Are you looking for ways to maximize your time at the gym, or during your at-home workouts? Maybe you’re a workout veteran, but feel like your results have plateaued. If so, it might be time to try an organic pre-workout supplement.
There’s a lot to know before choosing the best organic pre-workout supplement, and we’re here to help.
You might have questions like the following:
What makes a pre workout organic?
Which pre workout ingredients matter most?
Which ingredients should I avoid?
How much should I spend on pre workout?
Key Point: In this ranking, we’ll answer these questions and more so that you can find the best organic pre workout supplements to meet your needs.
The Organic Pre-Workout Supplements We RAVE About
Do Pre Workout Supplements Really Work?
Maybe this thought is in the back of your head, C’mon, do workout supplements really work?
According to a recent research review, pre-workout supplements absolutely do work. Combine an exercise regimen, a healthy diet, and one of the best organic pre-workout supplements from our ranking, and you could see results in no time!
Like anything you ingest, it’s important to understand exactly what you’re taking before you try an organic pre-workout supplement.
It’s also important to separate fact from fiction as far as all the properties supplements claim to have. After all, it shouldn’t take a biochemistry degree to understand the ingredients.
What Is a Pre-Workout Supplement?
Pre-workout supplements are generally formulated as broad ergogenic aids that claim to increase your energy, focus, and motivation while you exercise.
Since pre-workout supplements are trending right now, many exercise brands are coming out with their own spin on these popular products.
For a helpful introduction of what pre workout supplements are whether you should take them, check out this helpful video:
How Do Pre-Workout Supplements Work?
Pre-workout supplements won’t exercise for you. To get results, you still have to get on that treadmill and watch your diet. Sorry folks, no shortcuts.
Simply put, ingredients in pre-workout supplements have properties that increase your mind’s executive function while also improving blood flow to skeletal muscle tissue. After taking a pre-workout supplement, you might feel just a little tingly — in a good way.
Most pre-workout supplements contain a mystery blend of ingredients, but you’ll commonly see stuff like guarana, creatine, beta-alanine, and good old caffeine.
You don’t want too much caffeine in your supplement, though, because the last thing you need in the middle of your workout is the jitters followed by a caffeine crash.
So in our ranking of the 10 best organic pre-workout supplements, we checked the caffeine levels closely: the more modest the dose, the better.
Are Pre-Workout Supplements Bad for You?
Some pre-workout supplements are potentially harmful, and others do nothing at all, while many more are quite effective.
As we stated earlier, most organic pre-workout supplements have some caffeine in them. In addition to caffeine, you might also see the following ingredients:
- Beet juice
- Amino acids (e.g. arginine, citrulline, BCAAs)
- Creatine monohydrate (a popular muscle-building supplement)
These ingredients have properties that complement the stimulatory actions of caffeine. They increase blood flow, dilate your blood vessels, and help you recover during (and after) your workout.
Safe Dosing of Organic Pre Workout Supplements
None of these ingredients are necessarily bad for you. Instead, it’s a matter of dosage.
Too much caffeine can cause nausea, jitters, and an elevated heart rate. Additionally, large doses of B vitamins, antioxidants (like beta-carotene and vitamin E), and nitrates from beetroot juices can dilate blood vessels, contributing to nosebleeds.
Another common, well-studied ingredient in a lot of organic pre-workout supplements is creatine. In fact, 2 to 5 grams of creatine per day can improve cognition, lower your risk of heart disease, and lower your risk of depression.
Before taking creatine, though, make sure you’re adequately hydrated. Too much creatine along with poor hydration can cause muscle cramps.
Overall, regarding the safety of organic pre-workout supplements, remember these products are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so look for healthy, pure ingredients in moderate amounts.
Bonus points if you have actually heard of most of the ingredients on the label!
In addition, look for supplements without GMOs or too many extra sweeteners, sugar, stimulants, or carbs. It’s also very important to take only the recommended dosage of any supplement, especially one that contains caffeine.
