Price Per Serving: $1.16

Jacked Factory Nitro Surge is an action-packed pre-workout with eight active ingredients, including creatine HCl, a type of creatine that’s thought to be more soluble and bioavailable than some others. Advocates say this means you can get by with lower doses of creatine HCl and get the same benefits, though clinical research indicates that there’s not enough evidence to make that call. (2)(3)(4)

Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, M.S., RDN, LD. explains: “Jacked Factory Nitro Surge contains many potent compounds, but in low doses. I like that Nitro Surge contains beta-alanine, but it’s a fairly low dose, according to the latest research — same with the citrulline, as it only provides 3 grams per scoop.”  

Bourgeois rates Nitro Surge with 3.75 out of 5 points for its formulation, with high marks for the ingredients used but deductions for the low dosages.

Kate Meier, certified personal trainer and BarBend editorial team member, tested Nitro Surge and lovea the Strawberry Margarita flavor, calling it “wildly delicious” and scoring it with 5 out of 5 points. Unfortunately, it looks like that flavor isn’t always available. 

Nitro Surge earns a 5 out of 5 score for solubility, too. Another expert product tester says it mixed well with gentle shaking after 10 seconds, fizzed, and settled after 20 seconds. 

This pre-workout doesn’t just score well in the taste and texture department: Meier took a one-scoop serving before a morning resistance training workout and praised the substantial 180-milligram dose of caffeine, which gave her plenty of energy without the jitters or itchiness common with high-stim pre-workouts. 

“Because ingredients like beta-alanine are halved [in one scoop], it’s really good for a beginner who isn’t ready to get the mad-hype feeling you get with other pre-workouts,” she says. “I like that you still get the energy, but without all the other side effects.”

Read our full Jacked Factory Nitro Surge Review.

Best Pre-Workout With Creatine for a Pump: Gainful Pre-Workout

Gainful Pre-Workout is an excellent choice for bodybuilders and weightlifting enthusiasts alike. It contains eight active ingredients, including the three branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which play a significant role in muscle protein synthesis. (5)

Registered dietitian Chelsea Rae Bourgeois notes: “I like that Gainful offers a choice between moderate and high-intensity pre-workout, with the latter containing a bit more leucine, creatine, and caffeine. I also like that there aren’t any artificial ingredients or an outrageous amount of sugar in their formula.” Like many of the best creatine supplements, the high-intensity version contains a full 5 grams of creatine for a clinically-backed dose.

“The 4 grams of citrulline malate and 1.5 grams of beta-alanine per serving are on the low end of what research highlights as an effective dose,” Bourgeois continues. She ultimately rates the formula with 3 out of 5 points, saying that “a few of their primary ingredients leave you wanting just a bit more to get closer to clinically-backed doses.”

Certified personal trainer and BarBend editorial team member Alex Polish tried out the Watermelon flavor of the non-caffeinated moderate-intensity version (with 3 grams of creatine). “It didn’t really taste like watermelon,” they say about the taste. “I’d give it a 4 out of 5 for flavor because it’s got a bit of that stevia aftertaste. But it wasn’t overly sweet.”

They also didn’t have any complaints about the solubility of Gainful, noting that “It mixed really nicely in a shaker bottle. It had a very slight texture, but wasn’t gritty. It gets a 4.5 out of 5 for solubility.”

But the biggest standouts to our tester were the formula and effects. “I don’t love the relatively low levels of beta-alanine, but I’m not complaining about the lack of pre-workout tingles.” They also liked that they could choose the caffeine-free version. “I often get in my workouts after we put our toddler to bed. I want the focus and energy, but not to stay up all night from caffeine. That makes this great. Plus, there isn’t a drop-off mid-workout like there can be with more intense pre-workouts.”

Best Budget Pre-Workout With Creatine: Nutricost Pre-C

With 3 grams of creatine monohydrate (considered a clinically effective dose) and 220 milligrams of caffeine per serving, Nutricost Pre-C With Creatine packs a punch — for an impressively low price. Ringing up at less than 90 cents per serving, this third-party tested pre-workout packs a punch. 

Registered dietitian Chelsea Rae Bourgeois approves of the 3 grams of creatine monohydrate, but notes that, “Unfortunately, some ingredients, such as the L-citrulline and beta-alanine, fall below what studies suggest are most effective.” For example, beta-alanine helps delay muscle fatigue, but the demonstrated effective dose is 4 to 6 grams. (6)(7) 

On the other hand, there may be too much of some ingredients in Nutricost Pre-C With Creatine (note: there is another version of Nutricost Pre-C that lacks creatine, so that’s something to look out for when you’re shopping). Bourgeois explains: “I like that this pre-workout includes vitamins B6 and B12. However, it contains more than the average body can process at once. Some ingredients, especially when consumed in excess, may interact with certain medications.” She advises users taking regular medications to check in with a medical professional before taking this supp.

