C4 Original Pre Workout, 150mg Caffeine, Icy Blue Razz, 30 Servings

Why it's worth it

C4 Original gives you 150 mg of caffeine, mixes into something that genuinely tastes good, and costs a fraction of what the clinically dosed tubs run. The performance ingredients are underdosed, but for a first pre-workout that's not the point.

If you've never taken a pre-workout, this is where to start. The 150 mg of caffeine sits right at the bottom of the range that does anything useful — enough to feel more awake and more willing to train, not enough to leave you wired and anxious. Owners who describe themselves as nervous first-timers overwhelmingly report no jitters and no hard crash. That's the experience you want on day one.

Availability is an underrated feature. C4 is on the shelf at Target, Walmart, GNC, Costco and every pharmacy with a supplement aisle. You'll never be stuck waiting on a shipment or paying for two-day delivery because you ran out mid-week. The formula has also been in continuous production for well over a decade, which means an enormous number of people have taken it without incident.

From our review of 5 pre-workout supplements, by Eleanor Vance, Health & Beauty Editor

What we like

• +If you've never taken a pre-workout, this is where to start
• +Availability is an underrated feature
• +The flavors are the other reason it keeps selling

What to know

• –Look past the caffeine and the label thins out fast
• –There's a proprietary Explosive Energy Blend, so the stimulant components beyond caffeine aren't individually disclosed
• –A recurring complaint is grit