What Is The Best Stim Free Pre Workout – You Can Be Free!
You may be caffeine sensitive, don’t like the way caffeine makes you feel, or just prefer to avoid stimulants in general. If this is the case, you are in luck since there are many effective pre workouts that are stimulant free. So what is the best stim free pre workout?
Stim free pre workouts are a small category of supplements, but good ones do exist.
» To find the best stim free pre workouts, I will be using ratings and reviews, Q&A’s, online research as well as personal knowledge in the industry.
» There are just as many negatives to using caffeine as there are positives, so we will look into both.
» I’ll be giving examples of the different names stimulants take on in pre workouts making you aware to avoid them.
Reasons to Stay Away from Caffeine
This stimulant can be unhealthy for many people for a variety of reasons.
Caffeine Intolerance
The biggest reason to avoid stimulants is caffeine intolerance or caffeine sensitivity.
This condition can be determined by genetics or by the liver’s ability to process Caffeine. How intolerant one is can range from normal to hypersensitivity.
The side effects of this type of sensitivity can be nausea, racing heart, nervousness, jitters, and insomnia.
Caffeine Allergy
Worse than this is those with a “Caffeine allergy”. This is where the body mistakes the caffeine molecules for an “enemy” to your body’s immune system. Some people don’t know they are vulnerable to this until later on in life.
People with these caffeine allergies can have the most threatening effects such as swelling of the throat, difficulty breathing, and breaking out in hives.
Caffeine Overuse
There can be physical problems from taking caffeine even if your body metabolizes it properly. Overdoing Caffeine for most people results in anxiety, nervousness, and the jitters.
Restless, sleepless nights are not only terrible experiences, but this is also unhealthy. Sleep is vital for both psychological stability and muscle growth.
Another reason that people stay away from caffeine is they just do not like the feeling they get from it.
Caffeine Is Addictive
Some people prefer not to have Caffeine in their diet since it is highly addictive. Caffeine is a stimulant that can be very difficult to quit. It is a drug, so once you start taking it, there are withdrawal symptoms when quitting.
There is also a tolerance factor when taking any kind of stimulant. Your body gets used to the effects of this chemical and builds a tolerance to it. As this happens, you will need to drink more and more of it to get the same effect.
Other Reasons to Avoid Caffeine
Some studies state that some Caffeine is good for you. However, it is advantageous for many of us to stay away from it.
Caffeine can increase your blood pressure, decrease sleep, make you irritable, increase anxiety, and cause stomach problems.
Women many times have less tolerance to Caffeine than men due to their lighter weight and a slower metabolism.
⇒If there are other reasons that you avoid caffeine or have any other suggestions for those that are caffeine intolerant, please leave a comment in the section at the bottom.
Strength Advantages to being Stimulant Free
Even though Stimulants are one of the most widely used ingredients in pre workouts, they can actually affect your muscle performance in a negative way.
Greater Workout Performance without Caffeine
Many caffeine free ingredients are optimized to have a slower energy release for a longer period of time during your workout.
With the caffeinated options, the crash hits you hard at first and gets even worse from there. It can be a critical time when you are already getting near exhaustion. This severely impacts your ability to keep going without fatiguing.
You Get Increased Pumps without Caffeine
Caffeine is actually a vasoconstrictor. This means that it will close up your blood vessels and limit your muscle pump. Although the amino, L-Citruline is meant to combat this, a stimulant is a counterproductive addition.
When your blood vessels are constricted, fewer nutrients, oxygen, and hydration get to your muscle tissue. This greatly reduces muscle endurance, performance, and recovery.
Don’t Be Fooled By Stimulant Decoys
Here are several examples of other names for caffeine to look for that may be disguised as other ingredients.
Caffeine Anhydrous (simply dehydrated caffeine), Caffeine Citrate, Trymethylpurine, Green Tea, Teacrine, Matcha, guaranine, methyl theobromine, and matein.
Beware of fakes that will advertise “stimulant free” pre workout supplements that still come with these names. Some brands are more concerned about sales than your health. Make sure to read the “supplemental facts” label.
Important Stim Free Ingredients
The fact that the best stim free pre workout is missing the key stimulant for energy, they will require having larger concentrations of other ingredients to make up for it.
L-Citrulline and Nitric Oxide
A pre workout needs to maximize your blood flow to keep your muscles from getting tired without the help of Caffeine. Taking L-citrulline (an Amino Acid) will assist in this by manufacturing Nitric Oxide.
Nitric Oxide makes all the difference in muscle endurance through greater vascularization.
It allows more nutrients, oxygen, and aminos to get to your muscle tissue to help replenish them. Because of this, it creates an energy boost and decreases fatigue.
Beta Alanine
This is a key Amino found in pre workouts to fight fatigue and works best when it comes to high intensity muscle performance. It does this by increasing the amount of carnosine.
