Ever notice how some people bounce into the gym like they're auditioning for a fitness commercial while you're shuffling in like a zombie? Their secret might be sitting in a shaker bottle. Pre-workout supplements have gone from niche bodybuilder territory to mainstream gym staple, and for good reason — they actually work. Mix a scoop with water 20 to 30 minutes before your workout, and suddenly that 6 a.m. training session or post-work gym trip feels achievable instead of exhausting.
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The magic comes from smart ingredient combinations. Caffeine sharpens your focus and makes hard work feel easier, beta-alanine delays that burning fatigue in your muscles and creatine helps you power through those last few reps you'd normally skip. Together, these ingredients create a noticeable boost in energy, endurance and mental drive. You're not imagining it — you genuinely can lift heavier, run longer and push harder when you're properly fueled with the right pre-workout.
In this article: C4 Original Pre-Workout Fruit Punch, C4 Ripped Pre-Workout Powder Cherry Limeade and C4 Extreme Blue Razz
The best part? Pre-workout helps you show up consistently, which matters more than any single intense session. When you know that scoop of powder will transform your sluggish mood into workout-ready energy, you're way more likely to actually get to the gym instead of making excuses. Consistency builds results, and pre-workout removes one of the biggest obstacles to consistency: just not feeling like hitting the gym today.
Cellucor's C4 line is well worth checking out for a lot of reasons: It works, tastes decent and offers options for different experience levels. The Original formula delivers a solid energy boost without going overboard, while the Extreme version caters to hardcore gym-goers who want maximum intensity. You can shop all your options on the list below.
C4 Original Pre-Workout Fruit Punch
The C4 Original is the perfect entry point if you're new to pre-workout or sensitive to caffeine. With 150 milligrams (about the same as a strong cup of coffee), it provides noticeable energy without making you feel jittery. The beta-alanine also provides a mild boost, and creatine supports strength gains over time. Plus, it's sugar-free.
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C4 Ripped Pre-Workout Powder Cherry Limeade
With the same winning formula as the Fruit Punch, this Cherry Limeade flavor will also energize your workout without going overboard. Get 30 servings to last a full month of workouts — great for consistent users who train four to five times a week.
This is the big leagues. The Extreme formula doubles down on everything — 300 milligrams of caffeine for serious energy, higher beta-alanine for maximum endurance support and two types of patented creatine for enhanced strength gains. This version is for experienced pre-workout users who've built up tolerance and need that extra kick, or for people tackling particularly tough training sessions.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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