Needing advice on pre-workouts - should I or shouldn't I?

Big cup of coffee and some nuts/peanut butter/protein. My philosophy is anyone in their 20 and early 30s doesn't need to take pre-workout since we're at the perfect age to grow strength. Anyone older should also avoid that stuff since too much caffeine can be rough.

Pre workouts are all stimulant based. Working out is mostly going to be about attitude. Oh and making sure you get enough rest.

My take: unneeded.

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

C4 is the best. I would definitely recommend it if you are feeling tired. It helps you do extra lifts,heavier lifts, and keeps you focused during your workouts.

I lift at 4am in the morning - and I find pre-workout helps me. Gives me the extra focus to get that one or two extra reps in. C4 worked well, though I found that I crashed come around 10am with it. I am currently using hemorage black - it's intense! And no crash.

Just give it a go and see how you feel. Everyone is different.

I'm using ON pre workouts right now. The only one that gives me a tingly feeling is the ON Platinum Pre. I use that on nights when I know my workout is going to be extra tough. I use the Amino energy most other days.

Same as above, I use Pre-Jym and i love it, its fairly new, but I love the energy it gives me. I work out after work and go to bed usually 2 hours after i'm done lifting and have no problem sleeping. Its very effective but wears in about 2 hours but i dont crash. I highly recommend Pre's just start off with half the dose until you know how your body reacts.

LolBroScience wrote: »

uconnwinsnc1 wrote: »

Big cup of coffee and some nuts/peanut butter/protein. My philosophy is anyone in their 20 and early 30s doesn't need to take pre-workout since we're at the perfect age to grow strength. Anyone older should also avoid that stuff since too much caffeine can be rough.

So, basically don't take it period?

What does growing strength have to do with taking a pre-workout? It's an energy boost...

Anyway, It's up to you... I stopped buying the pre-mixed branded ones a while ago. Now I just pop a caffeine pill prior to lifting and a scoop of beta-alanine. Same effect for 1/10th the cost.

I don't believe in taking any prepackaged stimulants that are manufactured by a company that only wants your $$$. You can get the same results with some caffeine and a good high energy breakfast and a big glass of cold water. Mental fatigue can be a problem but cranking your body up on more stims than you're used too might not be a good idea.

I am just someone who likes to keep my cost down when it comes to working out. Pre-workout is just fluff and a waste of money to me. I am at peak testosterone levels and the best shape I've been in my entire life. Being a little tired when I go to workout isn't a problem. I just push through it.

uconnwinsnc1 wrote: »

LolBroScience wrote: »

uconnwinsnc1 wrote: »

Big cup of coffee and some nuts/peanut butter/protein. My philosophy is anyone in their 20 and early 30s doesn't need to take pre-workout since we're at the perfect age to grow strength. Anyone older should also avoid that stuff since too much caffeine can be rough.

So, basically don't take it period?

What does growing strength have to do with taking a pre-workout? It's an energy boost...

Anyway, It's up to you... I stopped buying the pre-mixed branded ones a while ago. Now I just pop a caffeine pill prior to lifting and a scoop of beta-alanine. Same effect for 1/10th the cost.

I don't believe in taking any prepackaged stimulants that are manufactured by a company that only wants your $$$. You can get the same results with some caffeine and a good high energy breakfast and a big glass of cold water. Mental fatigue can be a problem but cranking your body up on more stims than you're used too might not be a good idea.

I am just someone who likes to keep my cost down when it comes to working out. Pre-workout is just fluff and a waste of money to me. I am at peak testosterone levels and the best shape I've been in my entire life. Being a little tired when I go to workout isn't a problem. I just push through it.

while i agree with much of what your saying, i don't agree with everything, i think there are PWOs out there that are leaps and bounds better. For me i want a PWO with at least acetyl l Cystein, Betaine, Creatine, bcaa's, beta-alanine, citrulline mialate. I've tried all these ingredients separately but together its a whole difference experience. The other huge problem with supplements in general is under dosing (dusting), concentrates and proprietary blends. This is why i love Pre-Jym and the whole line up, its based off up front advertising and not leaving the consumer in the dark about what they are putting in their body. and @ $35 a tub, its hardly breaking the bank.

Working 10 days in a row 14 hour days on top of a hour commute a day, i feel like a PWO is not only needed but required. I know if i take a scoop of it in my car on the way home i have to go to the gym or i wont sleep. for me its a staple product, just have to pick the right one.

I tried it - Grenade powder or something? It was horrible. I felt jittery and it didn't seem to make a damned bit of difference to my workout - I think I was expecting it to turn me into a superhero or something

Cup of coffee and a good breakfast for me before a workout (normally oats with whey and PB).

By no means a deal breaker.

Can be useful occasionally but cheaper just to have a strong black coffee.

Can be a hindrance if you're sensitive to stimulants.

If you understand most preworkouts are stimulant based and are OK with that than I'd recommend C4. It's what I use before lifting (also has creatine), and seems to have less jitters and crash than others. I use Nuun energy (electrolytes, caffine, and B vitamins) before cardio.