Any questions? Talk to your doctor. And remember, the best pre-workout supplement of all is a healthy diet.
Methodology
While we researched this ranking of the 10 best organic pre-workout supplements, we consulted similar rankings from reputable and trusted sources all across the internet.
We gave extra credit to any supplement recommended by a workout, diet, or medical professional.
Before including a supplement in our ranking, we considered the following:
- Active energy-boosting ingredients
- Quantity of caffeine
- Sweeteners used
- Total carbs per serving
- Dyes or coloring used
- Other functional ingredients
We also considered:
- Product price along with right balance of price and quality ingredients
- Brand history
- All-natural ingredients, low carbs and caffeine, and little or no artificial coloring and flavoring
We wanted to find just the right ingredients to safely boost your productivity while you exercise without any of that other stuff.
Pick the best organic pre-workout supplement from this ranking, and we’ll see you at the gym!
The Best Organic Pre-Workout Supplements
Clean Machine Clean BCAA
What we love about our first pick is how it only packs real ingredients without any of the other stuff.
Delivering a 4-gram dose of L-leucine, Clean Machine Clean BCAA helps increase muscle protein synthesis, reduce muscle fatigue, and promote muscle recovery.
Instantized with sunflower — not soy-lecithin, this BCAA powder supplement is also infused with dehydrated coconut water, perfect for replenishing lost electrolytes.
We also like how Clean Machine’s Clean BCAA is unflavored, meaning there is no sugar nor other sweeteners in the mix. You can add it to protein shakes, smoothies, or any other pre-workout beverage, but fruit punch flavor is also available.
Clean Machine’s Clean BCAA will help support fat loss while preserving hard-earned muscle.
- Active energy-boosting ingredients: L-leucine, L-isoleucine, L-valine, coconut water
- Quantity of caffeine: none
- Sweeteners used: none
- Total carbs per serving: none
- Dyes or coloring used: none
- Other functional ingredients: sunflower lecithin
Pros
- Does not use soy lecithin
- Four active ingredients
- No caffeine, sugar, or carbs
Cons
- Flavorless
Genius Pre
As well as landing second in RAVE’s ranking of the best organic pre-workout supplements, Genius Pre is also our pick for best new brand.
What we love about it is that it’s the world’s first clinically dosed nootropic pre-workout supplement (at two scoops per serving).
A nootropic is any drug, supplement, or substance containing properties thought to improve cognitive function. Genius Pre engages both your mind and your body!
This supplement is caffeine-free, relying instead on natural ingredients like Huperzine A, taurine, and L-tyrosine to fuel your energy.
In addition, this supplement is like a blast of nitric oxide, which helps increase skeletal muscle blood flow and fullness.
Maybe best of all, Genius Pre is 100% naturally flavored and sweetened with organic, vegan-friendly stevia. It’s also certified for sport and third-party tested.
- Active energy-boosting ingredients: L-citrulline malate 2:1, CarnoSyn beta-alanine, betaine anhydrous, L-tyrosine, L-arginine, taurine, AlphaSize, HICA, rhodiola rosea root, ElevATP, theobromine, AstraGin, Huperzia serrata
- Quantity of caffeine: none
- Sweeteners used: stevia
- Total carbs per serving: none
- Dyes or coloring used: none
- Other functional ingredients: Silica, sodium citrate, stevia leaf extract, natural flavors, turmeric root extract, spirulina extract
Pros
- Nootropics-based
- Caffeine-free
- Naturally flavored
Cons
- Flavor-quality issues
- Reports of tingling feet
Do Vitamins Purepump Natural Pre-workout Supplement
Third in our ranking of the 10 best organic pre-workout supplements comes from Do Vitamins.
For us, what sets their PurePump Natural pre-workout supplement apart is that it is third-party tested and verified in an FDA-registered laboratory.
At a serving size of one to two scoops, PurePump uses a natural nitric oxide booster as well as pharmaceutical-grade amino acids to boost your results.
We also love that Do Vitamins is both vegan- and paleo-certified, with no added sugars, sweeteners, fillers, flavors, excipients, or artificial ingredients.
