RYSE Pre-Workout Review (2023 Updated) Is It Any Good?

RYSE Pre-Workout Review

Three weeks of using RYSE pre-workout before each training session has led me to a simple conclusion - RYSE pre-workout is an effective way to improve your exercise performance in the gym, but it could be a lot better.

While I can't possibly say I wasn't a better version of myself in the gym every time I took RYSE pre-workout, I also can't sit here and tell you I was the best-ever version upon downing a RYSE shake.

That said, it's time we dissect every little thing about RYSE Blackout pre-workout - from what it offers to how it felt.

My Ratings Explained

The best way to understand a pre-workout is to examine three things - ingredients, effectiveness, and price.

This ingredient profile is very simple. In fact, I'd go as far as to say it's too simple. Also, the alternative approach to nitric oxide production (the process responsible for muscle pumps) isn't my favorite.

However, as I said previously, its effectiveness is undeniable.  I felt both stronger and more focused, and I don't see a scenario in which you don't feel the same.

As for the price, RYSE pre-workout is as average as it gets. According to data I pulled from over 100 different products, the RYSE Project Blackout pre-workout is right at the median price (per serving).

Key details

Will My Performance Increase?

Yes, your performance will increase if you take RYSE Pre-workout. As someone who's had his fair share of high-stim pre-workout powders, I can't imagine you wouldn't, even if your caffeine tolerance is through the roof.

What I've experienced over the past three weeks with this product is that I feel incredibly motivated to work out, no matter the time of day or how eager or exhausted I was before taking RYSE pre-workout.

I felt both strength and the urge to perform those last reps, even if my arms were trembling with fatigue.

Now, don't get me wrong. By no means will RYSE pre-workout cure laziness and lack of motivation. But if you're anything like me, and you have those days when one push is all you need - this could be it. It was for me, at least.

But the biggest, and I genuinely mean the biggest, upside of RYSE Blackout pre-workout was the focus I'd get from it.

There were days when I'd come back exhausted from the gym, hit the shower, sit right in front of my laptop, and work with perfect concentration for two hours with no problems whatsoever.

This did come at a cost, but more on that in a bit.

On the other hand, one thing I noticed was that all I had was a run-of-the-mill decent pump, no matter if I got an incredible workout in. I genuinely couldn't see the difference between this and when I hit the weights without a pre.

Luckily, I don't really obsess over the pump, so it didn't bother me as much. However, I know a ton of folks who are feeding on that pumped-up look, and if you're one of those, maybe this RYSE isn't the move for you.

How Will I Feel Post-Workout?

While I did say I felt super-focused hours upon drinking RYSE Blackout pre-workout, I also said that came at a cost, which was crashing.

Five or six hours after drinking RYSE pre-workout, I felt completely drained and I crashed. My energy was extremely low, and I'd doze off if I were lounging or watching a TV show. This happened almost every single time.

Luckily, this usually came late at night, and thankfully, I didn't have any issues with my sleep, but I'd lie if I said it wasn't annoying being extremely tired and sleepy when you're trying to watch a show with your loved one before you hit the bed.

But at the same time, I knew that would happen, as that's what usually happens when you ingest 400mg of caffeine in a matter of minutes, so I can't hold that against RYSE.

The same thing happened to me numerous times before whenever I'd go above 300mg of caffeine in one sitting (for example, when I was double-scooping RYSE Godzilla pre-workout).

So keep that in mind, as your tolerance could be even lower.

What Are The Possible Side Effects

Apart from crashing, the possible side effects that could come from RYSE pre-workout are:

Out of those, I've experienced jitters and itchiness, and based on my experience, most people will.

The caffeine dose you're getting from RYSE Blackout pre-workout is the maximum recommended daily dose, and depending on your personal tolerance, you will likely experience some form of jitters (or even anxiety).

I didn't experience any stomach issues, which could also occur at these kinds of dosages, but my diet is very clean, which does help a lot.

