I’ve been putting Huge Supplements’ Wrecked pre-workout to the test for the past few weeks, and here’s my honest review.

Wrecked maxes out on most key ingredients, but it has N,N-phenethyldimethylamine which I can’t recommend for anyone.

But if you want to know the details about why I feel so uneasy about Wrecked, read on. I’ll break down all the ingredients and explain what works, what doesn’t, and why one of the ingredients should be illegal in pre-workouts (oh, wait — it is in some countries).

HUGE Supplements Wrecked Pre-Workout Alternatives

Wrecked has the reputation (partly by its own making) of being one of the strongest pre-workouts on the market. And if you’re looking for alternatives for Wrecked, I bet my slightly larger left nut that you want something that hits heavy.

Here are two alternatives to consider before buying Wrecked.

Transparent Labs BULK

Unless you want to max out on all the ingredients (rarely necessary), Transparent Labs BULK is my go-to recommendation. It’s third-party tested, GMP certified, and at $1.66 per serving ($1.49 if you subscribe), it’s way more reasonably priced than Wrecked. 

It’s a far safer option and my go-to recommendation

It also hits the minimum effective dose of all the key ingredients. If you’re a caffeine fiend, just keep in mind that Transparent Labs BULK has 200 mg of caffeine compared to the 325 mg in Wrecked. 

Outwork Nutrition Pre-Workout

Outworks Nutrition’s pre-workout is a good option when you want something strong but with way fewer junk ingredients than Wrecked. It’s third-party tested and GMP certified, and it has 5,000 mg of L-citrulline and 300 mg of caffeine to help you power through your training.

For more, read all my pre-workout reviews.

Huge Supplements claims that Wrecked is one of the strongest pre-workouts on the market and goes way beyond the minimum effective doses of the ingredients that matter. But Wrecked also has a fair bit of junk in it, which completely tanks its overall score in my testing.

By the way, it’s important to note — given the price — that you won’t get the marketed doses of Wrecked unless you take the full two-scoop serving size, so that’s what I’m talking about in this review.

Best For:

Wrecked is an okay option for experienced pre-workout users with a high tolerance for stimulants looking for one of the biggest hits they can find. But with the N,N-phenethyldimethylamine in it, it’s tough to recommend.

Still, the massive two-scoop serving packs a caffeine energy punch.

If you’re about to go for a PR (or just need to lift a Jeep out of a ditch), Wrecked is a solid option. The citrulline, betaine, and malic acid are likely going to give you the pump you need.

If you live for the beta-alanine tingles, Wrecked will have you crawling out of your skin. It might be a placebo effect talking, but hey, if it gets you in the mood to lift, more power to you. It sure works for me.

Not For:

While Wrecked delivers intensity, it’s not the right option for everyone anyone.

If you’re new to pre-workouts or sensitive to stimulants, the hit of caffeine along with N,N-phenethyldimethylamine citrate is going to give you a crash of a lifetime — as well as other potential negative side effects, like headache and even nausea.

Speaking of N,N-phenethyldimethylamine: The long-term safety data is still limited, and it’s a banned substance in some countries. If you compete, make sure to check if N,N-phenethyldimethylamine is legal where you live.

If you have a heart condition, this isn’t for you. 

Phenethylamines-derived substances, such as N,N-phenethyldimethylamine, are associated with risks to the cardiovascular system.

If you’re on a budget, keep looking.

At $2.50 per two-scoop serving, Wrecked is also one of the more expensive pre-workouts on the market. While you get a premium dose of the key ingredients, the price is hard to justify considering some of the filler ingredients in the mix.

Huge Supplements Wrecked Pre-Workout Ingredients

[image showing the ingredient label]

I typically like to see as few ingredients as possible on a pre-workout label, and preferably the ingredients I actually want. Wrecked has over a dozen ingredients, some of which are unnecessary and at least one that may not be safe. 

It’s up to you to decide if you really want to pay for all this stuff.

L-Citrulline 

8,000 mg

L-citrulline is a nonessential amino acid that may improve blood flow, increase pump, and enhance exercise performance. Ideally, you want to take L-citrulline 60–90 minutes before training to get the best possible effect.^[1]

The minimum effective dose of L-citrulline is 4,000 mg. At 8,000 mg, Wrecked gives you double that. 

