It's widely accepted that creatine is one of the best supplements.
But pre-workouts are extremely popular.
Many pre-workouts may not have enough creatine or may just have a poor formula.
Science has proven what dosage is required to take advantage of creatine's benefits on athletic performance.
So it doesn't matter what the claims the company makes, if the dosages are low then it's likely to be much less effective.
The best pre-workout with creatine is Godzilla by Ryse Supps.
Not only does it deliver ergogenic aids and a full serving of creatine but it also has very strong nitric oxide boosters for intense pumps.
Our second choice would be NutraBio Pre Extreme for it's massive formula that contains carbs along with ergogenic aids.
Godzilla rocks a 40 gram serving that not only has creatine but also a whole bunch of ergogenic aids and nitric oxide boosters to help with muscle size and pumps.
When it comes to stacked pre-workouts, Godzilla is one of the most packed formulas we've seen.
This pre-workout is a collab between Noel Deyzel and Ryze Nutrition.
At a full serving, it contains nearly 40 grams per scoop.
Most of the ingredients are ergogenic aids, which will allow you to grind out more reps and sustain a higher intensity for longer than usual.
In fact, this is one of the biggest scoops we've seen in a pre-workout.
It starts off strong with 11 grams of citrulline, mixed between regular citrulline and citrulline nitrate.
Then it has a big dose of beta-alanine, with 6.4g!
Beta-alanine is great for performance and it has a harmless sensation that causes a tingling sensation but it subsides once you're already saturated with it.
Then there's 5g of betaine anhydrous, an ingredient that's similar to creatine in that it can increase muscle size by using water.
And then of course we can't have a pre-workout here without creatine.
Godzilla also contains the traditional form of creatine, creatine monohydrate.
With a nice combination of nitric oxide boosters, ergogenic aids, and nootropics, Godzilla is easily one of the best without any harsh stimulant but it still has excellent energy.
Use discount code FITFREK.
Jacked Factory is a company you can rely on for safe pre-workouts as well as effective formulas without putting your health at risk.
Pre-workouts that have simple formulas are easy to come by.
But simple formulas with proper dosages with high-quality but safe ingredients can be hard to find.
Jacked Factory is one of the companies that set the gold standard when it comes to these types of supplements.
Altius Pre is a solid pick when it comes to a pre-workout with creatine and without the extra nonsense ingredients that try to confuse you.
This pre-workout starts off with a strong dose of the popular nitric oxide booster, citrulline malate.
And it also has a full clinical dose of beta-alanine at 3.2g.
There's also the best form of creatine here, creatine monohydrate.
Creatine will help with ATP production and muscle size, it really makes a difference within a week or two of using it.
The added AstraGin will ensure you'll able to absorb the most out of these ergogenic ingredients and it should lead to improved bioavailability for all the ingredients it's taken with.
Use discount code FITFREK.
Nutrabio is one of the oldest companies in the supplement industry and this pre-workout is one of their best for energy and will surely help with overall performance.
When it comes to the grandfather of supplement companies, NutraBio is one of the few that can have that title.
They are one of the most trustworthy companies with quite a reputation for high quality and pure ingredients.
Pre Extreme is their jam-packed pre-workout that is loaded with carbs, ergogenic aids, nootropics, and much more.
Although a big chunk of the serving is carbs (15g), the serving size is one of the biggest when it comes to pre-workouts at 44 grams per serving.
For nitric oxide boosters, it has a solid mix of citrulline, agmatine, and Nitrosigine.
The power and strength complex is made out of 6 ingredients, including 2 forms of creatine (creatine mono and creatine Magnapower).
The monohydrate form is just enough at 3g, but if that's not enough, there's also 500mg of the Magnapower form, totaling the creatine dosage to 3.5g.
You'll have great focus and energy with the big mix of nootropics and stimulants which add up to 8 ingredients.
Pre Extreme is a strong pre-workout with 2 forms of creatine and lots of ergogenic aids.
And NutraBio has a solid reputation for using the highest quality ingredients that they can find.
For a pre-workout that is done in collab with another influencer, Unfinished Pre Workout surprisingly isn't overpriced.
When it comes to brands that collab with influencers, typically the formulas are way underdosed and the price is way too high for what you get.
However Jacked Factory seems to be doing things right.
Unfinished is a near-perfect pre-workout with creatine and much more.
There's a bare minimum to meet your daily creatine intake requirements at 3 grams per serving.
With also 3 other ingredients that will assist with cellular hydration, muscle volumization and pumps, there's no doubt that you're going to look much fuller with this pre-workout.
Use discount code FITFREK
Going above and beyond, Pre Kaged Elite has one of the biggest servings we've seen in pre workouts.
With over 30g of premium ingredients, this is easily the best pre workout with caffeine.
If you want a pre-workout that has your full clinical doses of ergogenic aids, then look no further.
Kaged Elite is a strong pre-workout that doesn't have any exotic stimulants like DMAA or DMHA.
There's a little over 35 grams and it's 3rd party tested to certify that it doesn't have banned substances.
With nearly 400mg of caffeine and a whole bunch of clinically dosed ergogenic aids, this is designed for those who push themselves beyond 100% in the gym.
It also has a total of 5g creatine, one form coming from CreaPure while the other is coming from Creatine Nitrate.
So pumps will be excellent, to say the least.
If you want creatine HCL instead, then consider Pre-Kaged instead of the Elite version.
Gorilla Mode comes in two versions: the Original (OG) Version, which includes Kanna and Eria Jarensis, and the V2 Version, which does not. The OG Version offers potent energy with these ingredients, while the V2 Version provides a simpler formula. Gorilla Mode delivers strong energy without risky exotic stimulants like DMAA or DMHA, making it ideal for those seeking powerful energy without gray area stims.
