Is Gorilla Mode Pre Workout Good For you? (Review)

What Is Gorilla Mode Pre Workout | Gorilla Mode Ingredients | What’s Similar To Gorilla Mode | Which Should You Try | Gorilla Mode Reviews | Warnings And Side Effects | Disclaimer

Getting to the gym can be tough. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just getting started, the motivation for a workout isn’t always there. But that’s where supplements like can a pre workout can come in. A pre workout can be a great option for boosting energy and kick starting muscle protein synthesis. † Unfortunately, pre workouts can vary a lot in ingredients and servings. So knowing how well your pre workout is working  or if there’s a better option for you can be difficult. Luckily, that’s where we come in! In this post, we’re reviewing and breaking down Gorilla Mode Pre Workout and going over similar products!

What Is Gorilla Mode Pre Workout?

Gorilla Mode Pre Workout is a pre workout supplement from Gorilla Mind. Like most pre workouts, Gorilla Mode is designed to support endurance and promote pumps/performance. It also may support an energy and focus boost with the addition of stimulants and focus-enhancing ingredients.† 

Gorilla Mode Ingredients:

When you review the formula, the first thing to note is the fully disclosed label. This is an important feature from a supplement to compare ingredients and dosages to other products. Additionally, you can see the label lists the dosages for both 1 and 2 scoops. However, the intended serving size is 1 scoop, which features 15.42 grams of active ingredients. By sticking with the intended 1 scoop serving size, you have about 40 servings per container. Whereas if you decide to use 2 scoops, you have 20 servings per container. 

L-Citrulline:

Our first ingredient in Gorilla Mode Pre Workout is L-citrulline. L-citrulline a nonessential amino acid that can increase arginine, the primary substrate for nitric oxide biosynthesis. But, why not just take arginine? Unlike arginine supplementation, citrulline isn’t taken up by the liver. Instead, it is transported to the kidneys and broken down to arginine. (1)

So why do we like this for workouts? Although citrulline is not a component of proteins, it can help stimulate protein synthesis in skeletal muscle. Additionally, it may improve vascular function through increased L-arginine bioavailability and nitric oxide synthesis, which can support reducing blood pressure. (2,3)

Lastly, research indicates L-citrulline supplementation can help improve exercise performance. However, to benefit endurance, L-citrulline supplement should be taken for one to two weeks. Generally research on L-citrulline uses dosages between 3-6 grams. But taking more than 6 grams may help promote oxygen content in muscles. (4,5)

Gorilla Mode features 4.5 grams per serving which is an optimal dosage for supporting endurance. 

Creatine Monohydrate:

Next we have creatine monohydrate, which is one of the most researched ingredients in dietary supplements. Despite this, creatine isn’t often included in pre workouts. But there’s many possible reasons for that, one major reason being creatine isn’t necessarily time dependent. So taking it prior to your workout wouldn’t have an immediate effect for your gym hit.

Creatine monohydrate is a combination of 3 naturally occurring amino acids: L-arginine, Glycine, L-methionine. In combination with resistance training, creatine can support building lean tissue mass and muscle strength. However there is a possible interaction between creatine and another ingredient in this formula. Combining caffeine with creatine might decrease the efficacy of creatine. This is likely another reason we don’t see creatine in stimulate-based pre workouts. (6,7,8) Generally, creatine is dosed between 2.5 grams to 5 grams, which is equivalent to the dosage in Gorilla Mode.

GlycerPump™:

GlycerPump™ or Glycerol Powder is a popular ingredient for pre workouts both stimulated and nonstimulant for its effect on aerobic and anaerobic exercise performance. Glycerol has several performance enhancing qualities. For starters, it can be used as an energy substrate, which contributes to the energy yield during exercise. Next, it has osmoprotective properties. This can help delay muscular fatigue. Lastly, when consumed with sufficient water, glycerol can play a role in maintaining hydration and thermoregulation. (9) Generally a dose between 2-5 grams is efficient for this ingredient. So 1 scoop of Gorilla Mode may not yield the effects as prominently as 2 scoops. 

However, this ingredient does come with an annoying consequence to being a hyperhydrating agent. Glycerol tends to increase the moisture drawn into powdered supplements. Meaning if not stored correctly, these products tend to have more clumps or get harden. While the clumping is generally easy to break apart and won’t affect the performance of the product, it can be annoying. We recommend for products with high contents of glycerol and other hydrating/pumping ingredients (e.g., creatine, citrulline, betaine, etc.) to be stored in the refrigerator or another cool, dry area to reduce the risk of clumping.

Malic Acid:

Malic acid is found naturally in fruits and vegetables like apples. This ingredient may help promote energy production in itself. But, is often used with supplements to improve absorption of ingredients (shown as “Malate”)†. There is currently no standard dose of malic acid. (10) 

Betaine Anhydrous:

Betaine Anhydrous is similar to Citrulline in that it can help promote better pumps and endurance. It’s a naturally occurring amino acid coming from Beet Extract. This ingredient have a variety of benefits from anti-inflammatory properties to improving body composition and muscular performance. The ergogenic and clinical effects of betaine are often studied with doses ranging from 500 to 20,000 mg/day. But dosages of 2.5 g/day for at least 14 days to 6 weeks has shown potential to enhance strength-based performance. (11,12)  So a dose of 1.25 grams per scoop is a bit under where we like to see for pre workouts.

