Pre-workout recommendations?

Eaving1
Eaving1 Posts: 40
edited November 16 in Fitness and Exercise
So I'm having trouble with exercising lately, I've just had zero energy and most days I can barely push myself to 20 minutes on the cross trainer before being completely drained and shaking. With that in mind, I'm looking for a new pre-workout. The one I'm using at the moment (Swisse Prepare I-Cartininine) has minimal effect. Anybody know of a good one to try? Just need enough energy to work out more.
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Replies

  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    I like 1/2 serving of Mr Hyde. A full serving has too much beta alanine and makes me itch.
  • KarenJanine
    KarenJanine Posts: 3,497 Member
    Coffee
  • Soundwave79
    Soundwave79 Posts: 469 Member
    I swear by C4. Can usually catch it on sale on Amazon. It has beta alanine though so it may make you itch. Start with a half scoop or 1 scoop dose and see if you get any reactions. I used to mind the itch but now it barely even phases me. As far as energy goes... it gets my blood boiling and makes me eager to get a sweat going.
  • LiftAndBalance
    LiftAndBalance Posts: 960 Member
    KarenJanine wrote: »
    Coffee

    This.
  • andreamaym
    andreamaym Posts: 179 Member
    I wake up at 5am, chug a glass of water, and get to it. Not sure what you're schedule it like, but if I attempted a workout after work I'd be super drained, too.
  • pzarnosky
    pzarnosky Posts: 256 Member
    First eat a fast digesting carb; I do a 100 calorie bag of pretzels. It helps throughout the workout. For preworkout I like C4. Start with one scoop to see how your tolerance is. Shatter is really good too but quite a bit more intense than C4.
    In case you've never taken a preworkout before, the tingling feeling you get all over is completely normal. Don't freak out :smile:
  • jmaidan
    jmaidan Posts: 93 Member
    Another vote for coffee. Strong and black.
  • stfuriada
    stfuriada Posts: 445 Member
    I liked Hemavol. But I think they reformulated and I haven't tried that yet.
  • M_Jo
    M_Jo Posts: 80 Member
    I use Amino Uptake from Complete Nutrition. No jitters or itches like with other PWs and has nutrients for recovery. My favorite is that rather than making me feel like I just can't sit still, it gives me a small boost of energy but a ton of concentration for the duration of my workout. Instead of "omgIhavetogorunrightnowI'mgoingtorunforevergetouttamyway" it's "alright, Let's DO this...now lets do THIS".
  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
    Eaving1 wrote: »
    So I'm having trouble with exercising lately, I've just had zero energy and most days I can barely push myself to 20 minutes on the cross trainer before being completely drained and shaking. With that in mind, I'm looking for a new pre-workout. The one I'm using at the moment (Swisse Prepare I-Cartininine) has minimal effect. Anybody know of a good one to try? Just need enough energy to work out more.

    First...are you eating enough? You shouldn't feel "completely drained and shaking."
  • bluetuesday5
    bluetuesday5 Posts: 99 Member
    Coffee, or if you're feeling adventurous, caffeine powder. I like 150-200mg in a shot of water. Tastes vile, gets you going. I don't think anything else legal works tbh it's all marketing hype.
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    Eaving1 wrote: »
    So I'm having trouble with exercising lately, I've just had zero energy and most days I can barely push myself to 20 minutes on the cross trainer before being completely drained and shaking. With that in mind, I'm looking for a new pre-workout. The one I'm using at the moment (Swisse Prepare I-Cartininine) has minimal effect. Anybody know of a good one to try? Just need enough energy to work out more.



    This sounds like you're simply not eating enough throughout the day to fuel your workouts.

    How big is your deficit? How often/hard are you working out?

    You've gotten some suggestions already. And while those suggestions are nice, they may be meaningless, if you're doing too much, too soon, with too little fuel.
  • dpwellman
    dpwellman Posts: 3,271 Member
    andreamaym wrote: »
    I wake up at 5am, chug a glass of water, and get to it. Not sure what you're schedule it like, but if I attempted a workout after work I'd be super drained, too.
    Exactly this.
  • markstanley666
    markstanley666 Posts: 5 Member
    I would agree strong coffee and give your system a break from pre-workout supplements as it sounds like your tolerance has built up. cant go wrong with a banana ether. failing that i was a Fan driven sports Craze theyv just released a new version which
  • erockem
    erockem Posts: 278 Member
    Full glass of water and a 200mg caffeine pill.
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    Eat enough to fuel your workout and hydrate. You need to deal with those issues to make sure you arent just covering things up with the pre workout.
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    6:30 a,m. Cup of coffee and then a walk with my dog (usually a light jog) around the neighborhood then a light stretch and then my work out.

