Pre-workouts are a handy tool for people who are looking for that boost in performance. If you want to engage in a comprehensive fitness regime to help you meet your goals but do not seem to have the energy to beat the fatigue, a pre-workout could be a great option for you. They can give a little extra when you need it most, allowing you to push your limits for better outcomes. It is a very beneficial option but has often raised some concern over the potential for weight gain (1). If you are looking for an infusion to your regime, you might have asked yourself: Will pre-workout make me gain weight? Is it the right choice for me? With this article, we have you covered!
Will a pre-workout cause weight gain?
The effects of a pre-workout may differ for different people. Some users have reported weight gain when taking pre-workouts instead of the more common weight loss as a result of increased energy consumption levels. For some people, pre-workouts could cause weight gain. However, they are in the minority and you will not be likely to experience a positive change in weight when taking these supplements. Still, factors such as your lifestyle could increase the likelihood that pre-workouts react this way (2).
Some people have taken up pre-workouts alongside fat burners to combat any weight gain they might experience. These products will work well together, although professional advice is recommended due to the potential spike in caffeine intake levels. Both fat burners and pre-workouts will feature a higher than usual caffeine rating, which could exceed your body’s tolerance levels. You may also consider keeping track of any factors that could have an effect on your weight both in and out of the gym to address the situation more holistically and avoid a cycle of weight loss and gain.
Why does my pre-workout cause weight gain?
If you are eating healthy, exercising, and taking enough water but are still faced with weight gain from your pre-workout, you should not panic just yet. There are a number of factors that could cause weight gain with your workout.
You may lose more water than you think after exercise. In the more extreme cases, you could lose up to 15 pounds, which is a significant change in body mass. Water makes up between 70% and 90% of your body’s weight. Your body’s water content is varied, which means that your bodyweight might be subject to change as well. If you engage in highly strenuous activity and take up pre-workouts, you will reduce your body’s water content significantly. This may cause the weight loss effect associated with pre-workouts. For some people, the water level is unlikely to shift regardless of their activity due to a high retention rate. Adding the water-infused pre-workouts increases the amount of water in the body, which translates to weight gain (3).
Intense workouts will also have a similar dynamic change on the body’s components, which may be translated as weight gain. Have you ever noticed an upwards change in weight a few days after a very intensive workout? The scale mass, which is a combination of air, muscle, fat, tissue, blood, urine, and neural matter, will be subject to changes of up to 15% after a workout. Factors such as post-workout hydration, increase in blood volume, muscle inflammation, changes in the intestinal by-product, and urine will cause some weight gain after pre-workout supported exercise (4).
Scale mass may also be an unreliable way to track changes in your weight as a result of strength training. This type of training will boost the development of muscle while breaking down fat Your muscles are typically less dense than fat, which means this process will be the quicker of the two to set off. If you are supporting your strength training with pre-workouts, the changes in weight might be a result of the slower fat metabolism and quicker muscle build-up. Over time, which can happen over weeks and months, you should notice weight loss as your body burns significant amounts of fat while building muscle (5).
Tips for taking pre-workout when looking to lose weight
You could consider finding a pre-workout without creatine if your weight gain persists. There are many different options available that do not feature creatine. If you are looking to avoid the hours of research, you can find the best pre-workouts without creatine through a reliable partner.
If you have already tried out different supplements, you may consider their effects and choose those which seem to have a desirable effect on your body. Every person will have a different reaction to each supplement, with some being more favorable than others.
