Total War is a pre-workout sold by a brand called REDCON1. The brand claims that this product “packs a powerful combination of endurance, pump, energy and focus factors,” and that it contains clinically researched ingredients at efficacious doses.
But does Total War contain research-backed ingredients for energy and strength? Does it contain any unhealthy ingredients? Why was company's founder recently arrested? And is Total War Preworkout better or worse than other popular pre-workouts like Ghost Pre-Workout?
In this article we’ll answer all of these questions and more, as we analyze the ingredients in Total War Pre-Workout to give our take on whether or not the supplement is likely to be effective, and whether or not it's healthy.
We'll also explain why the founders of REDCON1 were recently arrested, and compare Total War Preworkout to other popular pre-workout supplements to pick our winners (and losers).
Key takeaways:
- Company founders arrested on federal charges
- Formulation contains some inactive ingredients we consider unhealthy
- We do not currently recommend Total War Preworkout
REDCON1 Founders Arrested
REDCON1 is the manufacturer of Total War, as referenced in the intro to this article.
Two men by the name of Phillip Braun and Aaron Singerman, who founded REDCON1, were arrested on federal conspiracy charges and face up to 13 years in prison, according to Natural Products Insider.
The above-linked article details that the founders of the company were charged by the Department of Justice with introduction of unapproved new drugs into interstate commerce with intent to defraud and mislead.
This suggests that the founders were planning to implement drug ingredients into their supplements, which is a major red flag about the brand as a whole in our opinion.
We do not recommend purchasing any REDCON1 supplements in light of this information.
Ingredient Analysis
The ingredients in Total War Preworkout are shown below:
This supplement contains some research-backed active ingredients.
Citrulline malate is a “pump” ingredient because it can improve blood flow, which has downstream effects on exercise endurance.
A 2021 meta-study found that citrulline malate supplementation at a similar dose to that in Total War increased energy production (measured by ATP synthesis) by 34%.
Beta-alanine is clinically shown to increase power, as we documented in our review of another supplement containing this ingredient called Bucked Up Pre-Workout.
The minimum effective dose appears to be 1 gram (g), while Total War contains 3.2 g.
Caffeine is included at a total dose of 320 milligrams (mg).
A medical review published in the Sports Medicine journal found that caffeine supplementation improves physical and mental performance during exercise.
While there are three ingredients in Total War that we consider effectively dosed ergogenics (exercise-enhancers), there are also several questionable inactive ingredients.
Sucralose is an artificial sweetener which was shown in a clinical trial published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition to decrease insulin sensitivity in otherwise healthy adults, which suggests it may harm metabolism.
Artificial flavors have no nutritional value, and animal studies have shown them to be toxic.
Natural flavors are a healthier option than artificial flavors in our opinion, but a medical review published in the Environmental Health Perspectives journal suggests that some natural flavoring ingredients and their metabolites may be toxic.
Overall, we consider Total War likely to improve workout performance and reduce fatigue, but we do not currently recommend this product due to the inclusion of the additive ingredients discussed above.
We Tested Total War Preworkout
One of our product testers named Joshua Martinez tried Total War Preworkout Blue Raspberry flavor for 30 days. Here's his experience:
I had issues with the packaging of Total War Pre. It’s a good sized jug and well-sealed.
I thoroughly enjoyed the flavor of this pre-workout! It was surprisingly pretty sweet without containing any added sugar.
I did not experience any side effects using Total War Preworkout.
I did enjoy the stimulation that taking Total War Pre gave me. There was a slight tingle sensation from the ingredients but not overbearing and distracting from staying focused. It lasted the whole workout and didn’t give me any sort of crash at the end.
I would recommend Total War Pre to anyone looking for a very simplified pre workout that doesn’t contain any nootropics or out of the norm ingredients.
I would rate this product a 8/10. Good quality but not the best on the market in my opinion!
Does Total War Cause Side Effects?
Since pre-workouts as a supplement category tend to be more likely to cause side effects than the average supplement (given their stimulatory nature), consumers are often curious about whether Total War will cause side effects.
This supplement doesn’t appear to have been studied in any clinical trials, which makes it challenging to say for certain whether or not it causes side effects.
However, we can make an educated guess based on its ingredients.
The caffeine dose is relatively high (more than three standard cups of coffee). This suggests that Total War may cause anxiety and jitters in those who are sensitive to stimulants.
This is a high enough caffeine dose to raise blood pressure, so we’d recommend that anyone with high blood pressure speak with their doctor prior to taking this supplement.
Beta-alanine is clinically shown to cause an uncomfortable tingling sensation in some individuals, as we documented in our review of Hyde Pre Workout.
Overall, we do not consider Total War likely to cause side effects in healthy adults who regularly consume caffeine, but it may cause side effects in stimulant-sensitive individuals.
Total War Preworkout vs. Popular Pre-Workouts
Here's how Total War Preworkout compares to other popular pre-workout supplements in terms of potential effectiveness and healthiness, in our opinion:
Ghost Pre-Workout
More potent formulation. Contains betaine which is clinically shown to increase power.
Healthier formulation. Free from artificial flavors and artificial dyes.
Winner: Ghost Pre-Workout
G Fuel
Contains the same inactive ingredients in Total War Preworkout that we consider unhealthy.
Also contains artificial dye, which we consider significantly unhealthy, for reasons documented in our is G Fuel healthy article.
Winner:
Alani Nu
Somewhat equivalent formulation in regard to potential efficacy; both supplements should improve energy and strength in the gym.
Alani Nu Pre-Workout is much healthier, because it's free from artificial flavors and food dyes.
Winner: Alani Nu
Our Clean Pre-Workout Picks
Illuminate Labs Panax Ginseng Extract is our top pre-workout supplement.
Panax ginseng extract increases muscle recruitment (source) and reduces physical fatigue (source), and our supplement is third-party tested to ensure its purity and potency.
Pique Breakfast Black Tea Sticks is our top whole food energy pick.
Black tea consumption is "associated with rapid increases in alertness and information processing capacity" (source), and Pique's tea is organic and comes in convenient stick packs that can be mixed into water.
Both of the products mentioned in this section are free of ingredients we consider to be unhealthy.
Total War Preworkout Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Effective dose of stimulant ingredients
- Should improve power
- Should reduce fatigue
- Cheap on Amazon
Cons:
- Founder of manufacturer arrested on unapproved drug charges
- High caffeine dose may cause anxiety in some individuals
- Contains artificial sweetener
- Contains artificial flavors
- Contains natural flavors
- Brand's website charges for shipping
