What Is The Best Pre Workout Without Creatine – Go Creatine Free
Are you Creatine intolerant? Does Creatine disagree with your stomach? Do you feel that Creatine makes you feel bloated? If any of these symptoms sound familiar, you will want to know, what is the best pre workout without Creatine?
Pre workout and Creatine don’t always go together, so luckily, there are plenty of excellent Creatine Free pre workouts. I’m going to give you my best recommendations along with the benefits and possible negatives of each one.
I’ll explain what Creatine is and the reasons why you should or shouldn’t use this product. Lastly, I will recommend some of the ingredients to look for in a pre workout to give you a similar performance as Creatine.
Creatine – To Be or Not To Be
Pre workout supplements contain Caffeine, Amino Acids and other ingredients that boost your workout performance, but do you need Creatine added to this powerful creation?
Studies have shown that the effects of Creatine are safe in most people. However, it is proven to increase water weight which causes bloating. Creatine can also bother the digestive tract.
Dehydration can be another problem, especially if you don’t drink tons of water with Creatine. There have also been studies that show Creatine can be harmful to those that have asthma.
Although Creatine is an effective substance, it does not agree with everyone equally. There are also cases where the effects of Creatine do not align someone’s physical conditioning goals. Pre workout and Creatine don’t always have to go together.
I’ve got a friend from the gym who had mentioned his issues with Creatine to me in the past. He is the only case that I personally know of, but it is proven that in many of us, our body chemistry can’t seem to tolerate it. This is the reason I decided to do some research on the effects of Creatine, and whether or not it is right for you.
What the Heck is Creatine Anyway
What is in Creatine supplements? The two main types of Creatine for muscle growth are Creatine Monohydrate and Creatine HCL. This substance comes in many pre and post workout supplements. Some athletes and weightlifters will supplement Creatine separately after workouts to help with muscle growth and repair.
Creatine is synthesized from Amino Acids and is naturally occurring in the body. Amino Acids are the important building blocks of protein. In fact, all pre workout supplements contain both essential Amino Acids as well as BCAA’s (Branch Chain Amino Acids).
Your body produces Creatine in much smaller amounts than is contained in the nutritional supplements, but the amount that your body does make is increased by exercise.
The level your body produces fluctuates regularly depending on certain factors such as your protein intake(how much you eat) and how much you exercise. When supplementing, this form of Creatine is man made and created in a lab.
Creatine works by helping to supply muscle cells with energy. This energy source that it becomes is called ATP (Adenosine triphosphate). It is transported via blood to the places in the body that have a higher energy demand, such as your muscle tissue and your brain.
Although Creatine is so widely studied, this supplement is not FDA approved. However, it isn’t banned by the International Olympic Committee, any professional or college leagues or any other athletic organizations.
The Pros of Using Creatine
Creatine has become quite the hot product in the last few years when it comes to improving exercise performance. It is one of the most widely researched supplements, and so far is safe. For the majority of people, there are more pros than cons when it comes to taking Creatine unless your body doesn’t process it correctly.
Studies show that it can increase strength, muscle mass and exercise performance. When someone is saturated with Creatine, their muscle mass can actually look bigger because of water retention. In addition to this, it can have other health benefits on your body.
There have even been studies showing that Creatine can be beneficial to things like fighting depression to helping with Parkinson’s disease.
Creatine is especially beneficial with high intensity exercise such as weight lifting, because it generates ATP in your body. ADP is the prime energy source when exercising. Therefore, Creatine does not only increase muscle gains, but also supplies working energy.
If you think that you may want to give Creatine a try, see my article titled What Is The Best Creatine For Muscle Growth.
The Cons of Using Creatine
As with any supplement, Creatine can create problems if you take too much. The major side effects for this can be dehydration, nausea, stomach pain, muscle cramps, and diarrhea. So be sure to take the recommended amount to avoid this possibility.
Most stomach irritation from Creatine is caused by improper mixing. Creatine HCL has a lesser chance of this. Still, some will still have stomach issues.
If you have existing liver or kidney problems, you should stay away from Creatine. As a precaution, it would also be a good idea to avoid it if you have high blood pressure. Of course, you should always consult your doctor if you are on the fence.
