This is truly my OG pre-workout. So far, I have tried blueberry mojito, watermelon, green apple, and grape in this Optimum Nutrition mix. I have also tried their Gold Standard one, which is also great, but for me? Way too intense for casual use and needs to be consumed sparingly.These however? They're PERFECT. For real, they give the right amount of energy without making your skin feel like it's burning, without making your mind feel like it's reeling or without giving you the jitters. I love how they have instructions to depict the level of energy you're looking for.I definitely recommend starting out with just 1-2 scoops if it's your first time with pre-workout supplements because they take an adjustment period to get used to them, how they work, and to figure ... MoreThis is truly my OG pre-workout. So far, I have tried blueberry mojito, watermelon, green apple, and grape in this Optimum Nutrition mix. I have also tried their Gold Standard one, which is also great, but for me? Way too intense for casual use and needs to be consumed sparingly.These however? They're PERFECT. For real, they give the right amount of energy without making your skin feel like it's burning, without making your mind feel like it's reeling or without giving you the jitters. I love how they have instructions to depict the level of energy you're looking for.I definitely recommend starting out with just 1-2 scoops if it's your first time with pre-workout supplements because they take an adjustment period to get used to them, how they work, and to figure out what's overall best for you. Now? I workout 4-6 days a week, and according to Fitbit average anywhere from 15-25,000 steps a day, and this stuff helps a lot with keeping me focused on both cardio and weightlifting (which I've just started getting into).Now onto the flavours...I would say, of the ones I have tried: blueberry mojito and watermelon are my favourites, and they also seem to contain the least amount of "dyes." What I mean by that is that these transform your water the same way Kool-Aid does, to nuclear rich colours - fun for some, and a turnoff for others. I don't mind either way, but it's an important thing to note if you're allergic to any dyes or just don't want to consume them overall.Why are those two my favourites? They taste more mild and "realistic." What I'm trying to say is that grape and green apple turn SUPER purple (and green respectively) and the flavour is just too intense for me. They're blatantly artificially flavoured but with these flavours they just are so concentrated on the palette that sometimes they make me queasy and I have to down some water immediately after. I guess an easy fix would be diluting them TONS, but that also dilutes the purpose of it and if there's anything I don't like, it's having to take a break from a workout just to "relieve" myself in the middle of it, which is what that would do.Overall, this product is one I will continue to buy and of all the other brands I've tried with preworkout BCAA's (about a half a dozen main brands), this is the best and most consistent with effects, flavours, and ingredients.

Better than GFuel

Peach lemonade is slightly sour/tart/bitter in a very good way - almost too easy to drink! The green apple was a bit sweet and almost too much like green apple candy which might be nice for some people. We've also tried gfuel and I feel like this isn't as powdery, doesn't settle as quickly and is easier to drink. The caffeine hit isn't as pronounced as a coffee but I've definitely had days where I've only had this with no coffee and it's been fine (not jittery or anything). Highly recommend!

Essential Amino Energy in Blueberry Lemonade

While I have been a distance runner for most of my life, I began training for half marathons just last year (2019). I also had never consumed any special sports or athlete-specialized foods or drinks other than Gatorade and Powerade. This is why I was excited to try the Essential Amino Energy Blueberry Lemonade powder. I wanted to see if it made a difference in my stamina. Most of the time I drank the "mild" dose of 2 scoops for an "afternoon pick-me-up" and that worked great. It definitely gave me enough energy to stay alert through the afternoon. I played around with my post-workout dosage. Depending on how many miles I ran, I would use the 4 scoop "moderate" dose or the 6 scoop "intense" after my longer runs. I didn't really see a difference whether I put 2, 4 or ... MoreWhile I have been a distance runner for most of my life, I began training for half marathons just last year (2019). I also had never consumed any special sports or athlete-specialized foods or drinks other than Gatorade and Powerade. This is why I was excited to try the Essential Amino Energy Blueberry Lemonade powder. I wanted to see if it made a difference in my stamina. Most of the time I drank the "mild" dose of 2 scoops for an "afternoon pick-me-up" and that worked great. It definitely gave me enough energy to stay alert through the afternoon. I played around with my post-workout dosage. Depending on how many miles I ran, I would use the 4 scoop "moderate" dose or the 6 scoop "intense" after my longer runs. I didn't really see a difference whether I put 2, 4 or 6 scoops--2-4 seems to be plenty for me. The taste was great--even just 2 scoops packed a punch of flavor. I would love to try strawberry or raspberry flavors if they are available! The only negative critic I have is that it doesn't seem to dissolve very well. I really had to stir it to get rid of the pockets of powder stuck in the fizzy bubbles it created.

Excellent! Have bought this one several times.

This is a pre-workout. First, I love pre-workout, and anything with Beta-alanine in it. And often I need something to give me an afternoon boost when I'm working (and I don't drink coffee). Optimum Nutrition's AMINO Energy I often choose because it does not contain creatine. I'm not actively training anymore and I want the energy without the water retention creatine gives. The instructions on the pack guide you from mild to intense effects (2-6 scoops). The grape flavor is also my favorite, but others are also available. Good price point as well compared to some others.

