Creatine-Free Pre-Workout

What is 5150 Legendary by 5% Nutrition?

5% Nutrition Rich Piana 5150 Legendary is a powdered pre-workout, created by the brand founded by American bodybuilder Rich Piana. The tub holds 30 servings of 12.5 g. The name refers to the California police code 5150; the brand makes no secret of its intentions, and the formula lives up to them.

What sets this product apart from most others is its multi-source caffeine complex: caffeine anhydrous, dicaffeine malate, green tea extract, yerba mate extract, guarana extract standardised to 22 %, green coffee extract and gotu kola extract. The total exceeds 400 mg per serving. Alongside that, the formula delivers citrulline, beta-alanine, taurine, N-acetyl-L-tyrosine, choline, Cocoabuterol® (a patented cocoa extract), huperzine A and two B vitamins.

The flavours available: Green Apple, Blue Ice, Tropical, Wildberry, Raspberry Mojito and Citrus Mango. The product joins our boosters range, in the most heavily dosed category of all.

What is in a 12.5 g serving?

Unlike many competitors, almost everything here is quantified, and that is the first point in the product's favour. Only the split between the seven caffeine sources stays inside a proprietary blend: you know the total exceeds 400 mg, not how it breaks down. The "of which sugars" line is not declared either.

The 400 mg of caffeine deserve to be faced squarely. EFSA considers that 400 mg spread across the whole day raises no safety concern in healthy adults, and sets 200 mg as the reference for a single intake. One serving of 5150 therefore takes you to your daily ceiling in one go. This is a product for users already accustomed to stimulants, and the manufacturer says so itself.

On everything else, the dosing is serious: 4 g of citrulline and 2.5 g of beta-alanine sit within the ranges genuinely used, where many formulas make do with a pinch just to be able to print it on the label. The 1,000 µg of vitamin B12 represent 40,000 % of the NRV: enormous on paper, with no known risk for this water-soluble vitamin, but with no demonstrated benefit at that level either. The authorised wordings that apply are these: niacin and vitamin B12 contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue and to normal energy-yielding metabolism. For citrulline, beta-alanine, taurine, tyrosine, choline, Cocoabuterol® and huperzine A, no claim is authorised in Europe.

How should 5150 Legendary be dosed?

Serving: 1 scoop of 12.5 g, never more than one a day. Liquid: 200 to 300 ml of cold water. Timing: 20 to 30 minutes before the session, ideally on an empty stomach or at least two hours after the last meal. Frequency: the manufacturer recommends keeping it to 2 or 3 sessions a week, no more. Duration: a 6 to 8 week period, followed by a compulsory 2 to 3 week break.

If you are not used to stimulants, start with half a scoop for the first three sessions. This is not a formality: at 400 mg of caffeine, misjudging your tolerance means shaking, a racing heart rate and a wasted session.

Three further instructions. Do not take it within 6 hours of going to bed. No other source of caffeine or stimulants on the same day — coffee, tea, energy drinks, thermogenic fat burners. And increase your water intake by at least 500 ml on the days you use it: the formula increases sweating.

Save it for the sessions that warrant it — legs, back, training that runs beyond 75 minutes. Used five times a week, it loses its edge within three weeks and you will have no headroom left to go up.

Who is this pre-workout for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed at trained adults who already have a high tolerance to stimulants, for heavy morning or midday sessions. As a first experience of the category, avoid it without hesitation: start at 150 or 200 mg of caffeine.

The restrictions are explicit. Strictly not recommended for under-18s, pregnant or breastfeeding women. Medical advice is mandatory in cases of cardiovascular disorders, high blood pressure, diabetes or anxiety disorders. The possible effects listed by the manufacturer are the tingling associated with beta-alanine, an increased heart rate, sweating and restlessness; stop using it if the discomfort persists. The product is made in a facility that also handles MILK, EGGS, SOYA, NUTS and FISH, and may contain traces of them. Shelf life 24 months in the original packaging.

What you should not expect from it: strength or muscle. A pre-workout acts on alertness, focus and perceived effort. It makes up neither for insufficient sleep nor for food intake that is too low — and at this level of caffeine, using it to mask chronic fatigue is precisely the wrong idea.

5150 Legendary or a caffeine-free booster?

The choice does not come down to the quality of the formulas but to your tolerance and to the time of day you train.

A caffeine-free booster is the better choice in three clear cases. You train after 18:00: 400 mg of caffeine at that hour costs you a night's sleep, and sleep weighs more heavily on progress than any pre-workout. You train four to six times a week: 5150 is designed for 2 to 3 weekly sessions, so you will need a solution for the other days anyway. Or you have anxiety, high blood pressure, palpitations — in which case the question does not even arise.

5150 keeps the advantage on the sessions where you want everything: it combines serious doses of citrulline at 4 g and beta-alanine at 2.5 g with a stimulant load few products reach. Non-stimulant formulas often supply just as much citrulline, sometimes more, but nothing on the nervous side. Plenty of users end up with both tubs in the cupboard, alternating according to the session. If you would rather build your own, taurine and B vitamins are also available separately.

Frequently asked questions

How many servings are in a tub?

Thirty servings of 12.5 g. At the recommended use of 2 or 3 sessions a week, one tub covers roughly ten to fifteen weeks — breaks included, since the manufacturer requires 2 to 3 weeks off every 6 to 8 weeks.

Why seven different caffeine sources?

