Woke AF Pre-Workout Review (Updated 2023) – GarageGymPro

Woke AF Pre-Workout Pros & Cons

Woke AF Pre-Workout Review

If there’s one thing I want you to take from my Woke AF pre-workout review, it is that this is not the best product you can spend your money on.

In my opinion, Woke AF is a potent pre-workout that does work  - BUT - it’s complex for the sake of being complex, which is not something I like. While its ingredient label might look imposing to an untrained eye, some of the stuff on the back is just smoke and mirrors.

Woke AF is designed to have you experience a sudden rush in energy as well as some flushing and tingles, tricking you into believing it actually works wonders when, in reality, this formula is lacking in more than one way.

It works, it just doesn't work well enough, as far as I'm concerned. Also, there are some ingredients in here that could be problematic, but more on that later.

My Ratings Explained

As I said, I don’t like the ingredient profile of Woke AF pre-workout. It is flawed in more ways than one. Dosages are way too low more often than not, some of these ingredients are borderline useless at these dosages, and one of these (Synephrine) is banned by some sports organizations.

But simultaneously, I can’t challenge the efficacy of Woke AF pre-workout. I’ve tried it, it works quite well, and while I do know that nearly everything I felt was thanks to caffeine, that still doesn’t mean I could score it lower.

Finally, the price point on this one isn’t astronomically high, but I still wouldn’t call it great. Unless you can find Woke AF on sale, it will be approximately 25% more expensive than an average pre-workout powder, so I feel like this rating is on point.

Key Details

Will My Performance Increase?

Yes, several aspects of your performance will increase if you take Woke AF pre-workout. That much is true when you take more than 300 mg of caffeine in a single sitting.

However, caffeine can only get you so far.

My energy levels soared, and I felt like I was noticeably stronger. Also, I was dialed in and focused every single time (which is arguably the best thing about this pre-workout). 

However, my pumps and endurance were only so slightly affected, and while I can’t say I care about pumps a lot, muscle endurance is something that’s very important to me.

So, overall, yes, I did perform better in the gym. I felt stronger and more energized, and I was able to keep my mind sharp. However, this wasn’t the all-around approach I wanted from a pre-workout, and if you’re anything like me, you might agree.

How Will I Feel Post-Workout?

The immediate post-workout experience after taking Woke AF was mighty good for me. I would always leave the gym with a pep in my step and some fuel left in the tank.

More often than not, this extra energy I had in me would help out with my other daily tasks. 

I could easily muster the strength to work for at least two hours, with peak-level concentration and motivation, right after I’d get home from the gym.

However, it wasn’t all great. On several occasions, I did crash. But to be fair, I’d usually crash if I didn’t eat quite right that day, so I can’t blame Woke AF pre-workout entirely.

What Are The Possible Side Effects

Considering there are quite a few “exotic” ingredients in the Woke AF pre-workout formula, the list of possible side effects is quite extensive, with the most common being:

Thankfully, the only tangible side effect I experienced was beta-alanine tingles.

I felt prickling sensations all over my face, neck, and hands quite shortly after drinking Woke AF pre-workout shake, but that was about it.

One time, I had a stomach ache, but since that was an isolated incident, so to speak, I can’t put that against Woke AF.

Learn More - Can Pre-Workout Makes You Tingle?

What Flavors Are Available And How Do They Taste?

Regarding Woke AF pre-workout flavor choices, there are 11 different flavors you can choose from:

Naturally, I couldn’t have tried all of these, but I did alter between Watermelon Lemonade and Killa OJ.

Out of the two, Watermelon Lemonade definitely tastes better. It’s just the right amount of sweet and sour, while Killa OJ definitely tastes a bit disappointing. It's kind of metallic, sort of like super cheap orange juice.

Also, how anyone approved that name is beyond me.

Is It A Fair Price?

Woke AF pre-workout isn’t exactly what I’d call a fairly-priced product, but the price isn’t all that bad.

At just above $1.80 per serving, Woke AF is 20-30% more expensive than your regular pre-workout powder. I guess the price difference is “justified” with a more complex formula, but as far as I’m concerned, Woke AF isn’t 20-30% better than your average pre-workout.

On the other hand, Woke AF is on sale at the moment of writing, and its current price per serving is just above $1.50, but who knows how long that’s going to last?

Who Is It Best For?

I wish I could say there is an ideal customer for Woke AF, but I genuinely don’t think there is because you can do better. There are at least five products at this price point, or below it, that are significantly better than Woke AF - like the one I’ll recommend in the end.

