List of the best pre-workout supplements:
- What is Pre-workout?
- How Do Pre-workouts Work?
- Can I Gain Weight With Pre-workout Supplements?
- What Benefits Can You Get From Pre-workout Supplements?
- Who Can Use Pre-workout Supplements and Who Has to Avoid Them?
- How Long Before a Workout Should You Take a Pre-workout?
- Should I Do Breaks Between The Pre-Workouts?
- What Side Effects Can You Expect From Pre-workout Supplements or is Pre-workout good?
- How to Take Pre-Workout Supplements?
- Can I Take Whey Protein With Pre-workout Supplement?
- Should You Take a Pre-Workout on Non-Training Days?
- Is Pre-Workout Dangerous?
- Video for Lazy Readers
- Bottom Line
As matter of the fact, one of the most popular supplements in the fitness and sports industry stays Pre Workouts. So we had to write to you about “5 Best Pre-Workout Supplements in 2019”. Therefore we want you to know everything that is necessary about them and doesn’t make a mistake in your choice.
I think everyone who works out certainly knows the feeling, when you are tired, have no energy and motivation to go to the gym, run, go to the group workout, or even go on the dancing course. That means you thought about trying Pre Workout supplements already, but what product should you choose? We will try to describe what is pre-workout, is pre-workout good, what’s in pre-workout and possible side effects of it. So, below we pronounce our list of 5 Best Pre Workout Supplements in 2019.
Firstly, our choice mainly is based on nutritional facts, sales on the market, client and fitness blogger reviews.
If you want to be fully equipped before, during and after your workout, these complex supplements will fuel you during the day and will even give you extra protein! It has perfect formulas for men and women! Blackwolf’s all-in-one supplement pack is a complete formula, which will boost your energy before a workout, will help you to maintain the strength during the workout and give you energy during the day after your workout! It also will help you to gain some muscle, which is a perfect bonus!
Pros & Cons
- Perfect formula
- Good pre-during after workout formula
- Nice energy support effect
- Best on the market
- Also helps to burn fat
- Quite expensive (but the best formula) if you take the complex, but affordable if you take only pre-workout
One serving contains:
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) – 200mg
- Magnesium (as Citrate) – 50mg
- Potassium (as Citrate) – 50mg
- Pantothenic Acid – 25mg
- Thiamin – 10mg
- Zinc (as Citrate) – 10mg
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride) – 5mg
- Selenium – 25mg
- Vitamin B12 – 10mcg
- Whey Protein Isolate – 13g
- Citrulline Malate (2:1) – 3g
- Clarinol Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) – 3g
- Beta-Alanine – 2.6g
- L-Glutamine – 2.5g
- L-Leucine – 2g
- L-Carnitine L-Tartrate – 1.5g
- Betaine HCl – 1g
- L-Isoleucine – 1g
- L-Taurine – 1g
- L-Valine – 1g
- Caffeine – 250mg
Producer: Blackwolf develops premium sports nutrition and workout supplements which shows really seriously impressive results. It also uses the latest pioneering scientific researches to develop increase natural power to make you able to grow muscle faster! These revolutionary workout supplement packs deliver real, proven results.
Bottom line: Blackwolf offers you all-in-one premium workout supplements geared toward helping you maximize gains without the hassle of multiple pills and powders. It also made it simple, it makes you focus on your goal and get results as soon as possible by hitting it hard! They also use experienced sports nutritionists and formulators, which have created a series of optimally balanced blends designed to deliver maximum results. It also can help you to lose some fat. Talking about fat burners, probably you will be interested in our articles about 5 Best Fat Burners for Women and Men in 2019.
BULK Pre-workout is a powerful eco pre-workout supplement that is used when specifically for your bulking period. It will give you the energy you need, and you will get the best effect you can imagine. This supplement effect will last long, so you can finish your workout and feel full of energy during the day. Also, all Transparent Labs products don’t contain any colored dyes, unnecessary fillers, and they are eco-friendly, trying to use best and non-GMO products. So, you will be able to feel the effect with no harm to your body. It also contains many powerful and effective ingredients.
