence it is important to introduce more vegan products as well. Luckily for us, many plant-based pre-workout supplements are available for vegans.  

Our main goal is to educate more people regarding vegan pre-workout supplements through this article. Here, you will find most of the crucial information to know before buying vegan pre-workout supplements, such as the ingredients and benefits.

You will also find information regarding the disadvantages of pre-workout so that you know what to expect. So, to clear all your doubts regarding vegan pre-workout supplements, keep reading this article till the end!

Best Vegan Pre-Workouts To Buy

Now that you know what factors are essential to consider before buying a pre-workout, the next step is finally buying one. Hence to make it easier for you, here is a list of some of the best supplements available on the market.

1. Pre Lab Pro - Best Vegan Pre Workout

This is one of our favourite pre workouts, which doesn't causes any jitter but you will also experience increase in strength. Most of our trainers whom took this for 30 days, came back with raving reviews of increased pump and strength. 

The Pre lab pro is third party tested for vegan.

We found pre lab pro to be perfect for those looking for increase strength and endurance during workout and who aren't looking for very high stimulating caffeine. It has 80mg caffeine and nootropics which gives great focus without any kind of caffeine jitters or side effects.

Some of our trainers who were used to high stimulating caffeine found this vegan pre workout to be great inspite of low caffeine. 

The pre workout though comes in single flavor. It has great fruity berry taste as compared to other pre workouts which may taste quite strong. 

2. 4Gauge Pre-Workout

This workout powder contains various ingredients that help you exercise to your full potential. Caffeine provides rapid energy for the workout ahead, coconut water powder hydrates the body, and creatine monohydrate helps strengthen the muscles.

L- theanine works effectively with caffeine to enhance muscle endurance and reduce mental and muscle stress. The L-citrulline in this vegan pre-workout is extracted from watermelon and contributes to strong muscle pumps.

This pre-workout also contains beetroot powder, which enhances athletic performance and acts as a nitric oxide stimulant. It also contains Rhodiola Rosea powder which takes care of your mental health by reducing the effects of depression, fatigue, and exhaustion on your physical performance.

This workout powder is sweetened with natural flavors and stevia. It contains very few calories and sugar s compared to other pre-workouts. This powder can be mixed with any juice, water, or milkshakes and should be drunk at least 15 minutes before the workout session.

3. Transparent Labs Bulk Pre-Workout

This pre-workout powder is a perfect blend of natural and vegan ingredients, all within their allowable dosages. It focuses mainly on gaining muscle mass and muscle strength, claiming to do it successfully by increasing testosterone levels.  It contains almost 6 grams of citrulline malate for muscle growth and enhancement. It also contains various other essential ingredients like BCAAs, L-theanine, L-tyrosine, and vitamins for excellent muscle recovery and strength.

This pre-workout contains Vitamin D, Zinc, and Boron. All of these ingredients help in increasing testosterone levels. Meanwhile, Citrulline works effectively in improving muscle endurance and enhancing your performance. Beta-Alanine is another powerful ingredient that strongly assists in building strong muscles.

The best thing about this pre-workout is that it contains BCAAs, and branched-chain amino acids, such as leucine, isoleucine, and others. All these essentials help in improving muscle retention and increasing fat loss and mental focus.

Moreover, this pre-workout contains no artificial fillers or sweeteners instead, it is naturally sweetened with stevia. It also comes in various flavors like watermelon, green apple, raspberry, etc.

4. Naked Vegan Pre-Workout

If you want to feel energetic for your morning workouts, the Naked pre-workout powder is your solution. It is a favorite among vegan fitness enthusiasts because it is free from all kinds of artificial ingredients, sweeteners, or fillers. This workout powder provides you with high energy levels throughout your training session using safe and entirely plant-based ingredients.  

This supplement contains a variety of ingredients that helps in enhancing athletic performance and reducing muscle fatigue and exhaustion. Organic caffeine provides your body with the energy boosts it needs for the workout sessions in a very healthy and natural way.

The vitamin B in this supplement powder keeps your health in check by supporting the well-being of your cells, eyes, digestive system, heart, and most importantly, the muscles in this case. The perfect amount of creatine in this pre-workout assists in muscle growth and gaining muscle strength.

This supplement also contains folate and l-arginine. Both of them are good for your body's health. L-arginine is a type of amino acid that helps reduce blood pressure and keeps the hormone's growth in check.

