The 5 Best Pump Supplements In 2023: Our Tested Reviews
Honest Review Guarantee from Fitness Informant:
Our product testing team uses the full 30 day serving amount in container before reviewing. Learn more about our review process here.
It’s safe to say that the vast majority of lifters love pre-workouts. While many love the simple energy out of them, others tend to really enjoy the boost in pumps they get out of them.
Anybody who has ever watched the classic “Pumping Iron” knows exactly how Arnold described the euphoria of a pump. Now, it’s not just a good feeling. There are actually benefits to getting a good pump. The pump pushes blood and all of it’s important nutrients to the muscle, which help it grow/stay healthy. Of course, many of us simply think of it as a way to look and feel good. The psychological aspect of it is beneficial as well, as there is almost nothing better than taking a look at your body at the end of a chest workout after a set of cable flies and flexing your chest.
In this list, we look at some of the products we at FI have reviewed and rate them based on our experiences with them. To set the standard however, these are pre-workouts and not just simple pump products. What’s the difference? Well, some pump products offer nothing more than some L-Citrulline and other vasodilating ingredients. Here, we look at products that supply more than that. This list will comprise of products that have stimulants and/or nootropics, as well as some strength or endurance boosting ingredients. While the pump is great, a true pre-workout offers more than just that.
The following products on our top pre-workout for pump ranking list were used by the author of this article.
He used each of these pre-workout supplements through the duration of a full container. Sample packs were not used in determining the rankings.
Stop relying on faulty information that is influenced by outside writers and money. This best pre-workout supplements for pump list is the real deal.
Here at Fitness Informant, we don’t steer you wrong. If you're looking for the best pre-workout supplement for pump option that you can trust, look no further than our top 5 picks below.
[toc]
A Comparison of the Pre-Workout Supplements for Pumps
Here's the top 5 picks for the best pre-workout supplements for pumps that money can buy:
Product Name | Highlights | Rating |
|---|---|---|
#1 Morphogen Nutrition Volugen Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 10% | Best Overall Pre-Workout for Pumps Highlights:
| Our #1 Rated  8.9 out of 10 in the Pre-Workout Category |
#2 Like A Pro Supplements Pump+Focus | Best for Low-Stim Pumps Highlights: | Our #2 Rated 8.8 out of 10 in the Pre-Workout Category |
#3 NutraBio Pre Extreme Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 10% | Best for Performance Highlights:
| Our #3 Rated 8.8 out of 10 in the Pre-Workout Category |
#4 Axe & Sledge Hydraulic V2 Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 15% | Best for Non-Nitrate/Non-Stim Formula Highlights:
| Our #4 Rated 9.0 out of 10 in the Pre-Workout Category |
#5 Core Nutritionals PUMP Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 20% | Best for No Overlapping Ingredients Highlights:
| Our #5 Rated 8.9 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 Morphogen Nutrition Volugen
- Rating: 8.9 out of 10
- Servings: 20 Servings
- Best For: Top Overall Product
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 10%
Pros
Cons
Morphogen is a brand that really makes some of us supplement nerds giddy. With some of the most loaded formulas on the market, there is no way we couldn’t get our hands on at least one of their products. Well, after finally trying Volugen, there was no way we couldn’t add this to our list.
Volugen is a loaded stim-free pre-workout, that simply delivers. The profile starts off with 8 grams of L-Citrulline and 3 grams of GlycerSize™. Both can help with pumps but work through different pathways, and both are dosed great. Following this you get a clinical dose of Betaine Anhydrous at 2.5g, which can help with power output.
Morphogen decided to add some mushrooms to Volugen, in the form of PeakO2®, an ingredient from Compound Solutions. This blend of mushrooms can help with performance by increasing your VO2 Max, and at 2 grams, is at the clinical dose. Nitrosigine® is the next ingredient in Volugen, and it is a powerhouse. It is arginine-silicate with inositol, and has been shown to be more effective gram per gram at aiding with pumps than Citrulline. Of course, it is at the clinical dose.
Next up comes our favorite form of Carnitine, which is Acetyl-L-Carnitine. ALCAR is a solid nootropic and can help with focus. At one gram, it is dosed well. Rhodiola is the next ingredient in Volugen, and is a popular adaptogen. It can help with focus under times of stress, and not only does Volugen use a solid dose, but they also have a great standardization of the actives in Rhodiola.
VasoDrive™ is the next ingredient, and it is known for being expensive. It is derived from Casein, and has solid research backing it. It can help with pumps and gets better the longer you use it. To our knowledge, Volugen is currently the only product that contains 508mg, which is the dose you really want, and you mostly see this at 254mg. Have to give credit where it’s due.
