The Best Caffeine-Free Pre-Workout Supplements

If you’re struggling to find the energy and/or motivation needed to exercise and get a productive workout in, a pre-workout supp could be the answer. Today we’re looking at the best caffeine-free pre-workout supplements currently on the market today.

On days when you wake up in the morning and just cannot seem to find the motivation or energy needed to get through a tough workout, it can be tempting to turn to caffeine.

Caffeine is a stimulant that provides an increase in physical and mental energy, though it is not without its drawbacks.

Not only can caffeine be addictive and lead to withdrawal symptoms, but it can also lead to cardiovascular problems, anxiety, stress, irritability, poor mental health, insomnia, and an energy crash as well.

Needless to say, as caffeine has so many risks and negative side effects associated with it, people often look for different alternatives. This is why people drink decaf coffee instead of caffeinated, and it’s why caffeine-free, stim-free pre-workout supplements are becoming so popular.

What Are Pre-Workout Supplements?

There’s no better feeling than being excited to go and work out and actually having a very productive training session in the process.

Whether you’re smashing personal bests, getting an amazing pump, training consistently, or simply having fun while training, you cannot beat a good training session.

The problem with working out and training is the fact that, sometimes, you simply can’t seem to muster up the energy and motivation required to get you through a tough workout. When this happens, not only do your workouts suffer, but so too do your levels of motivation.

When this happens, you can either blow off your workout and try again the next day, power through and try to motivate and energize yourself or turn to supplements or nutrition as a way of energizing your body and mind. This very scenario is where a pre-workout supplement proves to be so useful.

Pre-workout supplements are designed to be consumed before you train (hence the name) and are designed to provide a temporary boost in physical energy, mental focus, and motivation. A lot of them also provide additional benefits such as improved muscle pumps, vascularity, and even stronger muscle contractions.

Pre-workouts contain ingredients such as amino acids like taurine, glutamine, and beta-alanine, along with Nitric Oxide for vascularity and circulation, and creatine, which increases ATP levels and makes the muscles most efficient.

The most common, potent, and prominent ingredient found in pre-workout supplements, however, is caffeine. It is the caffeine that is responsible for the majority of energy-boost benefits associated with these products.

For people who cannot, or who wish not to, consume caffeine or low caffeine pre-workout, however, caffeine-free versions are available!

Why The Need For Caffeine-Free Pre-workout Supplements?

As mentioned, there are heaps of benefits associated with caffeine and caffeine-based pre-workout supplements, but there are also a number of drawbacks. This is why a large percentage of supplement users out there cannot use pre-workouts containing caffeine.

Here are several reasons why people cannot, or will not, consume caffeine-based pre-workout supplements.

They Can Only Train In The Evening

In an ideal world, we’d be able to train whenever we like, for as long as we like. The truth of the matter, however, is that we don’t live in an ideal world and sadly many people can only train in the evening.

Because of work, family, and other personal commitments, many people out there can only get to the gym to train late in the evening. This means that pre-workout supplements containing caffeine are not good for them. The reason for this is that caffeine is a stimulant.

If you consume a pre-workout in the evening, the caffeine will stay in your system for several hours, meaning that you’ll struggle to get to sleep at night. As you know, a lack of sleep will severely hinder your gains and your progress in the gym.

Pre-workouts often contain far more caffeine per serving than several cups of coffee, meaning they may keep you up at night.

They’re Sensitive To Caffeine

Another reason why people may be looking for a stimulant-free supplement is because they’re sensitive to caffeine.

Whereas some people tolerate caffeine well, others are very sensitive to it, meaning that its effects are amplified considerably when compared with other people. Those who are very sensitive to caffeine will notice heart palpitations, dizziness, nausea, insomnia, anxiety, energy crashes, and trouble focusing.

Put simply, people who are sensitive to caffeine experience far too many negative side effects to warrant using it for working out, no matter how in need of energy they may be.

They Have Cardiovascular Health Issues

Perhaps the most serious reason why not everybody is able to use a pre-workout supplement before heading to the gym is due to the fact that they suffer from cardiovascular issues.