Itchiness was unavoidable for me, as I'm very sensitive to beta-alanine, and at 3.2 grams, many of you could experience the same.[1]

As I mentioned earlier, I didn't have any issues falling or staying asleep, but I'd usually take my RYSE pre-workout dose at 3 or 4 p.m., which is hours away from my bedtime. Any closer than that, and I'm certain I'd have issues. 

What Flavors Are Available And How Do They Taste?

RYSE Project Blackout pre-workout comes in four different flavors:

Since there are only four flavors of RYSE pre-workout - I decided to try them all out. And the first thing I will say is that all of these flavors mix really well, and they don't clump.

As far as variety goes, I appreciate the "limited" selection. Personally, I'm not a fan of extensive flavor palettes, as they're often overwhelming, and it's easy to make the wrong choice.

SunnyD and Tiger's Blood taste good, especially the first one.

Sunny D tastes a lot like the real thing, which is quite surprising. More often than not, these "collabs" usually taste quite different, but not this one.

Tiger's Blood, on the other hand, is basically coconut, which I enjoy. Now, I don't have the most distinguished palate in the world, but I genuinely couldn't taste anything else, so if you were hoping for strawberry - I didn't feel it.

Baja Blast and Mango Extreme were too extreme for me (pardon the pun).

Baja Blast tastes really strong - like a poorly mixed margarita or some sort of medicine. It's sour and zesty, and leaves a lasting aftertaste in the mouth. 

Mango Extreme is not my cup of tea. It reminded me of mango, but it had that "chemical" note that I despise.

Is It A Fair Price?

RYSE pre-workout perfectly matches the average pre-workout serving cost of $1.50 (give or take a few cents depending on the flavor), offering a precise cost-value parameter to go off of. So, in that regard, yes, that is a fair market pre-workout price.

At the same time, we have to acknowledge what goes into this $1.50 serving dose.

Now, the ingredients prices are on the rise, and the product pricing across the board reflects that. But even with that in mind, I'd still say this is slightly overpriced.

Citrulline is one of the more expensive ingredients nowadays, and there's none in here, so I can't really see why this one isn't closer to $1.10-$1.20.

Then again, that's the state of the market right now, and there's nothing we can do about it.

Personally, I'd rather go for something more expensive if it were better formulated.

Who Is It Best For?

RYSE supplements' Blackout pre-workout is best for lifters looking for a high-end caffeine dose and those engaging in CrossFit-like workout sessions.

Now, I've read that many claim that RYSE Blackout pre-workout is something only advanced users would want or not, but I would disagree. Apart from caffeine, RYSE does not contain any notable ingredients elite lifters would want.

One thing I will say is that if you're supplementing with beta-alanine separately, this pre-workout could be a neat choice, as you'd get half of your daily (or maybe your entire daily) dose of beta-alanine, from a different product, saving you a few-bucks in the process.

Who Is It Not Good For?

Apart from those I've just mentioned, I'd say RYSE pre-workout isn't for rookie gym-goers or those overly sensitive to stimulants.

Of course, it goes without saying that pregnant women and those with cardiovascular issues shouldn't experiment with high-stim pre-workouts such as this one without talking to their doctors first.

Additionally, RYSE pre-workout isn't pump-chasers. While NO3-T® isn't as bad as arginine, it simply does not compare to L-citrulline (malate) when it comes to enhancing blood flow, pumps, nutrient delivery, or vasodilation.

Other Online Reviews

Tips For Increasing Performance Using RYSE Pre-workout

The best tip to increase your performance using the RYSE pre-workout formula would be to start with half a scoop.

Unless you've been using a high-stimulant pre-workout powder (like RYSE Loaded pre-workout supplement, for example) for a long time, I suggest you start low and see how it feels and how your body reacts.

The second-best advice I can give you is to get a citrulline powder separately and mix six grams of pure L-citrulline with your RYSE pre-workout shake to get that blood flow going. That would make this a very good pre-workout shake.

Finally, I'd say you have to hydrate really well after using RYSE Blackout pre-workout.

