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What Are The Best Keto Pre-Workouts (2024) | #1 Keto-Freindly Product

Keto pre-workout supplements help you train smarter and harder because they are low in carbs and help boost energy levels and stamina. The best supplements pack much-needed nutrients to keep you in ketosis, along with micronutrients that improve energy and accelerate metabolism.

Keto-friendly pre-workouts help you stay fit and burn more fat, while a non-keto-friendly powder can throw you off the track completely.

I’ve had many clients who got terrible results because they chose an inappropriate supplement. I’ll tell you more stories below, but the moral is even great products can prove inadequate for you if you don’t customize your choice.

Check out my five choices below before making your decision. I’ll help you choose according to your purpose and main needs.

But first, let’s start with this question: is pre-workout keto-friendly?

Review Summary:

  • Perfect Keto Perform – #1 Best Choice in this Category
  • Kiss My Keto
  • Cellucor C4 Pre Workout Powder
  • BPI Sports
  • Sheer Strength

5 Keto Pre Workout Supplements for Low Carb & Ketogenic Dieters

Keto pre-workouts are not all created equal. Some are best for bodybuilding and intense training. Some contain more calories than others. Some come with their own added healthy fats. The point is to choose a pre-workout that will fit your particular training style and needs. Read on.

1. Perfect Keto Perform – #1 Best Keto-Friendly Pre-Workout

Perform

I’m a fan of Perfect Keto because this company invests a lot in research and testing, plus it uses only clean components.

I like this drink because it has no carbs and zero sugar, unlike most pre-workouts.

You will also get 7.7g BHBs for each serving. BHBs, aka beta-hydroxybutyrates, are exogenous ketones that increase your already existing ketone levels. The result is more ketogenic-friendly fuel for your workouts.

Perform also features:

  • MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides) are fatty acids that transform quickly into ketones. MCTs, increase your metabolic rate so you can have more energy and burn more fat according to research.
  • BCAA (branched-chain amino acids) help muscles heal faster and grow stronger.
  • Creatine gives you more strength and power.
  • L-citrulline helps blood circulation.
  • Beta-alanine supports your muscles.
  • Green tea caffeine increases the fat-burning process and gives you a clean energy boost with no jitters.

This product is my top choice because all its components work together to increase your performance at the gym.

PROS
  • Clean components
  • No sugar or carbs
  • Clean energy
  • Great meal replacement
  • Improves your metabolism and helps you burn fat
CONS
  • Just the lemon flavor

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2. Kiss My Keto Pre-Workout Supplement

Kiss My Keto Preworkout

Kiss My Keto is another great product because it gives you a huge energy boost, with no sugars and no carbs. I usually recommend this to caffeine addicts who are new to keto.

Some of my clients love their coffee, and Kiss My Keto, features a great mixture of 100mg of caffeine and electrolytes. While caffeine boosts your energy, the electrolytes keep you hydrated and jitter-free.

Caffeine can quickly deplete calcium in your body, but this supplement packs a lot of calcium, plus other minerals. I’m talking about magnesium for clean energy and mental alertness so you can stay focused during your workouts, plus potassium for heart health.

Kiss My Keto features BHBs that increase your ketone levels. BHBs improve your metabolism, help you burn fat, and reduce brain fog.

PROS
  • Burns fat
  • Improved performance while on a keto Diet
  • Kickstarts ketosis (I’ve had my clients use test strips, and it works!!)
  • More endurance
  • More focus
  • Sustained energy
  • Easy to mix
  • Fits your keto meal plans
  • No artificial preservatives, additives, colors, flavors, or GMOs
  • BPA-free packaging
CONS
  • No MCTs

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3. Cellucor C4

c4 Original

Cellucor C4 Keto Preworkout Drink is a low-carb supplement with great ingredients.

I recommend this product to people who:

  • Like caffeine. I read a study on how caffeine actually boosts workout performance.
  • Will engage in at least medium-difficulty cardio. This product contains some carbs, so you need to burn them asap.
  • Don’t mind the effects of B6. While B6 boosts your heart health, helps your muscles, and decreases anxiety, it can also cause a tickling or prickling sensation in your extremities.

