What’s up bro! Pre-workouts have been popularised in the past decade or two. There are quite a few different types. I think it’s worth noting I do believe in them and they do really work, they are not NECESSARY.
Different types of pre-workout
POWDER
There’s the pre-workout powder, where people love to ‘dry scoop’ it into their mouth and wash it down with water. Which isn’t ideal, to be honest. A lot of pre-workout powders also have extra ingredients such as L carnitine and beta-alanine (the one where it makes you feel like this guy)
ENERGY DRINKS
There are energy drinks, that usually come in a can of carbonated water such as Red Bull, Monster, and C4, which are things like this. These can be somewhat unhealthy. Although nowadays what’s not? The ingredients will also suggest vitamins such as vitamin b12 and vitamin C and taurine. They’re also convenient because they can be bought in most stores and can be used pre-workout or for mental focus such as work or aiding a hangover. My personal favorite is the white monsters ultra sugar-free, best taste and I can ‘feel’ it more.
COFFEE
Additionally, we have a more healthy approach to a pre-workout such as coffee and espresso specifically. Coffee is healthy and natural. It is actually good for the liver also. What happens is people tend to drink too much of this or add in unhealthy things such as cream and sugar. A straight black is great to start the morning with or pre-workout, some people add in an espresso shot too for the extra kick if they have built up a tolerance or want a killer workout.
They all get the heart beating, which can be a good thing and a bad thing. The main ingredient in all three products is CAFFEINE.
It increases alertness, reduces fatigue, and makes you feel AMPED for your workout. With it comes side effects just like everything else… anxiety, diarrhea, and insomnia
Purpose of Pre-Workouts
- Energy Boost: Many users report increased energy levels, which can enhance workout performance.
- Improved Focus: Ingredients like caffeine can help with mental clarity and focus during workouts. Tunnel vision.
- Enhanced Performance: Some formulations aim to improve endurance, strength, and overall physical performance. You feel like you can go for a second workout, or do another 2 hours in the gym.
Common Ingredients
- Caffeine: A stimulant that increases alertness and reduces perceived effort. A real performance-enhancing drug. It makes the brain feel alert not just the body.
- Beta-Alanine: Helps buffer acid in muscles, potentially reducing fatigue. It’s the notorious one for the face feeling tingly.
- Creatine: Supports muscle strength and power. However, creatine usually adds water retention to the body. The most popular and also cheapest is creatine monohydrate. There are a couple of others that also come in pill and powder form, my favorite is the powder, just mix it with my protein shake post-workout, it doesn’t matter what time of day you take creatine.
- BCAAs (Branched-Chain Amino Acids): May help with muscle recovery and reduce soreness. I personally don’t believe in them.
- Nitric Oxide Precursors: Such as L-arginine and L-citrulline, can enhance blood flow and muscle pumps.
Who Uses Pre-Workouts?
- Athletes: Professional and amateur athletes looking to maximize performance.
- Fitness Enthusiasts: Regular gym-goers seeking to push their limits. Especially after the typical 9-5 days of work.
- Bodybuilders: Those aiming for specific physique goals.
Benefits
- Increased Workout Intensity: Ability to train harder and longer.
- Motivation: The ritual of taking a pre-workout can enhance workout motivation.
- Faster Recovery: Some formulations may aid in recovery post-exercise.
Potential Drawbacks
- Side Effects: Possible jitters, insomnia, or digestive issues due to high caffeine or other stimulants. You can also feel dizzy sometimes, be sure to drink plenty of water and not to overdose on this stuff!
- Dependency: Relying on pre-workouts for motivation and energy. It’s like well last workout I got a personal record on the squat with 10 reps taking pre-workout, and I want to go for 11, I need the pre-workout to do this.
- Not for Everyone: Some individuals may experience adverse reactions or prefer natural alternatives. It’s not for everyone, some people genuinely don’t like the taste or doesn’t agree with them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, pre-workouts are great to take, and they make you feel like a god! They will also help you in the gym and aid in adding weight onto the bar or getting that last extra rep for a personal best. I think some of them also help with hangovers also lol.
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As always thanks for reading and see you in the next one!
