Six Star Pre-Workout Review – How Does Explosion Rate?

Six Star Pre-Workout Pros & Cons

Six Star Pre-Workout Review

Six Star pre-workout is easily one of the most affordable pre-workouts on the market. Even if you take two scoops, which Six Star recommends as a serving dose, the product still comes out 50% cheaper than your average pre-workout.

Now, the issue with Six Star pre-workout is that while a two-scoop serving will energize you, every other ingredient except caffeine is still below the minimal clinically efficacious dose.

What’s worse, if you remove the ones closest to the minimal effective dose (beta-alanine, betaine, and L-arginine AKG), the formula would still be as effective, minus the tingles.

Now, this isn’t just me saying it. Everyone I consulted with, including certified fitness coaches, nutritionists, and pharmacists, agreed that Six Star pre-workout is virtually caffeine powder with some not-so-useful extras.

My Ratings Explained

Now that you’ve read a brief Six Star pre-workout review let me tell you why I said what I said.

The ingredients in this one are just plain bad. Their selection is poor, their dosages are poor, and to top things off, the “Advanced Pump Complex” is a useless proprietary blend.” The only reason this one isn’t rated even lower is because 270 mg of caffeine will hit you hard.

Speaking of hitting hard, the only two ingredients that will have an effect on you are caffeine and beta-alanine, and the latter will only cause side effects. In other words, you’ll get a rather noticeable spike in energy coupled with itchy arms and neck. So, 4 out of 5 seems appropriate.

As for the price, it is appealing. Six Star pre-workout is one of the most affordable products on the market, and its Amazon price can drop as low as $15. 

That said, the price-to-value ratio of this one still isn’t good enough, but compared to what’s out there, 4 out of 5 is probably right.

Note: My ratings and further evaluations are based on two scoops of Six Star pre-workout, as that's the recommended serving dose.

Key Details

Will My Performance Increase?

I saw a boost in some aspects of my physical and mental performance, but overall, I wouldn’t call the Six Star pre-workout a good all-around performance enhancer, and I doubt you’d disagree with me.

To be fair to Six Star pre-workout, a near-300-milligram dose of caffeine does offer a noticeable energy boost and focus increase. In fact, my focus was great when taking Six Star pre-workout. I’d just feel in the zone for the entire session.

With endurance and strength, however, I only saw minor, borderline insignificant improvements.

Finally, while claiming to have designed “Advanced Pump Complex” to effectively boost nitric oxide production, Six Star pre-workout provided me with no pump-boosting effects whatsoever. 

However, enhancing NO production isn’t just about massive pumps. You need sufficient blood flow to your muscles to enhance endurance and strength, too. As I said, I couldn’t see any significant improvements in that area.

How Will I Feel Post-Workout?

Six Star pre-workout made me feel good post-workout. Plain and simple.

One of the benefits of supplements like Six Star pre-workout is that you will feel good even after you finish working out because caffeine’s residual effects will stay with you for the next hour or two, depending on how long you stay in the gym.

As I usually finish working out in less than 90 minutes, I could always ride the caffeine buzz for the next two hours, allowing me to squeeze in some extra work outside the gym.

Also, crashing wasn’t an issue for me, but we’ll get to that later.

What Are The Possible Side Effects

Six Star pre-workout is safe to use if you’re a healthy adult and you take the pre-workout as you’re supposed to - so one or two scoops mixed in eight ounces of cold water.

Nonetheless, depending on your personal tolerances and health status, Six Star pre-workout could cause side effects such as:

Beta-alanine tingles were the only side effect I experienced during the Six Star pre-workout review.

Learn More - Does Pre-Workout Cause Anxiety?

What Flavors Are Available And How Do They Taste?

Six Star pre-workout comes in only three different flavors:

While their flavor selection isn’t the most extensive, the flavors they cooked up are top-notch. I really can’t stress enough how delicious (for a pre-workout) all three of these were.

Pink Lemonade was my favorite, although it was a bit sweeter than I expected it to be. But I must say that Fruit Punch and Icy Rocket Freeze weren't too far behind, and Icy Rocket did kind of taste like a melted popsicle.

All three flavors dissolved nicely, so you won’t have to pour more water into the glass to get the remains into your system.

On the other hand, Six Star pre-workout uses artificial food coloring, which I don't appreciate.

Is It A Fair Price?

Even at this price point, I can’t say that Six Star pre-workout is fairly priced if you value the quality of the product. It is fairly priced compared to the competition, though. 

Still, anyone with a semi-basic level of pharmacological knowledge could mimic the effects of Six Star pre-workout for about 10-12 cents per serving.

That said, you would involve eliminating most of the ingredients included in the formula, but seeing how they’re already underdosed to the point of inefficacy, that wouldn’t matter in the slightest.

Who Is It Best For?

The process of the Six Star pre-workout review made me realize that the Six Star pre-workout isn’t necessarily the best or ideal for anyone.

