Best Pre-workout Without Beta-alanine: 5 Amazing Choices

If you’ve heard about or experienced the tingling effects that beta-alanine can have on the body, you’re understandably on the hunt for the best pre-workout without beta-alanine. 

 

Here’s the good news: Many vegan-friendly options exist. As for the bad news, not all of them have clean ingredients or formulas that are potent enough to give you the energy, focus, and stamina you want from a pre-workout supplement.

 

So, we’re here to make your due diligence easier by sharing our top five favorite pre-workout formulas that don’t contain beta-alanine. 

Best Pre-workout Without Beta-alanine

Below are five excellent pre-workout supplements to consider that don’t contain beta-alanine.

Winner: Garden of Life Energy + Focus

It’s hard to beat the 100% organic and vegan nature of Garden Life’s Energy + Focus pre-workout formula.

They pride themselves on balancing caffeine, nitrogen oxide, and vitamin B12 through natural sources to give you the boost of energy you need for a workout without leaving you feeling jittery afterward.

If you can get past the grainy texture that this supplement will sometimes leave in your mouth, you can expect to experience reduced fatigue and higher energy levels for your workout. Furthermore, you’ll gain sharper mental focus, which some customers comment lasts them well throughout the day.

Product Review

Garden of Life Energy + Focus contains 85 milligrams (mg) of caffeine from organic Coffeeberry. Reading its nutrition label is a joy, given that this is a 100% USDA Organic product. In addition, it contains six other certifications, including Certified Vegan and Certified Gluten-free. 

If you’re a professional athlete, you can rest assured that Garden of Life’s Energy + Focus pre-workout supplement is safe to take. That’s because they’re Certified for Sport by the NSF. So, you don’t have to worry about any banned substances in the ingredients. 

Whether you’re looking for a men’s or women’s pre-workout without beta-alanine, your body will appreciate that this product contains no sugar. The blackberry-flavored drink also contains vitamin B12, an essential vitamin that supports brain function and nerve cells. 

For this reason, many of Garden of Life’s customers report taking this supplement for its focus and energy-enhancing powers even when they don’t work out.

Another benefit of this Energy + Focus pre-workout supplement is that it contains nitric oxide from high-quality ingredients. Items like spinach, beets, and kale will help increase the oxygen concentration in your muscles, helping to deliver a better performance.

Countless of Garden of Life’s customers have commented how their pre-workout formula doesn’t leave them feeling jittery. They also say they don’t have the tingling sensation that can often accompany pre-workouts with beta-alanine. 

Furthermore, some people comment that they notice increased calorie burn when they take this pre-workout versus days when they skip it.

Consuming Garden of Life’s pre-workout supplement is a breeze. Simply mix one scoop of it with eight ounces of water. Garden of Life recommends drinking it only 20 minutes before your workout since its benefits will kick in quickly.

While Garden of Life is hands-down our top-pick pre-workout supplement, it takes some stirring to get it to dissolve. Even then, it might leave a grainy texture in your mouth, and not everyone loves the blackberry flavor, which some describe as giving a strong aftertaste.

Specs

  • Size: 12, 30, or 40 servings per container 
  • Item form: Powder
  • Active ingredient: Caffeine (85 mg)
Pros
  • Vegan-friendly
  • Gluten, sugar, and dairy-free
  • Effectively increases energy
  • Improves focus on non-workout days too
  • Doesn’t create a tingling or jittery sensation
  • Supports fat and carbohydrate metabolism
Cons
  • Slow to dissolve
  • Leaves a strong aftertaste

Runner Up: Naked Energy Pure Pre-workout Formula

Naked Energy’s pre-workout supplement is an excellent choice for vegans wanting a formula with proven ingredients without any fillers.

It doesn’t even have added flavors or artificial sugar, which is either a pro or con, depending on your tastebuds. 

If you’re seeking a pre-workout without beta-alanine or niacin that won’t dominate your counter space, you’ll be glad to know that Naked Energy’s compact container contains 50 servings. It also has the trust and reputation of being an American-made product. If you want to increase the quality of your workouts, this pre-workout formula can help give you the stamina you need.

Product Review

With so many people rightly focused on products containing a small number of ingredients, Naked Energy boasts that their pre-workout formula only contains ten ingredients. Some notable highlights include:

  • Creatine
  • Caffeine
  • Calcium
  • Vitamin B3 & B12

We also appreciate that Naked Energy manufactures its pre-workout supplement in the United States and puts its product through rigorous third-party testing. As a result, you can feel comfortable knowing that it’s a non-GMO, Certified Vegan, and Certified Gluten-free pre-workout supplement.

