Is Dry Scooping Pre-Workout Bad?

TikTok is known for bringing about so many trends, like protein coffee! However, some trends are better than others...

One of the latest fitness trends making the rounds is dry scooping pre-workout powder. It is exactly what it sounds like – ingesting a scoop of dry and unmixed pre-workout powder followed by quick swig of water. You might be wondering, why would anyone do this... and is it even safe?

Before you attempt this new trend, get the full scoop about the potential risks of dry scooping, you just might find out that it's not worth the risk...

Why would anyone try dry scooping?

As you may know by now, pre-workout supplements contain a combination of different energy boosting and performance enhancing ingredients. Some of those ingredients include caffeine, beta-alanine, L-theanine, citrulline malate, and more. All of these ingredients may sound confusing, but their purpose is to help give you energy and push through your training with maximum effort.

So, does dry scooping maximize their benefits or what's the deal?

Dry scooping is a fairly new trend so there really isn't a researched-backed reason as to why fitness lovers are doing it, a lot of it are just anectodal reasons. Someone might start dry scooping for the following reasons...

• To abosob pre-workout quicker: The main reason TikTokers claim to love dry scooping is for the instant boost of energy. This does hold some truth... dry scooping pre-workout seems to have a faster effect than mixing it with water. The usual way to take pre-workout typically takes at least 30 minutes for the ingredients to be absorbed by your body and the effects to kick in. Opposed to simply scooping the powder in your mouth which can kick in those effects within a few minutes.
• For the convenience: Because pre-workout is absorbed quicker when taken dry, some may find it more convenient to just pull up to the gym parking lot and dry scoop their pre-workout.
• Just for the thrill of it: Social media trends catch on like fire! Usually when that happens everyone wants to take on this new trend/challenge, therefore most people dry scoop simply because they saw it on TikTok. 

The risks of dry scooping

When it comes to dry scooping, the risks outweigh the non-scientific benefits. The first (and potentially fatal) risk of dry scooping is consuming too much caffeine way too fast. Pre-workout products are known for having high amounts of caffeine (unless it's a non-stimulant pre-workout), containing between 100-300mg of caffeine per scoop. Mixing a pre-workout powder with water will allow for the caffeine to slowly reach your system in 30-60 minutes, but dry scooping floods your body with it way too fast... and if yours contains 300mg of caffeine that's a lot of stress you're putting on your heart! The worst thing is, it can potentially lead to a heart attack – it actually happened to a young woman who dry scooped a pre-workout containing 320mg of caffeine![1]

Not only that, but some pre-workouts contain proprietary blends, which means you don't really know how much of each ingredient you're actually ingesting and there could potentially be a lot of unnecessary fillers and additives that you're unaware of. All of these unknown ingredients can lead to unpleasant side effects.

Another huge risk of dry scooping is inhaling or choking on pre-workout. Pre-workout powders tend to clump up after its mixed with a little bit of water. So, if you dry scoop your pre-workout and follow it with some water it can potentially cause a big solid clump which can cause you to choke. There's also the risk of accidentally inhaling the pre-workout which leads to it being in your lungs and potentially cause aspiration pneuomonia.

How to safely take pre-workout supplements

Dry scooping is like many other fitness trends, they come and go. The risks may not be worth taking, but that doesn't mean you can't take your favorite pre-workout before your training session!

Pre-workout powders are very safe, as long as you consume that as directed and find a good one with actual performance-enhancing ingredients in optimal doses. Here are a few tips to follow to ensure you're taking your pre-workout as safely as possible...

• Mix it with water and drink 30-60 minutes prior to working out: Unlike with dry scooping, it takes a little longer for the active ingredients to reach peak levels when taken as directed. It takes at least 30-60 minutes for the ingredients to reach peak level and start kicking in. So, mix one scoop of pre-workout powder with 8-ounces of ice cold water at least 30 minutes before your workout!
• Avoid proprietary blends: We briefly mentioned propiteray blends earlier, but again this is something you want to avoid whether you're dry scooping or not. If you want to make sure your pre-workout is actually going to be effective, you want to know exactly how much of each ingredient is in it. This will ensure that you're getting enough doses of each ingredient to actually reap the benefits of your pre-workout.
• Don't take it on an empty stomach: Pre-workout can have side effects, some include lightheadedness, jitteriness, and nausea. They're harmless, but can be uncomfortable during your workout. To avoid these side effects, eat a small pre-workout snack high in protein and good carbs. This could be a rice cakes, yogurt, fresh fruit, hard-boiled eggs, or even a pre-workout protein shake!

The bottom line is, dry scooping is not worth the risk. It may not cause any of the risks listed above and be completely harmless, but you're better off taking your pre-workout powder the old fashioned way! Plus, it's more refreshing. Add a couple of ice cubes, water, a scoop of 373 Lab's Rainbow Candy Pre-workout, and mix it for a refreshing and delicious drink that will supercharge your workout!

Who are we?

We're 373 Lab Supplements – nice to meet you! Founded by Iulia Danilova (Fit With Iulia), and with a team filled with fitness enthusiasts, we've worked hard to bring a trustworthy supplement to the market! Supplements that are designed to help you achieve your fitness goals by giving you only the nutrients you need – no unnecessary fillers or additives!

Find what your pantry is missing at 373 Lab Supplements.