23
Products Considered
168
Hours of Research
9
Experts Interviewed
57
Customers Consulted
Being, amongst those who is quite sensitive to caffeine. A high caffeine intake makes me feel pining session in chest. Also can make me stay awake at night.
So I always prefer to limit caffeine just to my coffee and not in my workout.
Also for those who aren't caffeine sensitive, regularly consuming caffeine in large quantities increases the risk of side effects: irritability, insomnia, digestive problems, headaches, and more.
But at the same time, if you are someone like me or you workout late evening or even night, taking high caffeine pre workout can sometimes lead to sleep deprivation.
The way out of this situation is to choose caffeine-free pre-workout supplements.
Overall Rating: 5/5
Its a perfect mix of ingredients , without caffeine or stimulant. A Value for money proposition.
10% Discount Code: WELCYON
Overall Rating: 4.9/5
This supplement by Kris has nice blend of ingredients. I experienced good pump during workout and great mind, muscle connection.
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
It doesn't has all the ingredients like other two, but has good mix of 4 critical ingredients and other blends for pre workout without caffeine.
We spend hours on research and speaking to our members on their experience with best caffeine free pre workout, and got quite interesting insights.
Let's take a look at a list of the best stimulant-free pre-workouts that can give you all the benefits of pre-workouts without the unpleasant consequences during your training sessions.
The Best Caffeine-Free Pre-Workouts
1. Stim-Free Pre-Workout by Transparent Labs
This pre-workout is suitable for both strength training and cardio training.
Key features:
• Contains taurine and L-tyrosine for energy and concentration
• Optimal dose of BCAAs for muscle building
• Reduces fatigue and improves recovery
Flavors: Blue Raspberry, Green Apple, Sour Grape, Orange, Tropical Punch, Strawberry Lemonade
10% Discount Code: WELCYON
Ingredient Quality:
5/5
The ingredients are not just transparent but perfect mix. You don't need intra workout with this pre workout. Also comes with 4g of BCAA.
Workout Performance:
5/5
We couldnt complain on the muscle recovery or soreness, and the exhausting post workout disappeared.
Value:
5/5
This comes with 30 servings per container.
Each scoop of 22.8g.
This caffeine free workout product provides all the benefits of a pre-workout supplement but eliminates the unpleasant effects of caffeine.
I tried the Blue Raspberry taste and it was delicious, nothing to complain about.
Ingredients such as taurine and L-tyrosine will provide you with a good burst of energy, improved concentration, and a better mood during your workout, providing you with great workout performance. [13]
Supplement Ingredients Per Scoop
Citrulline malate makes Stim-Free Pre-Workout an excellent option for both strength training and cardio training. It increases the flow of oxygen to the muscles and thereby enhances your physical performance with intense muscle pumps. [14]
During our conversation with Transparent Labs, the team were of the opinion that after through research they found blending pre workout with creatine doesn't provide that effective results.
Our Experience: Most of our members who used this pre workout gave a feedback where in they had great pump and didn't experienced any kind of fatigue during workout or post workout. They were also able to lift better than without any pre workout.
Some did experienced harmless tingling sensation, which can be due to high beta alanine of 4g per scoop.
Main Ingredients:
Citruline Malate: 2:1 , 6g
Beta Alanine: 4g
BCAA (instanised) : 6g
Betaine Anhydrous: 2.5g
Taurine: 1.3g
L-tyrosine: 1g
The pre-workout also contains BCAAs that help build muscle mass while relieving muscle soreness after exercise. And beta-alanine helps reduce fatigue during exercise. [22],[3]
Pros:
Contains taurine and L-tyrosine for energy and concentration
Optimal dose of BCAAs for muscle building
Reduces fatigue and improves recovery
Suitable for strength and cardio workouts
Good assortment of flavors
Cons:
You need to taken creatine seperately.
What we love about this pre workout is the ingredients mix. Whcih are quite exhaustive, and also adds Creatine to top it up.
