What is a Pre-Workout Supplement?

The term sounds familiar – Pre-Workout – the time before a workout? But a Pre-Workout is actually a type of supplement used before a workout, to give you a huge boost in energy/focus and much more. How can this help you?

Pre-Workout supplements are a rather new concept in the supplement industry. A Pre-Workout is usually a powder mixed into water/juice before a workout that gives some added benefits:

Improve Performance
Increase Strength
Increase Endurance
Improve Energy
Improve Focus

and a few other benefits. Some people take it for the energy needed when they are tired. Some take it because it gives them a great amount of focus. Some take it because they like the increase in endurance which allows them to workout longer.

Whatever the reason, a Pre-Workout supplement can really aid anyone in a strength training program that involves lifting heavy weight. What exactly do they do?

Lots of Pre-Workouts include some ingredients to aid in all the things listed above, or only a few. A popular ingredient is creatine monohydrate – creatine aids in building muscle/strength.

BCAAs (branched amino acids) are popular in PWOs to aid in muscle growth as well, repairing muscle after being broken down.

Since a huge part of a PWO is energy – caffeine is a very common ingredient. Caffeine is one of the most popular CNS stimulants known to humanity – and its because it works.

Another popular ingredient in a PWO is beta-alanine – an amino acid helps reduce fatigue in muscles as you train, giving you that endurance. It does cause a tingling sensation in the skin – this bothers some people, but gets others pumped up. You can find PWOS without beta-alanine.

Citrulline is another popular ingredient, used to increase blood flow, which in turn makes your body appear more vascular when working out. Also known as a “pump”

A Pre-Workout is not needed. Though it definitely can help, immensely in a weight training program. You should cycle your PWO – take it for 6-8 weeks, then go 2-3 weeks off.

If you want to be in the “zone” every time you workout, work harder, longer, heavier then ever, then look into a PWO. Be sure to consult with your doctor first as some people are very sensitive to stimulants.

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