Should You Take Pre-Workout?
All you need to know about pre-workout supplements!
What are Pre-Workout Supplements?
Pre-workout supplements, pre-workout, pre... Whatever you may call it! This supplement is intended to help give you energy when throughout your exercise. Whether this is prior to a lift or training for a marathon, we see all sorts of athletes use pre-workout on the daily basis!
Pre-workout contains a combination of ingredients that give your body fuel, energy, and even endurance to train harder and longer at the gym. The main ingredient being caffeine,pre-workout has become a staple in one's effective supplement stack.
Not only does pre-workout supplements come in flavorful powder form, but some have tailored ingredients that may be beneficial for your health. The best part is that there are multiple flavors and ingredient lists to a pre-workout to choose from! The best pre-workout will have minimal and safe ingredients, a balanced formulation, and one that is formulated to give you energy and incredible mental focus! Keep scrolling to learn everything you need to know from ingredients to how to use pre-workout!
Types of Pre-Workout Supplements:
When it comes to different types of pre-workout, it really comes down to whether or not it is caffeinated or not. That is, pre-workout with stimulants and pre-workouts without stimulant ingredients (such as caffeine). Both types will get the job done, but if you are looking for one to give you energy and a caffeine "rush," choosing one with stimulants will most benefit you.
Additionally, the type of pre-workout you use can also be chosen based on the type of activity or exercise you're doing. It's a good idea to take a look at the ingredient list before hand to ensure you are consuming what your activity needs!
If you're not one to like the caffeine jitters or that itchy feeling from certain pre-workouts, it may be beneficial to stick to a non-stim pre-workout!
Our high-quality, One Scoop Only Pre-workouthas been formulated to enhance performance through it's complex blend of ingredients such as caffeine and Beta-Alanine. Keep scrolling to learn the key ingredients to look for in a pre-workout supplement!
What Ingredients Should I Look For in a Pre-Workout Supplement?
Just as each body and needs are different, not every pre-wokrout supplement is formulated the same. It is best to stick to key ingredients that you can read and feel safe consuming!
The main ingredients that you will see in pre-workout supplements are Caffeine, Beta-Alanine, and Betaine Anhydrous — all of which are known for their benefits in energy, mental clarity, and recovery! Below is an in depth look at each of these ingredients and others found in pre-workout to get a better idea on what you are consuming when taking a pre-workout supplement.
Caffeine Anhydrous — Aconcentrated form of caffeine; made from the seeds and leaves of the coffee plant. The word "anhydrous" means "without water." This stimulant is highly concentrated and gives a distinct energy boost.
Beta-Alanine —Anon-essential amino acid that is produced naturally in the body. Beta-Alanine helps the production of carnosine, a compound that impacts muscular endurance. This is the component of pre-workout that gives the itchy or "tingling" feeling.
Betaine Anhydrous —A chemical oramino acid that occurs naturally in the body. It also helps balance hydration around muscle cells and supports muscle endurance and athletic performance.
Creatine —An amino acid created in the liver, kidneys, and pancreas. Creatine is stored in your muscles and is used for energy. Supplementing with creatine has been shown to enhance athletic performance and is useful for high-intensity exercise, powerlifting, and short-duration activities.
NucleoPrime® —A premium, clinically researchedblend of nucleotides which are essential building blocks of RNA and DNA that may lead to improved athletic performance. Ingredients include: adenosine monophosphate, guanosine monophosphate, uridine monophosphate, and cytidine monophosphate.
Tru-Absorb Electrolyte & Pump Complex —A complex blend of ingredients such as D-Ribose, L-Citruline, Calci-K®, Magnesium Biglycinate chelate, Sodium Chloride, and Astragin. All of which are intended to stimulate hyper-focus, improved performance and endurance, and elevate production of ATP.
Benefits of Pre-Workout:
There are many benefits of taking a pre-workout supplement prior to a training session. Pre-workout supplements are known to be a quick form of energy and can even boost endurance and focus throughout your activity. Below is a list of the main benefits of taking a pre-workout supplement.
Boost energy - The number one benefit of taking pre-workout is to boost your energy. Increased energy means you will be capable of training longer and harder. The thought of exercising when you're exhausted is exhausting itself! Pre-workout is a quick energy boost after a long day and helps get you moving!
Stimulates increased focus - Complete mental focus and fortitude may come with taking a pre-workout supplement. Ingredients such as adenosine monophosphate, guanosine monophosphate, and uridine monophosphate are all useful for stimulating increased focus for a stellar lifting or training session!
Improves blood flow - Increased blood flow means a better pump. Specific ingredients found in many pre-workouts help increase blood flow, oxygen, and nutrient delivery to the working muscle.
Supplies amino acids & electrolytes - Many pre-workout supplements contain a decent amount of amino acids and electrolytes. Amino acids are beneficial as they work to repair and build muscle. Additionally, additional amino acids can help prevent muscle tissue breakdown, while electrolytes help improve endurance and keep you fueled during exercise.
Increases endurance and overall performance - Due to specific ingredients formulated to enhance performance and mental focus, pre-workout supplements are beneficial for those looking to work harder and longer during training sessions.
Are Pre-Workout Supplements Safe to Use?
Most pre-workout supplements are considered safe for health adults; however, it all depends on the specific product and the individual.
That said, it's advised to follow directions and read warning labels listed on the packing of the supplement. Always make sure to be carefully informed on what you put into your body and if this supplement is right for you.
Additionally, most pre-workout supplements are intended for healthy adults, ages 18 and older, and who do not have a known or existing medical condition (especially heart related). You may also consider consulting with your doctor or health care professional before taking any new supplement to stay on the safe side.
It's important to stay mindful and careful when taking pre-workout. It may be easy to over-consume, so know your limits and follow directions on the packaging!
Tips for Taking Pre-Workout Supplements:
When looking for a quality pre-workout supplement, there a few things to keep in mind... Ingredients, price, flavors, and serving size.
Make sure to read through the ingredient list to ensure there are no unnecessary ingredients and only ones you know are safe and effective.
Serving sizes are also important to look for in a pre-workout as one could contain 150mg of caffeine compared to the other with 375mg.
Take a pre-workout 20-30 minutes before you exercise. This will allow the supplement time to kick in.
Do not exceed the recommended serving. Taking too much pre-workout can present symptoms such as:
Digestive systems
Irregular heartbeat
Rise in blood pressure
Changes in blood sugar
Anxiety
The Bottom Line:
Incorporating a pre-workout supplement has many benefits such as stimulating hyper-focus, boosting energy, improving performance, and increasing endurance during long training sessions. Intended to take prior to a training session, pre-workout benefits many individuals, but is not something you absolutely need.
The two main types of pre-workout supplements are ones with stimulants and ones without (aka with or without caffeine). Most pre-workouts come in powdered form to add to your water before exercise, but some can be found in capsule or pill version.
To get the best effects from your pre-workout, make sure to read through the ingredient list and follow directions for recommended use! The best pre-workout supplements will contain ingredients such as Caffeine Anhydrous, Beta-Alanine, and Betaine Anhydrous.
Always read the directions, recommended dosage, and precautions of taking pre-workout supplements. Just as all bodies are different, different pre-workout supplements may effect others more than the next!
Have you tried our newest pre-workout flavor, OSO Fruit Snacks?Formulated to increase focus and intense energy, AstroFlav's pre-workout is top tier for improving performance and endurance during intense training. Try your today!
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