Best Pre Workouts For Running In 2023
We take a close look at some of the best pre workout supplements for running on the market right now
If you’re a regular runner and are looking for something to help support your goals, then trying a pre workout supplement could be an option for you.
Pre workouts are one of the most popular forms of health and fitness supplements on the market, and they are designed to help support you during exercise as you look to achieve your goals.
We all sometimes feel like we could do with a little helping hand during our exercise sessions, and that’s where a good pre workout can come into play.
The purpose of this article is for us to take a detailed look at some of the top options when it comes to a pre workout for running to help support your goals.
We’re going to examine some of the main things to look for in a pre workout and also bring you a pick of some of the leading supplements out there on the market at the moment.
Editor's note: The content on this website is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. Our articles and the products featured in them are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. Always speak with a certified medical professional before making any changes to your lifestyle, diet, exercise routine, and/or taking any supplements.
So, with the introductions out of the way, let’s start looking at some of the basics when it comes to pre workouts and running.
Jump To Section
Best Pre Workouts For Running – Our Picks
| Rating | Summary | Website | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre Lab Pro |
 
|
• 80mg Caffeine • 160mg L-Theanine • L-Citrulline • Vegan Friendly | Buy Now | |
| Pre-Workout Blend |
 
|
• 150mg Caffeine • Vitamins B6 & B12 • L-Citrulline • Two Flavours | Buy Now | |
| Elevate |
 
|
• 5g Citrulline Malate • 200mg Caffeine • 2.5g Taurine • Tyrosine | Buy Now |
Pre Workouts For Running – The Basics
If you’ve landed on this article, then the chances are that you already know a fair bit about pre workout supplements, but let’s cover the basics here anyhow.
A pre workout is a dietary supplement that is designed to be taken before periods of exercise to help support you through your training.
The ingredients formulas vary from product to product, but some of the most common inclusions you’d expect to find in a pre workout include things such as stimulants, vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
(Photo: Adobe Stock)
For example, most pre workout supplements contain Caffeine as one of their ingredients. You probably already know all about Caffeine as one of the most popular stimulants on the planet, and its effects are well-known.
The amount of Caffeine found in a pre workout can vary a lot. Some feature about the same amount of Caffeine as you’d expect to find in a cup of coffee, while others feature much more or none at all.
Pre workout supplements often also include important vitamins and minerals, each of which can help to support normal bodily functions.
Seeing some essential vitamins and minerals on a supplement’s ingredients label is generally always a positive, as it means that the manufacturers have taken care to help support your intake of important nutrients alongside your dietary consumption of them.
Of course, it’s important to remember that no supplement can replace a healthy balanced diet and lifestyle. However, the nutrients found in some of these supplements can potentially help to make up for shortfalls in your intake from dietary sources.
Generally speaking, you should be able to get all of the vitamins and minerals you need by following a healthy, varied and balanced diet. But taking a supplement from time to time can help to top up your intake if required.
Generally, most pre workouts come in a flavoured powder form, and are designed to be mixed with water and consumed about 30 minutes before beginning your exercise or training session. That being said, be sure to check the directions and suggested use instructions that come with any product you purchase.
Most pre workout supplements are marketed as being designed for use just before hitting the gym. However, despite being heavily marketed towards gym goers, pre workout supplements may also be used before longer cardio sessions such as running, playing sport and other related activities.
When it comes to taking a pre workout for running, most products will suggest that you take the recommended dose around half an hour before your session. The thinking here is that this will allow enough time for the Caffeine to ‘kick in’, so that you can feel its effects during your exercise session.
(Photo: Adobe Stock)
Some of the other things to look for when selecting a supplement are the flavours on offer when it comes to your pre workout of choice, and how many servings are provided with each container.
If you’re thinking of taking any supplement, it is of course important to do your research into each of the ingredients used before making a decision as to whether it’s right for you or not.
Most pre workouts feature clean and clear ingredients labels, but it’s always best to speak to your doctor before use if you have any queries.
Additionally, pre workout supplements are not for everyone, and so you should speak to a doctor or a licensed medical professional before trying one for the first time.
So, now that we’ve covered some of the basic things to bear in mind when it comes to pre workouts for running, let’s take a look at three good options out there on the market right now.
(Photo: Adobe Stock)
Best Pre Workouts For Running 2023 – Three Top Picks
Here is our pick of some of the best pre workouts for running on the market at the moment.
We’ve selected three pre workout supplements, each of which have different amounts of Caffeine per serving, and slightly different ingredients formulas.
It’s important to note that although these supplements can be used for running, they are not specifically designed for this purpose, and are more focused on supporting your training and exercise in general.
Editor's note: The writer of this article has not necessarily tried the products featured. All product information provided is purely research based.
1) Pre Lab Pro (80mg Caffeine)
Product website: www.prelabpro.com
The first pre workout on our list is Pre Lab Pro. This is a vegan friendly, powder form supplement which has been designed to specifically support your goals as you look to step up your exercise game. It contains a sensible dose of Caffeine of 80mg per serving. To put this dose into context, you’d expect to find around 100mg of Caffeine in a regular cup of coffee. The Caffeine is also paired with the amino acid L-Theanine, and the Pre Lab Pro ingredients formula also features a range of other ingredients, such as Vitamins B6 and B12, Vitamin D and Potassium. Pre Lab Pro also contains the popular amino acid L-Citrulline and Red Beet Powder. The supplement comes in a powder form and in a ‘Natural Berry’ flavour. It carries something of a premium price tag, but you can save a bit on the price per tub if you’re willing to commit to buying more than one at a time from the official website. Pre Lab Pro is a great option for those looking for a boost before their run.
2) Myprotein Pre-Workout Blend (150mg Caffeine)
Product website: www.myprotein.com
Next up is the Pre-Workout Blend made by Myprotein. Myprotein are a well-established brand in the supplement market in Europe, and this is their main pre-workout offering. As you’d expect, it comes as a flavoured powder that’s designed to be mixed in with water and consumed as a drink before exercise. It contains 150mg of Caffeine per serving, so it’s sure to provide you with a boost. It offers great value for money and contains a range of ingredients, including Vitamin C, a selection of B Vitamins and other inclusions such as Beta-Alanine and Taurine. It also uses L-Tyrosine and L-Citrulline Malate in its formula, and it comes in a 250g pouch which is available to buy from the official Myprotein website.
3) Bulk Pro Elevate (200mg Caffeine)
Product website: www.bulk.com
The final pre workout supplement on our list is Elevate by Bulk (formerly known as Bulk Powders). Elevate is Bulk’s premium pre workout offering and it comes in a flavoured powder designed to be mixed with water and drunk before your training session. It contains 200mg of Caffeine per serving, which is quite a significant amount. It also contains a whopping five grams of Citrulline Malate per serving, and combines this with a range of other popular pre workout ingredients such as Beta-Alanine, L-Tyrosine and Vitamin B6. This supplement is vegetarian friendly and comes in a range of flavours, including Cherry Cola, Summer Berry and Orange & Mango. This supplement is also tested for banned substances in an accredited laboratory under the Informed Sport programme. Elevate could be a great option for those looking for an extra Caffeine kick before their run.
How To Take A Pre Workout For Running
All pre workout supplements feature different ingredient formulas and directions, so it’s important to carefully read the entire label of any supplement before taking it for the first time.
That said, most pre workout supplements do have some similarities when it comes to the way they are designed to be taken.
Generally speaking, most pre workouts are designed to be consumed around 20-40 minutes before starting your run or exercise session.
This is usually because of the Caffeine content, and the time delay allows for the Caffeine to ‘kick in’ and bring its benefits.
The time it takes to feel the effects of the Caffeine and other ingredients can vary from person to person, so bear that in mind when taking your pre workout for the first time.
When it comes to taking a pre workout before running, it’s generally best to stick to the recommended directions that are shown on the label of your product.
(Photo: Adobe Stock)
Anything Else To Consider?
As we already mentioned at the start of this article, it’s best to speak to your doctor or a certified medical professional before taking any new supplements or making any major lifestyle changes.
Also, make sure to carefully read the entire label of any supplement before taking it for the first time. This includes all of the ingredients label, as well as all of the warnings and directions.
Supplement such as the pre workouts featured on this page are designed to be used as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle – not replace one.
It’s always best to ensure that you’re sticking to a healthy diet, getting plenty of quality rest, and exercising regularly before thinking about adding any new supplements into your regimen.
It’s also important to remember that although a supplement can be a useful tool when used sensibly, you’ll still need to put in the hard work yourself. Keep your expectations realistic when it comes to the benefits you can expect from supplements such as pre workouts.
(Photo: Adobe Stock)
Wrapping Things Up – Our Final Thoughts
So, that brings us to the end of our look at some of the best pre workouts for running on the market right now.
We’ve walked you through all of the key things you need to know about pre workout supplements, and have also brought you three of our top picks when it comes to products that can help to support your running goals.
We currently rate Pre Lab Pro as one of the best options on the market right now, but you won’t go too far wrong by selecting any of the products featured on this page.
