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6 Best Pre-Workouts with Creatine [2024 Guide]

by Nader Qudimat
Updated December 21, 2023

It's widely accepted that creatine is one of the best supplements. 

But pre-workouts are extremely popular.

So why not combine them both?

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. 

Best Pre Workouts with Creatine

40G SERVINGS

Godzilla by Ryze Supplements

BODYBUILDER'S PICK
Godzilla Pre Workout by Ryse Nutrition

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.

Highlights:
  • Strong and long-lasting energy
  • Intense focus and enhances mental functions
  • Improves endurance and delays fatigue
Ingredients: 11g citrulline (citrulline & citrulline nitrate), 6.4g beta-alanine, 5g betaine anhydrous, 5g creatine monohydrate, 1.6g VitaCholine, 500mg pink Himalayan sea salt, 300mg VasoDrive
Stimulants: 350mg caffeine anhydrous, 200mg Theobromine, 50mg zumXR extended caffeine release, 20mg Thinkamine
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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. 

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Intense pumps and performance enhancing benefits
Long lasting focus and energy
Massive servings
Big 6.4g dose of beta-alanine may cause intense (but harmless) tingling sensation
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SIMPLE BUT EFFECTIVE

Altius Pre by Jacked Factory

SAFE PICK
Altius Pre-Workout | Jacked Factory

Jacked Factory is a company you can rely on for safe pre-workouts as well as effective formulas without putting your health at risk.

Highlights:
  • Simple but effective formula
  • Made with only one stimulant
  • Moderately high dose of caffeine (325mg)
Ingredients: 8g Citrulline Malate, 3.2g Beta Alanine, 3g Creatine Monohydrate, 2.5g BetaPower, 300mg AlphaSize, 30mg AstraGin
Stimulants: 325mg Caffeine Anhydrous
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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. 

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Intense pumps and performance enhancing benefits
Long lasting focus and energy
Massive servings
Big 6.4g dose of beta-alanine may cause intense (but harmless) tingling sensation
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ALL-IN-ONE

Pre Extreme by NutraBio

Carbs and ergogenic aids
Pre Extreme by NutraBio

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.

Highlights:
  • Massive formula for performance and pumps
  • Most trustworthy company in the industry
  • Increases muscle and strength with various ingredients
Ingredients: 15g ClusterDextrin, 3.5g Leucine, 3.2g Beta Alanine, 3g Creatine Mono, 2.5g Betaine Anhydrous, 500mg Creatine MagnaPower, 6g Citrulline, 1g Agmatine, 750mg Nitrosigine, 1.5g Tyrosine, 500mg VitaCholine, 300mg TheaPure, 100mcg Huperzine A, 2g Taurine, 525mg Calcium Potassium, 189mg Sodium Phosphate
Stimulants: 250mg Caffeine Anhydrous, 133mg Di-Caffeine Malate, 4mg Yohimbine HCl
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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. 

Huge 44 gram servings of ingredients
Mix of ingredients to hit every angle for energy, focus and performance
Trustworthy company with perfect reptuation
Carbs may be too much if you're trying to lose weight
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CHOICE FOR BEGINNERS

Unfinished by Jacked Factory

Great Choice
Unfinished Pre-Workout by Jacked Factory

For a pre-workout that is done in collab with another influencer, Unfinished Pre Workout surprisingly isn't overpriced.

Highlights:
  • 30g scoop servings with clinical doses
  • Effective for pumps and enhanced vasodilation
  • Stimulants combined with nootropics for focus and energy
Ingredients: 6g Citrulline, 3.2g Beta-Alanine, 3g Creatine Monohydrate, 2.5g Betaine Anhydrous, 2g GlycerSize, 2g Taurine, 1g Agmatine, 1g Tyrosine, 600mg Alpha GPC, 500mg Coconut Water, 150mg Theanine, 25mg AstraGin, 5mg Huperzine
Stimulants: 260mg Caffeine, 63mg Di-Caffeine Malate
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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.

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Multiple ingredients to increase water retention and improve hydration
2 forms fo caffeine
Solid doses of nootropics for all day focus
None
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FOR THE DEDICATED ATHLETE

Pre Kaged Elite by Kaged

FULLY DOSED
Pre-Kaged Elite by Kaged

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.

Highlights:
  • Incredible for endurance and strength
  • Long lasting pumps and fullness
  • Just enough stimulants
Ingredients: 10g Citrulline, 3.2g Beta Alanine, 3g Creatine Monohydrate, 2g Creatine Nitrate, 2.5g Betaine Anhydrous, 1.5g Carnipure, 2g Taurine, 500mg Coconut Water, 150mg elevATP, 300mg Alpha GPC, 10mg Huperzine
Stimulants: 388mg Caffeine, 100mg AmaTea
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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. 

