Pre-workout supplements boost your stamina, focus, and endurance, thereby helping you achieve your fitness goals. This Buzzle write-up lists out some of the popular pre-workout supplements.
While purchasing workout supplements, opt for the ones that are verified by the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP), which is a nonprofit organization that establishes federally recognized standards for the quality of drugs, dietary supplements, and foods.
Pre-workout supplements usually contain proteins and carbohydrates, along with beta-alanine, creatine, caffeine, BCAAs, amino acids such as arginine, citrulline, etc. The ingredients present in these supplements act as stimulants, brain boosters, pump providers, muscle builders, energy boosters, fat burners, or strength/power boosters. Taking such supplements helps combat muscle fatigue, thereby maximizing the time in the gym. These boost the energy levels, thereby helping one perform intensive workouts.
The stimulant-based supplements contain caffeine, which makes one alert, thereby enhancing mental focus. Creatine is an amino acid that provides energy for muscle contraction, whereas arginine is an essential component, as it is readily converted into nitric oxide. Vasodilators present in the supplements increase the oxygen flow/nutrient delivery. Beta-alanine and histidine form carnosine, which enhances muscle strength. Thus, make sure that you check the label to learn about the ingredients present in the supplement. If you are taking a pre-workout supplement for the first time, it’s advisable to take half a serving size for the first couple of weeks to analyze its effects.
Popular Pre-workout Supplements
JYM Pre JYM
Barring the price tag (USD 68.97), Jim Stoppani’s Pre JYM is extremely effective. Though it is relatively new, it has managed to capture the attention of fitness enthusiasts, bodybuilders, and athletes. Many are calling it a powerhouse, which might be attributed to its potent ingredients. It contains the following ingredients:
➠ Carnosyn (Beta-Alanine)
➠ Citrulline malate
➠ Branched Chain Amino Acids
➠ Creatine HCL
➠ Beatine
➠ L-Tyrosine
➠ Taurine
➠ N-Acetyl L-Cysteine
➠ Beet extract
➠ Caffeine anhydrous
➠ Alphasize
Out of the aforementioned ingredients, creatine hydrochloride, carosyn, betaine, taurine, N-Acetyl L-Cysteine, and alphasize enhance power/strength and endurance. Citrulline malate and beet extract are considered to be maximal pump/vascularity and energy amplifiers. L-Tyrosine, caffeine anhydrous, and huperzine A improve mental focus. BioPerine enhances absorption. Branched chain amino acids called L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine, and L-Valine are in the 2:1:1 ratio. These prevent muscle fatigue, thereby improving muscle performance. 1 scoop of JYM Pre JYM (Cherry Limeade) provides 26.5 g, and there are 20 servings per container. A single scoop provides 15 calories, 4 g of carbohydrates, 2 mg of sugar, and 220 mg of sodium.
MusclePharm Assault
The main ingredient in MusclePharm is beta-alanine. It also contains branched amino acids. It comes in flavors such as blue raspberry, fruit punch, cherry limeade, pineapple mango, raspberry lemonade, etc. It provides explosive energy without the crash, and enhances power, focus, and pumps. According to the manufacturer, this supplement doesn’t contain fillers and artificial dyes.
A single scoop (14.5 g) of MusclePharm Assault (Blue Raspberry) provides 10 calories, 2 g of total carbohydrates, 2 g of sugar, 500 mg of vitamin C, 200 IU of vitamin E, 60 mg of niacin, 15 mg of vitamin B6, 90 mcg of vitamin B12, 50 mg of sodium, 40 mg of potassium, and 213 mg of calcium. MusclePharm Assault (20 servings) is priced at USD 34.99, whereas MusclePharm Assault (30 servings) would cost USD 49.99.
