The pre-workout market is a mess. Honestly, walking into a supplement store feels like being yelled at by a neon sign. Everyone promises "skin-splitting pumps" or "laser focus," but half the time you just end up with a racing heart and a weird tingle in your ears that makes you want to crawl out of your skin. Alpha Lion’s SuperHuman Pre Workout has been sitting at the top of the pile for a few years now, and people usually get one of two things wrong about it: they either think it’s just another high-stimulant caffeine bomb, or they expect it to do the work for them.
It doesn’t.
But it does something a lot of other formulations miss. It balances the "holy trinity" of performance—pump, energy, and the cognitive side of things—without relying on the sketchy, gray-market stimulants that used to dominate the industry before the FDA started cracking down on things like DMAA and its various cousins.
Why the "SuperHuman" Label Actually Matters
Most companies just dump 400mg of Caffeine Anhydrous into a tub and call it a day. Alpha Lion took a different route with their SuperHuman Pre Workout lineup. They use a dual-source caffeine approach. You’ve got your standard fast-acting caffeine, but then they hit you with Infinergy (di-caffeine malate). This matters because it buffers the "crash." If you've ever hit a wall 45 minutes into a leg session, you know exactly why that's a problem.
The formula is built around "S7" and "Nitrosigine." These aren't just fancy marketing words. Nitrosigine is a patented complex of bonded arginine silicate. Clinical studies have shown it can increase nitric oxide levels significantly more effectively than standard L-arginine. It stays in the system longer. It keeps the blood flowing when you’re on your fifth set of heavy deadlifts and your grip is starting to fail.
Then there is the S7. It's a low-dose blend of seven plant-based ingredients like green coffee bean and turmeric. Research suggests it can increase nitric oxide by up to 230%. That sounds like a fake marketing stat, but it’s actually based on pilot studies looking at how these antioxidants reduce oxidative stress to allow for better vasodilation.
The Reality of Beta-Alanine and the "Itch"
Let’s talk about the 3.2 grams of Beta-Alanine in SuperHuman Pre Workout.
If you hate the "paresthesia"—that prickly, itchy feeling on your neck and face—you’re going to hate this. But here is the thing: 3.2g is the clinical dose. Anything less is basically window dressing. Beta-alanine helps buffer lactic acid. It’s the reason you can squeeze out two more reps when your muscles feel like they’re on fire.
If you aren't feeling the itch, the product probably isn't dosed correctly. Some people love it. It's like a mental "go" signal. Others find it distracting. If you’re in the latter camp, you might want to look at a non-stimulant pump formula, but for a performance-focused session, that 3.2g is the gold standard.
Beyond the Caffeine: The Focus Factor
A lot of guys at the gym look like they’ve seen a ghost because they’re over-stimulated. Their hands are shaking. They can’t focus on the mind-muscle connection. SuperHuman Pre Workout tries to fix this with L-Theanine and L-Tyrosine.
L-Tyrosine is an amino acid that helps produce dopamine and norepinephrine. When you’re under stress—like, say, trying to squat 315 pounds—your brain's levels of these neurotransmitters can dip. Supplementing helps you stay "dialed in." It’s the difference between being "cranked" and being "focused."
Then there’s the inclusion of Huperzine A. This is a bit more "bio-hacky." It’s an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Basically, it prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine, which is the primary neurotransmitter responsible for muscle contraction and cognitive processing. It’s why people report a "locked-in" feeling on this supplement. You aren't just moving weight; you're conscious of every fiber contracting.
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Managing the Different "SuperHuman" Versions
Alpha Lion didn't make it easy by releasing five different versions of this stuff. You have the "Base" version, "Supreme," "Extreme," "Burn," and "Pump."
- SuperHuman (The OG): This is the daily driver. It has about 300mg of total caffeine. It’s for the person who hits the gym 4-5 times a week and wants a reliable kick.
- SuperHuman Supreme: This is for the "stim-junkies." It adds Juniper Berry extract and a higher dose of Eria Jarensis. Eria Jarensis provides N-Phenethyl Dimethylamine, which gives a euphoric "mood boost." Use this with caution. If you have heart issues or anxiety, stay away from Supreme.
- SuperHuman Burn: This adds things like MitoBurn (L-BAIBA) and CaloriBurn (Grains of Paradise). It makes you sweat. A lot. It’s designed to increase thermogenesis, effectively turning up your body's internal thermostat.
- SuperHuman Pump: No stimulants. No caffeine. Just blood flow. This is perfect for late-night lifts where you don't want to be awake until 3:00 AM.
The Problem With Proprietary Blends (And Why This Isn't One)
One of the biggest red flags in the supplement world is the "Proprietary Blend." If you see a label that says "Energy Matrix - 5,000mg" but doesn't list the exact amount of each ingredient, put it back on the shelf. They are hiding under-dosed ingredients.
SuperHuman Pre Workout uses fully transparent labeling. You know exactly how many milligrams of L-Citrulline you’re getting. Speaking of Citrulline—Alpha Lion uses a hefty dose of L-Citrulline Malate. Unlike L-Arginine, which is mostly destroyed by the liver before it reaches your bloodstream, Citrulline is absorbed efficiently and converted into Arginine in the kidneys. This results in much higher plasma Arginine levels and, consequently, better pumps.
It’s science, not magic.
What Nobody Tells You About the Taste
Let's be real. Most pre-workouts taste like battery acid mixed with Pixy Stix. Alpha Lion has some of the most creative names in the game—things like "Gains-O-Rade" or "Hulk Juice."
Surprisingly, they actually taste decent. But they are sweet. Very sweet. They use Sucralose and Acesulfame Potassium. If you are sensitive to artificial sweeteners or they mess with your digestion, you should be aware of that. You’ll want to mix it with at least 10–12 ounces of water to dilute the intensity.
The Correct Way to Use SuperHuman Pre Workout
You shouldn't take this every day. Your body builds a tolerance to caffeine and stimulants faster than you think. If you take a full scoop of SuperHuman Pre Workout every single morning, within three weeks, you won’t feel the "kick" anymore.
Adrenal fatigue is a debated term in the medical community, but "stimulant burnout" is very real. Your receptors get desensitized. To get the most out of this:
- Cycle it: Use it for 4 weeks, then take 1 week off.
- Time it: Take it 20–30 minutes before your first working set. Don't take it and then sit in traffic for 40 minutes; you'll waste the peak of the focus ingredients.
- Hydrate: All that Citrulline and Nitrosigine pulls water into the muscle. If you are dehydrated, the "pump" ingredients have nothing to work with. Drink at least 16 ounces of water with your scoop.
Real Talk: Is It Worth the Price?
It’s not cheap. You’re looking at roughly $45 to $55 for 21 to 25 servings. That's about $2.00 a workout. You can buy a tub of bulk caffeine pills for $10 that will last you a year.
So why pay the premium? It's about the formulation synergy. Buying 8 grams of Citrulline, 3.2 grams of Beta-Alanine, and specific patented ingredients like Nitrosigine separately would cost you significantly more and involve you playing chemist in your kitchen every morning.
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For most people, the convenience and the specific "tapered" energy delivery of SuperHuman Pre Workout justify the cost. It’s a premium tool. If your diet is trash and your sleep is non-existent, this won't save you. But if you’re dialed in, it’s a legitimate force multiplier.
Practical Steps for Your Next Session
If you’re looking to try it, start with a half scoop. I know, everyone thinks they have a "high tolerance," but the combination of Eria Jarensis and the dual-caffeine sources can hit harder than expected if your stomach is empty.
Assess your tolerance for the first 30 minutes. If you don't feel jittery or anxious, you can move to a full scoop next time. Also, pay attention to your sleep quality. Because of the Infinergy (di-caffeine malate), the caffeine stays in your system longer than standard coffee. If you train after 5:00 PM, you will likely struggle to fall asleep at a normal hour. In those cases, swap to the "SuperHuman Pump" (stim-free) version.
Finally, keep track of your lifts. A supplement is only worth it if your numbers are moving or your recovery is improving. If you find you’re just "hyped" but your weights aren't increasing, re-evaluate your program. The supplement should serve the workout, not the other way around.