It’s time for the annual roundup of GNC’s top pre–workout supplements and I could not be more excited to introduce the class of 2025! I’ve tried them all – yes, ALL of them. Now that I’m “pumped up” and “focused”, let’s break down how these best pre workout made the cut.
- Popularity – In this category we’re looking for our top sellers. Is it trending on social media? What do our customers have to say about it? I’m looking for those product reviews!
- Intensity – I tested the spectrum. From low dose caffeine and entry level ingredients to all out, max stimulation for all the sensory feels.
- Flavor – Which flavors tantalized my tastebuds? Fruity flavors stand out in the pre-workout space, but some are sweet, some are sour, and some feature collaborations that are too good to be true!
- Innovation – What’s new in the ingredient space? Research is constantly evolving to include innovative ingredients and technology.
Compared to 2024, some products changed, while others stayed the same. This year I’m adding callouts for caffeine, beta-alanine, l-citrulline, and creatine amounts, plus extra benefits and innovative ingredients.
The Top Pre-Workout Supplement Picks of 2025
Best Overall Pre-Workout Brand
Our Beyond Raw® Brand – takes the top spot for best overall pre-workout... again. These formulas push the limits with expert dosing and unique innovations. The Brand is #1 for a reason and truly feature pre-workouts for everyone.
Ingredient Breakdown:
Caffeine: 250mg
Beta-Alanine: 3.2g
L-Citrulline: 3g
Creatine: 1.5g
Extras: Nitrosigine®, elevATP®, NeuroFactor™
I’ve assigned each Beyond Raw® pre-workout an intensity level. LIT™, the original, starts us off at Level 1, with its clinically dosed ingredients. It’s oh so popular among customers with over 13,000 five-star reviews (GNC.com + Amazon).
Read all LIT Customer Reviews here.
Next up at Level 2 is, LIT™ AF. LIT™ AF, which stands for “Advanced Formula”, includes even more clinically dosed ingredients than original LIT™ AND an extra oomph of caffeine.
Ingredient Breakdown:
Caffeine: 300mg
Beta-Alanine: 3.2g
L-Citrulline: 8g
Creatine: 2g
Extras: BetaPower®, elevATP®, NeuroFactor ®
Extras: Nitrosigine®, elevATP®, NeuroFactor™
Read all LIT AF Customer Reviews here.
And maxing out at Level 3 is Concept X. With even MORE clinically studied ingredients, plus support for muscle recovery and strength benefits. It’s a “game changer”.
Concept X’s scoop is BIG. And its ingredients are INTENSE, so I prefer to stick with original LIT™. My current flavor obsession is the Jolly Rancher® Blue Raspberry! It seriously tastes JUST like the candy. It’s such a treat before I work out!
Ingredient Breakdown:
Caffeine: 300mg
Beta-Alanine: 6.4g
L-Citrulline: 10g
Creatine: 5g
Extras: Myotor®, Rephyll®, BetaPower®, elevATP®, NeuroFactor™
Read all Concept X Customer Reviews here.
I also need to give a shoutout to LIT™ On-The-Go. Another pre-workout option when, you guessed it, you’re on the go! It’s awesome when you’re in the car, in the office, and requires no mixing! Same amazing flavors on the road!
Ingredient Breakdown:
Caffeine: 250mg
Beta-Alanine: 3.2g
L-Citrulline: 3g
Bonus Ingredients: n/a… this can is for crushing workouts and crushing the afternoon slump – on the go!
New and Buzzworthy Pre-Workout
RAW Nutrition Bum Thuper Thavage pre workout is not only fun to say, but a pretty solid formula as well. It’s 400mg of caffeine plus 6.2mg of beta-alanine will get you buzzing. No wonder it’s our top pick in the New and Buzzworthy category! The Citrus Grapefruit flavor spoke to me – I love anything grapefruit! And this truly smelled and tasted like pink grapefruit. I highly recommend!