The biggest reason that many will stay away from Creatine is the possibility of weight gain. Creatine increases the water content in your cells and will hold it there causing water retention in your body. This makes it tough to lean up.
There have also been studies about the negative effects of Creatine on people that have asthma. You can learn more on this by watching the video at the bottom. All of this being said, fortunately, there are some great Creatine Free pre workout supplements.
If you have any success or horror stores regarding Creatine, please let me know in the comment box at the bottom.
What To Look For In A Pre Workout Without Creatine
When looking for a good pre workout supplement that is Creatine Free, it needs to contain other effective ingredients to help produce the same boost as a regular pre workout.
First of all, be sure that the pre workout has plenty of Beta Alanine. This is an Amino Acid that is naturally found in your body but pays to supplement in addition to this. Beta Alanine will significantly increase strength, build lean body mass, and help with muscular endurance.
It also works to remove the Lactic Acid from your muscle cells during your workout to keep it from building up. Lactic Acid buildup not only is uncomfortable, but it will accelerate the onset of muscle fatigue. Look for at least 1.5 grams of Beta Alanine in your pre workout.
Look for plenty of L-Citrulline or L-Arginine. These Amino Acids increase Nitric Oxide production. This works as a vasodilator by relaxing the inner muscles of your blood vessels and cause them to widen.
The increased blood flow brings more Aminos, nutrients, oxygen, and hydration to your muscle tissue. Because of this, you will recover quicker between exercises, feel stronger and have more endurance. Look for 4-8 grams of Citrulline Malate.
You will need the proper amount of the other essential Amino Acids and BCAA’s to make up for the lack of Creatine. Additional Amino Acids are necessary for muscle growth, nutrient absorption, focus, and motivation.
Since Creatine brings energy to your muscles, be sure you’re getting your Caffeine or a Caffeine alternative when going Creatine Free. Caffeine is one of the best energy boosters, it even increases your fat burning capacity. Here’s more information about Caffeine In Pre Workouts.
What Is The Best Pre Workout Without Creatine
Product: Legion Pulse Pre Workout
Price: $$$
Where To Purchase: Get the Best Price on Legion Pulse
Container size: 21 servings
Caffeine Per Serving: 350mg
Rating: 4.2 out of 5
Manufacturer: Legion Athletics Supplements at legionathletics.com
Guarantee: 30 day satisfaction guarantee
This is my top pick for several reasons. For one thing, it is an all natural pre workout. This means no artificial flavors, colors or sugars. Next is the quantity of Caffeine at 350 grams. It could rock your world, so I would start out slowly with less than a serving.
The amount of Citrulline Malate is one of the highest which is key for a Creatine Free product. Not only does this pre workout come with great reviews, but I have done a hands-on review for this myself.
The price may be higher than average but is still under $2.00 per serving.
Legion Pulse Positives:
- My top pick for this category
- Highest Caffeine quantity
- 8 grams of Citrulline Malate
- 3.6 grams of Beta Alanine
- All Natural pre workout.
Possible Negatives:
- Costs more than average
- May be too strong for beginners
See my Legion Pulse Pre Workout Review
Product: NitroSurge Pre Workout
Price: $
Where To Purchase: Get the Best Price on NitroSurge
Container size: 30 servings
Caffeine Per Serving: 180mg
Rating: 4.6 out of 5
Manufacturer: Jacked Factory at jackedfactory.com
Guarantee: 30 day satisfaction guarantee
This pre workout is no-nonsense and to the point. It is a bargain buy for a pre workout supplement. It contains the average amount of Caffeine for its class. The Amino Acid quantities are more than sufficient. Nitrosurge comes in more flavors than I’ve ever seen in a pre workout.
Speaking of flavors, this product does contain artificial ingredients as opposed to the all natural pre workouts. Besides that, there are no added ingredients or fillers.
NitroSurge Positives:
- Budget Pic – Less than $1.00 per serving
- 3 grams of L Citrulline
- 1.25 grams of Beta Alanine
- Nitric Oxide booster
- Comes in 9 flavors
Potential Negatives:
- Basic pre workout ingredients
- Low Caffeine content
- Natural and artificial flavors
Product: Vintage Blast Pre Workout
Price: $$$
Where to purchase: Get the Best Price on Vintage Blast
Container size: 20 servings
Rating: 4.4 out of 5
Caffeine: 250mg per serving
Manufacturer: Old School Labs at oldschoollabs.com
Guarantee: 30 day satisfaction guarantee
This is another one of my personal favorites. Prepare to get a long, hard workout with this one. It contains a two stage energy release formula. Microencapsulated Caffeine is released halfway through your workout.