The inclusion of DMAE bitartrate also gives me pause. While it’s purported to support cognitive function, there’s very little research on this compound altogether, and it’s been associated with adverse effects like eye and skin irritation and respiratory distress. (8) Overall, the formulation earns 3 out of 5 points from me as a certified sports nutrition coach and from Bourgeois as an RD.

[Read More: Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate Review]

Strongest Pre-Workout With Creatine: Gorilla Mind Gorilla Mode

Gorilla Mode Gorilla Mind is one of our top recommendations for athletes and gymgoers looking for a high-quality pre-workout that packs a serious energy boost. At 400 milligrams of caffeine in the full serving (two scoops), Gorilla Mind puts you right at the FDA’s recommended maximum daily intake for caffeine. (9) If you also drink coffee and/or energy drinks, be mindful of that. 

In addition to the hefty dose of caffeine, this formula also contains L-citrulline, a nitric oxide booster; 5 grams of creatine monohydrate (the most creatine of all featured products in this guide); L-tyrosine, a nootropic; betaine, an endurance-enhancing compound; and several other potent ingredients. 

Best yet, the active ingredients are present in clinically validated doses, which isn’t something you always get with pre-workouts. For its strong formulation, I score Gorilla Mode with 4.25 out of 5 points, docking some points for the very high caffeine content — which might be too much for a lot of users.

Our expert product tester says they noticed solid effects after taking this pre-workout, including “more focus and a great pump.” Additionally, our tester explains: “There wasn’t a crash after the workout, which was great. No tingles for this one, which is good news if you don’t like them but bad news if you’re a fan (like me).” While our tester didn’t experience a huge energy boost, it’s possible they are just very tolerant to caffeine. 

This pre-workout doesn’t earn high remarks for taste. Our tester scores it with just 1 out of 5 points, saying, “I tried Fruit Punch, and it was super sweet. I could taste the artificial sweetener for sure.” However, things were better on the texture front: Our testers awards Gorilla Mode a 4-out-of-5-point score for solubility, noting that it blends well in 16 to 20 ounces of water — any less, and it has trouble dissolving completely. 

[Read More: Does Creatine Make You Gain Weight?]

Best Pre-Workout With Creatine for Muscle Gain: 4Gauge Pre-Workout

Formulated without any artificial sweeteners or flavors, 4Gauge Pre-Workout is a choice supplement for wellness-oriented individuals. It’s also an excellent option for those looking to build muscle, thanks to its combination of performance-enhancing and vasodilating ingredients. 

In addition to creatine monohydrate, the blend includes a form of L-citrulline, a form of carnitine, red beetroot extract, helping to dilate blood vessels (resulting in a pump) and support endurance. Additionally, coconut water powder can help with hydration and the modest dose of caffeine supports energy without the jitters. (10)(11)(12)

As a certified sports nutrition coach, I have to point out that the majority of ingredients in this formula are present in doses below the clinically validated amount. Creatine, for example, is present in a 1-gram dose, which is quite a bit lower than the 3- to 5-gram dose proven to elicit benefits. (13)

stered dietitian Chelsea Rae Bourgeois points out that not everyone will tolerate all the ingredients well. “Not everyone tolerates stevia without digestive issues. If that sounds familiar, you may not be a fan of 4Gauge since it’s sweetened with it.” But, like me, she likes the relatively low dose of caffeine because it’s “likely effective without adverse effects.”

4Gauge Pre-Workout earns high marks all around from our testers. One gives it a 4 out of 5 points for taste, saying, “It wasn’t too sweet and almost had a bit of sourness to it. If you don’t like sweet drinks, I imagine it’ll be a good thing.” Another tester was surprised by the tangy taste, but enjoyed it. 

All three of our testers ranked the solubility a solid 5 out of 5. “A shaker cup with a blender ball will do the truck easily, but so will stirring,” one of our testers says. 

Our testers also rate this a 5 out of 5 for the effects. One tester remarks, “It was a noticeable boost in energy, but it wasn’t too much and didn’t cause any shakes or discomfort. I was able to push through my workouts a lot better than usual.”

[Related: Best Pre-Workout for Muscle Gain]

Best Natural Pre-Workout With Creatine: Naked Nutrition Naked Energy

Naked Nutrition keeps its supplement formulas pretty straightforward and simple, which registered dietitian Chelsea Rae Bourgeois appreciates. “I love that this pre-workout only contains 10 ingredients, all vegan-friendly and gluten-, GMO-, dairy-, and soy-free,” she says. “It provides a hefty dose of vitamin C and a 200-milligram dose of caffeine, not to mention a small dose of creatine to boost exercise performance all that much more.” 

If caffeine gives you too much of a jolt, you can enjoy this in the non-caffeinated version, which we think is one of the best non-stim pre-workouts. 

