Welcome to the most comprehensive Pre-Kaged pre-workout review on the world wide web!
Pre-Kaged from Kaged Muscle is a pre-workout supplement that has almost a 30 g serving and contains thirteen ingredients in large doses. Pre-Kaged is designed to help increase muscle pumps, boost performance, hydrate, and increase focus. The formula of Pre-Kaged contains ingredients such as L-Citrulline, Betaine, Beta-Alanine, Creatine, and more.
Whether you’re just starting to take your training more seriously or you’ve been a committed gym monkey for several years, the chances are you’ve heard of pre-workout.
A miracle supplement designed to help you get the most from your workouts and take your physical gains to the next level.
The problem? Navigating the world of nutritional supplements is murky at best and darn right dangerous at worst.
Here’s the deal:
There are so many different manufacturers competing for your business that they will do and say almost anything to convince you to choose them.
That means product descriptions full of superlatives and marketing jargon and very little information of any substance actually to help you make a decision.
That’s where we come in. This Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged pre-workout review aims to give you nothing but cold hard facts, supported by the latest scientific research so that you can make your mind up as to whether this particular product is for you!
No hidden agendas, no skewed product reviews!
What is Pre-Kaged?
Pre-Kaged is the latest pre-workout offering from nutritional supplement powerhouse Kaged Muscle.
According to the official website, their products :
“feature genuine key ingredients supported by scientific studies, not simply re-applied science applied to generic ingredients… Kaged Muscle has partnered with innovative ingredient manufacturers such as BetaPower, CarnoSyn, ProHydrolase, SPECTRA and PurCaf that spend serious dollars on research and testing to maximize your results in the gym.”
Now:
The manufacturer claims that there are no shortcuts to you achieving your dream physique, which means they haven’t taken any when it comes to producing the supplements to help you get there! There’s only one way to find out whether Pre-Kaged can live up to the rather convincing sales pitch, and that’s to take a closer look at the ingredients included and how their dosages match up to what the latest scientific research is telling; us!
Pre-Kaged ingredients- what is in Pre-Kaged?
| Serving size: 29.8 (approx 1 scoop) | Amount Per Serving | %Daily Value |
| Vitamin D3 | 3000 IU | 750% |
| Calories | 10 | |
| Sodium | 6 mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 1 g | 1% |
| Total Sugars | .5 g | |
| Includes 0g Added Sugars | 0% | |
| Niacin (as Niacinamide) | 30 mg | 187% |
| Vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxine Hydrochloride) | 25 mg | 1470% |
| Vitamin B12 (as Methylcobalamin) | 500 mcg | 20833% |
| PRO-PUMP™ | ||
| L-Citrulline (fermented) | 6.5 g | ‡ |
| MUSCLE FUEL MATRIX (3.5g) | ||
| L-Leucine (fermented) | 1,750 mg | ‡ |
| L-Isoleucine (fermented) | 875 mg | ‡ |
| L-Valine (fermented) | 875 mg | ‡ |
| ANABOLIC ACTIVATOR | ||
| L-Leucine (fermented) | 3 g | ‡ |
| STRENGTH & POWER MATRIX | ||
| BetaPower® (Betaine) | 2.5 g | ‡ |
| CarnoSyn® (Beta-Alanine) | 1.6 g | ‡ |
| Patented Creatine HCl® (Creatine hydrochloride) | 1.5 g | ‡ |
| HYDRATE & DEFEND | ||
| Coconut Water Powder (Cocos nucifera) (fruit) | 500mg | ‡ |
| SPECTRA™ Total ORAC Blend | 100mg | ‡ |
| Consisting of green coffee extract (Coffea arabica) (bean), green tea extract (leaf), broccoli sprout concentrate (sprout), onion extract (bulb), apple extract (fruit), acerola extract (fruit), camu camu concentrate (fruit), quercetin (Sophora Japonica L) (flower), tomato concentrate (fruit), broccoli concentrate (floret and stems), acai concentrate (Euterpe oleracea mart) (fruit), basil concentrate (leaf), cinnamon concentrate (Cinnamomum cassia/burmannii blend) (bark), garlic concentrate (clove), oregano concentrate (leaf), turmeric extract (rhizome), carrot concentrate (root), elderberry concentrate (Sambucus nigra) (fruit), mangosteen concentrate (fruit), blackberry concentrate (fruit), blackcurrant extract (fruit), blueberry extract (fruit), chokeberry concentrate (Aronia melanocarpa) (fruit), raspberry concentrate (berry), sweet cherry concentrate (fruit), spinach concentrate (leaf), kale concentrate (leaf), bilberry extract (fruit), brussels sprout concentrate (Brassica oleracea gemmifera) (sprout). | ||
| NEURO-FOCUS MATRIX | ||
| Taurine | 2 g | ‡ |
| N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine | 1 g | ‡ |
| L-Tyrosine | 850 mg | ‡ |
| PurCaf® Organic Caffeine (from green coffee beans) [Coffea arabica]) | 274 mg | ‡ |
Before we take a look at the key active ingredients in this Kaged Muscle pre-workout, there are two points of interest that we’d like to make you aware of!
