Pre-Kaged SPORT: A Pre-Workout Built for Athletes

We often refer to Kaged as the “athlete’s brand” because all of their products are Informed Sport certified, which means each one undergoes rigorous testing to ensure that it contains no banned substances.

Pre-Kaged Sport is the perfect pre-workout supplement for athletes who need to perform, want it affordable, and don’t need or want insane amounts of citrulline to get in their way

In recent years, we’ve witnessed Kaged take huge steps to expand its product line – just take a look at their innovative Elite Series of supplements launched at GNC in 2023, headlined by the monstrous Kaged Pre-Workout Elite supplement. At this point, it’s safe to say that the Kaged product catalog is comprehensive. If you’re an athlete looking to gain a legitimate edge, then Kaged has whatever you need – from pre-workouts to protein powders.

And while Pre-Workout Elite, with its 10 grams of citrulline and -handed caffeine dose, is great for an epic lift in the gym… sometimes that’s too much for athletes.

Kaged Pre-Kaged Sport: A Pre-Workout Built For An Athlete

For those who want something a bit more “reasonable” (and affordable), Kaged has a pre-workout that’s designed specifically to enhance gametime performance. Released under the name Pre-Kaged Sport, this pre-workout is not about helping you get a pump, nor is it packed with stims that could negatively affect an athlete’s coveted cardiovascular efficiency.

Rather, Pre-Kaged Sport is all about boosting energy, endurance, focus, and hydration. It contains exactly what an athlete needs, whether leading up to an important practice or a big game.

A full ingredient breakdown and review on Pre-Kaged Sport is included below! But first, let’s check The PricePlow news and deals:

Kaged Pre-Kaged Sport Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll find in one-scoop serving (13.6 g) of Pre-Kaged Sport:

Sport-Performance Matrix

• L-Citrulline (fermented) – 3,500 mg

  

  Kaged specifies that they use fermented L-citrulline, meaning that it’s derived from the bacterial fermentation of plant matter, which is the industry gold standard for purity and quality. You’ll notice that all Kaged’s amino acid ingredients are fermented – just another factor that sets Kaged apart from their competition.

  Normally, when we discuss L-citrulline, we highlight how incredible it is at helping you get epic pumps. However, in the context of sports, L-citrulline can also significantly enhance performance by increasing blood flow to the active muscles — resulting in greater delivery of oxygen, nutrients, and more efficient removal of metabolic waste products, such as lactic acid.^[1]

  L-citrulline improves circulation by increasing L-arginine levels, then L-arginine gets converted into nitric oxide (NO) via endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS).^[1,2] NO tells the blood vessels to expand, allowing blood flow to move more efficiently throughout the body.

  You’ve probably noticed that, compared to most pre-workouts on the market today, Pre-Kaged Sport contains a smaller amount of citrulline – 3.5 grams as opposed to the 6, 8, or even 10-gram doses we see in lifter-focused pre-workouts.

  However, in the context of an athlete’s pre-workout, using a smaller dose is not a bad thing. In fact, most aerobic athletes prefer it. That’s because big doses of citrulline can actually cause too much vasodilation during endurance-based activities, leading to excessive muscle swelling that can cause discomfort or even impair performance.

  For sports purposes, 3.5 grams is actually still more than adequate. One study published in 2016 found that just 2.4 grams of L-citrulline supplementation per day significantly increased plasma L-arginine levels, reduced completion time of a 4 kilometer cycling race, decreased feelings of muscular fatigue, and enhanced concentration in trained cyclists.^[1]

• Beta-Alanine (as CarnoSyn) – 1,600 mg

  The ergogenic aid beta-alanine can help increase athletic endurance. Along with the amino acid L-histidine, beta-alanine is one of the precursors to carnosine, a dipeptide molecule that helps your muscles eliminate the lactic acid they generate during strenuous exercise. Because lactic acid accumulation causes muscular fatigue, getting rid of it faster can delay the onset of that fatigue,^[3] creating a net endurance-boosting effect.

  

  Carnosine supplementation itself doesn’t work very well since carnosine’s oral bioavailability is low. So, instead, we take the precursor beta-alanine, which is much better absorbed. Histidine supplementation, on the other hand, is not necessary because of its natural abundance in a wide variety of foods. Thus, beta-alanine availability is almost always the bottleneck on your body’s production of carnosine, making it a logical target for supplementation.^[4,5]

  According to meta-analyses on beta-alanine literature, this ingredient is best at increasing endurance during exercises conducted at an intensity that can be sustained for between 30 seconds and 10 minutes.^[6,7] In other words, if you’re working out so hard that you can’t last 30 seconds, or so easy that you can last longer than 10 minutes, beta-alanine won’t deliver the maximum benefit. This ingredient is best used to support HIIT-style or high-rep weightlifting workouts.