Plus, this blend contains no carbohydrates, added sugar, or artificial ingredients, which is a bonus for individuals who track macros. It’s also independently lab-tested for impurities. Bourgeois scores the formula with a 3.75 out of 5 points the doses of arginine, beta-alanine, and creatine are fairly low. 

Naked Pre-Workout earns 5 out of 5 points in the solubility category. In fact, our product tester says, “It was kind of wild how well it mixed.” Our tester also likes the citrus flavor, noting that it’s not too sweet and doesn’t have a weird aftertaste. The unflavored version, though, is quite bitter in plain water, they noted. 

“There were no tingles for me, which makes sense because it doesn’t have a ton of beta-alanine,” our tester says after trying the pre-workout. “But that’s a good thing; I got a great energy boost, kind of equivalent to a lot of coffee. I’d score it a 4 out of 5 for effect.”

Benefits of Pre-Workout With Creatine

Pre-workout can help you maintain the desired intensity of your workouts for the entire duration, thanks to ingredients that improve physical and mental performance. A pre-workout with creatine has the added benefit of containing one of the most-studied sports supplements in the world, with a long list of proven benefits. 

Our tester drinking Jacked Factory Nitro Surge while balancing the container on their forehead.

Produces a pump: Several common pre-workout ingredients boost nitric oxide synthesis. This, in turn, widens the blood vessels and increases circulation, leading to a better pump. Creatine pulls more water into muscle cells, which can also contribute to a pumped-up physique. (14)(15)

Helps with high-intensity workouts: Creatine helps you perform high-intensity exercise for longer. When there is more creatine in your muscles, your body can more efficiently produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which powers muscle contraction. (16)

Extends time to fatigue: One of the main creatine benefits is that it’s known to increase physical work capacity and can help you eke out more reps even when fatigued. (17) (18) 

May assist with weight loss: Pre-workout with creatine isn’t a weight-loss supplement — on the contrary, creatine could make you gain weight in the form of muscle mass — but it may help you burn more calories during exercise since it can increase stamina and performance. Burning more calories during each session will increase your calorie deficit without reducing food intake. 

Can increase strength and power: If you want to build muscle, you gotta lift heavy. Creatine can help with that. Studies show that creatine increases maximal muscle strength, reduces muscle fatigue, increases power, and enhances muscle growth. (19) (20)(21)(22)

How Much Does Pre-Workout With Creatine Cost?

Pre-workout with creatine can cost less than $1 per serving to more than $3 per serving, depending on the ingredients, dosages, quality, and third-party testing. You can expect to pay anywhere from $20 to $60 for a month’s supply.

Side label on a tub of Naked Pre-Workout

What to Consider Before Buying Pre-Workout With Creatine

Not sure if pre-workout powder with creatine is the right choice for you? There are pros and cons of creatine and pre-workout, but overall, both dietary supplements are considered to improve training sessions. To find the best one for you, consider these factors in your search.

Caffeine Content

Depending on when you take your pre-workout, you may want more or less caffeine. Most pre-workouts contain 100 to 400 milligrams per serving, with 400 being the maximum daily recommended intake by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (9) You can always halve the scoop to reduce caffeine — but don’t forget you’ll also only be getting half of the other ingredients. 

Creatine Content

Creatine has been shown to be effective when dosed at 3 to 5 grams per day, according to research published in the Journal of Exercise, Nutrition, and Biochemistry. (13) If you aren’t taking a separate, dedicated creatine supplement, look for a pre-workout that has at least 3 grams of creatine per serving. 

Our tester dumping a scoop of Jacked Factory Nitro Surge.

If you take a separate creatine powder, you don’t need as much in your pre-workout. In fact, if you already take 5 grams per day or eat plenty of foods high in creatine, you can opt for a pre-workout without creatine. Learn how to choose the best pre-workout for you in our ultimate guide to pre-workouts.

Other Ingredients and Dosages

Though a pre-workout may contain nearly a dozen ingredients proven to be effective for athletic performance in some way, those ingredients may not be present in amounts that produce a real result. In clinical trials, specific doses of compounds are tested and validated. 

For example, beta-alanine is considered to be effective in doses of 4 to 6 grams per day. (7) Taking less than that isn’t likely to produce your desired results. It’s always a good idea to look for the clinically validated doses and compare them to what’s on the label. Worth noting: You don’t have to get all of your supplements from one powder. If your pre-workout contains, say, 2 grams of beta-alanine, you could use a dedicated beta-alanine powder at a different time of day to make up the difference. 

Third-Party Testing

Did you know that only an estimated 11% of supplement facts labels are 100% accurate? According to 2023 research in the Journal of the American Medical Association, that’s the sad fact. (23) Because the FDA doesn’t regulate supplement manufacturing in the same way they do food and drug manufacturing, things are quite laissez-faire in the supplement industry. 

