Finding the best caffeine free pre-workout supplement can be a challenge. We’re all looking for that extra edge in the gym. We want supplements that will help us lift bigger weights, run faster, and set new personal records.
Like many avid gym-goers, I’ve been hooked on loads of caffeine filled pre-workouts. But being dependent on caffeine for your performance is not a good state to be in.
Caffeine has diminishing returns (the longer you use it, the less it works), side effects like jitteriness, and usually leads to a massive energy crash.
In my years spent searching for the best caffeine free pre-workout, I have discovered five top supplements that are complete game-changers. Some of these recommendations are unconventional. But trust me. You’re about to have the workout of a lifetime.
PRODUCT
DETAILS
OUR RATING
EvogenEVP
- L-Leucine – most critical amino acid for building muscle
- Quad-arginine blend with citrulline malate for a nitric oxide kick for pumps
- Creatine gluconate
- 2 types of glutamine for muscle building
- Nootropics l-tyrposine and vinpocetine for focus and concentration
Our #1 Rated
In the Preworkout Without Caffeine category
Universal Nutrition Uni-Liver Tablets
- Desiccated liver made from Argenitian beef
Our #2 Rated
Unversal NutritionStorm
- 4 types of creatine
- Citrulline malate
- Beta anaine
- L-arginine
- Alpha lipoic acid
- L-taurine
Our #3 Rated
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OUR #1 RATED |
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EvogenEVPIn the Preworkout Without Caffeine category |
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OUR #2 RATED |
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Universal NutritionUni-Liver TabletsIn the Preworkout Without Caffeine category |
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OUR #3 RATED |
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Universal NutritionStomIn the Preworkout Without Caffeine category |
Why Go Caffeine Free?
The purpose of caffeine is to give you a boost of energy. We all know this as it isn’t just used in pre workouts, it is used as an everyday morning beverage to wake us up for the working day.
In most pre workouts you are looking at 1-2 large cups of coffee and some can be considerably larger doses. These large doses may feel great before hitting the gym but caffeine can have long lasting effects.
Here are some reasons you may have already considered for going caffeine free:
You Can’t Get To Sleep
If you workout in the evening, you may have found a preworkout with caffeine has left you wide awake at night. This is because although caffeine reaches peak levels within 30 to 60 minutes of consumption, caffeines lingering symptoms can last for more than 5 hours.
One study showed that consuming caffeine 5 hours before bed can still reduce your total sleep time by an hour (1). So just imagine if you are consuming it closer to bed, which ultimately you probably are if you are having to workout in the evening.
If you are particularly sensitive to caffeine the effects may even last longer than this. Not exactly something you need to be dealing with if you need to get up for work the next day.
It is also important ot note that sleep is also important for recover. Society doesn’t really give sleep the treatment it deserves and this really needs to change. So if your pre workout is interfering with your sleep then ditching the caffeine is the best thing you can do for your workouts – you won’t recovery efficiently or quickly without adequate sleep.
You May Be Too Sensitive
Not everyone can cope with consuming caffeine, particularly in the dosage that pre workouts come in. Sensitivity to caffeine can result in side effects such as stomach pain and nausea. Therefore consuming caffeine really isn’t worth any of the benefits it could offer.
Can Be Addicting
Caffeine can be addictive and with a high dosage from a pre workout it would be easy to build up a high tolerance. Withdrawal from such a large amount of caffeine could be painful. Crashing from caffeine can have many unpleasant side effects.
Sometimes You Just Need To Take A Break
Sometimes it’s a good idea to take a break from using caffeine regularly. So to mix things up using a pre workout without caffeine may be a good idea. Your body adjusts to caffeine over time making it less effective. You may find you have to keep upping the dose which isn’t exactly ideal.
Taking a break can be a good thing, although you may have to come to terms with no experiencing the same kick with a pre workout with caffeine that you would with one that has it.
