What is the cheapest pre-workout in the US?
The list below is live and sorted by price per serving, with discounts already included. But cheap does not mean well dosed: what works is 150 to 300 mg of caffeine per scoop (the ISSN puts it at 3 to 6 mg per kilo of body weight, source 1 below), at least 6 grams of L-citrulline for the pump and 3.2 to 6.4 grams of beta-alanine a day, which only works if you take it every day (source 2). If a pre-workout falls far short of that, it is cheap because there is little in it.
Which pre-workout is the cheapest per serving right now?
The prices and order above update automatically as soon as a brand changes its price or a new deal goes live. So you always see the current state, not a snapshot from months ago.
What doses should a pre-workout have at the very least?
| Ingredient | Effective dose | What for |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine | 150 to 300 mg per scoop (the ISSN puts it at 3 to 6 mg per kilo of body weight, source 1). | Energy and focus during training. |
| L-citrulline | At least 6 grams per serving. | Pump and blood flow. |
| Beta-alanine | 3.2 to 6.4 grams a day, only works if you take it every day (source 2). | Buffers acid during repeated hard sets. |
What should you look out for?
A low price per tub says little, because tubs differ in weight and in the number of scoops. So work it out per serving, as in the list above. Then turn the tub around and check the doses: 150 to 300 mg of caffeine per scoop, at least 6 grams of L-citrulline for the pump, and beta-alanine (3 grams or more) only works if you take it every day. If an ingredient falls far short, the pre-workout is cheap because there is little in it. Avoid blends without a dose per ingredient (proprietary blends). Training in the evening? Take a caffeine-free version.