Best Pre Workout for Powerlifting [2023 Review]

With so many pre-workout options available, finding effective ones can be challenging. This confusion can lead you to buy ineffective products and waste your hard earned money. Luckily, I have been testing pre-workouts for years, so if you are searching for the best pre-workout for powerlifting, you came to the right place.

Best Pre-Workout for Powerlifting

Powerlifting is a sport that requires immense strength, power, and focus. Pre-workouts can help enhance both your training and competition results, which is why they are so popular amongst competitors.

Our tests are focused on finding which products are the best so you can avoid wasting your time on underperforming supplements. We have compared each while looking at their ingredients, dosages, flavor, and value for money.

Top 4 Pre-Workouts for Powerlifting Reviewed

Let’s look at some of the highest-quality next-generation supplements available for powerlifting:

Best Overall Powerlifting Pre Workout – Transparent Labs Bulk Black

Strength athletes often take supplements to boost energy levels and focus so they can squeeze out more reps in the gym. So any edge can help maximize gains.

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Transparent Labs Bulk Black is our number one choice based on our tests. It contains a remarkable amount of vitamin B12, providing over 10,000% of your daily requirement.

Vitamin B12 plays a pivotal role in energy regulation and nerve function, where insufficient levels result in muscle weakness.

Bulk Black delivers a potent dose of citrulline (8 grams) and betaine (2.5 grams) that help promote blood flow. This works well in conjunction with the high B12 content, as this vitamin supports the production of red blood cells.

It contains about as much caffeine as three cups of coffee (275 to 305 milligrams) for a big boost of energy and focus. Combined with other ingredients, you will experience an energy boost without the typical crashes you experience with lower quality pre-workouts.

The flavor, notably Blue Raspberry, stood out with its bold taste, avoiding excessive sweetness or chemical aftertaste. While Bulk Black may be pricier than our other choices, the quality and ingredient dosages justify the cost. It is an excellent choice for those looking for a boost at the gym while also enhancing muscle recovery.

Our only concern with this product would be the caffeine dosage, which may be too high for some, leading to an increased risk of side effects, including jitters and insomnia. The addition of creatine would also be welcomed, but most powerlifters are already supplementing creatine outside of their pre-workout.

Pros

• This supplement contains a massive amount of B12, which helps play an essential role in energy production
• Contains the equivalent of three cups of coffee, providing energy when needed
• Other pre-workout ingredients that can increase blood flow, ensuring oxygen and nutrients are transported to your muscles

Cons

• Caffeine dosage may be too high for some users leading to a risk of side effects
• There is no creatine present, which would be a nice bonus, offering enhanced strength

Runner-Up Powerlifting Pre Workout – Legion Athletics Pulse

Legion Athletics Pulse is an excellent choice, boasting a 100% natural formula, one of the best organic pre-workout supplements. It is a great pre-workout without artificial sweeteners, free from added sugar, food dyes, or harsh chemicals. With an impressive selection of 20 flavors, Pulse ensures plenty of options are available to suit everyone.

Each serving contains 350 milligrams of caffeine anhydrous (there is a stim free version), which is impressive, and more than our number one choice, available from Transparent Labs. It also has 350 milligrams of l-theanine alongside its high caffeine content.

This combination provides a sustained energy release while reducing the risk of crash. It contains three key ingredients shown to enhance performance. Beta-alanine, dosed at 3.6 grams, surpasses the recommended daily amount, which makes it effective at improving work capacity, which is a focus for powerlifters.

The only issue with such a high dosage of beta-alanine, would be the tingling sensation it will cause. There are 8 grams of citrulline malate in each serving, a precursor to L-citrulline that can increase nitric oxide production. This acts as a vasodilator that improves blood flow and the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to your muscles. Beta-alanine is also one of the ingredients effective in increasing muscular endurance and strength.

Pulse also contains 2.5 grams of betaine, which is on the higher end of the recommended dose although lower than our number one choice, potentially boosting power output during your workouts.

Pulse is available to buy with or without caffeine. This is ideal when you prefer a caffeine-free boost. Furthermore, each ingredient undergoes rigorous purity testing, with the Labdoor certification proudly displayed on the packaging.

