Safety of Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre Workout

Optimum Nutrition's Gold Standard Pre-Workout is a popular choice among fitness enthusiasts.

It's known for its clean formula that includes ingredients like creatine, beta-alanine, and caffeine.

The company is transparent about the dosages, which fall within safe and effective ranges.

Safety of Legion Pulse Pre Workout

Legion Pulse Pre Workout is another well-regarded supplement in the fitness community.

It boasts a transparent label and a formula free from harmful substances.

The caffeine content is on the higher side, so those sensitive to stimulants should start with a half serving to assess tolerance.

Safety of Cellucor C4 Pre Workout

Cellucor's C4 Pre Workout is one of the most recognized pre-workouts on the market.

It contains a blend of ingredients designed to enhance energy, focus, and performance. While it does contain a proprietary blend, the key ingredients are disclosed with their dosages.

Safety of Gorilla Mode Nitric

Gorilla Mode Nitric is a stimulant-free pre-workout that focuses on enhancing pump and performance.

It contains well-studied ingredients like citrulline and glycerol, and the company is transparent about the dosages. As a stimulant-free product, it's a good option for those sensitive to caffeine or who prefer to avoid stimulants.

Safety Of Beyond Raw Lit Pre Workout

Beyond Raw Lit Pre Workout is a product that prides itself on its clinical dosages and transparent labeling.

It contains a blend of ingredients designed to enhance energy, focus, and pump.

As with any pre-workout, it's important to follow the recommended usage instructions and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.

Safety of Bucked Up Pre Workout

Bucked Up Pre Workout is a supplement that contains a blend of ingredients designed to enhance energy, focus, and endurance.

They are transparent about the dosages, which fall within safe and effective ranges. 

Safety of Dark Labs Pre Workouts

Dark Labs is known for its potent pre-workouts. While they can provide a significant energy boost, they also contain powerful stimulants that may not be suitable for everyone. 

Safety of GAT Nitraflex Pre Workout

GAT Nitraflex is a pre-workout supplement that includes ingredients for energy, focus, and testosterone boosting.

While it does contain a proprietary blend, the key ingredients are disclosed with their dosages. 

Safety of The Curse Pre Workout

The Curse Pre Workout is a supplement that contains a blend of ingredients designed to enhance energy, focus, and pump.

The company is transparent about the dosages, which fall within safe and effective ranges. 

Safety of Mr. Hyde Pre Workout

Mr. Hyde Pre Workout is known for its high stimulant content, providing a significant energy boost. 

Safety of NO Explode Pre Workout

NO Explode Pre Workout is a supplement that contains a blend of ingredients designed to enhanceenergy, focus, and pump.

The company is transparent about the dosages, which fall within safe and effective ranges. 

Safety of NitroSurge Pre Workout

NitroSurge Pre Workout is a supplement that prides itself on its clean, science-backed formula.

It contains well-studied ingredients like citrulline, beta-alanine, and caffeine, and the company is transparent about the dosages. 

Safety of Ghost Pre Workout

Ghost Pre Workout is a popular supplement known for its unique branding and effective formula.

It contains a blend of ingredients designed to enhance energy, focus, and pump.

The company is transparent about the dosages, which fall within safe and effective ranges.

However, it does contain a relatively high dose of caffeine, so those sensitive to stimulants should start with a half serving to assess tolerance.

When considering a pre workout, there's two things you should look at:

The company, and the ingredients.

Most pre-workouts will try to go to above and beyond for energy and focus.

Recommended reading: Comprehensive Guide on Pre-Workouts

This means they mean they use more than just caffeine.

Often, this will involve exotic stimulants like DMHA, DMAA, and more.

Caffeine on it's own can be risky when it's used excessively and beyond the safe amounts (more than 300-400mg).

The standard for caffeine seems to be anywhere between 300-400mg. However, some pre workouts will have 600mg, with exotic stimulants.

In the wrong hands, this can be misused and abused, like using more than one serving or consuming other sources of caffeine.

This is why it's important to look at the ingredients.

And sometimes it's not enough to look at just the ingredients.

In the past, there have been controversial pre workouts that have used ingredients that are not disclosed on the label at all.

The most studied and proven stimulant by far is caffeine.

Most of these stimulants have never been approved by the FDA for human consumption, which is why some are concerned.

And some stimulants have been banned from sports federation, so consuming any of them can get you banned if you're competing in a drug tested sport.

Concerns About Dangerous Ingredients, Often Stimulants

When it comes to pre-workouts, not all that glitters is gold.

• Some of these supplements are packed with hardcore stimulants like DMAA and DMHA.
• These substances can give you an energy boost, sure. But they can also lead to nasty side effects like rapid heart rate and high blood pressure.
• In severe cases, they can even cause a stroke or heart attack.
• The bottom line? Know what you're putting into your body and use these products responsibly.

The Spectrum of Pre-Workout Available on the Market

The pre-workout market is a bit like a candy store - there's something for everyone.

