Best Draft
Reviewed by: Oleksiy Torokhtiy (Olympian with 21 years of Oly Lifting experience)
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Taken 30-60 minutes before exercise, pre-workout supplements can improve endurance, increase strength, and provide you with extra energy throughout your workout.
Reviewed by: Oleksiy Torokhtiy (Olympian with 21 years of Oly Lifting experience)
With pre-workout powders containing a number of ingredient combinations, creatine is commonly added as one of the most widely studied beneficial ergogenic aids.
Experts Who Contributed To This Article
Olympian with 21 years of Oly Lifting experience
6 years of Oly Lifting & Training experience
Certified Sports Nutritionist, MSc
20 years of Oly Lifting & Training experience
26 years of Oly Lifting & Training experience
Coach, Physiotherapist
Weightlifting and Functional Fitness Coach | Educator
Bachelor of Science, Human Biology
Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)
The Doctor of PM&R of the Georgian Olympic team
M.Sc.Eng. Biotechnology, Sports Nutritionist
Personal Coach, Functional Range Conditioning Mobility Specialist
Running Coach Nike Run Club Kyiv
Former Cirque Du Soleil Artist, Ukrainian Gymnast
Personal Trainer, Weightlifter
Sport Nutrition Сoach, 5x IFBB World Champion
Choosing the best pre workout with creatine can be difficult, with different creatine forms and ingredient interactions influencing the overall effectiveness of the pre workout.
I’ve reviewed the top seven pre workout supplements with creatine, comparing the ingredient combinations used and the efficacy of each dose.
In a hurry?
In a hurry and can’t keep reading? How about you check out the Pre-Kaged.
Kaged Muscle’s ‘Pre-kaged’ pre-workout stands out with its focus on high-quality, scientifically-backed ingredients, including creatine HCL, beta-alanine, and l-citrulline, providing an effective solution for boosting strength, power, and pump during workouts.
Top 7 Best Pre-Workouts with Creatine Reviewed
- Pre-Kaged – Top Pick
- ProSupps Hyde – Runner-Up
- Naked Energy
- Gorilla Mode
- Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard
- Myprotein the Pre-workout
- 4 Gauge 4-in-1 Pre-Workout
| Product | Total | Ingredient Breakdown | Stimulation | Taste/Flavor | Nutrition Label Transparency | Price/Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Kaged | 45 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| ProSupps Hyde | 43 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 7 |
| Naked Energy | 43 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Gorilla Mode | 42 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 |
| ON Gold Standard | 41 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 6 |
| Myprotein | 40 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 5 |
| 4 Gauge 4-in-1 | 37 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
1. Pre-Kaged – Top Pick
KAGED MUSCLE Preworkout
- Item Form: Powder
- Best For: High-intensity Exercise Performance, Muscular Strength, Muscular Endurance, Training Volume, Reducing Fatigue, Enhanced “Pumping” Effect
- Flavors: Pink Lemonade, Grape, Fruit Punch, Krisp Apple, Orange Krush, Berry Blast
- Caffeine (mg): 274 mg
- Special Ingredients: Creatine HCL, Beta-alanine, L-Citrulline, Betaine
- Serving Size: 28 grams
- Servings per Container: 20
- Price per Serving: ~$2.02
- Company Founded: 2014
- Recommended By Athletes: Brady Barnes, Tawna McCoy, Richard Biglia
Title
- Caffeine (mg): 274 mg
- Special Ingredients: Creatine HCL
- Serving Size: 28 grams
- Servings per Container: 20
- Company Founded: 2014
- Recommended By Athletes:
- Recommended By Athletes:
- Recommended By Athletes:
- Recommended By Athletes:
- Recommended By Athletes:
- Recommended By Athletes:
- Recommended By Athletes:
Title
- Caffeine (mg): 274 mg
- Special Ingredients: Creatine HCL
- Serving Size: 28 grams
- Servings per Container: 20
- Price per Serving: ~$2.02
- Company Founded: 2014
- Recommended By Athletes:
- Recommended By Athletes:
- Recommended By Athletes:
- Recommended By Athletes:
- Recommended By Athletes:
- Recommended By Athletes:
- Recommended By Athletes:
Founded in 2014, Kaged wants to help you reach your health and fitness goals without cutting corners. The company aims to focus on high-quality, scientifically-backed ingredients to create quality products that bridge the gap between health and sports performance.
