Most pre-workouts are a long ingredient list and a big promise. Strip away the proprietary blends and the marketing names, and only a handful of ingredients actually have the evidence behind them: caffeine, beta-alanine, and citrulline. Everything else is either along for the ride or dosed too low to do anything.
Here's what actually matters, what the tingling is, and how to choose between a stim and a stim-free formula.
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Caffeine
The most studied pre-workout ingredient there is. Caffeine blocks adenosine receptors, which reduces perceived fatigue and increases alertness, and it improves force production directly in muscle tissue.1 Effective doses generally sit between 3 and 6mg per kilogram of bodyweight, taken 20 to 60 minutes before training. Beast STIM carries 300mg of caffeine anhydrous per serving.
Beta-Alanine and the Tingling
Beta-alanine buffers acid buildup in muscle during high-intensity effort, which supports muscular endurance over repeated hard sets.2 The effective dose is 3.2 to 6.4g daily, and it works cumulatively, so consistency matters more than any single dose.
The tingling sensation people associate with pre-workout (paraesthesia) comes specifically from beta-alanine. It's harmless, well documented, and fades with consistent use. If a formula doesn't contain beta-alanine, it won't tingle, whatever else is in it.
Citrulline and the Pump
Citrulline supports nitric oxide production, which increases blood flow to working muscle: the "pump." A 2020 review found effective doses to be in the 6 to 8g range, with L-citrulline and citrulline malate both showing benefit at the right dose.3 Beast PUMP uses 8g of pure L-citrulline per serving, near the top of the effective range.
Stim vs Non-Stim
The choice comes down to caffeine, not the rest of the formula. A stim pre-workout, like STIM, adds caffeine and a nootropic stack on top of citrulline and beta-alanine, built for sessions where you want the alertness and energy hit. A stim-free formula, like PUMP, drops the caffeine entirely and leans harder into citrulline for pump and blood flow, built for evening training, stimulant-free days, or anyone sensitive to caffeine.
Neither is objectively better. It depends on the session and the time of day.
Common Myths
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"Pre-workout is addictive." The caffeine in it can produce normal tolerance, the same as coffee, but that's not addiction in any clinical sense. Cycling isn't required to avoid dependency.
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"You need to take it every session or it stops working." Beta-alanine's endurance benefit builds with consistent use, but there's no rebound or crash from skipping a session.
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"More scoops means better results." Every ingredient here has a ceiling. Beyond the effective dose, you're just adding more caffeine and more risk of side effects, not more performance.
Pre-Workout FAQs
Eddie's take: "I want three things from a pre-workout: caffeine that actually hits, citrulline at a real dose, and nothing hiding behind a blend. That's STIM and PUMP. Pick the one that matches your session, not whichever's got the loudest label."
The Beast Pre-Workout Range
STIM Pre-Workout
30 Servings£34.99
Performance. Precision. No compromises.
Beast Pharm STIM is a clinically-dosed pre-workout built around 6g Citrulline Malate 2:1, 3.2g Beta-Alanine, 300mg Caffeine Anhydrous, and a precision nootropic stack of Tyrosine, Juniper Berry, Sausage Tree Extract, and Juglans Whole Fruit Extract. Every ingredient at an efficacious dose. No proprietary blends. No pixie dusting. No guesswork.
Most pre-workouts give you the feeling of performance. STIM gives you the performance. There's a difference, and after one session, you'll know exactly what it is.
Developed and approved by Eddie Hall, World's Strongest Man.
†Citrulline Malate supports blood flow and oxygen delivery to working muscles. Beta-Alanine at 3.2g supports muscular endurance. Caffeine contributes to increased endurance performance and alertness.
Directions
Mix 1 scoop (13g) with 250ml to 350ml of water.
Consume approximately 20-30 minutes prior to workout.
Ingredients
Citrulline Malate 2:1, Beta Alanine, Tyrosine, Caffeine Anhydrous, Juniper Berry Extract, Sausage Tree Extract, Juglans Whole Fruit Extract (Walnut), Flavouring, Anti-caking agent (Aerosil®, Sipernat®), Maltodextrin, Sweetener (Sucralose).
NET WT. 390g. No artificial; colours.
Warnings
HIGH CAFFEINE CONTENT. Please consult your physician prior to use (especially if you have a medical condition). Not recommended for anyone under the age of 18. Do not take this product if you are pregnant or breast feeding. If you are taking any medication consult your doctor before taking this product. Do not exceed the suggested use. Keep out of the reach of children. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
Note: Due to the hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from the air) nature of the active ingredients, and our commitment to never use unnecessary fillers or preservatives, a degree of clumping may be observed in this product. This is perfectly normal, not affecting its effectiveness in any way and will dissolve normally in water as designed. It is advised to keep the product in a dry environment away from humidity and heat. During hot periods, storing in colder temperatures such as a fridge will help to offset this.