You Just Don’t Want To Consume Caffeine
May be you simply do not want to consume caffeine and would rather get a boost before your workout from something else. Not everyone wants to have a caffeine fueled lifestyle an prefer to stay away from stimulants.
Best Pre Workouts Without Caffeine
The list here is going to be a bit different to straight forward pre workout mixtures that you may be used to. Despite a few of the suggestions here being unconventional, they will deliver for a lot of people.
As with anything, experimentation is key. Find out what works for your and ride it.
Evogen
EVP
Price
Our Rating
- L-Leucine – most critical amino acid for building muscle
- Quad-arginine blend with citrulline malate for a nitric oxide kick for pumps
- Creatine gluconate
- 2 types of glutamine for muscle building
- Nootropics l-tyrposine and vinpocetine for focus and concentration
If you want a supplement that is like the traditional caffeine-filled pre-workouts but without the caffeine, Evogen EVP will do the trick nicely. Once you’ve exhausted the more natural supplements like beet juice, Evogen EVP is the best pre-workout without caffeine.
EVP stands for evopoietin one alpha which has been carefully engineered to support muscle growth and strength. It was formulated to stimulate protein synthesis and help build muscle. It also helps increase performance by supporting celluar energy pathways and increases muscle pump. It enhances mental performance without the use of any stimulants.
There’s no caffeine but it still delivers a powerful kick.
The main ingredient in this supplement is l-leucine, an essential branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) that stimulates protein synthesis and gives you great gym pumps.
There are no stimulants at all in this supplement.
No sugar, no carbs, no fillers. It’s a great alternative for those looking for the best pre-workout supplement without caffeine.
PROS – Gives a great boost in energy, mental focus and pumps. Has no carbs, fillers or sugar.
CONS – Not everyone likes the flavor.
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Our #1 Rated |
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L-Leucine – most critical amino acid for building muscle Quad-arginine blend with citrulline malate for a nitric oxide kick for pumps Creatine gluconate 2 types of glutamine for muscle building Nootropics l-tyrposine and vinpocetine for focus and concentration
PROS – Gives a great boost in energy, mental focus and pumps. Has no carbs, fillers or sugar. CONS – Not everyone likes the flavor. |
Universal Nutrition
Uni-Liver Tablets
Price
Our Rating
One of the best supplements around is a natural supplement that increases testosterone. You probably know the benefits of boosting testosterone right before a workout.
The benefits of high testosterone include increased aggression in the gym (leading to better workouts), stronger libido, higher confidence, happiness, high energy, and increased strength and muscle mass.
One of the best foods for increasing testosterone is beef liver. It’s rich in testosterone-boosting nutrients like zinc that will help you take your workout to the next level. It’s rich in amino acids, vitamins, minerals, lipotropics, antioxidants, nucleic acid and much more
Obviously it can be tiresome eating a ton of liver every day (particularly if the taste isn’t for you). Instead, try popping some desiccated liver tablets made from defatted Argentine beef.
You will feel incredibly strong after popping a few of these liver tablets from Universal Nutrition.
If you’re bulking, I would actually recommend this as an essential supplement. I managed to get to my heaviest weight of a lean 195 pounds at just over 6 foot by taking lots of these liver tablets every day before my workout.
Liver tablets are an old school pre workout that bodybuilders. They have been used for decades to increase strength, increase appetite and reduce recovery times and fatigue.
Many thought it could do anything and everything. For a pre workout that has been around for such a long time it is certainly worth trying for yourself.
PROS – Provides a whole host of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and nutrients to the body. Boosts testosterone, energy, strength and recovery. Many customers state they have more strength and energy for workouts.
CONS – Not your typical pre workout supplement and may not give you the same effects you’re looking for if used to a pre workout mixture.