Hydromax™ (65% Glycerol) 

4,000 mg

Hydromax is a patented, highly concentrated form of glycerol. Based on a study with endurance athletes, Hydromax can significantly improve hydration (and, therefore, performance) compared to water. However, the difference is only noticeable in activities lasting around 130 minutes.^[2] 

Unless you’re an absolute beast planning on training 130 minutes at a time (why would you?!) or training in hot and humid conditions, I can’t see Hydromax making any difference to your performance.

As a side note, glycerol was previously considered a banned substance for competitive athletes by the World Anti-Doping Agency due to its potential to mask other banned substances.

Beta-Alanine

3,500 mg

Beta-alanine can improve your endurance and reduce fatigue only if you take more than 3.2 grams DAILY for four to six weeks.

If you’re not planning on hitting the saturation point of beta-alanine, don’t expect to get any performance benefits.^[3]

The tingling sensation (paresthesia) you get with beta-alanine intake is not an indicator of its effectiveness or that you’ve reached the saturation point. Instead, it’s a side effect of acute beta-alanine consumption. 

At 3,500 mg, Wrecked will definitely give you the tingles.

Betaine Anhydrous

3,000 mg

Betaine anhydrous is a natural compound found in the body and in foods like beets, spinach, cereals, and seafood. 

In pre-workouts, betaine anhydrous can improve muscle pump similarly to L-citrulline. But the science on all that is shaky. The minimum effective dose for this is 2,500 mg, and Wrecked goes above and beyond at 3,000 mg.

Betaine anhydrous is also marketed to increase performance, but these benefits lack scientific backing. The most promising data indicates improvements when training with higher volumes above three sets. But the science is inconclusive at best.^[4]

Malic Acid

3,000 mg

When taken together with L-citrulline, malic acid may help you pump out a few extra reps. 

An L-citrulline and malic acid combo won’t make you stronger, but it might help you stretch your sets a bit longer. It can also reduce delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) after training.^[5]

Agmatine Sulfate

1,500 mg

Here’s the first fluffy, pointless ingredient in Wrecked. 

Agmatine originates from L-arginine, and animal studies suggest it can help reduce pain. The lack of human evidence means there are no standards for a minimum effective dose.^[6] 

There’s no proof this additive will do anything for you, and there’s no telling if this would be the right dose even if it did do something.

All this begs the question, Why the f*ck is agmatine in this pre-workout?

L-Tyrosine

1,500 mg

L-tyrosine is an amino acid the body processes to make the chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals improve alertness, focus, and attention, and they can elevate your cognitive skills and reduce blood pressure in stressful situations.^[7] 

Based on the current science, an 80kg (176lb) person would need more than 8,000 mg of L-tyrosine to feel these effects.

Besides anecdotal evidence, there’s no science to suggest lower doses will do anything. 

Alpha GPC

600 mg

The main ingredient here is choline, an essential nutrient that can improve brain development, muscle movement, nervous system function, and metabolism. That’s if you hit the daily target (550 mg for men and 425 mg for women) of choline per day. For reference, an egg has about 150 mg of choline.

Choline supplementation might have limited effects on memory and physical performance in healthy young adults and trained athletes, but based on the current evidence, the supplementation does not consistently improve performance.^[8]

So, does alpha GPC make any difference to your training? Unlikely. Put this one in the fluffy-and-pointless-in-a-pre-workout box. 

Lion’s Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus)

600 mg

Research on lion’s mane mushrooms is promising. In humans, continuously supplementing lion’s mane mushroom shows some improvements in cognitive performance in people with mild cognitive decline.^[10] 

The lion’s mane mushroom potential is very exciting, but let’s not get too carried away. There’s not enough evidence that 600 mg of lion’s mane mushroom will impact your training or recovery in any way.^[11]

Sodium (as Himalayan Pink Salt)

500 mg

Pink Himalayan salt is mostly sold as a miracle for hydration and electrolyte balance, but the science doesn’t stack up. Pink Himalayan salt provides nothing you wouldn’t get from regular table salt.^[12] 

Yes, sweating a lot can drop sodium levels and disrupt the balance of electrolytes, which then decreases muscle contraction strength. Having any type of salt in your pre-workout can help with that balance. Especially when you’re doing longer training sessions in hot and humid conditions.

So, I am all for having sodium in my pre-workout. But I couldn’t care less about whether it’s pink Himalayan sea salt or old-school table salt.

Caffeine Anhydrous

250 mg

Caffeine is a powerful stimulant that can significantly improve your focus and energy. Out of all the pre-workout ingredients, it’s the one most backed by science.^[13] 

At 250 mg, the caffeine anhydrous in Wrecked is about 2–3 cups of brewed coffee. It’s more than enough for most people to feel the effect. 