We’d rank PurePump a bit higher if it didn’t have so much caffeine, but at 200 milligrams, it’s still below the recommended 300–400 milligram daily intake. Additionally, the vitamin B3 can cause niacin flush in some users.
Nevertheless, with no artificial ingredients, fillers, or banned substances, PurePump makes a great unflavored, unsweetened, and healthy pre-workout supplement.
- Active energy-boosting ingredients: CarnoSyn beta-alanine, L-citrulline, creatine monohydrate, L-arginine, L-carnitine, L-tartrate, L-leucine, L-isoleucine, L-valine, alpha lipoic acid
- Quantity of caffeine: 200 milligrams
- Sweeteners used: none
- Total carbs per serving: none
- Dyes or coloring used: none
- Other functional ingredients: none
Pros
- No sugar added
- Vegan and paleo
- Third-party tested
Cons
- Niacin flush possible
- Caffeine dose might be a bit much for some
- Bitter taste
Tribal Naturals Superfood Beet Supplement
Tribal Naturals Superfood Beet Supplement is up next in our ranking of the 10 best organic pre-workout supplements.
We love that there are only two main ingredients: non-GMO beet juice concentrate and non-GMO organic beet extract.
Beetroot contains nitrate compounds that turn into nitric oxide, enhancing the delivery of oxygen to skeletal muscle tissue during intense workouts.
Beet juice supplements are also rich in potassium, which helps prevent muscle soreness and cramps while also increasing stamina and improving recovery time.
However, Tribal Natural Superfood Beet Supplement does contain 2 grams of carbs per serving, but it’s naturally flavored and sweetened with natural cherry flavor and rebaudioside-A, a calorie-free steviol glycoside that is 200 times sweeter than sugar.
Better yet, this Superfood Beet Supplement has no caffeine, dyes, or artificial coloring.
- Active energy-boosting ingredients: non-GMO beet juice concentrate, non-GMO organic beet extract
- Quantity of caffeine: none
- Sweeteners used: natural black cherry flavor, rebaudioside-A
- Total carbs per serving: 2 grams
- Dyes or coloring used: bone
- Other functional ingredients: citric acid, guar gum, silica
Pros
- Beet juice and extract
- Rich in potassium
- No dyes
Cons
- Not completely carb-free
- Difficult to mix
- Flavors taste artificial
Red-Leaf Pre-Workout Energizer
Closing out the top five in our ranking of the 10 best organic pre-workout supplements is Red Leaf Pre-Workout Energizer. This product is also our pick for the best pre-workout supplement for women.
We particularly like Red Leaf Pre-workout Energizer’s use of natural antioxidant extracts from green tea and cranberry to support energy and overall health.
Another notable ingredient is beta alanine, known for reducing muscle fatigue. There are also amino acids including BCAAs, L-glutamine, and arginine alpha-ketoglutarate (AAKG), a “cell volumizing” supplement that works by increasing muscular vascularity and nitric oxide levels.
There is a modest dose of caffeine in this mix, but at only 40 milligrams, it’s well below the daily recommended intake, so caffeine jitters are unlikely.
This pre-workout supplement does contain sucralose, an artificial sweetener, but contains no carbs, maltodextrin, artificial colors, or harsh stimulants.
- Active energy-boosting ingredients: beta-alanine, L-glutamine, L-arginine, L-leucine, L-isoleucine, L-valine, cranberry extract, green tea extract, raspberry ketone caffeine, natural flavors, sucralose, malic acid, beet juice (for color)
- Quantity of caffeine: 40 milligrams
- Sweeteners used: natural lemon flavor, sucralose,
- Total carbs per serving: none
- Dyes or coloring used: none
- Other functional ingredients: malic acid, beet juice (for color)
Pros
- Natural antioxidant extracts
- Contains AAKG, beta-alanine, and BCAAs
- No carbs
Cons
- Contains sucralose
- Pricy
- Doesn’t keep well after opened
ATH PRE
Sixth in our ranking is the ATH PRE natural pre workout supplement. What we love about this supplement is its entirely herbal active ingredient profile, featuring ample doses of adaptogens like rhodiola rosea, Korean ginseng, yerba mate, and Curcma longa to boost energy and mental clarity before you hit the gym.
