My fitness clients who want serious muscle pumps at the gym know the value of pre-workouts with creatine, especially when complemented with a balanced diet rich in protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats for optimal nutrient absorption and energy release.
Knowing the importance of creatine is the easy part. The difficult part is identifying quality pre-workout supplements with creatine content.
I did an extensive survey with my colleagues here at Total Shape and solicited the help of some of my focused-on-pumps clients to try out a few newer products as part of their workout routine.
Building on years of my own experience with these products, I compiled the results of research here, giving you a guide to the best pre-workout supplements with creatine on the market.
The Best Pre-Workouts With Creatine Supplements
- Best Overall Pre-Workout with Creatine: Gorilla Mode
- Cheapest Pre-Workout with Creatine: Altius Pre-Workout
- Best Pre-Workout with Creatine for Intense Workouts: 4 Gauge
- Best Vegan-Friendly Pre-Workout with Creatine: Naked Energy
- Best Pre-Workout With Creatine for Pump: Cellucor C4
- Best Pre-Workout with Creatine for Focus: JYM Supplement
- Best Pre-Workout With Creatine for Beginners: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard
- Best Value Pre-Workout with Creatine: ProSupps Mr. Hyde Signature Series
- Best Pre-Workout With Multi-Creatine: Cracked Pre-workout
- Best Pre-Workout With Creatine for Athletes: NutraBio Pre-workout Powder
- Strongest Pre-Workout With Creatine: KAGED MUSCLE Pre-workout
Our Top Pre-workouts With Creatine (December 2023)
1 - Gorilla Mode Pre-workout (Best Overall)
Since trying Gorilla Mode for the first time several years ago and experiencing a boost in my energy levels and fast recovery time thereafter, I've not looked back.
The supplement contains a well-balanced dose of muscle-building ingredients that have solid research backing for their effectiveness. It’s also available in a wide variety of flavors to appeal to everyone.
Each serving contains 2500 mg of creatine, and at two daily servings, you are getting 5000 mg per day to keep your muscles fueled for intense exercise and muscle recovery.
Most of my clients whom I've recommended Gorilla Mode report significant improvement in their athletic performance with no stomach discomfort or bloating.
Additionally, consistent use has also shown, not just immediate performance enhancement but sustained muscle health and endurance as well. I can attest to this based on firsthand experience and observations with my clients who use Gorilla mode.
They also reported that the caffeine boosted their energy and focus [1]. This resulted in a psychological uplift that was amplified by mental clarity and increased motivation. It made every workout session not just a physical but a mental triumph.
Quick Facts:
- Creatine Monohydrate: 2500 mg
- L-Citrulline: 4500 mg
- Caffeine: 175mg
- A hefty dose of creatine for maximum lean muscle gain
- L-citrulline increases blood flow, feeding your muscles oxygen and nutrients
- A wide variety of flavors to appeal to different tastes
- The dosage of caffeine may be too intense for sensitive people
Get 10% off using coupon code: TOTALSHAPE
2 - 4 Gauge Pre-workout (Best for Intense Workouts)
4 Gauge stands out as a top choice and is a reasonably priced pre-workout that promises an explosive workout, perfect for those seeking intensity.
It contains a considerable dose of citrulline malate, an amino acid precursor to nitric oxide.
This boost to nitric oxide gives you a burst of blood flow to your hard-working muscles during intense workouts [2]. L-citrulline works excellently in tandem with the strength and energy gained from creatine [3].
The 4 Gauge formula uses caffeine and l-theanine to enhance focus [4]. However, be careful when taking this supplement if you're sensitive to caffeine since you might end up feeling jittery after.
Our participants reported enhanced muscular endurance and quicker recovery while using 4 Gauge. They were able to give their best effort until the final rep of my workout.
Quick Facts:
- Creatine Monohydrate: 1000 mg
- L-Citrulline: 6000 mg
- Caffeine: 150 mg
- Caffeine and L-theanine for laser focus
- Massive amount of L-Citrulline to boost nitric oxide production
- Competitively priced
- May cause an upset stomach
3 - Naked Energy Pre-workout (Best Vegan-Friendly)
Naked Energy set out to create a pure and clean pre-workout supplement for men and women, with a focus on natural ingredients, so I looked closely at the label to see if they achieved that goal successfully.
After the list of relevant pre-workout ingredients, I read, “other ingredients: None.”
The creatine dosage appealed to our female participants, who were initially unaware of the health benefits creatine offers women, especially in the muscles and brain [5].
Beta-alanine is an excellent addition to work with creatine to improve body composition [6].
Many pre-workout supplements contain caffeine anhydrous, made from the seeds and leaves of coffee plants, but Naked Energy sources caffeine from unroasted coffee beans.
