A pre-workout refers to any supplement which can be anything right from capsules to chewy to bottled drinks and even powder that claims to enhance your exercising performance. The first thing you should understand is that each individual brand comes with its unique formulation, implying that the ingredients and their proportions vary from one tub to another.
There is no proper definition of what a pre-workout supplement means and there are companies selling out fads because it is a trendy and marketable product right now. So how would you choose the best pre-workout supplements?
In general, pre-workouts refer to supplements that can shoot up the energy levels through the combined source of antioxidants, carbohydrates, and B vitamins. Well, you can also get some that are low in calories and contain zero carbs.
Some of these contain ornithine, citrulline, and arginine which revive the physical strength by dilating the blood vessels. Some others also contain esoteric ingredients to increase insulin levels. These hormones are naturally secreted in the body in response to intense exercising for improving tissue and muscle growth.
In a study titled “Common Ingredient Profiles of Multi-Ingredient Pre-workout Supplements” conducted in 2019 reveals that among the top 100 pre-workout, approximately half the ingredients are derived from a “proprietary blend”. This means that most of these supplements do not disclose what goes into their making. Still they are safe and can be tried, they will surely allow you to live the beafy,fast and seductive life you deserve.
Benefits of Taking Pre-Workout Supplements
Perhaps the greatest benefit of a pre-workout supplement is that it is suitable for both men and women. Next comes the common ingredients like caffeine, carbohydrates, creatine monohydrates, and beetroot juice. The coalescing of all these ingredients shows a matchless performance in boosting your energy.
But there are other benefits as well. Let’s find then out:
1. Keeping you stronger for long hours
When you are busy in resistance workouts, you will not be able to lift heavy weights or take part in many reps as you used to do without any nutritional boost. When you take the right pre-workout supplement, it could delay muscle fatigue and you can perform a higher number of reps before your muscles give in. This effect is caused by the caffeine present in pre-workout supplements.
2. Improving your endurance
Even when there’s not much research in this field, the results are quite promising. In fact, it was seen in a study that participants who took pre-workout supplements before running in the treadmill trial could run 12.5 percent higher than those who didn’t take it. If you are into sprints or long runs, pre-workout supplements would go a long way to support you.
3. Enhancing your power and vitality
When you suddenly jump into a high-impact activity such as sprinting or swimming or burpees, you will need power from within. It is estimated that pre-workout supplements can boost the level of distance one can cover in a short span of 25 secs of maximum effort. To put this in other words, if you set a target of 100m sprint, you can achieve your personal best by maximizing your effort and some pre-workout supplement.
4. Boosting your psyche
Besides the physical effects, pre-workout supplements also influence various cognitive processes such as focus, mental agility, alertness, perceiving energy, and positive vibes. If you have a well-maintained fitness regime, you already know that 50 percent of your success stems from your mental strength. If you can do it mentally, your body has no option but to follow.
5. Complementing your body composition
When you take pre-workout supplements for a long period along with a resistance training workout, it can have a better impact on your lean muscle build-up compared to a placebo. Even if you are new to the world of fitness, pre-workouts can help you shed off extra pounds easily.
How to Choose the Best Pre-Workout Supplements
The nutrition industry is saturated with zillions of pre-workout supplements and you may even have to try out a few products before finding your right fit. However, some proven ingredients should find their way in the bottle of pre-workout you choose. Let’s find out how they will help your body to push limits-
Caffeine
The number one stimulant that all weight lifters and athletes swear by is perhaps caffeine. It helps in burning fat and allows for a longer duration of training. It gives you energy instantly while increasing the maximal strength and endurance of the body.
But if you are caffeine sensitive, then you should limit your caffeine intake and never take it to post 4 in the afternoon. If you are not an overnight worker, it may interfere with your sleep cycle.
Beta-Alanine
The sole purpose of adding this into a fitness supplement is to help you cope with the burning effect so that you can bust out a few more reps. When you are performing high-intensity training, it’s natural that your body will accumulate acid. This results in muscle fatigue and thus reduces your performance.
