Progressing in your workouts by maximizing your exercise performance can be challenging. Pre-workout is often seen as a handy solution for this common gym-goer’s problem. It’s a supplement I’ve used for years to help me push myself as much as possible to get those gains, and I swear by it to this day!
Cellucor and Bucked Up are two major supplement brands that offer a range of pre-workouts, both of which I’ve tried in the past. Both brands offer high-quality products that enhance your workouts and maximize your gains. But which preworkout is best for your fitness goals?
In this article, we will look at C4 vs. Bucked Up so you can decide which one to go for when switching up your pre-workout supplement.
C4 vs. Bucked Up
Let’s take a closer look at the C4 and Bucked Up pre-workouts, including an overview of each, their ingredients, and why they are essential or effective. Then we will put it all together so you know which to go with before your next gym session.
Overview of C4
C4 is an effective pre-workout product containing a range of well-loved ingredients known to benefit lifters of all focuses. In the C4 Original range, you can choose from eight unique and delicious flavors, including Cherry Limeade, Frozen Bombsicle, Fruit Punch, Icy Blue Razz, Grape, Pink Lemonade, Strawberry Margarita, and Strawberry Watermelon.
Each flavor of Cellucor C4 Original contains the same blend of ingredients, even though their tastes are entirely different. The ingredients in the supplement include:
- Beta-alanine: An amino acid that helps eliminate lactic acid in your skeletal muscles to reduce fatigue.
- Creatine: A popular compound that increases energy production through adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to increase workout performance.
- Arginine: An amino acid that aids skeletal muscle recovery.
- Caffeine: A well-known and well-loved stimulant found in almost any pre-workout product with stims, enhances mental alertness.
Overview of Bucked Up
Available in a wide range of flavors, Bucked Up is a high-quality pre-workout supplement that is formulated using a unique blend of ingredients. Bucked Up prides itself in not using proprietary blends and offering specifically designed supplements for its customers.
Some flavors include Cherry Candy, Sour Bucks, Blue Raz, Breezy Blast, Caramel Apple, Grape Gainz, Strawberry Kiwi, and Watermelon Lemonade.
You won’t struggle to find a flavor you enjoy, as their range is one of the widest I’ve seen in pre-workout supplements.
As Bucked Up states on its product page, its pre-workouts enable you to achieve endless energy, endurance, muscle pump, and focus. It contains:
- Citrulline: A substance that increases the production of nitric oxide, which helps increase blood flow (and, therefore, oxygen and nutrient delivery) to working muscles.
- ActiGin: An ingredient that increases glycogen synthesis in skeletal muscles, increasing energy stores.
- Deer Antler Velvet: A substance known to increase strength and endurance.
- Alphasize: A compound that can improve cognitive function, focus, and sports performance.
- Astragin: A compound that increases the production of arginine and nitric oxide to enhance strength and blood flow during workouts, enhance exercise performance, and speed up muscle recovery.
- Beta-alanine: As above, this is an essential amino acid for muscle recovery during exercise.
Comparing C4 and Bucked Up
Let’s take a look at C4 vs. Bucked Up in more detail. Below, I’ve covered the similarities, differences, and significant distinguishing factors between the C4 and Bucked Up pre-workout supplements.
Similarities Between C4 and Bucked Up
The similar features of these two supplements include:
- They are designed to improve exercise performance, mental focus, and muscle growth.
- They are both available in a wide selection of flavor
- They both contain beta-alanine
Differences Between C4 and Bucked Up
C4 has a more traditional blend of pre-workout ingredients and comes in at a lower price point. It’s a solid choice for most athletes, but the extensive ingredient list of Bucked Up might be a good choice for those looking to pack more in their pre-workout.
- Each one contains a different blend of ingredients
- Bucked Up is significantly more expensive than C4
Major Distinguishing Factor
The main distinguishing factor between C4 and Bucked Up is the ingredients list. Aside from both containing beta-alanine, there is a very different list of ingredients for each supplement. The ingredients can significantly influence the effectiveness and performance of a pre-workout, so the unique blends in C4 vs. Bucked Up are worth noting before you choose one over the other.
When to Use C4
Whether you’re a bodybuilder, powerlifter, or endurance athlete, you can benefit from using C4. Its stimulating ingredients, such as beta-alanine, creatine nitrate, and caffeine, can help increase muscular endurance, muscle pump, and muscle growth.
When to Use Bucked Up
Bucked Up was created with serious lifters in mind. It’s perfect when you’re trying to up your game in the gym, get a serious pump, and experience significant muscle growth. You can benefit from using Bucked Up if you’re a bodybuilder, athlete, or into endurance sports.
Which is Better?
I think C4 is a better choice than Bucked Up for a few reasons. Firstly, it contains a blend of well-known ingredients that are more scientifically researched than the ingredients in Bucked Up. Plus, the significant price difference between the two makes C4 look much more attractive, especially for those working out on a budget. But, if you have the budget for it and are willing to go for a supplement with potential for more muscle building benefits, Bucked Up is a solid option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bucked Up or C4 More Effective?
Both Bucked Up and C4 are effective pre-workout supplements. I’d say C4 tastes better. However, Bucked Up provides a better boost during workouts. Bucked Up enhances muscular endurance, focus, and sports performance more than C4.
Is C4 or Bucked Up Stronger?
The Bucked Up pre-workout supplement is stronger than the C4 product regarding caffeine content. It contains 200 mg per serving, compared to 150 mg in C4 Original.
Is C4 Healthier than Bucked Up?
Both C4 and Bucked Up are safe to consume as long as you’re above 18, not pregnant, not breastfeeding, and don’t have pre-existing heart problems. However, C4 is slightly safer than Bucked Up due to its slightly lower caffeine content per serving (150 mg vs. 200 mg).
Conclusion
When comparing Cellucor C4 vs. Bucked Up, the latter takes the cake. With 200 mg of caffeine and 6 g of citrulline per serving, it offers slightly better effects than the former, enabling you to maximize your performance in the gym and make the gains you’ve always wanted.