Mix of creatine forms
Excellent energy and focus
Safe to use for competitions
Premium pricing
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MOOD UPLIFT

Gorilla Mode by Gorilla

Rounded Pre Workout / Nitric Oxide Hybrid
Gorilla Mode Pre Workout by Gorilla

Gorilla Mode is a pre-workout that's just halfway to being a stim-junkie strong type of pre-workout as it only has eria jarensis without the exotic stim like DMAA or DMHA. This makes it a great choice if you're looking for strong energy without the risky gray area stims.

Highlights:
  • Long-lasting nitric oxide effects
  • Multiple ingredients to increase vasodilation
  • Strong enough to be one of the stronger standard-type of pre workouts
Ingredients: 9g Citrulline, 5g Creatine Monohydrate, 3g Malic Acid, 2.5g Betaine Anhydrous, 1.5g Tyrosine, 1g Agmatine, 500mg Kanna, 10mg Bioperine, 400mcg Huperzine
Stimulants: 350mg Caffeine, 350mg Eria Jarensis
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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. 

Intense pumps and performance enhancing benefits
Long lasting focus and energy
Massive servings
Big 6.4g dose of beta-alanine may cause intense (but harmless) tingling sensation
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NOT BAD

Lit AF by Beyond Raw

Okay Choice but not really
LIT AF by Beyond Raw
$49.99 ($2.95 / Ounce)

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).

Highlights:
  • Increases pumps and muscle fullness
  • Steady energy
  • Decent focus
Ingredients: 8g Citrulline Malate, 3.2g Beta Alanine, 2.5g BetaPower (Betaine anhydrous, 2g Creatine, 1.5g Nitrosigine, 1g Taurine, 400mg Peak ATP, 150mg Alpha GPC
Stimulants: 250mg Caffeine Anhydrous, 50mg ZumXR Caffeine
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02/18/2024 05:37 am GMT

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. 

Contains full dose of beta alanine
300mg of caffeine for energy
Decent pumps
Underdoses ingredients like creatine and Alpha-GPC
CHECK IT OUT

What To Look For In A Good Pre Workout Supplement with Creatine?

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:

  • Yohimbine (can cause jitteriness)
  • Hordenine (prolongs effects of stimulants)
  • DMHA (an exotic stimulant that is related to DMAA)
  • DMAA (considered to be banned for human consumption by the FDA)
  • Theobromine, Dynamic, Theacrine, Caffeine Malate / Citrate (other forms of caffeine that can increase energy at different speeds and/or angles)
  • Synephrine (can increase heart rate and jitteriness) 
  • And more

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. 

  • Creatine monohydrate or HCL: 3-5g (increases strength and muscle growth through ATP production)
  • Citrulline: 3-10g or 6-12g for citrulline malate (reduces fatigue and delays lactic acid build-up while improving nitric oxide production)
  • Beta-alanine: 3.2g (causes harmless tingling sensation and can reduce lactic acid buildup)
  • Taurine: 500mg-2g (improves hydration and power)
  • Agmatine: 500mg-1.5g (defends nitric oxide levels from dropping and increases them) 

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:

  • The number of reviews on any or all their supplements (if there are none, or they sound like they were written by the same person, then it's best to avoid them)
  • Promoted by a reviewer you trust (sometimes the reviewer is more interested in the commission rates than the supplement itself)
  • Certifications: does the brand have any certifications (3rd party testing like FDA, Informed Sport, etc.) on their products / pre-workouts?
  • Multiple sources of the same product (if more than one store sells it, then the more reliable the reviews and feedback will be)

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. 

Benefits Of 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:

  • Improves muscle composition
  • Increases muscular endurance
  • Improves anaerobic power 
  • Increases muscle size through water retention
  • And much more

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? 

Benefits Of Pre Workout?

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. 

FAQs About Creatine and Pre Workout

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. 

Creatine in Pre Workouts Makes Gains Easier

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. 

by Nader Qudimat

Forged by iron and cold steel, I'm Nader, a mid-30s natural bodybuilder. Once a 100lb skinny guy, I've transformed into a 200lb muscular athlete with over 15 years of lifting experience. Today, I leverage my transformation and extensive experience to guide countless individuals on their fitness journeys.

Click here to check out my 12 year transformation: Natural 12 Year Transformation

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