Transparent Labs Stim-Free Pre-Workout Review: Performance Without The Caffeine?

Pre-workout formulas typically include a dose of caffeine for its energy-boosting effects to help you punish the weights and hit new prs or run that extra distance. For many, stims like caffeine are simply a way to stay awake and alert for long, 8+ hour shifts. And while it’s a phenomenal performance aid, there are those who either cannot have it or prefer to do without.

The good news is that stims are not the be-all-end-all. Today we take a look at Transparent Labs Preseries stim-free pre-workout formula; a non-caffeine option that includes an ingredient profile that was scientifically put together to help you perform better… minus the stimulants.

Transparent Labs is a Utah-based brand that’s proud of its “transparent” labels and top-notch products. We’ve already reviewed several of their great offerings but we were curious about this one. 

Let’s dive in… 

Preseries Stim-Free Pre-Workout Review: 

Pros

• All-natural formula
• Effectively-dosed
• No stimulants (quite obvious)
• Naturally-sweetened 

Cons

• Huperzine A doesn’t have as much research behind it
• Some don’t like stevia

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Transparent Labs Stim-Free Pre-Workout

Transparent Labs Stim-Free Pre-Workout

Performance without the stims? Transparent Labs Preseries stim-free pre-workout formula; a non-caffeine option that includes an ingredient profile that was scientifically put together to help you perform better... minus the stimulants.

 

Click for Best Price

Ingredients and Benefits

Main ingredients and doses

• Citrulline malate (2:1): 6,000mg
• BCAA 2:1:1 (Instantized): 4,000mg
• Beta-alanine: 4,000mg
• Beta Pure Betaine anhydrous: 2,500mg
• Taurine: 1,300mg
• L-Tyrosine: 1,000mg
• Choline bitartrate: 500mg
• elevATP ancient peat and apple fruit extract: 150mg 
• Bioperine (Black pepper extract) (95% piperine): 5mg
• Huperzine A: 50mcg

Other nutrients: There’s also 150mg (7% dv) of sodium chloride and 100mg (2% dv) of potassium chloride. 

Other ingredients: Natural flavor, stevia, calcium silicate, silicon dioxide, blue spirulina (color)

Now let’s go over the ingredients in transparent Labs stim-free pre-workout where we’ve included key information about their potential benefits. 

Citrulline malate

You’ll see this ingredient in most pre-workouts and deservingly so. Citrulline malate is considered a vasodilator which means it’s going to widen blood vessels and this results in bigger pumps, and it’s been shown to enhance performance and possibly muscle growth. 

Additionally, it’s often used as a sexual enhancement aid and could benefit the heart because of its health-promoting properties. 

We believe citrulline plays a big role in the performance benefits of any pre-workout whether stim-free or not. 

Transparent Labs always includes a hefty dose of citrulline in their products at about 6g per serving which has shown to be very beneficial. 

Read more about the effects of citrulline and see our top 10 product picks here. 

BCAA 2:1:1

BCAAs or branched-chain amino acids are a group of essential amino acids that consist of leucine, isoleucine, and valine. There are nine essential amino acids and BCAAs account for three of them. We need amino acids to build proteins and they serve many metabolic and physiological roles in the body. 

BCAAs have been shown to help with recovery and performance which is why many pre-workouts include a hefty dose. 

Beta-alanine

Nobody likes the painful burning sensation during an intense exercise session or run, and while you can never fully get rid of it, beta-alanine helps. 

It can reduce lactic acid build-up in the muscles and therefore, delay the need to stop physical activity. This can certainly help to improve performance and progress and can be especially beneficial for athletes looking to turn in a better score or improve their physical fitness (1).

In one study of thirty strength-trained individuals, beta-alanine increased power output when lifting max loads compared to a placebo group (2).

Bet-alanine can also help to reduce neuromuscular fatigue.

Research shows that taking 4-6 grams of beta-alanine daily for at least 2-4 weeks can offer significant performance benefits. 

Also keep in mind that beta-alanine typically causes a tingling feeling after taking it but this is harmless. 

Related: Top 9 Supplements for Bulking Up

Beta Pure betaine anhydrous

An interesting ingredient commonly included in performance-focused supplements, betaine anhydrous could have impressive performance and body composition benefits. 

For example, one 2013 study of individuals with similar training experience and body fat who took betaine, experienced improved body composition, bigger arm size, increase bench press training capacity, and more power but not strength (3).

Therefore, betaine may not only improve physical capability but it could also enhance physical development. 

Taurine

A non-protein-building, non-essential amino acid, taurine is often an ingredient in energy drinks but that may be a useful addition for improving physical performance. 

It’s naturally produced by the body but using a supplement to top up your levels may be beneficial. 

The potential effects of taurine range from reducing muscle fatigue and burn, to protecting muscle cells from damage, and according to research, it increases fat-burning during physical activity. In fact, one study of cyclists found that supplementing with 1.66 grams of taurine caused a 16% increase in fat loss… how about that? (4, 5).

L-Tyrosine

While there is no caffeine in Transparent Labs stim-free pre-workout, l-tyrosine can sort of fill that role as least where the cognitive benefits are concerned. 

It’s an amino acid that’s naturally produced by the body from phenylalanine, another amino acid. But it’s also found in some meats. 

Now, L-Tyrosine actually contributes to the production of various chemicals such as adrenaline, norepinephrine, dopamine, thyroid hormones, and even melanin.

Therefore, it can have some significant benefits for brain health, mental performance, and metabolism, and there are several studies in support of this (6, 7, 8). 

Choline bitartrate 

Choline is surprisingly an ingredient that wasn’t acknowledged as an essential nutrient until 1998. This means we must get choline through foods as it’s necessary to maintain proper health and bodily function. 

While not a vitamin, it’s similar to B vitamins and is actually required for the same reasons which are to help maintain muscle, brain, liver, nervous system, and metabolism health.   

elevATP ancient peat and apple fruit extract

No, ancient peat isn’t a nickname for someone’s crazy uncle but we’re intrigued by the inclusion of this ingredient. 

Supposedly, it helps to enhance adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. ATP helps to provide energy for cell processes such as muscular contractions and this has a direct impact on performance. 

A study from 2016 used twenty-five healthy and resistance-trained men as an example of how supplementing with ancient peat and apple fruit extract can help to improve physical performance (9). 

We took the following conclusion from the study. 

“The proprietary blend of ancient peat and apple extracts were capable of increasing lower body and total strength as well as lower body power output compared at an equal-volume, visually-identical placebo. Moreover, the supplement was able to prevent performance decrements commonly associated with increased training volume and overreaching”.

Mitochondrial ATP production was said to cause the performance-enhancing effects of this ingredient. 

Bioperine

Bioperine is included in many supplements as it may help with the absorption of nutrients which means you can maximize their effects. 

Huperzine A

Commonly used to help treat Alzheimer’s disease, there’s evidence to suggest Huperzine A, a substance extracted from Chinese club moss, can improve learning and memory and prevent age-related cognitive decline (10, 11). 

It could also increase energy and alertness but overall, there’s not as much research on the benefits of Huperzine A.

Can Transparent Labs Stim-Free Pre-Workout Cause Side Effects?

It’s feasible to say that any nutritional supplement can cause side effects. Although, it depends on the product and how an individual may react to a certain ingredient.

That’s why anyone with medical needs or a history with it should consult with a medical professional prior to using any supplements, and especially ones with a list of ingredients.

Transparent Labs stim-free pre-workout doesn’t contain caffeine or anything similar which many try to avoid. But there are herbal compounds that work in the body to elicit some sort of change or effect that users should be aware of.

Cost

There are a few different purchase options with Transparent Labs stim-free pre-workout. As with most pricing structures, the more bottles you purchase, the less you’ll spend.

But for the quality of the product and the amount of each ingredient, none of the cost options are unreasonable. 

There are 30 servings per container and one serving is equal to one scoop of powder. 

You’ll have to pay shipping which depends on your location but they do offer free shipping when you spend $150 (only in the US). 

The pricing structure is as follows:

• 1 bottle: $49
• 2 bottles: $89 (save $9)
• 3 bottles: $119 (save $28)

Save

Transparent Labs Stim-Free Pre-Workout

Transparent Labs Stim-Free Pre-Workout

Performance without the stims? Transparent Labs Preseries stim-free pre-workout formula; a non-caffeine option that includes an ingredient profile that was scientifically put together to help you perform better... minus the stimulants.

 

Click for Best Price

Taste

Transparent Labs makes some great-tasting powders and it’s quite evident they spent a lot of time to ensure the flavors are on point. 

The flavor options include green apple, orange, sour grape, blue raspberry. They use natural flavors and the natural sweetener stevia. 

I have no doubt most people will enjoy the flavors and this is important especially when you have to drink a glass full several times per week. 

Is Transparent Labs Stim-Free Pre-Workout Worth The Buy? 

Transparent Labs doesn’t mess around when it comes to choosing the right ingredients and dosing them properly. 

The formula was created to support increased strength, muscle building, enhanced physical and mental performance, and general health. 

Sure, there are no stimulants such as caffeine but that’s why the company decided to create a stim-free version. Those who cannot have caffeine can still benefit from this performance-aiding formula. 

Overall Rating 

• Ingredients: 10/10
• Effectiveness: 9/10
• Taste: 9/10
• Price: 9/10

Check out our full selection of pre-workout supplements here:

• 10 Best Pre-Workouts for Weight Loss
• 12 Best Pre-Workouts Without Creatine
• 12 Best Tasting Pre-Workout Supplements
• 11 Strongest Pre Workout Supplements
• 10 Best Caffeine-Free Pre-Workout Supplements

Recap

Transparent Labs stim-free pre-workout obviously has a lot going for it except for the caffeine. Is it any less effective? Well, let’s just say it’s different. 

You won’t get the same boost in energy seeing as caffeine is considered a drug due to its effects on the central nervous system. However, the other ingredients are quite impressive and there’s no doubt it’ll still give you the physical and mental performance boost you need to make progress.  

If you need answers to a question, leave your comments below. Have a favorite fat burn you want to let us know about? Please do. Also be sure to check out our review of the best fat burners for men. 

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