• You've got stimulant-free formulas for those who prefer a milder boost.
• Hardcore blends for the adrenaline junkies.
• Some pre-workouts focus on enhancing energy, others aim to improve endurance, increase pump, or aid in recovery.
• The key is to choose a pre-workout that aligns with your fitness goals and tolerance to stimulants.

The Issue with Proprietary Blends

Here's a not-so-fun fact about the supplement industry: proprietary blends are a common practice.

• This is when a supplement company groups multiple ingredients under a single label like "energy blend" or "performance blend," without disclosing the exact amount of each ingredient.
• This lack of transparency can be problematic, especially when it comes to stimulants like caffeine.
• Consuming too much caffeine can lead to side effects like jitters, insomnia, and increased heart rate.
• So, when choosing a pre-workout, opt for ones that are transparent about their ingredients and dosages.

Pre-Workout Ingredients to be Careful With

Not all pre-workout ingredients are created equal.

• Hardcore stimulants like DMAA and DMHA can cause serious side effects and should be avoided.
• Even caffeine, a common and generally safe ingredient, can be problematic when used in large doses.
• It's recommended to start with a lower dose to assess your tolerance and to avoid consuming other sources of caffeine on the days you use a pre-workout.
• Remember, more is not always better when it comes to pre-workout ingredients.

Why Pre Workouts Can Be Risky

Like anything else, if it's overused and abused, there can be consequences.

With pre-workouts, this can be dangerous.

Because typically a pre-workout will contain 200-300mg caffeine, with some going as high as 650mg per serving, if one was to take double servings or more, it can lead to adverse side effects.

On one hand, stimulants like caffeine can provide the energy boost needed to power through a tough workout.

On the other hand, some pre-workouts contain hardcore stimulants like DMAA and DMHA, which can lead to adverse effects like rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, and in severe cases, even stroke or heart attack.

You should always follow the instructions on a pre workout.

Ingredients that have potential risks:

Risky Stimulant #1: DMAA

DMAA is known as methylhexamine, geranium oil, or 1,3-dimethylamylamine, which is commonly used as a stimulant in pre workouts. This can be sold legally but it's banned for human consumption by the FDA. It's not permitted for use in competitive sports and it's not WADA compliant. Because of the loophole of it being sold legally but not for human consumption, it can be bought in bulk.

And because DMAA is not GRAS (generally recognized as safe), it can't be marketed and sold in pre workouts.

The reason why DMAA is risky is because it can cause vasoconstriction, leading to elevated blood pressure. This can make it hard to breath and can increase risk for heart attacks which is why it's not recognized as safe.

There isn't much research around DMAA and while there isn't concentrate evidence showing that it's dangerous, there seems to some agreement that it puts a strain on the respiratory system.

The conclusion that the U.S. Department of Defense came up with in their study is that DMAA isn't associated with adverse medical events but depending on the user's medical history, frequency of use, and other factors can contribute to risk for side effects (source).

And they also noted that DMAA seems to affect the cardiovascular function, just like any other sympathomimetic stimulant (source).

Risky Ingredient #2: DMHA

When DMAA was hard to find at one point, DMHA surfaced as a better alternative.

Companies advertised DMHA as a better and safer choice over DMAA.

This exotic stimulant comes from the plant Kigelia Africana and it was initially advertised and sold as a decongestant.

While DMHA isn't as strong on it's own, it's typically combined with caffeine and sometimes it's even combined with DMAA.

There's a few names for DMHA, including:

• Octodrine
• 2-amino-isoheptane
• 2-amino-6-methylheptane
• 1-5-Dimethylhexylamine

At the moment, DMHA is banned in Australia but it is still widely available and sold in the U.S.

Side effects of DMHA are similar to DMAA but is a little more milder in effects.

Risky Stimulant #3: Ephedrine

Ephedrine comes from Ephedra, which is also a plant called Ma Haung.

One of the active components in Ephedra is Ephedrine and it was introduced as a sympathomimetic drug.

But soon it was used in supplements and the FDA would soon ban ephedrine as it caused side effects.

While ephedrine works well for appetite reduction and focus, the side effects can be equally as strong. You can experience anything from anxiety to trouble sleeping.

Usually ephedrine is stacked with caffeine and aspirin, which is known as the ECA stack.

Risky Stimulant #4: DMBA

DMBA is another stimulant that's advertised to be a replacement for DMAA.

It's also known as 1,3 DMBA or 1,3-dimethylbutylamine, but because it's not WADA complaint, it's usually avoided to prevent issues in competitive sports.

While it's not meant for human consumption, you'll still find this stimulant in pre workouts and can be bought in bulk.

Yohimbine.

Yohimbine is a stimulant that can cause anxiety and jitters, especially when combined with high amounts of caffeine.

While it's typically used for fat burning, it can cause more side effects than good effects for most people.

Here's a list of ingredients that the U.S. Department of Defense has published to be aware of:

Operation Supplement Safety List

Safest Ingredients

Now that we've gone over the sketchy and gray area ingredients, we'll now jump to the safest ingredients.

