If you were to think back to the very first protein that you ever tried then Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey probably came to mind. The name behind the most popular whey protein in the world is also the name behind an extensive range of superior nutritional supplements.
Optimum Nutrition have long held their ranks as being one of the biggest and top supplement companies in the world. Their Gold Standard range started with their 100% Whey Protein and has since grown to become a family of products that are tried and proven by athletes, coaches and trainers right across the globe.
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre Workout is one member of the family that has set a name for itself amongst the ever-growing pre workout world. It’s not as easy to get noticed these days with the plethora of products and brands out there, but in the case of Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre Workout it’s plain and simple. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre Workout is “no noise, just proven ingredients”.
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre Workout Review
As a company, Optimum Nutrition have long been recognised for their advanced formulas that are built around “sought-after ingredients that are evidence based”. Their products are the result of cutting-edge research and development that has forever made them far superior than their competitors. As one of the trusted brands in sports nutrition, Gold Standard Pre Workout does not disappoint.
In terms of the formula, Optimum Nutrition have gone for quality over quantity. With a relatively small list of ingredients, Optimum Nutrition have opted for generous doses of the heavy hitting ingredients over smaller quantities of ingredients that when listed, seem to read like an encyclopaedia.
Gold Standard Pre Workout Breakdown
The Muscle Matrix, Performance Composite and the Energy and Focus Complex are the three blends that make up this unbeatable formula to deliver unleashed energy, focus, performance and endurance.
Creatine Monohydrate is the main feature of the Muscle Matrix. And with Optimum Nutrition going for nothing other than extreme quality, they have chosen Creapure® Creatine Monohydrate in their formula. Creapure® is the provider of the world’s most purest form of Creatine Monohydrate and serves this formula well. With the addition of AstraGin® the absorption rate of the nutrients is enhanced to take your training session to the next level and achieve those gains that you are after.
Optimum Nutrition Pre Performance
The Performance Composite contains L-Citrulline Malate and CarnoSyn® Beta Alanine which work cohesively together to assist your body to train harder, enhance performance and increase muscle mass.
L-Citrulline Malate promotes muscle protein synthesis and is one of the non-essential amino acids that promotes the release of nitric oxide, leading the way for improvements in strength and optimising recovery.
When it comes to endurance CarnoSyn® Beta-Alanine is your friend. Beta-alanine is a non-essential amino acid and acts as a lactic acid buffer to delay the onset of fatigue. It does this by promoting the synthesis of carnosine levels in the body. Mitigating the effects of fatigue and the loss of strength and power all aid in enhancing overall performance.
Optimum Nutrition leave no stone unturned in terms of their formula. The Energy and Focus Complex is comprised of Acetyl-L-Carnitine HCL, N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine, Caffeine and Citrus Bioflavonoids, four very noteworthy ingredients in scientifically backed doses. All are natural ingredients that deliver intense alertness, energy and sharp focus.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine HCL is a stimulant-free ingredient and pairs perfectly with caffeine to help the body transport fatty acid into the mitochondria of cells to then be able to use fat as fuel. In terms of focus N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine which is the water soluble derivative of L-tyrosine is highly beneficial for mental alertness and enhanced cognition.
Optimum Nutrition Pre Workout Banned Substance Tested
Now Optimum Nutrition do take pride in their products on being safe for sport and certified free of any banned substances. Although there is a fairly moderate dose of caffeine in the formula, Optimum Nutrition have kept the concept simple and have chosen 175mg of caffeine over copious amount of other stimulants. As far as performance enhancing goes, well caffeine certainly does the trick and in this case does the job well minus the crash that some other pre workouts can give you.
With the addition of the vitamin blend, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre Workout is a very simple yet comprehensive formula that delivers just what you need to optimise overall performance and get those true gains that you are chasing.
Key Benefits
- Muscle Matrix – Features Creapure® Creatine Monohydrate and AstraGin® for peak strength and muscular performance.
