Momentous Creatine MonohydratevsCrazy Nutrition Intensive Pre-Train
Momentous Creatine Monohydrate
Creatine monohydrate
Crazy Nutrition Intensive Pre-Train
Side-by-side
| # | Product | Active ingredient | Starting price | FDA status | Score | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Momentous Creatine Monohydrate | Creatine monohydrate | $50/mo | supplement | Top ·8.0 | See offer → |
| 2 | Crazy Nutrition Intensive Pre-Train | — | Best ·$45/mo | supplement | 6.9 | See offer → |
Side-by-side scoring breakdown
How they work
Creatine is a compound your body makes from amino acids and stores mostly in muscle as phosphocreatine. During short, intense effort such as lifting or sprinting, phosphocreatine helps rapidly regenerate ATP, your cells' immediate energy currency, which can let you sustain a few extra reps or seconds of maximal work. Daily supplementation raises muscle creatine stores above what diet alone typically provides, supporting greater training volume and, combined with resistance training, gains in strength and lean mass over time. It also draws water into muscle cells. Momentous supplies this as creatine monohydrate (Creapure), the most-studied and most clinically effective form of creatine.
Intensive Pre-Train is a multi-ingredient pre-workout you mix with water about 30 minutes before training. Its 200mg of caffeine blocks adenosine receptors to reduce perceived fatigue and sharpen alertness. Citrulline malate (8g, yielding roughly 5.3g L-citrulline) is converted to arginine and then nitric oxide, which can widen blood vessels and support blood flow and the trademark 'pump.' Beta-alanine (3.5g) is a building block of muscle carnosine, an intramuscular acid buffer that, with consistent daily use over several weeks, can help delay fatigue during high-rep sets. Taurine is included for cell hydration and as a general ergogenic, while KSM-66 ashwagandha and EnXtra (Alpinia galanga) extract are added for stress modulation and sustained, lower-jitter focus, and added B-vitamins, vitamin C and other cofactors support energy metabolism. Note that the precise ingredient list (including whether betaine, L-tyrosine or L-arginine are present) has differed across regions and product versions, so check the label on the tub you buy.
Effectiveness
Creatine monohydrate, the exact compound in Momentous, is the form the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) calls "the most effective ergogenic nutritional supplement currently available" for increasing high-intensity exercise capacity and lean body mass during training. A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis of 20 randomized controlled trials (1,093 adults aged 55+) found that combining creatine with exercise significantly improved one-rep-max strength versus exercise alone (mean difference 2.12 kg, P=0.001). The same analysis found a modest reduction in body-fat percentage (mean difference -0.55%, P=0.026), though the authors caution this body-composition finding was fragile and lost statistical significance when one influential study was removed. Benefits accrue with consistent daily use combined with training, not from the powder alone. Momentous's specific advantage is verified purity: third-party testing reported by the brand shows 99.8% potency accuracy with no detectable heavy metals, and a certificate of analysis is published per batch.
There are no published clinical trials on Intensive Pre-Train as a finished product, so efficacy rests on its individual ingredients. Caffeine is the most consistently effective pre-workout ingredient: a 2018 Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (JISSN) brief review identifies it as the primary driver of the acute performance benefits of multi-ingredient pre-workouts, and meta-analytic data show a small but reliable effect on muscular endurance (pooled standardized mean difference around 0.30). A 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis in IJSNEM found citrulline malate produced a small benefit on strength-training repetitions to failure (Hedges's g about 0.20, roughly 3 extra reps or a 6.4% increase, p = .02). Beta-alanine has strong ISSN support, but its benefits come from building muscle carnosine over about four weeks at 4-6g/day, so a single 3.5g serving will not act acutely. KSM-66 ashwagandha has numerous randomized trials supporting stress and recovery outcomes, with more mixed evidence for strength. Notably, a 2022 JISSN crossover trial found a caffeinated pre-workout mainly boosted subjective energy and isometric force, with no additional benefit over placebo on leg press or bench press. Overall: meaningful, evidence-backed core doses, but expect a real-but-modest performance edge, not a dramatic one.
