Energy and Pre-Workout Supplements: So That You Never Run out of Energy and Motivation
Developing an athletic body, the chiselled physique, and strong muscles are only possible through regular, intense training. All the supplements out there act only as the support staff to aid your progress.
The only golden mantra for a healthy and stronger you is ‘spend time in the gym.’ This is easier said than done. For various reasons, too many to list here, most people fail to invest time in training and exercise.
Luckily, there is a solution to every problem. And, to keep you motivated and supply energy for long, hard workouts we have the Energy and Pre-Workout Supplements.
Want to know more about pre-workouts? Here is a nice little pre-workout supplement guide to help you.
What Are Energy and Pre-Workout Supplements?
Even for fitness enthusiasts, there are days when the body and mind are just not up to the task. The feeling to skip the gym may be due to a lack of energy, mood, or drive.
Whatever the reason, they need a jolt to keep with their workout routine.
Pre-workout supplements work both physically and mentally. The supplements provide the much-needed energy to work hard and long to achieve the intended fitness goals.
Most pre-workouts contain caffeine to give you the energy to visit the gym regularly and work out for longer periods. That said there is more to these supplements than just the master stimulant – caffeine.
Depending on the product, you might find a wide variety of ingredients that boost strength, improve mood, increase focus, stimulate hormone production, and more.
People averse to caffeine or similar ingredients can opt for non-stimulant energy and pre-workout supplements.
Predominantly, workout supplements come in powder form. Mix the supplement with water and take it 30-60 minutes before the workout. Users can also opt for other delivery methods such as gummies, capsules, etc.
Do Pre-Workout Supplements Work?
This is a loaded question with no simple answer. Your expectation determines whether pre-workout supplements work or not.
These supplements won’t help you build muscles, increase muscle strength, and improve agility, not at least directly.
Pre-workouts will help you work longer and harder by increasing blood flow and blood oxygenation – thus supplying ATP energy, enhancing focus, and boosting endurance.
You need these three elements to achieve both a great physique and they cardio and mental fortitude to accomplish meaningful and worthwhile fitness goals.
The benefits of ingredients in pre-workout supplements are already well documented. You’ll find multiple studies supporting the claims of most ingredients added to supplements in our list.
Bear in mind energy and pre-workout supplement is just one factor in the muscle-building process. You need to also work on developing a solid training routine, support it with a healthy diet, and aim to improve sleep quality for optimal recovery.
Are Energy and Pre-Workouts Safe?
Millions of people already use pre-workouts, in one form or the other, without any serious side effects.
Energy and pre-workout supplements are safe to take. But there is a caveat, take as directed by the makers. Plus, make sure you’re not allergic to any of the ingredients in the product.
People with a sensitive stomach or those who fear they might experience side effects can take half of the recommended dose at the beginning.
Pre-workouts mostly contain energy-boosting ingredients. You’ll find caffeine, sugar, vitamins, etc. in these supplements.
To be on the safe side, check the ingredient list and the amount of each substance added to make the supplement.
To increase potency some supplements might contain too much caffeine. Too much of this stimulant can cause high blood pressure, insomnia, anxiety, and other adverse effects.
Who Should and Shouldn’t Take Pre-Workout Supplements?
Instead of two, there need to be three categories; the third being the group of people for whom pre-workouts are optional.
Gym enthusiasts and bodybuilders who have trained regularly to hit their fitness target should take pre-workouts. These supplements are also for those who need that extra energy and drive to get through a tough training session.
Feeling sore or tired, yet can’t afford to miss a session, then energy and pre-workout supplements are for you.
Pre-workouts are not ideal for people who train or visit the gym for a light workout. If you aim to do just enough exercises to keep the flab in check and prevent lifestyle diseases, then pre-workouts might not be very beneficial to you.
Parents who want their children to start training and workouts at a young age should avoid stimulant-based pre-workouts. They can look for non-stimulant supplements or other options. It’s better to consult a doctor or expert before making a decision.
Young adults must be cautious with pre-workout supplements. While you’ll find only the safest brands on this page, there are hundreds of pre-workout supplements on the market with way too much stimulant in them. Check the stimulant content before using any energy and pre-workout supplement.
Those suffering from hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and gastrointestinal disorders must talk to a physician before adding these supplements to their workout plan.
The Benefits and Side Effects of Energy and Pre-Workouts
The benefits of pre-workouts are quite clear. Even so, a discussion on this topic will help users decide when and how to use these supplements.
Both scientific and empirical data show pre-workouts help improve exercise performance. This result isn’t the direct result of the supplement.
Instead, the ingredients in pre-workouts give users the energy, drive, and endurance to continue their exercise. The users will eventually see the desired results if they keep training longer and harder.
