Energy is a valuable commodity, and that’s especially true if you are a keen exerciser. Low energy can mean you are unable to work out as hard or as long as you might otherwise want to. You might even feel like skipping your workout entirely!
We all experience times when our energy is lower than usual. Maybe it’s a lack of sleep, or it’s just “one of those days.” It’s a normal part of life; you can’t expect to be firing on all cylinders all the time.
Or maybe you want to turn the intensity of your workout up to the max and boost your energy levels way above normal. Perhaps you want to work out harder to get better results from your time in the gym, pushing yourself to the very limit of your endurance.
That’s where pre-workout supplements come in.
Pre-workouts contain a range of natural ingredients formulated to increase physical and mental energy. Depending on the product, pre-workouts may also increase blood flow, so you get a better pump during strength training workouts.
There are lots of pre-workouts to choose from, but some of the most well-known are made by Cellucor. Their range of C4 pre-workout supplements is very popular, work like a charm, and there are seven different varieties to try.
In this article, we review all seven C4 pre-workouts so you can choose the right one for you!
Cellucor C4 Pre-workouts
Not sure which Cellucor pre-workout to try? We’re here to help! Check out the following mini-reviews to determine which Cellucor C4 pre-workout is the one you want.
1. C4 Original
C4 Original is the #1 best-selling pre-workout supplement in America. Formulated to fuel intense bodybuilding-type workouts, this product boosts energy, endurance, and strength so you can push your muscles to their limit and maximize muscle growth.
Key Features
- Sugar and calorie-free
- Available in five flavors
- 30 or 60 serving tubs
- 150mg of caffeine per serving
- Contains creatine for energy and muscle growth
- 250mg of vitamin C to boost immunity
Pros
- Fast-acting formula
- Sensible-sized caffeine dose
- Great for bodybuilders as well as general exercisers
- Increases mental and physical energy
Cons
- Artificially sweetened and flavored
If you work out for fat loss, this is the C4 pre-workout for you. It’s designed to increase energy and ward off fatigue so you can exercise harder and longer, burning more fat in the process. Combined with a healthy diet and consistent workout routine, C4 ripped will make losing fat and getting lean a great deal easier.
Think of this products as a pre-workout/fat burner stack.
Key Features
- Calorie and carb-free
- Available in five flavors
- 30 or 60 serving tubs
- 150mg caffeine per serving
- Green coffee bean extract and capsicum extract for enhanced fat burning
- Beta-alanine to fight fatigue and improve blood flow
Pros
- Creatine-free for no bloating or water retention
- Fast-acting formula
- Moderate caffeine content
- Great taste
Cons
- Artificially sweetened and flavored
- May cause tingling
While there is nothing wrong with using a pre-workout for sports, some common ingredients may harm rather than help your performance and may even result in a positive drugs test. C4 Sport is made for athletes looking to play harder and longer rather than just get more from their workouts.
Key Features
- Just five calories per serving
- Available in seven flavors
- 30 servings per tub
- 135mg of caffeine per serving
- Contains creatine for endurance and strength
- Contains B vitamins for enhanced carbohydrate metabolism and long-term energy
- NSF-certified for sports – won’t result in a positive drugs test
Pros
- Approved for all sports by USADA, MLB, NHL, etc.
- Refreshing taste
- Good for rehydration
- Proven, sports-approved formula
Cons
- Taking caffeine before sport may increase nervousness or cause jitters
- Artificially sweetened and flavored
C4 Ripped Sport is basically C4 Sport plus some added fat-burning ingredients. So if you need to boost energy during your workouts and on the playing field and also want to shed some unwanted fat, this product should help.
Key Features
- 5 calories per serving
- Available in seven flavors
- 30 servings per tub
- Sugar-free formula
- 135mg caffeine per serving
- Green coffee bean extract and capsicum extract for enhanced fat burning
- Contains performance and endurance-boosting blends
- Creatine for increased energy
- All-natural flavors and sweeteners
Cons
- Some users report that this product has a bitter taste
5. C4 Extreme
C4 Extreme contains more of the ingredients that make C4 such a potent pre-workout supplement. More caffeine; more creatine; more energy! If you want to take your workouts to the next level, C4 Extreme can help!