Also, Woke AF contains Synephrine and Dendrobium extract, which just aren’t worth the hassle and can potentially do more than good. Speaking of such things…

Who Is It Not Good For?

Woke AF pre-workout is not good for any NCAA athlete or newbie gym-goers who aren’t accustomed to pre-workout powders.

Firstly, Synephrine is a banned substance by the NCAA and is known to cause or increase the chance of several cardiovascular issues, including stroke.

Subsequently, Dendrobium extract safety is simply not researched enough despite its centuries-long traditional use. According to an endocrinologist friend of mine, in rare cases, dendrobium “can even cause seizures.”

In addition to those specific issues, pre-workouts such as Woke AF aren’t suitable for:

Learn More - What Are The Side Effects Of Pre-Workout?

Other Online Reviews

Tips For Increasing Performance Using Woke AF Pre-Workout

The only viable tip I could give you when using Woke AF that could increase your performance in the gym is to mind your diet and sleep.

You can’t safely double-scoop Woke AF, so that’s out of the question.

Additionally, it doesn’t really make sense to add stuff to the mix as that defeats the purpose of buying a single product for your pre-workout regimen (although a few additional grams of citrulline could be beneficial).

So, the only thing that’s left is to eat and sleep properly. Eat a balanced diet rich in all macros as well as vitamins and minerals, and sleep 8 hours each night.

One thing I can say is that if you’d like your pumps to be a bit better, I suggest either drinking beetroot juice or eating beetroots as a part of your pre-workout meal, although I must say the effects of that will hardly be significant enough.

Ingredients - Effectiveness & Amount

Caffeine

Caffeine is a natural stimulant found in coffee, tea, and various other plants, known for its stimulating effects on the central nervous system. 

When consumed, caffeine blocks adenosine receptors in the brain, preventing drowsiness and increasing alertness. 

The most common dose for enhancing physical and mental performance typically falls within the range of 200 to 400 milligrams, which puts Woke AF’s dose well into the efficacious range.

The effects you can expect are:

Citrulline Malate

Citrulline is a naturally occurring amino acid renowned for its potential performance-enhancing properties, particularly in the realms of physical and athletic performance. 

Commonly used in the form of citrulline malate, it functions by increasing nitric oxide production, which, in turn, leads to improved blood flow, vasodilation, and enhanced nutrient and oxygen delivery to muscles. 

A typical dose for enhancing physical and, to some extent, mental performance ranges from 6 to 8 grams, meaning Woke AF pre-workout falls a bit short, as you're only getting 4 grams of total citrulline.

That said, citrulline's proposed effects, supported by research, include:

Stimulants

Synephrine is a powerful stimulant similar to ephedrine. It will be a solid performance booster at this dose, so I can't say I mind it.

However, as I said earlier, Synephrine is banned by the NCAA, so if you're a professional college athlete, you should probably stay away from Woke AF.

Boosters

Now that you’ve seen which of the remaining ingredients are in Woke AF and whether they work or not, let me give you their brief breakdown:

Alpha GPC

What it is: Choline-containing phospholipid.

Why it's used: Cognitive performance improvement and power output enhancement.

Taurine

What it is: Sulfur-containing amino acid.

Why it's used: Energy metabolism, exercise performance, recovery enhancer.

Himalayan Rock Salt

What it is: Pink salt mined from the Himalayan region.

Why it's used: Hydration and electrolyte balance.

Dendrobium Extract

What it is: Orchid plant extract used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Why it's used: Enhance energy levels and improve endurance and physical performance.

Deer Antler Velvet Extract

What it is: Antler base powder used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Why it's used: Enhance strength and endurance through boosting IGF-1 and testosterone levels.

AstraGin

What it is: Proprietary blend of Panax notoginseng and Astragalus membranaceus extracts.

Why it's used: Enhance nutrient absorption, bioavailability, and overall physical performance.

ActaGin

What it is: Proprietary blend of Panax notoginseng and Rosa Roxburghii extracts.

Why it's used: Nutrient absorption and bioavailability enhancement.

One thing I will say is that while most of these lack credible scientific backing, Alpha GPC is emerging as one of the most common nootropics and performance enhancers in pre-workout formulas, with more and more evidence supporting its efficacy.

For instance, a small-scale study led by Tim Ziegenfuss showed that acute Alpha GPC supplementation led to very significant increases in bench press force compared to placebo.[5]

However, there are some concerns over its long-term safety.[6]

Learn More - Can Salt Be Used As Pre-Workout?