Gorilla Mode is a full 5-gram creatine dose containing pre-workout with not only full doses of performance-boosting ingredients but also eria jarensis to help with mood.
Eria Jarensis can provide a little euphoria.
And the creator of Gorilla Mode, Derek from MorePlatesMoreDates is serious about that mood uplift with 350mg of it.
This pre-workout isn't just about mood and energy though.
It's one with a unique blend of nitric oxide boosters to help increase vasodilation, leading to some long-lasting pumps.
If you want the same pre-workout but without stimulants, then you can check out Gorilla Mode Nitric.
When it comes to the very basics, Lit AF covers it mostly but it does underdose a few ingredients like creatine (2 grams instead of a minimum 3), and Alpha GPC (should be at least 300mg).
Lit AF has a little formula that won't really make sense to spend your hard-earned money on...
but it's a good example to show you what to look for in a pre-workout.
Beyond Raw is a company that's owned by GNC, and it came to me as a surprise to see this pre-workout from them as it's fully disclosed and almost on the right track.
However, there's a lot wrong with this pre-workout.
For one, it only has 2g of creatine.
The minimum should be 3g.
And Alpha GPC is only dosed at 150mg, but the proper dose for this is at least 300mg.
Everything else seems to be just fine when it comes to dosing but at its price point, there are far more and better choices than this pre workout.
It's no secret that pre-workouts need to have proper dosing to get the most out of their intended benefits.
However, there are still plenty of companies that will try to take shortcuts to make the most out of their profits.
This is why it's important to understand what to look for in a pre-workout so you don't get one that is potentially underdosed and overpriced.
Completely Disclosed Label
A pre-workout should fully disclose what ingredients it contains and at what dosages.
If it hides dosages under a proprietary blend then it's likely (probably about 99%) that they are just trying to take shortcuts and underdose certain ingredients.
If you want to take it a step further, you could check if the supplement is 3rd party tested by the likes of FDA, GMP or Informed-Sport.
Stimulants
There are many stimulants that pre-workouts can use.
The first one that is always used in a pre-workout is caffeine.
That is the most researched and proven to work stimulant with dosages that can normally range from 150mg to 300mg.
An advanced pre-workout may contain up to 600mg of caffeine (or, rarely, even more) along with other stimulants but even advanced users typically try to keep their stimulant intake at a lower level as it can interrupt sleep.
If you can consume 3 cups of coffee without issues, then you can most likely handle a pre-workout with 300-350mg of caffeine.
Other stimulants that pre-workouts can contain:
These are the ones that are normally used in pre-workouts.
Although there are others, these are the common ones to be aware of.
Ergogenic Ingredients
Ingredients that can improve performance either by reducing fatigue or by improving strength/endurance are considered to be ergogenic aids.
Citrulline, creatine, and betaine are examples of these.
They can not only help with muscle size and strength, but they can also improve recovery and performance overall.
The dosages also matter for these ingredients, the minimum will also be noted below.
Consider The Brand
Supplement brands seem to pop out of nowhere by the day.
This is a great sign that the marketing is growing but it can be overwhelming for the users.
Generally, the older the company, the more reliable it is, but of course, that's just a general rule of thumb.
So here's what to look for in a brand:
Since you know what ingredients to look for, and have a rough idea about how the supplement company should look like, you should better be able to make your own informed decision about a pre-workout with creatine.
Creatine is one of the most researched supplements today.
The first study is dated way back to 1912, and it continues to be proven to be effective for athletic performance.
It can be used any time of the day, and it is amazing for natty lifters.
The most proven form is creatine monohydrate, but creatine HCL is also considered to be good as well.
Creatine can help with ATP production, an energy source for weight training and high-intensity exercises.
There are even benefits for cognition function as it can help improve focus and enhance the overall sense of well-being.
Here are the benefits of creatine:
Creatine is the perfect addition to a pre-workout formula because it can ensure you're getting your daily creatine dosage and it'll help improve your workouts.
But what are pre-workouts and what are their benefits?
Pre-workouts are blends of ingredients that include stimulants and ergogenic aids.
Normally, they contain ingredients that will help with performance and energy.
When it has creatine, it can do so much more as creatine has a wide range of benefits that directly help with muscle building and strength.
When you're looking at supplements, the worst thing you can do is not ask questions.
Here we'll try to answer the vital questions about pre-workouts with creatine.
Are There Any Side Effects to Pre Workouts with Creatine?
If you follow the instructions of the supplement you're using, then it's safe to use.
However, if you're using a pre-workout with creatine and your water intake is poor, this can lead to dehydration which can be a terrible state to be in especially while using creatine.
Does Pre-Workout Cancel the Benefits of Creatine?
This was once floating around that pre-workouts contain caffeine which would interfere with the creatine content.
Pre-workouts and caffeine content won't interfere with the benefits or function of creatine, and it also isn't proven by research that it would.
Can I add Creatine to Pre-Workout?
Yes, you can, it's not dangerous to mix them both.
You can also take creatine any time of the day so there isn't an issue with mixing it with your pre-workout.
Which Pre-Workout Is For Me?
Depending on your goals and experience, it's always best to start with the one that has the least amount of caffeine.
You can also check out these safe pre-workouts if you want to make sure you're using something that is completely safe.
What's The Best Pre Workout with Creatine?
The best pre-workout with creatine is Godzilla by Ryze Supplements.
If you want to check out creatine on it's own, you can check out this list.
There's no reason why you should avoid creatine (unless your doctor told you so).
It's one of the best and most proven supplements in the supplement industry.
Creatine will help with hypertrophy, size, and strength.
It also has other benefits that can help with overall health.
With pre-workouts increasing energy and reducing fatigue, creatine can add another layer of benefits that is useful for athletes.
Useful Links
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.