- Best pumps in the whole lineup
- Strongest performance of the three siblings
- Fully disclosed, no proprietary blends
- Real electrolyte support included
- Strong focus despite moderate caffeine
- Weakest energy of the three siblings
- Boron and zinc doses too low
Effects Timeline
AI-estimated changes in effects over the first 3 hours after taking the recommended serving.
Bulk turns out to be the strongest all-round formula in Transparent Labs' three-product pre-workout lineup, not the entry-level option it might look like on paper — pumps and performance are both the best of the three, and focus is genuinely strong too.
Energy is the one category where Bulk Black pulls ahead, thanks to a higher caffeine dose.
Boron and zinc are both included at doses too low to expect any real effect from either.
Honest take: Undersells itself as the "basic" option — it actually out-punches its own sibling on pumps and performance.
Ingredient breakdown
Every dose · every gap| Ingredient | Clinically effective dose | Dose in Bulk | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citrulline Malate 2:1 | 8 g | 8 g | 100%Clinically effective |
| Beta-Alanine | 4.5 g | 4 g | 89%Almost clinically effective |
| Betaine Anhydrous (BetaPure) | 2.5 g | 2.5 g | 100%Clinically effective |
| Taurine | 2–3 g | 1.3 g | 65%Moderate dose |
| L-Tyrosine | 2–8 g | 1 g | 50%Under-dosed |
| AlphaSize (50% Alpha-GPC) | 600 mg | 150–300 mg | 50%Under-dosed |
| PurCaf Organic Caffeine | 200–400 mg | 200 mg | 100%Clinically effective |
| L-Theanine | 200–400 mg | 200 mg | 100%Clinically effective |
| Theobromine | 250 mg | 50 mg | 20%Under-dosed |
| Senactiv | 50 mg | 50 mg | 100%Clinically effective |
| Bioperine (Black Pepper Fruit Extract) | Absorption enhancer, not a direct-effect ingredient | 5 mg | Absorption enhancer |
| Boron (as Boron Citrate) | 6–10 mg | 3 mg | 50%Under-dosed |
| Zinc (as Zinc Chelate) | 30–50 mg | 10 mg | 33%Under-dosed |
| Sodium (as Himalayan Rock Salt) | 0.3–1 g | 0.18 g | Hydration support |
| Potassium (as Potassium Chloride) | 100–400 mg | 130 mg | Hydration support |
- Citrulline Malate 2:18 g100%Clinically effective
- Beta-Alanine4 g89%Almost clinically effective
- Betaine Anhydrous (BetaPure)2.5 g100%Clinically effective
- Taurine1.3 g65%Moderate dose
- L-Tyrosine1 g50%Under-dosed
- AlphaSize (50% Alpha-GPC)150–300 mg50%Under-dosed
- PurCaf Organic Caffeine200 mg100%Clinically effective
- L-Theanine200 mg100%Clinically effective
- Theobromine50 mg20%Under-dosed
- Senactiv50 mg100%Clinically effective
- Bioperine (Black Pepper Fruit Extract)5 mgAbsorption enhancer
- Boron (as Boron Citrate)3 mg50%Under-dosed
- Zinc (as Zinc Chelate)10 mg33%Under-dosed
- Sodium (as Himalayan Rock Salt)180 mgHydration support
- Potassium (as Potassium Chloride)130 mgHydration support
Evidence references
Effect of Beta-Alanine Supplementation on Maximal Intensity Exercise in Trained Young Male Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Effects of Citrulline Malate Supplementation on Exercise Performance: A Systematic Review and Three-Level Meta-Analysis
Alpha-GPC and power output
Effects of Caffeine Intake on Endurance Running Performance and Time to Exhaustion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
