Pre-workout is easier to stick with when it actually tastes good.
Transparent Labs gets this right.
They don’t use artificial coloring or sweeteners, everything is naturally flavored with stevia, and even their “other ingredients” are transparently dosed.
I tested all 9 flavors of Transparent Labs Bulk, ranked them, and built comparison tables so you can decide in seconds.
Use code FITFREK for a discount at checkout.
Best candy vibe → Sour Grape
Best daily driver → Tropical Punch
Most unique flavor → Pineapple Coconut (Pina Colada)
Safest middle ground → Peach Mango
Skip it → Strawberry Lemonade
Flavor | Tier | Sweet | Aftertaste | Daily |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sour Grape candy vibe | Top | 8/10 | Grape linger | 8–9/10 |
Tropical Punch balanced | Top | 7–8/10 | Clean | 9/10 |
Pineapple Coconut (Pina Colada) creamy | Top | 7/10 | Pineapple/coconut | 8/10 |
Peach Mango | Middle | 5–6/10 | Mango after | 7/10 |
Black Cherry | Middle | 6–7/10 | Strong | 7/10 |
Blue Raspberry | Middle | 8/10 | Tart finish | 7/10 |
Watermelon | Bottom | 7/10 | Tart linger | 6/10 |
Strawberry Kiwi | Bottom | 8/10 | Kiwi tart | 6–7/10 |
Strawberry Lemonade | Bottom | 6/10 | Lemon heavy | 5/10 |
Mixed each flavor with the recommended 10–12oz water.
Checked mixability, sweetness, aftertaste, and smell.
Reset palate with water and apple slices between flavors.
Re-tested flavors on different days for consistency.
This isn’t just a one-time sip review.
It’s a full taste test experiment.
Strong, candy-like, with sour upfront and grape sweetness in the back.
Smells like grape candy — nostalgic and bold.
Flavor accuracy: 9/10
Sweetness: 8/10
Daily drinkability: 8–9/10
Buy again? Yes
Perfect if you want something fun that never feels boring.
Balanced, smooth, and less sour than most Bulk flavors.
Hints of pineapple and peach make it easy to drink daily.
Flavor accuracy: 9.5/10
Sweetness: 7–8/10
Daily drinkability: 9/10
Buy again? Yes
This is the safest “everyday” flavor.
Creamy pineapple upfront, coconut in the background.
Surprisingly natural, not artificial.
Flavor accuracy: 9/10
Sweetness: 7/10
Daily drinkability: 8/10
Buy again? Yes
If you like tropical vibes, this is the most refreshing option.
Peach dominates, mango lingers in the background.
Balanced overall, slightly tart.
Flavor accuracy: 7/10
Sweetness: 5–6/10
Daily drinkability: 7/10
Buy again? Maybe
Reliable but not exciting.
Strong, candy-like cherry flavor with a slight artificial edge.
Good in small doses, but heavy daily.
Flavor accuracy: 8/10
Sweetness: 6–7/10
Daily drinkability: 7/10
Buy again? Maybe
Great for cherry fans, but too much for everyday.
Classic candy-style taste, clean and smooth.
Mixes pale yellow (no artificial dye).
Flavor accuracy: 7/10
Sweetness: 8/10
Daily drinkability: 7/10
Buy again? No
Safe option, but a bit generic compared to the top tier.
Refreshing at first, but artificial aftertaste drags it down.
Flavor accuracy: 8/10
Sweetness: 7/10
Daily drinkability: 6/10
Buy again? No
Mostly strawberry, kiwi is faint.
Sweet but unrefined.
Flavor accuracy: 7/10
Sweetness: 8/10
Daily drinkability: 6–7/10
Buy again? No
Very tart lemon with almost no strawberry.
Overly sour, not balanced.
Flavor accuracy: 6–7/10
Sweetness: 6/10
Daily drinkability: 5/10
Buy again? No
The weakest flavor in the lineup.
Best smell: Pineapple Coconut
Most nostalgic: Sour Grape
Most balanced: Tropical Punch
Safest if you hate candy flavors: Peach Mango
All-natural flavors → no dyes, no sucralose, no acesulfame K
Fully transparent label → every ingredient and dose listed
Clinically dosed ingredients → 8g citrulline, 4g beta-alanine, 2.5g betaine, 200mg caffeine (PurCaf), plus nootropics
Proven performance → clean energy, smooth focus, no crash
It’s not just about taste.
It’s about having a pre-workout that’s as clean as it is effective.
Transparent Labs Bulk has 9 flavors worth trying.
Some are candy-like, some are balanced, and a few miss the mark.
If you want to keep it simple:
Sour Grape = fun, candy blast
Tropical Punch = reliable every day
Pineapple Coconut = tropical and unique
Check Transparent Labs Bulk here (use code FITFREK for a discount).
