Whether you’re an avid runner, swimmer, cyclist, or just someone who regularly trains cardio, a solid pre-workout supplement can take your performance to the NEXT LEVEL. (And no, pre-workouts aren’t just made for bodybuilders and powerlifters.) Show
Ready to maximize your training with boundless energy, immense focus, and endurance like never before? In this guide, you’ll find the best pre-workout supplements for cardio, how to choose the right one for you, and why these sports supplements can help you to reach your fitness goals faster. Overall Best Pre-Workout for Cardio
Pre-Kaged Pre Workout - Kaged Pre-Kaged is one of the best "all-around" pre-workouts on the market today. When it comes to delivering proven ingredients at effective dosages, Kaged is a brand that delivers time and time again. Pre-Kaged supplies pump, energy, and focus without any banned or shady ingredients, making it a great choice for tested athletes or anyone that cares what they put into their body. L-Citrulline: 6.5 g Recommended Flavor: Cherry Bomb Creatine HCL: 1.5 g BCAA 2:1:1: 6.5 g Caffeine: 275 mg Recommended for: beginners, daily driver, tested athletes, health conscious Shop Kaged Lift Vault earns a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no extra cost to you. Table of Contents
Pre-Kaged – KagedOverall Best Pre-Workout for Cardio
Pre-Kaged Pre Workout - Kaged Pre-Kaged is one of the best "all-around" pre-workouts on the market today. When it comes to delivering proven ingredients at effective dosages, Kaged is a brand that delivers time and time again. Pre-Kaged supplies pump, energy, and focus without any banned or shady ingredients, making it a great choice for tested athletes or anyone that cares what they put into their body. L-Citrulline: 6.5 g Recommended Flavor: Cherry Bomb Creatine HCL: 1.5 g BCAA 2:1:1: 6.5 g Caffeine: 275 mg Recommended for: beginners, daily driver, tested athletes, health conscious Shop Kaged Lift Vault earns a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no extra cost to you. Our top pick for the best pre-workout for cardio goes to Pre-Kaged. This award-winning sports supplement truly doesn’t leave much room for competition! It contains high doses of the finest quality premium ingredients that support energy, endurance, concentration, muscle building (with an impressive 6.5g of BCAAs), and pump. And, this natural pre-workout is also free from harmful artificial substances like flavors and colors. Plus, it’s 100% vegan-friendly, non-GMO, and tastes delicious! Key Ingredients:
Bulk Pre-Workout – Transparent LabsBest Pre-Workout for Supporting Muscle Growth
BULK Pre Workout - Transparent Labs With just over 200 mg of caffeine, BCAAs, Vitamin D3, and Zinc, BULK is a great choice if you're looking for a normal amount of caffeine + extra nutritional support. Caffeine: 202 mg Recommended for: Beginners, tested athletes, daily driver pre-workout Shop Transparent Labs Lift Vault earns a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no extra cost to you. Wishing you could gain muscle while training cardio? (We know, it’s not easy.) Well, Bulk Pre-Workout is an excellent option to help support muscle growth in addition to the usual perks of taking pre-workouts. This is thanks to the abundance of amino acids in this formula, including BCAAs, Citrulline Malate, Beta-Alanine, Betaine, Taurine, and L-Tyrosine, aiding in muscle building and preventing muscle loss. Not only is Bulk great for cardio, but it’s also included on our list of the best overall pre-workouts. Key Ingredients:
Nitro Surge – Jacked FactoryBest Value Pre-Workout for Cardio
NITROSURGE Pre-Workout - Jacked Factory Nitrosurge is a great choice for beginners who are looking for their first pre workout. With 180 mg of caffeine, Nitrosurge packs a nice punch without being overwhelming. It also doesn't contain any shady or illicit ingredients, making it a good choice for beginners. Shop Jacked Factory Lift Vault earns a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no extra cost to you. If you’re on the hunt for the best pre-workout for cardio that doesn’t break the bank, Nitro Surge offers excellent value. This product is the perfect option for athletes who want a clean, straightforward, and effective pre-workout with minimal ingredients. You will be getting a solid dose of beta-alanine, caffeine, theanine, and other beneficial ingredients to boost your energy, endurance, and focus during training. Also, you are spoilt for choice with 13 different tasty flavors! Key Ingredients: L-Citrulline – 3g Beta-Alanine – 1.6g Betaine Anhydrous – 1.25g Caffeine Anhydrous – 180mg L-Theanine – 90mg Theobromine – 50mg AstraGin – 25mg Pre-Workout – Pre Lab ProLow Caffeine + No Beta Alanine!
