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Recommendations: Pre-Workout Supplements (eg, SuperPump, NO-Xplode, Jacked)
Pre-workout supplements—like Gaspari's Super Pump 250, BSN's NO-Xplode, and USP Labs' Jacked—are BIG sellers. Although I do not have data to prove it, it would not surpise me if these were the most popular and widely used body building supplements in North America... short of staple supplements like protein powders, of course. And although each product's formula differs somewhat, the core of each is usually based upon 5 ingredients and variations thereof...
- Stimulants and nootropics (compounds that exert cognitive effects): Ingredients like caffeine, dimethylamylamine, vinpocetine and huperzine will get you both "jacked" and mentally focused for your workout.
- Creatine: A "no-brainer" supplement if there ever was one, numerous clinical studies (see J Am Diet Assoc. 1997 Jul;97(7):765-70, Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2002 Feb;34(2):332-43, Med SCI Sports Exerc. 1998 Jan;30(1):73-82 , J Strength Cond Res. 2003 Aug;17(3):425-38) validate creatine's muscle-building ability. If there's an issue here, it's that it may be under-dosed in products like these.
- Arginine: An amino acid, and a precursor for NO (nitric oxide) synthesis, it is this ingredient that leads to the beloved "pump" that users really enjoy. Increased vascularity and fuller looking muscles are but two of the benefits.
- Beta-Alanine: Like creatine, there is some good, solid evidence that shows beta alanine "works." Like creatine, however, it may be under-dosed in products like this.
- Additional Elements: Many companies "round out" the ingredients in their products by adding antioxidants, vitamins/minerals, amino acids, insulin sensitizers and the like. Although a formula with additions like this may seem like a better value, in truth, many of these are either "label decoration," or else make little direct contribution to improving strength/mass. They do little harm, of course, but a product with a lot of extras isn't necessarily "better" than one with a simpler formula (although it may be more expensive!).
Why do people like these pre-workout supplements so much?
Energy. Pump. Focus. Longer, more intense workouts. Heavier lifts. Pretty much everything that makes a good workout a good workout.
Of course, being fans of both great supplements and great workouts, we've reviewed—and tried— many of these products ourseleves. Here's a list of some of the more popular pre-workout supplements on the market...
| Products Worth Investigating |
Study Status |
| USP Labs' Jacked 3D: Small. Compact. Powerful. At just under 5 grams per scoop, Jacked doesn't contain a lot of useless filler ingredients. In fact, there are only 7 ingredients in the entire formula. When taken at the maximum 3-scoop dosage, it is likely delivering close to optimal amounts of all the supporting ingredients. |
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| Gaspari Nutrition's Super Pump 250: Although this product`s formula is unnecessarily complex and somewhat convoluted, Super Pump 250 is an extremely popular product that delivers where it matters most... in the gym. |
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| BSN's NO-Xplode: NO-Xplode does a pretty good job of meeting its promises, and is pretty popular with users. If there's an issue, it's that it too is unnecessarily complicated and contains some ingredients that are obviously irrelevant and/or redundant. |
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| Controlled Labs White Flood: An interesting product featuring many of the "usual suspects", White Flood turned out to be Elissa's favorite pre-workout supplement. That does not mean it features a perfect formula however; several of the key ingredients are under-dosed. |
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| Isatori's Morph MegaDrive: Although it could be improved by some "tweaking", this is a solid, well-engineered product, backed by a no-quibble money-back guarantee if ordered direct from Isatori. Smooth energy, with no "wired" sensation! |
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| Labrada's SuperCharge: 9 ingredients, a solid formula, plus pretty decent taste makes this offering from Labrada worth a look! |
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| Legend (rollover icon for explanation) |
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HS (Human studies): Some human-based studies have been performed on this ingredient/product, or some of the ingredients in this product. This should not be considered absolute "proof" that it works as described.
Studies "vary" in credibility; while some are credible, others may be only preliminary, small, or their methodologies may be flawed (not properly randomized, double blind or placebo controlled) or they may be published in obscure or non-accredited journals.
Other studies may be conducted by people with a vested interest in a positive outcome (i.e., they are managed by the same people retailing the product), and therefore the conclusions must be viewed with skepticism.
And of course, many studies demonstrate only mild or moderate effects, which—with the help of a retailer's creative marketing department—can be made to appear much more dramatic than they are.
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AS (Animal studies): Some animal based studies have been performed on this ingredient/product. Positive animal based study results do not always translate over to the same results in humans. However, these are a good first step, and may help to add some credence to pure anecdotal reports.
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"In vitro" studies: Literally, these are studies performed "in glass"—basically in a culture dish, not in any animal or human model. While "in vitro" studies are usually the easiest, fastest and most cost-effective to conduct, they are also the "bottom of the ladder" when it comes to clinical evidence. Results obtained when a compound is applied directly to isolated cells or tissues may be different than those obtained when it's swallowed by a human or animal, as it must "survive" the harsh environment of the stomach and first pass through the liver. "In vitro" studies rank above anecdotal evidence, since in-vitro work can at least establish—in a controlled manner—that a supplement compound is biologically active.
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AE (Anecdotal evidence): It all starts with anecdotal evidence. In general, anecdotes mean very little, as most individuals are not necessarily aware of the large number of variables that can contribute to a positive outcome for any product/ingredient. Still, when enough people consistently notice a positive effect, it cannot be completely dismissed. On the "scale" of proof that a product works, anecdotal evidence is the least reliable.
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