Side effects
Creatine is among the most extensively studied supplements and has a strong safety record in healthy people. The most common effect is a small increase in body weight, often around 2-4 lb early on, which is largely water drawn into muscle cells (intracellular), not fat, and is reversible if you stop. Some users, especially during a high-dose loading phase, report mild gastrointestinal upset, bloating, or stomach discomfort; these are reduced by skipping loading and taking a steady 5g maintenance dose with water. Serious adverse effects are rare in healthy individuals. Despite persistent myths, the ISSN concluded there is no compelling evidence that short- or long-term use (up to 30 g/day for 5 years) harms kidney function in otherwise healthy people. Anyone with existing kidney disease, another medical condition, or who takes medications affecting the kidneys should consult a doctor first.
The most common effect is harmless tingling or skin prickling (paresthesia) from 3.5g of beta-alanine, typically starting within minutes and fading within 60-90 minutes. The 200mg of caffeine can cause jitters, rapid heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, anxiety, nausea, headache, GI upset, and insomnia if taken too late; effects are stronger in caffeine-sensitive people or when stacked with coffee or energy drinks. Large doses of citrulline malate or taurine can cause stomach upset in some users. Ashwagandha may cause drowsiness or GI upset and, in rare reports, has been linked to liver injury and thyroid effects. Stop and seek medical care for chest pain, palpitations, fainting, or severe anxiety. Caffeine-related serious events are dose-dependent, so do not exceed one serving, and talk to your doctor if you are unsure whether this product is safe for you.
Cost & value
As of 2026, Momentous Creatine Monohydrate runs about $39.95 for a 90-serving (5g) tub direct from livemomentous.com, roughly $0.44 per serving, dropping to about $29.96 (around $0.33/serving) with the 25%-off Subscribe & Save option. Single-serve travel packets and chewable versions cost more per gram. This is a premium price: commodity creatine monohydrate tubs often cost around $0.10-$0.20 per serving, and some other NSF-tested brands undercut Momentous. Creatine is a general supplement, so it is typically not covered by health insurance, and HSA/FSA eligibility varies by plan and retailer, so confirm before assuming reimbursement. The value here is the NSF Certified for Sport testing and Creapure sourcing, not a superior or stronger active dose.
As of 2026, expect roughly $40 for a one-time single tub (commonly 20-30 servings depending on the version), with a Subscribe and Save option cutting about 20-30% off, often landing near $1.50-$2.20 per serving, which places it at or slightly above the typical pre-workout price. Multi-tub bundles lower the per-tub cost. Like all dietary supplements, it is not covered by health insurance, HSA/FSA eligibility is generally not available, and there is no pharmacy or GoodRx-style discount. The main risk-reducer is the brand's 60-day money-back guarantee, which effectively lets you trial it; verify current pricing, serving count, and return-shipping terms before buying, as these change over time.
Who it's for
Best for healthy adults doing resistance or high-intensity training who want strength, power, and lean-mass support, and especially drug-tested athletes who need NSF Certified for Sport assurance. Vegetarians and vegans may respond more strongly because dietary creatine comes mainly from meat and fish, leaving their baseline muscle stores lower. Older adults using it alongside exercise may see improvements in strength and body composition. Avoid or consult a clinician first if you have kidney, liver, or heart disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are under 18, as data in these groups is more limited. Anyone on medications that affect kidney function should check with a doctor before starting.
Best for healthy adults who lift or do high-intensity training, tolerate caffeine well, and want a stimulant-based energy-and-pump product. It is NOT for people who are caffeine-sensitive, pregnant or breastfeeding, under 18, or who have heart conditions, high blood pressure, arrhythmia, anxiety disorders, or kidney/liver disease. Anyone on stimulants, MAO inhibitors, blood-pressure or thyroid medication, or with thyroid/autoimmune conditions (relevant to ashwagandha) should consult a physician first. Competitive or drug-tested athletes should be cautious: the brand does not publish independent third-party or banned-substance (e.g., NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Sport) testing. Avoid other caffeine sources the same day, and do not take it late in the day due to sleep disruption. This is a dietary supplement, not a treatment for any medical condition.
Bottom line
Crazy Nutrition Intensive Pre-Train: Crazy Nutrition Intensive Pre-Train is a caffeinated multi-ingredient pre-workout (200mg caffeine, 8g citrulline malate, 3.5g beta-alanine, 2g taurine, plus KSM-66 ashwagandha and EnXtra) with mostly well-dosed, evidence-backed ergogenics. It can support energy, pumps, and high-rep endurance, but it lacks creatine, the exact formula has varied by region and version, and the brand does not publish independent third-party purity or banned-substance testing. It also costs at or above the per-serving average. On balance, Momentous Creatine Monohydrate edges ahead in our scoring, but the right choice depends on your situation.
