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C4 Original Watermelon

Cellucor

4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(29115 ratings)
Niacin 30 mg
Folate 250 mcg
Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate 1 Gram(s)
Product Image
Score 72.0

C4 Original is a popular pre-workout, delivering reliable energy and focus primarily due to caffeine, though key performance ingredients like creatine and beta-alanine are underdosed for optimal benefits.

Quantity: 195 Gram(s)Servings size: 7 Gram(s) (30 servings)
Selected goals:
Other goals:
Heart Health
Skin Health
Energy
Metabolism Boost
General Health

Score 72.0

C4 Original is a popular pre-workout, delivering reliable energy and focus primarily due to caffeine, though key performance ingredients like creatine and beta-alanine are underdosed for optimal benefits.

Analysis

C4 Original is a highly popular pre-workout supplement designed primarily to enhance workout performance through increased energy and focus. Its formulation includes a proprietary 'Explosive Energy Blend' which is primarily caffeine-driven, alongside key performance ingredients like Creatine Nitrate, Beta-Alanine, and Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate (AAKG). While users widely report a significant energy boost and improved focus from the caffeine, the dosages of ingredients aimed at muscle endurance (Beta-Alanine) and strength/power (Creatine Nitrate) are generally considered below the clinically effective amounts for optimal benefits by sports nutritionists and researchers, meaning full benefits for muscle gain and endurance might not be realized without stacking other supplements. The use of a proprietary blend also reduces transparency regarding exact ingredient quantities.

Pros
  • Effective for providing immediate energy and focus due to caffeine.
  • Widely available and comes in many flavors, generally well-liked for taste.
  • Contains a blend of ingredients targeting multiple aspects of workout performance.
Cons
  • Proprietary 'Explosive Energy Blend' lacks transparency on exact caffeine dosage and other components.
  • Key performance ingredients (Creatine Nitrate, Beta-Alanine, Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate) are dosed below levels considered optimal or clinically effective for maximizing their benefits.
  • Beta-Alanine can cause paresthesia (tingling sensation) in some users.
Warnings
  • High caffeine content may not be suitable for individuals sensitive to stimulants.
  • Beta-Alanine may cause harmless skin tingling (paresthesia).
  • Individuals with pre-existing heart conditions should consult a doctor due to stimulant content.
  • Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, despite some broadly stated health goals.
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$29.99($0.99 per serving)
Amazon
$ 29.99
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$ 29.99
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Effectiveness for goals

Dosage, timing & forms

Safety & interactions

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Calories
0 Calorie(s)
Total Carbohydrates
1 Gram(s)
Vitamin C
250 mg
Niacin
30 mg
Vitamin B6
500 mcg
Folic Acid
250 mcg
Vitamin B12
35 mcg
Calcium
24 mg
CarnoSyn
1.6 Gram(s)
NO3-T
1 Gram(s)
Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate
1 Gram(s)
Explosive Energy Blend
425 mg
Adults 18–50 Women
Report overview

Categories

Provides 30mg of Niacin (as Niacinamide), which is a good supplementary dose for general vitamin B3 needs without typically causing the 'flush' associated with nicotinic acid, contributing to energy metabolism.
Contains 250mcg of Folic Acid, a B vitamin important for cell growth and metabolism, contributing to overall health and energy production.
Includes 1 gram of AAKG, a nitric oxide precursor. While it contributes to workout pumps and blood flow, the dosage is lower than what is typically recommended for maximizing these effects compared to alternative standalone AAKG products or L-Citrulline.

Goals

The product contains a potent 'Explosive Energy Blend,' primarily caffeine, which is highly effective at increasing alertness and reducing perceived exertion during workouts, as commonly reported by users.
While containing ingredients like Beta-Alanine and Creatine Nitrate that support fitness, their dosages (1.6g Beta-Alanine, 1g Creatine Nitrate) are lower than what is typically recommended for maximal performance and muscle saturation by sports science.
Creatine Nitrate is included, which supports strength and power essential for muscle gain, but the 1g dose is significantly below the commonly recommended 3-5g daily intake for effective creatine saturation and muscle growth.
85 Value

