Pre-workout Recommendation

Hi all!
I am looking for a good pre-workout drink to give me an extra boost prior to hitting the gym. I've been using C4 by Cellucor and I don't notice a big difference in energy, it just makes me itch.

Any recommendations?

Replies

  • kwtilbury
    kwtilbury Posts: 1,234 Member
    Caffeine. Or cocaine.
  • mykidsrock76
    mykidsrock76 Posts: 23 Member
    Ha! I have a cup of coffee every morning but it doesn't do much. And I think I'll pass on the cocaine.
  • jkwolly
    jkwolly Posts: 3,049 Member
    kwtilbury wrote: »
    Caffeine. Or cocaine.
    Guess price point is the big factor here....
  • kwtilbury
    kwtilbury Posts: 1,234 Member
    Ha! I have a cup of coffee every morning but it doesn't do much. And I think I'll pass on the cocaine.

    Not into cocaine, huh? OK, well, in addition to caffeine, look into tyrosine and taurine. They are aminos intended to increase alertness. Taurine is one of the active ingredients in energy drinks such as Red Bull and Monster.
  • jmule24
    jmule24 Posts: 1,382 Member
    kwtilbury wrote: »
    Ha! I have a cup of coffee every morning but it doesn't do much. And I think I'll pass on the cocaine.

    Not into cocaine, huh? OK, well, in addition to caffeine, look into tyrosine and taurine. They are aminos intended to increase alertness. Taurine is one of the active ingredients in energy drinks such as Red Bull and Monster.

    This ^^^^

    Caffeine pills are very inexpensive too. FWIW - pre-workout drinks are solely placebo effect which is good for many!

    Myself, I workout at 4am so I NEED (personal preference) caffeine to workout!!!!
  • jmac4263
    jmac4263 Posts: 245 Member
    C4 or Evl- grape is my fave or watermelon- you can purchase at GNC or bodybuilding.com which is my favorite, they ship super fast!
  • Try mr. Hyde i tried it and loved it b/c of the boost it gave me also the guy working at guaranteed nutrition said it's the strongest pre-workout out there
  • mykidsrock76
    mykidsrock76 Posts: 23 Member
    Thank you all for the suggestions. Looks like a trip to Vitamin Shoppe or GNC is on my agenda tomorrow.
  • FabianRodriguez94
    FabianRodriguez94 Posts: 221 Member
    I like the musclepharm assault. I recently switched to their newer musclepharm assault black, which doesn't have any propriety blends in it. Also it doesn't give you as much jitters and itchiness like other preworkouts
  • colors_fade
    colors_fade Posts: 464 Member
    I'm going to be in the minority here, but what I've found works best pre-workout? A stupid Cliff Bar.

    I've tried a few caffeine drinks, 5-hour energy, etc., and yet what works amazingly well for me is a simple protein/carb bar about 10-15 minutes before I lift.

    I've been experimenting with this the past few weeks and so far it seems to do the trick better than anything else.

    So I'm thinking, just fuel yourself right and you're could be good to go (without all the expense of a fancy drink).
  • edwardetr
    edwardetr Posts: 140 Member
    I'm going to be in the minority here, but what I've found works best pre-workout? A stupid Cliff Bar.

    I've tried a few caffeine drinks, 5-hour energy, etc., and yet what works amazingly well for me is a simple protein/carb bar about 10-15 minutes before I lift.

    I've been experimenting with this the past few weeks and so far it seems to do the trick better than anything else.

    So I'm thinking, just fuel yourself right and you're could be good to go (without all the expense of a fancy drink).

    Simple carbs and a little bit of protein. I've read of body builders drinking Tang with whey protein in it.

  • mykidsrock76
    mykidsrock76 Posts: 23 Member
    I typically eat 2 hard boiled eggs and a banana before I hit the gym.

    I really don't want to overthink this, as I have a tendency to do that.

    Just want a little extra energy.
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    edwardetr wrote: »
    I'm going to be in the minority here, but what I've found works best pre-workout? A stupid Cliff Bar.

    I've tried a few caffeine drinks, 5-hour energy, etc., and yet what works amazingly well for me is a simple protein/carb bar about 10-15 minutes before I lift.

    I've been experimenting with this the past few weeks and so far it seems to do the trick better than anything else.

    So I'm thinking, just fuel yourself right and you're could be good to go (without all the expense of a fancy drink).

    Simple carbs and a little bit of protein. I've read of body builders drinking Tang with whey protein in it.
    Yep personally not touching the overpriced pre-workout caffeine shot.
  • LolaKarwowski
    LolaKarwowski Posts: 217 Member
    I like NO Xplode. It works for me. Not sure what's all in it.
  • SBragg11
    SBragg11 Posts: 4 Member
    My go to is half a whole wheat bagel with 2 teaspoons of all natural peanut peanut butter and my supplements of course.
  • edwardetr
    edwardetr Posts: 140 Member
    I typically eat 2 hard boiled eggs and a banana before I hit the gym.

    I really don't want to overthink this, as I have a tendency to do that.

    Just want a little extra energy.

    The fat in the egg yolks may be slowing down the digestion of their protein and the carbs from banana.

  • mykidsrock76
    mykidsrock76 Posts: 23 Member
    edwardetr wrote: »
    I typically eat 2 hard boiled eggs and a banana before I hit the gym.

    I really don't want to overthink this, as I have a tendency to do that.

    Just want a little extra energy.

    The fat in the egg yolks may be slowing down the digestion of their protein and the carbs from banana.

    So do you recommend just doing the egg whites?

  • mykidsrock76
    mykidsrock76 Posts: 23 Member
    sbragg11 wrote: »
    My go to is half a whole wheat bagel with 2 teaspoons of all natural peanut peanut butter and my supplements of course.

    Good idea. I love peanut butter.
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    edited July 2015
    edwardetr wrote: »
    I typically eat 2 hard boiled eggs and a banana before I hit the gym.

    I really don't want to overthink this, as I have a tendency to do that.

    Just want a little extra energy.

    The fat in the egg yolks may be slowing down the digestion of their protein and the carbs from banana.

    In a scientific sense maybe, but in a practical sense makes no difference.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    edited July 2015
    I like the Muscletech Shatter. It just wakes me up and gives a good tingle without making your heart jump through your chest, but much stronger than C4-and better than the C4 Extreme as well.
  • edwardetr
    edwardetr Posts: 140 Member
    sbragg11 wrote: »
    My go to is half a whole wheat bagel with 2 teaspoons of all natural peanut peanut butter and my supplements of course.

    Good idea. I love peanut butter.

    This works for me, too. A slice of whole wheat bread, 1 tbs almond butter and a sliced 1/2 banana on top seems to give me a lot of energy for workouts.

  • Soundwave79
    Soundwave79 Posts: 469 Member
    I've used C4 for 2 years now and it's worked well for me. I workout after work and it gives me enough of a wake up buzz to get me going, but not so much that it keeps me awake later. Whatever you do though... don't order the Mojito. It's cheap as hell on Amazon for a reason... it's nasty.
  • robspot
    robspot Posts: 130 Member
    I've just started using Pre Jym and I find it really good, no jitters.
  • jaga13
    jaga13 Posts: 1,149 Member
    I don't eat anything before I exercise. I hate the feeling of running when there is something in my stomach. I'd rather wait and refuel over breakfast afterwards.

    Whatever you chose, make sure you aren't taking in too many calories!