Is C4 Pre-Workout Bad for You? Warning: C4 Pre-Workout Sucks

So, is C4 pre-workout bad for you? Let’s find out.

In bodybuilding, a game-changing supplement can, well, totally change the game.

There are few supplements that will blow your mind and make you say, “holy shit! this stuff is insane.” And while rare as gems, these elixirs do exist. 

A proper pre-workout supplement will light a fire under your ass, have you sweating like a heavyweight champion, and provide the stamina to train with the consistency it takes to attain fitness goals.

Why A Proper Pre-Workout Is Important (And What You Should Look For) 

Before you can even begin thinking about six-pack abs and colossal biceps, you need to be willing and able to go extra hard in the gym.

An optimal eating regimen along with a high-octane pre-workout will set the tone for extraordinary pumps and put you on the road to iron-jacking glory.

Modern scientific breakthroughs have also given us the ability to derive sources of supraphysiological energy.

And this is where a badass, muscle-popping, vein-bulging pre-workout comes into play.

A next-level pre-workout is one that creates a surge of motivation, blood flow, endurance, and energy while boosting post-workout recovery and maximizing vascularity.

You want to feel like a winner on your way to the gym, perform like a genetic freak while you are training, and look like a beast after going hard.

6 Best Ingredients for Elevated Muscular Energy, Endurance and Recovery

First and foremost, your pre-workout must be stacked with prime components.

Let’s go over the latest and greatest fitness-enhancing supplements on the market.

I’ll let you decide whether C4 original is worth taking afterwards. 

1. Creatine Monohydrate —

First on the list is a phenomenal muscle-growing compound that’s been around for a while…

Creatine has been around since the 90s and can be purchased for pennies on the dollar. But even after all these years, it still kicks major ass.

This classic supplement draws water into your muscles, making them look large and voluptuous after a 5-day “loading phase” or just 3 to 4 weeks of regular dosing. But there is much more to this explosive compound than just aesthetics.

Creatine expedites recycling of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) in muscle and brain tissue.

ATP is like cellular battery power. It feeds the mitochondria in your cells, thereby increasing anaerobic strength and cognitive function.

Because of its effect on ATP, creatine also improves muscle recovery time and endurance.

In terms of looking swole as fuck and performing at apex, creatine is probably the most reliable non-anabolic substance you can take.

It guarantees results and, as such, is a must in any premium pre-workout.

2. Beta-Alanine —

If you have ever felt the burning sensation just before you hit muscular failure on a set, that was the onset of lactic acid gathering in your muscles.

According to the Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN), 4 weeks of daily beta-alanine supplementation elevates carnosine levels in your muscles and delays the onset of lactic acid buildup.

Carnosine acts as a buffer against muscle failure which allows you to go harder for longer.

Studies have shown that supplementing beta-alanine increases exercise performance, particularly in open end-point tasks/time trials lasting 1 to 4 minutes. It is ideal for weightlifting, sprinting, and other high-intensity activities because it supports prolonged bursts of muscular strength.

Doses of 4 to 6 grams per day of beta-alanine have proven to increase muscle carnosine concentrations by up to 64 % after four weeks and up to 80 % after 10 weeks [R].

This powerful compound will skyrocket stamina in high-intensity training sessions.

3. L-Citrulline —

L – Citrulline is a non-essential amino acid that increases nitric oxide production and dilates blood vessels with stunning efficacy.

When it comes to getting kickass results from your workouts, as well as increasing overall health, there is nothing more critical than revved-up blood flow. The rush of blood to your muscles not only results in more energy but also produces a jaw-dropping amount of vasodilation in your arms which looks great after a gym session.

If you are looking for an upper echelon pre-workout, you need this in your stack.

4. Cordyceps Extract —

Studies have shown that cordyceps increases athletic endurance by increasing blood flow and enhancing oxygen uptake [R].

 

As you can imagine, robust oxygen utilization is highly advantageous during aerobic and anaerobic activity.  Improvements in maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and ventilatory threshold (VT) will make it possible to maintain high intensity for longer periods. 

 

A recent 2020 study found that cordyceps mushroom extract also displays anti-viral, immuno-modulatory, anti-aging, energy-enhancing, and male fertility-boosting properties via adenosine-like properties of cordycepin. In essence, cordyceps also acts like a charger that jolts your cells into high voltage.

 

The oxygen uptake benefits of cordyceps, as well as it’s mitochondria-boosting and anti-inflammatory mechanisms will synergize with the rest of your pre-workout to have you performing like a machine.

 

5. L-Carnitine —

L-Carnitine is a naturally occurring amino acid which helps convert fatty acids into energy.

There is a ridiculously long list of purported advantages of L-Carnitine, such as heightened focus, elevated mental clarity, and alleviation of neuropathic pain.

This compound augments physical energy, reduces muscle damage incurred during the process of muscular hypertrophy, increases maximum oxygen consumption, and aids in recovery after intense workouts.

L-Carnitine will keep you training hard for long periods of time while minimizing soreness and fatigue. For this reason, it is a valuable component in a solid pre-workout.

