Best Pre-Workout Without Beta-Alanine (2024): No Tingles Or Itching

Almost every pre-workout formula contains beta-alanine because the skin itching and tingles it provides are often associated with pre-workout "working."

A pre-workout without beta-alanine may cause the uninformed to think their pre-workout is useless. But this side effect doesn’t mean your pre-workout is any better than one that doesn’t give you tingles.

Further, not everyone enjoys this feeling, so you're likely on this page. So, I've curated the best pre-workouts without beta-alanine to boost exercise performance in your next workout.

Best Pre-Workout Without Beta-Alanine

Jacked Factory Nitrosurge Max

Further, nitric oxide reduces the demand for oxygen and ATP during exercise, optimizing the aerobic powerhouse for efficient ATP production.

Because of this, L-citrulline is an exceptionally potent ingredient. Since L-citrulline is a precursor to L-arginine, its kidney-mediated conversion to L-arginine resolves the absorption issue.

This increases the concentration of L-Arginine, which is converted to nitric oxide and provides the advantages.

Those interested in endurance will experience an increase in the time to exhaustion during moderate-intensity cycling when they supplement with 6g of L-citrulline per day for seven days ^[2].

Seven days of dosing with as little as 2.4g of supplement per day increased power output and time to completion during a 4 km cycle.

In addition, exercise reduced feelings of muscle fatigue compared to the placebo condition ^[3].

Betaine anhydrous is a relatively new pre-workout ingredient that may improve power output, lower the perceived effort of exercise, and allow you to perform more reps of a given exercise ^[4][5][6].

Further, betaine may enhance the anabolic environment post-exercise by downregulating the AMPK endurance pathway, allowing anabolic processes to continue ^[7].

The doses in these studies ranged from 1.25 g to 2.5 g daily, which Jacked Factory Nitrosurge Max hits.

L-tyrosine is not a performance-enhancing ingredient and is instead included as a cognitive enhancer. It may improve the ability to switch tasks quickly and accurately and boost cognitive performance during stressful situations ^[8][9].

The efficacious dose starts at 2 g with Jacked Factory potentially giving you cognitive benefits.

The trademarked ingredient NooLVL® combines inositol and bonded arginine silicate and has been shown to enhance cognitive performance and promote better blood flow ^[10][11].

However, both studies come with heavy research bias as they are funded by the company that created NooLVL®, and the company’s employees were heavily involved in the studies.

We all know the performance-enhancing benefits of caffeine. Nitrosurge Max is a very high-stim pre-workout with 350 mg of caffeine. That's approximately 4x the dose in a regular coffee.

Stick to one scoop if you're not used to high caffeine doses. Caffeine is an effective stimulant that boosts power and sprint performance by 6.5% while increasing the number of reps performed when lifting by 9.4% ^[12].

It has a beneficial effect on endurance performance, with a 2.22% improvement in time trial performance and a 2.9% increase in power output compared to placebo ^[13].

Combined with L-theanine, it creates the ultimate nootropic stack, improving reaction time, visual processing speed, working memory, alertness, and reduced exhaustion and mental fatigue ^[14][15].

Typically, the research uses a 2:1 ratio of L-theanine to caffeine. However, I’ve found benefits such as reduced jitters and anxiety with a range of ratios from 1:2 to 4:1.

ElevATP® is another trademarked ingredient with similar issues to NooLVL®. A single dose has been shown to enhance blood ATP levels in healthy, fasting individuals ^[16].

150 mg administered daily for 12 weeks increased muscle thickness compared to placebo ^[17].

Furthermore, a 1.5 g dose caused participants to take more steps during a resistive step test, travel longer, and burn more calories than the placebo ^[18].

However, two studies are funded by the company that manufactures ElevATP, with one study heavily involving the employees.

The last study with the 1.5 g dose is a third-party study with no funding or manufacturing company involvement. Regardless, take these results with some bias.

Panax ginseng has vasodilatory and modest hypotensive effects, improving the body's nitric oxide production ^[19].

Ginseng has been found to improve memory, particularly in age-related cognitive decline, and increase mental and physical resilience, weariness reduction, and stress adaptability ^[20].

A daily dose of 200 mg extract or 0.5 to 2 g dry root is recommended. It is not indicated for persons who have acute asthma or hypertension since it might cause overstimulation and elevate blood pressure in high dosages.

Jacked Factory Nitrosurge Max contains a 50 mg dose, which may not provide these advantages.

To carry on the trademarked ingredients is SenActiv®, which may improve high-intensity exercise performance and time to exhaustion and reduce exercise-induced oxidative stress ^[21][22][23].

Again, take these findings with a grain of salt due to funding bias. Finally, Huperzine A is another speculative supplement potentially helping treat traumatic brain injury and improve cognitive function in Alzheimer’s patients ^[24][25].