The last two ingredients are L-Norvaline and Vaso6™. Norvaline is an amino acid that prevents Arginine from being broken down. At 250mg, it is dosed well. As for the Vaso6™, it is a specific extract derived from Green Tea which has been shown to increase nitric oxide and act as a vasorelaxant.
Overall, there is no way we cannot love this product, and although we have stated that the flavor could use some work, we can easily overlook that for the profile and effectiveness of the product. If you want a loaded product, this is the one you really want to go out of your way to try. Well worth trying at least once in your life.
Who Makes It?
Morphogen is a brand that is known for their loaded products with impressive profiles. While not widely available, this gives them the option to make some of the best formulated products on the market. With the owner being an industry veteran with plenty of experience and qualifications when it comes to formulations, Morphogen knows how to deliver loaded, yet fun products that are almost too goo for their own good sometimes. There is no Morphogen product that disappoints as far as we know.
What's in it?
One serving contains:
- 8g Citrulline – clinically dosed Citrulline to help move blood into the muscles
- 3g Hydromax - a newer form of Glycerol, allows muscle to retain water for repair and growth. Helps with pumps
- 2.5g Betaine Anhydrous - good for power output
- PeakO2™ – blend of mushrooms that helps with endurance.
- 1,500mg Nitrosigine – enhances body's NO production
- 1g Acetyl-L-Carnitine – helps with focus
- 680mg Rhodiola Resea – an adaptogen that can help with focus in times under stress
- 508mg VasoDrive™ - a derivative of Casein that helps with pumps
- 2g Taurine – regulates water and electrolytes producing better pump and more endurance and strength
- 1,500mg GlycerPump – a newer form of Glycerol, allows muscles to retain water for repair and growth
- 300mg Norvaline – inhibits the body from reaching a max NO production
- 200mg Pine Bark Extract – improves blood flow
- 50mg AstraGin - helps ingredient absorption in the body
- 300mg Vaso6™ - an extract from Green Tea that acts as a vasorelaxant and aids with nitric oxide production
- 250mg Norvaline – inhibits the body from reaching a max NO production
Bottom Line:
Morphogen Volugen is certainly a pump product to be reckoned with. In our review (linked below), we had to ask ourselves, even with more pump ingredients... would anyone notice a better pump at the gym than this? Either way, Volugen deserves the spot on this list due to the loaded profile, insane pumps, and awesome performance benefits, and affordability. Seriously if you like pump products, Volugen is one you have to try for yourself.
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 10%
#2 Like A ProSupplements Pump+Focus
- Rating: 8.8 out of 10
- Servings: 20
- Best For: Low-Stim
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 (two-scoops) 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 NutraBio Pre Extreme
- Rating: 8.8 out of 10
- Servings: 20
- Best For: Performance
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 10%
Pros
Cons
PRE Extreme from NutraBio is a more “extreme” version of their popular pre-workout supplement PRE. PRE Extreme includes more caffeine than the original PRE. PRE Extreme was formulated to target five areas of your workout: pre-load, endurance & performance, electrolyte & hydration, focus and pump.
PRE Extreme is a high quality pre-workout supplement made by one of the most well-respected brands in the sports nutrition industry.
PRE Extreme is a step-up from NutraBio’s PRE pre-workout supplement. PRE Extreme is a stimulant based preworkout supplement that we guarantee will enhance your workouts and take you to the next level.
PRE Extreme includes high quality ingredients targeted at specific areas of concern during your workout: athletic endurance and performance, power strength and recovery, hydration and electrolytes, focus and cognitive functions and nitric oxide production. The label is 100% transparent so you know the exact dosage you are receiving per serving.
Who Makes It?
NutraBio has been in business since 1996 producing some of the highest quality supplements you can buy today. They not only promote awesome, high quality products, but education as well.
NutraBio has been trying to educate the consumer on the sports nutrition industry for several years to ensure that you are purchasing supplements of high quality and not just a marketing gimmick. All of their products contain a 100% transparent label to ensure you know what you are putting in your body.
What's In It?
