The pre-workout market is flooded with options, and everyone seems to be making a special formula nowadays — but Legion is doing it naturally and transparently. Legion Pulse pre-workout is all-natural and has ingredients that are heavily dosed to potentially help provide energy, improve blood flow, and increase mental focus. To achieve this, Legion packs each serving of Pulse with a clinical dose of six potent ingredients and 14 flavors to choose from. They make a version without caffeine too that uses four clinical ingredients and offers four flavors. Legion is ideal for anyone who wants a total package of a pre-workout without any of the common artificial flavors, dyes, or sweeteners.
The caffeinated version hits hard with a large dose of l-citrulline, beta-alanine, and caffeine, as well as three other ingredients, which may help kick your workouts up to the next level. In the caffeine-free version, you’ll receive all the same ingredients that may help with focus, endurance, and blood flow, like l-citrulline, beta-alanine, betaine, and Alpha GPC — absent are caffeine and l-theanine. With the comprehensive blend of energy, focus, and pump support, Legion Pulse may be one of the most well-rounded pre-workouts we’ve reviewed. If you seek a potent and clinically-dosed formula that’s free of artificial ingredients, Legion Pulse is the product for you.
Main Takeaways
- Legion offers clinically-dosed formulas to support both those who want a large dose of caffeine (350mg) and those who prefer a stimulant-free pre-workout.
- The ingredients list is short, but most of the ingredients here are dosed heavily compared to industry standard, so you’re receiving a very potent pre-workout.
- Pulse is all-natural and free of artificial sweeteners, flavors, dyes, and other artificial ingredients. Despite this, Pulse is available in 14 different flavors.
This pre-workout supplement can come with or without caffeine and in 16 different flavors. Each serving provides 350 milligrams of L-theanine and eight grams of citrulline malate, which may facilitate better pumps.
Legion Pulse Pre-Workout Highlights
Legion Pulse pre-workout may have a shorter ingredients list than many other pre-workouts on the market, but don’t let that fool you — those ingredients are dosed clinically and heavily. They make for a potent blend and an all-natural boost that can help you power through even your toughest gym sessions. Legion makes a version of Pulse with caffeine and one without caffeine. Both are free of artificial sweeteners, flavors, and dyes and manufactured in ISO 17025 accredited labs — this accreditation means that all of their products are tested for purity and their machines are precision calibrated to provide the exact amounts of ingredients to match what’s on the label.
If you opt for the caffeinated version, there are six main ingredients, which are intended to work together to maximize energy, focus, and blood flow. Each two-scoop serving (22.76g) provides a whopping dose of eight grams of l-citrulline di-malate 2:1, which may help improve blood flow and muscular endurance. In addition, each serving has 3.6g of CarnoSyn® beta-alanine to potentially help with endurance and blood flow. The 2.5g of betaine anhydrous may also help with blood flow and power output.
For a potential boost in energy, Legion includes 350mg of caffeine, which is one of the higher doses we’ve seen. L-theanine (dosed at 350mg) and Alpha GPC (dosed at 300mg) round out the main ingredients and are both included because they may help improve mental focus and clarity.
The caffeine-free version contains the same ingredients, but drops the caffeine and l-theanine. Due to Legion Pulse being naturally sweetened and flavored, there are some electrolytes like calcium, sodium, and potassium, as well as one to three grams of carbohydrates per serving (depending on the flavor you choose).
Who Should Buy Legion Pulse Pre-Workout
- Athletes who like their ingredients dosed heavily will appreciate the no-holds-barred approach that Legion takes with their dosages.
- Those looking for a super robust pre-workout (that may help them with endurance, pump, blood flow, and recovery) will love the 17 potent ingredients in this pre-workout.
- Anyone who wants a pre-workout that covers all the bases of potentially helping with endurance, blood flow, energy, and mental focus. Legion Pulse checks almost every box.
- Anyone who is looking for a pre-workout that offers a ton of options for flavors. There are 14 to choose from here.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Legion Pulse Pre-Workout
- Anyone who’s looking for creatine in their pre-workout will have to look elsewhere.
- Those who don’t want to take a large serving size for their pre-workout. This product packs a punch, but to do so, the serving size is quite large at 22.75g.
- Folks on a strict budget — although the price is reasonable at about $45.99 per container, there are only 21 servings in each tub, which comes out to about $2.19 per serving.
