The Best Supplements To Take Before A Workout
When it comes to getting the most out of your workouts, nutrition plays a crucial role. Pre-workout supplements have gained popularity for their ability to enhance exercise performance, increase energy levels, and improve overall results. Whether you're a seasoned gym-goer or a newbie looking to maximize your workouts, choosing the right pre-workout supplements can make a significant difference. So, before you purchase the first pre-workout supplement you see, do your research that way you can get the best pre-workout for you.
That said, we'll be exploring some of the best supplements to take before a workout that will help take your training to the next level...
Pre-workout powders
This is the king of pre-workout supplements, hence the name pre-workout! Pre-workout powders contain a combination of ingredients (some listed below) that are meant to increase energy, muscular endurance, power, speed, or even provide you with a muscle pump! Each pre-workout varies in its benefits, but they all are designed to increase your overall training performance.
Although pre-workout powders are the most popular, choose wisely. Not all pre-workouts are created equal. There are some out there that try to hide important information by listing it as a "proprietary blend". Always choose a pre-workout that tells you exactly what's in it, and how much. Make sure it has optimal dosages of the ingredients listed to ensure you're going to get the benefits of its marketing.
For example, at 373 Lab, our Pre-Workout lists every single ingredient, the dosages, and it contains no unnecessary fillers or additives. Just the ingredients needed in optimal dosages to help you train at the highest level.
Creatine Monohydrate
Another popular pre-workout supplement is creatine. Creatine is a naturally occurring compound found in small amounts in various foods and produced by your body. However, many athletes and fitness enthusiasts opt for creatine supplements to increase their stores of this compound.
Creatine helps improve strength and power output during high-intensity, short-duration activities like weightlifting and sprinting. It also aids in muscle recovery, making it an excellent choice for those seeking muscle growth and enhanced performance.
Beta-Alanine
Beta-alanine is an amino acid that helps increase intramuscular carnosine levels. Carnosine acts as a buffer against lactic acid buildup, delaying muscle fatigue during intense workouts. This supplement is particularly beneficial for high-intensity, prolonged exercise like HIIT or endurance training. Common side effects include a tingling sensation in the skin, known as "paresthesia," but this is harmless and temporary.
Beta-alanine is actually found in a lot of pre-workout powders, but it can also be taken on its own for those who only want to reap the benefits it offers.
BCAAs (Branched-Chain Amino Acids)
BCAAs are a popular post-workout supplement, but they also make a great pre-workout supplement because they provide sustainable energy. BCAAs consist of three essential amino acids: leucine, isoleucine, and valine. These amino acids play a crucial role in protein synthesis and muscle recovery.
Consuming BCAAs before a workout can help reduce muscle soreness, decrease exercise-induced fatigue, and promote muscle growth. They're especially useful during fasted workouts when you haven't eaten for several hours.
Super greens
Believe it or not, super greens powders make for a great pre-workout supplement with the added benefit of getting a serving of greens and fruits! Super greens can naturally boost your energy due to it being a rich source of iron and other vitamins. Some can even help improve endurance! Like our Super Greens Powder contains a combination of six adaptogenic mushrooms called PeakO2. These mushrooms help increase power and endurance by improving oxygen utilization and decreasing lactate. This helps athletes and lifters train longer so they're able to run longer than before or push through one to two more reps.
This is a great alternative for those who prefer something with more natural ingredients while giving their immune system a boost!
Nitric Oxide Boosters
Nitric oxide (NO) boosters, such as L-citrulline and beetroot extract, are popular pre-workout supplements for enhancing blood flow and oxygen delivery to your muscles. Improved circulation can increase endurance, reduce fatigue, and promote more efficient nutrient delivery to your muscle cells. This can be particularly advantageous for cardio workouts and high-repetition weightlifting sessions.
Citrulline Malate
Citrulline malate is another supplement that can improve endurance and reduce muscle soreness. It's known for its ability to increase ATP production and enhance the body's energy systems, which can help you power through your workouts more effectively.
Electrolytes
This might not be considered a workout supplement, but taking electrolytes before or even during your training can make a huge difference! They are essential for prolonged, high-intensity exercise, especially in hot and humid conditions because they help replenish the minerals lost through sweat, preventing dehydration and muscle cramps. Common electrolytes include sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
As you can see, every pre-workout supplement is slightly different. Some focus more in high-intensity training while others focus on muscle-building. Knowing these details will help ensure you choose the best pre-workout supplement for you and your goals!
Why choose 373 Lab's Pre-Workout?
Our Pre-Workout formula contains effective doses of citrulline malate, beta-alanine, arginine, tyrosine, and theanine. We also use natural caffeine (150 grams) for a cleaner sustainable energy boost. Plus, it's free of unnecessary additives like artificial dyes and sweeteners!
Get the edge you need to train at the highest level with 373 Lab Pre-Workout.