The short version: Building muscle comes down to three things — progressive overload, adequate volume, and recovery. A pre workout doesn't build muscle directly. What it does is improve the quality of the training that builds muscle. The ingredients that matter for hypertrophy are creatine, BCAAs (especially leucine), beta-alanine, citrulline, and caffeine — and the quality of those ingredients matters as much as the dose on the label.
What Actually Drives Muscle Growth
Before talking about supplements, let's be clear about what builds muscle. No pre workout replaces these fundamentals:
Progressive Overload
Your muscles grow in response to tension they haven't adapted to yet. That means lifting heavier over time, adding reps, or increasing training density. A pre workout supports this by helping you push harder in the gym — not by building muscle in the scoop.
Training Volume
Hypertrophy research consistently shows that total training volume (sets x reps x load) is a primary driver of muscle growth. The more quality volume you can accumulate before fatigue forces you to stop, the stronger the growth stimulus. This is where fatigue-buffering ingredients like beta-alanine and endurance-supporting ingredients like citrulline earn their place.
Recovery and Nutrition
Muscle is built during recovery, fueled by nutrition. A caloric surplus (eating more than you burn) and adequate protein (1.6-2.2g per kg of bodyweight) are non-negotiable for gaining muscle. Sleep matters. Stress management matters. No supplement overrides a caloric deficit or 5 hours of sleep.
The role of a pre workout: Improve training intensity, extend volume tolerance, support blood flow to working muscles, and provide the building blocks that help you get more out of every session. That's it. But if training quality is the input that drives muscle growth, improving that input compounds over weeks and months.
Key Ingredients for Muscle-Building Pre Workouts
Here's what the research supports for hypertrophy-focused training, and what to look for on the label:
Creatine Monohydrate
Creatine is the single most studied and validated muscle-building supplement in existence. Full stop. It works through the phosphocreatine system — replenishing ATP during short, intense efforts like heavy sets of squats, bench press, or deadlifts. More ATP available means more force production, heavier loads, and more total work capacity.
Beyond the strength effects, creatine promotes cell volumization — drawing water into muscle cells, which research suggests may act as a signal for muscle protein synthesis. It's one of the few supplements that demonstrably supports both performance and muscle growth.
Research dose: 3-5g daily.
PurePump dose: 1,000mg creatine monohydrate per serving.
The honest take: 1,000mg is below the 3-5g clinical range. We're not going to pretend otherwise. PurePump gives you 1g of creatine monohydrate as a foundation. To reach the clinically studied 3-5g daily dose, supplement with standalone creatine monohydrate alongside PurePump. Take 2-4g of standalone creatine post-workout or at any other time during the day. Creatine's benefits are cumulative, not timing-dependent, so the total daily intake is what matters.
BCAAs — Leucine, Isoleucine, Valine
Of the three branched-chain amino acids, leucine is the primary trigger for muscle protein synthesis through activation of the mTOR signaling pathway. This is the molecular switch that tells your body to build muscle. Isoleucine supports glucose uptake into muscle cells (energy during training), and valine supports endurance and reduces serotonin-related fatigue.
PurePump dose: 1,000mg total BCAAs in a 2:1:1 ratio — 500mg L-Leucine, 250mg L-Isoleucine, 250mg L-Valine. All AjiPure pharmaceutical-grade amino acids.
Context: This is a supplemental dose, not a replacement for dietary protein. If you're eating 1.6-2.2g of protein per kg of bodyweight from whole foods and/or protein shakes, you're getting substantial BCAAs from your diet. PurePump's 1,000mg BCAAs — particularly the 500mg of leucine — provide an additional signal during the pre-training window when amino acid availability in the bloodstream supports muscle protein synthesis and reduces breakdown during training.
Beta-Alanine (CarnoSyn)
Beta-alanine increases intramuscular carnosine levels, which buffers hydrogen ions — the metabolic byproduct that creates that burning sensation during high-rep sets. More carnosine means you can push further before muscular fatigue forces you to stop. More reps before failure means more mechanical tension and metabolic stress — both primary drivers of hypertrophy.
Research dose: 1.6-3.2g daily.
PurePump dose: 2,000mg CarnoSyn per serving. Solidly within the clinical range.
Why it matters for muscle gain: Hypertrophy-focused training typically involves moderate-to-high rep ranges (8-15+ reps) with controlled rest periods. This is exactly the rep range where beta-alanine's fatigue-buffering effects shine. If you can push from 10 reps to 12 reps on your working sets because of improved acid buffering, that's 20% more volume over the course of a workout. Multiply that across weeks of training and the difference in accumulated stimulus is significant.
