Research-Based

SuperHuman Pre-Workout Review – A Look At This Alpha Lion Pre-Workout

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By Ryan Brennan

Reviewed by Juliana Tamayo, MS, RDN - Last Updated

SUPERHUMAN Pre-Workout Review

There are two types of people when it’s time to hit the gym: those that need pre-workout and those that don’t. If you’re one of the ones that don’t, more power to you. If you’re not, however, then you likely live and die by pre-workouts.

While many people stand firm in their protest against pre-workout supplements, a majority of them are under the impression that all pre-workouts are filled with unnecessary and harmful ingredients. Sure, a lot of them are, but it’s possible to find quality sources of energy in the right supplement.

One of the biggest mistakes consumers make when shopping for a pre-workout is they focus all their attention on the claims and “guarantees” made by the company. We understand how difficult it is to not look at them, but it’s also essential you ponder over the ingredient label to ensure you know what you’re buying. Otherwise, those claims will end up being nothing more than just that — claims. As for those guarantees, they will just be broken promises.

Another issue? There are tons of pre-workouts out there! There’s Ghost Legend, 4 Gauge, Total War, and then there’s the one we’ll take a look at today – SUPERHUMAN Pre-Workout from Alpha Lion. Let’s see if SUPERHUMAN is the right pre-workout for you in this thorough review.

SUPERHUMAN Pre-Workout supplement

What Is SUPERHUMAN Pre-Workout?

As the name suggests, SUPERHUMAN Pre-Workout isn’t designed for beginners that are looking for a light boost during their workout. Instead, it’s designed for the heavy lifters and workout-aholics that are always looking to push the limits.

SUPERHUMAN was created by Alpha Lion, a company responsible for a wide range of protein, fat-burning, muscle-building, recovery, and pre-workout supplements. They also sell apparel to balance out their brand, but their supplements are what really draw attention.

The two co-founders, Troy Adashun and Jordan Fares, have been involved in the fitness industry pretty much their entire lives. Despite living over 3,400 miles away from each other and only meeting a few times in real life, Alpha Lion was created, and they’ve been running (and lifting) with it ever since.

SUPERHUMAN Pre-Workout supplement unicorn flavor

Alpha Lion’s Claims About SUPERHUMAN Pre-Workout

What’s a supplement without some claims and guarantees? Of course, every claim should have the intention of one day becoming a reality in the eyes of the consumer.

We’ll see whether SUPERHUMAN lives up to the standards they’ve set for themselves when we view their ingredients, but let’s first see what those claims are:

  • Increase your strength and endurance when working out
  • Set your muscle up for extreme growth opportunity
  • Channel your deep focus and concentration 
  • Provides a clean source of energy without a crash
  • Specific ingredients added to increase nutrient absorption
  • All of this packed into an updated formula for 2020

As you can see, this pre-workout is designed to give you all the benefits your body needs to get the most out of your workouts.

The Five Pillars Of SUPERHUMAN

One of the things Alpha Lion boasts the most with SUPERHUMAN Pre-Workout is how it max-doses the five pillars of a quality pre-workout. They’re extremely transparent about how powerful their pre-workout is and are very blunt about why.

Here are the five pillars they are referencing:

  1. Energy & Focus Without Crash. By utilizing dicaffeine malate, caffeine anhydrous, and L-theanine, SUPERHUMAN effectively limits the crash experienced with most pre-workouts.
  2. SuperHuman Strength & Endurance. Combining Beta Alanine and Betaine Anhydrous are believed to help the body push through tough sets.
  3. Skin-Tearing Pumps. If you don’t look like you just got done with a workout, then that workout was a waste. The S7 blend, Nitrosigine, and L-Citrulline are designed to increase vasodilation and nitric oxide production.
  4. Maximum Performance. SUPERHUMAN swears by their supplement giving you the best workout you’ve ever had — and then repeating that mindset every time you hit the gym.
  5. Improved Nutrient Absorption. The combination of BioPerine and Astragin will ensure your body is getting proper and effective usage out of the nutrients it receives.

SUPERHUMAN Pre-Workout takes everything into consideration when putting their formula together. Many supplement companies will sell pump-enhancers and other supplements individually, but Alpha Lion gives you an all-in-one pre-workout.

They give back, too?!

Here’s a neat little side note about this company. They have a partnership with Vitamin Angels, a non-profit charity that provides lifesaving vitamins to mothers and children under five years old. The organization routinely rescues individuals from malnutrition, leading to a healthier world.