Pre Lab Pro Pre-Workout Pre Lab Pro is a solid pick for those seeking a pre-workout with a low amount of caffeine to get them going, but nothing crazy that'll make them jittery or keep them up all night. It also has no beta-alanine, so won't cause any tingling or itchiness. Last, it has no sketchy stimulants or artificial sweeteners, making it super clean and transparent. Caffeine: 80 mg L-Theanine: 160 mg Shop Pre Lab Pro Lift Vault earns a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no extra cost to you. Ever get a tingly feeling after taking pre-workout? That’s due to Beta-Alanine. And if you’re not a fan, here is the best pre-workout without Beta-Alanine! This vegan-friendly supplement contains a sensible dose of caffeine (great for those with a low tolerance), and an awesome combination of cutting-edge ingredients, that have been shown to have a positive effect on athletic performance. Key Ingredients:
Wrecked Pre-Workout – Huge SupplementsHigh Stim Pre-Workout for Cardio
Wrecked Pre Workout - Huge Supplements Wrecked v2 released April 11, 2022. For those looking to get a taste of what "high stim" pre workouts are like, then Wrecked serves as a reasonable introduction. Not really for beginners - for the curious. L-Citrulline: 8,000 mg Eria Jarensis: 250 mg Caffeine Anhydrous: 250 mg Di-Caffeine Malate: 75 mg yield Shop Huge Supplements Lift Vault earns a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no extra cost to you. Are you someone who enjoys high-stim, heavy pre-workouts to destroy your cardio workout like there’s no tomorrow? Wrecked Pre-Workout is by far the best high-stim pre-workout out there for cardio junkies, with a massive dose of caffeine (350mg) and beta-alanine (3,500mg), as well as a complete range of ingredients to boost energy, focus, and blood flow. Key Ingredients:
Lean Pre-Workout – Transparent LabsExtra Weight Loss Nutritional Support
Lean Pre Workout - Transparent Labs 4.3 Lean Pre-Workout is a great choice for those seeking all-around nutrition support and a little extra fat-burning help. It's a well-rounded pre-workout that can be good choice for lots of different use cases. Discount Codes: LV10 = 10% off your entire order Caffeine: 210 mg Citrulline Malate 2:1: 6,000 mg Sweetener(s): Stevia Extract BCAA 2:1:1: 2,500 mg Shop Transparent Labs Lift Vault earns a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no extra cost to you. Lean Pre-Workout is a superb choice for weight loss – boosting the number of calories you burn while you exercise, and it contains a lower dose of caffeine which is great if you are sensitive to stimulants. This product is extraordinarily well dosed with all the ingredients you could want in a pre-workout, 3rd-party tested, and contains no artificial ingredients. Key Ingredients:
Pre-Kaged Sport – KagedBest Tasting Pre-Workout for Cardio
Pre-Kaged Sport Pre-Workout - Kaged Pre-Kaged Sport is Kaged's lower-priced, athlete-focused pre-workout supplement. It's perfect for anyone looking for an energy boost that wants to avoid any banned or illegal substances. This is safe for tested athletes to take in competition. Caffeine: 188 mg L-Citrulline: 3.5 g Betaine Anhydrous: 1.25 g L-Tyrosine: 500 mg Shop Kaged Lift Vault earns a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no extra cost to you. Pre-Kaged Sport is an outstanding all-rounder. It contains pretty much every ingredient athletes look for in a sports supplement – caffeine, beta-alanine, citrulline, taurine, betaine, tyrosine, B-vitamins, and electrolytes, for next-level performance. This product comes in fun flavors including Glacier Grape, Mango Lime, and Fruit Punch – and they’re all equally tasty! Key Ingredients:
Superhuman Burn – Alpha LionRecommended Thermogenic Pre Workout
SuperHuman Burn Pre Workout - Alpha Lion SuperHuman Burn is a 2 in 1 pre-workout and fat burner. It includes clinical doses of proven fat burning ingredients for increasing energy expenditure along with tried and true pre-workout ingredients. Its well-balanced but potent ingredient profile makes it one of our favorite overall pre-workout supplements. Discount codes: LIFTVAULT15 = 15% off at Supp Kingz LIFTVAULT = 15% off at Nutrition Cartel Caffeine: 300 mg Grains of Paradise: 40 mg MitoBurn: 500 mg Synephrine: 33 mg Shop Supp Kingz Shop Nutrition Cartel Lift Vault earns a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no extra cost to you. Superhuman Burn is the very best pre-workout for fat loss. It provides a huge boost in energy and focus and a fantastic boost in thermogenesis, which is essential to burn fat. If you’re upping your cardio to lose weight, why not choose a supplement that will help to further maximize your progress? Key Ingredients:
Formula XII Intra Workout – Huge SupplementsHigh Quality Carb Intra Workout
Formula XII Intra Workout - Huge Supplements With several high quality carbohydrate ingredients, Formula XII is great for fueling long workouts or training while fasted. Key ingredients:
Shop Huge Supplements Lift Vault earns a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no extra cost to you. Last but not least, we have the ultimate pre-workout for fasted cardio. Carbs are by far the best source of fuel for cardio exercise (and having energy in general). With 10g of Cluster Dextrin, plus other top-class ingredients, you are guaranteed to have the power you need to push through your training, even if you didn’t have time to eat beforehand. In addition, this supplement is stim-free, so you’ll still feel all the benefits without the caffeine jitters! Key Ingredients:
Choosing The Best Pre-Workout Supplement For YouLook for a fully disclosed ingredient labelWhen comparing different products, you’ll notice that many pre-workout supplements contain vague propriety blends without listing the doses of the exact ingredients – this is a huge red flag. Always go for products that are 100% transparent by fully disclosing the ingredients they use. You can verify the brand’s claims by looking for a ‘3rd-party tested certificate’ on the label, like Informed Choice, Informed-Sport, GMP, or NSF. Decide how much caffeine you wantMost pre-workout supplements contain a WHOLE LOT of caffeine. For a better idea, the FDA considers one small cup to have 100mg of caffeine. Some pre-workout powders can have anywhere up to 350mg of caffeine – which can be rather intense for pre-workout newbies! If you tend to have a sensitivity to caffeine, choose a supplement with a low caffeine content, or opt for a stim-free pre-workout to avoid any chance of getting the jitters! Check for ingredients that can improve your cardio trainingThe best pre-workout supplements will contain the following beneficial ingredients to ensure that you get the absolute most out of your cardio session:
Go with a trustworthy brandChoosing a pre-workout supplement from a reliable brand that actually lives up to its claims is crucial. You’ll want to make sure the brand has the following:
What Are the Benefits of Pre-Workout Supplements for Cardio Exercise?Increasing energy levelsThe biggest benefit of taking a pre-workout supplement for cardio (or any type of exercise) is the massive energy boost! Thanks to caffeine and the right blend of common pre-workout ingredients, you will have the fuel and motivation needed to absolutely smash your cardio workout. Extensive research backs the effectiveness of pre-workout supplements in increasing the energy levels of athletes, having an incredibly positive effect on exercise performance. A 3-week study involving 24 professional athletes using a pre-workout supplement (containing caffeine, citrulline malate, and creatine) found that their maximum oxygen consumption, lean muscle mass, and running speed at high intensity all improved significantly when combined with HIIT cardio. Another study reported that athletes taking a supplement containing caffeine, creatine, B-vitamins, and other nutrients showed reduced fatigue and improved time-to-fatigue during endurance exercise. And if caffeine doesn’t sit well with you – there are plenty of fantastic stimulant-free pre-workout options available, with ingredients like L-Tyrosine and Beta-Alanine that can still improve your athletic performance! Improving endurance and staminaWhether you’re training to increase your race time, improve your body composition, or tone and strengthen your muscles, endurance plays a key role in making progress. Results from a large study involving athletes participating in aerobic exercise suggest that the ingredients commonly found in sports supplements (such as pre-workouts) greatly improved endurance and athletic performance. In addition, the participants were able to spare muscle glycogen and enhance fat burning (due to increased metabolism). Further research found that pre-workout supplements decreased race times on average by 3%, or by 2 minutes an hour (it doesn’t sound like much – but competitive athletes will surely understand the significance!). Some athletes were even able to improve their race times by 17%! ConclusionWhile pre-workouts tend to be targeted at weight lifters looking to make muscle gains, these products are more than capable of improving performance, endurance, and energy when it comes to cardio training! Out of all the phenomenal pre-workout supplements on this list, our top pick goes to:
And if you’re looking for an excellent stimulant-free option, you can’t go wrong with:
The bottom line? The best supplement for you really comes down to personal preference, but every brand on this list goes above and beyond to provide everything you could wish for in a pre-workout for cardio! Should I use preAs the name suggests, pre-workout should be taken before a workout, and although many people drink it on their way to the gym or during their workout, it should be taken at least 30 to 60 minutes prior to hitting the weights or cardio machines.
Is it okay to take preThese benefits include long-lasting energy, razor-sharp focus and optimal performance. As a runner, you'll be familiar with that dreaded push to finish the last mile – with a pre-workout before your run, that'll be a thing of the past. Pre-workouts are safe to take, no matter what form of exercise you choose.
What should you take before cardio?The particular dose depends on the product, but it's generally recommended to take them about 30–45 minutes before exercise. Creatine, caffeine, BCAAs and beta-alanine are often recommended before a workout. Multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements combine many different ingredients for optimal benefits.
|