The 5 Best Pre-Workout for Pump and Vascularity (Review)

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Building a herculean body is an art. Only those artists, who are true to their efforts, can achieve the big muscle goal. And, without pumps and soreness, you can’t make it to the top. So, getting that pump is the gold standard of bodybuilding.

Getting the ultimate pump is not a child’s play. Apart from a resilient training program, a high-protein diet is also mandatory. Despite having all these, some people still can’t maximize their pumps. For them, pre-workout supplements can do the trick.

Here in this article, I’ll be giving you the five best pre-workout supplements for the right pump and vascularity. So, stay tuned till the end.

Top 5 Pre-Workout Supplements

After spending 60 hours researching and considering tens of products, I have narrowed it down to 5 supplements that can provide you with desired results.

Take a look.

#1. 4 Gauge 

The ultimate booster of strength, stamina, and energy, 4 Gauge is the best pre-workout one can get for himself. After trying it first-hand, this is the cleanest supplement available in the market. It contains the best natural nutrients that are researched and tested by fitness professionals.

4 Gauge

I was blown away with the results when I first tried. 4 Gauge effectively doubled my pumping capability. It also limits the side effects to an absolute minimum. It has no artificial sweetener, which is good news for diabetic people. Apart from Caffeine, 4 Gauge also contains necessary ingredients like L-Theanine, Creatine Monohydrate, and beetroot extracts, among others.

Till now, I’ve advocated 4 Gauge to a few of my gym buddies. They all loved it and have become addicted to it whenever they enter the workout area.

Following are the pros and cons of 4 Gauge:

PROS:

  • Clinically proven formula
  • Takes minimal time to act
  • Provides an insane energy boost
  • cGMP certified product

CONS:

  • Contains Caffeine (not the worst con to have)

In order to have faster progress toward your bodybuilding goal, 4 Gauge is something you need. This effective solution provides total support for an active lifestyle as well as gives you the strength to push for extra.

#2. Pump Surge

If you’re looking for a caffeine-less pre-workout supplement, Pump Surge is the one you should go for. It’s a blend of BetaineCitrulline, Glycerol Powder, and a few other essential components. It can produce enough energy without harming our health. The formula is well-equipped to compensate for the absence of Caffeine.

Pump Surge

When one of my mates requested me to try it, I was absolutely sure caffeine-less supplements are worthless. But after having a few sips, my perspective completely transformed. Pump Surge worked perfectly on my body and supplied me with enough boost for pumps.

Though it doesn’t offer massive pumps like the caffeine-based ones, if you want decent pumps without consuming Caffeine, Pump Surge is perfect for you.

Here are the pros and cons:

PROS:

Boosts endurance for hours
Improves hydration
Free of stimulants
Clean energy and focus support

CONS:

Includes artificial sweetener
Not for the ultimate level of pump

Pump Surge has millions of consumers all over the world. Though it feels a bit sweet while consuming, I can not deny the effectiveness. Go for it, if you want Caffeine-free ways of getting pumps.

#3. Gorilla Mode

Gorilla Mode is a new entrant in this market segment. Yet, it’s getting a lot of attention due to its aggressively dosed marketing strategy. This means it provides the utmost dosage of ingredients in each serving. For example, per dosage of Gorilla Mode has 9g of L-citrulline while other supplements offer 4.5g to 6g of L-citrulline.

Gorilla Mode

This pre-workout supplement is for those who want to bulk up within a short period of time. If you’re in the gym just to have an attractive figure and you don’t have a tight timeline for it, I won’t recommend this product for you. Professional muscle men use Gorilla Mode. You can assume its power.

Following the footsteps of other products in their inventory, Gorilla Mode tries to be a market disruptor by offering a great product at an affordable rate.

Check out its pros and cons.

PROS:

  • Provides huge energy for longer pumps
  • Tastes good in the mouth
  • Can be used for endurance training
  • Helps to bulk-up real quick

CONS:

  • One serving can be too much for some people

As the name suggests, Gorilla Mode can give you gorilla-like energy with a single dosage. If you can handle it, I’ll advise you to take half serving or move on to any other product.

