Safest pre workout for women

I get to the gym at 5am and need something to give me a boost. Im scared of pre workout because I dont want it to make me feel jittery or like my heart is racing. What is the safest pre workout for women?
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Replies

  • SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage
    SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage Posts: 2,668 Member
    Am I missing something? What is pre workout?
  • MichelleLea122
    MichelleLea122 Posts: 332 Member
    edited March 2016
    If you don't have any preexisting health conditions, I think most preworkouts will be fine. The preworkout I use (C4 has 135mg of caffeine). I think the way to avoid the jitteriness is just finding the correct dosage. For instance while I take a full scoop of C4, I use it as both a preworkout and intraworkout. Because I'm small, if I drink it too fast I get the "beta alanine" tingles.
  • Try a cup of coffee or green tea. It will give you a jolt, but not enough to make you jittery like pre-workout supplements and 'energy' drinks.
  • Rambo529
    Rambo529 Posts: 170 Member
    Every person reacts to preworkout supplements differently, so you'll have to try different ones to see how you react. I know for me I like NLA for Her. I don't get jittery, but have a jump. I've also used Spark and that's been the same result for me. I know other people who've had a different reaction to Spark where they were too jittery and high strung after drinking it.

    Those are the only one's I've tried, so I have no opinion on other ones out there. Like I said, everyone reacts differently so it's really trial and error.
  • VegasFit
    VegasFit Posts: 1,232 Member
    I'm not aware of a specific only women's formula unless it makes you feel better to buy products marketed to women like NLA. I'm not a coffee drinker and I've never had a problem with any pre-workouts I've taken. If you can get some samples from a nutrition store before you commit to a purchase, and always start off with half the packet/dosage. I've tried Spark and it did nothing for me but like @rambo529 said everyone is different.
  • SonyaCele
    SonyaCele Posts: 2,841 Member
    coffee for me
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,984 Member
    SonyaCele wrote: »
    coffee for me
    Exactly. The hype over pre workout is so exaggerated by many gym socialites who really don't need it, but use it because everyone else does.

    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

    9285851.png

  • julie_broadhead
    julie_broadhead Posts: 178 Member
    When I used to work out early, I had a protein shake with instant coffee.
  • stubbzie05
    stubbzie05 Posts: 34 Member
    Grenade pre workout is the best out there
  • NaturalNancy
    NaturalNancy Posts: 1,093 Member
    I drink a half cup of coffee with soy creamer.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    C4 is pretty mild.

  • mlindeman0002
    mlindeman0002 Posts: 7 Member
    I used to take ACG3 Charged and loved it, but it does cause the jittery feeling, which I don't mind. But I recently wanted to try Unico Nutrition because I have heard very good reviews. They have an all natural pre workout and a standard pre workout. I purchased the regular pre workout and it does not cause they jittery feeling, but you do get energized. Also, I have always heard that girls should not take C4 because it will cause women to retain more water than we already do, and we all know we don't want that! Hope that helps!
  • cgvet37
    cgvet37 Posts: 1,189 Member
    You might try Amino Fuel by Optimum Nutrition. It has 50mg of caffeine per scoop. Which is derived from green tea, and green coffee beans. It also has BCAA's. Which helps with muscle recovery.
  • Willbenchforcupcakes
    Willbenchforcupcakes Posts: 4,955 Member
    Coffee the vast majority of the time. When I need a little more oomph to get through a training session, powder burn 2.0 by Rivalus. Nice focused energy with no crash later.
  • lyndseybellz
    lyndseybellz Posts: 62 Member
    i dont think any preworkout is necessarily unsafe. you can make anything unsafe by taking too much of it. cellucor's c4 is a good starting place! it has all the necessary ingredients to give you a swift kick in the behind. another good one is called Volt, by neon sport. both of these have great tasting flavors that you dont have to choke down!
  • sistrsprkl
    sistrsprkl Posts: 1,010 Member
    Coffee for me too
  • jessef593
    jessef593 Posts: 2,272 Member
    Probably the same brands that are safe for men.. If you get jitters easily simply split your doses.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    SonyaCele wrote: »
    coffee for me
    Exactly. The hype over pre workout is so exaggerated by many gym socialites who really don't need it, but use it because everyone else does.

    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

    9285851.png

    thiiiiiiiiiiiiiis.

    use your own intestinal fortitude and some coffee.
  • MichelleLea122
    MichelleLea122 Posts: 332 Member
    I used to take ACG3 Charged and loved it, but it does cause the jittery feeling, which I don't mind. But I recently wanted to try Unico Nutrition because I have heard very good reviews. They have an all natural pre workout and a standard pre workout. I purchased the regular pre workout and it does not cause they jittery feeling, but you do get energized. Also, I have always heard that girls should not take C4 because it will cause women to retain more water than we already do, and we all know we don't want that! Hope that helps!