Key features:
• It has right amount of all the ingredients , expect BCAA.
• The ingredients are perfect for muscle recovery and faster healing
• Non-GMO
Ingredient Quality:
5/5
It has exhaustive list of ingredients but doesn't contains BCAA. But comes with 1.5g of HCL Creatine.
Workout Performance:
5/5
We experience good strength with this pre workout, and also thanks to right dose of creatine HCL, the muscle build also improved.
Value:
4.7/5
This comes with 20 servings per container.
Each scoop of 29.8g.
I have always loved pre kaged products also they come highly dosed as compare to most of the other pre workouts.
Our Experience: Inspite of zero caffeine, we felt great mind muscle connection. The pump was great. I was able to push harder with my weights and I didn't felt tired, and was ready to workout for another hour.
Key Ingredients:
The L-Citrulline which is helps in building muscle and improve performance. Pre Kaged Stim free has 6.5g of it which is within widely recommended quantity. [24]
Also you don't need to add separate creatine to your supplements since it already has 1.5g of Creatine hydrochloride, which is fastest abosrbed than other types of creatine. Making 1.5g of HCL creatine is equivalent to 5g of monohydrate creatine.
Pre Kaged Stiumlant Free Cherry Bomb Flavor
I didn't felt exhausted or too thirsty during workout which many of us do. I would thank to its having ingredients like 500mg of coconut water powder and Spectra blend .
Pros:
Contains 1.5 g of HCL Creatine, which is expensive one.
Provides Great Pump
It has Vitamin B12, B6 and Niacin.
Cons:
Has only 20 servings per container, making it little expensive.
Doesn't contains BCAA
An excellent muscle-building option that contains nootropic ingredients for good concentration.
Key features:
• Increases oxygen flow to muscles during training session
• Better performance and endurance thanks to betaine anhydrous
• Manufactured in the USA in a cGMP-certified facility
Ingredient Quality:
4.0/5
It doesn't has exhaustive list , but it covers the basic necessary ingredients.
Workout Performance:
4.40/5
We couldnt complain on the muscle recovery or soreness, and the exhausting post workout disappeared.
Value:
4.45/5
This comes with 20 servings per container.
Each scoop of 12.5g.
This stimulant-free pre-workout is for those looking to build muscle and great muscle pumps.
It contains L-citrulline, which increases oxygen flow to your muscles, so you can train longer and harder and cope with fatigue better. L-citrulline also increases nitro oxide levels there by enhancing workout performance. [14]
Betaine anhydrous has also been added to the pre-workout supplement for better physical performance and increased endurance.
Being caffeine free pre workout, it has been replaced with dosed ergogenic enhancers and nootropic ingredients such as Alpha-GPC and huperzine A to improve brain function and help you focus during exercise.
I liked that this stim free pre workout provides good focus without having caffeine though 1 out of 4 trainers who tried this caffeine free pre workout didn't felt the same focus. So if you are someone who is caffeine addict this stim free pre workout may not work for you.
Main Ingredients:
L Citruline: 5g
Betaine Anhydrous 2.5g
Taurine: 150 mg
Alph Glycer: 25mg
Pros:
Increases oxygen flow to muscles for better performance
Helps you recover faster after exercise
Contains nootropic ingredients for concentration and better mental performance
Manufactured in the USA in a cGMP-certified facility
6 flavor options
Cons:
Not the most pleasant taste
This caffeine-free pre-workout boosts athletic performance is suitable for people on a vegan diet.
Key features:
• Increases energy and improves mood
• Contains substances needed for muscle growth
• 100% natural flavors
Ingredient Quality:
4.0/5
The ingredients quantity was quite less per scoop.
Workout Performance:
4.0/5
We found it to increase workout performance, and reduce muscle soreness. It does the Job.
Value:
4.9/5
This comes with 20 servings per container.
Each scoop of 15.7g.
It's a good stimulant-free pre-workout that allows you to achieve the desired results during your workout and also helps you stay on a vegan diet.