With every order under $99, Alpha Lion has pledged to provide a year-supply of vitamins to a child in need — through Vitamin Angels. Additionally, Alpha Lion will provide a year-supply of vitamins to two children in need for every order above $99.

It’s always great to see supplement companies giving back, and Alpha Lion has found a way to do so in a major way. Kudos to their entire team for this!

SUPERHUMAN Pre-Workout Ingredients

Now that we’ve gotten a solid look at the company behind the product, it’s time to ponder over the ingredients behind the product!

This is where all those claims and guarantees will be put in the spotlight. Ideally, the ingredients used will provide the benefits we’ve listed above without presenting any harm to the consumer.

SUPERHUMAN Pre-Workout supplement facts and bottle

With SUPERHUMAN Pre-Workout, the ingredients are broken up into five different blends — similar to the five pillars detailed above. Here’s a quick breakdown of each blend:

  • Energy & Focus Matrix: Caffeine Anhydrous, Infinergy Dicaffeine Malate, N-Methyl-Tyramine HCl, and Theobromine
  • Pump & Performance Matrix: L-Citrulline Malate, L-Taurine, Nitrosigine, S7 Blend
  • Strength Matrix: Beta Alanine, Betaine Anhydrous
  • Anti-Crash Matrix: L-Theanine
  • Absorption Matrix: Astragin and BioPerine

It should also be noted that SUPERHUMAN will also contain sodium, Vitamin B12, and Niacin. With that being said, let’s take a closer look at each of these ingredients.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin your body needs on a daily basis. It is responsible for the production of DNA, protecting nerve and blood cells from damage, and helps prevent megaloblastic anemia — which is known to make individuals feel tired or weak. Many people believe it to have a direct effect on energy production, but more research is needed to support this. Although you only need 2.4mcg of Vitamin B12 per day, most supplements will provide up to 500mg. There’s no evidence showing significant benefits when taking that much.

Recommended Intake: 2.4mcg per day

Niacin

Niacin, commonly referred to as Vitamin B3, is another important vitamin for the body. Almost every part of your body uses Niacin in one way or another. It plays a role in the production of DNA, cellular metabolism, cell signaling, and is used for its antioxidant properties. It’s a water-soluble vitamin, meaning your body will excrete any excess consumed throughout the day.

Recommended Intake: 16mg per day (14mg for women)

Caffeine Anhydrous

Caffeine Anhydrous, also known as dehydrated caffeine, is simply caffeine without water. The result is a much higher concentrated caffeine content per mg, making it more effective than typical caffeine. Keep in mind, taking more than 400mg of any form of caffeine (including combinations) can be dangerous. Since Caffeine Anhydrous is more concentrated, you should be extra careful with consumption.

Recommended Intake: No more than 400mg per day of any caffeine form

Dicaffeine Malate

Dicaffeine Malate is the other form of caffeine used in SUPERHUMAN Pre-Workout. It will consist of two caffeine molecules attached to one molecule of malic acid, which is best known for giving foods a tart taste. In supplements, it is believed to help the body absorb caffeine, fight off fatigue, and promote energy production.

Recommended Intake: No more than 400mg per day of any caffeine form

N-Methyl-Tyramine HCl

N-Methyl-Tyramine HCl is the first ingredient that many people will likely have an issue with in SUPERHUMAN Pre-Workout. While it can provide benefits to your workout, it is currently banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency and can’t be used in competitive sports. In addition to that, the FDA is currently taking a closer look at the product before marking it safe or unsafe. With all the other ingredients included in SUPERHUMAN, this one is not needed.

Recommended Intake: I wouldn’t recommend taking this ingredient, no known guidelines

Theobromine

You’ve likely never heard of Theobromine, but you’ve definitely heard of where it comes from — the cacao plant and chocolate. It is known to act as a stimulant and provide relaxing effects when consumed. It promotes an alert attitude, higher levels of concentration, and a healthy heart. In higher doses, it can also promote the passing of urine.

Recommended Intake: 250-500mg per day

L-Citrulline Malate

Commonly found in watermelon, L-Citrulline is an amino acid that your body can make on its own. It’s much different than most amino acids in the body and won’t be involved in the breakdown of proteins. Instead, it plays a role in detoxifying the body and widening your blood vessels. With increased vasodilation and higher levels of nitric oxide, your body will experience improved blood flow and better circulation — yes, that means better pumps.

