When you are looking to seriously increase your workout and take it to the next level, the best pre workouts for 2022 are what you want. Pre workout supplements give you a big energy boost before your workout, allowing you to lift heavier and train harder.
Theres currently a lot of pre workout supplements on the market but not all of them live up to the hype around them. A lot of users will look for the strongest pre-workout, usually in terms of caffeine. But this does not mean it will be the best. Often a better pre workout may have less caffeine but important other ingredients such as creatine.
What matters when finding a great pre workout is the results it delivers. Just because pre workout is from a big brand, does not mean it is going to deliver results. Finding the best pre workout supplements took us a long time of testing and researching the market but we believe we have found the top ten best pre workouts currently on the market.
Before we go through the list it is important to be aware of the ingredients that are commonly found in pre workout supplements.
- Caffeine– A stimulant that reduces levels of fatigue to increase levels of physical performance. Caffeine is the most common ingredient in pre workout supplements as it provides us with more energy when we need it. There are several different sources of caffeine.
- Creatine – Already found naturally in our body and one of the most research supplements for sports. Creatine increases our ability to produce energy rapid. Using creatine can allow you to get them last few reps out during a workout.
- Beta-Alanine – This supplement works by increasing levels of intra-muscular carnosine which in-turn helps prevent the build up of lactic acid. Therefore increasing endurance and allowing us to workout longer.
- BCAA’s – Although not found in all pre workouts, they help stimulate protein synthesis and keep your muscles topped up with the nutrients that are being used during a workout.
Although most pre workouts contain caffeine, some of them contain significantly more than other so it is important to check how much caffiene is in each serving. More caffeine will not guarantee a better workout. When it comes to taste, most pre workouts do not taste great and some of them are really not nice to drink. However the benefits far outweigh the poor taste. Take a look at our top pre workout supplements of 2022.
The best pre workout supplements
Below we have compiled a list of our favourite UK pre workout supplement for 2022. Take a look at the details of each one to see which is best suited to your needs.
Gaspari Nutrition – SuperPump Max
The superpump range of pre workouts from Gaspari Nutrition have been around for a long time. During this they have built up a great reputation and this latest addition is no exception. SuperPump is marketed as an intense muscle builder and this is exactly what it does.
We regularly use this pre workout and the results are fantastic. Per serving there is over 2000mg of BCAA’s and also Beta-Alanine. This pre workout is designed for weight lifters and provides a great pump throughout your workout due to the 2500mg of creatine.
If you have not used pre workout formulas before then the beta-alanine in this pre workout may make your face tingle the first few times that you use it. This pre workout is available in a number of different flavours but the taste is strong and not pleasant. We would recommend avoiding the watermelon flavour as this is the worst flavour in our opinion. The strawberry kiwi version was our prefered flavour.
The Protein Works – Genesis Pre Workout
The Protein Works offer a number of different pre workout supplements but Genesis is our favourite for building muscle. There is over 20 active ingredients in every serving to ensure a rocket fueled workout. Genesis is recommended for both strength and endurance workouts.
Some of the highlights include BCAA’s and The Protein Works own vitamin and mineral blends, something we have not seen on the market before. Unlike some manufacturers, The Protein works lists the ingredients in the supplements and they have all been scientifically proven to add value.
There is currently three flavours available including Orange Burst and Tropical Punch. in terms of pricing, Genesis is a bit on the pricey side but sure it is worth investing if you want to see the results.
Grenade 50 Calibre
Grenade is one of our favourite supplement brands. Their reputation over the last few years has been for high power supplements. 50 Calibre from Grenade is designed to increase physical performance and help you lose fat. The pre workout is hard-hitting with 275mg of caffeine per serving.
This pre workout supplement has a high caffeine content compared to some other pre workouts supplements which may be too much caffeine for some people. As well as this there is also the standard ingredients you would expect to see from a good pre workout; Beta Alananine and creatine a both present and well dosed for an explosive workout.
There is also 400mg of BCAA’s per serving. Three flavours are currently available to pick from: Berry Blast, Killa Cola and Lemon Raid. This pre workout is expensive due to the leading Grenade brand name.
