Many people have turned to a vegan lifestyle. It’s no wonder that they are looking for supplements that fit this choice. This is especially true when it comes to pre-workouts.
They are a popular supplement that many users depend on. One thing’s certain. Vegans will only use a product that fits their lifestyle.
This guide will review the best vegan pre-workouts on the market. Ready to check it out? Let’s get going.
In a Hurry? Here is our top pick:
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Best vegan pre workout
- NutraBio Pre Natural – Best Overall
- Transparent Labs BULK Pre-Workout – Best For Bulking
- Genius Pre Workout Powder – Best Stim-Free
- AAN Pre-Workout Extreme – Best Plant-Based
- Vedge Nutrition Vegan Pre-Workout – Best Low Caffeine
- Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged – Best For BCAAs
- Alani Nu Pre-Workout – Best Low Dose Beta-Alanine
- RARI Nutrition Infinity Pre Workout – Best For Keto Dieters
Reviews – The Best vegan pre workouts
NutraBio Pre Natural – Best Overall
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Here’s our pick for best overall. NutraBio PRE Natural features extreme label transparency. They list the mgs right down to the natural flavorings and sweeteners. This is a clinically dosed 4-complex formula.
There’s a multi-ingredient complex for Power, Strength & Endurance. One of the ingredients in this complex is creatine from two sources. Pre Natural also contains vegan sourced leucine to support muscle growth. There’s also a complex of Pump and Hydration ingredients.
Also, there’s a Focus & Stim Matrix with 350mg caffeine. It’s from two sources, PurCaf® Organic Caffeine, and Infinergy(™) DiCaffeine Malate. Finally, Pre Natural features 8 branded ingredients.
PROS
- Full Label Transparency – Including The Flavoring & Sweeteners
- Clinically Dosed 4-Complex Formula
- Features Several Branded Ingredients
CONS
- There’s Only 20 Servings Per Container
Transparent Labs BULK Pre-Workout – Best For Bulking
Transparent Labs Bulk Pre-Workout
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Transparent Labs BULK Pre-Workout is an all-natural, vegan formula. It has an exclusive testosterone boosting complex. This complex includes zinc, vitamin D3, and boron. The idea of bulking in this case refers to lean muscle growth.
BULK Pre-Workout is clinically dosed and features extreme label transparency. It’s a well-rounded formula and one of the few that includes a BCAA complex. This complex contributes to the “BULK” concept.
This is because BCAAs help stimulate protein synthesis. Like all but one of the pre-workouts in this guide, there’s caffeine. In this case, there’s a total of 205mg from two sources.
PROS
- Features An Exclusive Testosterone Support Complex
- Includes BCAAs
- Extreme Open Label
CONS
- The Caffeine Content May Be Too Low For Hardcore Users
Genius Pre Workout Powder – Best Stim-Free
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The Genius Brand Genius Pre is our best stim-free vegan pre-workout. It’s a formula that targets focus. Most stim-free pre-workouts emphasize focus and motivation. The description plays up the fact that Genius Pre helps users mentally connect to their workouts.
Of course, this means you will have better training sessions. One of the keys to success is to commit to your training. Genius Pre also emphasizes pumps and endurance. Finally, this is a fully transparent label.
PROS
- This Is A Nootropic-Based Formula
- All-Natural And Vegan-Friendly
- Third-Party Tested
CONS
- There Are 20 Servings – Most Pre-Workouts Have 30
AAN Pre-Workout Extreme – Best Plant-Based
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Here’s a plant-based pre-workout featuring a simple formula and open label. AAN Pre-Workout Extreme provides 40 servings. Users can use 1 scoop, or 2 scoops, depending on experience.
There’s an exclusive 3-ingredient Pump Complex featuring plant-based nitric oxide boosters.
Energy comes from all-natural caffeine. The dose is 175mg for 1 scoop, and 350mg for 2 scoops. If there’s a downside, this product uses an artificial sweetener.
Yet, it also uses stevia. Plus, it has natural and artificial flavors. Still, it’s a good formula with a unique pump complex.
