ill back you up somewhat, its not 100% placebo, you pre-workout stuff probably has a ton of caffeine in it, so youll get that "energy rush" to want to work out, once it fades though youll be gassed and probably want to leave the gym.
next time go for the pre-workout (try them all, they all work differently with different people) some whey (Optimum Nutrition is the shit) some creatine mono, a good multi and plenty of good food and water and youll be set. So many supplements are crap, you just gotta weed through it.
i just finished my 12 weeks of a pro-hormone / designer steroid cycle whatever you want to call it....i was looking for the same as you lose bf% and put on some lean mass
how old are you btw?