6 Best Thermogenic Pre-Workouts in 2023

Before getting into thermogenics, we need to understand the process of thermogenesis.

Human thermogenesis is the process by which the body produces and regulates heat. It is essential for maintaining a stable internal body temperature.

The primary source of heat production in the body is metabolism. During metabolism, the body converts nutrients from food, such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, into energy. This energy is then used to power various physiological processes and it produces heat as a byproduct.

Physical activities, such as exercise and movement, contribute to an increase in heat production. Muscles generate heat during contraction and movement, which elevates the body's temperature. The process of digesting, absorbing, and metabolizing food also generates heat. This is known as the thermic effect of food, and it accounts for a small portion of thermogenesis.

Heat can also be produced in brown fat, or brown adipose tissue, a specialized type of fat that plays a significant role in thermogenesis. When activated, it burns calories and generates heat, helping to maintain body temperature, especially in infants and during exposure to cold temperatures.

So, with thermogenesis being the body’s ability to produce heat, thermogenics are specific ingredients meant to increase this effect in the body. The process involves consuming ingredients that stimulate thermogenesis, leading to a boosted metabolic rate, and ideally, weight loss. Because the end goal here is burning more calories, and losing weight, thermogenic ingredients are often referred to as “fat-burners” (even if this is somewhat misleading).

Some of the most common thermogenic ingredients we’ve covered in this list include caffeine, capsaicin and green tea extract. There are also several lesser known ingredients with potentially thermogenic effects including grains of paradise, black ginger, and forskolin.

It’s worth mentioning that thermogenics are not a magic solution for weight loss, which is why the term “fat-burner” is not especially accurate.

Thermogenics are not a substitute for diet and exercise. Although they may aid in weight loss by slightly boosting your body’s metabolism, they likely won’t have a significant enough effect to the point of noticeable weight loss without maintaining a healthy lifestyle as well. They should be used as little more than a tool to assist you on your weight loss journey, with diet and exercise always being your top priority.

It’s worth noting that the vast majority of pre-workouts contain thermogenics because of their main ingredient – caffeine. As we’ve already mentioned, caffeine is a powerful tool that improves metabolic rate, energy expenditure, and lipid metabolism. This is all not to mention that it will help give you more energy for your workout, leading to more calories being burned. Because most pre-workouts contain caffeine, most pre-workouts could be considered thermogenic.

However, is there much of a difference between a “fat-burning” pre-workout with additional thermogenic ingredients, and one that doesn’t have these ingredients?

The main difference will lie in ingredients like green tea extract, capsaicin, and grains of paradise, which have metabolic effects similar to caffeine (ie. improving metabolic rate, increasing energy expenditure). Ideally, the thermogenic effects of these ingredients will compound with the effects of caffeine leading to increased calorie expenditure.

Pre-workouts without additional thermogenic ingredients are not specifically targeted towards weight loss. However, this doesn’t mean they cannot effectively be used as dietary supplements as well. As we already mentioned, caffeine is likely the most effective thermogenic ingredient, making most pre-workouts suitable for stimulating thermogenesis. Ultimately, pre-workouts with additional thermogenic ingredients may provide a slight boost in the thermogenic effects you’ll be getting from caffeine.

The main issue here is that many of the studies focusing on thermogenic ingredients suggest moderate effects at best. For this reason, it’s difficult to say if they will have any noticeable effects on someone’s metabolism beyond caffeine’s impact. This means the difference between thermogenic and non-thermogenic pre-workouts is not a very big one. However, if you’re struggling to lose weight, it may be worth experimenting with additional thermogenic ingredients in your pre-workout. Just keep in mind that they likely won’t make a night and day difference in your weight loss journey.

If you’re interested in trying out a thermogenic pre-workout, there are several ingredients and factors you should keep an eye out for. These include caffeine content, as well as thermogenic and non-thermogenic ingredients, as well as the price of the supplement, and what form it comes in. 