While these are generally considered to be safe, it's still possible to make it dangerous by taking a lethal dose.

What is considered to be a lethal dose depends on the ingredient, but with caffeine it gets dangerous once it's dosed at 2 grams or more.

Pre workouts usually stay under 400mg, but once it goes higher than that then side effects are more pronounced.

For any ingredient below, to be 100% safe you should ask your doctor for approval before using anything.

Generally, if you have a history of heart issues then it's best to avoid stimulants like caffeine or ask your doctor for approval.

You'll find the recommended dosing in brackets.

For caffeine it's possible to benefit from smaller dosages than the recommended dosing.

Caffeine (150mg - 300mg)

Caffeine is almost always the main stimulant in pre workout.

It's no wonder it's popular because of the number of studies that show it can increase physical and mental performance.

There are a number of forms but as long as the ingredient says caffeine, it's ok to consume.

Creatine (5g)

Creatine works wonders for strength and energy but basically it can increase ATP production and help with muscle gains. If the form is creatine HCL then 1.5g is ok.

Beta Alanine (1.6g - 3.2g)

Whenever you feel tingles from a pre workout, this is what it's coming from. Generally, the more frequently you take beta alanine, the less likely you'll feel the tingles as your body becomes saturated with it.

Betaine (1.25g - 2.5g)

A great muscle volumizer and strength booster.

Tyrosine (500mg - 2g)

Helps increase dopamine production and works in synergy with caffeine.

Theanine (100mg - 500mg)

Reduces jitters and helps you establish a mind-to-muscle connection.

What Are The Safest Pre Workouts?

The list above is a great example of what a safe pre workout should look like.

Here's a summary of that list:

• Transparent Labs Bulk
• NutraBio All Natural Pre Workout
• Alani Pre Workout
• Kaged Muscle Pre Kaged
• Cira Nutrition Pre Game

These pre workouts are the best choices when it comes to safety.

They contain ingredients that are generally considered to be safe.

But remember to check the instructions, never exceed recommended dosing and don't consume other sources of caffeine in the same day.

Any other pre workout with more ingredients than these should be researched before using to reduce risks.

FAQ's

Are Pre Workouts Safe?

Yes, generally, they are.

But you should look at the label and make sure there isn't anything that you can have a negative reaction to.

And also there are strong pre-workouts that are made with high amounts of stimulants which you should avoid if you're looking for a safe pre workout.

Of course you should not consume other sources of caffeine or stimulants on the same day as when you use a pre workout.

How to Ensure A Pre Workout Is Safe

The supplement industry is almost completely self-regulated.

You need to do your research.

This means looking up reviews from other people on social media, forums and sources that you can trust.

Most of the time, it's easy to tell if a pre-workout is safe by looking at the label and the dosages, but sometimes there can be manufacturing errors or simply an ingredient generally recognized as unsafe.

This is why it's advisable to look up reviews and find a common theme people liked or disliked about the pre-workout.

With this in mind, you can also make your own pre-workout using bulk ingredients.

Also, try to avoid proprietary blends because you don't know how much of each ingredient you're getting.

There's no secret when it comes to dosing as dosages are proven by research and anecdotal reports.

Are pre-workout supplements safe?

Generally, pre-workout supplements are safe for healthy adults when used as directed. However, they can contain high levels of caffeine and other stimulants, so starting with a lower dose is important to assess your tolerance. With the list of safe ingredients listed above, you should use this information to look for pre-workouts with these ingredients.

What are the benefits of pre-workout supplements?

Pre-workout supplements can enhance energy, focus, endurance, and muscle pump, helping you get the most out of your workouts.

Can I take a pre-workout supplement every day?

Taking a pre-workout supplement every day is generally safe, but it's a good idea to cycle off every few weeks to prevent tolerance build-up, especially to caffeine.

What are the side effects of pre-workout supplements?

Side effects can include jitters, insomnia, increased heart rate, and stomach upset. These are often due to high levels of caffeine and other stimulants.

What time should I take my pre-workout supplement?

It's best to take your pre-workout supplement 20-30 minutes before your workout to allow the ingredients to take effect.

Can I take a pre-workout supplement on an empty stomach?

Yes, but this can increase the chance of side effects like stomach upset. If you have a sensitive stomach, taking your pre-workout with a small snack is a good idea.

What should I look for in a pre-workout supplement?

Look for a supplement with a transparent label (no proprietary blends), effective doses of key ingredients, and positive customer reviews. Avoid products with ingredients you're sensitive to.

Can I take a pre-workout supplement if I'm sensitive to caffeine?

Yes, there are stimulant-free pre-workout supplements available. These products can still enhance your workout without the jitters or crash associated with caffeine.

Do pre-workout supplements expire?

Yes, like all supplements, pre-workouts do have an expiration date. Using them before this date is best for maximum potency and safety. Read more about if pre-workouts can go bad.

Can pre-workout supplements cause a failed drug test?

Most pre-workout supplements won't cause a failed drug test. However, some may contain ingredients banned by certain sports organizations. Always check the label if you're a competitive athlete.