Pre-Workout

8 products ranked by Scout score

Best pre-workout right now

Santa Cruz Paleo Pre Workout Powder 92/100
Scout's analysis: Santa Cruz Paleo Pre Workout Powder is a clean, clinically dosed pre-workout featuring 6g L-Citrulline for blood flow, Vasodrive-AP for vascular support, Alpha GPC for…
Naked Energy Pre-Workout 92/100
Scout's analysis: Naked Energy Pre-Workout scores 92/100. An exceptionally clean pre-workout with literally zero "Other Ingredients" — no sweeteners, no flavors, no gums, no fillers, no…
Legion Pulse Pre-Workout 82/100
Scout's analysis: Legion Pulse Pre-Workout scores 82/100. A clinically-dosed, fully transparent formula with 8g Citrulline Malate, 3.6g Beta Alanine, 2.5g Betaine, 350mg Caffeine paired…

What to skip

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout Fruit Punch 32/100
Scout's analysis: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout Fruit Punch scores 32/100. While it contains a decent 3.3g creatine monohydrate and a B-vitamin complex, the active…
Alpha Lion SuperHuman Core Pre-Workout 42/100
Scout's analysis: Alpha Lion SuperHuman Core Pre-Workout scores 42/100. The active ingredient profile is solid with clinically dosed core compounds — 6g L-Citrulline, 5g Creatine…
C4 Sport Pre-Workout 48/100
Scout's analysis: C4 Sport Pre-Workout is the world's best-selling pre-workout by volume, but its ingredient quality tells a different story. It relies on proprietary blends that obscure…

Ingredients to watch in pre-workout

The flagged ingredients that show up most often across these 8 products. Each link opens Scout's analysis of the ingredient.

Sucralose in 4 of 8
Natural and Artificial Flavors in 3 of 8
Acesulfame Potassium in 3 of 8
Red #40 in 2 of 8

What the better pre-workout have in common

L-Citrulline in 5 of 8
Beta Alanine in 5 of 8
Taurine in 4 of 8
Creatine Monohydrate in 3 of 8
Alpha GPC in 2 of 8

Common questions about pre-workout

What scores highest in pre-workout on Scout?

Santa Cruz Paleo Pre Workout Powder leads Scout's pre-workout ranking at 92/100, followed by Naked Energy Pre-Workout (92) and Legion Pulse Pre-Workout (82). Scores compare products within the category on ingredients, processing, packaging and any lab results.

What should I avoid in pre-workout?

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout Fruit Punch scores 32/100, the lowest of the 8 products Scout has analyzed in pre-workout; next lowest are Alpha Lion SuperHuman Core Pre-Workout (42) and C4 Sport Pre-Workout (48). Each product page lists the ingredients behind the number.

What drags scores down in pre-workout?

Across these 8 products the most common flagged ingredients are Sucralose, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Acesulfame Potassium, Red #40. Each appears in at least two of the products ranked here.

How does Scout score pre-workout?

Every product in pre-workout gets one 1–100 score for comparison within its category: the full ingredient list judged by a category-specific framework, the published processing level, the packaging, and any credible lab results. Lab results are disclosed, not scored. Scout takes no payment for scores or placement.

How Scout scores pre-workout

One 1–100 score per product, judged within its category: every ingredient on the label through a category-specific framework, the published processing level, the packaging, and any credible lab results. No brand pays for a score or a position on this list. Read the full methodology →