Vintage Blast also contains double Nitric Oxide boosters. This is an all natural pre workout, that contains no artificial ingredients. It costs a little more, but I think you will find that it is worth it.
Vintage Blast Positives:
- Two stage formula for steady release of Caffeine
- “All Natural” pre workout
- Double Nitric Oxide boosters
- 5 grams of Citrulline Malate
- 1 gram of Beta Alanine
Possible Negatives
- Higher price point
- Limited flavors
Check Out my Vintage Blast Pre Workout Review
Product: C4 Ripped Pre Workout
Price: $$
Where To Purchase: Get the Best Price on C4 Ripped
Container size: 30 servings
Caffeine Per Serving: 150mg plus green coffee bean extract
Rating: 4.3 out of 5
Manufacturer: Cellucor at cellucor.com
Guarantee: 30 day satisfaction guarantee
C4 is the #1 selling pre workout for a reason. They really know what they are doing. This is one of the only C4 products that is Creatine Free. It contains about the average amount of Caffeine and Citrulline Malate. But, C4 Ripped has added ingredients to help burn more fat during exercise.
I’ve never been disappointed with anything in the C4 line of products. This is a zero sugar pre workout, therefore it is low calorie. Unlike some of my other recommendations, this pre workout contains artificial ingredients. If you really want an intense thermogenic burner, see my C4 Ultimate Shred Review.
C4 Ripped Positives:
- The only C4 without Creatine
- #1 selling pre workout brand
- 1.6 grams of Beta Alanine
- Contains thermogenic ingredients
- Zero sugar
- Comes in 5 flavors
Possible Negatives:
- Contains natural and artificial flavors
- Label doesn’t have quantity of blends
Product: Genius Pre Workout
Price: $$$
Where To Purchase: Get the Best Price on Genius
Container size: 20 servings
Caffeine Per Serving: Contains natural energy alternatives
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Manufacturer: The Genius Brand at thegeniusbrand.com
Guarantee: 30 day satisfaction guarantee
This is a science based pre workout that touts some pretty incredible benefits. Because it is Caffeine Free, it includes several other natural energy sources. One is their own ATP for energy and endurance. It also has nootropic ingredients for motivation and cognitive function.
The Amino Acid quantities such as L-Citrulline are high. This is an all natural pre workout, containing no artificial ingredients. However, it comes in only a couple of flavors.
Genius Positives:
- Caffeine and Creatine Free
- Top ratings
- 6 grams of Citrulline Malate
- 2 grams of Beta Alanine
- Nitric Oxide boosters
- Nootropic ingredients
- All Natural pre workout
- Packed with fruit and root extracts
Possible Negatives:
- Costs more than average
- Not as strong as a Caffeinated pre workout
- Limited flavors
The Creatine Free Conclusion
Creatine is found naturally in your body, but as a supplement, it is known to increase strength, muscle mass and recovery. However, a Creatine supplement is not always best for everyone, and there can be some potential issues.
Water retention and weight gain can be a big disadvantage with Creatine consumption. This also makes it difficult if your goal is to get lean. If you would like a pre workout to help burn fat, I recommend getting one with thermogenic properties.
Others may have issues with stomach discomfort or cramping, though much of this is caused by improper mixing. There are also a few that their bodies are just intolerant or sensitive to Creatine.
If you don’t have any problems taking a Creatine supplement, the pros will outweigh the cons. You may still be thinking about taking Creatine. If so, see my article on Creatine HCL Vs Monohydrate – Two Powerhouses.
Because of our physical differences, we will each respond differently to each individual supplement. If you feel that a Creatine Free pre workout would be best, I would encourage you to try one of the recommendations above.
If you have any comments or questions on, what is the best pre workout without Creatine, please leave them at the bottom and I will respond.
Check Out the Best Supplements For Muscle Growth