#4. Cellucor NO3 Ultimate

Here’s a stim-free supplement for enhanced pump performance. Cellucor NO3 Ultimate packs 5000mg of Citrulline along with several energy-boosting ingredients. This supplement helps to lower muscle fatigue while increasing Nitric Oxide in our body. It also reduces muscle damage and amplifies blood circulation.

Cellucor NO3 Ultimate

I was simply blown away by C3 Ultimate’s effectiveness. After drinking it, I had hours-long pumping sessions, yet there were no signs of fatigue after I was done with pumping. The main focus of this product is to increase the NO3 level for better blood circulation in the whole body. This is the main reason why you won’t free any fatigue.

After taking Cellucor NO3 Ultimate, you’ll feel the need to train more, burn more calories, and will push yourself further. It is a powerful supplement to use when you lack motivation. Here’s the pros and cons list.

PROS:

  • Great NO3 booster
  • Available in multiple flavors
  • Lower fatigue and muscle injury
  • Increases endurance and power

CONS:

  • Contains artificial sweeteners

If getting proper Nitric Oxide in your veins is your utmost priority, Cellucor NO3 Ultimate is the supplement to go with. It will not only make your workouts easy but will also keep your fatigues at check.

#5. Vintage Blast 

Vintage Blast is the last entrant on our list. The main ingredient here is Citrulline Malate, which increases the nitrogen level in our body, thus enabling us to train harder. It also boosts blood arginine, which means more nutrients and oxygen is supplied to our muscles. When it’s combined with Glutathione, Vintage Blast can significantly boost the pumps.

Vintage Blast Pre-Workout

This is a caffeine-based drink thus, it will increase your focus and stamina. Other ingredients in Vintage Blast include Beta-alanine for increased endurance and Carnitine, which acts as a multi-vitamin. It also possesses multiple vitamins and minerals.

This product keeps your muscle working without the generation of any fatigue. It supplies your muscles with necessary nutrients, thus fully supporting your workout schedule. Check out the pros and cons of Vintage Blast.

PROS:

  • Clean ingredients
  • FDA certified
  • Vegan-friendly formula
  • Increases strength and improves endurance

CONS:

Only available in one flavor

This is a great pre-workout supplement, albeit not containing glutathione. Your overall performance in the gym will improve with regular servings of Vintage Blast.

So these five supplements are the ones we have come up with after hours of research. Now let’s move on to why pumps matter so much in bodybuilding.

How do Pumps Make a Difference?

There’s lots of controversy about whether pumps are essential or not. Whether they truly help to get in shape. Many dudes don’t see any benefits associated with swelling muscles. But for a pro-level bodybuilder, pumps make a huge difference. Here’s how.

Firstly, pumps have a great motivational impact. When you see your body getting bigger, your shirts stretch more than ever; you will get automatically motivated. These are the signs that you’re coming close to a ripped appearance.

Secondly, for a professional bodybuilder who’s preparing for a competitive proceeding, pumps make a huge difference. It’s important for them to have balloon-like muscles and bulky body structures. Getting such an appearance isn’t possible without pre-workout pumps. In order to achieve better pump output, health supplements are absolutely essential.

What’s the Best Time to Take Supplements?

This very much depends on your body’s capability to absorb the nutrients that come with supplements. If your body can get the nutrients flowing through your veins fast, you can take supplements only 15 minutes prior to your warm-up.

However, that’s a rare case. 20-30 minutes before warming up, is the optimal timing for taking energy drinks. My recommendation for the first-timers will be to drink it 20 minutes prior to training. If you don’t feel enough strength within the next 20 minutes, next time onwards you can take more time.

Using supplements over time will make you realize what’s the best-suited timing for your body. So adjust the timing according to your training schedule.

You can also read: How Long Does Pre Workout Last

Tips for Getting Maximum Pump

Apart from supplement consumption, there are other factors that decide your pumping energy. Here are a few things you should try before or during your workout.