First things first, does Pre-Kaged contain any proprietary blends? For the uninitiated among you, that’s when the supplement manufacturer combines ingredients into a blend and only discloses the total weight of the mix and not the precise quantity of each component ingredient.
This is particularly unhelpful given how important it is to know exactly how much certain ingredients you are putting into your body. Despite what supplement brands might try to tell you, they are only used for one reason. To hide underdosed key ingredients from YOU, the consumer!
Fortunately for this Pre-Kaged pre-workout review, there isn’t a single proprietary blend in sight… Good start!
Here’s the kicker:
We want to note the ratio between total scoop serving size and weight, which is actually made up of active ingredients.
In the case of this Pre-Kaged product, the total scoop weight is a pretty substantial 29.8g, whilst the total weight of the active ingredients comes to 23g.
That means just over 6g of every scoop contains ingredients that will not help you make gains in the gym. These are most likely to be flavorings, preservatives, etc. However, given the monumental single scoop size, I don’t think we can have too many complaints with this kind of ratio, in all honesty!
L-citrulline (6.5g)
Probably the biggest positive of this Kaged Muscle review is the inclusion of a perfect dose of l-citrulline.
One of the most promising ingredients on the nutritional supplement market at the moment, citrulline helps to raise your blood levels of an amino acid called arginine, which in turn increases your production of nitric oxide. This allows for greater vasodilation and improved circulation, which means increased blood flow to work muscles during exercise and hopefully a delayed onset of fatigue.[1]
In order to achieve these benefits, l-citrulline must be dosed at the correct levels. According to most studies, a daily serving of 3-6g for a period of 7 days should be sufficient to allow for these ergogenic effects.[2] As a result, the 6.5g dose in Pre-Kaged is more than enough to elicit such a response.
Whilst we generally prefer citrulline to appear in pre-workout products as citrulline malate rather than pure l-citrulline, as a result of the need to load with the latter and the formers extra energy-boosting properties, it is hard to be critical of an optimal serving of such a high quality, and proven ingredient. So overall, well done, Kaged Muscle!
BCAA’s (6.5g @ 5:1:1 ratio)
Now, if you’re looking at the Supplement Facts Label and wondering where we’ve plucked these figures from, let us explain.
The Muscle Fuel Matrix and the Anabolic Activator are made up of 3 amino acids, which collectively are known as BCAAs or Branched Chain Amino Acids. In this instance, across the 2 blends, there is a total BCAA serving of 6.5g, at an approximate ratio of 5 times the quantity of leucine to both isoleucine and valine.
BCAAs are thought to improve endurance, reduce mental and physical fatigue and limit muscle soreness in the aftermath of intense activity.[3] Sounds pretty useful to us!
Most studies seem to agree that BCAA’s should be consumed in a 2:1:1 ratio of Leucine: Isoleucine: Valine, which Pre-Kaged does not (it opts for a 5:1:1 ratio instead). However, the recommended total dosage for optimum effect seems to vary quite a bit, with most agreeing that between 5-20g has benefits. That means the 6.5 total serving in this Kaged Muscle pre-workout may well be ergogenically effective!
Beta-alanine (1.6g)
As one of the most thoroughly researched and physiologically effective supplements going, the inclusion of beta-alanine in this Pre-Kaged pre-workout is a real positive. What’s so special about this non-essential amino acid? I hear you cry…?!
