Everything you need to know about pre-workout

Nancy Heijnis
27 June 2023
Reading time: 10 minutes

A pre-workout supplement is a supplement that is often used to improve physical performance during sports or training. It can boost energy levels and improve focus and motivation, which can lead to more intense workouts. Pre-workout is useful for people who regularly train intensively and want to improve their performance and endurance. Bodybuilders, athletes, weightlifters, powerlifters, runners and other exercisers can benefit from adding a pre-workout to a nutritional plan.

How do I find the best pre-workout?

If you’re looking for the best pre-workout to take your training to the next level, there are a few things to keep in mind. First of all, it is important to look at the ingredients and dosages that are in a pre-workout supplement. This way you can be sure that you are getting the right nutrients to perform optimally during your workout.

There are many different brands and types of pre-workout supplements in our range, so it can be difficult to choose the best pre-workout. It is therefore wise to take a good look at which ingredients have been processed in the pre-workout and which pre-workout best suits your personal goals and needs. It’s good to know that House of Nutrition only sells A-quality pre-workouts, which do not contain any banned substances. If you need help choosing, please contact our customer service: info@houseofnutrition.nl.

How are Pre-workouts composed?

Pre workouts with 1 ingredient

There are single-ingredient pre-workout supplements, such as caffeine, beta-alanine, creatine, and citrulline, that are aimed at people who want to use a specific ingredient to boost their performance without the other ingredients used in many pre-workout supplements .

Some examples of single-ingredient pre-workout supplements include:

Caffeine: is a stimulant that can increase your energy levels and alertness, making it a popular choice for people who want to focus on their workouts. Caffeine can also help reduce fatigue and improve mental focus.

Beta Alanine: is an amino acid that is converted to carnosine, which helps buffer the buildup of lactic acid in the muscles. This can lead to less fatigue and better performance during intense workouts.

Creatine: is a naturally occurring amino acid that helps produce ATP, an important energy source for the muscles. Taking creatine supplements allows your muscles to have more energy, allowing them to work longer and generate more power.

Citrulline: is an amino acid that converts to arginine, which can increase nitric oxide production. This can lead to improved blood flow and a better supply of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, which can help improve performance.

Using single-ingredient pre-workout supplements can be helpful for people who want to focus on a specific component, or those who are sensitive to the effects of other ingredients in pre-workout supplements. It is also useful to find out for each supplement what you do not respond well to. House of Nutrition also has most of these supplements available separately.

Multi-ingredient pre-workouts

Multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements are probably the most common form of pre-workout supplements on the market. These supplements combine several ingredients to provide a wide variety of benefits, including increased energy, stamina, strength, focus, and muscle pump.

Some examples of ingredients (besides, of course, combinations of caffeine, beta-alanine, creatine, and citrulline) that are often included in multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements include:

BCAAs (branched chain amino acids): Important amino acids that can help promote muscle recovery and build muscle mass.

Arginine: An amino acid that can help improve blood flow and increase muscle pump.

Niacin: A B vitamin that may help improve energy production and blood circulation.

Taurine: An amino acid that may help reduce muscle fatigue and improve physical performance.

B vitamins are important for energy production in the body and can help reduce fatigue.

Multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements are often intended to create a reinforcing effect between the various ingredients, with each ingredient complementing each other to achieve a complete performance-enhancing effect. It is important to remember that the dosage and the quality of the ingredients can vary between different pre-workout supplements

How and when to use pre-workout

It is generally recommended to take pre-workout about 30 minutes before your workout. This gives the ingredients in the pre-workout time to absorb into your system so you can experience the benefits during your workout. However, it is important to remember that every supplement can be different, so it is important to follow the recommendations on the packaging.

Another important factor to consider when taking pre-workout is the timing of your meals. It is generally recommended to take pre-workout on an empty stomach for best results. However, if you don’t have time to wait for an empty stomach, you can also take the pre-workout supplements after a light meal. It is important to choose foods that are easy to digest and contain carbohydrates, such as fruit, toast or an energy bar.

Pre-workout supplements are best taken with water or another zero-calorie beverage. Some pre-workout supplements have a strong flavor, so it may help to mix the supplement with more water than the recommended amount on the label, or mix it with another drink such as fruit juice.

What types of pre-workout are there?

Pre-workout supplements are available in a variety of forms, including powder, capsules, tablets, and drinks. However, the most common form is pre-workout powder, which is mixed with water or other liquid and then drunk.