Mixing a serving of 4Gauge Pre-Workout

That’s why it’s important to look for brands that put their products through independent lab testing: It certifies that what’s on the label is in the product and that the product is free from potentially harmful substances. This isn’t to say that a non-tested supplement isn’t safe — our team has tested and continues to use many — but look out for indications of brand transparency that make you feel safe and comfortable taking the product. 

Best Pre-Workout With Creatine FAQs

References

Trexler ET, Smith-Ryan AE. Creatine and Caffeine: Considerations for Concurrent Supplementation. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2015;25(6):607-623. https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/ijsnem/25/6/article-p607.xml 

Gufford, B. T., Sriraghavan, K., Miller, N. J., Miller, D. W., Gu, X., Vennerstrom, J. L., & Robinson, D. H. (2010). Physicochemical Characterization of Creatine N-Methylguanidinium Salts. Journal of Dietary Supplements, 7(3), 240–252. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/19390211.2010.491507 

Alraddadi EA, Lillico R, Vennerstrom JL, Lakowski TM, Miller DW. Absolute Oral Bioavailability of Creatine Monohydrate in Rats: Debunking a Myth. Pharmaceutics. 2018;10(1):31. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5874844/ 

Fazio, Carly1; Elder, Craig L.2; Harris, Margaret M.1. Efficacy of Alternative Forms of Creatine Supplementation on Improving Performance and Body Composition in Healthy Subjects: A Systematic Review. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 36(9):p 2663-2670, September 2022. https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/Fulltext/2022/09000/Efficacy_of_Alternative_Forms_of_Creatine.42.aspx

Jackman SR, Witard OC, Philp A, Wallis GA, Baar K, Tipton KD. Branched-Chain Amino Acid Ingestion Stimulates Muscle Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis following Resistance Exercise in Humans. Front Physiol. 2017;8:390. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2017.00390/full 

Ostfeld I, Hoffman JR. The Effect of β-Alanine Supplementation on Performance, Cognitive Function and Resiliency in Soldiers. Nutrients. 2023;15(4):1039. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9961614/

Trexler ET, Smith-Ryan AE, Stout JR, et al. International society of sports nutrition position stand: Beta-Alanine. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015;12:30.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4501114/

National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 7902, Deanol. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Deanol. 

U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much? September 2023. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/spilling-beans-how-much-caffeine-too-much 

Gough LA, Sparks SA, McNaughton LR, et al. A critical review of citrulline malate supplementation and exercise performance. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2021;121(12):3283-3295.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8571142/ 

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services; Office of Dietary Supplements. Carnitine: Health Professional Fact Sheet. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Carnitine-HealthProfessional/ 

Chen L, Zhu Y, Hu Z, Wu S, Jin C. Beetroot as a functional food with huge health benefits: Antioxidant, antitumor, physical function, and chronic metabolomics activity. Food Sci Nutr. 2021;9(11):6406-6420. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8565237/

Naderi A, de Oliveira EP, Ziegenfuss TN, Willems MT. Timing, Optimal Dose and Intake Duration of Dietary Supplements with Evidence-Based Use in Sports Nutrition. J Exerc Nutrition Biochem. 2016;20(4):1-12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5545206/

Kiani AK, Bonetti G, Medori MC, et al. Dietary supplements for improving nitric-oxide synthesis. J Prev Med Hyg. 2022;63(2 Suppl 3):E239-E245. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9710401/

Kreider RB, Kalman DS, Antonio J, et al. International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2017;14:18. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5469049/

Sahlin K. Muscle energetics during explosive activities and potential effects of nutrition and training. Sports Med. 2014;44 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):S167-S173. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4213384/

Bogdanis GC, Nevill ME, Aphamis G, et al. Effects of Oral Creatine Supplementation on Power Output during Repeated Treadmill Sprinting. Nutrients. 2022;14(6):1140. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35334797/

Mills S, Candow DG, Forbes SC, Neary JP, Ormsbee MJ, Antonio J. Effects of Creatine Supplementation during Resistance Training Sessions in Physically Active Young Adults. Nutrients. 2020;12(6):1880. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7353308/

Wang CC, Fang CC, Lee YH, Yang MT, Chan KH. Effects of 4-Week Creatine Supplementation Combined with Complex Training on Muscle Damage and Sport Performance. Nutrients. 2018;10(11):1640. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6265971/ 

Hoffman J, Ratamess N, Kang J, Mangine G, Faigenbaum A, Stout J. Effect of creatine and beta-alanine supplementation on performance and endocrine responses in strength/power athletes. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2006;16(4):430-446.