Freebie

I have been purchasing the optimum 100 whey goldstandard protein from Sportsfuel when a deal popped up that included the optimum amino energy sampler. I needed to get some more whey any way, so never one to turn down a good dea!? I got the sampler and trialled when best to take it; before workout, after workout; with mixed results, however with only a few servings left I tried it during my workouts, as part of my hydration. The difference for me was startling, it improved my energy levels and focus during my workouts something chronic. For me, I sometimes struggle at the start of a workout to get "into it", with this stuff, that problem no longer exists. Although the the grape flavour may not be to everyone's taste, I find it really refreshing. The amino energy ... MoreI have been purchasing the optimum 100 whey goldstandard protein from Sportsfuel when a deal popped up that included the optimum amino energy sampler. I needed to get some more whey any way, so never one to turn down a good dea!? I got the sampler and trialled when best to take it; before workout, after workout; with mixed results, however with only a few servings left I tried it during my workouts, as part of my hydration. The difference for me was startling, it improved my energy levels and focus during my workouts something chronic. For me, I sometimes struggle at the start of a workout to get "into it", with this stuff, that problem no longer exists. Although the the grape flavour may not be to everyone's taste, I find it really refreshing. The amino energy powder mixes really well and I haven't had any issues with lumps or clumping in any of the concoction I have made with it. Everyone will have different results and like me I would trial what and when's the best time to take it, but for me this will become a permanent addition to my supplement regime, thanks Sportsfuel.

Great taste though

my first time using pre-workout, I have a high tolerance for energy drinks and caffeine and 3 scoops of this seems to give me a nice boost. however, did anyone else only get half a container? I opened it too quickly to pay attention to the safety seal so I dont know if that was broken but this tall container was less than halfway full and I thought that seemed like a weird packaging decision if thats actually how it comes? I probably shouldnt have used it but here we are

Not good enough to buy

I'm giving this 3 stars because while it tastes great and is easy to use I didn't notice enough of an increase in energy for my workouts as I would have liked.Pros:It tastes great. I personally love fruity flavors and blue raspberry is a favorite of mine.It mixes very easily. I used 3 scoops and then put in 3-4oz of very warm water, swish it around for a couple seconds, and then add ice cubes and 8oz cold water. No grit and no clumps. Again, I really enjoyed the taste - it was like drinking a treat, almost felt like an indulgence for me.Cons:Overall, I just wasn't impressed with the level of energy I got from it. I followed the instructions and drank it 20-30 minutes before a work out. I do a rotation of HIIT workouts one day and then strength training the ... MoreI'm giving this 3 stars because while it tastes great and is easy to use I didn't notice enough of an increase in energy for my workouts as I would have liked.Pros:It tastes great. I personally love fruity flavors and blue raspberry is a favorite of mine.It mixes very easily. I used 3 scoops and then put in 3-4oz of very warm water, swish it around for a couple seconds, and then add ice cubes and 8oz cold water. No grit and no clumps. Again, I really enjoyed the taste - it was like drinking a treat, almost felt like an indulgence for me.Cons:Overall, I just wasn't impressed with the level of energy I got from it. I followed the instructions and drank it 20-30 minutes before a work out. I do a rotation of HIIT workouts one day and then strength training the next. It suggested starting out with 2 scoops and adjusting from there. I noticed nothing with 2, went to 3 and felt slightly more energy than I had with 2. Perhaps if I experimented with 4 or more scoops I would notice a more significant increase but I'm hesitant to have that much caffeine in a day since I am a religious 3 cups a day coffee drinker.Bottom line is I wouldn't purchase this or recommend to a friend. It may be I'm just not the best fit for a product like this but it didn't give me enough of a performance improvement to warrant a purchase of this product.

Not on par with their pre-mixed. But ‘ok’.

I really enjoy the Amino Energy pre-mixed cans, as a sugar-free but great tasting alternative fo Red Bull etc, and was hoping this would be a more cost effective way of getting the same taste, with less going into the recycling bin.Unfortunately, it doesn’t come close- it ends up being a powdery thick drink, with the powder sitting on too of the water/sparkling water until you really mix it in. Then you like d of have to dilute that 2-3x to make it enjoyable.Will I drink it/finish it? Yes.Will I buy it again? No- I’ve already place the order for the pre-mixed.

Unsatisfactory

I usually drink the amino energy carbonated cans and love them. So I thought I’d give the powder a try and was extremely disappointed. I purchased the peach lemonade flavour and it tasted so terrible I only had half a serving and have not touched it since. Therefore I unfortunately have no idea wether it has a stimulating effect or not. However it mixes well and has natural ingredients which is always a plus for those that do decide to consume it.

Wonderfully tasting pre-workout!!!!

Absolutely LOVE the grape optimum nutrition amino pre-workout. If it didn't have the caffeine, I would drink it as water! It gives me the boost I need to either work out harder (heavier or longer) or stay up and do chores. And the amino make it even healthier in my opinion. I used to buy the same product in cans, but I prefer the powder more. If you are on the fence of trying it, don't hesitate and BUY IT! You will not regret it.