True to their name, PEScience takes pride in paying attention to current research, reevaluating the data, and always being ahead of the curve in designing their supplements. PEScience was founded in 2010 by athletes who wanted assurance that their sports nutrition was science-based and backed by facts. Their supplements are uniquely formulated and made in cGMP-certified facilities.
But are the on the Brainz wavelength? We want to like them, because they say all the right things, but sometimes that’s just marketing. Let’s find out if they measure up.
Initial Impressions of Prolific Pre Workout
We like the design of the Prolific container. It has a serious, medicinal look (especially compared to brands that go crazy with the aggressive imagery). Even the little cotton candy icon indicating the flavor is understated.
Prolific offers data for two serving suggestions, 1 scoop or 2, recommending that users start with 1 to test their tolerance for the stimulant level. We imagine a lot of athletes would choose to go with 2 scoops, as the dosing is a little below optimal with just 1. For our testing and review, we stuck with one.
Energy Ingredients in Prolific Pre-Workout
- Caffeine anhydrous and dicaffeine malate 160 mg
A lot of pre-workout formulas go hard on the caffeine, pushing the limits of the FDA’s daily recommendation. With 1 scoop of Prolific, you get 160mg of caffeine, which is a tolerable amount for anybody who drinks coffee or caffeinated soda regularly.
We like that Prolific goes with two different caffeine types. Caffeine anhydrous is the most common form found in pre-workouts, but it’s also the form that burns out the fastest. You can get a caffeine crash when caffeine anhydrous runs out. But dicaffeine malate adds malic acid to the caffeine, which results in a slower release and longer-lasting energy. However, knowing how much of each would be nice.
Nootropic (Focus and Mood) Ingredients in Prolific Pre-Workout
- Citicoline (Cognizin™) 125 mg
At Brainz, we love our nootropics, and PEScience has made an interesting choice of nootropic to include in Prolific: citicoline. Citicoline increases the brain chemical phosphatidylcholine, so it’s frequently used for memory, cognition, and brain function, especially by older adults. However, it’s worth pointing out that these qualities aren’t well-researched. Because there’s not much data, there is no agreed-upon optimal dose.
Anti-Fatigue Ingredients in Prolific Pre-Workout
- None
Consumers who hate the skin-tingling effects of beta-alanine will be glad to see that Prolific leaves it out. Unfortunately, without the most common of anti-fatigue ingredients, Prolific really includes no ingredients specifically indicated for endurance. There’s good blood flow and strength support, though, which are also important to keeping fatigue from ruining your workout.
Pump and Blood Flow Ingredients in Prolific Pre-Workout
- L-Citrulline 3 g
Prolific includes 3g of L-Citrulline in 1 scoop, an amount that is a little underdosed, so many users will want to take 2. L-Citrulline is the main man when it comes to vasodilation, as it has well-known ability to relax the blood vessels and improve blood flow. And good blood flow, as we all know, means more than just feeling a “pump” – it delivers oxygen to the cells and keeps your body fighting through the most demanding workout.
Strength Support & Body Composition Ingredients in Prolific Pre-Workout
- Betaine anhydrous 1.25 g
Just as with the L-Citrulline, the betaine anhydrous in Prolific is a little lower than optimal dosage with the 1 scoop serving size. Betaine is often compared to creatine for its effectiveness in promoting muscle growth, and it’s often found in pre-workouts as a substitute or partner for creatine.
There’s no creatine in Prolific, so the betaine is doing the heavy lifting (so to speak). Many consumers, especially anyone doing weight lifting, may want to supplement creatine on their own. Betaine on its own is less effective, and the dosage in Prolific requires you to double up to get an ideal dose.
Electrolyte Ingredients in Prolific Pre-Workout
- None
Prolific, by design, comes across as bare-bones and hyper-focused, so the lack of electrolytes doesn’t take us by surprise. Prolific clearly isn’t intended to be an all-in-one supplement formula. Users will need to take care of their hydration and electrolyte needs on their own.
The Extra Mile? Additional Pre-Workout Ingredients in Prolific Pre-Workout
- Taurine 750 mg
- Rhodiola 100 mg
- Coffee Fruit Extract 50mg
Prolific includes some additional ingredients that may offer some recovery support. Taurine shows up frequently in pre-workout formulas, because it has a lot of uses for sports nutrition. As an amino acid, it can improve muscle recovery and nerve building. It also lowers blood pressure. 750mg is a little below the optimal dose.
Rhodiola works as an anti-oxidant, so many athletes use it to support recovery. It’s not been proven to improve endurance, but it may also have some value for muscle-building.
Studies have also shown that coffee fruit extract may have some recovery-related benefits, like lowing blood pressure and burning fat. However, keep in mind that with rhodiola and coffee fruit extract, science has not established clear optimal doses.
Taste & Flavors
Prolific Pre-Workout comes in 9 flavors, including Black Cherry, Sour Peach Candy, and Melon Berry Twist. We tried Cotton Candy.
We’re happy to report that the Cotton Candy tasted like cotton candy – plenty sweet, but somehow airy and light. It’s sweetened with sucralose, but it does not have the strong chemical aftertaste we usually get with that sweetener. Nice and drinkable.
Who Prolific Pre-Workout is For
Prolific is for users who want a simple pre-workout with a few ingredients that they can clearly identify.
Who Prolific Pre-Workout is Not For
Prolific is not for users who want a huge caffeine buzz, unless they don’t mind taking two scoops and ripping through the container in half the time.
Potential Side Effects of Prolific Pre-Workout
- Possible stimulant side effects if using 2 scoops
Final Verdict
Prolific is a stripped-down, no-nonsense pre-workout supplement formula with a careful selection of ingredients. We like it a lot, except for one thing: dosing. At 1 scoop, most of the ingredients are little underdosed, but 2 scoops may be more caffeine than some users can tolerate. Know your stim tolerance before you go all-in.
Related:
The Top 10 Best Pre-Workouts on Amazon
The 20 Best Pre-Workout Supplements With Nootropic Brain Enhancing Ingredients