5. Honey Badger Pre-Workout

This workout powder is a favorite among vegan gym-goers because it is gluten-free, soy-free, and keto-friendly as well. It is naturally sweetened and contains almost no calories. It is easy to digest and mixes very well in drinks and shakes.

It contains various essential ingredients like natural caffeine, beta-alanine, BCAAs, l-citrulline, and others. These ingredients help boost energy levels, increase muscle endurance and strength, and improve mental focus.

It contains 2.5 grams of Citrulline Malate, which helps muscle pumps and boosts your workout performance. It also has 1.6 grams of Beta-Alanine, decreasing the amounts of lactic acid produced. Hence, the body and muscles do not feel exhausted after long training sessions.

Caffeine is also a vital ingredient of the Honey Badger pre-workouts for providing the body with rapid energy boosts. The 250 grams of Tyrosine also perfectly work to keep a healthy balance between your mental health and physical performance. The Honey Badger pre-workouts come in different flavors like peach, mango, wild berry, etc., for all the picky fitness enthusiasts!

6. Powher Women's Pre-Workout

This vegan pre-workout formula is specially prepared for women to keep them energetic and alert through the training sessions. It is full of nitrates and organic caffeine and is perfect for women who are into resistance training or powerlifting.

This pre-workout is a low-stimulant that increases mental focus and motivation. It also enhances athletic performance. It contains the perfect amount of caffeine. Hence it doesn't give you the jitters. This pre-workout helps in decreasing muscle fatigue and exhaustion because it contains Beta-Alanine in the perfect amount. It also has enxtra, which is a natural caffeine booster and provides mental clarity as well.

It contains beetroot powder which is a natural antioxidant, and coconut water powder for boosting hydration levels. Coconut water powder also contributes to weight loss and maintaining heart health.

It is very common to feel angry or upset before a workout, but this workout powder contains L-Tyrosine, which elevates your mood by increasing dopamine levels. This results in a much better and happier workout session. In short, we highly recommend this pre-workout because it is made for women and keeps the body well-fuelled and the mind focussed for the whole exercise session.

7. Elevate Nutrition Plant Based Pre-Workout

The Elevate nutrition plant based pre-workout is an excellent choice for all fitness enthusiasts. It helps in elevating mood, improving mental focus, and is excellent in muscle growth. It is a certified vegan supplement with no sugar and is entirely gluten-free and keto-friendly! It contains coconut water powder and monk fruit to enhance the taste.

This formula contains caffeine to keep you energetic throughout your training session. It also contains BCAAs, which help reduce muscle breakdown by improving muscle protein synthesis.

With ingredients like beta-alanine, this workout powder effectively decreases muscle fatigue and exhaustion. This results in a much better physical performance and workout experience. It also contains 240 milligrams of creatine monohydrate, unlike many other workout powders. This results in increased muscle growth and lean mass building.

Also, it tastes pretty good as it is flavored naturally with monk fruit and coconut water powder.

8. Organic Muscle Organic Pre-Workout

This pre-workout supplement is the perfect choice for increasing energy levels and boosting muscle endurance. It enhances athletic performance by reducing muscle fatigue and stress. This supplement gives you no side effects like itchy skin or heart palpitations.

The formula contains caffeine to provide high energy for your workout sessions. It has matcha, green tea extract, and coconut water powder for mental focus, readiness, and energy. It also consists of maca root powder which has stamina-boosting properties.

The organic muscle pre-workout also has turmeric curcumin, which is an antioxidant reducing depression and improving skin health. All in all, it has the perfect blend of plant-based ingredients. It is low in sugar and has almost no calories. The organic muscle pre-workout is flavored and sweetened with organic and natural ingredients.

What Is A Vegan Pre-Workout Supplement?

A vegan pre-workout supplement has many plant-based ingredients that help increase energy levels and improve overall stamina and strength. These supplements are meant to enhance your exercise performance and give you a better workout experience. They also increase muscle growth and improve mental health.

A vegan pre-workout supplement helps to improve the following:

Brain-To-Muscle Connection

A pre-workout supplement ensures more confidence, mental focus, and concentration while working out.

Overall Stamina

This means that now you can grow more organic muscle by increasing the weights, doing a couple more reps, and exercising for longer.