Ingredient Breakdown:
Caffeine: 400mg
Beta-Alanine: 6.4g
L-Citrulline: 6g
Creatine: 5g
Extras: NO3-T®, Taurine, PeakO2, Alpha GPC, L-Theanine
Best New & Innovative Pre-workout
Introducing our newest and most innovative pre workout yet – Beyond Raw® LIT™ color AND flavor changing pre-workout. Yes, you read that right! This pre-workout hits different. Because it’s two different flavors AND two different colors! It starts with a lightly hued yellow color with a phenomenal lemonade flavor. And when you’re ready to mix it up – shake to reveal a bright green crisp apple flavor. You’ve never seen (or tasted) anything like it before. In fact, this technology is first to market. And GNC is oh so proud to bring it to life and to YOU. Same LIT with lots of newness.
Ingredient Breakdown:
Caffeine: 250mg
Beta-Alanine: 3.2g
L-Citrulline: 3g
Creatine: 1.5g
Extras: Nitrosigine®, elevATP®, NeuroFactor™
Best Non-Stim Pre-Workout
Gorilla Mode Nitric is a stimulant AND beta-alanine free preworkout. There are very few beta-alanine formulas out there, so, as an “anti-tingle” person – I’m here for it. The Bombsicle flavor with hyper-hydration benefits leaves me feeling hydrated and ready for what’s next.
Ingredient Breakdown:
Caffeine: n/a
Beta-Alanine: n/a
L-Citrulline: 5g
Creatine: 2.5g
Extras: GlycerPump™, Nitrosigine®, VasoDrive-AP®
Best Max Intensity Pre-Workout
This one boasts to the be “Mother of All Pre-Workouts” … and it was definitely intense! HydroPrime® adds additional pumps and at 400mg caffeine, Mother Bucker tops the charts for the highest stim formula of the bunch.
Caffeine: 400mg (per scoop)
Beta-Alanine: 6.4g
L-Citrulline: 4g
Creatine: n/a
Extras: Nitrosigine®, HydroPrime®, Alpha GPC, AstraGin®, Senactiv®, Huperzine A 1%
Best Tasting Pre-Workout Flavor
Our LIT™ Gummy Worm is a staple flavor on rotation. Team GNC folks and I keep coming back for its nostalgic flavor. This one gets you primed for a sweat sesh with the sweet taste of Gummy Worm candies – I love it!
Ingredient Breakdown:
Caffeine: 250mg
Beta-Alanine: 3.2g
L-Citrulline: 3g
Creatine: 1.5g
Extras: Nitrosigine®, elevATP®, NeuroFactor™
Best Thermogenic/Best Fat Burning Pre-Workout
Also known as “Hulk Juice”, this 2-in-1 fat burning preworkout contains research supported ingredients, like Mitoburn®, Caloriburn GP®, and Alfabin® for amplified calorie burning. SXT™ provides sustained energy and focus, plus pre-workout ingredient staples for all the blood flow and pumps you crave.
Ingredient Breakdown:
Caffeine: 320mg
Beta-Alanine: 3.2g
L-Citrulline: 3g
Creatine: 1.5g
Extras: Nitrosigine®, elevATP®, NeuroFactor™
Best Pre-Workout for Men
This LEGEND ALL OUT formula is for the men in the back, looking to go all out at the gym or the party. GHOST® Smart Energy formula provides both immediate and sustained release caffeine.
Ingredient Breakdown:
Caffeine: 400mg
Beta-Alanine: 3.2g
L-Citrulline: 6g
Creatine: n/a
Extras: Alpha-GPC, zumXR®, AstraGin®
JYM pre-workouts offer something for everyone. And this High-Performance Pre-Workout has just that in mind – high performance! The guys just seem to love it. I like the fact that it’s got some pretty unique adds like Huperzine, Beet Root, and BioPerine®. It’s also got some BCAAs to help with fueling muscle. With six flavors to choose from, you really can’t go wrong!