  CarnoSyn premium beta-alanine

  CarnoSyn is a patented form of beta-alanine developed and marketed by Natural Alternatives International.^[8-11] The company has a fantastic reputation among industry experts for quality and effectiveness.

• Betaine Anhydrous (as BetaPower) – 1,250 mg

  Betaine is an organic osmolyte, meaning that it helps maintain fluid homeostasis within cells and leads to better hydration and improved resilience to outside stressors.^[12] Serving as a methyl donor is another key role that betaine performs in the body.^[12]

  

  A landmark 2013 study showed that 2.5 grams of betaine every day can have profound effects on body mass and strength.^[12] Note that you’ll need two scoops of Pre-Kaged Sport to make this happen.

  Studies show that betaine is capable of transferring its methyl groups to a non-proteinogenic amino acid called homocysteine.^[12] Homocysteine is endogenously produced in the body, and excessively high levels are linked to negative cardiovascular effects. Once homocysteine accepts the methyl group from betaine, it gets converted into the amino acid methionine that serves as a precursor to creatine production.^[12] More creatine can definitely enhance performance, so that’s ideal!

  It’s well established that betaine anhydrous supplementation improves performance, body composition, power, strength, and endurance.^[12-15]

  Is 1.25 grams under-dosed?

  However, the vast majority of sports nutrition studies on betaine use a dose of at least 2.5 grams – an amount that’s now widely accepted as the minimum effective dose. However, that does not necessarily mean that the 1.25-gram dose in Pre-Kaged Sport is too small to have beneficial effects.

  For one thing, supplemental betaine’s impact on serum betaine is dose-dependent. This means that smaller doses still have some effect – 1,000 milligram per day of betaine has been observed to increase betaine blood levels by about 60%.^[16] This is not as drastic as the 240% and 700% increases caused by 3,000 mg and 6,000 mg doses, respectively, but probably still significant for performance.

  Another thing to consider is betaine’s impact on long-term cardiovascular health. A 1,000 milligram dose has repeatedly been shown to significantly decrease plasma homocysteine levels,^[17,18] which is a big potential benefit for athletes as homocysteine tends to be elevated after exercise,^[19] and this elevation can increase one’s risk of cardiovascular disease.^[20]

  If you do want the gains highlighted in the landmark study,^[12] you’ll need to two-scoop it or find more betaine elsewhere.

Cellular Hydration Matrix

• Taurine – 2,000 mg

  Taurine is a sulfur containing β-amino acid that takes on several physiological roles within the body, including bile salt formation, calcium signaling, and osmoregulation.^[21-23] Like betaine, taurine is an osmolyte, helping support optimal hydration and electrolyte balance at the cellular level.^[23]

  Taurine is one of the most abundant amino acids in the human body,^[23] and several studies have shown that taurine expresses potent cytoprotective and antioxidant properties via membrane detoxification and stabilization, and regulation of intracellular calcium levels.^[21-23]

  Not only do these attributes offer health benefits, they also provide a multitude of performance benefits. For example, a meta-analysis from 2018 found that supplementing with 1 to 6 grams of taurine significantly increased endurance in active individuals.^[21]

  While the body can endogenously produce taurine, many researchers argue that it’s an essential amino acid because the amount your body is capable of producing falls far short of what’s optimal.^[23]

• Coconut Fruit Water Powder – 500mg

  Nowadays, it’s fairly common to find coconut fruit water powder in sports supplements, but industry veterans will remember that Kaged was one of the first companies to put this ingredient on the map.

  

  Hydra-Charge comes in several great flavors, including Strawberry Yuzu and Glacier Grape

  It’s one of the key ingredients in Hydra Charge, an electrolyte product that’s one of Kaged’s best sellers. The success of Hydra Charge was one of the biggest factors in widespread industry adoption of coconut water powder.

  Research shows that coconut water powder is rich in naturally occurring electrolytes, meaning that it’s great for promoting total body hydration.^[24,25] Electrolytes are essential for overall performance, efficient muscle contractions, preventing muscle cramps, and helping your body actually retain the water you’re drinking. If you’re one of the many adults that periodically suffer from muscle spasms or severe cramping, extra electrolyte support could be a major game changer for you.

  Studies have even shown that coconut water is as effective at rehydration as an carbohydrate-electrolyte beverage,^[24,25] without the added calories from sugar.

Energy & Focus Matrix

• L-Tyrosine – 500mg

  L-tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid that increases the synthesis of three important catecholamine neurotransmitters: dopamine, noradrenaline, and adrenaline.

  

  In general, neurotransmitters are chemical signals that facilitate cell to cell communication and are involved in nearly every physiological process.^[26,27] Dopamine is linked to motivation, movement, emotions, and mood. Noradrenaline and adrenaline, on the other hand, are key players in your sympathetic nervous system (SNS), which plays a central role in your body’s response to exercise.