Energy Levels

A pre-workout works by desensitizing your body, thus saving all your energy for the precious gym hours.

Common Ingredients Found In A Vegan Pre-Workout Supplement

A vegan pre-workout powder is entirely gluten-free and made of plant-based ingredients. The best organic pre-workout is also free from any artificial sweeteners or ingredients. It is also dairy-free because it does not have any whey protein in it.

A vegan pre-workout supplement contains natural caffeine and other ingredients, making them great for mental focus, physical performance, and muscle recovery.

Below is a list of all the ingredients included in a vegan pre-workout. They are scientifically proven to enhance exercise performance and give an energy boost!

Caffeine

Caffeine is a stimulant included in most pre-workout supplements. It can help give an energy boost to your tired body as well as keep your mind focused and active. Caffeine works by blocking specific neurological receptors in the brain that make you sleepy and lazy. This results in more energy and an active mindset, helping you train longer and harder without feeling exhausted. (1)

Citrulline

Citrulline is a type of amino acid found in many foods, and our body also makes it naturally. It is a vegan ingredient, and its use is widely popular in many plant-based supplements because it improves blood pressure.

Beta-Alanine

Beta-alanine is also an amino acid that is a crucial ingredient in many vegan supplements. It increases the endurance of muscles by decreasing the production of acidity in them. This results in a much better and longer workout experience.

In short, beta-alanine is an excellent vegan ingredient that helps in maximizing the exercising capacity of your muscles. This also makes your body build lean muscle mass. (8) However, beta-alanine has a side effect that makes you feel tingles in your hands and feet. Still, it is not considered dangerous to the user's health.

L-Arginine

L-arginine is an essential ingredient for many vegan pre-workout powders. Inside the body, L-arginine converts to nitric oxide.

Nitric oxide helps in widening the blood vessels, which improves the blood flow and blood pressure. This whole process results in an improved and consistent muscle performance throughout your workout session. (2)

Citrulline Malate

Citrulline malate is a compound of Citrulline discussed above. It is a non-essential amino acid found naturally in our bodies as well. Citrulline malate also reduces muscle soreness and improves muscle endurance and aerobic performance. (3)

Beetroot

It is very common to find beetroot juice in many organic vegan pre-workout powders. The reason is that beetroot juice contains high amounts of nitrates, producing more nitric oxide. (4)

Taurine

Taurine is commonly found in sodas and energy drinks. It is derived from meat and dairy products. However, the taurine found in vegan supplements is synthetically made in laboratories.

Taurine is very beneficial to the human body. It provides safety against diabetes by controlling the amount of sugar in the blood. However, it is added to workout supplements because it is an excellent performance-enhancing ingredient. (5)

Taurine protects the body cells from getting damaged. It also reduces stress and muscle burn by removing certain chemicals that contribute to fatigue.

BCAAs

Branched Chain Amino Acids are also known as BCAAs. They are a compound of essential amino acids like valine, leucine, and isoleucine. They are very beneficial and often sold separately as they are a good supplement on their own.

The combined effect of these three amino acids has excellent benefits such as muscle growth, less exhaustion, minimized post-workout fatigue, etc.

Creatine Monohydrate

Creatine Monohydrate is an ingredient that is highly popular among athletes and bodybuilders. It is a chemical produced naturally by our bodies and stored in our muscles for better athletic performance and stamina. This chemical compound also contributes to muscle growth. (6) Excessive use of creatine can cause water retention and bloating in the body.

What Are The Benefits of A Vegan Pre-Workout Supplement?

A pre-workout supplement is made of high-quality ingredients that ensure more focus, energy, and stamina while working out. Keep reading below to know more about the benefits and effects of taking a vegan pre-workout.

Increased Energy

Everyone knows that a pre-workout helps in increasing energy levels. It ensures that all your energy is saved for the strenuous physical activities at the gym.

Increased energy levels also help perform more challenging exercises that you might not have gone for before. A pre-workout supplement generally improves energy levels through the use of caffeine. Generally, people drink caffeine to remain awake and be more active.

Thus, the boost of energy that people feel after drinking pre-workouts is from its caffeine content.