- Item Form: Powder
- Best For: High-intensity Exercise Performance, Muscular Strength, Muscular Endurance, Training Volume, Reducing Fatigue, Enhanced “Pumping” Effect
- Flavors: Pink Lemonade, Grape, Fruit Punch, Krisp Apple, Orange Krush, Berry Blast
- Caffeine (mg): 274 mg
- Special Ingredients: Creatine HCL, Beta-alanine, L-Citrulline, Betaine
- Serving Size: 28 grams
- Servings per Container: 20
- Price per Serving: ~$2.02
- Company Founded: 2014
- Recommended By Athletes: Brady Barnes, Tawna McCoy, Richard Biglia
The Kaged Muscle ‘Pre-kaged’ pre-workout has an extra large 28-gram serving size, combining several ingredients into one powder. In addition to a strong mix of ergogenic substances, it uses a hydrate and defend mix that combines 500 mg of coconut water with a blend of several hydration ingredients that help to replenish lost electrolytes during exercise. It’s my top pick pre workout with creatine HCL.
In terms of evidence-based ingredients, the Pre-kaged pre-workout hits the mark nicely. Its strength and power matrix blend contains 1.5 grams of creatine HCL, 1.6 grams of beta-alanine, and 2.5 grams of betaine anhydrous. As a pump enhancer, it has 6.5 grams of fermented l-citrulline and 274 mg of organic caffeine from green coffee beans.
The first thing that draws attention is the use of creatine HCL instead of monohydrate. We’ve written repeatedly about the fact that the only real advantage of hydrochloride over monohydrate is its better solubility. However, when it comes to a pre-workout complex, this quality can be crucial for those who experience stomach discomfort from creatine. No one wants to suffer from abdominal bloating or nausea while working out, and with this form of creatine, the risk of these side effects is reduced.
Photo by @kagedfireman
A solid dose of 274 mg of caffeine improves concentration and helps you focus on hard work. If you’re just starting to experiment with a pre-workout complex, it’s worth considering that this is a fairly high dose of caffeine. Taking half a dose to assess tolerance is a reasonable starting point.
The 1.6 grams of beta-alanine is at the right dose to limit digestive issues and the 2.5 grams of betaine is at the high end of the recommended dose. The 6.5 grams of l-citrulline should provide an excellent pump. So, the supplement combines everything you need for a hard workout.
Each tub contains 20 servings and is available in a decent flavor range with six options to choose from. All ingredients have been third-party tested, with the pre-kaged powder Informed-sport certified. It’s also suitable for vegans. Kaged Muscle has given excellent label transparency, with each ingredient amount and form clearly stated on the tub.
Pre-kaged pre-workout offers a powerful blend of ingredients, including caffeine for focus, beta-alanine to minimize digestive issues, and l-citrulline for an excellent pump, making it a reliable choice for boosting workout performance.
Positives:
Could be better:
How to pick pre workout
A solid dose of 274 mg of caffeine improves concentration and helps you focus on hard work. If you're just starting to experiment with a pre-workout complex, it's worth considering that this is a fairly high dose of caffeine. Taking half a dose to assess tolerance is a reasonable starting point.
The 1.6 grams of beta-alanine is at the right dose to limit digestive issues and the 2.5 grams of betaine is at the high end of the recommended dose. The 6.5 grams of l-citrulline should provide an excellent pump. So, the supplement combines everything you need for a hard workout.
Tips From the Champ
The surface you’re running on is another great thing about it because it’s low impact. This means that it’s nice to your hips, knees, and ankles and it’s good to use even if you have issues with your joints. The belt is 45’’ in length when wrapped around the running surface. It’s also 17.5’’ wide – which is plenty.
Olympic Weightlifting Champion
Each tub contains 20 servings and is available in a decent flavor range with six options to choose from. All ingredients have been third-party tested, with the pre-kaged powder Informed-sport certified. It’s also suitable for vegans. Kaged Muscle has given excellent label transparency, with each ingredient amount and form clearly stated on the tub.
