Legion Pulse Pre-Workout Review

The products featured in this article have been independently reviewed. When you buy something through the retail links on this page, we may earn commission at no cost to you, the reader. Sports Illustrated editorial staff are not involved in the creation of this content. Learn more here.

For many gym goers, grabbing a scoop of pre-workout powder is the first step in the ritual of going to the gym. There’s just something special about that rush of caffeinated energy that puts you in a focused headspace to dominate your workout. The issue is that many pre-workout formulas are more marketing than actual substance. The supplement company Legion is here to rewrite that narrative, and in doing so, they have become one of the best selling sports supplements brands in the world.

The product of focus in this article is Legion Pulse, an all natural pre-workout containing six active ingredients included in clinically effective dosages. In this review, we’ll see what the science has to say about each individual ingredient, discuss the flavor options available, compare the price point to the industry average and help you decide if Legion Pulse should be your next pre-workout.

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.

Legion Pulse Pre-Workout At a Glance

• 100 percent all-natural pre-workout formula with six active ingredients and three mineral electrolytes
• 350 milligrams of caffeine, eight grams of citrulline malate and 3.6 grams of beta-alanine per serving (two-scoop serving size)
• Designed to boost energy, focus and strength without the jitters, upset stomach or post-workout crash
• 18 different flavor options available
• Naturally sweetened and flavored

Pros

• Six active ingredients included in clinically effective doses
• Mineral electrolytes calcium, sodium and potassium are included
• No artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors or preservatives
• Third-party tested by Labdoor for potency and purity
• “No Return Necessary” money-back guarantee

Cons

• High price point for a 20-serving container
• 350-milligram dose of caffeine is likely too much for caffeine-sensitive individuals (Legion also offers a stimulant-free version of their pre-workout)

Legion Pulse Claims

Legion immediately builds authenticity with the consumer by conveying that their Pulse pre-workout is not “PRs in a bottle” and won’t instantly “add another plate or two the barbell.” I find this genuine approach to be refreshing in an industry where many companies' claims about their pre-workout supplements would have you believe their formulas must contain actual anabolic steroids. Instead, Legions focuses on a fully transparent formula containing no proprietary blends and clinically effective doses of their ingredients.

In addition, Pulse is manufactured in an NSF-certified and FDA-inspected Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) compliant facility, meaning their product is being held to the highest industry standards. If that wasn’t enough, Legion’s Pulse pre-workout is also certified banned substance free and tested for purity by third-party testing service Labdoor. This means that Pulse is safe to use by athletes who compete in sports that are regulated with anti-doping protocols.

The six active ingredients in Pulse include caffeine, theanine, beta-alanine, betaine, alpha-GPC and citrulline malate. Each of these ingredients, when dosed correctly, have been scientifically proven to help you train harder, perform longer and finish your workouts stronger. Pulse is also free from any artificial ingredients, and is 100 percent naturally sweetened and flavored with stevia, erythritol and monk fruit extract. Legion also offers consumers complete peace of mind with their “no return necessary” money-back guarantee. If you try Legion Pulse and for any reason dislike the product, you can simply let them know, and they’ll give you a full refund on the spot. This is a great risk-free option to see why Pulse is becoming one of the most popular all-natural pre-workout supplements on the market.

Quality of Ingredients

Ingredients

L-citrulline malate

Citrulline malate is a combination of the amino acid L-citrulline and malic acid, and is included in Legion Pulse at a dose of eight grams per serving. The reason citrulline-malate is found in almost every pre-workout formula is because it increases muscular endurance and aerobic capacity and reduces muscle soreness. These benefits are due to L-citrulline being a precursor to the conditionally essential amino acid L-arginine, which acts as a powerful nitric oxide booster in the body. Nitric oxide boosters increase blood flow throughout the body, which increases the amount of oxygen and nutrients that get to the muscles. This allows for improved performance, as well as enhanced recovery post-training. A clinically effective dose of citrulline malate is around six to eight grams, and should be taken prior to a workout session.

