Cellucor C4 Preworkout: “#1” on the market: Is it actually that good?

Updated on August 13, 2019

Cellucor C4 Pre Workout

Pros

The caffeine content is low, at about 150mg per scoop, you’re only getting as much caffeine as a cup and a half of coffee. If that’s not enough energy for you, you’ll be flying through this bottle. There are plenty of vitamins in this formula, but one of their selling points is the B vitamins for natural energy—but these actually don’t help you unless you are deficient.

Low dose of caffeine for those who are sensitive, and contains beta alanine and creatine nitrate which is a decent concoction for energy, stamina, and blood flow to your muscles during your lifts.

Cons

Low dose of caffeine for those who aren’t sensitive to it, proprietary blend (we don’t know exactly what we are putting into our body), artificial flavors, anti-caking agent (silicon dioxide) artificial sweeteners, food dye, and arginine alpha ketoglutarate—which is a wasted ingredient, as there is no study that supports its function. Plus, many of the ingredients are underdosed.

Bottom Line

Honestly, this pre-workout isn’t anything to rave about. So, no; the hype isn’t worth it. The proprietary blends are a bit scary, and the fact that Cellucor put ingredients in their pre-workout that aren’t backed by actual evidence makes me hesitant to spend my money here. I also don’t want to put artificial flavors, sweeteners or colors in my body.

Alani Nu Pre-Workout

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Pros

This is an awesome, healthier pre-workout alternative to C4 that is properly dosed, with no artificial ingredients, and with the energy you need to power through a workout without the crash.

The ingredient list is very basic—which is a good thing. It’s not pumped with anything you don’t need (aka fillers), and the dosages of what you need for energy, endurance, and a “pump” are accurate.

Cons

Reviewers say the rainbow candy flavor is chalky. But they do offer alternative flavors that are not as off-putting.

Bottom Line

This is a healthier, cleaner option that still gives you the pre-workout boost you need.

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Cellucor C4 VS. Alani Nu Pre-Workout

Cellucor C4 Pre-workout is notably the #1 pre-workout in the country, based on purchases alone. But is it worth the hype?

C4 Pre Workout Review – Tiger Fitness

In this review, I looked to break down the ingredient list of this popular pre-workout supplement. I wanted to show you what you will and won’t get with this creatine product and offer an alternative. From there, hopefully you’re able to make the best decision for yourself about your nutritional needs before and after workouts.

Thanks for reading! Let us know what you think about this review in the comments section below.

By Sam Davis, BHS, CPT, FNS

About the author

Fitness was my lifeline, guiding me to balance and self-love. With a background in personal training and nutrition, I’ve dedicated the last eight years to helping others find this same path. I believe in transforming lives through nutrition, exercise, and healthy habits, aiming to inspire self-love in everyone I work with.

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