While any pre-workout can give you an extra burst of energy, they don't create the same overall effect.
Some can make you feel jittery, cause a crash, or make you stay up until 2 a.m. with your eyes twitching.
Many fitness enthusiasts and gym-goers claim that Beyond Raw doesn't cause jitters or crashes but pumps them up for their workouts and, at the same time, tastes delicious.
As an expert trainer, I researched its ingredients and effectiveness for 30 days and tried this product myself to see how it performs. Now, I’m sharing all I’ve learned in this Beyond Raw Lit pre-workout review.
What is Beyond Raw Lit?
Beyond Raw Lit is a pre-workout supplement manufactured by GNC, one of the world's leading health and wellness brands. It is made from clinically effective and carefully dosed ingredients and effectively delivers promised benefits.
Beyond Raw Lit promises at least three things:
- It gives quick energy for pumped-up workouts
- Boosts mental focus for better concentration
- Increases nitric production for improved blood flow
The main ingredients are Caffeine, Creatine, and Beta-Alanine.
The main ingredients, including Caffeine, Creatine, and Beta-Alanine, are well-known and scientifically supported pre-workout compounds.
This pre-workout drink also contains other beneficial components like non-essential amino acids, which according to the study published in the National Library of Medicine, can contribute to improved workout performance and recovery [1].
Our #1 Recommendation
Beyond Raw Lit
Rated With Total Shape's Scoring System
Beyond Raw Lit Ingredients
3.2 grams Beta-Alanine
Beta-Alanine works two-fold: it increases the capacity of the muscles to perform and reduces muscle fatigue.
According to another study in the National Library of Medicine, it increases the carnosine compound, which allows the muscles to perform longer and reduce the muscle-sore causing lactic acid buildup [2].
Simply put, it helps you lift heavier weights or run farther and faster with less soreness afterward.
The downside is that Beta-Alanine can cause a tingling or itchy feeling.
Creatine Monohydrate
I bet most supplement users are familiar with Creatine. Creatine is this little substance found in our muscles that converts its chemical form to make ATPs or energy that the muscle uses.
Beyond Raw Lit contains 1.5 grams of micronized creatine per serving, which is relatively lower than the recommended dosage of 3-5 grams per day.
Our muscles can perform better and longer with the continued supply of ATP, especially during high-intensity workouts [3].
Caffeine Anhydrous
Beyond Raw Lit contains an appropriate amount of caffeine stimulant, 250 milligrams per meal, which is quite enough to increase your energy and mental focus (or strength).
250 milligrams of caffeine per serving is just the right amount that allows you to enjoy other caffeinated drinks without the possibility of overstimulation.
Coffee Bean
It also contains Coffee Bean extract, which contains caffeine, so it also acts as a stimulant. However, coffee beans (more precisely green coffee beans) have a fat burning effect. They increase chlorogenic acid that helps you suppress appetite and burn calories.
ElevATP
Another great ingredient added to this product is ElevATP, which comes from ancient peat and apple extract.
It helps increase ATP production, which means more energy for the muscle fibers to boost their strength, power, and performance.
L-Citrulline
Next is L-Citrulline, which is essential for L-Arginine 2.0. Why L-Arginine 2.0? Because it's way better than L-Arginine in reaching your system.
When L-Citrulline passes through the stomach, a bunch of it becomes L-Arginine, and it works to increase nitric oxide production (N.O. support) in the body.
L-Citrulline helps increase the blood flow in the brain and body, leading to a better oxygen supply. It helps your body to keep up with the energy demands during heavy workouts.
This 3 grams of L-Citrulline provides the benefits of increased exercise endurance and better performance [4].
Nitrosigine
Nitrosigine also helps increase nitric oxide in the body, which improves blood flow.
It's a popular supplementation to athletes because it helps them get in the zone and feel their best during training.
These two ingredients.
L-Citrulline and Nitrosigine®, are better than L-Arginine when it comes to getting past the unfriendly enzymes in the stomach, so it effectively reaches your system.
Other ingredients in the Beyond Raw Lit supplement include:
- Citric Acid
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Sucralose
- Acesulfame Potassium
Benefits of Beyond Raw Lit
Gets You 'Pumped Up'
There are tons of positive reviews on Beyond Raw Lit's pumping or feeling good effects.
This product gives you an extra pump and helps you jump off your feet to the gym.
But what's more interesting is that I haven’t experienced a kind of energy that makes you feel crazy or cause jitters, but only smooth improvement.
