RYSE Pre Workout Review: RYSE Blackout Pros And Cons

Welcome to my RYSE Pre Workout review, where I’ll take a look at all things about RYSE Blackout Pre-Workout. 

In the pre-workout industry, many products are often hyped up with crazy claims, grandiose wording, and even exotic color and flavor schemes.

These things are all done to draw you in, of course. But often, these pre-workouts focus more on the hype than actual product effectiveness.

And when I took an initial glance at RYSE Blackout Pre Workout, it seemed to have all the hype. 

But as a holistic health practitioner and researcher, I care more about it having the EVIDENCE to back up those claims. 

Can RYSE really give you the energy you need to complete your workout? Better yet, can it help you maximize your performance throughout? What about helping with muscle recovery?

Keep reading my RYSE Pre Workout Review to see what’s all in it, the potential benefits and if it’s ultimately worth buying. 

Snapshot Rating

• Ingredient Quality: 4 out of 5
• Dosage Strength: Moderate to High
• Brand Reputation: 4.5 out of 5
• Price: Expensive

About RYSE

RYSE is a relatively new, but highly popular, supplement company. They started in 2017 and have grown quite a bit since then. 

Claiming to use the latest science and ingredients backed by clinical research, RYSE seeks to become the top-notch company in the fitness industry.

Plus, they take a unique approach since many of their products contain patented forms of ingredients. They test all of their products multiple times before they hit the market. 

Overall, RYSE aims to help all athletes “Ryse” above and become the best version of themselves, whether you’re just starting out or are an elite bodybuilder. 

What is RYSE Pre Workout?

RYSE Blackout Pre-Workout is one of the more popular pre-workouts from RYSE formulated for even the most advanced hardcore athlete. 

It’s reportedly packed with their high-stimulant performance matrix and patented pump formula to supercharge even your most grueling workouts. 

The fully transparent and research-backed formula claims to ignite pumps, energy, strength, and focus. 

Is RYSE Pre-Workout FDA Approved?

RYSE Pre-Workout isn’t FDA-approved. The FDA doesn’t regulate or approve dietary supplements. 

Things to Consider Before Buying RYSE

Before you start digging into this entire RYSE Pre Workout review, I’ll go over a few factors that might let you know if it’s right for you. 

Loaded with Stimulants

One thing that I noticed right away with RYSE Pre-Workout is that it’s loaded with caffeine and other stimulants. 

RYSE Blackout Pre-Workout has nearly 400mg of caffeine from caffeine anhydrous and sustained release caffeine. Additionally, it includes theobromine for enhanced stimulant effects.

This can be great for people who love and want their energy from stimulants. But it can also be a downfall for anyone sensitive to caffeine or people who train later in the day.

Expensive

Also, RYSE Blackout Pre-Workout certainly isn’t cheap. If you take the standard one-scoop serving, it costs $2 per serving, which is relatively expensive. 

Flavor

Lastly, RYSE has some pretty unique-sounding flavors, including Baja Burst, Tiger’s Blood, and Mango Extreme. We’ll go over what people say about the flavors later in this review. 

Is RYSE Pre-Workout bad for you?

RYSE intends to improve energy, strength, pump, and recovery. It does so through research-backed ingredients, some of which you may be familiar with.

However, everyone responds differently to supplements. If you worry about ingredient allergies or sensitivities, speak to a doctor before taking any supplement.

RYSE Pre-Workout Features

So, what are some of the features of RYSE Blackout Pre-Workout that supposedly make it stand above others? Let’s take a look. 

High-Quality Ingredients

Subpar ingredient quality in pre-workouts is often a reason why users don’t get the results they want, including better performance and recovery. 

But RYSE claims to use only high-quality ingredients backed by the latest research and scientific evidence. 

They claim to use ingredients that are proven to boost your workouts to the next level. 

Patented Ingredients Backed by Clinical Evidence

Even if a particular ingredient has been proven to be effective, different forms of it can yield very different results. 

Patented ingredients can be more beneficial because they have direct research behind them. 

RYSE Blackout Pre-Workout contains numerous patented ingredients, including VitaCholine® and NO3-T®. I’ll tell you more about those coming up.

Pump Ingredients

Not getting in a good pump when you work out can be detrimental for a few reasons. 

First, you don’t look and feel as good, which can decrease motivation.  

Second, a lack of muscle pumps can potentially decrease performance and recovery.

But RYSE claims to enhance the coveted muscle pumps by using unique ingredients including that patented NO3-T® nitrate blend. 

High-Performance Stimulant Matrix

One of the reasons you might not be achieving performance is simple: you lack energy! 