Our trial participants reported feeling an improved workout experience, some of them also noted that did get the classic tingling sensation for a few minutes, especially if they drank coffee.
Quick Facts:
- Creatine Monohydrate: 1000 mg
- Beta-alanine: 2000 mg
- Caffeine: 200 mg
- Vegan-friendly formula
- Unflavored option available
- Natural ingredients
- The fruit punch flavor tastes bad
4 - Cellucor C4 Pre-workout (Best for Pump)
I was among the group that tested the Cellucor C4 pre-workout supplement. and let me tell you the promised explosive energy was not just a claim. It was real and tangible. And it was not just me, I later found out that other group of testers experienced enhanced energy levels and impressive pumps.
I am not a fan of any proprietary blends, and Cellucor uses “Explosive Energy Blend,” listing caffeine at 150 mg but no other amounts for velvet bean seed extract and the acrine in the mix.
We also liked the level of beta-alanine in the formula to reduce muscle fatigue and felt it worked well with creatine to give better muscle pumps.
They said the amount of caffeine was not quite enough for a pre-workout and missed the focus of other pre-workout supplements with higher caffeine content.
Quick Facts:
- Creatine Nitrate: 1000 mg
- Beta-alanine: 1600 mg
- Caffeine: 150 mg
- Calories and carbs listed on the label
- 60-day money-back guarantee
- Significant “subscribe and save” discount
- Many negative reviews for powder hardening and clumping, rendering it unusable
5 - JYM Supplement Science Pre Jym (Best for Focus)
Pre Jym is a pre-workout supplement that has been around for nearly a decade.
The benefits of creatine, beta-alanine, and caffeine are all present in its formula, along with branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which decrease muscle soreness and fatigue [7].
I remember the heightened focus and energy courtesy of Pre Jym in an intense circuit training session I had with a buddy of mine during the test period. The caffeine was more pronounced and enhanced my physical performance and mental alertness.
Fellow testers also noted increased stamina and quick reflexes after using it as well. However, we also noted the presence of artificial flavors and added sugar which might be bad if you're in a cutting phase.
Quick Facts:
- Creatine HCL: 2000 mg
- Beta-alanine: 2000 mg
- Caffeine: 300 mg
- Stimulant heavy for those seeking laser focus and aren’t bothered by jitters
- Available from online retailers like Amazon, iHerb, and Vitaminshoppe
- Offers 15% off every subscription order
- Added sugars and artificial flavors won’t appeal to many users
6 - Altius Pre-workout (Cheapest Option)
Jacked Factory Altius is one of the more stimulant-heavy pre-workout supplements like Pre Jym.
Whether this is a good or bad thing boils down to personal preference and tolerance.
Our trial participants who exercise early in the day enjoy the heavy hit of caffeine, but I would understand gym-goers whose schedule allows for evening workouts would prefer a stimulant-free pre-workout.
The dose of citrulline malate here is significant at 8000 mg, which can help improve blood flow, lower high blood pressure and improve athletic performance [8].
Quick Facts:
- Creatine Monohydrate: 3000 mg
- Citrulline malate: 8000 mg
- Caffeine: 325 mg
- Includes stevia, a no-calorie, natural sweetener
- No unnecessary fillers or dyes
- A heavy dose of citrulline malate offers significant muscle-building and recovery benefits
- Many negative reviews regarding taste
7 - Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-workout (Best for Beginners)
After trying Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard a couple of months ago for a marathon training session and experiencing significant energy boosts and reduced muscle fatigue, I always encourage endurance athlete clients and bodybuilders to adopt it in their routines.
It has a solid blend of ingredients such as citrulline malate, vitamin D, beta-alanine, creatine, and caffeine to provide maximum energy production muscle repair, and strength [9,10].
In speaking with our dietician here at Total Shape, we agreed that adding branched-chain amino acids would have significantly benefited the formula by providing a great way to combat muscle soreness in an otherwise solid formula of pre-workout ingredients [11].
Our trial participants discovered that each serving delivered an optimal level of energy, pushing their workouts to new heights without inducing jitteriness or excessive stimulation.
The fruit punch flavor was especially well-received, and they appreciated how easily it mixed with water, leaving no clumps or residue.
Quick Facts:
- Creatine Monohydrate: 3000 mg
- Citrulline malate: 1500 mg
- Caffeine: 175 mg
- Promotes nitric oxide levels, improving blood flow
- Flavors like green apple and fruit punch are popular among users
- Readily available online or in brick-and-mortar stores
- BCAAs would have been a great addition to combat muscle soreness
8 - ProSupps Mr. Hyde Signature Series Pre-workout (Best Value)
A lot is going on in the tub of ProSupps Mr. Hyde Signature Series Pre-workout.
The label groups the ingredients into three sections called “Strength Matrix,” “Intensity Matrix,” and “Stimulatory Matrix.”