Pros & Cons
- The formula is created specifically for bulking
- No colored dyes and best quality products including
- Includes citrulline malate and other necessary ingredients for pre-workout
- Contains about 20 active ingredients for maximum boost
- Includes a nice amount of vitamins you need to feel full of energy rest of the day
- There are none if you are not overdosing, try to start from half of the doze
One serving contains:
- Citrulline malate 6g
- Beta-alanine 4g
- BCAA (2:1:1 ratio) 4g
- Betaine anhydrous 4g
- Taurine 3g
- Tyrosine 600mg
- Caffeine anhydrous 180mg
Producer: Transparent Labs, was founded not so long time ago, and one of the most honest and straightforward companies in the industry. Also, it is one of the industry pioneers that has become a global leader in the sports nutrition industry which is not using any GMO, artificial sweeteners, coloring and preservatives. It is growing very fast, and we can say that this company is the best player if we are talking about healthy nutrition.
Bottom line: We personally think that it is the best possible product you can get for this money. So, the main points are: firstly it is working, secondly uses the safest products you can find on the market, the effect lasts long, includes only active ingredients, etc. What you can expect more? So, just think about it and grab the one! We also want to mention, that transparent labs has more pre-workouts for different periods when you are shredding, bulking or even stimulant-free one.
4 Gauge Pre-Workout it is natural and at the same time unique product, which uses only natural ingredients, to avoid all possible side effects for you. It also will help you to push harder in the gym, feel better, and will provide you the tunnel effect focus! 4 Gauge also, does, not contain any artificial sweeteners, what is a good thing to put it higher in our list, we want to avoid all crappy ingredients to the max. So, this is one of the most powerful natural pre-workouts you could ever find on the market.
Pros & Cons
- perfect boost with no side effects
- "Tunnel" concentration, which will make you focus on max
- No side effects
- No artificial sweeteners
- Made in USA and has worldwide shipping!
- Can be a bit more expensive if you buy one, so grab at least two!
One serving contains:
- Citrulline Malate 6,000mg
- Creatine Monohydrate 1,000mg
- Acetyl L-Carnitine 500mg
- Red Beetroot Extract 300mg
- Coconut Water Powder 300mg
- L-Theanine 200mg
- Caffeine 150mg
- Rhodiola Rosea 100mg
Producer: 4 Gauge is coming from Roar Ambition, a premium sports supplements company based in the UK which is known worldwide. They selected narrow high-end supplements, aimed at people who are looking for the latest formulations and the best quality available. As you possibly know, the more narrow is the niche the better quality you get in the end!
Bottom line: This is basically the best natural product you can find on the market, it contains only natural ingredients and works as it should! What is usually rare for natural ingredients products. So if you are for natural supplements, then it is the one you should take!
If you want to feel a really strong energy boost every time you are in the gym C4 Ripped is for you. It was known on the market a long time ago, from far 2011. Cellucor’s C4 Ripped is the next level of innovation and refinement. The new formula is stronger and includes the breakthrough ingredient, TeaCor™ for improved energy you start to feel almost immediately and it lasts longer.
Pros & Cons
- Amazing flavors
- Provides explosive energy
- Cost-effective energy pre workout
- Includes effective doses of creatine, beta-alanine, arginine, tyrosine, etc
- Uses artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners
- Better do not drink 6 hours before sleep, possible problems with sleep
One serving contains:
- C4® Ripped Blend 1000mg (L-Carnitine Tartrate, Green Coffee Bean Extract, (Standardized for Chlorogenic Acids), Capsimax® Cayenne (Capsicum annuum) fruit extract, Coleus forskohlii root extract)
- Arginine AKG 1000 mg
- Beta-Alanine 1600 mg
- Niacin (as Niacinamide) 30.0 mg
- VitaminB12 (as Methylcobalamin) 30.0 mg
- Carnosyn Beta-Alanine. 1.6 g.
