Let me introduce myself if you are new here. My name is Sarah Bowmar and my husband, Josh, and I are sole owners of our supplement company- Bowmar Nutrition. It is our mission to set the bar when it comes to transparency, consumer education, and product breakdown in the supplement industry. I feel there is a huge misunderstanding of PREworkout and its benefits! We offer two types of PRE: stimulant (contains caffeine and niacin- some experts consider niacin a stimulant) and a stimulant-free version!
To check out the PRE flavors we offer in each stim and stim-free base, click here
Breakdown of PRE
Caffeine is 1 of 18 ingredients in our stimulant-based PRE, yet the majority of the consumers who use PREworkout assume they are only taking it because of the energy it gives them. In reality, it’s only 5% of the formula and there is 125mg of caffeine in one 21.5g scoop (which converts to 21,500mg). As you can see, the other remaining 17 ingredients and 95% of the formula are what make PRE amazing!
When it comes to the stimulant free PRE, there are several fewer ingredients as we do not need to add in vitamins. For example, caffeine can deplete vitamins such as B6 so our stimulant (caffeine) based version has vitamin B6 in it along with several other vitamins that can be depleted when caffeine is introduced into the system. Our stim-free PRE has 10 incredible ingredients that I am going to break down for you to hopefully educate you on the benefits that a high-quality PRE has to offer!
There are also several other benefits to consuming a caffeine-free PRE such as for those who are caffeine / stimulant sensitive, those who work out at night, or those who want to consume their caffeine elsewhere during the day and not in their PRE. Whatever the case may be- I truly hope this blog provides a crystal clear understanding of why Bowmar Nutrition PRE is the best on the market. We also have samples of all of our PRE flavors in our stimulant and non stimulated based if you want to try them before committing to a tub! Find the samples here!
Ingredients
Potassium- an important mineral in the body, arguably one of the most important. In PRE, it regulates blood pressure levels, maintains nerve function, and controls fluid balance. It also helps support muscle health and muscle contractions.
L-Citrulline- a non essential amino acid that may increase blood flow (the pump) by increasing nitric oxide production. It can also produce positive muscle effects by decrease amino acid breakdown and stimulant protein synthesis. An increase in blood flow to the muscle can also result in strength increases during the lift as more blood in the muscle also means there are more nutrients in the muscle as well. This can also help with recovery and prevent injury when lifting with proper form.
Taurine- a conditionally essential amino acid that increases endurance performance, workload, and can reduce overall muscle soreness. There are also recent studies that prove it prevents muscle damage and protein catabolism while decreasing oxidative stress produced by exercise. Study can be found here
Betaine Anhydrous- a naturally occurring chemical in the body that improves hydration, stimulates water-based pumps (ie: shuttles water to your muscles), improves strength and powder, and, like l-citrulline, supports protein synthesis. As a side note, protein synthesis is a process in which our cells make protein.
L-Tyrosine- this ingredient may be familiar to many of you that use our MELT fat burner- that in-depth blog can be found here. It is an amino acid that has many incredible benefits. In the context of PRE workout, especially in a non-stimulant PRE, it helps with focus and reduces fatigue.
Acetyl L-Carnitine HCL- made from L-carnitine, this ingredient helps the body naturally produce more energy!
Green Tea Leaf Extract- caffeine is removed during the extraction process of our green tea leaf ingredient. During the process, tea leaves are soaked in water to release caffeine and other tea compounds. There is a relatively new study that looks directly at decaffeinated green tea leaf extract and the overwhelming results of its benefits of increased energy output during exercise. Full study can be found here
KSM-66 Ashwaganda Root Extract- this is another ingredient found in MELT and detailed in the blog listed above. In short- this ingredient helps decrease stress (cortisol) and increase testosterone in those who are active and weight train. Two additional studies can be found here and here
Citrapeak- probably my favorite ingredient in our PRE (this is both our stimulant and non stimulant based)! This ingredient is a derivative of citrus and has multiple studies that prove it’s effectiveness in increasing blood flow and the nitric oxide pump. The full studies can be found here
Citrus Bioflavonoids- another citrus derivative that has been proven in many third-party studies and trials to increase blood flow (again, more blood flow to the muscle being worked = stronger output, less fatigue, more nutrients, fewer injuries, and better recovery).
