Guide to the Best Vegan Pre-Workout Supplements

Do vegans even lift? Yes, absolutely! There isn’t a single fitness goal a vegan can’t achieve. Our diets, if well-planned, are the perfect companion for a regular at the gym, professional weightlifter, or elite athlete .

Everyone needs a boost of protein or energy, vegan or not. I’ve crawled the web for the very best vegan pre-workout supplements.

One unfortunate thing I found in my search was several brands claiming to be vegan but containing traces of gelatin or lanolin (wool yolk from sheep and other wool-bearing animals). Always check the labels of any vegan supplement you look at.

The vegan supplement industry can be overwhelming and confusing. Let this guide serve you as a helpful hand in making your next purchase.

First, let’s look at the top 5 rated vegan pre-workouts available on the market.

The Top 5 Vegan Pre Workout Supplements

1. 4 Gauge

4 Gauge is entirely transparent with its ingredients and is highly effective for boosting your workout routine.

It will keep you focused and won’t make you “crash” post-workout.

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2. Powher (Best Pre Workout for Women)

Women and men are very different in their physiology. Therefore, we need different formulas for each sex. Powher is a great idea considering that the vast majority of pre workout supplements are designed specifically for men.

This formula is specially designed for women who want to boost their energy levels and improve their performance. It doesn’t include the high doses men require for muscle mass building.

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3. Performance Lab

This vegan pre workout has tons of positive reviews from buyers, and it’s easy to see why. Performance Lab has created a well-balanced formula that does exactly what it is intended for.

It comes with a healthy dose of creatine too, which vegans need when working out a lot. Creatine is produced naturally in the body, but to get extra, you usually need to eat meat. This powder is an excellent source of vegan creatine.

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4. Nitro Surge

Anyone familiar with dosages will notice that this vegan-friendly pre-workout from Nitro Surge is lacking in ingredients. However, a simple double scoop will solve that issue.

This is a superior pre workout, including citrulline malate, beta-alanine, betaine, and caffeine. Guaranteed to get you pumped in the gym and focused.

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5. NutriChem Labs Natures Pump

This is a 100% natural and vegan-friendly pre-workout from NutriChem Labs. There are no GMOs, and it will have you pumping like there is no tomorrow with their fermented amino acids.

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What is a Pre Workout Supplement? Is It Dangerous?

A pre-workout supplement is designed to give you an extra boost to help you power through your workout. They help provide your body with specific nutrients that help support your body before, during, and after exercise.

Pre-workout supplements will boost your energy, help build muscle endurance, and make you able to work out harder for longer.

These supplements are carefully designed to make your body work at its best during your workout. They support your body and mind, making your workouts more effective.

A good pre-workout supplement will allow your body to increase blood flow, improve muscle recovery, and provide your body with some essential nutrients that benefit your workout.

They can also help to give you that extra kick up the ass on days you are feeling tired or lethargic. Perfect for leg day!

There are people that claim pre-workout supplements are unsafe or dangerous to your health. This is wholly dependent on the type of pre workout supplement you are taking.

Unfortunately, the supplement industry is inadequately regulated, scammers and devious marketers can sometimes run rampant and unchecked. This is why it’s so important to research thoroughly before taking any supplement.

The safety of a pre-workout supplement is based on two things:

1. The formula of the pre workout supplement contains no illegal or banned ingredients .
2. You always follow the recommended dose. More is NEVER better. Don’t be stupid!

Read also: “A Guide to the Best Vegan Beta-Alanine Supplements“

Why Should You Choose Organic and Vegan Pre Workouts?

The most obvious reason to choose a vegan pre-workout is if you are vegan, and you need a boost for your workout. Vegan pre-workouts have been specially formulated to pack all the same benefits of a regular pre-workout but excluding the common animal ingredients.

Does an animal have to suffer so you can get big muscles? Of course not! Our limiting beliefs surrounding protein and amino acids have been wholly squashed over the last few years. We now know that getting protein and essential amino acids on a vegan diet and through supplementation are much easier than we once thought.

So, you can now get that extra boost for your workout without harming any innocent animals. Great news, right?

Organic pre-workouts take things one step further. These supplements exclude any processed ingredients, many of which can be detrimental to your health over long periods. Refined sugar is the main culprit. Consume enough refined sugar, and you’ll be building fat, not muscle.

Organic pre-workouts only include REAL ingredients. They often contain zero carbs, sweeteners, caffeine, and artificial colors.

How Does Vegan Pre-Workout Supplement Taste? Popular Flavors?

The taste really depends on the brand you choose, the flavor, and your personal preference. There isn’t much difference between non-vegan and vegan supplements when it comes to taste.

I’ll be honest, the vast majority of pre-workouts taste pretty poor. Not because they’re bad quality but simply because they’re not made for the taste buds. They are formulated to complete a job: to improve your workout performance and results.

The flavor really isn’t important.

If you’ve never tasted a pre-workout or other fitness powder, at first, you are more than likely not going to enjoy the taste. But again, is that really important? Medicine tastes awful too, but it gets the job done.

If I had to explain the taste of vegan pre-workouts, I would say they taste “grassy” or “earthy.” By no means is it a terrible taste, but it’s not great either.

One simple way to improve the flavor is to mix your pre-workout powder with your favorite drinks like juice or ice tea. You will find that many vegan pre-workouts come in various flavors, you will likely see:

•  Blue raspberry
•  Cherry
•  Fruit punch
•  Lemon-lime
•  Orange pineapple
•  Strawberry lemonade
•  Watermelon and pineapple

Benefits of Using a Vegan Pre-Workout

Ok, so we’ve established pre-workouts don’t taste that great. Is it worth it? Absolutely! Especially if you work out hard or have serious fitness goals in the pipeline.

Here are the benefits you can expect from taking vegan pre-workouts regularly.

1. Enhanced Motivation to Workout

The first thing you’re going to notice is your sudden desire to exercise. Why? Because a pre-workout has been specially formulated to fill you with energy and sharpen your focus.

Don’t be surprised if you find yourself lifting a little bit more weight for more pumps. This isn’t some supernatural occurrence, it’s just chemicals and science.

This enhanced motivation is perfect for the times when you struggle to get in the gym. Maybe you just finished work, and your sofa seems more appealing. Take your pre workout, and the sofa will be the last place you want to be.

A few minutes after downing your vegan pre-workout, you’re going to feel a rush of energy through your body. Get on the gym floor and start pumping.

Don’t get confused between “not feeling it” and being injured or overtired. When building muscle, rest is equally as important as pumping iron in the gym. Make sure you rest when you need to.

2. Superior Workout Experience

Taking a good vegan pre-workout will quickly sharpen your focus and have you entering that “higher-state.” At this moment, the idea of lifting weights will feel too much to resist. You will need to burn off that increased energy.

You will find yourself in what some people call a “flow state.” This is where you forget everything and solely focus on the task at hand. This is where your workout routine benefits the most.

You may even find that your pre-workout helps you to remove thoughts of stress or anxiety. Making your workout meditative in some ways.

3. Improved Physical Performance

This is what your vegan pre-workout has been designed for. To help you maximize your workouts and push yourself further.

Your vegan pre-workout will contain all the ingredients your body needs to make the most of your athletic performance. Expect increased strength output, work capacity, stamina, energy, and reps.

Caffeine is commonly used in vegan pre workouts. While you may only associate caffeine with staying alert, studies have also shown it can improve strength.

Are There Any Side Effects of Pre-Workouts?

Always remember that vegan pre-workouts have been specifically designed to boost your energy levels. Therefore, you DO NOT need to take any more than the recommended dose. Just like if you were to drink too many cups of coffee, you might experience:

• Nausea
• Jitteriness
• Shaking
• Irritability
• Stomach cramps

To avoid these side-effects, always make sure you take the correct dosage given on the manufacturer’s packaging. As long as you take the right dosage, you are unlikely to experience any of the side effects listed above.

Performance-Enhancing Ingredients Used in Vegan Pre Workouts

There are several common performance-enhancing ingredients used by manufacturers of vegan pre workouts. These ingredients are scientifically proven to enhance your workout and are safe for your health.

Caffeine

Just like in your cup of coffee, caffeine is used to boost your energy levels and ward off any feelings of lethargy.

Caffeine is a quickfire way to switch your brain on and get you moving. Hence why so many people drink a cup on their way to work in the morning.

Instead of directing that increased energy and focus towards a presentation, your brain will harness that caffeine for lifting more and improving your physical performance.

Beta-Alanine

Beta-Alanine is a naturally occurring amino acid produced by your body. When ingested, it turns into carnosine. Carnosine is excellent for reducing the levels of lactic acid in your muscles.

Lactic acid makes your muscles feel sore and weak. Beta-Alanine is then used to promote the production of carnosine, which reduces the amount of lactic acid in your muscles.

This means you can work out harder for longer. Improving your performance and results.

Blood Pumping Ingredients

Your muscles work best when your body can pump blood effectively into your muscles, delivering vital oxygen. The better your blood flow, the better your muscles will perform during your workout.

Professional bodybuilders spend a lot of time figuring out their intake blood pumping ingredients to enhance their performance.

These simple ingredients help to boost the levels of nitric oxide in your blood. This increases blood flow.

Citrulline Malate

A common ingredient in vegan pre workouts is L-Arginine . However, studies show inconsistent results for L-Arginine in its ability to boost your blood flow. This is mainly due to the poor absorption of L-Arginine in the gut.

Instead, Citrulline Malate is a great alternative. This is a non-essential acid that stimulates the endogenous production of arginine. Which, in turn, produces L-Arginine, which enhances your blood flow.

Citrulline Malate is easily absorbed by the gut. Studies have shown that Citrulline Malate helps boost muscle endurance, increase aerobic performance, and improve muscle recovery.

Beetroot

The verdict is still out on beets as blood pumping boosters. Beets contain nitrates , so it’s thought that they will boost nitric oxide levels and increase blood flow.

You will find beets and beet extract in many vegan pre workouts. But currently, there is no concrete evidence for their use.

What Should a Vegan Eat Before a Workout?

The general rule is to eat a meal 2-4 hours or a snack 1-2 hours before your workout. But what to eat as a vegan? What will get you best prepared for a hard session of pumping?

Vegans should focus on good-quality carbs like sweet potato or brown rice. Add in some protein like tofu, beans, or a meat alternative.

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