I like to buy this Pre Workout Supplement from Discount Supplements due to being the lost price I have found it for. There is also many offers and discount codes available to save more.
BulkPowders- ELEVATE
We have featured Bulk Powders Pro Series in a number of out posts before but that is with good reason. The Pro Series range focuses on being the best supplements on the market and ELEVATE pre workout is no exception. This pre workout claims to deliver “the best workout of your life” and we can see why.
There is good amounts of both caffeine and beta alanine in this pre workout. Also, there is some unique ingredients such as grape seed extract which is a source of polyphenols. Three flavours available but we prefer the Orange & Mango flavour which we have tried on a number of Bulk Powders products.
Bulk Powders are so confident in their pre workout formula that they offer a money back guarantee if you are not happy with the product. Furthermore, everything can be purchased at the same time from the Bulk Powders website. This is both convenient and cost save when buying multiple supplements.
MyProtein – The Pre Workout
We often feature MyProtein products because they are great value for money and the reviews speak for themselves. The Pre-Workout (formally Mypre) is a high dosed pre workout formula designed to give explosive results during your workout. There is an impressive 7 flavours available to chose from including sour apple and watermelon.
The Pre-Workout is designed to improve focus and reduce fatigue. Creatine is present to help product rapid energy during them last few sets. There is also a caffeine blend to help improve focus and energy levels.
This pre workout also contains pantothenic acid which contributes towards physiological performance. As with other myProtein products, the price is competitive and there are plenty of reviews to back this supplement up. As with all myProtein supplements, there are often discounts available on their website, making this even better value.
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre Workout
Optimum Nutrition has a great reputation when it comes to supplements. Many of the range comes highly recommended for both high quality and great taste. Gold standard Pre Workout from Optimum nutrition is made with banned substance tested ingredients including caffeine from natural sources to help improve energy and focus during your workout.
Just like with all Optimum nutrition products, only premium ingredients are used which is the reason for the high price tag. There is Creapure creatine which is the purest version of creatine on the market. There are a number of superb tasting flavours available including pineapple and fruit punch. B Vitamins are also in tis pre workouts to improve energy release.
MusclePharm Assault
The musclePharm promise is to bring the safest and most rigorously tested supplements to the market. Promoted as the athletes pre workout, Assault from MusclePharm has a great combination of ingredients. Instead of focusing on a stimulant concentrated formula that will leave you feeling drained after, Assault is designed to keep you going all the way through your workout.
Per serving you will find 3g of creatine, as well as 1.75g of beta-alanine. Assault also helps to prevent lactic acid build up, allowing you to push harder for longer. There is also some unique flavours available including candy apple. For branded products such as this pre workout I find the best prices are on Discount Supplements, but there are many websites where MusclePharm Assault is available.
BSN N.O.-Xplode
Back in 2004 BSN introduced the first compete pre workout formula, Now they are back with a more concentrated formula that has a number of active ingredients, allowing you to push past your limits and take your workout to the next level. This pre workout supplement increases alertness and reduces fatigue.
There is Niacin and Vitamin B6 which both prevent tiredness and also vitamin C which contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism. The great taste is also a feature that is highly promoted in this pre workout and there are a number of flavours available including green apple. My favourite flavour is fruit punch which tastes great before an intense workout. BSN also produces a nice range of additional supplements that can complement this pre workout formula very well.
Cellucor C4
One of the most recognised pre workout supplements on the market, C4 from cellucor has a great reputation for fueling explosive workouts. In fact, this is the first pre workout formula that many of us will have tried. The taste of C4 is something that also standard out, with many great tasting flavours available.
C4 is designed to push your limits during workouts and contains an explosive energy blend made from caffeine and other energy promoting ingredients. There is also creatine to provide fast release energy and beta alanine. C4 is one of the best-selling pre workout supplements in the world and there is a good reason for that.