PROS
- Features Plant-Based Nitric Oxide Boosters
- Up To 350mg Natural Caffeine
- There’s 40 1-Scoop Servings Or 20 2-Scoop Servings
CONS
- Contains Artificial Ingredients
Vedge Nutrition Vegan Pre-Workout – Best Low Caffeine
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Vedge Nutrition Vegan Pre-Workout is 100% natural. It has 40 1-scoop servings. There’s also 20 2-scoop doses for experienced users. Vedge Nutrition Vegan Pre-Workout is ideal for users that prefer low caffeine.
At the full 2-scoop dose, there’s only 275mg caffeine. That means that the 1-scoop dose provides 127mg. There’s also a good balance of endurance, pump, and focus ingredients. Finally, the label is fully disclosed.
PROS
- Offers Two Servings Sizes
- All-Natural Formula
- Low Caffeine Pre-Workout
CONS
- A Few Users Don’t Like The Taste
Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged – Best For BCAAs
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Here’s a pre-workout with a high BCAA content. Pre-Kaged has a total of 4750mg of leucine. This ingredient stimulates protein synthesis. Pre-Kaged is a vegan pre-workout that features an open label and clinical dosing. Besides the BCAA complex, there’s an exclusive ORAC antioxidant blend.
This is a branded prop blend. It’s the only prop blend in any of the products in this guide. There’s also a 3-ingredient Strength & Power Complex.
Plus, there’s a high dose of fermented citrulline for pumps. Next, there’s coconut water powder for hydration. Finally, Pre-Kaged features 274mg of PurCaf® Organic Caffeine.
PROS
- Contains 4750mg Of Leucine
- Features an ORAC Antioxidant Complex
- Full Disclosure Labeling
CONS
- May Not Be Enough Energy For Some Users
Alani Nu Pre-Workout – Best Low Dose Beta-Alanine
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Here’s a vegan pre-workout with 5 total ingredients. One thing that sets Alani Nu Pre-Workout apart is the low dose of beta-alanine. The clinical dose is 3.2g, this is dosed at half strength. The reason is that there’s a lot of people that can’t tolerate the tingling sensation.
This is a temporary and harmless effect. Still, it’s hard for some users to handle. With a half-dose, the effect is reduced. Yet, you can still get some benefits of beta-alanine.
There’s 200mg of caffeine power serving. Also, there’s a pump and a focus ingredient. It’s a simple, yet effective formula.
PROS
- Low Dose Beta-Alanine
- 200mg Caffeine From Coffee Beans
- Vegan Formula – 5 Total Ingredients
CONS
- Contains Artificial Ingredients
RARI Nutrition Infinity Pre Workout – Best For Keto Dieters
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Here’s a vegan pre-workout for followers of the Keto Diet. RARI Nutrition Infinity Pre Workout provides clean, jitter-free energy. There are two serving sizes. The 1-scoop serving is ideal for new users. This serving provides 175mg caffeine and 30 servings.
There’s a 2-scoop serving for advanced users. This provides 350mg caffeine and 15 servings. There are no artificial ingredients in Infinity. Finally, RARI Nutrition Infinity is lab certified for quality.
PROS
- Perfect For Keto Dieters
- No Artificial Ingredients
- Two Serving Sizes
CONS
- May Not Have Enough Stimulants For Some Users
Buying Guide – How To Choose The Best vegan pre workout?
What Is A Pre-Workout
A pre-workout supplement increases your performance in the gym. It does this by increasing energy and focus. It also extends endurance and promotes pumps. Also, a good pre-workout will increase strength and power. Some will stimulate muscle growth. Each brand will have several ingredient combinations that promote most, if not all, of these effects.
What Makes A Pre-Workout Vegan?
A vegan pre-workout should be free of any animal ingredients, or animal-derived ingredients. It should be all-natural with vegan ingredients. Yet, if even one compound is animal-derived, it’s not vegan.
Flavors & Sweeteners
Many vegan pre-workouts do not contain artificial flavors or sweeteners. A few of them do. The thing to remember is that these artificial ingredients are still vegan. It’s your choice of whether you want them in your pre-workout.
Other Factors
Here are some other factors to keep in mind when considering a vegan pre-workout.
- Quality – Any pre-workout you are considering should be high quality. Many may have a “3rd -party tested” seal. Some may have a “lab-verified” seal.
- Fillers – The “Other Ingredients” need to be clean and vegan.
