When it comes to pre-workouts, athletes are usually divided into two groups. The first one is looking for supplements that have as many stimulants as possible and they don't mind, for example, American supplements that have some substances too much. The second group then looks for pre-workouts without stimulants, so that they can sleep well but at the same time get the most out of their training. And it's for athletes from the latter group that this review will be aimed at, in which we'll take a look at BrainMax's Lauf decaf.
Content of the review
At the beginning, it remains to add that this supplement is part of our comparison of the best pre-workouts without stimulantsso if you're interested in a comparison with the competition rather than a detailed review, check out the rankings. But now back to this review.
A first class formula with no reservations
The composition of Lauf's pre-workout is really great and as we mentioned in the ranking, it is a combination of 17 effectivethat complement each other perfectly and ultimately contribute to the good functioning of the supplement. The basis is citrulline, which is important for proper blood circulation, as well as arginine, creatine and other well-known substances. Also interesting is the presence of electrolytes, which will certainly be appreciated by those of yous who do more demanding workouts where they sweat a lot. It is precisely through sweat that these nutrients are removed from the body, the absence of which can later affect performance. In this aspect we have nothing to complain about BrainMax Lauf.
How did we use BrainMax Lauf?
Using BrainMax Lauf is very easy, because the product dissolves well and you don't even need a shaker for preparation. You just need to take 20 grams (2 scoops) of the supplement and mix it with 300 ml of water. Although we usually recommend using more water for a less sweet taste, this time the ratio suited us perfectly.
How does Lauf taste?
A slight downside to BrainMax Lauf for some may be that it is only available in one flavour, which is red orange. While we're not big fans of this option here at the editorial office, we have to say that we ended up being pleasantly surprised. This flavour is not nearly as distinctive as it could be and the whole pre-workout doesn't feel as artificial at all, and within the limits of sports nutrition, you can say that you can enjoy it quite pleasantly. So we were surprised by it and we rate it with the maximum possible points, but we understand that it may not be for everyone.
Does the supplement work without caffeine?
Probably the most important aspect when choosing the right pre-workout supplement is, of course, functionality. And while with caffeinated pre-workouts you can also focus on the stimulating effects of the supplement, the only metric for evaluating these supplements is the effect on blood flow. And in the case of BrainMax Lauf, this is absolutely unmatched. Right away, 3 grams of beta alanine will manifest itself in a slight burning in the ears, which will replenish over time and good blood flow that lasts through the entire workout. In terms of effect, we have nothing to complain about.
How do we rate the price?
The reason why Lauf didn't make our ranking of the best stimulant-free pre-workouts was primarily due to its high price. At the time of writing this review, you will pay 799 crowns for one pack of 20 doses, which which is quite a lot, to be honest, because one dose comes out to almost 40 crowns. And if you don't mind paying extra for a quality supplement, Lauf is definitely a great choice. On the other hand, however, you can also find significantly cheaper supplements that can be absolutely sufficient for recreational athletes.
Final evaluation
What to say in conclusion? Perhaps only that BrainMax Lauf is a great pre-workout with a good formula, a very pleasant taste and most importantly - it really works. The good blood circulation will last you the whole workout and thanks to the absence of stimulants you won't have a problem falling asleep at the end, even if you go to workout late at night. If the price wasn't so high, this would definitely be one of the best pre-workouts on the market. But since we have to take into account the overall price/quality ratio, BrainMax Lauf is "only" in the top five.