Allergens
For allergens please see the ingredients listed in bold. Contains nuts. Manufactured in a facility that processes celery/celeriac, crustaceans, fish, milk, mustard, peanuts, soya, gluten, egg, lupin, molluscs, nuts, sesame and sulphur dioxide.
Delivery
All UK orders are shipped using a 1-2 working day service.
Free Tracked 24 shipping is available on all orders over £25, for orders under £25 shipping is charged at £4.99
Orders placed before 1pm on weekdays are shipped the same day.
Orders placed at weekends and bank holidays will be processed on the next working day.
Europe - Please allow 5 - 10 business days for delivery. Orders under 150 EUR - including shipping costs - will not incur any customs or VAT charges.
Rest of the World - Please allow 7 - 14 business days for delivery.
DHL EXPRESS WORLDWIDE - 1 - 3 business days.
All orders are shipped tracked - a tracking link will be provided in your shipping confirmation email.
Additional Charges
Customers may incur VAT charges and Customs Duty specific to their country. The buyer assumes responsibility for any importation costs. If customs and duty fees imposed by your country are not paid, we cannot accept responsibility for the items. It is essential to familiarize yourself with your country's regulations regarding the importation of goods. If an item is confiscated due to regulations, we are not liable, and any resulting charges will be the customer's responsibility. For information regarding return shipping costs, please refer to our Refund Policy.
PUMP Stimulant Free Pre-Workout
30 Servings£34.99
Maximum pump. Zero stimulants.
Beast Pharm PUMP is built around 8g of pure L-Citrulline per serving, the premium form of citrulline for maximum nitric oxide production and one of the highest doses in any pre-workout on the market.† Alongside Betaine Anhydrous, Taurine, Epicatechin, CellFlo6™, Pine Bark Extract, and AstraGin® for absorption.
No caffeine. No crash. No compromise on the pump.
Most stim-free pre-workouts are just underdosed citrulline and a prayer. PUMP is the real thing: built for evening training, stimulant-free days, or anyone who knows the pump is driven by blood flow, not caffeine.
Developed and approved by Eddie Hall, World's Strongest Man.
†L-Citrulline at 8g per serving supports nitric oxide production and blood flow to working muscles.
Directions
Mix 1 scoop (15g) with 250ml to 350ml ofwater.
Consume approximately 20-30 minutes prior to workout.
Do not consume more one serving in any 24 hour period.
Ingredients
L-Citrulline, Betaine Anhydrous, Taurine, Epicatechin, Green Tea Leaf Extract (Camellia sinesis) (as CellFlo6™), Pine Bark Extract, Astragalus membranaceus Extract (root) & Panax notoginseng Extract (root) (as AstraGin®), Flavouring, Citric Acid, Anti-caking agent (Aerosil®, Sipernat®), Sweetener (Sucralose).
NET WT. 450g. No artificial colours.
Warnings
Please consult your physician prior to use (especially if you have a medical condition). Not recommended for anyone under the age of 18. Do not take this product if you are pregnant or breast feeding. If you are taking any medication consult your doctor before taking this product. Do not exceed the suggested use. Keep out of the reach of children. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
Allergens
Manufactured in a facility that processes celery/celeriac, crustaceans, fish, milk, mustard, peanuts, soya, gluten, egg, lupin, molluscs, nuts, sesame and sulphur dioxide.
Delivery
All UK orders are shipped using a 1-2 working day service.
Free Tracked 24 shipping is available on all orders over £25, for orders under £25 shipping is charged at £4.99
Orders placed before 1pm on weekdays are shipped the same day.
Orders placed at weekends and bank holidays will be processed on the next working day.
Europe - Please allow 5 - 10 business days for delivery. Orders under 150 EUR - including shipping costs - will not incur any customs or VAT charges.
Rest of the World - Please allow 7 - 14 business days for delivery.
DHL EXPRESS WORLDWIDE - 1 - 3 business days.
All orders are shipped tracked - a tracking link will be provided in your shipping confirmation email.
Additional Charges
Customers may incur VAT charges and Customs Duty specific to their country. The buyer assumes responsibility for any importation costs. If customs and duty fees imposed by your country are not paid, we cannot accept responsibility for the items. It is essential to familiarize yourself with your country's regulations regarding the importation of goods. If an item is confiscated due to regulations, we are not liable, and any resulting charges will be the customer's responsibility. For information regarding return shipping costs, please refer to our Refund Policy.
References
- Guest, N. S., VanDusseldorp, T. A., Nelson, M. T., et al. (2021). International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: caffeine and exercise performance. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 18, 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-020-00383-4
- Trexler, E. T., Smith-Ryan, A. E., Stout, J. R., et al. (2015). International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: beta-alanine. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12, 30. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-015-0090-y
- Gonzalez, A. M., & Trexler, E. T. (2020). Effects of citrulline supplementation on exercise performance in humans: a review of the current literature. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 34(5), 1480–1495. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003426
This article is for informational purposes and is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement, particularly if you have an existing health condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are under 18.