Carnosine buffers hydrogen accumulation in muscles during intense exercise which works to improve performance. Beta Alanine also increases training volume as well as promoting muscle growth.
B Vitamins and other Nutrients
B vitamins are found in many pre workouts, but are even more important in a stim free version. They include B1 – B12, Niacin, Riboflavin, and Theanine which are other names for B vitamins.
These B vitamins bring natural energy with no crash. Pre workouts also provide additional minerals that come into play to avoid exhaustion during your workout.
Creatine
This ingredient can play a large role in stimulant free pre workout. Creatine is proven to increase strength and build larger muscles.
Studies are beginning to show that Creatine has a bigger effect on positive muscle building impact than we previously thought.
Unfortunately, some people are sensitive to Creatine. If so, you can learn more at What Is The Best Pre Workout Without Creatine.
BCAA’s and other Amino Acids
Branch Chair Amino Acids (BCAA’s) include leucine, isoleucine, and valine. They are important in fueling your workouts as well as cognitive functions to keep you motivated.
Other aminos such as N-acetyl, L-tyrosine, L-arginine, Taurine, Glutamine, and Betaine play a role in improving endurance and strength. These amino acids are the building blocks of protein because they boost muscle tissue protein synthesis.
⇒If you have any questions or comments on “stim free” ingredients, please leave me a message below and I will respond.
Check Out the Best Creatine For Muscle Growth
What Is The Best Stim Free Pre Workout
Product: NO Xplode Caffeine Free Pre Workout
Where to Buy: Get the Best Price on NO Xplode
Price Range: $$
Container size: 30 servings
Rating: 4.2 out of 5
Manufacturer: Bio Engineered Supplements at gobsn.com
Guarantee: 30 day satisfaction guarantee
This is designed to be a complete pre workout igniter. The Caffeine Free N.O. Xplode version gets excellent reviews. If you are into lots of Caffeine, you can see my full review on the Caffeinated version of NO Xplode.
This formula will deliver increased endurance, energy, support mental focus, and increased muscular strength. It also contains DMAE which is naturally found in the body and positively affects mood and brain function. This naturally encourages natural energy, motivation, and focus.
The 5 grams of Creatine endurance blend makes this a powerhouse and is great for increased muscle mass and exercise performance. NO Xplode contains several vitamins and minerals that will provide hydration and natural energy. The Citrulline Malate and Arginine are two Amino Acids that will give you incredible muscle pumps.
N.O.-Xplode Positives
- 5 grams of Creatine endurance blend
- 2.9 grams of Beta Alanine
- Packed with minerals and vitamin B
- 1 gram of Citrulline Malate blend
Potential Negatives
- Sweetened with Sucralose
- Has proprietary blends
- Contains milk products
Product: Genius “All Natural” Pre Workout
Where to Buy: Get the Best Price on Genius Pre
Price Range: $$
Container size: 20 servings
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Manufacturer: The Genius Brand at thegeniusbrand.com
Guarantee: 30 day satisfaction guarantee
Genius Pre provides Focus without Caffeine. It is a Caffeine Free, Nitric Oxide booster. This booster brings the muscles additional nutrients, oxygen, and hydration for better endurance and faster recovery time.
The 6 grams of Citrulline Malate is very high for most pre workouts. Genius Pre contains a synergistic matrix of proven nootropics that naturally boost energy levels.
This includes their signature, AlphaSize that delays fatigue and optimizes muscle energy. Genius Pre provides a great balance of essential Amino Acids necessary to make an excellent supplement. It is an “all natural” pre workout, so it contains no artificial ingredients.
Genius Brand Positives
- 6 grams of Citrulline Malate
- Contains an energy support blend
- Great concentration of Aminos
- Sweetened with Stevia
- No artificial ingredients
Potential Negatives
- Possible root extract sensitivity
- Costs more than average
Product: Legion Pulse Natural Pre Workout
Price: $$
Where to purchase: Get the Best Price on Legion Pulse
Container size: 21 servings
Rating: 4.2 out of 5
Manufacturer: Legion Athletics at legionathletics.com
Guarantee: 30 day satisfaction guarantee
Another great “all natural”, Caffeine Free pre workout. It doesn’t contain any artificial flavors, colors, or sugars.
Legion Pulse has a Nitric Oxide booster for muscle pump and increased vascularity. The ingredients are 100% pure and backed by scientific evidence.
It contains no extra filler ingredients. Legion Pulse comes with an insane 8 grams of Citrulline Malate that gives muscle pump and vascularity.
The Alpha GPC is in this pre workout to fight fatigue and improve mental awareness. If are into tons of Caffeine, I have a full review for the Caffeinated version of Legion Pulse.
