Best Pre Workouts with Zero Calories

Pre workout supplements are great. We’re obviously fans of using them to get the most out of our training.

Depending on your specific health goals, you may also want to use these supplements. However, you may not know where to start or how to find a pre workout that won’t break a fast, that you can take on Whole 30 or Keto, and that won’t cause weight gain.

Even if you don’t want to take pre workout, there are still a few alternatives that we use quite often to help boost our energy levels for working out.

Zero-Calorie Pre Workouts

Ok, so now the good stuff. You want to take pre-workout, but you want to avoid a drink that’s high in sugar and calories. Thankfully most pre-workouts meet this criteria, as we’re trying to get fit here…not just send our blood sugar through the roof.

We’ll give you a range of options to choose from, so if you’re trying to avoid certain ingredients you can still find what you’re looking for.

These zero-calorie pre workouts will give you a boost of energy, so you can push harder in the gym. Your workouts will be more intense. You’ll have improved stamina to go longer. All of these benefits will help you get the strength, endurance, and fitness gains you’re striving for.

The Secret To Zero-Calorie Pre Workouts: Artificial Sweeteners

So zero-calorie pre workouts could be gross and unflavored, however many of these drinks taste amazing. The secret to these pre workouts tasting sweet is artificial sweeteners. From a calorie perspective, these are much better than sugar because they are calorie-free. However, artificial sweeteners are not all created equal.

Too much of some artificial sweeteners can have a negative effect on gut health. Additionally, high doses of artificial sweeteners can have an impact on your body’s tolerance to glucose.

The Best Artificial Sweeteners:

These are the best artificial sweeteners from a health standpoint. They provide a delicious sweet taste, with minimal gut health disruption.

1. Stevia
   • Stevia is a safe, healthy substitute for sugar that provides sweet taste without the negative health effects of refined sugar. This is a popular sweetener for people looking to reduce their caloric intake, stabilize blood sugar levels, and minimize risks of cavities.
2. Erythritol
   • Erythritol has similar sweetness to sugar, but without the calories. In general, erythritol appears to be safe for human consumption. Erythritol is a sugar alcohol, so consuming it in large amounts may have negative effects on your digestive health.
3. Xylitol
   • Xylitol is another sugar alcohol that is commonly used as a sweetener. It can be found in both natural and artificial forms. Xylitol can also have benefits for dental health. Chewing gum sweetened with xylitol can actually have an anti-plaque effect on teeth surface and can reduce gingival inflammation.
4. Monkfruit Sweetener
   • Monkfruit sweetener is natural, and contains zero calories even while being around 200 times sweeter than sugar. In addition to its sweet taste, monk fruit sweetener can also have antioxidant properties.

The Best Zero Calorie Pre Workouts in 2022

These pre workouts have what it takes to enhance your workout for better performance in the gym and enhanced fitness gains. We think these pre workouts are excellent in general, even among pre workouts that do include some amount of calories. You won’t lose out by choosing these pre workouts over higher-calorie alternatives.

Zero calorie pre workouts like these can help you increase your output in the gym, without added calories. You’ll love the enhanced focus and clean energy these supplements provide. We prefer using pre workout supplements over fat burners because pre workouts typically provide more benefits for athletic performance than fat burners.

Transparent Labs LEAN Pre Workout

We would recommend Transparent Labs LEAN to almost anyone looking for a top-of-the-line pre workout. Transparent Labs uses clinical doses of the highest quality ingredients for maximum effectiveness.

Bucked Up WOKE AF

Bucked Up WOKE AF is another one of our favorites. This is a high-stimulant pre workout with 333 mg of caffeine per serving. Although this is a high-stimulant pre workout, it’s also very balanced. WOKE AF delivers great energy, massive pumps, and mental sharpness.

Do Vitamins PurePump

PurePump earns its name. It is in fact a pure pre workout, made up of the purest ingredients. This pre workout delivers clean, sustained energy without a nasty crash.

C4 Original Pre Workout

C4 is the most recognizable name in the pre workout space. C4 Original has been killing the game since 2011, and is now the best-selling pre workout in the world. This pre workout does contain 5 calories per serving, but it contains less than 1 gram of carbohydrates and 0 grams of total sugars.

Zero Calorie Pre Workout Alternatives

If you’re on your way to the gym and suddenly realize your left your pre workout at home, don’t fret! There are a few easy alternatives you can use to get a jolt of energy without calories or sugar.

Old Reliable: Black Coffee

It’s probably time that we admit that we’re stimulant-junkies. Perhaps the most accessible for of caffeine (in the United States anyway) is coffee. There are a number of ways you can make coffee at home – ranging from instant coffee to espresso to whatever this crazy thing is called. You can also pick up coffee at your local coffee shop or convenience store on the way to the gym.

Read More: Can You Drink Coffee as a Pre Workout?

Black coffee contains about 120 mg of caffeine in 12 oz. of drip coffee, and a double shot of espresso contains about 150 mg of caffeine. If you normally take pre workout, but you’re traveling or just forgot your tub of pre workout, coffee is widely available and can still give you the jolt you’re looking for.

Another benefit of black coffee is that it has negligible calories, and is allowed on most diets. Additionally it can help burn fat, enhance athletic performance, and improve post-workout recovery.

This Starbucks instant coffee is one of our favorite ways to get coffee quickly that actually tastes pretty good. All you have to do is mix it in water and you have tasty Starbucks coffee.

An Easy Alternative: Sugar-Free Energy Drinks

Another alternative to pre workout that is just as easy to find is sugar-free energy drinks. These drinks likely won’t include the pump-focused or blood flow-promoting ingredients of some pre-workouts, but you’ll still find the high dose of caffeine.

Many top supplements are realizing that by canning their drinks and selling them in convenience stores and grocery stores, they can reach far more customers. For this reason, top pre workout manufacturers have created essentially canned pre workouts.

Some of our personal favorite pre workout energy drinks are:

1. Bang Energy Drinks
   • Bang makes a great substitute for pre workout because it has 300 mg of caffeine per can, along with creatine and essential amino acids. Bang is sugar-free and calorie-free — and they’ve exploded in popularity which means they are available in most grocery stores and convenience stores, and in some gyms.
2. C4 Energy Drinks
   • C4 makes the best-selling pre workout supplement, but they’ve recently started making energy drinks. You can find these in more and more convenience store drink coolers all the time. C4 Energy drinks contain zero calories, zero carbs and zero sugar. You’ll get 200mg of caffeine per can, along with 2 grams of beta-alanine (YES!).
3. Optimum Nutrition Amino Energy
   • Optimum Nutrition Amino Energy, in powder form, was the Rock’s pre workout of choice for years. The company has recently started canning their energy drink. One note is that this drink contains 5 calories per serving, but that’s comparable to a cup of coffee. For performance this is a great option and the flavors are tasty, so it’s easy to drink.

Conclusion

So whether you’re looking for a pre workout without calories, or scrambling to find a last-minute alternative. This article should give you a better idea of what to look for and where you can buy these pre workouts.

Good luck in your fitness journey!