No Tingles Or Itching: Best Pre-Workout Without Beta-Alanine (2024)
Many people believe a pre-workout works only if they feel noticeable conditions like skin itching and tingling. But what if...
Many people believe a pre-workout works only if they feel noticeable conditions like skin itching and tingling. But what if...
Many people believe a pre-workout works only if they feel noticeable conditions like skin itching and tingling.
But what if I told you having the urge to claw your face out is not necessary for a pre-workout to give you a performance boost?
The ingredient responsible for this harmless but potentially uncomfortable sensation is beta-alanine, which is found in most pre-workout supplements.
But most is not all, and there are options on the market to choose from that will give you extra energy, drive, and pump without the itch, and you will find some of the best on this list.
Pros
Cons
While most products consist of between 3-6g per serving, Jacked Factory's Nitrosurge Max contains an amazing 9000mg (9g) two-scoop serving. L-Citrulline plays an important role in nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, supporting increased blood flow to working muscles [1].
Furthermore, nitric oxide reduces the demand for oxygen and ATP during exercise, allowing the aerobic powerhouse to produce ATP more efficiently.
Because of this, L-citrulline is an extremely potent substance. L-citrulline is a precursor to L-arginine, therefore its kidney-mediated conversion to L-arginine fixes the absorption problem.
This raises the concentration of L-Arginine, which is converted to nitric oxide and confers the benefits.
Ingesting 8 g of L-citrulline sixty minutes before exercise improves maximal grip strength, reduces muscle fatigue 24 to 48 hours later, and increases repetitions to failure in both the upper and lower body [1].
Those interested in endurance will notice an increase in the duration to exhaustion during moderate-intensity cycling if they supplement with 6g of L-citrulline daily for seven days [2].
Seven days of dosage with as little as 2.4g of supplement per day boosted power output and the time it took to finish a 4 km cycle.
In addition, exercise reduced symptoms of muscle fatigue compared to the placebo [3].
Betaine anhydrous is a relatively new pre-workout substance that may increase power production, reduce perceived exertion, and allow you to execute more reps of a given exercise [4][5][6].
Furthermore, betaine may improve the anabolic milieu after exercise by inhibiting the AMPK endurance pathway, allowing anabolic processes to persist [7].
The doses in these tests varied from 1.25 g to 2.5 g per day, which Jacked Factory Nitrosurge Max has.
L-tyrosine is not a performance-enhancing substance but rather a cognitive enhancer. It may improve the capacity to switch tasks swiftly and accurately and promote cognitive performance amid stressful situations [8][9].
The effective dose starts at 2 g, with Jacked Factory potentially providing cognitive benefits.
The trademarked component NooLVL®, which mixes inositol and bound arginine silicate, has been found to improve cognitive performance and blood flow [10][11].
However, both studies have significant study bias because they are funded by the company that developed NooLVL®, and the company's staff were substantially involved in the trials.
Caffeine is well-known for improving performance. Nitrosurge Max is a high-stim pre-workout supplement containing 350 mg of caffeine, which is around four times the amount in a standard cup of coffee.
If you're not used to consuming large amounts of caffeine, limit yourself to one scoop. Caffeine is an effective stimulant that increases power and sprint performance by 6.5% while increasing the number of reps accomplished in lifting by 9.4% [12].
It improves endurance performance by 2.22% in time trials and 2.9% in power output when compared to a placebo [13].
When combined with L-theanine, it forms the ideal nootropic stack, enhancing reaction time, visual processing speed, working memory, and alertness and reducing tiredness and mental fatigue [14][15].
Typically, studies employ a 2:1 ratio of L-theanine to caffeine. However, I've noticed benefits such as reduced jitters and anxiety at ratios ranging from 1:2 to 4:1.
ElevATP® is another trademarked substance with similar issues to NooLVL®. A single dose has been demonstrated to raise blood ATP levels in healthy, fasting people [16].
150 mg given daily for 12 weeks enhanced muscle thickness compared to placebo [17].
Furthermore, a 1.5 g dose caused participants to take more steps during a resistive step test, travel longer distances, and burn more calories than the placebo [18].
However, the company that manufactures ElevATP funds two studies, one of which involves a significant number of staff.
The most recent 1.5 g dosage research was conducted by a third party without money or involvement from the manufacturing business. Regardless, consider these findings to be potentially biased.
Panax ginseng possesses vasodilatory and moderate hypotensive properties, which boost the body's nitric oxide synthesis [19].
Ginseng has been shown to improve memory, particularly in the context of age-related cognitive decline, and promote mental and physical resilience, fatigue reduction, and stress adaptation [20].
The suggested daily intake is 200 mg of extract or 0.5 to 2 g of dry root. It is not recommended for people with acute asthma or hypertension since it may cause overstimulation and raise blood pressure in high doses.
Jacked Factory Nitrosurge Max includes only 50 mg, which may not deliver these benefits.
SenActiv® is a patented substance that may improve high-intensity exercise performance and time to exhaustion while also reducing exercise-induced oxidative damage [21][22][23].
Again, due to financial bias, these data should be interpreted with caution.
