Pre-Workout Without Creatine
Choosing a pre-workout supplement without creatine can have some big benefits. You can experience the full benefit and get the full value of your pre-workout powder without having to go through the loading phase that effective creatine supplementation requires. Choosing the best pre-workout without creatine means you’ll get a pre-workout supplement with increased amounts of other ingredients designed to provide shorter-term and faster effects.
In this list, we’ll look at our current best pre-workout without creatine and what ingredients should make up for the lack of creatine in your pre-workout.
How We Chose Our #1 Rated Creatine Free Pre Workout
We selected the best pre-workout supplements without creatine based on their effects on performance in a gym. We appreciate some people prefer to train at home or even use pre-workouts for cardio training, but we’re a bodybuilding site, so we had to test its impact in the weight room and some endurance and cardio tests.
Here’s what we look for:
Effects – How does it impact energy levels, blood flow, and does it have side effects?
Ingredients – Are the ingredients natural and free from proprietary blends?
Value – What’s the cost per serving and are there deals?
Brand – How does the brand operate, and crucially, can you trust them?
Best Pre-Workout Without Creatine:
#1 National Bodybuilding Co. Stage Ready Pre Workout
Our number one pick for a pre-workout supplement without creatine is the Generation Iron Supplements Awards 2020 winner National Bodybuilding Co. Stage Ready Pre-Workout.
Effects: This creatine free pre-workout supplement has been specifically formulated to raise nitric oxide levels to give you fuller pumps. It supports muscle growth, ATP production, and neurotransmitter synthesis.
Ingredients: The ingredient list is transparent and does not include any property blends. It is comprised of powerful pre-workout ingredients, that are based firmly on the latest research. Ingredients include VASO6 to boost your metabolism and aid your recovery and L-citrulline-malate to improve your performance. It also has the added benefit of neotropics to keep you feeling your best during your workout and throughout the day.
Value: At $48 a tub, we think that this is good value for money. Although it is not the cheapest product on the market, the premium naturally-sourced ingredients and clinically dosed compounds make this a good value product for people who are serious about results. National Bodybuilding Co. is currently offering 5% saving on 2 tubs or 10% saving on 3 tubs, as well as free US shipping.
Brand – National Bodybuilding Co. is a trusted brand and are sure to provide one of the best creatine free pre-workout supplements. They only include proven and well studied nutritional formulas which are clean, transparent, and made in the USA.
Order Direct – www.nationalbodybuildingco.com
#2 Transparent Labs Bulk Series Pre Workout
Our second pick for pre-workout supplements without creatine is Transparent Labs Bulk Series Pre Workout.
Effects: This is one of the best creatine free pre-workout supplements. It has been designed to increase nitric oxide and focus while reducing muscle fatigue and soreness. There are many glowing reviews for this pre-workout powder.
Ingredients: A 21-gram serving of pre-workout powder includes 19 active ingredients; they have all been well researched and clinically dosed, including BCCA (2:1:1) and Beta-Alanine. There is nothing artificial, and it is gluten-free and non-GMO. However, this product lacks VASO6, which, according to current research, is a powerful pre-workout supplement ingredient.
Value: At $49 a tub, this is around what we would expect to pay for a quality pre-workout supplement. While on the expensive side, the high-quality and naturally sourced ingredients at good doses make it worth while.
Brand: Transparent Labs is a trusted brand with scientifically backed claims.
Order Direct – www.transparentlabs.com
#3 Legion Pulse Pre Workout
Our third pick for the best pre-workout supplements without creatine is Legion Pulse Pre-Workout.
Effects: This creatine free pre-workout has been formulated to improve your mood, energy levels, and focus while increasing strength and endurance.
Ingredients: Legion Pulse pre-workout contains caffeine and theanine for a smooth surge of focus and energy boost. The beta-alanine, citrulline, alpha-GPC, and betaine will give you fuller pumps and more endurance. A pre-workout supplement that is free from harsh stimulants, and well-researched to give you pumps without burning you out. You can also opt for a caffeine-free version.
Value: At $39.99, and a current offer of 10% off, this pre-workout powder is good value for money. All ingredients are clinically dosed at a generous 23.6 grams per serving.
Brand: Legion is a well-known brand with great reviews.
Buy Direct: www.legionathletics.com
#4 Rari Nutrition Infinity
Our fourth and final pick for a high-quality natural pre-workout without creatine is Rapari Nutrition Infinity.