The sources do not all behave in the same way: caffeine anhydrous is absorbed quickly, dicaffeine malate and the plant extracts more slowly. The idea is to spread the effect across the length of the session rather than produce a single peak. The exact split between the seven is not published by the brand.

Is 400 mg of caffeine dangerous?

In a healthy adult who is used to it, EFSA puts at 400 mg the daily intake that raises no safety concern — but spread across the day, not in a single intake. Here it all arrives at once, which explains the manufacturer's warning and the recommendation to start with half a serving. Anyone affected by the contraindications listed above should abstain.

Should it be taken on an empty stomach?

The manufacturer recommends it, or at least two hours after the last meal. In practice, on an empty stomach the effect arrives faster and harder — which is not always what you want the first time. If you are sensitive, take it on a stomach that is not empty for your first session.

What are Cocoabuterol® and huperzine A?

Cocoabuterol® is a patented extract of cocoa (Theobroma cacao), present at 50 mg. Huperzine A is an alkaloid extracted from Huperzia serrata, dosed at 300 µg. No health claim is authorised in Europe for either of them: we mention them because they appear on the label with a precise dose, which is already better than the average for the category.

Can it be combined with a fat burner?

No. The manufacturer explicitly asks that it not be combined with other sources of caffeine or stimulants, and a thermogenic fat burner typically supplies a further 200 to 400 mg. Stacking them would take you well beyond any safety reference.

Is the 40,000 % NRV of vitamin B12 a problem?

Vitamin B12 is water-soluble and no upper safe limit has been established for it: the excess is excreted. The figure impresses more than it worries. You simply should not read a proportional benefit into it — 1,000 µg do not deliver 400 times more than a normal dose.

Where can you buy 5150 Legendary by 5% Nutrition?

The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. This is a product we do not put in just anyone's hands: the question of stimulant tolerance comes before the question of flavour.

In our shop in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, we often advise starting with half a serving and keeping this tub for two heavy sessions a week — that is the use it was built for. The brand's full range can be found in the 5% Nutrition collection.

What is Raw Nutrition Pre Extreme?

Raw Nutrition Pre Extreme is a pre-workout powder whose serving weighs 12 g and delivers 400 mg of caffeine. Raw Nutrition is an American brand whose formulas are developed with bodybuilder Chris Bumstead; this one is squarely positioned on the stimulation side rather than the pump side.

Six active ingredients make up the formula, all quantified to the milligram: 3.5 g of CarnoSyn® beta-alanine, 2.5 g of citrulline malate, 1.5 g of L-tyrosine, 1.5 g of agmatine sulphate, 1 g of anhydrous betaine and 500 mg of NitroRocket®, a patented rocket extract (Eruca sativa). No proprietary blend.

The flavours on offer: Fruit Burst, Tropical Paradise and Kiwi Blueberry. The formulation is declared GMO-free, aspartame-free and free from artificial colourings. The product joins our pre-workouts and Raw Nutrition sections.

What does a 12 g serving contain?

Everything is quantified, with the exception of the “of which sugars” line. The manufacturer does not publish the net weight of the tub: we cannot state the number of servings, so divide the weight on the packaging by 12 g.

The 400 mg of caffeine in a 12 g scoop represents a rare density: as much as formulas two to three times bulkier. EFSA takes 400 mg as the total daily intake that does not raise safety concerns for a healthy adult, and 200 mg for a single dose. So in one single scoop you are at your ceiling for the day — morning coffee not included.

Two honest remarks about the rest of the formula. The 2.5 g of citrulline malate is a modest dose: this product is not built around the pump, and if that is what you are after, look elsewhere. And the 1 g of betaine stays below the threshold of 1.5 g per day above which European regulation permits the claim on homocysteine metabolism — so we cannot invoke it here. On the other hand, the 3.5 g of CarnoSyn® beta-alanine, a patented raw material, is a serious dose. For citrulline, agmatine, tyrosine and rocket extract, no claim exists in Europe.

How should you dose Pre Extreme?

Serving: 1 scoop of 12 g, without exceeding one per day. Liquid: 250 to 300 ml of cold water. Timing: 30 to 45 minutes before training. Frequency: occasional use, depending on how intense the sessions are. Duration: breaks of 1 to 2 weeks every 8 weeks.

Start with half a scoop if you are not used to heavily dosed formulas. At 400 mg of caffeine in 12 g of powder, misjudging it is costly: shakes, racing heart, session ruined.

The timing instruction is stricter here than on most products: nothing after 14:00 according to the manufacturer, and no consumption within the 6 hours before bedtime. At 400 mg, that is not an excessive precaution. Avoid any other source of caffeine on the same day.

The manufacturer suggests a light carbohydrate-rich snack 60 to 90 minutes before taking it, and increased hydration during the session. Expect tingling from the 3.5 g of beta-alanine: face and extremities, 15 to 30 minutes, harmless.

Who is this pre-workout for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed at experienced adults who are well used to stimulants, for weight training, CrossFit or combat sports sessions scheduled in the morning or early afternoon. It is a high-intensity product, to be kept for the sessions that warrant it.

The restrictions are explicit. High caffeine content: not recommended for children or for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Not advised for people sensitive to stimulants, or with cardiovascular disorders, high blood pressure or anxiety disorders. Consult a healthcare professional before use if you are on any medication. Do not exceed one scoop per day. The product may contain traces of MILK, SOYA and GLUTEN. Keeps for 24 months in the closed original packaging.

