Pre workout supplements
Discussion
Hey all.
Have been weight training on and off for decades and quite consistently now for the last couple of years. I eat well and the only supplements I take are a diet whey protein shake and for the last few months Creatine.
I'm thinking about trying a pre work out supplement but am not convinced by their ingredients other than the caffeine (which seems to have some evidence behind its use)
I have decent muscle mass but am also quick to put on belly fat if I'm not careful, so I definitely don't want anything that might contribute to that.
Am I better off just taking a caffeine pill prior to a work out? I don't enjoy drinking unsweetened coffee so a pill would be better.
Open to any suggestions, thanks.
Have been weight training on and off for decades and quite consistently now for the last couple of years. I eat well and the only supplements I take are a diet whey protein shake and for the last few months Creatine.
I'm thinking about trying a pre work out supplement but am not convinced by their ingredients other than the caffeine (which seems to have some evidence behind its use)
I have decent muscle mass but am also quick to put on belly fat if I'm not careful, so I definitely don't want anything that might contribute to that.
Am I better off just taking a caffeine pill prior to a work out? I don't enjoy drinking unsweetened coffee so a pill would be better.
Open to any suggestions, thanks.
Coffee and a banana before training and leave it at that IMO
Pre-workout supps are just full of crap and give you the jitters - a waste of £££ IMO
But everyone has their own opinion of them
But coffee, a banana and maybe some oats gives you the fuel you need (it did / does for me) - more so before any really heavy sessions...
Pre-workout supps are just full of crap and give you the jitters - a waste of £££ IMO
But everyone has their own opinion of them
But coffee, a banana and maybe some oats gives you the fuel you need (it did / does for me) - more so before any really heavy sessions...
Echo what Dan says...Along with a small coffee I eat a corn cake sandwich 30 min before a session. Sliced banana, crunchy peanut butter and a little drizzle of honey. I'm satisfied, energised and ready to go....Oh and 10mg creatine daily and that's it.
I used to take a scoop of stim but didn't like the feeling so moved to stim free; but to be honest I don't really think it made much difference except to my wallet.
I used to take a scoop of stim but didn't like the feeling so moved to stim free; but to be honest I don't really think it made much difference except to my wallet.
danb79 said:
Coffee and a banana before training and leave it at that IMO
Pre-workout supps are just full of crap and give you the jitters - a waste of £££ IMO
But everyone has their own opinion of them
But coffee, a banana and maybe some oats gives you the fuel you need (it did / does for me) - more so before any really heavy sessions...
Spot on. Pre-workout supps are just full of crap and give you the jitters - a waste of £££ IMO
But everyone has their own opinion of them
But coffee, a banana and maybe some oats gives you the fuel you need (it did / does for me) - more so before any really heavy sessions...
Not all pres are created equal. Some you'll like (effects, palatability, etc.), some you won't. Some will have unnecessary additives, some won't. Do some research, buy from a decent supplement company and see what you think. You can usually get samples rather than buying a full bag/tub.
They have their place and are way beyond being a fitness industry fad at this point, in fact they are largely made up of proven ingredients such as caffeine, taurine, beta-alanine, electrolytes and creatine. You certainly don't need them though. I don't use them anymore due to the caffeine content and the time I train but I did used to enjoy the buzz in the early morning lifting sessions but not the feeling of dying for a s
te on the way home.
I don't think any of them will make you fat.
They have their place and are way beyond being a fitness industry fad at this point, in fact they are largely made up of proven ingredients such as caffeine, taurine, beta-alanine, electrolytes and creatine. You certainly don't need them though. I don't use them anymore due to the caffeine content and the time I train but I did used to enjoy the buzz in the early morning lifting sessions but not the feeling of dying for a s
te on the way home.I don't think any of them will make you fat.
Edited by horsemeatscandal on Thursday 29th May 14:53
Deep said:
Thanks, will give them a miss then.
I'm sure they're all more or less the same but if anyone wants to recommend a caffeine pill/supplement please do; I can't stand unsweetened coffee.
Thanks again
Who says you need to drink unsweetened coffee? Just pop. touch of sugar in it (natural granulated, Demerara etc)I'm sure they're all more or less the same but if anyone wants to recommend a caffeine pill/supplement please do; I can't stand unsweetened coffee.
