Does pre-workout actually work??

Hello guys. So a lot of people says pre-workout works and other says is it doesn't? Is it just in your mind or does it actually have an ingredient / ingredients that makes it work and I'm not pointing to anything illegal. Any help thanks.

The main ingredient in pre-workouts is caffeine which is magic. Supplements like e.g. beta-alanine, citruline, arginine, taurine, and BCAA' are proven to increase workout performance and endurance. Some people work amazingly well with stimulants and get a huge buzz from them (I am not one of them) which for a big workout day like legs or back it definitely helps. But the real hero of the pre-workout world is the electrolytes. They keep your muscles hydrated and nothing is more important than that.

Edit: Did I mention Creatine I.t.o muscular hydration?

It also depends which preworkout you buy. I do pretty deep research every time I consider a new pre :lol:
But be cautious because if u don't pay attention, you might end up thinking you're having a heart attack :dry:

Um... Bulletproof coffee?

Atomicstash wrote: So a lot of people says pre-workout works and other says is it doesn't?

Bro, do you even explain? Define "work". Will you gain muscle inside the gym now? :woohoo:
Shit no.
Do they boost performance in the gym? :woohoo:
Resounding yes.

Some have "worked" so well that they needed to change ingredients because they were considered potentially dangerous (stimunlants. In theory: Better performance = more weight lifted and/or amount of weight lifted and/or intensity increased and/or shorter duration = faster results. The heavier + more things you can pick up and put down again, the better the chances that muscles will attempt to adapt to the new need, thus grow.

As for the ingredients, that's where you need to check for yourself, some new forumla may make bold statements but end up horse piss. Pyro mentioned some studied and tested goodies. Read up individual components, take a look at the supplement review section and best pre-workout currently .

IMO they most definitely work. Tingly ears, face, hands and elbows. If I take a pre in the morning on an empty stomach I get heat rash on my face. With various brands.

That's the beta-alanine you are feeling. Cycle off for a while and take it fasted with pure 10g Yohimbine. It feels like fire ants are crawling on your eyes. Never again bra.

Pre-workout generally does next to nothing for me, so I do not bother with them.

Although I seem to have a weird tolerance towards most substances or build up a tolerance a lot quicker than others.
So I personally do not bother with pre-workout, although as everyone here has said - whats inside makes the worlds difference and obviously the amounts as well.

It all depends on what you want to get out of your pre workout or even Intra workout (i prefer this)

If you just want the energy or buzz, caffeine is great or anything that has stims in.

If you are looking for a pump look for something with Citruline Malate and/or Agmatine Sulfate in ,electrolytes, a quick carb like Vitargo. If you want to take this one step further and use these as a intra add some Essential Amino Acids or if you can afford it Casein Hydrolysate (PeptoPro).

You can also buy all the raw ingredients and build your own

Demolish wrote: It all depends on what you want to get out of your pre workout or even Intra workout (i prefer this)

If you just want the energy or buzz, caffeine is great or anything that has stims in.

If you are looking for a pump look for something with Citruline Malate and/or Agmatine Sulfate in ,electrolytes, a quick carb like Vitargo. If you want to take this one step further and use these as a intra add some Essential Amino Acids or if you can afford it Casein Hydrolysate (PeptoPro).

Said it before, but here goes: intra-workout nutrition is only really beneficial if the workout lasts longer than 1h30m. Taking whatever you drink intra, as a pre will probably be more beneficial.
Regarding intra-workout protein (especially BCAAs), I have a theory: people mention that they help to "get through a workout", I reckon a lot of the time the BCAAs are involved in protein-glucogenisis and thus literally used as fuel. Perhaps not often, because most folks have enough glycogen to go around.

Demolish wrote: You can also buy all the raw ingredients and build your own

Glad there are people with this mentality.

Hey Furk

Yeah I understand what you are saying ,my reasoning behind the intra is following John Meadow's stuff. Yeah when using BCAA during a workout it does get used as fuel , maybe that's not so bad. But hey every person does what works for them right.

I must say since i started paying more attention to peri workout nutrition i have had some nice performance improvements. John has said that if a person cant afford Casein Hydrolysate that an EAA blend will have the same effect. But the amount of each is what is key. PeptoPro / EAA should be taken according to bodyweight.

EAA = between 0.25 - 0.35 grams per kg of bodyweight (start on the lower end and work your way up)
PeptoPro = start at 20g and increase if you are still sore the next day.
Citruline malate = 6g per dose /serving is ideal


i would usually take the above with about 30g or more of Vitargo

Sure works for me, but not all of them.

Hey Oupa

What do you use for Intra?

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