Bucked Up Pre-Workout Review

Bucked Up Pre-Workout Overview

The Bucked Up website says, “You won’t find ineffective doses of any ingredients in Bucked Up Pre because we know you don’t want to pay for supplements that don’t work.”^[1]

Uh, the minimum effective dose of beta-alanine is 3,200 mg. Bucked Up has 2,000 mg. So…

Best For:

Those sensitive to caffeine.

Or anyone else seeking a moderate energy boost from 200 mg of caffeine. 

Those who don’t need a big dose of L-citrulline for a pump.

That 4,000 mg might be enough for beginners or people who weigh less than 165 lbs.

Beginners who want to tip their toes into beta-alanine tingles.

It’s not going to improve your performance, but if the tingles get you in the mood to lift, why not?

Not For:

Anyone who cares about third-party verified purity and potency.

I am not saying Bucked Up is doing anything shady. But you can’t be 100% certain about purity — and thus safety — without third-party testing.

Anyone who values ingredients with robust scientific backing.

Deer antler velvet extract might sound fancy, if a bit random. But it has zero scientific backing to improve your training. So why pay for it?

Experienced lifters who live for the beta-alanine tingles.

The 2,000 mg in Bucked Up won’t get you there.

Bucked Up Pre-Workout Ingredients

[image showing the ingredient label]

Most ingredients are either underdosed or only just hit the minimum effective dose. 

Bucked Up also contains some questionable ingredients like deer antler velvet extract and proprietary herbal blends with unsubstantiated claims and a lack of scientific evidence.

Citrulline Malate 2:1

6,000 mg

Citrulline malate is a combination of two ingredients: L-citrulline and malic acid. In Bucked Up, these two components total 6,000 mg, with a ratio of 2:1, translating to 4,000 mg of L-citrulline and 2,000 mg of malic acid.

While consuming L-citrulline can potentially enhance muscle pump and delay fatigue for a rep or two, there is no conclusive evidence to suggest it directly impacts muscle strength or endurance. 

Malic acid is combined with L-citrulline based on anecdotal evidence that it may aid in the absorption of L-citrulline, although this claim is shaky at best.

The minimum effective dose of L-citrulline is 4,000 mg and Bucked Up hits that target. Although it’s still on the lower side for more experienced lifters.^[2]

Beta-Alanine

2,000 mg

Beta-alanine can improve endurance and reduce fatigue, but only if you take the minimum effective dose of 3,200 mg every day to eventually hit the saturation point of 179 GRAMS. 

If you don’t plan on taking the minimum beta-alanine dose daily, you won’t get any real benefits for your performance. The tingling feeling you get after taking beta-alanine is just a side effect. It doesn’t mean it’s working or that you’ve reached the maximum level.

Bucked Up is underdosed on beta-alanine. But if you’re on the smaller side and just want some tingles, 2,000 mg might be enough. Not that it’s going to do anything for your performance.^[3]

Caffeine Anhydrous

200 mg

There’s not enough caffeine in here for a guy my size (180lb), but 200 mg is likely enough for someone smaller or those sensitive to caffeine.^[4]

AlphaSize® 

200 mg

AlphaSize is 50%–52% alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine (alpha-GPC), 47%–49.5% mannitol (natural sugar alcohol), and 0.5%–1% silicon dioxide. 

The alpha-GPC itself has two molecules: choline as the main ingredient and glycerophosphate as the substance that helps transport choline to the brain.

Choline is a nutrient vital for brain health and function that can improve brain development, muscle movement, nervous system function, and metabolism.

Compared to non-branded choline, this patented version is more shelf-stable, has received GRAS status (Food and Drug Administration designation that a chemical or substance is considered safe), and is hypoallergenic.

But that still doesn’t mean it has any business in your pre-workout. 

While choline might help memory and physical performance in healthy young adults and trained athletes if taken long-term, it’s not going to do anything for you in a pre-workout except drive up the price.^[5]

Taurine

100 mg

Taurine may improve performance and recovery, but the evidence isn’t strong enough to make a case for it in a pre-workout. 

Also, the dosage in these studies varies between 1 g and 6 g.^[6] So even if taurine would be effective, there’s not enough in Bucked Up to do anything for you. 

Himalayan Rock Salt

100 mg

The alternative health community speaks of Himalayan salt as if it’s the second coming of Christ. But the facts are less convincing. Himalayan salt doesn’t provide anything you wouldn’t get from regular table salt.^[7]

Yes, when you sweat a lot, a drop in sodium levels can disrupt the balance of electrolytes, reducing nerve conduction efficiency and muscle contraction strength. Having any type of salt in your pre-workout can help with that balance. 