I like Cellucor C4 because it packs a lot of vitamins from the B complex that assists brain health, and help you focus on your workouts. Cellucor C4 also contains a lot of vitamin C for your heart health, immune system, and bone health.

On the downside, I don’t like the red dye that’s potentially dangerous, and neither the fact that there are no studies to prove that alpha-ketoglutarate increases your strength.

Pro tip: If you don’t mind the tingling sensation and want a pre-workout with more clinical-grade ingredients, try Beyond Raw Lit pre-workout.

PROS
  • Increased endurance
  • More energy
  • Mental clarity and improved focus
  • Keto-approved
  • Several flavors
CONS
  • Difficult to mix
  • Some problematic components
  • Vitamin B6 may cause tingling

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4. BPI Sports

BPI Pre Workout

I recommend BPI Sports Keto Pre-workout to people who:

  • Need a huge energy boost
  • Get bored quickly and lose focus during workouts
  • Want to lose weight

I’ve had a client who wanted to get into bodybuilding and lose weight but hated doing the sets and reps I recommended.

After a few rounds of BPI Sports, he started mastering his game. The reason? A great mix of MCT and 7g BHB salts that convert quickly into ketones to raise your energy levels and increase your metabolic rate.

The CDP-choline added to the powder makes you more alert and focused, caffeine gives you more energy, and the neurotransmitter called acetylcholine improved your mood.

The downside is that BPI Sports contains FD&C No. 40 red dye, manufactured from petroleum distillates, which may be toxic.

PROS
  • No carbs and sugar
  • Delicious
  • Improved energy and endurance
  • More focus
  • Accelerated weight loss
  • Good breakfast snack
CONS
  • Contains a potentially toxic dye
  • Contains artificial components
  • Contains potentially allergenic components, aka gluten and dairy
  • Can trigger abdominal discomfort

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5. Sheer Strength Pre Workout Supplement

Sheer Keto

This Pre-workout from Sheer Strength is another great choice for people who want to boost their electrolyte levels and burn more fat with their workouts.

This supplement contains a great mix of calcium, magnesium, and sodium, which will in this order:

  • Make your bones stronger
  • Give you mental clarity and reduce muscle cramps
  • Hydrate you

I also like the inclusion of beta-alanine in its ingredients because it increases your muscle endurance and decreases muscle fatigue, with no jitters.

PROS
  • Ketogenic supplement
  • BHBs for increased energy and fat-burning
  • Electrolytes that keep you stronger and more focused
  • Increased endurance and muscle recovery thanks to beta-alanine
CONS
  • Some people find this supplement too sweet

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Can I Have Pre-Workout on Keto?

I’ve had a client who had a hectic life and no energy for his workouts, although he was on keto. He bought a pre-workout from his local drugstore without any research.

A few sessions in, he was complaining about fatigue, cramps, and headaches. I asked him about it, and he showed me his pre-workout powder. Guess what? It was packed with sugar!

Can I Have Pre Workout On Keto

The sugar inside messed with his keto diet and threw him off of ketosis. Luckily, we remedied that problem with a pre-workout keto-friendly supplement that had the right amount of nutrients.

So the answer is yes, you can have pre-workout supplements on keto IF they have the right ingredients. But more on that is below. First, I’m going to tell you which products I recommend to my clients depending on their goals.

How Does It Taste Like? What Flavors of These 5 Keto Pre-Workouts

Let’s dive in without any further ado because you already know the purpose of each of the products above. But can you stomach them?

Perfect Keto Perform is the one I like best because it doesn’t have an intense flavor. The downside is you can only get it in Lemon.

Kiss My Keto has two flavors: lemon-lime and mixed berry. Mixed berry is the best because it tastes like the actual thing, but the lemon flavor tastes more like medicine.

Flavors of Pre Workouts

BPI Sports Preworkout tastes good and comes in four flavors: Apple Pear, Blue Lemon Ice, Tropical Freeze, and Watermelon Ice. I like the Tropical Freeze flavor the best. Apple Pear and Watermelon taste too sweet for me.

