Best Natural Pre Workout Alternatives & Healthy Pre Workout Drinks (2023)
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For those people who are looking for the best natural pre workout supplement or the best all natural pre workout alternatives, the healthy and all-natural pre workout drinks in this article will be perfect for you!
The bodybuilding and fitness industry has provided the world with thousands of different pre workout supplements, and most of them are unnecessarily loaded with caffeine and other stimulants that are too harsh for most people.
For instance, my husband (professional basketball player Adam Kemp) has Tourette Syndrome, and using most pre workout supplements makes his motor tics go crazy, so they aren’t worth using for him regardless of how much energy they provide.
I am also highly sensitive to caffeine, and any pre workout supplement with a lot of caffeine and artificial ingredients gives me heart problems.
Due to our bodies, we have tested and researched many different natural pre-workout alternatives that work as well or better than any other pre-workout supplements!
Since we have tested so many different supplements and products, I am confident that the all-natural pre workout supplements in this article will provide you with the energy you are looking for!
Keep reading below to learn more about why you should choose natural pre-workouts and the best natural pre-workout alternatives!
Why Are Pre Workout Drinks Important?
A well-structured pre-workout routine is crucial for optimizing workout performance and achieving the best possible results.
There are many steps to a proper pre workout routine, but one of the most important steps involves providing your body with the necessary fuel, hydration, and mental preparation to ensure that you can perform at your peak.
A good pre-workout routine can enhance endurance, increase energy levels, improve focus, and support muscle growth.
Pre-workout drinks significantly enhance your energy levels and workout intensity, ultimately leading to better overall performance.
As highlighted in a study published in the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, consuming a high-energy supplement 10 minutes before engaging in a multi-joint resistance training session can boost training volume and increase power performance during the workout.
Key ingredients found in the pre-workout drink in this research study included:
- Caffeine
- Taurine
- Creatine
- Beta-Alanine
- Branched-Chain Amino Acids (Leucine, Isoleucine, Valine)
- Glutamine
- Arginine
While finding an all-natural pre-workout drink containing all these ingredients might be challenging, numerous options feature a combination of these and other ingredients that effectively improve workout performance.
By choosing a pre-workout drink with the right blend of natural ingredients, you can reap the benefits of enhanced energy, focus, and endurance during your exercise sessions.
Commercial pre-workout supplements are often marketed as the ultimate solution to boosting exercise performance.
While they may contain a blend of ingredients aimed at addressing various aspects of your workout, they often come with some drawbacks.
Many of these supplements contain artificial ingredients, high amounts of caffeine, and added sugars, which can lead to adverse side effects such as jitters, energy crashes, and gastrointestinal discomfort.
Moreover, some ingredients in commercial pre-workouts are not well-regulated, leading to concerns about safety and efficacy.
Fortunately, natural pre workout alternatives exist.
What is a Natural Pre Workout?
A natural pre-workout alternative is a substance, typically derived from whole foods, natural beverages, or well-researched supplements, that can help enhance exercise performance without using artificial ingredients or excessive stimulants found in many commercial pre-workout products.
Examples of natural pre-workout alternatives include bananas for quick carbohydrates, green tea or coffee for a moderate caffeine boost, and whole foods rich in amino acids like Greek yogurt.
These all-natural pre workout drinks provide the necessary nutrients, energy, and focus needed for an effective workout while minimizing the risk of adverse side effects or long-term health concerns.
Natural pre-workouts offer a safer and more sustainable approach to enhancing your exercise routine.
By utilizing whole foods, natural beverages, and well-researched supplements, you can provide your body with the nutrients and energy it needs to perform at its best without the risk of side effects or long-term health concerns.
Natural pre-workouts also offer more flexibility and customization, allowing you to tailor your pre-workout routine to your unique needs and preferences.
Best Natural Pre Workout Supplement
Several natural pre workout supplements contain all-natural ingredients and provide great results.
Here are a couple of the best options:
Naked Energy
Naked Energy is a superior choice for individuals seeking an all-natural pre-workout supplement backed by scientific research.
This 100% vegan pre-workout powder, manufactured in the U.S.A., boasts a formula comprised of 10 high-quality ingredients.
Key components of Naked Energy include:
- 200mg Caffeine from Unroasted Coffee Beans
- 1g L-Arginine
- 1g Creatine Monohydrate
- 2g Beta-Alanine
This concise list of ingredients offers a potent combination of pre-workout essentials.
