Many supplements are loaded with creatine. While it can be very effective for the right people, there are some who look for creatine-free workouts.
Creatine can help you build muscle mass and it’s a great ally if you’re a bodybuilder, but it can also cause unpleasant side effects and work against you when you want to lose weight.
Luckily for you, there are many pre workout supplements without creatine available.
After detailed research, I compiled a list of 9 best creatine free pre-workouts that will take your workouts to a new level.
Whether you’re looking to lose weight, boost cardio, and run a marathon, there are pre-works that can help you get there.
Let’s have a look at the best pre-workouts without creatine!
Best Pre Workout Without Creatine (2019 Updated Reviews)
1. Legion Pulse Creatine Free Pre Workout Supplement
By including some of the highly effective ingredients into the formula, Legion Pulse creatine free pre-workout manages to provide you with a steady flow of high energy throughout your entire workout.
It’s designed with caffeine, theanine, beta-alanine, citrulline malate, ornithine, and betaine to enhance your workouts and endurance.
I love the reduced time for muscle recovery and I’m able to train longer and harder. It’s powerful on a mental level as well, and it gives me a sharp focus that helps me train more intensely.
Powerful kicks of energy
Minimizes fatigue
Affordable
Bearable flavor
Different flavors available
No fillers and artificial ingredients
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2. Cellucor C4 Ripped Pre Workout Powder + Fat Burner
A solid product that’s affordable and effective, C4 comes with a blend of caffeine, beta-alanine, and tyrosine, along with vitamin C and l-carnitine l-tartrate.
I was able to notice crystal clear focus and pumps of energy that kept me going easily thought my trainings. I’ve seen this supplement help lose weight in my clients and minimize their muscle damage at the same time.
The product boosts endurance and can do a lot for you if you don’t mind shady ingredients.
Reduces muscle damage
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3. CELSIUS Orange On-the-GO Powder Stick Packs
For a practical approach to pre-works, Celsius has designed powder packs to bring with you wherever you go. With 200mg caffeine per pack, this supplement gives a healthy energy boost every single time.
I love to bring it with me whenever I hit the road because it’s lightweight and easy to use.
The supplement is preservative-free and it’ll boost your metabolism and help you burn fat. It’ll wake you up easily and keep you riding the wave of energy for hours.
Promotes focus and alertness
Improves metabolism
Travel-friendly
More flavors available
.
4. Jacked Factory Nitro Surge Pre-Workout
With 6g of citrulline, 32.g beta-alanine, and 2.5g betaine, Nitro Surge will surely give you a crystal-clear focus and mental alertness.
I was able to experience endless boosts of energy that kept me going for hours on end. Nitro Surge improves muscle growth and provides you with powerful skin-tearing pumps with a transparent label and clinically dosed formula. It’ll motivate you to hit the gym after a long day’s work!
Boosts energy levels and strength
Great for focus and clear mind
Improved endurance
cGMP manufactured
More flavors available
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5. Optimum Nutrition Amino Energy (With Caffeine)
A carefully designed amino acid powder without creating but with 100mg of caffeine per serving, Optimum Nutrition design their products on both natural and artificial sources.
This supplement is designed to improve muscle recovery and endurance. I’m happy to report that I noticed significant energy and focus increase after taking this supplement.
It’s a great thing to keep around whenever you need a bit of pick me up, during or after a workout. Whenever you need an extra push, this supplement is here to support your physical activity during and after the workout.
Supports muscles during and after workouts
Boosts workouts and your performance
Effective BCAA support
Great coffee alternative
Contains sucralose and artificial flavors
Poor flavors
.
6. Genius Pre-Workout With No Creatine – Also Caffeine Free
A blend of nootropics, nitric-oxide boosters, beta-alanine, and alpha GPC, Genius promises to connect your mind with your body and further improve workout quality and training intensity.
It’s a clinically dosed supplement that provides all the right nutrients and fully supports an active body and mind. Genius pre-workout is the best creatine free and caffeine free, so I tested it to find out how effective it can really be.
I was blown away by the results; these guys really know their formulas and ingredients. It looks after the muscles, boost blood cicrulationand boosts muscle recovery, strength, and power!
Increases muscle strength and endurance
Delays muscle fatigue
No creatine or caffeine6g citrulline malate
No artificial and harmful ingredients
3rd party tested
Made in cMGP facility
.
