Best Pre-Workouts WITHOUT Beta-Alanine

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If you are shopping for a pre-workout that doesn’t contain beta-alanine, you might have noticed that there aren’t many brands without this ingredient.

In fact, at FeastGood.com, we’ve tested 30 pre-workouts over the last three years, and almost all of them contain beta-alanine. 

That said, we’ve tested three pre-workouts that don’t contain beta-alanine and, at the same time, meet our criteria of being a high-quality pre-workout.  

So, in this video, I’m going to cover these three pre-workouts in detail. 

Note: Unlike other reviews I’ve done, this list is NOT in a ranked order.  There is no “top pick.”  So, if you find yourself buying any of these products, you’ll be in good hands. Simply pick the one that fits your use case better.   

Key Takeaways

• ·While beta-alanine can be a beneficial ingredient in your pre-workout stack, there are some people who want to avoid the ingredient due to the skin-tingling side effect that can occur.

• Not all pre-workouts are created equal, so you want to be sure that they are high quality, which includes having clinical doses of the main ingredients and are third-party tested.

• Depending on your preference and caffeine tolerance, you can choose a beta alanine free pre-workout that contains zero, moderate, or high amounts of caffeine.

What Is Beta Alanine & Why Do People Want To Avoid It?

Beta Alanine has been shown to help reduce fatigue, as well as help to improve muscle strength and endurance, particularly for short-duration exercise. This can be super beneficial when you are pushing out those last few heavy reps at the gym.

However, despite the benefits, there are some people who do not enjoy a common side effect of beta-alanine; skin tingling.

This skin-tingling sensation (also known as paresthesia) is a side effect of beta-alanine that occurs shortly after ingestion, and while it may be uncomfortable for some, it is not harmful and is temporary.

How We Selected The Best Beta-Alanine Free Pre-Workouts

No Beta-Alanine

The first and most obvious criterion that I used to create this list was to make sure that the pre-workout did not contain Beta Alanine as an ingredient.

This was actually more difficult than I anticipated since most pre-workouts on the market do contain beta-alanine in some quantity.

There is a good reason for this, being that beta-alanine has been well studied, showing improvements in muscle strength and endurance.

While it does come with the side effect of skin tingling, many people find that this is minor compared to the benefits.

For this reason, beta alanine-free pre-workouts are tough to find, but they DO exist. 

High Quality, Clinical Doses

In order to consider a pre-workout to be high enough, I wanted to make sure that most (if not all) of the included ingredients met clinical dosing standards.  

Ideally, I also like to look for a supplement product that is 3^rd party tested for quality and purity.

While two of the supplements on this list meet these criteria, I still decided to include one that didn’t since it uses minimal ingredients and avoids artificial colors and sweeteners (both qualities some people would prioritize).

A Range of Use Cases (Pump, Cardio, Strength)

I wanted to ensure that I included a variety of pre-workouts for a range of different uses.

For example, those who are new to using pre-workouts might want to avoid a “high stimulant” product and instead opt for a product that has moderate amounts or even no caffeine.

On the other hand, those with a lot of experience with pre-workout products and a high caffeine tolerance might need a higher stimulant product in order to experience the effect they desire.

In addition, the pre-workout you choose may depend upon your individual goal. 

If your goal is increased strength and reps in the gym, then you might choose a different pre-workout compared to someone who is more concerned about increased endurance or an increased pump.

Pre-Workouts Without Beta-Alanine

1.   Transparent Labs Pump – No Caffeine

• Caffeine: 0mg

• Key Ingredients: L-Citrulline, Arginine Nitrate, Betaine Anhydrous, L-Tyrosine, L-Glutathione, Astragin, Biofolate

• Clinical Doses: L-Citrulline (8000mg), Betaine Anhydrous (2500 mg), L-Glutathione (250mg), Astragin (50mg).

The Transparent Labs Pump product is a fantastic option for anyone searching for a high-quality, stimulant-free product where the main benefit is increasing pump.

The cost of this product is very reasonable, especially considering the many clinically-dosed ingredients. 

At $1.66 per serving, it’s only slightly above the average cost of pre-workouts, which we calculated to be $1.61 per serving.

Transparent Labs is known for its 3rd party testing, and it’s no different for Pump, where you can find their 3^rd party lab testing right on their website.

This product contains only seven ingredients, with zero artificial colors, sweeteners, or preservatives (they use spirulina and beetroot powder for natural coloring). Fewer ingredients mean a lower chance of side effects like stomach upset—especially compared to fully stacked pre-workouts that can sometimes feel like too much. 

Plus, every ingredient meets clinical dosing standards where applicable.

In terms of taste, when comparing it to other pre-workouts on the market that I have tried, I found it to be just “okay.” However, compared to other “pump” products, it was above average. This is because pump products are usually quite bitter, especially the ones with clinical doses.   

