Straight-up hardcore pre-workout with stacked stims and legit pump help
Killer Labz First Degree is a straightforward, high-stim pre-workout that puts the focus on making your workout feel intense right away, backed by a solid pump and endurance setup. It's not some basic caffeine drink, and it's not all about perfect lab doses either. It fits that hardcore spot—everything's listed out, stims lead the way, and it's for folks who want big energy, sharp focus, and that aggressive gym feel with decent doses of the key players.
The pump and endurance start with 4,000mg citrulline malate (2:1). Studies usually look at 6-8g before workouts, so 4g is under that at one scoop but still does something—especially since this one's meant to scale with your tolerance. Citrulline boosts arginine levels and helps with nitric oxide, which means better blood vessel expansion, flow, and getting nutrients to your muscles. You'll notice fuller muscles, easier warm-ups, and a pump that sticks around as you pile on volume. Beta-alanine at 1,600mg is half the usual 3.2g daily amount backed by research for workouts lasting 1-10 minutes. It builds up carnosine in muscles to buffer acid and push back that burning fatigue. One scoop helps; use it regularly or add more daily to really feel it over time.
Taurine at 1,000mg is a good supporting amount. It helps with keeping cells hydrated, balancing fluids, and overall workout performance, and it smooths out the feel when mixed with stims. Agmatine sulfate at 500mg adds to the pump by supporting nitric oxide signals, giving a denser, tighter feel during sets. Together, citrulline + agmatine + taurine give this form
Killer Labz First Deg by Killer Labz contains 58mg Chloride, a standard dose for training performance and pump.
Key Highlights
- 4,000mg Citrulline Malate (2:1) — the main pump booster here. It ramps up the arginine-nitric oxide path for better blood flow and vessel widening, so your muscles feel fuller and warm-ups go smoother as you stack up sets.
- 1,600mg Beta-Alanine — a solid step toward the 3.2g daily amount from studies. It boosts muscle carnosine levels over time, helping buffer acid inside cells so tough sets don't burn out as quick once you're loaded up.
- 1,000mg Taurine — a nice dose for cell hydration, fluid balance, and a smoother session. In heavy-stim mixes like this, taurine balances things out instead of just cranking the energy higher.
- 500mg Agmatine Sulfate — thrown in to beef up the pump beyond just citrulline. It's often used for nitric oxide support and can make your training feel denser, tighter, and more vascular.
- Two kinds of caffeine — 150mg anhydrous for fast kick-in, plus 50mg Infinergy® di-caffeine malate. You get quick energy from the anhydrous, with a steadier ride from the malate version, beating those cheap caffeine-only pre's that feel flat.
- 187.5mg total caffeine per scoop — but it hits way harder than that number. That's thanks to layering in Eria Jarensis, PEA, Juglans regia, theobromine, and rauwolscine for a seriously aggressive stim vibe beyond just caffeine.
- 150mg Beta-Phenylethylamine HCl and 125mg Eria Jarensis extract — a go-to combo for that hardcore mood and drive. They bring a quicker, more upbeat, urgent feel that high-stim fans love chasing.
- 100mg Juglans Regia extract plus 1mg rauwolfia extract with 90% rauwolscine — this pushes it out of beginner land. These amp up the high-energy, go-mode feel and make First Degree punch above its caffeine weight.
Killer Labz First Deg by Killer Labz contains 58mg Chloride, a standard dose for training performance and pump.
Who Is This For?
- Seasoned lifters who know their stim limits and want a pre that hits hard mentally and physically. First Degree stacks caffeine anhydrous, Infinergy®, Eria Jarensis, Juglans regia, PEA, and rauwolscine for that strong feel high-stim users rate by impact.
- Bodybuilders in volume-heavy phases needing extra aggression plus pump to stay full through sets. 4g citrulline malate, 500mg agmatine, 1g taurine, and beta-alanine add real meat over pure stim products.
- Intermediate-advanced folks lifting after long days who need a mental kick to get under the bar. The stim and focus mix cuts fatigue and builds urgency better than basic caffeine.
- Guys who hate prop blends and want full disclosure in hardcore pre's. Every ingredient and dose is right there, so you see exactly what's in it without guessing.
- Athletes who tweak their pre based on workout and tolerance. One scoop's punchy; experienced users can adjust per label for better fit than fixed-dose stuff.
- Lifters into mood boosts and session feel, not just lab-perfect ingredients. Beta-phenylethylamine, Eria Jarensis, Juglans regia, theobromine, and rauwolscine are there for that subjective kick.
