Pre-workouts usually taste like chalky candy that sat in a gym bag too long. But every once in a while, one comes along that makes you stop mid-sip and think, “Wait, this actually slaps.”
Transparent Labs Bulk Black in Sour Gummy Flavor promises heavy stim energy, bigger pumps, and a taste that doesn’t feel like punishment. The question is, does it actually deliver on all three, or is it just another tub that looks cool on your shelf?
Transparent Labs BULK Black Pre-Workout Highlights
Some pre-workouts whisper. BULK Black doesn’t. It shows up like it owns the place, dropping heavy doses of citrulline, beta-alanine, and caffeine that make you double-check the label.
This isn’t a “sprinkle some pixie dust and hope” formula. It’s packed with real numbers that actually matter when you’re under the bar. Sour Gummy is the flavor we’re diving into here, and yeah, it’s as bold as the formula itself.
So is BULK Black worth the hype, or just another overpriced tub on the shelf? Let’s find out.
Pricing For Pre-Series Bulk Black
BULK Black gets the “limited edition” tag, but let’s be honest, it’s been around long enough to lose that mystique. The label’s working harder than the marketing team here. Still, that doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s a solid pre-workout.
One tub will run you $59.99, which shakes out to about two bucks a scoop. Not dirt cheap, but when you line it up against the formula inside, it’s fair. Toss in coupon code TL10, and you knock off 10 percent right away. Easy win.
Want to trim the price even further? Their subscribe-and-save option drops it to $1.80 per serving, plus free shipping. You pick the schedule, 30, 45, or 60 days, and it just shows up. Simple, no stress, and cheaper in the long run.
Bottom line, if BULK Black is going to be your daily driver, the subscription makes the most sense. If you’re just testing it out, grab a tub and use the code. Either way, you’re not paying full price.
Transparent Labs BULK Black Pre-Workout Ingredients
Citrulline Malate 2:1 – 8 grams
Citrulline Malate is an ingredient you will find in many pre-workout supplements and for good reason, this amino acid packs a powerful punch.
Studies have shown that it can improve strength, aerobic performance, and muscle endurance. [1,2]
That’s not all, though; citrulline malate is also more effective than L-Arginine at increasing nitric oxide levels to help deliver serious muscle pumps.[3]
It can also boost the utilization of branch-chain amino acids, such as leucine, during your workout sessions.[4]
Beta Alanine – 4000 mg
Beta-alanine is known for the tingling sensation it induces after taking a pre-workout, but its benefits extend far beyond that. This ingredient has been shown to boost cellular carnosine levels, essential for combating fatigue during high-intensity workouts.[5, 6]
Moreover, research indicates that beta-alanine can significantly enhance muscle strength and endurance, supporting longer, more effective training sessions.[7][8]
Looking for more reasons to love it? Beta-alanine has also been linked to body fat reduction, making it a multifaceted asset in your fitness arsenal. [9]
Betaine Anhydrous 1500 mg
Betaine Anhydrous 1500 mg is like the secret weapon hidden in your beets and spinach.
This powerhouse brings a lot to the table. It’s associated with boosting your strength, enhancing blood circulation, and even increasing your stamina during workouts.
And the best part? It could help dampen the cortisol surge that often follows intense exercise. Imagine it as a mini stress-guard within your supplement routine. So, what’s the ideal amount? Roughly 2.5 grams daily, divided into two doses for those engaged in weight training, seems to hit the mark.(10)
Taurine 1300 mg
Taurine, a molecule similar to an amino acid, plays a crucial role in pre-workout supplements. It interacts with beta-alanine in a competitive manner, meaning that supplementing with beta-alanine without including taurine could potentially result in taurine deficiency.[11].
Additionally, taurine has neuroprotective benefits and has been found to reduce next-day muscle soreness [12, 13].
L-Tyrosine – 1000 mg
L-tyrosine, a conditionally essential amino acid, is pivotal for the synthesis of dopamine, enhancing focus, motivation, and cognitive function as an effective nootropic. The notable advantages of supplementing with L-tyrosine are its ability to:
Mitigate stress impacts, enabling enhanced mental clarity and endurance.[14]
Boost memory and performance, even in physically stressful environments like cold conditions.[15]
Alpha GPC – 300 mg
AlphaSize® represents a patented variant of alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine (GPC), offering a highly bioavailable form of choline. Choline, an essential B vitamin, is utilized by the body to produce acetylcholine and phosphatidylcholine, both crucial for cognitive functionality and neurotransmission. Numerous studies indicate that alpha-GPC can significantly enhance both mental and physical performance, particularly when used alongside caffeine. [16]
Therefore, alpha-GPC boasts both nootropic and ergogenic benefits, making it a prime candidate for inclusion in pre-workout supplements.
L-Theanine – 200mg
L-theanine, an amino acid utilized by the body, shows numerous advantages for athletes, especially when paired with caffeine. These benefits include:
Enhancing reaction time, attention, and memory.[17, 18, 19, 20]
Minimizing jitters for those sensitive to caffeine.
