Best Tasting Pre-Workouts of 2024

We’ve all been there. You’re at the gym, about to start a tough workout, but find yourself dreading the taste of your pre-workout supplement. Rather than gagging it down and chugging water before your workout, wouldn’t it be nice to have a pre-workout supplement that was a bit more, well, tasty?

A man working out in the gym, with a light colored hoodie on

Just imagine a pre-workout that tastes like blue raspberry or sour watermelon. Enter “the champ,” Chris Bumstead, a 5-time Mr. Olympia, and the man behind Raw Nutrition. Chris Bumstead believes that to be “raw” means to be genuine, and we stand by that! We use simple ingredients in our pre-workouts, and in terms of taste, we're practically unmatched.

Sometimes, being the most genuine version of yourself means not compromising on things like tasty pre-workout. Now, you may not believe that tasty pre-workout drinks actually exist, but they do! If you want to find out more, just keep reading.

Raw Nutrition’s pre-workout supplements aren’t just known for having tasty flavors. They’re also known for giving you the strength you need to power through even the toughest of workouts. No matter how fit you are or what fitness goals you have, these products are for people just like you — people who want to be true to themselves while getting healthier and stronger.

The Best Tasting Pre-Workouts

Let’s explore the best tasting pre-workout supplements that Raw Nutrition has to offer. Whether you’ve been looking for a pre-workout for muscle gain, an energy boosting pre-workout, or just something that tastes delicious and keeps you going at the gym, we’ve got you covered.

1. Christopher’s Secret Stuff


Alt text: A white and black container of Christopher’s Secret Stuff

Christopher's Secret Stuff is “the champ’s” favorite fuel as he gears up for his next title. This special twist on the popular CBUM Thavage Pre-Workout promises a sweet kick that'll keep you guessing and make your next trip to the gym more exciting.

According to Chris Bumstead, Christopher’s Secret Stuff "tastes like winning.” The taste isn’t the only benefit, though — Christopher's Secret Stuff is perfect for those who want to have the best workout possible every time.

When it comes to how much to use, we’d recommend starting with 1 scoop (half-thavage) and, if you need more, go up to 2 scoops (full-thavage). Just remember, the recommended serving size is based on 1 scoop.

Now, let's talk about what's inside Christopher's Secret Stuff. What makes it so special in the first place? Well, to start off, it’s loaded with ingredients that help with hydration, focus, energy, blood flow, and burning fat.

Ingredients

  • L-Citrulline: Boosts endurance during training and improves blood flow.
  • Betaine Anhydrous: Makes muscles stronger and more powerful.
  • L-Tyrosine: Plays a major role in focus and thinking.
  • Alpha GPC: Helps with clear thinking and supports how your brain works.
  • Huperzine A: Might have benefits for how well you think.

2. Thavage Pre-Workout

A white and yellow label on a tub of Thavage Pre-Workout

Thavage Pre, available in a variety of flavors, isn't your typical pre-workout — it's made by thavages, for thavages. Just one serving can kick your performance up a notch, and it's crafted by none other than Chris Bumstead, himself. Whether you want lasting endurance or a boost of strength during your workouts, Thavage Pre has got your back.

As for how much of it to use, start slow to see how it feels. We’d recommend beginning with 1 scoop (half-thavage) and, if you want more, you can go up to 2 scoops (full-thavage).

Are you wondering what makes Thavage Pre-Workout so good? For one, it’s got some mighty powerful stuff in it — like L-Tyrosine, Beta Alanine, Arginine Nitrate, Huperzine A, Alpha GPC, and Bitter Orange.

Thavage Pre-Workout supplement improves hydration in your cells, sharpens your focus, gives you more energy, improves your blood flow, and burns your extra fat. If you're looking for an all-in-one training helper, Thavage Pre might be exactly what you need. For those looking to buy Alpha GPC supplements, Thavage Pre-Workout includes this important ingredient to help with mental clarity and overall cognitive function.

Ingredients

  • L-Citrulline: Helps you last longer in your workout and gets your blood flowing.
  • Betaine Anhydrous: Might make your muscles stronger and more powerful.
  • L-Tyrosine: Important for staying focused and thinking well.
  • Alpha GPC: Keeps your mind sharp and helps your brain work better.
  • Huperzine A: Could help with mental clarity.