One serving contains:
- 3g PharmaPure™ Creatine Monohydrate - may increase strength and endurance in the gym
- 500mg Creatine MagnaPower
- 15g HBCD (Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin) - a fast acting carb source that is easy on the stomach and does not spike insulin
- 3.5g L-Leucine - BCAA that may aid in recovery
- 3.2g Beta-Alanine - buffers lactic acid and may increase endurance
- 2.5g Betaine Anhydrous - may increase power output
- 1.5g Malic Acid - has a variety of benefits and may aid in the absorption of creatine
- 6g of L-Citrulline - converts to Arginine which can increase pumps in the gym
- 1g Agmatine Sulfate - metabolite of Arginine which can aid in pumps
- 750mg Nitrosigine - a bonded form of Arginine that aids in pumps
- 1.5g L-Tyrosine - a well-researched amino acid with many benefits. May be good for fat loss, focus, and stress
- 500mg Choline Bitartrate - a form of choline which may aid in focus
- 350mg Caffeine Anhydrous/Infinergy - two forms of caffeine, one being fast acting and the other being a buffered form which will make the energy last longer
- 300mg TheaPure - patented form of L-Theanine. May aid in cognition and can prevent people sensitive to stimulants from getting the “jitters”
- 50mg N-Methyl Tyramine - helps regulate blood pressure
- 50mg Hordenine HCl - may aid in energy
- 4mg Yohimbine HCl - increases adrenaline in the body and may help in fat burning
- 2g of Taurine - may help with power output and blood flow
- 100mcg Huperzine A - helps with focus
- 525mg Calcium Potassium Phosphate Citrate - electrolytes, good for cramping
- 189mg Sodium Phosphate - electrolytes, good for cramping
Bottom Line:
NutraBio PRE Extreme is one of the most comprehensive formulas on the market today. With 15g of carbs pre-workout and the actives, you have the largest serving size we've seen on a pre equalling over 44g. This pre-workout is NOT messing around. It is safe, effective and has the highest quality ingredients used. If you want something that is for the advanced user, NutraBio PRE Extreme is the choice for you.
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 10%
#4Axe & Sledge Hydraulic V2
- Rating: 9.0 out of 10
- Servings: 40/20 servings
- Best For: Best for Non-Nitrate/Non-Stim Formula
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 15%
Pros
Cons
Axe & Sledge Hydraulic V2 was a great step forward for the popular brand. While the first version was popular and sufficient as a non-stim pre-workout, it did have some room for improvement. Well, that’s exactly what Axe & Sledge did with their V2. Hydraulic V2 starts off with 8 grams of Citrulline to aid with pumps, followed by a clinical dose of Beta-Alanine at 3.2 grams. So you have endurance and pumps already at a good start.
Glycerol monostearate is a hit or miss ingredient for some. We love it here, as it may help with cellular volumization. It becomes a miss when it clumps up a product. We haven’t had this is with Hydraulic V2, and at 3g, it is dosed well. Another ingredient add here to aid with performance is Taurine. Taurine can help with blood flow and hydration.
Hydraulic is not just a pump product either, as Axe & Sledge has added a gram of Tyrosine to aid with dopamine production and alertness. You get a gram of it which is a good amount.
It doesn’t end there, you get two more pump ingredients. VasoDrive-AP® may aid with lowering blood pressure and is dosed well at 508mg. CitraPEAK™ is another popular pump ingredient that is a source of Hesperidin. It may aid with NO production, and at 200mg, it is dosed well.
Next up comes CognatiQ®, which is Coffeeberry fruit extract that may aid with BDNF levels. This means it may help with learning and memory. The last ingredient is AstraGin®, which may aid with the absorption of some ingredients.
Hydraulic V2 is a worthy successor to the popular Hydraulic, and they did a good job of making a loaded non-stim pre-workout with clinical doses of each ingredient all while making sure the flavor is on point and the Glycerol doesn’t clump up. This certainly deserves a spot on this list, and is one that is very stapleworthy and quite stackable as well.
Who Makes It?
Axe & Sledge is a blue collar brand making supplements for the hardest workers. Axe & Sledge continues to gain popularity and growth through their formulas and culture that the brand is building. The poster child and founder Seth Feroce represents a lot of what is good about bodybuilding and fitness: grinding and doing the MFing work.
What's In It?
One serving (2 scoops) contains:
- 8g L-Citrulline- clinically dosed Citrulline to help move blood into the muscles
- 3.2 Beta-Alanine- buffers lactic acid which may aid in endurance
- 3g Hydromax - a newer form of Glycerol, allows muscle to retain water for repair and growth. Helps with pumps
- 2g Taurine - helps with hydration and blood flow
- 1g Tyrosine – cognitive enhancing ingredient, great dosage
- 508mg VasoDrive-AP - helps improve blood flow
- 200mg CitraPeak - branded ingredient aiding in the flow of blood to your muscles
- 100mg CognatiQ - cognition improvement
- 50mg AstraGin - helps with absorption
Bottom Line:
Hydraulic V2 is a great non-stim pre-workout that shows Axe & Sledge really wants to deliver a great experience. Not only does Hydraulic V2 taste great, but it really delivers with pumps and even focus. Certainly a staple worthy product and we highly suggest keeping this one around. You can always stack it with a stim-based pre-workout or a simple Caffeine source such as an energy drink or a Caffeine pill.
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 10%
#5 Core Nutritionals PUMP
- Rating: 8.9 out of 10
- Servings: 25
- Best For: No Overlapping Ingredients
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 20%
Pros
Cons
Core Nutritionals PUMP is a non-stim pre-workout that was released in 2020, as part of Core’s rebrand. It has easily taken over as one of the best products on the market, and we can’t praise it enough. One of the best aspects to the profile is that there are no overlapping/redundant ingredients.