The Stimulatory Matrix is simply caffeine and theacrine, which is similar to caffeine in its effects, and at only 222 mg, you’re going to have some energy, but there is no wow factor here [12].
Our testers had mixed results with the Strength Matrix; some feel they gained better muscle pumps, while others saw no apparent difference in athletic performance. They did agree, though, that Mr. Hyde Signature was one of the better-tasting pre-workout supplements.
Quick Facts:
- Creatine Monohydrate: 2500 mg
- Beta-alanine: 1500 mg
- Caffeine: 196 mg
- Reasonably priced
- Available on Amazon
- Many positive reviews on taste
- Includes artificial sweeteners, flavors, and dyes
“Based on the scientific evidence, creatine monohydrate is the recommended form. It’s backed by the strongest research, with studies demonstrating its effectiveness at increasing your body’s stores and improving exercise performance. While several other forms exist, most of them have minimal research examining their effectiveness.”
-Grant Tinsley, Ph.D
9 - Cracked Pre-workout (Best With Multi-Creatine)
The gimmicky names given to proprietary blends on the labels of some pre-workout supplements, including Cracked Pre-workout, don’t always translate into the powder, so I prefer a label that gives me clear information line-by-line.
Cracked added some excellent vitamins and minerals into the formula to benefit overall health, appealing to our testers.
My clients who used this before working out felt it missed a bit of the kick you get from other pre-workouts.
Though they missed the benefits of beta-alanine, they didn’t miss the tingly feeling they experienced using pre-workouts that contain it.
Quick Facts:
- Creatine HCL: 2000 mg
- L-citrulline Malate: 5000 mg
- Caffeine: 200 mg
- Made in the USA
- Added essential vitamins and minerals to the formula
- It contains black pepper extract to aid absorption
- “Mostly naturally flavored” means it contains artificial ingredients
10 - NutraBio Pre-workout Powder (Best for Athletes)
NutraBio claims it makes the “most effective and purest pre-workouts” containing “clinical doses of 22 researched-backed ingredients.”
I particularly liked the addition of l-leucine, one of the essential branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) that play a significant role in muscle protein synthesis, which is responsible for muscle growth and recovery [13].
We have missed this in some of the other pre-workouts in the review.
NutraBio put good doses of muscle-building, recovery, and energy-boosting ingredients into its formula.
Some of our trial participants reported stomach issues, and you might not want to pay a premium for that kind of experience.
Quick Facts:
- Creatine Monohydrate: 3000 mg
- Beta-alanine: 3200 mg
- Caffeine: 350 mg
- Contains key ingredients for a pre-workout
- Good caffeine content to improve mental performance
- Beetroot powder for color
- Expensive compared to other pre-workouts
11 - KAGED MUSCLE Pre-workout (Strongest Pre-Workout)
Kaged Muscle has the “go big or go home” mentality with its pre-workout, giving you an extra-large scoop to heap up, so you get approximately 32.3 g of powder per serving.
I was initially overwhelmed by this extra dose, but then again, after trying it during the test period, I experienced sustained energy during my workouts. I felt supercharged, a feeling that was mutual with the testing group which tried it as well.
The manufacturer recommends you mix it with 12-16 ounces of water. The testers in our group preferred to be on the higher end of that recommendation as they found the flavor a bit tart.
An addition to the formula not seen in many other pre-workouts is coconut water powder.
Coconut water offers rapid rehydration and electrolyte replenishment during and after prolonged, intense exercise [14]. Hydration is as necessary during a workout as it is post-workout.
Quick Facts:
- Creatine HCL: 1500 mg
- L-citrulline: 6500mg
- Caffeine: 274 mg
- It contains coconut water powder to aid hydration
- Contains stevia extract
- Many positive reviews on its effectiveness
- Contains artificial sweetener, sucralose
How We Tested the Products
Our stringent testing process is developed to ensure that each pre-workout with creatine that we recommend is backed by science and first-hand experience.
We started by ordering the products anonymously to avoid bias. Our test group included our clients, including fitness enthusiasts and professionals with different workout intensities and goals.
Each participant integrated the supplements into their regular workouts, allowing us to gather real-time data on performance enhancement, muscle recovery, energy levels, and potential side effects.
After documenting each tester's feedback, we combined the insights of our expertise to present you with a comprehensive and unbiased review.
Buying Guide: What to Look for When Buying Pre-Workouts With Creatine
There are many more options than the eleven best pre-workout supplements discussed here. Let me outline some critical things to consider when purchasing a pre-workout.
Who Should Take Pre-workout with Creatine?
People who want to improve their workout performance and increase muscle mass or those aiming for specific fitness goals should take pre-workout with creatine.
