Pre Workout Supplements?
shaykinhand
Posts: 80 Member
Looking to see what you may be using for pre-workout supplements?
I am currently using no xplode ... I recently talked to someone at the gym and they said it really PUMPED them up! I kind of giggled because I guess I feel it may give me a little energy, but I sure didn't feel as PuMpEd as his crazy self was.
Anything else out there that is worth taking to get a little boost of energy for the gym? I like the no xplode but would be open to trying something new!
I am currently using no xplode ... I recently talked to someone at the gym and they said it really PUMPED them up! I kind of giggled because I guess I feel it may give me a little energy, but I sure didn't feel as PuMpEd as his crazy self was.
Anything else out there that is worth taking to get a little boost of energy for the gym? I like the no xplode but would be open to trying something new!
1
Replies
-
Sensitivity to caffeine may cause one to become more jittery than another, so it's possible they're just not as tolerant of caffeine. I looked at the ingredients and it reminded me of redbull, so I'll suggest that.2
-
Well I don't drink any caffeine (apart from my pre workout I guess)... maybe I'm just naturally mellow
0 -
I am generally not a fan of supplements like that. Limited proof of upside, but high risk of side effects/developing a dependence on it.
I prefer to have a moderate sized meal a couple of hours before my workout. That works well enough for me.6 -
shaykinhand wrote: »Well I don't drink any caffeine (apart from my pre workout I guess)... maybe I'm just naturally mellow
That's true, some are just more naturally tolerant so caffeine doesn't make them as jittery. I get very jittery, but not in a constructive way, haha. I wouldn't be able to work out at all.0 -
COFFEE!2
-
I recently switched my exercise from evening to super duper early morning before work. Needless to say I need a boost to make that happen! I've been using these caffeine pills and they work great!
(3-Pack) 200mg Caffeine Pills with 100mg L-Theanine for Energy, Focus and Clarity + MCT Oil from 100% Coconuts, Long-Lasting Smooth Capsule Extended Release https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078X2S1WS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_71B3CbW0G2PP5
3 -
They may have been talking about the physical pump, like swollen muscle pump. My "pre workout" is usually coffee and a high carb snack but I keep original C4 on hand for the days I need an extra boost. The cherry lemonade flavor is the only one I like.0
-
Beyond Raw Lit is pretty good.5
-
I use energize from beachbody it tastes great.5
-
I'm with @MikePTY - I don't take pre workouts, I just eat about 1.5-2 hours before I work out.
I am of the opinion that if you can't get to the gym 'au naturelle' and have a good solid workout without needing that "buzzing feeling" then you're not getting enough food / adequate micronutriets.
I understand the use of them in certain situations, such as competition prepping, when you are depleted and miserable and dying so you need something to help you through (in that case, beta alanine in pure form is perfect because not caffeine and will still give you "the tingles" and help you power through without crashing afterwards).
For a "pump" - take creatine monohydrate, drink 200ml pomegranate juice and eat a square of the darkest chocolate possible for you (99% is da bomb) and you will see veins and "pump" without any tingles or any of that stuff, but with added benefits of the good stuff in pomegranate and dark choc.
BY the way, those are just the first things that popped up on Google - there is HEAPS of actual proper research on the two substances above and their benefits.
Creatine mono I don't even need to explain. It's in all pre-workouts anyway.
6 -
chris89topher wrote: »I recently switched my exercise from evening to super duper early morning before work. Needless to say I need a boost to make that happen! I've been using these caffeine pills and they work great!
(3-Pack) 200mg Caffeine Pills with 100mg L-Theanine for Energy, Focus and Clarity + MCT Oil from 100% Coconuts, Long-Lasting Smooth Capsule Extended Release https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078X2S1WS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_71B3CbW0G2PP5
I'd wean yourself off that. I was at the gym at 5 AM most days for years. Just have to acclimate yourself to it.
600mg of caffeine is 200mg more than recommended for healthy adults for the whole day.0 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »chris89topher wrote: »I recently switched my exercise from evening to super duper early morning before work. Needless to say I need a boost to make that happen! I've been using these caffeine pills and they work great!
(3-Pack) 200mg Caffeine Pills with 100mg L-Theanine for Energy, Focus and Clarity + MCT Oil from 100% Coconuts, Long-Lasting Smooth Capsule Extended Release https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078X2S1WS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_71B3CbW0G2PP5
I'd wean yourself off that. I was at the gym at 5 AM most days for years. Just have to acclimate yourself to it.