Cellucor C4 Pre-workout is also ok. I prefer the Wild Fruit Blast, but you can also try Cherry Limeade, Frozen Bombsicle, Fruit Punch, Green Apple, Icy Blue Razz, Juicy Candy, Orange Burst, Pink Lemonade, Strawberry Margarita, Tart Candy, and Watermelon.

Sheer Strength comes in Watermelon flavor. Some people think it’s delicious, while others, like me, find it too sweet.

Main Ingredients

Each product has different ingredients. The key is to get a supplement that fits your specific needs.

Here’s what I teach my clients to do.

Read the nutritional info first. You need:

  • Low carbs
  • Low calories
  • Some optional healthy fats for increased energy
  • Vitamins and minerals for your main needs: vitamin C for iron absorption, vitamin B, and Magnesium for clean mental energy and focus, Calcium for stronger bones, and Sodium for increased hydration.

Main Ingredients of Keto Pre-Workouts

Read the list of ingredients now. You (may) need:

  • Limited artificial ingredients. I prefer Perfect Keto Perform because it’s the cleanest from the bunch
  • Caffeine for big energy boosts and improved workout performance or a caffeine-free replacement for clean energy
  • MCTs to keep you full and increase your metabolism
  • BHBs to increase your ketone levels for energy
  • BCAA to increase your muscle mass (good for bodybuilding).
  • Beta-alanine and/or L-citrulline to decrease muscle fatigue and improve muscle endurance.
  • CDP-choline for increased focus and alertness

Any Possible Side Effects

They aren’t dangerous, but from my experience, you can go through these side effects:

  • Keto flu-like symptoms if you’re new to keto and your powder packs a lot of MCTs and BHBs
  • Digestive issues like cramping and bloating caused by a lot of vitamin C or too much protein
  • Tingling in your extremities caused by vitamin B6
  • Nervousness and agitation caused by caffeine (if you can’t drink it) or vitamins from the B-complex

If you read the descriptions above, you can see that I outline these side effects and that I recommend different products to different people.

How To Make Homemade Keto Pre-Workout Drinks?

There are plenty of drink recipes online. These homemade shakes and smoothies have an important advantage: you know all the components!

How To Make keto Pre Workout Drinks

Here’s my recipe for a preworkout smoothie:

  • I brew a cup of black, strong coffee.
  • I add a serving of MCT Oil from Perfect Keto.
  • I add a serving of Perfect Keto Protein Powder.
  • I add some creatine and a pinch of Himalayan salt.
  • I blend them into a mixer, and the smoothie is done.

If you want a completely homemade preworkout shake with no pre-bought supplements, it’s more difficult. You still need some keto friendly protein powder for the job, but you can replace the MCT oil with coconut oil or keto-friendly whipped cream and the black coffee with some green tea.

You can also add some keto-approved components to sweeten your drink, such as Stevia or Monk fruit.

Is it Better to Eat Before or After a Workout on Keto?

Is it better to eat before or after a workout on keto? In the past, there wasn’t a good answer. But now that there are more options and benefits, the consensus is that it’s best to eat before your workout.

The keto diet works by forcing the body to burn fat, but it can’t operate at its peak efficiency if it isn’t fueled. It requires carbohydrates, which can be the cause of muscle cramps, particularly in a sluggish morning like this one. It is best to eat a meal or a snack that gives the body just enough carbohydrates to fuel ketones before your workout.

It’s best to eat a meal or a snack that gives the body just enough carbohydrates to fuel ketones before your workout. source Marjan Apostolovic/Getty Go low on carbohydrates before your workout and increase them right before you exercise. Any food with low or no carbs before your workout should give you fuel for your exercise. However, avoid foods high in protein or fiber as those will cause problems. “This combination can cause your body to break down muscle, especially if you’re in a high-rep or high-intensity workout,” Malchow said.

Don’t eat carbs after your workout either. It’s not safe to have a large meal that feeds the muscles you just worked out. Not only will you start to deplete glycogen stores in your body, but you’ll also burn fat at a much slower rate.