Beta-alanine

Beta-alanine is a non-essential amino acid that regulates the amount of the chemical carnosine that can be stored in the muscles. Carnosine’s role in the body is reducing muscle acidity that builds up during sustained periods of intense exercise. This reduction in lactic acid build-up increases the amount of work that muscles can do before they become completely fatigued, which results in improved endurance and performance during training and competition. An effective dose of four to six grams per day of beta-alanine is suggested to induce these performance enhancing benefits. Legion Pulse contains a 3.6-gram dose of beta-alanine, which may cause a possible side effect known as paresthesia in which you experience a warm tingling sensation in your skin. However, the symptom is temporary and harmless and should subside within 15-30 minutes of ingesting the supplement.

Betaine anhydrous

Betaine, also known as trimethylglycine, is an amino acid derivative that’s found in various foods, including beets, spinach and quinoa. Betaine acts as a facilitator molecule in the body and plays a key role in certain physiological processes including fat metabolism and cellular energy production. Studies suggest that betaine in dosages between two and three grams may provide several performance enhancing benefits such as increased strength and power output, as well as improved muscular endurance.

Caffeine anhydrous

Caffeine is one of the most popular ingredients in pre-workout supplements because it speeds up metabolism, improves athletic performance, boosts cognition and increases endurance. Pulse contains 350 milligrams per serving, which is just shy of the recommended daily allowance of caffeine for healthy adults—400 milligrams. This means that those who use Legion Pulse may want to avoid other sources of caffeine throughout the day, such as coffee, tea or soda. With a dose of caffeine this strong, you may want to start with a single-scoop of Pulse (instead of the full two-scoop serving size) to monitor your reaction.

Note that Legion also offers a caffeine-free version of Pulse, which removes both the caffeine and L-theanine from the formulation. This stim-free pre-workout would be an ideal choice for someone who trains in the evenings and wants to avoid any interference with their normal sleep schedule.

L-theanine

L-Theanine is an amino acid that works to reduce the effects of mental stress and increase the production of nitric oxide in the body. This helps balance out some of the unwanted side effects individuals experience when consuming high doses of caffeine, including increased heart rate, restlessness and anxiety. The clinically effective dose of L-theanine when paired with caffeine is between a ratio of 1:1 and 2:1 theanine to caffeine. The reason it’s included in Pulse at a ratio of 1:1 is because this is optimal for working out, while the 2:1 dose may produce too strong of a calming effect.

Alpha-GPC

Alpha-GPC, also known as alpha-glycerophosphocholine, is a combination of two molecules known as choline and glycerophosphate. Choline is a beneficial nutrient for brain health and cognitive function, and glycerophosphate helps to actually transport choline to the brain. When taken together, alpha-GPC also increases the activity of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is used by nerves to communicate with one another. This increase in acetylcholine levels has been shown to improve both mental and physical performance, and has been found to be effective at a dose of 200 milligrams of alpha-GPC per day. A two-scoop serving size of Pulse contains 300 milligrams of 50-percent alpha-GPC, which is effectively 150 milligrams per serving. This should be enough to elicit some of the mental focus and physical performance benefits.

Other ingredients

The additional ingredients in Legion Pulse include three mineral electrolytes (sodium, potassium and calcium), as well as natural sweeteners, flavors and colors. Depending on the flavor you choose, these ingredients may include erythritol, stevia leaf extract, monk fruit extract and fruit and vegetables juices for color. While some of the ingredients are meant for taste, the mineral electrolytes do have some performance enhancing benefits. Optimal sodium and potassium levels are critical for hydration and reduce the likelihood of muscle cramps, muscle weakness and fatigue. The other electrolyte, calcium, is involved in skeletal strength and bone density and assists in the contraction of muscles.

Legion Pulse Flavors

Most pre-workout supplements come in a handful of different flavors to add some variety. Legion, on the other hand, ensures that you’re unlikely to ever run out of unique and delicious flavors to choose from by offering 18 different flavor options.

The flavors include: Apple Cider, Frosted Cranberry, Strawberry Margarita, Fruit Punch, Arctic Blast, Strawberry Kiwi, Blood Orange, Blue Raspberry, Blueberry Lemonade, Cherry Limeade, Grape, Green Apple, Mojito, Pink Lemonade, Sour Candy, Tropical Punch, Watermelon and Peach Ring.

