Best Pre-Workout: A Dietitian’s Opinion (2025)

We analyzed 14 products sold online using 6 criteria, and chose the Nutripure pre-workout.

Our selection criteria

• Ingredients : list of active ingredients contained in the pre-workout mix.
• Sweeteners : list of sweeteners used. Some are more or less controversial.
• Additives : list of other additives.
• Price / dose: this is the price per recommended dose by the brand.
• Customer reviews: these customer reviews on the product are collected from the brand’s website, review sites, or Amazon.
• Our opinion on the brand: following the tests of dietary supplement brands we conduct each month.

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Our choice

We selected the Nutripure brand pre-workout due to the quality of its composition, the absence of controversial additives, and its excellent quality/price ratio.

It is intended to enhance physical and mental performance during a weightlifting session or sports training.

It is the only French supplement containing EAA and BCAA, which consist of 9 essential amino acids that the body cannot synthesize.

In addition to these ingredients, it contains Kyowa® Citrulline, which allows for better muscle congestion and endurance, and CarnoSyn® beta-alanine, which helps combat muscle fatigue.

Another strong point of this pre-workout is its caffeine-free content, allowing it to be used in the afternoon or evening without causing sleep problems.

Finally, this supplement is one of the purest and safest on the market, the sweetener used (steviol glycoside) is not controversial, and there are no other additives except for the natural blueberry flavor.

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What is a pre-workout?

A pre-workout is a dietary supplement used before training to optimize performance and increase energy. I also recommend it to boost motivation and fight fatigue. 

It can come in various forms: powder, gel, capsule. I prefer the powder to be mixed in water which ensures not only good hydration but also better assimilation of the active ingredients.

To be effective, it must contain different ingredients acting in synergy to stimulate the body.

Each brand is different, and there is a wider variety of products available on the market… It’s not easy to find your way around!

A good pre-workout consists of ingredients with energizing properties such as caffeine, plant extracts, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids renowned in sports nutrition. 

Its composition

A pre-workout can contain a large number of elements but there’s no regulation defining what this type of dietary supplement must contain.

Here is an overview of the ingredients I like to find in a pre-workout:

Energizers

Caffeine is the most represented for its stimulating qualities that improve alertness, concentration, and endurance during exercises.

You can also find other types of stimulants like synephrine (naturally found in citrus fruits), guarana, or green tea extract. 

A pre-workout can also contain carbohydrates in the form of glucose, dextrose, or maltodextrin. They serve as fuel and quickly provide energy. 

Amino acids

Several types of amino acids are used in pre-workouts, including: 

• BCAA (branched-chain amino acids) to provide energy to muscles and limit muscle catabolism
• Creatine to increase ATP production, boost strength, and endurance
• L-arginine and L-citrulline to promote vasodilation and improve cardio

Sometimes other interesting amino acids during sports practice:

• Beta-alanine which limits lactic acid production
• L-tyrosine precursor of dopamine
• L-glutamine essential for promoting muscle recovery

Vitamins and Minerals 

A large number of vitamins and minerals are used in pre-workouts. The most interesting vitamins are vitamin C for its antioxidant quality and vitamin B12 essential for energy production.

Magnesium is often found, essential for muscle health and preventing muscle cramps.

You also find carbonates and citrates (of calcium or sodium) very useful for neutralizing lactic acid accumulated in muscles, thus delaying muscle fatigue.

My Buying Criteria

1. A product suited to your goals

Because a good pre-workout should meet your performance expectations, check the list of active ingredients and ensure they align with your goals. 

• To boost energy and focus: caffeine, tyrosine, vitamins, and minerals
• To improve strength and endurance: creatine, BCAA, and beta-alanine
• To enhance cardiovascular performance: citrulline and arginine
• To reduce fatigue and muscle pain: BCAA, carbonate, and anti-inflammatory ingredients

2. The quality of the active ingredients 

It is important to choose top-quality active ingredients, safe and free of contaminants.

Some labels like BioKYOWA, CARNOSINE, or CREAPURE assure you of exceptional quality amino acids.

3. Naturalness

Pay attention to the product’s composition, the list should be short and not contain too many ingredients apart from the active components.

Avoid products containing controversial substances. I’m referring to thickening agents, chemical colorants, synthetic sweeteners and other additives that may have harmful effects on your health in the long run.

The less there are, the better! 

4. The brand 

Feel free to consider the brand’s reputation. Favor brands that advocate for naturalness and the quality of active ingredients.

Check reviews on independent platforms like “Trustpilot” or “verified reviews”.

5. The dosage

Check the dosages of the ingredients. Avoid overdosed products that can have a detrimental effect on your performance and health. 

Dosages are not necessarily suitable for everyone! I advise you to follow the indications given by the manufacturer and consult a sports professional if you have any doubt.

6. Your tolerance and feeling

If you’re sensitive to caffeine or intolerant to any of the components in the pre-workout, look for a product that doesn’t include them.

In the face of the wide choice available to you, you will certainly find your bliss! 

Don’t hesitate to try several brands to find the composition that suits you best. 

When to use a pre-workout

Pre-workouts should be taken generally 30 minutes before training. This allows the active ingredient to be absorbed and distributed throughout the body. 

It is not a miracle product. Certainly, it will improve your performance, reduce your fatigue, and meet certain muscle needs.

But it does not replace good nutrition, proper hydration, and adequate muscle rest.

Fatigue is a message indicating that you need rest. Ignoring it and masking it with a pre-workout can increase the risk of injury. 

Personally, I recommend my patients take pre-workouts occasionally when motivation is lacking and there’s temporary fatigue.

But never at the expense of sufficient rest to promote muscle recovery. 

If the fatigue persists, a pre-workout alone is of little value. I advise you to have a diet suited to your physical activity, providing all the micronutrients you need to optimize your performance.

Side Effects and Contraindications

To date, there are few studies on pre-workouts. Preliminary results indicate that their consumption poses no health risk as long as you follow the dosages prescribed by the manufacturer. 

Since pre-workout is a combination of several ingredients, the side effects will vary according to its composition. The most common are digestive disorders, heart palpitations, headaches, insomnia, and also dehydration.

Some amino acids such as L-arginine may be responsible for skin tingling. It is not dangerous, but it can be uncomfortable.

In general, pre-workouts are not suitable for people with heart problems or hypertension issues.

Also for people sensitive to caffeine and /or allergic to any of the present compounds.

Pre-workouts are not recommended for children, teenagers, as well as pregnant or breastfeeding women.

In summary

To be sure to choose the best pre-workout, check:

1. A product suited to your goals: the ingredients should help you meet your objectives, for example, caffeine should be present for energy and focus.
2. The quality of the active ingredients: prioritize quality and labels such as BioKyowa, Carnosine, or Creapure.
3. Naturalness: prefer a short list of ingredients, avoid texture agents, chemical colorants, synthetic sweeteners, and other additives.
4. The brand: check reviews on independent platforms like “Trustpilot” or “verified reviews”.
5. The dosage: avoid overdosed products.
6. Your tolerance and your experience: if you are sensitive to caffeine or intolerant to one of the pre-workout components, look for a product that is free from it.

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Our choice

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