The carbohydrate-to-fat ratio will be off-kilter, and you may not be able to sustain your fasted state as well as if you just ate a meal before you exercised. “My clients are so excited to come to me because now they get to fuel their workouts in a ketogenic manner,” says Malchow. “They love feeling the energy they get from all of the right nutrients.”

Customer Reviews & Results

We’ve come to the great part. If you want to read about people’s reviews about the products above, you can always check Reddit or Amazon.

Now let me tell you about the results I’ve had with my clients.

Jim. Jim is your regular keto diet follower. He likes to work out in the mornings, but he has little time for breakfast. I recommended Perfect Keto Perform, and he saw a significant energy boost from the start. He uses Perform as a breakfast replacement, and he likes his post-workout pump. Jim is now fitter, and he even gave up his second cup of Joe.

Customer Reports & Reviews

Amelia. She’s new to working out, and she can’t do too much cardio because of bad knees, so we’re focusing on strength training for now. Amelia wanted to lose weight to reduce the pressure on her joints, but she wasn’t losing fast enough. She lost a few pounds after our first sessions, but she wasn’t pushing hard enough because she found strength training boring.

I started her on BPI Preworkout, and she immediately became more focused and pushed herself even more. As such, Amelia lost 15 pounds in her first month,

Chris. Chris has started his day with a morning jog since he was in high school. Now, after the birth of his second son and a more pressing job, he has less energy to go for a run at 6 am. I recommended Cellucor C4, and he immediately got back on track. He has more energy for the whole day, and we work out together two to three times per week.

Where To Buy Low-Carb Pre-Workout Supplements

You can find some good keto snacks on Amazon, Walmart, and GNC, and you can also check the official websites for the products I’ve told you about.

Make sure you choose a clean product, though.

GNC & Amazon

I prefer Perfect Keto because it has all the components I need for muscle mass and energy, with zero carbs. You can get this supplement from Amazon, but I have an exclusive 15% discount if you get this product from the manufacturer’s website.

Perfect Keto offers occasional discounts and coupons too, plus you can bet they’ll ship you a clean, undamaged product quickly. Bonus: they have stellar customer service if you have extra questions.

Does Exercise Speed Up Weight Loss in Ketosis?

Exercise keeps you feeling energetic. You’ll be more motivated to work out, even when you’re full of ketones. But does exercise speed up weight loss when you’re in a state of ketosis? In short: yes, but it depends on how much you’re exercising. Here’s a hypothetical example: You’re in a ketosis state because you’re consistently eating lots of fat. A standard ketosis routine would look like this: Exercise: 30-60 minutes, 5 times a week.

Snacks: 1-3 portions of avocado. If you eat lots of fat during the day, you’ll burn a lot of calories before you can get to the 30-60 minutes of exercise. If you’re exercising right away after eating, you can get a “prime mover” effect. However, if you’re exercising slowly, it’ll take you a few hours to burn through a big meal, and the extra time is not worth it. This example assumes that you can eat as much as you want, whenever you want, so you have a huge food budget and will never get hungry. The Exercise Equation It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. You have to exercise in a way that burns the fat off.

Is Keto Bad for Muscle Growth?

As you can see from the Keto diet plan in the image above, they suggest fat loss (loss of fat and weight), increased lean body mass, and calorie restriction. No-carb (Keto Inverse) diets on the other hand work the same way as the standard “ketogenic” diet, but their body composition is more tailored towards muscle growth. What are the benefits of Keto Inverse diets? Since the typical “ketogenic” and “inverse” diets have different requirements for protein and fat, the two eating patterns will not produce the same results in the weight loss category. The ratio of fat to protein should not be as high as 80/20 to prevent nutrient deficiencies. In addition, the other macronutrients should be distributed more evenly between carbs and protein.

So, just like the standard “ketogenic” diet, the high-fat diet increases protein intake and decreases fat. The opposite also applies to Keto Inverse, however, it only has one rule – carbohydrate intake must be limited to 40 g per day. The Benefits of Keto Inverse. The benefits of the Keto Inverse diet are mainly that it allows you to eat “cleaner” and you avoid the worst sources of carbohydrates and carbs. Even though carbohydrates are removed from the diet, Keto Inverse still requires a certain amount of carbs to maintain muscle growth.

