C4 Pre-workout review: Is it the top pre-workout in 2024?

How does C4 work?

C4 Original Pre-Workout formula contains vitamins niacin, B6 and B12, vitamin C, Carno-Syn® Beta-Alanine, Citrulline Malate, 150 milligrams of caffeine as well as NO3® Creatine Nitrate.  Meanwhile, the C4 Sport Pre-Workout formula contains vitamins B6 and B12, a C4 Sport® Energy Blend with 135 mg of caffeine, taurine and B vitamins as well as a C4 Sport® Performance Blend that contains Carno-Syn® Beta-Alanine, L-Arginine, CON-CRĒT® Creatine HCl among other compounds.    

There is limited evidence to show that L-arginine can improve strength performance, but short-term supplementation with L-citrulline and nitrates can appear to have some benefits on muscular performance. Creatine, on the other hand, has strong evidence to show it can increase agility and improve muscle strength, mass, and performance as well as jumping performance and aerobic endurance. These benefits are seen in both males and females and in athletes and the average fitness enthusiast alike. However, high-quality studies are lacking in regard to creatine benefits in older adults or in those with sarcopenia, muscle mass loss or loss of muscle function. 

As far as B vitamins are concerned, a 2023 study shows that 28 days of consecutive supplementation of B vitamins can help improve exercise endurance performance and reduce exercise fatigue. A study on vitamin C shows that it can help support oxygen delivery to tissues and in turn, help improve symptoms of fatigue in some individuals, especially those who consume higher levels of vitamin C. Furthermore, those who consumed more vitamin C reported higher levels of physical and functional health than those in the lower quartiles of vitamin C intake. 

How much does C4 Pre-Workout cost?

The Original formula of C4 Pre-workout has a list price on Amazon of $29.99 for 30 servings, while the C4 Sport formula has a list price of $24.99 for 30 servings. This comes out to about $0.99 per serving of the Original formula and $0.83 per serving of the Sport formula. If you subscribe and save on the Cellucor® website, you can purchase the C4 Pre-Workout Original formula for $20.99 per container or $0.70 per serving. And if you subscribe and save the C4 Sport Pre-Workout formula, you can purchase it for $18.19, or $0.60 per serving. With a price tag of less than one U.S. dollar per serving, C4 pre-workout products can fit just about any budget. 

Pros of C4

C4 Original formula comes in seven fruity flavors like cherry limeade, grape, and icy blue razor, while C4 Sport Pre-Workout comes in three flavors. At less than $1 per serving, the C4 Pre-Workout products are reasonably priced, and for the value price of each 30-serving container, the formula is chock full of nutrients that have been shown to support energy levels and performance improvement. 

Not to mention that consumers for the most part enjoy the jitter-free energy boost at the start of their day or before workouts.  And because C4 is a trusted brand, consumers can rest assured that it is safe to consume. But if for any reason you don’t like the C4 pre-workout supplement, there is a 60-day money-back guarantee if you purchase your C4 on the Cellucor® website. 

What to consider

Some consumers report that they experience itching after consuming C4 Pre-Workout, which they feel may be from beta-alanine. Others have reported headaches and triggering migraines after consuming C4 Pre-Workout. On the other end of the spectrum, some consumers report no boost of energy or any reaction at all after taking it. 

And finally, some complain that the flavor is not as described. For example, one consumer reported that the mango flavor tasted more like licorice. However, remember that reviews are isolated experiences and may not apply to everyone. Most consumers provided optimal reviews on side effects and flavor.

Is C4 Pre-Workout worth it?

Like any supplement, C4 won’t be right for everyone. If you have a heart condition, are pregnant, or have any mental health condition like anxiety, then you should avoid any pre-workout supplements that contain caffeine, as this ingredient can be harmful to your health. Also, if you have any severe food allergies, you should be cautious about consuming multi-ingredient formulas like C4 pre-workout supplements to lower your risk of any reactions. However, if none of these conditions apply to you, then taking C4 Pre-Workout could help reduce fatigue and increase agility and minimum power to help improve your workouts. 

Furthermore, the ingredients in C4 could help improve other aspects of exercise performance. A recent study on the impact of a multi-ingredient pre-workout supplement on anaerobic performance shows that the supplement significantly improved upper and lower body strength as well as power output in resistance-trained men. Furthermore, caffeine-containing supplements show acute benefits in energy and performance as compared to creatine, which takes longer to reveal benefits. 

Since C4 Pre-Workout contains both caffeine and creatine, among other ingredients, then you will reap the benefit of both acute and long-term energy boosters. Therefore, if you’re looking to increase the potential of your daily workout but are looking to cut energy drinks and coffee from your regimen, then trying C4 Pre-Workout may be just the thing for you. 

FAQ

Does C4 burn fat?

C4 Pre-Workout is not meant to be a fat-burning product. Although there are studies that show B vitamins and caffeine may help support weight loss and fat burning, not enough human studies have been done to confirm this finding in such ingredients or on other common pre-workout compounds like beta-alanine. 

Therefore, do not rely on pre-workout products like C4 to assist you in weight loss. C4 Pre-Workout can help support improvements in your energy and performance during workouts. In turn, you may be able to last longer during workouts burn more calories and such increased energy expenditure could support your weight and fat loss goals if that is what you desire. 

How long does it take C4 to kick in?

According to consumer reviews, C4 Pre-Workout takes between 15 and 30 minutes to kick in. Some people even say that if they take it later in the day before workouts, it doesn’t have much impact on their sleeping patterns. However, this may not be true for everyone, therefore, I would recommend taking C4 Pre-Workout earlier in the day if you are sensitive to caffeine. If you work out later in the day, perhaps test out a small amount of C4 Pre-Workout first before taking a full dose to see how it impacts you so as not to cause any sleep interruptions. 

Does C4 pre-workout actually work?

Many consumers report that C4 Pre-Workout is effective in boosting energy and performance during workouts without much jitteriness or tingling that other pre-workout formulas may cause. Because of this, consumers report that they are able to reap the benefits of more energy without disturbing their sleep patterns or without any uncomfortable side effects. Some consumers even mention using C4 pre-workout as not only an addition to their pre-workout routine but as an energy-boosting alternative to overpriced and higher caffeine energy drinks. 

References

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