Go into any gym-goers gym bag and you'll find either pre-workout or creatine – or both! That's because these supplements play a big role in helping one achieve peak performance. However, these two supplements are often confused with each other. Not many know whether they should take a pre-workout powder or creatine before their workout, whether they can combine them, or even their benefits!

That's why we're breaking it all down for you. In this article, we will discuss the differences between pre-workout supplements and creatine, so you can optimize your nutrition and find the right supplement that will enhance your performance and help you achieve your fitness goals!

What is a pre-workout supplement?

A pre-workout supplement is a powder drink mix that contains a blend of ingredients designed to enhance physical performance during exercise. Each blend varies from brand to brand, but some of the most popular include caffeine, beta-alanine, nitric oxide boosters, and even creatine.

Caffeine in pre-workout is added as a stimulant to improve focus and energy levels, while beta-alanine helps reduce muscle fatigue and increase endurance, and nitric oxide boosters help increase blood flow to the muscles. Again, the ingredients vary by brand, but the main benefit pre-workout provides is increased energy levels, focus, alertness, and endurance.

What is creatine?

Creatine is a naturally occurring substance found in muscle cells. Our bodies are able to make it by eating certain foods high in amino acids, like red meat. It then produces it from the amino acids, glycine and arginine, and stores it in the muscle cells for quick energy access during high-intensity exercise.

Although our bodies make it, creatine supplements are popular among athletes and bodybuilders because they can help to increase muscle strength, size, and power. The creatine benefits include sustained energy, increased strength, a boost in high-intensity performance, and promotes muscle growth.

So, it is similar to pre-workout in a sense, but they have their differences...

Differences between pre-workout supplements and creatine:

Ingredients

Pre-workout supplements contain a blend of ingredients, which can include caffeine, beta-alanine, creatine, and nitric oxide boosters. Creatine supplements, on the other hand, only contain creatine monohydrate or a variation of creatine.

Caffeine is a stimulant that can help improve mental focus and alertness, while beta-alanine helps reduce muscle fatigue and increase endurance. Nitric oxide boosters help to dilate blood vessels, leading to increased blood flow to the muscles. Creatine supplements are available in different forms, including creatine monohydrate, creatine HCL, and creatine ethyl ester.

Purpose

The purpose of a pre-workout supplement is to enhance physical performance during exercise. It can increase energy levels, focus, and endurance. Creatine supplements, on the other hand, are specifically designed to increase muscle strength, size, and power.

Pre-workout supplements are designed to provide an extra boost of energy and focus during workouts. They may also contain ingredients that help to delay the onset of fatigue and increase endurance, allowing you to exercise for longer periods. Creatine, on the other hand, helps to increase the amount of energy available to the muscles, leading to greater strength and power output during exercise.

Timing

Pre-workout supplements are usually taken 30 minutes before exercise. This allows the ingredients to be absorbed and reach peak levels in the body during the workout. Creatine supplements, on the other hand, can be taken at any time of the day. However, most people prefer to take them before or after a workout to maximize their benefits.

Dosage

The dosage of a pre-workout supplement varies depending on the product. It is important to follow the instructions on the label to avoid taking too much. Creatine supplements typically recommend a loading phase where you take a higher dose for the first week, followed by a maintenance dose.

The recommended dose for pre-workout supplements depends on the product and your personal tolerance to the ingredients. It is important to start with a lower dose and gradually increase it as needed.

Side effects

Pre-workout supplements can have side effects, particularly if taken in excess. These can include increased heart rate, jitters, and difficulty sleeping. Creatine supplements are generally considered safe, but some people may experience stomach discomfort or bloating.

Cost

Pre-workout supplements are generally more expensive than creatine supplements. This is because they contain a blend of ingredients, which can be costly. Creatine supplements, on the other hand, only contain one ingredient, which makes them less expensive.

Is creatine better than pre-workout?

There really is no winner in creatine vs pre-workout! Both make for great pre-workout supplements, however, one will be better depending on what you're looking for.

So, which one should you take?

If you are looking to enhance your exercise performance during workouts, a pre-workout supplement may be a better option. It can provide an extra boost of energy and focus, allowing you to work out for longer periods and with greater intensity.

On the other hand, if you are looking to increase muscle strength, size, and power, creatine may be a better option. It is a proven supplement that has been shown to increase muscle mass and improve athletic performance.

Can you take creatine and pre-workout together?

Yes! In fact, some pre-workout blends already contain creatine, but it's actually best taken separately. Studies have shown that creatine monohydrate requires a loading phase for it to be truly effective. Therefore, a dose of 10-15 grams per day for 10 days, and then after taking it down to a maintenance dose of 3-5 grams. This is best to reap all the creatine benefits and pre-workout benefits.

After the loading phase, you can take creatine and pre-workout together to help stimulate ATP which creates more muscle fuel so you can push through more reps and promote better muscle growth!

In conclusion, pre-workout supplements and creatine are two popular supplements in the fitness industry, and for a good reason. Although they differ in ingredients, purposes, and timing, both are excellent at enhancing your exercise performance to increase muscle strength, size, and power! You can take one or the other before your workout, or opt for both if you feel it fits with your fitness goals.

Looking for an excellent pre-workout that will elevate your training performance?

Look no further than 373 Lab Pre-Workout!

One scoop of our Pre-Workout Supplement provides 150 grams of natural caffeine, along with effective doses of Citrulline Malate, Beta-Alanine, Arginine, Tyrosine, and Theanine. Plus, it's free of unnecessary additives and fillers, and we're completely transparent about the dosages (no proprietary blend here)! All to provide you with clean, sustainable energy that will enhance your exercise performance.

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