Best NSF Certified Pre-Workout Powders of 2025

"I've been using this pre-workout for a while now and I love the flavor and how it gives me a gentle energy boost. I don't experience any jitteriness, just a nice tingling sensation that keeps me motivated throughout my workout."

"After trying several brands, I've found this one to be my favorite due to the great taste of the watermelon and fruit punch flavors. It’s perfect for younger athletes, providing a clean energy without the overwhelming tingles from high levels of ingredients they shouldn't have."

"This pre-workout has truly impressed me! The fruit punch flavor is refreshing, and it gives me the consistent energy I need, allowing me to push through my workouts without any mid-session crashes. I also love how it helps me stay focused and engaged during my sessions!"

"I’ve tried various C4 pre-workouts before, and this is my first time with this one. It’s decent but feels more suited for beginners or women. On my first day, I didn’t experience any effects—no tingling or energy boost. The second day, I felt a slight tingle, but it was mild. I plan to increase my dose next week. The taste isn’t the best, but it’s manageable and dissolves easily. Overall, it’s a good product."

"I’m really surprised by the negative reviews about this pre-workout because it tastes great and works well for me! The Fruit Punch flavor reminds me of red Kool-Aid. I prefer to mix it with just water to get a true taste. After trying this, I can confidently say that it’s much better than N.O. Xplode, which I found disgusting. This product gives me a solid energy boost, and I’ve noticed great improvements in my workouts, even using heavier weights."

"I absolutely love the canned C4 drinks due to the energy buzz and the beta-alanine tingle. This pre-workout was a natural choice as I train for my first cycling road ride. I needed something lighter on my stomach than black coffee while providing enough energy for different workouts. The Arctic Snow Cone flavor is fantastic; it’s flavorful but not overwhelming. I experience a clean and steady energy increase during my rides, although I wish the beta-alanine effect was more pronounced. Overall, it’s a good everyday pre-workout for me."

"The new C4 Sport is great! I really enjoy the extra caffeine they added, and the flavors are delicious!"

"I've tried many pre-workouts, but Cellucor C4 Sport is my favorite! The Hawaiian Punch flavor is fantastic and the formula provides the perfect boost for my workouts."

"I bought this for my son and daughter, both college athletes, but they said it tastes terrible. Not sure if it was a bad batch or just the flavor."

"I’m so glad I took a chance despite the negative reviews. This is a supplement, not a tasty treat! It works very well with clean, powerful energy. The taste isn’t great, but I mix it with orange juice or take it like a shot. If you do it right, it's just a quick unpleasant taste for lasting effective energy!"

"I used this for the first time today. I suffer from chronic fatigue, and it really helped me through my workout and my day. The energy was nice and clean, not jittery like coffee. I was surprised by how pleasant the taste was compared to other sugary pre-workouts."

"I've been using this for over two weeks. It's not like other pre-workouts with artificial flavors. I don't find the taste as awful as others claim. I can mix it well using a sifter, and it has given me great workouts without any jitters or stomach upset. A slightly better flavor would make me more inclined to buy again."

"I absolutely love this stuff. It tastes great, gives a nice skin tingle, and keeps me revved up for my workout."

"I've been using Proven4 Pre-workout for a couple of years. It fits perfectly with my Spin Class schedule. I usually buy directly from the manufacturer, but with the recent flat rate shipping, I’ll be switching to Amazon for better rates."

"This is my second purchase of this product, and I really enjoy the taste. It gives me the pump I need every morning. Such a great product!"

"I really enjoy this pre-workout. It has a great flavor and gave me a great energy boost on my runs in the morning."

"As someone who works out regularly, I rely on supplements. I found this brand, and the ingredient list sounded great. The taste was quite good and not overly sweet or sour. However, I only got a slight boost of energy. Unfortunately, the price is too high to justify the little payoff I experienced."

"I've been using various pre-workout supplements for years. I truly believe they are key to maximizing my gym time. This one gives me everything I need and seems to help with recovery a bit better than what I'm used to. The major drawback is the price. If cost isn’t an issue, I’d recommend it, but it’s too rich for me."

"I was initially cautious about trying beta alanine due to the potential for tingling sensations. However, since this is an extended release version, I’ve experienced almost no tingling after taking up to 2 tablets a day. I trust Thorne as a reputable company for supplements, and I find this one to be worth the investment."

"This product is genuinely fantastic! I only needed one pill instead of the recommended two, as taking two resulted in too much flush and tingle. But that one pill gives me the extra edge I need, helping me stay on track with my goals at work and the gym. I truly believe this is the real deal!"

"I’ve suffered from muscle soreness for years and frequently visited massage therapists. After just two weeks of taking beta alanine, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my recovery. I’m experiencing almost no soreness or tight muscles now. I can’t recommend this product enough—I'll continue taking it as long as I lift!"

"This product provides lots of energy! I feel a tingling sensation and warm flushing on my face. It amps me up for workouts, and I've been able to increase my weights by 15% weekly. The flavors are great, but I prefer the berry flavor. I mix it with more water than recommended because it’s quite strong. Highly recommend!"

"I drink canned Zoa 2-3 times a week before intense workouts. I’ve tried all the flavors and sometimes limit myself to half a can to avoid sleep issues. The powder mix gives me flexibility with dosing, and I like it overall. It dissolves easily and has a good flavor, though it's a bit too sweet for my taste. I just use more water, and that solves the problem."

"I was sensitive to caffeine but tried this pre-workout since it came by accident. The Cherry Lime flavor was delicious, but I didn’t feel much difference in my workout. I prefer a low stim like Vega Sport. My husband enjoyed it with two scoops, but I wouldn’t recommend that. It's decent for a casual drink, but not for serious gym energy."

"I absolutely love this pre-workout! Compared to others, it's fantastic. Sure, it makes me a bit itchy, but that’s common with beta-alanine. I also noticed it can cause a bathroom trip about an hour after drinking it. Overall, for a clean pre-workout that works, this is the one for me. The taste is decent compared to many competitors. I wish it was organic, but I'm pleased with the ingredients. Plus, it gives me an all-day energy boost!"

"For me, this pre-workout is just what I need to power through challenging workouts. I enjoy the tingling sensation; it reassures me that it's effective. I did experience some sickness initially, probably due to my body's adjustment to the caffeine at 4 AM. However, I found that having a power bar beforehand helps reduce the itchiness. The taste isn't wonderful, but that's typical for pre-workouts, so I'm not too bothered by it."

"I was excited to try the berry lemonade flavor for both me and my son, and we enjoyed it. However, when we switched to strawberry lemonade, we noticed two ingredients—Beta-Alanine and caffeine—that caused itching and fatigue for my son. I was surprised to find that the scoop size for the strawberry lemonade had an extra 4 grams per serving. We weren't fans of these changes and the different effects between flavors. I've learned to check ingredients carefully before trying new flavors."

"I recently tried this caffeine-free pre-workout powder, and it has certainly helped my workout routine. As someone who actively climbs, as well as incorporates weight training and long runs multiple times a week, finding a supplement that supports these activities was crucial for me. This product delivers on all fronts. The boost is immediately noticeable, and my energy levels are consistently high, without the crashes associated with caffeinated supplements. This is a huge plus, especially for evening workouts when I don't want my sleep to be affected. Endurance has also seen a marked improvement, enabling me to maintain a steady pace for longer periods and improving my VO2 max. Overall, it has been huge for improving my training routine and allowing me to maintain energy while speeding up recovery!"

"As a pro ultrarunner, I take a scoop of this plus electrolytes before every long run or speed workout and find that it makes a noticeable difference in both endurance and power output. I can go much further before I notice my muscles fatiguing, and it feels easier to rev up to max speed during intervals. Plus it tastes delicious and makes being well hydrated a lot easier, especially since I have trouble drinking enough water on my own. I've also noticed that I recover faster between hard days now that I'm taking it regularly."

"This is my go-to mix for pre and post-training sessions. I do various sports including OCR, climbing, wakeboarding, and these two products allow me to continue the sports I love for longer. After taking a scoop of Sendure-X, I can tell a huge difference in my performance. The electrolytes and BCAAs keep me hydrated and prevent delayed onset soreness. I can't say enough about Sendure-X; it really helps my muscles to not fatigue as easily, allowing for more quality training sessions."