Enhanced Performance

Usually, performance is enhanced after specific ingredients act against the lactic acid produced in the muscles reducing exhaustion, aches, fatigue, and pain. This process is done by using multiple ingredients that help improve stamina and strength. (7)

These ingredients also increase muscle growth, reduce stress and exhaustion, and balance hormones. One of the central performance-enhancing ingredients in many pre-workout supplements is beta-alanine.

Healthier Body

Several pre-workout supplements include some amount of essential chemicals like nitric oxide and others to improve body health and mental focus, boost blood flow and reduce mental stress.

Usually, these minerals and vitamins are in small amounts and do not have a huge impact. Hence, a pre-workout should never be used solely for this benefit. However, something is always better than nothing!

Better Workout Experience

These supplements enter your body and prepare the mind to train longer and harder by increasing energy levels and stamina. This results in a superior workout experience as you experience no exhaustion or tiredness. Hence, pre-workouts fuel your body for a more extraordinary workout experience.

Side Effects Of Taking Vegan Pre-Workout Supplements

In vegan supplements, constituent ingredients like caffeine and creatine are the leading cause of side effects.

Taking a higher dose of vegan supplements feels like drinking too much coffee. With pre-workout supplements, it is essential to be careful about the dosage.

Although, not everyone experiences the side effects of supplements. Still, people with sensitive stomachs and slow metabolisms may face some negative effects.

Read below to learn more about the side effects of pre-workouts.

Jittery Feeling

After taking pre-workouts, many people complain about a jittery feeling that they experience, which is similar to drinking coffee. This is because caffeine is one of the main ingredients of most vegan and non-vegan pre-workout supplements.

Though caffeine boosts energy levels and improves muscle strength, taking it in a higher dose can result in negative side effects. This is mainly because everyone has a different tolerance for caffeine levels. That is why it is essential to check the caffeine levels in pre-workouts before buying one. (9)

Water Retention

A pre-workout can cause water retention and bloating in some people. This is because of an essential vegan ingredient called creatine. (10)

Creatine is very beneficial for enhancing workout performance and increasing muscle growth. However, it can cause people to feel bloated or have upset stomachs.

Digestion Issues

Vegan pre-workouts contain only plant-based ingredients like creatine, caffeine, and magnesium. Although not common, these ingredients can cause problems like diarrhea, stomach upset, and other digestive issues in some people.

Headaches

Citrulline is an essential vegan ingredient used in a vegan supplement. Its primary purpose is to increase the rate of blood flowing to your muscles so that they will work better.

However, this whole process can cause severe headaches in some people. This is because increasing the blood flow can result in blood pressure changes, ultimately leading to headaches.

Tingling Sensations

A small percentage of people have also experienced a tingling sensation after taking a pre-workout supplement.

This side effect is due to the vegan ingredients, beta-alanine, and vitamin B3. Beta-alanine causes tingles in the hands and feet due to the increased blood rush.

These tingling sensations might cause slight discomfort. However, these ingredients are not dangerous to the consumer's health at all. (11)

How To Choose The Best Vegan Pre-Workout Supplement?

With such a variety of vegan supplements available in the market nowadays, it is much harder to identify the good ones. Below we have made a list of factors you should consider before buying.

Ingredients

It is crucial to check all the constituent ingredients of the product so that you can check for any hidden animal-derived ingredients in them.

It also helps ensure that the product contains all effective plant-based ingredients like caffeine, creatine, beta-alanine, and other amino acids. Only vegan supplements containing these ingredients will help enhance performance and boost energy levels.

Dosage

It is also better to buy products that have exact quantities and ratios of ingredients labeled on them. This will allow you to check whether the added amounts are within the limiting standards or not.

Taste

Although this may be a secondary factor for many people, we still recommend buying the supplements that do not make you want to vomit after ingestion. Usually, all-vegan supplements taste 'earthy' or 'chemical-ly' because they are just like medicines.

They are not exactly meant for the taste buds; rather, a pre-workout is a careful blend of ingredients to improve your performance and increase muscle growth. To improve their taste, you can mix them in juices or milkshakes.

They are also available in different fruit flavors; however, we do not recommend buying them. Typically, artificial ingredients and flavorings are not good health-wise at all.

Solubility

Your workout powder must dissolve entirely in water or a pre-workout shake. An undissolved, gritty texture will likely leave a bad taste in your mouth. You will end up not drinking pre-workout at all, wasting your money.

Cruelty-Free

Make sure that the product you buy is cruelty-free and free from artificial ingredients, food dyes, flavors, and sugars.