What you should not expect from it. First, a marked pump: with 2.5 g of citrulline malate, that is not what the formula is aiming at, and it would be dishonest to let you think otherwise. Then strength or muscle: a pre-workout acts on alertness and on perceived effort. And finally, catching up on sleep — at 400 mg of caffeine, using this product to make up for short nights is the surest way to string together more bad ones.

Pre Extreme or a pump-focused pre-workout?

Both carry the same shelf label but do not do the same job, and the choice comes down to what you are really looking to feel.

A pump-focused pre-workout — the formulas with 6, 8 or 12 g of citrulline — is the better choice in three cases. You train in long sets and you are after that swollen-muscle sensation. You are sensitive to caffeine and you want the vascular effect without the nervous side. Or you train in the evening, in which case a product from our caffeine-free pre-workout section is the only sensible option. On citrulline dosing, Pre Extreme is clearly outmatched, and we will not claim otherwise.

Pre Extreme wins on pure stimulation and on compactness: 400 mg of caffeine and 3.5 g of beta-alanine in 12 g of powder is a density few formulas reach — many need 30 g to do as much. It also wins on transparency, with six quantified actives and a patented raw material for the beta-alanine. Keep it for two or three sessions a week, and take something else the rest of the time.

Frequently asked questions

400 mg of caffeine, is that too much?

It is the daily ceiling set by EFSA for a healthy adult — reached here in a single serving. For someone accustomed to it and with no contraindication, it is usable occasionally. For everyone else, start with half a scoop, and do not combine it with any other source of caffeine that day.

How many servings in a tub?

The net weight does not appear in the data supplied by the manufacturer, so we cannot calculate it. Divide the weight shown on the packaging by 12 g to obtain the number of servings.

Why so little citrulline?

Because the formula is not built around the pump. Raw Nutrition designed this product around stimulation and endurance under effort, and allocates its active-ingredient budget accordingly: 400 mg of caffeine and 3.5 g of beta-alanine rather than 8 g of citrulline. It is a coherent choice, provided you know what you are buying.

What is NitroRocket®?

A patented rocket extract (Eruca sativa), present at 500 mg. Rocket is naturally rich in nitrates. No health claim is authorised in Europe for this extract: we mention it because it appears on the label with a precise dose.

Can you take it late in the day?

No. The manufacturer asks you to avoid taking it after 14:00 and within the 6 hours before bedtime. That instruction is to be followed to the letter: 400 mg of caffeine at 18:00 means a sleepless night for a lot of people.

Is the tingling normal?

Yes, it comes from the 3.5 g of CarnoSyn® beta-alanine. It appears within a quarter of an hour, affects the face and the extremities, lasts 15 to 30 minutes and has no known consequences. It fades with regular use.

Does the betaine bring anything at this dose?

The gram present here stays below the threshold of 1.5 g per day required for the European claim on homocysteine metabolism. So we cannot attribute anything to it under the regulations. It is a point we would rather flag than pass over in silence.

Where can you buy Raw Nutrition Pre Extreme?

The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. It is a product we sell while always asking two questions: how used to stimulants you are, and what time you train.

Our Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, keeps the range in stock, and it is the place where we will explain to you why 12 g of powder can contain as much caffeine as 30 g of another formula. The rest of the range can be compared from sports nutrition.

What is Raw Nutrition's CBUM Essential Pre Workout?

It is a powdered pre-workout booster to be mixed with liquid, dosed at one scoop of about 17 g. It carries the initials of Chris Bumstead, the athlete associated with the American brand Raw Nutrition, whose range we stock in the Raw Nutrition section.

Its distinguishing feature has less to do with its ingredient list — a conventional one — than with the way that list is published: every active is quantified individually. No "proprietary blend", no aggregate total to hide behind. You know exactly what the scoop contains, and that is still far from the norm on this shelf.

The formula combines four families. Pump actives, with 4 g of L-citrulline and 1 g of betaine. A muscle buffering active, 3.2 g of beta-alanine. Stimulation and focus actives, 200 mg of anhydrous caffeine and 1 g of L-tyrosine. And a hydration base, 1 g of taurine and 500 mg of Himalayan pink salt, rounded off with 2.4 µg of vitamin B12. This product contains no creatine, which places it in our pre workout without creatine section. The flavours stocked: Blue Raspberry, Peche Mango, Watermelon, Fruit Burst, Orange and Citrus Grapefruit.

What does a 17 g serving contain?

Add it up: 10.9 g of declared actives in a 17 g serving. The rest is citric acid, malic acid, flavourings, sucralose and anti-caking agents. A ratio of two thirds actives is respectable — and it is a calculation you simply cannot carry out on a proprietary-blend product.

4 g of citrulline is a full dose. Plenty of boosters advertise it and put in one gram, which means nothing. On this count, the product is serious. The same goes for the 3.2 g of beta-alanine: that is the amount found in formulas that actually dose it, rather than the usual decorative pinch.

The 200 mg of caffeine deserves a sentence of its own, because it is a deliberate choice. The equivalent of two espressos, where some "extreme" formulas climb to 350 or 400 mg. That dose leaves you room for a coffee during the day without going past the EFSA benchmarks, which set 200 mg in a single dose and 400 mg per day as not raising safety concerns in healthy adults. It is a strong product, not a brutal one.

One essential regulatory clarification, and it applies to almost the whole list: citrulline, beta-alanine, tyrosine, taurine and betaine have no authorised health claim in Europe. So we describe doses, not promised effects. The only usable claim here is the one for vitamin B12, at 100 % of the NRV: vitamin B12 contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism, to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue and to the normal functioning of the nervous system.