Legion Pulse Positives
- 8 grams of Citrulline Malate
- An “all natural” pre workout
- 3.6 grams of Beta Alanine
- No proprietary blends
- Comes in several great flavors
Possible negatives
- Priced more than average
- Doesn’t contain Creatine
Product: NO3 Ultimate Nitric Oxide Supplement
Price: $$$
Where to purchase: Get the Best Price on NO3 Ultimate
Container size: 20 servings
Rating: 4.3 out of 5
Manufacturer: Cellucor at cellucor.com
Guarantee: 30 day satisfaction guarantee
C4 is the most popular name in the supplement industry, and they know what they are doing.
NO3 is technically not a pre workout, but a Nitric Oxide booster. However, Nitric Oxide (produced by Citrulline) is the main ingredient in a Caffeine free pre workout.
It contains 4 grams of Citrulline to give you endurance. Nitrosigine, Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate, and NO3-T help with your muscle pump as well as keeping your workout at a high intensity. NO3 has a small list of ingredients, but each one is found to be effective to enhance and extend your workout.
NO3 Ultimate Positives
- 4 grams of Citrulline Malate
- 500mg Arginine Nitrate (NO3-T)
- For extreme, long lasting pumps
- Nitric Oxide Booster
Possible Negatives
- Contains artificial ingredients
- No Frills – basic ingredients
Product: Organic Muscle Organic Pre Workout
Cheapest place to buy: Get the Best Price on Organic Muscle
Price Range: $$$
Container size: 20 servings
Rating: 4.4 out of 5
Manufacturer: Organic Muscle at organicmuscle.com
Guarantee: 30 day satisfaction guarantee
I’m throwing this in here, not because it’s Caffeine Free, but because it has a lesser amount.
The “Caffeine” energy in Organic Muscle comes from less potent, natural sources such as green tea extract and matcha. Just a clean, powerful energy boost with no crash.
It does have a lower in Amino Acid content because it is plant based, but enough to do the job. Organic Muscle is 100% Organic, contains all natural ingredients, and no fillers. It provides energy, focus, endurance, and pump.
Organic Muscle Positives
- All Organic ingredients
- Naturally derived Caffeine
- No Caffeine crash
- No artificial flavors or colors
- Natural sweetener
- No Fillers
Potential Negatives
- Less concentrated in Aminos
- Cost a little more
Product: Pumpsurge Stim-Free Pre Workout
Cheapest place to buy: Get the Best Price on PumpSurge
Price Range: $
Container size: 20 servings
Rating: 4.3 out of 5
Manufacturer: Jacked Factory at shop.jackedfactory.com
Guarantee: 30 day satisfaction guarantee
Pumpsurge is a down and dirty low priced and to the point pre workout designed for pump and endurance.
It has a very simple ingredients matrix which includes 5 grams of Citrulline along with 150 mg of GPC. These Aminos provide increased vascularization and delay fatigue.
This pre workout promotes performance and muscle growth. It includes brain-enhancing nootropic ingredients and ergogenic boosters. Unfortunately, Pumpsurge does not include all of the key Amino Acids.
Pumpsurge Positives
- 5 grams of Citrulline
- 150 mg of GPC
- Low price
- No fillers
- Transparent Label
Possible Negatives
- Contains artificial ingredients
- No vitamins or minerals
- Lacks some Aminos
Caffeine Isn’t All Bad
The most widespread benefit to caffeine is the quick and convenient energy that it brings. Caffeine in a pre workout brings not only more energy, but can increase focus and motivation.
Studies have also shown that some quantities can be healthy. Caffeine has been shown can help with vitality, better performance, and increased stamina throughout your workout. This is if your body can manage this stimulant.
Caffeine can also work to help with weight loss. It naturally increases your metabolism and helps to burn off more calories. However, for some, it’s not worth causing your heart to race.
How Much of a Stimulant Is Ok?
Just so you know where you stand with this stimulant, a cup of coffee usually contains between 80-100mg of caffeine.
The average pre workout with caffeine contains in the 100mg to 400mg range per serving. Be sure to check the ingredients, because some pre workout supplements can have over 400mg per serving!
It is not recommended by doctors to take more than 400mg of caffeine during an entire day. Keep in mind that whatever quantity is in your pre workout supplement, this number must be compounded to the amount in your morning coffee.
The Stim Free Conclusion
Whatever your reason for not consuming caffeine, there are great Stim Free pre workout supplements available. The ingredient that used to be the cornerstone for these supplements is not the norm anymore.
Stimulant Free pre workouts provide a boost of energy and endurance by utilizing more amino acid proteins.
My pick for “what is the best stim free pre workout” is NO Xplode. This pre workout is developed by Bio Engineered Supplements to have plenty of amino acids for endurance and creatine for strength and performance.
It also contains nootropic ingredients to help with motivation and mood. All of this comes at a modest price of around $1.00 per serving.
When shopping for stimulant free products, remember to look over the “supplemental facts” label. Not all pre workouts that say they are, will be truly stim free.
If you have any questions or comments about “what is the best stim free pre workout”, please leave a message below and I will respond.
Check Out the Best Supplements For Muscle Growth