    My dog walk is my "wake up" and "warm up" . I get loosened up by moving around before I hit it!
  • Eaving1
    Eaving1 Posts: 40
    Thanks for the suggestions :) I probably should also have added that I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, after looking for answers as to why I suddenly couldn't lift half of what I could before being down sick for a week with a nasty virus in Feb 2014, and having half of my previous endurance. I.e instead of doing at least an hour workout a day comfortably, I'd be struggling after 20 minutes and having 3-4 day recovery times for DOMS. Something like going for a 40 minute walk has left me unable to walk properly for 3 days, when I was easily climbing the local hiking tracks a few days a week previously. At the moment though, I'm weaker than usual for some reason, so that's why I'm looking for an energy boost.
  • lulucitron
    lulucitron Posts: 366 Member
    Don't take pre-workout stuff...before a workout I'll have a protein shake with a banana in it and that does me just fine.
  • branflakes1980
    branflakes1980 Posts: 2,516 Member
    This thread has made me realize that I will not ever be trying a pre workout. "Tingling all over" "Itching" WTF! LOL! Not for me! Yikes!
  • Soundwave79
    Soundwave79 Posts: 469 Member
    branflakes1980 wrote: »
    This thread has made me realize that I will not ever be trying a pre workout. "Tingling all over" "Itching" WTF! LOL! Not for me! Yikes!

    Yea it's the Beta Alanine. Some people have no reaction to it whatever. Others have different degrees. I get a slight itch from it, my brother on the other hand gets an unbearable itch from it so he uses a preworkout that doesn't have it. For me once I start sweating the itch goes away.

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  • Dezfit702
    Dezfit702 Posts: 4 Member
    I had the same problem. & always taking naps all the time. I found moringa oleifera, the miracle tree. The discovery channel did an interesting documentary on the tree you can find on you tube. I've been taking it since Aug '14 & have honestly never felt better. My fiance also has fibromyalgia & it has changed his life. he can actually work out now. It's helped 3 people i know with fibromyalgia. It's helped us lose weight, we don't get migraines as often, with 36 anti inflammatory families it helps with pain & for after workouts. Zija is name of the company,based out of Utah. They also have pre workout, protein, detox teas... I was taking the product awhile before i became a distributor. I was skeptical of course but it wasn't long before i knew this stuff was amazing & could help the people i love. I believe in it 100%! Read about moringa on web md & check out Zijas site www.myzija.dezarae.com. If you have any questions, please email me isaacsondez@gmail.com.
  • Metruis
    Metruis Posts: 60 Member
    All I do pre-workout is try to not eat, because if my stomach is full I feel like crap when lifting. And I take a creatine pill before and after, and after, try to suffer through a protein drink.

    Anything expensive is a waste of money. Now, taking supps like Vitamin D, fish oil, Theanine, Korean ginseng... they can help out with fatigue and mental exhaustion, so it's not a bad idea to mess around. I use the Korean Ginseng myself, it's helped a lot with my energy levels, more than coffee.
  • Ocrgrrrl
    Ocrgrrrl Posts: 189 Member
    NLA for her. The cherry limeade is delicious! I also add Xtend (BCAAS/glutamine). I do mad strength training most days, though.
  • kjac1992
    kjac1992 Posts: 16 Member
    I love the cellucor C4. It gets the itch going that's pretty weird the first time but I've found it actually helps motivate me now! I'm a full time college student, not matter what time I get up to work out it's going to take an extra kick to keep me there longer than a half hour. I genuinely love my pre-workout.
  • sst036
    sst036 Posts: 58 Member
    My PT recommends using Hydralyte or something similar before I do an afternoon/evening workout. The extra electrolytes seem to help, or at least placebo effect type of help and I'm not up half the night feeling wired. Maybe you could try that?

    The first time I took a preworkout, I felt like I was running through spider webs (which since it was damn and I'm in Australia...plausible and scary). Now I look forward to it because it makes me laugh. Although, has anyone noticed that you feel it in your "weak" areas? I get the spider web sensation only in my ankles and knees where I've had repeative sprains and surgeries.
  • joepratt503
    joepratt503 Posts: 191 Member
    markstanley666 wrote: »
    I would agree strong coffee and give your system a break from pre-workout supplements as it sounds like your tolerance has built up. cant go wrong with a banana ether. failing that i was a Fan driven sports Craze theyv just released a new version which

    The old Craze was awesome because it was full of banned stuff :) I didnt see that they had a new one (I just looked again)...but I use Pre-OG. yes, its a you-tuber fitness pre-workout but its great and best part is that there is no "proprietary blend"
  • joepratt503
    joepratt503 Posts: 191 Member
    branflakes1980 wrote: »
    This thread has made me realize that I will not ever be trying a pre workout. "Tingling all over" "Itching" WTF! LOL! Not for me! Yikes!

    They dont all do it...only the Beta Alanine does it and many have different levels or none at all. Also, your body gets used to it and that does go away (but the Pre Workout still works).
  • barryplumber
    barryplumber Posts: 401 Member
    KarenJanine wrote: »
    Coffee

    Works for me too
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