Which Pre-Workouts Have Creatine in Them?

November 24, 2025 •

4 min read

Creatine is one of the most researched and effective supplements for improving athletic performance and muscle mass. Given its proven benefits, many consumers look for the convenience of a pre-workout formula that includes this essential ingredient. Knowing which pre-workouts have creatine in them can streamline your supplement routine and ensure you're getting the right dose for optimal results.

Quick Summary

This guide covers several popular pre-workout supplements that contain creatine, detailing their dosages, additional ingredients, and overall performance benefits. It explains the function of creatine, how it works with pre-workout components, and helps you choose the best product for your fitness goals. Information on proper dosing and potential side effects is also included.

Key Points

Creatine in Pre-Workouts: Many popular pre-workout supplements, such as Gorilla Mind Gorilla Mode and Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard, include creatine to enhance both immediate and long-term athletic performance.
Dosage is Crucial: The clinically effective dose of creatine is 3-5 grams daily; some pre-workouts provide this amount, while others contain less, requiring additional supplementation.
Creatine Monohydrate: This is the most common, affordable, and scientifically backed form of creatine found in pre-workout blends.
Synergistic Effects: Creatine's long-term strength benefits work well with the short-term energy and focus boosts provided by stimulants like caffeine in pre-workouts.
Consistency Over Timing: Unlike stimulants, creatine's benefits are cumulative with consistent, daily intake, so don't rely solely on your pre-workout for your daily dose.
Brand Choices: Reputable brands like Kaged, Jacked Factory, and Nutricost also offer pre-workouts containing creatine, catering to different budgets and preferences.

The Symbiotic Relationship of Creatine and Pre-Workout

At its core, a pre-workout is designed to provide an immediate boost of energy, focus, and endurance for your training session. This is typically achieved through a blend of stimulants like caffeine, amino acids, and nitric oxide boosters. Creatine, on the other hand, operates on a different, long-term principle by increasing the body's phosphocreatine stores in the muscles. This helps replenish adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy source for high-intensity, short-burst activities such as heavy weightlifting or sprinting. By combining creatine with other pre-workout ingredients, supplement manufacturers aim to deliver both an immediate performance boost and long-term strength and muscle gains.

Popular Pre-Workouts Containing Creatine

Many reputable brands have formulated products that combine the best of both worlds. Here are some of the most prominent options known to contain creatine:

Gorilla Mind Gorilla Mode: Known for its comprehensive formula and potent ingredients, Gorilla Mode often contains a substantial dose of creatine monohydrate, with 5 grams per two-scoop serving. It's popular for delivering strong pumps and focus.
Kaged Pre-Kaged Elite: This premium pre-workout stands out by including both creatine monohydrate and creatine nitrate. The combination is intended to offer better solubility and potentially greater effectiveness, though it comes at a higher price point.
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout: A favorite among beginners, this well-regarded formula provides a moderate dose of 3 grams of creatine monohydrate per serving. It's a reliable option from a trusted brand that also includes caffeine and beta-alanine.
Jacked Factory NitroSurge Build: This product features 1 gram of creatine HCL, a form known for its superior water solubility compared to monohydrate. It's a solid overall pre-workout, though the creatine dose is on the lower side.
Nutricost Pre-C: A budget-friendly option that doesn't skimp on the core ingredients, Nutricost Pre-C includes 3 grams of creatine monohydrate along with high doses of L-citrulline and caffeine.
RYSE Godzilla: For those seeking a high-stimulant option, RYSE Godzilla includes a full, clinically effective dose of 5 grams of creatine monohydrate per two-scoop serving.

How to Evaluate Creatine in a Pre-Workout

When evaluating a pre-workout that lists creatine as an ingredient, several factors are important. The most crucial is the dosage. The clinically effective daily dose of creatine is widely considered to be 3-5 grams for muscle saturation and long-term benefits. Many pre-workouts contain smaller amounts, which means you may need to supplement separately to meet this threshold. The form of creatine is also a consideration; while other forms exist, creatine monohydrate is the most researched, affordable, and proven version.

The Importance of Consistent Creatine Intake

Unlike the acute effects of caffeine, creatine's benefits are cumulative and depend on consistent daily intake, not just on workout days. It works by saturating the muscles with phosphocreatine over a period of weeks, which is why a loading phase can accelerate results. Taking a pre-workout with a lower creatine dose might contribute to your daily intake, but relying solely on it could prevent you from reaching full muscle saturation, especially if you don't work out every day.

Choosing the Right Pre-Workout with Creatine

Selecting the right product depends heavily on your individual needs, tolerance for stimulants, and budget. For those who want the full benefits without the need for a separate supplement, choosing a pre-workout with a full 5-gram dose is ideal. For others, a product with a lower dose might suffice if they are already taking additional creatine. It's essential to check the ingredient list for both the type and quantity of creatine.

Comparison Table: Pre-Workouts with Creatine


Feature	Gorilla Mind Gorilla Mode	Kaged Pre-Kaged Elite	Nutricost Pre-C	Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout
Creatine Type	Monohydrate	Monohydrate & Nitrate	Monohydrate	Monohydrate
Creatine Dose	5g (per 2 scoops)	Varies (contains multiple forms)	3g	3g
Stimulants	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Best For	Heavy lifters & focus	Performance & solubility	Budget-conscious users	Beginners & reliable performance
Average Cost	High	Very High	Low	Moderate

Conclusion

Many pre-workout supplements include creatine to offer a dual-purpose product that boosts both immediate and long-term performance. Top brands like Gorilla Mind, Kaged, and Optimum Nutrition all offer effective formulas containing this essential ingredient. For maximizing creatine's benefits, consistency is key, so ensure the product provides a sufficient dose or plan to supplement separately on non-workout days. Ultimately, the best choice depends on balancing the right blend of energy, focus, and long-term strength support for your specific fitness journey.

For more information on the effectiveness and long-term safety of creatine supplementation, check out the in-depth studies and research from the International Society of Sports Nutrition on the topic.(https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12970-017-0173-z)

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it is generally safe to take a pre-workout containing creatine. The combination of creatine's performance-enhancing effects and the energy from other pre-workout ingredients is common in the fitness industry and is considered safe for most healthy individuals.

For maximum effectiveness, a pre-workout should ideally contain 3-5 grams of creatine, which is the clinically recommended daily dosage for muscle saturation. If your pre-workout has less, you may need to supplement with additional creatine separately to meet your daily needs.

If your pre-workout contains less than the recommended 3-5 grams of creatine, or if you don't take a pre-workout every day, you should consider supplementing with extra creatine. The key is consistent daily intake, not just on workout days, to maintain muscle creatine stores.

Creatine can cause some initial water retention as it pulls water into your muscle cells. This is a normal and expected side effect, and is different from bloating caused by water retention elsewhere in the body.

Creatine's effectiveness is not dependent on other pre-workout ingredients, but they can work together synergistically. While creatine boosts long-term strength and power, ingredients like caffeine and L-citrulline provide acute energy and improved blood flow, complementing creatine's benefits.

Creatine monohydrate is the most researched and proven form and is highly effective when consistently dosed. While other forms like HCL exist and offer different properties like better solubility, they are not necessarily more effective than monohydrate.

Taking creatine separately offers more control over the dose and intake timing, as creatine's benefits are cumulative and do not require acute timing. A pre-workout with creatine provides convenience by combining the ingredients, but you should check the dosage to ensure you're getting enough for muscle saturation.