10 Best Caffeine-Free Pre-Workouts

You need a pick-me-up before your next workout, but you’re sensitive to caffeine and aren’t sure which caffeine-free pre-workout to use. We’ve got you covered.

We sifted through several of the best pre-workout without caffeine options so can get to your next training session pronto.

Top 3 Caffeine-Free Pre-Workout Options

If you don’t have time to go through the whole list, here are the top 3 options:

• Best Overall: NutraBio Stim Free
• Best for Budget: Nutricost Stim Free
• Best for Flavor Variety: Gorilla Mode Nitric

Let’s dive into the meat and potatoes why these three came out on top and how all 11 products compare to each other.

Between all these options you’re sure to find the best non-caffeine pre-workout for your training needs.

If you’re sensitive to caffeine or train close to your bedtime, a non-caffeinated pre-workout is the way to go. Using pre-workout without caffeine helps you summon the energy to go, go, go without the side effects of common caffeinated pre-workout.

But with so many options on the market, which one should you choose? Should you get a caffeine-free pre-workout with creatine? What ingredients should you look for in a good pre-workout without caffeine?

I’ll answer those questions and more to help you decide the best non-caffeinated pre-workout for your training needs.

Does Caffeine-Free Pre-Workout Work?

It’s an honest and legitimate question to ask in the absence of stimulants. Studies have shown a combination of creatine and betaine supplementation, both found in several of the products listed below, improved muscular power and endurance in trained men.

Of course, results will vary from person to person, but the current research is promising. It’s important to note supplementation will not correct poor sleeping habits, bad nutrition, and improper hydration. The best practice is to master the basics and then consider supplementation.

Check out our female powerlifting diet to get started on creating a better meal plan for your next competition.

10 Best Caffeine-Free Pre-Workouts

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1. NutraBio Stim Free – Best Overall Pick

Rating: 5 of 5

Pros

• 3g of creatine in every serving
• The most bang for your buck
• Full label disclosure (including “other ingredients” section)

Cons

• Only two flavor options
• Slightly higher price tag

Specs

• Servings: 20
• Serving Size: 28.6g
• Price/Serving: $2.49
• Price: $$$

NutraBio Stim Free is the overall pick in this list because it is reasonably priced, includes creatine, and includes ingredient dosages comparable or better than other leading brands. You can call it a one-stop shop for your pre-training needs.

The slightly higher price tag is likely due to the 3g of creatine packed into each serving. Recommended doses for creatine range between 3-5g/day. If you’re looking to consolidate your supplements, NutraBio Stim Free includes a caffeine-free pre-workout and creatine in one product.

With the exception of Transparency Lab Stim, NutraBio Stim Free is the only other product to offer complete full-label disclosure. Meaning, even the “other ingredients” section lists the amount of each ingredient.

Additionally, I can personally vouch for the customer service at NutraBio, they are second to none. The only drawback is there are only two flavor options. Given how many benefits and ingredients are packed into this one product, it’s a minor flaw.

2. Nutricost Stim Free – Best for Price

Rating: 3 of 5

Pros

• High in B Vitamins
• No artificial flavors
• Not gritty

Cons

• Only three flavors
• Less Beta-alanine than other brands

Specs

• Servings: 30
• Serving Size: 18g
• Price/Serving: $.99
• Price: $

If you are on a budget but are in the market for one of the best stim-free pre-workout, look no further than Nutricost Stim Free.

Depending on your tolerance to beta-alanine the latter con may actually be a selling point for you. Additionally, Nutricost Stim Free is made in a GMP Compliant and FDA-registered facility. It’s reported to be non-GMO too. Nutricost also has the same product but is specifically designed for vegetarians. You’ll have to pay extra for the vegetarian option, unfortunately.