A solid dose of 274 mg of caffeine improves concentration and helps you focus on hard work. If you're just starting to experiment with a pre-workout complex, it's worth considering that this is a fairly high dose of caffeine. Taking half a dose to assess tolerance is a reasonable starting point.
The 1.6 grams of beta-alanine is at the right dose to limit digestive issues and the 2.5 grams of betaine is at the high end of the recommended dose. The 6.5 grams of l-citrulline should provide an excellent pump. So, the supplement combines everything you need for a hard workout.
Each tub contains 20 servings and is available in a decent flavor range with six options to choose from. All ingredients have been third-party tested, with the pre-kaged powder Informed-sport certified. It’s also suitable for vegans. Kaged Muscle has given excellent label transparency, with each ingredient amount and form clearly stated on the tub.-
Ihor Shymechko
PRO Olympic Weightlifter, Coach
Best Results: Snatch – 208 kg,
C&J – 240 kg
Ihor has been a professional weightlifter since 1996, boasting over two decades of competition experience. His notable achievements include clinching the European Championship in 2009 and securing a silver medal in the 105kg division at the Senior World Championships in 2011. Ihor represented his country in the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Summer Olympics.
After retiring from competitive weightlifting, he transitioned to coaching, leveraging his vast experience to guide athletes who now compete on both national and international stages.
Oleksiy Torokhtiy
Olympic Weightlifting Champion
Best Results: Snatch – 200 kg,
C&J – 240 kg
My name is Oleksiy Torokhtiy. I am a professional athlete with 20 years of experience in Olympic weightlifting. I have won multiple European, and World titles and have taken part in two Olympic Games (Beijing 2008, London 2012).
After finishing my career, I have committed myself to coaching, and as of 2022, I’ve hosted 200+ weightlifting seminars all over the globe. I’m the founder of an international sportswear and accessories brand, Warm Body Cold Mind (my motto), author, and creator of a series of training programs and eBooks.
Ihor Shymechko
PRO Olympic Weightlifter, Coach
Best Results: Snatch – 208 kg,
C&J – 240 kg
Ihor has been a professional weightlifter since 1996, boasting over two decades of competition experience. His notable achievements include clinching the European Championship in 2009 and securing a silver medal in the 105kg division at the Senior World Championships in 2011. Ihor represented his country in the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Summer Olympics.
After retiring from competitive weightlifting, he transitioned to coaching, leveraging his vast experience to guide athletes who now compete on both national and international stages.
Oleksiy Torokhtiy
Olympic Weightlifting Champion
Best Results: Snatch – 200 kg,
C&J – 240 kg
My name is Oleksiy Torokhtiy. I am a professional athlete with 20 years of experience in Olympic weightlifting. I have won multiple European, and World titles and have taken part in two Olympic Games (Beijing 2008, London 2012).
After finishing my career, I have committed myself to coaching, and as of 2022, I’ve hosted 200+ weightlifting seminars all over the globe. I’m the founder of an international sportswear and accessories brand, Warm Body Cold Mind (my motto), author, and creator of a series of training programs and eBooks.
Why Trust Us?
With over 20 years in Olympic Weightlifting, our team does its best to provide the audience with ultimate support and meet the needs and requirements of advanced athletes and professional lifters, as well as people who strive to open new opportunities and develop their physical capabilities with us.
All products we select are primarily approved and tested by the Olympic Weightlifting Champion Oleksii Torokhtiy. Under his guidance, we provide honest and reasonable assessments of the products we review by checking their characteristics, packaging, design, comfort and durability features, and general product rating. We select products from only high-quality and trusted sports brands, thus vouching for their quality.
The product testing process is described in more detail here
Author: Ihor Shymechko
Pro Olympic Weightlifter, Coach
Best Results: Snatch – 208 kg,
C&J – 240 kg
Ihor has been a professional weightlifter since 1996, boasting over two decades of competition experience. His notable achievements include clinching the European Championship in 2009 and securing a silver medal in the 105kg division at the Senior World Championships in 2011. Ihor represented his country in the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Summer Olympics. After retiring from competitive weightlifting, he transitioned to coaching, leveraging his vast experience to guide athletes who now compete on both national and international stages.
If you have any questions/suggestions/any other inquiries considering product reviews, you can reach out to us via email – [email protected]
