Taking pre-workout supplements will help you achieve your fitness goals no matter your fitness level. Many gym goers and fitness enthusiasts use pre-workouts to aid them in their fitness journey.
If you find yourself undergoing training for a long time but still haven’t reached your fitness goal, or if you notice that you are losing stamina, taking a pre-workout supplement might just be what you need. Before you jump into taking one, check out these five things first that you must do before you take a pre-workout.
Identify Your Goal
The first thing you need to do before taking a pre-workout supplement or even before buying one is to identify your goal. One of the reasons why pre-workout supplements are popular is that they can help you achieve your goal faster.
Knowing your goal will help you choose the right supplement to take and achieve its true potential. For instance, if you’re looking to take pre-workout supplements to help you boost your energy level when working out, then you must consider this when you pick a supplement to take.
Another thing that pre-workouts can help you with is improving fat burning during workouts. Thus, if your goal is to lose weight, you might want to buy a pre-workout supplement to help you burn more fat quickly.
Shop Around For The Best Supplements To Take
With your goal established in mind, the next thing you should do is shop around for the best supplements. Don’t just purchase the first pre-workout that you’ll see online or at a brick-and-mortar fitness shop.
You must check the Detailed Reviews of Pre-Workout Supplements that you come across. It will help you know which can provide you with a quality result based on customers’ experience.
In a detailed review, you will see the side effects, the good results, and many more that the user has experienced while using that specific supplement.
It’s also best to ask friends or family who have been working out and using a pre-workout supplement for some recommendations. It is also a great way to get an unbiased review from someone you know, which means you can ask questions about the supplement when something comes up.
Eat A Small MealÂ
Like with medications, expect that supplements can also have side effects. Common side effects that pre-workout supplement users experience are:
- Insomnia
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Dehydration
- Tingly or Prickly Sensation
- High Blood Pressure
Eating a small meal 30 to 60 minutes before taking the pre-workout will help minimize the possible side effects you could experience with pre-workouts. You need to remember to avoid food with high fiber content to ensure you will get the supplement’s full potency.
Although some people take pre-workouts on an empty stomach, it’s not advisable. Imagine drinking coffee on an empty stomach.
You will feel light-headedness, jittery and nauseous. Since pre-workouts have high doses of caffeine, you will also feel the same if you don’t eat before drinking a pre-workout supplement.
Check The Caffeine In The Supplement
Always check the caffeine content of the pre-workout supplement before you purchase it. Caffeine is the main ingredient in pre-workouts that gives you a rush of energy. However, you need to consider the amount of this added ingredient to the supplement.
Sometimes, you wouldn’t see caffeine on the label but expect that pre-workout supplements added caffeine into their formulation. You must use the supplement according to the recommended dosage on the label.
It’s not a good idea to take more than the recommended dosage. If you’re unsure of your caffeine tolerance, you can start taking the supplement at half its recommended dosage and observe. Slowly work your way up until you reach the recommended dosage if you don’t feel any side effects like insomnia, palpitation, and nausea.
If you think caffeine isn’t good for you, you might consider using stimulant-free pre-workout supplements.
Talk To Your Healthcare Provider
Talking to your healthcare provider before taking any pre-workout supplements is highly recommended. It might sound safe, given the fact that it’s just a supplement and not a medication, but some ingredients could lead to serious side effects.
It was mentioned earlier that high blood pressure is among the common side effects of pre-workout supplements. That’s why you must discuss this matter with your healthcare provider before consuming it.
It’s even more vital if you know that you have hypertension or heart problems. This way, your physician can guide you through using pre-workout supplements according to your condition. Additionally, if you don’t know your current health situation, it’s better to thoroughly examine your health before you decide to take pre-workout supplements.
In Conclusion
There are so many things that you need to consider before you start consuming a pre-workout supplement. Always keep in mind that your safety is the priority. Don’t rush into buying and drinking a pre-workout supplement just because all your other gym buddies do it. You must consider the things mentioned above before trying the supplement yourself.