One could make a case that Six Star pre-workout is suitable for beginners because a single serving contains what can be considered an entry-level caffeine dose for a gym-goer, but even so, caffeine’s not the only thing that matters.

Now, if you don’t care about the pumps or efficient blood flow during your workouts and just want to feel the energy and the tingles, and those motivate you, then by all means, give Six Star pre-workout a try.

Who Is It Not Good For?

Six Star pre-workout is not good for those looking for an all-around effective pre-workout supplement that would hit all aspects of physical and mental performance.

Suppose you’re anything like me, and you want your pre-workout to contain effective doses of well-researched and scientifically backed ingredients, such as caffeine, citrulline, tyrosine, and theanine, to name a few - you should keep looking elsewhere because Six Star does not fit the bill.

On a more general note, Six Star is not good and/or recommended for:

Learn More - Can Pre-Workout Stunt Growth?

Other Online Reviews

Tips For Increasing Performance Using Six Star Pre-Workout

Sadly, there aren’t a lot of things you can do to increase your performance while using Six Star pre-workout.

I’ve read online that some guys take three scoops before their workout, but I wouldn’t recommend you do the same. Once again, you’re essentially just maxing out on caffeine, while every other ingredient in there barely does anything for you.

My pro tip is to eat a well-rounded meal before taking Six Star pre-workouts. Get some complex carbohydrates in your system so your body has fuel to burn. Also, get some healthy fats and protein in there, and you should be set.

Just don’t eat 30 minutes before lifting. Give it at least an hour and a half so your stomach can process the food.

Ingredients - Effectiveness & Amount

The information below reflects two scoops of Six Star pre-workout, as that is the recommended serving dose.

Caffeine

Caffeine is a powerful stimulant and nootropic and often the cornerstone of every pre-workout powder, including Six Star.

Its effects stem from its ability to effectively block adenosine receptors by binding to them, allowing you to feel more alert and energized.

At 270 mg, Six Star pre-workout offers a clinically effective dose that should enhance performance in the gym in the following areas:

Caffeine has been extensively studied for its role in aiding sports and athletic performance, and its performance-boosting effects have been duly noted in scientific literature. For example, a 2010 study led by doctor Todd A. Astorino showed that “5-mg/kg dose of caffeine improved performance, with the magnitude of performance improvement ranging from 5% to 8%”.[1]

Citrulline

Citrulline is an amino acid with a prominent role in the urea cycle. It serves as an L-arginine precursor, an amino acid known for its nitric oxide-boosting properties.

Higher levels of nitric oxide (a signaling molecule carried by hemoglobin) are responsible for enhanced vasodilation, blood flow, and muscle nutrient delivery.

With Six Star pre-workout, you will get a sub-500 milligram dose of L-citrulline (as extrapolated based on other available information), which is way below the clinically efficacious 6-8g/day dose, meaning you will be missing out on the following benefits:

As was the case with caffeine, citrulline’s benefits on exercise performance are backed with scientific research, with a recent 2019 study concluding that “6 g of L-citrulline 1 hour before resistive breathing significantly increased NO bioavailability”, and that “supplementation with L-citrulline (6 g/day for 7 days) increased VO2 uptake kinetics…during moderate and high-intensity exercise in recreationally active adults.”[2]

L-Tyrosine

L-tyrosine is an amino acid with the role of replenishing catecholamine levels during times of stress, such as resistance training.

It is a precursor to dopamine and norepinephrine, meaning it plays a meaningful role in various cognitive processes.

However, as the effective tyrosine dose appears to be anywhere from 500-2000 mg, Six Star pre-workout won’t help you enjoy any of the following, as its dose is approximately 40 mg (based on other available information):

While the scientific community is still actively researching tyrosine’s effects, most of them are in agreement that “tyrosine may, under operational circumstances characterized by psychosocial and physical stress, reduce the effects of stress and fatigue on cognitive task performance,” as shown by Jan Berend Deijen, Dutch neuroscientist and researcher in 1999.[3]

Stimulants

There are no stimulants other than caffeine in the Six Star pre-workout supplement.

Boosters

As you can see, the remaining ingredients in the Six Star pre-workout are not the most effective bunch out there, but still, it’s worth knowing why each of these is used in a pre-workout formula.

Beta-Alanine

What it is: Non-essential amino acid - a precursor for carnosine synthesis.

Why it's used: Enhances endurance and reduces muscle fatigue.

Betaine

What it is: Amino acid and a metabolite of choline.

Why it's used: Potential to increase strength and power.

Taurine

What it is: Conditionally essential amino acid.

Why it's used: Potentially enhances endurance and strength and reduces DOMS.

L-Arginine AKG (Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate)

What it is: Mixture of L-arginine and alpha-ketoglutarate.

Why it's used: (Ineffectively) Improves blood flow and exercise performance.[4]

Choline Bitartrate

What it is: A salt form of choline with approx. 40% choline content.

