Pre-work outs and supplements

katiep_06
katiep_06 Posts: 6 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Just wondering if anyone could give me some insight on all these pre-workout drinks people rave about. I've always done everything with just hard work and lots of water, but I'm intrigued.

Is it just an energy boost that they provide?

What products do you guys use and why?

Thanks!

Replies

  • StealthHealth
    StealthHealth Posts: 2,417 Member
    Strong coffee sometimes but that is about it.
  • SonyaCele
    SonyaCele Posts: 2,841 Member
    edited March 2016
    i dont use a pre-workout, But i do like iced coffee in my shaker cup with protein powder for a caffeine blast. For regular suppliments i take BCAA's and a multivitamin, gluclosamine, fish oil and creatine.

    i think a big part of the whole pre-workout thing is the fancy packaging and hype, but maybe there is some benefit to them? i took one one time and was wired for 3 days and got a cramp in my hamstring so bad i had to stop my workout
  • katiep_06
    katiep_06 Posts: 6 Member
    Is the protein powder because you do not consume enough protein in your diet?
  • Burger2066
    Burger2066 Posts: 126 Member
    edited March 2016
    I can't drink coffee, just don't like the taste. But I use a preworkout. Right now I'm using Muscle Pharm's and I like it. It gets me more amped up without that jittery itchy feeling I've had with some of the others... (that powder was pre-workout...right???). I feel more energized when I take it before a workout. I normally workout at 10:30am (about to head down to the gym) at my work gym after sitting in a chair for a few hours. So a pick-me-up helps as I like to go 100mph through my workouts. As far as other supplements go, I take BCAAs and use a protein powder to help reach my targeted protein intake.
  • katiep_06
    katiep_06 Posts: 6 Member
    Ha! Ya I'm definitely not up for that. Just wondering what the benefit to them is
  • StealthHealth
    StealthHealth Posts: 2,417 Member
    edited March 2016
    Oh, I forgot. I also take BCAA (5g pre 5g post) when I occasionally work out fasted but BCAA is not really a pre-work out performance enhancer, I use it for its muscle sparing properties.
  • SonyaCele
    SonyaCele Posts: 2,841 Member
    katiep_06 wrote: »
    Is the protein powder because you do not consume enough protein in your diet?

    yeah but its mostly for the timing of the protein in my system, i want it while i'm working out and directly after. and its too difficult to eat grilled chicken or tuna at the gym
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Most pre and post workout supplements are just stimulants like caffeine mixed in with some B vitamins and whatnot. IMO, they aren't necessary for the vast majority of people and are really just marketing.

    I usually have an apple...1/2 before and 1/2 after. I also supplement with whey, but that's just a way of supplementing my protein to hit my targets...it's not magical.
  • katiep_06
    katiep_06 Posts: 6 Member
    I typically work out fasted too. What are BCAAS?

  • katiep_06
    katiep_06 Posts: 6 Member
    I'm not looking for magical. I've always just been a hard work pays off kind of woman. I'm not training for anything I just enjoy being fit.

    I hear all these people at the gym talking about what they take and it just seems so....extreme? For lack of a better word. Just curious as to what all the hype is about
  • SonyaCele
    SonyaCele Posts: 2,841 Member
    branch chain aminos, they are just another form of protein.
  • StealthHealth
    StealthHealth Posts: 2,417 Member
  • katiep_06
    katiep_06 Posts: 6 Member
    Thanks!
  • skydiveD30571
    skydiveD30571 Posts: 281 Member
    I love my pre-workout mixes. To each their own, but the energy and focus and general "hyped up" feeling they give me helps me a ton at the gym after 8 hours of work.

    They range in strength and effectiveness, and generally affect most people differently. It doesn't hurt to try a sample and see what you think.
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    My pre workout is Pepsi Max ;)
  • Burger2066
    Burger2066 Posts: 126 Member
    My pre workout is Pepsi Max ;)

    That's how you get Max Gains!
  • peaceout_aly
    peaceout_aly Posts: 2,018 Member
    I usually drink coffee beforehand. I've tried pre-workouts but don't really like the shaky feeling that they give me. Yeah, I can work out harder, but only after getting over a 15-minute initial feeling of nausea and shakes. I occassionally drink BCAA's if I feel like I overworked myself and need to recover quickly.
  • shor0814
    shor0814 Posts: 559 Member
    I usually drink coffee beforehand. I've tried pre-workouts but don't really like the shaky feeling that they give me. Yeah, I can work out harder, but only after getting over a 15-minute initial feeling of nausea and shakes. I occassionally drink BCAA's if I feel like I overworked myself and need to recover quickly.

    There is a bit of trial and error in the timing of pre-workouts for lifting.

    Take them too early and you are jittery and amped up for your warmup but nothing for the heavy lifts. Wait too long and you are at your heavy lifting without any stimulation.

    If you time them correctly you don't notice the jitters and tingle as much since your focus is on the lift and then focusing on recovery between sets.

    I usually take them once I get to the gym so they get me going right after my warmups. I never saw the point of downing the dry powder and chasing it with water and somehow you immediately feel the effects. I need around 20 minutes. Once I feel the tingle I should be hitting my heavy sets within a couple minutes.
  • 883xlsportster
    883xlsportster Posts: 221 Member
    Never used a commercial product. Black coffee seems to work well enough for me. About 20 mins before lifting plus some good tunes.
  • FabianRodriguez94
    FabianRodriguez94 Posts: 221 Member
    I use musclepharm preworkouts because they tend to be the only ones which do not give me jitters. I use coffee on occasion, but sometimes it can upset my stomach. For after workouts (sometimes intra), I will have BCAA's just because I wasn't able to reach my protein through food.
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