Bucked Up Pre-Workout Review: Is This Mix the Pre-Workout You’ve Been Waiting For?

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Originating in 2016, DAS Labs made a name in the supplement industry with their muscle recovery supplement Deer Antler Velvet Spray IGF-1. As the company grew, it expanded its dietary supplement offerings, and, staying true to the deer theme, Bucked Up pre-workout was created. The brand aimed to develop a delicious pre-workout formula with clearly labeled, effective doses of ingredients. It also stood by its company value and vow never to use shady industry tactics, such as proprietary blends, in its formulations. 

Over time, the classic Bucked Up pre-workout has evolved into various related formulas to accommodate the different needs of the brand’s consumers. The Bucked Up pre-workout line now includes Bucked Up BLACK, Bucked Up WOKE AF and Bucked Up Stim Free. In this review, we compare the ingredients, dosages and flavors to see how the brand's flagship pre-workout line stacks up to the competition. 

This content is meant to be informative, but should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention or treatment of health problems. Always speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement or exercise regimen.

Benefits of Bucked Up Pre-Workout

As the name implies, pre-workout powders are designed to be ingested prior to a workout session to boost energy levels, focus and drive. Bucked Up was developed with a nonproprietary blend because proprietary blends are viewed as subpar in the supplement industry. For reference, proprietary blends contain multiple ingredients under only one listed serving amount. As a result, there's no way to know how much of each individual ingredient is included in that blend.

The original Bucked Up formula contains a wide range of clinically dosed ingredients aimed at enhancing performance, including 200 milligrams of caffeine, six grams of L-citrulline, two grams of beta-alanine, 200 milligrams of Alphasize Alpha GPC and 100 milligrams of taurine (to name a few of the 11 ingredients). The various iterations of the pre-workout add or subtract certain ingredients to best align with consumers' specific fitness goals. Whether you're an athlete, bodybuilder or anyone else looking for the pump, energy and focus provided by a pre-workout supplement, DAS Labs hit the mark with the combination of active ingredients in their Bucked Up line.

What Are the Differences Between Bucked Up’s Pre-Workout Formulations?

The ingredients found in the classic Bucked Up Pre-Workout formula are the core components of the various pre-workout powders in the brand’s supplement line. The zero-calorie, 11-ingredient formula includes Vitamin B12, sodium, citrulline malate, beta-alanine, caffeine, AlphaSize Alpha GPC, taurine, Himalayan rock salt, deer antler velvet extract, AstraGin and ActiGin. We analyze these pre-workout ingredients in detail in the ingredient section below.

The next supplement, Bucked Up BLACK series, is almost identical to the classic formula. The only difference is that the brand added a combination of Humic and Fulvic acids. DAS Labs claims that these ingredients are included to help encourage healthy detoxification in your body, as well as promote nutrient absorption. While there may be some potential benefit to these products, there is currently little scientific evidence to substantiate these claims.

If you consider yourself a "stim junkie," then Bucked Up WOKE AF might be the high-stimulant pre-workout product for you. This product ups the beta-alanine dose to 3.2 grams per serving, spikes the caffeine up to 333 milligrams and adds a few additional stimulents including Dendrobium and synephrine HCl. Synephrine HCl is of particular concern since it has been linked to negative side effects if you have a pre-existing condition such as heart disease or high blood pressure. It's always recommended to consult your healthcare provider before starting a new supplement, especially a high stimulant product like WOKE AF.

Last but not least is Bucked Up Stim Free Pre-Workout, which, as the name implies, is free of stimulants like caffeine. Designed for stim- sensitive individuals or people who work out in the evening, this product delivers the same performance-enhancing ingredients as the original Bucked Up without the caffeine.

Is Bucked Up Pre-Workout Safe? Are There Any Side Effects?

Note: It’s always advised to speak to your health care professional before adding a pre-workout supplement to your routine.

Bucked Up pre-workouts should be safe for most individuals as long as you follow the label instructions when using this product. The supplement label suggests mixing one-scoop (one serving size) of powder with eight to 10 ounces of water and consuming 15 to 30 minutes before exercise. It advises that users should not exceed one scoop per day, and should never “dry-scoop” the powder, meaning to ingest it without any liquid. This is a dangerous trend that can lead to some serious health problems ranging from choking to cardiac arrest from the acute caffeine dose.

Other potential side effects from using Bucked Up Pre-Workout include anxiety, headaches and insomnia from the caffeine. These usually only occur if consuming other stimulants, such as coffee, in addition to your pre-workout. In order to test your tolerance levels, I suggest starting with the Stim Free products and assessing how you feel. 

Lastly, you might experience a side effect known as paresthesia due to the beta-alanine in this formula. This is when you feel a tingly or prickly sensation in your skin. This symptom is only temporary, and there is no evidence that it's harmful.

Disclaimer - The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) does not explicitly prohibit deer antler velvet, but because some deer velvet products might contain the prohibited substance IGF-1, WADA advises that “athletes exercise extreme caution” with this supplement because it could lead to a positive performance-enhancing drug test. These pre-workout products do contain the deer antler velvet ingredient, so they might not be safe for athletes who compete in the NCAA or other banned substance regulated organizations. Another notable ingredient is synephrine, which is included in DAS Labs most powerful pre-workout supplement Bucked Up WOKE AF. This is a banned substance by WADA as well as the NCAA, meaning this formula should be avoided by athletes who compete under these organizations.

