10 Best Pre-Workouts Without Artificial Flavoring for 2023

Having a pre-workout versus going without one is like night and day.

Ultimately, a pre-workout’s performance depends on its quality and if it meets your fitness or training needs. It goes without speaking that all the ingredients should be natural as well.

Separating the chaff from the wheat, what are the best natural pre-workout supplements out there? Let’s take a look at what makes them great by checking the ingredients and knowing how they can help you crush your workouts.

 

Best Pre-Workout Supplements without Artificial Flavoring

If you want a great pre-workout supplement without any of that nasty artificial flavoring then these are the best ones out there.

1. Stim-Free Pre Workout by Transparent Labs

There’s no doubt about it- PreSeries STIM-FREE is our absolute favorite when it comes to pre-workout supplements. True to form, it’s an exceptional product that has key ingredients such as betaine, beta-alanine, citrulline malate, choline and more!

There’s no proprietary formula and the dosage for each ingredient is done at clinically effective levels, which means you can expect all the amazing benefits of one of the world’s best pre-workouts available today. The ‘stim-free’ label means you won’t have to deal with the jitters and crash associated with caffeine if you’re intolerant to it.

The pre-workout supplement is designed with bodybuilders and athletes in mind. It’s an excellent companion for when you want to make the most every time you train or work out at the gym. Transparent Labs boasts a huge 23g per scoop serving that contains 13 active ingredients, carefully chosen for their benefits to the human body. You’ll gain lean muscle mass, experience enhanced stamina and focus and enjoy explosive power, thanks to the increased nitric oxide.

In terms of having the ‘no artificial flavoring’ tag, STIM-FREE Pre-Workout passes with flying colors. There’s no artificial coloring, sweeteners and preservatives, and zero GMO and gluten. It doesn’t contain any illegal substances that could hinder your path to success.

We wholly recommend Stim-Free Pre Workout for first-timers and gym rats alike. You’ll be sure to love it!

Pros

• Coupon code TL10 gets you 10% off at checkout
• Buying in bulk saves money as well
• 23 grams of pre-workout per scoop
• Uses solid muscle-building ingredients like BCAAs and citrulline malate
• No artificial coloring, no preservatives, no GMO or gluten

Cons

• Only available on the manufacturer’s website

Check Price

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2. Pre by Performance Labs

Don’t let the simple, yet succinct title fool you- Pre is amazing in its own right. The ‘athletic performance supercharger’ gives you the strength and power to completely destroy your plateau and optimizes your blood flow and endurance to new heights.

We love how Performance Labs pays attention to detail when they put the ‘no artificial flavor’ on the brand. Each bottle is free of soy, gluten, synthetics, GMO, radiated compounds, banned substances and allergies. It’s the cleanest pre-workout we know, down to the capsule material itself (they’re prebiotic nutricaps).

Performance Lab Sport Pre doesn’t use caffeine or low-grade creatine. The list of ingredients includes maritime pine bark, beta-alanine, creapure ph10, a blend of glutathione and l-citrulline, iron and Himalayan pink salt. You enjoy superb workout benefits like raised nitric oxide to eliminate muscle failure, enhanced ATP usage and better endurance via hydrating and buffering compounds.

Pre is sports nutrition at its finest, and for this reason, it deserves being in the top 3 spot. The cocktail of ingredients hit the ‘sweet spot’ and allows you to go farther than you’ve ever been every time.

Overall, this another solid choice for those looking for a pre workout without sucralose and other artificial ingredients.

Pros

• Uses Creapure, the purest form of creatine monohydrate
• Caffeine free
• Builds strength and enhances recovery
• Buy a 3 month supply and get one free
• Less expensive

Cons

• Doesn’t contain betaine anhydrous
• Only available through the manufacturer’s website

Check Price

 

Related: 10 Best Pre-Workout Supplements for Muscle Building

Related: The 7 Best Protein Powders Without Artificial Flavoring

 

3. 4 Guage

4 Gauge absolutely deserves a spot in second place as it’s one explosive pre-workout package!

Manufacturer 4Gauge has managed to pack in an impressive collection of ingredients such as citrulline malate, caffeine, l-theanine, Rhodiola Rosea, red beet, creatine, l-carnitine and coconut water powder. It holds up to our ‘no artificial flavoring’ standards as there are virtually no synthetic ingredients to speak of. You get a super-clean pump and results that speak for themselves.

