Fluctuating energy levels are a big problem for many exercisers. One minute you feel strong and ready to train, and the next feel as flat as a pancake. Invariably, your energy will fail you when you most need it!
Low energy levels are a leading cause of missed workouts. A lot of people, despite getting enough sleep and eating healthily, suffer from fluctuating energy levels.
And you thought it was just you…
The good news is that using a pre-workout puts you back in control of your energy levels. Take a scoop mixed with water or a few capsules and, within 15-30 minutes, you’ll be all revved up and ready to go.
Does being a vegan or vegetarian mean you can’t use a pre-workout? Absolutely not! But what is the best vegan pre-workout supplement?
For this article, we’ve tried, tested, and reviewed 12 of the most popular vegan pre-workout supplements. Use this guide to help you choose the best natural option for your needs.
Top-Rated Vegan Pre-Workouts
4 Gauge is a proven all-natural organic pre-workout supplement that is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Made from cutting-edge ingredients, this product will noticeably boost your energy without unwanted side effects.
Key Features
- Caffeine anhydrous for energy end resistance to fatigue
- L-theanine to smooth out the effect of caffeine and increase focus
- Creatine monohydrate for increased strength and endurance
- L-citrulline DL-malate for increased nitric oxide production
- Red beet extract for endurance and a better pump
- Rhodiola Rosea to increase cognition and feelings of wellbeing
- Acetyl-l-carnitine to fight fatigue and speed up recovery
- Coconut water to replace the electrolyte minerals lost through sweating
4 Gauge contains a well-balanced blend of energizers, fatigue fighters, and ingredients to improve focus and concentration. It provides enough caffeine to work, but not so much you feel anxious and jittery. This is an excellent product!
Pros
- Only five calories per serving
- Multi-pronged formulation
- Long and short-term energy boosters
- Designed to increase physical and mental performance
Cons
- Contains sugar alcohols
- Only available online
If you want a clean, safe, but potent option that is also suitable for vegetarians and vegans, 4 Gauge is a great choice. Packed with useful, proven ingredients but not overloaded with caffeine, this product will produce the results you want with very few unwanted side-effects.
2. Powher
Powher is a pre-workout designed specifically for women. Made to support intense workouts and increase motivation, but without using large doses of harsh stimulants, this popular product is pleasant and enjoyable to use.
Key Features
- Vitamins B5, B6, and B12 for increased carbohydrate metabolism and energy
- Natural caffeine for energy and endurance
- Coconut water to replace the minerals lost during exercise and prevent fatigue
- L-citrulline malate for better blood flow and increased oxygen supply
- Taurine for increased focus
- Beta-alanine for increased exercise capacity
- Tyrosine for focus and concentration
- Lysine for faster recovery after exercise
- Oxyjun for increased cardio exercise performance
- EnXtra for improved alertness and motivation
Powher contains just 100mg of caffeine per serving – about the same as a regular cup of coffee. Instead of ramping you up with stimulants, this product boosts your energy via several alternative pathways. This means Powher is potent but also low in unwanted side effects.
Pros
- Popular, proven formulation
- Easy to use
- Refreshing taste
- Low stimulant energy
- Multibuy discounts available
Cons
- Only available online
- Only available in one flavor
Powher is popular for a reason – it works! Designed specifically for women, this well-formulated product won’t leave you feeling itchy or anxious. Instead, it will increase physical and mental performance so you can enjoy your best ever workouts.
3. Performance Lab Sport Pre
Where most contain sizable doses of caffeine, Sport Pre by Performance Lab is 100% caffeine-free. That’s good news if caffeine leaves you feeling anxious or jittery, or you want to work out at night and don’t want to disrupt your sleep. Sport Pre contains several proven alternative non-stim energy boosters.
Key Features
- Glutathione and L-citrulline to increase strength, power, and endurance, and speed up recovery after exercise
- Creatine for energy, strength, and reduced fatigue
- Beta-alanine to increased muscle performance and better work capacity
- Himalayan sea salt to replace the minerals lost during perspiration
- Maritime pine bark extract to speed up the recovery process and reduce post-exercise muscle soreness
- Iron to increase the oxygen-carrying ability of red blood cells
People used to high-caffeine intake often find that they develop a tolerance to their chosen product. They end up using more than the recommended daily amount or switching to a different brand.