Izquierdo M, Ibañez J, González-Badillo JJ, Gorostiaga EM. Effects of creatine supplementation on muscle power, endurance, and sprint performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2002;34(2):332-343. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11828245/

Wu SH, Chen KL, Hsu C, et al. Creatine Supplementation for Muscle Growth: A Scoping Review of Randomized Clinical Trials from 2012 to 2021. Nutrients. 2022;14(6):1255. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8949037/ 

Cohen PA, Avula B, Katragunta K, Travis JC, Khan I. Presence and Quantity of Botanical Ingredients With Purported Performance-Enhancing Properties in Sports Supplements. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(7):e2323879. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2807343 

The post The 6 Best Pre-Workouts With Creatine, According to an RD and Nutrition Coach appeared first on BarBend.

Pre-workout and creatine are extensively studied sports nutrition supplements, and both can have a significantly positive effect on athletic performance. The best pre-workout supplements contain energy-boosters like caffeine, vasodilators like beta-alanine, and nootropics like taurine. Creatine supplements, on the contrary, are simple and contain just creatine monohydrate and perhaps some flavoring agents. 

If you’re trying to maximize your time in the gym, you may have considered taking creatine and pre-workout simultaneously. You’re in luck: Not only has research largely debunked the myth that caffeine and creatine interact negatively, but there are a number of supplements available containing both (plus a bunch of other helpful ingredients). (1) Our team of certified nutrition coaches and personal trainers has experience testing over 100 pre-workouts with our supplement testing methodology, and have found the best pre-workouts with creatine. 

The 6 Best Pre-Workouts With Creatine of 2024

Best Overall Pre-Workout With Creatine: Jacked Factory NitroSurge Build

Best Pre-Workout With Creatine for a Pump: Gainful Pre-Workout

Best Budget Pre-Workout With Creatine: Nutricost Pre-C

Strongest Pre-Workout With Creatine: Gorilla Mind Gorilla Mode

Best Pre-Workout With Creatine for Muscle Gain: 4Gauge Pre-Workout

Best Natural Pre-Workout With Creatine: Naked Nutrition Naked Energy

Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine. Individual needs for vitamins and minerals will vary.

How We Tested and Chose the Best Pre-Workout With Creatine

At BarBend, we’re committed to recommending only the best products while staying true to the idea that everyone has different dietary needs and preferences. Our team consists of certified personal trainers, certified nutrition coaches, registered dietitians, and certified strength and conditioning specialists who are also seasoned journalists. For this guide, our team collectively tested dozens of pre-workouts and rated them against a set of criteria to find the best. 

Taste and texture: No matter how objectively good a supplement’s formula is, it only works if you use it. Though subjective, we weigh taste and texture heavily in our ratings because it will make or break the supplement experience. 

Caffeine content: Too little caffeine, and the product may not increase energy levels. Too much, and you may be at risk for uncomfortable symptoms. Caffeine tolerance varies among individuals, but there’s certainly a sweet spot in pre-workouts. 

Creatine content: Contrary to caffeine, there’s an objective dose of creatine deemed effective. We analyze each formula for creatine content to determine if it’s worth your money. 

Complete formulation: In addition to creatine and caffeine, for this particular category of supplement, we look for additional ingredients with benefits for blood flow, workout intensity, hydration, endurance, and cognitive function.

Pricing: Some supplements are very much worth their price tag; others, not so much. Our team compared ingredients to the clinically studied effective doses to determine if a supplement is a steal, a good value, or not worth buying.  

[Related: Pros and Cons of Creatine]

Best Overall Pre-Workout With Creatine: Jacked Factory NitroSurge Build

Jacked Factory Nitro Surge is an action-packed pre-workout with eight active ingredients, including creatine HCl, a type of creatine that’s thought to be more soluble and bioavailable than some others. Advocates say this means you can get by with lower doses of creatine HCl and get the same benefits, though clinical research indicates that there’s not enough evidence to make that call. (2)(3)(4)

Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, M.S., RDN, LD. explains: “Jacked Factory Nitro Surge contains many potent compounds, but in low doses. I like that Nitro Surge contains beta-alanine, but it’s a fairly low dose, according to the latest research — same with the citrulline, as it only provides 3 grams per scoop.”  

Bourgeois rates Nitro Surge with 3.75 out of 5 points for its formulation, with high marks for the ingredients used but deductions for the low dosages.

Kate Meier, certified personal trainer and BarBend editorial team member, tested Nitro Surge and lovea the Strawberry Margarita flavor, calling it “wildly delicious” and scoring it with 5 out of 5 points. Unfortunately, it looks like that flavor isn’t always available. 

Nitro Surge earns a 5 out of 5 score for solubility, too. Another expert product tester says it mixed well with gentle shaking after 10 seconds, fizzed, and settled after 20 seconds. 

