Pick by what is in the scoop: the caffeine you can handle, whether you want yohimbine, and when you train. The International Society of Sports Nutrition puts caffeine’s performance dose at 3 to 6 mg per kg, and the FDA cites 400 mg a day as an amount not generally linked to negative effects in most adults. Of Ninja’s four pre-workouts, Ninja Up and Ninja Up NoYo share the same caffeine (one with yohimbine, one without), Ninja Unleashed is the strongest, and Ninja Swole has no caffeine row.
People search Ninja’s pre-workouts by name, and this is the page Google shows them. So here is the straight comparison, label against label, with the studies that tell you which numbers matter. No hype, and no tub that suits everybody.
The Short Version
- The caffeine dose that works: 3 to 6 mg per kg of body weight consistently improved performance; very high doses (9 mg per kg) brought more side effects and did not seem to be needed (ISSN position stand, 2021).
- The daily ceiling: the FDA cites 400 mg a day, about two to three 12-ounce cups of coffee, as an amount not generally linked to negative effects for most adults (FDA).
- The pump dose: 6 to 8 g of citrulline malate before training added about 6% more total reps to failure, a small effect (meta-analysis of 8 studies, 137 people, 2021).
- Ninja Up holds Caffeine Anhydrous 300 mg plus 135 mg of Infinergy (as Dicaffeine Malate), 6000 mg of L-citrulline malate 2:1 and 3200 mg of beta alanine a scoop.
What Should You Look for in a Pre-Workout?
Look for a label that lists every dose, then check four lines on it. A 2018 review of multi-ingredient pre-workouts noted that proprietary blends, which hide the amounts, make comparing formulas “challenging and often impossible”. If you cannot see the dose, you cannot judge it.
- Caffeine per scoop: against your own tolerance and the FDA’s 400 mg a day, coffee included.
- The pump ingredient: citrulline malate near the 6 to 8 g the studies used.
- Yohimbine, yes or no: it can appear as alpha yohimbine or rauwolscine.
- Beta-alanine: the ISSN’s daily dose is 4 to 6 g for at least 2 to 4 weeks, so it works as a habit, not a single scoop. The ISSN lists tingling as its only reported side effect.
Every ingredient, its job and its studied dose has its own article: the pre-workout ingredients that actually work.
How Do Ninja’s Four Pre-Workouts Compare?
Three run on caffeine and one does not; past that, they share most of the same base. Every number below is from the label, per scoop.
| Ninja Up | Ninja Up NoYo | Ninja Unleashed | Ninja Swole | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sold as | High Stim Pre Workout | High Stim Pre Workout | Extreme Stim Pre Workout | Stim Free Pre Workout |
| Caffeine on the label | Caffeine Anhydrous 300 mg; Infinergy 135 mg | Caffeine Anhydrous 300 mg; Infinergy 135 mg | Caffeine Anhydrous 380 mg; Caffeine Citrate 200 mg; Infinergy 175 mg | No caffeine row |
| Yohimbine | Alpha yohimbine 2.5 mg | None | Rauwolscine 2 mg | None |
| L-Citrulline Malate 2:1 | 6000 mg | 6000 mg | 6000 mg | 7000 mg |
| Beta Alanine | 3200 mg | 3200 mg | 4000 mg | 3200 mg |
| Focus | L-Tyrosine 1000 mg, Alpha GPC 600 mg, L-Theanine 150 mg | L-Tyrosine 1000 mg, Alpha GPC 600 mg, L-Theanine 150 mg | L-Tyrosine 1000 mg, Alpha GPC 600 mg, Lion’s Mane 600 mg, L-Theanine 150 mg | Alpha GPC 600 mg, Lion’s Mane 600 mg |
| Price a scoop | $2.00 (25 servings) | $2.00 (25 servings) | $2.86 (21 servings) | $2.00 (25 servings) |
| Built for | Experienced caffeine users: energy, focus and pump in one | The same, without yohimbine | Experienced stimulant users only | A stim-free pump, late sessions |
The energy sections differ beyond the caffeine too. Ninja Up adds Lotus Seed Extract 75 mg and Bitter Orange Extract 60 mg; Ninja Up NoYo adds those plus Eria Jarensis 300 mg; Ninja Unleashed adds SantEnergy Nu 400 mg, Eria Jarensis 300 mg, ElevATP 150 mg, Synephrine 60 mg and more. Think of the four as cars on the same Miami strip: same chassis, very different engines.
How Much Caffeine Is in a Ninja Pre-Workout?
Ninja Up and Ninja Up NoYo list Caffeine Anhydrous 300 mg plus Infinergy (Dicaffeine Malate) 135 mg a scoop; Ninja Unleashed lists Caffeine Anhydrous 380 mg, Caffeine Citrate 200 mg and Infinergy 175 mg; Ninja Swole lists none. We give the forms as the label does rather than one total, because caffeine citrate is caffeine paired with citric acid and dicaffeine malate, as the name says, pairs caffeine with malic acid, so a straight sum would overstate it.