People with heart issues, high blood pressure, or other cardiovascular problems cannot consume large amounts of caffeine because it is too dangerous.

Caffeine speeds up the heart and boosts circulation, meaning the heart beats faster and pumps more blood around your body. If you already have a fast heartbeat, heart problems, or high blood pressure, this could be very dangerous and could even be fatal.

Put simply, those with cardiovascular problems should not consume too much caffeine because it can increase their risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other potentially serious health issues.

They Just Don’t Want Caffeine

Finally, the last reason why some people opt for caffeine-free supplements, or simply choose to go caffeine-free is because they don’t want to put caffeine or other stimulants into their bodies.

Whether it’s for health reasons, ethical reasons, religious reasons, or personal reasons, there are plenty of people out there who abstain from caffeine and other stimulants.

What Are Caffeine-Free Pre-Workout Supplements?

Without going into too much detail, or insulting your intelligence, caffeine-free or any stimulant-free pre-workout supplements are pre-workout supplements that are free from any ingredients with stimulating effects on the mind and on the body.

Typically containing creatine which boosts ATP, which the muscles use for energy, as well as amino acids that improve muscular function and fight fatigue, pre-workout supplements are designed to give you an increase in mental and physical energy, without the negative aspects of caffeine.

Pre-workout supplements give you a much-needed energy boost, both physically and mentally, in a more natural way. The results are arguably less prominent and noticeable, but still evident for all who use these products. If you are sensitive to caffeine, or simply cannot or will not consume it, caffeine-free supplements are ideal.

7 Best Caffeine Free Pre Workout Supplements

Now that we’ve looked at what pre-workout supplements are, and indeed, what the key benefits of using these products are, the next thing we need to do is look at some of the most popular products currently available.

Caffeine-free pre-workout supplements come in a variety of different designs and forms, and because there is so much choice out there, not every product is guaranteed to tick all of the right boxes.

To help ensure that you get the most value for your money and that you find a product that actually works.

1. Apollon Nutrition – Bloody Hell

A very mild curse word in some parts of the work, Bloody Hell from up-and-coming supplement company Apollon Nutrition, is one of the more unique pre-workout supplements that doesn’t contain caffeine, and not only because of the name either.

One of the most unique things about Bloody Hell is the fact that this pre-workout supp comes in capsule form. This is quite surprising because the vast majority of pre-workout supplements come in powdered form, which you simply mix with water or the liquid of your choosing.

If you’re looking for a pre-workout that gives you a gentle, yet noticeable, energy boost, while enhancing muscle pumps and vascularity in the process, this is the supplement for you.

Containing ingredients such as green tea extract, arginine, hydrolyzed casein tripeptides, and nitric oxide boosting ingredients, this pre-workout is stim-free, very convenient, and is great when you want a gentle energy boost just to help give your workouts a slight edge.

2. Kaged – Pre-Kaged Stim Free

Up next we have a caffeine and stimulant-free pre-workout supplement from Kaged, and what a banger it is.

Pre-Kaged Stim-Free is a supplement that is designed to help you improve your mental focus and motivation levels, whilst also providing a noticeable increase in your energy levels. All of this is achieved naturally, without the use of caffeine or any other harsh and potent stimulants.

Pre-Kaged is a very popular pre-workout at GNC supplement, but for people sensitive to caffeine, or who cannot have caffeine, for a while it was off limits and they found themselves missing out. Then, along came Pre-Kaged Stim Free, and all that changed.

It may be free of harsh stimulants like caffeine, but you’ll still find plenty of powerful and potent natural ingredients such as amino acids and creatine in this formula.

Containing, amongst other things, Beta Alanine, BCAAs, Citrulline Malate, and 1.5 grams of creatine HCL, this supplement is ideal for increasing muscle contractions, boosting energy levels, increasing strength levels, and much more.

The key ingredient in this formula, well, the one that replaces caffeine as the primary energy-boosting ingredient, however, is taurine. This helps to improve mental focus and enhance muscle performance while keeping muscle fatigue and lactic acid build-ups at bay.

