I tested numerous products and found the Vega Sport Energizer to be the best pre workout without beta alanine for my training regime.
I’m not a stranger when it comes to supplements, and if you’re like me, you switch up when your routine does. Each routine needs something different, and no supplement is the same. There have to be a few requirements met before I finally decide on a pre-workout supplement.
This typically takes the form of making sure the ingredients are all-natural, the price is competitive, and I have enough to last for at least a month. Even brands that contain Beta-Alanine have a hard time delivering on these.
The Vega Sport Energizer went above and beyond those requirements. Its ingredients were purely plant-based, which meant the caffeine boost I got felt clean. I liked that I could quickly identify every ingredient on the label and didn’t see artificial sweeteners added in. Its pricing is competitive compared to brands that offer similar ingredients in the same serving size.
Each supplement out of the five had its advantage over the others. While one supplement would bring on the pump more than others, the ingredients may not have been entirely all-natural. The ones that did taste good generally ran a few pennies higher than the more budget-friendly options.
While they prevented me from getting the jitters in my workout, the vegan options didn’t have as many flavors under their name. Each supplement outperformed another in some areas and left me with a good impression.
Keep reading to find some of the best pre workout without Beta Alanine.
Best 5 Pre Workouts without Beta Alanine
These products are among the best of the best, but their efficiency is going to vary. Whether you’re looking for all-natural ingredients, ample serving sizes, or a decent-sized container, these supplements have them all. The best part? None of these have Beta-Alanine, meaning you won’t have to suffer from Paraesthesia or jitters when you’re trying to get pumped.
Best Overall – Vega Sport Energizer
For the number one spot, the Vega Sport Energizer performed the best all-around for me. It’s a completely vegan-based supplement, and I could recognize every ingredient in just a glance at the label. It also comes packed with organic coffee and green tea for a clean caffeine boost. Brown rice syrup and coconut palm oil provide 16 grams of healthy carbohydrates that don’t see a drop of artificial sweeteners.
This supplement was made with every type of athlete in mind. This means that even if you’re running, cycling, or lifting, this will give you the boost you need to make the most out of your workout. When it comes to flavor: Strawberry Lemonade and Acai Berry are among the most popular choices.
The focus boost I felt here wasn’t as substantial as with some of the other supplements ranked here. However, its natural ingredients certainly made it feel cleaner, and I focused more on form than reps.
Pros:
- Affordable
- All Natural
- Good Weight
Cons:
- Very sweet
- High in carbohydrates
Best For Flavors – PEScience Prolific Pre-Workout
PEScience Prolific Pre Workout deserves this role hands down. This pre-workout offers 8 different flavors, to ensure you have an option no matter what you like. This pre-workout helps you focus and muster the energy needed for the most demanding workouts. 160 mg of caffeine is packed in each scoop with a 50mg dose of Coffee Fruit Extract.
For those who are more concerned with the flavors, PEScience Prolific Pre Workout is offered in various flavors. Cotton Candy, Kiwi Lime, Tropical Twist, and Raspberry Lemonade are just some of the flavors offered.
The caffeine rush here is great, and you’ll notice the increase of energy that comes with it. I found myself tempted to do more sets with this supplement. For those that are looking for taste, this will be a great addition to your routine.
Pros:
- Great taste
- Good serving portions
- Strong pump, focus, and energy boost
Con:
- If using 2 scoops, can be expensive
- Not all natural ingredients
Best Vegan/All Natural – Organic Muscle Pre-Workout
In terms of all-natural ingredients, Organic Muscle Pre-Workout is one of the best. This supplement promises a 150mg caffeine boost that’s rooted in over 20 adaptogenic herbs and superfoods. You won’t find a single hormone, artificial sweetener, or preservative in the ingredients, and only 20 calories per serving.
