Our team has tested 18 pre-workouts, and our tester Pete has researched hundreds of different pre-workout supplements over the years. “This product is meant to seriously increase your blood flow during training, which not only helps to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the muscles but also is a significant driver of hypertrophy or muscle growth,” he said. Read on for more of his assessment of this pre-workout in our full review.

4.0

Kaged Pre-Workout Elite Series

Serving size

1 scoop

Key ingredients

Natural caffeine, fermented citrulline, alpha-GPC, creatine, beta-alanine, electrolytes

Flavors

Fruit punch, cherry, strawberry lemonade, orange mango, Caribbean sunrise

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Product HighlightsPros & Cons

• Our thoughts: This product is one of the strongest and most concentrated pre-workout powders on the market
• Who it’s for: Our tester thinks this pre-workout is perfect for bodybuilders and strength athletes looking to push their limits in the gym
• What makes it different: It’s a supercharged pre-workout, with 388 mg of caffeine and other ingredients to support elite performance

PROS

• Informed Sport certified
• Formulation is great for advanced gym goers and athletes
• Reviewers love the formula and flavors

CONS

• Only 20 servings per container
• Pricier than other pre-workouts on the market
• May be too high a stim for some folks

Prefer a cognitive enhancer without caffeine? Check out our review of Onnit’s Alpha Brain

Kaged Pre-Workout Elite Series Specs

Our Experience with Kaged Pre-Workout 

Kaged’s Pre-Workout Elite (formerly Pre-Kaged Elite) has a strong pre-workout formulation. It contains 388 milligrams of caffeine, which nearly reaches the FDA-recommended ceiling of 400 milligrams of caffeine per day. This pre-workout is available in five different flavors and is vegan-friendly, gluten-free, and non-GMO. It includes 20 ingredients, nine of which are patented, which support pump and performance, cellular hydration, ATP, energy, and focus. 

Pete, a certified nutrition coach, tested Kaged Pre-Workout Elite and provided his feedback. He’s tested 15 pre-workout supplements recently, providing helpful tester data on taste, workout support, mixability, formulation quality, and more.

What We Liked 

Here’s what Pete rated highly after trying Kaged Pre-Workout Elite. 

• First impressions (5 out of 5): Pete liked the label, which has a matte black finish with metallic gold lettering. “It pops off the label and looks great,” Pete said. “This is somewhat travel-friendly despite being slightly larger than most pre-workout containers on the market. It opens and closes easily, and a scoop is provided.”
• Mixability (5 out of 5): Per Pete, the product fully dissolved after a minute of shaking, and there weren’t any chunks or clumping. It had a smooth consistency.
• Taste (5 out of 5): Our tester tried the Caribbean sunrise flavor, noting that he thought it tasted great and was very refreshing. “It has a very tropical flavor,” Pete said. “I could definitely pick out the mango flavor in particular.” Reviewers on the Kaged website love this flavor. Pete said he would drink this pre-workout regularly, finding the flavor and sweetness to be well-balanced.
• Side effects experience (5 out of 5): “I didn’t have any digestive issues, and I felt great during my workout after using this product,” said Pete. He added, “I did experience the tingles, known as paresthesia, which comes from the beta-alanine ingredient. This pre-workout contains 3,200 mg of beta-alanine, which is a strong enough dose for most people to experience the tingling sensation. The other noteworthy ingredient dosage is the 388 milligrams of caffeine, making Kaged Pre-Workout Elite Series one of the most high-stim pre-workouts on the market. This is almost the full recommended daily allowance of caffeine (400 mg/day) noted by the FDA. While I personally didn’t feel any of the jitters or anxiety that may come with this strong a dose, this is probably too intense for most users. This product is definitely intended for high-level bodybuilders who are trying to maximize their sessions at the gym.”

What We Would Change

Here’s what Pete would improve about Kaged Pre-Workout Elite.

• Value (1 out of 5): As of this writing, this supplement is only available in 20 serving containers and costs $59.00, which comes out to be $2.95 per serving. If you choose to subscribe and save, you’ll get a 20% off discount. 

Who It’s For & Who It’s Not For

Kaged Pre-Workout Elite is for:

• Folks seeking a high-stim pre-workout supplement
• Intermediate to advanced athletes and gym goers
• People who value third-party testing and certifications; it’s Informed Sport certified
• Athletes who prioritize a more intense formula over the higher cost

Kaged Pre-Workout Elite may not be ideal for:

• People who are new to taking a pre-workout
• Folks sensitive to caffeine
• Beginners who don’t like the tingles from beta-alanine
• Budget-conscious shoppers
• People who work out at night 

If you like some caffeine, but not a lot, try drinking matcha for focus.

Comparing Kaged Pre-Workout Elite Series to Other Products

Frequently asked questions