This isn’t a problem with Performance Lab Sport Pre as it’s non-habit forming, and you won’t develop a tolerance to its ingredients.
Read our full Performance Lab Pre review here.
Pros
- Stim-free formula
- Ideal for nighttime exercisers
- Increases physical and mental energy and speeds up recovery
- Easy to use
- Safe, proven non-stim formula
- Free from allergens, banned substances, and GMO ingredients
Cons
- Only available online
- Capsules instead of a drink mix
To use this product, you’ll need to take six capsules 15-30 minutes before your workout, instead of chugging down a refreshing drink. This might be unappealing for some users. But, this is a small price to pay for what is one of the best stim-free preworkout powders around.
4. Genius Pre
Genius sports supplements don’t just affect your body, they affect your brain too! They contain nootropics designed to increase mental as well as physical performance. As any good workout is part psychological and physical, Genius Pre-workout is a very useful, synergistic product that is also free from caffeine.
Key Features
- L-citrulline malate for more energy
- Beta-alanine for increased work capacity, strength, and power
- Betaine for increased muscle mass
- L-tyrosine better focus and concentration
- L-arginine for increased blood flow
- Taurine for focus and determination
- AlphaSize for increased stim-free energy and performance
- HICA to increase protein synthesis and muscle growth
- Rhodiola Rosea for a better, more confident mood
- Ancient peat and apple extract for more ATP energy
- Theobromine for non-stim energy
- AstraGin to increase the potency of the other ingredients
- Huperzia Serrata for better focus and less mental fatigue
Part nootropic, part pre-workout, this product will boost mental and physical performance without the unwanted scattered feeling associated with mega-doses of caffeine. Use this product before exercise or to increase productivity at work.
Pros
- Caffeine-free formula
- All-natural ingredients
- Refreshing taste
Cons
- Only available in one flavor
- Some users may miss the effect of caffeine
This caffeine-free pre-workout will boost physical and mental performance. However, it won’t leave you feeling anxious, itchy, or unable to sleep. Genius can safely be stacked with a caffeine supplement, although that means it should not be used at night.
5. Jacked Factory Nitrosurge
Getting a good pump is an integral part of most bodybuilding workouts. A pump is when blood flow increases, forcing oxygen and nutrients into the target muscles. Jacked Factory Nitrosurge is designed to deliver a skin-splitting pump for maximal organic muscle growth.
Key Features
- L-citrulline
- Beta-alanine to boost strength, power, and work capacity
- Betaine for muscle building
- Caffeine anhydrous for energy, stamina, and fat burning
- L-theanine for increased mental focus
- Theobromine for more energy
- AstraGin to increase the potency of the other ingredients
Where some powders are designed to increase general or cardio workout performance, Nitrosurge is very much aimed at bodybuilders. Use this product to boost your energy and get a massive pump for increased workout performance and better muscle-building results.
Pros
- Powerful formulation
- Available in nine flavors
- Easy to use
- Affects you can feel
- Ideal for bodybuilders
Cons
- Can cause uncomfortable skin tingling in some users
- Not suitable for very caffeine-sensitive users
If there is a drawback with strong pre-workouts, it is that they often have noticeable, unwanted side effects. Nitrosurge can cause skin tingling and even flushing and redness. While a lot of users like this effect, others find it uncomfortable.
6. Ora Organic Renewable Energy
A lot of products contain a long list of chemical ingredients that, while they will deliver the sought-after effect, may not be especially healthy. Ora Organic Renewable Energy is an all-natural, organic option that doesn’t contain any unhealthy ingredients.
Key Features
- Organic energy blend of tapioca, coconut water, green coffee bean, matcha, green tea, and yerba mate
- Organic nitric oxide blend of pomegranate juice powder, beetroot, spinach, and kale
- Focus and endurance blend of ashwagandha, Rhodiola, ginseng, maca root, cordyceps mushroom, and eleuthero root
Free from chemicals, grains, sugar, soy, and artificial flavors and preservatives, it doesn’t come much more natural than Ora Organic Renewable Energy. It might not give you quite the same boost as a high-stim pre-workout, but it’s a whole lot safer and healthier.
