What Are Stim Free Pre Workout Supplements?
Stimulant free pre workout drinks are one of the fastest growing product categories in the sports nutrition industry right now. They aim to provide most of the benefits of traditional pre workout supplements - such as improved energy, endurance, muscle pumps and gym performance - but without stimulants like caffeine.
Why Take A Non Stim Pre Workout Product?
There are several good reasons to go stim free. Some people dont do well with stimulants - whether its due to sensitivity to them, other bad reactions or just not liking the sensation. Others have medical conditions that prevent them from choosing a traditional pre workout with stimulants; for instance if they have any kind of heart or blood pressure issues then stimulants should absolutely be avoided. Another great reason to choose a stim free product is if you train later in the day and dont want to risk disturbing your sleep that night. Some stimulants can take hours to wear off!
What Ingredients Might You Find In A Pre Workout Without Stimulants?
Some of the most common ingredients are:
Creatine Monohydrate - the most popular and possibly the most effective sports nutrition ingredient in history, creatine increases the availability of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the primary energy carrier in cells, leading to improved performance, muscle strength and gains.
Beta Alanine - a precursor to carnosine, a molecule that buffers acid build up in muscles. By increasing carnosine you delay muscle fatigue and lactic acid build up, allowing you to get a few extra reps out than you otherwise might. If you've ever experienced a tingling sensation from your pre workout supplement, it was most likely from beta alanine.
L-Citrulline - converts into l-arginine and nitric oxide in the body, improving blood flow and nutrient delivery to the muscles. This helps add to the great muscle pump sensation bodybuilders chase and may promote endurance, performance and reduction in muscle soreness.
L-Arginine - an amino acid that is another precursor to nitric oxide and delivers the above mentioned benefits.
L-Tyrosine - this amino acid contributes to neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine and adrenaline; all of which may help boost focus, alterness, mood and ultimately workout performance.
Taurine - may help regulate electrolyte balance and muscle function.
Sea or Pink Himalayan Salt - these salts provide crucial electrolytes that may assist fluid balance and muscle contractions, futher supporting muscle pumps and peak performance.
Betaine Anhydrous - supports creatine and protein synthesis, maintains cell hydration and may contribute to improved performance and recovery.
Which Stimulant Free Pre Workout Supplements Are Popular Right Now?
Applied Nutrition ABE Pump
The regular ABE (All Black Everything) Pre is one of the most popular pre-workout supplements world-wide right now and this is their Non Stim version of that product. Featuring 40 servings per tub and with a choice of blue razz, red hawaiian and tigers blood flavours it has proven popular so far with online reviews typically averaging 4.7 out of 5 stars with positive feedback on the flavouring and favourable comparisons with traditional pre workouts. Each serving contains 3g of creatine and 3g beta alanine along with citrulline malate, taurine and much more.
Beast Pharm Stim Free Pump
Eddie Hall's supplement brand, Beast Pharm, is growing in popularity and Stim Free Pump is their contribution to the non stim category. You get 30 servings per tub of a potent dose of citrulline, betaine anhydrous and taurine. Available in Lemon or Sour Cherry flavours. Typically polling at around four stars in online reviews with customers praising the mixability and long lasting pumps.
CNP Full Pump
Another product that is typically seeing four star reviews. Full Pump - which provides between 20 and 40 servings depending on if you use 1 or 2 scoops and is available in grape, orange, tropical and blue raspberry flavours - features the typical ingredients such as taurine and citrulline but also a few unique compounds such as Nitrosigine (enhanced nitric oxide and blood flow) and Amentopump (derived from the plant selaginella tamariscina, may increase cAMP and CGMP in muscle cells for increased muscle contraction and energy production).
EHP Labs OxyShred Non Stim
OxyShred has built a phenomenal following online as a hybrid pre-wokout/fat burning powder but the regular version isnt for everybody due to the stimulant content. Fortunately EHP Labs have produced their stim free version. Very different to the other products in this list, OxyShred Non Stim contains more in the way of fat burning ingredients such as Acetyl L Carnitine, Garcinia Cambogia, CLA and Raspberry Ketones - thermogenic ingredients designed to stimulate metabolism and increase calorie burn. Available in a selection of the delicious flavours EHP labs are known for, typical online reviews are in the 4.5 star range with praise for flavour, mixability and effectiveness with the only negative comments being that it isnt quite as effective as the regular version and that it is a little prone to 'clumping' like quite a few other pre workout products are.
Naughty Boy Pump
Naughty Boy Pump is a great stim free alternative to their popular 'Menace' pre workout. With l-citrulline malate, beta alanine, arginine and taurine all in effective doses, a choice of blue raspberry, pineapple crush and tropical punch flavours and great value at 25 servings for around £22, it is proving a popular stim free option.
Redcon1 Total War Pump
The newest stim free pre workout to the market, at the time of writing, is Total War Pump from Redcon1. The original Total War has been very popular for us lately so this is a welcome addition. Together with the expected beta alanine and l-citrulline, Total War Pump has a few notable extras. These include glycerol for hydration and muscle pumps, huperzia serrata for a mental boost and rhodiola which may boost mood, energy and focus as well as recovery. Available now in blue lemonade, sour gummy, strawberry kiwi and watermelon flavours, with 40/20 servings per tub (depending on dose used) for only £24.95; we've not yet seen any reviews for this product since its so new but we have high hopes based on the popularity of the regular Total War.
Are Stim Free Pre Workouts As Good As Regular PW products?
In terms purely of energy boost, quite honestly no. Not in most cases. But that's to be expected and to be honest stim free is probably the healthier choice for most people, certainly for regular use. They do compare favourably in other areas though such as muscle pumps, workout performance and recovery so are well worth trying. Especially if you seek to avoid caffeine and other stimulants, train at night or have any conditions that may be effected by stimulant use.
Please note that whilst these supplements discussed are stimulant free, we would still advise anybody with medical conditions to seek advice from their healthcare provider before considering using these or any other supplements. Your health is the most important thing so always take the proper precautions before embarking on the use of a new supplement, diet or workout routine.