The caffeine anhydrous alone tells you plenty. In Ninja Up it is 300 mg, three quarters of the FDA’s 400 mg daily figure, and a 12-ounce brewed coffee holds 113 to 247 mg by the FDA’s numbers. One scoop plus one big coffee can take you past 400 mg. In Ninja Unleashed the caffeine anhydrous alone is 380 mg, before its other two forms. For the dose by body weight and tolerance, read how much caffeine a high-stim pre-workout should have.
Ninja Up or Ninja Up NoYo: What’s the Difference?
The difference is yohimbine: Ninja Up holds 2.5 mg of alpha yohimbine (the label reads Alpha Yohimbine 90% Rauwolscine) and Ninja Up NoYo holds none, listing Eria Jarensis 300 mg in its energy section instead. The caffeine, citrulline, beta-alanine, betaine, tyrosine, alpha GPC and theanine doses are the same.
Why offer both? Because yohimbine is the ingredient people ask about. Alpha yohimbine (rauwolscine) is a stereoisomer of yohimbine: the same atoms, arranged differently in space. The NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says there is very little research on yohimbe in people, that yohimbine has been linked to irregular heartbeat, blood pressure problems and other serious side effects, and that yohimbe can interact with certain prescription medications. If any of that gives you pause, or you simply want the same scoop without it, NoYo is the tub. That is the whole point of it.
Is Ninja Unleashed Too Strong for You?
If you are new to stimulants or sensitive to caffeine, yes: Ninja Unleashed is Ninja’s strongest scoop and is built for experienced stimulant users only. It lists three caffeine forms, 2 mg of rauwolscine, 4000 mg of beta alanine and 1000 mg of agmatine sulfate, in 21 servings at $2.86 a scoop.
The ISSN position stand says very high caffeine doses bring more side effects and do not seem to be needed for the performance effect. So Unleashed is a tub you work up to, never one you start with, and never one you stack with coffee or another caffeinated product.
When Should You Pick Ninja Swole Instead?
Pick Ninja Swole when caffeine is off the table: evening training, a second session, or a day you already hit your caffeine. In a 2022 trial of 24 trained adults, a caffeine-free pre-workout raised isometric squat force over placebo about as much as the caffeinated version did; only the caffeinated one raised energy ratings. You lose the buzz, not the base. The full showdown is here: pump vs stimulant pre-workout.
Coach’s Corner: The First Scoop of a New Pre-Workout
- Half a scoop: about 60 minutes before training, the timing the ISSN calls most common, on a day with no other caffeine. Note how you feel at the 30-minute mark.
- Warm-up: 5 minutes easy on the bike, then 1 round of 10 bodyweight squats and 10 band pull-aparts, no rest. Smooth, not fast.
- Goblet squat: 3 x 8 to 10, 90 seconds rest. Elbows inside the knees, chest tall.
- Dumbbell bench press: 3 x 8 to 12, 90 seconds rest. Feet planted, shoulder blades pinned back.
- One-arm dumbbell row: 3 x 10 each side, 60 seconds rest. Pull the elbow toward your hip.
- Score it: rate energy and focus out of 10 after the session, and note how you slept. Move to a full scoop only if both went well.
Healthy adults: if you have an injury, pain, a heart condition, or you are new to training, check with your doctor before you start. Stop if it hurts.
The Fuel Plan
| Your caffeine day | Caffeine |
|---|---|
| 12-ounce brewed coffee (FDA) | 113 to 247 mg |
| 12-ounce energy drink (FDA) | 41 to 246 mg |
| One scoop of Ninja Up or Ninja Up NoYo | Caffeine Anhydrous 300 mg plus Infinergy 135 mg |
| One scoop of Ninja Swole | No caffeine row |
| FDA figure for most adults | 400 mg a day, every source counted |
On a Ninja Up day, the morning coffee is the one to drop. Protein still runs the show: 1.4 to 2.0 g per kg a day for most lifters (ISSN), which is 112 to 160 g at 80 kg and 140 to 200 g at 100 kg, spread across meals. These are general numbers for healthy adults. With kidney disease, diabetes or any medical diet, ask your doctor or a registered dietitian.
Where Ninja Up Fits
If you handle caffeine well and want one scoop that covers energy, focus and the pump, start with the flagship. Ninja Up is our high-stim pre-workout: Caffeine Anhydrous 300 mg plus Infinergy 135 mg, 6000 mg of L-citrulline malate 2:1 (the 6 g end of the studied range), 3200 mg of beta alanine, 2500 mg of betaine, and a focus section with 1000 mg of L-tyrosine, 600 mg of alpha GPC and 150 mg of L-theanine. Every dose is on the label, which is the first test from the top of this page. If coffee alone no longer gets you through a 6 AM session, this is the tub.