For instance, research indicates that beta-alanine can enhance certain aspects of endurance performance, such as anaerobic threshold and time to exhaustion, as reported in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.
Creatine monohydrate, one of the most extensively studied supplements, has demonstrated numerous benefits, including improved strength, endurance, and muscle mass gain, as noted in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism.
While the effects of L-Arginine on muscle recovery and workout performance remain inconclusive, numerous potential benefits have been proposed.
L-Arginine is associated with vasodilation, which is linked to improved blood circulation and nutrient distribution.
Consequently, it is suggested that L-Arginine may enhance muscle recovery, muscle endurance, and growth hormone production.
Additional nutrients in Naked Energy consist of:
- 333mg of Vitamin C
- 40mg of Vitamin B3
- 667mcg of Vitamin B6
- 333 mcg of Folate
- 47mcg of Vitamin B12
- 27mcg of Calcium
Naked Energy is free from added sugar, fillers, artificial sweeteners, colors, and flavors.
Moreover, it undergoes independent third-party testing to ensure purity, safety, and nutritional value, making it a trustworthy and reliable all-natural pre-workout supplement.
If you’re considering an all-natural pre-workout option, Naked Energy is my top recommendation!
RSP Nutrition AminoLean
RSP Nutrition Vegan AminoLean is another excellent option for those seeking an all-natural pre-workout supplement backed by scientific research.
This vegan-friendly formula supports energy, focus, and recovery while incorporating high-quality, natural ingredients.
Key components of RSP Nutrition Vegan AminoLean include:
- Amino Acid Blend (5g) including L-Leucine, L-Valine, L-Isoleucine, L-Glutamine, and L-Arginine
- Natural Energy and Focus Blend (130mg) featuring Green Tea Extract and Green Coffee Bean Extract
- Weight Management Blend (1.5g) containing CLA and L-Carnitine L-Tartrate
The Amino Acid Blend in Vegan AminoLean provides essential amino acids that support muscle recovery, endurance, and growth.
The Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) such as L-Leucine, L-Valine, and L-Isoleucine play a crucial role in muscle protein synthesis, while L-Glutamine aids in muscle recovery and L-Arginine promotes vasodilation and nutrient delivery.
The Natural Energy and Focus Blend, consisting of Green Tea Extract and Green Coffee Bean Extract, offers a moderate caffeine boost to enhance alertness and concentration during workouts.
The Weight Management Blend in Vegan AminoLean features Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) and L-Carnitine L-Tartrate, which have been linked to supporting healthy body composition and fat metabolism.
This combination helps promote the efficient use of stored fat for energy during workouts.
Lastly, RSP Nutrition Vegan AminoLean is free from artificial sweeteners, colors, and flavors, ensuring a clean and natural pre-workout experience.
If you’re searching for a plant-based pre-workout supplement with a foundation in scientific research, RSP Nutrition Vegan AminoLean is an excellent choice!
Best Natural Pre Workout Alternatives
If you are not interested in the all natural pre workout supplement Naked Energy, check out these all natural alternatives to pre workout supplements:
Coffee
Looking for a healthy alternative to pre workout supplements?
Coffee is a great pre workout substitute that can provide an energy boost without extra calories.
Coffee is a perfect pre workout replacement because it contains caffeine, which has been shown to improve physical performance during exercise.
For a quick jolt of energy, you can choose the strongest coffee available, which typically contains around 100mg of caffeine.
However, weaker coffee still provides approximately 80mg of caffeine per cup.
Plus, coffee also contains antioxidants that can improve your health in various ways, including reducing inflammation, protecting against cancer, and promoting weight loss.
Best Pre Workout Coffee
Puroast Low Acid Coffee is an excellent option for pre workout coffee brand.
Puroast is low in acid, making it gentler on the stomach and reducing the risk of heartburn and acid reflux.
It also contains high levels of antioxidants, making it a healthy choice for anyone looking to improve their overall well-being.
In addition, Puroast boasts a unique roasting process that results in a coffee that is 70% less acidic than other brands, making it easier to enjoy the rich, full-bodied taste of coffee without negative side effects.
When it comes to pre workout performance, Puroast’s low acidity and high antioxidant content make it an excellent choice.
The caffeine in coffee has been shown to enhance physical performance during exercise, and Puroast’s low acid content ensures that you won’t experience any negative side effects that could hinder your workout.
Whether you’re looking for alternatives for pre workout supplements or simply a healthy alternative to pre workout, coffee can be a great choice.
It’s natural, easily accessible, and can provide the energy boost you need to power through your workout.
For those looking for a healthier alternative to regular coffee, Puroast Low Acid Coffee is an excellent option that can provide both health benefits and great taste.
Beetroot Juice
Beetroot juice ranks highly among the best natural pre-workout alternatives due to its numerous health and performance-enhancing benefits.
Not only is beetroot juice rich in iron, essential for muscle development and overall health, but it also contains high levels of dietary nitrate, widely studied for its performance-enhancing effects.
As cited in a study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, dietary nitrate demonstrates various advantageous vascular effects, such as reducing blood pressure, inhibiting platelet aggregation, preserving or improving endothelial dysfunction, and enhancing exercise performance in both healthy individuals and patients with peripheral arterial disease.
Additionally, a study published in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research reveals that acute beetroot juice supplementation positively influences velocity, power, and total repetitions during exercise.
Beetroot juice or beet powder is optimal for those seeking a healthy, caffeine-free pre-workout option.
Although beet juice is typically available at local grocery stores, more potent and effective alternatives can also be found.
Best Beet Pre Workout Supplement
If you cannot easily access beetroot juice each day, HumanN SuperBeets Concentrated Beet Powder is a perfect alternative.
HumanN SuperBeets is a scientifically formulated and highly concentrated beetroot supplement that provides all the benefits of beetroot juice in a convenient form.
Additionally, HumanN SuperBeets uses only Non-GMO and high-quality beets from the United States.
HumanN SuperBeets contains zero caffeine or other stimulants and contains the nitric oxide equivalent of 3 whole beets!
Green Tea
If you have a problem with crashing after a caffeine boost fades away, you can opt for drinking green tea before a workout.
Green tea is an excellent pre-workout product, but matcha tea, specifically, is the best type of green tea before a workout.
With approximately 68mg of caffeine per cup, matcha tea provides a moderate energy boost alongside other valuable components to support exercise performance.
Compared to other supplements or natural alternatives, the primary advantage of consuming matcha tea as a pre-workout replacement lies in its high concentration of Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG), a potent green tea extract.
EGCG promotes fat oxidation and supports energy metabolism, making it an excellent aid for workouts.
A study published in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism reveals that matcha tea consumption results in a lower respiratory exchange ratio and increased fat oxidation during a 30-minute brisk walk.
In other words, matcha green tea can enhance exercise-induced fat oxidation.
Best Pre Workout Green Tea
If you want to drink green tea before a workout as your healthy pre workout alternative, there is no better choice than MatchaDNA.
For only $19.95, MatchaDNA comes in a 16 oz container (months of servings) of some of the best matcha tea you will ever find!
MatchaDNA tea is Certified Organic and is grown under the shade of individually made bamboo reed canopies.
This unique growing process forces the tender leaves to produce a deep and dark color, which means the leaves are fortified with flavor and nutrients.
Drinking MatchaDNA is equivalent to taking a shot of:
- Antioxidants
- Vitamin-B Complex
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Beta Carotene
- Iron
- Calcium
- Amino Acids
Although matcha tea has only recently become popular in the United States, the MatchaDNA family farms have grown premium Matcha since the 13th Century!
The Hunan district is the birthplace of tea in China, and from this district, MatchaDNA personally selected Hiroshi, a local tea farmer, to exclusively provide organic Matcha green tea from his Estate to create MatchaDNA.
MatchaDNA is the highest potency matcha tea, containing over 10x the antioxidants of green tea!
Yerba Mate Tea
Yerba Mate Tea, a remarkable all-natural pre-workout replacement, is renowned for its energizing properties and unique health benefits.
Hailing from South America, this traditional beverage has gained popularity worldwide among fitness enthusiasts and health-conscious individuals.
Yerba Mate Tea contains a balanced blend of natural stimulants, including caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline, which work synergistically to provide a smooth, long-lasting energy boost without the dreaded crash.
With approximately 85mg of caffeine per cup, Yerba Mate offers a moderate yet effective energy increase for workouts.
In addition to its energizing properties, Yerba Mate Tea is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that support overall health and well-being.
The tea contains high levels of saponins, which possess anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties, and an abundance of vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, B3, B5, and B6.
These nutrients enhance physical performance, improve focus, and support muscle recovery during and after workouts.
Moreover, Yerba Mate Tea is known for its potential to aid in weight management, as it can help increase the body’s metabolic rate and fat oxidation.
This makes it an excellent pre-workout choice for those aiming to burn fat and improve overall body composition.
Best Yerba Mate
EcoTeas Yerba Mate Tea Bags are the top choice for those seeking a high-quality, sustainable, and convenient yerba mate experience.
EcoTeas Yerba Mate Tea Bags offer numerous advantages that set them apart from other options in the market:
- 100% Unsmoked Organic Yerba Mate: EcoTeas sources yerba mate from their organic family farm, which employs a unique smoke-free, two-stage drying process. This environmentally-conscious approach minimizes packaging waste and ensures premium quality yerba mate.
- Easy-to-Brew Mate: Each tea bag is designed for simple brewing—just use one bag per cup of water. EcoTeas Yerba Mate Tea Bags are perfect for busy, on-the-go lifestyles, making it easy to enjoy an energy boost at work or while traveling.
- Sustainable and Certified: EcoTeas yerba mate is Kosher, Fair Trade, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, and certified organic. The brand is committed to restoring balance to the earth and our bodies, promoting sustainability with every purchase.
- Compact by Design: EcoTeas Yerba Mate Tea Bags boast a more efficient design with reduced product size and weight. This approach leads to lower carbon emissions, as less packaging is required and shipping becomes more efficient. By adopting Compact by Design, EcoTeas contributes to significant carbon emission reductions on a larger scale.
“Power Smoothies”
A favorite among fitness enthusiasts, the versatile smoothie is an excellent choice for a natural pre-workout drink.
Packed with nutrients, smoothies can be customized to suit individual tastes and fitness goals, making them the perfect addition to any workout routine.
- Embrace the Greens: Don’t hesitate to incorporate vegetables into your smoothies, as they provide essential nutrients that fuel your workouts. Blending leafy greens like spinach, kale, and broccoli with various fruits can mask their taste, making it easy to include them in your diet.
- Enhance with Protein and Healthy Fats: Adding protein powder or flaxseeds to your power smoothies can help support muscle growth and recovery. These ingredients also supply healthy fats that contribute to overall well-being.
- Tailor to Your Goals: Depending on your fitness objectives, smoothies can be customized to aid in muscle building, weight loss, or general health improvement. The potential combinations are virtually limitless.
- Quick Digestion and Efficient Nourishment: Smoothies give your body essential nutrients in an easily digestible form. Compared to solid foods, they are absorbed more rapidly, ensuring your body is fueled efficiently for your workout.
Smoothies are a fantastic natural pre-workout alternative, offering a versatile and customizable way to fuel your body for optimum performance.
By embracing nutrient-dense ingredients and tailoring your smoothie to your specific fitness goals, you can enhance your workouts and support your overall health.
Best Pre-Workout Smoothie Mix
Consider using Your Super superfoods powders in your pre-workout smoothies for a convenient and nutrient-rich option.
These powders contain various essential nutrients, and some even include natural caffeine for an added energy boost.
Simply blend the powder with a banana or other fruit to create a delicious and nourishing pre-workout drink.
For example, combine 1-2 servings of Your Super Energy Bomb with a banana and peanut butter for the perfect pre-workout energy boost.
Your Super offers a line of exceptional superfood powders that cater to various health and fitness needs, making them an ideal addition to your pre-workout routine.
Concluding Thoughts – Best Natural Alternatives to Pre Workout
As illustrated above, numerous natural pre-workout alternatives are available to suit diverse fitness needs, providing various types of energy from natural sources.
When selecting an all-natural pre-workout option, consider your specific requirements to ensure the best results.
- Caffeine Lovers: For those needing a caffeine boost, coffee or tea, such as matcha or yerba mate, can be the ideal pre-workout choice.
- Nutrient Seekers: Power smoothies or beetroot juice can offer a nutrient-rich solution if you want to incorporate essential vitamins and minerals into your pre-workout routine.
Remember, maintaining a healthy diet and consuming appropriate pre and post-workout snacks is crucial for sustaining energy levels and providing your body with the necessary fuel for recovery and growth.
By exploring these natural pre-workout alternatives, you can make informed decisions to enhance your gym sessions and overall fitness journey.
Embrace the power of natural energy sources to elevate your workouts and support a healthier lifestyle.