- Reputation – The company should have a reputation for being a quality company. Look at the label and the dosing. Check the “Other Ingredients”. Read reviews.
What You Should Consider When Looking For A Vegan Pre-Workout
Prop Blends, Open Labeling & Dosing
The best vegan pre-workouts use open labels and are well-dosed. No matter what kind of pre-workout you buy, avoid prop blends. Why? Because they are usually a way to hide underdosed ingredients. With a prop blend, there’s a total dose. For example, a prop blend may have 5g total. It will have several ingredients. There will be no listing of individual dosing. Let’s say the first ingredient has a clinical dose of 6g. That’s more than the entire prop blend. That means the first ingredient, and all others, will be underdosed.
There’s only one pre-workout in this guide that has a prop blend. Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged. The blend is a branded complex of antioxidants called Spectra®. It’s a prop blend because that’s the only way this complex is available.
The Benefits Of Using A Vegan Pre-Workout
Here’s a list of benefits of using a vegan pre-workout.
- Pumps & Vascularity – A pump is the key thing many bodybuilders look for in a pre-workout. Tight, full muscles and enhanced vascularity make a strong visual impact. Some products contain one ingredient for pumps. Others contain several. For example, AAN Pre-Workout Extreme contains 3 pump ingredients.
- Enhanced Power & Strength – Most pre-workouts improve strength and power.
- Longer Lasting Endurance – Every pre-workout in this guide contains at least one ingredient for endurance. Our best overall, NutraBio Pre Natural, features a 5-ingredient Power, Strength & Endurance complex.
- Improved Performance – One of the major benefits of any pre-workout is that it helps you perform at your best.
- Greater Energy – More energy when you train is one of the main reasons to use a pre-workout. Some pre-workouts use a heavy stimulant-based formula. The pre-workouts in this guide depend on caffeine for energy. They are also balanced formulas. They cover all training needs.
- Improved Focus – A good pre-workout should include ingredients that elevate focus. The Genius Brand Genius Pre is the best example of this. It increases focus and promotes a good mind-muscle connection.
Ingredients You Should Look For In A Vegan Pre-Workout
This is a list of ingredients good vegan pre-workouts should have:
Caffeine – This is the first ingredient on our list because it’s so common. Caffeine will always be one of the stimulants you find in a pre-workout. It increases energy, alertness, and performance. It’s also thermogenic. (1)
The pre-workouts in this guide use several types of caffeine. These include:
- Caffeine Anhydrous – This may be the most common form of caffeine. It has all the water removed. It’s a concentrated source of caffeine.
- Infinergy Dicaffeine Malate – This is a branded source of caffeine. It’s a mix of 75% caffeine and 25% malic acid. It absorbs slower than regular caffeine. This helps users avoid jitters or a mid-workout crash.
- PurCaf® Organic Caffeine – This is water-soluble powdered caffeine that’s sourced from coffee beans.
- Cafe Alatus All Natural Pure Caffeine – This is also natural caffeine from coffee beans.
Choline – This compound stimulates acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that enhances mood. It’s an important ingredient for the mind-muscle connection. (2, 3)
Alpha GPC – As noted above, choline stimulates the mind’s ability to connect with the muscles. Alpha GPC is 40% choline by weight and absorbs better than regular choline. It’s a key ingredient in The Genius Brand Genius Pre. This vegan pre-workout is nootropic-based. This means it enhances focus. Also, it promotes a good mind-muscle connection. (4)
Huperzine A – This ingredient works with choline by increasing acetylcholine. That’s the neurotransmitter affected by choline and Alpha GPC. It should be no surprise that it’s in Genius Pre. (5)
Tyrosine – This is another popular ingredient for focus. Tyrosine supports the production of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. (6)
ElevATP(™) – This branded ingredient is a mix of ancient peat and apple skin extracts. Studies suggest it enhances the production of ATP. For this reason, it promotes increased performance in the gym. (7)
BCAAs – Or, Branched Chain Amino Acids. There are three, leucine, isoleucine, and valine. The BCAAs stimulate protein synthesis.