RYSE Blackout claims to fix this by loading you up with potent stimulants for a huge boost in energy and focus, and maybe even strength, too.

Fully Transparent Label

Many pre-workouts contain proprietary blends that don’t list the dosages for each ingredient. 

This makes it unclear if they actually have the optimal dosage. Go too low, and it won’t be effective. But go too high, and you might risk your health. 

That’s why Ryse Blackout Pre-Workout lists out the dosages of all of their ingredients on their label. You know exactly what you’re getting and if it’s in the right amount. 

Does RYSE Pre-Workout really work?

It seems likely that RYSE makes an effective pre-workout for most bodybuilders, lifters, and general gym-goers. 

Pre-workouts can give different results for different people, but overall, RYSE Blackout appears to contain some well-researched ingredients that can enhance performance, especially related to energy.

In terms of effectiveness, it’s likely to be at least mildly effective for a boost in energy, focus, pumps, and drive.

RYSE Pre Workout Ingredients

As I continue my RYSE Blackout Pre Workout review, I want to talk about the specific ingredients that make up this formula. 

After all, this is one of the most important parts of determining product effectiveness.

Here’s an overview of what’s in RYSE Pre-Workout:

• Beta-Alanine
• Choline Bitartrate (as VitaCholine®)
• Betaine Anhydrous
• Betaine Nitrate (as NO3-T®)
• Sodium Nitrate (as NO3-T®)
• Calcium Potassium Phosphate Citrate (as Calci-K®)
• Caffeine Anhydrous
• Theobromine
• Sustained-Release Caffeine (as VitaShure®)
• Huperzia Serrata Extract

Beta-Alanine (3.2g)

Beta-alanine is technically a non-essential amino acid, but it may very well be essential for workout performance. 

Your muscles are filled with a compound called carnosine, which plays key roles in exercise, such as reducing lactic acid build-up.

Beta-alanine may help increase the amount of carnosine in the muscles, which may enhance performance.

In particular, beta-alanine seems effective for improving exercise capacity, especially in high-intensity exercise lasting one to 10 minutes (such as a 400 to 1,600m run). 

Effective dosage according to Examine: 3.2 to 6.4g

Choline Bitartrate (as VitaCholine®) (1.5g)

VitaCholine® is a patented form of choline bitartrate, which is a form of choline. 

Choline is important because it can get converted into acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter involved in cognitive and physical functions important in exercise, such as focus and muscular power. 

However, choline supplementation typically doesn’t offer many benefits for performance enhancement. 

Effective dosage: N/A

Betaine Anhydrous (1.5g)

Betaine anhydrous is a form of betaine or trimethylglycine. 

One of the ways betaine may influence exercise is by increasing water retention in the muscles, which can enhance hydration.

Plus, betaine seems to be able to reduce acid build-up, which could help to delay fatigue.

While the overall research is inconclusive for strength and power, betaine may offer some benefits for higher-volume training. That’s a huge plus for those who want to get the most out of a few extra reps.

Effective dosage based on research: 2.5g

Betaine Nitrate (as NO3-T®) (1g)

RYSE Pre-Workout also includes betaine nitrate in the form of the patented NO3-T®. 

Interestingly enough, both nitrate and betaine are found in beetroot, as well as other vegetables. 

Nitrate is converted into nitric oxide, which can enhance blood flow and oxygen delivery into the muscles. Plus, it increases energy efficiency and may reduce fatigue.

Overall, nitrates seem to be effective for enhancing performance when dosed optimally.

Effective dosage according to data: 6.4 to 12.8mg/kg (or anywhere from 440 to 1,450mg depending on weight and desired dosage)

Sodium Nitrate (as NO3-T®) (500mg)

There’s also another form of NO3-T in here, this time as sodium nitrate. 

This form offers essentially the same effects as betaine, but perhaps less so due to betaine’s additional roles. 

But overall, you still should get some performance enhancement from sodium nitrate too, particularly for fatigue reduction (and even electrolyte support from the sodium in it). 

This is a massive potential benefit for anyone who drags themselves to early morning workouts.

Effective dosage: See dosage info for betaine nitrate

Calcium Potassium Phosphate Citrate (as Calci-K®) (500mg)

Yet another patented ingredient in RYSE Pre-Workout is Calci-K®, which is a form of calcium potassium phosphate citrate (that’s a mouthful). 

The focus of this compound is mainly on calcium and potassium, which are important electrolytes. 

Both calcium and potassium are involved in muscular contractions and other aspects of exercise performance. 

And exercise can deplete these electrolytes over time, but supplementation may not be of any benefit unless you’re deficient. 

