Pre-workouts are amazing. Their efficiency is pretty much validated by the fact that all over the world, gym geeks are using them, to a great effect. However, while their efficiency is undoubted, some of us are still unaware of the protocols that must be followed while taking supplements of such nature. One of the most common queries about pre-workout supplements is When should you take pre-workout?
If you have ambiguities about pre-workout timings, then you are in luck. For in this discussion, we attempt to answer this question that has boggled many. You are bound to learn a lot more than that if you stick until the very end!
Should you take a pre-workout?
Before we answer the question of when we really think you must be aware of the eligibility criterion. Should you take a pre-workout? Do you really need it alongside with your protein shakes? We know that seeing people guzzle down these at the gym can be tempting. But it might be doing more harm than good to them. So, let us have a look at the people who should be taking a pre-workout before they train or hit the gym hard. You can start taking a pre-workout if you need:
More mental focus and clarity
Better physique than the one you currently have
To lose a bit of weight.
A leaner muscular profile
To train for a particular sporting competition.
Well, if you are up for any of these endeavors, you are in luck. All you need to find is a standard pre-workout supplement.
When should you take a pre-workout?
Got the supplement that suits you? On the other hand, if you have not found it yet, you could ask your local gym trainer; those are the dudes who can answer your specific queries much more knowledgeably. With that sorted, we come to the main question around which this whole debate revolves. When should you take a pre-workout?
You might have seen these people or girls at gyms who love to take a pre-workout supplement just as they are about to lift the weights. There could not be a more horrendous approach to taking pre-workout supplements than this. There are ingredients in your pre-workout supplement that need time before they are absorbed well and play the role there are designed to play—for example, amino acids. You cannot just expect things to start happening the moment you intake a pre-workout formula.
So, what is the ideal time for taking a pre-workout? Well, research, studies, and observational analysis show us that 35-40 minutes are enough for a pre-workout to show its effect. Hence, you must take your pre-workout at least 50 minutes before your gym. Also, do not take it over an empty stomach as that can complicate the matters. Best to have a small meal first and then go gulping down this stuff.
Signs that your pre-workout works
Once you gulp it down, there must be some signs, which tell you that your drink works. Well, a few indicators can notify you of this. Let us have a look at these:
1- You must feel a great surge of energy. That is usually the first sign that the pre-workout is beginning to show its effects.
2- Your mental clarity, focus, and vision must improve gradually from the moment you have some of your pre-workout drink.
3- And now something, which many people think is a bad sign, but it hardly is. Because you are taking a pre-workout supplement that is loaded with ingredients that can induce histamine response, you might feel a bit of skin tingling. IT IS FINE. If the nerve ends are not tickled, maybe you should look for something else.
How long before the effects vanish?
Now, you must be wondering about the span for which these effects are going to linger in your system. Well, there is some simple math involved in this. We just need to calculate the time for which caffeine is going to be in your system. Why? Well, of all the ingredients in any standard pre-workout formula, it is the caffeine, which has the longest capacity to stay in your system. It can keep you restless for as much as 6 hours! Now, we do not need to concern ourselves with the rest of the ingredients, do we? Hence the simple answer is, a pre-workout can show its effects for at least 5-6 hours.
Where can it go wrong?
Well, you must be aware of complications as well, in case something goes wrong. Sometimes, people just fall for the low-quality pre-workout formulas that are comparatively cheaper. Keep in mind that those products can cause you more damage than good. In other cases, there might be nothing wrong with your pre-workout. Rather, there might be issues with your timing or intake manner. Like mentioned before, you must not intake any pre-workout formula without a decent grub. Lastly, you must know a lot about the ingredients of the pre-workout you are taking. Everyone’s body is sensitive to different ingredients at a different level, good to know these things!
Crucial factors
Some of the factors that can influence which the effects of your pre-workout include:
Age
Bodyweight
Quantity of the pre-workout supplement you are taking
Diet
Body tolerance to caffeine.
Why are pre-workouts better than energy drinks?
Pre-workout formulas are designed in a manner that can keep your muscles contracting and relaxing for a longer period, as compared to some of the regular energy drinks you might be used to. While some of those drinks do have caffeine in them, they are nowhere as e4fficent as a pre-workout. You are guaranteed more mental clarity and focus if you opt for a pre-workout before you hit the gym hard!
Conclusion
Well, that is all from this discussion. Hopefully, you are much more aware of the instruction manual that must be followed while taking a pre-workout. Caution must govern your dose and time of intake. For all we know, a little tip in the wrong direction can complicate affairs altogether!