7. RARI Nutrition INFINITY Pre-Workout – Good for Bodybuilding
Designed for anyone who needs a workout supplement, RARI nutrition combines a healthy blend of clean and clinically dosed ingredients.
While the supplement can be used by anyone, it’s especially good for bodybuilding. I’m able to experience intense muscle pumps, animal-like power, and an intense and high-performing workout that keeps me going for hours.
Forget about side-effects with this supplement; prepare for razor-sharp focus and energy with increased blood-flow!
Effective formula
Contains nitric oxide boosters
Increases energy, focus and power
cGMP certified
More flavors available
Money back guarantee
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8. Evlution Nutrition ENGN Shred Pre Workout
A potent and effective supplement, EVGN comes with an impressive formula that does its job well. It combines beta-alanine with ENGN “mind to muscle” blend with betaine anhydrous, choline, L-Tyrosine, and a few others.
I was able to notice that my focus and alertness were on point, endurance increased, and the skin-splitting pumps were only the beginning of it all. In fact, I’d say that Evlution is somewhere between a fat burner and a pre-work supplement.
Increases energy and focus
Improves endurance
Supports fat loss
Boosts metabolism
More flavors available
Decent taste
.
9. PumpPills – Nitric Oxide Booster – Best Pre Workout for Weight-Loss
Whether you’re a man or a woman, PumPills designed their supplement to fully support any athlete’s performance.
These are stimulant free and boost nitric oxide production in the body. You’ll feel that pump and the blood rushing through your body! The supplement contains L-Arginine and L-Citrulline in a 1:1 ratio.
If you’re looking for pre-workout supplement without beta-alanine and without creatine, this is it. I was amazed by the blood flow and the pump this supplement gave me.
What’s more, it’s also effective for weight loss. I loved the fact that it’s made with clean ingredients and 3rd party tested!
Boosts nitric oxide production
Boosts weight loss
Easy to take capsules
No jitters nor crash
3rd party tested
Vegan, keto, paleo-approved
.
10. Animal Fury
In the modern consumer consciousness, quality only goes so far. Make sure it’s safe, and then hope people will use it. Too many companies miss the point entirely, especially when it comes to pre-workouts, a category that — generally — has become tainted by many unsavory chemical ingredients.
Enter Animal Fury, the maker of a product called Animal Fury, which taps into the allure of creatine free product a tasteful, potent product that aims to impress on both a quality and an active side.
If you’re looking for a high protein pre-workout drink that offers significant benefits to help you get the most out of your workouts, and you want to consume it conveniently and without any issue, then give this review of Animal Fury newest product a try! Packs a punch and comes in four varieties: Strawberry, Blueberry, Watermelon and Mango.
Is Taking Pre Workout Bad for You?
Pre-works have become incredibly popular among athletes of all types. Some say these pre-workout supplements are unnecessary.
But I can tell you from personal experience that these formulas boost athletic performance and help you achieve your goals easier.
These types of supplements have been considered generally safe. But make sure you’re not allergic or sensitive to any of the ingredients in the formula to avoid unwanted side- effects.
Pre-workouts are supplements you take before your workout and certain ingredients have been shown to improve workouts in a number of ways:
Improve muscle recovery time Increase energy and motivation for workouts Improve mood and hydration Increase endurance, strength, and stamina Boost weight loss and fat burn Promote muscle pumps Improve focus, alertness, and concentration Increase muscle mass/ build lean muscleUnfortunately, you can also experience side-effects when taking pre-work supplements. These normally happen because of three reasons:
- The product is designed with a poor-quality formula that contains artificial ingredients, artificial colors, sweeteners, and sugar alcohols, excess caffeine, proprietary blends.
- You don’t hydrate enough before and after your workout; your body needs water and electrolytes!
- You’ve never tried pre-works before and your body is adjusting to the change slowly
Side effects you may experience are:
- Jitters and crashes
- Trouble sleeping, insomnia
- Nausea
- Diarrhea and digestive issues
- Headaches
What Are the Benefits of Using Pre Workout Supplements With No Creatine
Creatine has many benefits when it comes to athletic performance and a healthy body, but the fact is, this ingredient just doesn’t work for everyone.
Pre-work without creatine can be equally beneficial; the key is that the ingredients bring on the same boost but without any creatine effects:
- Energy boosts: amino acids can substitute creatine effectiveness when it comes to natural energy boost. When they’re complemented with caffeine, you’ll feel your energy increase but without any crash after your workout
- Fat loss: instead of creatine, caffeine can increase fat-burning process and help you lose weight effectively.