L-Tyrosine:

Our next ingredient finally breaks away from the endurance/performance ingredients, L-tyrosine. L-tyrosine is an amino acid that is naturally produced in the body. It’s used to make several neurotransmitters; including Dopamine, and hormones; including thyroid hormones. However, increasing your body’s L-tyrosine levels doesn’t necessarily translate to increasing these compounds. Supplementing with L-tyrosine can aid in boosting alertness, attention, and focus. Tyrosine is commonly taken in doses of 500–2,000mg, so a dosage of 750mg per serving may be sufficient. (13,14,15,16)

Agmatine Sulfate:

Agmatine is a metabolite of to Arginine that acts similar to betaine. Current research suggests it may promote nitric oxide (NO) synthesis better than arginine, as well as properly regulate cellular energy. This makes agmatine sulfate a popular pump-inducing ingredient, but further research is needed on this ingredient (17,18). Agmatine Sulfate is typically dosed between 500 to 1,000 mg  for exercise performance, which is seen in Gorilla Mode.

Kanna (Sceletium Tortuosum):

Kanna Extract is an interesting ingredient we see making its way into all types of dietary supplements. Similar to Tyrosine, it may aid in focus. But, there isn’t very much research on this ingredient for exercise performance or focus. However, studies have dosed this ingredient at 8 mg and 25 mg. It important to note, this study tested for tolerability not effectiveness and indicates both dosages were well tolerated. (28,29)

Caffeine Anhydrous:

Caffeine is one of the most well-known and consumed stimulants there is. This Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulant can promote feelings the things we look for in caffeine and pre workouts like the energy and focus. (30) But, for individuals who may be a little more sensitive to stimulants, you may get the less desirable effects like jitters and anxiousness. (31)

So it’s important to understand where you fall in line with your tolerance to caffeine. A good way to help measure this is by considering the caffeine content in products you may already consume. For example, a cup of coffee can contain around 90-100 mg of caffeine per 8oz or a can of soda like Coke can contain around 30 mg. Gorilla Mode has 175mg of caffeine per serving, so it can be compared to having 2 cups of coffee in one sitting. 

N-Phenethyl Dimethylamine Citrate:

N-Phenethyl Dimethylamine Citrate is the compound name for a plant extract we see often in fat burners, Eria Jarensis. This is a DMAA-like compound that has grown a reputation for its euphoric effects and as a DMAA replacement.† There isn’t a lot of research done on this ingredient and its effectiveness for exercise performance. However, we often see it dosed between 50mg to 300mg. 

BioPerine®:

Our next ingredient BioPerine® or Black Pepper Extract is similar to malic acid in that it may help increase the bioavailability of the other ingredients within this formula. But also may have it’s own thermogenic properties. (32) We typically see Bioperine® dosed at 5mg, so 1 scoop should be sufficient for the effectiveness from this ingredient.

Huperzine A:

Our final ingredient, Huperzine A, is common in both fat burners and pre workouts. It is actually considered a natural anti depressant, but it is also useful in improving focus. In fact, it’s been used to help treat Alzheimer’s disease (33). It’s also known as a nootropic that increases the level of acetylcholine. As a result, mental alertness, focus, and concentration are increased (34). Studies often dose Huperzine at doses between 50-500mcg, but supplements can range from 50mcg to 2mg (2000mcg). 

How To Take Gorilla Mode Pre Workout:

As a dietary supplement, mix 1-2 scoops of Gorilla Mode in 12-14 ounces of water and consume 30 minutes prior to training. Vary the amount of water to achieve your desired flavor level. First time users should begin use with 1/2-1 scoop or less to evaluate tolerance. Do not exceed 2 scoops in any 24 hour period.

Do not combine Gorilla Mode with Gorilla Mode Energy, a2 AM or Rauwolscine. 

Similar Products To Gorilla Mode

Now that we’ve gone over what’s in Gorilla Mode, let’s dive into the similar products!

Chemix Pre Workout

Our first product comparison for Gorilla Mode is with Chemix Pre Workout by the Guerrilla Chemist. Similar to Gorilla Mode, Chemix Pre Workout features a formula that has a 1 or 2 scoop variation. However, this pre workout is only partially disclosed. Because of the proprietary blend in this formula, we are unable to cross compare any ingredient dosage in the blend. Altogether, Chemix Pre Workout features 13 ingredients with a volume of 10.5gram of active ingredients per serving (1 scoop). It shares 5 ingredients with Gorilla Mode, this includes:

• L-Citrulline
• Betaine Anhydrous
• Glycersize™ 
• L-Tyrosine
• Caffeine Anhydrous

Of these 5 ingredients, only 1 ingredient is in the prop blend, caffeine. Compared to Gorilla Mode, Chemix Pre Workout features more Betaine Anhydrous which is dosed at the 2.5gram featured in studies. Both products feature glycerol at 1.5 grams, so we expect this product to also run into clumping issues. The last two ingredients, L-citrulline and L-tyrosine are dosed lower in Chemix pre workout than Gorilla Mode, but still within range for clinical dosages.  Additionally, both products feature the same servings per container (40 servings).

There are 8 ingredients in this formula that are different from Gorilla Mode; Lion’s Mane Extract, Dimethylethanolamine (DMAE Bitartrate), N,N-dimethylethlamine Citrate, Caffeine Citrate, Higenamine HCl, N-Isopropylnorsynephrine, Theophylline Anhydrous, and Alpha Yohimbine.

Lion’s Mane Extract:

Lion’s Mane Extract may have neuroprotective properties. Some studies show it may improve mental clarity and functioning (35) and animal studies show it may be beneficial in preventing neuronal damage. (36)

Dimethylethanolamine (DMAE Bitartrate) & N,N-dimethylethlamine Citrate (DMAE or DMEA):

DMAE or DMEA helps to promote improvements in cognitive functions. That means improving focus/concentration and some more mood boosting effects. In this formula it is also featured wit the addition of Bitartrate. This will provide the same benefits as..