- Creatine Nitrate (NO3-T) 1.0 g.
- Vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate) 500.0 mcg. 25%
- Folic Acid. 250.0 mcg. 62%
- Vitamin C (as Ascorbic Acid) 250.0 mg. 417%
Producer: C4 Ripped is manufactured by Cellucor. The company exists since 2002 and it is a big player in the fitness supplements market. This supplement is one of the most known pre-workouts it is using effective ingredients and also it tastes really good.
Bottom line: Old C4 was really good, but new formula improves your focus, boosts your energy and effect lasts longer than it was before. Also as I already said, there is a good choice of amazing tastes. It became a little more expensive, but it is still really affordable.
BSN N.O Xplode is one of the most popular pre workout supplements on the market. If you are searching for a pre workout formula that can offer you a nice mix of ingredients, and also can deliver the best possible results, then N.O Xplode is certainly your choice. The formula of N.O Xplode was upgraded several times and with time this pre workout got only better. Besides, it proved own place on the market as one of the best products in the niche of pre workouts. BSN N.O Xplode is a great-tasting product that will enhance your endurance during training sessions.
Pros & Cons
- Really good flavors
- Provides explosive energy
- Increase focus and enhance pump
- Contains Creatine, Amino Acids, Beta Alanine etc.
- There is caffeine free choice
- Quite expensive
- Can be too strong for sensitive people, they can feel kind of you might experience is a slight flush
One serving contains:
- Vitamin B1
- Niacin
- Vitamin B6
- Folic Acid
- Vitamin B12
- Pantothenic Acid
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
- Magnesium
- Sodium
- Potassium
- N.O.-XPLODE Master Performance Blend, containing:
- Creatine Anhydrous;
- Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolate; and
- Creatine Monohydrate
- Taurine;
- Vitamin D
- Creatine Peptides;
- Di-Calcium Phosphate;
- AstraGIN Proprietary Blend;
- Beta Alanine (as CarnoSyn);
- Creatine Monohydrate;
- Beta Alanine HCl;
- Betaine Anhydrous;
- Potassium Bicarbonate;
- Sodium Bicarbonate;
- Magnesium Oxide;
- Cholicalciferol;
- L-Citrulline Malate;
- Danshen Extract;
- Grape Skin Extract;
- Phyllanthus Emblica Extract;
- Hawthorn Extract;
- Folate;
- N-Acetyl Tyrosine;
- Caffeine Anhydrous;
- Grapefruit Bioflavonoids;
- Caffeine Cocrystals;
- DMAE Bitartrate;
- L-Lysine HCl;
- DL-Phenylalanine;
- Niacin;
- Calcium D-Pantothenate;
- Toothed Clubmoss Extract;
- Pyridoxine HCl;
- Thiamin HCl; and
- Cyanocobalamin
Producer: Bio-Engineered Supplements and Nutrition, Inc. (BSN) was founded in 2001, also it is one of the industry pioneers that has become a global leader in the sports nutrition industry. Above all N.O Xplode is one of the best company products, introduced in 2004, it took the fitness world by storm and still has own fan club.
Bottom line: BSN N.O Xplode is the top pre-workout supplement which provides strong and fast effect, it contains so many ingredients that it is really difficult to describe all benefits it can offer. Probably it’s not the best pre-workout for beginners, but certainly, you can’t go wrong with it if you are a more experienced athlete, or if it is not first pre-workout you have tried. N.O Xplode accomplishes its goals. Above all we mentioned before, it does a great job boosting your muscle mass, concentration, endurance, and energy.
What is Pre-workout?
In simple words, Pre Workout supplement is product took shortly before the workout (exercising) that makes your workout easier and motivates you to use your limits on maximum, enhance your endurance and make your focus better. Generally speaking, doesn’t matter what workout it is. It can be a gym, group workout, sparring, your daily run, swimming, or even intensive dances, pre-workout products will always support you even if you have no motivation, it will push you to work out harder, sometimes even above your limits, what will allow you to go next step forward and evolve in your progress.
