The 5 Low Stim Pre-Workouts In 2024: Our Tested Reviews
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Our product testing team uses the full 30 day serving amount in container before reviewing. Learn more about our review process here.
One thing that we have noticed in the industry here on FI over the past 10 years or so is the amount of Caffeine that people consume pre-workout. Many used to be fine with a modest 200mg dose... well now the average is 300mg, and to be honest it might even be higher than that. It's actually quite rare these days for us to get pre-workouts that contain less than 350mg of Caffeine.
That is simply not for everyone, and find ourselves getting burned out of constantly being overstimulated during our workouts. There are certainly some negative sides to constantly taking high-stim pre-workouts. The main issue being that you simply develop a tolerance that makes you constantly need to take more. Eventually you're taking massive amounts of Caffeine just to feel normal, and coming off of high amounts of stim overtime is actually quite difficult.
The good news is that there are plenty of options these days in our space.
For this guide, the products must have under 300mg of Caffeine, and preferably no higher than 200mg. Believe it or not it is actually quite difficult to find pre-workouts with Caffeine this low. We had to search far and wide.
Here at Fitness Informant, we don’t steer you wrong. If you're looking for the best pre-workout supplement with low-stim options that you can trust, look no further than our top 5 picks below.
A Comparison of the Low-Stim Pre-Workout Supplements
Here's the top 5 picks for the best low-stim pre-workout supplements that money can buy:
Product Name | Highlights | Rating |
|---|---|---|
#1 ZimFit Get PMPD Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 20% | Best Overall Low-Stim Pre-Workout Highlights:
| Our #1 Rated  8.8 out of 10 in the Pre-Workout Category |
#2 Like A Pro Supplements Pump+Focus | Best for Focus Highlights:
| Our #2 Rated in the Pre-Workout Category |
#3 RYSE Element Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 15% | Best for Pumps Highlights:
| Our #3 Rated 8.5 out of 10 in the Pre-Workout Category |
#4 Transparent Labs Bulk Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 10% | Best for Calming Highlights:
| Our #4 Rated 8.5 out of 10 in the Pre-Workout Category |
#5 GHOST Legend V3 Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 20% | Best for Flavor and Availability Highlights:
| Our #5 Rated 8.4 out of 10 in the Pre-Workout Category |
There are hundreds of different brands and variations of pre-workout supplements out there.
How did these 5 make Fitness Informant's top 5 list? Read on and we'll tell you:
#1 ZimFit GET PMPD
- Rating: 8.8 out of 10
- Servings: 25
- Best For: Top Overall Product
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 15%
Pros
Cons
ZimFit is a relatively new brand that we have covered on Fitness Informant in the past, and we really enjoyed our experience. So much so that it has now made our list here.
Get PMPD is an interesting take on a pre-workout, although it really shouldn’t be. It is quite an impressive formula, and really is the king of “low-stim” pre-workouts. Some consider low-stim pre-workouts to be in the 200mg-250mg range, well Get PMPD shows that you don’t need that much to get a good workout in.
It starts with 7 grams of Citrulline, which helps with pumps. At 7g, it is dosed well. Following this you get 3.2g of Beta-Alanine, which can help with endurance. At 3.2 grams, it is at the clinical dose. The first trademarked ingredient is GlycerPump™. This is Glycerol monostearate, which helps with cellular hydration and volumization, which in turn helps with pumps. You get 3 grams of it in here, which is a decent dose.
Now we come to Betaine Anhydrous, which is popular in pre-workouts because it may help with power output. At 2.5g, it is dosed well. Now we come to our first nootropic ingredient, Tyrosine! Tyrosine is a precursor to dopamine, and can help with focus. At 1.5g, it is dosed quite well. Following this is Taurine, which can help with blood flow and hydration.