Not only that, but you can also keep your hydration at optimal levels while keeping lactic acid buildups low thanks to the electrolytes found in Pre-Kaged.

This means it’s great for pre-workout nutrition, and also intra-workout so you can keep your energy levels at optimal levels for the duration of your workout.

Pre-Kaged is suitable for Vegans and has been tested, third-party, for banned substances so you can rest assured that it is safe and suitable for athletes who are drug tested. For the health-conscious, this is a great choice as it is GMO-free, and free of any artificial colours, flavourings, or preservatives.

3. Sicario Pump Pre-Workout – ASC Supplements

Another pre-workout supplement with a very cool name is ACS Supplement’s Sicario Pump Pre Workout.

Available in flavoured and unflavoured, and packed full of so many unique ingredients that we couldn’t possibly list each one, Sicario Pump Pre-Workout is a real contender for the best pre-workout on the market today, and this stimulant-free version is no exception.

If you want a pre-workout supplement that increases your energy levels and gives you insane muscle pumps, without the negative effects associated with caffeine and other stimulants such as DMAA, Sicario Pump Pre Workout is ideal.

Instead of caffeine, it provides ingredients such as pine bark extract and beta-alanine to boost nitric oxide production. As far as muscle performance is concerned, pink Himalayan rock salt helps to balance electrolyte levels while taurine enhances muscle contractions and buffers lactic acid build-ups.

Sicario Pump Pre-Workout has an ingredients list as long as your arm, yet each ingredient is completely natural and provides its own unique benefits for the body and the mind.

4. Stim Free – Transparent Labs

The next offering we have for you today is the aptly named Stim Free by Transparent Labs.

This particular pre-workout supplement is quickly rising through the ranks and is proving to be not just one of the most popular caffeine-free, stimulant-free pre-workout supplements on the market today, but one of the best pre-workout supplements on the market.

Using clinically tested natural ingredients, this stimulant-free pre-workout formula provides all of the benefits associated with caffeine-enriched pre-workout supplements, with the added bonus of being completely caffeine-free.

Stim Free has everything you’d expect to find in a pre-workout supplement, other than potent stimulants such as caffeine. For vein pumping and muscle swelling muscle pumps, for example, you’ll find citrulline malate, which functions as a precursor for nitric oxide.

Nitric oxide is a vasodilator that dilates the blood vessels, boosts circulation, and promotes vascularity. Citrulline malate also helps to prevent muscle fatigue and boost aerobic capacity as well.

Just to ensure that your muscles can function at their best, for longer, Transparent Labs have enriched this formula with beta-alanine and betaine anhydrous. Beta-alanine provides a natural increase in energy levels and even gives the body a tingly sensation so you really know it’s working.

Add to this, the fact that this formula is enriched with BCAAs and contains no artificial ingredients, and you can understand why gym rats around the world are so crazy about this particular blend.

5. Pre – Swolverine

Next up, we have the very simply titled ‘Pre’ by the company ‘Swolverine’.

Swolverine, who has an awesome name by the way, has been making a name for themselves in the fitness world as of late, and their caffeine-free Pre might very well help them to become a household name.

Considered one of the best products on the market today, Pre is one of the simpler formulas on the market today, but don’t let its short ingredients list fool you, it is most certainly one of the best. Besides, as the saying goes ‘simplicity is key’ and Swolverine have most certainly realized that.

Pre contains just 8 active ingredients found to improve recovery, increase energy and endurance, boost strength levels, and improve mental focus.

Containing ingredients such as citrulline malate, BCCAs, beta-alanine, taurine, and betaine anhydrous, Pre provides everything you need and want from a caffeine-free, stimulant-free pre-workout supplement.

Perhaps the key to this formula’s success, however, and one which sets it apart from the rest, is the inclusion of coconut water powder.

Coconut water is packed full of electrolytes and is so beneficial in fact, that some countries use coconut water in IV drips. The coconut water powder and its numerous electrolytes help to keep your body, brain, and muscles hydrated for longer, allowing you to train harder for longer.