Pros
- All-natural, organic ingredients
- No artificial additives
- Free from allergens
- Contains vitamins, minerals, and fiber
- Good for mental and physical performance
Cons
- Some users may miss the energizing effect of caffeine
- Only available in one flavor
If you want to boost your energy but would prefer to avoid a whole lot of harsh stimulants and chemical ingredients, this is the product for you. Natural and safe, this pre-workout contains ingredients that are actually good for you!
7. Honey Badger Performance Energy
Honey Badger Performance Energy is an all-natural, non-habit-forming blend of ingredients designed to boost mental and physical performance. Aimed at general exercises, this vegan pre workout powder will boost cardio and strength training workout performance, both cleanly and safely.
Key Features
- Caffeine for energy and endurance
- Beta-alanine to delay fatigue
- Citrulline for increased blood flow and a better pump
- Vitamin C to support the immune system and prevent post-exercise muscle soreness
- Tyrosine for better cognitive function and increased focus
- Pterostilbene for improved mental performance
- Electrolytes to replace the minerals lost in sweat
Honey badgers are small, feisty creatures, and this product very much lives up to its namesake! It contains just enough of the active ingredients to produce reliable results with minimal side effects. It tastes pretty good too!
Pros
- Keto, paleo, and vegan-friendly formulation
- Sugar-free pre-workout
- Free from artificial ingredients
- Easy to use
- Two refreshing flavors
- Boosts mental and physical performance
Cons
- May contain too much caffeine for some users
Honey Badger contains 150mg of caffeine per serving – that’s the same as 1½ cups of coffee. While this isn’t a huge amount, it may be too much for very caffeine-sensitive users. It also means that this product is not suitable for nighttime use.
8. Rari Nutrition Infinity
Where some pre workout powder pride themselves on being stim-free, Rari Nutrition Infinity organic pre-workout powder does quite the opposite. With 350 mg of caffeine per serving, you’ll feel this powerful pre-exercise supplement working.
Key Features
- Vitamin B complex for increased energy and better carbohydrate metabolism
- Caffeine anhydrous for endurance and energy
- Acetyl-l-carnitine to fight fatigue and speed up recovery
- Agmatine sulfate for increased athletic performance
- L-citrulline malate for increased blood flow and less fatigue
- Beta-alanine to increase endurance
If 350mg of caffeine sounds like too much for you, users of this product are advised that they can start out with half a dose to assess their tolerance. This is a good idea as Rari Infinity contains the same amount of caffeine as 3½ cups of coffee!
Pros
- Potent formula
- Designed to increase mental focus, energy, and increase muscle pumps
- Made in the USA in an FDA-approved GMP facility
- Backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- May be too intense for some users
- Not suitable for nighttime use
- Only available in two flavors
If you are looking for an option that you’ll really feel working, this is the product for you. Be warned; taking 350mg of caffeine could leave you feeling anxious and jittery and could also lead to a caffeine tolerance that means you’ll need to try and find an even more powerful product.
9. VegaSport Energizer
Most pre workout powder is proudly calorie-free. While that may be advantageous if you are exercising for fat loss, it might not be ideal if you are trying to build organic muscle.
After all, your body actually needs calories to perform at its best. Vega Sport Energizer contains just enough carbohydrates and calories to give you an extra energy boost.
Key Features
- Brown rice syrup for instant energy
- Coconut palm nectar for sustained energy
- Green tea and yerba mate for energy, and endurance
- Ginseng for reduce stress and increase mental focus and energy
- Rhodiola for less fatigue and faster recovery after exercise
- Turmeric for increased metabolic rate
- Beetroot powder for better blood flow
At only 100mg of caffeine per serving, this product won’t leave you feeling buzzed, anxious, or jittery. However, the combination of a modest caffeine dose with some well-chosen sources of sugar and carbs means this product will still boost your energy and performance.
Pros
- Short, medium, and long-term energy
- Low side-effect formula
- Easy to use
- Pleasant acai berry flavor
Cons
- Some users may prefer a calorie-free formula
If you want a product that is low in stimulants, contains just enough calories to get you through your next workout, and has a natural, refreshing taste, this is the product for you.
It’s not suitable for use on the ketogenic diet but, other than that small drawback, this is a very good product.
10. Naked Energy Pure
Naked Nutrition makes products using the least number of ingredients possible. They steer clear of fluff and fillers, leaving more room for the substances that really work. With just ten ingredients, this natural pre-workout drink will increase workout performance across the board.
Key Features
- Vitamins c, B3, B6, B9, and B12 for energy, health, and better carbohydrate metabolism
- Calcium for stronger muscle contractions
- Bata-alanine for endurance and resistance to fatigue
- Creatine for energy, strength, and muscle building
- L-arginine
- Caffeine for energy and endurance
Free from artificial additives, wheat, gluten, soy, and dairy, this is a very natural pre-workout. With 200mg of caffeine per serving, it will leave you feeling energized.
Pros
- All-natural ingredients
- 50 servings per tub
- Calorie and sugar-free formula
- Good for all types of exercise
- Unflavored
- 100% non-GMO ingredients
Cons
- Not the best-tasting pre-workout
- May contain too much caffeine for some users
With 50 servings per tub, Naked Energy offers excellent value. It’s a potent product that is still natural and safe to use. Its unflavored taste can take a little getting used to, but it also means you can mix it with almost any beverage.
11. Truth Sports
Truth Sports is a 100% natural supplement that is designed to boost energy, endurance, and stamina without the use of harsh ingredients. With only plant-based ingredients, this is a clean supplement.
Key Features
- Branch chain amino acids for energy, muscle preservation, and faster recovery
- Coconut water powder to replace the minerals lost during perspiration
- N-acetyl L-tyrosine and tyrosine better focus and concentration
- Tart cherry
- Caffeine for energy, endurance, and fat burning
- Quercetin for increased exercise performance and less post-exercise inflammation
- Black pepper extract to increase the potency of the other ingredients
- Electrolytes to replace minerals lost in perspiration
Made in the USA in an FDA-approved facility, Truth Sports is a clean, safe product. It contains 150mg of caffeine per serving, which is just enough to give you a quick energy boost, but not so much it leaves you feeling anxious or jittery. Free from artificial additives, this is a very natural product.
Pros
- All-natural ingredients
- Refreshing flavor
- Modest caffeine content
- Boosts energy, focus, and endurance
Cons
- Some users reported that they didn’t like the flavors
Truth Sports lives up to its name. With its label transparency and all-natural ingredients, you can be sure that you are getting exactly what you pay for when you buy this product. It might not be the most powerful pre-workout, but it could be one of the cleanest.
12. Garden of Life
And the winner for the longest name goes to…this product! All joking aside, if you are looking for a clean and natural pre-workout energizer with just a little caffeine hit, this is the supplement for you.
Key Features
- Vitamins C, K1, and B12 for energy and health
- Organic energy blend of cane sugar, baobab fruit, coffeeberry, and emblic fruit extract
- Organic nitric oxide blend of spinach, beetroot, and kale
The two blends that make up this product are designed to work both separately and synergistically. Where ingredients like coffeeberry and cane sugar provide you with a welcome boost of energy, the nitric oxide blend increases blood flow for improved performance and less fatigue.
Pros
- All-natural ingredients
- Designed to boost energy and focus
- Free from artificial ingredients
- Certified plant-based
- Just 85mg of caffeine per serving
Cons
- Some users may prefer a higher caffeine content
- Only available in two similar flavors – blackberry and blackberry cherry
With 10 grams of added sugar per serving, this product is not suitable for use on the ketogenic diet. That said, this is not enough sugar to derail any other type of weight loss diet. Natural, ethical, and safe, this is a clean supplement.
Bottom Line
Pre-workouts, like exercisers themselves, come in all shapes and sizes. Some contain massive doses of caffeine, which will boost your energy but could also lead to unwanted side effects, such as anxiety, jitters, or even heart palpations. It doesn’t take long to develop a tolerance to caffeine either.
Other products contain less caffeine, which means they aren’t as potent but are less likely to cause problems. Users are also less likely to become desensitized to their effect.
While some contain ingredients like gelatin that make them unsuitable for vegetarians and vegans, there are lots of products that are 100% free from animal products. Some are even made from organic ingredients.
Of course, even the best pre-workout won’t do much for you if you aren’t eating healthily, getting enough sleep, and following a well-designed workout program. They’re supplements and not magic formulas!
But if you are looking for a physical and mental boost to help you power through your workouts, any of these proven products can help.
Visit the homepage for more detailed supplement reviews.
12 Best Vegan Pre-Workouts
Here are the top 12 vegan friendly products out there.
12 Best Vegan Pre-Workouts DEALS
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