You’re in luck if you’re watching your carb and sugar intake. Naked Energy pre-workout contains zero grams of each. They don’t even add artificial sweeteners, and if you’re not a fan of flavored sports powders, you’ll be glad to know that Naked Energy doesn’t flavor this product.

That said, some of Naked Energy’s customers often have strong words about this product’s flavors, including “hideous.” So, if you’re the type who needs sugar and intense added flavors to hide a pre-workout product’s naturally off-putting taste, this product probably isn’t for you.

The good news is that some people have found a workaround by drinking it with pineapple juice. That said, you can add it to any 8-ounce drink or smoothie. Simply mix one scoop of the formula and drink it 20 minutes before your workout. 

Unlike some pre-workout formulas, we appreciate that Naked Energy uses small packaging for its product. So, you don’t have to worry about it taking up tons of room in your cupboard, and if you take it once a day, it’ll last you nearly two months.

You might be wondering—how long can you expect Naked Energy’s pre-workout supplement to last after taking it? Naked Energy is hesitant to put a number on it, given that they say it depends on your caffeine tolerance level and how long you’ve been taking pre-workouts. However, you can count on it for at least a 2-hour workout.

Although their formula contains a massive 200 mg of caffeine from unroasted coffee beans, some customers comment that this pre-workout supplement didn’t give them the energy boost they wanted. However, it could be because they already have a high caffeine tolerance.

Specs

  • Size: 8.2 ounces (50 servings)
  • Item form: Powder
  • Active ingredient: Creatine
Pros
  • Made in the United States
  • Only 10 natural ingredients
  • Small container for 50 servings
  • No added sugar, flavors, colors, or fillers
  • Approved by third-party testing facilities 
Cons
  • Off-putting flavor
  • Energy boost depends on your caffeine tolerance

Alternative: Organic Muscle Superfood Pre-workout

Organic Muscle offers one of the best pre-workout without beta-alanine formulas for people wanting both a pre-workout energy booster and loads of vitamins and minerals to keep their body and mind healthy.

In addition, they advertise having “honest ingredients,” twenty of which come from herbs.

While such a long ingredient list can be time-consuming for people doing their due diligence, it also means that your body will derive more nutrients for stamina and mental clarity. Plus, you’ll get to look forward to the pleasant-tasting strawberry-mango flavor before each workout, which you should drink 15 – 20 minutes prior to exercising.  

Product Review

Organic Muscle’s pre-workout formula contains a massive 20 adaptogenic herbs. If you’re new to fitness, the word adaptogen might be new to you. Adaptogens are ingredients that specific mushroom and plant species contain that can help people reduce fatigue and manage stress, which is why they can be so beneficial in pre-workout supplements. 

By consuming this Superfood pre-workout formula 15 – 20 minutes before working out, Organic Muscle says you’ll improve your energy, stamina, and mental focus. Many of its customers agree, noting that it carried them through their workouts with more energy without causing jitters or interfering with their sleep. 

One of the best parts about this pre-workout supplement is its strawberry-mango flavoring. Most people comment on enjoying this flavor without having an aftertaste in their mouth. That’s relatively uncommon in the pre-workout supplement space.

We’d be remiss not to point out that Organic Muscle Superfood Pre-workout contains yerba mate. Although consuming this herb in small quantities likely won’t harm you, people who regularly smoke or drink alcohol may have an increased risk of developing cancer. 

Nevertheless, studies have found that drinking yerba mate hot more significantly impacts cancer development. Furthermore, as Organic Muscle points out, yerba mate contains many mental and physical endurance-enhancing properties since it contains antioxidants, polyphenols, and more.

If you’re following a strict diet, the chances are high that Organic Muscle’s pre-workout formula will fit into your regime. That’s because it only contains 30 calories per serving and is suitable for people on a keto diet and those with gluten allergies.  

You’ll need to mix this pre-workout with more water than some formulas—Organic Muscle recommends 12 – 16 ounces of water. Also, they encourage you to make it with cold water, even adding ice for an extra cold boost. 

Either way, many customers comment that this pre-workout supplement doesn’t give them digestive issues, which follows Organic Muscle’s claims that their formula is easy on the stomach.

Specs

  • Size: 5.64 ounces
  • Item form: Powder
  • Active ingredient: Caffeine (150 mg)
Pros
  • Appealing flavor
  • Non-GMO verified
  • Easy on the stomach
  • Low chances of jitters or caffeine crashes
  • Improves metabolism, recovery, and muscle growth
  • Loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients
Cons
  • Might not be ideal for people who drink or smoke regularly
  • The powder can pack down, seemingly reducing the total number of servings 

Alternative: PLANTFUEL All-in-One Pre-workout 

PLANTFUEL’s All-in-One formula is an outstanding pre-workout without beta-alanine and niacin.

Professional athletes and doctors designed it, ensuring a safe and effective clean vegan formula. It contains clinically proven ingredients, some of which boost nitric oxide production.

All-in-One pre-workout is safe for professional athletes since it doesn’t contain banned substances. It comes in three flavors, although adding more water than they call for may be necessary to remove clumps. You can expect high enough energy levels to sustain you through your workout without creating jitters or a crash later in the day.

Product Review

PLANTFUEL is a trusted brand in the fitness space, given that former NFL athletes founded this company. So, you can feel that their pre-workout formula is truly the all-in-one formula they claim it to be. Some of the highlights of its ingredients include:

  • Vegan fermented citrulline
  • 250 mg of organic caffeine
  • Plants to increase nitric oxide

Many customers praise the clean ingredients in PLANTFUEL’s pre-workout formula and the “clean” feeling it gives them during and after a workout. They comment that they feel a strong sense of focus during and after exercising. They also don’t get itchy skin or jitters that come with certain pre-workout formulas. 

If you compete professionally, you can feel at ease knowing that this pre-workout supplement doesn’t contain any banned substances for athletes. Furthermore, many doctors and university clinics contributed to designing this formula. 

When reading PLANTFUEL’s pre-workout label, you’ll notice a lot of patented ingredients they use that you won’t find in their competitor’s formulas. Examples include S7, 3D Pump, and PurCaf. 

While we’re on that subject, this pre-workout supplement contains a whopping 250 mg of caffeine. Therefore, it’s an excellent fit for people with high caffeine tolerance. However, people starting this supplement with little daily caffeine intake may find that a smaller dose can help with fitness benefits

A common downside that many of PLANTFUEL’s customers comment on is a lack of taste. That’s disappointing, given that they offer their pre-workout supplement in three seemingly enticing flavors: Blue raspberry, watermelon, and fruit punch.

Some people also find this product clumps easily, making it hard to mix. However, you can get around this situation by adding more water than they recommend. Alternatively, mixing your pre-workout in a blender, even adding some other ingredients for taste, is helpful. 

Since one container of All-in-One contains 20 servings, it’s a small enough amount that causes many people to feel comfortable giving them a try.

Specs

  • Size: 12.69 ounces
  • Item form: Powder
  • Active ingredient: Citrulline
Pros
  • No itchy skin 
  • Unique, potent ingredients
  •  Clean energy and mental focus
  • Designed by athletes and doctors
  • 100% plant-based on non-GMO certified
Cons
  • Clumps when it hits water
  • Not a pleasant taste

Alternative: Zhou Lite Up Non-stimulant Pre-workout

Zhou Lite Up is an excellent choice if you’re looking for the best pre-workout without beta-alanine and caffeine.

You’ll never have to worry about their formula giving you the jitters, and it’s a great option for evening workouts. 

Lite Up contains a unique blend of Citrulline malate and Nitrosigine, which helps naturally promote increased nitric oxide. Meanwhile, its malic acid content will give you more strength and stamina. Nevertheless, some people report this product not being effective, but that could be because they have a high dependency on caffeine for energy.

Product Review

We know that caffeine isn’t for everyone. So, if you’ve been squirming at the sight of it in the other four pre-workout products we reviewed here, you’ll be glad to know that Zhou’s Lite Up formula can give you a boost of energy without you having to worry about caffeine’s potentially jittery side effects.

In addition to keeping caffeine out of its supplement, small business Zhou doesn’t include any filler ingredients. Furthermore, they follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and diligently test their product at their lab in Utah. 

Lite Up only contains 15 calories and two grams of carbohydrates, making it an excellent fit for people on keto or weight loss diets. You won’t feel like you’re on a diet when you’re drinking it, though, thanks to its natural stevia sweetener.

Furthermore, most customers rave over Lite Up’s taste, as it comes in a berry lemonade flavor. The powder dissolves quickly by stirring it with a spoon in water or juice. Alternatively, you can mix it with smoothies or shakes.

Although Zhou uses their patented Nitrosigine ingredient to help give you a boost of nitric oxide, promoting strength and energy, some customers comment that they don’t feel its effects. That could be the case in individuals who’ve previously relied on pre-workouts with caffeine or other caffeine substances for energy. 

Nevertheless, even people who typically consume caffeinated pre-workout supplements sometimes enjoy taking Lite Up if they’re exercising close to bedtime. That way, they don’t have to worry about the caffeine interfering with their sleep. 

As with caffeinated pre-workout formulas, Zhou promises that Lite Up will improve your mental focus and prevent muscle fatigue. Much of this is thanks to malic acid and nitric oxide. And as with many pre-workout supplements, many customers comment on feeling these positive effects long after they exercise.

Of course, citrulline malate also plays a massive role in Lite Up’s effectiveness. According to a study on the effectiveness of performance with flat barbell bench presses, participants taking citrulline malate noticeably improved their anaerobic performance. They also experienced reduced muscle soreness after exercising. 

Specs

  • Size: 7.5 ounces
  • Item form: Powder
  • Active ingredient: Citrulline malate
Pros
  • Good flavor
  • No need to worry about jitters
  • Dissolves within 5 - 10 seconds
  • Outstanding boost of nitric oxide
  • Excellent choice for evening workouts
Cons
  • Less of a boost than other pre-workout supplements
  • Might not be as effective for caffeine-dependent people 

Pre-workout Without Beta-alanine FAQ

Are you still trying to decide whether purchasing a pre-workout supplement with or without beta-alanine is the right fit for you? If so, we’ve answered common questions that people have about it.

What are the side effects of beta-alanine?

According to the International Society of Sports Nutrition, the most common side effect of beta-alanine is paraesthesia (tingling sensations in the body). It can also lead to itchiness. You should avoid beta-alanine if you take heart or erectile dysfunction medicine, as it may negatively interact with them.

 

Furthermore, researchers have performed few studies on the impact of taking beta-alanine on children and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. For that reason, these populations should avoid taking beta-alanine.

Does pre-workout work without beta-alanine?

Yes, pre-workout supplements work without beta-alanine because they contain several other ingredients that enhance performance. Caffeine, citrulline, L-arginine, and L-tyrosine are some of the examples of ingredients that you can find in pre-workout supplements without beta-alanine.

 

These ingredients contribute vital factors to pre-workout formulas to enhance exercise performance. For example, caffeine offers energy, and L-arginine and Citrulline stimulate blood flow to your muscles. Meanwhile, many scientists believe that L-tyrosine may help support caffeine’s impact by increasing your focus.

Which is better creatine or beta-alanine?

Creatine isn’t better than beta-alanine and vice versa because they work differently in the body. You’ll receive a fast power boost by taking creatine, enhancing your endurance and how much you can lift. In contrast, beta-alanine prevents lactic acid from penetrating your muscles, helping reduce fatigue.

 

These supplements can achieve these results because creatine increases the body’s adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, while beta-alanine boosts the carnosine content in your body. In both cases, a loading period is beneficial when first taking creatine or beta-alanine. 

Is beta-alanine and BCAA the same?

Beta-alanine and BCAA aren’t the same. Whereas BCAAs are amino acids that your body must get through consuming certain foods or supplements, beta-alanine is a non-essential amino acid because your liver produces it.

 

BCAA and beta-alanine also work differently. BCAA’s primary purpose is to increase muscle growth and repair damaged muscles faster. In contrast, beta-alanine reduces lactic acid build-up in your muscles, which decreases the chances of fatigue. 

Conclusion

So, there you have it: The best pre-workout without beta-alanine supplements on the market for vegans. While beta-alanine plays a role in enhancing workout performance, the tingling feeling it can cause makes it not worth it to many individuals. 

 

Luckily, high-quality pre-workout formulas without beta-alanine are highly effective because they contain other active ingredients like caffeine, creatine, and citrulline. 

 

So, we encourage you to try the different supplements on this list. Everyone has different taste preferences and goals regarding the ingredients they do and don’t want in their supplements, so we hope you enjoy this range of options.

Resources

https://www.nsf.org/consumer-resources/articles/certified-for-sport-program\

 

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-b12/

 

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/22361-adaptogens

 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19695149/

 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20386132/

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4501114/

 

https://academic.oup.com/milmed/article/180/7/754/4160625

 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12701817/

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3257613/

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4501114/

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Jason Hughes
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