Take pre-workout with creatine if you want to improve muscular endurance and stamina.
Creatine helps produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), providing muscle energy. The body produces creatine on its own, and protein-rich foods like meat and fish contain it [15].
“Creatine is one of the best supplements for improving strength and high-intensity exercise performance. It works by increasing your capacity to produce ATP energy.”
-Rudy Mawer, MSc., CISSN
Who Shouldn’t Take Pre-workout With Creatine?
You should not take pre-workout with creatine if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or diabetes [16].
Pregnant or nursing women and young children should also avoid creatine pre-workouts.
What Other Ingredients Work Well With Creatine?
Other ingredients that work well with creatine are Beta-alanine, Glutamine, Caffeine, and L-arginine.
Beta-alanine may increase carnosine levels, working with creatine to support muscle strength, growth, and recovery [17].
While the muscles use creatine for energy, the amino acid glutamine alleviates soreness from your workout, aiding recovery [18].
Caffeine can increase focus, performance, and recovery working with creatine for a more focused and longer higher intensity workout.
Lastly, L-arginine aids nitric oxide production, increases blood flow, and provides hard-working muscles much needed oxygen and nutrients, thus working with creatine to enhance physical performance [19].
What Ingredients to Avoid
What ingredients to avoid in a pre-workout can boil down to personal preference and tolerance.
Caffeine content is a perfect example. If you are sensitive to caffeine and other stimulants or prefer not to use them, a caffeine-free pre-workout is better. To get the best pre-workout for your needs, consult your physician to ensure the caffeine dosage is within something you can tolerate without negative effects like sleeplessness or jitters.
The best pre-workout supplements avoid unnecessary additives, fillers, artificial sweeteners, flavors, and dyes, which can be challenging as users want a pre-workout that mixes well and tastes good.
My advice to clients for label-reading is “less is more.”
You should avoid proprietary blends as these lack specific ingredient and dosage information, so you know what you are putting in your body.
If you are using pre-workout as a professional or competing athlete, it is crucial to avoid any ingredients considered banned substances.
“When selecting a pre-workout, be mindful of unwanted added ingredients, such as sugar, and to focus on products that add to your current lifestyle and a nutrient-rich eating approach.”
- Wendy Bazilian, Ph.D
Value
The recommended maintenance dose of creatine is 2250-10,000 mg (2.25-10 grams) per day, so remember this when reading supplement labels.
If you are looking for the benefits of creatine, look for a pre-workout within this range to give you the most value for your dollar.
Also, a laundry list of fancy-reading ingredients or blends doesn’t necessarily equal value worth two or more dollars per scoop.
Some pre-workouts priced significantly less offer effective doses of key ingredients like caffeine, creatine, beta-alanine, BCAAs, and L-citrulline. The best value comes when you have the proper amounts of the right ingredients that are in line with your fitness goals.
There is no value in settling. There are plenty of options for pre-workouts and finding the right one that works well with your body, tastes good, and gives you the results you want may just come down to trial and error.
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FAQs
Is Pre-workout With Creatine Good?
Yes, a pre-workout with creatine is good because it helps fuel your muscles, enhancing both endurance and strength during intense training sessions. Creatine significantly benefits high-intensity speed exercise, endurance, muscular strength, power, and lean mass.
Which Creatine Is Best for Pre-workout?
The best creatine for pre-workout is creatine monohydrate. It is cost-effective, widely available, thoroughly researched, and has a good track record of improving exercise performance in pre-workouts or as a stand-alone supplement.
Is It Better to Take Creatine Before or After a Workout?
It is better to take a creatine supplement before your workout. Creatine promotes muscle growth and strength gains and delays muscle tiredness. Taking a pre-workout with creatine thirty minutes before working out can increase workout intensity and improve muscle pumps and recovery. It allows you to sustain your routine and take it to the next level, thus resulting in greater gains in the long run.
Our Pick for the Best Pre-workout With Creatine
During the months our testers used the various creatine pre-workouts as part of their fitness routine, we took extensive notes about fitness goals, diet, energy, focus, muscle pumps, recovery, and side effects.
The results I saw and the group's consensus were that Gorilla Mode offered the best results in terms of power output, improved focus, energy boost, and faster recovery.
It just seemed to hit all the marks for our test group, including being one of the most reasonably priced and best-tasting pre-workouts.
For these reasons, Gorilla Mode is our top pick for the best creatine pre-workouts.
Our #1 Recommendation
Gorilla Mode Pre-workout (Best Overall)
- A hefty dose of creatine for maximum lean muscle gain
- L-citrulline increases blood flow, feeding your muscles oxygen and nutrients
- A wide variety of flavors to appeal to different tastes
- Get 10% off using code: TOTALSHAPE
- The dosage of caffeine may be too intense for sensitive people
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