3. Kaged Stim Free – Best Mid-Range

Rating: 4 of 5

Pros

• Great bang for your buck
• No Artificial Flavors or Colors
• Has Creatine HCL (1.5g)

Cons

• Needs to be shaken between sips (probably the creatine)
• Doesn’t excel in any one ingredient

Specs

• Servings: 20
• Serving Size: 27.9g
• Price/Serving: $1.79
• Price: $$

If you want to get good bang for your buck with a non-caffeinated pre-workout that won’t break the bank, Kaged Stim-Free is your best bet.

The ingredients fall almost dead center for all the primary ingredients found in a caffeine-free pre-workout, with the exception of beta-alanine which comes in a bit lower than the rest of the field.

Kaged Stim Free also has a hint of creatine, not enough to meet the recommended daily intake of creatine (3-5g), but enough to increase energy before a workout.

If you’re new to pre-workout and want a great middle-of-the-road product, you’ll find no better option than Kaged Stim Free.

4. Pump Serum – Best Beta-Alanine Alternative

Rating: 4 of 5

Pros

• Great alternative for those sensitive to beta-alanine
• Lists all ingredients in their proprietary blend
• Mixes well

Cons

• A bit pricey
• Not great taste

Specs

• Servings: 25 servings
• Serving size: 31g
• Price/Serving: $2.19
• Price: $$$

Pump serum is another non-caffeinated pre-workout that does not rely on beta-alanine to do the heavy lifting. Pump serum has the highest concentration of betaine anhydrous on our list at 3000mg per serving. The citrulline malate dosage is rivaled only by Legion Pulse at 8000mg per serving.

The use of their trademarked GlycerPump increases water retention which improves hydration levels during training. Glycerol powder is the main ingredient in the GlycerPump blend and can cause gastrointestinal distress if taken in excess.

5. Legion Pulse – Best For Purity

Rating: 3 of 5

Pros

• 100% Natural Ingredients
• Analyzed for purity and potency
• Made in a an ISO-17025 accredited lab

Cons

• No creatine
• 22 flavors, but only 6 are caffeine free

Specs

• Servings: 20
• Serving Size: 21.5g
• Price/Serving: $1.79
• Price: $$

Legion Pulse Stim Free boasts the highest amounts of Citruline Malate, Beta-Alanine, and Betaine Anhydrous. If you do not like creatine in your pre-workout mix, but you respond well to the three ingredients listed above, Legion Pulse is your best bet.

Legion Pulse also uses stevia leaf extract and spirulina extract to flavor their product. For those who enjoy the flavor of stevia, this small ingredient addition may be all you need to put you on the legion pulse pre-workout bandwagon.

6. Genius Pre – Best Nootropic

Rating: 3 of 5

Pros

• Best Nootropic Caffeine-Free Pre-Workout
• Well-Tested Ingredients
• Vegan friendly

Cons

• Limited flavor options
• Specific Proprietary blend ingredient amounts not listed
• Middle-range dosages of Beta-alanine, L-Citrulline, and Betaine Anhydrous

Specs

• Servings: 20
• Serving Size: 16.9g
• Price/Serving: $1.89
• Price: $$

Genius Pre caffeine-free pre-workout is promoted as a nootropic-based pre-workout. Nootropics are often called “smart drugs” and use substances that enhance cognitive function, focus, memory, creativity, and motivation.

While the beta-alanine, citrulline malate, and betaine anhydrous dosages are middle of the road in this list Genius pre offers a healthy dose of their proprietary blend. The ElevATP blend contains pear and apple extract to support increased muscle and strength. There is an additional 600mg of their AlphaSize blend which helps delay mental fatigue.

The Genius Pre-workout Caffeine-Free supplement does not rely on beta-alanine, citrulline malate, and betaine anhydrous as the main ingredients. The team at The Genius Brand promotes their caffeine-free pre-workout to have well-tested ingredients at all the recommended dosage levels.

Overall, the Genius Pre-workout may be a good fit for you if you’re sensitive to the more commonly used ingredients beta-alanine, citrulline malate, and betaine anhydrous. If you’re not sensitive to those three ingredients and you want to get more bang for your buck, there are better options.

