pre-workout
sluggz
Posts: 134
A little background... I get up at 4:30 every morning and lift in my basement 4 days a week (doing 5/3/1). I start each day by taking a half serving (one scoop) of USPLabs Modern BCAA in water followed by a cup of coffee then do warm up/mobility stuff. Lifting is started by 5:30 and I sip the other half serving of BCAAs in water/juice during training. Post-lifting I take 2 scoops Optimum Nutrition Whey. Breakfast comes once I get to work usually about 8:00 or so.
My question is, some mornings i hold back on weights or reps simply because i'm not mentally there, will a pre-workout supplement help me? They all claim to increase focus, but i've never used one and never really felt the need until my schedule pushed me into early morning training. The one I'm looking at is MusclePharm Assault.
My question is, some mornings i hold back on weights or reps simply because i'm not mentally there, will a pre-workout supplement help me? They all claim to increase focus, but i've never used one and never really felt the need until my schedule pushed me into early morning training. The one I'm looking at is MusclePharm Assault.
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I am not really 'up on' pre-workouts as I do not use them, but I would also think about maybe trying to have your protein before your workout, or maybe some fruit. I workout fasted if I lift in the morning, and have whey in my coffee before I do. Maybe someone else can give input into specific pre-workouts.0
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I take a low stim pre-workout by ProSupps called Dr. Jekyll. It seems to help with my endurance and focus without giving me the cracked out feeling some of the high stim stuff does. It also gives me energy just not the jitters.0
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Sara- thank you! Im not "up on" them either (pun intended?) never felt the need to consider them until I started early AM lifting.
fitandgeeky - Thats what I'm looking for, I dont want to feel like im cracked out or show up to work acting like im on meth.0 -
before you drop a ton of money on a pre-workout I would pick up some cheap caffeine tabs see if that does the trick for you.
http://www.myprotein.com/sports-nutrition/caffeine-pro/10529801.html?menu=a0 -
Like Hendrix7 mentioned, caffeine might be all you need as that's the most common ingredient in most pre-workouts. Some of the other ingredients might assist though as most also have Creatine in some form or fashion, beta-alanine which is supposed to increase physical performance, etc...
I took the original MusclePharm Assault and was happy with it's effects, but they added a good dosage of Niacin to the new formula and I experienced what's called Niacin flush. Too much Niacin (a B vitamin which aids blood flow) was saturating my blood to where my face and neck would go almost blood red for about 30-40 minutes. After a little more research, I've seen this creep up from other people on other forums as well about the new formula, so just be mindful of that possible reaction. I currently use Cellucor's C4 Extreme without any side effects.0 -
I've requested, and received samples of pre-workouts from many different companies before I purchased one. Might be an option to try0
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I drink coffee, but i'm not getting the same effect that i used to and i don't want to drink 4 cups right before lifting. the tablets are a good idea and I like the sample idea, i might try emailing some companies for samples.0
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I have 0 experience with pre-workout suppliments. That said, I usually just put some sugar in a whey shake and get down to business, though I workout in the afternoons.
I don't believe in all this pre-workout stuff, partly because I like to keep things as simple as possible, and partly because I really distrust suppliments. I've read too many articles on how the complete lack of regulation in the industry can be hazardous to your health, and I don't like the idea of consuming something that is "marketed" to me the way suppliments are. Just scares the crap out of me and I don't believe they are necessary.
Even in 5/3/1, Wendler talks about good days/weeks/months and bad days/weeks/months. I would say just keep up with your routine, don't worry about suppliments, just remember to get your sleep and focus leading up to the workout. He talks about how gaining strength is a cummulative thing (a lot like dieting), and that over time, the minutia doesn't matter.0 -
Thanks FrnkLft, I need to be reminded of that sometimes. I just hate leaving reps on the bar because my focus isnt there, not because I can't physically lift it. I guess on the plus side, I'm getting really good at auto-regulation!0