The following ingredients amplify ATP production:
➠ Carnosyn® Patented Beta-Alanine
➠ L-Tyrosine
➠ L-Aspartic acid
➠ Red beet extract
➠ Dimethylglycine HCL
The following play an important role in cellular transport and insulin activation:
➠ Dextrose
➠ L-Glycine
➠ Ribose
➠ Cinnulin PF® (Cinnamomum burmannii) Bark Extract
Their Athlete Performance Blend featuring the ‘Ion-3 Nitrate Technology Matrix includes:
➠ CreNitrate
➠ ArgNitrate
➠ BCAA (L-Leucine, L-Valine, L-Isoleucine) nitrate in 3:1:2 ratio
The following are referred to as the Energy and Neuro Ignitors:
➠ Choline bitartrate
➠ Glucuronolactone
➠ PurEnergy™ Matrix (Pterostilbene-Caffeine)
➠ Huperzine A
The following are a part of the hydration system:
➠ Taurine
➠ Coconut water powder
➠ L-Glutamine
Cellucor C4 Extreme
Cellucor’s C4 Extreme is another popular pre-workout supplement. Its main ingredient is creatine nitrate, and it has been appreciated for its NO3 technology. It comes in many interesting flavors such as Fruit Punch, Green Apple, Icy Blue Razz, Orange, Pink Lemonade, Strawberry Margarita, and Watermelon. It will improve your workout by enhancing your muscle strength and mental focus. Cellucor’s C4 Extreme (60 servings) is priced at USD 79.99. 1 Scoop (5.9 g) of Cellucor C4 Extreme provides 250 mg of vitamin C, 30 mg of niacin, 250 mcg of folate, 1500 mg of beta-alanine, 1000 mg of creatine nitrate, 1000 mg of arginine AKG, and 718 mg of the Explosive Energy Blend. The supplement includes the following:
➠ Beta-Alanine
➠ Creatine nitrate
➠ Arginine AKG
Its Explosive Energy Blend includes:
➠ Ascorbic acid
➠ N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
➠ Caffeine anhydrous
➠ Mucuna pruriens
➠ Synephrine HCL
➠ Niacinamide
➠ Folic acid
➠ Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate
➠ Methylocobalamin
MuscleTech Nano Vapor
MuscleTech Nano Vapor (40 servings) is priced at USD 64.99. Each scoop (13 g) of Nano Vapor (Blue Raspberry) contains 45 calories, mostly from amino acids, and a host of potent ingredients that help improve muscle strength, endurance, focus, and energy. It provides 3 g of total carbohydrates, 67 mg of vitamin C, 0.39 mcg of vitamin B6, 1.2 mcg of vitamin B12, and 200 mg of calcium.
Its pump and performance complex includes:
➠ Citrulline
➠ Beta-alanine
➠ Betaine anhydrous
➠ Quercetin
Its cell volumization and growth matrix includes:
➠ Creatine monohydrate
➠ Taurine
➠ L-Aspartic acid
Its energy and focus complex includes:
➠ Caffeine anhydrous
➠ L-Theanine
ProSupps Mr. Hyde
One scoop of Mr. Hyde (Fruit Punch) contains 6.2 g. It contains creatine hydrochloride and agmatine sulfate. The latter acts as a vasodilator, and has a positive effect on the nutrient delivery to the muscles. It provides better muscle pumps, and is categorized as a higher stimulant/energy pre-workout. It provides immense energy to help one perform intense workouts. Mr. Hyde (30 servings) is priced at USD 59.99. Its strength matrix includes:
➠ Beta-Alanine
➠ Creatine hydrochloride
➠ L-Leucine
➠ Agmatine sulfate
➠ L-Citrulline malate
Its caffeine matrix includes:
➠ Caffeine anhydrous
➠ Dicaffeine malate
➠ Caffeine citrate
Its intensity matrix includes:
➠ Pikatropin (Pikamilon)
➠ N-Methyl tyramine
➠ Hordenine
➠ Yohimbe bark extract
➠ Rauwolfia vomitoria root extract
Other Popular Brands
Other supplements that have also received good reviews include:
➠ Betancourt Bullnox Androrush
➠ BPI Sports 1.M.R Vortex
➠ BSN No Xplode 3.0
➠ Arnold Iron Pump
➠ MuscleTech Anarchy
➠ GAT NITRAFLEX
➠ Altius by Jacked Factory
➠ USPLabs Jack3d Advanced Formula
➠ Pulse by Legion Supplements
➠ Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout
➠ ENGN Pre Workout by Evlution Nutrition
As numerous pre-workout supplements are available in the market, it’s advisable to consult your fitness instructor before you buy one. Take a well-informed decision, after considering your exercise regimen.