Price and Buying Options
Each container of Legion Pulse costs around $45.99 and provides 21 servings — this comes out to about $2.19 per serving. That’s not the cheapest pre-workout on the market, but there are certainly more expensive ones out there, as well. Legion does offer a subscribe and save discount where they ship you each container automatically every 30, 60, or 90 days. If you subscribe you’ll save 20 percent on each order, dropping the price per serving to about $1.71.
Legion Pulse Pre-Workout Overall
Legion Pulse is designed to cover all the bases a pre-workout should, from concentration to energy, blood flow, and even endurance. It contains a large dose of each ingredient to help achieve these effects. The caffeinated version contains 350mg of caffeine, which may help with energy and concentration throughout your workout. To potentially improve muscular endurance and blood flow, this pre-workout also boasts betaine, beta-alanine, and citrulline. Unfortunately, there are no ingredients to potentially aid in recovery (like l-tyrosine or BCAAs), so you’ll have to take those supps separately.
Formulation
Pulse’s formulation is fairly straightforward and only includes six main ingredients (four in the caffeine-free version), and the electrolytes and carbs resulting from the flavoring. Legion boasts that each ingredient has been clinically studied and that their formula is backed by research.
While the formula is one thing, knowing that you’ll receive what the label says is another. Legion puts our mind at ease in that regard by producing Pulse in an ISO 17025 accredited lab, which verifies the purity and potency of all ingredients that go into the supplement. Legion doesn’t use any artificial sweeteners, flavors, or dyes either. Read on for a breakdown of each of the main ingredients in Legion Pulse.
L-Citrulline DL-Malate 2:1 (8g)
L-cirtulline is a common ingredient in many pre-workouts. It has the potential to improve blood flow in the body, which may deliver better pumps during your workouts. It may also improve exercise performance due to its potential to affect blood flow. (1) This formula boasts an extremely potent 8,000mg dose of citrulline per serving, which is higher than most doses you will find across the market.
CarnoSyn® Beta-Alanine (3.6g)
Beta-alanine, specifically the brand name CarnoSyn®, is well known for the tingling sensation it provides (with some saying it feels like there are bees on your skin). It has other purposes though, such as potentially helping to improve muscular endurance (2). Pulse provides a large dose of 3.6g per serving, which is likely to give you the tingles, but may also help you push your muscles longer and harder than usual.
Betaine Anhydrous (2.5g)
Betaine is another prominent ingredient in pre-workout supplements. It can potentially help with improving a variety of factors, such as power output, which can be helpful for compound lifts. (3) This ingredient may also help improve body composition and endurance too. (4) You’ll receive two and a half grams per serving here, which is on par with many other pre-workout supplements.
Caffeine Anhydrous (350mg)
Caffeine is likely the most commonly used ergogenic aid in the world and for good reason. Countless studies have found that caffeine can improve muscular power and endurance. (5) It does this by allowing our muscles to contract sooner and more rapidly than normal, which can lead to better gains and heavier lifts. (6) Caffeine anhydrous is commonly used in pre-workout as it is simply powdered caffeine. Though 350mg — which is what you’ll ingest with each serving of the caffeinated Pulse — is a large serving, but it’s not unheard of. In the version of Pulse without caffeine, this ingredient is absent.
L-Theanine (350mg)
Theanine is an amino acid commonly found in tea and certain mushrooms. In practice, this supplement is usually taken alongside caffeine to counteract the relaxing effects it may have. (7) Theanine may have cognitive-enhancing effects, such as improving focus, and is suggested to also prevent raised blood pressure in stressful situations. (7) Other studies have found evidence it may help reduce stress and improve mood, which might be helpful for having a better workout. (8) This ingredient is not included in the caffeine-free version of Pulse.
AlphaSize® Alpha GPC (300mg)
Though alpha GPC is not as common in pre-workouts as some of the previously discussed ones, it’s quite popular among those who want to have a mental edge. Since this ingredient is still somewhat new, the research is a little inconclusive, but studies suggest that alpha GPC may help improve mental and physical performance. (9)(10) Other research has suggested that alpha GPC may help improve upper body power and accuracy in reaction-time tests. (11) The 300mg serving here is somewhat low compared to specific alpha GPC supplements, but around average for inclusion in a pre-workout.
