Some fitness enthusiasts do not consider taking a pre-workout supplement before they hit the gym. They rely on the general supplementation they take daily. This is because they do not realise that when they perform their strenuous muscle-building exercises, their body slowly eats up their muscles because their digestive system is not able to provide their body with the nutrients the body needs during the workout. Hence, training without high stim pre workouts is a counterproductive effort.
Pre-workout supplements are formulas designed to make you physically and mentally ready for your sessions. They are a combination of stimulants, amino acids, and energy-boosting substances that increase your strength and endurance. These substances play a vital role in your long-term body-building and help you achieve the desired strength and stamina. When your body turns to your muscles for its energy source, you feel sluggish as you will have reduced stamina and endurance. Moreover, by neglecting the importance of pre-workout supplements, you will never be able to achieve your peak performance.
Here’s a list of what a pre-workout does to you:
- It makes you feel energised for a whole workout session.
- It makes you feel incredibly focused
- It helps boost muscle gain
- It improves your strength so that you perform better
- It activates your brain and provides your body with a surge of energy
- It enhances your blood circulation and ensures your muscles are getting the required oxygen and nutrients for exercising
- It helps improve muscle recovery during and after a workout
There are countless benefits of incorporating high-stimulant pre-workout supplements into your routine. However, you can reap the benefits only when you make the right choice. So to help you find the best pre-workout supplement, this article discusses three key things you need to consider when choosing. Read on!
1. What do you want from your pre-workout supplement?
When it comes to buying a pre-workout supplement, the first thing you need to know is what you are buying it for. Whether you need
- Help to break through a plateau with an increase in strength/ power.
- To increase your endurance during workouts.
- A quick boost of energy and alertness before you exercise.
Well, probably your answer would be all of the above. However, not everyone is the same. Some might feel a lack of energy for a workout after a long day at work; some might feel distracted all the time. At the same time, others cannot keep up with their strength throughout the session. By determining why you want a pre-workout supplement, you will know what ingredients you need to look for.
2. What are your goals?
Next, you need to consider what your primary goals are. Do you want to build a strong body? Do you want to focus on running/ cardio? Or a combination of the two? These are a few critical questions that can determine your choice significantly. There are special types of supplements designed for the particular goals of fitness enthusiasts. While a bodybuilder typically wants to see a boost in energy, focus, endurance, and strength, a runner would need a supplement that boosts their energy and endurance levels without any real need for increasing power or strength. However, both of them would need a few common things: hydration, accelerated recovery, and muscle growth.
3. What time of the day will you be consuming it?
Lastly, you need to consider what time of the day you will be consuming it. Will you be taking it first thing in the morning? During daytime? Or evening or late night? The answer to these questions will greatly affect your choice. If you prefer working out in the morning, you are pretty safe. But if you work out in the evening or late at night, you must be very careful while making your choice. This is because most of the high stim pre workouts contain caffeine and other stimulants, which should be avoided 4-6 hours before bed. However, there are many stimulants/caffeine-free pre-workout supplements that you can consider.
After answering the above three questions, it would probably be quite clear to you what ingredients you need to look for in a pre-workout supplement.
Author: Hannah gilbert