3. Pre Extreme

A white container of RAW Pre-Extreme Pre-Workout

Our Pre Extreme workout supplement is sure to give you the extra jolt you need. It’s a pre-workout that’s made for those who want an intense, high-stimulant kick. This formula is designed to give you a strong rush and rev up both your body and mind while you’re working out. It’ll provide you with a surge of energy that lasts for the long haul, sharper focus, and super strong muscle endurance.

Taking Pre Extreme won’t just give you a quick energy boost, though. It’s designed to give you an intense pre-workout experience — no matter who you are and where you are in your fitness journey.

The benefits go beyond just feeling stimulated. Every serving is loaded with ingredients that boost your mental drive, increase blood flow to your muscles, and help with losing fat. It even comes in different tasty flavors to suit your taste — which is always a plus.

This pre-workout supplement is packed with strong ingredients, including 1.5g of L-tyrosine, 1.5g of Agmatine Sulfate, and 400 mg of caffeine. You truly won't find another formula that gets your mind and muscles going like this one.

Ingredients

  • L-Tyrosine: Helps boost your mental drive and focus.
  • Beta Alanine: Known for helping with endurance and reducing muscle fatigue.
  • Betaine Anhydrous: Connected to making your muscles stronger and more powerful.
  • L-Citrulline Malate: Boosts blood flow and improves endurance.

4. Pump Non-Stim Pre-Workout


A white and yellow container of RAW Pump Non-Stim


Pump Non-Stim Pre-Workout is an effective formula that you can either take alone or combine with your preferred pre-workout. It suits those who exercise late and want to avoid caffeine for better sleep. Not everyone wants their pre-workout to get them too jazzed up! You can also mix Pump Non-Stim Pre-Workout with other pre-workouts to boost its effects and improve your blood flow. This will help ensure that all of the nutrients included in this pre-workout will reach your different muscle groups.


This particular formula is made with powerful ingredients like L-Citrulline, Agmatine, Lion's Mane Extract, Alpha GPC, Nitrosigine, L-Taurine, and Himalayan pink salt. This potent combination will no doubt improve each of your training sessions, as it’s designed to help with nitric oxide production. This pre-workout supplement should also help quite significantly with cellular hydration and nutrient absorption.


Ingredients

  • L-Citrulline is an amino acid that your body transforms into L-arginine. This process enhances the production of nitric oxide, which helps relax and widen blood vessels. By improving blood flow, L-Citrulline can boost endurance during physical activities and reduce muscle soreness, leading to better performance and quicker recovery.
  • Betaine Anhydrous is a compound derived from the amino acid glycine. It plays a role in cellular hydration and methylation. This ingredient is known for its ability to enhance muscle strength and power. It may also contribute to improved body composition by increasing muscle mass and reducing fat mass.
  • L-Tyrosine is an amino acid that serves as a precursor to several important neurotransmitters, including dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. By supporting the production of these neurotransmitters, L-Tyrosine can enhance mental performance, focus, and cognitive function, particularly in stressful situations. 
  • Alpha GPC (Alpha-glycerophosphocholine) is a choline compound that supports the production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter crucial for memory and learning. Alpha GPC is known for its ability to improve cognitive functions such as memory and learning, as well as supporting overall brain health and mental performance.
  • Huperzine A is a natural compound extracted from the Chinese club moss plant. It works as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, which means it prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain. By increasing acetylcholine levels, Huperzine A may enhance memory, learning, and cognitive function, contributing to better mental clarity and overall brain health. For those interested in these benefits, buy Huperzine A supplements to support your cognitive health.

5. Essential Pre

An orange and white container of orange flavored Essential Pre-Workout

Essential Pre is a workout supplement that changes the game completely. Whether you're stepping into the gym for the first time or you're a seasoned gym rat, Essential Pre is here for you. It's made from a powerful blend of ingredients and has been proven to work well for everyone — regardless of your lifting experience.

Essential Pre somehow manages to find the perfect balance by combining the best of all worlds. Unlike other pre-workouts, which tend to focus on just boosting energy, Essential Pre is designed to tackle both physical and mental obstacles. You’ll definitely get the most out of each workout with this one!

Ingredients

  • L-Citrulline: Boosts blood flow, and gives you strength during your workout.
  • Beta Alanine: Fights fatigue, allowing for you to push your limits.
  • L-Tyrosine: Supports mental focus, keeping you in the zone.
  • Taurine: Boosts overall endurance and performance.
  • Natural Caffeine: Sourced from green coffee bean extract, this organic caffeine acts as a stimulant. It increases alertness and reduces perceived effort while you’re exercising.