L-Citrulline + L-Arginine
Citrulline converts to arginine in the kidneys, which increases nitric oxide (NO) production. Arginine is the direct precursor to NO. Together, they drive vasodilation — wider blood vessels mean more blood flow, more oxygen delivery, and more nutrient transport to working muscles.
For muscle gain specifically, improved blood flow serves two purposes:
- Acute performance: Better oxygen delivery means better endurance and work capacity.
- The pump and cell swelling: Research suggests that the "pump" — that tight, full sensation in the working muscle — may contribute to hypertrophy through cell swelling. When muscles are engorged with blood, the increase in intracellular pressure may act as a mechanical signal for muscle growth. This mechanism is still being studied, but the preliminary evidence is promising.
Research dose: 3-6g L-Citrulline daily.
PurePump dose: 2,000mg L-Citrulline (Kyowa Hakko) + 500mg L-Arginine (AjiPure) = 2,500mg combined nitric oxide precursors per serving. Kyowa Hakko is the gold standard manufacturer for citrulline — fermentation-based, pharmaceutical-grade.
Caffeine (Green Tea Extract)
Caffeine improves training intensity, power output, and volume capacity. For hypertrophy, volume capacity is the key benefit — caffeine helps you push through more sets and reps at a given intensity before central fatigue sets in. Research consistently shows that caffeine improves resistance training performance, particularly in the later sets of a workout when fatigue is highest.
PurePump dose: 200mg from green tea extract. Green tea caffeine includes naturally occurring L-theanine, which smooths the energy curve — more sustained focus without the jittery peak-and-crash of synthetic caffeine. For a muscle-building session that might last 60-90 minutes, sustained energy matters more than a 20-minute spike.
L-Carnitine L-Tartrate (Carnipure)
L-Carnitine transports long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria for energy production. For muscle gain, its primary value is twofold: it supports fat oxidation (helping you stay leaner during a gaining phase) and research shows it can reduce markers of muscle damage and improve recovery between sessions.
PurePump dose: 500mg Carnipure per serving. Carnipure is the branded form manufactured by Lonza — verified purity and bioavailability.
Alpha Lipoic Acid (AliPure)
ALA is a potent antioxidant that supports both fat-soluble and water-soluble environments in the body. For muscle gain, its role is recovery support — reducing oxidative stress from intense training. PurePump provides 100mg of AliPure Alpha Lipoic Acid per serving.
The Zero-Filler Advantage for Muscle Gain
Here's something most people don't consider: if you're in a muscle-building phase, you're already carefully managing your nutrition — tracking calories, protein, and macros. The last thing you need is a pre workout dumping unnecessary calories, sugar, or maltodextrin into your plan.
PurePump is 25 calories per serving. Zero sugar. Zero maltodextrin. Zero filler of any kind.
The entire serving is 7.6g — and all 7.6 grams are active ingredient. Compare that to a typical flavored pre workout at 12-15g per serving, where a significant portion is sucralose, maltodextrin, silicon dioxide, artificial flavors, and dyes that provide zero performance benefit. You're paying for filler that adds unwanted calories and compounds your body has to process.
Whether you're lean bulking with a tight caloric surplus or body recomping, PurePump fits into any nutrition plan without adding noise. Every gram works for you.
PurePump for Muscle Gain: The Full Picture
What's in it (per 2-scoop serving / 7.6g):
- Beta-Alanine (CarnoSyn): 2,000mg
- L-Citrulline (Kyowa Hakko): 2,000mg
- Creatine Monohydrate : 1,000mg
- L-Arginine (AjiPure): 500mg
- L-Carnitine L-Tartrate (Carnipure): 500mg
- L-Leucine (AjiPure): 500mg
- L-Isoleucine (AjiPure): 250mg
- L-Valine (AjiPure): 250mg
- Caffeine (Green Tea): 200mg
- Alpha Lipoic Acid (AliPure): 100mg
- Vitamin C (Quali-C): 60mg
- Niacin: 20mg
- Vitamin B6: 10mg
- Folate (Orgen-FA): 400mcg DFE
- Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin): 50mcg
15 active ingredients. Zero filler, zero flavoring, zero sweeteners.
The strategy: Breadth of quality branded ingredients in 7.6g with zero filler — not mega-dosing a single ingredient and padding the rest with maltodextrin. Every ingredient is from a verified, branded manufacturer with independent research behind it. AjiPure amino acids are fermented, pharmaceutical-grade. Kyowa Hakko citrulline is the same grade used in clinical research. CarnoSyn is the only patented beta-alanine with peer-reviewed studies.
What's NOT in it: No salt, sugar, fillers, gluten, fructose, sucralose, aspartame, preservatives, acesulfame-K, artificial colors, banned substances, or artificial sweeteners. Ever.