    For me C4 doesn't cause water retention, the only preworkouts that make me retain more water are those high in creatine. I think C4 only has 1g, so I personally never bloat from it. Also rechecking the ingredients I realize it's 150mg caffeine, not 135mg like I previously said.
  • 6AMGANG
    6AMGANG Posts: 14 Member
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    SonyaCele wrote: »
    coffee for me
    Exactly. The hype over pre workout is so exaggerated by many gym socialites who really don't need it, but use it because everyone else does.

    This is not true - I didn't use it when I started lifting. Now I do, after being shown - it does improve workout/lifts.
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    6AMGANG wrote: »
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    SonyaCele wrote: »
    coffee for me
    Exactly. The hype over pre workout is so exaggerated by many gym socialites who really don't need it, but use it because everyone else does.

    This is not true - I didn't use it when I started lifting. Now I do, after being shown - it does improve workout/lifts.

    I would suggest fixing your diet/sleep patterns instead of digesting some woo.
  • nordlead2005
    nordlead2005 Posts: 1,303 Member
    6AMGANG wrote: »
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    SonyaCele wrote: »
    coffee for me
    Exactly. The hype over pre workout is so exaggerated by many gym socialites who really don't need it, but use it because everyone else does.

    This is not true - I didn't use it when I started lifting. Now I do, after being shown - it does improve workout/lifts.

    a quick perusing of studies show perceived energy, alertness, focus, and increased leg press abilities, but oddly enough no increased bench press abilities.

    which, compared to studies on just caffeine, are similar results only the caffeine studies showed increased performance on every lift.

    So, pre-workouts beyond some simple caffeine do have greatly exaggerated benefits. As JoRocka put it, some intestinal fortitude and coffee will get you just as far.
  • StealthHealth
    StealthHealth Posts: 2,417 Member
    I make a batch of fresh ground, cold brewed, double strength coffee (which I keep in the fridge) and take small glassful upon waking when I work out early.

    It's cheap, I love the taste, and as a regular coffee drinker I'm pretty adept at manipulating it to get the right hit.
  • 6AMGANG
    6AMGANG Posts: 14 Member
    6AMGANG wrote: »
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    SonyaCele wrote: »
    coffee for me
    Exactly. The hype over pre workout is so exaggerated by many gym socialites who really don't need it, but use it because everyone else does.

    This is not true - I didn't use it when I started lifting. Now I do, after being shown - it does improve workout/lifts.

    a quick perusing of studies show perceived energy, alertness, focus, and increased leg press abilities, but oddly enough no increased bench press abilities.

    which, compared to studies on just caffeine, are similar results only the caffeine studies showed increased performance on every lift.

    So, pre-workouts beyond some simple caffeine do have greatly exaggerated benefits. As JoRocka put it, some intestinal fortitude and coffee will get you just as far.

    Even if it is a mental thing - it works. It dont really matter and not being qualified in the field means I cannot put up a valid argument, however it works for me, and thats what matters. :D
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    6AMGANG wrote: »
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    SonyaCele wrote: »
    coffee for me
    Exactly. The hype over pre workout is so exaggerated by many gym socialites who really don't need it, but use it because everyone else does.

    This is not true - I didn't use it when I started lifting. Now I do, after being shown - it does improve workout/lifts.

    a quick perusing of studies show perceived energy, alertness, focus, and increased leg press abilities, but oddly enough no increased bench press abilities.

    which, compared to studies on just caffeine, are similar results only the caffeine studies showed increased performance on every lift.

    So, pre-workouts beyond some simple caffeine do have greatly exaggerated benefits. As JoRocka put it, some intestinal fortitude and coffee will get you just as far.

    What studies? What ingredients in the product provide the improves? The comment "perceived" indicates at best a placebo effect and possibly the impact of caffeine.
  • kwtilbury
    kwtilbury Posts: 1,234 Member
    Not a beat a dead horse, but if all your looking for is a pick me up, coffee will do the trick. If you don't want to make a pot that early in the morning, try tossing in some instant coffee with protein powder in a shaker cup.
  • mermaid2290
    mermaid2290 Posts: 27 Member
    Thank you for all the responses. I do use coffee before work outs but I wanted to try something that will give me a little more of an urge to work out harder when im at the gym. I ordered c4 and will start with half the dose and go from there. Thanks again!
  • MelissaPhippsFeagins
    MelissaPhippsFeagins Posts: 8,063 Member
    If I am feeling fatigued, then is my pre-workout for everything except running a competitive 5k. Then I use whatever my husband has in his gym bag. I have an autoimmune disease so I try not to add a lot of extra creatine to my life for my kidneys to deal with. most days I don't use a pre-workout at all.

  • kr1stadee
    kr1stadee Posts: 1,774 Member
    I ordered some Mixt samples, and a little tub of For Her preworkout came with it. I tried it before a fitness class. I am a regular coffee drinker. The only thing I notice was my face was tingling?? hahah I don't know what that was all about.. it was interesting to say the least!
  • Amym26
    Amym26 Posts: 83 Member
    I like C4, and it helps me. I also detest the taste of coffee, so that is not an option for me. Do what works best for you. You just have to try a couple, see what you like best.