Every scoop (16g) of ATH PRE provides a modest 100 milligrams of natural caffeine from green tea leaf extract and Yerba mate leaf extract. It also provides 12 grams of organic cane
Arguably the most impressive feature of this natural pre-workout supplement is that it tastes great while maintaining a completely plant-based, non-GMO, and gluten-free formula. No artificial food coloring, no artificial sweeteners, and no artificial fillers.
- Active energy-boosting ingredients: caffeine (from Yerba mate and green tea), curcuminoids, gingerols, EGCG, coconut MCTs, salidroside, rosavins
- Quantity of caffeine: 100 milligrams
- Sweeteners used: organic cane sugar, stevia leaf extract
- Total carbs per serving: 12g
- Dyes or coloring used: natural color
- Other functional ingredients: sodium citrate, potassium citrate
Pros
- Relatively low caffeine content
- Completely herbal formula
- Comprehensive active ingredient profile
Cons
- May be too sweet for some
- Not sugar-free or low-carb
- A bit pricey
Garden of Life Sport Organic Plant-Based Energy + Focus
Taking the seventh slot in our ranking of the 10 best organic pre-workout supplements is Garden of Life Sport Organic Plant-Based Energy + Focus, an energy powder that’s certified USDA organic.
Gluten-, dairy-, and soy-free, this product provides mental and physical performance via 85 milligrams of clean organic coffeeberry. There’s also a unique nitric oxide blend, consisting only of organic veggies like kale, spinach, and beets, which are rich in nitrates.
We also like that this pre-workout supplement is vegan and contains vitamin B12, an important micronutrient involved in fat and carbohydrate metabolism, while also optimizing energy production and helping to reduce fatigue.
However, this product does contain relatively high levels of carbs, calories, and sodium, as well as 11 grams of cane sugar (even though it’s organic).
Thankfully, the caffeine originates from 85 milligrams of organic coffeeberry, so the caffeine content is still relatively low in comparison to other pre-workout supplements.
- Active energy-boosting ingredients: organic antioxidant energy blend (organic cane sugar, organic baobab, organic amla berry extract), organic nitric oxide blend (organic spinach leaf, organic beet root), organic kale leaf
- Quantity of caffeine: 85 milligrams, organic coffeeberry extract
- Sweeteners used: organic blackberry flavor, organic cane sugar
- Total carbs per serving: 13 grams
- Dyes or coloring used: none
- Other functional ingredients: non-GMO citric acid
Pros
- Includes organic nitrate sources
- Contains vitamin B12
- Vegan
Cons
- High in calories
- High in sodium and carbs
- Contains some caffeine
Ground-Based Nutrition Organic Pre-Workout
One of the reasons we couldn’t rank Ground-Based Nutrition Organic Pre-workout Supplement any higher than eighth in our ranking is its hefty list of ingredients.
Nevertheless, this supplement is a USDA-certified organic, 100% plant-based workout formula designed to fuel performance, increase energy, enhance focus, and boost stamina.
Key ingredients include organic green tea, organic goji berry, organic matcha tea, and organic caffeine from green coffee bean.
And speaking of caffeine, this product may be a bit high for some people, at100 milligrams per serving.
What we like about this product is the organic nitric oxide blend featuring organic pomegranate juice, organic red beet juice, organic red beet root, and organic acai.
