Opinions on taking pre-workout?

ashannon2013
ashannon2013 Posts: 8 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hello everyone, I want to start weight training and cardio but my energy levels are really low. Do you suggest taking a pre workout for beginners? If so does anyone have any reccomendations? Thanks guys!
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Replies

  • joybedford
    joybedford Posts: 1,680 Member
    Hi I use a pre workout but only before strength training it appears to have helped with fat loss and gives me energy too. I have little energy too due to shift work. I use athlete nutrition voltage and there fat burner velocity. They make me a little jittery (shaky) but not too bad. I am in the UK though so not sure if that's any good to you.
  • IsaackGMOON
    IsaackGMOON Posts: 3,358 Member
    edited September 2015
    joybedford wrote: »
    Hi I use a pre workout but only before strength training it appears to have helped with fat loss and gives me energy too. I have little energy too due to shift work. I use athlete nutrition voltage and there fat burner velocity. They make me a little jittery (shaky) but not too bad. I am in the UK though so not sure if that's any good to you.

    PWO's or other supplements don't help in losing weight... that comes from a caloric deficit.

    The jittery feeling is from caffeine.

    OP there is really no point in taking a PWO unless you set PR's often, or workout early in the morning.

    How many calories are you eating? Stats?

  • jersey_54
    jersey_54 Posts: 278 Member
    Never had pwo irl and still slayin em weights crew chekin in
  • Willbenchforcupcakes
    Willbenchforcupcakes Posts: 4,955 Member
    Normally coffee is my preworkout. However, some of my training days are designed to fry my nervous system, and those days are easier to handle with a preworkout on board.
  • Krisfit40
    Krisfit40 Posts: 106 Member
    I use kaged muscle supplements, they can be found on bodybuilding.com.. The pre workout is designed to give you focus and there are no jitters or itchy effects... It has all natural patented ingredients also!
  • moribunny
    moribunny Posts: 417 Member
    Supplements aren't necessary; you can have coffee or something if you want some caffeine, but you may also want to make sure you're eating, sleeping, and resting enough if you're lacking in energy.
  • tank1539
    tank1539 Posts: 55 Member
    I love em. I'm in the gym at 5 am and they absolutely help me. I use anarchy.
  • fitrep1
    fitrep1 Posts: 22 Member
    ashannon2013 wrote: »
    Hello everyone, I want to start weight training and cardio but my energy levels are really low. Do you sugg. t taking a pre workout for beginners? If so does anyone have any reccomendations? Thanks guys!

    Start with your BCAA's and also B vitamins. Make sure you are using a quality protein source. It is hard to say if there is any other issues because I don't know you but start with the easiest first.
  • foursirius
    foursirius Posts: 321 Member
    I tend to shy away from them when I'm only doing cardio, but take one almost all of the time on lifting days.
  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
    I don't tend to react that well to them myself, but if it works for you, then I think it fine.
  • Ironmaiden4life
    Ironmaiden4life Posts: 422 Member
    edited September 2015
    If you're thinking of adding a pwo grab some sample packs of different brands and see which ones work for you. Everybody reacts differently, some will make you jittery, some will make you want to scratch your skin off for a few minutes others may give you the oh so attractive niacin flush. Just be aware that once you do find a brand you like you'll adapt pretty quickly and may have to cycle on and off and or switch brands.

    Before taking a pwo I would fix your diet and rest/recovery first to address the low energy issue.
  • rifletotinbadboy
    rifletotinbadboy Posts: 23 Member
    I use Mr Hyde. It works awesome, no shakes or goose bumps. If you never used a pre work out use half a scoop to figure out tolerances. Here's. Picture of the product!
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    ashannon2013 wrote: »
    Hello everyone, I want to start weight training and cardio but my energy levels are really low. Do you suggest taking a pre workout for beginners? If so does anyone have any reccomendations? Thanks guys!

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  • Soundwave79
    Soundwave79 Posts: 469 Member
    I workout in the evening after work. I currently use C4 because it's fast and gets my blood flowing and helps me stick to my schedule. But it's not necessary. Alot of people just drink black coffee to achieve the same effect. If you do go the way of a PWO like C4 make sure you start with small doses. It can have quite the effect at first. But then you start building up a tolerance and will have to increase dosage. Also a warning if you are sensitive to Beta Alanine you may experience a tingling/itching feeling all over your body. It takes a while to get used to, once you break out a sweat it goes away but for some people who are really sensitive it can be very uncomfortable.

    If you go the C4 route I recommend the Fruit Punch or Berry Bomb. Stay away from the Mojito...sounds amazing taste ridiculously bad. I can usually get it off Amazon for a decent price.
  • nordlead2005
    nordlead2005 Posts: 1,303 Member
    If your problem is energy level, then get more sleep and just take some caffeine if you want. Your choice of pill, coffee, espresso, etc...
  • jmac4263
    jmac4263 Posts: 245 Member
    I have taken several, like them a lot. Echo what others have said about c4 its my go to, Fruit punch or watermelon are best. I don't care for Blue Razz or Strawberry Margarita. All time favorite is EVL in grape flavor. Good luck!
  • devilwhiterose
    devilwhiterose Posts: 1,157 Member
    I'm not a fan. I just don't enjoy the feeling of itchy eyebrows and prickly hairs on my arms. :D
  • FitForeGolf
    FitForeGolf Posts: 1 Member
    If you choose the pre-workout supplements such as C4, be sure to check the other OTC drugs which cause it to have a negative effect. Also, make sure to cycle on and off based on the manufacturer's recommendation. I experienced liver enzymes skyrocketing with the C4 and they quickly dropped back to normal range when I stopped taking it....use black coffee and a GNC vitamin pack now.
  • mike_bold
    mike_bold Posts: 140 Member
    I've never used a PW and I don't really see the need to be honest. Tired isn't an excuse, get your head in the game :)
  • Asher_Ethan
    Asher_Ethan Posts: 2,430 Member
    I started taking C4 a couple months ago but I only take it when I'm lifting at night and I just need a little jump start. After I'm done with this container, I'll probably switch to black coffee (cheaper)
  • AdmireDeVoll
    AdmireDeVoll Posts: 46 Member
    I just eat some peanut butter on a banana about an hour before... Does the trick for me. My heart rate is fast enough as it is I'm not trying to explode on the elliptical lol

  • charleykayesmom
    charleykayesmom Posts: 92 Member
    I use the new all natural Energize from Beachbody. It amps up my workout, especially if I workout early in the morning! And I love that I get a discount on it! It improves intense exercise performance, increases energy and endurance, and sharpens focus and reaction time. There are no artificial colors, flavors, sweetners or preservatives.
  • hekla90
    hekla90 Posts: 595 Member
    I took some of my boyfriends once and never again. I started to feel a little light headed when I was squatting so I sat down for a out 10 minutes. Still felt bad so I took my heart rate which was 220. I have a very high caffeine tolerance and the amount of caffeine in the PW wasn't more than I regularly consume so I am not sure what was in it but my body did not like. I felt like poop for about 2 hours.
  • vball1121
    vball1121 Posts: 36 Member
    I sent you a message asking some questions, some of these suggestions are a little "intense" for beginners/my liking, and I've tried a lot of stuff. Feel free to add me!
  • FabianRodriguez94
    FabianRodriguez94 Posts: 221 Member
    I do take pre-workout because I'm up at 6:30 am and done at around 8 pm (class and work) and then have homework/studying until around 10, then hit the gym right after so my energy and focus is usually draining out at this point. I don't ALWAYS need it, but I do on harsher days and it does wonders for getting into the gym when you are really exhausted from a long day.
    Also whenever I take it for a morning workout, it really helps to wake me up as I get out of bed and head to the gym.

    Test your tolerance for whichever powder you use and try not to exceed the recommended scoop amount.
  • BrentJulius
    BrentJulius Posts: 89 Member
    I love pre-workouts, caffeine is a solid/safe fat burner too. I take mine before a long run or strength training, works great for both. I use whatever I find on sale. 1.M.R Vortex is pretty good. Taking that now. Start with teh minimum.
  • kev6686
    kev6686 Posts: 28 Member
    Personally I don't use them, I believe it's more of a placebo effect than anything else. But if you feel it works for you, fair play!
  • xmichaelyx
    xmichaelyx Posts: 883 Member
    Ironmaiden4life wrote: »
    Before taking a pwo I would fix your diet and rest/recovery first to address the low energy issue.

    Agreed, and this is why beginners shouldn't be taking them. Fix your diet (which can take months of trial and error), find the workout you like enough to stick to it (which can take a year or more), find your workout rhythm (ditto), make some progress, and THEN you can start supplementing to see what works for you.

    As a beginner, you'll never know what's working, what's doing nothing, and what's holding you back or causing negative effects.

    This isn't a sprint; it's a marathon. Give your new, healthy lifestyle a year (or 3) before supplementation.
  • kev6686
    kev6686 Posts: 28 Member
    xmichaelyx wrote: »
    Ironmaiden4life wrote: »
    Before taking a pwo I would fix your diet and rest/recovery first to address the low energy issue.

    Agreed, and this is why beginners shouldn't be taking them. Fix your diet (which can take months of trial and error), find the workout you like enough to stick to it (which can take a year or more), find your workout rhythm (ditto), make some progress, and THEN you can start supplementing to see what works for you.

    As a beginner, you'll never know what's working, what's doing nothing, and what's holding you back or causing negative effects.

    This isn't a sprint; it's a marathon. Give your new, healthy lifestyle a year (or 3) before supplementation.

    +1
  • ecjim
    ecjim Posts: 1,001 Member
    You are just starting out lifting, I wouldn't worry much about supplements, Spend your money on good food, meat & veggies. your peri workout nutrition is important. You are working on losing weight so keep your carb intake around your weight training. Have a carb/protein meal or snack before and a protein/ carb meal after. If you are hitting it hard you can sip a protein drink during or after. The rest of the day keep it protein/fat & veggies. Keep your protein & fat intake up. If you need a bump before your workout have a coffee or a drink like Red Bull. Eastcoast Jim

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