- Performance Composite – L-Citrulline Malate has been included due to it being a superior nitric oxide booster and Beta-Alanine (as CarnoSyn®) which supports enhanced endurance.
- Energy and Focus Complex – With powerhouse ingredients such as Acetyl-L-Carnitine HCL, N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine and Caffeine to deliver extreme energy and focus.
- Contains a moderate dose of caffeine (175mg).
- Certified free from banned substances making it safe for sport.
- Contains only proven ingredients.
- Comes in 5 delicious flavours.
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre Workout Key Ingredients:
Acetyl L-Carnitine
L-Carnitine is a naturally occurring amino acid that aids in the production of energy from long-chain fatty acids. Acetyl L-Carnitine can be used to enhance mitochondrial and cognitive function. As the mitochondria are the “powerhouse” of cells, Acetyl L-Carnitine helps to create more energy and burn more fat.
N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid and is the acetylated form of Tyrosine. N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine is involved in the synthesis of proteins and has the ability to improve mental performance.
Creapure® – Creatine Monohydrate
Creapure® is widely known to be the most purest and finest quality creatine monohydrate available on the market today. Creatine monohydrate is well known for it’s ability to enhance muscle protein synthesis and endurance and aid in recovery.
L-Citrulline Malate
L-Citrulline Malate is an amino acid which is produced from the metabolism of glutamine and arginine. It reaches the kidneys where it is converted into arginine and nitric oxide. Citrulline is often added to pre-workout supplements to increase the levels of arginine in the body.
CarnoSyn® – Beta Alanine
Beta Alanine is a non-essential amino acid that is produced naturally in the liver. CarnoSyn® is the patented form of Beta Alanine. Supplementing with Beta Alanine increases the levels of carnosine in the body. Higher levels of carnosine allow for a greater capacity to buffer hydrogen ions. This happens when lactic acid levels increase during intense bouts of exercise and enhancing overall performance.
Each Serving Of Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre Workout Contains –
- Vitamin D
- Thiamin
- Niacin
- Vitamin B6
- Folate
- Vitamin B 12
- Pantothenic Acid
- Calcium
- Sodium
Muscle Matrix
- Creatine Monohydrate – Creapure®
- AstraGin Proprietary blend
Performance Composite
- L-Citrulline Malate
- Beta-Alanine (as CarnoSyn®)
Energy and Focus Complex
- Acetyl-L-Carnitine HCL
- N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine
- Caffeine
- Citrus Bioflavonoids
Our Top Selling Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre Workout Flavours
It’s not only their advanced formulas that Optimum Nutrition are famous for, their flavour profiles also have a reputation for being superior or dare we say “Gold Standard”. Optimum Nutrition seemed to have covered all tastes when they designed their pre workout. With 5 delicious flavours to choose from you will ideally want to try them all.
If you tend to deliberate over flavours, well we’ve gone ahead however and ranked them for you. So if you’re a newbie to the Optimum Nutrition scene or looking for your next favourite pre workout you will be able to know what flavour to reach for first.
#6 Fruit Punch
Golden Circle Fruit Punch is the unmistakably sweet tasting fruit juice that we all adored as kids. Well you can be like a kid again and have delicious Fruit Punch flavour but with a slight hint of cherry as your pre workout supplement flavour of choice. A distinctive combination of fruit flavours and cherry that seem to marry together just perfectly, Fruit Punch is delicious and moreish and will undoubtedly be a flavour that you go back to time and time again.
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#5 Pineapple
Fresh and vibrant, Pineapple is an all-time classic that never seems to fade away into the shadows. Pineapple is just one of those fruits that reminds you of all things tropical and in the case of Optimum nutrition, well they capture this flavour perfectly.
Reminiscent of a ripe pineapple, this flavour is perfectly sweet with that tiny hint of tang to balance the flavour profile just flawlessly. If you are looking for a simple flavour that is refreshing and delicious then Pineapple flavour is for you.