- Active energy-boosting ingredients: pomegranate juice, red beet juice, red beet root, acai, green tea extract, goji berry, watermelon, matcha tea, green coffee bean, strawberry, maca, Siberian ginseng, Ashwagandha, Rhodiola rosea, rosehip, Acerola, nettle leaf, turmeric, red clover extract, olive leaf, Schisandra chinensis, barley grass, wheat grass, agave inulin, ginger
- Quantity of caffeine: 100 milligrams
- Sweeteners used: natural flavoring, organic stevia,
- Total carbs per serving: 4 grams
- Dyes or coloring used: none
- Other functional ingredients: none
Pros
- USDA-certified organic
- 100% plant-based
- No dyes or coloring
Cons
- A bit too much caffeine
- Expensive
- 4 grams of carbs
Organic Muscle Pre-Workout
Ninth in our ranking of the 10 best organic pre-workout supplements comes from Organic Muscle.
What we like most about this vegan organic workout supplement is that it delivers results with a relatively short list of ingredients. (You can even pronounce most of them!)
Additionally, this supplement has no GMOs, gluten, or other fillers. There are also no added sugars, artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, or preservatives.
What concerns us about the product is its relatively lengthy list of sweeteners and flavorings, which contribute to the 3 grams of sugar per serving.
There are also 30 calories and 6 grams of carbs per one-scoop serving, and it’s pretty high in caffeine at 150 milligrams.
On the positive side, Organic Muscle does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, and all the ingredients are sourced from USDA organic, eco-friendly farms.
- Active energy-boosting ingredients: ginseng, rhodiola rosea, maca, acai, yerba mate, Cordyceps, beet root, Eleuthero root
- Quantity of caffeine: 150 milligrams
- Sweeteners used: coconut palm sugar, natural lemon flavor, certified organic Luo Han Guo berry extract, certified organic strawberry jam flavor, natural triple berry flavor
- Total carbs per serving: 6 grams
- Dyes or coloring used: none
- Other functional ingredients: organic brown rice syrup, malic acid, organic compliant gum blend
Pros
- Money-back guarantee
- Simple vegan-friendly ingredients
- Sourced from USDA organic farms
Cons
- Relatively high in calories for a pre-workout supplement
- Contains 6 grams of carbs/sugar per serving
- High in caffeine
Legion Pulse All Natural Pre-Workout Supplement
The last supplement in our ranking of the 10 best organic pre-workout supplements comes from Legion and its Pulse pre-workout.
Technically, this pre-workout supplement isn’t organic, but it is naturally sweetened and flavored. Pulse Pre-Workout comes with a hefty blend ofL-citrulline, caffeine anhydrous, ornithine, AlphaSize, betaine anhydrous, and beta-alanine, all of which have studies supporting their ergogenic effects in athletes.
We should note that Pulse is creatine-free; while creatine has been shown to build muscle and increase strength, it’s best taken after a workout with a meal.
Ultimately, this product ranks last because of the ultra-high caffeine content (350 milligrams)
Legion Pulse does, however, back their pre-workout with a 90-day money-back guarantee, and it is made in the U.S. at a CGMP- and NSF-certified facility. All good things.
- Active energy-boosting ingredients: beta alanine, citrulline, ornithine, betaine, theanine, anhydrous caffeine, L-citrulline DL-malate 2:1
- Quantity of caffeine: 360 milligrams
- Sweeteners used: stevia rebaudiana, other undisclosed natural flavors
- Total carbs per serving: 4 grams
- Dyes or coloring used: spirulina extract
- Other functional ingredients: erythritol, maltodextrin, natural flavors, silicon dioxide, Swerve
Pros
- No creatine
- Natural flavors
- Potent NO boosting formula
Cons
- High in caffeine
- Bitter taste
- Spendy
Related Rankings
- Best Organic Pre Workout Supplements
- Best Pre Workout Supplements: Vegan, Keto, Sugar-Free, and More
- Best Protein Powders: Whey, Casein, Vegan, and More
- Best Keto Supplements
- Best Fat Burner Supplements
- Ultimate Guide to Pre-Workout Supplements
Besides taking a pre-workout supplement, what else can you do to improve results in the gym? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions from experienced gym rats as well as those just getting started on the path to fitness.
What is the best pre-workout warm-up?
