Quick Take: Performance Lab SPORT Pre-Workout is, in my opinion, a one of a kind pre workout. For one, it doesn’t have a single milligram of caffeine in its formula. Also, the creatine dosage is lesser than most other products. If you think these features make this supplement inferior to the others, think again. In fact, I think these are part of what makes it stand above its competition. Why, you ask? Read the review and find out.
Features
- From the makers of one of the best testosterone boosters this 2018 (Performance Lab SPORT T-Booster)
- Designed for “muscle-priming sports nutrition for high-intensity training”
- Contains Sodium and Himalayan Pink Salt for maintaining electrolyte balance
- Lower dose of Creatine compared to other products but also has natural means of promoting creatine production
- Non-caffeinated but has multiple other ingredients that increase energy and delay fatigue
- Exclusively available at Performance Labs website
Performance Lab SPORT Pre-Workout Ingredients
| Ingredients | Dosages |
| Sodium (from Himalayan Pink Salt) | 140 mg |
| Creatine (as Creapure® pH10) | 1000 mg |
| Corcyceps Sinensis (as Cordyceps Super™) (mycelium, primordia, fruiting bodies and extracellular compounds) (std. for min. 50% total polysaccharides, 15% 1,3-1,6 beta glucan and 5% alpha glucan) | 750 mg |
| L-Citrulline | 500 mg |
| L-Glutamine (from Ajinomoto®) | 250 mg |
| L-Carnosine (N-beta-alanyl-histidine) | 300 mg |
| Himalayan Pink Salt | 350 mg |
| Maritime Pine Bark Extract (Pinus pinaster) (std. for min. 95% proanthocyanidins) | 100 mg |
Performance Lab SPORT Pre-Workout – Ingredients Review
Sodium – Taken from Himalayan Pink Salt, another ingredient found in this supplement, I think Sodium is an important part of pre workout nutrition because it helps maintain a healthy balance of electrolytes and adequate blood volume so your muscles get plenty of oxygen and nutrition during your workouts.
Creatine (Creapure® pH10) – As an athlete or bodybuilder, I’m pretty sure you’ve heard of Creatine. Basically, these compounds are stored in our muscles to recycle used ATP, resulting in more energy. Moreover, this Creapure® pH10 is an insanely potent form of creatine monohydrate which makes it even better! Oh, and it might increase testosterone, too.
Cordyceps Sinensis (as Cordyceps Super™) – Cordyceps is a fungi that grows on the bodies of insects. Sinensis, however, grows on the back of caterpillars. Gross, I know, but Cordyceps does have the potential to increase testosterone albeit supported by minimal research. Plus, there’s a study suggesting that it helps protect against oxidative stress and free radical damage which I think is great for PWO supplements.
L-Citrulline – Per science, this popular amino acid has proven to be better than L-Arginine supplementation at increasing arginine itself. Cool, huh? This also means that L-Citrulline is the more efficient option for increasing nitric oxide and improving circulation.
PRO TIP! CITRULLINE AND CREATINE ARE GREAT TOGETHER!
First of all, a research found that Citrulline (as malate) supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in fatigue as well as a 34% charge in the rate of ATP production. In this regard, Citrulline and Creatine work in similar ways.
But wait! There’s more!
According to the same research, Citrulline supplementation also resulted in a 20% increase in the rate of creatine recovery after exercise. Along with Citrulline’s ability to enhance the removal of ammonia, a substance that’s long been associated with muscular fatigue, this essentially means that Citrulline not only complements Creatine’s ability to recycle ATP, but also limits the sensation of fatigue during exercise.
L-Glutamine (Ajinomoto®) – Like other amino acids, this is considered to be a building block of protein. Moreover, as the most abundant amino acid found in the human body, Glutamine is typically seen in post-workout supplements for its effects immunity and recovery.
Wait, wait, wait… isn’t this supposed to be a pre-workout? What is Glutamine doing here?
Good question. Although atypical, I think having it here on Performance Lab SPORT Pre-Workout is quite beneficial. Here’s why:
According to research, Glutamine supplementation (long-term) protects against the hyperammonemia that typically comes with intense exercise. That being said, I think it works in synergy with Citrulline’s ability to amplify the removal of ammonia, allowing you to perform more reps and sets during your workouts.
Ammonia isn’t the only thing Glutamine helps get rid of though; it helps clear lactic acid, too. As we push ourselves to perform more reps, lactic acid builds up on our working muscles which gives it the feeling of “burning”. Oftentimes, this burning sensation also forces us to stop lifting. With Glutamine’s help in clearing lactic acid, however, we could possibly push for more.
L-Carnosine (N-beta-alanyl-histidine) – Formed from the binding of alanine and histidine, this compound is found highly concentrated in muscle tissue. It has the effects of antiglycosylation and antioxidation which basically means its protects our bodies from excess sugar and oxidative damage during periods of high stress (e.g. intense workouts). Moreover, it also has a buffer effect on lactic acid in muscles.
Himalayan Pink Salt – As already stated, this is where Performance Lab SPORT Pre-Workout gets its sodium from. However, as Himalayan Pink Salt, this contains plenty of other minerals including potassium and magnesium (among others) making it far superior and heaps healthier than regular table salt.
Maritime Pine Bark – This tree bark carries proanthocyanidins or, more specifically, procyanidins. Per research, this gives it the ability to protect the body against oxidative stress as well improve blood circulation via increased nitric oxide synthesis.
Performance Lab SPORT Pre-Workout Directions
Each serving of Performance Lab SPORT Pre-Workout consists of 4 Plantcaps®. With 120 capsules, that’s exactly 30 servings per bottle. Per instructions, take 4-6 capsules with 16-32 oz of water 45-60 minutes prior to working out.
My Analysis
Let me get straight to the point here. As a PWO supplement, this product has everything I want and none that I don’t. So, obviously, I love it — and I believe you’re going to like it, too!
From my perspective, men and women take pre workout supplements mainly for these two reasons:
- Improved performance during workouts, and
- Robust circulation for pleasing muscle pumps and improved nutrient delivery
When it comes to physical performance, most PWOs simply load their formulas with a bunch of caffeine to give it the illusion of power. Cellucor C4, for example, has 150 mg caffeine per scoop. Performance Lab SPORT Pre-Workout, on the other hand, doesn’t have a hint of caffeine in its design and that’s precisely how I want it. Honestly, the jitters and crash that comes with stimulants just doesn’t suit me.
That being said, this supplement bolsters physical performance through more complex (yet incredibly synergistic) ways. For one, both creatine and citrulline effectively raise ATP which leads to more energy and perhaps more strength as well. Moreover, these same ingredients aid in the removal of ammonia and lactic acid which delays the onset of fatigue especially when paired with glutamine and carnosine. Together, I believe these effects can help people stretch their limits at the gym.
Moving on to circulation, Performance Lab SPORT Pre-Workout takes a somewhat atypical approach yet again. Like most other preworkouts, this supplement uses nitric oxide boosters (i.e. Pine Bark and Citrulline) to promote vasodilation and consequently, enhance blood flow.
However, this product also has Sodium and the other minerals from Himalayan Pink Salt – ingredients that I don’t often see in most other PWOs. These help to ensure that (1) we have enough blood to circulate, (2) our muscles get enough nutrition, and (3) we have adequate electrolytes to remain hydrated.
BUT WAIT! YOU DIDN’T THINK THIS WAS ALL PERFORMANCE LAB SPORT PRE-WORKOUT HAD TO OFFER, DID YOU?
The focus of this supplement isn’t just on circulation and energy. No, it also provides protection against overtraining.
You see, enhanced performance and blood flow is likely going to push our muscles way beyond what they’re used to. In a way, this is a good thing because it promotes growth. However, the oxidative stress that comes with intense training can also damage our cells and this, ironically, can be counterproductive.
To help tilt the balance in favor of hypertrophy, Performance Lab SPORT Pre-Workout included antioxidants such as carnosine, pine bark, and cordyceps in its formula.
Performance Lab SPORT Pre-Workout Benefits: Does it Work?
HELL YEAH IT WORKS! And personally, I think it’s one of, if not THE best out there. I’m speaking not just from my analysis of its formula but from personal experience, too. I’ve burned a good amount of fat and put up a few pounds of muscle mass ever since I started using Performance Lab SPORT Pre-Workout alongside my testosterone booster.
In summary, Performance Lab SPORT Pre-Workout offers a non-stimulant boost in energy, improved circulation and hydration, and protection against excessive muscle damage – all in synergistic patterns I rarely see in other PWO products. For all your health and fitness needs, whether you’re training for endurance or bodybuilding, this stack has you covered.
Of course, I haven’t forgotten about its potential effects on testosterone
This supplement has Creatine and Cordyceps which do have the potential to increase T but, to be honest, I wouldn’t necessarily count on those two. The improved blood flow might also reach our testicles which could theoretically promote testosterone synthesis.
I believe its greatest effect on testosterone, however, is its ability to limit oxidative stress. You see, stress and testosterone are inversely proportional. Therefore, with the regulation of stress, this product seems capable of supporting higher T as well. That being said, do note that this is a pre-workout so the intensity of its T boosting should not be compared to that of testosterone boosters.
Performance Lab SPORT Pre-Workout Review Summary
The Good
- No stimulants – No caffeine and no yohimbine = no palpitation, no crash, and no jitters. On top of that, it still manages to be a strong energy booster.
- Synergistic – This formula is so smartly designed that literally all of its ingredients complement each other
- Top-notch quality – Bro, have you seen the ingredients? They’re all given in superior qualities!
- Plantcaps® – These capsules are 100% natural. Plus, they’re infused with prebiotics which makes for quick and easy absorption. Great for driven and athletic vegans.
The Bad
- Exclusive – As far as I know, Performance Lab supplements can only be bought on their website (no, they’re not on Amazon or GNC). If you want to order this product, here’s a link to its webpage:
- Uhh, that’s it. Writing reviews for pre-workouts isn’t my forte but, to be frank, I can’t think of anything else that’s “bad” about this stack.
The Bottom Line
Performance Lab SPORT Pre-Workout does all the things a pre-workout should do and more. It raises energy, performance, and blood flow while also protecting our cells from the damaging free radicals that come with intense exercise. What’s so incredible about this supplement, however, is that it does all those in ways that, although atypical, are smarter, safer, and more viable for long-term use. I recommend this supplement to all of you athletes out there.
What separates Prime Male from all other testosterone boosters on the market? A number of factors including an unmatched guarantee, a synergistic formula, and some of the best results you’ll find anywhere.