How I Felt When I Took Woke AF Pre-Workout

If my time with Woke AF has taught me anything is that you can expect its effects to be quite similar every time.

Here’s how I felt when I took Woke AF.

Within 15 Minutes

The first thing I started feeling were the beta-alanine tingles. Somewhere around the 15th-minute mark, I’d get this prickly feeling all over my arms and neck. Thankfully, that wouldn’t last too long, and I’d usually be side-effect-free around the time I’d start on my second exercise.

Another thing I’d feel about 15 to 20 minutes in was the energy surge from all the caffeine. This surge was anything but gradual, and once I’d feel it coming, it wouldn’t be more than 10 minutes before it would peak.

I’d feel flush with energy, almost to the point of buzzing out of my skin.I couldn’t wait to do something to get all this extra energy out, which I must say is a good way to feel before you start lifting weights.

Within 60 Minutes

60 minutes in, I’d be in full swing. Depending on what I’m working on that day, I’d be on my third or fourth exercise, still going as strong as I did half an hour ago.

I’d honestly feel pretty good. My energy would still be high, I’d feel strong, and I’d enjoy the pain from completing that last rep to failure.

One thing both me and my gym buddy, who’s an ISSA-certified trainer (who also took Woke AF with me), noticed is that the focus you get from this thing is exceptional.

You’d get this laser-like focus, which is ideal for a gym session where you don’t really have to think or brainstorm but rather focus and execute.

Now, I can’t say all of you will feel the same way because I know of some people who have used Alpha GPC in the past, and they would barely feel it at 300 milligrams, so keep in mind that the individual differences can be quite drastic.

Learn More - What Does Pre-Workout Feel Like?

After 6+ Hours

Most of the time, I would feel really good five or six hours after taking Woke AF. I wouldn’t feel drained or exhausted, but just my normal self.

However, there were times when I’d crash. It wasn’t often (two times, to be precise), but when it happened, I felt run over. 

It was hard for me to concentrate, talk, or even just watch TV and enjoy the night with my lady. Instead, I’d just be irritated and grumpy and not too fun to be around.

But as I said, this only happened two times, so there could be something else that contributed to that subsequent crash. Most of the time, I felt just fine.

How Does It Compare To Other Pre-Workouts?

How does Woke AF compare to some other, popular products on the market?

Woke AF Vs Bucked Up Pre-Workout

Both Bucked Up and Woke AF pre-workouts are the product of the same company. As such, they are quite similar.

The notable differences between the two would be that Woke AF has an additional 133 mg of caffeine, 1.2 grams of beta-alanine, as well as Dendrobium, Synephrine, and Deer Antler Velvet extract. So, yes, Woke AF is more potent.

However, I’d much rather go with Bucked Up pre-workout.

Bucked Up contains neither of the three aforementioned compounds, and its caffeine dose is much better if you’re a beginner or sensitive to stimulants, and it’s more budget-friendly.

Learn More - Bucked Up Pre-Workout Review

Woke AF Vs Bucked Up Pre-Workout

Transparent Labs BULK pre-workout is one of my favorite pre-workouts on the market, and I firmly believe that if you’re to go with a complex formula - this is the one to go with.

It is much better than Woke AF pre-workout, both in terms of ingredient selection and their respective dosages. For instance, BULK contains 2 additional grams of citrulline malate, 800 mg of extra beta-alanine, and 50% more Alpha GPC, in addition to a potent dose of tyrosine and theanine, which are, in my opinion, some of the most important pre-workout ingredients.

So, this is a clear win for Transparent Labs BULK pre-workout.

Learn More - Transparent Labs BULK Pre-Workout Review

Frequently Asked Woke AF Pre-Workout Questions

Final Verdict

While the experience I had while performing the Woke AF pre-workout review is generally positive, I must say I’d rather see you use something different.

Woke AF is a potent formula, but there are just too many variables when it comes to this product. Taurine is grossly underdosed, Synephrine is banned by the NCAA, Dendrobium is a big question mark, and so is Deer Antler Velvet extract.

Sure, you’ll get all revved up for a workout, but you can achieve the same thing with one or two caffeine pills.

So, all things considered, you are probably much better off trying out the pre-workout I’ve linked below.

References: 

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15657469/
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2333832/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20386132/
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21067832/
5. https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1550-2783-5-S1-P15
6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34817582/