The Many Uses of a Pre-Workout

You’ve likely heard of a pre-workout drink. This supplement usually comes in powder form so you can mix it with your favorite beverage right before a workout.

A pre-workout helps you get the job done. In most cases, that job is your workout. But did you know you can use a pre-workout even if you’re not working out? We will explain. But first, let’s examine what a pre-workout does for a workout.

How does a pre-workout help me?

A pre-workout boosts your energy and optimizes performance during a workout. Benefits include increased energy, performance, and strength. Plus, it can help you recover faster.

According to Performance Lab, “Pre-workout supplements mix several diversely bioactive ingredients to target multiple performance-enhancing bio-pathways related to competitive health and fitness performance.”

Some of the main ingredients in pre-workouts include L-citrulline, beta-alanine, creatine, green tea extract, and L-arginine. Let’s explore what these are and what they do.

Citrulline is an amino acid that comes in two forms—the better of the two being L-citrulline. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Citrulline is involved in your urea cycle, which gets rid of waste products by excreting them in urine. . . . It’s converted into arginine, an amino acid that produces nitric oxide, a substance that relaxes blood vessels and improves blood flow.” It goes on to say that some research has shown that L-citrulline “improves blood flow to working muscles.” While the Cleveland Clinic does say that further studies are needed, L-citrulline has been shown to give you a more effective workout and to help reduce blood pressure.

Beta-alanine, according to the Cleveland Clinic, is an amino acid that “helps produce carnosine, which improves muscular endurance.”

The Mayo Clinic explains that L-arginine is an amino acid that helps bodies build protein. While it’s normally found in foods like red meat, fish, poultry, beans, and more, it is widely used in supplements because it helps with a myriad of conditions, including high blood pressure, angina, and problems with blood flow.

Creatine supplies your muscles with energy.

Green tea is not only good for longevity, but it “is antioxidant-rich and specifically contains the catechin epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). EGCG can reduce cellular damage and plays a fundamental role in glucose and lipid metabolism.” Other benefits include better hydration, increased metabolism, and mental regeneration.

Put all these ingredients together, and you have the makings of an excellent pre-workout supplement. Performance Inspired understands this. That is why we created two different pre-workout powders.

PI workout powders

The first is our APEX Pre-Workout available in Blue Raspberry flavor and Strawberry Kiwi flavor. One serving of this powder gives you 3000mg of L-citrulline, 1,500mg of beta alanine, and 1,000mg L-arginine. PI’s APEX will help you fuel your workout and help you last longer in the gym. It’s sweetened with Stevia and other natural flavors so you don’t have to worry about junky ingredients.

The second is our Explosive Pre-Workout, which is made with Nitrosigine—a patented complex of bonded arginine and silicon, plus citrulline, beta-alanine, grape seed, green tea extract, and creatine and is available in Tropical Punch, Raspberry Lemonade and our newest flavor launch – Black Cherry. PI’s Explosive Pre-Workout will help you feel energized without feeling overstimulated. It will help you:

• Take the longer spin/workout/yoga classes
• Get in those extra reps, add more pounds, and add sets
• Feel a new level of muscle pump, mental focus, and vigor
• Exceed your old personal records and set new goals

Because this formula has both creatine and green tea extract in addition to the main ingredients, those weighing less than 150 pounds should use half a dose, even when working out.

Other uses

We frequently get asked this question: Can I take a pre-workout even if I’m not working out?

The short answer is Yes! Why?

According to Performance Lab, pre-workouts help energize you if you have a job where you’re standing or moving around a lot of the day. In this case, “taking a pre-workout either before work or midway through your workday as a sort of mid-day boost may significantly help you get more done in less time, making the day-to-day grind that much easier and potentially even buying you more daily free time.”

We totally agree! In fact, we have heard from moms who start their Saturday on our APEX to help them get housework done. We have heard from truck & delivery drivers who sip Explosive Pre-Workout throughout the day as they drive so they stay alert and awake. And we have heard from people who simply want to use APEX as a coffee replacement to help them get through their day.

Many of us have jobs that require focus and energy—mental or physical. And sometimes we just don’t feel up to conquering the task. That’s normal. Giving yourself a little boost can help beat those mid-afternoon drowsy feelings and can help you get through arduous tasks you have to do day in and day out.

However, if you do plan to use any pre-workout for everyday activities to help with energy and focus, start with ½ dose to see how you feel. Further, be careful when choosing a supplement with caffeine, and be aware of how caffeine affects you. It’s best to choose a product with 200 mg caffeine or less per serving.

It’s important to keep in mind that, even if you’re not typically sensitive to caffeine, the increase in energy—you can call it a buzz—you get from a pre-workout can still cause issues associated with over-caffeination, especially if you have already had other forms of caffeine or if you take more than the recommended dose. High caffeine levels can give you a similar feeling to a “niacin rush,” where high doses of vitamin B3 make your skin feel flushed, tingly, and warm. This can be a disconcerting feeling if you are not expecting this. Side effects include:

• A racing heartbeat
• Gastrointestinal issues
• High blood pressure
• Tingling feelings in your arms and legs
• Nausea

That’s why it’s vital to talk to your doctor before you begin taking any supplement and keep in mind any meds you’re taking or any preexisting conditions.

Pre-workouts can greatly enhance your workout, and they can help you get through your busy day so you can accomplish your goals. Plus, Performance Inspired’s pre-workouts taste delicious. And as with all of our products, we use only natural ingredients because we care about what you put in your body. So if you need the added energy before a workout or to get you through the day, try APEX Pre-Workout or Explosive Pre-Workout. You will feel the difference!

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