Finally, the net weight of the tub does not appear in the data supplied to us: we cannot work out the number of servings. Divide the weight printed on the packaging by 17 g.

How do you take Essential Pre Workout?

Dose: 1 scoop of about 17 g. Liquid: 200 to 400 ml of cool water. Timing: 20 to 30 minutes before the warm-up. Frequency: training days only, 2 scoops a day at most. Duration: a 2-week break every 8 to 10 weeks of use.

Always start with a single scoop, even if you are used to boosters. Two reasons: tolerance to 200 mg of caffeine varies a great deal from person to person, and the 3.2 g of beta-alanine cause a tingling that takes you by surprise the first time. Experienced users can go up to two scoops in 400 to 500 ml of water, but that means 400 mg of caffeine — the daily ceiling, with nothing else alongside it.

Shake vigorously, ideally in a shaker with a ball: the powder dissolves well in cold water but remains acidic and concentrated. Drink it straight away. For a morning session, the manufacturer advises taking it on an empty stomach with an extra glass of water; for an afternoon workout, leave at least three hours after your last main meal.

The most useful rule is the one about frequency: training days only. Taking a booster every day, rest days included, is the surest way to build up a tolerance and feel nothing at all after a month. The two-week break every eight to ten weeks serves the same purpose. And never take it after 16:00: caffeine has a half-life of several hours, and shortened sleep costs more than a good session brings in.

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

It is aimed at adults over 18 who train during the day and want a product that is well dosed but readable. It suits someone who wants verifiable figures rather than an aggressive formula name.

The manufacturer does not recommend it for pregnant or breastfeeding women or for people sensitive to caffeine, and asks that it not be consumed after 16:00. If you are on any medical treatment, consult a doctor before use.

Two normal effects to know about before you meet them. The skin tingling — face, neck, forearms — comes from the beta-alanine, appears 15 to 20 minutes after taking it and fades within half an hour. It is harmless. Caffeine, for its part, can cause jitteriness, tremors or palpitations if you are not used to it or if you stack it with a coffee.

On allergens: the product is made in a facility that handles MILK, SOYA, EGGS and GLUTEN. The manufacturer states that it is suitable for vegetarians but not suitable for vegans — check this point if your diet requires it.

What not to expect from it: it contains no creatine, so it does not replace your creatine monohydrate, which remains the best-documented supplement for strength. It does not make you lose weight. And it will not make up for a four-hour night: a booster masks fatigue, it does not remove it.

Essential Pre Workout or citrulline on its own?

This is the honest comparison to make, because many experienced athletes end up building their own pre-workout rather than buying a ready-made formula.

Citrulline on its own is the better choice in three cases. If you want to control each component: 6 or 8 g of citrulline instead of 4, without touching the rest. If you train in the evening and want no caffeine at all — you can then pair it with a product from our caffeine-free booster section. And if you tolerate beta-alanine poorly, since the tingling puts some people off. A pure powder generally costs less per gram of active.

The complete formula is the better choice everywhere else, for a plain and decisive reason: it is prepared in one go. Measuring out four different powders every session evening is something nobody keeps up for long. It also has the merit of offering coherent doses — 4 g of citrulline and 3.2 g of beta-alanine are quantities you would have chosen yourself — and a decent taste, which pure powders do not have. If you are starting out, take the formula; if you are experienced and watchful about the price per gram, build your own.

Frequently asked questions

How much caffeine, and can you take two servings?

200 mg per scoop, the equivalent of two espressos. The manufacturer caps it at two scoops a day, that is 400 mg — the daily total that EFSA considers as not raising safety concerns in healthy adults, but only if you drink nothing else containing caffeine. In practice, one scoop is enough for the vast majority of people.

Why the tingling after taking it?

It is the beta-alanine, at 3.2 g per serving: a known effect called paraesthesia, which affects the face, the neck and the forearms 15 to 20 minutes after taking it. It is harmless and it lessens with habit. If the sensation really bothers you, mix it into 400 ml rather than 200 and drink more slowly.

Does this booster contain creatine?

No, none at all. It is a formulation choice, and it is rather good news: creatine is taken every day, rest days included, whereas a booster is only taken on training days. The two are therefore easier to manage separately — take your creatine on its own, at whatever time suits you.

What is Himalayan pink salt doing in the formula?

It provides sodium, at a level of 0.2 g of salt per serving. Sodium is one of the electrolytes lost through sweat, and its presence in a pre-workout is consistent with an intense session. Let us be clear that no health claim is authorised for pink salt as such, and that its mineral composition is in no way exceptional compared with ordinary salt.

Can you take it on an empty stomach in the morning?

Yes, that is what the manufacturer recommends for morning sessions, with an extra glass of water. At 10 kcal, the drink breaks practically nothing. Just be aware that 200 mg of caffeine on an empty stomach hits harder — if you feel nauseous, take it after a few mouthfuls of food.

How many servings are there in a tub?

The net weight of the packaging does not appear in the data supplied by the manufacturer, so we cannot calculate it without risk of error. Divide the weight printed on the packaging by 17 g, the weight of one scoop.

Is it suitable for vegans?

No. The manufacturer explicitly states that the product is suitable for vegetarians but not for vegans. It is also made in a facility that handles milk, soya, eggs and gluten: in case of severe allergy to any of them, abstain.

Where to buy Raw Nutrition CBUM Essential Pre Workout?

The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe.