As its namesake, the pre-workout drink means business. The formula has been researched and tested by professionals in the bodybuilding industry. It’s not just for your body but for your brain as well. This means you get laser-like focus, quick size gains and the stamina you need to push your hardest in the gym.

4 Guage also addresses the motivation aspect in training, where you sometimes feel you’re just going through the motions. From the moment you start taking the supplement, you’ll feel energized, positive and this can translate to faster progress, bigger gains and overall a better physique. It’s the ultimate pre-workout pick-me-up in every sense of the word!

Pros

• 100% natural
• Uses creatine and L-Citrulline for muscle building
• Uses red beet extract for serious muscle pumps
• Save money when buying in bulk

Cons

• Doesn’t mix well
• Only available on the manufacturer’s website

Check Price

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4. Vintage Blast by Old School Labs

Vintage Blast is a unique 2-stage pre-workout supplement that increases endurance and strength.

The first stage is the ‘endurance blend’ which consists of beta-alanine, creatine, taurine and l-tyrosine. The second stage is the ‘strength blend’ which has caffeine anhydrous, niacin and l-citrulline.

Both stages work together to give you increased energy and stamina, while the second stage helps to further enhance muscle pumps and power output.

The beauty of Vintage Blast is that you can tailor the dosage to your own fitness goals and level. If you’re new to pre-workouts, start with 1 scoop of the endurance blend. Once you’ve built up a tolerance, move on to 1 scoop of the strength blend. For those who are more experienced, you can take 2 scoops of each stage for a real ‘blast’ in the gym!

Pros

• Solid reputation
• Builds strength and endurance

Cons

• Doesn’t use creatine
• Above average in price

Website: oldschoollabs.com

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5. Natural Pre-Workout by Truth Sports

Natural Pre-Workout is a supplement made by Truth Nutrition. It’s billed as a ‘natural’ pre-workout that contains no junk, additives, dairy or gluten. Also, every ingredient is vegan and plant-based, which should be a welcome fact to the food-conscious individual.

Users get a blend of superfoods, energizers, electrolytes, botanicals and amino acids in the form of organic green coffee bean, l-tyrosine, NALT, coconut water powder, l-leucine, l-valine, whole tart cherry, quercetin anhydrous and bioperine, among others.

Overall this is another good selection for those looking for an artificial sweetener free pre-workout.

Pros

• All-natural
• Keto and vegan friendly
• A dye free pre workout

Cons

• Missing some key ingredients
• Not much of a muscle builder

Website: Truthnutrition.com

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6. Naked Energy by Naked Nutrition

Naked Energy from Naked Nutrition is that no-nonsense buddy at the gym. You know, the one who doesn’t dress things up or beat around the bush – just tells it like it is. That’s what you get with Naked Energy, a pre-workout supplement that doesn’t mess around with artificial sweeteners or flavoring.

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of it. Naked Energy’s like that dish at a high-end restaurant where you can count the ingredients on one hand. The ingredient list is minimal and straightforward. There’s no room for fake stuff here. Everything’s natural, and the label shows it.

One of the cool things about Naked Energy is that it doesn’t put on a mask with flavors. Most pre-workouts try to lure you in with exotic flavors, but not Naked Energy. It’s unflavored, so you know you’re getting the real deal without any extra fluff. It’s like that friend who doesn’t need flashy clothes to make a statement.

The key ingredients are what you’d expect from a reliable pre-workout – a blend of vitamins and amino acids like Vitamin B3 for metabolism and L-Arginine for blood flow. These aren’t hidden behind long, unpronounceable words; they’re right there for you to see. It’s like having a transparent conversation about what’s going to fuel your workout.