Other Ingredients
The other ingredients that are in Legion Pulse depend on which of the 14 flavors you purchase. Each flavor is sweetened and flavored naturally, so they will all have a small amount of carbohydrates and electrolytes from sweetening and flavoring. You’ll also find a small amount of erythritol and stevia leaf extract, which are natural sweeteners.
What To Consider Before Buying Legion Pulse Pre-Workout
There are more pre-workouts on the market today than ever with each claiming its formula is “the best.” That said, it’s important to consider what you seek to achieve from a pre-workout before buying one, so you purchase the one best suited for your needs. Not only are the ingredients important, but the price, stimulant inclusion or exclusion, flavors available, and serving size are also key.
Ingredient list
The ingredients list is likely the most important factor when it comes to selecting the right pre-workout for you. Legion Pulse may have a comparatively short ingredients list, but all the ingredients are dosed heavily and make for a pre-workout that packs quite a punch. That said, the ingredients included in pre-workouts will vary drastically depending on the type of pre-workout you select and what type of training it’s meant for.
If you like to workout early in the day, you may want to opt for the Pulse with caffeine to give you the extra kick of energy you might need to start moving. For those who prefer to work out in the evening, the caffeine-free version may be a better choice, especially if you’re sensitive to stimulants.
Some folks like to focus on obtaining a skin-splitting pump. In that case, looking for a pre-workout that’s heavy on the blood-flow support such as citrulline, beetroot, and beta-alanine may be a good idea. Pulse fits the bill here with the caffeine-free formula. Those whose goal is to put on muscle will likely want to either find a pre-workout with creatine included or add their own creatine to the mix. You can also look for ingredients to potentially aid in recovery like amino acids.
No matter which pre-workout you go with, there likely won’t be a “perfect” formula so try to find the one that lines up best with your goals and checks the most boxes. For most folks, Pulse’s formula will do the trick with its potent mix of ingredients to potentially boost blood flow, muscular endurance, mental focus, and (in the caffeinated version) energy.
Caffeinated or Stim-Free
Most pre-workouts on the market contain caffeine in some way, shape, or form. Caffeine is so common in pre-workouts that if a pre-workout doesn’t contain it, you’ll see it right on the label, which will typically say “stimulant-free” or “caffeine-free”. So why would someone not want caffeine if it has potentially beneficial effects? Those who are sensitive to caffeine or train late in the day may want to avoid it. Individuals who already drink a lot of caffeine during the day may also want to avoid it in their pre-workout to help prevent caffeine overdose, which can be quite unpleasant.
Decide whether you want your pre-workout to include caffeine or not before making a purchase, and be careful to read the label to check for caffeine content. Thankfully, Legion Pulse comes in both a caffeinated and caffeine-free formula, so whether you want it or not, they’ve got you covered.
Price
As with anything, the price of pre-workouts can vary quite a bit, from the inexpensive and quite basic options to the more expensive options with robust ingredient lists. Legion Pulse falls somewhere in the middle when it comes to price despite the high doses and inclusion of top-quality ingredients. Each container will cost you around $45.99 and provide 21 servings, which equates to about $2.19 per serving. If you subscribe to automatic shipments every 30, 60, or 90 days, the price drops to $35.99 for each container of 21 servings which is $1.71 per serving. However, if this product falls out of your price range, there are cheaper options on the market.
Flavors
A pre-workout is only going to be potentially helpful if you can actually stomach the taste. If a formula tastes so bad you don’t want to drink it, then it doesn’t matter if it’s the best formula ever made. That said, Legion Pulse comes in 14 different tasty flavors in the version with caffeine (such as Arctic Blast, Mojito, and Cherry Limeade, as well as classic flavors like Fruit Punch and Blue Raspberry). The caffeine-free formula has a more limited flavor menu and comes in Blue Raspberry, Tropical Punch, Grape, and Fruit Punch only. You’ll want to be sure at least one of these flavors appeals to you before adding it to your cart.
Final Word
Legion Pulse may not have the longest ingredients list in the pre-workout world, but the ingredients it does have are clinically-dosed and offer great potential benefits. This pre-workout is designed thoughtfully, and each of the included ingredients is hand-picked to work synergistically, like caffeine and l-theanine, or betaine and beta-alanine. Whether you decide to opt for the caffeinated or caffeine-free version, you’ll be purchasing a potent pre-workout that was designed with optimal performance in mind.