A booster is chosen first and foremost on its label, and that is an exercise we are happy to go through with you at the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier: take this tub, take the one next to it, and look for the "citrulline" line. When one shows 4,000 mg and the other a global blend with no detail, the comparison is over before it has begun. The rest of the amino acids can be found in the taurine section and in our sports nutrition range.

What is FULL AF by 5% Nutrition?

5% Nutrition Rich Piana FULL AF is a pre-workout with no stimulants whatsoever. No caffeine, no stimulant extracts: the formula is built solely around muscle pump and cellular hydration. It is a category in its own right, often misunderstood, and this product is one of its most heavily dosed representatives.

Five active ingredients make up the formula: 8 g of L-citrulline, 2 g of L-taurine, 2 g of GlycerSize™ (65% glycerol), 2 g of anhydrous betaine and 750 mg of Nitrosigine® (inositol-stabilised arginine silicate). Everything is quantified, there is no proprietary blend — rare enough in this section to be worth pointing out.

The flavours on offer: Wildberry, Push Pop and Blue Raspberry. The product appears in our caffeine-free booster section, and also stands comparison with the formulas in the creatine-free pre-workout section.

What does one serving of FULL AF contain?

The manufacturer publishes neither the macronutrient breakdown, nor the salt content, nor the number of servings per tub: we are flagging that rather than estimating it. The 60 kcal come mostly from the glucose polymers used as a carrier.

The figure that makes this whole page is the 8 g of citrulline per serving. For context: ordinary pre-workouts provide 1 to 2 g, serious formulas 4 to 6 g. Very few products reach 8 g, quite simply because citrulline is expensive and takes up room in the scoop. At that dose, the price of the tub explains itself.

One regulatory point is interesting, and rare in this category: betaine has an authorised claim in Europe — it contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism, from an intake of 1.5 g a day. The 2 g in this formula exceeds that threshold. The regulations require it to be stated that a daily intake in excess of 4 g may significantly increase blood cholesterol levels: at 2 g per serving and one serving a day, you stay below that, but the information has to appear. For citrulline, taurine, glycerol and arginine, no claim is authorised.

How should you dose FULL AF?

Serving: 1 full scoop, without exceeding one a day. Liquid: 250 to 350 ml of cold water. Timing: 30 minutes before training, preferably on an empty stomach. Frequency: one serving a day. Duration: the manufacturer gives no cycle or mandatory break — logically enough, since there is no stimulant to build tolerance to.

One particular feature of this product: it can also be taken on rest days, in the morning on an empty stomach. The manufacturer recommends this to maintain the sensation of muscle fullness, and it is a use that would make no sense with a stimulant pre-workout.

Drink plenty. This is not a throwaway piece of advice: glycerol works by holding water, and without a sufficient fluid intake the formula cannot do anything. Allow at least an extra half a litre on the day you use it.

The manufacturer also states that it is possible to pair it with a stimulant pre-workout, by taking FULL AF thirty minutes beforehand. It is a common combination among advanced users: the pump on one side, the energy on the other. If you do it, add up the caffeine from the second product, not from this one — it has none.

Who is FULL AF for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed at three clearly identified profiles. Those who train in the evening and do not want to sacrifice their sleep. Those who are sensitive to stimulants — palpitations, anxiety, tremors — and have given up on conventional pre-workouts. And those who work in long sets, in the 8 to 12 rep range, and are after the sensation of a pump.

The restrictions are shorter than on a stimulant product, but they exist. For adults over 18 only. Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Consult a healthcare professional before use if you are on any medical treatment. Do not exceed one scoop a day. The product contains COCONUT derivatives, which rules it out if you are allergic to tree nuts. It also contains FD&C Yellow No. 5, tartrazine, for which European regulations require the statement: may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children. Finally, do not use the product if the safety seal is damaged.

What not to expect from it: energy. That is the most frequent misunderstanding about this product. Without caffeine, you will feel no kick, no heightened alertness, nothing edgy. You may feel your muscles fuller, and that is all the formula is aiming for. Nor should you expect strength or muscle from it: a pump is a sensation, not a result.

FULL AF or a stimulant pre-workout?

The two do not replace each other, and the best advice we can give is to work out which of the two problems you are trying to solve.

A stimulant pre-workout is the right choice when the problem is finding the will to go. A session at 6:00 in the morning, a heavy end to the week, motivation at a low ebb: caffeine is what solves that, and nothing else. The formulas in the pre-workouts section typically provide 200 to 400 mg of caffeine, often with more modest citrulline doses. They also win on price: citrulline costs more than caffeine, and a tub with 8 g per serving has to be paid for.

FULL AF wins as soon as stimulation is not the point, or is itself the problem. On citrulline alone, it is ahead of just about everything we sell, including the most expensive formulas. It also wins on flexibility: it is the only type of product you can take at 20:00 without a second thought, or on rest days. The isolated ingredients that make it up — taurine, L-arginine — are also available separately if you would rather put together your own blend, but at 8 g of citrulline per serving, the sums rarely work in your favour.

Frequently asked questions

How many servings does a tub contain?

The manufacturer does not publish the net weight or the number of servings in the data supplied, and we will not estimate it. The information is on the packaging: read it when it arrives. The serving is one full scoop, once a day at most.

Is there really zero caffeine?

Yes. The formula contains neither caffeine nor any other stimulant, and the manufacturer states so explicitly. That is precisely the point of the product: it can be taken late in the day with no consequences for sleep.

What is the glycerol in the formula for?

