Optimum Nutrition ESSENTIAL Muscle Recovery Pre-Workout Supplement

Last updated: October 13, 2023


If you want a supplement that aids in muscle recovery, the Optimum Nutrition ESSENTIAL Preworkout Essential Servings may be your answer, with its amino acid blend. This formula contains no sugar and only 5 calories per serving. This pre-workout supplement also doubles as an energy and focus booster. You can use it any time of day, like when your afternoon lull sets in at work.

Optimum Nutrition ESSENTIAL Muscle Recovery Pre-Workout Supplement

We looked at the top Pre-Workout Supplements and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Pre-Workout Supplement you should buy.

Product Details

Key Takeaway: For muscle recovery, this supplement is a winner.

In our analysis of 45 expert reviews, the Optimum Nutrition ESSENTIAL Muscle Recovery Pre-Workout Supplement placed 6th when we looked at the top 9 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.

From The Manufacturer

AMINO BLEND – a perfectly blended mix of amino acids to aid in muscle recovery*. ENERGY BLEND – With 100MG of caffeine coming from green tea and/or green coffee extracts to supply you with a boost of energy to help you get through the day or a grueling workout* MENTAL FOCUS – don’t allow the day to get the best of you, the unique formula in ESSENTIAL AMIN.O. ENERGY helps provide you with the mental focus you need* ANY-TIME FORMULA – this unique formula is perfect for any time of the day such as helping you get energized and focused in the morning, helping to stay focused and productive in the afternoon, or even supporting your energy levels and focus in the gym*. 12 CALORIES PER SERVING; 1G OF CARBS; NO SUGAR; 10+ DELIGHTFUL FLAVORS TO CHOOSE FROM.

Expert Reviews


What reviewers liked

Gives you fast energy without relying too heavily on caffeine
Has ingredients for improving focus and endurance
Comprehensive Amino Blend. Increased energy levels and a ton of other health benefits.
Optimum’s Amino Energy Pre-workout combines essential Amino Acids with Green Tea and Coffee Bean extract to help boost energy and repair muscles while cutting out unnecessary calories, proteins, carbs, or fats
Relatively cheap compared to other pre-workout supplements
Amino Energy can be used as a pre workout but also post workout too, while Gold Standard is intended more as a ‘classic’ pre workout supplement.
Amino Energy boosts an ingredient list of 65 different amino acids as well a blend of green tea and coffee extract. This provides a rejuvenating energy kick whilst improving your recovery.

What reviewers didn't like

Some find the flavor to be too tart
No information about dosages and ratios of the amino acids
Proprietary blends. Manufacturer fails to divulge most of the individual ingredient amounts. Thumbs down.
Package sometimes contains less product than expected
My biggest issue is the amount of artificial ingredients that I don’t believe are needed. It has artificial and natural flavors which are virtually the same thing.
However, the big negative when it comes to Amino Energy is that it uses a proprietary blend on the ingredients label.
Though there is a large amount of amino acids present, the dosage of some of them, for example, Beta-Alanine is less than desired.
View our Pre-Workout Supplement buying guide for in-depth advice and recommendations.

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