9 Best Pre-Workouts for Weight Loss in 2024

Have you ever wondered which product is the best pre-workout for weight loss? Because pre-workout gives its users a solid boost of energy, it is a popular supplement for those looking to lose weight. Several factors go into whether or not a pre-workout is good for weight loss, caffeine content being one of them. In this article, we’ll be breaking down your 9 best choices if you’re looking to use pre-workout to lose weight.

Best Pre-Workouts for Weight Loss

Top 9 Best Pre-Workouts for Weight Loss Reviewed

  1. Transparent Labs LEAN TRAINING & FAT-LOSS FORMULA – Top Pick 
  2. HUGE WRECKED – Runner Up
  3. Transparent Labs BULK BLACK
  4. Pre-Kaged® Pre-Workout
  5. LEGION Pulse Pre Workout
  6. JACKED-FACTORY NITROSURGE SHRED
  7. C4 Ultimate® Shred
  8. Promix Pre-Workout 
  9. 4 GAUGE Pre Workout
ProductTotalIngredients BreakdownStimulation*Taste/FlavorNutrition Label TransparencyValue for Money
Transparent Labs LEAN TRAINING47.59.59109.59.5
HUGE479.59109.59
TransparentLabs BULK BLACK46.591099.59
Pre-Kaged®468.510999
LEGION Pulse45.59108108.5
JACKED-FACTORY458.5989.510
C4 Ultimate®44.5810989.5
Promix4489.58.5108
4 GAUGE43.598.58.59.58
TOP PICK

1. Transparent Labs LEAN TRAINING & FAT-LOSS FORMULA

transpaernt labs lean
  • Item Form: Powder
  • Diet Type (best for): Cutting, Increase Energy
  • Flavor: Strawberry Lemonade, Fruit Punch, Sour Peach, Blue Raspberry, Green Apple, Orange, Cherry Limeade, Sour Grape, Watermelon, Tropic Punch
  • Caffeine: 180mg
  • Special Ingredients: Citrulline Malate, Beta-Alanine, BetaPure, L-Carnitine, L-Theanine, BioPerin
  • Package Information: 495g (30 servings)
  • Serving: 16.5g
  • Company Founded: 2015
  • Recommended by Athletes: Hafthor BjornssonPaul SklarSean Harris

If you’ve read our other supplement reviews, then Transparent Labs likely needs no introduction. Often at the top of our ratings, Transparent Labs consistently produces some of the best supplements in this space. Boasting one of the best fat-burning pre-workouts available, Lean is no exception.

Transparent Labs claims its edge comes from its “fat-burning and thyroid support complex” which is built up of Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Chromium Picolinate, and Zinc. So, does this pre-workout with fat burners actually live up to the hype?

While L-Carnitine does play a vital role in how our bodies convert fatty acids into energy, it appears it does not actually aid in weight loss. Chromium, on the other hand, enhances the action of insulin and has been shown to potentially aid in weight loss, although deeper studies are needed to confirm this.

Finally, zinc does not appear to give any real weight loss advantage, but it is shown to support the immune system. Either hard training or low-calorie diet may lead to an increased risk of infections, so supporting the immune system during weight loss is a good point.

Ultimately, this fat-burning complex appears to not have any ingredients that would make a significant difference to a standard pre-workout. However, this does not mean Lean is not still a great all-around pre-workout for fat loss. Like all of Transparent Labs’ products, it contains no artificial sweeteners, coloring, or preservatives. It also contains effective doses of many other ingredients like Citrulline Malate, Beta-Alanine, and Betaine Anhydrous. Finally, this supplement contains 200mg of caffeine, which is right in the sweet spot of stimulation without being too high.

47.5 EXPERT SCORE

This fat-burning complex appears to not have any ingredients that would make a significant difference to a standard pre-workout. However, this does not mean Lean is not still a great all-around pre-workout for fat loss.


Ingredient Breakdown:0
Stimulation:0
Taste/Flavor:0
Nutrition Label Transparency:0
Value for Money:0

Positives:

  • Effective doses of all its ingredients
  • No artificial ingredients
  • Ingredient information is backed up by clinical studies on their website
  • 10% off subscription offer
  • Wide range of flavors to choose from

Could be better:

  • Fat Loss matrix is a bit of misleading marketing protein percent of calories
  • Not many servings for the price

2. HUGE WRECKED – Runner Up

HUGE WRECKED
  • Item Form: Powder
  • Best for: Cutting, Increased Energy
  • Flavor: Watermelon Slush, Raspberry Mojito, Bomb Popsicle, Rainbow Burst, Peach Rings, Sour Gummy
  • Caffeine: 125mg Caffeine Anhydrous & 50mg Di-Caffeine Malate
  • Special Ingredients: Lion’s Mane Mushroom Powder, Rauwolscine, Alpha GPC
  • Package Information: 611.6g
  • Serving: 15.5g
  • Company Founded: 2019
  • Recommended by Athletes: Matt GreggoTren TwinsMax Taylor

Up next on our list is Wrecked from Huge Supplements. Quickly becoming one of the most popular supplement brands out there, Huge has consistently delivered some top-notch products. Wrecked is no exception, being an excellent pre-workout for fat loss.

