Why You Should Consider Pre-Workout Supplements

It’s difficult to show up to the gym every day without feeling sluggish, tired, or unmotivated some of the time. We all have bad days, but you don’t have to let that stop you. With the right pre-workout supplements, you could increase overall energy, lean body mass, and training volume. Here are some other great reasons to consider supplementation for your workouts.

Pre-Workout Supplements are Full of Boosting Ingredients

There are plenty of ingredients in pre-workout supplements that improve energy and workout performance, but some are better than others. Ensure that the supplements you’re taking are packed with natural ingredients, including the ones listed below.

NO2-Boosters

Nitric oxide supplements that contain citrulline and arginine boost nitric oxide production and expands your veins to let more oxygen flow through. Increased oxygen flow helps the body deliver nutrients to your organs and muscles quicker.

Taurine

Humans naturally create taurine in the pancreas to help metabolize fat and ward off oxidative stress. Adding an added supplement increases fat loss. Taurine naturally occurs in various animal meats like fish, steak, pork, and chicken.

B-Vitamins

The B-vitamin complex is essential for energy production, healthy brain function, hormone production, good digestion, muscle production, and endurance. B3 specifically aids in repairing DNA, while B12 supports blood and oxygen production.

Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs)

Branched-chain amino acids increase strength and delay muscle soreness by maintaining cellular energy. Valine, isoleucine, and leucine found in BCAAs help regulate protein metabolism, which allows it to breakdown and complete synthesis.

Creatine

Similar to taurine, creatine is naturally produced in the human body, with synthesis occurring in the liver and kidneys. Even a small dose of extra creatine can improve performance, increase water retention and increase your overall strength and muscle mass.

Pre-Workout Supplements Are Proven to Work

All of the ingredients listed above do improve your performance during a workout. According to a study done by the University of Cordoba, citrulline, one of the NO2 boosters, adds up to 53% more bench press reps in a workout on average. This same ingredient helps cyclists ride 12% longer before hitting exhaustion, which will lead to more muscle gain over a short period.

Caffeine, a common ingredient in pre-workout supplements, helps enhance cognition, focus, and mood. For people who feel exhausted at the gym, a pre-workout supplement can offer the user even more positives because it improves performance. Most people who take a pre-workout supplement will notice a difference in their workouts immediately.

Pre-Workout Supplements are Safe if Regulated

Most over-the-counter supplements you’ll find at any drug or health store will have FDA approval and won’t cause an adverse reaction in your body unless you’re allergic to the ingredients. The main ingredients in a pre-workout supplement are naturally created inside your body; the supplement just adds more of that hormone or vitamin to improve performance.

Before trying a new pre-workout supplement, always read the ingredients to ensure it’s safe and won’t increase your heart rate to unsafe levels. While added caffeine is common and often a great addition, too much can cause anxiety, insomnia, and high blood pressure. Only consume the recommended amount of pre-workout printed on the bottle or tub.

Pre-Workout Doesn’t Just Boost Workouts

The term “pre-workout” is a little misleading because you don’t have to take one right before your workout. It’s recommended to take a supplement 15-20 minutes before training, so you can feel its effects before exerting yourself. However, athletes who work out for longer sessions shouldn’t take pre-workout until an hour into strength training or right before running.

Pre-workout supplements can also boost your energy throughout the day, but it’s essential to follow up with some form of activity, or you could exhibit caffeine-withdrawal symptoms. Men and women who have a physically demanding job will see energy benefits and improved endurance if they take pre-workout before starting their shift.