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at the checkout to get 10% off Optimum Nutrition Pre Workout!
#4 Green Apple
If you love apple juice then you will certainly love Green Apple flavour. Optimum Nutrition seem to be masters of their craft in more ways than one. Well the flavours have to be Gold Standard right? Green Apple is delicious, sweet and moreish. Not over the top sweet, but just the right amount of sweetness that it’s a welcome pre-workout drink to push your training to the next level.
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at the checkout to get 10% off Optimum Nutrition Pre Workout!
#3 Strawberry Lime
Some may find strawberry flavour on it’s own to be too sweet. Strawberry and lime however, well that’s all things sweet, a tiny bit tar and refreshing. If reaching for something overly sweet is not for you right before a workout, then Strawberry Lime will be a welcome choice that will have you well on your way to being at the top of your game.
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at the checkout to get 10% off Optimum Nutrition Pre Workout!
#2 Watermelon
Sweet, yet relatively subtle, Watermelon flavour is reminiscent of watermelon candy. If you favour the simple, single flavour profiles then Watermelon may just be your next go-to. Satisfying for the taste buds and easy to drink, Optimum Nutrition have done very well with this all-time classic.
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at the checkout to get 10% off Optimum Nutrition Pre Workout!
#1 Blueberry Lemonade
Taking the top spot is Blueberry Lemonade. This subtle twist on the classic lemonade flavour seems to give it a new lease of life. Blueberry Lemonade is deliciously sweet and enjoyable and will have you remembering back to the fun times as a kid when drinking ice-cold blue Slushies was the norm. Fun and flavoursome, Blueberry Lemonade is a flavour that Optimum Nutrition have absolutely nailed.
Get Optimum Nutrition Pre Workout Blueberry Lemonade!Use code GSPBLOG
at the checkout to get 10% off Optimum Nutrition Pre Workout!
Directions of Use
Mix 1 scoop of pre-workout with 250-300mls of old water, 15-30 minutes prior to physical training for the best results and amazing energy. If you prefer the feeling of an emptier stomach when training, use slightly less fluid but keep in mind that the flavour will likely taste stronger because of this.
If the flavour is too strong, more fluid can be used but this will weaken the taste of the pre-workout. This product is commonly used alongside Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey and Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard BCAA.
FAQ’s
What makes Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre Workout so popular?
Optimum Nutrition are committed to quality and believe in the old adage that you get “out what you put in”. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre Workout has been designed with scientifically backed banned substance free ingredients and caffeine from only natural sources to deliver unleashed energy, mental alertness and focus so that you can perform at your best.
Does Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre Workout contain caffeine?
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre Workout contains 175mg of caffeine per scoop. Up to 400mg of caffeine per day is considered to be safe in most healthy adults. The product will certainly deliver the energy and focus that you require to crush your final reps and next set.
For those who decide to double scoop it is best to use only once per day. Individuals who are sensitive to caffeine should check with their health professional prior to taking the supplement.
If your are a first time user it is best to start will less than the recommended serve to assess tolerance to the product.
Can I take Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre Workout if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
Because of its caffeine content we recommend that pregnant or breastfeeding women do not take this supplement. While the caffeine level in Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre Workout is fairly moderate, it is always good to err on the side of caution if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Pregnant women or those who have specific medical concerns should always consult with their trusted GP to see if they will allow use under medical supervision.
Final Thoughts
As far as pre workouts go, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre Workout really is at the top of it’s game. With a scientifically backed formula that is jam packed with top quality ingredients, Optimum Nutrition really have done very well to add another stand-out product to their Gold Standard family.
Whether you are new to using pre workouts or a long-time fan, this is a great product made by arguably the world’s most trusted brand.
As far as the flavours are concern, well “Gold Standard” covers the formula and the flavours. With six delicious flavours to choose from and a formula that is top class you really will have everything you need in one tub to raise the bar on your workouts.