One of the most potent thermogenic ingredients in any pre-workout, caffeine is the main active ingredient in most pre-workout supplements. Always check how much caffeine a pre-workout has before making a purchase. Some people are especially caffeine sensitive, and a pre-workout like Huge’s Eliminate with 300mg of caffeine per serving may be far too strong. We’ve provided a wide range of stimulation on our list, so you should be able to find a thermogenic pre-workout suitable for all different kinds of caffeine sensitivity.

Aside from caffeine, you’ll want to keep an eye on the different thermogenic ingredients found in your pre-workout. These include capsaicin, green tea extract, grains of paradise, and many more. All of these ingredients have slightly different effects, and their thermogenic properties have been researched to varying degrees. We recommend doing your own research to decide which ingredients seem the most promising and relevant to your individual goals. By understanding the purpose of different ingredients, you can make a more informed choice on which pre-workout is best for you.

It’s worth noting that there’s more to an effective pre-workout than just thermogenic ingredients. Ingredients like beta-alanine and l-citrulline will likely have a more significant effect on your workout performance and results than the thermogenic ingredients covered above.

Beta-Alanine has been shown to improve power and recovery, while L-Citrulline helps improve endurance. With C4 Ultimate® Shred being the only product on our list that contains these science-backed active ingredients on top of its thermogenics, it’s a great overall pick. 

Of course, one of the most important things to consider when buying a thermogenic pre-workout is the value you’re getting for your money.

You can check the price per serving of each product by dividing the price by the number of servings in the bottle. The pre-workouts on our list range from 20 to 60 servings in each container, so be sure to check how much each serving costs before making a purchase.

You should also consider how much caffeine you’re getting, and how many other active ingredients the supplement contains. By doing your own research, you can ensure you’re getting a product that’s worth the price tag.

Finally, it’s worth considering whether or not the pre-workout you’re buying comes in a capsuled or powdered form. Capsules will likely be easier to consume, especially if you’re not a fan of how pre-workout drinks taste.

However, some people will prefer mixing their pre-workout into a drink – especially if they’re craving something sweet on their cut. Ultimately, this is completely a matter of personal preference, so be sure to decide which type of pre-workout you prefer before making a purchase!

Yes! Out of all the thermogenic ingredients we’ve covered on this list, it doesn’t appear that there are any serious health concerns surrounding them.

With that being said, there are some potential health risks associated with consuming caffeine in excess. Some of the side effects associated with high doses of caffeine include insomnia, anxiety, and stomach upset.

Because most of the products on our list have high caffeine contents, we don’t recommend taking more than a single serving per day of any caffeinated pre-workout. Because caffeine may seriously disrupt your sleep, be sure you’re conscious of when you’re consuming pre-workout during the day.

Also, because many thermogenic pre-workouts are designed to aid with weight loss, there may be some risk associated with not eating enough while taking these supplements. It’s important to follow healthy practices when you’re trying to lose weight, and to not take any extreme measures to lose a few extra pounds.

If you’re trying to lose weight, you should still only be eating in a small caloric deficit. This will help you maintain more consistent progress, and ensure you’re not becoming deficient in any important nutrients. You can determine an appropriate daily calorie intake using an online calorie calculator.

Remember that thermogenic supplements are not meal replacements! Be sure you’re using these supplements responsibly. This will ensure you don’t become nutrient deficient, or lose significant muscle on top of the fat you’re trying to burn.

For the best effects, we recommend taking pre-workout supplements around 30-60 minutes before your workout. This will give the caffeine enough time to have a noticeable effect on your workout. Whether you’re using a capsule or powder pre-workout, we recommend drinking 1-2 cups of water alongside the supplement as well.

Because most pre-workouts contain high levels of caffeine, it’s worth noting that you shouldn’t take them within several hours before going to bed. Caffeine can easily disrupt your sleep, which is an often neglected aspect of health and fitness. In order to maintain high-quality sleep, we recommend using pre-workout no less than 6 hours before bed, for caffeine-sensitive people, even longer.