Most of Pre Workouts are in powder form, but sometimes you can meet such products like pills, bars or drinks. Definitely, powder pre-workouts are the most popular one, because of several benefits like mobility or absorption speed.
How Do Pre-workouts Work?
Well, we know what effects pre workouts are providing, but what gives us this energy? What are these ingredients that enhance our endurance, strength, focus?
Common pre workout supplements ingredients:
Caffeine:
I think it’s the first ingredient people notice in pre workouts, and it’s really one of the common things in pre workouts. Almost all pre workouts contain caffeine and there is good reason for that. Caffeine is one of best-known stimulants that can supercharge your energy levels but also your mental focus and help your workout last longer. It boosts your metabolism as well, which stimulates fat burning, also helps your body use your fat stores, and convert them into energy (1).
Creatine:
It’s one of the most widely used supplements to enhance your strength. Creatine is an academically proven strength increaser and weightlifting performance. It also can help you to increase your endurance by filling your body’s natural supply of ATP. Creatine can be used as a separate supplement for increasing your strength, power, and endurance (2).
BCAA:
other key ingredients in pre workouts are amino acids. This can be a little confusing for you in the beginning, but we’ll try to explain it in detail. There is a huge amount of amino acids, some of them are essential, they can only be obtained through food, and other are nonessential. Our bodies can synthesize them by themself. Some of them are commonly used in pre workout supplements like leucine, iso-leucine, and valine. BCAAs, or other name branched-chain amino acids will help you build muscle, and reduce muscle tissue breakdown (3).
Beta-alanine:
Also there are other amino acids used in pre workouts supplements like beta-alanine it staves off oxidative stress, which leads to fatigue, so it will increase your endurance during the workout (4).
Citrulline malate:
It reduces toxins in the blood, increases energy, increases blood flow to the muscles what gives you a nice pump and can be converted to arginine (5).
Green Tea Extract:
Lots of pre workouts ingredients like green tea are nice stimulant and giving you energy for all day. Also, it makes sense to use green tea to stimulate weight loss, energy and is rich in antioxidants. Also, it is not expensive ingredient and it is natural, so it is used almost in any pre workout stimulants.
These are one of the most common ingredients in pre workouts, but there is so much more, and usually, they are kind of additional bonus to these common mentioned above.
Can I Gain Weight With Pre-workout Supplements?
It is not a goal of pre-workout supplements. They were designed to give you the bursting energy, concentration, and stamina. But, if pre-workout supplements contain creatine monohydrate, it can help you to increase strength and get some extra muscles. It can also hold some water in your body, it is the usual small side effect of creatine monohydrate. Also, do not take pre workout supplements on your empty stomach, and take it with plenty amount of water.
What Benefits Can You Get From Pre-workout Supplements?
Mainly pre workouts are used by fitness and weightlifters athletes, but as it was written above it can be used much wider in any sports and physical activity. Depending on pre workout effects may differ, but mostly they are very similar. So, here are the main benefits you can get from pre workouts:
Getting more energy for your workout:
getting more energy is a really great benefit for you. It motivates you to workout longer and more intensive. Of course most of this effect you are getting thanks to caffeine which increases adrenaline and other catecholamines.
It can increase your workout performance:
it looks like it is the biggest pre-workout benefit it improves your ability to train harder and more efficiently. If you train harder and more intensive you can reach your goals faster, build muscles, lose weight or even gain extra strength. These goals can be achieved by a number of key ingredients, like creatine (it can enhance power), citrulline malate (it can enhance athletic anaerobic performance) and others.
Focus:
There is so called tunnel concentration effect from pre workout supplements. It usually make you very focused and concentrated on your workout. You are not distracted by anyone and any thoughts.
Faster recovery:
even though they are taken before a workout, pre-workout can help you recover faster too. Ingredients like caffeine, creatine monohydrate and BCAA reduce muscle soreness and enhance muscle recovery processes.