Containing no GMO ingredients, nothing artificial, and no proprietary blends, with Pre, what you see is what you get, and what you get is one of the best pre-workout supplements on the market today.

6. Genius Pre – The Genius Brand

So far, the majority of pre-workout supplements that we’ve looked at today have been designed primarily to increase athletic performance, with an emphasis placed on the physical benefits, rather than psychological ones. This is where things change with Genius Pre.

From The Genius Brand supplement company, Genius Pre is one of the best supplements on the market today. Unlike a lot of other pre-workout supplements, Genius Pre is designed to provide a number of cognitive health benefits and increase your mental focus to help you get more dialled in before and during training.

As the name implies, this particular supplement brand focuses more on the brain rather than the body, providing a wide range of nootropic benefits.

Containing ingredients such as Korean Ginseng, Rhodiola, Huperzine, Citruline Malate, and beta-alanine, it helps to boost blood flow and circulation to the body and to the brain, while increasing muscular endurance, fighting mental fog and brain fatigue, and helps to natural and sustainable supply of energy.

Genius Pre is great for helping you to get ‘in the zone’ and establish a strong mind-muscle connection. It’s also a very potent cell volumizer so your muscles will be bigger, fuller, and more pumped than ever.

Another reason why this product has proved to be so popular is because it is vegan-friendly, GMO-free, gluten-free, and is free from any banned or artificial ingredients, additives, or preservatives.

7. Pulse Stim Free – Legion

Finally, the last stimulant-free pre-workout supplement we have for you today is Pulse, from the supplement brand Legion.

To significantly reduce muscle fatigue this particular product utilizes a hefty 3.6-gram dosage of beta-alanine, along with citrulline malate, Alpha GPC, and Betaine Anhydrous to enhance circulation and increase muscle pumps.

Pulse helps to provide a sustained natural energy boost to get you through even the hardest of workouts. Not only does it fuel the muscles and energize the body, but it also improves mental clarity and function as well.

This helps to boost motivation levels and ensures that you are mentally prepared to train, as well as physically.

Free from artificial flavours and colourings, it is an all-natural supplement that helps people get through their workouts without having to rely on powerful stimulants such as caffeine.

How To Choose The Best Caffeine Free Pre Workout

As you can see, there are plenty of options, and while any of the supplements listed above would be ideal, finding the right pre-workout supplement isn’t always easy.

To help you find the best stimulant-free pre-workout supplement check out these useful tips.

Taste

When it comes to pre-workout nutrition, while the taste of the product might not affect your athletic performance, it is still important to choose a flavour that you enjoy.

A pre-workout supplement that tastes bad is going to affect you mentally, which could throw you off your game. Make sure you enjoy the taste of the supplement you’re consuming, otherwise, there’s no point in drinking it.

Ingredients

Perhaps the most important consideration when it comes to pre-workout supplements, however, is the ingredients they contain.

Pre-workout supplements that are stimulant-free should not contain caffeine or any other ingredients that have a stimulating effect on the body.

Look for key ingredients such as citrulline malate, beta-alanine, BCAAs, creatine, taurine, and betaine anhydrous. These ingredients, and many more of those we’ve covered today, will assist with muscle pumps, energy boosting, improved mental focus, strength levels, and rates of recovery.

Third-party Tested

When you choose a stimulant-free pre-workout supplement, you must ensure that it has been third-party tested before you use it.

This not only guarantees its purity, but it also ensures that it does not contain any banned substances which could result in a failed drug test.

Price

Of course, price is also a very important consideration, especially nowadays.

With the price of everything increasing, people are being forced to manage their money more than ever before. Never spend more than you can afford on supplements, but at the same time don’t look for the cheapest supplements you can find, as the quality is likely poor.

Final Thoughts

So, with that, our look at the caffeine-free pre-workout supplements on the market today draws to a close.

Just because you can’t consume caffeine, that does not mean that you can’t benefit from pre-workout nutrition. The products listed above are caffeine-free, yet have been found to be hugely impressive for anybody trying to get motivated in the gym.