You’ll also appreciate the simplicity of Naked Energy if you’re into clean eating and living. No GMOs, no soy, no gluten, and certainly no artificial sweeteners or flavoring. It’s the kind of integrity in a product that makes you nod in respect.

Now, some might say that the lack of flavor or the minimalistic approach isn’t for them, and that’s okay. Naked Energy is for those who appreciate the bare essentials, who want to strip away all the unnecessary layers and get down to what really matters in a pre-workout.

In the end, if you’re someone who appreciates honesty in relationships, chances are you’ll appreciate the honesty in Naked Energy. It’s like a firm, reassuring handshake before a big game – no frills, just confidence. And, as with any fitness buddy or supplement, you might want to check with a professional to make sure it’s the right match for your goals and body. You wouldn’t go hiking with the wrong shoes, so make sure Naked Energy is the right fit for your workout journey.

Pros

• Made in the USA
• Designed to Enhance Athletic Performance
• All-Natural and uses only 10 ingredients

Cons

• 200 mg dose of caffeine may be too much for some people
• Missing key ingredients like beta-alanine, citrulline, and betaine anhydrous

Website: nakednutrition.com

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7. Legion Pulse

Sure, Legion Pulse is like that friend in your workout group who keeps things real. No artificial sweeteners or funny business with hidden ingredients. Everything’s out in the open, and that’s what people love about it.

Created by Mike Matthews, Legion Pulse is crafted for those who want to know exactly what they’re putting in their bodies. Think about how you feel when you’re handed a drink with unknown contents at a party – a little uneasy, right? With Legion Pulse, you get none of that. All the quantities of individual ingredients are right there on the label.

Now, avoiding artificial sweeteners doesn’t mean you’re sipping on something that tastes like cardboard. They’ve used natural sweeteners like stevia, so you’re not sacrificing flavor for health. And speaking of ingredients, this pre-workout brings together some of the all-stars like caffeine for energy, beta-alanine for endurance, and citrulline malate to keep that blood pumping.

What’s also nice is that they’ve dodged the whole “proprietary blends” thing that some companies play at. You know, where they mix everything into a secret sauce without telling you how much of what is in there? None of that with Legion Pulse. It’s like a clear, open conversation with a good friend – no secrets, no hidden agendas.

Of course, quality comes at a price. Since everything in Legion Pulse is on the up-and-up with high-quality, natural ingredients, it does tend to cost a bit more than other pre-workout supplements. But, you know, it’s like choosing a good meal over fast food – sometimes it’s worth paying a little extra for something you know is good for you.

Pros

• Strong 8-gram dose of citrulline malate
• Also uses betaine anhydrous and beta-alanine
• All-natural

Cons

• Strong 350 mg dose of caffeine can cause side effects
• Doesn’t use creatine
• Website has too many annoying pop-ups

Website: legionpulse.com

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8. Pure Pump  Pre-Workout by Do Vitamins

PurePump pre-workout claims to be ‘the only pure pre-workout supplement’, with a mix of organic ingredients that are chemical-free. The goal is simple- to provide you enough energy, stamina and strength so you can work out at a higher level.

Pure Pump has benefits such as speedy exercise recovery, improved focus, delayed muscle fatigue and the requisite augmented pump and endurance. The supplement also supports the ideal body composition and healthy weight management (for those who want to convert fat to muscle).

Notable ingredients from Pure Pump preworkout include alpha-lipoic acid, l-carnitine, l-arginine, creatine, beta-alanine and a slew of vitamins. The manufacturer has added that their supplement has been third party tested for sport, purity and efficacy, and it doesn’t contain banned substances or artificial sweeteners.

Pros

• Loaded with BCAAs
• Uses creatine monohydrate

Cons

• Missing key ingredients
• Above average in price

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9. Infinity Pre-Workout by RARI Nutrition

Information regarding the pre-workout supplement by RARI is sparse. However, we gleaned on its main website that it’s an all-natural product designed to give you energy for your workouts.

Infinity Pre Workout is all about focus, pumps and energy. It has zero flavors, sweeteners or colors. One thing we notice though is how the dosage varies as per the manufacturer. You can measure your tolerance by trying a scoop first then seeing how it goes. However, the max limit is 2 in 24 hours.

