Pre-Workout Supplements: Separating Science From Marketing

Pre-workout is the most overhyped category in sports nutrition. Most products rely on caffeine and beta-alanine tingles to make you feel like something is working. Here is what the research says about the ingredients that actually enhance performance.

Ingredients That Work

Caffeine, citrulline, and beta-alanine at effective doses — the evidence-backed trifecta.

Ingredients That Do Not

Proprietary blends, pixie-dusted BCAAs, and the marketing tricks that inflate prices.

Top Picks

Pre-workouts that deliver effective doses of proven ingredients without unnecessary fillers.

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Dr. Ryan Cole
Sports Nutritionist & Supplement Researcher (MSc Nutrition)

Bringing real-world experience and rigorous testing to every recommendation on Supplement Specialist.

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