One of the main differentiators of this product is its use of di-caffeine malate alongside caffeine anhydrous. Di-caffeine malate is a mixture of caffeine and malic acid. This combination is thought to provide a slower release of caffeine compared to other forms of caffeine to help prevent digestive issues that can be caused by caffeine, including cramps, nausea, or dizziness. It is worth noting that there is not yet enough research to support this feature, but it is likely Wrecked will be easier on your digestive system than many other pre-workouts.

Wrecked also uses unique ingredients such as Lion’s Mane Mushroom Powder, and Rauwolscine. Unfortunately, these ingredients don’t seem to have many advantages in terms of metabolic flexibility, cognition or performance. You may be interested in trying out these supplements, just be aware they don’t seem to have real benefits to training.

On top of these unique ingredients, Wrecked also contains effective doses of many classic pre-workout staples, like Beta Alanine, Betaine, L-Tyrosine, L-Citrulline, and Alpha-GPC.

While the supplement contains a solid 175mg of caffeine (125mg Caffeine Anhydrous & 50mg Di-Caffeine Malate), there are some discrepancies between the site’s FAQ – which claims double this number – and the product label. We recommend using the information on the product label as it is more reliable.

47 EXPERT SCORE

Its use of di-caffeine malate alongside caffeine anhydrous. Di-caffeine malate is a mixture of caffeine and malic acid.


Ingredient Breakdown:0
Stimulation:0
Taste/Flavor:0
Nutrition Label Transparency:0
Value for Money:0

Positives:

  • Effective doses of all its key ingredients
  • Di-Caffeine Malate should reduce the potential side effects of caffeine
  • Solid amount of servings for the price

Could be better:

  • Unclear information about caffeine content on website
  • Ingredients like Lion’s Mane and Rauwolscine don’t appear to have real benefits

3. Transparent Labs BULK BLACK

transparent labs bulk
  • Item Form: Powder
  • Best for: Cutting, Increased Energy
  • Flavor: Cherry Kiwi, Blue Raspberry, Peach Mango, Sour Gummy, Black Cherry
  • Caffeine: 275mg Caffeine Anhydrous, 30mg DiCaffeine Malate
  • Special Ingredients: Alpha-GPC, L-Tyrosine, Beta-Alanine
  • Package Information: 630g
  • Serving: 21g
  • Company Founded: 2015
  • Recommended by Athletes: Hafthor BjornssonPaul SklarSean Harris

The second Transparent Labs product on our list – which should show you how good these products really are – is their signature Bulk pre-workout. Now, you may be wondering why a bulking pre-workout is on a list dedicated to losing weight, and that’s because of its high caffeine content and effective ingredient list. Although it may not be labeled as such, for experienced pre-workout users, this may just be the best pre-workout for cutting.

With 305 mg total of caffeine, Bulk is right at the top end of the recommended caffeine threshold. This will make it a great pick for those who have been using pre-workout for a while, and want some extra stimulation. While you’re in a caloric deficit, you naturally have less energy, so a solid hit of caffeine like this might be just what you need when you’re in the gym.

It is worth noting that the effects of caffeine last for many hours. So even after a workout you will feel this boost, which helps keep spontaneous motor activity at a high level, which is important for weight loss.

From here, the ingredient list is fairly similar to Transparent Labs’ Lean formula – featuring Citrulline Malate, Beta-Alanine, and Betaine Anhydrous, all at slightly higher doses. This supplement also contains nootropic ingredients like L-Tyrosine and Alpha-GPC.

Ultimately, because of the high caffeine content, and higher doses of ingredients, we recommend this for more experienced pre-workout users. If you tolerate high doses of caffeine this pre-workout can be your friend in weight loss. For those trying out these supplements for the first time, we recommend Lean instead or starting with a half dose.

46.5 EXPERT SCORE

With 305 mg total of caffeine, Bulk is right at the top end of the recommended caffeine threshold. This will make it a great pick for those who have been using pre-workout for a while, and want some extra stimulation.