Keep in mind that Wrecked also has 100 mg of di-caffeine malate. All of this adds up to a significant kick of caffeine.

N,N-Phenethyldimethylamine Citrate

250 mg

N,N-phenethyldimethylamine citrate originates from phenethylamine, structurally similar to amphetamines. Some studies suggest it may have stimulant effects and potentially increase exercise performance, but the evidence is limited.

There are cardiovascular safety concerns about N,N-phenethyldimethylamine, such as rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, and even the potential for heart attack or stroke. These concerns are based on the known effects of similar stimulants, such as dimethylamylamine, which has well-documented risks.^[14] 

There are safety concerns, particularly of the cardiovascular variety, such as rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, and even heart attack or stroke. 

N,N-phenethyldimethylamine is banned in some countries due to a lack of research on its long-term effects and potential addictive properties.^[15]

And if none of that convinces you to skip this ingredient, here’s one more: There isn’t any scientific research supporting the effectiveness of N,N-phenethyldimethylamine from a performance standpoint. 

But I guess it’s just there to wake you up — like meth.

Theobromine

150 mg

Theobromine is caffeine’s more laid-back cousin. It’s a milder stimulant found in cocoa beans, chocolate, tea leaves, and kola nuts.

Because it’s less potent as a central nervous system stimulant than caffeine, it might provide a milder, longer-lasting energy boost without the typical crash of high caffeine intake.^[16] But I wouldn’t hang too many hopes on this improving your training.

Di-Caffeine Malate

100 mg

Di-caffeine malate combines caffeine and malic acid, usually at roughly 75% caffeine and 25% malic acid. Combining the two gives a smoother release of caffeine compared to the usual mule-kick of caffeine on its own.

Black Pepper Fruit Extract 95% (Piper nigrum)

10 mg

Black pepper is a source of piperine. This molecule doesn’t do much on its own, but it can increase the absorption of other supplements. 

In the case of Wrecked, piperine is likely here to (at least theoretically) increase the absorption of beta-alanine, L-tyrosine, theobromine, and caffeine. However, the data on all this is piss-poor. 

Also, something like curcumin typically needs 20 mg of black pepper to improve the absorption. So, I’m not convinced 10 mg of black pepper extract does much here.^[17] 

Rauwolscine

1 mg

Rauwolscine is a root extract (from Rauwolfia vomitoria) marketed for its ability to increase fat-burning and improve stiffness in the old Johnson.

But to get the fat-burning benefits of Rauwolscine, you would need about 16 times the dose in Wrecked. ^[18] Meaning that it’s about as pointless in here as eating a fistful of oregano before your session.

My Experience Using HUGE Supplements Wrecked Pre-Workout

I tried Wrecked for two weeks, taking the full two-scoop serving before all my training sessions.

The ingredients are well-dosed but a tad excessive. At least for me. 

I had a crash after each time I used Wrecked. It wasn’t the worst, but still enough to make me feel like shit for a few hours. Not ideal.

Considering the onslaught of ingredients, I was disappointed with the pump and energy.

Honestly, I was expecting firehouse veins and speed-like energy, but it just didn’t deliver. I still got solid training in each time, but I can’t settle for anything less than top points when I have to deal with that crash after each training session.

I’m guessing the crash was more due to N,N-phenethyldimethylamine than caffeine. Sure, Wrecked has a shit-metric ton of caffeine, but I tend to have a high tolerance for caffeine — less of a tolerance for amphetamine-like substances.

Price

[image of the serving size]

At $2.50 for a two-scoop serving ($2.43 with subscription), Wrecked is one of the more expensive pre-workouts. While you get premium doses of key ingredients, the “exotic” stimulants and the excessiveness of the doses likely hike up the price.

Delivery costs $8, but it’s free if your order is over $100.

Third-Party Tested and GMP Certified

[screenshots of third-party test results]

Wrecked isn’t third-party tested and doesn’t have a Good Manufacturing Practice certificate to verify the ingredient dosages and product purity. Considering Wrecked is so damn strong and includes N,N-phenethyldimethylamine, I just can’t trust the label 100%.

If you’re like me and prioritize third-party testing as a benchmark for quality and safety, Wrecked won’t meet your criteria.

Energy

As I mentioned earlier, the energy and focus were okay, but not great. I had to deal with the crash after each training too, which wasn’t my favorite part of the day.

