Pre-Workout Supplements Market

Market Overview

The global pre-workout supplements market size was valued at USD 19.10 billion in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 28.58 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.58% during the forecast period (2023–2031). The demand for pre-workout supplements is driven by consumers' awareness of the need for fitness supplements and the rising demand for nutritional products that enhance performance. The increasing number of fitness centers, health clubs, and gymnasiums, coupled with rising non-traditional users, is also anticipated to increase demand for pre-workout supplements.

Various bodybuilding supplements used by athletes and weightlifters to enhance athletic performance are referred to as pre-workout supplements. Supplements are consumed to increase endurance, vitality, and concentration during exercise. Since 1982, when the first pre-workout supplement was introduced to the market, the popularity of this category has increased. Various forms of pre-workout supplements include tablets, capsules, powders, liquids, and bars.

There is a substantial overlap between the ingredients used in pre-workout blends and other supplements intended for weight loss, mood enhancement, life extension, or as purported nootropics or aphrodisiacs; however, certain ingredients are typically found only in products designed to aid bodybuilding or athletic training. Some ingredients, such as caffeine, creatine, and -alanine, are present in nearly all pre-workout blends. Still, each branded product is a "proprietary blend" containing an average of 18 distinct ingredients, the exact composition and proportions of which can vary significantly between products.

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Increasing Number of Health and Fitness Centers 

In the last few years, health clubs and fitness centers have experienced consistent growth due to rising health concerns and lifestyle changes. A surge in health awareness and the need for adequate nutritional content in food for an individual to exercise beyond the basic workout session fostered the demand for pre-workout supplement products. Most health clubs sell protein supplements, nutrition bars, energy drinks, and other pre-workout products to attract more members.

Some health clubs also hire dieticians to assist consumers with selecting these products. Therefore, pre-workout supplements witness increased popularity and demand as these functions are primary product distribution channels. As per the International Health Racquet and Sports Club Association, in 2019, there were nearly 205 health and fitness clubs, and the number of registered members was 184.61 million in 2019 globally. This data signifies growth in awareness of physical fitness among consumers, which fuels the demand for pre-workout supplements worldwide.

Growing Influence of Healthy Lifestyle Trends and Rising Non-Traditional Users

Increasing awareness about the benefits of nutrition-based pre-workout products and active lifestyles accelerates the growth of the pre-workout products industry. According to a public survey, about 25% of consumers in the United States who work out at least once a month say that exercise, workouts, or sports are part of their daily routine. Athletes and active adults incorporate pre-workout products with a precise plan to achieve different fitness goals, like gaining lean mass and improving body composition. These products also aim to reduce physical fatigue, injury, and delayed recovery effects that can impact an athlete's performance.

Furthermore, modern consumers and traditional users enjoy exercising regularly but have less time due to hectic work schedules and other personal commitments. Consumers seek exercises that help burn maximum fat and calories in less time. This can be achieved by enhancing the efficiency of exercises and body power. Therefore, the sales of pre-workout supplements are expected to rise.

Market Restraint

Escalating Functional Food Consumption 

Healthy eating trends worldwide significantly affected the market, as the consumer demand for functional or fortified food and beverages and altered diets, like keto, paleo, intermittent fasting, high-protein, and others, greatly restrict the growth of the market studied.

The food industry further supports the healthy eating trend across regions, which are reinforced by numerous product launch with fortified vitamins, protein, iron, calcium, probiotics, and other nutrients that caters to the regular nutrient requirements of consumers; consumption of such functional food naturally increase the endurance and thus, consumes prefer to increase work out strength naturally instead of consuming such pre-workout supplement products. Hence, this, in turn, hampers the market growth significantly.

Market Opportunities

Influence of Social Media

An increase in social media influencers and celebrities' impact on day-to-day lives, especially among millennials, indicates conscious efforts to look good and stay in shape. Social media has made it easier for people to learn about the accomplishments of regular individuals who participated in sports and won medals and trophies on a larger stage.

People are motivated to participate in sports and fitness-related activities by success stories like these. Due to the soaring interest in sports and fitness activities, more people consume pre-workout supplements to maintain a healthy body capable of challenging physical activity. This helps create opportunities for pre-workout supplement sales in the forecast period.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global pre-workout supplements market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and the Middle East and Africa. 

Asia Pacific Dominates the Global Market

Asia-Pacific is the most significant global pre-workout supplements market shareholder and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 4.51% during the forecast period. Due to a shift in people's preferences for nutritious foods, this region is predicted to experience the biggest growth. Over the past few years, there has been a substantial expansion in health clubs and fitness facilities due to people's changing lifestyles and increased concern for their health. China and South Korea had the most health clubs in the area in 2020, with 27,000 and 6,590, respectively, according to data from the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA). The growing disposable income and changing lifestyles in countries like China and India also drive the expansion of the market's consumer base.

In addition, the Government of India has been promoting sports culture in the country through the recent introduction of multiple schemes, including the National Sports Talent Contest Scheme (NSTC) for sub-junior level trainees, the Centre of Excellence Scheme (COX) for senior-level trainees, COME and PLAY Scheme, and Khelo India scheme. These schemes are expected to increase participation in sports and fitness activities, thereby benefitting allied markets, including the pre-workout supplement market, in the longer term.

North America is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 4.02% over the forecast period. The region has a high demand for pre-workout supplements due to the number of health-conscious consumers. As per the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), in 2018, approximately 16% of the American population was affiliated with health clubs, an increase of over 10% over the previous three years. Similarly, as per the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, three out of every four Americans routinely take a supplement, resulting in a strong demand for pre-workout supplements in the region. The newer players in the market have been concentrating on product launches to cater to the shifting preferences of consumers in the region.