While I didn't experience any cramps, constipation, or other symptoms of dehydration - that could be an issue. Caffeine's a known diuretic, and since you're not drinking coffee but rather an 8oz drink with 400mg of caffeine - it's better to be safe than sorry.

Dehydration will impact both your exercise performance and muscle recovery, so drink up.

Ingredients - Effectiveness & Amount

Caffeine Levels

You are getting a maximum daily dose of caffeine at 400mg (370mg of caffeine anhydrous and 30mg of sustained-release caffeine from VitaShure®).

Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant, offering a natural energy boost. It is known to boost both aerobic and anaerobic capacity, increase power output and strength, enhance focus, motivation, and other aspects of cognitive performance, as well as speed up your metabolism and fat-burning capabilities.

You can even expect adrenaline spikes, which could result in athletic performance improvements across the board.

Citrulline, Tyrosine & Theanine Levels

We do have Choline Bitartrate (VitaCholine®), which has somewhat similar effects on your cognition, as it possesses some dopaminergic functions, but it doesn't affect catecholamines in the same way as tyrosine does.[3]

Choline Bitartrate also won't mellow out caffeine-induced jitters as theanine would.

Stimulants

As expected from a pre-workout with a 400-milligram dose of caffeine, other stimulants aren't quite necessary.

Therefore, you're getting only 200mg of theobromine, a stimulant similar to caffeine in its effects.

Dosages of under 250mg (even 50mg) have been observed to work, but in this particular case, I don't see that there's any room for these effects to come through.[4]

Boosters

The first notable ingredient besides caffeine found in RYSE pre-workout is 3.2 grams of beta-alanine, an amino acid known to buffer lactic acid build-up and reduce muscle fatigue.

However, unless you're engaging in exercises longer than one minute and you're supplementing with an additional 3.2 grams of beta-alanine daily, I can't say I see this helping you tremendously in a regular resistance training setting.

The same goes for betaine, another one of the popular amino acids found in pre-workouts. Some data suggests betaine could help in a very similar way to beta-alanine, but at just 1.5g per serving, it's highly unlikely it would even tickle you.

As for Huperzine A, its effects could improve your mood, but we still don't have enough data on it to claim this with certainty.

The rest of the formula, namely electrolytes in Calci-K®, are a decent addition, but nothing that would affect your exercise performance notably.

How I Felt When I Took RYSE Pre-Workout

Now that we've gone over the nitty-gritty details, let me tell you how I felt when I took RYSE pre-workout.

Within 15 Minutes

Within 15 minutes of taking RYSE pre-workout, I could feel two things - a massive energy rush and beta-alanine tingles.

However, the rush was always preceded by jitteriness. For about 5-10 minutes, my whole body would buzz and shake, and then the feeling would go away. Once that was over - it sort of felt like I could fly.

My mind would be clear, I would be extremely focused, and I would go through my warm-up sets very efficiently, feeling as strong as an ox.

Within 60 Minutes

Sixty minutes in is where I'm usually heading into the second portion of my workout, and 10 out of 10 times, it felt as if I had just gotten started if RYSE was in my system, despite the fact I've already 2-3, maybe 4 exercises in.

The thing I like about RYSE Blackout pre-workout is that while it isn't the most complete pre-workout formula out there, its caffeine content alone keeps you extremely focused, energized, and powerful throughout the entire workout.

While I would certainly feel physically tired after 90 minutes of working out (no amount of pre-workout will ever cure this feeling), I never felt like I should lie down. I was always in the mood to hop on a StairMaster or a bike and get an additional 10-15 minutes of cardio.

And, as I said earlier, even when I got home, I would still have a pep in my step, be super focused, and gladly go and do some extra work.

After 6+ Hours

As I said earlier, crashing was inevitable for me with RYSE pre-workout after five or six hours.

My body would just feel limp, I'd be extremely sleepy, and I'm not proud of it, but I'd be very irritable. I'd actually get upset because I'm dozing off, or I'd shoot my girlfriend a look because her phone was too loud, and that kind of stuff.

