Best pre-workout for cardio

Running, cycling or HIIT? These pre-workouts are best for endurance training.

For cardio you want energy and endurance, not a caffeine overload. We select pre-workouts with citrulline and beta-alanine for better blood flow and less fatigue, without sending your heart rate through the roof.

#1

Best value

StimulantOptimum Nutrition

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout

(4.3)

Optimum Nutrition's pre-workout with 175mg caffeine, 3g creatine, and 1.5g citrulline. Mild but reliable — ideal for beginners who trust ON.

✓ 175mg caffeine (mild, good for beginners)✓ 3g creatine monohydrate

Average dosedCreatineBeta-AlanineCitrulline

$21.24

330g

Price/serving$0.71

Per scoop11g

Clinical doses2

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#1

Best value

Optimum Nutrition·Pre-WorkoutStimulant

Gold Standard Pre-Workout

$21.24330g

(4.3)

$0.71

Price/serving

11g

Per scoop

2

Clinical doses

Average dosedCreatineBeta-AlanineCitrulline

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Why good for cardio? 175mg caffeine - 1.5g citrulline - 1.5g beta-alanine

#2

StimulantBSN

BSN N.O.-Xplode

(4)

Legendary pre-workout from BSN with 6g citrulline, 3g creatine, and 200mg caffeine. Popular for years with a complete formula for energy and pump.

✓ 6g citrulline (clinical dose!)✓ 3g creatine

Well dosedCitrullineCreatineBeta-Alanine

$64.99

390g

Price/serving$2.17

Per scoop13g

Clinical doses3

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#2

BSN·Pre-WorkoutStimulant

N.O.-Xplode

$64.99390g

(4)

$2.17

Price/serving

13g

Per scoop

3

Clinical doses

Well dosedCitrullineCreatineBeta-Alanine

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Why good for cardio? 200mg caffeine - 6.0g citrulline - 1.6g beta-alanine

#3

StimulantRedcon1

Redcon1 Total War

(4.5)

All-in pre-workout with 6g citrulline malate, 3.2g beta-alanine, and 320mg caffeine. One of the most complete formulas in this price range.

✓ 6g citrulline malate (clinical dose)✓ 3.2g beta-alanine (clinical dose)

Well dosedCitrullineBeta-AlanineTaurine

$25.99

441g

Price/serving$0.87

Per scoop14.7g

Clinical doses4

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#3

Redcon1·Pre-WorkoutStimulant

Total War

$25.99441g

(4.5)

$0.87

Price/serving

14.7g

Per scoop

4

Clinical doses

Well dosedCitrullineBeta-AlanineTaurine

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Why good for cardio? 320mg caffeine - 6.0g citrulline - 3.2g beta-alanine - 1.0g taurine

#4

StimulantKaged

Kaged Pre-Kaged

(4.6)

Premium pre-workout with transparent label. 6.5g citrulline, 274mg PurCaf® caffeine. Informed Sport certified — suitable for tested athletes.

✓ 6.5g citrulline (above clinical dose)✓ 274mg PurCaf® organic caffeine

Well dosedCitrullineBeta-AlanineTyrosine

$29.99

638g

Price/serving$1.50

Per scoop31.9g

Clinical doses3

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#4

Kaged·Pre-WorkoutStimulant

Pre-Kaged

$29.99638g

(4.6)

$1.50

Price/serving

31.9g

Per scoop

3

Clinical doses

Well dosedCitrullineBeta-AlanineTyrosine

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Why good for cardio? 274mg caffeine - 6.5g citrulline - 1.6g beta-alanine

#5

StimulantCellucor

Cellucor C4 Ultimate

(4.5)

Premium C4 with 300mg caffeine, 6g citrulline malate, 3.2g beta-alanine, and 3g creatine. Fully clinically dosed — top of the C4 line.

✓ 6g citrulline malate (clinical dose)✓ 3.2g beta-alanine (clinical dose)

Well dosedCitrullineBeta-AlanineCreatine

$37.74

410g

Price/serving$1.89

Per scoop20.5g

Clinical doses4

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#5

Cellucor·Pre-WorkoutStimulant

C4 Ultimate

$37.74410g

(4.5)

$1.89

Price/serving

20.5g

Per scoop

4

Clinical doses

Well dosedCitrullineBeta-AlanineCreatine

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Why good for cardio? 300mg caffeine - 6.0g citrulline - 3.2g beta-alanine

#6

StimulantCellucor

Cellucor C4 Original Pre-Workout

(4.2)

World-famous pre-workout from Cellucor with 150mg caffeine and 1.5g creatine. Compact 6.5g serving with proven formula.

✓ Proven formula✓ Contains 1.5g creatine

Well dosedBeta-AlanineCreatineCaffeine

$22.82

195g

Price/serving$0.76

Per scoop6.5g

Clinical doses3

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#6

Cellucor·Pre-WorkoutStimulant

C4 Original Pre-Workout

$22.82195g

(4.2)

$0.76

Price/serving

6.5g

Per scoop

3

Clinical doses

Well dosedBeta-AlanineCreatineCaffeine

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Why good for cardio? 200mg caffeine - 2.0g beta-alanine