Is Pre Workout Good For You – Let’s Break It Down
Pre workout supplements are marketed for fitness enthusiasts and those who take care of their bodies. That being said, one would think that these products are healthy. That’s why I’m researching, is pre workout good for you?
Since I am one of those fitness enthusiasts, I’m going to research the positives and negatives of this supplement, as well as its ingredients to help answer this question. I’ll be explaining what a pre workout is and if this explosive supplement is right for you.
What Is A Pre Workout Supplement
The benefits for taking a pre workout are high. They provide a huge energy boost, longer muscle endurance and it increases exercise performance.
Pre workouts are scientifically blended to produce the best athletic results. Pre workout supplements are composed of very basic ingredients which composed mainly of caffeine and amino acid proteins.
Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance and Aminos are already produced by your body and found in the foods you eat.
The caffeine jump starts your energy, motivation, and focus. The amino acids supply the strength, muscle endurance, and they fight fatigue.
Pre workouts cost between $1-$2 per serving and known to be the best legal performance enhancer for enhancing your workouts. They are also effective for other sports including Crossfit, cycling, running and exercise classes.
Is Pre Workout Good For You
Since the basic ingredients in pre workouts are naturally occurring in our bodies or the food we eat, these supplements are deemed safe and healthy.
Caffeine comes with many health benefits, and Amino Acid proteins are the building blocks of protein.
These key pre workout ingredients are definitely good for you. Some pre workouts may contain some odd-ball ingredients, but if you stay with a trusted brand you will be ok.
When a pre workout is mixed in proper doses it is safe and healthy. However, when overdoing it, is when the problems come in. Although the side effects are short lived, overdosing can cause headaches, anxiety, jitters, and nausea.
These negatives are almost always brought on by user mistakes by taking too much. Those of us who exercise tend to push the boundaries on most things. It is important to always start out slowly, especially the first time with a new pre workout.
Most pre workouts don’t contain any harmful components or anything that will affect the body negatively. We will review any possible harmful ingredients in a section below.
There is no such thing as an FDA approved pre workout. This goes for most products in the exercise supplement category.
However, the individual ingredients in these supplements are regulated. If there was ever a pre workout shown to be unsafe, the FDA would quickly pull it from the shelf.
Check out the Healthiest Pre Workout Supplements
The Good Ingredients
L-Citrulline
This is one of the key amino acids. It increases muscle pump, brings extra strength, and gives longer muscle endurance.
To do this, L-Citrulline syntheses into Nitric Oxide which works to vascularize your system, bringing more nutrients and hydration to your muscle tissue.
BCAA’s
These Branch Chain Amino Acids are essential to a pre workout. They include Leucine, Isoleucine, and Valine. They are responsible for protein synthesis, muscle growth, and recovery. BCAA’s also help to increase strength, muscular endurance, and training volume.
You will see other Aminos such as L-Taurine, L-Tyrosine and Glutamine. They perform many roles from protein synthesis to improved mental clarity.
Beta Alanine
Another important Amino that increases the amount of carnosine. Increasing carnosine buffers hydrogen accumulation in the muscle during intense exercise, therefore improving muscle performance.
Beta-Alanine also increases training volume and promotes muscle growth. This is the amino acid that gives the pre workout that tingling sensation.
Creatine
This substance is naturally processed in your body or comes from the food you eat. However, when you supplement this in larger concentrations, it gives proven muscle performance benefits.
Creatine will increase your muscle gains, provide muscle energy, increased strength and even helps with muscle recovery.
See more about this proven supplement at What Is The Best Pre Workout With Creatine.
Caffeine
This has the strongest effects on energy, focus, motivation and pain tolerance. Caffeine can be healthy for you, but once more in moderation.
Some pre workout supplements contain up to 400mg of caffeine at a time. This is in addition to the cup(or cups) of the coffee that morning that you drank.