But at the same time, I can't say RYSE pre-workout messed up my sleep. If anything, I'd say I slept... better? 

It's hard to explain, and I'm sure this wouldn't be the case for everyone, but if I were to doze off at 10 p.m. because I crashed, occasionally, I'd just go to bed, and wake up tomorrow morning feeling as good as new.

How Does It Compare To Other Pre-Workouts?

To help you gain an even better understanding of how RYSE pre-workout works, I decided to compare it to the likes of Gorilla Mode and Total War pre-workout.

RYSE Vs Gorilla Mode Pre-Workout

RYSE and Gorilla Mode are two wildly different pre-workout supplements, and just by breaking down the ingredients, it becomes quite obvious that Gorilla Mode is an overall superior product.

For starters, it's got citrulline and creatine - both in their maximum efficacious dosages if you choose to double-scoop (which is recommended for this product if you're a hardcore gym-goer).

But even if you just take a single scoop of Gorilla Mode, taking 4.5 grams of citrulline alongside 1.5 grams of GlycerPump (which could further enhance muscle pumps through fluid retention) and 2.5 grams of creatine does a lot more for you than nitrates in RYSE pre-workout.

Also, Gorilla Mode's 175mg (or even 350mg) of caffeine is a much more reasonable dose than 400mg for the vast majority of people.

One thing that RYSE has going for them is that Gorilla Mode contains N,N-DMPEA, which is a banned ingredient in some countries (like Australia).

Related Article - Gorilla Mode Pre-Workout Review 

RYSE Vs Total War Pre-Workout

Total War pre-workout is another hard-hitter when it comes to caffeine-loaded pre-workouts.

With 200mg of caffeine anhydrous and 100mg of di-caffeine malate (320 mg of total caffeine - both fast and extended-release caffeine), Total War is much easier on the human body compared to RYSE but almost as effective.

Where the real difference lies, once again, is in citrulline malate. You will get 4 grams of citrulline (and 2 grams of malic acid) with Total War.

And to seal the deal and fully tip the scales in Total War pre-workout's favor is the price. One serving of Total War comes out at $1.16, making it 30% less expensive than RYSE pre-workout.

Related Article- Total War Pre-Workout Review 

Considerations Before For Giving You My Final Verdict

Why should you trust my judgment and take my advice?

My Expertise In Supplements

Ever since I first started training, it has been my goal to build the most optimal supplement stack possible so I can achieve my goals faster and push my limits further.

What I soon came to realize is that the vast majority of dietary supplements and ingredients in them are nothing more than a waste of hard-earned money, so I decided to share my knowledge with you.

Pre-workouts were always something I was passionate about as I was a very lazy kid, and learning that there's a powder that can make you want to move and train was something I had to try.

So, over the past several years, I've read countless studies, watched hours of educational content, tested all sorts of different products, and wasted more money than I'd care to admit on products I knew wouldn't work - just so that I can put theory and practice into one.

Reviewing Other Products

Of course, testing and writing about pre-workouts isn't the only thing I do. I've also spent a fair share of my time reviewing all sorts of different supplements. 

I started with creatine and protein powders (from vegan to god-tier whey), only to later delve into nootropics, "natural test" boosters speculated to increase muscle mass, and even fat burners (although the latter was just to prove them useless for anyone but an advanced hardcore athlete on top of their game).

RYSE Pre-Workout Frequently Asked Questions

Final Words

In my opinion, RYSE pre-workout is a decent and effective pre-workout, but it is lacking in certain areas.

It was most certainly super effective at getting my energy levels through the roof and keeping them there for quite a long time. It also did wonders for my focus, memory, analytical ability, etc.

However, RYSE also made me jittery and tingly, it caused me to crash, and my pumps were the same as if I hadn't taken anything before hitting the gym.

So, if you feel like some energy and focus are all you're lacking - you might as well go out and buy RYSE pre-workout.

If you're like me and you're looking for an all-rounder - you might want to look below.

References: 

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3491570/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3066115/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12502178
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35841246/