Thanks again
danb79 said:
Who says you need to drink unsweetened coffee? Just pop. touch of sugar in it (natural granulated, Demerara etc)
I hear you but I'm trying to avoid sugar, especially first thing in the morning.It's not the end of the world but a pill would also save me a little bit of time in the morning.
Deep said:
I hear you but I'm trying to avoid sugar, especially first thing in the morning.
It's not the end of the world but a pill would also save me a little bit of time in the morning.
Have you ever tried honey or vanilla extract in your coffee; if not try it, a great replacement for sugar and no crap in them - a little goes a long wayIt's not the end of the world but a pill would also save me a little bit of time in the morning.
danb79 said:
Have you ever tried honey or vanilla extract in your coffee; if not try it, a great replacement for sugar and no crap in them - a little goes a long way
Very interesting, I have never tried either.For the vanilla extract it's just the regular stuff that's used for baking etc?
Thanks!
the-norseman said:
Pre-workouts are just a fad that will come and go. I started using them about 4 years ago for a few weeks.
I tried one where after taking it, I went tingly as hell allover and felt like I was going to pass out. never taken one since.
Been around over 20 years, not a new thing or a fad.I tried one where after taking it, I went tingly as hell allover and felt like I was going to pass out. never taken one since.
Tried many pre workouts and still use it now, they absolutely are not all created equal, some are rubbish and do nothing, I’ve had others which are crazy strong but the come down has been pretty rough.
Best one I’ve had for me was overdrive and I’ll be going back to that when my current one runs out.
The strongest one I had was called Darkstims and that was crazy strong.
Others such as the ABE brand are a reasonable starter but not the best.
A lot is personal preference and depends on a persons individual tolerance to stimulants.
Best one I’ve had for me was overdrive and I’ll be going back to that when my current one runs out.
The strongest one I had was called Darkstims and that was crazy strong.
Others such as the ABE brand are a reasonable starter but not the best.
A lot is personal preference and depends on a persons individual tolerance to stimulants.
StoutBench said:
Been around over 20 years, not a new thing or a fad.
Ok the fad is people believing they need them for every gym session, lets face it most peoples gym sessions aren't intense. I see people doing pre-workouts and then literally just stretching before getting changed and going to work.
The gym I go to, is a proper old school spit and sawdust gym, you can get what ever you need from behind the counter (pills or jabs), we have women that are bigger than most normal guys etc. Some of the people that come take pre-workouts but then chase 1 rep max records etc.
I would also stay clear.
I think I am of the age (35 now) where I was at the forefront of Pre-workouts coming around and really taking off. Jack3d being the big one that really made some noise. If you recall, that had to have its ingredients altered because it was considered a prime factor in major heart issues people we're having/discovering. Brutal stuff. I've tried many through my early 20's trying to chase the highs of the old Jacked, some were brilliant, some weren't. More on that.
The Beta-alanine is what is included in most, along with a high caffeine content. The mix of these give you a certified buzz and tingling across your face. The feeling is pretty intense, especially if you don't expect it. Training hard and getting the blood flowing makes the tingling stop, so it kind of has a little kick up the arse for you to get into it. I think more often than not, its a placebo. "I've taken this therefore I must be able to train harder"
I think its a bit of an epidemic amongst young gym go'ers. They feel they have to have a "PWO" before every session at the gym, even if they're training in the evening, and you're body doesn't need that stuff coursing through you when you're trying to settle down and sleep. My local commercial sells shots of PWO in the vending machine, and you see the gym floor littered with empty pots.
I was one of these young consumers, especially working shifts and having many days off, I'd cane a shot of PWO into my mouth and chase it with any old liquid. A few times whisky as a bravado show off to my peers
I had a bad turn with one in 2016;
After changing brands and not thinking too much into it, I got a decent buzz and trained well. Job Jobbed.
Some 6 hours later, in the evenings, I would have this horrendous feeling in my body - the kind you experience when you've had a slight tap to the gooleys. This would last an hour or so, which whilst uncomfortable I thought, hmm maybe I've sat funny, or my boxers are too tight.