It is formulated with good doses of L-citrulline malate, beta-alanine, and betaine anhydrous to help you exercise harder, recover better, and build muscle faster. It has all the basic ingredients but on lower side, it can be good for someone who is having pre workout for the first time.
And so you have a sufficient supply of energy and a good mood for all this, the pre-workout supplement includes such nootropic substances as huperzine A, taurine, and L-tyrosine.
In addition, it contains AstraGin to enhance nutrient absorption.
Pros:
Contains 100% natural flavors
Sweetened with organic vegan stevia
Enhances the absorption of nutrients
Third-party tested for cleanliness
Cons:
Sour apple version may taste too sour
Some people experience tingling sensations on their skin due to beta-alanine
Someone looking to have basic pre workout without any caffeine one can look at it.
Key features:
• 8g of L-Citruline Malate in 2:1
• Calcium 394 mg
• No artificial ingredients
• No other fillers
Ingredient Quality: 4.3/5
Performance: 4.0/5
Value:
4.5/5
Legion's stim-free pre-workout contains 8 grams of L-citrulline DL-malate, which is important for improving your athletic performance by increasing blood flow and stimulating protein synthesis for better performance and muscle building. It also helps your body produce energy. [14]
The pre-workout contains Alpha-GPC, a precursor of the brain-boosting chemical acetylcholine. Acetylcholine acts as a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator, activating the parts of the brain responsible for arousal, attention, memory, and motivation. [16, 17]
Also, a big benefit of this pre-workout supplement is the absence of proprietary blends. The doses of of each ingredient are precisely defined, and the supplement also has a pleasant sweetness and good taste thanks to all-natural ingredients.
Pros:
Contains calcium for bone health
Naturally sweetened and flavored
Does not contain proprietary blends
Cons:
Only three decaffeinated flavor options
High price for 20 servings
We choose this pre workout amongst top 6 , because it has great amount of Arginine Nitrate : 2g, which helps in pump and increase oxygen supply to blood vessels.
Key features:
• 4g of L Citrulinine, Performance Pump Matrix Blend
• No artificial ingredients
• No other fillers
Ingredient Quality: 3.8/5
Performance: 4.0/5
Value:
4.2/5
Although the previous caffeine free pre-workouts taste good, I want to highlight PEScience in this list of the best caffeine-free pre-workouts.
It has a wide range of flavors—8 options. It is hard to imagine that with so many choices, you won't find one you like.
It also has a good formulation to improve the efficiency of your workouts. It contains L-citrulline to help build muscle and oxygenate your muscles to increase your endurance. Plus, the pre-workout contains 250 mg of vitamin C to support a healthy immune system, blood vessels, cartilage, muscle, and collagen formation in bones. [23]
The stim-free pre-workout includes few ingredients, making it easier to learn about each one. You can easily find information about each and assess their benefits and possible side effects if any of the pre workout.
Pros:
Transparent list of ingredients
Contains vitamin C for overall health
8 flavors to choose from
Cons:
Insufficient ingredients for energy and concentration
Benefits of Stimulant-Free Pre-Workouts
While caffeine is a very effective ingredient in enhancing your workouts, its absence has certain benefits.
Drawbacks of Caffeine-Free Pre-Workouts
If you ditch caffeine in your pre-workout supplements, you may encounter the following disadvantages.
Does Caffeine makes a difference in pre workout?
You will be surprised with the above research which proves that caffeine free pre workout is as effective as pre workout with caffeine.
What Ingredients Should Be In a Non-Stimulant Pre-Workout?
To ensure that a non-stimulant pre-workout is beneficial to your athletic performance and gives you the energy and focus you need during exercise, look for the following ingredients in your body building supplements.