Regardless, it’s probably not going to help enhance your workout. Regarding Nitrosurge Max's flavor and mixability, it tastes great. Especially the blue raspberry flavor, which is my favorite. There are no clumps when mixing, so you can shake it in a bottle without eating dry powder.

It's $39.99 for one tub, which is $1 per serving if taking one scoop, and $2 per serving for two scoops.

Unfortunately, taking one scoop underdoses most ingredients in the formulation, and two scoops give a mega caffeine dose.

But as a pre-workout without beta-alanine, this is one of the best, and the caffeine alone will enhance performance alongside L-citrulline and betaine anhydrous.

Best Pump Pre-Workout Without Beta-Alanine

Transparent Labs Pump Pre-Workout

It has ingredients similar to Jacked Factory Nitrosurge Max, but without the stimulant caffeine, so you can take it anytime without ruining your sleep.

L-citrulline is dosed at 8 g, the efficacious dose for improved endurance performance.

Further, it is a nitric oxide booster by converting to arginine in the kidneys, which then converts to nitric oxide.

I could not find any research on NO3-T, but as it is derived from L-arginine, it is likely useless.

L-arginine has problems converting to nitric oxide as it is broken down in the gut.

It’s why L-citrulline is a popular pump ingredient since it bypasses the gut and is broken down in the kidneys.

We've covered how betaine anhydrous can promote an anabolic environment, and the L-tyrosine dose is too small for a cognitive boost.

L-glutathione is likely included in Transparent Labs Pump Pre-Workout because of its synergistic effect with L-citrulline.

Seven days of L-citrulline and L-glutathione supplementation improved blood flow after high-intensity exercise compared to a placebo ^[26].

It remains to be seen whether this improves long-term performance.

Finally, an 8-week resistance training trial employing L-citrulline and L-glutathione daily found that the intervention group gained more lean mass than the placebo group after four weeks ^[27].

However, after eight weeks, there was no significant difference between groups, showing that it may not provide long-term benefits.

Ginseng is also likely underdosed, providing little benefit. The main performance-enhancing pump benefit from this pre-workout is the L-citrulline and L-glutathione synergy and betaine anhydrous.

As with all Transparent Labs supplements, it tastes awesome. I'm a blue raspberry fan, and you can tell Transparent Labs has their own unique flavor profiles as their blue raspberry doesn't taste like the extremely tart versions from other brands.

It mixes without clumps, so you can shake it in any bottle. Something that can’t be overlooked is the informed sport tick on all Transparent Labs products.

It means if you’re a competitive drug-tested athlete or first responder, you’re taking a supplement that has been third-party tested for banned substances.

So no positive drug tests from contaminated supplements.

This pre-workout is slightly more expensive than a standard pre-workout. It's $49.99 per tub, and you can save $5 with free shipping by subscribing.

A one-off purchase comes to $1.67 per serving, which is similar to all their pre-workouts. It has 30 servings, which will last you over a month, depending on how often you train.

Best Budget Pre-Workout Without Beta-Alanine

Transparent Labs Stim Booster Pre-Workout

It’s $9.99 for 30 servings.

Yes, you read that correctly. That’s $0.33 per serving and you can drop the price further saving $1 on subscription with free shipping.

While some ingredients are speculative and potentially underdosed, you get the benefits of caffeine and taurine. Starting from the top, L-tyrosine is likely underdosed, and NooLVL has study bias issues, which we've covered.

Taurine is a common ingredient in pre-workouts and energy drinks that works synergistically with caffeine.

Taurine reduces the need for high doses of caffeine as there's a dose-response relationship where the higher the taurine dose (between 71-3105 mg), the less caffeine is needed (40-325 mg) ^[28].

Further, research shows performance increases with increasing doses of taurine regardless of the caffeine dose ^[28].

Alpha-GPC is more speculative, with studies showing potential cognitive improvements ^[29]. Further, 200 mg of Alpha GPC has been shown to improve vertical jump performance similarly to coffee ^[30].

This hasn't been replicated, so I'm skeptical of this claim since not much will outperform stimulants acutely in physical performance tests.

Then there's the main performance-enhancing ingredient, 100 mg of caffeine. This is a low dose compared to other pre-workouts, but it works well if you're caffeine-sensitive.

Even if you double scoop for 200 mg of caffeine, it’s only $0.66 per serving staying within a budget conscious buyer.

They only have blue raspberry flavor and unflavored, so you have less variety, but it tastes like their other blue raspberry supplements and mixes just as well.

Best Low-Stim Pre-Workout Without Beta-Alanine

Pre Lab Pro

It's paired with 160 mg of L-theanine for the well-studied 2:1 L-theanine to caffeine ratio for cognitive and performance enhancement.