In contrast, multinational players have been focused on ensuring steady stock availability in frequently visited retail outlets, such as supermarkets and specialty stores. For instance, in April 2022, Ghost released the second iteration of its pre-workouts, Ghost Legend V2 and Ghost Pump V2, at Popeye's in Canada.

The growing number of fitness enthusiasts in Europe has increased sales of pre-workout supplements to help combat fatigue and prolong sustenance and energy during a workout. The Office for National Statistics (U.K.) reported that the number of fitness facilities in the United Kingdom grew from 3,083 in 2017 to 3,419 in 2018. The growing number of facilities in the country may be attributed to the growth in the number of consumers leading active lifestyles, primarily driven by millennials and Gen Z. Among the most important factors driving growth in the market are the setting up of new operational facilities and regional offices, the launching of new product lines, etc. For instance, in June 2017, Nutrabolt announced plans to launch its European head office in London. The company reported that its European head office would be set up in Chelsea, from where business operations, including launching its new pre-workout range under the Cellucor brand, C4 iD Series, would be managed.

Brazil was the leading South American country in the pre-workout supplements market. Over the past few years, Brazil witnessed a sustained period of strong growth in the demand for sports nutrition products, including pre-workout supplements. This is due to the closing wealth gap in the region and a better-educated middle class with rising disposable income that has become increasingly interested in supplements both as a lifestyle accessory and as an aid to healthier, active lives. The increasing urbanization in the country also means more hectic lifestyles for consumers, a greater reliance on workout regimes, and consumption of products such as pre and post-workout to attain a fit and active lifestyle.

In addition, younger and millennial populations countries are increasingly adopting a fit and active lifestyle, which is significantly driven by many fitness influencers active on social media in the country. As per IHRSA in 2019, Brazil had over 34,509 and a fitness penetration of 4.62%, which is expected to increase, thereby benefitting the market against the backdrop of the booming fitness trend in the country.

Segmental Analysis

The global pre-workout supplements market is bifurcated into type and distribution channels.

Based on type, the global market is bifurcated into powder, capsules/tablets, drinks, and other types. 

The powder segment owns the highest pre-workout supplements market share and is predicted to exhibit a CAGR of 4.35% over the forecast period. Pre-workout supplements in powder form gain popularity among customers since they are more soluble in hot and cold beverages than tablets and capsules. It may be incorporated into other food and beverage products for consumption. Moreover, active ingredients and enzymes in powder-type pre-workout supplements are stable and can last relatively long. The acceptance of powder pre-workout supplements among consumers is higher due to their easy availability and consumption. The category's growth is further driven by product pricing, as these are relatively more cost-effective than capsules, making them more favorable to consumers. The powder also comes in different flavors and supports exercise performance and recovery.

Capsules/tablets feature targeted-release technology and are a convenient format that may be kept at room temperature for short periods and are ideal from a supply chain perspective. Suitable dosage forms make them easy to consume regularly without overdose, increasing consumer preference. Product innovation is among the key strategies players adopt to increase product penetration and market share. For instance, Nutrabolt, a sports nutrition company providing powder and capsule form supplements, started Project Clear Evolution in July 2019 to create a new line of products devoid of artificial flavors and dyes, with a clear label and no proprietary blends.

The demand for plant-based, vegetarian, and vegan food also accelerated during the study period. Even pre-workout supplements felt the magnitude of the global vegetarian trends. Many players in the market have launched vegetarian capsule-based pre-workout supplements. For instance, brands such as Performance offer plant-based pre-workout supplements in capsule form that reach the fitness goal of the vegan population.

Based on the distribution channel, the global pre-workout supplements market is divided into supermarkets/hypermarkets, specialty stores, online retail stores, and other distribution channels. 

The specialty stores segment dominates the global market and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 4.49% during the forecast period. A specialty store carries many products in a specific category, making it simpler for customers to find items that match their needs and preferences. The segment is gaining prominence in the market because of its vast product offerings in a single category, flexible shop formats, creative designs, and product displays. The rising consumer preference to shop for pre-workout supplements through specialty stores has increased product launches, ultimately increasing the market growth.

Moreover, consumers believe specialty stores are the preferred sales channels for health-related products, such as pre-workout supplements. Customers highly regard supplements and other health products in these establishments. Deals and promotional pricing are two of the most effective tactics for augmenting sales of pre-workout supplements from specialized stores.

Supermarkets/hypermarkets are one of the most dominant channels for selling pre-workout supplements, owing to their large retail areas and ability to cater to a wide range of products and brands. Over the last few years, consumers have been increasingly involved in workouts and exercises that have increased their reliance on pre-workout supplements to manage their health better. They prefer to buy these supplements from hypermarkets/supermarkets as they want fewer trips to the store to buy anything they need. These stores have vast product categories, the consumer's first preference.

The presence of separate aisles, the sheer amount of rack space, and other factors have led to supermarkets being hotbeds for new product introductions. Manufacturers and retailers offer private-label brands because of the significant market potential. Factors, including business expansion and an increase in hypermarkets and supermarkets, have boosted sales across these retail formats, considerably increasing the market's growth. 

Recent Developments

• July 2023- POSSIBLE, an innovator in active lifestyle products, announced the launch of POSSIBLE Strawberry Beet Pre-Workout, their latest revolutionary product.
• May 2023- WWE® and Nutrabolt, owner of the C4® brand, announced the introduction of their first-ever co-branded product collaboration: WWE-inspired varieties of C4 Ultimate Pre-Workout Powder and C4 Ultimate Energy Drink. On Saturday, August 5, the products will be available exclusively at GNC before WWE SummerSlam® in Detroit.