Ingredient Breakdown:0
Stimulation:0
Taste/Flavor:0
Nutrition Label Transparency:0
Value for Money:0

Positives:

  • High, effective doses of all its ingredients
  • A unique nootropic stack containing L-Tyrosine and Alpha-GPC
  • High caffeine content for experienced pre-workout users

Could be better:

  • High ingredient doses make this unideal for pre-workout beginners
  • Similar to Lean, there is a low amount of servings for the price

4. Pre-Kaged® Pre-Workout

pre-kaged pre-workout
  • Item Form: Powder
  • Best for: Cutting, Increased Energy
  • Flavor: Pink Lemonade, Grape, Fruit Punch, Krisp Apple, Orange Krush, Berry Blast, Cherry Bomb
  • Caffeine: 274mg
  • Special Ingredients: L-Citrulline, Beta-Alanine, Creatine HCL, Fermented BCAAs, Spectra Antioxidants
  • Package Information: 560g
  • Serving: 28g
  • Company Founded: 2015
  • Recommended by Athletes: Andrea SomerColt NicholsKris Gethin

Next on our list is the signature pre-workout from Kaged, Pre-Kaged. With its high caffeine content and unique set of ingredients, this is an all-around great pre-workout.

First, with 274 mg per serving, this is a solid serving that should be reserved for more experienced users. However, similar to Transparent Labs’ Bulk – for those experienced pre-workout users on a cut, this hit of stimulation is likely just what you need.

Next, several ingredients make Kaged stand out. First is its Creatine HCL, which at 1.5g is not a super high dose, but if taken alongside creatine monohydrate, should generate some serious results. Next is its “Hydrate & Defend” mixture, which consists of Coconut Water Powder, and its SPECTRA Antioxidant blend. The coconut water will help with hydration during tough workouts – which is especially important when consuming high levels of caffeine – and the SPECTRA blend provides 29 fruit and veggie extracts to help “support cellular metabolic activity”.

Pre-Kaged® Pre-Workout instagram
Photo by @iaincashkaged

Pre-Kaged also contains BCAAs fermented from plant-based sources, instead of being extracted through chemical hydrolysis. This is a unique process, and Kaged claims that this type of BCAAs tastes better, mixes easier, and is all around better for you. We have our doubts that it really has all these special benefits, but in any case, BCAAs in pre-workout will help with more intense strength training in a caloric deficit.

This supplement also contains many pre-workout staples, like L-Citrulline and Beta-Alanine making it an all-around great option. This product also contains sucralose, for those who care.

46 EXPERT SCORE

Pre-Kaged – its high caffeine content and unique set of ingredients, this is an all-around great pre-workout.


Ingredient Breakdown:0
Stimulation:0
Taste/Flavor:0
Nutrition Label Transparency:0
Value for Money:0

Positives:

  • High caffeine dose
  • High doses of its many unique ingredients
  • Subscription service offers 10% off

Could be better:

  • Low amount of servings for the price
  • Contains sucralose (con for those who prefer natural sweeteners)

5. LEGION Pulse Pre Workout

Pulse Natural
  • Item Form: Powder
  • Best for: Cutting, Increased Energy
  • Flavor: Arctic Blast, Blood Orange, Blue Raspberry, Blueberry Lemonade, Cherry Limeade, Fruit Punch, Grape, Green Apple, Mojito, Pink Lemonade, Sour Candy, Strawberry Kiwi, Strawberry Margarita, Tropical Punch, Watermelon
  • Caffeine: 350mg
  • Special Ingredients: L-Theanine, Citrulline Malate, Beta-Alanine, Alpha-GPC, Betaine
  • Package Information: 470g
  • Serving: 23.5g
  • Company Founded: 2014
  • Recommended by Athletes: Gage ClarkGrant TinsleyMachaela Brabham

Next on our list is Legion’s Pulse pre-workout. The product description on Amazon contains a quote from Dr. Bill Campbell, a professor of exercise science, who says “Legion is science-based at its core. All of their products contain doses proven to be effective by scientific studies.” Let’s see if this claim holds up!

As their product description goes on to show, 56 peer-reviewed studies back up the ingredients list behind Legion’s product. What’s great is that they not only list all their ingredients but quickly explain the purpose behind them as well. The key ingredients here include staples like L-Theanine, Alpha-GPC, Citrulline Malate, Beta-Alanine, and Betaine.

LEGION Pulse Pre Workout instagram
Photo by @padilla_julie

This product also contains 350 mg of caffeine, which is one of the highest doses on our list. Again, similar to the last few products this makes it less ideal for pre-workout beginners. However, if you’re looking for a high dose of caffeine, then this is a great choice.

If you’re looking for a pre-workout with a ton of unique ingredients, this isn’t it. What you’ll be getting is a stripped-down, science-backed pre-workout that gets the job done.

45.5 EXPERT SCORE

This product also contains 350 mg of caffeine, which is one of the highest doses on our list. Again, similar to the last few products this makes it less ideal for pre-workout beginners.


