ESN Crank Pump Pro 2.0

What is ESN's Crank Pump Pro 2.0?

ESN Crank Pump Pro 2.0 is a pre-workout that is caffeine-free and free of any stimulant, developed by the German brand ESN. The daily serving is 30 g, or two scoops — a bulky format explained by the sheer quantity of actives genuinely present.

The formula combines three families. Nitric oxide precursors first, with 10 g of citrulline malate. Cell hydration agents next: HydroPrime® glycerol and coconut water powder. Then a series of supporting actives: L-carnitine L-tartrate, taurine, L-tyrosine, L-glutathione, CitraPeak® glucosyl hesperidin, pine bark extract, AstraGin® and black pepper extract. On top of that come two B vitamins and four quantified minerals, which is unusual in this category.

The flavours on offer: Blue Raspberry, Peach Iced Tea and Tropical Punch. The product joins our caffeine-free booster and ESN France aisles.

What is in a 30 g serving?

The manufacturer publishes neither an energy value, nor a macronutrient breakdown, nor a number of servings per tub: we are flagging that rather than estimating it. Divide the net weight shown on the packaging by 30 to work out the number of servings.

The striking figure is the 10 g of citrulline malate, of which 6.8 g is pure citrulline. That is among the highest dosages on the market: most pre-workouts sit between 1 and 4 g, and few go beyond 6 g of effective citrulline. It also explains the 30 g serving — there is no way of fitting all of that into a 10 g scoop.

The second differentiating point is the minerals. Many so-called “pump” formulas contain none at all; this one delivers 400 mg of sodium, 354 mg of potassium, 120 mg of calcium and 60 mg of magnesium. Those amounts allow the following authorised wordings to be applied: potassium, calcium and magnesium contribute to normal muscle function, magnesium contributes to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue and to normal electrolyte balance, niacin and vitamin B6 contribute to normal energy-yielding metabolism and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. For citrulline, glycerol, carnitine, taurine, tyrosine, glutathione, hesperidin, pine bark and AstraGin®, no claim is authorised in Europe.

How do you prepare Crank Pump Pro 2.0?

Serving: 30 g, or 2 scoops. Liquid: around 500 ml of cold water. Timing: 30 to 45 minutes before your session. Frequency: one serving per training day, without exceeding the recommended daily dose. Duration: the manufacturer imposes neither cycling nor breaks, which is consistent with a stimulant-free formula.

The 500 ml are not a detail. With 30 g of powder, including 10 g of citrulline malate which brings a pronounced acidity, too little dilution gives you a harsh drink that is hard to finish. And the glycerol works by holding water: the volume is part of the formula, not just of the taste.

The complete absence of caffeine changes the way this product is used. You can take it at 20:00 before a late session with no consequences for your night's sleep, which is impossible with any booster in the boosters aisle. That is the main reason we recommend it.

Who is this booster for, and who is it not for?

The product is aimed, in the manufacturer's own terms, at adults engaged in intense physical exercise. Three profiles will find themselves in it: those who train late, those who cannot tolerate stimulants, and those looking for the highest citrulline dosages available.

The restrictions are shorter than on a stimulant product. This is a food supplement with sweeteners intended for adults: do not exceed the recommended daily dose, keep out of the reach of children in a cool, dry place. On allergens, the product may contain traces of MILK, SOYA, GLUTEN and EGG owing to the factory's processes. As with any supplement, ongoing medical treatment warrants the advice of your doctor or pharmacist before use.

What you should not expect from it: energy. That is the most common misunderstanding about this category. With no caffeine, there is no kick, no heightened alertness, no start-of-session euphoria. What you will feel is a sensation of fuller muscles — no more strength, no more motivation. Nor should you expect the 1,000 mg of L-carnitine to have an effect on body composition: no claim authorises it, and the dosage would not allow for it.

Crank Pump Pro 2.0 or citrulline bought on its own?

That is the most honest comparison to make here, because citrulline alone accounts for a third of the weight of the serving.

Buying pure citrulline powder is the better choice if budget is what decides. Per gram, plain citrulline costs markedly less than a formulated complex, and you can adjust your dose to the gram — 6 g, 8 g, whatever you want. You also choose between citrulline malate and pure citrulline, something the formula decides for you here. The downside: it is bitter, you have to weigh it out, and you get neither glycerol, nor minerals, nor the supporting actives.

Crank Pump Pro 2.0 wins on what citrulline on its own does not do. The 1.5 g of glycerol and the four quantified minerals change the drink: it is no longer just a nitric oxide precursor, it is also a hydration drink, which brings it close in some respects to the electrolytes aisle. The formula is flavoured, fully quantified on the label, and ready to use. For anyone who does not want to play chemist every morning, it is the right compromise. Note that taurine and L-arginine are also available as isolated powders if you want to top up separately.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the serving 30 g?

Because the formula really does contain what it says it does. Ten grams of citrulline malate on their own take up a third of the serving; add 2.3 g of glycerol, 1.5 g of carnitine tartrate, the taurine, the tyrosine and the minerals, and you naturally arrive at that volume. A 10 g scoop could not hold them.

How many servings in a tub?

The net weight is not in the data supplied by the manufacturer, so we cannot calculate it. Divide the weight shown on the packaging by 30 g to get the number of servings.

Can you take it in the evening?

Yes, without reservation, and that is its main appeal. The formula contains no caffeine and no other stimulant: taking it at 20:00 before a 20:45 session will have no effect on how you fall asleep.

What is the difference between citrulline malate and pure citrulline?

Citrulline malate pairs citrulline with malic acid. On this label, 10 g of citrulline malate corresponds to 6.8 g of effective citrulline: the rest is malate. It is an essential distinction when comparing two products, and ESN deserves credit for publishing both values, which many brands do not.

Are the minerals enough to replace an electrolyte drink?

For a gym session, the 400 mg of sodium and 354 mg of potassium provide a genuine base. For a long endurance outing or in high heat, a dedicated drink remains more suitable: it also provides carbohydrates, which this formula does not.

Does the product contain allergens?

No allergen is present in the recipe, but the manufacturer flags possible traces of milk, soya, gluten and egg linked to the factory's processes. If you have a severe allergy, take that into account.

Which flavour should you choose?

Peach Iced Tea is the mildest and Blue Raspberry the sharpest. At 30 g in 500 ml, the drink stays pronounced: if the acidity bothers you, go up to 600 ml — it changes nothing about the dosages you swallow.

Where can you buy the ESN Crank Pump Pro 2.0?

The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. ESN is a German brand whose labels we appreciate on one specific point: they detail everything, including the share of effective citrulline within the malate. That is not so common.

If you are passing through Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, ask to compare this label with that of a conventional booster: the gap in citrulline dosage is visible to the naked eye, and it explains the difference in price.