- Muscle building and recovery: a blend of amino acids and nitric oxide boosters can help minimize muscle recovery time after your workouts. They also promote muscle building process.
- Minimal side effects: creatine can cause unpleasant side effects (nausea, dehydration, weight gain)
After all, creatine can be effective for bodybuilders, but if you’re trying to lose weight it’s best to stay away from it as it has been shown to cause water retention.
What Are the Main Ingredients to Look for in a Pre-Workouts Without Creatine?
The key with these supplements without creatine is that the ingredients give you the same boost in terms of power, energy, and focus, but without undesired side effects.
Luckily for you, there are many other ingredients that can give you real results.
Here are the most important ingredients to look for in a pre-work:
Beta-alanine
An amino acid that is naturally produced in our bodies, beta-alanine has been shown to reduce lactic buildup in the muscles. It also helps to reducerecovery time and enables you to train longer and harder.
Betaine
Another amino acid, this one is found in vegetables, such as beets. It has shown to improve strength and endurance.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a common stimulant in many pre-workouts. It boosts the fat burning process and increases energy levels and focus. It’s even more effective in creatine-free supplements.
L-citrulline
Another essential amino acid, L-citrulline is an important component that our bodies can’t produce. It’s best to get it from another source as this component has a number of benefits for an active lifestyle. It helps to boost nitric oxide production in the body. Consequently, it improves blood circulation to the muscles, increases glucose intake, and improves your heart health.
B-vitamins
These vitamins are very handy when you’re looking for a natural boost of energy.
What Ingredients to Avoid in Pre-Workout Without Creatine
There are certain ingredients that you’ll want to avoid in your pre-workout supplements. Some of these ingredients aren’t only specific for creatine-free pre-works, but for preworkout products in general.
In my experience and according to many athletic professionals and nutritionists, here’s what you should avoid to stay healthy and to improve your athletic performance:
- Anything linked to creatine (creatine anhydrous, monohydrate, citrate, gum, HCL, creatine ethyl ester, malate, and many others)
- Proprietary blends (these are normally a sign of a poorly designed formula and usually contain ingredients of lower quality that don’t necessarily improve your workouts)
- Artificial ingredients (artificial sweeteners and colorants are considered by some athletes as the ultimate no-no)
Effectiveness of Creatine vs Creatine-Free
Let’s get one thing straight: both creatine and creatine-free supplements bring benefits to your workouts, but it all depends on what you’re trying to achieve.
Creatine is an important ingredient especially if you want to build mass and are a bodybuilder.
Supplements with creatine can be extremely effective and fully support your athletic goals.
On the other hand, creatine-free supplements can have similar effects on your body but are formulated with ingredients that will provide the same results without any creatine side effects.
It’s completely up to you which supplement you choose to work with; both will provide you with energy bursts, enhances concentration, pump, and power. The difference is that they won’t get you there on the same ingredients.
Final Words on Top Preworkout Without Creatine
The fact is that creatine can be very beneficial for the workouts. But, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
There are some people who specifically wish to avoid it and the number of such athletes is steadily growing.
The good thing about it is that more and more creatine-free supplements are popping up, providing you with the same results and benefits, but without the side effects.
You can easily get these from a number of online retailers, such as Amazon and GNC.
I’ve tried dozens of so called best pre-workout supplement without creatine in my professional and personal life and I can guarantee from experience that supplements without creatine are just as effective, especially if you’re not a bodybuilder, even though they can bring great results for those who want to build mass (such as RARI Nutrition).
After a long research, personal experience, and taking part in discussions on Reddit, any of the supplements on the list will help you support your athletic performance, whether you’re looking for more women’s friendly supplements and want to lose weight, or a general best pre-work that’s best for all types of workouts.
Overall, if I had to choose one supplement that’s the best in the creatine-free category, it would be Legion Pulse.
It convinced me not only because of its effectiveness but also because it has a clean formula without any artificial ingredients and fillers.
It helps me train more intensely and it definitely brings in the skin-tearing pumps and powerful flow of energy that keeps me going for hours!
Legion Pulse is a strong pre-workout that won’t disappoint.
It’s similar to Wild Thing, but with cleaner ingredients and free of creatine.