Can I Eat Carbs Before Workout on Keto?

That depends, and here’s the thing: Sticking to this daily habit does not come without a cost. “Your body isn’t going to know how to process those [carb] calories if you’re not processing them [for] the proper calories,” explains celebrity nutritionist Erika Ettin, founder of New York-based The Clean Life. In short: “It’s a tough balance for sure, especially for those keto dieters who feel a bit deprived.”

But, she adds, “it’s always good to consult with a medical professional before going on a new diet, especially if you’re having any signs of metabolic syndrome, an illness that can damage organs, blood vessels, and the heart.” That said, the range of possibilities when it comes to carb intake on the keto diet is wide and varies from person to person. Some folks take a fairly narrow view of it. Others are going all in and eschewing all of the carbohydrates they’re not taking in.

Do Pre Workouts Have Carbs?

Duh. As the name suggests, a pre-workout serves as a pre-workout, so it contains carbohydrates to help you get those pecs or arms looking the way you want. However, it’s important to understand the difference between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ carbohydrates, as there is no such thing as a ‘healthy’ carbohydrate. Most of them come in the form of processed grains, which are high in carbs and low in fiber. So, while these are okay, it’s advisable to stick to a low-carb diet to help you cut down on your appetite and get leaner.

A study done by the University of Mississippi in 2010 revealed that having a high-carb diet could lead to a significant loss of lean muscle. Also, while pre-workouts offer a pre-workout boost of carbs, a small portion of carbohydrates is an extremely low amount. If you’re wondering whether you’re burning more than enough calories with a pre workout.

Is Using Keto Pre-Workout Supplements Safe?

They’re incredibly popular – especially for those who are athletes. But they’re not regulated. In fact, the only protection a person has is to be aware of how much they’re consuming. So we put our expert nutritionist’s advice to the test. We tried out the Yorsky keto pre-workout supplement to see if it was safe to use. And, to be fair, the supplement wasn’t the worst we’ve tried. The Yorsky keto pre-workout supplement contains 130mg of caffeine and 0.5g of L-carnitine per capsule. L-carnitine is an amino acid that’s not easily produced by the body, so supplements are often used as a source of the compound.

And, as a bonus, they also come with 20% of the recommended daily intake of folic acid, which promotes healthy vision, according to the NHS. While there’s no doubt that you’re taking in plenty of energy (the supplement claims a 30% energy boost), is it safe to use pre-workout supplements if you’re trying to lose weight? Our expert says: Some athletes who use the Yorsky keto pre-workout supplement claim it gives them an energy boost, but I would suggest you try products with a high percentage of carbohydrates (like the Advanced Greens, Zana).’ It’s worth noting that the ‘before exercise’ version of the supplement also contains hydroxycitric acid – which can be helpful for blood sugar and ketosis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Keto Energy a Pre-Workout?

Pre-workout supplements are formulated to provide an energy boost, enhance focus, and improve endurance during physical activities.

Keto Energy pre-workout supplements typically contain ingredients that align with the macronutrient ratios of the ketogenic diet, which is high in fats, moderate in protein, and low in carbohydrates. These supplements may include exogenous ketones, medium-chain triglycerides (MCT oil), caffeine, and other performance-enhancing compounds.

Exogenous ketones, often in the form of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), are included in these products to potentially elevate blood ketone levels and provide an alternative energy source for the body during workouts. MCT oil can also offer a readily available source of energy for keto-adapted individuals.

Caffeine is a common ingredient in pre-workout supplements, including Keto Energy products, as it can increase alertness, focus, and performance during exercise. However, the specific formulation and ingredients of Keto Energy pre-workout supplements can vary among brands and products.

As with any supplement, it is crucial to consider individual health needs and consult with a qualified healthcare professional before using Keto Energy or any pre-workout supplement. While some people may find these products beneficial for their exercise routine on a ketogenic diet, others may not require such supplements and can achieve their fitness goals through proper nutrition and hydration. Moreover, personalized nutrition and exercise plans remain essential for optimizing workout performance and overall well-being.