Who it’s for: experienced caffeine users who want energy, focus and the pump in one scoop. Who it’s not for: the caffeine sensitive, anyone under 18, pregnant or nursing, and anyone avoiding yohimbine (take Ninja Up NoYo).
Ninja Up: The Doses This Article Is About
Per serving, straight from the label. The full label is on the product page.
| Caffeine Anhydrous | 300 mg |
| Infinergy™ (as Dicaffeine Malate) | 135 mg |
| L-Citrulline Malate 2:1 | 6000 mg |
| Beta Alanine | 3200 mg |
| Betaine Anhydrous | 2500 mg |
| L-Tyrosine | 1000 mg |
| Alpha GPC (50% Alpha Glycerylphosphorylcholine) | 600 mg |
| L-Theanine | 150 mg |
| Alpha Yohimbine 90% Rauwolscine (Rauwolfia vomitoria)(Root) | 2.5 mg |
The numbers: $49.99 for 25 servings is $2.00 a scoop, or $1.70 a scoop with Subscribe and Save at 15% off. Flavours on sale: Energy Drink, Grape Bubblegum, Juiced Fruit and Pineapple Sangria.
The product Ninja Up buyers add most often is Ninja Gains, the protein for after the session.
I really love this pre workout. It gives really great energy and focus that lasts throughout my entire workout. This is definitely one of my top three pre's right now. Juiced fruit tastes amazing....
Best Pre on the market
This pre workout hits hard with clean ingredients. Taste amazing 🤩. You won’t regret buying this. Customer service was amazing too
One scoop of Ninja Up lists Caffeine Anhydrous 300 mg plus Infinergy (as Dicaffeine Malate) 135 mg, and 2.5 mg of alpha yohimbine: for experienced users only. Not for anyone under 18, pregnant or nursing. Check with your doctor if you have a heart condition or take medication, and do not stack it with other caffeine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Ninja pre-workout is the strongest?
Ninja Unleashed. Its label lists Caffeine Anhydrous 380 mg, Caffeine Citrate 200 mg and Infinergy 175 mg, plus 2 mg of rauwolscine, and Ninja sells it as an Extreme Stim Pre Workout. It is for experienced stimulant users only.
Does Ninja make a pre-workout without yohimbine?
Yes. Ninja Up NoYo has the same caffeine as Ninja Up (Caffeine Anhydrous 300 mg plus Infinergy 135 mg) and the same citrulline, beta-alanine and focus doses, with no yohimbine. Ninja Swole has no yohimbine and no caffeine row either.
Does Ninja make a stim-free pre-workout?
Yes. Ninja Swole is sold as a Stim Free Pre Workout, with 7000 mg of L-citrulline malate 2:1, 1500 mg of Nitrosigine and 3200 mg of beta alanine a scoop, and no caffeine row on the label. It costs $2.00 a scoop.
Is pre-workout instant?
No. The ISSN says caffeine is most commonly taken 60 minutes before exercise, and the citrulline studies dosed 40 to 60 minutes before training. So plan on that lead time instead of drinking it at the rack.
How much caffeine is in Ninja Up?
One scoop lists Caffeine Anhydrous 300 mg plus Infinergy (as Dicaffeine Malate) 135 mg. The caffeine anhydrous alone is three quarters of the FDA’s 400 mg daily figure for most adults, so count your coffee on the same day.
Next on the mission: when to take your pre-workout, down to the minute. And if caffeine is your engine, Ninja Up is the flagship.
Sources
- Guest NS, et al. International society of sports nutrition position stand: caffeine and exercise performance. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2021 (several authors advise supplement companies).
- US Food and Drug Administration. Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much?
- Vårvik FT, Bjørnsen T, Gonzalez AM. Acute Effect of Citrulline Malate on Repetition Performance During Strength Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 2021.
- Trexler ET, et al. International society of sports nutrition position stand: Beta-Alanine. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2015.
- Harty PS, et al. Multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements, safety implications, and performance outcomes: a brief review. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2018.
- Stratton MT, et al. The influence of caffeinated and non-caffeinated multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements on resistance exercise performance and subjective outcomes. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2022.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Yohimbe.
- Jäger R, et al. International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: protein and exercise. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2017.
How we wrote this: we rewrote this page because Google shows it to people searching for Ninja’s pre-workouts by name (“ninja pre workout”, “ninja up pre workout”, “ninja unleashed pre workout”), read the position stands, the review, the trials and the NIH fact sheet above, and checked every Ninja Up, Ninja Up NoYo, Ninja Unleashed and Ninja Swole dose against the product labels and every price against the store on the day of writing. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