GlycerSize™ is a 65% glycerol powder, dosed at 2 g. Glycerol holds water in the tissues, which explains the instruction to increase hydration that comes with the product. No health claim is authorised in Europe for glycerol: we describe its role in the formula without attributing any regulated effect to it.

Can it be combined with a stimulant pre-workout?

Yes, and the manufacturer even recommends it: take FULL AF thirty minutes before the stimulant. Since it provides no caffeine, there is no risk of stacking on that front. Just check the caffeine dose of the second product, which remains subject to the usual guidelines.

Can it be taken on days without training?

The manufacturer says so: one serving in the morning on an empty stomach on rest days. It is a possible use, specific to non-stimulant formulas. That said, if your budget is tight, keep the product for training sessions: that is where it makes the most sense.

Do you need to drink more than usual?

Yes, at least 500 ml more on the day you use it. Glycerol works by holding water: if you are already short on fluids, the formula cannot work and you mostly risk headaches. A bottle next to the bench is not optional here.

Does it contain allergens?

Yes, it contains coconut derivatives, which rules it out if you are allergic to tree nuts. It is, on the other hand, declared gluten-free and free from artificial colours with the exception of FD&C Yellow No. 5.

Where can you buy FULL AF by 5% Nutrition?

The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. It is a product we often recommend to customers who tell us they have stopped taking pre-workouts because of sleep or palpitations: most of them do not know this category exists.

Our Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, is also the place to compare citrulline labels side by side — that is generally the moment when the gap in dosing becomes obvious. The full range can be found in the 5% Nutrition collection.

What is Bucked Up Pre-Workout?

Bucked Up Pre-Workout is a powdered pre-workout from DAS Labs, an American brand. The dose is one 15 g scoop, and the formula is presented as free of any proprietary blend — a claim we qualify further down, because not every dosage is published.

Three actives give the formula its structure: 6 g of L-citrulline, 2 g of beta-alanine and 200 mg of caffeine anhydrous. To these are added AlphaSize® (alpha-GPC), ActiGin® (an extract of Panax notoginseng and Rosa roxburghii), AstraGin®, taurine, vitamin B12 and one unusual ingredient: 50 mg of deer antler velvet, of animal origin.

The product declares zero calories, zero carbohydrate and zero sugar, and it is stated to be gluten-free, aspartame-free and compatible with a ketogenic diet. The flavours on offer: Strawberry Kiwi, Rocket Pop, Killa OJ, Blue Raz and Blood Raz. It joins our boosters and Bucked Up ranges.

What does a 15 g dose contain?

Here is the qualification we promised: all four of the main actives are quantified, but five secondary ingredients are not in the data available to us — alpha-GPC, ActiGin®, AstraGin®, taurine and vitamin B12. The net weight of the tub is not published either, which makes it impossible to work out the number of doses. We point this out rather than paper over it.

On what is quantified, the balance is good. The 6 g of citrulline is a full dose, well above the average for the category — and this is pure citrulline, not citrulline malate, so the 6 g really are 6 g of citrulline. The 200 mg of caffeine matches the EFSA reference for a single serving in a healthy adult: enough to feel stimulated without hitting your daily ceiling during the warm-up. And zero calories for 15 g of powder, which explains the claimed compatibility with a ketogenic diet.

A word on the deer antler velvet, dosed at 50 mg: this is an ingredient of animal origin, which rules the product out of a vegetarian or vegan diet. No health claim is authorised in Europe for this ingredient, nor for the citrulline, the beta-alanine, the alpha-GPC or the patented extracts in the formula. Athletes subject to anti-doping testing should check with their federation before using a product containing this ingredient.

How should Bucked Up Pre-Workout be dosed?

Dose: 1 scoop of 15 g, one per day at most. Liquid: 200 to 250 ml of cold water. Timing: 15 to 30 minutes before the session. Frequency: 5 to 6 days a week, with 1 to 2 stimulant-free days. Duration: the manufacturer recommends alternating with stimulant-free periods rather than setting a fixed course length.

Start with half a scoop to gauge your tolerance, then build up gradually. At 200 mg of caffeine this is not strictly essential for a regular user, but it is the right method if this is your first pre-workout.

Two instructions from the manufacturer. Do not take it within the 6 hours before bedtime, and take no other source of caffeine the same day. Hydrate well during training. Expect mild tingling from the 2 g of beta-alanine: at that dose it stays moderate compared with formulas that use 3 or 6 g.

The recommendation to keep 1 to 2 days a week stimulant-free is worth following. It is what preserves your sensitivity to caffeine, and what stops you needing a double dose two months down the line.

Who is this pre-workout for, and who is it not for?

It suits someone who trains often and wants a product they can use almost every day: at 200 mg of caffeine, using it five or six times a week remains manageable, which is impossible with a 400 mg formula. The 6 g of citrulline also make it a good choice for those who want the pump as much as the energy. And the zero-calorie profile suits ketogenic diets or periods of strict deficit.

The restrictions are clear-cut. Contraindicated in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Not recommended for people sensitive to caffeine or with cardiovascular disorders. Consult a healthcare professional before use if you are taking medication or have a health condition. Stop use if any adverse effect occurs. The product may contain traces of DAIRY, SOYA and EGGS depending on production conditions.

Two further points. Deer antler velvet is of animal origin: the product is therefore suitable for neither vegetarians nor vegans. And if you are subject to anti-doping testing, check with your federation before taking it.

What you should not expect from it: strength, muscle or a transformation. A pre-workout acts on alertness and on perceived effort, not on the result. And expect nothing perceptible from the undisclosed ingredients: without figures, nobody can say whether they are present at a useful level.