Too much of this can result in anxiety, nervousness, and impaired sleep. This is the main reason to start out slow when taking a new pre workout supplement.
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins B-1 though B-12 can be seen in many preworkouts. Other names for vitamin B are Niacin, Thiamine, and Folic Acid.
Some pre workouts contain the full amount or more than your daily vitamin. You will also see sodium, magnesium and potassium for better hydration.
Sweeteners, Flavoring, and Coloring
These aren’t necessarily good ingredients, but not necessarily bad in small quantities. Sucralose is the most popular zero sugar sweetener, and is found in many pre workouts. Although it doesn’t have any long term side effects, it is not a natural sugar.
Small amounts of artificial color and flavor are also found in many pre workouts. Artificial ingredients can also be avoided. I recommend an All Natural Pre Workout or an Organic Pre Workout.
⇒If you have any questions or comments regarding the “good ingredients”, please leave a message at the bottom and I will respond.
See Pre Workouts With The Most Caffeine
The Bad Ingredients
DMAA
Watch out for DMAA or dimethylamylamine. It is an amphetamine sometimes found in weight loss products and pre workouts. DMAA can raise your body’s stress levels, leading to conditions like cardiovascular problems, coronary attack, and tightening of the chest.
Proprietary Blends
These blends enable companies to hide the dosages of their ingredients. There is no way to tell how much there is of what. They could be shorting you on the good stuff and giving you more fillers.
Proprietary blends all avoid mentioning ingredients that should be listed on the label. This “proprietary” line item can be filled with cheaper ingredients that can cause complications and negative symptoms.
Food Coloring
It seems that most of the food we consume contains this. In fact, it is very difficult to move away from consuming food coloring completely.
One scoop or serving of pre workout a couple of times a week shouldn’t be too much to worry about.
However, some people don’t want this in their diet. Because of this, there are All Natural Pre Workouts or Organic Pre Workouts. Please read my posts and reviews on these.
Do
*Check for the amount of Caffeine to make sure it’s not off the charts
(1 cup of coffee is around 90 grams)
*Use the smaller scoop, then work your way up in small increments
*Drink lots of water, since exercise and pre workouts can dehydrate you
*Check the label the “bad” ingredients we discussed
Don’t
*Overdo your quantity!!
*Decide to get a pre workout without reading the Supplemental Facts label
*Buy your pre workout without looking at rating and reviews
*Purchase something with Caffeine if you are sensitive to it. Use a Caffeine Free alternative.
Should you take a pre-workout supplement
Pre workout supplements are meant for anyone from beginner to athlete. If you are looking to hit some new exercise goals and workout harder than you ever have before, this exercise supplement works.
Depending on your individual goals, a pre workout will help with strength gain, muscle mass, and increased speed. It’s also the healthiest and fastest way to get toned and lose weight.
If you have any pre-existing conditions with your heart, kidneys or liver, it is best to check with your doctor before taking a preworkout.
Pre workouts a know to contain a high amount of caffeine. If you are caffeine intolerant or sensitive, I would advise taking a Stimulant Free Pre Workout.
⇒Not sure if a pre workout is right for you. Please leave any comments or questions below and I will respond.
Is Pre Workout Good For You – The Wrap Up
My research shows that the ongoing health benefits from using a pre workout supplement far outweigh any negatives or possible setbacks.
There are many healthy rewards for little to no risk. This is as long as it is taken correctly.
Pre workout supplements contain a few simple, natural ingredients such as caffeine and amino acid proteins.
These basic ingredients will provide you with intense energy and muscle endurance that will improve any exercise routine.
A good pre workout is a simple, safe and inexpensive way to help achieve physical goals. Just be sure to follow the directions, start with a small serving, and drink plenty of water.
If you want to go even healthier with your pre workout, see my review on the Best Organic Vegan Pre Workouts.
⇒If you have any questions or comments about “is pre workout good for you”, please leave them below and I will respond.
What is the Best Pre Workout Supplement