Pre-workout powders can contain a variety of ingredients, including caffeine, beta-alanine, creatine, citrulline, tyrosine, and B vitamins. Some pre-workout supplements also contain other substances, such as amino acids, nitrates, extracts from plants and herbs, and even sugars.

Capsules and tablets are a more convenient form of pre-workout supplements for people on the go who don’t have access to a blender or shaker. They are also useful for people who don’t like the taste of pre-workout powder.

Pre-workout drinks are another popular form of pre-workout supplements. They are easy to carry and can be drunk directly, without having to mix them with water. Pre-workout drinks usually come in cans or bottles and often come in a variety of flavors.

Pre-workout and itching, how about that?

Many pre-workout supplements contain ingredients such as caffeine, beta-alanine and niacin (vitamin B3), which are known for their stimulant and vasodilator properties. These ingredients can increase blood flow to muscles and improve alertness, but they can also cause itching in some people. This is usually caused by an ingredient called beta-alanine, which is often included in pre-workout supplements to reduce muscle fatigue and improve physical performance. But the exact reasons why pre-workout supplements can cause itching is not yet fully understood. There are some possible explanations, however.

Beta-alanine can cause a tingling or stinging sensation on the skin, which is sometimes described as “prickly itch” or “pre-workout itch.” This feeling can last for several minutes to an hour after taking the supplement.

The intensity of the itch can vary from person to person and depends on the dosage of beta-alanine in the supplement and individual sensitivity. Some people experience only mild itching, while others experience it as unpleasant.

While pre-workout itching can be uncomfortable, it’s usually harmless and goes away on its own. However, if you experience severe itching, rash, swelling, or other allergic reactions, it’s important to stop taking the supplement and see a doctor.

If you want to use pre-workout supplements but are concerned about the side effects, you should consider opting for a supplement that contains less beta-alanine or one that does not contain beta-alanine.

What are the disadvantages of Pre-Workout

However, it is important to remember that pre-workout supplements are not for everyone and some people may experience side effects. This may include people with certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes or kidney problems. It is therefore always important to consult a doctor before starting to use pre-workout supplements.

It is also important to remember that pre-workout supplements are not a panacea and they are not able to improve performance without proper training and nutrition. It is important to also pay attention to training technique, training intensity, recovery and nutrition to achieve the best results.

Banned or bad ingredients

Some pre-workout supplements contain untested or dangerous ingredients such as DMAA that can be harmful to health. It is important to choose pre-workout supplements from reputable brands and buy them from reliable online shops. House of Nutrition has no pre-workouts with untested or dangerous ingredients. We strive for only A-quality and supplements that keep people healthy.

We at House of Nutrition recommend not using the entire dose right away when you first start a pre-workout. Try a half dose first and see how you react. Use your common sense and test it carefully.

In brief

Pre-workout supplements are popular because they provide a range of benefits that can help improve physical performance during a workout. Below are some of the main reasons why pre-workout supplements are so popular:

Increased energy: One of the main reasons pre-workout supplements are so popular is because of their ability to increase energy. Many pre-workout supplements contain caffeine and other ingredients that can help stimulate the central nervous system and reduce fatigue, giving you more energy to get through your workout.

Increased Stamina: Pre-workout supplements can also help improve stamina. Ingredients like beta-alanine can help reduce the buildup of lactic acid in the muscles, allowing you to exercise longer before fatigue sets in.

Increased Strength: Some pre-workout supplements contain ingredients like creatine, which can help improve strength and the ability to lift heavier weights.

Improved focus: Pre-workout supplements can also help improve mental focus and alertness. Ingredients like caffeine and tyrosine can help stimulate the brain and reduce distractions, helping you to focus more on your workout.

Muscle pump: Many pre-workout supplements contain ingredients like citrulline that can help increase blood flow and muscle pump during exercise. This can lead to an improved sense of muscle pump and better muscle growth and recovery.

Because of these benefits, pre-workout supplements are popular with people looking for an extra boost before/during exercise. Bodybuilding, power sports, endurance sports or crossfit and fitness. However, it is important to remember that pre-workout supplements are only effective when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise.

If you have any health problems or are taking any medications, it is important to talk to your doctor before taking any pre-workout supplements.

Do you have doubts about a product or ingredient? If you have any questions regarding this blog, ask the House of Nutrition via info@houseofnutrition.nl.

House of Nutrition stands for top quality and the very best flavours. We have a very extensive range of A-brands. You will find the best pre-workout supplements at House of Nutrition

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