Ingredient Breakdown:
Caffeine: 300mg
Beta-Alanine: 2g
L-Citrulline: 6g
Creatine: 2g
Extras: BCAAs, Betaine, Huperzine, Beet Root, BioPerine®
Best Pre-Workout for Muscle Size & Gains^:
Concept X kills it when it comes to capabilities. Our team of nutrition science experts truly hit it out of the park with this one. While I can’t quite get to this level of pre, it’s a phenomenal option for anyone looking to boost performance, build size, and make some serious gains. Clinically studied MyoTor® is proven to improve muscle strength in just 2 weeks.^* And Rephyll® helps with recovery, getting you back to the gym sooner, even after leg day.
Ingredient Breakdown:
Caffeine: 300mg
Beta-Alanine: 6.4g
L-Citrulline: 8g
Creatine: 5g
Extras: Dynamine™, Nitrosigine®, Rephyll®, MyoTor®
Best Value Pre-workout
I’m loving GNC’s Pro Performance Pre-Workout right now. It tastes superb! But what really gets me is that it’s Banned Substance Tested and has lower doses of pre-workout staples like caffeine (which comes from Green Tea Extract) and beta-alanine. Low enough that my anti-tingle self can enjoy it! It’s also a great value at just $24.99*.
Ingredient Breakdown:
Caffeine: 160mg
Beta-Alanine: 1.6g
L-Citrulline: 3g
Creatine: n/a
Extras: Green Tea Extract (standardized to 98% caffeine)
Best Naturally Flavored Pre-workout
This Bodacious Pre-Workout is naturally flavored with fruit punch and pineapple juice. I love it’s flashy packaging and nod to all things 80s. It’s also got some unique added ingredients, like bovine collagen, which lends to the “smooth” callout on the label. Pink Himalayan Salt provides a natural source of sodium and it’s got 5g of creatine to boot! Definitely worth a try if you’re looking for a natural flavor pre-workout!
Ingredient Breakdown:
Caffeine: 250mg
Beta-Alanine: 3.2g
L-Citrulline: 6g
Creatine: 5g
Extras: Bovine Collagen, Black Pepper Extract, Choline
Best Pre-workout for Beginners
This is the second appearance of GNC’s Pro Performance Pre-Workout – can you tell I’m a fan? When you’re considering adding a pre-workout to your routine, it’s best to start slow, adding intensity as you become more comfortable with stimulant ingredients, like caffeine. It’s also Banned Substance Tested which this Sports RD feels so passionately about!
Ingredient Breakdown:
Caffeine: 160mg
Beta-Alanine: 1.6g
L-Citrulline: 3g
Creatine: n/a
Extras: Green Tea Extract (standardized to 98% caffeine)
Best Pre-Workout for Women
Pineapple? Coconut? Name me one woman who doesn’t like a good Pina Colada. This refreshing summer bev flavored pre-workout is great for hitting the gym, or the town. With a lower caffeine and beta-alanine content, I’m signing its praises! It’s also got bovine collagen and creatine. Creatine is a super supplement for exercise performance but gets a bad rap for causing bloat. This formula contains just 1g per serving, so no worries on the bloat end. But I’d be remiss not to mention consuming 3-5g of creatine per day provides so many benefits!
Ingredient Breakdown:
Caffeine: 150mg
Beta-Alanine: 1.6g
L-Citrulline: 4g
Creatine: 1g
Extras: Bovine Collagen, Black Pepper Extract, Choline
Best Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Pre-Workout
I appreciate that this formula only contains a handful of ingredients, and it tastes just like a Ring Pop! More often that not I gravitate towards those nostalgic flavors! This on-the-go preworkout is convenient, and contains a whopping 325mg of caffeine. So, if you’re a coffee drinker, be mindful! And of course, don’t consume on your way to the gym close to bedtime.
Ingredient Breakdown:
Caffeine: 325mg
Beta-Alanine: 3.5g
L-Citrulline: 6g
Creatine: n/a
Extras: Di-Caffeine Malate, Theobromine, L-Theanine
Alrighty folks, that’s a wrap for the Best Pre-Workouts of 2025. Grab your favorites from GNC and get after it!
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