Should you be adding this supplement to your workout routine?

We all have those days when getting the energy to go to the gym is a struggle. But what if there was a drink or powder or even a tablet that could quickly give you that boost of energy?

Well, there actually is, and it's called pre-workout!

If you are serious about stepping up your workout routine, it might be beneficial to start adding in a pre-workout. Commonly used before a workout to help increase energy levels and give you that extra boost. Some of the most well-known brands are Celsius, which is a carbonated or non-carbonated drink, Alani Nu, which offers drinks and powders and Ghost. With so many different kinds it is hard to define what a pre-workout exactly is. If you follow basically any fitness account, it's likely that you’ve seen them using a pre-workout. Although no one absolutely NEEDS to add a pre-workout, it's good to know what it is if you are into fitness. So, what should you know if you are looking to add one to your workout routine?

Photographed by Abbey Kroll

What are the benefits:

As we said above, it's hard to encapsulate all pre-workouts into one definition, but here are some of the main benefits that different ones can provide you. The biggest benefit that will likely be found in every pre-workout you use is added energy. This comes from ingredients such as carbohydrates, caffeine, and creatine. When you are working out carbohydrates are often your body's first source of energy, particularly glucose and glycogen. So, although it’s not necessary you may feel more energized if you add a pre-workout with added carbohydrates.

Along with carbohydrates, the caffeine is destined to get your blood pumping! It’s as simple as it sounds, adding some extra caffeine before will make you more energized and help you get less fatigued. But be careful to not have too much, because, like coffee, this stuff will give you the jitters. And we are talking serious jitters… The average cup of coffee has around 95mg of caffeine where pre-workouts can range from 150-300mg.

Creatine pre-workouts are where it gets a bit more complicated. Typically, a more creatine-based pre-workout is more for those who are trying to build extra muscle. They usually have less caffeine and more “pump” as it is called in the fitness world. It is also commonly used if you are looking to gain weight because of how it increases water retention.

What are the drawbacks:

Well, it’s not really necessary. In fact, there are actually a few reasons why you might want to avoid it. The biggest issue with pre-workouts is the lack of FDA regulation. Like most workout supplements they are not required to get FDA approval before being sold. But don’t worry of course we have a little life hack for you guys. There are four organizations whose labels you can look out for. The National Science Foundation,  Drug Free Sport International, and Banned Substances Control Group. Each of these companies has listed on their websites showing valid testing and verification of products.

Regardless of if they are approved by these organizations, it is still important to understand the ingredients that are in these products. Ingredients like creatine and caffeine can cause dehydration. Also, excessive caffeine intake is never a good thing, it can make you feel overstimulated and affect your sleep cycle. One of the less commonly talked about ingredients is sugar alcohols and sucralose. These are added to a lot of pre-workouts to give them a good flavor, but the truth is these have been a concern in the fitness industry for a while. They can mess up your body's blood sugar levels and are essentially just straight chemicals.

So, what's our verdict? Wellllll we aren’t gonna make the decision for you all, but in all honesty, it's not really that necessary. Some of our favorite pre-workout pump-ups are anything high in carbs like an apple or a piece of toast with peanut butter. If you just want a drink, we suggest some good ole’ coffee!