Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged Pre-Workout Review

About The Manufacturer - Kaged Muscle

Pre-Kaged is one of the most popular products from Kaged Muscle. The company was founded by Kris Gethin, a bodybuilder and personal trainer.

Kaged Muscle also sells other supplements, such as protein powders, BCAAs and caffeine capsules.

Pre-Kaged Overview

Next, we'll look at what each key ingredient does for your workout.

Expect a noticeable energy boost from the caffeine, along with ingredients aimed at focus, blood flow and endurance.

It also contains BCAAs and extra leucine, which help switch on muscle protein synthesis.

Key Features

• No artificial colors or flavors
• Fully disclosed label
• 274 mg of caffeine per scoop
• Includes creatine, beta-alanine and citrulline
• Informed-Sport certified, according to Kaged
• Low in calories and sugar

Nutritional Profile & Ingredients

Because the label is fully disclosed, we know exactly what goes into this product and in what amounts.

You can see whether each ingredient is dosed at a meaningful level, which you can't do with a "proprietary blend."

Pre JYM shares this full-disclosure approach.

One ingredient that sets it apart is 500 mg of coconut water powder, added for hydration.

It also contains a lot of caffeine: 274 mg, close to three 8-ounce cups of coffee.

As mentioned, Pre-Kaged uses no artificial colors or flavors.

It does contain the artificial sweetener Sucralose, as well as the plant-based sweetener Stevia.

Here are the ingredients and amounts per scoop, from a label filed with the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Formulas can change, so check your tub's label.

Click to see the full list of ingredients:

• Niacin (30 mg)
• Vitamin B6 (25 mg)
• Vitamin B12 (500 mcg)
• Sodium (85 mg)
• Sugars (1 g)
• L-Citrulline (6.5 g)
• Quercetin (200 mg)
• L-Leucine (1,750 mg)
• L-Isoleucine (875 mg)
• L-Valine (875 mg)
• Additional L-Leucine (3 g)
• Beta-Alanine (1.6 g)
• Betaine (2 g)
• Creatine HCl (1.5 g)
• Coconut Water Powder (500 mg)
• Fruit and vegetable extract blend (100 mg)
• Taurine (2 g)
• N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine (1 g)
• L-Tyrosine (850 mg)
• Caffeine (274 mg)

Benefits & Effectiveness

Expect better energy and focus during your workout, mainly from the caffeine. Citrulline, beta-alanine and creatine may add endurance and strength benefits with regular use.

The caffeine dose is high, so you'll feel it.

Beta-alanine commonly causes a harmless tingling feeling, especially on the face and hands.

Sugar Content

Quercetin Anhydrous

Quercetin Anhydrous is a plant compound with antioxidant effects. Evidence that it improves workout performance is limited.

L-Citrulline

At 6.5 grams, this product contains a solid dose of L-Citrulline. Your body converts citrulline to arginine, which helps make nitric oxide, a compound that widens blood vessels.

That's why citrulline is linked to better blood flow and "pumps."

BCAAs

Including BCAAs means you may not need a separate BCAA powder.

Pre-Kaged contains leucine, isoleucine and valine at a 2:1:1 ratio, plus extra leucine. Leucine is the amino acid most linked to muscle protein synthesis. If you already eat enough protein, extra BCAAs likely add little.

Flavor & Consistency

Most people find it mixes well with water. It can leave a little sediment at the bottom but isn't grainy overall.

Opinions on flavor are divided. It isn't as sweet as some other products on the market, like Pre JYM.

Some flavors, such as Krisp Apple, can taste sour.

Flavor options have included Berry Blast, Fruit Punch, Krisp Apple, Orange Krush, Pink Lemonade and others. It also contains a blend of fruit and vegetable extracts, including broccoli, spinach, turmeric and oregano, though at 100 mg total for the blend, the amounts are small.

For an option of some other fruit flavors which are also not super-sweet, try our review of Transparent Labs Pre-workout.

Pre Kaged Side Effects

Healthy adults should keep total caffeine to about 400 mg a day from all sources, according to the FDA. One scoop of Pre-Kaged is most of that.

If you're sensitive to caffeine, start with a half scoop and avoid taking it late in the day. Talk to your doctor first if you have a heart condition or high blood pressure, take medicine, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Price

You can find Pre-Kaged on Amazon in 20-serving containers. It's one of the pricier pre-workouts, and prices vary by retailer.

What you get for the price is a fully disclosed label, so no key ingredient is hidden in a blend.

Personally, I'd rather pay more for a product with a transparent label and third-party testing.

Alternatives

If you want to spend less, or just want to compare Pre-Kaged with other options, here's a quick look at its top competitors.

Still looking for more options? Read our full list of PWO supplements, sorted by different needs. ;)

Pre JYM vs Pre-Kaged

Pre JYM is another premium-priced pre-workout that lists every dose. Its creator, Jim Stoppani, holds a doctorate in exercise physiology.

Pre JYM has more caffeine than Pre-Kaged, at 300 mg per serving.

Our review of Pre JYM shows it's one of Pre-Kaged's biggest competitors.

Pre JYM tastes much sweeter and uses artificial flavors in some versions, while Pre-Kaged skips artificial colors and flavors.

Cellucor C4

For a cheaper option, Cellucor C4 is a popular and widely available brand.

It also has less caffeine than Pre-Kaged, about 150 to 200 mg per scoop depending on the version. If you're sensitive to caffeine, it might be a better choice.

PEScience Prolific

Prolific Pre-Workout is known for its wide range of flavors.

One scoop has 160 mg of caffeine, and a full two-scoop serving has 320 mg. It also includes Citicoline, which is added for focus.

Pros and Cons of Pre-Kaged

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