One Beyond Raw Lit pre-workout review said it gave him the burst of energy that sustains and lasts and keeps him going throughout the day.
Increases Mental Focus
Beyond Raw Lit also helps to keep you focused on your workouts thanks to its focus-boosting ingredients — caffeine that increases concentration plus L-Citrulline and Nitrosigine that improves blood flow in the brain.
I have also noticed that my focus improved; I could even do many other tasks better.
It gave me that calmed yet wide-eyed focus for my workouts and even at work.
Boosts Strength & Endurance for Grueling Workouts
With a decent amount of caffeine anhydrous, and with 3.2 grams Beta-Alanine and ElevATP, you'll have the boost in strength and endurance to take on heavy workouts for more extended periods.
Although it's not like other pre-workouts that get me supercharged, I love the smooth energy it gives.
It makes me feel good while lifting weights or running, and that's just about what I need.
The 1.5 grams of Creatine Monohydrate dosage is relatively low and may not significantly help increase your power output. With that, it's beneficial to take creatine separately.
Effects Kick in Fast - 15 Min Before Workout
Another great thing about this pre-workout is the effects kick in 15 to 20 minutes. My experience seems to confirm this — I can drink this before striking the gym or even in the gym, and I will eventually feel the pump during exercise.
Beyond Raw Lit Side Effects
I found no significant side effects in using Beyond Raw Lit. But, here are some minor side effects that other users have experienced.
May Cause a Tingling Feeling on Their Skin
The Beta-Alanine component gives you weird tingling or itching side effects in your ears, shoulders, and other parts of your body. It's nothing severe or harmful; it'll just make you feel uneasy.
Some users don't experience this at all, while others mention the effect starts to fade after 30 minutes. For me, the itchy effect was there, but it lasted for about 30 minutes.
May Cause a Slight Crash
One of the side effects is it may cause a slight crash in some users. A few of my clients have experienced it, which might be because of the lack of complementary stimulants to caffeine, such as L-theanine, that balances its effects. However, 250 milligrams is a pretty fair amount for caffeine.
“Individuals respond differently to caffeine or coffee - depending on their genes and usual caffeine intake. If tolerated well, coffee is helpful for both mental and physical performance.”
- Dr Neil Schwartz, Expert in Sports Science from South Alabama University in the USA
Like some other users, I was lucky to experience a performance peak, with no crash at all.
How to Take Beyond Raw Lit?
Take one scoop of Beyond Raw Lit pre-workout powder and mix it in 8-10 ounces of cold water. The manufacturer claims that you can take this supplement on training and non-training days for extra pumps and a boost in focus.
Beyond Raw LIT offers a range of flavors designed to cater to a variety of taste preferences. These include options like Gummy Worm, Icy Fireworks, and Fruit Punch, each promising a unique taste experience. The Gummy Worm flavor was my favorite as it reminded me of the classic candy, but with a tangy twist that energizes the taste buds.
Our tests revealed that Beyond Raw LIT generally fares well when mixed. When mixed according to the recommended guidelines, the powder dissolved efficiently in water, leaving minimal residue.
The texture was smooth and consistent across all flavors, without any noticeable grittiness or clumping. This is a significant plus, as it ensures that the focus remains on the workout, not on the discomfort of consuming the supplement.
- Positive reviews on providing 'pumped up' or 'feel good' effects
- Gluten- and sugar-free
- Different delicious flavors (Gummy Worm, Blue Raspberry, and Bubble Gum)
- No reports of stomach cramps or indigestion
- A bit pricey
- Lacks co-stimulant for caffeine
Beyond Raw Lit Pre-Workout User Reviews
Here is what some of the users who were satisfied with Beyond Raw Lit have to say.
Although Michael has tried tons of pre-workouts, Beyond Raw Lit was by far the best. It gets him in the zone, gives him a good pump with no crash. He pointed out that he loves that ingredients are clinically dosed and without the fluff.
- Michael, California, USA
Cameron has been a weight lifter for 15 years, and this product helped him achieve even better results. It supplies him with the energy and mental sharpness he needs. Cameron encourages other users to give this a try. - Cameron
- Missouri, USA
However, some customers had poor results from this product, such as:
Lydia wasn’t satisfied with this product because it made her feel too itchy, so she concluded it was not the right product for her.
- Lydia, Indiana, USA
Adam said that It was a pretty intense pre-workout for him and made him lethargic all day.