What Are Some Natural Vegan Foods To Boost Energy Levels?

If you are cutting down on supplements, we have found the following healthy vegan foods for you to try. These foods will surely give a boost to your low energy levels on lazy mornings, ensuring a great workout.

Sweet Potatoes

They contain a good amount of copper and vitamin C, which help maintain muscle tissues, improve muscle health, and give you more energy.

Coffee

Almost all vegan supplements contain caffeine in them. Hence, drinking a cup of coffee before your workout is always a good idea. This helps give an energy boost and wakes up your mind and body as well. (12)

Oats

Oats contain a healthy amount of iron, which helps quicken the process of transporting oxygen to your muscles. This makes the muscles perform better without getting exhausted.

Beetroot Juice

As discussed above, this fruit juice is a vital supplement ingredient. It contains a lot of nitrates, which convert into nitric oxide. This improves blood flow, blood pressure, and muscle performance.

Whole-Grain Toasts

Whole grain toasts take longer to digest, hence keeping you full for longer. They are full of nutrients and minerals that give you enough energy to survive a full day of exercising without feeling tired.

Fruit And Nut Butter

Eating fruit with protein nut butter on top ensures that you have a long and active workout session. Usually, a banana is the best fruit to eat before any physical activity, as it is full of potassium and keeps you full for longer.

Key Takeaways

Now you have a complete guide to vegan and organic pre-workout supplements! After reading this article, we hope all your doubts and queries have been cleared.

A natural pre-workout supplement, with its healthy plant-based ingredients, is proven to be very beneficial in increasing energy levels and improving muscle performance. These supplements allow your muscles to reach their maximum potential.

By taking away your exhaustion and stress, these pre-workout supplements allow you to exercise better and longer! And with all that natural caffeine, you will be wide awake and energetic throughout your workout session.

Before buying a pre-workout, do not forget to check the ingredients list for any cautions regarding allergy or reaction-causing ingredients. Also, keep an eye open for any gimmicky, fake vegan supplements with hidden animal products and artificial sweeteners.

We hope these supplements help you in achieving all your fitness goals. Good luck!

References

1. Spriet, LL1, et al. "Caffeine ingestion and muscle metabolism during prolonged exercise in humans." American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology And Metabolism 262.6 (1992): E891-E898.
2. Moncada, Salvador, and Annie Higgs. "The L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway." New England journal of medicine 329.27 (1993): 2002-2012.
3. Pérez-Guisado, Joaquín, and Philip M. Jakeman. "Citrulline malate enhances athletic anaerobic performance and relieves muscle soreness." The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 24.5 (2010): 1215-1222.
4. Ormsbee, Michael J., Jon Lox, and Paul J. Arciero. "Beetroot juice and exercise performance." Nutrition and Dietary Supplements 5 (2013): 27-35.
5. Zhang, M., et al. "Role of taurine supplementation to prevent exercise-induced oxidative stress in healthy young men." Amino acids 26.2 (2004): 203-207.
6. Tarnopolsky, Mark A., and Dan P. MacLennan. "Creatine monohydrate supplementation enhances high-intensity exercise performance in males and females." International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism 10.4 (2000): 452-463
7. Spradley, Brandon D., et al. "Ingesting a pre-workout supplement containing caffeine, B-vitamins, amino acids, creatine, and beta-alanine before exercise delays fatigue while improving reaction time and muscular endurance." Nutrition & metabolism 9.1 (2012): 1-9.
8. Kedia, A. William, et al. "Effects of a pre-workout supplement on lean mass, muscular performance, subjective workout experience and biomarkers of safety." International journal of medical sciences 11.2 (2014): 116.
9. Wolf, Lauren K. "Caffeine jitters." Chemical and Engineering News 91.5 (2013): 9-12.
10. Juhn, Mark S., and Mark Tarnopolsky. "Potential side effects of oral creatine supplementation: a critical review." Clinical journal of sport medicine: official journal of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine 8.4 (1998): 298-304.
11. Pandey, Anurag. "What is Beta-alanine and the Benefits of Beta-alanine for sports perofrmance."
12. Grgic, Jozo, et al. "Effects of caffeine intake on muscle strength and power: a systematic review and meta-analysis." Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 15.1 (2018): 1-10.