This supplement works great for training regimes of all kinds and won’t give you a case of the jitters in the middle of the workout. This also means no sugar crash that’s common with supplements made with artificial sweeteners. Flavor-wise, you’ll be limited here, with Lemon-Berry, Passionfruit Guava, and Strawberry Mango being the choices here.
Your focus will not be crazy high here either, but you’ll notice a considerable bump along with your energy. All in all, this supplement offered the cleanest caffeine rush.
Pros:
- All Natural
- No Jitters
- Good Serving Portions
Cons:
- More Expensive Option
- Some Users don’t like the taste
Best For Budget – Garden of Life’s Sport Organic Blend
Having a tight budget shouldn’t mean sacrificing gains. Garden of Life’s Sport Organic Blend provides a clean 85mg caffeine boost at a competitive price. With all-natural ingredients making the supplement, there’s extra focus on Vitamin B12. This vitamin is responsible for the bulk of fat and carbohydrate metabolism, and there’s 220mcg of it added in. The key ingredients here are kale, beets, and spinach, with no preservatives or sweeteners added.
This supplement works great for all athletes and compliments any routine. Serving size-wise, this one stands to be the best, with 40 servings in an 80z container. Flavor-wise, there isn’t much to work with here. Your only two choices are Blackberry and Blackberry Cherry.
Personally, when it comes to more bang for your buck, this is the right way to go. Having 40 servings available at such a competitive price almost seemed like a myth at first.
Pros:
- Competitive pricing
- Large serving size
- All-natural
Cons:
- Lack of flavor variety
Best For Pump – PUMPSURGE Stim-Free Pre-Workout
When it comes to overall energy and motivation, PUMPSURGE’s Stim Free Pre-Workout went above and beyond. This supplements formula focuses on ergogenic boosters and various nootropic ingredients that give your brain a superhuman-like level of focus. The Taurine, Betaine, and L-Citrulline ingredients enhance the blood flow in your muscles, making sure you get as many gains as possible.
This supplement is aimed towards bodybuilders and absolutely performs to its name when getting your muscles warmed up. You have six distinct flavors to choose from here, ranging from Blue Raspberry to Cucumber Lime, with 20 servings per container.
The pump here was genuine, and I could notice a drastically different feeling here than the first on our list. I was in a “go go go” mood and really blew through my workout.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Decent Serving Size
- Variety of Flavors
- Best Boost in Energy
Cons:
- Artificial Sweeteners
- Low Servings per Bottle
Buying Guide
There are a few things you need to keep in mind when shopping for supplements. No one is the same, and each comes with different formulas and ingredients that impact your training regime differently. The next time you decide to switch up your supplements, keep these things in mind.
Avoid buying supplements that make grandiose claims about muscle gain or increase in stamina. Many times, these companies aren’t required to prove the safety of their products.
Cost
Staying in great shape can be expensive, and supplements are one of the main culprits here. It’s not uncommon for many supplements to reach $100 for a single container, making other necessities to your regime like meal planning even more expensive. Some companies offer top-line supplements at a competitive price, with multiple other products to complement them.
Servings
Another thing to look out for is exactly how much you’re getting for your money. Depending on how often you exercise, you may blow through a container within a month. Keep your eye out for a container with good servings (20+) that isn’t too expensive. This can prevent you from spending too much money each month on multiple containers.
What Are the Ingredients?
It’s not uncommon for many pre-workout supplements to be loaded to the brim with artificial sweeteners. It may give a great caffeine boost in the early stages of your workout, but can leave you jittery or tired before your routine is finished. Check that the supplement is made with all-natural/vegan ingredients to ensure that the energy boost isn’t just a sugar rush.
Is It Right For Your Routine?
If you’re a marathon runner, you aren’t gonna need a container of protein with 60gs per serving. Just like their ingredients differ, many supplements are often marketed in various niches in the fitness industry. Keep your routine in mind, and the number of nutrients that it calls for daily when deciding on pre-workout supplements.
Does It Have Beta-Alanine?