Bucked Up or a stimulant-free formula?

The choice comes down to the time of your sessions and to how much caffeine you get elsewhere.

A caffeine-free formula is the better choice in two clear-cut cases. You train after 18:00: even 200 mg can interfere with falling asleep, and sleep weighs more heavily on progress than any booster. Or you already drink three coffees during the day and do not want to stack. These formulas often offer as much citrulline, or more — up to 8 or 10 g — with no nervous-system trade-off at all.

Bucked Up keeps the advantage on balance. Six grams of pure citrulline and 200 mg of caffeine in 15 g of powder is the most usable day-to-day compromise: stimulating enough to be felt, moderate enough to be taken five times a week. It also wins on the nutritional profile, with zero calories and zero sugar, which is not the case for every formula in the category. The isolated amino acids it contains are available separately in beta-alanine and taurine, if you would rather build your own blend.

Frequently asked questions

How many doses are in a tub?

The net weight does not appear in the data supplied by the manufacturer, so we cannot work it out. Divide the weight shown on the packaging by 15 g to get the number of servings.

Is the citrulline pure or in malate form?

Pure. The label states 6,000 mg of L-citrulline, not citrulline malate. The distinction matters: with a 2:1 malate, you need around 9 g to obtain 6 g of effective citrulline. Here, the 6 g stated really are 6 g of citrulline.

What is deer antler velvet?

An ingredient of animal origin, present at 50 mg in the formula, traditionally used in Asia. No health claim is authorised in Europe regarding it. Its presence rules the product out of vegetarian and vegan diets, and warrants a check with your federation if you are subject to anti-doping testing.

Is 200 mg of caffeine enough?

For most people, yes: it is the equivalent of two espressos, and the reference adopted by EFSA for a single serving in a healthy adult. If you already take 400 mg elsewhere and no longer feel anything, the problem is not the product's dosage, it is your tolerance — hence the recommendation of stimulant-free days.

Can it be taken every day?

The manufacturer recommends 5 to 6 days a week, with 1 to 2 recovery days free of stimulants. That is a reasonable rhythm, and it is one of the few products in this category that allows it without blowing past the caffeine reference values.

Is it suitable for a ketogenic diet?

The manufacturer states so explicitly: zero calories, zero carbohydrate, zero sugar, gluten-free and aspartame-free. That is consistent with the composition, which contains neither maltodextrin nor any carbohydrate bulking agent.

Why are some dosages not published?

Alpha-GPC, ActiGin®, AstraGin®, taurine and vitamin B12 appear in the ingredients list with no quantity given in the data available to us. The brand claims a formula with no proprietary blend; on these five ingredients we cannot verify it, and we would rather say so.

Where to buy Bucked Up Pre-Workout?

The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. It is a well-balanced pre-workout, one we happily recommend to people who train often rather than intensely twice a week.

Our Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, keeps the range in stock. If you are torn between several formulas, bring the list of what you already take: adding up the caffeine is what makes the right product obvious.

What is Viking Power Thor's Hammer?

Viking Power Thor's Hammer is a powdered pre-workout with no creatine. A 25 g serving — roughly two scoops — provides 5,000 mg of beta-alanine, 3,000 mg of AAKG, 3,000 mg of citrulline malate, 2,000 mg of taurine, 2,000 mg of betaine and 300 mg of caffeine. The tub covers 20 servings.

What sets this formula apart is not some exotic ingredient: it is that every dose is published, line by line. In a category dominated by proprietary blends — one headline total, no detail — that is a choice of transparency worth pointing out, and one that finally makes comparison possible.

The flavours in the range: Strawberry Storm and Tropical Thunder. The rest of the brand can be browsed in our Viking Power section, and the other creatine-free formulas in our creatine-free pre-workout section.

What does one serving of Thor's Hammer contain?

5 g of beta-alanine in a single serving is the figure that jumps out — and you need to know what it means in practice. The usual reference dose is 3.2 g a day. At 5 g in one go, expect pronounced tingling on the face, neck and forearms, some twenty minutes after taking it. It is a normal, harmless reaction, but at this amount it is no longer discreet. Plenty of people find it unpleasant the first time.

300 mg of caffeine, on the other hand, calls for genuine caution. The European Food Safety Authority takes 200 mg as a single dose with no adverse effect in healthy adults, and 400 mg across the whole day. One serving of this product therefore puts you 50% above the single-dose benchmark, and at three quarters of the daily one — before your morning coffee.

Citrulline at 3 g is below the reference doses, and it is only honest to say so. Protocols generally work between 6 and 8 g. Here it complements the AAKG rather than playing the leading role. If it is the pump sensation that interests you above all, our citrulline section offers more forthright doses, which you could add on top of this base.

The absence of creatine is a genuine practical argument. Most pre-workouts contain 2 or 3 g of it, which creates a duplicate if you are already taking your 3 to 5 g a day separately — and it takes away control of your dose. Here the question does not arise: you manage your creatine separately, every day, training or not.

On the regulatory side, there is nothing to claim: no health claim is authorised in Europe for caffeine, beta-alanine, arginine, citrulline, taurine, betaine, carnitine, tyrosine or glycine. We describe ingredients and their exact amounts, never promised effects.

Ingredients list

Beta-alanine, L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate, L-citrulline-dl-malate, acidity regulators (malic acid, sodium bicarbonate), taurine, betaine, maltodextrin, acetyl-L-carnitine, L-tyrosine, glycine, flavouring, anti-caking agents (tricalcium phosphate, silica), sweeteners (aspartame, acesulfame K), caffeine, glucuronolactone, colour (copper complexes of chlorophyllins), mineral (potassium chloride).

