Pre-Workout Buying Guide: 3 Things to Look For
If you walk into a supplement store or browse on Amazon for a pre-workout supplement, it can be an overwhelming experience. Every major brand has a pre-workout, and some even have multiple pre-workouts in their product line. Without knowing what to look for, you can be left guessing and relying on fancy packaging or user reviews to guide your decision.
Fear not, we're here to help you make an informed choice. With these guidelines you'll be able to shop with confidence on your next pre-workout journey. Here are things to look for when shopping for a pre-workout:
Avoid Proprietary Blends
The first thing is actually something to avoid, rather than seek out. A proprietary blend is a collection of ingredients that are grouped together that show the cumulative total of what's inside. In other words, you don't know exactly how much of each ingredient you're getting. Conceivably, there could be good ingredients in that blend, but not in the right doses. Brands will often name the proprietary blend something like "endurance matrix" or "energy blend" to make it sound good.
Check For Effective Doses
This piggybacks off the proprietary blend section. Now that your pre-workout supplement has each individual ingredient listed with the amount, we have to make sure that amount actually works. There are many supplement ingredients that provide legitimate performance benefits, but only at certain doses. While it would be impossible to list each one, examine.com is an excellent resource that will tell you what an efficacious dose is based on the research.
Know What You Want Going In
Different pre-workouts serve different needs. Some are more stimulant and focus heavy, while others are more performance-based. If you want something more on the stimulant side, perhaps look for a higher caffeine content and ingredients like yohimbine and theacrine. If you want something more performance-based, look for ingredients like citrulline, beta-alanine, betaine, and nitrates.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right pre-workout ultimately comes down to matching the formula to your specific goals rather than chasing the flashiest label or the biggest pump promised on the tub. Take a few minutes to flip the container around, cross-reference the ingredient amounts against known effective doses, and steer clear of anything hiding behind a proprietary blend. If you're chasing raw energy and mental drive, prioritize a well-dosed stimulant profile; if you're after more reps and better endurance, lean toward the research-backed performance ingredients instead.
This story was originally published by Men's Fitness on Sep 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Fitness as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
