How to Choose the Right Pre-Workout Supplement

Your fitness routine involves workout. It’s good to have some supplements prior to your workout to get some energy. There are varieties of pre-workout supplements available in the market. As a result, it becomes difficult to choose the right one. Here are some factors and tips that you should consider before purchasing your pre-workout supplement for a healthy life. ~ Ed.

Not too long ago, pre-workout would relate to having a banana or a fruit smoothie, because it’s pretty much what you need to do in order to get the required energy to have an effective workout.

But with the passage of time, supplements have gained more and more traction, and the world of fitness relies on them heavily now.

The only issue is that there are so many different companies that make a wide variety of supplements that it can be really difficult to define what the right kind is for you.

Clearly, you need to start off with a ton of research so you can understand what’s going on. There are reviews at Fitness Informant that are quite comprehensive and help to narrow it down a bit.

It’s important to look at reviews to see what people who have tried the supplements have to say.

I’m also going to help you out by giving you tips on what you should consider when choosing the right pre-workout supplement.

3 Things to Consider When Choosing the Right Pre-Workout Supplement

Pre-workout supplements are of great help. However, before anything and everything, you need to understand your body.

In order to determine which supplements are right for your pre-workout, you first need to clarify a few factors:

Why you need to use it

Figure out why you feel you would need a pre-workout supplement. Are you always low or energy, or feel that way by the time you’re ready for your workout?

Or do you believe that you need more energy than you already have? Does your body tire quickly? Do your muscles give out too soon?

Answering these questions will help narrow down what kind of supplements will actually be suitable for you.

What kind of workout will you be doing

Are you into high-intensity workouts, already have energy, but need a boost so that you can keep up with the workout you’re into?

Different kinds of workouts require different amounts of effort, and according to what your workout requires from you in terms of effort and output, you’ll be able to know which supplement to pick.

How do you respond to stimulants

Essentially, you’re going to be taking the supplement to stimulate your body in one way or another, so it’s important that you know how your body reacts to different kinds of stimulants to be safe.

For example, some people’s reaction to caffeine is not like others. While 1 cup of coffee may be sufficient to energize one person, it may take another 3 to 4 cups to feel the same way.

It’s important to consult a doctor and nutritionist to really understand how your body works- your metabolism, your response to stimulants, and what body type you have so that you can understand your reactions and needs when it comes to picking the right supplements for pre-workout.

Know the Different Kinds of Pre-Workout Supplements

There are 2 categories that pre-workout supplements fall under- stimulant based and muscle building. It’s important that you understand their function along with your needs so that you pick the right one.

Stimulant Based

Stimulant based pre-workout supplements are used ideally for high-intensity workouts because they provide a rush of energy.

They’re usually placed in smaller containers and the serving requirements don’t go over 10 grams per serving, because they’re quite effective. Ideally, this kind of pre-workout supplement is used by people who are focusing to lose weight.

However, it’s important that there is consistent consumption of BCAAs throughout the workout so that your muscles are not affected in a negative way, and so that the supplement only burns the fat.

Muscle Building

For muscle building pre-workout supplements, the effect is different from that of the stimulant based ones. There isn’t as obvious of an outburst of energy, but the purpose is different though.

These kinds of supplements focus on allowing you to really focus on building your muscle mass. So basically they give more nutrition to your muscles to allow you to work them for longer than usual.

You’ll usually find them in larger containers, and it is required that you don’t drink it all in one go. Fitness experts advise that you sip it as you work out to keep up the momentum.

More Factors to Think About

There are a few more factors that you want to keep in mind before you invest in a pre-workout supplement:

• The gap between when you workout and when you sleep is important, especially if you’re working with a stimulant based supplement. Remember that these provide high energy, so either make sure that your workout is at least 6 hours before bedtime, or consider checking out a low stimulant based pre-workout supplement.
• Supplements don’t replace a good diet. Just because you’re feeling high energy from taking the supplement, doesn’t mean that your body is nourished the way it should be. That surge of energy or boost will only last for so long before the effect wears off, so make sure that you eat well and that you are always hydrated.
• It’s probably a better idea to workout in the morning if possible, especially when using the stimulant-based supplements to avoid hyperactivity in the evening.

Wrapping It Up

If you’re looking to have a fruitful workout, then you should definitely look into taking a pre-workout supplement.

Keep in mind the factors that I’ve provided for you before you go out and buy a supplement for yourself. It’s also important that you do research in terms of brands, and there’s no better way to do that than to ask other people who are doing similar workouts to the ones you’d like to do.

This way, you can understand how they feel when they take the supplements and how it can affect them in the long run.

You can’t really go wrong, regardless of what kind of pre-workout supplement you take, if you balance it well with BCAAs, keep yourself hydrated, and ensure that you follow a healthy diet.

Supplements only provide a boost in minerals or vitamins that you might be lacking, so never take them with the premise that they are replacing any kind of major food.

Over to you

Do you take pre-workout supplements? Do share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.