Niacin 500 mg

Solaray
4.6
★★★★★
(3680 ratings)
Provides a strong 500mg dose of Niacin at a very affordable price per serving ($0.09 vs C4's $0.93), making it a cost-effective way to achieve higher daily Niacin intake.
83 Value

B 50 Complex

Thompson
4.7
★★★★★
(2864 ratings)
Offers a balanced B-complex, including higher Niacin (50mg) and Folate (400mcg) levels than C4, providing a good general health boost at a very competitive price per serving ($0.08 vs C4's $0.93).
82 Value

B Complex

Thompson
4.7
★★★★★
(8606 ratings)
This B Complex offers a significant boost in both Niacin (50mg) and Folic Acid (400mcg) compared to C4, providing broader vitamin support at a reasonable per-serving cost ($0.13 vs C4's $0.93).
90 Performance

FertilAid for Women

Fairhaven Health
4.2
★★★★★
(5775 ratings)
This product contains a substantial dose of L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium (1020mcg), an advanced and highly bioavailable form of folate, offering superior benefits for cellular health compared to C4's folic acid.
88 Performance

MultiFactors Women's 50+

Natural Factors
4.7
★★★★★
(1247 ratings)
Offers a comprehensive multi-vitamin blend with a higher Niacinamide dose (50mg vs C4's 30mg) and a very high dose of folate (1700mcg), providing more holistic nutritional support than C4's limited ingredients.
89 Performance

Pro Creation Female Fertility Support

NaturesPlus
4.4
★★★★★
(1160 ratings)
While its Niacin is similar, it includes a very high dose of methylated folate (1333mcg), which is superior for absorption and beneficial for specific health goals where C4's folic acid falls short.
82 Budget

Niacin 100 mg

Source Naturals
4.6
★★★★★
(1125 ratings)
A very inexpensive source of 100mg Niacinamide (vs C4's 30mg) at $0.04 per serving, offering good foundational support for energy metabolism at a fraction of C4's cost.
85 Budget

Niacin 250 mg

21st Century
4.6
★★★★★
(1563 ratings)
Provides a higher dose of Niacin (250mg vs C4's 30mg) than C4 at an incredibly low price per serving ($0.03 vs C4's $0.93), representing exceptional value for those prioritizing Niacin supplementation.
81 Budget

Niacin 100 mg

Nature's Way
4.6
★★★★★
(4293 ratings)
A budget-friendly option for 100mg of Niacin (nicotinic acid form), contributing to daily requirements at a significantly lower cost per serving ($0.04 vs C4's $0.93) than C4.
85 Value

Niacin 500 mg

Solaray
4.6
★★★★★
(3680 ratings)
Provides a strong 500mg dose of Niacin at a very affordable price per serving ($0.09 vs C4's $0.93), making it a cost-effective way to achieve higher daily Niacin intake.
83 Value

B 50 Complex

Thompson
4.7
★★★★★
(2864 ratings)
Offers a balanced B-complex, including higher Niacin (50mg) and Folate (400mcg) levels than C4, providing a good general health boost at a very competitive price per serving ($0.08 vs C4's $0.93).
82 Value

B Complex

Thompson
4.7
★★★★★
(8606 ratings)
This B Complex offers a significant boost in both Niacin (50mg) and Folic Acid (400mcg) compared to C4, providing broader vitamin support at a reasonable per-serving cost ($0.13 vs C4's $0.93).
90 Performance

FertilAid for Women

Fairhaven Health
4.2
★★★★★
(5775 ratings)
This product contains a substantial dose of L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium (1020mcg), an advanced and highly bioavailable form of folate, offering superior benefits for cellular health compared to C4's folic acid.
88 Performance

MultiFactors Women's 50+

Natural Factors
4.7
★★★★★
(1247 ratings)
Offers a comprehensive multi-vitamin blend with a higher Niacinamide dose (50mg vs C4's 30mg) and a very high dose of folate (1700mcg), providing more holistic nutritional support than C4's limited ingredients.
89 Performance

Pro Creation Female Fertility Support

NaturesPlus
4.4
★★★★★
(1160 ratings)
While its Niacin is similar, it includes a very high dose of methylated folate (1333mcg), which is superior for absorption and beneficial for specific health goals where C4's folic acid falls short.
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