Ingredient Breakdown:0
Stimulation:0
Taste/Flavor:0
Nutrition Label Transparency:0
Value for Money:0

Positives:

  • Science-based formula
  • High caffeine dose
  • A long list of flavors

Could be better:

  • High caffeine content makes it unsuitable for beginners
  • Some reviews suggest an unpleasant flavor

6. Jacked-Factory Nitrosurge Shred

Jacked-Factory Nitrosurge Shred
  • Item Form: Powder
  • Best for: Cutting, Increased Energy
  • Flavor: Cherry Limeade, Lemon Lime, Watermelon, Fruit Punch, Black Cherry, Blueberry Lemonade
  • Caffeine: 180mg
  • Special Ingredients: L-Citrulline, Beta-Alanine, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, L-Theanine, Theobromine
  • Package Information: 207g
  • Serving: 7.2g
  • Company Founded: 2006
  • Recommended by Athletes: Morgan MacMike OliverBhuwan Chauhan

Next, we have Jacked-Factory’s Nitrosurge Shred pre-workout, which is a pre-workout specifically targeted toward fat loss.

Similar to Transparent Labs’ Lean, it claims that its use of L-Carnitine will help assist in fat-burning. As we’ve already covered, there is very little evidence to support this claim. The solid dose of caffeine at 180 mg will do much more to assist in the process of losing fat, as it will provide you with energy to get through your workouts. The other ingredients are fairly standard for pre-workouts, including L-Citrulline, Beta Alanine, L-Theanine, and Theobromine.

Jacked-Factory Nitrosurge Shred instagram
Photo by @vicksquiggles

One aspect of Jacked-Factory’s product that may turn some off is its marketing that claims it is a “step up from other pre-workouts”, additionally claiming it will provide “endless energy” and “increases in strength”. These claims are fairly hyperbolic, to say the least, and are misleading, especially when taking a look at other similar pre-workouts on the market. Also, this product contains sucralose.

Pros of this product come from its formula that forgoes artificial dyes and filler ingredients, as well as its generous 15% off subscription offer. Overall, this is a solid pre-workout, even though its claims are somewhat misleading.

45 EXPERT SCORE

In this product the solid dose of caffeine at 180 mg will do much more to assist in the process of losing fat, as it will provide you with energy to get through your workouts. The other ingredients are fairly standard, including L-Citrulline, Beta Alanine and etc.


Ingredient Breakdown:0
Stimulation:0
Taste/Flavor:0
Nutrition Label Transparency:0
Value for Money:0

Positives:

  • A Solid formula that avoids filler ingredients
  • Generous subscription offer
  • Solid value for money
  • The moderate caffeine dose is suitable for pre-workout beginners

Could be better:

  • Hyperbolic marketing on their website
  • “Fat-burning” ingredients will likely not help much with weight loss
  • Contains sucralose

7. C4 Ultimate® Shred

C4 Ultimate® Shred
  • Item Form: Powder
  • Best for: Cutting, Increased Energy
  • Flavor: Icy Blue Razz, Lemon Italian Ice, Strawberry Watermelon
  • Caffeine: 300mg
  • Special Ingredients: Beta-Alanine, C4 Super Citrulline Pump Matrix, AlphaGPC, Theacrine, Capsimax Cayenne
  • Package Information: 316g
  • Serving: 15.8g
  • Company Founded: 2011
  • Recommended by Athletes: Brittany AnnScott MathisonDemi Bagby

Next on our list, we have the specific cutting product from the most recognizable pre-workout brand out there – C4. Let’s see how their Ultimate Shred blend stacks up against the other products on this list, and if the brand has earned its status in the market.

First, the product description claims that C4’s use of Capsimax Cayenne will act to help burn fat, but is this true? The notion that capsaicin – what makes chilis spicy – assists in burning calories has been around for a long time, but it does not appear to provide real value. Although there is some evidence that the use of capsaicin may help with appetite control, in studies capsaicin intake has been tied to meals, an individual intake of this supplement may not have these properties. The thermogenic effect of capsaicin is not significant with little effect on weight loss. In general, if this substance does affect weight loss, the effect is unlikely to be significant.

With this being said, the product does contain high doses of its other ingredients, such as Beta-alanine, L-Citrulline, AlphaGPC, and, of course, caffeine. At 300mg of caffeine per serving, this is another very high dose that should be reserved for advanced pre-workout users. Like Kaged and Jacked-Factory’s products, C4 also contains sucralose, which may be a con for those who prefer natural sweeteners.

Overall, while C4 Ultimate Shred is a solid product, their claims about fat-burning are largely unsubstantiated, and in terms of weight loss, it is likely just as effective as any other standard pre-workout out there.

44.5 EXPERT SCORE

C4 Ultimate Shred is a solid product, their claims about fat-burning are largely unsubstantiated, and in terms of weight loss, it is likely just as effective as any other standard pre-workout out there.