You won’t grow muscles or lose weight by taking pre-workouts. But with the help of caffeine, vitamins, amino acids, and ingredients you’ll never feel like giving up the effort.
Common Side Effects
Along with the benefits, pre-workout supplements bring the risks of side effects.
A lot depends on the ingredients and how much of each ingredient is added to the supplement. Whether you experience any side effects or not, also depends on how your body responds to the ingredients.
If you are avoiding coffee or beverages with caffeine, then consult a doctor before taking energy and pre-workouts.
The common adverse reactions that users might experience after taking these supplements are anxiety, jitteriness, nervousness, restlessness, rapid heartbeat, and dehydration.
Pre-workouts also have the potential to cause insomnia, headaches, and stomach problems. To alleviate mild side effects, you can consume a small meal along with the supplement.
Energy and Pre-Workouts: Frequently Asked Questions
When to take pre-workouts and how fast do they work?
These supplements are designed to give users an energy boost for a short duration. Typically, the effects should last for 6 hours, enough time to complete serious training for the day.
To achieve their goal, pre-workouts generally contain fast-acting ingredients. Users are advised to take pre-workouts just before visiting the gym or before their workout session.
Once consumed, you’ll start to feel the benefits in 30-60 minutes. Avoid using pre-workouts in the evening, because taking just hours before bedtime can cause insomnia or sleep disturbances.
Can I take energy and pre-workout supplements every day?
Our body will gradually develop tolerance to an ingredient that’s taken for a long time. Users will keep benefiting if cycling of the pre-workout supplement is adopted.
You can follow 4 weeks on and 2 weeks off cycle to give the body time to reset. If you need pre-workouts every day, then cycle stimulant-based supplements with non-stimulant or carbohydrates-based products.
Can I take coffee instead of pre-workouts?
You’re free to take coffee to boost energy for intense training, but we would advise against it.
Most pre-workout supplements contain caffeine – the primary component in coffee. So we understand your line of thought. But a pre-workout supplement can contribute a lot more to your training effort than a cup of Joe.
Apart from increasing energy levels, the ingredients in pre-workouts improve focus, stamina, endurance, and do a lot more. They also support quick muscle recovery after strenuous training sessions.
How to handle the side effects of pre-workout supplements?
The ingredients that promise the most benefits are the ones that cause side effects too. Hence, if you’re allergic to stimulants or your body is too sensitive to handle caffeine, then consider taking non-stimulant energy supplements.
Another workable solution to avoid adverse effects is to look for products with L-theanine or similar substances that take the edge off the stimulants.
Nowadays, you’ll also find stimulant-based pre-workouts that are a lot smoother than products available in the past.
Users can also reduce the risk of jitteriness and restlessness by taking a small meal along with the supplement.
What to do if I am sensitive to stimulants?
I don’t see a reason why anyone would want to avoid caffeine unless their body is sensitive to caffeine or other stimulants.
For people whose bodies can’t handle stimulants, there are options aplenty. Look for pre-workout supplements with Theacrine, Citrulline malate, Betaine, and Alpha-GPC.
Are you trying to avoid supplements altogether? A small snack rich in protein and carbohydrates can serve as a weak substitute for a pre-workout supplement.
Take the snack an hour or two before the workout session. Avoid high-fat and high-fiber foods before exercise. They can cause indigestion and trouble your stomach.
Can I take other supplements with energy supplements?
Yes, certainly! That said make sure the purpose of the supplement isn’t the same as that of the pre-workouts.
It’s perfectly fine to take supplements to improve other areas of your workout regimen. Suppose, you want to enhance the chance of developing lean muscles then take testosterone supplements along with energy and pre-workouts.
Why you should avoid dry scooping?
This is a dangerous trend popularized by social media. For those not familiar with the term, dry scooping is taking pre-workouts, particularly supplements with caffeine or other stimulants, without mixing in water.
Dry scooping is not only dangerous; it could become fatal, as seen in the case of a young woman in her twenties who died of a heart attack. There is a serious misconception that dry scooping can maximize the benefits of the supplement.
Mixing stimulant-rich supplement in water ensures the body absorbs the ingredients slowly and in a phased manner.
A large dose of caffeine or instantaneous absorption of this stimulant can do more harm than good to the body. So, always take only the recommended dose and mix the supplement powder in water.
Final Thoughts
As you can see from the array of products we have lined up for you, there is no shortage of options. Don’t allow peer pressure to replace prudent thinking. Don’t take a supplement because others are using it.
This one decision could change your life. So, before choosing energy and pre-workout supplement read our little guide thoroughly, define your fitness goals, and examine each product.