Another nootropic ingredient in Get PMPD is Alpha GPC, which is a high quality form of Choline. This converts to acetylcholine in the brain, which is a neurotransmitter. This is then followed by Theanine, which is an anxiolytic. This can help calm you down, and may even increase focus. At 100mg, it’s actually higher than the Caffeine content here, which isn’t common to see. You may or may not like this…. speaking of Caffeine…
Now we come to Caffeine, which is why this is one of our favorite low-stim products. You get 85mg of Caffeine, which is way lower than the average pre-workout. Most pre-workouts tend to have 300mg+, and low-stim these days is 200mg or so. Here, you have 85mg, which is about a small cup of coffee or even less depending on who you ask. This is in our eyes a true “low-stim” pre-workout.
The last two ingredients are AstraGin® and Huperzine A. AstraGin may help with the absorption of certain nutrients, and Huperzine prevents choline from being broken down in the brain.
This is a well-formulated pre-workout that really can be considered a low-stim pre-workout. Seriously, try to find a pre-workout with less than 250mg of Caffeine from a reputable brand these days, it’s actually harder than you think! Well worth having for workouts that are later in the day or if you’re trying to give your body a break from the constant bombardment of Caffeine.
One thing we have to mention, while there are two flavors currently, they are well done. The Cherry Taffy isn’t just a basic Cherry… It literally tastes like Cherry Taffy! Well done ZimFit!
Who Makes It?
ZimFit is a relatively new brand that made a splash with their low-stim pre-workout GET PMPD, and loyal following. They have a lot of potential, and put a lot of effort into their supplements, not just the formulas, but the flavors as well.
What's In It?
One serving contains:
- 7g Citrulline - helps with pumps, endurance, and performance
- 3.2g Beta-Alanine - helps with endurance
- 3g GlycerolPump - helps with cellular hydration and pumps
- 2.5g Betaine Anhydrous - good for power output
- 1.5g L-Tyrosine - aids in focus and alertness
- 1g Taurine - regulates electrolytes which may lead to strength increases
- 200mg Alpha-GPC – nootropic that improves focus
- 100mg Theanine - helps with calming
- 85mg Caffeine Anhydrous - helps with energy
- 50mg AstraGin - helps with absorption
- 150mg elevATP® - helps with ATP production
- 100mg NeuroFactor® - helps with brain health
- 300mcg Huperzine A (1%) - May help with focus
Bottom Line:
While GNC gets hated on sometimes in this space, we have to say we are impressed with this one. For a carbonated pre-workout RTD, this is certainly at the top. Not only is the profile impressive, but the flavors are all solid as well. If you like a carbonated RTD, this is certainly one to try out for yourself.
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 15%
#2 Like A Pro Supplements Pump+Focus
- Rating: 8.7 out of 10
- Servings: 20
- Best For: Focus
Pros
Cons
Pump+Focus is a loaded pre-workout that deserves recognition. It is impressive, and like the rest of the brands on this list, does not need 300mg+ of Caffeine. The profile starts off with a clinical dose of Citrulline Malate, which can aid with pumps and performance. This is then followed by GlycerPump. GlycerPump can help with muscular hydration and cell volumization. It is great for pump and you're getting a solid dose in here at 3 grams. Then we have PeakO2, which is an ingredient from Compound Solutions. This is patented blend of mushrooms that can aid with endurance.
Now we come to Tyrosine, which is one of our favorite ingredients. It can aid with focus under stressful situations. At 2 grams it is dosed well. Next up we have Agmatine Sulfate. Agmatine is a metabolite of Arginine, and while it has many benefits, it may aid with pumps and performance. Vaso6 is next, and it is a powerful vasorelaxant. It is clinically dosed in here at 300mg.
Norvaline is something you see as much anymore. It can help with pumps by preventing Arginine from being broken down in the body. Now we come to another nootropic ingredient with Alpha GPC. Alpha GPC is a source of choline that has a high bioavailability. It is usually the first ingredient we recommend for focus, and at 600mg, it is dosed well.
As for stimulants, you get 125mg in here, which is the smallest amount on this guide. This should be enough to get you going, and LAPS has really shown us that you don't need a lot of Caffeine to have great workouts. Finally you have Huperzine A, which prevents choline from being broken down in the brain.
Who Makes It?
Like A Pro Supplements is one of those smaller brands that really focuses on making loaded products. Formulated by a respected IFFB Pro/Coach, the products are usually regarded as some of the best on the market. You will most likely see their products on many of our list for that reason.