Stimulates weight loss:
this effect is reached thanks to caffeine and other metabolism stimulating ingredients. Indirect weight loss effect can be a benefit even if you are not trying to lose weight, but it will keep you lean and fit.
Improves concentration and focus during the workout:
mental preparation for the exercise is very important, making sure you are focused on what you do, will bring you more benefits in the future and will help you to progress faster.
Who Can Use Pre-workout Supplements and Who Has to Avoid Them?
We can say that almost everyone can use and get benefits from pre workouts, but also there is a group of people who need better to avoid them.
We will start with people who can use pre-workouts and can get benefits from them:
Men – the desire to be stronger, to feel the flow of energy and to stay fit is very usual for men. Pre workout supplements can be very useful in reaching that goal. Best ranked pre workout supplements for men will improve your concentration, provide a good boost of energy, increase your strength and endurance, that’s all that you need to break your limits, grow muscles reach your fitness goals and even lose some weight.
Women – pre workouts can be useful for women too. They can increase their strength and endurance to make their workouts longer. Also, it can stimulate fat burning processes and increase metabolism.
Cross-fitters – this sports requires huge explosive energy. Pre workouts fit for these kinds of people perfectly, as for such intensive workouts it’s what they need. Also, cross-fitters need a good portion of BCAA after their workouts and that makes pre workouts even more ideal for them.
Bodybuilders – heavy weights, long-lasting workouts, muscle growth, good focus and energy after training… that is what Bodybuilder needs, and best strong pre workouts such as N.O Xplode or Pre-JYM can support them. And we will repeat it one more time, we just can’t forget this perfect benefit which bodybuilders love, less fat and shredded muscles.
Who need to avoid pre-workouts:
People sensitive to stimulants – if you are one of these people, better to avoid pre workouts. They can bring awful feelings to you because usually, they are quite strong. You can get insomnia, sweat more, feel a strong heartbeat and more. We do not recommend to use pre workouts in that case, but if you decide to do that, use smaller serving or buy stimulant-free workout.
People with higher blood pressure – As you know pre workouts very often contain a big amount of caffeine and other stimulating ingredients that is risky for your health if you will take them. But as we told before, if you decide to take pre workouts, there are stimulant-free versions.
People with heart diseases – Similar to for people with high blood pressure it is risky to take these supplements for your health. The solution for it is the same.
How Long Before a Workout Should You Take a Pre-workout?
Well, the products are different from one to another. It all depends on the nutrients, but for the most of pre-workout supplements, the instructions say about 30 minutes before workout. So, if you want it to achieve the best result, giving you the strongest boost, and the most energy try to do it 30 minutes before, but some of them are starting to work almost immediately. Check the effect too, how fast it working on you, and adjust to it. If you take it on your way into the gym, you’re not possibly you are wasting part of your energy boost. So, if you will waste the part of your pre0workout supplement effect, you will feel the waste. Just try to count it effectively.
Should I Do Breaks Between The Pre-Workouts?
When you are using the ptr-workout supplement for a long time, your body will start to adapt, and you will feel the effect not so well. So, we recommend taking breaks every few months (2-3 months).
Most of the athletes are taking breaks by using pre-workout supplements for 6-8 weeks, then taking a break for 2-3 weeks. Others take a product for 6-8 weeks, then switch to another product with a different formula for 6-8 weeks.
What Side Effects Can You Expect From Pre-workout Supplements or is Pre-workout good?
Insomnia – possibly this is one of the most famous side effects for people who have late evening workouts or workout a few hours before sleep. This side effect can be caused by stimulants like caffeine, or other stimulants usually found in these supplements. To avoid this just take it at least 3-4 hours before sleep.
Dehydration – some ingredients in pre workout supplements can pull out water causing dehydration. Few of them are there to make it on purpose, sometimes they even include diuretics for weight loss and getting rid of under-skin water. Lack of water in your organism can also cause headaches. So, we recommend to being that you are drinking enough water during the day.