6. Agmatine Sulfate —

This compound touts a host of amazing health and fitness benefits including inflammation reduction, neuropathic pain relief, mood elevation, increased energy, and a massive vasodilating effect which ignites an ethereal onslaught of blood flow.

Agmatine sulfate will unlock another gear in your cognitive and physical performance, but perhaps its most incredible characteristic is its potentiating effect on other supplements. Every compound in your pre-workout will become more potent when taken alongside agmatine sulfate.

It also exhibits antidepressant and anxiolytic activity [R] and shows promise as a legitimate fat-burning agent [R]. If that isn’t enough to convince you, it may also increase testosterone by way of stimulating production of luteinizing hormone [R].

The Best-Selling Pre-Workout in History? My Brutally Honest Take

Is C4 pre-workout bad for you? No, but it kind of sucks. Here’s why…

Taking vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin B6, Niacin, and vitamin C won’t hurt your health, but it will not give you an advantage in the gym.

C4 contains the newest variation of creatine, which is creatine nitrate. The distinction is not all that important considering research is inconclusive as to which form is more effective. Nonetheless, at 1 gram per serving, it is substantially underdosed.

Beta-alanine is severely underdosed at 1.6 grams (it should be about 4 grams).

And C4 is missing the two heavy hitters, L-Citrulline and Agmatine Sulfate. These provide infinitesimally better results than L-Arginine akg for circulation.

C4’s Explosive Energy Blend Isn’t That Great (It Kind of Sucks)

Acetyl L-Tyrosine (NALT) is useful alongside caffeine, but this energy booster combination can be found in almost any energy drink.

Mucuna pruriens is nothing to write home about either. It will make you feel hornier and by extension may increase libido. However, that does not translate to maximized endurance or an astonishing pump.

All of these facts lead to the final conclusion…

If your goal is to obtain extraordinary results in the gym, the original C4 formula is trash.

The creators probably know this since they upgraded the formula multiple times, but there are still much better options than C4 Ultimate (the newest version).

My Top Recommendation for High Performance, Top-Quality Pre-Workouts

Here’s the ultimate insider’s secret (what the supplement companies don’t want you to know).

Every supplement in the history of mankind, on every shelf and in every store, is a mere concoction of inexpensive ingredients marked up massively to make a profit. You can often go directly to the source and buy the ingredients yourself, cutting out the middleman and saving lots of your hard-earned cash.

Let’s rehash the amazing benefits of each of these compounds. You can click on each one to go directly to a superior quality vendor.

L-Citrulline — a badass supplement that skyrockets blood flow and makes you look sharp as hell after a workout. 

Creatine Monohydrate — a proven, reliable compound for developing strong, man-sized, and juicy-looking muscles.

Agmatine Sulfate — a newer, lesser-known vasodilating agent with a mind-blowing array of performance-enhancing and mood-boosting properties.

Beta-Alanine — a must-have component of any effective pre-workout for tireless muscular endurance.

Cordyceps Extract —increases oxygen utilization, reduces inflammation, bolsters immune system, and augments energy production.

L-Carnitine — increases oxygen utilization, elevates physical energy, promotes post-workout recovery and longevity.

The Compounds Are Listed by Impact, So You Can Try Them One at A Time

Hint: Start with L-Citrulline, Creatine Monohydrate, and Agmatine Sulfate then add caffeine from your preferred source.

If you want to take it to the next level, add beta-alanine and L-carnitine afterwards. You can save cordyceps for last.

Sourcing your supplements from the links above will result in the highest bang for your buck at top-notch quality.

Don’t Take My Word for It, See for Yourself: How to Get Started

When I first got started in biohacking, I didn’t do it for money or marketing. I wanted results and new that somehow, someway, I could achieve them.

I spent thousands of hard-earned dollars through a process of trial and error (most of which was on products that were overpriced and overhyped). But you don’t have to do that.

These compounds produce hardcore results. They will make you bigger, stronger and faster. And they will enhance your physique in the short and long-term.

What If You Want To buy An Awesome Flavored Pre-workout?

If you prefer to buy a pre-formulated product with a great ingredient list and awesome flavors, I recommend Gorilla Mode Nitric.

This one doesn’t contain caffeine. So, you’ll have to add it yourself via your favorite caffeinated beverage or caffeine anhydrous.

I prefer Gorilla Mode Nitric because it is cleaner than their original formula which contains unorthodox plant extracts that can cause irritability.

If you are curious, the ingredients are Kanna and Huperzine A. These will actually be insanely effective for some people, so if you are not sensitive to stimulants and want to give it a shot, go right ahead.

You can check out the ingredient list, as well as all of the delicious flavors right here.

C4 Will Get the Job Done, But There Are Much Better Options

The C4 pre-workout will get you through a tough workout, especially if you are using one of the later formulations. They also have a tasty selection of flavors such as Blue Razz, Strawberry Margarita, Pink Lemonade, Fruit Punch, and Orange Mango. And it is available at Target and Wal-Mart which is super convenient when you are in a pinch.

Is C4 pre-workout bad for you? The answer is no. It’s not bad for you. It’s just not optimal.

If you want epic workouts and dazzling results, opt for the alternatives above.