Recommended Intake: No more than 8,000mg per day

L-Taurine

L-Taurine is similar to L-Citrulline in that it’s an amino acid not involved in breaking down proteins. It’s considered a conditionally essential amino acid, meaning your body will produce it on its own, and you’ll get it from your diet. It’s important for keeping cells hydrated, maintaining electrolyte balance in cells, forming bile salts, regulating minerals, supporting the central nervous system, and improving the immune system.

Recommended Intake: 1,000mg-2,000mg per day

Nitrosigine

Nitrosigine is another ingredient targeting nitric oxide levels in the body and promoting healthy blood flow. Some studies have even shown it to do a better job than L-Citrulline and L-Taurine. It’s recognized by the FDA and considered safe for general use. It’s said to work within 15 minutes, making a great addition to a pre-workout. In addition to the pump, studies also show that it will increase focus and energy production.

Recommended Intake: No more than 1,250mg per day

S7 Blend

The S7 Blend is a mixture of several extracts and ingredients designed to maximize nitric oxide production and work alongside Nitrosigine, L-Citrulline, and L-Taurine to provide a massive pump that makes any lifter proud. The blend includes Green Coffee Bean Extract, Green Tea Extract, Turmeric Extract, Tart Cherry, Blueberry, Kale, and Broccoli.

Recommended Intake: 50-150mg per day

Beta Alanine

Beta Alanine is an amino acid found naturally in the body. Since it’s non-essential, we don’t necessarily need to consume it through the food we eat. It’s similar to the other amino acids we’ve talked about in SUPERHUMAN because it won’t break down protein. Instead, it aids in the production of carnosine with the help of histidine. Carnosine is responsible for preventing lactic acid buildup in the body during exercise. It allows you to work out harder and longer than usual.

Recommended Intake: 2,000mg-3,000mg per day

Betaine Anhydrous

If you want an ingredient that explains SUPERHUMAN to a “T,” it’s Betaine Anhydrous. In regards to your workout, it’s believed to improve strength and body composition. Unfortunately, it’s only been shown to work on those that train on a regular basis (sorry, newbies!). Betaine Anhydrous is generally used for treating high levels of homocysteine in the blood, which could lead to blood clots.

Recommended Intake: 2,000-3,000mg per day

L-Theanine

L-Theanine is an interesting amino acid. It’s an amino acid analogue of both L-glutamate and L-glutamine. It is known for providing a calm and relaxing effect without promoting drowsiness or fatigue. There is an overwhelming amount of evidence supporting the combination of L-Theanine and Caffeine, proving that they work better together than individually.

Recommended Intake: 100-200mg per day

Astragin

Astragin plays an essential role in providing a healthy and productive gut environment for the nutrients you consume on a daily basis. This is important when taking supplements because it will increase nutrient absorption in the body. It is known to have this effect on a wide range of nutrients, including amino acids, CBD, Omegas, and much more. It can also reduce inflammation in the intestines and protect the gut lining.

Recommended Intake: 50mg per day

BioPerine

Similar to Astragin, BioPerine is well-known for its ability to increase and improve nutrient absorption in the body. It has been recognized as a powerful ingredient to many supplements for over 20 years. It is extracted from black pepper and is standardized down to 95% Piperine. Most studies show it to increase bioavailability by as much as 30%.

Recommended Intake: 5mg per day

SUPERHUMAN Pre-Workout Dosage, Packaging, & Pricing

When you look at the SUPERHUMAN packaging, there’s no doubt it’s a pre-workout. The black tub, massive gold block lettering, lions imprinted all over the tub, and gold top are just screaming male consumption. It’s a good-looking, intimidating product.

While there are a few ingredients in SUPERHUMAN that should be taken with caution, Alpha Lion does a great job of displaying exactly how much of each ingredient you’re getting per scoop.

This is crucial for ingredients like caffeine anhydrous and dicaffeine malate, which could be dangerous in too high of a dose.

Here’s a look at the nutritional facts per ingredient:

  • Sodium – 50mg
  • Vitamin B12 – 250mcg
  • Niacin – 12.5mg
  • Caffeine Anhydrous – 150mg
  • Dicaffeine Malate – 50mg
  • N-Methyl-Tyramine HCl – 37.5mg
  • Theobromine – 50mg
  • L-Citrulline Malate – 3500mg
  • L-Taurine – 500mg
  • Nitrosigine – 375mg
  • S7 Blend – 50mg
  • Beta Alanine – 1600mg
  • Betaine Anhydrous – 1250mg
  • L-Theanine – 175mg
  • Astragin – 25mg
  • BioPerine – 2.5mg

Each tub will provide 42 scoops, which is enough for nearly a month and a half if taking one scoop per day — which is highly recommended. A tub will cost you $43, meaning each scoop is costing you $1.00.

