Pre-Workouts that work.

allanrjudge · December 2016

I need to get fit in the new year and need a pre workout, or mixture of pre workouts, that will give me energy.

Any supplement I've ever tried in the past gas had no effect on me at all. I want something to make me get a rush of energy.

I see so many people rave about pre workouts, there must be some that work. Are they just a placebo?

Sorry if I sound like a complete novice, it's because I am.

quiksylver296 · December 2016

I think you have to try different ones until you find one you like.

I don't like to feel hyper and I hate the niacin tingle. I just want a steady, sustained energy. So after trying multiple brands, I like ENGN EVL. I only use it when I'm really dragging, though. Most of the time I just drink a Monster (Ultra Zero).

cwolfman13 · December 2016

I take and apple or banana...sometimes some coffee with that.

ninerbuff · December 2016

If you have no energy before a workout, it's because of your nutrient needs first and foremost. Most pre workouts are STIMULANT based. And after awhile, people build resistance to them.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

MeanderingMammal · December 2016

allanrjudge wrote: »

.... need a pre workout, or mixture of pre workouts, ...

Personally I just eat food.

I quite like Tailwind for Half Marathon and Marathon distances and when I go to Ultra distances I start back on flapjacks, soup, water melon, apples and the like

4llenramos · December 2016

Yogurt, puffed wheat, or fruit. Preferably fruit as they are simple sugars and you will get immediate energy

sardelsa · December 2016

Caffeine and candy (dextrose) is my go to. Boring but I like it

watts6151 · December 2016

White monster and a caffeine tab

sijomial · December 2016

You don't need a pre-workout. Just go and workout.
You don't need a "rush of energy" to exercise - that's just a complete load of cobblers.

Spliner1969 · December 2016

I have used a variety of them. I am currently using C4 Sport. They all pretty much have caffeine in them, and other stuff. I like the Beta Alanine in mine, it makes my skin tingle within 30 minutes of taking it, and that's usually my queue to get up and work out. I will use them for a couple of months then stop using them for a month or two just to make sure I don't get too used to them. Also, I generally only use them on work days when I'm working out at 5:30am. For me, that's 3 days a week, the other two I simply eat a carb/protein heavy - but small portion breakfast and drink some coffee then wait 30 minutes to an hour and I'm good to go. Muscletech makes one I like called "Pre-Workout Explosion" that is cheap and readily found at the local Wal-Mart and/or Sam's Club. I've not really found one that works better than another, they all pretty much wake me up and get me ready to go on early mornings.

Willbenchforcupcakes · December 2016

Coffee. And candy. The occasional day that I use an actual preworkout it's powder burn 2.0 by rivalus. Anything I use needs to be third party tested as WADA compliant.

kimny72 · December 2016

cwolfman13 wrote: »

I take and apple or banana...sometimes some coffee with that.

Same here, cup of coffee and a banana. If that jolt doesn't work, I figure I'm not well-rested enough to push myself hard so I just do a light workout, and then I prioritize getting a good night's sleep that night while I still feel like schmuck for not getting a better workout in

Cylphin60 · December 2016

Coffee here. I tried a couple of products, including one that had me feeling manic after taking it for a couple of weeks. No more of that for me.

successgal1 · December 2016

I've been doing well keeping my energy up for an hour and 20 on my bike by having exactly 6 triscuits, a stick of lite cheese and a half banana. About a half hour before the ride. And yep a jolt of coffee if sleepy helps, but only if the lagging energy is due to lack of actual sleep, and not actual food.

canadianlbs · December 2016

i'm happy to see all the votes for candy

for me, it's either just making sure i've eaten whichever meal is applicable for the time of day, or it's something like skittles or (recently) mike 'n ike jelly beans.

if it's going to be something unusually gritty, i do sometimes dump a scoop of bcaa powder into my water bottle before i leave home. i let the powder settle, drink off most of teh water and then refill. i'm not much for the energy-rush thing but i do like to dodge the doms bullet if possible.

Packerjohn · December 2016

allanrjudge wrote: »

I need to get fit in the new year and need a pre workout, or mixture of pre workouts, that will give me energy.

Any supplement I've ever tried in the past gas had no effect on me at all. I want something to make me get a rush of energy.

I see so many people rave about pre workouts, there must be some that work. Are they just a placebo?

Sorry if I sound like a complete novice, it's because I am.

As a complete novice, fix your diet and sleep patterns first, don't even think about supplements until this is taken care of (unless you need a supplement as recommended by a doctor for some issue). As mentioned above, pre-works are mainly caffeine, not needed with proper sleep and diet.

Best of luck.

kwtilbury · December 2016

If you need energy, drink caffeine.

My pre-workout stack includes creatine, citrulline malate, beta alanine, taurine and caffeine. However, caffeine is the only one of those intended for stimulation/energy.