Effective dosage: N/A

Caffeine Anhydrous (370mg)

Caffeine anhydrous is a dehydrated form of caffeine. It is very potent and used in many pre-workouts. 

Essentially, caffeine blocks adenosine and can increase neurotransmitters that may increase alertness, mood, and energy, such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine. 

You have to take a pretty strong dose to get caffeine’s effects. But when you do, it seems pretty effective for reducing fatigue and boosting strength, power, and endurance. 

Effective dosage: 3 to 6mg/kg (200 to 500 mg for most people)

Theobromine (200mg)

Theobromine is what I like to call caffeine’s younger cousin. 

It has stimulating effects, but it might not be as strong as caffeine. 

Theobromine also needs more research, but it seems to be able to enhance endurance performance. 

Effective dosage according to Drug Testing Analysis Journal: 300 to 600 mg

Sustained-Release Caffeine (as VitaShure®) (46mg)

RYSE added another form of caffeine, this time as VitaShure®. This is a slower, more sustained-release form of caffeine. 

It might not be necessary, though, since it can last for up to eight hours. But it does improve reaction time. 

Effective dosage: Around 200mg (when used on its own)

Huperzia Serrata Extract (10mg)

Huperzia Serrata extract contains an active compound called Huperzine A. 

Huperzine A may be able to inhibit acetylcholinesterase, which ultimately makes more acetylcholine available. That’s why it’s often used to enhance focus or memory. 

However, it doesn’t seem to actually enhance cognition during exercise. 

Effective dosage: N/A

Available Flavors

RYSE Blackout Pre-Workout comes in three unique flavors:

• Baja Burst
• Tiger’s Blood
• Mango Extreme

Tiger’s Blood appears to include strawberry and coconut flavors, while Baja Burst is a citrus-lime flavor.

RYSE Pre Workout Pros and Cons

In this section of the RYSE Pre Workout review, I share the key pros and cons to give you a snapshot look into what’s good and what’s not. 

Pros

• High dose of caffeine and stimulants for energy
• Well-researched ingredients for pumps
• Pretty good dose of beta-alanine
• Likely reduces fatigue and increases exercise capacity
• Contains electrolytes

Cons

• A few ineffective or inconclusive ingredients (e.g. choline bitartrate, Huperzine A)
• Suboptimal dosage of betaine
• Expensive
• Has artificial flavors and sugar substitutes

How to Use RYSE Pre-Workout

There aren’t any listed directions on how to take RYSE Blackout Pre-Workout.

But generally, most pre-workouts should be taken 15 to 30 minutes before your workout. 

Recommended Dosage

The recommended dosage is one serving, which is one scoop. 

Due to the high caffeine and stimulant content, users should not go over one serving. 

Stacking a Pump Pre-Workout (Stim-Free)

You also might want to consider stacking RYSE Blackout Pre-Workout with a pump pre-workout. 

What is a pump pre-workout?

Pump pre-workouts are made specifically to increase the vascularity and pump of your muscles during your workout. 

They often include citrulline, arginine, and other purported blood-flow enhancers. 

Why do people use this as a stack?

Lifters sometimes combine pump pre-workouts with their regular pre-workouts to get synergistic and complete benefits. 

More specifically, their goal is to get maximal pumps alongside benefits such as energy, focus, or increased strength.

In this case, combining RYSE Pre-Workout with a pump pre-workout may lead to a nice combo of energy, strength, and maximal pumps. 

Real Customer RYSE Blackout Pre Workout Reviews

RYSE Blackout is currently rated 5 out of 5 stars on its website, which is based on over 2,500 reviews. 

You might want to take this with a grain of salt, though since you never know what they actually put on their website. 

Here are some real customer reviews: 

“I love the taste of mountain dew and this flavor tastes very similar. Reasonably priced and decent pump from it. The focus is also underrated from it – would buy!” – Josh S.

“The tunnel vision and focus are amazing. The pump and mind to muscle connection are 10 in my opinion and the flavor is really good almost addicting 😮‍💨” -Javier D. 

“Amazing kick, and pump, the taste is bearable but definitely not the best but you get used to it eventually. Recommend this flavor if you’re into dry scooping”- Jimmy Y.

“The pre looked very pleasing, and it had a relatively nice pump when in the gym. I sometimes feel like the focus wasn’t entirely there but it was still doing its job well. The overall balance of the pre was really good too, it felt much cleaner than others that I’ve taken before” -Eleazar C.

Alternatives to RYSE Pre-Workout

No pre-workout is perfect for everybody. So, I have some solid alternatives that may be better for your individual needs.