This pre-workout doesn’t just score well in the taste and texture department: Meier took a one-scoop serving before a morning resistance training workout and praised the substantial 180-milligram dose of caffeine, which gave her plenty of energy without the jitters or itchiness common with high-stim pre-workouts. 

“Because ingredients like beta-alanine are halved [in one scoop], it’s really good for a beginner who isn’t ready to get the mad-hype feeling you get with other pre-workouts,” she says. “I like that you still get the energy, but without all the other side effects.”

Read our full Jacked Factory Nitro Surge Review.

Best Pre-Workout With Creatine for a Pump: Gainful Pre-Workout

Gainful Pre-Workout is an excellent choice for bodybuilders and weightlifting enthusiasts alike. It contains eight active ingredients, including the three branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which play a significant role in muscle protein synthesis. (5)

Registered dietitian Chelsea Rae Bourgeois notes: “I like that Gainful offers a choice between moderate and high-intensity pre-workout, with the latter containing a bit more leucine, creatine, and caffeine. I also like that there aren’t any artificial ingredients or an outrageous amount of sugar in their formula.” Like many of the best creatine supplements, the high-intensity version contains a full 5 grams of creatine for a clinically-backed dose.

“The 4 grams of citrulline malate and 1.5 grams of beta-alanine per serving are on the low end of what research highlights as an effective dose,” Bourgeois continues. She ultimately rates the formula with 3 out of 5 points, saying that “a few of their primary ingredients leave you wanting just a bit more to get closer to clinically-backed doses.”

Certified personal trainer and BarBend editorial team member Alex Polish tried out the Watermelon flavor of the non-caffeinated moderate-intensity version (with 3 grams of creatine). “It didn’t really taste like watermelon,” they say about the taste. “I’d give it a 4 out of 5 for flavor because it’s got a bit of that stevia aftertaste. But it wasn’t overly sweet.”

They also didn’t have any complaints about the solubility of Gainful, noting that “It mixed really nicely in a shaker bottle. It had a very slight texture, but wasn’t gritty. It gets a 4.5 out of 5 for solubility.”

But the biggest standouts to our tester were the formula and effects. “I don’t love the relatively low levels of beta-alanine, but I’m not complaining about the lack of pre-workout tingles.” They also liked that they could choose the caffeine-free version. “I often get in my workouts after we put our toddler to bed. I want the focus and energy, but not to stay up all night from caffeine. That makes this great. Plus, there isn’t a drop-off mid-workout like there can be with more intense pre-workouts.”

Best Budget Pre-Workout With Creatine: Nutricost Pre-C

With 3 grams of creatine monohydrate (considered a clinically effective dose) and 220 milligrams of caffeine per serving, Nutricost Pre-C With Creatine packs a punch — for an impressively low price. Ringing up at less than 90 cents per serving, this third-party tested pre-workout packs a punch. 

Registered dietitian Chelsea Rae Bourgeois approves of the 3 grams of creatine monohydrate, but notes that, “Unfortunately, some ingredients, such as the L-citrulline and beta-alanine, fall below what studies suggest are most effective.” For example, beta-alanine helps delay muscle fatigue, but the demonstrated effective dose is 4 to 6 grams. (6)(7) 

On the other hand, there may be too much of some ingredients in Nutricost Pre-C With Creatine (note: there is another version of Nutricost Pre-C that lacks creatine, so that’s something to look out for when you’re shopping). Bourgeois explains: “I like that this pre-workout includes vitamins B6 and B12. However, it contains more than the average body can process at once. Some ingredients, especially when consumed in excess, may interact with certain medications.” She advises users taking regular medications to check in with a medical professional before taking this supp.

The inclusion of DMAE bitartrate also gives me pause. While it’s purported to support cognitive function, there’s very little research on this compound altogether, and it’s been associated with adverse effects like eye and skin irritation and respiratory distress. (8) Overall, the formulation earns 3 out of 5 points from me as a certified sports nutrition coach and from Bourgeois as an RD.

[Read More: Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate Review]

Strongest Pre-Workout With Creatine: Gorilla Mind Gorilla Mode

Gorilla Mode Gorilla Mind is one of our top recommendations for athletes and gymgoers looking for a high-quality pre-workout that packs a serious energy boost. At 400 milligrams of caffeine in the full serving (two scoops), Gorilla Mind puts you right at the FDA’s recommended maximum daily intake for caffeine. (9) If you also drink coffee and/or energy drinks, be mindful of that. 

In addition to the hefty dose of caffeine, this formula also contains L-citrulline, a nitric oxide booster; 5 grams of creatine monohydrate (the most creatine of all featured products in this guide); L-tyrosine, a nootropic; betaine, an endurance-enhancing compound; and several other potent ingredients. 

Best yet, the active ingredients are present in clinically validated doses, which isn’t something you always get with pre-workouts. For its strong formulation, I score Gorilla Mode with 4.25 out of 5 points, docking some points for the very high caffeine content — which might be too much for a lot of users.