7. Gorilla Mode Nitric – Best for Flavor Variety

Rating: 4 of 5

Pros

• 12 Different flavors
• Has 2.5g of creatine
• Great if you’re avoiding Beta-Alanine

Cons

• Contains milk, so not great if you’re lactose intolerant
• Expensive, but it does have 40 servings per container

Specs

• Servings: 40
• Serving Size: 17.37g
• Price/Serving: $1.49
• Price: $$$$

If beta-alanine doesn’t set well with you, but you still want a non-caffeinated pre-workout, Gorilla Mode Nitric Stimulant Free Pre-Workout may be for you.

The price tag is higher on this product, but it has 2.5g of creatine monohydrate with every serving too. Not quite up to the 3g most creatine supplement dosages recommend, but enough that you could potentially extend the life of your creatine stash by not having to use as much individually.

The current iteration of Gorilla Mode Stimulant Free Pre-Workout is new. It is not uncommon to see the label for all current products listed as V2. Version one was discontinued in 2021.

With several different flavors to choose from you’re likely to find one that suits your palate. Worth mentioning too, the taste is good, but the texture can be rough if you do not mix thoroughly.

8. Organic Muscle Organic Pre-Workout – Best Organic Option

Rating: 3 of 5

Pros

• USDA certified organic
• Non-GMO and gluten free
• All natural stamina and recovery

Cons

• Does not list specific dosage of individual ingredients
• Pricey

Specs

• Servings: 20
• Serving Size: 8g
• Price/Serving: $2.49
• Price: $$$

If you’re looking for a vegan and plant-based pre-workout, look no further. The team at Organic Muscle has put together the best pre-workout with low caffeine. While this is a list specific to caffeine-free pre-workouts the caffeine ingredients in Organic Muscle’s pre-workout are 100% natural.

For fitness enthusiasts who want to keep the ingredients they ingest as natural as possible, Organic Muscle Pre-Workout has you covered.

9. PEScience High Volume

Rating: 4 of 5

Pros

• Simple ingredients
• Easy on the wallet
• Stackable

Cons

• On the lower end of the L-citrulline dosage
• Some batches are “clumpy”

Specs

• Servings: 18
• Serving Size: 14g
• Price/Serving: $1.94
• Price: $$

If you are new to supplements and not sure you want to dive into the deep end of the pre-workout pool, PEScience High Volume is a wonderful non-caffeinated pre-workout.

While the ingredient list is much smaller than its competitors, the simplicity does not mean ineffective. PEScience High Volume offers an opportunity to see how your body reacts to a common non-caffeinated pre-workout ingredient, L-Citrulline. There are nitric oxide boosters, but the main ingredient is certainly L-Citrulline.

The ingredient simplicity offers an opportunity to stack, or combine, other supplements. Adding additional supplements one at a time, like creatine, will help you understand how your body reacts to each supplement independently.

10. Thorne Beta-Alanine SR

Rating: 4 of 5

Pros

• A great alternative to traditional non-caffeinated pre-workouts
• Slow-release tablets reduce tingling sensation
• Backed by science

Cons

• Not technically a pre-workout

Specs

• Servings: 120 tablets
• Serving size: 4 tabs/day
• Price/Serving: $1.46
• Price: $$$

Thorne Beta-Alanine SR does not fit the mold for a typical caffeine-free pre-workout. If you’re sensitive to any of the ingredients in a typical non-caffeinated pre-workout Thorne Beta-Alanine SR tablets may be a great alternative for you.

While the main ingredient is beta-alanine, the ingredient known to cause tingling sensations in pre-workouts, the slow-release (SR) tablets significantly reduce the tingling sensation.

Additionally, Thorne is reportedly the only supplement company to collaborate with the Mayo clinic on wellness research and content. Doesn’t hurt that Thorne is a partner for the U.S. Olympic Teams either.

This would be a great product to stack with PEScience High Volume to see how your body will react to pre-workouts with higher dosages of L-Citrulline and Beta-Alanine. The only downside to this approach would be the cost of paying for both supplements would get expensive.

Want more options for caffeine-free pre-workouts? Check out the ProSupps supplements on iHerb. They have the Dr. Jekyll Signature and Hyde Max Pump Stimulant-Free Pre-Workouts in various flavors.

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Our team is made up of fitness professionals who have been in the industry for several years. We train real people with real problems.

We understand the importance of making gear, supplement, and training decisions that will have an impact on your life in the long term. Your fitness is as important to us as our own fitness. We strive to give you accurate, reliable, and verified information via reputed research.

While we may have personal preferences towards particular products, we understand everybody’s body is different and there may be a product that better suits your needs. We do our best to eliminate bias and provide you with honest and transparent information. So you can make the best decision possible for your training needs.

How We Chose the Best Caffeine-Free Pre-Workouts

When compiling this list of caffeine-free pre-workouts, here are the factors we considered in our choices:

1. Ingredients: There are many different viewpoints regarding ingredients, their quality, and their effectiveness. We did our best to provide products with a varied amount of ingredients, so you can choose what fits your needs.
2. Dosage: Everybody’s body is different. Our goal was to provide products with differing amounts so you have options.
3. Flavor: While it may not be a necessity, the taste is certainly a factor when choosing the right non-caffeinated pre-workout.
4. Price: We know everyone is working with varying resources. Our hope was to provide good products at all price points.

Common Ingredients in Caffeine-Free Pre-Workout

There are a variety of ingredients in non-caffeinated pre-workout, but here are a few that find their way onto almost every ingredient label.

Beta-Alanine

An amino acid that is used to increase muscle carnosine levels, which helps reduce fatigue during high-intensity training.

Creatine

A chemical that is used to increase energy production intra-muscularly, which helps improve strength and power during exercise.

Nitric Oxide Boosters

These come in many forms including arginine, citrulline, and beetroot extract. They are used to improve blood flow and therefore nutrient delivery to the muscles. The increased blood flow and the influx of nutrients enhance endurance and performance.

Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs)

Leucine, isoleucine, and valine are amino acids that help to reduce muscle breakdown during exercise. The decrease in muscle breakdown will improve recovery after workouts and endurance during workouts.

Vitamins and Minerals

Many caffeine-free pre-workout supplements rely on vitamins and minerals like vitamin B12, magnesium, and potassium which are essential to energy metabolism and muscle function.

Adaptogens

These ingredients add that special panache to your preferred non-caffeinated pre-workout. Ingredients like ashwagandha, Rhodiola, and ginseng are all plant extracts that have been reported to reduce stress and fatigue.

The specific dosages and mixture of the ingredients above constitute the effectiveness of a caffeine-free pre-workout. And as with most fitness topics, which combo is right for you is specific to the individual.

Buying Guide: What To Look for in a Caffeine-Free Pre-Workout

Ingredients

Stick with ingredients that have a proven track record, like creatine. Do not use ingredients that yield insignificant adaptations to your training. Additionally, some non-caffeine pre-workout products contain ingredients, like Red dye 40, that you may not want to ingest.

Stay away from ingredients that cause allergic reactions. For example, some products contain milk-based ingredients. For those who are lactose intolerant, trace amounts of dairy may cause an allergic reaction.

It’s important to check labels when using any supplement to make sure they are safe for use. If you have any questions or concerns, seek out the help of a registered dietitian and your primary physician.

Mixability

Some no-stim pre-workout formulas are difficult to mix. The solution may be as simple as a quick shake before each sip, but if most of the product you’re trying to consume is at the bottom of your mixer when you’re done, that’s not good.

It’s important to follow all the directions for proper mixing of caffeine-free pre-workout, but if you still see sediment even after following all directions, it may be time for a new supplement.