You only have to check out some of the reviews to see why. Since its original release, there have also been some newer versions available that aim to build upon the success of the original. This includes an extreme energy version which contains a higher caffeine content
BPI One More Rep
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The aim of BPI is to build the best product and stand behind what they make. The new version of this pre workout is stronger than the previous version to provide superior results during your workouts. 1.M.R contains none of the unnecessary ingredients you may find in some other pre workouts and contains only the ingredients you need for a great workout.
If you are wondering what 1.M.R stands for then it is one more rep. Pushing yourself further and squeezing out that last rep is whats going to see you build muscle. This pre workout ensures great mental focus and energy throughout your workout. There is a choice of four flavours available including raspberry and cherry lime.
Best pre workout tips for building muscle
As you can see, pre workout supplements are a great idea before an intense workout. The benefits include increased energy and better focus. However, there are many ways you can maximise your workouts, even before using a pre workout supplement. Here are some top tips for getting the most out of your workouts.
Fuel your body
I find one of the most important meals of the day is the one before a workout. The foods you eat before can make a big difference to your performance during an intense workout. But which foods should you be eating to maximise your performance? The first thing I would avoid just before a workout is a very heavy meal.
This is just going to slow you down in the gym and you are not going to feel great. I often prefer lighter meals that contain both fast release carbs and protein. A piece of fruit such as a banana is a great pre workout snack. This will provide you with adequote energy when your body needs it most. I also find a protein bar is a nice idea. This way your body can already start to get the protein it needs to build muscle mass.
Get enough sleep
One of the most important aspects that often gets overlooked is adequate sleep. Many people believe that getting up super early and going to bed late to fit a big workout in is a good idea. However, the body repairs most when you are sleeping. This repair is essential for building bigger muscles.
When we workout, the muscle is broken down. The body then needs to repair it. During this repair process the muscle is repaired bigger and stronger. But if your body is not getting enough sleep, it is going to have less opportunity to carry out this repair. Maintaining a regular sleep pattern is essential when building muscle.
Keep Hydrated
As well as focusing on how much we eat, it is also important to ensure we are getting enough water. Staying hydrated is essential to both our health and fitness routine. When we complete an intense workout, the body will use a lot of water and also lose water e.g. in the form of sweat.
Therefore it’s key to ensure we keep it topped up. A rough guide is to ensure you drink 2 litres of water every day. There are many ways you can help boost your water intake. For example taking a reusable water bottle with you throughout the day. Enough water also keeps our energy levels feeling good.
Warm up correctly
When you get to the gym, it can often be tempting to dive straight onto the first machine you can see, while it is free. But a proper warm up is essential before you start. A good warm up can stop you from injuring yourself.
It also helps to prime your muscles ready for the big lifts to come. This way your muscles have warmed up and are ready to workout. Ensure your warm up gets a full range of motion in and starts to raise your heart rate.
Best pre workout Summary
That was out list of the top ten pre workout supplements available on the market today. Pre workouts supplements make a great addition to the supplements you are suing and will help you push further during your workouts[1].
Ensuring a great workout means you need to stay motivated. Pre workout is great but without motivation and the right state of mind, you are not going to be able to reach the next level. Picking the best time to consume your pre-workot is also important to get the best results. I like to consume pre-workouts thirty minutes before my workout to ensure adequate time to allow the caffeine to kick in.
I find working out with a partner is great as you can both encourage each other to push further and go beyond your limits.
If you are not willing to risk the usual you will have to settle for the ordinary. ~Jim Rohn
As well as the pre workout formulas above, I sometimes like to use a natural pre workout. For example if I am not using creatine currently then I may switch to a natural pre workout. This is because most pre workout formulas contain creatine in them.
A personal favourite natural pre workout of mine is black coffee and a banana. The banana is a great source of fast release carbohydrates which are ideal before a workout. The black coffee provides a natural source of caffeine. Without milk the coffee is a lot less heavy. I like to take these roughly 20 minutes before the start of my workout.
Another interesting point to consider before choosing a pre workout supplement is which type of exercise you are doing. For example, if you are weight training you are going to want creatine for its ability to increase muscle strength and power. On the other hand, if you are running you may look for a pre workout that promotes endurance. There are lots to pick from. Let us know which pre workout you will be using going forward.