So, I like having sodium in the pre-workout. But I couldn’t care less about whether it’s Himalayan rock salt or old-school table salt from Costco.

Deer Antler Velvet Extract

50 mg

This is exactly what it sounds like: crushed antler base. And it works just as well as you would expect it to — not at all. 

There’s zero evidence to back up any claims about deer antler extract.^[8]

The reason it’s in Bucked Up is in the logo, which — surprise! — just so happens to be a deer. 

It’s ludicrous, but Bucked Up has done a lot of marketing around this ingredient, trying to make its product seem different. Well, it kind of worked: The product is different in that it’s utterly ridiculous.

Also worth mentioning is that if you buy Bucked Up on Amazon, it comes without deer antler velvet extract. Amazon doesn’t allow the sale of products that contain this ingredient. 

If even Jeff Bezos knows it’s bullshit, it’s certifiable bullshit.

Sodium

39 mg

As I mentioned in the Himalayan rock salt section, low sodium levels from sweating can mess up your electrolyte balance, which then affects your muscle contraction. Sodium can help you correct the electrolyte imbalance.

However, this is only a concern when you’re training in hot and humid conditions or doing excessively long training sessions.

AstraGin® 

25 mg

This blend consists of two herbal extracts from traditional Chinese medicine: Astragalus membranaceus and Panax notoginseng.

Astragalus membranaceus is touted for its potential immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory effects, though it lacks robust scientific evidence.[9]

As for Panax notoginseng, claims suggest it may offer cardiovascular benefits and act as a “blood tonic,” a rather ambiguous term referring to its ability to enrich and nourish blood.^[10] 

Good lord.

According to the AstraGin website, it’s standardized to 1.5% total saponins, which are believed to be responsible for many of the herb’s health benefits. But until solid, independent research studies come about, I am highly skeptical of these marketing claims.

Senactiv®

25 mg

Senactiv is a branded supplement composed of Panax notoginseng and Rosa roxburghii extracts. 

Panax notoginseng I already covered earlier. Remember the blood tonic thing?^[11] This might well be the case, but I remain a skeptic until I see non-funded studies. 

Rosa roxburghii is a promising supplement that may improve performance and recovery due to its antioxidant, immune-boosting, and protective effects.^[12] But, as with notoginseng, we need more studies to believe these claims.

Vitamin B12

100 mcg

B12 doesn’t need to be in your pre-workout. It will have no acute impact on your training. If you think you’re deficient in it, chat with your doctor.^[13]

[table showing ingredients and minimum effective doses]

My Experience Using Bucked Up Pre-Workout

I ordered Bucked Up (without them knowing I would review it publicly) and used it for two weeks.

There isn’t much to write about this one. I need more than the 4,000 mg minimum effective dose of L-citrulline to notice a difference in the pump. And the 200 mg of caffeine, although not terrible, isn’t quite enough to power me through a training session. 

Even worse, I actually had a bit of a crash with Bucked Up. You expect to be tired after training, but not to this degree.

Price

[image of the serving size]

A serving of Bucked Up sets you back $1.66. There are no discounts. Although shipping is free for orders over $75.

You do get a generous 45-day money-back guarantee. 

Third-Party Tested and GMP certified

[screenshots of third-party test results]

No, Bucked Up is not third-party tested. But it is GMP certified.

GMP certification means the manufacturing facilities comply with the rigorous quality standards set by regulatory authorities. It covers the entire manufacturing process, including sourcing of raw materials, production processes, packaging, and labeling.

To put it simply, GMP is facility- and process-oriented, and third-party testing is product-specific. Ideally, you want both.

Energy

Bucked Up did next to nothing for my energy. Two hundred milligrams of caffeine is about two cups of brewed coffee and although that amount is often fine for me, this time it wasn’t enough to lift my spirits for training. Yet I had the crash each time, which was weird.

As for the beta-alanine tingles, 2,000 mg isn’t enough for me.

Pump

The pump with Bucked Up was lackluster. Sure, it was a bit better than not having any L-citrulline. But not enough to make a difference in my training.

Taste

[screenshot of flavors from the website]

Bucked Up pre-workout comes in a whopping 18 flavors, some of which come with mind-numbing sub-flavors you’ll have to look at on the website because I’m not typing all that shit:

• Blood Raz
• BKFC Punch 
• Koala Freak (Peach/Mango)
• Koala Freak (Strawberry/Piña Colada)
• KO Kiwi
• Cherry Candy
• Sour Bucks
• White Gummy Deer
• Blue Raz
• Killa OJ
• Rocket Pop
• Strawberry Kiwi
• Watermelon
• Anime
• Miami 
• Buck Berry
• Grape Gainz
• Strawberry Watermelon

I had the Blue Raz and although palatable, it was too sweet for me.

Looking at the reviews online, it seems that opinions on the flavors go both ways. But it’s not universally loved or hated.

Mixability

[image of the pre-workout mixed up]

Bucked Up mixes easy and you’re left with a smooth drink. No clumps or grittiness. 

Customer Experience

The website was easy to use, and the whole ordering process was straightforward. The package was at my door in three days.

How I Tested Bucked Up Pre-Workout

I test each supplement across eight categories, pouring over studies and combining them with personal feedback.

When I conduct tests and write my pre-workout reviews, my commitment is to the truth, even if it ruffles a few feathers. There are no hidden agendas, no fluff — just rigorous research.

1. Ingredients

I care mostly about two ingredients in pre-workout supplements: caffeine and L-citrulline. Then there are two that might be worth your dollars: beta-alanine and electrolytes. But those two are far from mandatory.

Once I know a pre-workout has the two ingredients I care about, I check that the dosage of both ingredients is where it should be to provide the stimulation I need. 

Besides those two, most other ingredients serve a different purpose: marketing. The fewer ingredients I see on the label, the better. 

You can read more about the ingredients I look for on my how I test ingredients page. 

2. Price per serving

I care whether a single serving will give me enough of the two ingredients above for the needed stimulus. Ultimately, I want the best bang for the buck per serving. 

Often, the key ingredients are about the same in most pre-workout supplements. It’s the proprietary blends and trademarked ingredients that raise the price. Both of which rarely contribute to the quality or effectiveness of the supplement. 

Another reason why fewer ingredients are better is that it keeps the cost down.

You can read more about how price factors into my scoring system here.

3. Third-party testing and Good Manufacturing Practice certification

When a supplement company wants third-party testing and certification, it pays an outside organization to test for ingredient potency and accuracy.

Getting certified means an independent organization has reviewed the product and determined it complies with safety, quality, and performance standards.

The absence of third-party testing doesn’t immediately mean a poor product. But knowing the dishonest bullshitting going on in the supplement industry, third-party testing gives me peace of mind knowing a product is safe and has — and does — what it says on the box. 

GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) certification means the manufacturing facilities comply with the rigorous quality standards of regulatory authorities. It covers the entire manufacturing process, including sourcing of raw materials, production processes, packaging, and labeling. 

These guidelines provide minimum requirements that a manufacturer must meet to ensure its products are consistently high in quality.

In short, third-party testing is about the product, and GMP compliance covers the manufacturing.

Read more about third-party testing and GMP compliance here.

4. Energy

Out of all the effects I look for in a pre-workout, this is the one I care about the most. I want to feel psyched and focused for my strength training. And I want to finish without getting the dreaded post-workout caffeine crash.

You can read more about how the energy factors into my scoring system here.

5. Pump

The second most important thing I need from a pre-workout is the pump. The product must have enough L-citrulline (4,000 mg) to increase the blood flow into the muscles I’m working. In most cases, anything less than 6,000 mg, and I’d rather spend my money elsewhere.

Read more about what I look for when scoring the pump.

6. Taste

Let’s face it: Making a decent-tasting pre-workout shouldn’t be that difficult. Yes, a pre-workout with high-quality ingredients in high doses often tastes worse because it’s hard to mask the flavor of the ingredients, but anything less than 8/10 is only acceptable if the product is otherwise exceptional. 

Then again, taste is subjective so don’t get too hung up on this.

You can read more about how taste factors into my scoring system here.

7. Mixability

I need a pre-workout that’s easy to mix in a shaker. That means no powder clumps! I expect something smooth and grit-free that doesn’t get stuck on the side of the shaker. Most pre-workouts add silicon dioxide and calcium silicate as anti-caking agents, so look for that if you’re as annoyed by clumps as I am.

Read more about how mixability factors into my scoring system.

8. Customer experience

In this testing stage, I find and navigate the website, complete the ordering process, and accept delivery, evaluating each company every step of the way. I also review customer service in cases where I have problems with the order. I have high expectations for customer service and will harshly judge brands with missing links in their customer experience.

You can learn more about how customer service factors into my scoring system here.

Conclusion

Bucked Up pre-workout falls short. Way short. While it does offer a minimum effective dose of L-citrulline, it’s likely not enough for most guys. 