Why it's used: Supports cognitive function.[5]

How I Felt When I Took Six Star Pre-Workout

Here’s a recap of how I felt while performing the Six Star pre-workout review.

Within 15 Minutes

The first 15 minutes after taking the Six Star pre-workout was when the beta-alanine tingles would kick in, and the energy would start to ramp up.

Granted, I couldn’t really focus on the energy because the tingles were quite distracting, but I would definitely feel more energized once the itching wore off.

But once that was done, I’d feel pretty eager and motivated to lift and move some heavy weights around. My head would be clear, I wouldn’t be scatterbrained or erratic, so I could easily enter my workouts.

Within 60 Minutes

Sixty minutes in, my workout would be in full swing. I’d be on my third exercise, and I would still go strong.

Unfortunately, I’d be less swole than usual because Six Star wouldn’t do anything for my pumps, but truth be told, that wouldn’t discourage me from lifting.

One thing I would notice is that while I was energized and eager, my endurance would drop off a bit near the end. I would still manage to get my reps in, but compared to some other products I’ve used, it felt like I had to struggle more than I usually would, so I definitely couldn’t add a few extra reps near the end.

After 6+ Hours

Thankfully, the aftermath of Six Star pre-workout didn’t include any crashing or feeling drained.

Since I usually hit the gym around 3 p.m., the caffeine would clear out of my system well by 9 p.m., and I’d just feel like I usually do on my off days.

Seeing how my bedtime isn’t until midnight, I prefer to spend these evening hours with my better half, talking, playing games, or watching movies or shows, and since there were no crashes, I’d enjoy all of those activities.

And, of course, it goes without saying - Six Star pre-workout didn’t affect my ability to fall or stay asleep. It probably would have if I had taken it closer to bedtime - but I didn't.

Learn More - How Does Pre-Workout Affect Your Sleep?

How Does It Compare To Other Pre-Workouts?

To fully round out the Six Star pre-workout review, I wanted to compare it to two other budget-friendly pre-workouts - C4 Original and REDCON1 Total War pre-workout.

Six Star Vs C4 Original Pre-Workout

C4 Original is the most popular pre-workout in the world, and it has been for quite some time. Now, for the sake of this argument, we have to compare them serving-for-serving, and in that case - Six Star comes out on top.

In a head-to-head comparison, C4 seemingly beats the Six Star by offering an additional 30mg of caffeine (which is honestly negligible), as well as creatine nitrate and citrulline malate, but considering both are ineffectively dosed and won’t make much of a difference, the reason I give the edge to Six Star is purely based on price-per-serving.

However, both Six Star and C4 Original are mediocre products, and I wouldn’t recommend either. 

Related Article - Cellucor C4 Pre-Workout Review 

Six Star Vs Total War Pre-Workout

REDCON1 Total War pre-workout is what I deem to be a really solid, budget-friendly product.

In comparison to Six Star, it will grant you an additional 50 mg of caffeine, 6 grams of citrulline malate (at a 2:1 ratio), and an extra 200 mg of beta-alanine, along with some other things.

To seal things off - there isn’t a better pre-workout supplement than Total War at this price point.

Objectively, Total War pre-workout is significantly better than Six Star.

Related Article - RedconTotal War Pre-Workout Review 

What We Have Taken Into Consideration For Giving You A Final Verdict

My Expertise In Supplements

I have always been a bookworm and a gym rat, so naturally, I’ve developed a “healthy obsession” with supplements as the years went by.

Initially, I just wanted to create a superb supplement stack so I could progress faster. Still, I soon realized that the amount of misinformation and bro-science in the community was just too overwhelming.

So, over the last ten years, I’ve become a self-taught supplement expert, combining my personal experience with my extensive knowledge of pharmacology, chemistry, nutrition, and a healthy dose of critical thinking.

Through it all, I’ve read and examined thousands of studies on every compound imaginable, and just to round it all up, I became a certificated sports nutritionist.

Reviewing Other Products

While learning and reading up on different products and supplements, I realized that most of the stuff you can read online is either vague and surface-level, factually incorrect, or just intentionally wrong for the sake of sales.

Honestly, that made me angry.

So, I decided to put my skills and knowledge to good use and help everyone make informed decisions that would benefit their lives. I don’t ever want you to spend your hard-earned money on worthless supplements with no scientific backing and get discouraged and give up training.

So, if you’re ever in need of a genuine, research-backed, and experience-assisted review of any dietary supplement - I’m your guy.

Six Star Pre-Workout Common Questions

Final Verdict

To summarize my Six Star pre-workout review, I’ll just say this - Six Star pre-workout works, but it is simply not good enough. Its shortcomings are masked with a hefty caffeine dose and beta-alanine side effects.

Therefore, I’d much rather you try something with a better, much more well-rounded formula with clinically efficacious ingredients that would enhance every scope of your athletic performance.

References: 

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20421833/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8537281/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10230711/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3489573/
5. https://examine.com/supplements/choline/#dosage-information