C4 Cellucor Pre-Workout Review: Does It Work?

You probably know it has become a norm to use a pre-workout supplement to support your health and fitness goals. However, with the market crowded with vast pre-workout supplement options, knowing which one to choose can be daunting. Most People experiment with multiple pre-workout supplements until they figure out which one works for them. 

The C4 pre-workout from Cellucor is one of the pre-workout supplements that claim to give you explosive energy and take your workouts to the next level. This review seeks to determine whether the C4 pre-workout is worth the hype and what it entails.  

Carry on reading to learn how C4 Cellucor pre-workout works, its ingredients, benefits, flavors, price, and advantages and disadvantages. 

C4 Pre-workout Basics and the Brand Behind It

C4 Cellucor pre-workout is a flavored and effective powdered supplement designed to increase energy, muscle endurance, and mental focus when working out. The powdered supplement comes in different flavors that are tasty when mixed with water. When you take 1-2 scoops of C4 before your workout, you get:

• Increased energy to workout harder and lift heavier
• Reduced muscle fatigue
• Motivation and focus
• More endurance
• Better performance 
• Expedited recovery

C4 is a flagship product from Cellucor, a Texas-based company that has existed since 2002. Since the launch of the C4 Original in 2011, Cellucor has established itself as one of the most credible supplement manufacturers in the fitness and body-building community.

Besides the C4 pre-workout, the company boasts a decent portfolio of supplements, including a BCAA called Alpha Amino and a whey known as Cor-Performance. However, C4 remains the best-selling pre-workout supplement from Cellucor in the country. 

Although C4 pre-workout contains low quantities of ingredients like caffeine, it’s more than a caffein-filled energy drink. It also contains secondary ingredients that enhance wakefulness, endurance, and improved performance in your workout. 

Let’s look at a breakdown of all the ingredients to know precisely how the C4 pre-workout supplement works. 

C4 Cellucor Pre-workout Ingredients

Before we get you to guzzle a cup full of this pre-workout supplement, let’s see what is inside the bottle.

Caffeine (150mg)

Caffeine is a renowned mild stimulant integrated into many products, from sodas to coffee and energy drinks. Each serving of the C4 contains 150mg of caffeine. The caffeine in the C4 is relatively low, considering a cup of coffee contains at least 100mg. 

Creatine Nitrate (NO3-T)

Creatine is not only featured as an ingredient in most supplements but can also be consumed independently. Research shows that creatine supplementation improves training performance, reduces fatigue, and aids in phasing out post-workout injuries for faster recovery. In C4 pre-workout, creatine is combined with a nitrate molecule to produce more beneficial results. Supplementation with creatine nitrate leads to improved performance in reps and weight lifting. 

CarnoSyn Beta-Alanine

 This robust component is infused in the C4 pre-workout supplement to delay the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles, thereby preventing muscle fatigue and failure. Documented research also indicates that CarnoSyn Beta-Alanine fosters endurance and recovery, ensuring improved exercise capacity and performance. 

Arginine AKG (Alpha-Ketoglutarate)

Commonly known as AAKG, Arginine Alpha Ketoglutorate helps the liver increase nitric oxide production, leading to vasodilation during training. Arginine Alpha Ketoglutorate presence in the body induces the production of nitric oxide, which enhances vasodilation for better blood flow to the muscles when you’re working out. 

A study on volunteers showed that supplementation with AAKG provides some ergogenic benefits during workouts, such as endurance, but not much on muscular strength.

Vitamins B3, B6, and B12

 C4 pre-workout helps supplement your diet with vitamins B3, B6, and B12, essential for optimal energy release, reduction of fatigue, and tiredness when working out. They also facilitate the breakdown of protein, fat, and carbohydrates to replenish the muscles with energy. 

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

Each serving contains 37.5mg of Vitamin C, which helps the human body absorb iron. It also supports collagen synthesis and features antioxidants that support health. 