Many pre-workouts stake their claim as being heavily dosed in one area, such as blood flow boosters or stimulant-heavy — Legion Pulse is like that in all areas. Pulse can potentially help support blood flow, muscular endurance, energy, and mental focus which may make for better workouts. You won’t have to worry about being bored with the flavors either, as the formula with caffeine comes in 14 flavors, and the caffeine-free version comes in four different flavor options. If you’re looking for a potent and transparent pre-workout free of artificial ingredients, Legion Pulse might be the one for you.
FAQs
What is the difference between Legion Pulse with caffeine and without caffeine?
The difference between the two formulations is basically just two ingredients. Those two ingredients are caffeine anhydrous dosed at 350mg and l-theanine dosed at 350mg. Legion removed these ingredients in their non-caffeinated version for those who may want to avoid stimulants.
What sets Legion Pulse apart from other pre-workouts with the same ingredients?
The pre-workout market is extremely competitive and saturated with products. Although no two formulas are the same, they may have the same or similar ingredient profiles. Pulse sets itself apart thanks to the dosing, as well as its natural blend. Legion Pulse is free of all artificial ingredients. Aside from that, the dosing of the ingredients is higher than nearly any other pre-workout on the market, so you receive a great return for your money.
When is the best time to take Legion Pulse?
As with most pre-workouts, you’ll want to drink Pulse about 30 minutes before your workout, so the effects can start kicking in when you’re ready to go. If you’re the type of person who does a lot of warming up and stretching before you start lifting, you may want to wait until you start your warm-up routine to ingest Pulse, so that it hits when you begin the main part of your workout.
References:
- Figueroa, A., Wong, A., Jaime, S. J., & Gonzales, J. U. (2017). Influence of L-citrulline and watermelon supplementation on vascular function and exercise performance. Current opinion in clinical nutrition and metabolic care, 20(1), 92–98. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCO.0000000000000340
- Sale, C., Saunders, B., & Harris, R. C. (2010). Effect of beta-alanine supplementation on muscle carnosine concentrations and exercise performance. Amino acids, 39(2), 321–333. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-009-0443-4
- Cholewa, J. M., Wyszczelska-Rokiel, M., Glowacki, R., Jakubowski, H., Matthews, T., Wood, R., Craig, S. A., & Paolone, V. (2013). Effects of betaine on body composition, performance, and homocysteine thiolactone. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 10(1), 39. https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-10-39
- Hoffman, J. R., Ratamess, N. A., Kang, J., Rashti, S. L., & Faigenbaum, A. D. (2009). Effect of betaine supplementation on power performance and fatigue. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 6, 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-6-7
- Grgic, J., Trexler, E. T., Lazinica, B., & Pedisic, Z. (2018). Effects of caffeine intake on muscle strength and power: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 15, 11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-018-0216-0
- Kalmar J. M. (2005). The influence of caffeine on voluntary muscle activation. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 37(12), 2113–2119. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000178219.18086.9e
- Rogers, P. J., Smith, J. E., Heatherley, S. V., & Pleydell-Pearce, C. W. (2008). Time for tea: mood, blood pressure and cognitive performance effects of caffeine and theanine administered alone and together. Psychopharmacology, 195(4), 569–577. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-007-0938-1
- Hidese, S., Ogawa, S., Ota, M., Ishida, I., Yasukawa, Z., Ozeki, M., & Kunugi, H. (2019). Effects of L-Theanine Administration on Stress-Related Symptoms and Cognitive Functions in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients, 11(10), 2362. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11102362
- Parker, A. G., Byars, A., Purpura, M., & Jäger, R. (2015). The effects of alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine, caffeine or placebo on markers of mood, cognitive function, power, speed, and agility. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12(Suppl 1), P41.
- Marcus, L., Soileau, J., Judge, L. W., & Bellar, D. (2017). Evaluation of the effects of two doses of alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine on physical and psychomotor performance. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 14, 39. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-017-0196-5https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-12-S1-P41
- Cruse, J. L. (2018). The Acute Effects Of Alpha-Gpc On Hand Grip Strength, Jump Height, Power Output, Mood, And Reaction-Time In Recreationally Trained, College-Aged Individuals (Doctoral dissertation, Eastern Kentucky University).
