We Sampled Pre-Workouts Until We Were Practically Vibrating. This One Tasted the Best
Pre-workout junkies, this one’s for you! If you’ve become addicted to pre-workout drinks and can’t survive a workout without your shaker bottle, you’re probably always looking for mixes that actually taste good. Unfortunately, not every brand delivers in the flavor department. Thus, in the never-ending search for the best pre-workout, you end up with a $50 tub you dread scooping each morning.
Sure, pre-workouts don't necessarily exist to provide Michelin star-level flavor. But at the very least, it'd be nice not to cringe at every sip. That's exactly why Ghost LEGEND earned our vote as the best-tasting pre-workout in the 2026 Fitness Awards. Partnering with several popular brands, Ghost offers tons of flavors to satisfy different palettes.
Looking for a reputable pre-workout powder that actually tastes good? Read on for our honest review of Ghost LEGEND pre-workout and why it deserves a spot on your supplement shelf.
Want the inside scoop on the best fitness gear of the year? Check out the rest of Men’s Journal 2026 Fitness Awards, where we’ve tested everything from hydration supplements and protein powders to cross-training shoes and workout apps.
Related: Looking for the Best Pre-Workouts of 2026? These Deserve a Spot in Your Supplement Stack
Key Features
For anyone who needs a serious pick-me-up before a workout, Ghost LEGEND delivers a whopping 300-milligram serving of caffeine. L-citrulline enhances blood flow, beta-alanine boosts endurance, and betaine anhydrous supports strength. Flavor options are something to actually get excited about, like Sour Strips Rainbow and Swedish Fish. Priced at $1.50 per serving for a one-time purchase, with a subscribe-and-save option bringing it down to $1.12 per serving, Ghost LEGEND is a high-value pre-workout for serious lifters that want energy, focus, and performance all in one scoop.
- Caffeine Per Serving: 300mg
- Key Ingredients: L-citrulline (6,000mg), beta-alanine (3,200mg), betaine anhydrous (2,500mg), L-tyrosine (2,000mg), taurine (1,000mg), VitaCholine (1,000mg), theobromine (100mg), Senactiv (100mg), and AstraGin (50mg)
- Flavors: Sour Strips Rainbow, Sonic Cherry Limeade, Orange Cream, Warheads Sour Watermelon, Welch’s Grape, Blue Raspberry, Bubblicious Strawberry Splash, Sour Patch Kids Redberry, Swedish Fish, Sonic Ocean Water
- Price: $50 for a one-time purchase, $34 for a subscribe-and-save discount
Pros
- Wide variety of tasty flavors with popular brands
- Uses natural caffeine
- Sugar-free, soy-free, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly
Cons
- Fails to fully dissolve and mix
- Uses artificial flavor
- Causes pre-workout jitters
Final Verdict
Ghost LEGEND is known for fun and nostalgic flavors made possible through official partnerships with iconic brands like Warheads, Welch’s, Bubblicious, Sour Patch Kids, Swedish Fish, and Sonic. Best of all, these flavors actually taste close to the real candies and drinks, making LEGEND a pre-workout you’ll actually enjoy drinking.
Over the years, I've tried out several different flavors, including Sonic Ocean Water, Sonic Cherry Limeade, and Sour Patch Kids Redberry. Though you certainly wouldn't confuse a Sonic slush with a pre-workout drink, the flavors for each are spot on. It doesn't always fully dissolve, so expect to swallow a few pre-workout granules unless you're constantly shaking it up.
From an ingredient standpoint, LEGEND has a solid formula featuring 12 active ingredients. It includes proven performance boosters like L-citrulline, beta-alanine, and betaine anhydrous, along with Ghost’s “Smart Energy” blend featuring L-tyrosine and VitaCholine to support mental focus and workout performance. As you begin using it, expect to experience those love-or-hate-them pre-workout jitters. Ghost suggests starting out with a lighter dose as your body adapts to the supplement.
Why You Should Trust Me
I’m a health and fitness writer for Men’s Journal, covering everything from training tips and workouts to gear reviews. I’m also an ACE-certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor with over five years of coaching experience. As an avid early morning lifter, I've personally tried and tested more pre-workouts than I can count on both hands and feet. Along with personally testing every product I review, my goal is always to provide honest feedback that helps you decide what’s worth your time and money to improve your exercise performance and experience.