Sources behind our Momentous Creatine Monohydrate and Crazy Nutrition Intensive Pre-Train reviews
- Creatine Monohydrate Powder - NSF Certified For Sport (official product page) — Momentous (livemomentous.com) (2025)
- Creatine Monohydrate, Momentous - NSF Certified for Sport product listing — NSF Certified for Sport (2025)
- Quality & Manufacturing - Creapure creatine monohydrate (AlzChem) — Creapure / AlzChem Group (2024)
- GRAS Notice No. GRN 931: Creatine Monohydrate (FDA response - no questions) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2021)
- Dietary Supplements for Exercise and Athletic Performance - Health Professional Fact Sheet (creatine section) — NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (2023)
- International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine — Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2017)
- Common questions and misconceptions about creatine supplementation: what does the scientific evidence really show? — Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2021)
- Bioavailability, Efficacy, Safety, and Regulatory Status of Creatine and Related Compounds: A Critical Review — Nutrients (2022)
- International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: creatine supplementation and exercise — Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2007)
- Creatine Supplementation for Muscle Growth: A Scoping Review of Randomized Clinical Trials from 2012 to 2021 — Nutrients (2022)
- The effects of creatine supplementation on cognitive function in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis — Frontiers in Nutrition (2024)
- Effects of creatine supplementation on memory in healthy individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials — Nutrition Reviews (Oxford Academic) (2023)
- The effects of creatine supplementation on cognitive performance - a randomised controlled study — BMC Medicine (2023)
- Creatine supplementation during resistance training in older adults - a meta-analysis — Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (2014)
- A short review of the most common safety concerns regarding creatine ingestion — Frontiers in Nutrition (2025)
- Effect of creatine supplementation on kidney function: a systematic review and meta-analysis — BMC Nephrology (2025)
- Intensive Pre-Train Supplement (official product and ingredient page) — Crazy Nutrition (manufacturer) (2024)
- International society of sports nutrition position stand: caffeine and exercise performance — Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2021)
- International society of sports nutrition position stand: Beta-Alanine — Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2015)
- International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: sodium bicarbonate and exercise performance — Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2021)
- Effects of Citrulline Malate Supplementation on Muscle Strength in Resistance-Trained Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials — Nutrients (2021)
- Acute Effect of Citrulline Malate on Repetition Performance During Strength Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis — International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance (2021)
- Effect of citrulline on post-exercise rating of perceived exertion, muscle soreness, and blood lactate levels: A systematic review and meta-analysis — Healthcare (MDPI) (2020)
- Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial — Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2015)
- A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults — Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine (2012)
- Ashwagandha: Usefulness and Safety — NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) (2023)
- Ashwagandha (LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury) — NIH National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (LiverTox) (2023)
- Effect of Alpinia galanga on Mental Alertness and Sustained Attention With or Without Caffeine: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study — Journal of the American College of Nutrition (2017)
- Selective enhancement of focused attention by Alpinia galanga in subjects with moderate caffeine consumption — Open Access Journal of Clinical Trials (2018)
- Tyrosine for Mitigating Stress and Enhancing Performance in Healthy Adult Humans, a Rapid Evidence Assessment of the Literature — Military Medicine (2015)
- Effect of tyrosine supplementation on clinical and healthy populations under stress or cognitive demands—A review — Journal of Psychiatric Research (2015)
- The Dose Response of Taurine on Aerobic and Strength Exercises: A Systematic Review — Frontiers in Physiology (2021)
- The Effects of an Oral Taurine Dose and Supplementation Period on Endurance Exercise Performance in Humans: A Meta-Analysis — Sports Medicine (2018)
- Iron and Physical Activity: Bioavailability Enhancers, Properties of Black Pepper (Bioperine) and Potential Applications — Nutrients (2020)
- Molecular and pharmacological aspects of piperine as a potential molecule for disease prevention and management: evidence from clinical trials — Beni-Suef University Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences (2022)
- Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much? — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (2023)
- Prospective, Multi-Centric, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of KSM-66 Ashwagandha in Adults Experiencing High Stress and/or Anxiety (NCT05684991) — ClinicalTrials.gov (U.S. National Library of Medicine) (2023)
Editorial comparison, not medical advice. Discuss options with a qualified clinician. Individual results vary.