Is Keto Safe With Gym?

The combination of a ketogenic diet and regular gym workouts can be safe and effective for some individuals, but it is essential to consider individual factors and potential risks. The keto is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that aims to induce ketosis, a metabolic state where the body primarily uses fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates.

When paired with a well-designed exercise routine, this diet may offer certain advantages. For example, the body’s reliance on fat as an energy source during ketosis can be beneficial for endurance activities and prolonged workouts. Moreover, this may promote weight loss and body composition improvements, which can complement fitness goals.

However, it’s crucial to recognize that this is not suitable for everyone. Certain individuals, such as athletes engaging in high-intensity training or those with specific medical conditions, may not perform optimally on a low-carbohydrate diet. Carbohydrates are a primary source of quick energy for intense workouts, and some athletes may find their performance hindered without sufficient carb intake.

For individuals interested in combining keto with gym workouts, proper nutrient timing, hydration, and monitoring are crucial. Adequate protein intake is essential for muscle maintenance and repair, while electrolyte balance must be maintained, especially during the initial stages of ketosis, to prevent potential side effects.

It is advisable to seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional or a registered dietitian to create an individualized plan that aligns with specific health goals and needs. Proper education on the diet, attention to overall nutritional adequacy, and regular monitoring of health markers can ensure a safe and effective approach to combining keto with gym workouts for those who choose to pursue it. As with any significant dietary change, individual responses may vary, and it is essential to prioritize long-term health and well-being.

Is Bucked Up Keto Friendly?

Bucked Up, a popular brand in the fitness and supplement industry, offers a range of products designed to support various dietary preferences, including those following a ketogenic diet. To determine the keto-friendliness of Bucked Up products, it’s essential to scrutinize their ingredients and nutritional profiles.

In general, a ketogenic diet emphasizes high fat intake, moderate protein consumption, and minimal carbohydrates to induce a state of ketosis, where the body burns fat for fuel. Examining Bucked Up products reveals that many of their supplements align with these principles. Their formulations often incorporate healthy fats, such as MCT oil, which is rich in medium-chain triglycerides, a type of fat that can be readily converted into ketones.

Moreover, Bucked Up products typically contain low to negligible amounts of carbohydrates, a critical consideration for those on a ketogenic regimen aiming to minimize blood sugar spikes. The carbohydrate content is a crucial factor, as even small amounts can disrupt ketosis.

Additionally, Bucked Up’s commitment to transparency is evident in their detailed product labels. These labels provide information on the precise amounts of ingredients, enabling consumers to make informed choices based on their dietary preferences and restrictions.

However, individual responses to specific ingredients may vary, and it’s advisable for individuals on a ketogenic diet to monitor their ketone levels and assess how their bodies react to Bucked Up products. Factors such as metabolism, activity level, and overall diet can influence the success of maintaining ketosis while incorporating these supplements.

In conclusion, many Bucked Up products can be considered keto-friendly due to their composition, emphasizing fats and minimizing carbohydrates. Nevertheless, consumers should always scrutinize product labels, consider individual responses, and monitor their dietary goals to ensure optimal alignment with a ketogenic lifestyle.

Conclusion. Which Keto Pre Workout is the Best?

All the products I told you about before are good for different purposes.

  • Kiss My Keto will kickstart ketosis immediately and give you a morning energy boost.
  • Cellucor C4 Preworkout is great for people who are into cardio.
  • BPI Sports works for people who lose focus quickly and want to lose weight.
  • Sheer Strength Preworkout is best for people who want to gain muscle mass.

But Perfect Keto Perform is the best because you can use it for everything. Its components work together to support the purpose of this drink: to increase your workout endurance.

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Perform uses clean ingredients; it’s tasty and easy to mix. This supplement will increase your endurance and mental alertness; it will help you with fat burning and build stronger muscles.

Most of my clients tried it, and they’re now fitter and healthier.

What are you waiting for? I have a 15% exclusive discount if you click below!