The profile starts off with 6 grams of Citrulline, and 3.2 grams of Beta-Alanine. Citrulline is great for pumps, as it converts to Arginine, which is a precursor to Nitric Oxide. As for Beta-Alanine, it is used for aiding in endurance. Both are dosed well.
Next up, we have the powerhouse behind this product, which is Betaine Nitrate (NO3-T®). Nitrates are very effective at causing vasodilation, and we get a solid 2.5 grams of Betaine Nitrate in here. This is the ingredient that really puts it over the top for us here on FI.
The next ingredient we have is PeakO2®, which is a blend of mushrooms from Compound Solutions. This is a blend of mushrooms that is used to increase VO2 Max, which can increase endurance. It is a great ingredient with solid research behind it, and at 2 grams, it is dosed well. Following this we have HydroMax®, which is a trademarked form of Glycerol Monostearate. This ingredient can help with cellular hydration, and is great for aiding with pumps. At 2 grams, it is dosed well.
Finally, we have Alpha GPC, which is a source of Choline. Choline is converted to Acetylcholine in the brain which is a neurotransmitter. This can aid with focus, and the Alpha GPC is dosed well in here.
Core PUMP is well deserving of being on this list, and we highly suggest grabbing it if you want a consistent non-stim pre-workout.
Who Makes It?
Core Nutritionals has recently gone through a rebrand, and they now look like a sexy brand, something they were kind of lacking beforehand. The brand has consistently come out with solid products, and are now killing it in 2020 with their new product launches. With a team that really cares about efficacious dosing and products that work, Core Nutritionals is a brand for everybody.
What's In It?
One serving (two scoops) contains:
- 6g L-Citrulline - converts to Arginine in the body and may help with pumps
- 3.2 Beta-Alanine- buffers lactic acid which may aid in endurance
- 2.5g Betaine Nitrate (NO3-T®) - a source of Nitrates which aids in pumps
- 2g Peak O2 - increases VO2 max which may aid in endurance
- 2g HydroMax® - helps with cellular hydration
- 600mg Alpha GPC - source of Choline that aids in focus
Bottom Line:
Core Nutritionals PUMP is a great non-swim pre-workout that is easily one of the best on the market. With 6 grams of Citrulline, Betaine Nitrates, and HydroMax®, there is no way you're not going to get a noticeable pump. It is technically a stim-free pre-workout, and the product stacks well with many stem-based pre-workout out there. This is certainly a product worth stocking up on.
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 20%
When Should I Use A Pre-Workout Supplement for Pumps
So many people focus on the hard-hitting, energy component of the pre-workout supplement. That is important, yes. We cover that here at FI. One of the most important parts of any workout is the pump. The pump is so much more than the look of swole muscles and veins popping. The pump leads to gains.
The pump brings nutrient rich blood into your muscles. Your muscle fibers are stretched and torn during exercises. The nutrient rich blood helps repair those muscle fibers that you just damaged. Yes, it looks so cool to have a solid pump, but it feels even better to get that blood working hard for you.
The next time you're looking for a pre-workout powder, remember the importance of the pump. If you don't buy one of our top rated pre-workout supplements for pump, then understand what are the pump ingredients and look for those the next time you go shopping.
Remember, Arnold said that the pump is the most glorious thing about weight lifting. These top 5 rated pre-workout supplements for pump are exactly that: GLORIOUS.
What To Look For In A Pump First Pre-Workout
Being a pre-workout supplement it should also provide other aspects other than just the pump. We love to see hefty dosages of pump activating ingredients, but it is still very important to get ingredients that contribute to energy, focus, strength, power and endurance
For the specific pump aspect of the pre-workout, we want to look for ingredients that will improve blood flow through raising nitric oxide. This can occur by using our own body's nitric oxide, or using exogenous ingredients like nitrate to improve blood flow. Some of these ingredients include L-Citrulline, Agmatine Sulfate, L-Norvaline, Nitrosogine, Vaso6 and more.
We also look for ingredients that aid the muscle in absorbing the water and nutrient rich blood. This is commonly known as Glycerol Powder which can come in multiple forms including HydroMax and GlycerPump.
The last thing that can aid in muscle pumps are blood vessel vasodilators. These ingredients relax the walls of the vessels allowing them to expand and push more blood into the muscle. Ingredients like Vaso6 and Theobromine help aid in this.
Many pre-workout supplements today will forgo the pump complex in their formula requiring you to purchase a non-stimulant pump powder (we recommend you look at our Top Rated Pump Activators). This is fine if the brand is giving you optimal dosages of other key ingredients. However, we do enjoy when companies make a pre-workout with the pump on the brain.
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.