  • Drink enough water: The more water you drink, the smoother blood plasmas will flow through your veins. This doesn’t mean you can drink a few extra glasses before a workout. You have to keep feeding your body with water throughout the day. If you are doing 2-3 hours of workout each day, you have to drink a minimum 4 litres of water in a day.
  • Don’t leave the squeeze quickly: When you are having the maximum strain on your muscles, do not release it too soon. For example, when you are doing bench press, always try to exceed your limit. The last couple of presses might feel strenuous on the body. But they are the most effective ones.
  • Have variety in your reps: Having a variety in your rep schedule is one of the most beneficial ways of accelerating your muscle gains. For example, instead of 3 sets of 10, you should try a heavy set of 5 followed by a set of 10 and a set of 15. For the heavy-set, you can go with as low as 2-3 reps. But pulling heavyweights is always more effective than pulling lighter weights.
  • Start with stretch-based routines: Sufficient stretching is highly required whenever you are going to spend a couple of hours in the gym. Don’t directly go into hinging or pressing exercise without having your body stretched out. It can cause damage to your muscles. Also, stretching is key to building additional strength, which later on helps to build an attractive physique.
  • Avoid frequent resting: Some guys are tempted to check the results in the mirror in between sets. That’s now how it’s done. Take rest only when you are about to reach your breaking point. Stop spending too much time on the bench instead of doing the bench press. Sure, you can have a look at the mirror sometimes but always focus on your end goals.

So these are the five tips from our side that will increase the effectiveness of your gym sessions. Now let me answer a few frequently asked questions regarding pre-workouts that I have faced multiple times over the years.

You can also read: Testogen Review: The Best Testosterone Booster in the Market

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I take supplements on empty stomach?
Yes, you can take energy boosters while you are unfed. The result will be a quicker absorption of nutrients. So, whenever you take pre-workouts without eating other food, try to hit the gym a bit earlier than your usual routine.

However, look out for stomach cramps, which can happen on the rarest of rare occasions. If you have the option of having a healthy diet before a workout, try to opt-in for that. Having pre-workouts while you are hungry is not the most natural way of supplement consumption.

Are pre-workouts safe?
This is by far the most asked question. People have a lot of misconceptions regarding pre-workout supplements. They think supplements increase your pumping ability at a high cost. This can not be farther from the truth.

Supplements are totally safe if you are using them correctly. I can’t deny the fact that pre-workouts have some sort of side effects like insomnia and jitters. But with proper dosage, according to your body needs, you can avoid these side effects with ease.

However, if you have any underlying medical conditions like allergies from a specific ingredient, it can hurt you. So double-check on a product before using it.

Where to buy pre-workouts?
Pre-workouts from different manufacturers are available through various mediums. You can buy them with both online and offline methods. You can order your choice of supplement in any popular online marketplace. A day or two later, you can have your hands on the product.

Alternatively, you can visit your nearest departmental store and collect your pre-workout. Sometimes you may not find the brand you are looking for in a retail store. In those situations, you can log on to the brand’s website and order the product online.

Can I use coffee as a pre-workout?
No, coffee is not supposed to work as a replacement for supplements. It doesn’t increase your muscle strength. Sure, coffee helps you to get past your sleepiness, but it ain’t no replacement of a proper pre-workout.

If you have any more questions in this regard, let us know in the comment section. We will try to answer each one of your queries.

You can also read: The 5 Best Pre-Workout Without Beta-Alanine (Review)

Final Thoughts

So, this blog is about to come to an end. I hope my recommended pre-workouts will help you to achieve the desired results. If you have to choose one, I beat the drums for 4 Gauge. That is what I felt was the most effective among the bunch. However, if you don’t like the flavor or any other aspect of 4 Gauge, you can try any other product from the list.

Bouquets and brickbats for this blog are most welcomed in the comment region. Let us know which brand you have decided to go with by commenting down below. Thank you for spending your valuable time on my pre-workout review. See you in the next one. Stay healthy, stay safe.

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