How to Use
Begin with 1 scoop in 8-12 oz cold water 20-30 minutes before lifting. That window works because anhydrous caffeine hits fast, and the stims plus pump stuff need a bit to ramp up for tough sets. If high-stims are new, don't go big—First Degree has rauwolscine and other stims that hit harder than the caffeine mg's suggest. Shake it well; cold water tastes better and helps high-stim mixes go down easy. Light stomach speeds it up, heavy meal slows and softens it. Skip stacking with other stims or burners unless your tolerance is rock solid. It pairs great with creatine, carbs, or intra hydration since it's stim-strong but moderate on basics at one scoop. Cycle it for hard days or take breaks to manage tolerance. Keep it sealed and dry—powders like this clump if moist.
What to Expect
Minutes 0-10: mostly just the drink going down and that pre-stim buzz, not instant pump. Minutes 10-20: anhydrous caffeine starts rolling, some get beta-alanine tingles, alertness jumps, and mental push builds as stims activate. Minutes 20-40: prime time—focus tightens, rests shorten, citrulline and agmatine bring fuller muscles and easy flow in sets. Minutes 40-90: still going strong thanks to Infinergy® and the full stim mix extending beyond a quick spike. Days 1-7: mainly the stim rush, not built-up effects. Weeks 2-4: beta-alanine steps up with more carnosine, making high-effort reps feel better. Stick with it, and the endurance matches the day-one energy.
Key Ingredients
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Citrulline Malate (2:1) — 4000mg — Supports blood flow, pumps, and workout endurance
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Beta-Alanine — 1600mg — Builds carnosine to buffer fatigue over time
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Taurine — 1000mg — Supports cell hydration and smoother exercise output
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Agmatine Sulfate — 500mg — Reinforces pump and vascular workout feel
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Caffeine Anhydrous — 150mg — Fast-acting energy for immediate workout activation
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Infinergy® (Di-Caffeine Malate) — 50mg — Extends energy beyond a simple caffeine spike
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B-Phenylethylamine HCl — 150mg — Elevates mood and amplifies workout drive
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Eria Jarensis Extract — 125mg — Sharpens focus and intensifies pre-workout feel
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Juglans Regia Extract — 100mg — Adds a harder edge to training energy
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L-Tyrosine — 250mg — Supports neurotransmitter production under training stress
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Choline Bitartrate — 250mg — Supports acetylcholine for concentration and connection
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Huperzia Serrata Extract — 5mg (1% Huperzine-A) — Helps sustain acetylcholine-driven mental focus
Killer Labz First Deg by Killer Labz contains 58mg Chloride, a standard dose for training performance and pump.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much caffeine is in Killer Labz First Degree per scoop?
Each 1-scoop serving provides 150mg caffeine anhydrous plus 50mg Infinergy® di-caffeine malate, for 187.5mg total labeled caffeine. The formula feels stronger than that number suggests because it also includes Eria Jarensis, Juglans regia, PEA, theobromine, and rauwolscine.
Is First Degree a beginner-friendly pre-workout?
No. The labeled caffeine is moderate on paper, but the full stimulant matrix makes this a high-stim formula in real-world use. Most first-time users should choose a simpler pre-workout without rauwolscine or gray-area stimulant compounds.
Why does this feel stronger than a typical 200mg caffeine pre-workout?
Because caffeine is only one part of the stim profile. First Degree layers caffeine with beta-phenylethylamine HCl, Eria Jarensis extract, Juglans regia extract, theobromine, and rauwolfia extract standardized to rauwolscine, which changes the subjective intensity dramatically.
Is the citrulline dose in First Degree clinically dosed?
At 1 scoop, the 4,000mg citrulline malate (2:1) dose is below the classic 6-8g range commonly used in pre-workout research. It is still useful for pump support, but it is not a top-end clinical single-scoop citrulline formula.
Is the beta-alanine dose enough to work?
One scoop provides 1,600mg, which is half of the widely used 3.2g daily benchmark associated with carnosine loading in research. It contributes meaningfully, but the full endurance benefit depends on consistent daily intake over time rather than a one-time acute effect.
What does Infinergy® add compared with regular caffeine?
Infinergy® is di-caffeine malate, a bonded caffeine form that is often used to create a smoother and more sustained energy curve. In First Degree, it complements caffeine anhydrous by extending the stimulant feel rather than relying only on a fast spike.
Can I stack First Degree with a fat burner?
Usually not a good idea. This formula already contains multiple stimulant compounds, including caffeine and rauwolscine, so adding a thermogenic or other stimulant-heavy product can push heart rate, anxiety, and crash risk too high.
What should I stack with First Degree for better overall performance support?
Creatine monohydrate is the smartest addition for most users because First Degree does not include creatine. A hydration formula or intra-workout carbohydrates can also pair well with the citrulline, taurine, and beta-alanine base for longer sessions.
Will this make me tingle?
It can. The 1,600mg beta-alanine dose may cause paresthesia—the harmless tingling sensation many users feel in the face, ears, or hands—especially if taken on an empty stomach.
Is First Degree fully transparent?
Yes. There are no proprietary blends in the active panel, which is a major advantage in the hardcore pre-workout category. You can see every ingredient and dose clearly, including the stimulant complex.
