Are you looking for a way to enhance your workout? Taking a pre- workout supplement might be your best bet. While many athletes swear by these powders and supplements, most people are unaware of how they affect the body. In this article we will unpack the positive and negative effects that come with taking a pre-workout supplement.
Pre-workout supplements are specifically manufactured to provide you with an extra boost in the course of exercise and to improve your athletic performance. Because of this reason, pre-workout supplements have become popular among trainers, bodybuilders, athletes, and gym-goers.
What's Actually in Pre-Workout Supplements?
Pre-workout supplements are usually packed with a combination of several constituents. Most companies insist that their products' exceptional properties come from the combination of a unique blend of ingredients. The essential ingredient in these products is caffeine.
Pre-workout supplements are manufactured with large volumes of caffeine. Some top-leading brands contain approximately 400 milligrams (mg) per dose. That is equivalent to consuming four regular cups of coffee. Several leading pre-workout supplements range from 150 mg to 300 mg per dose.
Pre-workout supplements are packed with other materials that bodybuilders and athletes regularly rely on. They include betaine, taurine, L-arginine, and creatine. Guarana is another crucial ingredient contained in several pre-workout supplements. It is a stimulant generated from plants and contains double the amount of caffeine per gram as coffee beans.
The primary objective of consuming pre-workout supplements is to improve one's body performance during a workout by enhancing muscle strength. However, although pre-workout supplements have several advantages; they also have various disadvantages that you should be critically aware of.
That said, let's look at the pros and cons of these supplements.
Pros:
Pre-workout supplements carry lots of advantages. Below, we have outlined some of the top benefits that come with these supplements.
1. You're obtaining more than just caffeine
Most pre-workout supplements are loaded with various nutrients, such as electrolytes, vitamins, amino acids, and creatine monohydrate. These ingredients are useful in assisting the body to build and repair muscles.
2. You're active without oxygen
During a workout, you usually utilize your anaerobic system to a much higher degree than usual. Pre-workout supplements increase your anaerobic peak power. This enables your body to perform at higher intensities and develop an enhanced endurance level. For this benefit to be achieved, one has to consume the pre-workout supplement at least 20-30 minutes prior to a workout.
3. You're alert
In the same way that caffeine helps push you through a tedious task at work, it can help you stay focused and alert in the gym. Taking a pre-workout supplement before a workout considerably enhances your agility choice performance while improving perceived energy and lowering subjective fatigue.
Cons:
1. Dehydration
Pre-workout supplements can act in the same way as diuretics. The stimulants in these products compel the kidneys to release water. You can curb the risk of dehydration by drinking more water and consuming products with high electrolyte content.
2. Overstimulation
The high caffeine content in pre-workout supplements coupled with other add-ins stimulates the central nervous system. At some point, these supplements' energy exceeds the limit that the central nervous system can accommodate. This generates a tingly, shaky sensation that is not enjoyable.
Pre-workout supplements are ideal for improving overall body performance during your workout. You should, however, ensure to take the right amount and at the appropriate time to avoid suffering the potential side effects that come with taking pre-workout supplements.