Containing over 20g per serving, Bulk contains complete doses of ergogenic aids and a range of nootropics and stimulants to help enhance energy.
If you want a daily driver pre workout with 300mg caffeine, featuring a fully transparent and legit label, then consider this limited edition pre workout from Transparent Labs, Bulk Black.
Are all Transparent Labs Bulk flavors sour?
Most have at least a tart edge, but Tropical Punch and Peach Mango are smoother.
Which is the least sour flavor?
Blue Raspberry — it’s more neutral and candy-like.
Which one is best for daily drinking?
Tropical Punch — balanced, not overwhelming.
Are these flavors artificially sweetened?
No. Bulk uses stevia only, no dyes or artificial sweeteners.
Do flavors change the formula?
No. All flavors have the same dosages and performance.
While artificial sweeteners may seem like a good alternative to sugar due to their zero-calorie content, they are not without risks.
Some studies have shown that artificial sweeteners can stimulate the horizontal transfer of antibiotic-resistance genes through natural transformation.
This means they could potentially contribute to the global threat of antimicrobial resistance.
In addition, artificial sweeteners can increase cell envelope permeability and result in an upregulation of genes encoding DNA uptake and translocation machinery.
These effects could have implications for gut health and overall wellbeing.
In conclusion, choosing pre-workout supplements like those from Transparent Labs that use natural sweeteners is a healthier option.
Not only do you get to enjoy delicious flavors, but you also avoid the potential risks associated with artificial sweeteners.
Here are the common artificial sweeteners and their risks...
Sucralose is a widely used artificial sweetener.
It's known for its zero-calorie content and its ability to withstand heat, making it suitable for cooking and baking.
However, research has shown that it can have some side effects.
According to a study, sucralose can alter the gut microbiota, potentially leading to inflammation and other digestive issues. It's also been linked to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Aspartame is another popular artificial sweetener, often found in diet sodas and low-calorie foods.
While it's generally considered safe, some studies have suggested potential side effects.
A study found that aspartame could potentially lead to oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain. It's also been suggested that aspartame might contribute to headaches in some individuals.
Saccharin is one of the oldest artificial sweeteners and is often used in tabletop sweeteners, diet drinks, and low-calorie foods.
While it was once linked to cancer in rats, further research has shown that this effect does not apply to humans.
However, some people may experience allergic reactions to saccharin, including headaches, breathing difficulties, skin eruptions, and diarrhea.
Let's start with Bulk and explain how each ingredient helps.
Bulk pre-workout is a powerful supplement designed to enhance your workout performance.
It contains a blend of ingredients that work together to increase energy, improve focus, and boost muscle endurance.
The key ingredients include Citrulline Malate (8g) which helps improve blood flow and reduce muscle soreness, Beta Alanine (4g) known for its ability to delay muscle fatigue, and BetaPure (2.5g) which enhances muscle power during workouts. It also contains Taurine (1.3g) for better hydration and Tyrosine (1g) for improved focus.
The stimulants in this pre-workout are PurCaffeine (200mg) and Theobromine (50mg), providing a sustained energy boost.
Ingredients:
Bulk Black pre-workout is a more potent version of the original Bulk pre-workout.
It contains a similar blend of ingredients but with a few key differences.
The Betaine Anhydrous (2.5g) in this formula is known for its muscle-building properties, and AlphaSize (300mg) is included for its cognitive-enhancing effects.
The stimulants in this pre-workout are Caffeine (275mg), Theobromine (50mg), and DiCaffeine Malate (30mg) which provide a powerful and sustained energy boost.
Ingredients:
Flavor | Accuracy | Sweetness | Aftertaste | Daily | Buy Again? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blue Raspberry | 7/10 | 7/10 | Lingering tart | 7/10 | No |
Watermelon | 8/10 | 7/10 | Tart linger | 6/10 | No |
Strawberry Kiwi | 7/10 | 8/10 | Kiwi tart | 6.5/10 | No |
Strawberry Lemonade | 6.5/10 | 6/10 | Lemon heavy | 5/10 | No |
Peach Mango | 7/10 | 5.5/10 | Mango after | 7/10 | Maybe |
Pineapple Coconut | 9/10 | 7/10 | Coconut back | 8/10 | Yes |
Sour Grape | 9/10 | 8/10 | Sweet grape linger | 8.5/10 | Yes |
Black Cherry | 8/10 | 6.5/10 | Candy-like | 7/10 | Maybe |
Tropical Punch | 9.5/10 | 7.5/10 | Clean | 9/10 | Yes |
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FitFrek operates as an independent platform, offering comprehensive workouts, programs, routines, guides, and unbiased reviews to accelerate your progress. We pride ourselves on our honesty, delivering straightforward and candid insights. FitFrek does not offer medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment services.