You Gonna Hit This Pre... Or What?

Everybody knows that pre-workout can boost your energy and intensify a pump… but are there any REAL advantages to taking it?

"Yo! You gonna hit this pre... or what?"

You ever notice that people tend to talk about pre-workout the same way people sort of talk about drugs? 

It’s sort of talked about in hushed tones…

You see a group of guys huddled in a circle in the locker room - and when you walk in - it’s like a record stops as they all turn to look at you. 

Of course…

It doesn’t help when you’ve got savages dry-scooping it in their car and coming in with white dust particles all over their face and clothes. 

You ever seen these guys? 

It’s like seeing an extra from Scarface.,.

But we’re not here to talk about the CULTURE of pre-workout…

We’re here to talk about what it actually does for you and whether or not it truly gives you an advantage in the gym, on the courts, on the mats or out on the field.

Now, we all know that pre’s are designed to provide energy through a combination of ingredients to help with energy, motivation and that all important pump that lets you know your muscles are engorged with blood.

We ALSO know that for these ingredients to have this effect on us - at least one (but generally more) are stimulants - POWERFUL stimulants…

Which is why I have to preface what I’m about to say with the whole “safety” spiel.

Let me put on my nerd glasses… AHEM!

“As with any supplement, you should consult with your doctor before taking pre-workouts, especially if you have any health conditions or take medication.”

Aiight, now that THAT is out of the way… 

Let’s talk about the ingredients in many of today’s pre-workout formulas that make them “magic”.

So... What's In 'Em?

There are a lot of different formulas for pre’s - but there’s a and we’ll start with the DADDY of pre’s…

• Caffeine: Studies have shown that caffeine can help improve focus, energy, and overall performance - which is why this is generally a primary ingredient in most pre-workout formulas. 
  
  Pre’s typically contain 150 mg to 300 mg of caffeine per serving - which for those counting at home…is equivalent of about three cups of coffee.
  
  If you're caffeine-sensitive - you may want to consider a lower dose or natural alternatives to boost your energy rather than a hardcore pre.

• Beta-alanine: This ingredient is intended to improve your performance during high-intensity exercises by buffering your muscles and studies have shown that beta-alanine can reduce fatigue and improve recovery.
  
  Here’s how it works…
  
  Muscles contain carnosine - which helps regulate acid buildup in said muscle. Maintaining higher levels of carnosine may allow the muscles to perform for longer periods before they become fatigued.
  
• Creatine: Ahhhh, creatine… old faithful. Creatine has long been used as a recovery agent for lifting - as it helps replenishing your ATP stores and keep water in the muscle.
  
  This helps with increasing strength and some studies show it may also help increase your levels of lean body mass.
  
• Amino acids: Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) in pre-workout supplements can increase lean body mass and promote muscle growth…
  
  As it has been shows that BCAA’s can aid in protein synthesis. 
  
  Studies also show that incorporating BCAA’s could help reduce muscle damage after intense workouts as well - shortening recovery time. 

That’s about the long and short of the “magic” ingredients…

Not all pre’s are created equal - but MOST have these in some shape or form. 

However, now that we’ve talked about what’s in ‘em…

Let’s talk about how to take ‘em. 

Just Like Life, Taking Pre Comes Down To ONE Thing...

Now, when it comes to taking pre’s - we need to talk about strategy. 

Because there is a strategy one must think about when taking pre before any athletic endeavor…

And it’s the same strategy to success as you would find having success in  life… timing. 

Timing is IMPORTANT when taking a pre…

Take it too early - and you may not get the full benefits of it for your entire training session. 

But…

Take it too late - and you may not get ANY benefits till you’re halfway through. 

Who wants to waste a precious scoop of that incredible substance? 

Not me…

So, timing is important. 

If you want to get the MOST out of your pre - take it 20 minutes before your session…

This will ensure there’s enough time for the magic components to circulate throughout your body. 

Of course, everybody is different…

But use 20 minutes as a baseline and you can adjust from there. 

That being said…

There’s another aspect about timing that we need to talk about too. 

Consistency. 

Believe it or not (I’ve said that a few times already ?) - taking pre-workout consistently is one of the keys to getting results…

Studies have shown that consistent use leads to better effects than occasional use as using regularly helps build up the main ingredients in your body. 

After three weeks - you may experience longer workouts and less fatigue during and after exercise…

So, as I said - try to stay consistent. 

Do these things - and you’ll get the most out of your pre…

Or - you can keep flushing money down the toilet by taking the wrong amount or taking it at the wrong time. 

That being said…

The absolute BIGGEST mistake is taking TOO much. 

There’s a lot of videos and clips out there showing people taking multiple scoops or just putting water in their pre container and drinking it…

Idiots.

Taking too much of ANYTHING can kill you…

And seeing as each serving of pre is the equivalent to about 3 cups of coffee - you can see how dangerous this can be. 

It ain’t rocket science, folks…

There are labels on the container. 

Now… 

If you’ll excuse me - it’s time for me to get MY lift on.

Until next time, fam…

“Small disciplines repeated with consistency every day lead to great achievements gained slowly over time.” - John C. Maxwell

Editor’s Note: As Shawn said, “Not all pre’s are created equal..” - so, if you need a little boost for your next workout - don’t just grab whatever pre looks “cool” these days… reach for the OG. Yes… OUTLIFT is the ORIGINAL clinically dosed pre-workout - and there’s a reason it’s still one of the best rated pre’s on Barbend.com. If you need a boost - OUTLIFT has your back, fam… grab a container today!