I Tested Gorilla Mode’s Highest-Dosed Pre-Workout. It's Built to Help You Crush High-Rep Sets and Build Lean Mass

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When it comes to pre-workout, gym goers tend to have wildly different ideas about what’s worth their money. Some lifters want a heavy caffeine punch, while others aim to avoid it altogether. Some crave a halfway decent tasting formula, while others are focused on what actually fuels bigger muscle gains and peak performance under the bar. For the 2026 Men’s Journal Fitness Awards, we got the chance to test pre-workouts covering all of these bases and then some. But the one that stood out for its muscle-building formula was Gorilla Mode’s pre-workout formula.

After all, why go beast mode when you can go full Gorilla Mode? This pre-workout is made for peak gains, featuring muscle-boosting ingredients like creatine monohydrate and L-citrulline. Once that hard-earned pump hits, it'll be tough to imagine scooping any other pre-workout powder into your shaker bottle. Read on for our honest take on Gorilla Mode and why it deserves a spot in your rotation.

Related: Looking for the Best Pre-Workouts of 2026? These Deserve a Spot in Your Supplement Stack

Best Pre-Workout for Muscle Gain: Gorilla Mode Pre-Workout

Gorilla Mode pre-workout is built for lifters focused on gaining size and strength, making it one of the best pre-workouts for muscle growth. Developed by YouTube bodybuilding expert Derek from MorePlatesMoreDates, the formula delivers staple muscle-building ingredients like 5,000 milligrams pure L-citrulline, 2,500 milligrams L-tyrosine, 400 milligrams Alpha GPC, and 200 milligrams caffeine to support powerful muscle pumps, focus, and steady energy. Each scoop also includes 2,500 milligrams of creatine monohydrate, helping support strength gains and long-term muscle growth when paired with consistent training

With 14 delicious and easy-to-mix flavors like Blackberry Lemonade, Rainbow Sherbert, and Tiger’s Blood, Gorilla Mode not only fuels your workouts but tastes fantastic too. While it does contain artificial sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame potassium, the combination of creatine, pump support, and cognitive enhancers makes it a top choice for anyone serious about building muscle.

Key Product Features

• Caffeine Per Serving: 200mg
• Key Ingredients: L-citrulline (5,000mg), creatine monohydrate (2,500mg), L-tyrosine (2,500mg), betaine anhydrous (2,000mg), HydroPrime Glycerol Powder (2,000mg), Alpha GPC (400mg), huperzine A (100mcg)
• Flavors: Orange Ice Dream, Orange Rush, Cherry Blackout, Rainbow Sherbert, Cotton Candy Grape, Blue Raspberry, Patty’s Iced Tea, Pink Lemonade, White Gummy Bear, Mouthwatering Watermelon, Fruit Punch, Bombsicle, Tiger’s Blood, Blackberry Lemonade
• Price Per Serving: $1.50 one-time purchase

Why You Should Trust Me

I’m a health and fitness writer for Men’s Journal, covering everything from training trends and workouts to gear reviews. I’m also an ACE-certified personal trainer and lifelong exercise addict who has spent years putting fitness products to the test, from sweatproof headphones to pre-workout formulas like this. My goal is simple: provide you with practical, experience-backed advice so you can figure out what’s actually worth your time and money in the gym for an elevated workout experience.

Related: We Sampled Pre-Workouts Until We Were Practically Vibrating. This One Tasted the Best