Well, beta-alanine is converted by your body into something called carnosine, which helps to delay muscle fatigue during intense activity by reducing the accumulation of something called lactic acid.[4] It is the increase in acidity within your muscles, which leads to that energy-sapping burning sensation you feel in your legs when you’re fighting through your final set of heavy back squats!
According to the vast amount of research into this ingredient, a daily dose of 4-6g for a period of at least 2 weeks should be sufficient to bring about the positive effects already mentioned. That means, the 1.6g in each scoop of Pre-Kaged is, quite frankly, a little embarrassing! So much for no shortcuts eh Kaged Muscle!
Creatine hydrochloride (1.5g)
Creatine is the most widely researched and clinically effective nutritional supplement on the market, capable of helping you increase both strength and lean muscle mass gains, in particular.[5]
Most, if not all, of the most comprehensive studies, have been undertaken using the monohydrate form of creatine, which is proven to be effective at daily doses of 5g over a period of a number of weeks.[6]
The limited research into creatine hydrochloride suggests that it can be consumed at a lower dose of 1-2g per day and achieve the same ergogenic benefits as the monohydrate variety. This would mean that the 1.5g serving contained in a single scoop of Pre-Kaged should be enough to be of benefit to your training performance.
Having said that, there is nowhere near the level of research into creatine hydrochloride as there is into monohydrate. As a result, our Kaged Muscle pre-workout review remains a little skeptical about its use.
If you’re serious about the potential benefits of creatine supplementation and you want guaranteed results, we would advise sourcing a pure creatine monohydrate supplement. That way, you are in complete control of your daily dosing of a product that thousands of studies have proven effective.
Caffeine (274 mg)
Without a doubt the safest and most well-researched stimulant ingredient on the market. Forget about DMAA, DMHA, and other amphetamine-like chemicals that blur the lines between effective supplements and dangerous drugs. Caffeine, dosed correctly, can give you exceptional mental and physical focus, all whilst boosting your metabolism and helping you to burn more fat when you train.[7]
274 mg is pretty much bang on our preferred dose so this is another huge positive for our Pre-Kaged pre-workout review. This serving should be plenty enough to give you the above benefits and hopefully without the negatives associated with really high doses (more on that a little later).
Betaine (2g), Taurine (2g), Tyrosine (1.85g)
We have grouped these 3 ingredients due to the mixed evidence available to support their efficacy for exercise performance.
While betaine has been purported to positively affect the strength and body composition, tyrosine on cognitive performance and energy levels, and taurine on endurance, the research into these theories is far from unequivocal! As a result, there is little information about optimum doses, which means our Pre-Kaged pre-workout review considers their inclusion with a large degree of skepticism!
Pre-Kaged side effects
There are a handful of ingredients included in Pre-Kaged, which may result in some minor side effects.
Caffeine is probably the ingredient of most concern. Whilst it is safe to consume at levels up to 400 mg per day, particularly high doses have the potential to cause diarrhea, vomiting, the jitters and even anxiety.[8]
Now, the 274 mg serving in this product shouldn’t result in some of the more serious symptoms on this list, but you can certainly expect to suffer from loose bowel movements at the very least.
If you are new to pre-workouts or have a low tolerance level to caffeine, we suggest starting with a half serving of this pre-workout to test the waters!
Beta-alanine normally causes a mild tingling sensation on the skin’s surface (face in particular), which subsides after around 20 minutes. The good news is that the symptom is completely harmless and can be considered a sign you are consuming a meaningful dose. In all honesty, we’re not sure the 1.6g dose per serving in Pre-Kaged is enough to elicit such a response anyway!
Finally, creatine can result in bloating and general gastrointestinal discomfort. These symptoms are normally associated with significant servings of the monohydrate variety, however. In addition, other variants of creatine, such as the hydrochloride option included in this product, have been developed with such issues in mind, so it seems very unlikely that you would experience any creatine-related stomach difficulties taking this product!
Pre-Kaged pre-workout benefits
As you can see from the ingredients section of this Pre-Kaged pre-workout review, there are several ergogenic benefits to taking this supplement. An optimum dose of l-citrulline will absolutely help you fight fatigue whilst giving you a pretty aesthetic muscle pump. Solid dosing of BCAAs should enable you to recover from intense workouts more quickly, and an optimum serving of caffeine will provide that all-important energy boost and fat-burning potential.
