Bucked Up Non-Stimulant Pre-Workout Review

Bucked Up Non-Stimulant Pre-Workout Overview

Best For:

If I stretch my imagination, I can see two use cases for Bucked Up Non-Stim.

Folks who can’t deal with caffeine.

Whether that’s because of late-night training, some religious preferences, or medical reasons. But I would argue that the taste is the only reason to buy this instead of straight-up L-citrulline.

Folks who prefer taste over performance.

I don’t see the point, but we live in a free country and you are therefore free to choose as you please.

Not For:

Anyone who needs caffeine before training.

There’s none in here. So if it’s the caffeine you’re looking for, look elsewhere. 

Anyone who values evidence-based ingredients and third-party testing.

If you want ingredients backed by robust scientific evidence, you’ll be disappointed. Deer antler velvet extract is just the tip of the iceberg.

Experienced lifters who live for the beta-alanine tingles.

The 2,000 mg in this one won’t deliver.

Bucked Up Non-Stimulant Pre-Workout Ingredients

[image showing the ingredient label]

I’d like to first point out one of the more outrageous claims I’ve seen in my time reviewing pre-workouts. Courtesy of the Bucked Up website:

Stimulant Free Pre-Workout includes clinically studied ingredients designed to STILL help you experience powerful pumps, eternal endurance, laser-sharp focus, incredible hydration, and long-lasting energy.^[1]

Eternal endurance? Yes, please. Actually, according to my girlfriend, any improvement in endurance would be greatly appreciated.

And I am not too sure what “incredible hydration” entails. But it sounds delightful. 

Citrulline Malate 2:1

6,000 mg

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

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

Malic acid may aid in the absorption of L-citrulline, but the science on this claim isn’t conclusive either.

The minimum effective dose of L-citrulline is 4,000 mg, and Bucked Up Non-Stim hits that target.^[2] 

But I highly doubt 4,000 mg is enough to “experience powerful pumps” — especially among seasoned lifters.

Beta-Alanine 

2,000 mg

Beta-alanine can help boost endurance and reduce tiredness if you consistently take at least 3,200 mg daily. This daily intake is necessary to build up to a total body level of 179 GRAMS. Without sticking to this daily minimum, you’re unlikely to see any performance benefits.

The tingling sensation from taking beta-alanine is merely a common side effect and doesn’t indicate its effectiveness or that you’ve taken enough to impact your performance.

Bucked Up contains less beta-alanine than the minimum effective dose.^[3] 

However, for smaller individuals who enjoy the tingling sensation, a dose of 2,000 mg may be sufficient. 

But that “eternal endurance” is a wish that won’t come true. Bucked Up Non-Stim is not going to turn you into Cernunnos, the Celtic horned god, fabled to have unwavering endurance.

It won’t even turn you into Hephaestus.

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 unlikely to deliver a “laser-like focus” in your pre-workout.^[4]

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.^[5] 

Even if taurine would be effective, 100 mg in Bucked Up Non-Stimulant is a far cry from “long-lasting energy.”

Himalayan Rock Salt

100 mg

Himalayan salt doesn’t provide anything you wouldn’t get from regular table salt.^[6]

Yes, when you sweat more than a nugget in the oven, a drop in sodium levels can mess up 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. 

For “incredible hydration,” I like having sodium in my pre-workout. But whether it’s Himalayan rock salt or Capitol Hill table salt is indifferent. 

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 — f*ck all. 

The hard evidence on deer antler extract claims rounds up to about zero.^[7]

The reason it’s in Bucked Up products is the logo, which — surprise! — just so happens to be a deer. I suppose I should be grateful the company didn’t decide to put cat whiskers on the logo. 

It’s ludicrous, but Bucked Up has done a lot of marketing around this ingredient, trying to make its product seem different in a saturated market. But here’s the thing: If deer antler were so special, every other company would do it too. But no one else isn’t, so…

It’s also worth mentioning 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, who is willing to sell just about anything, knows it’s bullshit, it’s certifiable bullshit.

AstraGin^®

25 mg

This lovely 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.^[8] But the robust scientific evidence isn’t there.

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.^[9] Which must be a great feeling.

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, these claims go into my waste-of-money bucket.

Frankly, enriching blood sounds like something you would do in Potions class at Hogwarts.

Senactiv^®

25 mg

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

Panax notoginseng I already covered earlier (likely no effect on your training).^[10]

Rosa roxburghii is a promising supplement that may improve performance and recovery due to its antioxidant, immune-boosting, and protective effects.^[11] But, as with notoginseng (and about 99.9% of herbs), we need more studies to take these claims seriously. 

Vitamin B12

100 mcg

Like I’ve said so many times: B12 doesn’t need to be in your pre-workout. It will have no acute impact on your training.^[12] If you think you’re deficient in it, chat with your doctor.

[table showing ingredients and minimum effective doses]

My Experience Using Bucket Up Non-Stimulant Pre-Workout

Meh. There’s not enough L-citrulline in here to give me a proper pump. Combine that with zero caffeine and I honestly got nothing out of the stim-free Bucked Up. 

I think stim-free pre-workout is a reasonable option for those who train late at night or can’t tolerate caffeine, but this is not the way to do it. 

Price

[image of the serving size]

One serving of Bucked Up Non-Stimulant pre-workout costs $1.66. There are no discounts, although shipping is free for orders over $75.

You do get a generous 45-day money-back guarantee. In case you’re tempted to try this for some weird reason.

Third-Party Tested and GMP Certified

[screenshots of third-party test results]

No, Bucked Up Non-Stimulant 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

Well, with zero caffeine, what do you expect? I had about as much extra energy and focus as training after a lemon tea. 

Pump

That 4,000 mg of L-citrulline wasn’t terrible for the pump. I mean, it’s far from my optimal 6,000 mg dose, but I still felt some pump in training. Considering it’s about the only selling point here, this dose needs to be higher.

Taste

[screenshot of flavors from the website]

Unlike other Bucked Up pre-workouts, the non-stimulant version comes in five reasonably named flavors:

• Grape Gainz
• Pink Lemonade
• Orange Mango
• Raspberry Lime Ricky
• Strawberry Kiwi

I tried Strawberry Kiwi, and it was an absolute delight. My mouth couldn’t wait to get more of it.

Mixability

[image of the pre-workout mixed up]

Like all Bucked Up pre-workouts I’ve tried, the non-stim version mixes great. There is no grittiness, clumps, or other annoying things.

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 Non-Stimulant 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

While Bucked Up Non-Stimulant pre-workout meets the minimal effective dosage for L-citrulline and cuts out caffeine for those wanting a stim-free option, every other aspect of it falls flat.

The underdosed beta-alanine and useless ingredients like the deer antler make it a pointless pre-workout. Especially considering the missing third-party testing and the high cost per serving.

If you absolutely need a stim-free pre-workout, get straight-up L-citrulline and you’re good to go. Whatever you do, don’t sink your money into Bucked Up.

FAQs

References

1. Bucked Up. Bucked Up Non-Stimulant pre-workout. https://www.buckedup.com/bucked-up-pre-workout/stim-free-supplement#:~:text=Stimulant%20Free%20Pre%2DWorkout%20includes%20clinically%20studied%20ingredients%20designed%20to%20STILL%20help%20you%20experience%20powerful%20pumps%2C%20eternal%20endurance%2C%20laser%2Dsharp%20focus%2C%20incredible%20hydration%2C%20and%20long%2Dlasting%20energy.*

2. 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. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

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