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Our #2 Rated |
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Universal NutritionUni-Liver Tablets
One of the best supplements around is a natural supplement that increases testosterone. You probably know the benefits of boosting testosterone right before a workout. The benefits of high testosterone include increased aggression in the gym (leading to better workouts), stronger libido, higher confidence, happiness, high energy, and increased strength and muscle mass. One of the best foods for increasing testosterone is beef liver. It’s rich in testosterone-boosting nutrients like zinc that will help you take your workout to the next level. It’s rich in amino acids, vitamins, minerals, lipotropics, antioxidants, nucleic acid and much more Obviously it can be tiresome eating a ton of liver every day (particularly if the taste isn’t for you). Instead, try popping some desiccated liver tablets made from defatted Argentine beef. You will feel incredibly strong after popping a few of these liver tablets from Universal Nutrition. If you’re bulking, I would actually recommend this as an essential supplement. I managed to get to my heaviest weight of a lean 195 pounds at just over 6 foot by taking lots of these liver tablets every day before my workout. Liver tablets are an old school pre workout that bodybuilders. They have been used for decades to increase strength, increase appetite and reduce recovery times and fatigue. Many thought it could do anything and everything. For a pre workout that has been around for such a long time it is certainly worth trying for yourself. PROS – Provides a whole host of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and nutrients to the body. Boosts testosterone, energy, strength and recovery. Many customers state they have more strength and energy for workouts. CONS – Not your typical pre workout supplement and may not give you the same effects you’re looking for if used to a pre workout mixture. |
Universal Nutrition
Storm
Price
Our Rating
- 4 forms of creatine
- iNOXsulin-7 which includes beta alanine, l-taurine, alpha lipoic acid, citrulline malate and arginine.
The people over at Universal Nutrition really know how to put together a great supplement.
The Universal Storm supplement, which comes in a variety of delicious flavours (my favorite is blue raspberry), uses four different types of creatine to achieve a cell volumizing formula that will shock your muscles into new growth.
As well as creatine, this product has l-taurine, beta-alanine, and alpha lipoic acid, along with some other goodies.
It’s got the same ingredients that make many traditional pre-workout supplements so effective but now you won’t have to deal with the caffeine irritability and crash. This is a great product and possibly one of the best.
PROS – 4 types of creatine gives effective pumps during workout.
CONS – May have stomach issues if you haven’t used creatine in a while.
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Our #3 Rated |
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The people over at Universal Nutrition really know how to put together a great supplement. The Universal Storm supplement, which comes in a variety of delicious flavours (my favorite is blue raspberry), uses four different types of creatine to achieve a cell volumizing formula that will shock your muscles into new growth. As well as creatine, this product has l-taurine, beta-alanine, and alpha lipoic acid, along with some other goodies. It’s got the same ingredients that make many traditional pre-workout supplements so effective but now you won’t have to deal with the caffeine irritability and crash. This is a great product and possibly one of the best. PROS – 4 types of creatine gives effective pumps during workout. CONS – May have stomach issues if you haven’t used creatine in a while. |
Optimum Nutrition
Creatine Powder
Price
Our Rating
Creatine powder is another essential supplement for those looking for the best pre-workout without caffeine.
Creatine is the most studied supplement for athletic performance (aside from perhaps whey protein).
It has been proven to be extremely effective at increasing your capabilities in the gym. Creatine is actually a natural compound that is found in small amounts in meat.
By taking creatine powder, you’re effectively mega-dosing a compound that will increase your work capacity. Creatine helps regenerate ATP, which is the source for muscle contraction. It’s not unheard of to increase your work capacity by 5% with creatine.
This translates to cranking out one or two extra reps or slightly increasing the pounds on the bar and helps with explosive movements.
Just add 5g of creatine to your pre-workout protein drink and you’re going to have a fun workout session.
PROS – Mixes well with other supplements and provides an unflavored product with no other ingredients.
CONS – Not everyone’s stomach can tolerate it.