Legion Pulse Cost

Legion Pulse is considered a premiere pre-workout supplement with a cost of $44.99 for a one-time purchase. While this price point may seem in line with the industry average, Pulse only contains 20 servings per container, compared to the 25-30 servings offered by their competitors. Although expensive, an all-natural pre-workout supplement of this caliber can justify the $2.25 price per serving. Fortunately, Legion offers a variety of ways to reduce the cost of their supplements. Their subscribe and save plan discounts supplements by 10 percent, and you can cut an additional 10 percent off the cost by bundling multiple supplements together in a stack. Legion also occasionally offers sales on certain flavors that will reduce their cost by up to 20 percent.

Who Should Use Legion Pulse

Legion Pulse is for anyone searching for an all natural pre-workout supplement that contains a high caffeine dose to get them through their training. Out of all the pre-workout supplements we’ve ranked in the past, Pulse is by far the most caffeinated and contains almost the entire recommended daily allowance of caffeine in a single serving. However, Pulse also includes 350 milligrams of L-theanine to balance out the unwanted side effects from such a heavy caffeine dose.

In addition to the stim effects, Pulse is also a solid option for athletes because it’s manufactured in an NSF-certified and FDA-inspected facility, and is tested for banned substances by Labdoor. This ensures that athletes who participate in sanctioned competitions can use Pulse without worrying about a failed drug test. If you're on the fence about trying this product, Legion offers a hassle-free, no return money-back guarantee to anyone who isn’t completely satisfied with their product.

Who Should NOT Use Legion Pulse

I would caution caffeine-sensitive individuals about using the caffeinated Pulse pre-workout due to the intense 350 milligrams of caffeine per serving. If this is an issue for you, or you work out in the evening, then you may want to try the stim-free version of this supplement.

While potent, Pulse also isn’t the best option for someone who is looking for a pre-workout that does it all. Pulse will definitely get you motivated for the gym and increase your endurance, and it has a well rounded pump complex, but it’s missing some ingredients commonly found in other pre-workouts, including creatine and branched chain amino acids (BCAAs). While these extra ingredients are not critical in a pre-workout formula, they do offer convenience to consumers who want a one stop shop pre-workout.

Finally, individuals on a strict budget may want to explore other options outside of Pulse, since a 20-serving container costs $44.99, and there are cheaper options available, although they may not be dosed as effectively or free of artificial ingredients.

What Customers Are Saying About Legion Pulse

Scoring 4.6/5 stars on the Legion website, customers in general have very positive things to say about Legion Pulse. Most reviewers comment on how other pre-workouts they’ve used in the past left them feeling bloated, jittery and anxious, but somehow, even with the hefty 350-milligram caffeine dose, Pulse leaves them feeling just fine. This is likely because Pulse is well-balanced with the inclusion of L-theanine to prevent these potential side effects.

Other consumers really love the fact that Pulse has 100 percent all natural ingredients and doesn't contain any artificial sweeteners, dyes or flavors. Speaking of flavors, a number of consumers love the plethora of flavor options available and how they always have a new and unique flavor to choose from. One reviewer from the Legion website notes that you should definitely try the Strawberry Margarita and Cherry Limeade flavors. On the other hand, I did see a trend regarding the Blueberry Lemonade being a possible flavor to avoid, as consumers felt it didn’t resemble blueberries or lemonade in the taste profile.

While there are only a handful of negative customer reviews, most had to do with the taste of certain flavors rather than the ingredients list or how the pre-workout performed. On a positive note, it does appear that Legion’s customer service team worked quickly to respond to any negative reviews and remedy the situations.

About Legion

Legion Athletics was established in 2014 with the mission of creating high quality, all-natural sports supplements that are safe and contain powerful active ingredients at clinically effective dosages. Founded by Mike Matthews, a bestselling health and fitness author, Legion uses his expert knowledge and the latest science to develop a robust array of different sports supplements, including pre-workouts, protein powders, greens powders, probiotics, fat burners, multivitamins and more.

Legion commits to transparency and honesty in both their marketing and on their supplement labels, never containing proprietary blends of ingredients and avoiding the use of artificial ingredients. Legion stands out from their competitors by steering clear from the exaggerations, lies and pseudoscience that are so prevalent in the supplement industry. All of the ingredients in their supplements are backed by peer-reviewed scientific literature, and are manufactured in NSF-certified and FDA-regulated cGMP facilities.

Legion also submits their products for third-party testing by Labdoor, which tests their supplements for label claims, purity, heavy metals, banned substances and microbial growth. Legion goes above and beyond what's required by a supplement company to ensure their consumers are getting some of the best sports supplements on the market.