Pros

• Massive caffeine dosage for an incredible energy boost
• Caffeine-free option available for those looking for an energy boost without the use of harsh stimulants
• Rigorous testing means that there is little risk of cross-contamination

Cons

• The high dosage of beta-alanine can cause a tingling sensation
• High amounts of caffeine can be counterproductive if you’re sensitive to stimulants

Pre Workout with the Most Creatine for Powerlifting – Jacked Factory ALTIUS

Jacked Factory ALTIUS is another excellent choice, blending five powerful ingredients, each in effective doses, that will help supercharge your workouts.

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Caffeine anhydrous is the primary ingredient, with 325 milligrams in each serving, which is slightly less than our second choice, yet more than Transparent Labs Bulk Black. This dosage is ideal for maximizing your concentration and energy before a heavy lifting day.

This supplement also includes 3 grams of creatine monohydrate. Creatine has a well-established reputation for enhancing muscular strength and performance. While this dosage is lower than the effective daily range, it is a bonus that many pre-workouts don’t include.

ALTIUS also contains three more effective ingredients: beta-alanine, citrulline malate, and betaine. Beta-alanine is dosed at 3.2 grams, slightly above the recommended daily dosage, yet lower than Legion Athletics Pulse. There are 2.5 grams of betaine at the higher end of the recommended range, potentially increasing endurance levels and your power output.

Finally, we have 8 grams of citrulline malate to enhance blood flow and oxygen supply to your muscles, this dosage is on par with the Legion Athletic offering.

There are a couple of things that could be improved with this product. For one, it is available only in mixed berry flavors and is relatively expensive compared to our other top choices. However, considering the potent ingredient doses, this is still a top choice and should be considered.

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Pros

• High caffeine content for increased energy
• 3 grams of creatine, which is not found in any of our other choices

Cons

• More flavors are needed to add variety, as not all customers will like the flavor offered
• The high dose of beta-alanine can cause tingling, which some find unpleasant

Jacked Factory Nitrosurge

If you want to boost energy levels, increase blood flow, and achieve insane muscle pumps then Jacked Factory Nitrosurge could be the pre-workout for you. It contains a whopping 360 grams of caffeine in each serving, the highest of our top picks. This will provide an insane energy boost that you can use the next time you are in the gym and ensure you have the energy to squeeze out that next PR.

It also contains 6 grams of l-citrulline, and 1.6 grams of beta-alanine, which is a little lower than our other suggestions, although not weak. The l-citrulline can help promote muscular endurance, while the beta-alanine can help suppress the effects of lactic acid.

Compared to ALTIUS, which has only one flavor, this product has various tasty offerings, meaning you won’t have to worry about finding a flavor you like. We found that this pre-workout mixed well and left no residue after a good shake in a mixer bottle.

Although Nitrosurge is not third-party tested, it is manufactured in a cGMP, and FDA-registered facility, so high-quality manufacturing standards will be met. Due to the high dosages, particularly the high caffeine amount, there is a risk of encountering side effects, but this can be said about pre-workouts in general. If they didn’t contain certain ingredients they would not be as effective.

Pros

• High dosage of caffeine for increased energy
• Plenty of flavor options meaning you should be able to find one you like

Cons

• Increased risk of side effects due to the high stimulant content

How to Choose the Best Pre-Workout for Powerlifting

There are certain things you should be looking for when choosing a pre-workout for powerlifting:

Effective Ingredients

The first and most important thing to look for when choosing a product is that it contains ingredients that have been proven to work. You most certainly don’t want to be wasting your money on a product full of fillers and ineffective ingredients that won’t work.Or on a product that under-doses its ingredients. 

Caffeine, beta-alanine, creatine, l-citrulline, and betaine are all ingredients to watch for when choosing an effective product.

Correct Dosages

Secondly, the ingredients used need to be in adequate dosages. These are the minimum effective dosages for some of the more popular ingredients for most serious powerlifters.