Overall, this is another good choice for those wanting a pre-workout without fake sugar.

Pros

• No jitters, shakes or crashing
• Zero Artificial Colors, Sweeteners, or Flavors
• Less expensive

Cons

• Doesn’t use creatine
• Reviewers complained of a tingly/itchy feeling when taking this pre-workout

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10. Clean + Lean by FitFarm USA

Clean + Lean is endorsed by fitness celebrity Naomi Prestley and works three ways- to add lean muscle, for weight loss and for energy and stamina. This sucralose free pre-workout promises to burn more calories, increase fat loss and accelerate metabolism not just during workouts, but afterward too.

The flavor in Clean are blackberry acai, blueberry pomegranate and watermelon. In terms of quality, we’d say that they’re good but the dosage is far lower than what we would have liked.

If you’re aiming for more of a metabolic booster and weight loss product then Clean + Lean may be for you, but keep in mind that there are better ones out there.

Pros

• Very long list of ingredients
• Uses BCAAs
• Uses green tea for energy
• A solid dye free pre-workout

Cons

• Pitiful website
• Doses on many of their key ingredients are low

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How We Decided

So you want to know what’s behind our picks for top pre-workout supplements? Let me break it down for you. We didn’t just randomly choose these; there was sweat, maybe even a tear or two, as we worked out intensely to see which ones made the cut. Here’s what went into our thinking. And hey, don’t worry if a product doesn’t tick every single box; sometimes a higher price might just mean better stuff inside.

Price Let’s start with the dollars and cents. You’ll usually find pre-workout supplements for around $1.00 to $2.00 per serving. But if it’s more than two bucks, we take a good hard look to make sure it’s worth it. We’ve made sure our selections give you bang for your buck, not just in cost but in quality too.

Transparency Next, let’s talk about what’s actually in these things. Some companies play hide and seek with their ingredient amounts. They’ll tell you what’s in it, but not how much. While it’s not exactly a deal-breaker, we prefer knowing exactly what we’re getting, and we think you should too.

Dosing Dosing is another big one. Some pre-workouts have all the right stuff but just not in the right amounts. Like, you need about 3-5 grams of creatine for it to really work. We’ve looked into all this, so we know what works and what doesn’t. Our picks mostly nail this part.

Ingredients Last but not least, it’s about what’s actually inside that jar. We look for the good stuff like caffeine, creatine, and amino acids, and say no thanks to unnecessary extras. Where it comes from and how it’s made matters too. We’re not just looking at the label; we want to know what it can do for you and where it’s sourced from.

 

What is a Pre-Workout Supplement?

Pre-workout supplements are designed to give you an extra boost of energy, focus, and endurance during your workouts. They typically contain a combination of ingredients such as caffeine, beta-alanine, creatine, and nitric oxide boosters, among others.

Caffeine is a common ingredient in pre-workout supplements and is known for its stimulant effects, improving mental alertness and reducing fatigue. Beta-alanine helps to reduce the buildup of lactic acid in your muscles, allowing you to exercise longer and harder. Creatine is a compound that helps your muscles produce energy during high-intensity exercise, improving your overall performance. Nitric oxide boosters, such as arginine and citrulline, increase blood flow and improve oxygen delivery to your muscles, allowing you to work out harder and for longer periods.

Overall, pre-workout supplements can help you push past your limits, allowing you to get more out of your workouts and potentially achieve better results. However, it’s important to use them as directed and not rely on them as a substitute for proper nutrition and exercise habits.

 

Benefits of Using a Pre-Workout Supplement

Pre-workouts often spark thoughts of intense energy boosts that rev up your entire workout, don’t they? Sure, caffeine’s usually the big player here, giving you more than just a jolt of energy. Believe it or not, it can actually enhance power, endurance, effort perception, and even the way your brain works. A particular study involving 10 athletes found that compared to a placebo, caffeine helped them improve speed, reaction time, and more. (Study)

Now, you might be wondering, how much caffeine is the right amount? You’ll find about 60 to 100 milligrams in a small cup of joe, while pre-workouts can contain anywhere from 70 to a whopping 400 milligrams per serving. The pros at the International Society of Sports Nutrition suggest about three to six milligrams per kilogram of your body weight.