A caffeine-free pre-workout like Transparent Labs Pump is a great option for beginners who have never really used a pre-workout and want to ease into it without the negative side effects that high stimulant products can bring on (such as jitteriness).

This product can also be a great addition to other stimulant-based pre-workouts for those who want to add the “pump” aspect to their strength and energy stack. For example, I’ve sometimes stacked Pump with Transparent Labs Lean with positive effects. 

In terms of ingredients, Transparent Labs utilizes citrulline and arginine, both of which help boost nitric oxide, improving blood flow throughout the body.

Research on Citrulline specifically shows that this can help delay fatigue and enhance recovery during high-intensity exercise. Arginine has also been shown to improve muscle endurance during resistance training. 

I found Transparent Labs Pump really delivered on its name. I had increased muscle volume and vascularity in most of my workouts. In particular, I noticed this effect in my delts, glutes, and arms when I was doing isolation exercises. 

As it relates to the muscle recovery aspect, I definitely noticed less muscle soreness post-workout, which allowed me to train more effectively in subsequent workouts throughout the week. For example, I wouldn’t walk into the gym feeling as sore, so I was able to push my workouts harder. 

I also noticed better intraset recovery when I trained with hard supersets.  For example, I like to superset dumbbell bench with seated rows, and while taking Pump, I felt like I could go with shorter rest times between these two movements and not be as fatigued.  

It is important to note that if you are looking for a pre-workout that will deliver notable boosts in energy and strength, this is not the pre-workout for you. But with that said, I did not expect to, as this particular formula was not designed for that.

• Find my full in-depth review of Transparent Labs Pump

2.   4 Gauge – Moderate Caffeine

• Caffeine: 150mg

• Key Ingredients: Citrulline Malate, Creatine Monohydrate, Acetyl L-Carnitine, Red Beet Root Extract, Coconut Water Powder, L-Theanine, Caffeine, Rhodiola

• Clinical Doses: Citrulline Malate (6000mg), Acetyl L-Carnitine (500mg), L-Theanine (200mg), Rhodiola (100mg)

4 Gauge is an excellent beta alanine free pre-workout for anyone who is looking for a product with only a moderate amount of caffeine.  

Personally, I only like to grab higher-dosed pre-workouts for when I’m trying to hit a personal best or I’m in the last week of my training cycle before a deload.  Otherwise, my preference is to grab a pre-workout with around 150mg of caffeine, which is what 4 Guage has.  

The cost for 4-Guage is very affordable, coming in below average at $1.50 per serving.

With ingredients like citrulline, red beetroot powder, and coconut water, 4 Gauge will assist in nitric oxide production (pump) along with hydration and improved recovery.

Although 4Gauge has a clinical dose of citrulline and a very high dose of red beetroot powder (both of which are “pump” ingredients), I personally didn’t notice as much of a pump from this product compared with Transparent Labs Pump.

While it does meet clinical dosing criteria for most of its ingredients, it does not meet clinical dose requirements for creatine monohydrate.  

Just remember, pre-workout should only be taken before you work out, but creatine needs to be taken daily to be effective, even on your off days.  So you should take your creatine separately anyway and not rely on your pre-workout for this ingredient.  

As for other ingredients, 4 Guage does meet clinical dosing standards for ingredients such as L-Carnitine and L-Theanine.

 L-Carnitine has anti-inflammatory properties and plays a key role in converting fat to energy in the body. This means that it can have a positive effect on muscle recovery and body composition.  I went into more detail about this in my video on the Best Pre-Workouts for Fat Loss. 

I also love pre-workouts that contain L-Theanine because it’s great for enhancing cognitive function and increasing the activity of “feel good” hormones such as dopamine and serotonin.

Also, when L-Theanine is combined with caffeine, it can help to improve mental focus and provide a more calm energy. This means that you get a pre-workout that provides the energy without the jitters.

While there’s no indication that 4 Gauge is 3^rd party tested, this product is still a great option for those who want to prioritize all-natural ingredients.

Similar to Transparent Labs, 4 Gauge does not contain any artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners. While this is a positive point, it does have an effect on the smell and taste. I found that the product had a very strong beet smell and flavor, which may not be for everyone.

While 4 Gauge does market itself as being “explosive” and “extreme,” it is actually quite a mild formula compared to others on the market. 

I really loved the energy I got from taking this product. I felt really good, and the best way I can describe it is “energy with focus,” not the type of energy where you feel like you can bust through a wall. 

In addition to the increased energy, I also noticed that I didn’t fatigue as quickly in my higher-volume sets.  So if you’re someone who trains in the 12 to 20 rep ranges, this product was excellent for that.