Bucked Up Pre-Workout Ingredients

Caffeine

Caffeine is one of the most common ingredients found in pre-workout supplements. This is due to its ability to stimulate the central nervous system and reduce the perception of fatigue, which can lead to improvements in focus, power output and endurance. Studies show caffeine supplementation is effective for enhancing athletic performance in dosages of three to six milligrams per kilogram of body weight. That equates to about 200-400 milligrams of caffeine for a 150-pound person. For reference, most pre-workout supplements have between 150-300 milligrams of caffeine per serving. It's important to monitor your total caffeine consumption throughout the day when choosing a pre-workout containing caffeine. The recommended daily allowance of caffeine for adults is 400 milligrams per day.

Beta-alanine

Beta-alanine is a non-essential amino acid that's used in conjunction with the essential amino acid l-histidine in the body to create the dipeptide molecule carnosine. Carnosine plays a key role in buffering the lactic acid produced in the muscles during periods of intense exercise. This reduction in lactic acid buildup ultimately improves performance and increases total time to exhaustion. An effective dose of four to six grams per day is suggested to elicit performance enhancing benefits. A possible side effect of supplementation is a sensation of prickly or tingly skin called paresthesia; however, the symptom is temporary, and there is no evidence that it's harmful.

Citrulline malate

L-citrulline is a non-essential amino acid that acts as a precursor to the amino acid L-arginine, a potent nitric oxide booster. Studies show that supplementation with L-citrulline or citrulline malate (a combination of L-citrulline and malic acid) results in increased blood flow, muscular endurance, reduced muscle soreness and better aerobic performance through enhanced ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production. Effective dosage ranges for pure L-citrulline are between three to six grams per day.

Taurine

Taurine is classified as a conditionally essential amino acid with demonstrated antioxidant and potential athletic performance benefits. A meta-analysis of 19 taurine-specific studies shows potential improvements in VO2 max, time to exhaustion, anaerobic performance, reduced muscle damage, electrolyte balance, peak power and recovery. From the analysis, taurine dosages ranging from one to three grams per day appear to be effective.

Alpha GPC

Alpha GPC has been shown to improve mental and physical performance by increasing endurance and growth hormone secretion. The study that conducted this research was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design and showed positive outcomes at 200 milligrams of Alpha GPC.

Himalayan rock salt

Himalayan rock salt contains more benefits than regular table salt because of its trace amounts of other mineral electrolytes, including potassium, magnesium and calcium. All these minerals are important for maintaining healthy muscle function and hydration.

Deer antler velvet extract

Deer antler velvet extract is reported to help with aerobic performance and muscular strength and endurance. However, there appears to be limited scientific evidence to support these claims.

AstraGin® (Astragalus, Panax notoginseng)

AstraGin is a dietary supplement that's marketed as a way to improve athletic performance and support the absorption of nutrients from food. It's made from a combination of two plant extracts—Astragalus membranaceus and Panax notoginseng—which are thought to have various health benefits. However, the effectiveness of AstraGin as a supplement has not been well-studied, and there is limited scientific evidence to support the claims made about its benefits.

ActiGin® (Panax notoginseng, Rosa roxburghii)

Both AstraGin and ActiGin are proprietary ingredients from NuLiv science. ActiGin is an all-natural proprietary blend of traditional Chinese medicine herbs Panax notoginseng, believed to aid endurance, and Rosa roxburghii, which is touted for its high antioxidant properties. More research needs to be done to support these claims.

Dendrobium

Dendrobium is a type of orchid plant used in traditional medicine and believed to have various health benefits, including some potential benefits on athletic performance and energy levels. That being said, this is still a relatively new ingredient in supplements, which are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. More testing needs to be done to assess the safety and potential side effects of this product.

Synephrine HCL

Synephrine is utilized by the body to increase calorie consumption and fat oxidation. However, when ingested in dosages greater than one milligram per kilogram of body weight, this product can also shrink blood vessels and therefore increase blood pressure, which can have potentially harmful side effects. Don’t take this supplement if you have a heart condition or high blood pressure, and always consult your doctor before taking a fat burning supplement. Also note that synephrine is now a banned substance for both the NCAA and USADA.

Bucked Up Pre-Workout Caffeine

A full serving (one scoop) of Bucked Up and Bucked Up BLACK pre-workout contains 200 milligrams of caffeine.

A full serving (one scoop) of Bucked Up WOKE AF pre-workout contains 333 milligrams of caffeine.

A full serving (one scoop) of Bucked Up Stim Free pre-workout contains zero milligrams of caffeine.

Bucked Up Pre-Workout Flavors

DAS Labs takes its commitment to developing delicious flavors for its products very seriously. Its products are zero sugar and calorie-free and come in a very large variety of flavors.