Legion Pulse vs GHOST LEGEND

GHOST LEGEND pre-workout contains a few more active ingredients than Legion Pulse, including Nitrosigine, L-tyrosine, taurine, theobromine and AstraGin. However, Pulse does include betaine in their formulation, and all of the other major ingredients such as L-citrulline, beta-alanine and caffeine are dosed higher in Pulse’s formula. The major difference between the two is GHOST’s focus on ingredients that will improve energy, mood and focus, while Pulse centers on a straightforward ingredient list that prioritizes performance, endurance and generating a serious pump during training.

Both GHOST LEGEND and Legion Pulse are priced at $44.99, but GHOST LEGEND contains 25 servings per container, compared to Pulse’s 20 servings. In regard to flavors, both GHOST LEGEND and Legion Pulse have a variety of delicious options to choose from. Pulse focuses on both unique and classic flavors, while GHOST offers licensed flavors—like Sour Patch Kids, Swedish Fish and Sour Watermelon Warheads—that you can’t get anywhere else. Overall, both are top tier pre-workout supplements that will suit most individuals' needs.

Legion Pulse vs Bucked Up

Overall, Legion Pulse and Bucked Up Pre-Workout are fairly similar, and both offer caffeinated and non-stim versions of their formulas. Their caffeinated pre-workouts both contain citrulline malate, beta-alanine, caffeine anhydrous and alpha-GPC. That being said, Pulse contains higher doses of each ingredient listed above, while Bucked Up contains additional ingredients like taurine, himalayan rock salt, AstraGin and their proprietary deer antler velvet extract.

Legion includes ingredients in higher concentrations, while Bucked Up’s ingredient list is more robust. It really comes down to whether you prefer a stronger supplement or a wider array of different ingredients. Regarding the flavor options, Bucked Up somehow managed to one up Legion Pulse, offering 19 different flavors to choose from, compared to Pulse’s 18 flavors. The price point varies slightly between the two, with Bucked Up costing $49.95 for a 30-serving container and Pulse costing $44.99 for 20 servings.

Legion Pulse Pre-Workout FAQs

Does Legion Pulse have creatine in it?

Legion’s Pulse pre-workout does not have any creatine in the formula. While some consumers enjoy an all encompassing pre-workout that covers all of their bases, I think it’s best practice to use a standalone creatine supplement so you can still get an effective dose of creatine on your rest days without needing to consume a caffeinated pre-workout. A simple creatine monohydrate is both cheap and effective, and Pulse not having creatine should not dissuade you from trying out this pre-workout supplement.

Is Legion Pulse FDA approved?

At this time, the FDA does not have the authority to approve dietary supplements for their safety and effectiveness or to approve their labeling before being sold to the public. That means that Legion Pulse is not FDA approved; however, Legion does follow best practices when manufacturing their supplements. Legion products are manufactured in cGMP facilities, which are inspected and regulated by the FDA. Legion also submits all of their supplements for third-party testing to ensure product safety, quality and potency.

Is Legion Pulse NSF certified?

Currently, Legion Pulse is not NSF certified, but it is manufactured in an NSF certified facility. Instead of using NSF to certify their supplements as safe for sport, Legion has chosen to use the third-party testing company Labdoor to ensure their products are banned substance free. The facility being NSF certified means that the supplement manufacturing process is being held to the highest industry standards.

Can you take Legion Pulse every day?

While there’s nothing wrong with taking Legion Pulse on a daily basis, I would caution against it because of the significant levels of caffeine found in the product. Taking one to two days off of caffeine per week can help maintain the body's sensitivity and prevent building up a tolerance to the stimulant.

Takeaway: Is Legion Pulse Worth It?

Legion Pulse may not have the most extensive ingredients list, but it does contain powerful, science-based active ingredients in doses that pack a serious punch. It’s also impressive that Legion commits to a 100 percent all-natural formula, as well as submitting their sports supplements for third-party testing. Although pricey, this clinically dosed, all-natural formula justifies the premier price point. Whether you're pursuing your weight loss goals or looking to crush your next PR in the gym, Legion Pulse is one of the best pre-workouts we’ve reviewed, and it may just be the potent pre-workout you’ve been looking for.

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