When you take any supplement containing beta-alanine, it bonds with the histidine for raising the amino acid carnosine. This forms a buffer against the hydrogen ions forming the acids. This ultimately aids in keeping up with your intensity for prolonged periods.
BCAAs and EAAs
These proteins help in building muscles while reducing the muscle damage. When it is consumed in pre-workout supplements, it delays muscle soreness so that you can bounce back to training faster. The benefits proffered by BCAAs and EAAs are somewhat similar and they are becoming increasingly popular as standalone amino blends.
Along with these power-packed ingredients, other important elements that must find a way in your supplement are Huperzine- A, L-Tyrosine, Yohimbine, Nitrosigine and Betaine. Having said all these, it’s worthy to note that almost every day new ingredients are being added to pre-workout supplements. Therefore, it’s a must to check whether you are allergic to any of the substances used in it.
Best Pre-Workout Supplements in India
If you feel that you need your energy to shoot up whole you are at the gym, a pre-workout supplement is the right thing to try out. We have handpicked the top 5 pre-workout supplements that can aid in materializing your fitness goals.
1. Wild Buck Wild Pre-X4 Hardcore Pre-Workout Supplement
Expands muscle endurance.
This pre workout supplement is mainly designed to provide intense energy and maximum focus.It also provides a perfect balance of endurance and strength.
Wild Buck Wild Pre-X4 Hardcore Pre-Workout Supplement
Buy From AmazonIt also increases your strength and muscle pumps by which you can do your workout sessions properly.It is best suitable for all athletes.
Key Features:
- Helps to delay fatigue
- Enhances your mood
- Supports cognitive function
- Provides powerful long lasting pumps
2. MuscleBlaze Pre Workout
Boosts vasodilation.
This pre workout supplement consists of caffeine which will help you to transform your fitness regime.It also keeps you fully energized during workout.
MuscleBlaze Pre Workout
Buy From AmazonIt also contains L-arginine which helps in vasodilation and enhances blood flow during workout.
Key Features:
- Improves focus and mental alertness
- Boosts energy levels
- Boosts endurance
- Best suitable for high intensity and long durations workout
3. Bigmuscles Nutrition Freak Pre-Workout
Supports cognitive function.
This advanced pre workout formulation is mainly designed to provide intense energy and maximum focus.It comes in various delicious flavours which will satisfy your muscles and taste buds in one go.
Bigmuscles Nutrition Freak Pre-Workout
Buy From AmazonIt is a 100% unadulterated pre workout formulation which is best suitable for you.It also increases your strength and muscle pumps.
Key Features:
- Best suitable for all athletes
- Expands muscle endurance
- Helps to delay fatigue
- Provides a perfect balance of endurance, strength, focus and energy
4. MuscleBlaze Fuel One
Suitable for long duration workouts.
This particular pre workout supplement is rich in caffeine which is a great source of energy.It fuels you with energy for extended periods of workouts.
MuscleBlaze Fuel One
Buy From AmazonThis pre workout supplement is available in refreshing fruit punch flavour without any added sugar to meet the needs of calorie conscious people.
Key Features:
- Speeds up metabolism
- Helps in weight management
- Improves focus and mental alertness
- Quick dose of energy
5. Oxin Nutrition Pre Workout
Increases strength and muscle pump.
This pre workout supplement provides you support which is required for your regular physical performance.It is mainly designed for intense energy.
Oxin Nutrition Pre Workout
Buy From AmazonThis pre workout drink is an explosive energy blend of Beta-alanine, creatine, citrulline malate & L-Arginine and vitamin C along with an alertness amplifier matrix containing caffeine & L-Tyrosine.
Key Features:
- Supports cognitive function and muscle endurance
- Helps to delay fatigue
- Provides maximum focus
- Designed for intense energy
Conclusion
Many people have been plagued by the question whether these workout supplements are safe for their bodies. The best way you can ensure this is to do your own research and find out what you want the supplements to do.
Do you want it to work as an extrinsic motivation into training? Or do you need an added edge into a specific kind of workout? Training consistently and consuming the right kind of food is also important. When you have these two in place, your pre-workout supplement will work as magic. Just a little peice of knowledge that would enable you to live the hunky,meaty and sexy life you deserve.