6g Citrulline, 200mg Caffeine, Straight-Up Bucked Up Boost
Bucked Up Protein/Pre-Workout Funnel is a straightforward pre-workout with moderate stims. It focuses on stuff you actually feel during your workout, shows every ingredient and dose, and keeps the energy boost strong enough to help but not so much that it's only for special occasions. The main players are 6,000mg citrulline malate, 2,000mg beta-alanine, and 200mg caffeine anhydrous. It adds AlphaSize® alpha-GPC, methylcobalamin B12, a bit of taurine and Himalayan salt, plus Bucked Up's usual deer antler velvet extract and ActiGin®.
The star is citrulline malate at 6g. That's a hefty dose for a pre-workout, right where you start feeling real pumps. Citrulline turns into arginine in your kidneys better than taking arginine straight, boosting nitric oxide for wider blood vessels. In the gym, that means better blood flow, fuller muscles, and more nutrients getting to where you need them. This is a big win for the formula.
Beta-alanine is in at 2,000mg. It helps build carnosine in your muscles, which fights the acid buildup that causes that burning feeling during tough sets. Studies show 3,200–6,400mg daily works best for high-intensity stuff lasting 1-10 minutes. At 2g, it's not a full dose, so it helps build carnosine some, but you'd need more for the max effect.
Energy comes from 200mg caffeine anhydrous. That's a solid middle-ground amount—enough to wake you up, make the workout feel easier, and keep you pushing without going into overdrive.
Key Highlights
- 6,000mg Citrulline Malate — this is the real deal in this formula, a strong dose that stands out. It boosts nitric oxide through the arginine path, opening up blood flow for those full pumps that weak formulas miss.
- 200mg Caffeine Anhydrous — solid energy hit that's noticeable for alertness and drive, but not so much it puts you in high-stim mode. For a lot of folks, this is the perfect balance for regular use.
- 200mg AlphaSize® Alpha-GPC — this branded choline helps make acetylcholine for better focus and that tight mind-muscle connection. It makes the formula feel sharp and workout-ready, not just caffeinated.
- 2,000mg Beta-Alanine — one of the best-backed ingredients out there, it raises muscle carnosine to fight off that burning fatigue. It's under the usual 3.2g sweet spot, but it still adds up with consistent use—stack more if you want the full thing.
- Fully disclosed label — everything's listed with exact doses, no hidden blends. You can check it against real studies and know what's really powering your session.
- Methylcobalamin B12 at 100mcg — this is the good, active form of B12, not the cheap stuff in budget products. It supports energy without acting like a stim.
- ActiGin® at 25mg — a branded add-on that helps with workout output and feel. It's not the main driver, but it gives the formula more of a performance edge than just basics.
- Deer Antler Velvet Extract at 50mg — Bucked Up's signature touch that sets it apart from plain pre-workouts. The real power's still in the citrulline, caffeine, and beta-alanine.
Who Is This For?
- Everyday lifters on hypertrophy plans who want pumps, dense sessions, and better focus without crazy stims. 6g citrulline malate leads the way, with 200mg caffeine and AlphaSize® for focused energy that's trainable, not wild.
- After-work crew needing a boost to hit the gym hard without tanking sleep. 200mg caffeine is potent but moderate, skipping the high-stim crash for evening workouts.
- Fans of Bucked Up who want their style but easier access than the intense ones. You get deer antler velvet, AlphaSize®, ActiGin® in a simple, usable setup.
- Folks tired of weak pump products with hype labels. This shows every dose, delivering real 6g citrulline for noticeable fullness in volume, circuits, and high reps.
- People mixing weights and conditioning who need alertness and fatigue help. Caffeine wakes you, citrulline flows blood, beta-alanine buffers with steady use.
- Upgrading from just coffee for more than a buzz. Coffee alerts you, but misses 6g citrulline pumps and alpha-GPC focus.
How to Use
Mix one serving 20–30 minutes before training to time the caffeine with your warmup and get citrulline circulating. New to this or stim-sensitive? Start with half to check it out—200mg caffeine is real. Shake it in 8–12oz water, more if you want it milder. Shaker's best for mixing aminos. Empty stomach for quicker kick, or with a small meal 60–90 minutes prior if it bugs your gut. Don't stack with extra caffeine like coffee or burners unless you handle it well. Add daily creatine and electrolytes for better results, especially if you sweat a lot. No need to cycle hard, but easing off caffeine sometimes keeps it fresh. Keep it sealed and dry, away from heat.
What to Expect
Minutes 0–10: might not feel it yet, especially with food, but it's kicking in. Minutes 10–20: caffeine starts working, and you might get beta-alanine tingles if you're sensitive. Minutes 20–40: prime time—energy, focus, and citrulline pumps show up as you train. Minutes 40–90: stays steady, pumps build with sets, caffeine keeps you going strong. Days 1–7: caffeine and citrulline shine right away, beta-alanine's just starting. Weeks 2–4: consistent use might let you handle hard efforts better from carnosine buildup, but 2g means it's gradual—not as fast as 3.2g+.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much caffeine is in Bucked Up Protein/Pre-Workout Funnel?
Each serving contains 200mg caffeine anhydrous. That puts it in the moderate-stim category—strong enough for noticeable workout energy and focus, but less aggressive than many 300–400mg high-stim pre-workouts.
Is 6,000mg citrulline malate a good dose?
Yes. 6g citrulline malate is one of the strongest aspects of this formula and sits in a range many experienced users consider genuinely effective for pump, vasodilation, and workout blood flow. It is meaningfully stronger than the underdosed 3–4g pump formulas common in the category.
Is the beta-alanine dose clinically dosed?
Not as a standalone full clinical daily dose. Beta-alanine is included at 2,000mg, while the research-backed range is typically 3,200–6,400mg per day for maximizing muscle carnosine loading. It still contributes, but users wanting the full evidence-based approach may want additional standalone beta-alanine.
Will this pre-workout make me tingle?
It can. Beta-alanine commonly causes a harmless tingling sensation called paresthesia in some users, especially when taken in a concentrated serving. At 2g, the tingles may be milder than higher-dose formulas, but sensitivity varies.
What does AlphaSize® do in this formula?
AlphaSize® is a trademarked alpha-GPC ingredient used to support acetylcholine production, which matters for focus, motor control, and mind-muscle connection. In practical terms, it helps the energy feel more directed and performance-focused rather than just stimulating.
Can I stack this with creatine?
Yes, and it is a smart stack. This formula does not include creatine, so pairing it with 3–5g daily creatine monohydrate adds phosphocreatine support for ATP regeneration, complementing the pump, energy, and fatigue-management benefits already in the product.
Is this a good pre-workout for beginners?
For many users, yes—if they start conservatively. The 200mg caffeine level is moderate rather than extreme, and the fully disclosed label makes it easier to understand what you are taking, but beginners should still begin with a half serving to assess tolerance.
How long before training should I take it?
Take it 20–30 minutes before training. That usually lines up well with caffeine absorption and gives the formula time to be active as you move into your first heavy or high-volume working sets.
Is this more of a pump pre-workout or an energy pre-workout?
It is balanced, but the formula’s biggest strength is pump support from the 6g citrulline malate. The 200mg caffeine gives it a clear energy component, but the citrulline dose is what most clearly elevates it above average moderate-stim competitors.
Does this product use a proprietary blend?
No. Every active ingredient and dose is listed on the label. That transparency is a major advantage because it lets you evaluate the formula honestly against clinical research and category standards.
