Gorilla Mode vs Total War Pre-Workout: High-Stim Showdown
Quick Verdict
Gorilla Mode wins on ingredient dosing and transparency — it’s one of the best-formulated pre-workouts available. Total War delivers a stronger stimulant hit and more aggressive energy. Gorilla Mode for performance, Total War for raw intensity.
Ingredient Comparison
| Ingredient | Gorilla Mode | Total War |
|---|---|---|
| L-Citrulline | 9,000mg | 6,000mg |
| Beta-Alanine | 3,500mg | 3,200mg |
| Caffeine | 175mg | 250mg |
| L-Tyrosine | 1,500mg | 1,000mg |
| Creatine | 5,000mg | 0mg |
| GlycerPump (Glycerol) | 3,000mg | 0mg |
| Betaine | 2,500mg | 0mg |
| Alpha-GPC | 600mg | 0mg |
| Taurine | 0mg | 1,000mg |
| Proprietary blend | No | No |
| Servings | 40 | 30 |
| Price (approx.) | ~£35 | ~£28 |
| Cost per serving | ~£0.88 | ~£0.93 |
Ingredient Transparency
Both brands use fully transparent labels — no proprietary blends. This is the minimum standard any serious pre-workout should meet, and both deliver. However, Gorilla Mode includes significantly more active ingredients at higher doses.
The Dosing Difference
Gorilla Mode’s formula is stacked. 9g citrulline is above clinical dose (6–8g), 3.5g beta-alanine hits the effective threshold, and the addition of GlycerPump, betaine, and Alpha-GPC makes it one of the most comprehensive formulas on the market.
Total War is simpler but effective. 6g citrulline and 3.2g beta-alanine are both at clinical levels. The formula relies more on its stimulant complex for the “feeling” of a good workout.
Caffeine and Stimulants
Total War (250mg caffeine): The higher caffeine dose plus additional stimulants (including theobroma cacao) creates a more aggressive, “wired” feeling. You’ll feel this one hit harder and faster. Better for early morning sessions when you need a wake-up call.
Gorilla Mode (175mg caffeine): Moderate caffeine paired with Alpha-GPC for cognitive focus. The energy feels cleaner and more sustained rather than a sharp spike. Less likely to cause a crash. Better for longer sessions.
Pump and Performance
Gorilla Mode dominates here. The combination of 9g citrulline, 3g GlycerPump, and 2.5g betaine produces noticeably better pumps and vascularity than Total War. If you train for the pump, Gorilla Mode delivers.
Total War provides decent pumps from its 6g citrulline, but the formula is more stim-focused than pump-focused.
Taste
Gorilla Mode: Flavours are decent — Mojo Mojito, Tiger’s Blood, and Volcano Burst are popular. Not the best-tasting pre-workout but perfectly drinkable.
Total War: Sour Gummy Bear and Strawberry Kiwi are standouts. Total War generally edges ahead on flavour.
Who Each Pre-Workout Suits
Choose Gorilla Mode if you:
- Want the most clinically dosed formula available
- Prioritise pumps and performance over raw stimulation
- Prefer moderate caffeine with clean focus
- Want creatine included in your pre-workout
- Value ingredient quality over intensity
Choose Total War if you:
- Want a harder-hitting stimulant experience
- Train early morning and need maximum wake-up
- Prefer a simpler, more focused formula
- Enjoy aggressive energy over smooth performance
- Already supplement creatine separately
Final Recommendation
Gorilla Mode is the better product on paper — more ingredients, higher doses, better value per serving. Total War is the better experience if you chase the “feeling” of a pre-workout and want aggressive energy. For serious lifters who care about performance, Gorilla Mode wins.
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