Lowering stress and promoting relaxation without compromising focus or energy levels.[21]
Caffeine Anhydrous – 275 mg
Caffeine anhydrous stands as the pure, dehydrated form of caffeine, celebrated for its ability to boost energy, alertness, motivation, and overall mood. The caffeine dosage in sports supplements typically falls within the 350-450 mg range, although some products may include alternative forms like di-caffeine malate, pushing the total caffeine content up to 297 mg.
Adopting a “less is more” approach is advisable, as increasing dependency on caffeine can lead to reduced effectiveness over time. The optimal amount of caffeine needed varies based on several factors, including sleep patterns, timing of caffeine consumption, and your diet and nutrition, all of which play a crucial role in determining your ideal intake.
Theomberine 98% – 50 mg
Theobromine, often regarded as a milder stimulant akin to “caffeine light,” is present in chocolate, certain tea plants, and the kola nut. Its name, translating to “Food of the Gods” from Greek, with “theo” meaning gods and “broma” signifying food, hints at its esteemed status.
There’s anecdotal evidence indicating that theobromine may enhance mood, focus, and stimulation. Typical dosages vary between 100 to 400 mg, positioning products with lower concentrations at the minimal end of the spectrum.
Taste of Preseries Bulk Black by Transparent Labs
Let’s get to what most people care about first. How does Bulk Black actually taste?
They’ve got a bunch of flavors on the lineup, but I went with Sour Gummy. That can go either way. It’s either going to hit the spot or make you regret the scoop.
The label suggested starting with half a serving. I skipped that and went straight to a full scoop because I wanted the real experience. Mixed it up in a glass with just a spoon and honestly, it blended pretty well. A few tiny clumps floated around, but nothing you’d even notice while drinking. With a shaker bottle, it would be spotless.
Now for the flavor. It tasted like… a pre-workout. Definitely sour, and while it didn’t scream “gummy,” it was still solid. Better than most. It’s not going to trick you into thinking you’re sipping Kool-Aid, but that’s a good thing. If it tastes like candy, odds are it’s underdosed junk.
So, where does it land? Above average. Not mind-blowing, not gross, just a good clean sour kick that goes down easy. If you’re into sour drinks, you’ll be into this one.
Are you kidding me? This bad boy is loaded with powerful ingredients like citrulline malate and betaine anhydrous in serious doses. Plus it delivers the energy and focus you need to train harder in the gym which will lead to more gains.
What’s the Difference between Preseries Bulk and Bulk Black?
Honestly? There’s not a huge difference right now.
Transparent Labs likes to fine-tune their formulas over time, but as it stands, BULK Black and the regular BULK are almost identical. The main differences? BULK Black packs 75mg more caffeine, plus 30mg of di-caffeine malate for a slower release, and 50mg of AstraGin, a blend of astragalus and Panax notoginseng that’s supposed to help with absorption.
Outside of that, the rest of the formula is basically the same.
So here’s the deal. If you want a stronger energy hit, go with BULK Black. But ingredient-wise, they’re pretty much twins.
Overall Experience With Bulk Black Pre-Workout
Overall, Bulk Black did what it was supposed to do. The beta-alanine tingle was there right out of the gate, which some people hate but personally I like, it feels like the pre-workout is kicking in. The energy hit was strong, steady, and it didn’t push me into that cracked-out zone where your heart’s racing faster than your squat. It was clean, and it kept me locked in.
As for Sour Gummy, yeah, it’s sour. Not much gummy to it, but still better than most flavors I’ve had. Definitely above average. I can’t speak for the rest of their lineup, but this one held its own.
Now, the price. It’s a little higher than your bargain-bin pre-workouts at about two bucks a scoop, but you don’t have to pay full price. Coupon code TL10 knocks off 10 percent right away. If you go with the subscription, you save another 10 percent and get free shipping on top. That takes it down to about $1.80 per serving, which is way easier to swallow.
If you’re going to use it consistently, the subscription is the smart move. If not, grab a tub, throw in the code, and at least save yourself a few bucks.
9.7out of 10
Taste9.5
Ingredients9.8
Transparency10
Price9.5
Overall Effectiveness9.7
Pros and Cons of Bulk Black
Pros
Solid ingredients in ample doses
Coupon code TL10 saves you 10% at checkout
All-natural ingredients
Third-party tested
A subscription can get you 10% off and free shipping
Gives a solid energy boost
Cons
Above average in price
Doesn’t use creatine
Wrap Up
So here’s where I land on Bulk Black Sour Gummy. It hits the marks that matter. The caffeine gives you that kick you want, the beta-alanine makes you push through the sticking points, and AlphaSize® keeps your head locked in when the set starts to hurt. It feels like having a reliable training partner who doesn’t miss a rep.
The flavor isn’t mind-blowing, but it’s solid. Sour enough to keep it interesting, clean enough that you don’t dread mixing it up before a session. Way better than most tubs out there that taste like chemical punch.
At the end of the day, this pre doesn’t waste your time with filler. It brings the energy, the focus, and the endurance without the junk. If your goal is to squeeze more out of every lift and finish your workouts strong, Bulk Black is worth keeping in the rotation.