Key Features
- Sugar-free formula
- 200mg of caffeine per serving
- Available in seven flavors
- 60 servings per tub
- Creatine for energy and muscle building
- Beta-alanine for a better pump and less fatigue
- Extreme physical and mental energy boost
Pros
- A potent product for intense workouts
- Fast-acting formula
- Refreshing flavors
Cons
- Artificially sweetened and flavored
- Maybe too intense for some users
If you’ve been using pre-workouts for a while, you may have noticed that you need to use more of the product to get the same energy-boosting effect. That’s because your body has become accustomed to the ingredients.
C4 Ultimate contains more of everything to provide an unparalleled energy boost, even if you’re an experienced pre-workout user.
Key Features
- 20 servings per tub
- Sugar-free formula
- Available in five flavors
- Five calories per serving
- 300mg caffeine per serving
- Contains creatine for energy and muscle building
- High carnosine content for bigger pumps
- Increases mental focus and physical energy
Pros
- Potent formula
- Fast-acting
- Ideal for experienced users
Cons
- Artificially sweetened and flavored
- Maybe too strong for some users
- More expensive than other C4 products
A lot of pre-workouts, including Cellucor C4 products, contain artificial ingredients, such as colors, flavors, and sweeteners. While these ingredients are generally regarded as safe, some exercisers prefer to avoid them. C4 Extreme Natural is very similar to regular C4 Extreme but contains none of the artificial ingredients.
Key Features
- Carb, calorie, and sugar-free formula
- 200mg of caffeine per serving
- Available in one flavor – cherry lemon
- 30 servings per tub
- Creatine for energy and muscle building
- Beta-alanine for a better pump and less fatigue
- Extreme physical and mental energy boost
Pros
- No artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners
- Fast-acting formula
- Refreshing taste
- Potent ingredients
Cons
- 200mg caffeine per serving may be too much for some people
- More expensive than other C4 products
FAQ
Got a question about C4 pre-workouts? We’ve got answers!
Are C4 pre-workouts safe?
C4 products contain ingredients that are considered GRAS (generally regarded as safe) by the FDA. Used according to the manufacturer, these products should be harmless for most users.
However, they’re not recommended for pregnant/nursing mothers, people with high blood pressure, and anyone with a sensitivity to the active ingredients.
What are the side effects of C4?
Most of the side-effects of C4 are positive – increased energy, less fatigue, better concentration, and better blood flow for a powerful pump. However, some people may experience unwanted side effects, including headaches, jitters, anxiety, and flushed, tingly skin.
In most cases, these side effects are caused by two ingredients – caffeine and beta-alanine. You can avoid these side effects by using less than the recommended dose and increasing gradually as your tolerance improves.
You may also wish to choose a C4 variety without caffeine or beta-alanine to avoid these side effects entirely.
Should I take C4 pre-workout?
C4 pre-workout supplements are popular for a reason. They work! If you are looking for a safe and effective way to boost your energy for more productive workouts, a shot of C4 should help.
However, because they’re so potent, it may be worth starting with a half-sized serving to determine your tolerance to the ingredients. Also, if you are new to using pre-workouts, start with C4 Original, Ripper, or Sport before trying Ultimate and Extreme, which may be too strong for pre-workout beginners.
Finally, avoid taking pre-workout too close to bedtime as the caffeine may stop you from sleeping.
Bottom Line
With so many pre-workouts to choose from, deciding which one is right for you can be a real challenge. While they all basically do the same thing, the different combinations and concentrations of ingredients mean that some may suit you better than others.
For example, if you want energy, caffeine is your friend, and pre-workouts contain anywhere between 100mg-300mg, which is roughly equal to 1-3 cups of coffee. However, some people are very sensitive to the effects of caffeine, and 300mg could leave you feeling anxious and jittery.
Then there’s creatine – a popular supplement that boosts energy without being stimulant and also enhances strength and muscle building. If you want to build muscle, pre-workouts with creatine are the best choice.
On the downside, creatine can cause water retention, leading to bloating, so it’s not ideal for anyone working out for weight loss.
Another ingredient that may or may not be in your pre-workout is beta-alanine. This substance is responsible for the tingling associated with using a pre-workout, and it also increases blood flow for a better pump. Some people like the tingling sensation, while others prefer to avoid it.
Regardless of what you want from a pre-workout, you’ll find what you need in the Cellucor C4 range. They’re got pre-workouts that are ideal for beginners (Original) to products that are formulated for hardcore pre-workout users who are used to mega-doses of caffeine (Ultimate and Extreme).
So, whatever you want from a pre-workout, there is a C4 product for you!
Cellucor C4 Pre-Workouts
If you want to increase physical and mental energy, Cellucor C4 pre-workouts can be the right for you.
