Pre-Workout Supplements?

alyssamiller77

I know these have been talked about on this board before (I know because I did search). I've got a question though, what is the point of them really and how beneficial are they to actually developing mass? Now I'm not talking about drinking a protein shake or getting a solid meal before a workout, that I get. I'm talking about products that specifically market themselves as a pre-workout performance booster, usually tell you to take them anywhere from 20-45 minutes before your workout and seem to focus on boosting energy and "the pump" for your workout.

So my question is two-fold. First, what is the goal of these really? Is it just to boost your energy and endurance for your workout so you can be work more intensely and thus build quicker? Does it increase blood flow in an attempt to speed recovery? Are the effects just temporary to make your muscles swell while being worked and provide no real advantage? What's the story? Second, do these help in any way with building mass?

I ask because I just got a huge supply for free and decided to try it out tonight for my workout. I don't know how much of it was placebo affect and what was reality, but I did notice a subtle difference in my energy level and definitely my muscles felt more swollen or pumped than they typically do after my workout tonight. Thoughts, especially from some of the heavier lifters out there?

wellbert

In all honesty, they really just get you wired.