Beta-Alanine
Beta-alanine is an essential amino acid that helps reduce fatigue during intense exercise and increase physical performance by producing carnosine, which reduces lactic acid build-up in the muscles. [3]
Creatine
Creatine is often used in pre-workouts to improve athletic performance. It is a safe and one of the most effective supplements that help build muscle and increase strength. [4]
It also allows more energy to be delivered to your muscles, which helps increase performance during intense exercise. [5]
Magnesium
Magnesium helps your body convert food into energy and create new proteins for muscles, and is important for muscle contraction and relaxation. [6]
It also helps increase physical performance, improve your athletic performance, and reduce stress levels. [7]
Vitamin D
In addition to being important for strong bones and teeth and healthy immunity, when combined with calcium, vitamin D is beneficial if you are looking to lose weight. [8]
Beetroot
Beetroot is a good source of healthy fiber for digestion, as well as of nitrates, which can help you get more energy and increase physical performance, especially during endurance exercise. [9]
Peak ATP
Peak ATP is a patented ingredient whose structure is identical to that of physical human ATP. It helps increase muscle strength and improves muscle blood flow, allowing you to exercise harder.
When taken regularly, it provides energy and reduces muscle fatigue during heavy exercise. [10]
Taurine
Taurine is used to improve athletic performance. It reduces fatigue and muscle damage during exercise and also increases the amount of fat you burn. Therefore, you will have more energy for your activities. [11, 12]
L-Tyrosine
L-tyrosine is essential for the production of adrenaline, norepinephrine, and dopamine. It helps improve mood and may even relieve symptoms of depression. In addition, L-tyrosine helps you maintain clarity and concentration if you have trouble sleeping. [13]
Citrulline Malate
Citrulline malate helps increase muscle mass by stimulating protein production. It also increases nitric oxide levels and blood flow, which improves exercise performance and provides with muscle pumps. [14]
Betaine Anhydrous
Betaine anhydrous is used in pre-workouts to improve athletic performance. It is involved in the production of homocysteine, which is essential for the normal functioning of muscles, heart, brain, nerves, and more. [15]
Alpha-GPC and Huperzine A
These substances affect the amount of acetylcholine in the brain. Acetylcholine is required for memory and learning. [16, 17]
What Ingredients Should You Avoid?
There is a large list of approved pre-workout ingredients, but not all of them are well researched or highly effective.
Also, some of them may be associated with unpleasant side effects, although in terms of achieving sports goals, they are quite effective.
Here are some ingredients that you should be careful with.
Synephrine
Synephrine is used to combat obesity, improve athletic performance, and more, but its effects have not been supported by reliable scientific studies. [18]
What's more, it's banned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) due to its potential to cause high blood pressure, heart palpitations, and heart problems.
Yohimbe
This is another ingredient that does not have reliable evidence of its effectiveness but is used to improve athletic performance, mood, and sexual problems. [19]
In addition, it has hallucinogenic properties and is even banned in some countries. Artificial yohimbine hydrochloride is banned in the United States for use as a dietary supplement.
Another problem with this substance is that not all manufacturers indicate the exact amount of Yohimbe extract in the product, so you won't know if you are exceeding the allowable amount of this ingredient.
DMAA
Known as geranium extract and previously promoted as a natural stimulant, there is no hard scientific evidence to support its presence in any plant. [20]
When combined with caffeine, DMAA can be hazardous to health, increase blood pressure, and cause cardiovascular disease.
Moreover, it is an amphetamine derivative and is currently banned in the United States.
Caffeine
Though caffeine has benefits like a powerful boost of energy, improved mood, and aiding in weight loss, it has also been linked to unpleasant side effects caused by excess consumption. [21]
FAQs
Are caffeine-free pre-workout supplement healthier?
Yes, caffeine-free pre-workouts are healthier if you are too sensitive to this ingredient and experience unpleasant side effects. But if you can't imagine an effective decaffeinated product, choose pre-workouts that contain caffeine in small doses.
Can you take a caffeine-free pre-workout every day?
Of course, you can use a stimulant-free pre-workout every day if you stick to the recommended dose. Even without caffeine, you may experience side effects if you consume more than the recommended dose of certain ingredients.