But hey, it’s not all about the caffeine. Some pre-workouts don’t even contain it. Other key players often join the mix, like beta-alanine for endurance, citrulline for blood flow, and various other ingredients aimed at power and focus. Think of them as a team, each bringing something special to help you get the most from your training sessions.

Some of these ingredients have some solid science backing them up. For instance, beta-alanine has been shown to help with short bursts of activity. And betaine? Some guys found significant power boosts in their back squats after taking it for a couple of weeks.(study)(study)

Now, not everything in pre-workouts is a home run. You’ll find ingredients like toothed clubmoss or hawthorn berry that might raise an eyebrow. Their effectiveness isn’t as rock-solid and depends more on hearsay or initial promising results. Plus, herbal ingredients can be a bit dodgy in terms of purity, thanks to less strict regulations.

But here’s the thing: when it comes to choosing a pre-workout, we’re not just throwing out anything with a questionable item in the mix. We’re looking at the whole picture. If a product has enough quality ingredients, even if there’s a couple that might not have a science degree backing them up, we’ll still give it a thumbs up.

So, at the end of the day, pre-workouts are a complex blend of elements that can really give you that edge in your training. Whether it’s caffeine that sparks your interest or the other supporting characters in the mix, it’s all about finding what works best for you, without being too hung up on a couple of oddballs in the list. It’s like putting together the perfect playlist to get you through a run – a couple of questionable song choices don’t have to ruin the whole experience.

Best Pre Workout Ingredients

Citrulline Malate

Citrulline malate is one of three major amino acids within the urea cycle. Its mechanism of action is such that plasma levels of arginine and ornithine are improved, as well as nitric oxide metabolism and ammonia metabolism recycling. If that’s too much to take, just remember that nitric oxide in the blood is directly equivalent to one’s athletic or training performance.

In the gym, a dose of citrulline malate can greatly extend one’s power output and reduce the likelihood of fatigue. It’s an excellent ally to have during workouts.

Beta-Alanine

One of the most popular supplements in the fitness and sports industry. Beta-alanine is primarily a non-essential amino acid, which means it’s not used to synthesize protein. What it does though is produced carnosine, which reduces lactic acid buildup during exercise so you can put out more for longer.

More importantly, supplementing with beta-alanine increases your time to exhaustion so you can smash plateaus and hit personal records with ease!

Betaine Anhydrous

A naturally-occurring chemical that can be found in wine, seafood, spinach and beets. It’s approved by the FDA to treat high levels of homocysteine and for improving athletic performance.

Several studies have linked betaine anhydrous to improve several aspects of exercise, including strength and body composition for those who work out. This effect is more pronounced in men compared to women.

Caffeine

A time-honored staple in many performance supplements. You’ll know caffeine as it’s present in coffee, tea and energy drinks. By itself, caffeine can give you a temporary boost in energy and focus so you can get maximum results in every gym session.

Caffeine is a double-edged sword, though. The crash can make you feel more tired and you can’t exceed a certain dosage per serving or you’ll experience adverse effects.

Creatine

The undisputed king of all pre-workout supplements. It’s the #1 supplement for improving strength and performance, and it increases your muscle growth, too.

And if that’s not enough, researchers have discovered that it can protect against neurological conditions as well. Creatine’s mechanism of action is directly giving your muscles the energy it needs during HIIT or heavy lifting.

More creatine circulating in your system means more ATP, an energy molecule. Needless to say, more ATP means you gain a higher level of physical performance.

 

Final Thoughts

Hopefully this list has helped you find the best pre-workout without artificial sweeteners. All of the supplements on this list are stimulant-free and rely on natural ingredients to give you a boost in energy. And, best of all, they’re all affordable! Give one of these supplements a try the next time you hit the gym. Do you have a favorite pre-workout that didn’t make our list? Let us know in the comments below. We always love trying out new products.