Theacrine

Exclusively used only in C4 pre-workout and not on C4 sport and ripped, theacrine is essential for mood and motivation. It helps you stay more alert, feel better, and be motivated when hitting the gym. 

Other Ingredients

This supplement also features an explosive blend of energy with caffeine, velvet bean seed extract, tyrosine, and theacrine. They improve alertness, reduce fatigue, and stimulate the release of growth hormones. 

C4 pre-workout also includes other ingredients that make it tasty, flavorful, and easily mixable. These include anticaking agent silicon dioxide, red food dye, natural & artificial flavors, and artificial sweeteners. 

However, it’s crucial to note that the US-targeted version of the C4 boasts different ingredients from the one designed for the UK market. However, each supplement contains primary ingredients, such as Beta Alanine, Caffeine, creatine, and AAKG. 

Cellucor C4 Benefits and Effectiveness

There’s no doubt that the C4 pre-workout will give you the energy and alertness you need when you hit the gym. The powdered supplement is quite tasty and refreshing.

 Straight off the bat, you’ll feel the caffeine kicking in once your use the supplement 20-30 minutes before your training session. However, based on the amount of coffee you drink in the morning, the Cellucor C4 would sometimes put you over in the jittery territory. 

As detailed in the last section, every ingredient is present in the C4 pre-workout for a particular reason. While the B vitamins are linked to energy production, they won’t affect your workout unless you have a deficiency. On the other hand, Vitamin C plays a critical role in reducing cellular damage during training. 

The caffeine in C4 is a little on the lower side, but it provides energy and keeps you alert. According to various studies, beta-alanine has proven to promote endurance and enhance fast recovery. However, it doesn’t sit well that the amount of ingredients in the proprietary blend of energy is unknown. 

Cellucor C4 Pre-workout Flavors

One of the best parts about the C4 pre-workout supplement is that it’s available in a wide range of sugar-free flavors. These include: 

• Icy Blue Razz
• Watermelon
• Orange Burst
• Pink Lemonade 
• Cherry limeade
• Green apple
• Strawberry Margarita
• Fruit Punch

Both men and women can use the C4 pre-workout supplement. For those who are a little bit venturesome, you can add crushed ice for a guilt-free slushie before hitting the gym. 

C4 Pre-workout Price and Where to Buy

The C4 pre-workout comes in two different sizes. You can grab the 30 servings (195g) package for $29.99 or the 60 servings (390g) that will cost you $49.99 or less depending on where you’re buying it from. You will get the supplements through online retailers or the official Cellucor website. But remember, the prices of these supplements are bound to change from time to time. 

Does C4 Pre-workout Have Any Side Effects

You must consult a certified medical doctor before using any supplement. C4 contains a wide range of ingredients that may lead to unwanted side effects like: 

• Jitters
• Tingling and numbness
• Headaches
• Anxiety
• Cramps 
• Difficulty in sleeping

That said, you must read and follow the instruction on the label. The label warns against using C4 with other caffeinated products or stimulants. You should also not use the supplement two weeks before surgery. Lastly, the product is intended for adults above 18 years old. 

C4 Cellucor Pre-workout Pros and Cons

Pros

• Integrates a sensible dose of caffeine (150 mg)
• Powered by a reputable brand
• The product has been improving since its launch in 2011
• Relatively affordable
• Has a variety of flavors

Cons

• Has some side effects on people
• Not the best-tasting pre-workout supplements on the market
• Doesn’t use L-Citrulline

FAQs About C4 Cellucor Pre-workout

Final Verdict

Overall, the C4 pre-workout supplement is a perfect energy booster for you, whether you’re a sprinter or a weightlifter. Since its launch over a decade ago, this supplement from Cellucor has become a staple in the pre-workout supplement niche. The product delivers excellent motivation, endurance, and performance in the gym. 

It contains many top-quality ingredients such as caffeine, beta alanine, B vitamins and creatine, which work together to provide energy, focus, endurance, and solid recovery when you hit the gym. The drawback is that you might experience tinges, jitters, and clumping after using this supplement.