A woman lifting weights in the gym 

How to Choose the Best Tasting Pre-Workout

Now comes the hard part: choosing the pre-workout supplement that’s right for you. When picking out a pre-workout, the first thing you’ll want to do is take a look at what’s in it. Organic caffeine, for example, is a key ingredient in many different pre-workout formulas. It's a known stimulant that wakes you up, gives you a solid boost of energy, and helps you perform better during your workouts.

The best pre-workout supplements will also contain Branch Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs). BCAAs are amino acids your body needs but can't make on its own. They're super important for building muscle cells. Using a pre-workout with BCAAs can help to ease muscle soreness, speed up recovery, and improve muscle repair.

Wondering what else you should look for in your pre-workout drink? Taurine is a good place to start! Taurine is an amino acid that does a lot for your body, especially your heart. In pre-workout supplements, taurine can help you endure longer and perform better while you’re exercising.

Ultimately, choosing the pre-workout that’s right for you might take some trial and error, but that’s not a bad thing! We have a huge selection of pre-workouts in delicious flavors here at Raw Nutrition, so you’re bound to find a pre-workout supplement that both tastes good and improves your anaerobic performance during workouts.

The Benefits of Pre-Workout

There are plenty of benefits that come with taking a pre-workout supplement. It’s recommended that you take the supplement twenty minutes before you start working out for the best results.

You’ll also want to get into a routine of taking it consistently. Let’s take a look at the benefits of taking pre-workout below. As you’ll soon see, many of these benefits have to do with the ingredients in pre-workout.

Caffeine

In most pre-workout supplements, caffeine will be included in amounts ranging from 150 mg to 300 mg per serving. To give you an idea of how much caffeine that is, it’s a bit like drinking three cups of coffee. That may seem like a lot, but you’d be surprised just how much it can help boost your workout.

Pre-workout drinks that contain caffeine can sharpen your focus, give you a boost of energy, and improve your overall performance. Of course, if you have a low caffeine tolerance, you may want to choose a stimulant-free pre-workout supplement (or one with a low caffeine content). Yes, it's true — caffeine-free pre-workouts do exist!

Beta Alanine

A pre-workout drink that includes beta alanine, like Raw Nutrition’s Essential Pre, for example, can be especially great for when you’re gearing up for a high-intensity workout. It helps cushion your muscles during tough workouts, possibly even cutting down on tiredness and speeding up your recovery. This can be super useful for activities where you need quick bursts of energy, like sprinting.

A container of Beta Alanine, made by RAW Nutrition 

Creatine

Creatine, a relatively common pre-workout ingredient, works by refilling your ATP stores. Basically, it gives your muscles the energy they need to flex while you’re working out. Not only that, but creatine might help you pack on more lean body mass. This should help to improve both your strength and your muscular endurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a pre-workout supplement taste good?

Its premium ingredients, of course! Quality of ingredients is very important to us. Raw Nutrition uses plenty of natural flavors in their pre-workout supplements.

How does a tasty pre-workout benefit my fitness routine?

If your pre-workout tastes good, you're more likely to stick with it. That consistency helps keep your energy up and boosts your performance during workouts.

What natural ingredients are in the best tasting pre-workout supplements?

The best tasting pre-workout supplements tend to include natural ingredients, like fruit, herbs, and other plants. Essential Pre contains green coffee bean extract, for example.

How does the flavor of my pre-workout impact my workout?

If your pre-workout tastes good, it’ll help motivate you and put you in a positive mindset. This will help you have the best workout possible.

Chris Bumstead, 5x Mr. Olympia

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been looking to experience the best tasting pre-workout, then look no further than Raw Nutrition! As you can see, we have plenty of pre-workout options available for those who don’t just want to enjoy their fitness routine but improve it by adding a little flavor, too!

Our pre-workout supplements are top-rated, and many of them were concocted by “the champ,” Chris Bumstead, himself! Check out what we have to offer, and start improving your workouts today!

 

The information being presented in this blog is intended to be used as educational or resource information only. It is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice from your healthcare provider. This content should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please contact your healthcare provider. You should call 911 for all medical emergencies. Raw Nutrition is not liable for any advice or information provided on this blog, which advice or information is provided on an “as-is” basis, and assumes no liability for diagnosis, treatment, decisions, or actions made in reliance upon any advice or information contained on this blog. No warranties, express or implied, are made on the information that is provided.

March 13, 2024 — Aaron Napoles