Nitro Rocket(™) Arugula Extract – Here’s a newer ingredient that’s an extract of Arugula. You’ll find it in AAN Pre-Workout Extreme. It’s there to promote pumps and increase oxygen delivery. (8)
L-Citrulline – This is one of, if not the, most common pump-enhancing ingredients. You’ll find it in every pre-workout in this guide. (9, 10, 11)
Nitrosigine (™) – This branded ingredient is a mix of arginine and silicon. It’s fast-acting. Plus, it lasts in the body for up to 6 hours. (12)
S7(™) – S7 is a low-dose ingredient complex. It contains 7 ingredients. They include green coffee bean along with green tea, turmeric, tart cherry, blueberry, broccoli, and kale. S7 contains nitrates that stimulate the body’s production of nitric oxide. (13)
Beta-Alanine – This is a common ingredient that’s in most, if not all, pre-workouts. It slows fatigue, which in turn extends endurance. It buffers acid buildup in the muscles. This means you can knock out more reps. Some pre-workouts feature a high dose. One example is Transparent Labs BULK, which contains a 4g dose.
The side effect of beta-alanine is a harmless tingling effect. For this reason, some users don’t want to use the full clinical dose. For those users, there are vegan pre-workouts with low doses. The best example of this is Alani Nu Pre-Workout. This product contains a 1.6g dose. Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged is another low dose example (1.6g). This is half the clinical dose of 3.2g. (14)
Creatine – This is not a common ingredient in pre-workouts. Yet, creatine is an effective ingredient, so it’s in several vegan pre-workouts. An example is NutraBio Pre Natural. Creatine increases muscle fullness, improves strength, power, and endurance. (15)
Betaine – This pulls water into the muscles, creating muscle fullness. Also, it increases strength and power. It’s become a common ingredient. It’s in most of the vegan pre-workouts in our guide. (16)
Boron Citrate – This is a trace mineral that increases free testosterone. This is testosterone that the body will use for muscle growth. The best example of a pre-workout that contains boron is Transparent Labs BULK Pre-Workout. (17)
When Should You Take Your Vegan Pre-Workout?
Read the label and follow the directions of any pre-workout you plan to use. Mix your pre-workout with 8-12oz cold water. Drink it within 30 minutes of your training session.
Conclusion
NutraBio Pre Natural is a 4-complex, fully transparent vegan pre-workout. It contains two forms of creatine and 350mg of caffeine per serving.
Are you looking for a stim-free vegan pre-workout that emphasizes focus? The Genius Pre Workout Powder is the best choice. This is a nootropic pre-workout that will help you establish the mind-muscle connection.
Finally, do you want a pre-workout that stimulates testosterone production?Transparent Labs BULK Pre-Workout features an exclusive blend of boron, zinc, and D3.
Your preferences and training goals will determine the best vegan pre-workout for you. Use our guide to help you make a great choice!
References:
- https://examine.com/supplements/caffeine/
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Choline-HealthProfessional/#h7
- Choline – PubMed Central (PMC). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2518394/
- https://examine.com/supplements/alpha-gpc/
- Treating senile dementia with traditional Chinese medicine. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2684515/
- Deijen, J. B., & Orlebeke, J. F. (n.d.). Effect of tyrosine on cognitive function and blood pressure under stress. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8293316
- Reyes-Izquierdo T, et al. The effect of elevATP™ on whole blood ATP levels: a single dose, crossover clinical study. J Aging Res Clin Practice. 2014;3:56-60
- Creative Compounds
- Figueroa, A., Wong, A., Jaime, S. J., & Gonzales, J. U. (2017, January). Influence of L-citrulline and watermelon supplementation on vascular function and exercise performance. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27749691
- Breuillard, C., Cynober, L., & Moinard, C. (2015, April). Citrulline and nitrogen homeostasis: an overview. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25676932
- Bahri, S., Zerrouk, N., Aussel, C., Moinard, C., Crenn, P., Curis, E., … Sfar, S. (2013, March). Citrulline: from metabolism to therapeutic use. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23022123
- https://nitrosigine.com/about/
- S7 – Increase NO Production | FutureCeuticals
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/beta-alanine-101
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-is-creatine
- https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/80/3/539/4690529
- Pizzorno L. (2015). Nothing Boring About Boron. Integrative medicine (Encinitas, Calif.), 14(4), 35–48.