Our expert product tester says they noticed solid effects after taking this pre-workout, including “more focus and a great pump.” Additionally, our tester explains: “There wasn’t a crash after the workout, which was great. No tingles for this one, which is good news if you don’t like them but bad news if you’re a fan (like me).” While our tester didn’t experience a huge energy boost, it’s possible they are just very tolerant to caffeine. 

This pre-workout doesn’t earn high remarks for taste. Our tester scores it with just 1 out of 5 points, saying, “I tried Fruit Punch, and it was super sweet. I could taste the artificial sweetener for sure.” However, things were better on the texture front: Our testers awards Gorilla Mode a 4-out-of-5-point score for solubility, noting that it blends well in 16 to 20 ounces of water — any less, and it has trouble dissolving completely. 

[Read More: Does Creatine Make You Gain Weight?]

Best Pre-Workout With Creatine for Muscle Gain: 4Gauge Pre-Workout

Formulated without any artificial sweeteners or flavors, 4Gauge Pre-Workout is a choice supplement for wellness-oriented individuals. It’s also an excellent option for those looking to build muscle, thanks to its combination of performance-enhancing and vasodilating ingredients. 

In addition to creatine monohydrate, the blend includes a form of L-citrulline, a form of carnitine, red beetroot extract, helping to dilate blood vessels (resulting in a pump) and support endurance. Additionally, coconut water powder can help with hydration and the modest dose of caffeine supports energy without the jitters. (10)(11)(12)

As a certified sports nutrition coach, I have to point out that the majority of ingredients in this formula are present in doses below the clinically validated amount. Creatine, for example, is present in a 1-gram dose, which is quite a bit lower than the 3- to 5-gram dose proven to elicit benefits. (13)

stered dietitian Chelsea Rae Bourgeois points out that not everyone will tolerate all the ingredients well. “Not everyone tolerates stevia without digestive issues. If that sounds familiar, you may not be a fan of 4Gauge since it’s sweetened with it.” But, like me, she likes the relatively low dose of caffeine because it’s “likely effective without adverse effects.”

4Gauge Pre-Workout earns high marks all around from our testers. One gives it a 4 out of 5 points for taste, saying, “It wasn’t too sweet and almost had a bit of sourness to it. If you don’t like sweet drinks, I imagine it’ll be a good thing.” Another tester was surprised by the tangy taste, but enjoyed it. 

All three of our testers ranked the solubility a solid 5 out of 5. “A shaker cup with a blender ball will do the truck easily, but so will stirring,” one of our testers says. 

Our testers also rate this a 5 out of 5 for the effects. One tester remarks, “It was a noticeable boost in energy, but it wasn’t too much and didn’t cause any shakes or discomfort. I was able to push through my workouts a lot better than usual.”

[Related: Best Pre-Workout for Muscle Gain]

Best Natural Pre-Workout With Creatine: Naked Nutrition Naked Energy

Naked Nutrition keeps its supplement formulas pretty straightforward and simple, which registered dietitian Chelsea Rae Bourgeois appreciates. “I love that this pre-workout only contains 10 ingredients, all vegan-friendly and gluten-, GMO-, dairy-, and soy-free,” she says. “It provides a hefty dose of vitamin C and a 200-milligram dose of caffeine, not to mention a small dose of creatine to boost exercise performance all that much more.” 

If caffeine gives you too much of a jolt, you can enjoy this in the non-caffeinated version, which we think is one of the best non-stim pre-workouts. 

Plus, this blend contains no carbohydrates, added sugar, or artificial ingredients, which is a bonus for individuals who track macros. It’s also independently lab-tested for impurities. Bourgeois scores the formula with a 3.75 out of 5 points the doses of arginine, beta-alanine, and creatine are fairly low. 

Naked Pre-Workout earns 5 out of 5 points in the solubility category. In fact, our product tester says, “It was kind of wild how well it mixed.” Our tester also likes the citrus flavor, noting that it’s not too sweet and doesn’t have a weird aftertaste. The unflavored version, though, is quite bitter in plain water, they noted. 

“There were no tingles for me, which makes sense because it doesn’t have a ton of beta-alanine,” our tester says after trying the pre-workout. “But that’s a good thing; I got a great energy boost, kind of equivalent to a lot of coffee. I’d score it a 4 out of 5 for effect.”

Benefits of Pre-Workout With Creatine

Pre-workout can help you maintain the desired intensity of your workouts for the entire duration, thanks to ingredients that improve physical and mental performance. A pre-workout with creatine has the added benefit of containing one of the most-studied sports supplements in the world, with a long list of proven benefits. 

Our tester drinking Jacked Factory Nitro Surge while balancing the container on their forehead.

