Pre-workout, if taken in proper doses, can be a great option for an energy boost. However, if it's not used correctly can come with a multitude of side effects. It can cause vomiting, jitters, cramps, high blood pressure, and in rare cases, cardiac arrest.
As a rule of thumb, drink 8 ounces (oz.) of water 30 minutes before you hit the gym to ensure your muscles are firing on all cylinders.
The major energy-boosting element of most pre-workout supplements is caffeine. Excessive intake of this stimulant can lead to negative side effects, such as increased blood pressure, impaired sleep, and anxiety ( 8 ).
5 Anti-doping Authority (ASADA), the Commission advises that some pre-workout supplements may give a false positive for methamphetamines. It is up to you, the Contestant, to ensure that if you are using pre-workout supplements that you are fully aware and responsible for what you are taking.
Some, not all, of these products even recommend taking two scoops per drink. One of the higher dosed products is 200mg per scoop and they recommend taking 1-2 scoops per drink.
When used orally at appropriate doses, creatine is likely safe to take for up to five years. However, there is concern that creatine taken in high doses is possibly unsafe and could damage the liver, kidneys or heart. Creatine can cause: Muscle cramping.
On days you exercise, there are three main options regarding when to take creatine. You can take it shortly before you exercise, shortly after you exercise or at some time that isn't close to when you exercise. Another option is to split your daily dose and take it throughout the day.
Taking pre-workouts too close to bedtime can disrupt your sleep and wreak havoc with your routine– not great when the sole purpose of taking the stuff is for energy! To be on the safe side, always refer to the packaging to find out how and when to consume your pre-workout.
While pre-workouts are an energy boost and help with endurance to make your workouts last longer, many post-workouts aid in muscular recovery and muscle building. Some post-workout supplements include glutamine, BCAAs, and casein protein. They help muscles recover and can increase muscle synthesis.
Pre-workout drinks: 7 top options
- Transparent Labs Preseries Bulk.
- MyProtein THE Pre-Workout.
- Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged.
- Optimum Nutrition Amino Energy RTD.
- NutraBio Pre Workout Stim-Free.
- Powher Pre-Workout.
- Garden of Life SPORT.
- Summary.
The Very Best Beverages for Runners
- Tea or Coffee. Aside from providing a performance-boosting caffeine jolt, both drinks are rich in antioxidants.
- Water or Sports Drink. Pure, simple, and calorie-free, water should be your go-to choice for hydration.
- Chocolate Milk—or Wine (or Beer)!
- Tart Cherry Juice or Beet Juice.
- Coconut Water or Maple Water.
Here are five common pre-workout ingredients and the crucial roles they play in amplifying your performance.
- BETA-ALANINE FOR BETTER BUFFERING.
- CAFFEINE FOR ELEVATED ENERGY.
- CREATINE FOR ALL-OUT POWER.
- L-CITRULLINE FOR NITRIC OXIDE PRODUCTION.
- BCAAs FOR MAJOR GAINS.
In high intensity exercise, creatine can improve performance by up to 15%, and it can also help you gain muscle and strength. Creatine has little to no benefit for lower intensity endurance exercise, but it may be beneficial if you also include high intensity exercises in your training.
Those five supplements are: caffeine, creatine, nitrate/beetroot juice, beta-alanine and bicarbonate. For distance runners (5,000m and over), caffeine and nitrate are the two supplements that the consensus review recommends. Most runners are aware of the benefits of caffeine, and take advantage of those benefits.
Before you run, perform dynamic stretches to warm up, but avoid static stretches, as they can cause injury. Warming up before you run can help prevent injury and improve performance. Incorporate walking, strides, and dynamic stretches such as lunges and leg swings into your prerun routine.
As the name suggests, pre-workout should be taken before a workout, and although many people drink it on their way to the gym or during their workout, it should be taken at least 30 to 60 minutes prior to hitting the weights or cardio machines.
Creatine is thought to improve strength, increase lean muscle mass, and help the muscles recover more quickly during exercise. This muscular boost may help athletes achieve bursts of speed and energy, especially during short bouts of high-intensity activities such as weight lifting or sprinting.
Kidney DamageIt's popular among amateur and professional athletes. However, it's not recommended to be used over long periods of time. Using creatine for long periods of time can cause kidney problems.
Consuming high doses of caffeine from pre-workout supplements, on top of your normal daily intake of caffeine in coffee, soda, or other sources, can lead to a number of heart-related side effects, including increased blood pressure (hypertension), which can raise your risk of a heart attack.
The Timing of Your Pre-Workout Meal Is KeyTo maximize the results of your training, try to eat a complete meal containing carbs, protein and fat 2–3 hours before you exercise.
Here are our top picks for what to eat right before a workout.
- Whole grain toast, peanut or almond butter and banana slices.
- Chicken thighs, rice and steamed vegetables.
- Oatmeal, protein powder and blueberries.
- Scrambled eggs, veggies and avocado.
- Protein smoothie.
Here are a few examples of quick and easy meals to eat after your workout:
- Grilled chicken with roasted vegetables.
- Egg omelet with avocado spread on toast.
- Salmon with sweet potato.
- Tuna salad sandwich on whole grain bread.
- Tuna and crackers.
- Oatmeal, whey protein, banana and almonds.
- Cottage cheese and fruits.
The best bet for rehydration is to consume a low-cal beverage that contains electrolytes such as sodium and potassium. Good choices include sports drinks (go low-cal if your workout), try coconut water, or water with a slice of fruit. The refreshing hint of flavor may drive you to drink more.