Steadily over a month or so, this pain - when it arrived, got considerably worse. It got so bad at the end, that whilst I was at my ex-girlfriends house in her room, I keeled over on the floor, stripped naked and was in tears. Loud enough that her mother (a nurse) rushed upstairs and burst the door open to see me revealing my "nest of spiders" right at her.
I had a few trips to a GP who had a feel around, nothing to report. I had a realisation after that episode, that I only got the pain on training days. Was it PWO? was it some dodgy Whey? I cut the PWO out immediately. No more issues.
I didn't do my due diligence and dig into what was on the ingredients list that was causing me it, I just figured I would stay clear of PWO from now on and be done with it. Sometime in the future on separate occasions when training with friends i've been offered a small amount, to which a few times I have accepted. Nearly all of the time it was fine, but another well known brand I had tried had the same effect. So for me that was a no go.
I've not taken PWO for some years now, but like all morons I found a new vice when I cant be bothered to go. The white monster energy drink...
See if I write a post about those in 10 years time, eh?
I think I am of the age (35 now) where I was at the forefront of Pre-workouts coming around and really taking off. Jack3d being the big one that really made some noise. If you recall, that had to have its ingredients altered because it was considered a prime factor in major heart issues people we're having/discovering. Brutal stuff. I've tried many through my early 20's trying to chase the highs of the old Jacked, some were brilliant, some weren't. More on that.
The Beta-alanine is what is included in most, along with a high caffeine content. The mix of these give you a certified buzz and tingling across your face. The feeling is pretty intense, especially if you don't expect it. Training hard and getting the blood flowing makes the tingling stop, so it kind of has a little kick up the arse for you to get into it. I think more often than not, its a placebo. "I've taken this therefore I must be able to train harder"
I think its a bit of an epidemic amongst young gym go'ers. They feel they have to have a "PWO" before every session at the gym, even if they're training in the evening, and you're body doesn't need that stuff coursing through you when you're trying to settle down and sleep. My local commercial sells shots of PWO in the vending machine, and you see the gym floor littered with empty pots.
I was one of these young consumers, especially working shifts and having many days off, I'd cane a shot of PWO into my mouth and chase it with any old liquid. A few times whisky as a bravado show off to my peers
I had a bad turn with one in 2016;
After changing brands and not thinking too much into it, I got a decent buzz and trained well. Job Jobbed.
Some 6 hours later, in the evenings, I would have this horrendous feeling in my body - the kind you experience when you've had a slight tap to the gooleys. This would last an hour or so, which whilst uncomfortable I thought, hmm maybe I've sat funny, or my boxers are too tight.
Steadily over a month or so, this pain - when it arrived, got considerably worse. It got so bad at the end, that whilst I was at my ex-girlfriends house in her room, I keeled over on the floor, stripped naked and was in tears. Loud enough that her mother (a nurse) rushed upstairs and burst the door open to see me revealing my "nest of spiders" right at her.
I had a few trips to a GP who had a feel around, nothing to report. I had a realisation after that episode, that I only got the pain on training days. Was it PWO? was it some dodgy Whey? I cut the PWO out immediately. No more issues.
I didn't do my due diligence and dig into what was on the ingredients list that was causing me it, I just figured I would stay clear of PWO from now on and be done with it. Sometime in the future on separate occasions when training with friends i've been offered a small amount, to which a few times I have accepted. Nearly all of the time it was fine, but another well known brand I had tried had the same effect. So for me that was a no go.
I've not taken PWO for some years now, but like all morons I found a new vice when I cant be bothered to go. The white monster energy drink...
See if I write a post about those in 10 years time, eh?
Bloody hell!
I'm quite a bit older than you so I don't need anything that's going to make me feel like I'm having a heart attack, I'll end up in A and E.
I have definitely wiped pre work outs off my list.
I believe there is decent evidence to suggest that caffeine does help and it shouldn't cause any major issues, so I will look for a caffeine supplement
Thanks all!
I'm quite a bit older than you so I don't need anything that's going to make me feel like I'm having a heart attack, I'll end up in A and E.
I have definitely wiped pre work outs off my list.
I believe there is decent evidence to suggest that caffeine does help and it shouldn't cause any major issues, so I will look for a caffeine supplement
Thanks all!
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