Beyond Raw LIT Pre-Workout Review for 2024

Pre-workout supplements are a staple for a large number of hardcore gym-goers, athletes, and anyone else looking for a performance boost. Their effects have been proven for increasing energy and focus during physical activity. But not all are created equally (we’ve reviewed many so we know).

So, we were curious to see how one popular product measured up against the rest. And so, we put together a Beyond Raw LIT pre-workout review which we know many of you would probably be interested in.

So let’s get into it, shall we…

Note: Beyond Raw is a line of General Nutritional Centers (GNC) products if you didn’t know (we figured we’d put that out there now). Also, if you’re sensitive to caffeine or have not built up a decent tolerance to it, then we recommend you don’t take this pre-workout or start very small to build up a tolerance.

Pros 

• Great ingredient profile
• Gluten and sugar-free
• Most users happy with taste

Cons

• A little pricey for the number of servings
• Artificial flavors, sweeteners, and colors
• Contains soy (dealbreaker for some people)

Beyond Raw LIT Ingredients and Nutrition Facts

Ok, let’s get straight to the ingredients as there are no other features to a bottle of powder… (although, the packing is pretty darn cool with flames and all).

Basic nutrition facts – A serving has 15 calories, 4g carbs, 0 sugars, 15mg sodium, and 100mg potassium. So nothing special here or anything to be concerned over. 

Main ingredients (gains!) –  Each dose of LIT contains 5.2 grams of an ‘Energy and Mental Intensity’ blend (3.2g CarnoSyn beta alanine, 1.5 g micronized creatine monohydrate, 250mg caffeine anhydrous, 150mg elevATP (Ancient peat and apple extract), and 100mg of NeuroFactor (coffee arabica)).

Then, you get 4.5g of a pump and N.O. support blend (3g l-citrulline and 1.5g Nitrosigine (arginine silicate inositol)).

Other ingredients: Natural and artificial flavors, citric acid, tartaric acid, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, soy oil and lecithin blend calcium silicate, shellac, FD&C yellow #5, FD&C blue #1, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, sorbitol, glycerin, acetylate monoglycerides, polysorbate 80, potassium sorbate, magnesium silicate hydroxide. 

Ingredient breakdown

Now, let’s break down each ingredient so you know what you’re getting in addition to understanding the effects of each substance. Plus we’ll go over the ‘other’ ingredients as there are a few that many people would opt to avoid. 

CarnoSyn beta alanine  

A patented and trademarked form of beta alanine, CarnoSyn has shown some very impressive effects for performance. Now, beta alanine in its basic form is a non-essential amino acid which means it’s naturally produced in the body. 

Beta alanine combines with the amino acid histidine in the body to form a dipeptide molecule called carnosine. Well, carnosine actually acts as an antioxidant in the body that protects against dangerous disease-causing free radicals.

But from a performance standpoint, carnosine actually slows the effects of lactic acid buildup in the muscles. Lactic acid results from the breakdown of glucose in the muscles which interferes with muscle contractions. Therefore, lactic acid is not conducive to prolonged physical activity. (1)

So carnosine actually acts as a buffer against the acidity in the muscles which allows for longer sessions of physical activity. And several studies support the positive effects on performance.

For example, one 6-week study of thirty-nine male physical education students found that 5*400 mg/d of beta-alanine significantly improved VO2 max while significantly decreasing in time to exhaustion (TTE) and lactate concentrations during exercise. (2)

A placebo group, however, experienced a significant increase in lactate concentrations and a non-significant increase in TTE. 

There are many great studies you can check out on the effects of beta-alanine. So, the takeaway here is beta-alanine is a proven effective ingredient. (3, 4, 5)

But in CarnoSyn form, the effects are said to be even more pronounced with less of a dose than regular beta-alanine. Research also supports this. 

Creatine monohydrate

Creatine really needs no introduction. It’s the most studied and proven ergogenic aid available. Monohydrate is a common form of creatine and it’s very effective. Studies show that creatine builds muscle, increases strength, and improves performance. (6)

Now, not everyone may respond the same to it but for most people, it should have some type of noticeable effect/s. It’s also important to note that creatine isn’t a drug so users should not expect similar results. 

But if you train hard, have a good diet, and drink lots of water, anyone can benefit from this very popular and proven compound. 

Caffeine

Caffeine is the star ingredient in all pre-workout supplements and other energy products as well. It’s a potent nervous system stimulant that has been used forever to increase focus, alertness, energy, and overall performance.

Each dose of ‘LIT’ supplies 250mg of caffeine which is pretty decent and about average when compared to most other pre-workouts. It’s definitely enough to get you going and keep you going for hours!

Research supports the use of caffeine for improving physical performance and one scientific review explained that caffeine does not improve maximal oxygen capacity directly, “but could permit the athlete to train at a greater power output and/or to train longer. It has also been shown to increase speed and/or power output in simulated race conditions“. (7)

Scientific literature has also explained how effective caffeine is for boosting cognitive performance. One review concluded that caffeine is a viable option for reversing a decline in performance due to sleep deprivation. It can restore alertness and sustain performance for extended periods. (8)

Ancient peat and apple extract

One prominent review found that a proprietary blend of ancient peat and apple extracts increased lower body and total strength along with lower body power output. It was also found to “prevent performance decrements commonly associated with increased training volume and overreaching”. (9)

Another study found that both ingredients together can improve body composition in individuals who resistance train, without affecting fat mass or blood chemistry. (10)

But the mechanism by which ancient peat and apple extract elicits these effects has to do with an increase in ATP Adenosine triphosphate) which fuels cell energy (e.g. muscle contractions). 

NeuroFactor 

NeuroFactor is a patented extract from the coffee arabica plant. One study found that coffee fruit extract may significantly increase Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). So in other words, it has shown to have positive effects on cognitive performance (e.g. memory, protection against neurodegeneration). A 100mg dose was used in the study. (11)

L-citrulline

L-citrulline is a non-essential amino acid that plays a big role in removing harmful substances from the body and more specifically, ammonia. But it’s also a precursor to L-arginine therefore, it functions as a vasodilator which widens blood vessels.

As a result, L-citrulline has shown to have a positive impact on cardiometabolic health (lower blood pressure). (12, 13)

But it may also contribute to muscle growth through a mechanism/s that isn’t completely understood. But hey we’ll take it! (14)

L-citrulline may also have positive effects on weight training, endurance, and it increases the oxygen in muscles which also supports improved performance. (15, 16)

Nitrosigine

One review explained that Nitrosigine has previously shown to “significantly enhance blood levels of arginine up to six hours post-dose and increase nitric oxide levels“. (17)

The same review of a study found that daily intake (1,500mg/day in the study) of Nitrosigine “significantly increased pre-workout energy levels, increased muscle pump immediately following a workout, and decreased biomarkers of muscle damage immediately after a workout and during recovery“.

It was concluded that Nitrosigine is a “functional workout ingredient“.

Other ingredients

There are quite a bit of additional ingredients in LIT. Most notably though, it does contain artificial flavors and sweeteners, soy, colors, and preservatives. These ingredients are likely not in high amounts to elicit any side effects and are generally deemed safe in recommended doses. 

But some people simply don’t like artificial flavors, sweeteners, colors, or soy and that’s understandable. Supplementation is very preference-based. 

Effectiveness of Ingredients

Beyond Raw LIT is packed with scientifically proven ingredients. We’ve listed each one and provided some information based on promising research. It doesn’t mean everyone will respond the same or at all. After all, there are many different variables that go into the potential effectiveness of an ingredient where studies and research are concerned.

Now, another thing to keep in mind is that because LIT is a pre-workout, the effects may not be as pronounced depending on how frequently you exercise. The product would have to be taken frequently to have a maximum effect due to the nature of the ingredients. Many users may report a lack of results but dosing frequency is an important factor, which is the case with any oral substance. 

And the 250mg caffeine may not be as effective for someone who has a high tolerance to caffeine. Also, there are many concerns with a ‘tingling’ sensation when using this product but that is due to the beta-alanine. If you find it to cause excessive discomfort then use a smaller dose. 

Mixability

Based on user reviews, powder mixability doesn’t seem to be a concern. So, you should have no issues with clumping if you use a shaker bottle or mix it in a cup with a spoon.

Taste

Most users acknowledge the more than acceptable taste and lack of aftertaste common with other pre-workout powders. LIT does have artificial flavors and sweeteners but apparently, Beyond Raw has done a good job with their flavors and taste in general. 

Price 

LIT is a little pricier than other pre-workouts at about $1.26 per serving on average. It does have a pretty decent ingredient profile though, although it’s still not the cheapest for what it offers.

Is LIT Worth The Buy? 

Based on what we’ve discussed about the ingredients and dosing frequency, LIT can be an effective pre-workout. Use it how the label prescribes and you’ll likely benefit more from it if you work out frequently. This will allow the ingredients to saturate the muscles with the beneficial substances contained in the product with the exception of a few ingredients. 

It also doesn’t hurt that the flavor is satisfactory based on many user reviews. LIT isn’t the cheapest pre-workout but it has plenty of promising ingredients. So, if you were interested, we say go ahead and try it out.

Overall Rating

• Ingredients: 8.5/10
• Taste: 8.5/10
• Mixability: 9.5/10
• Price: 7.75/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrapping Up

After our Beyond Raw pre-workout review, we’d say it could be worth it if you have realistic expectations and take it frequently. The 250mg of caffeine isn’t particularly a lot compared to other pre-workouts. But for people who need a little boost or want the benefits of the other ingredients, LIT could be a viable option.

Most users really like the taste of their flavor offerings but the product is a little pricer than others. Overall though, LIT could be a decent pre-workout option.

Other Great Pre-Workout Reviews

• Ronnie Coleman Signature Series Pre-Workout review
• Read Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged full review
• Read Legion Pulse full review
• Read Old School Labs Vintage Blast full review
• Read Transparent Labs Bulk Pre-workout full review

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