Beta-Alanine is often marketed as an amino acid used to increase muscle gain. If you see Beta-Alanine on a supplement, you’re almost guaranteed to experience Paraesthesia. It all comes down to preference, and whether you want Beta-Alanine or not.
What is Beta-Alanine?
Beta-Alanine is a naturally occurring amino acid. Its main role is amping up the production of Carnosine, a protein found in muscles. This increase of Carnosine means that your muscles perform better overall, allowing you to squeeze in more reps. The Carnosine keeps the acid buildup in your muscles under control, so they won’t tire as quickly.
Because of this, Beta-Alanine is often touted as a must-have for those looking to build muscle. However, there are some who question Beta-Alanine’s effectiveness.
Do I need Beta-Alanine?
Your body already produces these amino acids, so you don’t have to hunt for them in your food. Chances are if you’re lifting weights, you’re already getting a few extra from chicken and fish. Depending on what nutritional value your meal plan or supplements provide, you don’t have to hunt down extra sources of Beta-Alanine.
Why Does It Itch?
When you take Beta-Alanine, it activates a set of neuron receptors in your brain that’s responsible for making you itch. This is known as Paresthesia, where your body tingles 15 minutes after you’ve taken a pre-workout supplement, and can last for half an hour.
Side Effects of Beta-Alanine
Paresthesia is reported to be the most common side-effect of Beta-Alanine but is common with many pre-workout supplements that don’t have it. It’s described as a feeling of tingling or needle pricks all over your body. While this sensation may feel threatening, it’s typically a very harmless side-effect that fades after a half-hour.
There may be harmful side-effects that arise if you take Beta-Alanine with any form of heart medication or types that treat ED. Beta-Alanine has not been studied with kids, meaning it’s not conclusive if it’s harmless for kids or teens. Women who are exercising while pregnant, or breastfeeding, are advised not to take it for similar reasons.
Keep your eye open for claims that Beta-Alanine will increase the rate of muscle growth, or drastically improve your stamina. The FDA does not review supplements in the same way they do medication. Supplements are placed under the “Food” category for them, meaning that manufacturers don’t even have to prove their supplements are effective or safe before they sell them.
Benefits of Pre-Workout without Beta-Alanine
Don’t worry about missing out on the stamina that Beta-Alanine can give you. Many other pre-workout supplements provide a similar boost during your workout without the possibility of Paraesthesia. Even if it’s harmless, the tingling around your body can take away your focus from your routine.
Many pre-workout supplements that come with Beta-Alanine couple it up with a high amount of stimulants. Even if you manage to have an episode of Paraesthesia, you may feel jittery energy, leaving your body somewhat shaky. Following pre-workouts without Beta-Alanine means that you aren’t as susceptible to a caffeine or sugar crash, as there aren’t as many artificial sweeteners or stimulants.
The pre-workout supplements without Beta-Alanine are often packed with natural ingredients. This means that the caffeine boost, while not as intense, is much cleaner. An added bonus is knowing your supplement isn’t filled with ingredients that are working against you mid-workout.
Take-Away
If you’re looking for a good pre-workout, you can skip the ones with the Beta-Alanine labels. They might over-promise on how quickly you can look to gain muscle, or how much stamina you’ll have for your workouts.
Paraesthesia, jitters, and caffeine crashes can all be avoided by choosing pre-workouts without Beta-Alanine. The ones that don’t offer it typically have all-natural ingredients that are better for you compared to the ones that offer Beta-Alanine, which comes loaded with stimulants.
I’ve covered some of the best pre-workouts without Beta-Alanine and outlined where they performed well the most. For this list, the Vega Sports Energizer ranked first. It provided everything I was looking for: affordable price, decent sizes, and all-natural ingredients. If you are looking for other potential natural pre-workouts, check out some here. Even though it was my pick, another supplement on this list could be the perfect one for you.
If any of the supplements reviewed in this guide interested you, go ahead and check them out!