Third-party tested: Every batch is tested by the Banned Substance Control Group (BSCG). If you compete in tested sports, this matters. If you don't compete, it still means the product contains exactly what the label says and nothing it doesn't.
Certifications: Vegan, Keto Certified, Certified Paleo, GMP Certified, Non-GMO
Honest disclaimer: PurePump is unflavored and tastes bitter. That's because there are zero flavorings in the formula — no sweeteners, no masking agents, nothing. If you want a delicious pre workout drink, this isn't it. If you want every gram in your scoop to be an active ingredient that supports your training, you'll get over the taste. Pro tip: mix it as a shot (2-3 oz of water) with a squeeze of lemon or lime. Down it and move on.
Price: $42.95 for 60 scoops (30 servings at 2-scoop dose) = $1.43/serving
The Elephant in the Room
Let's address it directly: PurePump alone will not build muscle.
No pre workout will. Not PurePump, not the $60 neon-colored tub with "MASS GAINER EXTREME" on the label, not anything in powder form.
Muscle growth requires: - A caloric surplus (or at minimum, maintenance calories for beginners) - Adequate protein (1.6-2.2g per kg of bodyweight) - Progressive overload in your training - Sufficient recovery (7-9 hours of sleep, managed stress) - Consistency over months and years
What PurePump does is improve the quality of the training sessions that create the stimulus for growth. Better endurance, better blood flow, better fatigue resistance, better focus — these compound over time into more total volume, heavier loads, and better recovery between sessions. The difference between a good training session and a great one, repeated hundreds of times, is meaningful.
But it starts with the fundamentals. Get your nutrition, training, and recovery right first. Then PurePump makes the training side work harder for you.
How to Stack PurePump for Maximum Muscle Gain
Here's a practical protocol for hypertrophy-focused athletes using PurePump as your pre workout foundation:
Pre-workout (15-30 min before training): - PurePump: 2 scoops (full serving) - Standalone creatine monohydrate: 2-4g (to bring total daily creatine to 3-5g) - Mix with water or toss in a shaker with your preferred juice
During training: - Water. Stay hydrated. Dehydration kills performance faster than any supplement can save it.
Post-workout: - Protein: 25-40g from whole food or protein shake - Carbohydrates: replenish glycogen from your training session - If you didn't take standalone creatine pre-workout, take it post-workout
Daily: - Total protein: 1.6-2.2g per kg of bodyweight - Total creatine: 3-5g (including PurePump's 1,000mg) - Caloric surplus: 200-500 calories above maintenance for lean gaining
FAQ
Do I need a pre workout to build muscle?
No. You need progressive overload, adequate nutrition, and consistency. A pre workout enhances training quality — better endurance, focus, and blood flow — which supports more productive sessions. Over months, that improvement in training quality compounds into more muscle. But it's a performance enhancer, not a muscle builder in isolation.
Is creatine in PurePump enough for muscle gain?
PurePump provides 1,000mg of creatine monohydrate creatine per serving. The clinically studied dose for muscle and strength gains is 3-5g daily. We recommend supplementing with standalone creatine monohydrate alongside PurePump to reach the full daily dose. PurePump gives you a foundation of the purest creatine available — you just need to add more.
Will PurePump help with the "pump" during training?
Yes. PurePump contains 2,000mg L-Citrulline (Kyowa Hakko) and 500mg L-Arginine (AjiPure) — 2,500mg of combined nitric oxide precursors that drive vasodilation and blood flow to working muscles. Research suggests that cell swelling from increased blood flow may contribute to hypertrophy through mechanical signaling, in addition to the acute performance benefits of improved oxygen and nutrient delivery.
Can I use PurePump during a cut?
Absolutely. At 25 calories per serving with zero sugar and zero maltodextrin, PurePump fits cleanly into a caloric deficit. The caffeine (200mg green tea) supports training intensity even when calories are low, and the BCAAs provide muscle-protective amino acids during a deficit. L-Carnitine (500mg Carnipure) supports fat metabolism. PurePump is arguably even more valuable during a cut, when training performance is most at risk.
How long before I see results from a pre workout?
Some benefits are immediate — caffeine's energy and focus effects, beta-alanine's fatigue buffering, and citrulline's blood flow improvements all work within the session you take them. Creatine's full benefits require consistent daily dosing for 2-4 weeks to saturate intramuscular stores. The cumulative impact on muscle gain from improved training quality plays out over months.
Is PurePump safe for drug-tested athletes?
Yes. Every batch is certified by the Banned Substance Control Group (BSCG) — the same certification trusted by professional and Olympic athletes. No proprietary blends, no hidden ingredients, no risk.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