• Find my full in-depth review of 4 Gauge

3. Gorilla Mode – High Caffeine

• Caffeine: 325mg

• Key Ingredients: L-Citrulline, Creatine Monohydrate, GlycerPump, Malic Acid, Betaine Anhydrous, L-Tyrosine, Agmatine Sulfate, Kanna, Caffeine Anhydrous, N-Phenethyl Dimethylamine Citrate, Bioperine, Huperzine.

• Clinical Doses: L-Citrulline (9000mg), Creatine Monohydrate (5000 mg), Betaine Anhydrous (2500mg), Bioperine (10mg)

Gorilla Mode pre-workout is considered to be a high-stimulant product (when taken at clinical doses).

It is important to recognize that while the label states that the container contains 40 servings, in order for you to receive clinical doses of certain key ingredients, two scoops are necessary per serving.

Since you have to take two scoops to experience the benefits of the clinical doses of key ingredients, this also drives up the cost. One serving (2 scoops) of Gorilla Mode costs $2.50 per serving, putting it way above the average of $1.61 per serving.

When taking two scoops of Gorilla Mode, the caffeine content is bumped up to 325mg.

While this will provide the energy boost many are looking for in a pre-workout, it may also cause undesirable side effects that can come with high doses of caffeine, such as jitters and headaches–especially if you don’t already have a high tolerance for caffeine.

However, if you can handle the caffeine dose, Gorilla Mode pre-workout delivers on the trifecta of increased pump, energy, and strength.

One notable ingredient that I want to spend some time talking about is N-Phenethyl Dimethylamine Citrate, which is a stimulant derived from a plant called Eria Jarensis.

While this ingredient has been shown to increase mental focus, concentration, and dopamine levels, it can also cause digestive discomfort and is actually not approved for use in supplements in Canada.

I personally found that when I took the two-scoop serving in order to get clinical doses of the other key ingredients, I would have an upset stomach during my workouts.  

I didn’t notice the stomach issues when only taking one scoop, but at two scoops, I started to experience a very uneasy stomach that made me rush to the bathroom about 45-60 minutes after taking it. 

While this didn’t happen every single time, it occurred about 75% of the time.

I am unsure as to whether the stomach issues I experienced were set off by the higher dose of caffeine, the N-Phenethyl Dimethylamine Citrate, or a combination of the two. Either way, it was not a product that sat very well with me.   

As for other effects, I definitely noticed an awesome muscle pump while taking this product.  

However, I had to keep in mind that this was only when taking two scoops.  So, I had to weigh the fact that I was paying something like 60% more per serving compared with Transparent Labs and decide whether that extra cost was worth it.  I’m not sure it was if my goal was just to get a pump.   

In terms of flavor, Gorilla Mode offers 15 different flavors to choose from and has a very pleasant taste, especially compared with both Transparent Labs and 4 Gauge (I had the Cherry flavor).

4 Guage contains a total of 12 ingredients, 4 of which meet clinical dosing requirements (citrulline, creatine, betaine, and Bioperine).

While that might not sound like a very good ratio, it is important to note that the remainder of the ingredients do not currently have enough research behind them to establish clinical doses.

In other words, Gorilla Mode meets clinical dosing standards for every ingredient that qualifies.

These clinically dosed ingredients are commonly found in the most effective pre-workout supplements on the market.

For example, Bioperine is an ingredient that is also found in most other pre-workouts, and is also known as piperine, a compound that is found in black pepper.

In clinical trials, Bioperine has been shown to increase nutrient absorption by up to 30%, which means the ingredients in your pre-workout will be more efficiently absorbed by your body, making your pre-workout more effective and increasing performance.

I’ve already discussed the recovery and endurance benefits of citruline, but betaine is a new ingredient I haven’t talked about yet.  

Betaine has shown some promise in improving muscular strength and power, though more research is still needed. However, there is more evidence that betaine can help improve body composition by increasing lean mass and reducing fat mass. 

Gorilla Mode is also one of the rare pre-workouts that actually has a clinical dose of creatine, which has been shown to improve strength, muscle gain, endurance, recovery, and muscle soreness.  

However, like I said previously, you need to take creatine on off days as well.  So you’ll still need to pick up a separate bottle of creatine for those days, as you wouldn’t want to take a high-stim pre-workout unless you’re about to train. 

I recommend giving Gorilla Mode a try if your primary training goals are strength and energy.  However, my recommendation would be to start with one scoop for the first 1-2 weeks to assess your caffeine tolerance and to see if you experience any digestive discomfort.

From there, you can increase it to 1.5 scoops and finally two scoops in order to receive the full benefits of the clinically dosed ingredients in Gorilla Mode.

Unfortunately, this pre-workout didn’t work well with my stomach, so I’ll be skipping it in the future. But many other reviewers report that it does not have any negative side effects, so I encourage you to try it and let me know!

• Find my full in-depth review of Gorilla Mode

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