Side effects

If you’re new to non-caffeinated pre-workout supplements, you may not be aware of common side effects for many popular ingredients. For example, products with high dosages of beta-alanine are known to cause flushing and tingling of the face, hands, or neck. The itching sensation is known as paresthesia. While there are no harmful side effects associated with paresthesia, check with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about any side effects experienced after ingesting caffeine-free pre-workout.

Price

Like many products, you get what you pay for. If you have limited resources, this doesn’t mean you are out of luck, there are options for most budgets available.

Your Goals

Your goals play a critical role in deciding whether or not supplementation use is right for you. For example, if one of your training goals is to decrease your blood pressure or heart rate, the use of non-caffeinated pre-workout may be a perfect alternative to caffeine-laced products. If, on the other hand, you are sensitive to all types of stimulants, a caffeine-free pre-workout may not be wise.

Go over your goals and hire a private trainer if you’re not sure where to start. Seeking the guidance of a registered dietitian is a good idea if you’re not sure which supplements are right for you. And, of course, always consult with your primary physician if you have underlying health issues or are taking medications.  

If you need a specific game plan for food during a powerlifting meet, read what to eat during a powerlifting meet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Caffeine-Free Pre-Workouts Effective?

Yes, caffeine-free pre-workout products are useful tools to help you increase athletic performance, decrease muscular fatigue, and improve recovery post-workouts. It’s important to choose a supplement that contains safe and effective ingredients.

Are Caffeine-Free Pre-Workouts Safe?

When used as directed caffeine-free pre-workouts are safe. It’s important to choose products with high-quality ingredients backed by proven research. If you have underlying health issues it is imperative you speak with your healthcare provider before beginning any new supplementation regimen.

When Should I Take My Caffeine Free Pre Workout?

The general recommendation is to take a caffeine-free pre-workout 30 min before your training session. It’s important to check the product label for the ideal time to take your pre-workout. Each product will vary in regard to dosage and time to consume before a workout based on its ingredients.

How Often Can I Take My Caffeine Free Pre Workout?

Most pre-workout supplements are designed to be taken on days when you work out. Follow the recommended dosage on all product labels. If you have underlying health issues be sure to consult your healthcare provider to make sure supplementation is right for you.

Is My Diet Important Even If I’m Taking Supplements?

Absolutely! A common misconception in the powerlifting community is that powerlifters can eat whatever they want. Your body is the finest machine you will ever operate. If you add quality ingredients and nutrients to your diet, you’ll return quality results in performance.

Here’s an in-depth look at whether or not powerlifters can eat whatever they want.

Final Verdict

If you’re sensitive to caffeine or train close to your bedtime, a non-caffeinated pre-workout is the way to go.

Our top pick is NutraBio Pre Stim-Free, it packs the most bang for your buck at a reasonable price. The best budget-saving pre-workout goes to PEScience High Volume. It's a simple product, easy on the wallet, but effective nonetheless. 

Caffeine-free pre-workout supplements can be particularly useful for people who are sensitive to caffeine or who prefer to avoid it altogether. Non-caffeinated pre-workout is a great alternative for those who train in the evening and do not want to disrupt their sleep quality.

It’s important to note that not all caffeine-free pre-workout supplements are the same. The effectiveness of a product depends on the quality and dosage of the ingredients it contains. Also, individual differences in metabolism and physiology play a factor in the effectiveness of a product.

Lastly, if you are not properly warming up or taking care of the basics, like nutrition, sleep, and hydration, there is no supplement that will outperform those bad habits. Learn how to warm up properly for powerlifting if you need help.

About The Author

Trevor Bridges has a BS in Health and Exercise Science and has been training folks how to move pain-free and get stronger for over a decade. He is currently experimenting with different training programs that will make him most like Captain America. When he is not running his gym or creating content, you can usually find him playing with his dogs and praying for shorter summers and longer winters.