The 7 Best Ready to Drink Pre-Workout Supplements
These canned RTD pre-workout drinks deliver convenient energy before working out.
When you’re busy with work, school, family, and friends, having a ready-to-drink pre-workout drink or protein shake is essential for a gym session.
Grab one at a gas station or keep a few in your backpack so you always have an energy source.
These are the best ready-to-drink pre-workout drinks:
Total War by Redcon1
C4 Energy by Cellucor
Ryse Project: Blackout RTD Pre-Workout
Amino Energy by Optimum Nutrition
Ignite by Kill Cliff
FitAid Energy by LifeAid Beverage Co
Jocko Go by Jocko Fuel
We’ve tried and tested many different drinks and these picks are based on energy, taste, price, and overall performance.
Total War by Redcon1
Total War by Redcon1 is one of the best-selling pre-workout drinks on the market right now and for good reason.
The ready-to-drink version of Total War is on par with the powder, packing a heavy dose of caffeine, beta-alanine, taurine, citrulline, and agmatine.
Total War is the best choice for anyone looking for the typical pre-workout experience - face-tingling, a solid pump, and a ton of energy.
For a case of 12 at $35, Total War RTE costs less than $3 per drink.
Use the discount code ‘T20CCastellano’ for 20% off your Redcon1 order.
C4 Energy by Cellucor
This is the best-tasting pre-workout.
If you’re looking for a ready-to-drink pre-workout that’s easy to find, C4 Energy is the one you’re most likely to find in a store near you.
While some might consider this to be more of an energy drink, C4 Energy makes the list because the line between pre-workout and energy drinks has been blurred.
Plus, this drink provides energy and focus like a pre-workout supplement, allowing you to power through your training with intensity and drive.
This is a medium-strength pre-workout drink, with around 200mg of caffeine.
You can get C4 Energy ready-to-drink in carbonated or non-carbonated forms. Both taste great and deliver a solid energy boost in the gym.
Use the discount code ‘FITTEST20’ for 20% off your C4 purchase.
Ryse Project: Blackout RTD Pre-Workout
Project: Blackout RTD Pre-Workout by Ryse is the strongest ready-to-drink pre-workout with 400mg of caffeine and is the best pre-workout for men.
This one is not for the weak or faint of heart. There’s beta-alanine for skin tingling and blood flow, and Ryse advertises that they only use the highest quality ingredients to give you a lot of energy.
Available flavors include Baja Burst, Candy Grape, and Tiger’s Blood. Baja Burst is delicious.
Amino Energy by Optimum Nutrition
Amino Energy by Optimum Nutrition contains less caffeine than the previous two on this list, so if you’re sensitive to caffeine, this is a solid choice.
The upside to this drink is an emphasis on recovery - Amino Energy RTE has electrolytes for hydration, in addition to caffeine for energy.
This is a low-strength pre-workout drink, with around 100mg of caffeine.
Ignite by Kill Cliff
I’m a big fan of “clean energy” - energy drinks that use natural caffeine sources and aren’t loaded with extra ingredients that leave you feeling jittery.
Ignite by Kill Cliff has perfected clean energy with 150mg of caffeine and natural sweeteners, making it a medium-strength pre-workout drink.
There are also electrolytes for increased hydration and better recovery during your workout. Plus, Kill Cliff’s flavors are off the charts. Try the Cherry Lime Grenade.
FitAid Energy by LifeAid Beverage Co
FitAid Energy is the newest drink made by LifeAid Beverage Co. and is a great choice for anyone looking to avoid the jitters from a heavy caffeine dose.
The clean energy FitAid Energy gives you comes from natural caffeine sources and combines that with electrolytes, BCAAs, and vitamins.
There’s no beta-alanine in FitAid energy, so this is a good pre-workout drink for anyone who doesn’t like tingling skin.
This is a medium-strength pre-workout drink, with 200mg of caffeine, and is the best pre-workout for cardio.
Jocko Go by Jocko Fuel
Jocko Go is made by former Navy SEAL and podcast host Jocko Willink. Jocko Go is a great option for anyone who is sensitive to caffeine and wants a pre-workout energy drink that contains less than 100 milligrams of caffeine.
Jocko Go is sweetened with monk fruit extract, contains no sugar, and only has 10 calories. It also has choline and carnitine for mental focus and electrolytes for workout hydration.
These drinks have a pretty good taste but are not that sweet. Flavors include pink mist (pink lemonade), tropic thunder (pink and coconut), and iced tea/lemonade (my favorite).
This is a low-strength pre-workout drink, with only 95mg of caffeine.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should you drink your pre-workout drink?
The optimal time to drink pre-workout is 20 to 40 minutes before you start working out.
Should I drink ready-to-drink pre-workout or pre-workout powder?
Ready-to-drink pre-workout drinks are great for convenience but cost more money. It comes down to personal preference when weighing cost and convenience. The effectiveness is similar between both.
What’s your favorite pre-workout drink on this list?
I prefer ready-to-drink pre-workout drinks for their convenience and my personal favorite is Total War by Redcon1. I have a high tolerance for caffeine, so I like a lot of it before I work out.
Out of all of these drinks, it’s the most complete pre-workout drink.
I know when I drink Total War, I’m going to have laser focus in the gym and I’m going to leave with an insane pump.
If you’re looking for a clean and balanced boost before working out, try these organic energy shots.
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