If anything else, it’s always good to see what options are out there before making a decision. 

Gorilla Mode Pre Workout

Gorilla Mode is a pre-workout created by Gorilla Mind. It is known for its diverse ingredient profile to enhance energy, pumps, and focus.

Pros:

• Well-researched ingredients
• High dose of caffeine
• Clinical doses of citrulline and other pump ingredients
• Includes effective nootropics

Cons:

• Expensive (especially if using two scoops)
• Not good for stimulant-sensitive

Wrecked Pre Workout

Wrecked is a pre-workout made by Huge Supplements. It is loaded with caffeine and many other diverse pre-workout ingredients for performance, strength, energy, and pumps. 

Pros:

• High dose of caffeine
• Clinical dose of citrulline
• Includes well-researched ingredients for pumps, strength, energy
• Contains nootropics
• Effective dose of beta-alanine

Cons:

• Some ingredients are underdosed
• A few ingredients aren’t well-researched (e.g. agmatine sulfate)

Total War Pre Workout

Total War is a pre-workout made by REDCON1. It is known for its caffeine and stimulant content, as well as its pump ingredients. 

Pros:

• Very high dose of caffeine
• Clinical dose of citrulline malate and beta-alanine
• Pretty affordable
• Contains unique stimulants (e.g. Naringin)

Cons:

• Some ingredients are underdosed
• A few ingredients need more research (e.g.agmatine sulfate)

Benefits of RYSE Pre-Workout

As we near the end of this RYSE supplements review, I wanted to talk about the main potential benefits. 

Based on the ingredients, dosages, and other aspects, here are some potential benefits.

Surge in Energy

There’s no question that RYSE is loaded with caffeine and stimulants. If you don’t feel like drinking a few cups of coffee before training, or you simply don’t have time, this helps.

Furthermore, increased energy can help extend your session and put your all into what you’re training.

Provides Great Focus

RYSE Pre-Workout also has a few different nootropics that may enhance focus, including VitaCholine® and Huperzia Serrata. 

Focus helps establish that mind-muscle connection, enhancing the results of our strength training. 

Boosts Pumps

You also may get a boost in blood flow and muscle pumps thanks to the two patented forms of nitrates here. 

The makers of RYSE claim that these are even more bioavailable than other pump ingredients, such as citrulline. 

Enhances Endurance

The unique ingredients in RYSE may also be able to enhance muscular and aerobic endurance. 

In particular, betaine and beta-alanine may give you that extra push you need to finish your set without fatiguing too early. More quality reps equal better-quality results.

Offers Electrolyte Support

Lastly, RYSE contains some key electrolytes, such as calcium, potassium, and sodium. 

These offer electrolyte support for the body during intense training, which may reduce fatigue and cramps, while potentially boosting performance. 

Potential RYSE Pre Workout Side Effects

The ingredients here are similar to a lot of other pre-workouts, so the potential side effects are pretty common. 

Examples of possible side effects from RYSE Blackout Pre-Workout are anxiety, jitters, increased heart rate, upset stomach, dizziness, and headaches. 

RYSE Pre-Workout Price

Each container of RYSE Pre Workout has 25 servings and costs $49.99 ($2/serving). 

Two dollars per serving is pretty expensive for a pre-workout, but it shouldn’t be a deal-breaker for everyone. This is especially true considering the high amount of caffeine and other ingredients that are in RYSE. 

Shipping and Returns

RYSE offers free shipping on any orders over $150. 

If you wish to return RYSE Blackout Pre-Workout, you have to do so within 30 days of receipt of your shipment. 

It also has to be returned in its original condition and packaging. 

RYSE Supplements Company Details

The main website for RYSE Supplements is on Amazon. 

You can contact them with questions, comments, or concerns at [email protected]. 

Final Recommendations

That about wraps up this RYSE Blackout Pre-Workout review. 

If you’re ready to try out a new pre-workout, I must say, RYSE is definitely a solid option. 

Because let’s face it. Life can get pretty demanding and it’s tough to have maximum energy, focus, and strength all the time. 

Your workouts can sometimes take a hit if you’re dealing with low energy, lack of focus, or subpar nutrition. 

RYSE Pre-Workout might help you turn that all around. After all, it is loaded with caffeine and other stimulants for energy. Plus it has other well-researched ingredients for pumps, focus, and endurance. 

So, if you want to take your workouts to the next level, RYSE is worth looking into, especially if you tolerate stimulants well and love their effects. 

Check out the RYSE Blackout Pre-Workout Amazon page, and let me know what you think if you’ve tried it. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Popular Pre Workouts: