Gorilla Mode Pre-Workout is the latest in a long line of outrageous products from the folks at Gorilla Mind headquarters.
But does this pre-workout measure up? Or is it all sizzle and no steak? Check out our Gorilla Mode Pre-Workout review to find out for yourself.
Our review will take a look through the ingredients, helping you to understand what it is that the company are trying to achieve. We will also look at when to take it, who benefits the most from it, and whether there are any side effects to deal with.
Table of Contents
What is Gorilla Mode Pre-Workout?
Gorilla Mode is a stimulatory pre-workout sold by Gorilla Mind, a fairly new supplement company based in Chicago.
It delivers a highly caffeinated serving, filled with a number of scientifically backed ingredients.
In terms of branding, Gorilla Mode puts us in mind of the hardcore gym bro mentality, but beneath the surface, this is a well-designed supplement that offers quite a bit.
The supplement is built to boost nitric oxide levels to deliver insane pumps, while the caffeine will help you to train at a higher intensity for longer.
In this review, we will take a deep dive into the ingredients list, and help you to find out what makes this a good pre-workout.
We’ll discuss what we like, what we don’t like, and whether Gorilla Mode Pre-Workout is the right choice for you.
What Does Gorilla Mode Do?
Gorilla Mode is a pre-workout supplement designed to help you exercise with more energy, more focus, and mental clarity.
It is also designed to increase blood flow to the muscles, which will provide an excellent muscle pump during your workout, and will help your muscles work harder.
Gorilla Mode contains several nootropics, which are supposed to improve mental sharpness, but the science behind them is a little weak.
High dosed nootropics don’t always make a massive difference, but there is a lot of caffeine present in each serving, and that can provide most of the cognitive benefits you desire.
If you want increased energy levels, the best pump possible, an improved workout performance, and a high degree of cognition, then Gorilla Mode could be a great supplement for you.
Does Gorilla Mode Work?
Most pre-workouts that contain caffeine do the job that they are supposed to do. It’s not difficult to create a pre-workout that improves performance. This could be achieved with a couple of espressos and a glass of water.
The real question is whether Gorilla Mode Pre-Workout does enough to stand out from the crowd? Is it better than the majority of pre-workout supplements? Is this the pre-workout that you take before attempting a new personal best in the deadlift?
That’s what this Gorilla Mode Pre-Workout review is really going to look at.
Gorilla Mode Pre-Workout Ingredients
One of the things we really like about Gorilla Mind (the company behind Gorilla Mode) is the fact that they are very transparent with their ingredients lists. Giving us (almost) complete access to what is in their supplements.
There are 12 active ingredients in Gorilla Mode Pre-Workout, we’ll walk you through each one and give a little explanation of what it is and why it is present in the pre-workout. All dosages are for a standard one scoop serving.
L-Citrulline 4,500mg
The main purpose of L-Citrulline is to increase blood flow [1] by raising nitric oxide levels. This will provide a very decent muscle pump. L-Citrulline can also help to reduce fatigue and increase workout volume [2].
The ideal dosage for L-Citrulline is between 6 and 8g, so one scoop of Gorilla Mode is a little under-dosed. But you should still see excellent results.
Creatine Monohydrate 2,500mg
Creatine is perhaps the most studied and most effective workout supplement around. It has numerous benefits, both physical and cognitive.
But it is added to pre-workouts for its ability to reduce fatigue [3], increase workout volume, and allow you to lift heavier weights for more reps. The dosage is decent, but two scoops would be too much.
GlycerPump TM 1,500mg
This is a more stable version of glycerol powder, which is used to increase blood flow and deliver insane pumps during workouts [4].
Malic Acid 1,500mg
This is used to increase the absorption of creatine monohydrate. Malic Acid is a fairly uninteresting supplement ingredient, but quite useful.
Betaine Anhydrous 1,250mg
Also known as Trimethylglycine (TMG), betaine comes from beetroot and is believed to help reduce fatigue and increase muscular endurance [5]. However, the scientific evidence for this is fairly flaky. We’re not saying it doesn’t work, but we’re on the fence right now.
L-Tyrosine 750mg
An amino acid that has some promise as a mood enhancer, it also appears to be pretty good at improving focus. Tyrosine may help with aerobic performance, but the evidence is patchy at the present. The dosage is spot on.
Agmatine Sulfate 500mg
This derivative of the amino acid L-Arginine has shown a lot of promise as a mood enhancer. It has also been found to reduce pain.
This is very important as a reduction in the perception of pain means that you can perform more reps and make more gains in your workout. The reduction in pain perception is also one of the main reasons why caffeine is so effective.
Kanna 250mg
Also known as Sceletium tortuosum, Kanna is a herb that is taken by hunter-gatherers in South Africa for its cognitive enhancing abilities [6]. There is some evidence that it can reduce anxiety while increasing your cognition. Helping you stay focused during a workout.
Caffeine 175mg
The most common pre-workout ingredient there is! Caffeine has been shown to increase power, aerobic and anaerobic performance. It also has cognitive benefits and can reduce fatigue while boosting mood.
This is really a no-brainer supplement ingredient. 175mg is a decent amount of caffeine and should work quite well for fat burning.
Two scoops deliver 350mg of caffeine which should be enough to see some big performance improvements, though you may also see some of the side effects (dizziness, nausea, digestive discomfort).
N-Phenethyl Dimethylamine Citrate 175mg
Also known as Eria Jarensis extract is a powerful mood enhancer that is used in quite a few pre-workouts. However, it should be noted that many sporting organisations have this as a banned substance [7].
Meaning that if you are drug tested for competitions you may fail. It’s legal to take if you are a non-athlete though [8].
Eria Jarensis extract should not be taken with medication for depression (MAO inhibitors), so please keep this in mind and talk to your doctor if you are currently taking anything.
Bioperine 5mg
Also known as black pepper extract. You will find Bioperine in pretty much any pre-workout supplement. Its function is to increase the absorption rates of the ingredients.
Huperzine A 200mcg
This is a nootropic that can help improve memory and focus. It can help you to get a better muscle contraction by protecting acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter).
Benefits of Gorilla Mode Pre-Workout
The biggest benefit of this pre-workout is the fact that it works well and the ingredients are (mostly) present in the correct quantity.
There is very little under-dosing, and all of the ingredients have a reason for being there. This is not something that can be said for most pre-workout supplements.
There are three areas where Gorilla Mode Pre-Workout really stands out. Stimulation, blood flow, and mood enhancement.
Stimulation
The caffeine content is decent if you stick to one scoop, and very high if you have two scoops. The way that Gorilla Mind has combined caffeine anhydrous with other ingredients such as Kanna and creatine is smart.
You should get all of the mental and physical stimulation without the negative side effects that you can get from some pre-workout supplements.
Blood Flow
Getting that muscle pump is something that many pre-workouts try to focus on, and Gorilla-Mode has absolutely nailed it here.
The L-Citrulline combined with the GlycerPump should see a huge increase in nitric oxide, which will offer you an excellent muscle pump during your session.
Mood Enhancement
The caffeine, Huperzine-A, Kanna, and Eria Jarensis extract are all known to improve your mood, your concentration levels, and your ability to focus on a task. You will be hyper-focused during your sets and should see a huge improvement in your gym sessions.
Side Effects of Gorilla Mode Pre-Workout
The side effects are relatively small for a pre-workout supplement. As there is no beta-alanine, you won’t experience the “beta-alanine tingles” in your hands.
175mg of caffeine is not enough for you to see any negative side effects unless you happen to have a low tolerance. If you are looking to avoid caffeine, you’d be better off looking at a caffeine-free pre-workout.
Make sure that you drink a lot of water during your workout, as creatine can dehydrate you, but the pre-workout is usually mixed with a lot of water anyway, so this shouldn’t be a big deal.
If you take MAO inhibitors for depression, then you should avoid this supplement as it contains Eria Jarensis extract [9].
You might also want to avoid it if you are a professional athlete as it may end up on some banned ingredients lists.
When Should You Take Gorilla Mode?
Most of the ingredients should be taken around 30-60 minutes before your workout. But remember, the workout shouldn’t include walking into the gym, getting changed, or your 5-minute treadmill walk.
It’s best to take your pre-workout 30 minutes before you enter the gym, that way everything should be peaking just in time for your first big lift.
Most of the ingredients will stay active in your system for longer than an hour, so don’t worry if you take it a little bit too early.
Also, don’t take Gorilla Mode after 6 pm, as the caffeine will stay in your system for 6 hours afterwards.
This could affect your sleep quality. It’s always best to stick to non-stim pre-workout supplements if you train late at night.
Serving Instructions: Combine gorilla mode (tiger’s blood flavor) with some ice water 30-60 minutes before your session for optimal results.
Who Should Use Gorilla Mode Pre-Workout?
Gorilla Mode is a great supplement for regular gym goers who may want to burn fat, build muscle, and avoid fatigue affecting their workouts. It’s best for early morning workouts, or for workouts straight after leaving work.
It’s perfect if you feel like your energy levels are low and you really want to improve your physical performance.
How Much Does Gorilla Mode Cost?
Gorilla Mode costs $49 for 40 servings, which works out to be just $1.23 per serving. This is very reasonable compared to a lot of pre-workouts and represents excellent value for money.
Where Can I Find Gorilla Mode?
Probably the best place to get Gorilla Mode is directly from their website. Click on our link and grab yourself a tub.
We recommend Tiger’s blood, which tastes like lemonade rather than actual tiger’s blood! Mango Peach is also a good shout.
This is one of the best pre-workout supplements we’ve reviewed and even a half dose should help you to improve your workouts, though obviously, a full dose would be ideal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I take one or two scoops?
Check out the above gorilla mode review for our reasoning, but we’d recommend one scoop.
You could even start with half a scoop if you aren’t used to caffeine. You can take two scoops for a while, but after that, you will want to swap for a non-stim pre-workout.
Does Gorilla Mode mix well with water?
It mixes okay, but you can expect some grit. Gorilla Mind says that this is due to the potency of the ingredients.
Could this be used for studying?
Due to the amount of caffeine and nootropics involved, there is a case for using it as a study aid. It would be a good idea to try it with a half scoop first and remember not to do it too late in the day.
How long does Gorilla Mode last?
If you take it 30 minutes before you start your workout, you should see the benefits for about an hour (90 minutes total). The caffeine will stay active in your system for 6-8 hours afterwards depending on your tolerance, which is why we recommend not taking it after 5 pm.
Does Gorilla Mode make you itchy?
No, Gorilla Mode will not make you itchy as it does not contain beta-alanine.
Should You Buy Gorilla Mode?
Gorilla mode has a very impressive pre-workout formula and it is sold at a very fair price per serving. Gorilla Mind is a great company and their products consistently deliver the goods.
There are few side effects, particularly when compared to similar pre-workouts, and the lack of beta-alanine will be a relief to anyone who doesn’t enjoy the tingling feeling that comes with it.
The performance benefits are superb, it tastes great, mixes well, and all of the ingredients serve a purpose and are well dosed. Gorilla Mind is on to a winner here!
References
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5999519/
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4759860/
[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20591625/
[4] https://npl.za.com/glycerpump/
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2651845/
[6] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20816940/
[7] https://massivejoes.com/articles/eria-jarensis-extract/
[8] https://blog.priceplow.com/eria-jarensis-extract-n-phenethyl-dimethylamine#On_legality_and_the_FDA_-_Will_this_get_banned_We_dont_think
[9] https://blog.priceplow.com/eria-jarensis-extract-n-phenethyl-dimethylamine