The L-citrulline and L-glutathione combination at the 2000 mg/200 mg dose has been shown to enhance performance, which we've touched on in Transparent Labs Pump Pre-Workout.

Red beet powder may help with recovery after strength exercise. Research indicates that 600 mg of red beet powder aids heart rate recovery ^[31].

Furthermore, the nitric oxide content of red beets lowers the cost of oxygen during exercise, resulting in improved endurance ^[32][33].

No evidence suggests Himalayan pink salt improves performance, and L-tyrosine is dosed too low.

Regardless, you benefit from the caffeine, L-theanine stack, and the citrulline and glutathione combination.

You must know this is probably the worst-tasting pre-workout (at least in my experience).

It's not sweet and tastes like it's exclusively flavored by the red beets, even though it's sweetened naturally.

However, I just mix it in electrolyte powder or pump pre-workout to mask the taste if I want a low-stim pre-workout.

Pre Lab Pro is the most expensive pre-workout I've come across. One tub is $59.99 and contains 20 servings, making it $2.95 per serving.

You only see savings when buying in bulk with 4 tubs costing $177, which is $2.21 per serving. However, you won't find a pre-workout with this low of a caffeine dose, so it's perfect for caffeine-sensitive individuals.

You can read my full breakdown in my Pre Lab Pro review.

Why Take A Pre-Workout Without Beta-Alanine?

Beta-alanine is an effective performance-enhancing supplement. But not everyone enjoys the side effects. I will say, I've had athletes take pure beta-alanine before matches because the tingles makes them "feel" hyped up and ready.

But the itching and tingling, known as paresthesia, are harmless side effects that you can’t build a tolerance to ^[34].

The itchy, warm feeling starting at your forehead and working its way to your feet isn't enjoyable for many and may even cause anxiety in prone individuals.

Hence, choosing a pre-workout with beta-alanine is a better choice.

What To Look For In A Pre-Workout With Beta-Alanine?

Adequately Dosed Ingredients

Having efficaciously dosed ingredients is a must for all pre-workouts. Otherwise, what's the point of taking fairy dust? Many companies cut corners and include underdosed ingredients to state a benefit on the label.

Here’s some common pre-workout ingredients and the dose range you should look for:

• L-citrulline: 6-8 g
• Betaine anhydrous: 2.5 g
• Caffeine: 100-300 mg
• L-theanine: 100-400 mg
• Taurine: 500-2000 mg

Other Endurance And Nitric Oxide Boosters

If you're not having beta-alanine, getting a potential performance boost from other non-stim ingredients is good.

L-citrulline is the most common and most likely to improve performance. Betaine anhydrous is another that may provide a performance boost.

Outside these two, you're looking at speculative supplements that may improve your performance. Regardless, if they cause no harm, it's worth having them for the potential benefits.

At least, that's my philosophy.

Low Niacin Content

Sometimes, it's not the beta-alanine causing you discomfort. The niacin flush is another phenomenon companies use to make you feel your pre-workout is "working."

You’ll see it listed as Vitamin B3 on the label. It's where your skin feels warm, red, and itchy ^[35]. The recommended upper limit is 35 mg per day, with high doses being linked to liver failure ^[36].

High niacin intake is also linked to reduced performance, so it's in your best interest to reduce your intake ^[37].

Frequently Asked Pre-Workout Without Beta-Alanine Questions

What Pre-Workout Doesn’t Make You Tingle?

Any pre-workout that doesn't have beta-alanine and high niacin content won't make you tingle, as tingling is a side effect of beta-alanine, and niacin makes your skin feel red and itchy.

Is It Bad If Pre-Workout Makes You Tingle?

The tingling feeling is called paresthesia, and it is a harmless side effect of beta-alanine, so it is not bad that pre-workout makes you tingle or itch.

Who Should Not Take Beta-Alanine?

If you suffer from severe anxiety, beta-alanine can heighten that in some cases. As always, consult your doctor or physician if you are taking other medication, have health complications, or are pregnant or nursing.

Do I Really Need Beta-Alanine?

You don't need beta-alanine in a pre-workout as it's similar to creatine, where chronic intake is more important than acute.

So, taking beta-alanine separately as a daily routine can improve high-intensity exercise performance in the 1-4 minute range ^[38][39].

Summary

It's challenging to find beta-alanine-free pre-workouts because it's so common, but Jacked Factory's Nitrosurge Max is an excellent option for a strong, hard-hitting pre-workout without beta-alanine and tingles.

If you're after a low-stim version, Transparent Labs Stim Booster and Pre Lab Pro are options that won't give you caffeine anxiety and jitters.

References

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