For those happy with the 200 mg of caffeine and the mild tingling sensation from the 2,000 mg of beta-alanine, Bucked Up might suffice. 

But a bunch of questionable ingredients with unsubstantiated claims and a relatively high price point make Bucked Up difficult to recommend. There are way better options at a similar, or even cheaper, price point.

For those unwilling to compromise on quality and efficacy, it’s better to invest in a third-party tested pre-workout supplement that prioritizes transparent, research-backed ingredients at optimal doses. 

The alternatives I listed at the top, Transparent Labs BULK and Outwork Pre-workout, are both superior choices that give you better ingredients and dosing.

FAQs

References

1. Bucked Up. Bucked Up pre-workout. https://www.buckedup.com/pre-workout-supplement#:~:text=You%20won%E2%80%99t%20find%20ineffective%20doses%20of%20any%20ingredients%20in%20Bucked%20Up%C2%AE%20Pre%20because%20we%20know%20you%20don%E2%80%99t%20want%20to%20pay%20for%20supplements%20that%20don%E2%80%99t%20work

2. Aguiar, A. F., & Casonatto, J. (2022). Effects of citrulline malate supplementation on muscle strength in resistance-trained adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Dietary Supplements, 19(6), 772–790. https://doi.org/10.1080/19390211.2021.1939473

3. Trexler, E. T., Smith-Ryan, A. E., Stout, J. R., Hoffman, J. R., Wilborn, C. D., Sale, C., Kreider, R. B., Jäger, R., Earnest, C. P., Bannock, L., Campbell, B., Kalman, D., Ziegenfuss, T. N., & Antonio, J. (2015). International society of sports nutrition position stand: Beta-alanine. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12, 30. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-015-0090-y

4. Guest, N.S., VanDusseldorp, T. A., Nelson, M. T., Grgic J., Schoenfeld, B. J., Jenkins N. D. M., Arent S. M., Antonio, J., Stout, J. R., Trexler, E. T., Smith-Ryan, A. E., Goldstein, E. R., Kalman, D. S., & Campbell, B. I. (2021). International society of sports nutrition position stand: caffeine and exercise performance. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-020-00383-4

5. Warber, J. P., Patton, J. F., Tharion, W. J., Zeisel, S. H., Mello, R. P., Kemnitz, C. P., & Lieberman, H. R. (2000). The effects of choline supplementation on physical performance. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 10(2), 170–181. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.10.2.170

6. Kurtz, J. A., VanDusseldorp, T. A., Doyle, J. A., & Otis, J. S. (2021). Taurine in sports and exercise. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-021-00438-0

7. Fayet-Moore, F., Wibisono, C., Carr, P., Duve, E., Petocz, P., Lancaster, G., McMillan, J., Marshall, S., & Blumfield, M. (2020). An analysis of the mineral composition of pink salt available in Australia. Foods, 9(10), 1490. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9101490

8. Examine. Velvet Antler. https://examine.com/supplements/velvet-antler/

9. Zheng, Q., Zhuang, Z., Wang, Z. H., Deng, L. H., Jin, W. J., Huang, Z. J., Zheng, G. Q., & Wang, Y. (2020). Clinical and preclinical systematic review of astragalus membranaceus for viral myocarditis. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2020, 1560353. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/1560353

10. Zhou, R., Zhang, J., Zhang, W., Zhang, X., Zhang, H., Shi, X., Wang, B., Zhang, Q., & Zhang, H. (2024). Clinical efficacy and safety of Panax notoginseng saponins in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with blood hypercoagulability: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Phytomedicine, 125, 155244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2023.155244

11. Hou, C. W., Lee, S. D., Kao, C. L., Cheng, I. S., Lin, Y. N., Chuang, S. J., Chen, C. Y., Ivy, J. L., Huang, C. Y., & Kuo, C. H. (2015). Improved inflammatory balance of human skeletal muscle during exercise after supplementations of the ginseng-based steroid Rg1. PLOS ONE, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0116387

12. Janse van Rensburg, C., Erasmus, E., Loots, D. T., Oosthuizen, W., Jerling, J. C., Kruger, H. S., Louw, R., Brits, M., & van der Westhuizen, F. H. (2005). Rosa roxburghii supplementation in a controlled feeding study increases plasma antioxidant capacity and glutathione redox state. European Journal of Nutrition, 44(7), 452–457. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-005-0555-x

13. Examine. Cyanocobalamin Vitamin B12. https://examine.com/supplements/vitamin-b12/