What's In It?
One serving (one-scoop) contains:
- 6g L-Citrulline Malate- clinically dosed Citrulline to help move blood into the muscles
- 3g GlycerolPump - helps with cellular hydration and pumps
- 3g Betaine Anhydrous - good for power output
- 2g PeakO2 - helps with endurance
- 2g L-Tyrosine - aids in focus and alertness
- 1.5g Agmatine Sulfate - Helps with pumps and more
- 300mg Vaso6 - helps with pumps
- 250mg Norvaline – prevents arginine from being broken down
- 2g PeakO2 - helps with endurance
- 1g L-Tyrosine - aids in focus and alertness
- 600mg Alpha-GPC – nootropic that improves focus
- 125mg Caffeine Anhydrous - Good for energy
- 200mcg Huperzine A (1%) - May help with focus
Bottom Line:
Pump+Focus is certainly deserving of a spot here on this list. It contains great dosages of many ingredients, and it really delivers without the need of 300mg+ of Caffeine. Even with the amount of Caffeine, it delivers an experience, and this could seriously become your go-to
#3 Ryse Element Pre-Workout
- Rating: 8.5 out of 10
- Servings: 20
- Best For: Value
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 15%
Pros
Cons
RYSE has multiple pre-workouts with various formulas. They seem to have something for everyone, whether it’s their Loaded Pre, or their Godzilla Pre, or even their Pump Daddy. Well we have their Element Series on this list, as it is simply a killer option for those not looking to spend $40 on a pre-workout.
Element Series Pre is a well-formulated, simple pre-workout that will not break the bank, yet still delivers results. The formula is only 7 ingredients, which is actually quite a bit when you consider this is on Walmart shelves.
The formula starts off with 3.2g of Beta-Alanine, which helps with endurance. Following this you get Betaine Anhydrous at 2 grams. This helps with power output, and is well dosed in here. So off the bat we have two proven ingredients at good doses. Already off to a good start.
Now comes one of our favorite ingredients. Arginine Nitrate (as NO3-T®) is a great ingredient for inducing pumps. We like this in here, as it is a great substitute for Citrulline, which you find in everything these days. Nitrates are powerful, and you are getting a solid dose in here. Following this you get Taurine, which helps with hydration, blood flow, and performance. At 1.5g you are getting a good dose.
You get two forms of Caffeine in Element, the first being 150mg of Caffeine Anhydrous. This is a nice dose for many, especially beginners, and is about a cup and a half of coffee. Not enough for a sim-junkie, which is nice. Following this you get 70mg ZumXR, which is a delayed release form of Caffeine. This can help prevent a crash, and brings this to about 200mg of total Caffeine. This is probably our favorite dose on FI, however how to respond to this dose depends on your tolerance.
Finally you get Vincamine™, which is a precursor to Vinpocetine. This can help with focus and is an ingredient RYSE uses in all of their pre-workouts.
The profile is solid and very stackable with various pump products. Of course, it makes this list not for being “loaded”, but rather a great option for the price. You get 25 servings in a tub of Element, and it will run you about $38 directly from the site. Of course coupon codes help this, and with pre-workouts being overloaded and typically above the $2 per serving range or even as high as $3… this makes for an option for people who don’t need 400mg of Caffeine every time they go to the gym.
The flavors are amazing as well, and we thoroughly enjoyed the SunnyD Orange Strawberry. Well worth having around for days where you don’t feel the need to take 20 different ingredients before you workout.
Who Makes It?
RYSE Supplements is a booming brand and due to their soft approach to bodybuilding building loyalty through culture. RYSE Supplements also does a great job of formulating products including pre-workouts, proteins and other products like pump formulas. RYSE Supplements also launched RYSE Fuel, the brand's energy drink which is getting the brand into more households.
What's In It?
One serving contains:
- 3.2g Beta-Alanine - improve muscular endurance
- 2g Betaine Anhydrous – improves strength, power & endurance giving you more time to achieve the pump
- 1.5g Arginine Nitrate (NO3-T) – this produces Nitric Oxide and larger pumps
- 1g Taurine - regulates electrolytes which may lead to strength increases
- 150mg Caffeine Anhydrous - good for energy
- 70mg zumXR - Delayed release Caffeine that can help with longer lasting energy
- 10mg Thinkamine - aids in focus
Bottom Line:
Ryse Element Pre-Workout is a solid option for a pre-workout if you are on a budget. You get 35 servings, all for under $1.50. The flavors are awesome, and the added nitrates and Thinkamine are both solid additions. We also like how it's not overloaded with Caffeine. Great choice for those trying to save yet still get an effective pre-workout.
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 15%
#4 Transparent Labs Bulk
- Rating: 8.5 out of 10
- Servings: 30 servings
- Best For: No Jitters
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 10%
Pros
Cons
CelluVol is known as one of the kings of pump supplements these days. By one glance of the profile, it’s easy to see why. This product is LOADED with high doses. So much so, that many have called it “too much”. Those people have a point, so let’s break down the ingredient profile and see why this product is so good.
To start, we have 7 grams of L-Citrulline, this is preferable when compared to Citrulline Malate. Citrulline Malate is simply L-Citrulline blended with Malic Acid powder, as there are very few brands on the market with bonded Citrulline Malate. After that, CelluVol has the clinical dose of Nitrosigine™, which is 1.5 grams. Nitrosigine™ is an ingredient with some solid human studies behind it, so it’s nice to know Matt Porter looks into ingredients before he simply adds them to his products.
Next we have HydroMax™, at 5 grams. This is a form of Glycerol Monostearate, which may aid in cellular hydration. It must also be noted that this form of Glycerol Monostearate that yields 65% or Glycerol, while many other forms on the market have much less than that. Anyway, 5 grams is pretty much more than double of what many other companies use in their products. 5 grams is great, and there is no way you’re not to notice it working.
Now what makes this a pre-workout as opposed to a simple pump product, is the addition of Alpha GPC and ElevATP™. Alpha GPC is a form of Choline that has a high bioavailability. We love it here at FI, and it’s a great addition. Sometimes, getting away from the usual 300mg+ of Caffeine you see these days. Next we have an ingredient that is very underrated, ElevATP™. This patented ingredients is derived from apple extract and ancient peat extract. ElevATP™ can increase ATP production in the body and provide trace minerals. It’s at the clinical dose as well.
So overall, CelluVol is loaded with high doses, and you’d probably get great pumps and performance/focus at a half-dose. This is a great option for those who want an actual pre-workout, that is more than just a pump product, that will still give you a powerful pump.
Who Makes It?
Transparent Labs is a solid brand with products that have a lot of backing behind them. They take a very safe approach, and certainly deliver on the majority of their products. Definitely a brand that is never a bad option.
What's In It?
One serving contains:
- 6g Citrulline Malate – Helps with pumps and performance
- 4g Beta-Alanine - Helps with endurance
- 4g BCAA – Helps with recovery
- 2.5g Betaine Anhydrous - good for power output
- 1.3g Taurine – regulates water and electrolytes producing better pump and more endurance and strength
- 1g L-Tyrosine - aids in focus and alertness
- 360mg Theanine - helps with calming
- 300mg Alpha-GPC – nootropic that improves focus
- 180mg Caffeine - Good for energy
- 100mg Theobromine - May help with energy
- 135mg Di-Caffeine Malate - prolonged energy and crash prevention
- 50mg AstraGin - helps with absorption
Bottom Line:
Transparent Labs Bulk is a solid addition to this list. We have to admit that it is not a product for everyone. The 180mg of Caffeine is definitely a nice amount, however the Theanine makes it something that many will not like. Perhaps if the Theanine was a bit lower this would be higher on this list, but for now it's a solid option for those who are sensitive to jitters.
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 10%
#5 GHOST Legend V3
- Rating: 9.0 out of 10
- Servings: 20 Servings
- Best For: Flavor and Availability
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 20%
Pros
Cons
GHOST Legend makes this list for simply being a great example of what we wanted for this guide. The profile delivers Citrulline and Beta-Alanine, both of which are proven ingredients, and very common. Citrulline can aid with pumps and performance, whereas Beta-Alanine can aid with endurance. To aid with the pumps you also get a clinical dose of Nitrosigine, an ingredient from Nutrition21.
Legend V3 delivers a nice nootropic blend, which is quite simple when compared to their previous formulas. You get 500mg of VitaCholine. This is a trademarked form of Choline Bitartrate. This converts to Acetylcholine in the brain, which is a neurotransmitter. You also get 100mg of Neurofactor, which can help with BDNF levels.
Now we come to Caffeine, which is at 250mg. This is the only Caffeine in here, and 250mg is a solid dose and doesn't break that 250mg barrier we set for this guide. Next up we have AstraGin, another ingredient from NuLiv Science that can help with absorption.
GHOST Legend is a solid option, and the flavors they have are second to none. Certainly worth keep around, as it is a solid option for any day.
Who Makes It?
GHOST is a fully transparent brand in the supplement industry. They are more than a supplement brand, they are a lifestyle (that's really what they are going for). They could easily attract consumers with their amazing YouTube Channel and marketing campaigns, which they do, but they keep them with their quality formulas and products.
What's in it?
One serving contains:
- 4g L-Citrulline - Converts to arginine to aid in nitric oxide production
- 3.2g Beta-Alanine - Helps with endurance
- 1,500mg Nitrosigine – enhances body's NO production
- 500mg VitaCholine - Choline source that helps with focus
- 250mg Caffeine - Good for energy
- 100mg Theobromine - May help with energy
- 100mg Neurofactor - helps with BDNF levels
- 50mg AstraGin - helps with absorption
Bottom Line:
Ghost Legend is a simple pre-workout supplement that delivers on every aspect from Pumps, Performance, Focus, and Energy. The energy for just 250mg of Caffeine is nice, and GHOST simply proves that you don't need a boatload of Caffeine to get in a great workout.
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 20%
Our Pre-Workout Supplement Testing Process
We examined five different areas of each pre-workout supplement when we compiled our rankings:
- Ingredients Profile
- Effectiveness
- Taste
- Mixability
- Value
Ingredients Profile
When we review each pump activating supplement on their ingredient profile, we look at the active ingredients being used and their dosages.
Many pre-workout supplements include a variety of beneficial ingredients, but under dose them proving to be non-effective.
Effectiveness
Effectiveness is an extension of ingredient profile. If the product uses proven ingredients at clinically suggested dosages, the product should be effective.
Everyone is different. Everyone takes to different ingredients differently at varying dosages. We have tried and tested each of these products throughout the full duration of their container to ensure these products are effective over their life.
Taste
We review taste on two different components. First, how close does the muscle pump supplement taste to the actual name printed on the label. For example, does Blue Raz actually taste like blue raspberry. Second, we review it on overall taste (in our opinion) versus others in the same flavor category.
Mixability
Mixability refers to how well does the product mix in 8-12oz of water. The testing process for a pump activating drink we use here is a generic Blender Bottle with the chrome spiral ball. We use regular tap water with no ice.
Value
Value is a combination of ingredient profile, effectiveness, taste, mixability and cost. We do not just look at the price tag like a lot of others do. If a product is priced at a premium, we inform you if it is worth the premium price or not based on all the categories. We look at the overall picture of the pre-workout supplement, and how it compares to other pre-workout supplements on the market.
Please Note: Many of the “top 10” lists you find online are written by content writers with no in-gym or supplement experience who are paid by the word count to write an article for a website trying to generate money.
These lists are influenced by brands who pay for placement. These lists contain pump activating supplements that are, for the lack of a better word, garbage.
The following products on our best of list were used by the author of this article. He used the pump activating supplements through the duration of a full container. Sample packs were not used in determining the rankings of the best pump producing supplements.
Stop relying on faulty information that is influenced by outside writers and money. This list is the real deal. Here at Fitness Informant, we don’t steer you wrong. Be Informed. Live Fit.