  The SNS initiates your body’s fight-or-flight response, causing elevated heart rate, redistribution of blood to the limbs, and accelerated fat burning. All these adaptations prime your body for the strenuous physical exertion of competitive sports.

  Intense bouts of prolonged exercise are known for depleting levels of neurotransmitters, so it’s a good idea to help replenish them with tyrosine. Studies have shown that L-tyrosine supplementation can improve cognitive function, mood, and adaptation to stressful situations.^[27]

  We’re glad to see that Kaged chose L-tyrosine, since research shows it’s the best choice due to superior bioavailability and absorption.^[26]

• Caffeine (as PurCaf) (caffeine from organic green coffee bean) – 188 mg

  The last ingredient in Pre-Kaged Sport is caffeine, but it’s not your standard synthetic version that dominates the market. Kaged opted for PurCaf — a type of caffeine sourced from organic green coffee beans.

  Natural caffeine provides all of the same mental and performance boosting benefits as synthetic, however some people prefer it over other forms because it tends to cause a slower and more sustained increase in energy as opposed to a rapid spike followed by a hard drop off. The last thing you want is to suffer from the dreaded crash halfway through a big game.

  

  Other benefits of using PurCaf over is that it’s GRAS-affirmed (generally recognized as safe), certified organic, and non-GMO verified.^[28] PurCaf is undoubtedly one of the highest quality sources of caffeine available and it shows since Kaged uses it in several products.

  The formulators at Kaged also decided to use a smaller dose of caffeine, at just under 200 milligrams per serving, because they didn’t want you to feel stimmed-out from taking Pre-Kaged Sport. It’s designed to give you a nice rise in energy that’s sustained and at a level high enough to carry you through a workout, game, or practice. If you want more caffeine, then look into their other pre-workout options, such as the original Pre-Kaged.

  Regardless of the source of caffeine, it all works in the same way. Caffeine’s mechanism of action for increasing energy and performance is two-fold: it blocks adenosine from binding to its receptor and inhibits phosphodiesterase from breaking down cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate).^[29]

  Caffeine is one of the most researched supplements in sports science, and it’s been shown time and time again to significantly boost both mental and physical performance.^[29] Needless to say, if you want to get the most out of your training, adding in some caffeine is generally a good idea.

Available Flavors

If you’ve tried any of Kaged’s new flavors lately, then you already know that they’re cranking out some amazing tasting products. Kaged is all about using as many natural ingredients as possible – they refuse to use any artificial flavors or colors.

However, some Kaged products do contain a small amount of sucralose (an artificial sweetener) alongside stevia (a natural sweetener) to get the right level of sweetness, which we have no problem with! We’re confident that Pre-Kaged Sport will be something you look forward to drinking every time you need an extra boost!

Here’s an updated list of all Pre-Kaged Sport flavor variations:

Pre-Kaged Sport vs. Standard Pre-Workouts

So how does Pre-Kaged Sport stack up to more typical offerings in the pre-workout category?

One thing that’s really noticeable is Kaged’s strategic use of designer-brand patented and trademarked ingredients. In this formula we have CarnoSyn, BetaPower, and PurCaf, three brands with excellent reputations for purity and efficacy.

In other cases, Kaged opts for quality processing, as we can see in their choice to use fermented citrulline. We’d say this also applies to PurCaf, which is a naturally-sourced caffeine that’s extracted from green coffee beans. The team at PricePlow has long had concerns about the purity of synthetic caffeine, which is usually produced using industrial solvents that we’re not convinced are completely removed from the end product. So, we always love seeing natural caffeine used whenever possible.

Another thing we love about this formula is the taurine dose. The supplement industry has been stuck on 1-gram doses of taurine for years, and we’re not sure why. Taurine’s effects are dose-dependent up to at least 6 grams, so we think this ingredient should always be given in at least 2 to 3-gram doses.

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Additionally, this is a choline-free supplement. While many users love choline, those who eat enough meat and eggs get plenty of it, and may not need more.

Finally, Kaged made a smart decision to be conservative with doses of certain ingredients, like citrulline and caffeine, that can actually adversely affect performance when taken in doses typical of mass-market pre-workout formulas. And of course, it’s very affordable!

Kaged: The Athlete’s Brand

Kaged is all about formulating supplements designed to maximize athletic performance and the company focuses heavily on quality, transparency, efficacy, and safety. Not every supplement brand bothers to go through the process of getting the Informed Sport certification for a number of reasons, with the main ones being cost and time – but since Kaged was designed for elite performers, it spares no expense on ensuring purity.

Early on, Kaged decided that they weren’t going to blindly follow industry trends, which is part of the reason why they’re so successful and well known around the world. We’re excited to see that they’re expanding the Pre-Kaged line to reach a wider audience. Who knows what will be next, but PricePlow will make sure you’re the first to find out — just subscribe down below and follow us on social media!