The Ultimate Guide to Pre-Workout: Boosting Your Fitness Performance
For those days when going to the gym feels more difficult, having a solid pre-workout routine is a great way to kick your butt into gear. Not only will adding in effective pre-workout supplements boost your energy, but also having proper nutrition beforehand will excel your workout! From the timing of pre-workout meals to effective supplements, this article will provide everything you need to know!
What is Pre-Workout?
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.
The best pre-workout for you depends on your own fitness goals, personal preferences, and tolerance to certain ingredients.
Keep scrolling to learn everything you need to know about pre-workout supplements!
Table of Contents:
1. Should You Take Pre-Workout Supplements?
The type of pre-workout you use can 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!
Benefits of Pre-Workout:
Boost energy
Stimulates increased focus
Improves blood flow
Supplies amino acids & electrolytes
Increases endurance and overall performance
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.
CLICK HERE, for our latest blog to determine if pre-workout supplements are for you!
2. What is A-Pump?
A-Pump, our top clinically studied pro-nitric oxide enhancer, supports athletic performance and a healthy cardiovascular system. The combination of powerful ingredients Amentopump, VasoDrive-AP, and PurpleForce creates a synergistic effect that calls for a powerful, enhanced “pump” throughout your workout!
A-Pump Formula Breakdown:
Nitric Oxide
VasoDrive-AP®
Korean Red Ginseng
AmentoPump®
PurpleForce®
To read more about the science behind each of these safe and effective ingredients , CLICK HERE.
4 Benefits of Nitric Oxide:
1. It May Help Decrease Muscle Soreness
As your muscles run out of oxygen, they begin sending signals to the brain that they’re tired. This results in feelings of discomfort and soreness. These feelings will linger until your muscles recovered and replenish their nutritional stores. There’s evidence that NO can help reduce this soreness and discomfort. By giving you muscles more access to blood and the cellular nutrition it contains.
2. It May Help Lower Blood Pressure
In people with high regular to high blood pressure. This is either a net-neutral to net-positive effect. Especially if you’re working out and getting that blood pumping. BUT do not try to treat blood pressure issues with a nitric oxide supplement. If you have blood pressure issues, always consult with your doctor first.
3. It May Help Boost Exercise Performance
If you are looking to grow larger muscles and doing hypertrophy training, increasing your NO levels can help shuttle more blood into the muscle being trained. This helps get a much better pump and can increase your results. Imagine the compounding effects of getting as much as 1-2% more out of every, single workout.
4. It May Help With Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is oftentimes not the blood issue that comes immediately to most men’s minds. But it definitely qualifies. Sometimes erectile dysfunction is a blood flow issue. Not some other sort of deep-seated hormone, or other medical issue.
3. Creatine & Muscle Growth: What You Should Know
If you're looking to gain muscle mass, you've probably heard or been advised to lift heavier weights and increase your calorie and protein intake. But have you ever thought about starting a creatine supplement? While creatine may be one of those supplements you are unsure of the effects, we have broken down this extremely beneficial supplement to give you a better idea of the safety and effectiveness of this product. CLICK HERE, to read the blog on the connection between creatine & muscle growth!
What is Creatine?
Creatine is a natural compound found in your body, made up of the amino acids L-arginine, glycine, and methionine. The scientific name "creatine monohydrate" is essentially creatine with one molecule of water attached to it (hence the "mono" in front of "hydrate").
Creatine is a well-known and fundamental supplement in the fitness and bodybuilding world. In fact, a recent study done on creatine recommendations for bodybuilders during peak week found that 48 % of males and ~ 51 % of females supplemented with creatine during their contest preparation (Escalante, et al, 2021).
Is Creatine Safe to Use?
Of course when searching a new supplement it is important to make sure it's not only effective but also safe to use. The good news is that creatine supplementation is safe for all athletes and will keep fueling you to greater gains.
Additionally, creatine contains no calories and has no impact on your fat metabolism. So, if you're wondering if you can take creatine and not workout, the answer is yes. However, if you aren't working out, you can't expect to gain muscle.
AstroFlav's CreaPump provides 2,000mg of creatine per serving and is 100% safe to use daily. Click the link for access to our highly rated creatine powder!
4. What Should You Eat Before a Workout?
Many people often neglect proper nutrition before heading to the gym... Maybe it's too early in the morning for a heavy snack or you're in such a rush to get to the gym after work you forget to eat something beforehand!
Whether you're a bodybuilder or fitness enthusiast pre-workout nutrition is KEY to enhanced performance and recovery. It's important to properly fuel your body both before and after your workout if you want to speed up your progress.
For more information on what you should eat before the gym, CLICK HERE!
What should I eat 30-45 minutes before a workout?
A smaller meal or snack will be most beneficial if you're crunched on time. Look for a snack high in protein and carbohydrates. Simple carbs are ideal in this situation as they are quicker to digest and provide the body with short-lasting source of energy
What should I eat 2-3 hours before a workout?
Complex carbs like oatmeal, brown rice, and bread are lower glycemic and take longer to digest. These carbohydrates are good for pre-workout meals that are 2-3 hours prior to exercise. Having a bowl of oatmeal prior to your workout can provide the body a great amount of sustained energy before and during your workout!
For suggested meals and snacks, CLICK HERE for everything you need to know about pre-workout nutriton!
5. AstroFlav's One Scoop Only | Pre-Workout
Our high-quality, One Scoop Only Pre-workout has been formulated to enhance performance through it's complex blend of ingredients such as caffeine and Beta-Alanine. This extremely balanced formulation, includes only the best ingredients like NucleoPrime® and our comprehensive Tru Absorb Electrolyte & Pump Complex.
Benefits of One Scoop Only
Stimulates Hyper-Focus and Intense Energy
Improved Performance & Endurance During Intense Training
Increases The Production Of ATP
Prime Muscles for Accelerated Recovery
Improve Blood Flow and Maximize Pump
Increase Nutrient delivery and Absorption
Stay Hydrated and Replenish Electrolytes
Suggested use:
Mix 1 serving (1 scoop) in 10-12oz of water 20-30 minutes prior to your workout.
First time users should start with 1/2 scoop to assess your tolerance.
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At AstroFlav, we want the best for our customers. It is our goal to help everyone achieve their fitness goals and steer them in the right direction with trust-worthy advice AND trust-worthy supplements!