Bucked Up Pre-Workout comes in 18 different flavors, including: Blood Raz, Blue Raz, Breezy Blast (Pineapple-Cranberry-Rum Cocktail), Caramel Apple, Grape, Gym N Juice (Citrus Blend), Killa OJ, Rocket Pop (Blue Raz-Lime Cherry), Sour Gummy, Strawberry Kiwi, Strawberry Watermelon, Swole Whip (Pineapple-Mango-Vanilla), Watermelon Lemonade, Watermelon, Blue Raz Lemonade, Miami (Strawberry-Mango-Pineapple), Dragon Fruit and Rum Punch (Rum/Orange/Pineapple/Grenadine)

Bucked Up BLACK comes in two different flavors: Rainbow Rush (Peach-Strawberry-Kiwi) and Deer Candy (Grape-Strawberry). I tested out the Rainbow Rush flavor, and it did taste good, although very sweet, likely due to the sucralose sweetener.

Bucked Up WOKE AF comes in 15 different flavors, including: Dragon Fruit, Blood Raz, Blue Raz, Breezy Blast (Pineapple-Cranberry-Rum Cocktail), Caramel Apple, Rocket Pop (Blue Raz-Lime-Cherry), Strawberry Watermelon, Grape, Killa OJ, Miami (Strawberry-Mango-Pineapple), Sour Gummy, Swole Whip (Pineapple-Mango-Vanilla), Tropical Daiquiri (Mango/Pineapple/Banana), Watermelon Lemonade and Blue Raz Lemonade.

Bucked Up Stim Free comes in five different flavors, including: Grape, Orange Mango, Pink Lemonade, Raspberry Lime Ricky and Strawberry Kiwi.

Bucked Up Pre-Workout FAQs

Does Bucked Up Pre-Workout cause acne?

It's unlikely that the use of a pre-workout supplement such as Bucked Up would be the root cause of acne. In almost all cases, acne is attributed to an individual's dietary habits and hygiene. If acne is an issue, try reducing your intake of fried, fatty or sugary foods. While there have been some correlations between sugar intake and acne risk, Bucked Up is a sugar-free product and should pose little risk for inducing an acne flare up. 

The correlation between these supplements and acne may be better explained by the fact that someone who uses a pre-workout powder also workouts and subsequently sweats more. It's a good idea to shower and clean your skin after a workout session accompanied by a good sweat. If you're concerned about a pre-workout supplement causing acne, then consult with your healthcare provider about the product.

How long does Bucked Up Pre-Workout take to kick in?

Bucked Up recommends taking one serving of their pre-workout supplement 15-30 minutes before training. This will give the product enough time to kick in and give you the energy and focus you need for a great workout.

Is Bucked Up Pre-Workout FDA approved?

Dietary supplements are regulated by the FDA as food and not as drugs. This means that the FDA is actually not authorized to “approve” dietary supplements that go to market for their safety and effectiveness. Quality supplement companies like DAS Labs are Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) certified. This certification, enforced by the FDA, ensures that your supplements are manufactured in a safe and clean facility, are the correct purity and do not contain any illegal substances or toxins. Note, this does not mean that the supplements do not contain banned substances by organizations such as WADA or the NCAA.

Does Bucked Up Pre-Workout contain creatine or BCAAs?

No, and that’s ok. This might sound counterintuitive, but I really like the fact that Bucked Up avoids filler ingredients like creatine and BCAAs in its pre-workout formula. Although effective, these ingredients are more for post-workout recovery and muscle growth, and in my opinion have no purpose in a pre-workout supplement.

Can I take Bucked Up Pre-Workout every day?

While it would likely be safe to take Bucked Up Pre-Workout every day, there are a few reasons why you may not want to. The first is that pre-workout is only meant to be taken on training days, and it’s important to incorporate rest days into your training regimen. It’s also advised to avoid taking high doses of caffeine on a daily basis to prevent developing a high tolerance or side effects such as anxiety and trouble falling sleeping.

Which pre-workout formula is right for me?

The only major difference among the Bucked Up Pre-Workout supplements is the amount of caffeine. In order to determine which product is right for you, you should assess your sensitivity to caffeine. If one cup of coffee energizes you for the entire day, then the Stim Free may be the right product for you. If you can drink a cup of coffee right before bed and have no trouble falling asleep, then the high stim Bucked Up WOKE AF may be what you need to feel the effects.

In addition to your sensitivity to stimulants, think about other factors, such as when you work out. If getting some physical activity in at 5 a.m. is part of your morning routine, then a dose of caffeine before your training session can be helpful. But if you're only able to work out late in the evening, then you'll likely want to avoid a high dose of caffeine.

Final Thoughts

I thoroughly agree with the 4.9/5-star customer reviews endorsing the Bucked Up Pre-Workout line. The formula has the three main ingredients I look for in a pre-workout powder, all at scientifically effective doses: citrulline, beta-alanine and caffeine. Additionally, Bucked Up is right around the average price of a pre-workout of this caliber. Whether you’re a first timer or a pre-workout veteran, one of the pre-workout powders in the Bucked Up line should help improve your energy, focus and muscular endurance during your next training session.

If you want to research additional sports supplements, check out our guide on the best pre-workout for women and our ranking of the best protein powders to reach your fitness goals.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.