Produces a pump: Several common pre-workout ingredients boost nitric oxide synthesis. This, in turn, widens the blood vessels and increases circulation, leading to a better pump. Creatine pulls more water into muscle cells, which can also contribute to a pumped-up physique. (14)(15)

Helps with high-intensity workouts: Creatine helps you perform high-intensity exercise for longer. When there is more creatine in your muscles, your body can more efficiently produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which powers muscle contraction. (16)

Extends time to fatigue: One of the main creatine benefits is that it’s known to increase physical work capacity and can help you eke out more reps even when fatigued. (17) (18) 

May assist with weight loss: Pre-workout with creatine isn’t a weight-loss supplement — on the contrary, creatine could make you gain weight in the form of muscle mass — but it may help you burn more calories during exercise since it can increase stamina and performance. Burning more calories during each session will increase your calorie deficit without reducing food intake. 

Can increase strength and power: If you want to build muscle, you gotta lift heavy. Creatine can help with that. Studies show that creatine increases maximal muscle strength, reduces muscle fatigue, increases power, and enhances muscle growth. (19) (20)(21)(22)

How Much Does Pre-Workout With Creatine Cost?

Pre-workout with creatine can cost less than $1 per serving to more than $3 per serving, depending on the ingredients, dosages, quality, and third-party testing. You can expect to pay anywhere from $20 to $60 for a month’s supply.

Side label on a tub of Naked Pre-Workout

What to Consider Before Buying Pre-Workout With Creatine

Not sure if pre-workout powder with creatine is the right choice for you? There are pros and cons of creatine and pre-workout, but overall, both dietary supplements are considered to improve training sessions. To find the best one for you, consider these factors in your search.

Caffeine Content

Depending on when you take your pre-workout, you may want more or less caffeine. Most pre-workouts contain 100 to 400 milligrams per serving, with 400 being the maximum daily recommended intake by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (9) You can always halve the scoop to reduce caffeine — but don’t forget you’ll also only be getting half of the other ingredients. 

Creatine Content

Creatine has been shown to be effective when dosed at 3 to 5 grams per day, according to research published in the Journal of Exercise, Nutrition, and Biochemistry. (13) If you aren’t taking a separate, dedicated creatine supplement, look for a pre-workout that has at least 3 grams of creatine per serving. 

Our tester dumping a scoop of Jacked Factory Nitro Surge.

If you take a separate creatine powder, you don’t need as much in your pre-workout. In fact, if you already take 5 grams per day or eat plenty of foods high in creatine, you can opt for a pre-workout without creatine. Learn how to choose the best pre-workout for you in our ultimate guide to pre-workouts.

Other Ingredients and Dosages

Though a pre-workout may contain nearly a dozen ingredients proven to be effective for athletic performance in some way, those ingredients may not be present in amounts that produce a real result. In clinical trials, specific doses of compounds are tested and validated. 

For example, beta-alanine is considered to be effective in doses of 4 to 6 grams per day. (7) Taking less than that isn’t likely to produce your desired results. It’s always a good idea to look for the clinically validated doses and compare them to what’s on the label. Worth noting: You don’t have to get all of your supplements from one powder. If your pre-workout contains, say, 2 grams of beta-alanine, you could use a dedicated beta-alanine powder at a different time of day to make up the difference. 

Third-Party Testing

Did you know that only an estimated 11% of supplement facts labels are 100% accurate? According to 2023 research in the Journal of the American Medical Association, that’s the sad fact. (23) Because the FDA doesn’t regulate supplement manufacturing in the same way they do food and drug manufacturing, things are quite laissez-faire in the supplement industry. 

Mixing a serving of 4Gauge Pre-Workout

That’s why it’s important to look for brands that put their products through independent lab testing: It certifies that what’s on the label is in the product and that the product is free from potentially harmful substances. This isn’t to say that a non-tested supplement isn’t safe — our team has tested and continues to use many — but look out for indications of brand transparency that make you feel safe and comfortable taking the product. 

Best Pre-Workout With Creatine FAQs

References

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Gufford, B. T., Sriraghavan, K., Miller, N. J., Miller, D. W., Gu, X., Vennerstrom, J. L., & Robinson, D. H. (2010). Physicochemical Characterization of Creatine N-Methylguanidinium Salts. Journal of Dietary Supplements, 7(3), 240–252. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/19390211.2010.491507 

Alraddadi EA, Lillico R, Vennerstrom JL, Lakowski TM, Miller DW. Absolute Oral Bioavailability of Creatine Monohydrate in Rats: Debunking a Myth. Pharmaceutics. 2018;10(1):31. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5874844/ 

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Ostfeld I, Hoffman JR. The Effect of β-Alanine Supplementation on Performance, Cognitive Function and Resiliency in Soldiers. Nutrients. 2023;15(4):1039. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9961614/

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