Top Pre Workout Supplements and What To Look For

A pre-workout supplement is a weightlifting or strength supplement that you take before working out to improve energy, pump up the body and focus on the workout. It’s important to know what you are looking for when it comes to pre-workout supplements. You want to make sure that they don’t contain any banned substances such as caffeine and synephrine, which can be harmful if used incorrectly. It’s also important that they just contain natural ingredients which have been shown in clinical studies to promote muscle building and increase endurance. Below are a couple of ingredients you want to look for, to make sure that you are getting a safe, natural and effective pre-workout supplement.

1. L-Citrulline

This is an amino acid that is used in the urea cycle which produces ammonia that can be deadly if your body isn’t able to break it down. It’s important to consume enough L-citrulline to cycle ammonia out of the system so it can be turned into energy very quickly. The great thing about L-citrulline is that it not only helps to remove ammonia, but it has been shown in scientific studies to also increase energy and attention.

2. Beta Alanine

This amino acid was first discovered by a Chinese chemist named Tang who isolated it from a plant called “Tuckahoe” which is native to China. Beta alanine is great for decreasing fatigue and increasing endurance which will allow you to continue through your workout with increased focus and intensity so that you can get the most out of your time at the gym or weight room. It’s also important to note that this ingredient has been proven in clinical studies to be effective at increasing lean muscle mass.

3. Caffeine

This is one of the most popular ingredients found in pre-workout supplements, but that doesn’t mean it’s still not effective at increasing energy, increasing alertness and improving focus. Studies have shown that caffeine can improve both endurance and strength which is why it’s a popular ingredient in many weight loss and strength supplements. Caffeine is also very effective at actually blocking the effects of caffeine so you won’t feel any crash after working out.

4. Creatine Monohydrate

Creatine monohydrate was first discovered by French scientist Chevreul in 1835. This ingredient actually has no taste and mixes very well with other ingredients due to its salty texture which means it will mix easily with water or juice. Creatine has been proven in scientific studies to increase strength, endurance and muscle mass. It also is not banned by any sports organization and doesn’t have any ill side effects so you can feel safe using it on a regular basis.

5. Betaine Anhydrous

This ingredient is actually considered a derivative of creatine, but it does have some different effects on the body which makes it unique. Just like creatine, betaine has been shown in scientific studies to increase both strength and endurance. It also helps to improve attention by increasing oxygen levels in the brain. Some people will actually use this ingredient as a pre-workout supplement in addition to a creatine supplement since they are slightly different than each other in terms of effectiveness.

6. Green Tea Unfermented Extract

This is actually a great ingredient for both females and males. It has been shown in clinical studies to increase endurance, increase focus and improve alertness. The science is showing that green tea has many different health benefits such as reducing the risk of heart disease, cancer, obesity and diabetes.

7. Creatine Monohydrate (Micronized)

Some people will look for poly-creatine in their pre-workout supplement, but this isn’t necessarily a better option. The only difference between micronized and regular creatine is about 5% size. Micronized creatine still has the same effects on the body and it should still be taken at the recommended dosage of between 5-10g a day to maximize its effects.

8. Beta-Alanine

This ingredient actually helps to enhance nitric oxide levels in the body which means that it can be used in treatments for erectile dysfunction, osteoporosis, heart failure and more. This is an excellent ingredient for anyone who is looking to improve their athletic performance due to it being very effective at increasing muscular endurance, strength and focus.

9. L-Tyrosine

This is actually one of the first supplements that people will use when they are trying to fight fatigue. It’s very effective at increasing energy levels and decreasing stress as well. It has also been shown in some clinical studies to help increase dopamine which means it can boost your mood and improve your focus.

What to look for when buying pre-workout supplements.

1. Avoid products containing the banned stimulant synephrine. Synephrine is thought by many to be harmful when taken in high doses, but it is not actually banned by any sports governing organizations.

2. It’s important that you get a relatively pure product because some pre-workout supplements will actually contain a lot of additional fillers and cheaper ingredients to make up for their lower price which means that they are not going to have any better effects than the cheaper ones you can get in your local grocery store. Be careful when choosing a pre-workout supplement and make sure you look at the ingredients list before buying it.

3. Go for a product that is free of any potentially harmful ingredients and look for ingredients that are safe for human consumption. Even if there is a little bit of “guaranteed” caffeine or potassium listed, you don’t want to consume a product that contains them since too much caffeine can be dangerous to your health and potassium isn’t something you should supplement with in excess.

4. Avoid products with artificial sweeteners. These have been shown to have the same effects as sugar and are some of the worst foods you can eat because they spike blood sugar levels which means they cause insulin resistance which will lead to serious health problems down the line.

Conclusion

Pre-workout supplements are a fantastic way to increase energy and focus by increasing the amount of oxygen in your brain. They can also help you train more effectively so you can make your workout more productive. Make sure that you take the time to get a product that will provide you with the results you’re looking for, and find a pre-workout supplement that is right for your daily lifestyle.