As for the tingles, there’s plenty of beta-alanine to feel all kinds of things. At 3,500 mg, I wouldn’t want any more in my pre-workout.

Pump

With that huge 8,000 mg L-citrulline dose, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect my pumps to be out of this world, veins bulging everywhere. Well, not so much. It wasn’t terrible, but it still left me feeling less ripped than ripped off.

Taste

[screenshot of flavors from the website]

Wrecked comes in seven flavors:

• Orange Burst
• Blue Razz
• Raspberry Mojito
• Bomb Popsicle
• Rainbow Burst
• Peach Rings
• Sour Gummy

I used the Blue Razz, which was pretty average. You know if you mix two-week-old fruit punch with Nana’s pickle juice and then filter it through your uncle’s jockstrap from the 80s? Well, it wasn’t that bad. It just wasn’t anything to write home about. 

Looking at the online ratings, though, people tend to like these flavors.

Mixability

[image of the pre-workout mixed up]

Mixing Wrecked puts you through a rollercoaster of emotions. It starts clumpy as f*ck, so you’re mentally preparing to chew through it. But by the time you’re done mixing it, it somehow ends super smooth and clump-free with zero grittiness.

Customer Experience

The Wrecked online store is easy to use. The navigation and ordering process is straightforward and gets two thumbs up from me. 

Delivery took six days, which is on par with most things you order online. They even added an extra flavor for free, which was a nice touch.

How I Tested HUGE Supplements Wrecked 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

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 stage of testing, 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 that have missing links in their customer experience.

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

Conclusion

If you’re an experienced pre-workout user chasing one of the highest doses of active ingredients money can buy, and you give zero f*cks about third-party testing and the potential downsides of N,N-phenethyldimethylamine, Huge Supplements Wrecked pre-workout might make you think God has answered your prayers. 

But I strongly suggest you consider an alternative with third-party testing and without that meth-like substance.

Also, the pump and energy I got from taking Wrecked weren’t as great as I expected, and I had a decent crash after each training session. 

Wrecked is also one of the most expensive pre-workouts on the market, so if you’re on a budget, this isn’t for you. 

All in all, there’s no question Wrecked is a potent pre-workout (at least on paper), but because of the dangers of both N,N-phenethyldimethylamine and the lack of third-party testing, Wrecked is a hard NO from me.

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1. Gonzalez, A. M., & Trexler, E. T. (2020). Effects of citrulline supplementation on exercise performance in humans: A review of the current literature. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 34(5), 1480–1495. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003426

2. Goulet, E. D., Aubertin-Leheudre, M., Plante, G. E., & Dionne, I. J. (2007). A meta-analysis of the effects of glycerol-induced hyperhydration on fluid retention and endurance performance. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 17(4), 391–410. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.17.4.391

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. Ismaeel A. (2017). Effects of betaine supplementation on muscle strength and power: A systematic review. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 31(8), 2338–2346. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000001959

5. Vårvik, F. T., Bjørnsen, T., & Gonzalez, A. M. (2021). Acute effect of citrulline malate on repetition performance during strength training: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 31(4), 350–358. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2020-0295

6. Examine. Agmatine. https://examine.com/supplements/agmatine/

7. Examine. L-tyrosine. https://examine.com/supplements/l-tyrosine/ 

8. 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

9. 

10. Examine. Lion’s Mane. https://examine.com/supplements/lionsmane/

11. Grozier, C. D., Alves, V. A., Killen, L. G., Simpson, J. D., O’Neal, E. K., & Waldman, H. S. (2022). Four weeks of Hericium erinaceus supplementation does not impact markers of metabolic flexibility or cognition. International Journal of Exercise Science, 15(2), 1366–1380.

12. 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

13. Guest, N. S., VanDusseldorp, T. A., Nelson, M. T. et al. (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

14. RxList. Dimethylamylamine. https://www.rxlist.com/supplements/dimethylamylamine.htm

15. Cohen, P., Travis, J., & Venhuis, B. (2014). A methamphetamine analog (N,α-diethyl-phenylethylamine) identified in a mainstream dietary supplement. Drug Testing and Analysis, 6(7-8), 805–7. https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.1578.

16. Baggott, M. J., Childs, E., Hart, A. B. et al. (2013). Psychopharmacology of theobromine in healthy volunteers. Psychopharmacology, 228, 109–118. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-013-3021-0 

17. Examine. Black pepper. https://examine.com/supplements/black-pepper/

18. Examine. Rauwolscine. https://examine.com/supplements/rauwolscine/