Please note, it is most beneficial to consume PRE 15-20 minutes prior to your lifting session. As you can see from the above, these ingredients are geared towards weight lifting. We do not recommend PRE before a cardio-only gym session as many of the ingredients will simply go to waste. And this is coming from the owner of a company who could sell you this product and tell you to take it before cardio and sell twice a much product- but we aren’t about that over at Bowmar Nutrition!
As you can see from the above breakdown, caffeine plays a SMALL role in the overall benefits and intent of a good PRE formula. I personally prefer the non-stimulant base we offer over the stimulant base and I know thousands of our customers do as well! Please leave a comment if this blog helped!
I purchased this product and super excited to try it. I’ve never ever tried preworkouts and I can’t consume caffeine much.
I read not to take it for cardio what would you recommend I typically do 30 min cardio then hit weights. Can I consume it 15 min into my cardio to get I kick in in time for weights or complete the cardio drink it wait 15 min then lift weights? Not a cardio fan after lifting. What’s your recommendation and thank you for the break down. Newbie learning a lot from you 🙂
SUPER helpful and just reinforces my decision to take stim-free pre! Love the flavors you have and hoping you continue to come out with more. Thank you for breaking down the ingredients!
Just curious , would non stim pre be considered the same thing as “pump” that is sold. I know many pumps include glycerin, which is not water soluble and makes me feel like I’m drinking wet powder. Thanks!
Thank for this straight forward blog. I can learn what I need and go on. I had no idea that stim free was so good for you and could help so much!
Thank you for making this! I was literally thinking the other day that I wanted to know what the big difference between the students and non stim was before I went and bought some. Now I am pretty sure that the non stim will do exactly what I need it to without all the caffeine ! I workout at night so this could be a game changer for my workouts and my sleep… ?
Loved this blog! Personally I never understood stim free preworkouts, I thought what’s the point. But after reading this I’m excited to implement nonstim to enjoy my caffeine elsewhere!
I loved this blog and I can not wait for my stim free PRE to get here!! I had used C4 at one point and I started noticing my body literally breaking down. My organs were really taking a hit so I had to stop working out for a while. I haven’t had any issues with the Bowmar PRE but I do get my workouts in, in the evening so I am SO excited to try the stim free!!
I love non-stim PRE before my CrossFit classes. I drink it during our warmup and am ready to go for our strength/skill and WOD.
Can you take non-stimulant if you are pregnant
Is it the L-Citrulline that would make my skin feel hot and my face itchy? I tried a different Pre and within 5 mins of starting to drink it that’s what happened to me.
This is a broad comment because out of all the “pumps” I’ve tried, I am so glad I found y’all’s products,
Additionally, having the owners go into full depth of the products’ ingredients and what they do is what makes y’all stand out.
Thank you,
Bowmar Nutrition, for coming into my fitness world and giving me the benefits I have been looking for! ????️♀️
This blog definetly helped! I am very happy I ordered my first stim free tub! Thanks for the information
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this, it is so incredibly informative. I have been an avid Bowmar consumer and I appreciate your transparency and willingness to inform us of how amazing your products are.
I have been using Pre before doing my cardio but I see that isn’t the best item. Any suggestions on what to take before riding my exercise bike?
Thanks so much for spelling all this out ? I’ve always felt like preworkout was all marketing/unhealthy and unnecessary, but when I saw your brand make one I knew there had to be more to it ?
Hey Sarah – thank you for taking the time to explain the ingredients in such great detail. I was wondering, since you don’t really recommend taking it if you’re doing just cardio (or running 4-5 miles for that matter) would you say SHARP would be the best “pre-workout” to consume?
Thank you for the information! I always wondered what the difference was. I usually workout early evening after work and also stimulants always make me itchy so I’m hoping to use non-stim when I’m done nursing. I really appreciate all the in depth details!