Pre-Workouts that work.

serapel

I eat a nutbar covered in chocolate

VKetoV

Good old coffee

If you are into supplements, the non-stimulant based formulas have come a long way in the past 10 years or so. They've got to be adequately dosed though...i.e 8-12 grams Citrulline maleate, 3-4g Beta Alanine, ~3g Creatine monohydrate (these 3 ingredients have the most merit amongst the thousands of useless ones). They will also contain some form of a hyperosmotic or hydrating element for a "pump" feel (i.e. glycerol monostearate, taurine, etc.).

I personally hate stimulant based formulas for lifting but use them for cardio

aprilricks86

It just depends on what you like and what works for you.

If you want a really strong pre-workout with pretty good flavor, try RSP nutrition's Dyno pre-workout. I can't take that anymore because it's too strong for me. I almost threw up during my workout the first time I took a full scoop. . .

My personal favorite is cobra labs the curse. I love the watermelon and blue raspberry flavors, they are so tasty. It gives a nice, steady stream of long-lasting energy in my experience.

You can also just drink a strong coffee or take a caffeine pill and save some $$. It just depends on what you like and how much you're willing to spend.

7bull

I've always put in my workout first thing, and have never enjoyed the feeling of doing so with anything more than water on my gut. Have you thought about simple energy work to give you a little stimulation? I enjoy qigong and tai-chi. My routine is pretty regimented, I got up, put on a pot of coffee, fill up my water bottle, about 30 minds of cardio, stretch, qigong, tai-chi, then put in my workout for the day. The coffee is kinda my reward at the end.