Ingredient Breakdown:0
Stimulation:0
Taste/Flavor:0
Nutrition Label Transparency:0
Value for Money:0

Positives:

  • High dose of caffeine
  • A solid mix of ingredients including nootropics like AlphaGPC
  • Very generous 30% off for subscription service

Could be better:

  • Misleading claims about capsaicin’s fat-burning properties
  • Contains sucralose

8. Promix Pre-Workout 

Promix Pre-workout Lemon
  • Item Form: Powder
  • Best for: Cutting, Increased Energy
  • Flavor: Lemon, Mixed Berry, Strawberry Lemon, Tingle Free Lemon, Cherry Lime, Raspberry Lemon, Stim-Free Raspberry Lemon
  • Caffeine: 200mg (Stim-Free option available)
  • Special Ingredients: Beta-Alanine, L-Tyrosine, Taurine
  • Package Information: 285g
  • Serving: 9.5g
  • Company Founded: 2011
  • Recommended by Athletes: Odell Beckham Jr.Audrey & Nicole NourseRashaad Slowley

Next up is Promix’s pre-workout which offers one of the simplest formulas on our list. What differentiates this product as a cutting pre-workout is its use of lemon.

All of the flavors except for cherry lime contain lemon oil, lemon juice, and lemon extractives. The reason this can be beneficial for cutting is that studies on animals have shown lemon polyphenols to possibly prevent or improve obesity and insulin resistance. While these ingredients appear to be included for flavor, they may have some effect on fat loss. But more research is needed to see if it works on people.

Aside from this, the pre-workout is relatively bare bones. Its main ingredients are beta-alanine, l-tyrosine, and 200mg of caffeine from coffee bean extract. There is also a stimulant-free version available, which may be perfect for teenagers or those with caffeine sensitivity.

Overall, this is a very simple pre-workout that will help you train at your best, even in a calorie deficit.

44 EXPERT SCORE

Its main ingredients are beta-alanine, l-tyrosine, and 200mg of caffeine from coffee bean extract. There is also a stimulant-free version available, which may be perfect for teenagers or those with caffeine sensitivity.


Ingredient Breakdown:0
Stimulation:0
Taste/Flavor:0
Nutrition Label Transparency:0
Value for Money:0

Positives:

  • Simple formula
  • A solid dose of caffeine appropriate for both beginners and experienced users
  • Stim-free option available
  • 10% off subscription offer

Could be better:

  • Does not contain many ingredients you may expect from a pre-workout
  • Caffeine content may be too much for beginners and not enough for experienced users

9. 4 GAUGE Pre Workout

4 Gauge
  • Item Form: Powder
  • Best for: Cutting, Increased Energy
  • Flavor: Fruit Blast, Pina Colada, Frozen Lemonade
  • Caffeine: 150mg
  • Special Ingredients: L-Citrulline Dl-Malate, Creatine Monohydrate, Acetyl L-Carnitine, Coconut Water Powder, L-Theanine, Rhodiola Rosea Powder, Red Beet Root Extract
  • Package Information: 280g
  • Serving: 10g
  • Company Founded: 2016
  • Recommended by Athletes: The Fitness Technician

Finally, we have 4 Gauge, which is one of the lesser-known brands on our list. With unique packaging resembling a shotgun shell, does this pre-workout deliver on its explosive marketing?

Ultimately, this is a simple and effective pre-workout. At 150mg of caffeine, 4Gauge prides itself on having a moderate dose of caffeine that won’t lead to crashes or jitters. It also contains L-Theanine, creatine monohydrate, and L-Citrulline. Finally, it contains the nootropic ingredient Rhodiola Rosea which has been popular in Asia for centuries for a variety of different treatments.

The main downside with 4 Gauge is its price, as it is one of the most expensive products on our list. While it’s certainly a solid product, it is up to you if it is worth the hefty price tag. 

43.5 EXPERT SCORE

At 150mg of caffeine, 4Gauge prides itself on having a moderate dose of caffeine that won’t lead to crashes or jitters. It also contains L-Theanine, creatine monohydrate, and L-Citrulline.


Ingredient Breakdown:0
Stimulation:0
Taste/Flavor:0
Nutrition Label Transparency:0
Value for Money:0

Positives:

  • An effective mild dose of caffeine
  • Solid doses of unique ingredients
  • Offers a money-back guarantee and subscription service

Could be better:

  • High price tag
  • Reviews suggest poor mixability

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Do Pre-Workouts Really Help Burn Fat?

It is a common misconception that pre-workouts themselves will automatically help people lose weight. While many people use pre-workout to burn fat, weight loss is a process that requires lots of effort and dedication, and there is no miracle solution. There are several ingredients that supplement companies will often claim aid with fat loss, and we’re going to be taking a look at why these claims are often not true. The main ingredient that aids in burning fat found in pre-workouts is caffeine because of its energy-boosting and appetite-suppressing properties.

gym workout

1. Does L-Carnitine Burn Fat?

One of the most popular ingredients for fat loss in pre-workouts is L-Carnitine, which companies will often claim to aid in your body’s ability to convert fat into cellular energy. While this is true, there is little scientific evidence to back up claims that supplementation will improve your body’s ability to do this on its own.

One specific study examined the effectiveness of L-Carnitine supplementation as an aid to lipid metabolism during exercise. The results ultimately showed that L-Carnitine supplementation had negligible effects on fat-burning during exercise. Ultimately, it is not necessary for a pre-workout to contain L-carnitine to aid with fat loss, and the effects of caffeine will provide significantly more support in your weight loss journey. 

2. Does Capsaicin Burn Fat?

Another popular ingredient that is purported to aid with fat loss is capsaicin, a compound found in spicy peppers. Similar to L-Carnitine, it doesn’t appear like this compound has significant benefits for people trying to lose weight.

It appears this belief is linked to a study that showed a fairly large effect of capsaicin on mice, however, this does not necessarily mean humans have the same reaction, at least in decades of research on capsaicin, no such pronounced effects have been found. A detailed review of studies that attempt to link capsaicin use and weight control shows that the effects found are not significant or have been found in small studies that have not been replicated. It is also worth noting that the burning sensation that capsaicin can cause in the stomach and intestines is intolerable for some people, which further limits the use of this substance.

calf machine

3. The Effects Of Caffeine On Weight Loss

The main reason you should use pre-workout for losing weight is because of its most recognizable ingredient: caffeine. While caffeine does not appear to have any magical calorie-burning properties, what it does provide is a serious boost of energy and appetite suppression.

The reason this is so useful while you’re cutting weight is that it gives you the energy you need to burn the calories in the gym through exercise. In addition to boosting during exercise, caffeine helps maintain spontaneous motor activity throughout the day, which also has a positive effect on energy expenditure. This is especially useful when you’re in a caloric deficit because you will usually experience some fatigue as a result. Also, caffeine has been shown to temporarily suppress appetite, which can be useful during a cut when you’re not eating as much.

Overall, while caffeine will not magically burn fat by itself, it will be your best friend when cutting because of the energy it gives, and the added bonus of appetite suppression.

4. Additional Ingredients That Aid In Fat Loss

While caffeine is likely to have the most noticeable effect on your ability to lose weight, there are several other pre-workout ingredients that may help as well. These include beta-alanine, which works to reduce overall fatigue while working out. Similar to caffeine, this will help you workout longer, leading to more overall calories being burned. Another useful ingredient for cutting is creatine. Although creatine is often associated with weight gain, it helps increase high-intensity exercise capacity, making it useful for maintaining high performance during a cut. Although these ingredients do not directly help with fat loss, similar to caffeine, they will aid with fatigue, and maintain high performance while you’re in a caloric deficit.

What Key Conditions Must Be Met So That Pre-Workouts Really Help You Lose Weight?

While pre-workouts are a useful tool in your dieting arsenal, they ultimately won’t make much of a difference if you aren’t pushing yourself in the gym, and dialing in your nutrition. To make sure you’re getting the most out of pre-workout as a diet supplement, be sure you’re following these key conditions.

pull ups in gym

1. Sustained Calorie Deficit

The main metric that needs to be met if you want to lose weight is being in a sustained caloric deficit. This essentially means consuming fewer calories than you burn throughout the day. To find out how much you need to eat to be in a caloric deficit, use an online calorie calculator.

As long as you stay in a deficit, you should consistently lose weight. Of course, to do this you’ll need to exercise plenty and eat less than usual. Pre-workouts can help you with this as the caffeine content will help fuel you through your workouts, and even suppress your appetite to help you stay on track.

2. Diet Consistency And Flexibility

Another key aspect of losing weight is consistency with your diet, which will usually require some flexibility. Staying in a sustained caloric deficit for months on end can be tough, to say the least, and that’s why many people struggle with dieting. This is why having some flexibility in what you eat is so important. Having set “cheat days”, for example, or even just indulging yourself from time to time can help you maintain consistency in your diet. It’s key to not let these cheat meals take over your diet, and you should instead treat them as rewards for following your diet effectively. By practicing some flexibility, you are much more likely to stick to an overall calorie deficit in the long term.

3. Good Sleep

One often overlooked component to weight loss is getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep every night. The reasoning behind this is that people who sleep less often tend to eat more, eventually leading to obesity.

It’s worth noting that when taking pre-workout, you will likely be upping your total caffeine consumption, which may disrupt your sleep. It’s recommended that you avoid caffeine for around 8 hours before going to bed. If you’re trying to maximize your sleep quality, we recommend taking pre-workout as early in the day as possible.

barbell training

How To Find The Best Pre-Workout For Weight Loss?

In this guide, we used several different categories to score our products. Here’s what we based these on, and why you should always keep these categories in mind before buying any supplement

1. Ingredients & Nutrition Label Transparency

Ingredients and nutrition label transparency go hand in hand. Understanding ingredients involves having a solid knowledge of what ingredients you want in a pre-workout, and whether or not they’re being implemented at effective doses. This is especially relevant when it comes to fat-loss pre-workouts, as there are many ingredients – Like L-Carnitine and Capsaicin – which are often not as useful as they may seem.

This brings us to nutrition label transparency, which involves the claims the brand makes about its product. Understand that everyone is trying to sell you their product, so they will always try their best to make it seem a cut above the rest. Learn how to sift through misleading marketing, and always check the label to make sure they’re backing up their claims. This also involves reading through the nutritional information so you can avoid ingredients you don’t want to consume.

2. Stimulation

Another factor to consider is the stimulation a pre-workout provides. This is not as simple as more equals better. The FDA recommends a daily caffeine intake of 400 milligrams for healthy adults, equivalent to four or five cups of coffee. Approximately the same doses show effectiveness in improving athletic performance, while higher doses only increase the risk of side effects without improving performance. Remember, we're talking about all caffeinated beverages during the day, not just pre-workout drinks.

However, individuals' sensitivity to caffeine and the speed at which they metabolize it can vary significantly. So you should have a general idea of which range you’re looking for. As a general rule of thumb, those less experienced with caffeine will want to stick to somewhere under 200mg, while those more experienced can go up to the 300mg range. The key here is understanding your own limits, and finding a product that gives you the perfect amount of stimulation.

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3. Taste/Flavor & Mixability

Because you’ll likely be drinking pre-workout day after day, it’s important that it tastes good and mixes well! Over the last few years, taste and mixability have greatly improved in the pre-workout space, so this isn’t as much of a concern as it was when these supplements first became popular.

However, we recommend checking the reviews for these products to see how people respond to the flavor, and whether or not the product mixes well. Pre-workouts aren’t cheap, and there’s nothing worse than spending your money on a product that tastes terrible and turns out clumpy. Taste is ultimately a matter of personal preference, so don’t be afraid to try out several different products before settling on one you really enjoy.

4. Value for Money

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, you want to make sure you’re getting solid value for your money when buying a pre-workout supplement. As we already mentioned, pre-workouts aren’t cheap, so you want to get a product you’ll really enjoy. It’s worth calculating the price per serving of different products to determine just how much they are really charging you. Also, you’ll have to determine if certain bonuses – like added caffeine, or all-natural ingredients – are worth paying a premium for.

push ups in gym

Tips On How To Make Pre-Workout Help Burn Fat

Now, you may be wondering what you can do to maximize pre-workout effectiveness as a diet supplement. There are a couple of things you can do including timing your pre-workout, and not mixing it with sugary drinks, but the effectiveness of your diet will ultimately come down to your effort. 

1. When To Consume?

To maximize the energy you get from pre-workout, we recommend taking it between 30 and 60 minutes before your workout. This will help you have more energy during your workout, thus leading to more total calories burned. Especially when you’re in a caloric deficit, it can be tough to find motivation during long workouts. Pre-workouts are a great way to give yourself the boost of energy you need to burn as many calories as possible.

Also, because high-quality sleep is important for weight loss, and general health, you don’t want the increased caffeine intake from pre-workout interfering with your sleep. This is why we recommend taking pre-workout at least 8 hours before you go to bed.

2. How To Consume?

While some people like to take their pre-workouts mixed with fruit juice to enhance the flavor, we recommend mixing yours with water instead. This is because fruit juices contain high amounts of sugar, and can make it harder for you to stay in a caloric deficit. For example, one cup of orange juice contains 112 calories and 21 grams of sugar! This is why we definitely recommend sticking to water to make a more effective pre-workout drink for weight loss.

3. Understand That It Comes Down To You!

Ultimately, while pre-workouts can be a very useful tool on a cut, they are certainly not a miracle solution. The caffeine content in pre-workouts will definitely help you out with your workouts, but it won’t make a difference if you’re not working your hardest in the gym and eating in a sustained caloric deficit. It’s important to understand that you need to do the work yourself to burn fat and that pre-workouts are just meant to help. In short, pre-workouts will only help you burn fat if you’re doing all the right things to begin with.

FAQ

Are Fat Burner Pre-Workouts Good?

Many supplement companies will claim their pre-workout ingredients have fat-burning properties – like capsaicin and l-carnitine. Unfortunately, most of these ingredients have no real effect on fat loss. However, this doesn’t mean these “fat burner” pre-workouts don’t also contain effective doses of caffeine, and other ingredients like Beta-Alanine, L-Theanine, and Betaine, for example. While you can use pre-workout to get lean, it will most likely not be because of so-called “fat-burning” ingredients.

Why Can’t I Lose Weight If I Have Been Using Pre-Workouts For Weight Loss?

The reason you’re not losing weight while taking pre-workout is likely because you’re not eating in a caloric deficit. While pre-workouts are effective at giving you a boost of energy in the gym, they won’t magically help you lose weight on their own. Fat loss is a process that requires lots of effort and dedication, pre-workouts are just meant to help you along the way.

Conclusion

Pre-workouts are one of the most effective supplements for losing weight because of the solid boost of energy they provide, helping you burn as many calories as possible. Hopefully, the tips in this article will help you use pre-workout supplements for weight loss. If you’re looking for a pre-workout to help you on your dieting journey, we recommend Transparent Labs Lean Ergogenic Training Formula. However, the other products on our list all have their own advantages, so find out which one is right for you and your goals!

Do you have experience using pre-workout as a weight loss supplement? Have you tried any of the products on our list? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Also read:

References:

  1. EFFECTS OF ACUTE L-CARNITINE SUPPLEMENTATION DURING LOW-INTENSITY TREADMILL EXERCISE // WKU: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol8/iss9/15/
  2. Effects of chromium on body composition and weight loss // NCBI: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9763876/
  3. Zinc  // HSPH: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/zinc/
  4. Effect of dietary intake on immune function in athletes // NCBI:
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11929359/
  5. Four Weeks of Hericium erinaceus Supplementation Does Not Impact Markers of Metabolic Flexibility or Cognition // WKU:
    https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijes/vol15/iss2/18/
  6. THE EFFECTS OF ACUTE RAUWOLSCINE SUPPLEMENTATION ON ANAEROBIC EXERCISE PERFORMANCE // WKU: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol16/iss1/280/
  7. Dietary capsaicin and its anti-obesity potency: from mechanism to clinical implications // NCBI: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5426284/
  8. Lemon Polyphenols Suppress Diet-induced Obesity by Up-Regulation of mRNA Levels of the Enzymes Involved in β-Oxidation in Mouse White Adipose Tissue // NCBI: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2581754/
  9. Rhodiola // UTEB: https://www.utep.edu/herbal-safety/herbal-facts/herbal%20facts%20sheet/rhodiola.html
  10. HealthFeed // HealthCare: https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2015/02/sorry-peppers-arent-miracle-cure-obesity
  11. Dietary capsaicin and its anti-obesity potency: from mechanism to clinical implications // NCBI: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5426284/
  12. Effects of novel capsinoid treatment on fatness and energy metabolism in humans: possible pharmacogenetic implications // NCBI: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3151435/
  13. Caffeine, coffee, and appetite control // NCBI: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28446037/
  14. Workout Supplements // HSPH: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/workout-supplements/
  15. American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Appropriate intervention strategies for weight loss and prevention of weight regain for adults // NCBI: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11740312/
  16. Calorie Calculator // Calculator: https://www.calculator.net/calorie-calculator.html
  17. Cognitive and weight-related correlates of flexible and rigid restrained eating behaviour // NCBI: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23265405/
  18. Snooze more, eat less? Sleep deprivation may hamper weight control // Harvard Medical School: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/snooze-more-eat-less-sleep-deprivation-may-hamper-weight-control-202204042718
  19. When to stop drinking alcohol, water or caffeine before bed for better sleep // Mihigan Medicine: https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/psychiatry/news/archive/202012/when-stop-drinking-alcohol-water-or-caffeine-bed-better-sleep
  20. Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much? // FDA: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/spilling-beans-how-much-caffeine-too-much
  21. International society of sports nutrition position stand // NCBI: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33388079/
  22. What Are the Benefits of Pre-Workout Supplements? // Cornell: https://blogs.cornell.edu/learning/what-are-the-benefits-of-pre-workout-supplements/
  23. Are There Health Benefits to Drinking Orange Juice? // WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-orange-juice

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

Oleksandr Maksymenko

Author: Oleksandr Maksymenko
Certified Sports Nutritionist,
MSc Sports Dietetics

Experience: 7 years
Specializing in: Weight management, Fitness / Sports nutrition

Oleksandr is a professional fitness nutritionist certified by the Fitness Professional Association (FPA). He follows the principles of evidence-based dietetics and fosters a healthy relationship with food in his clients, ensuring there are no strict prohibitions on their favorite foods or frequent lapses. His primary goal is not only to achieve results for you but also to sustain them over the long term, all while enjoying tasty and delicious food.

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If you have any questions/suggestions/any other inquiries considering product reviews, you can reach out to us via email – [email protected]

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