Stomach upset and/or diarrhea – most of the time diarrhea happens because of certain reasons. One of the reasons can be specific ingredients used in pre workouts supplements which can cause a laxative effect if you have a sensitive stomach it can send you to the toilet quite fast. As always, we recommend you to consult with your doctor before taking any supplements described on this website.
High blood pressure – as wrote above almost all pre workout supplements includes stimulants and stimulants that increase your blood pressure. This can be the problem if you already have high blood pressure.
Tingling of the skin – very often effective for people who uses pre workouts first time is the sense of tingling. It can be little shocking in the beginning, but it is a very common short harmless side effect. Most people only notice it the first few times and later you will just forget about it.
How to Take Pre-Workout Supplements?
First, you need to understand that the most of pre workout supplements are giving you short term effects for the period of your workout and they start to work quite fast, so the best timing is from 20 till 40 minutes before workout. It can depend on the product, some of them start to work faster and some slower, but you always will find a detailed description when and how to take them on the back of your product packaging.
We do not recommend you to take more than the recommended dose.
Start from smaller doze: If you are beginner taking a full dose can be too much for you first time, you can start from half, if you will feel the effect, then it is enough for the beginning, and you can increase the dose with time when you will feel less effect, but again, increase it only to full doze not more.
Take breaks in taking pre workouts: A lot of people are getting used to pre workouts, and with the time you will feel the lower and lower effect, or even will stop to feel it at all. Most of the athletes are making breaks in using pre workout supplements. They use it 5-8 weeks and making breaks about 3-6 weeks, then the organism is forgetting the effect and when you start to use it again you have an energy boost again. Other people are just changing the product with another one, with different ingredients, which gives a good change and small shock for the organism, which was used to the old product.
Most of the pre workouts are powder form so you will need a shaker or bottle to mix them they are pretty cheap, you can check them here.
Can I Take Whey Protein With Pre-workout Supplement?
The short answer is, yes you can! Maybe we just will not recommend to mix it together. The main thing is, not to overdose with caffeine, and as whey protein does not contain any caffeine you can safely take it. Ideally is to take pre-workout supplement about 30 minutes before your workout and to take whey protein immediately after a workout.
So, you will be able to feel full of energy before and during your workout and recover faster after your workout. Also, this way it will be possible to avoid stronger muscle pains during the recovery.
Should You Take a Pre-Workout on Non-Training Days?
Well, we are not recommending to do that. You’ll feel a boost for an hour and then your energy will go back down, which isn’t going to help you during your day. Also, we will be getting used to it faster, which can reduce the effect in the future for you.
If you are feeling really exhausted, then sometimes you can take it, it might help you to feel more energetic for some period of time, but don’t do it too often, please.
Are Pre-Workout Dangerous?
It difficult to say it clear, it might be dangerous sometimes like any concentrated formula. This product includes some ingredients which can be dangerous if you are over-dozing them. We are not recommending take more than is instructed on the pack. If you over-doze any product you can have bad consequences. You can over-doze coffee and the risk of heart attack is increasing, but if you drink 2-3 cup per day it is ok so, the same is with pre-workout supplements.
Possible side effects are described above, so just stick to the rules to avoid them.
Every pre-workout has a potential volatility rating. Then again, so does everything else we eat. You know if you have too much coffee, your heart rate is going to spike to a dangerous level. You know that if you have too many calories, it’s going to have the negative effect of putting on weight. Apply that basic common sense to these products, and you’ll be beyond fine, and far beneath the threshold for any danger.
Video for Lazy Readers!
Bottom line:
We hope now you are more clear, and we were able to give you a piece of valuable information about Pre workout Supplements. 5bestsupplements.com is still new, but we will provide more and more content for you, not only about supplements, but and about healthy lifestyle, working out, different equipment which can be useful for you. Give us some time and be patient you will get new Articles as soon as possible. If you have any ideas we are waiting for your comments below.
Please note – we do not recommend you take ANY supplements featured on this site without consulting a doctor first.
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