Why choose a caffeine-free pre-workout?
Pre-workout without stimulants can be a good option if you can't have caffeine for health reasons or often experience unpleasant side effects. It is also suitable for those who prefer evening workouts or want a smooth burst of energy rather than a large, quick increase.
Conclusion
If you don't want to experience caffeine's unpleasant consequences like irritability, indigestion, and insomnia, stimulant-free pre-workout supplements are the best option for you.
After studying and using products from different manufacturers for my workouts, I can say Stim-Free Pre-Workout by Transparent Labs is the best choice.
It provides the necessary burst of energy, improved concentration, and a better mood, and is also great for both strength training and cardio training.
Another great pre-workout for optimal concentration, high performance, and better recovery is PUMPSURGE by Jacked Factory. It contains all the essential ingredients to help you build muscle faster and for great workout intensity.
Transparent Labs & Jacked Factory also delivers your pre workout supplements in United Kingdom.
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:
- Mayo Clinic, Nutrition and healthy eating, retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20045678
- National Library of Medicine, Caffeine and coffee: their influence on metabolic rate and substrate utilization in normal weight and obese individuals, retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7369170/
- National Library of Medicine, beta-Alanine supplementation augments muscle carnosine content and attenuates fatigue during repeated isokinetic contraction bouts in trained sprinters, retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17690198/
- Thomas W Buford et al., International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: creatine supplementation and exercise, retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2048496/
- National Library of Medicine, Skeletal muscle metabolism during short duration high-intensity exercise: influence of creatine supplementation, retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7572228/
- National Library of Medicine, Magnesium in man: implications for health and disease, retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25540137/
- National Library of Medicine, On the significance of magnesium in extreme physical stress, retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9794094/
- Geneviève C. Major, Francine P. Alarie, Jean Doré and Angelo Tremblay, Calcium plus vitamin D supplementation and fat mass loss in female very low-calcium consumers: potential link with a calcium-specific appetite control, retrieved from https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/calcium-plus-vitamin-d-supplementation-and-fat-mass-loss-in-female-very-lowcalcium-consumers-potential-link-with-a-calciumspecific-appetite-control/623D71E0A965E910C48903089FA7B56C
- National Library of Medicine, Dietary inorganic nitrate improves mitochondrial efficiency in humans, retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21284982/
- John A Rathmacher et al., Adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) supplementation improves low peak muscle torque and torque fatigue during repeated high intensity exercise sets, retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3483284/
- National Library of Medicine, Role of taurine supplementation to prevent exercise-induced oxidative stress in healthy young men, retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15042451/
- National Library of Medicine, The effect of acute taurine ingestion on endurance performance and metabolism in well-trained cyclists, retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20739720/
- Dan Brennan, MD (reviewer), Health Benefits of L-Tyrosine, retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-l-tyrosine#1
- National Library of Medicine, Citrulline stimulates muscle protein synthesis in the post-absorptive state in healthy people fed a low-protein diet - A pilot study, retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24972455/
- WebMD, Betaine Anhydrous, retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1008/betaine-anhydrous
- WebMD, Alpha-Gpc, retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1087/alpha-gpc
- WebMD, Huperzine A, retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-764/huperzine-a
- WebMD, Bitter Orange, retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-976/bitter-orange
- WebMD, Yohimbe, retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-759/yohimbe
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, DMAA in Products Marketed as Dietary Supplements, retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/food/dietary-supplement-products-ingredients/dmaa-products-marketed-dietary-supplements
- U.S. National Library of Medicine, Caffeine, retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/caffeine.html
- National Library of Medicine, Branched-Chain Amino Acid Ingestion Stimulates Muscle Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis following Resistance Exercise in Humans, retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28638350/
- Medical News Today, Alan Carter, Pharm.D., Vitamin C: Why is it important?, retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/219352#why-we-need-it
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/l-citrulline-uses-and-risks