If some of the other key ingredients in this product were dosed more effectively, such as beta alanine, and if it contained a more proven form of creatine at the correct dose, then the benefits would be even greater!
Pre-Kaged vs. Pre Jym
| Ingredient/factor | Pre-Kaged | Pre Jym | Comments |
| Creatine hydrochloride | 1.5g | 2g | Not a huge difference in serving and both products would be improved with the inclusion of creatine monohydrate instead! |
| Beta-alanine | 1.6g | 2g | Marginally more in Pre Jym but still not enough to be of real benefit. |
| Citrulline | 6.5g | 6g | Very similar doses in both products. Use of citrulline malate in Pre Jym vs. pure l-citrulline in Pre-Kaged is a real plus, though! |
| BCAA | 6.5g | 6g | Very similar servings in both, but Pre Jym uses the more proven 2:1:1 ratio. |
| Caffeine | 274 mg | 300 mg | Not much difference here. Both good servings. 300 mg perhaps edging Pre Jym a little closer to overdose, though. |
| Flavor choices | 4 | 7 |
All in all, there isn’t much between these two products. Pre Jym perhaps edges it with its use of citrulline malate rather than pure l-citrulline, but this makes a marginal difference at most!
Pricing review
Pre Kaged is available for purchase on the official Kaged Muscle website for $39.99 which means it comes in at a rather pricey $2 per serving. This price tag doesn’t look a whole lot better when you compare it to the $1.30 per serving that Pre Jym will set you back, especially when you consider that there isn’t much to separate the two products in terms of ingredients!
Flavor options
Pre Kaged comes in just 4 flavor options, including pre-workout classics Fruit Punch and Berry Blast. Unfortunately, this means if you are particularly fussy about the taste of your pre-workout supplement, then you may struggle to find an option to your liking!
Summary: Pre-Kaged pre-workout review conclusion
A fairly mixed Pre-Kaged pre-workout review, in all honesty. On the one hand, it is hard to criticize a product that contains an optimum dose of both citrulline and caffeine and a solid serving of BCAAs. But, on the other hand, there is no doubt that this pre-workout will benefit users and help accelerate any gains in the gym.
Unfortunately, the $2 price tag per serving, in our opinion, warrants a little more than good servings of the 3 ingredients mentioned above. Underdosing of beta alanine, the use of a generally unproven variety of creatine, and the inclusion of 3 ingredients in betaine, tyrosine and taurine which have very little evidence to corroborate their efficacy for exercise performance, are all major negatives which are difficult to overlook.
Add to that the availability of just 4 flavors and the fact that you can buy a very similar, if not better, product in Pre Jym for 70 cents less per serving, and things don’t look so rosy for this Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged pre-workout review after all!
Our final verdict?
If you choose to go down the Kaged Muscle route, this Pre-Kaged product will benefit your training regime and help you make gains. There are, however, products out there that will do the same for a whole lot less money!
References:
[1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780124046306000531
[2]Bailey, S. J., Blackwell, J. R., Lord, T., Vanhatalo, A., Winyard, P. G., & Jones, A. M. (2015). L-citrulline supplementation improves O2 uptake kinetics and high-intensity exercise performance in humans. Journal of Applied Physiology, 119(4), 385-395.
[3] Administration of branched-chain amino acids during sustained exercise affects performance and plasma concentration of some amino acids- European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology.
[4] beta-Alanine supplementation augments muscle carnosine content and attenuates fatigue during repeated isokinetic contraction bouts in trained sprinters- J Appl Physiol (1985). 2007 Nov;103(5
[5] Grindstaff PD, et al. Effects of creatine supplementation on repetitive sprint performance and body composition in competitive swimmers. Int J Sport Nutr. 1997;7(4):330–46.
[6] Creatine supplementation with specific view to exercise/sports performance: an update- journal of international sports science and nutrition.
[7] Fat burners: nutrition supplements that increase fat metabolism- Obesity Reviews 2011
[8] Fat burners: nutrition supplements that increase fat metabolism- Obesity Reviews 2011
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