• 200 milligrams of caffeine
• 3-5 grams of creatine
• 1.2-1.6 grams of beta-alanine
• 3 grams of l-citrulline
• 6 grams of citrulline malate
• 1.25-2.5 grams of betaine

Third-Party Testing

If you are an athlete who is regularly tested, you must use products free from any banned substances.

The product should be tested for purity to avoid contamination that can lead to a failed drug test.

Taste and Mixability

If a supplement tastes awful, you won’t want to drink it. Similarly, you will also only use it if it mixes well and is clumpy and powdery. While flavor is subjective, it is also something to consider when choosing a supplement.

Value for Money

The cost of supplements is relatively high, so the money you spend must be spent on products that work. You may see a product offered cheaply; however, you have wasted your money if it does not work.

Take your time to look at the product as a whole, whether it works, and how much each serving will cost. To work this out, consider the total cost divided by the number of servings provided. This figure will be the cost per serving.

How Do Pre-Workouts Help in Powerlifting?

If you powerlift, you will know how crucial muscular strength, endurance, and focus are when performing the squat, deadlift, and bench press.

Taking a pre-workout offers a range of benefits including:

• Energy increase
• Better performance
• More strength
• Less fatigue
• Improved focus

The main benefits are the increased energy levels and strength, which may not significantly impact your training sessions. However, over time, you will find that the ability to lift a couple more reps or a few more pounds will lead to more strength and muscle gains.

Also, with less fatigue and more focus, you will be less likely to skip a training session due to feeling unmotivated or tired.

Pros of Pre-Workout for Powerlifters

How can a pre-workout help you perform to your maximum ability? Let’s look at some of the benefits of taking a supplement and what ingredients you should watch for.

More Energy and Focus

Caffeine is well known for its positive impact on concentration and energy levels. In powerlifting, where focus and energy are paramount, pre-workout supplements containing caffeine can be a game-changer, potentially leading to notable performance enhancements.

Another ingredient worth looking out for is L-citrulline. An ingredient that can increase blood flow and oxygen delivery to your muscles. L-citrulline may improve energy levels during workout sessions by enhancing circulation and oxygen supply.

Looking for products containing these ingredients can be a clever move for powerlifters looking to boost their performance and maximize training sessions.

More Strength and Power

To see gains in strength and power, you should look for products that contain creatine. It can help increase phosphocreatine, used as fuel during training and competitions.

Another ingredient shown to improve strength and power is betaine, so look for this ingredient in your supplements, too.

Better Performance

To reduce the build-up of lactic acid and prevent fatigue, you should consider products that contain beta-alanine. By reducing fatigue, you effectively increase your work capacity to push yourself past your usual limits.

Side Effects of Pre-Workout for Powerlifters

Unfortunately, while there are benefits to be had, there are some side effects and issues to be aware of, such as:

• Lack of sleep: Many pre-workouts contain stimulants that can disrupt your sleep, especially if taken too close to bedtime. A lack of sleep can affect your muscle-building ability by reducing recovery times.
• Failing a drug test: You risk failing a drug test if you don’t check the supplement’s ingredients. You should always check what ingredients you should avoid before taking any pre-workout if competing in sanctioned events.
• Stomach problems: Caffeine can cause stomach irritation and, in high doses, may have a laxative effect, which you do not want to happen while lifting weights.
• Heart palpitations and jitters: Caffeine can also increase your heart rate, leading to anxiety and uncomfortable feelings.
• Tingling: Certain ingredients, such as beta-alanine, can cause a tingling sensation, which some lifters find distracting.

How to Use Pre-Workouts Before Powerlifting Training

You must consume the pre-workout 30-45 minutes before training or competition. Cold water should be used and either shaken or mixed using a utensil. Make sure that the powder is fully dissolved.

Avoid taking the product before lifting, as this can increase the risk of stomach problems. Plus, if taken too late, you will experience the benefits late into your gym session.

Related Questions

Conclusion

Whichever product you choose from our suggestions will help boost energy levels and focus, which will help you perform better.

Each choice contains proven ingredients with good doses. Your preference will come down to which branding and flavor you prefer.