The best pre-workout supplements of 2024, according to registered dietitians

<p>While it could help you run faster or lift longer, pre-workout isnt the magic cure for hitting your exercise goals. Pre-workout is a good supplement option for those prioritizing sleep, hydration, food, and recovery,” says Schmidt. “Without prioritizing these, pre-workout will have little impact on performance.”</p><p>Once these foundational elements are in place, generally healthy individuals can consider a pre-workout supplement to provide a slight boost in performance, says registered dietician and personal trainer <a href=”https://nutritionbykristin.com/about/”>Kristin Draayer,</a> MS, RDN, NASM. If youre confused about what pre-workout to choose, you arent alone. New formulas are constantly hitting the shelves, online and in stores, but not all of them are effective or safe. <br></p><h2 class=”body-h2″>What to consider</h2><h3 class=”body-h3″>Formula</h3><p>A few ingredients in the formulas that can improve focus and energy during exercise include caffeine, beta-alanine, electrolytes, creatine, L-citrulline, and beetroot powder, says Schmidt. You want a pre-workout that has clinically-proven ingredients to provide the effect youre looking for in the right amounts. </p><h3 class=”body-h3″>Caffeine</h3><p>Caffeine intake of <a href=”https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33388079/”>3 to 6 mg/kg body weight </a>within 60 minutes of exercise improves aerobic and anaerobic running capacity, strength, and power output, says Schmidt. While caffeine may enhance workouts for some people, not everyone needs or should have a caffeinated pre-workout. If youre sensitive to caffeine, or you exercise in the evening, you may want to choose a caffeine-free pre-workout. </p><h3 class=”body-h3″>Safety</h3><p>When selecting a pre-workout, I always recommend choosing a product that has undergone third-party testing, such as NSF Certification for Sport or Informed Sport, and that does not contain proprietary blends, says Schmidt. Proprietary blends are unique to the product and include several different ingredients or nutrients, but they neglect to tell the user how much of each ingredient is used. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to gauge the effectiveness and potential side effects of each component, says Draayer. </p><h2>How we selected </h2><p>We spoke to experts and reviewed over 10 popular brands for effective formulas, caffeine, testing, user experience, and overall safety to find the best pre-workout supplements to help support your workouts and fitness goals. All of the winners on this list has been tested and vetted by a registered dietician, and have been certified by trusted third-party institutions. Read on for our picks. </p>”/>