SUPERHUMAN is available in several different flavors, including Hulk Juice (Sour Gummy Bear), Unicorn Juice (Rainbow Sherbert), Orange Gainsicle (Orange Creamsicle), Kandy Kryptonite (Cotton Candy), and Krueger Kiwiberry (Kiwi Blueberry). You can save 25% off on your order by purchasing one of each flavor.

Pros vs. Cons

Every supplement comes with advantages and benefits, especially when talking about pre-workouts. SUPERHUMAN is one of those products that would come with a lot of “cons” if it were being rated for someone new to working out. At the same time, it would come with plenty of pros for someone that’s been working out their entire life.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of this product to ensure it is getting in the hands of the right individuals.

Pros

  • Dicaffeine Malate is known to reduce the crash many people experience with caffeine
  • Astragin and BioPerine increase nutrient absorption in the body
  • S7 blend and Nitrosigine are known to increase nitric oxide levels by up to 260%
  • Your body converts L-Citrulline into L-Arginine (increase blood flow) and nitric oxide
  • One scoop is more than enough to provide a boost
  • Will definitely improve energy, focus, strength, and max out your pumps
  • Interesting flavors are always fun
  • When taking one scoop, you’ll get 42 servings in one tub
  • $1 per scoop isn’t expensive when you consider what you’re getting
  • Extremely transparent about their product and they make it known that it’s designed for advanced athletes

Cons

  • N-Methyl-Tyramine HCl is banned for sport and doesn’t come with a lot of scientific evidence
  • The FDA is still trying to figure out if N-Methyltyramine HCL should be allowed in dietary supplements
  • Proceed with caution when taking caffeine anhydrous — one scoop is plenty, but two scoops is pushing it.

SUPERHUMAN Pre-Workout Claims vs. Reality

Earlier in the review, we detailed the various claims being made by Alpha Lion. Those essentially boiled down to SUPERHUMAN providing consumers with the five pillars of a quality pre-workout supplement: Energy & Focus, Strength & Endurance, Maximum Performance, Nutrient Absorption, and Massive Pumps.

After going through the ingredients, there’s no doubt that you’ll hit the mark on all five of those pillars. They let it known that their ingredients are max-dosed, so you can only imagine the “superhuman” feeling you’ll get from this pre-workout.

They also do a great job of designating each ingredient into a matrix. This allows the consumer to easily follow along with what the ingredients are doing to the body. And yes, their designations have been fairly on-point.

The main thing I would point out is the fact that I don’t see anything listed on the website about N-Methyltyramine HCl being a banned substance. This would be good to know, but it is also understandable why they might leave that out of their marketing strategy.

Final Verdict For SUPERHUMAN Pre-Workout

Overall, this is a pretty solid pre-workout for those lifters that don’t seem to get enough out of their current supplement. It’s an all-in-one solution that will target your energy levels, concentration, ability to perform during the workout, improving your pumps, and limiting the crash from caffeine.

The use of N-Methyltyramine is a little concerning for athletes, but there’s still a chance the FDA rules in its favor and deems it safe to use. In addition to that, I would say proceed with caution due to the caffeine levels. The addition of L-Theanine will reduce crash, which might encourage individuals to take too much of it.

As a general rule of thumb, never consume more than 400mg of caffeine per day — in any form. Since SUPERHUMAN contains 150mg of Caffeine Anhydrous and 50mg of Dicaffeine Malate, one scoop will already be giving you half of that limit.

If you’re taking one scoop of this per day, you can expect a kick-ass workout with very little worry.

Overall Rating:
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Ryan Brennan

Ryan Brennan is a health and fitness writer with both personal and professional experience in the field. His passion for nutrition stems from personal experiences dealing with malnutrition, low energy, and other health complications. Through research and experimentation, Ryan was able to overcome these issues and take control of his health. He now aims to help others do the same. Ryan has been writing about nutrition, fitness, and supplementation for the past 7 years. He also has experience in the field, serving as the manager of a high-end fitness facility in Las Vegas, NV where he currently resides.

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