- Adam, Florida, USA
Like many other users, it gave me that extra power I needed to get me pumped without causing any crashes.
How Does It Compare To Other Pre-Workout Supplements?
Let’s briefly examine how Beyond Raw Lit performs against three leading pre-workout supplements.
Gorilla Mode
Gorilla Mode is a pre-workout supplement from the creators of the popular nootropic Gorilla Mind Rush.
Packed with key ingredients like L-citrulline, creatine monohydrate, and betaine, Gorilla Mode boasts the ability to boost nitric oxide levels for an extra edge during workouts, a benefit that users in our test group validated.
Additionally, our testers were impressed by the fast-acting effects and easy mixability of Gorilla Mode, which offers a one-scoop serving of 15.245 grams, slightly higher than Beyond Raw Lit.
I appreciated that the label conveniently provides nutritional information for two scoops at a glance, eliminating the need to do mental math before my workout.
While Beyond Raw Lit has more caffeine, our test group felt that Gorilla Mode delivered ample energy without adverse side effects. And with over two dozen flavor options available, including the popular Tiger’s Blood, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
4 Gauge
Dietitians, nutritionists, athletes, and the manufacturer worked together to create its pre-workout supplement, 4 Gauge.
We put 4 Gauge to the test, and the results were impressive. Our trial users reported increased focus and energy, particularly noticeable during intense workout sessions.
4 Gauge contains 6000 mg of L-citrulline and 1000 mg of creatine monohydrate. Beyond Raw has half the amount of L-citrulline and more creatine monohydrate in its formula.
Additionally, our test group did not experience tingling often linked to beta-alanine as 4 Gauge omitted this ingredient from its formula and Beyond Raw Lit did not.
Transparent Labs PreSeries BULK
Transparent Labs offers PreSeries Bulk, a powerful supplement formulated to kick-start muscle mass growth, ramp up energy levels, and boost endurance using key ingredients like 6000 mg of Citrulline malate.
Beyond Raw Lit contains more caffeine (250 mg) compared to PreSeries Bulk’s 180 mg.
We tested Transparent Labs with our volunteer group and found it mixed perfectly without clumping while providing an incredible boost to focus and energy.
Our #1 Recommendation
Beyond Raw Lit
Rated With Total Shape's Scoring System
Where to Buy and Price
You can buy the product online via their website or on Amazon, as it isn't available in any physical store.
This pre-workout is on the side of more expensive products, but in my opinion, it’s worth the price because each tub contains 30 servings.
You can also check out some discounts and promotions on their website. Another benefit of this platform is that you need not worry about receiving counterfeit or expired supplements. As such, be wary if you see online listings on websites other than the ones above.
FAQ
Does Beyond Raw Lit Give Pumps?
Yes, Beyond Raw Lit increases nitric oxide levels, intensifying muscle pumps.
Are There Risks for Consuming Beyond Raw Lit?
Yes, consuming Beyond Raw Lit may expose you to chemicals that could cause birth defects.
How Much Caffeine Does Beyond Raw Lit Have?
Beyond Raw Lit has 250mg of caffeine per serving.
Our Verdict on Beyond Raw Lit
Having personally tested Beyond Raw LIT, I find it to be a decent pre-workout supplement. It effectively boosts energy, focus, and endurance, making workouts more efficient.
However, for those sensitive to Beta-alanine's tingling effect, I recommend Gorilla Mode as an alternative. It offers a lower caffeine content and omits Beta-alanine, ensuring a smoother experience.
Gorilla Mode stands out for its gentler yet effective approach, catering to a broader range of users.
We Recommend This Instead
Gorilla Mode
Rated With Total Shape's Scoring System
- Contains a significant amount of caffeine for muscle endurance and strength
- Longer lasting energy without the jitters due to the caffeine and L-theanine combination
- No proprietary blends or artificial sweeteners
- Vegan-friendly pre-workout supplement
- Get 10% off using code: TOTALSHAPE
- Some more flavor options would be great to avoid getting bored of it
About The Author
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I only tried it today, and I’m not sure when it started to wear off or if it has yet lol it’s been 2 hours and I feel amazing after my workout.
I’m a trainer and a strong believer in the benefits of a good pre-workout. I’ve tried many different brands and Beyond Raw Lit is by far my favorite. It’s not too expensive, it’s organic, the taste is great, and it works like no other! I highly recommend this product to anyone who is looking for an all-around great pre-workout.