Warming up before you workout goes a long way to avoid injury. You can’t exactly make gains when you’re flat on your back with a pulled hammy, can you?
In addition, warm-ups improve blood flow, get your muscles ready after a long day at your desk, and spark your central nervous system into action.
Here’s a great warm-up to get you limber and ready for a workout:
- Jump rope for 2 to 3 minutes (it’s harder than it sounds — do your best!)
- 50 jumping jacks (keep your shoulder blades back, and adjust the number based on your fitness level)
- 20 bodyweight squats
- 5 lunges
- 10 hip extensions, both sides
- 5 hip rotations, each leg
- 10 forward leg swings and 10 side leg swings, each leg
- 10-20 push-ups (again, do your best, you’ll get there!)
- 10 Spider-man steps, each leg
Are you a gym newbie? If so, some of this warm-up might be a bit challenging for you at first — and that’s OK!
It’s still important to warm up before exercising. If nothing else, run in place for 2 to 3 minutes, swing your arms, and get your heart rate up a bit. It’s better than no warm-up at all!
Are home workouts as effective as the gym?
You’re ready to workout. But do you need to spend money on a gym membership, or can you get your desired results with a home workout routine?
Maybe you’re not ready to exercise in public, or maybe the monthly cost of a gym membership doesn’t fit in your budget.
Here are some pros and cons to gym workouts versus home workouts:
Pros:
- You can work out at home anytime you want — for free!
- All the equipment you really need for a good home workout is an exercise mat, dumbbells, and a yoga ball.
- No time spent driving to and from the gym
- No crowds, meaning plenty of privacy
Cons:
- Sometimes it takes a crowd to stay motivated. The nice part about working out at home is you’re at home. The bad part is that Netflix and your couch are awfully inviting.
- Professional help: Gym staff can give you tips on form as well as pointers on how to use the equipment.
- Beyond the basics, buying your own gym equipment is pretty expensive. Plus, at a gym, you’ll have access to a wider range of equipment, adding variety to your workouts.
What’s a good beginner workout routine?
Whether you’re at home or in the gym, starting a workout routine can be intimidating. What kind of exercises should you do and for how long? Here’s a good place to start:
- 20 body weight squats
- 10 push ups
- 20 walking lunges
- 10 dumbbell rows
- 15 second plank
- 30 jumping Jacks
- Repeat for 3 rounds
Pro tip: Moving quickly to the next round of exercises will improve your results. Pace matters!
In addition to the kinds of exercises you do, the amount of time spent exercising is also important.
It’s recommended that beginners workout for 40 minutes, three to four times a week. But remember, a 15-minute workout is better than no workout at all.
The American Heart Association recommends 75 to 150 minutes of aerobic activity, as well as two strength-training sessions per week.
Note: If you’re just lifting weights, it’s important to take breaks. A 40-minute weightlifting session may contain only about 20 minutes of actual exercise.
And most of all, remember that things will come up now and then, and you’ll have to cut your workout short. Forgive yourself, and feel proud of the time you have spent working out.
What are the best organic pre-workout supplements?
You’ve decided on a home or gym workout routine as well as how many days a week and for how long each day you’ll exercise.
The only thing left to do is pick the best organic pre-workout supplement. After combing through all the supplements on the market, here are three of the very best:
RAVE’s pick for the best overall organic pre-workout supplement is Clean Machine Clean BCAA. This powder supplement only has four all-natural ingredients plus coconut water, which is perfect for replenishing the electrolytes you lose while exercising.
With Clean Machine Clean BCAA, you’ll be able to exercise more effectively and make the most of your time spent working out. And, with improved recovery time, you’ll be ready for more!
If you want to support a new brand in the organic pre-workout supplement market, look no further than Genius Pre.
A clinically dosed nootropic pre-workout supplement, Genius Pre will give you support for both mental and physical performance.
Women have different needs at the gym than men, and our pick for the best organic pre-workout supplement for women is Red Leaf Pre-Workout Energizer. It blends antioxidants and energy-boosting ingredients to help you work out longer and more intensely.