Effects: Rari Nutrition Infinity Pre-Workout is a creatine free pre-workout supplement that is designed to increase strength and endurance, with bigger pumps that last up to four hours.
Ingredients: An all-natural product with a precise dose of Citrulline Malate improves performance and endurance, and a good dose of caffeine and beta-alanine.
Value: At $29.95 a tub, this is the cheapest pre-workout powder we have reviewed. It is a good value. However, the lower price reflects a lacking of some of the premium ingredients found in the other products we have reviewed, such as VASO6.
Brand: Rari Nutrition Infinity is a trusted brand with good reviews. Their pre-workout supplement is made in FDA-approved facilities, and they do not include anything artificial.
Buy Direct: www.rarinutrition.com
Important Pre-Workout Ingredients That Are Not Creatine
Good pre-workout supplements without Creatine should contain different stimulants and nutrients to give you the same boost. They range between products, but some of the most effective ingredients a pre-workout without creatine can include are:
Caffeine (100-200 mg)
Caffeine is a well-known ingredient that provides an energy boost. It also boosts your metabolic rate so that you can burn extra calories.
However, caffeine is a stimulant, and too much can result in a harsh crash. Some pre-workout supplements without creatine place an over-reliance on caffeine, leaving you unable to function beyond your workout. The sweet spot is around 150mg per serving. (1)
Beta-Alanine (2-5g per day)
Beta-Alanine is another common ingredient in pre-workout supplements without creatine. It enables you to work out for longer without losing stamina. It achieves this by working against the lactic acid build-up inside your muscles. (2)
L-Citrulline
In the world of creatine free pre-workouts, it was once believed that Arginine was the holy-grail of pumps and vasodilation. However, this was debunked due to the body’s inability to absorb it.
Since then, it has been discovered that L-citrulline can easily be absorbed into the body and then converts into Arginine in the body later on. (3)
L-citrulline-malate is the combination of citrulline and DL Malete. When combined, you will receive the additional benefit of energy production. In one study, when participants ingested L-citrulline-Malate 60 minutes before exercise, they performed 53% more repetitions and were less sore after despite their strong performance. (4)
VASO6 – Based on the most up to date research, VASO6 is a powerful ingredient for creatine free pre-workout supplements. And very few manufacturers have caught on.. so far!
VASO6 increases the production of nitric oxide, promoting vasorelaxation. Aiding the cardiovascular system and increasing the blood flow to your muscles. (5) A healthier blood flow results in more endurance, an energy boost, and of course, bigger pumps. It also works to clear metabolic waste.
The Best Pre-Workout Supplements Without Creatine: Conclusion
On our search for the best creatine free pre-workout, one product really stood out. National Bodybuilding Co. Pre-Workout includes scientifically optimized dosages of premium ingredients, including all of those listed above.
Winner of the best pre-workout award at Generation Iron supplements awards 2020. It is no surprise that we liked this product. The added neotropics are also a great bonus that leaves you feeling your best throughout your workout and beyond into your daily life.
When testing this product, we felt motivated and focused, with no crash. Better yet, we experienced insane pumps that can only be achieved with such a high-quality creatine free pre workout.
References
- Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Military Nutrition Research. Caffeine for the Sustainment of Mental Task Performance: Formulations for Military Operations. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2001. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK223802/ doi: 10.17226/10219
- Derave, W., Ozdemir, M. S., Harris, R. C., Pottier, A., Reyngoudt, H., Koppo, K., Wise, J. A., & Achten, E. (2007). beta-Alanine supplementation augments muscle carnosine content and attenuates fatigue during repeated isokinetic contraction bouts in trained sprinters. Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 103(5), 1736–1743. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00397.2007
- Figueroa, A., Wong, A., Jaime, S. J., & Gonzales, J. U. (2017). Influence of L-citrulline and watermelon supplementation on vascular function and exercise performance. Current opinion in clinical nutrition and metabolic care, 20(1), 92–98. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCO.0000000000000340
- Pérez-Guisado, J., & Jakeman, P. M. (2010). Citrulline malate enhances athletic anaerobic performance and relieves muscle soreness. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 24(5), 1215–1222. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181cb28e0
- Reiter, C. E., Kim, J. A., & Quon, M. J. (2010). Green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate reduces endothelin-1 expression and secretion in vascular endothelial cells: roles for AMP-activated protein kinase, Akt, and FOXO1. Endocrinology, 151(1), 103–114. https://doi.org/10.1210/en.2009-0997