Finally, Huperzine A is another speculative supplement that may help heal traumatic brain injury and improve cognitive function in Alzheimer's patients [24][25].
Regardless, it's unlikely to improve your workout results.
Nitrosurge Max has a delicious flavor and is easy to combine. I especially like the blue raspberry taste. There are no clumps while combining, so you can shake it in a bottle without consuming dry powder.
It costs $39.99 for one tub, which equates to $1 per serving with one scoop and $2 per serving with two scoops.
Unfortunately, consuming one scoop underdoses most of the components in the formulation, while two scoops provides a high caffeine dose.
However, as a pre-workout with no beta-alanine, this is one of the best, and the caffeine alone will boost performance alongside L-citrulline and betaine anhydrous.
===>Check Latest Jacked Factory Nitrosurge Deals<===
Pros
Cons
===>Check Latest Transparent Labs Pump Pre-Workout Deals<===
Transparent Labs Pump Pre-Workout is marketed as a nitric oxide booster. As a result, this is the preferred pump pre-workout supplement without beta-alanine.
It has comparable ingredients to Jacked Factory Nitrosurge Max but without the stimulant caffeine, allowing you to take it at any time without disrupting your sleep.
L-citrulline is at a dose of 8 g, which is the most effective for improving endurance performance.
Furthermore, it acts as a nitric oxide booster by converting to arginine in the kidneys, which in turn transforms to nitric oxide.
I could not find any studies on NO3-T; however, given that it is produced from L-arginine, it is most likely ineffective.
L-arginine has difficulty converting to nitric oxide because it gets broken down in the intestines.
This is why L-citrulline is such a popular pump ingredient: it avoids the gut and is broken down in the kidneys.
We've discussed how betaine anhydrous can generate an anabolic environment, and the L-tyrosine dose is insufficient for cognitive enhancement.
Transparent Labs Pump Pre-Workout most likely contains L-glutathione due to its synergistic effect with L-citrulline.
In a study [26], L-citrulline and L-glutathione supplementation for seven days increased blood flow following high-intensity exercise compared to a placebo.
It remains to be seen whether this will boost long-term performance.
Finally, an 8-week resistance training trial using L-citrulline and L-glutathione daily revealed the intervention group gained more lean mass than the placebo group after four weeks [27].
However, there was no significant difference between groups after eight weeks, indicating it may not have long-term advantages.
Ginseng is also likely underdosed, resulting in little benefit. This pre-workout's key performance-enhancing pump advantage is the synergy of L-citrulline, L-glutathione, and betaine anhydrous.
It tastes great, just like all Transparent Labs supplements.
It mixes without clumps, allowing you to shake it in any bottle. An important feature to note is the informed sport checkmark on all Transparent Labs products.
If you're a competitive drug-tested athlete or a first responder, this can give you peace of mind because the IS mark guarantees each batch is tested for prohibited drugs.
This pre-workout costs slightly more than a regular pre-workout. It is $49.99 per tub, but a subscription saves you $5 and includes free shipping.
A one-time purchase costs $1.67 per serving, which is comparable to other pre-workouts. It contains 30 servings, which will last you more than a month, depending on how frequently you train.
===>Check Latest Transparent Labs Pump Pre-Workout Deals<===
Pros
Cons
===>Check Latest Transparent Labs Stim Booster Deals<===
If you're on a college budget or saving for a rainy day, the Transparent Labs Stim Booster Pre-Workout is the most affordable pre-workout without beta-alanine I've discovered.
It costs $9.99 for 30 servings.
Yes, you read it right. That's $0.33 per serving, and a subscription with free shipping can save you an additional $1.
While certain ingredients are speculative and possibly underdosed, you do get the benefits of caffeine and taurine. Starting at the top, L-tyrosine is probably underdosed, and NooLVL has study bias issues, which we've discussed.
Taurine is a common ingredient in pre-workouts and energy drinks that works in conjunction with caffeine.
Taurine reduces the requirement for high levels of caffeine by creating a dose-response relationship in which the higher the taurine intake (between 71-3105 mg), the less caffeine is required (40-325 mg) [28].
Furthermore, studies demonstrate increasing taurine doses improve performance regardless of caffeine dose [28].
Alpha-GPC is more speculative, with research indicating potential cognitive benefits [29]. Furthermore, 200 mg of Alpha GPC has been demonstrated to boost vertical jump performance comparably to coffee [30].
This has not been reproduced, therefore, I am skeptical of the claim, as not much will outperform stimulants in acute physical performance testing.
The main performance-enhancing component is 100 milligrams of caffeine. This is a low dose compared to other pre-workouts, yet it is effective if caffeine-sensitive.
Even if you double the scoop for 200 mg of caffeine, the cost is only $0.66 per serving, keeping it affordable for budget-conscious buyers.
They only have blue raspberry flavor and unflavored options, so there is less choice, but it tastes the same as their other blue raspberry supplements and mixes well.
===>Check Latest Transparent Labs Stim Booster Deals<===
Pros
Cons
===>Check Latest Pre Lab Pro Deals<===
Transparent Labs' Stim Booster Pre-Workout is low-stim. However, Pre Lab Pro contains even less caffeine, with only 80 mg per serving.