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Our #4 Rated |
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Creatine powder is another essential supplement for those looking for the best pre-workout without caffeine. Creatine is the most studied supplement for athletic performance (aside from perhaps whey protein). It has been proven to be extremely effective at increasing your capabilities in the gym. Creatine is actually a natural compound that is found in small amounts in meat. By taking creatine powder, you’re effectively mega-dosing a compound that will increase your work capacity. Creatine helps regenerate ATP, which is the source for muscle contraction. It’s not unheard of to increase your work capacity by 5% with creatine. This translates to cranking out one or two extra reps or slightly increasing the pounds on the bar and helps with explosive movements. Just add 5g of creatine to your pre-workout protein drink and you’re going to have a fun workout session. PROS – Mixes well with other supplements and provides an unflavored product with no other ingredients. CONS – Not everyone’s stomach can tolerate it. |
Lakewood
Organic Pure Beetroot
Price
Our Rating
The secret to the best workout of your life is juice. No, I’m not talking about anabolic steroids. I’m talking about beetroot juice.
You’ve probably tried a ton of different nitric oxide (NO) supplements. But you can get the same effects without the health complications by simply drinking a delicious glass of beetroot juice.
Beets contain nitrates that increase vasodilation, causing your blood vessels to expand. This means more blood in your muscles and increased ability to take in oxygen. What does this mean? Better pumps!
After a glass of beetroot juice, you’re going to have fuller muscles, popping veins, and an ability to run faster and longer and achieve more reps with the weights (Don’t believe me, check out our article on beetroot and athletic performance).
Drinking beet juice improves your ability to deliver explosive power in the gym. It also improves your sex life, lowers blood pressure, cures and prevents hangovers, and makes you feel amazing. It also helps with recovery too.
One of the best pre workout drinks to have before a workout is beetroot juice. One of the best beetroot juice brands are Lakewood Organic.
Pick up a few packs today and thank me later.
PROS – Contains nitrates that help boost nitric oxide levels and thus providing better pumps and better transportation of nutrients.
CONS – May require something a little more than just beetroot juice depending on the workout you have in mind.
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Our #5 Rated |
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The secret to the best workout of your life is juice. No, I’m not talking about anabolic steroids. I’m talking about beetroot juice. You’ve probably tried a ton of different nitric oxide (NO) supplements. But you can get the same effects without the health complications by simply drinking a delicious glass of beetroot juice. Beets contain nitrates that increase vasodilation, causing your blood vessels to expand. This means more blood in your muscles and increased ability to take in oxygen. What does this mean? Better pumps! After a glass of beetroot juice, you’re going to have fuller muscles, popping veins, and an ability to run faster and longer and achieve more reps with the weights (Don’t believe me, check out our article on beetroot and athletic performance). Drinking beet juice improves your ability to deliver explosive power in the gym. It also improves your sex life, lowers blood pressure, cures and prevents hangovers, and makes you feel amazing. It also helps with recovery too. One of the best pre workout drinks to have before a workout is beetroot juice. One of the best beetroot juice brands are Lakewood Organic. Pick up a few packs today and thank me later. PROS – Contains nitrates that help boost nitric oxide levels and thus providing better pumps and better transportation of nutrients. Nice and refreshing before a workout. CONS – May require something a little more than just beetroot juice depending on the workout you have in mind. |
Final Recommendations
It’s important to remember that these are just supplements. They are supposed to ‘supplement’ your diet.
If you’re not drinking adequate amounts of water, eating lots of vegetables, getting your required protein in, and having a healthy lifestyle, no supplement is going to be a magic bullet for you.
But once you have the basics in order, these supplements really can make a big difference. They can give you that extra helping boost and all without caffeine. I recommend stacking a few of these together after you’ve got a feel for them on their own.
My current pre-workout stack is a tall glass of beet juice, 5g of creatine powder, and 5 liver tabs. I feel awesome after that routine and I’m ready to take on the world.
Try it out and I guarantee you will feel a difference. That stack really is the best caffeine free pre-workout.
Product Images Sourced From Amazon.com