Contains phenylalanine, from the aspartame: the product is not advised for people with phenylketonuria. High caffeine content: not recommended for children or pregnant or breastfeeding women (300 mg per serving).

How should you take Thor's Hammer?

Dose: 25 g, i.e. roughly 2 scoops. Liquid: 300 to 400 ml of water. Timing: before training. Frequency: one serving per training day, with no other source of caffeine. Duration: the manufacturer presents this product as usable at every session, with no course or cycle imposed.

Start with a half serving, without exception. The manufacturer recommends it, and it is particularly justified here: between 300 mg of caffeine and 5 g of beta-alanine, two ingredients with a very pronounced immediate effect are stacked together. A half serving still means 150 mg of caffeine and 2.5 g of beta-alanine — more than enough to gauge your tolerance.

No serving in the late afternoon or the evening. At 300 mg, caffeine stays active for several hours and your night's sleep pays for it. If you train after 18:00, this is simply not the right product: our caffeine-free booster section offers the same vascular actives without the stimulant, and you will keep your sleep.

Do not combine it with any other source of caffeine on the same day. Coffee, tea, an energy can, a fat burner in capsules: it all adds up, and the margin here is very thin. That is the situation in which we see the most palpitations and ruined sessions.

Drink enough before, during and after your session. And if your training runs over an hour, an electrolyte drink or some EAAs to sip during the effort usefully cover what this product does not do: it works before the session, not during it.

Who is Thor's Hammer for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed at a trained adult, used to stimulants, who wants a pre-workout with its doses on show and who manages their creatine separately. It is a product for someone who knows how to read a label and is looking for precisely that.

It is not suitable for children, nor for pregnant or breastfeeding women, nor for people sensitive to caffeine — those are the manufacturer's own warnings. It is also not advised in cases of phenylketonuria, the formula containing phenylalanine via the aspartame.

In cases of high blood pressure, heart rhythm disorders, anxiety or ongoing medical treatment, a doctor's opinion comes before the purchase. At 300 mg of caffeine per serving, that is not a token precaution. And if you already sleep badly, this product will make the problem worse rather than help you progress.

What not to expect from it. A pre-workout does not make you progress: it makes a session easier to start, and that is all. It compensates for neither poor sleep, nor inadequate eating, nor a badly built programme. And caffeine tolerance sets in fast: after a few weeks of daily use, the same dose will do very little. If you can no longer train without it, the problem is not the product.

Creatine-free pre-workout, or a complete formula?

This is the choice that shapes the whole category, and it depends entirely on what you are already taking.

A complete formula, creatine included, has simplicity on its side: one tub, one serving, everything is in there. That makes sense for someone starting out who does not want to stack products. The flaw is structural: the creatine is present at 2 or 3 g, below the 3 to 5 g a day usually recommended, and you only take it on training days — whereas it works through saturation and calls for a daily serving, weekends included.

Thor's Hammer follows the other logic: separating the stimulant from the creatine. You take your creatine every day, at the dose you want, and your pre-workout only on session days. It is more rational, and it avoids buying the same molecule twice.

That leaves a third route, the most economical: making it up yourself. A daily beta-alanine at 3.2 g, a citrulline before the session and a coffee do the same job for far less money, at the cost of three tubs instead of one and a little discipline. To compare all the formulas available, our boosters section brings them together.

Frequently asked questions

How much caffeine per serving?

300 mg for a 25 g serving, the equivalent of three to four espressos. That is well above the 200 mg benchmark set for a single dose in adults. One serving a day maximum, with no other source of caffeine at all, morning coffee included.

Why 5 g of beta-alanine?

It is a deliberately high dose, the usual benchmark being 3.2 g a day. The practical consequence is immediate: the skin tingling — face, neck, forearms — is far more pronounced than with a conventional formula. It is normal and harmless, but it is better to know in advance.

Does the product contain creatine?

No, and that is a deliberate choice by the manufacturer. It avoids the duplication if you are already taking creatine separately, and above all it leaves you in charge of your daily dose. Creatine works through saturation: it is taken every day, rest days included.

How many servings in a tub?

Twenty servings of 25 g. At four training sessions a week, that comes to five weeks. Use the two scoops indicated, or a set of scales if you want to be precise: on a product with 300 mg of caffeine, a heaped scoop is not a trivial matter.

Is the product suitable in cases of phenylketonuria?

No. The formula contains aspartame, and therefore phenylalanine, and it is explicitly not advised for people with phenylketonuria. That is an absolute contraindication, not a mere precaution.

Can it be taken every day?

The manufacturer presents it as a routine booster, usable at every session. We are more cautious: caffeine tolerance sets in fast, and a daily serving ends up producing nothing much. Keep it for the sessions that matter, and take regular breaks.

Which flavours are available?

In the range: Strawberry Storm and Tropical Thunder. The composition is identical in both, only the flavouring changes. Two scoops dissolve in 300 to 400 ml of water, or 150 to 200 ml for a half serving during your first few uses.

Where to buy Viking Power Thor's Hammer

The tub can be ordered from this page in the flavours available, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is the product we recommend to those who already take creatine and are tired of buying it again in every booster. We always ask two things first: how used to caffeine you are, and what time your sessions are. At 300 mg per serving, those two answers decide it. The rest of our selection can be browsed in the sports nutrition section.