It is combined with 160 mg of L-theanine to provide the established 2:1 L-theanine to caffeine ratio for cognitive and performance enhancement.
The L-citrulline/L-glutathione combination at 2000 mg/200 mg dose has been demonstrated to improve performance, as discussed in Transparent Labs Pump Pre-Workout.
Red beet powder may aid recovery following a strength workout. Research shows 600 mg of red beet powder can help with heart rate recovery [31].
Furthermore, red beets' nitric oxide content reduces the oxygen cost during exercise, resulting in greater endurance [32][33].
There is no evidence that Himalayan pink salt increases performance, and the L-tyrosine dose is too low.
Regardless, you benefit from the caffeine and L-theanine stack, as well as the citrulline and glutathione combination.
You should note this is perhaps the worst-tasting pre-workout (at least in my experience).
Despite being naturally sweetened, it is not sweet and tastes entirely like red beets.
If I want a low-stim pre-workout, I just mix it with electrolyte powder or pump pre-workout to disguise the flavor.
Pre Lab Pro is the most costly pre-workout on the list. One tub costs $59.99 and provides 20 servings, totaling $2.95 each serving.
You only save money when you buy in bulk, with four tubs costing $177, or $2.21 per serving. However, you won't find a pre-workout with such a low caffeine concentration, making it the best low-stim option.
===>Check Latest Pre Lab Pro Deals<===
Beta-alanine is a well-known performance-enhancing substance. It's an amino acid naturally found in the body, but to reach full saturation you need to supplement with it.
It is responsible for the itchy, warm feeling starting at your forehead and crawling its way down. While some people enjoy this feeling as it makes them feel hyped up and ready to, many dislike it, and it may even cause anxiety in some, which is the main reason you would want a pre-workout without beta-alanine.
But what does it do in the first place?
In contrast to other amino acids, which are redirected towards muscle protein synthesis, beta-alanine combines with histidine to form carnosine. This compound is retained in skeletal muscle and is utilized to improve athletic performance.
This is expressed in decreased fatigue and improved power output, especially when working with loads near a person's maximum power output. More than a few studies show the effectiveness of beta-alanine supplementation.
But as I mentioned, the tingling sensation is not worth it for many people. Another issue with beta-alanine is it's similar to creatine in that it works through accumulation in the body.
Once the reserves are full you need to take it daily to maintain them, otherwise it won't be effective [40]. This makes daily intake much more important than timing, meaning there is no real benefit in taking beta-alanine as a pre-workout.
The itching sensation is called paresthesia. It is harmless but uncomfortable, and you do not build tolerance to it.
So unless you are willing to take beta-alanine every day, you might as well not use it at all and spare yourself the unpleasant sensations by picking up a pre-workout without the substance.
Unless you are also taking beta-alanine on your off days, the substance is pointless in a pre-workout. But what ingredients make sense to take before hitting the gym?
Caffeine, first and foremost, because it is undeniably one of the most potent legal ergogenic products on the market. It not only delivers energy but also decreases fatigue and lengthens the time to exhaustion. Combinations with L-theanine and taurine further make it more effective.
In the absence of beta-alanine, it is beneficial to consider alternative non-stim components that may enhance performance.
L-citrulline is the most prevalent and probable performance enhancer. Betaine anhydrous is another substance with performance-enhancement potential.
Supplements beyond these two are considered speculative and may or may not improve performance.
Dosages are just as important as the ingredients. Many companies cut corners and heavily underdose ingredients so they can include them on the labels, but the low doses often do not bring any benefits.
Here are some proven efficacious doses:
Beta-alanine may not always be the source of your discomfort. Companies also use the niacin flush to create the illusion that their pre-workout supplement is "working."
The supplement is designated as Vitamin B3 on the label. It is characterized by warm, red, and irritated skin [35]. Elevated daily dosages are contraindicated and associated with the development of hepatic failure [36].
A high niacin intake has also been associated with decreased performance; therefore, reducing your niacin intake is in your best interest [37].
Yes, pre-workouts without beta-alanine still work. They can contain ingredients such as caffeine, L-citrulline, Betaine anhydrous, taurine, and others that provide energy and various performance enhancements.
Beta-alanine isn't necessary for a pre-workout since, like creatine, ongoing consumption is more significant than acute intake.
Taking beta-alanine separately and daily, regardless of the timing, can increase high-intensity exercise performance in the 1-4 minute range [38][39].
Any pre-workout supplement that does not include beta-alanine and isn't high in niacin will not cause you to tingle, as tingling is a side effect of beta-alanine, and niacin causes your skin to feel red and itchy.
It's challenging to find beta-alanine-free pre-workouts because they're so widespread, but Jacked Factory's Nitrosurge Max is a good choice for a strong, hard-hitting pre-workout without beta-alanine and tingles.
If you prefer a low-stim version, Transparent Labs Stim Booster and Pre Lab Pro will not cause caffeine anxiety or jitters and still provide noticeable benefits.
References