THE PRE-WORKOUT GUIDE
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Time to read 2 min
Making every training session a productive one while contributing toward those body composition results is the ultimate goal. Still, sometimes, it’s not as easy as just showing up and getting it done. Often when preparing for a hard-hitting workout, we could do with an extra boost when it comes to energy, focus, and performance, and there’s no doubt we feel better for it too!
This is where a quality pre-workout comes in handy...but how do you know which one is right for you? Firstly, let’s give you a rundown of what a pre-workout is and how these supplements can support your sessions.
What is a Pre-Workout?
Containing essential nutrient-delivering and performance-enhancing ingredients, pre-workouts are designed for consumption before your strength, resistance, CrossFit, or HIIT style training sessions to support mental energy, focus, endurance, and performance. Pre-workouts are formulated to help you get the most out of your workouts and your body composition goals.
Choosing the right pre-workout for your goals and requirements can be challenging with so many on the shelves these days, but fortunately enough, generally, there is one suitable for everyone. Let’s look at the different types of pre-workouts and how these may benefit your performance in the gym.
Stimulant-Free Pre-Workout
Stimulant-free pre-workouts are an excellent alternative for those who are particularly sensitive to the effects of stimulants yet still want to reap the rewards of the other powerful ingredients of a pre-workout. Often stim-free pre-workouts will contain nootropic-rich ingredients like L-Tyrosine and L-Theanine to provide that mental focus we all need without the caffeine.
Pros:
It contains all of the same effective pre-workout ingredients without the caffeine
Stackable with pump supplements
Contributes to mental performance
Won't interupt with your sleep cycle
Cons:
Limited mental energy support
Smaller range of stim-free pre-workouts to select from
Our top stimulant-free pre-workouts:
Low-Stimulant Pre-Workouts
Want to play it on the safer side with your pre-workout? Meet in the middle with a low-stim pre-workout! Boasting all of the mental energy, focus, and performance elements of a pre-workout, low-stim pre-workouts also contain caffeine at a lower level, which is often more manageable for those who experience caffeine sensitivity. Key ingredients to look for are Creatine Monohydrate, B Vitamins, and L-Tyrosine, to name a few.
Pros:
Put a pep in your step and enhance your mental performance
May support mental energy
Wide selection of pre-workouts within this category
Cons:
Poor quality pre-workouts may result in an energy crash
May be overstimulating for some
May affect sleep quality if taken near the end of the day
Our top low-stimulant pre-workouts:
High-Stimulant Pre-Workouts
Not for the faint-hearted, high-stim pre-workouts are designed to help you get the absolute most (and more) out of your training sessions. Elevate your performance to its highest potential and give it everything you’ve got!
Pros:
High-level stimulant/caffeine for sustained mental energy
May support mental focus, endurance, and overall performance
Additional health benefits pending ingredient selection
A great option for those with a high caffeine tolerance who struggle with low motivation and energy
Cons:
A high-level stimulant may interfere with digestion
Overstimulation may interrupt sleep quality
Tolerance to high stimulants can develop, resulting in a reduction of pre-workout benefits