600mg of caffeine is 200mg more than recommended for healthy adults for the whole day.
One pill is 200mg which is equal to two cups of coffee. I only take one and I compensate by reducing my coffee intake. My max caffeine is 300mg per day, sometimes 400mg.0 -
If you feel funny or tingling its from the beta alanine. NO Xplode contains a proprietary blend containing L-Citruline which is one of the key pump and recovery supplements. Without knowing the dose you cant see if its adequate. Beta Alanine is ok but more intended for cycling. I don't think is much research suggesting it improves recovery from lifting. And its not even dosed right. Outside of that, its mostly just caffeine and other non proven nonsense.
The fact that also contains creatine is gimmicky and its not dosed correctly. Creatine Monohydrate is very beneficial to most but requires daily non time dependent dosing of 5g. And depending how quick you want to get the benefits, than super dosing can help.5 -
chris89topher wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »chris89topher wrote: »I recently switched my exercise from evening to super duper early morning before work. Needless to say I need a boost to make that happen! I've been using these caffeine pills and they work great!
(3-Pack) 200mg Caffeine Pills with 100mg L-Theanine for Energy, Focus and Clarity + MCT Oil from 100% Coconuts, Long-Lasting Smooth Capsule Extended Release https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078X2S1WS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_71B3CbW0G2PP5
I'd wean yourself off that. I was at the gym at 5 AM most days for years. Just have to acclimate yourself to it.
600mg of caffeine is 200mg more than recommended for healthy adults for the whole day.
One pill is 200mg which is equal to two cups of coffee. I only take one and I compensate by reducing my coffee intake. My max caffeine is 300mg per day, sometimes 400mg.
Got it. When you said 3 pack in your post thought you meant 3 200mg pills.0 -
Years ago I was given a tub of this stuff called 'Purple Wraath' which I was told was a pre-workout supplement.
I used it a few times. Not sure which ingredient would have caused it but it made my skin feel all tingly and weird. Don't recall it really doing anything (except the tingles) and didn't use it very long.2 -
@danp the tingles is beta alanine.2
-
The immediate-release form of nicotinic acid can also cause the tingles: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/niacin-flush
I don't get that with this brand of B complex: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001LXRWWE/3 -
Thanks for the input... I have it on hand for the days that I'm dragging. It tends to give me a little boost (even if it's just a mental thing, it works). I work two jobs back to back 6 days a week so my gym time is only after those starting about 7-8pm. Some days it'd be nice to have something to give me a little boost from job #2 to the gym lol.0
-
I'd recommend that if you are going to take a preworkout, at least get one that uses no proprietary blends.
A proprietary blend means they'll list the ingredients and the total weight of them, but not the weight of each one, meaning you'll have no idea if the dose the prewreck has is even clinically significant. A company that just wants to slap buzz-words on a product to get consumer attention without any regard to if the amounts actually matter to a savvy consumer is a company that is selling hype, not results.4 -
I'll drink something like a crystal lite energy or green tea packet in a large bottle of water in the afternoon before working out. Sometimes I add electrolytes because it's so hot here. And I have a little snack before lifting, like some fruit. I don't have anything before my morning cardio. Only water.1
-
Someone just mentioned coconut water to me.... anyone tried it?1
-
shaykinhand wrote: »Someone just mentioned coconut water to me.... anyone tried it?
It and MCT oil are usually used by people doing low carb / ketogenic diets since they probably won't want to use sugar for energy.
If you aren't on a low carb plan, you'll get more bang for your calorie dollar and dollar dollar just using sugar. Even about 10grams about 10 to 30 minutes before a workout can stimulate glucogensis (sugar release from the liver) to give a slight increase in performance.2 -
Coconut water is great for rehydrating, high in potassium.2
-
I typically work out at or around 5am. When I workout that early it's always fasted (save for that century I did) and I don't take any "preworkouts". The times when I don't typically feel that great with regards to energy are a. when I'm physically ill, b. when I didn't get enough sleep, c. when my workout load (TSS I suppose) for the week is too high, and/or d. when under my my baseline low mental health wise.
In short, if I'm not feeling energetic or really am having trouble clawing my way out of bed, there's something else going on that I need to address.1 -
I use musclepharm assault
4
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.7K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.3K Health and Weight Loss
- 176K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.6K Fitness and Exercise
- 431 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8.1K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.4K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.8K MyFitnessPal Information
- 23 News and Announcements
- 1.2K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions