Benefits of Pre-Workout Supplements: Boost Your Performance

While many gym enthusiasts already know about the benefits of a protein to help them build muscle, they are just discovering how a pre-workout supplement can help to optimize their workouts. 

A pre-workout supplement can give you the energy to push through the highest intensity workouts. For athletes looking for the best solutions to help them optimize their workouts, pre-workout supplements are filling the gap. 

It’s essential to choose a supplement that will work the best for the results that you want. You can get all the info here about the different pre-workout options that are available. Let’s take a closer look at pre-workout supplements, their benefits, side effects, and how they work.

What Are Pre-Workout Supplements?

While pre-workout supplements contain an innovative mix of nutrients that help to sustain you through a challenging workout, they are relatively simple in concept. Most supplements contain a blend of natural and synthetic ingredients, including vitamins and nutrients that will boost your muscles during high-intensity workouts.

Caffeine is a common supplement ingredient that helps to give you the push you need to make it through those tough reps. Supplements also contain ingredients that help to increase your circulation, sending needed blood and energy to your muscles during your workout. Premium pre-workout supplements will often contain amino acids that help you build muscle while you work out and reduce the inflammation and pain after your training session.

How Do Pre-Workout Supplements Work?

Pre-workout supplements are formulated to work from several physiological angles at once. They first stimulate the nervous system, helping to mentally motivate you and increasing your physical energy levels so you can push through those tough workouts. Supplements also boost your circulatory system to help your body get the blood and nutrients to the muscles that need them during a workout. Your circulatory system also works to deliver oxygen to your muscles that help you to build muscle and increase your endurance. 

Pre-workout supplements that contain essential amino acids and BCAAs help by providing the building blocks that improve muscle tone and size. Amino acids also work to help reduce soreness and inflammation after a tough workout. 

When to Take Pre-workout Supplements

 To get the most significant benefit from a pre-workout supplement, you have to take it at the right time. If you take it too early, it may kick it before your workout, resulting in not taking advantage of the benefits. If you take it too late, you may not get the energy to really maximize your training. It’s recommended that you take your pre-workout supplement 30 to 60 minutes before starting your workout for the best results.

Benefits of Pre-Workout Supplements

Muscle Gain

One of the main ingredients in pre-workout supplements is amino acids. These are the essential building blocks that promote muscle generation. BCAAs can essentially bypass the digestive system and get directly into the muscles where they are needed to sustain a tough workout. 

Some pre-workout supplements also contain citrulline, which is another form of amino acid. Citrulline helps boost your oxygen levels and helps get vital nutrients to your muscles during the toughest parts of your workout. This means that your muscles can work longer and harder to maximize your workouts.

Endurance

Nothing is more frustrating than getting to the gym and realizing that you just don’t have the energy to complete an effective workout. Pre-workout supplements help to energize you and build your motivation to get the challenging work done. The caffeine in supplements helps to get you pumped and full of energy to sustain a demanding circuit. In the same way, as you need your coffee in the morning to get you going, your pre-workout supplement can get you ready for your session at the gym. 

One of the other reasons you may not be getting the results you want from your workouts is muscle fatigue. You may have the desire and the motivation, but if your muscles can’t keep up, you won’t be able to maximize your efforts at the gym. The leading cause of muscle fatigue is a build-up of acids. Pre-workout supplements contain beta-alanine, which helps to eliminate acids in your body. Beta-alanine helps reduce the burning sensation that comes from a deep muscle workout, allowing you to push your body farther.

Some people are sensitive to caffeine and find that lower-quality supplements can make them anxious and shaky. A good quality supplement will contain the ingredient L-Theanine, which can help to combat the side effects of caffeine, giving you a boost in energy without nervousness.

Strength

One of the main goals of a workout is to increase your overall strength. Pre-workout supplements help you achieve higher levels of strength by feeding your muscles and giving you the energy to extend your workout. Creatine is one of the most essential ingredients in a pre-workout supplement. Creatine helps to increase muscle mass, endurance, and overall strength. Supplements containing nitrates help send vital nutrients and minerals to your muscles so that you can lengthen your workouts and build more strength.  Nitrate can promote more amino acid transfer to your muscles which helps you to work out for longer periods increasing your muscle mass. 

Pre-Supplement Side Effects

Before starting any supplement for your workouts, you must do your research and talk to your doctor. Some people are sensitive to caffeine, and although the levels found in supplements are within safe boundaries, they can experience nervousness or anxiety. It’s better to take a supplement that contains L-Theanine if you are sensitive to caffeine.

There have been some rare allergic reactions to pre-workout supplements. You may react to the beta-alanine contained in supplements, resulting in tingling or numbness in your hands and feet. 

A sensitivity to niacin could result in a reddening of the skin. Although not serious, you should consult your doctor if you experience this side effect from your pre-workout supplement. 

If you are looking to maximize your workouts and build muscle, endurance, and strength, you can find a pre-workout supplement that is right for you.