Transparent Labs is a brand that makes sports supplements with no artificial ingredients. Its products are known for being “clean,” with transparently labeled information. Transparent Labs’ supplements are third-party tested, certificates of analysis are available on its website, and many hold certifications like Informed Choice.
Our team put Transparent Labs’ strongest pre-workout, BULK Black Pre-Workout, to the test. We considered mixability, taste, flavor, and how well it performed during workouts. Read on for our full review.
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Transparent Labs Pre Workout
Transparent Labs BULK Black Pre-Workout Specs
SpecsDetailsOverall price$54.99Key ingredientsL-citrulline malate, beta-alanine, betaine anhydrous, taurineCaffeine per serving325 mgThird-party testingYesServing size1 scoopFlavorsBlue raspberry, black cherry, sour gummy, peach mango, strawberry mango, watermelon peach, cherry kiwi, blueberry pomegranateOverall priceDetails$54.99Key ingredientsDetailsL-citrulline malate, beta-alanine, betaine anhydrous, taurineCaffeine per servingDetails325 mgThird-party testingDetailsYesServing sizeDetails1 scoopFlavorsDetailsBlue raspberry, black cherry, sour gummy, peach mango, strawberry mango, watermelon peach, cherry kiwi, blueberry pomegranate
Our Experience with Transparent Labs Pre-Workout
Transparent Labs BULK Black Pre-Workout has high caffeine content and contains solid dosages of both citrulline malate and beta-alanine, which have scientifically backed performance benefits. It also includes l-theanine, which may help to prevent any feelings of jitters or anxiety that can come with highly caffeinated pre-workout products. It’s available in eight flavors, including blue raspberry, black cherry, peach mango, and more.
Pete tested Transparent Labs BULK Black Pre-Workout, providing ratings and feedback on his first impressions, mixability, taste, value, and more.
What We Liked
Here’s what our tester rated highly after trying Transparent Labs BULK Black Pre-Workout.
First impressions (5 out of 5): Pete liked that this supplement comes in a fairly small sized tub, which would make it easy to travel with. A scoop is provided.
Ease of reading and understanding instructions (5 out of 5): “The instructions are clear, and the brand provides two options based on your experience with pre-workout powders, specifically the caffeine content in these higher dosed formulas,” Pete said. We like that you can start with one half scoop to assess your tolerance and go up from there.
Mixability (5 out of 5): After shaking for one minute, the pre-workout fully dissolved with no chunks and a smooth consistency.
Flavor and taste (5 out of 5): Pete tried the blue raspberry flavor and likened it to a blue raspberry snow cone. “The brand doesn’t use any artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners. They use blue spirulina for the color, which is cool, and stevia to sweeten the product,” he said.
Formulation (5 out of 5): “This is a well-formulated, clinically dosed pre-workout. There’s a decent amount of caffeine, and the l-theanine helps to prevent any feelings of jitters or anxiety that can come with highly caffeinated pre-workout products,” Pete said. He added: “The product also has 4,000 mg of beta-alanine which is a solid dose and enough to feel the tingling sensation known as paresthesia. I’m used to taking pre-workout so the tingles don’t hit me too hard, but consumers new to pre-workout may feel this a lot more. My workout on this pre-workout was great, I felt the muscle pumps from the 8,000 mg of citrulline malate and I felt energized throughout the whole session, 10 minute warmup, 15 minutes of strength work (squats), and then a 15 minute workout of sled push, handstand walks, and rowing.”
What We Would Change
Here’s what Pete would improve about Transparent Labs BULK Black Pre-Workout.
Price (1 out of 5): Each serving costs $1.83 as of this writing. It’s not the most expensive pre-workout that our team has tested, but it’d be nice if the subscribe and save option was for more than 10% off.
Who It’s For & Who It’s Not For
Transparent Labs BULK Black Pre-Workout may work well for some and not for others. Here’s a breakdown of when we think it will work well and when we think you might want to shop around more.
Transparent Labs BULK Black Pre-Workout is for:Transparent Labs BULK Black Pre-Workout is not for:Athletes and experienced gym-goers who have taken pre-workout beforeFolks who are new to stimulants or pre-workout in generalFolks who want added ingredients like nootropicsPeople who work out later in the dayPeople who prefer transparently labeled supplements and third-party testingBudget-conscious shoppersFitness enthusiasts who want to avoid artificial ingredients altogetherFolks who want a stim-free or low-stim workoutAthletes and experienced gym-goers who have taken pre-workout beforeTransparent Labs BULK Black Pre-Workout is not for:Folks who are new to stimulants or pre-workout in generalFolks who want added ingredients like nootropicsTransparent Labs BULK Black Pre-Workout is not for:People who work out later in the dayPeople who prefer transparently labeled supplements and third-party testingTransparent Labs BULK Black Pre-Workout is not for:Budget-conscious shoppersFitness enthusiasts who want to avoid artificial ingredients altogetherTransparent Labs BULK Black Pre-Workout is not for:Folks who want a stim-free or low-stim workout
Comparing Transparent Labs to Other Pre-Workouts
Pre-WorkoutKey IngredientsCaffeine Per ServingBeta-Alanine Per ServingCitrulline Per ServingFlavorsTransparent Labs BULK Black Pre-WorkoutL-citrulline malate, beta-alanine, betaine anhydrous, taurine325 mg4000 mg8000 mg8 flavors availableLegion Athletics Pulse Pre-WorkoutL-citrulline malate, beta-alanine, betaine anhydrous, caffeine anhydrous, l-theanine350 mg3600 mg8000 mg20+ flavors availableNutricost Pre-X Pre-WorkoutL-citrulline, beta-alanine, taurine, nitrosigine300 mg2000 mg4000 mg3 flavors availableTransparent Labs BULK Black Pre-WorkoutKey IngredientsL-citrulline malate, beta-alanine, betaine anhydrous, taurineCaffeine Per Serving325 mgBeta-Alanine Per Serving4000 mgCitrulline Per Serving8000 mgFlavors8 flavors availableLegion Athletics Pulse Pre-WorkoutKey IngredientsL-citrulline malate, beta-alanine, betaine anhydrous, caffeine anhydrous, l-theanineCaffeine Per Serving350 mgBeta-Alanine Per Serving3600 mgCitrulline Per Serving8000 mgFlavors20+ flavors availableNutricost Pre-X Pre-WorkoutKey IngredientsL-citrulline, beta-alanine, taurine, nitrosigineCaffeine Per Serving300 mgBeta-Alanine Per Serving2000 mgCitrulline Per Serving4000 mgFlavors3 flavors available
Frequently asked questions
Is Transparent Labs a good pre-workout?
Yes, we think Transparent Labs BULK Black is a good pre-workout because it is Informed Choice certified, uses clinically dosed ingredients, and is third-party tested.
Can pre-workout cause heart palpitations?
Yes, pre-workout can cause heart palpitations. We recommend that you talk with your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially ones with stimulants.
Is Transparent Labs FDA approved?
The FDA does not regulate or approve any supplements, so Transparent Labs is not FDA approved. However, the brand is known for creating high-quality, third-party tested products.
