What do you look for when you shop for a pre workout drink? Do you focus on flavor or the types of benefits it promises? Do you ever flip it over and look at the ingredient list, or do you just pick the one with the most caffeine, take a scoop, and hope for the best?
If you’re looking to maximize the results you see from your pre workout, it’s a good idea to start reading through the ingredients list before you decide to use a particular supplement.
Not sure what to look for when looking at the label on your pre workout powder? Here are 8 of the most important ingredients that the best pre workout drink will contain.
1. Caffeine
You might not know everything that’s in your pre workout. However, the one ingredient you likely are familiar with is caffeine.
Pretty much every pre workout drink, unless it’s specifically labeled as stimulant-free, will contain caffeine, which is a natural, fast-acting stimulant. After you consume caffeine, the body quickly absorbs it into the bloodstream, where it travels to the liver and is broken down and used to help you feel more energized.
Caffeine helps you to stay alert because it binds to certain receptors in the brain and blocks the effects of the neurotransmitter adenosine. Adenosine levels build up in the brain throughout the day and, as levels rise, you start to feel more tired. Caffeine prevents this from happening.
In addition to increasing your energy and alertness, caffeine also offers several other benefits. When you consume a pre workout drink with caffeine, such as HYDE Pre Workout, you’ll likely also notice improvements in your mood and your ability to focus. Caffeine may speed up your fat loss efforts, too.
2. L-Citrulline
Caffeine is great, but a pre workout that contains a bunch of caffeine and nothing else isn’t going to offer as many benefits as a pre workout drink that contains other ingredients, such as L-Citrulline.
L-Citrulline is a non-essential amino acid. The term “non-essential” doesn’t mean “not necessary” or “not important.” It just means that the body can produce it on its own.
Even though your body can make its own L-Citrulline, supplementation can boost your levels and offer additional benefits, including improvements in blood flow.
L-Citrulline is a vasodilator. It widens the blood vessels and makes it easier for blood (as well as oxygen and nutrients) to get to your muscles. Better blood flow means better muscle pumps, as well as greater muscle-building potential and increased stamina while exercising.
3. Beta-Alanine
If you’ve ever taken a pre workout powder, there’s a good chance you’re familiar with that tingly feeling that a lot of these supplements provide. If you’ve felt that feeling before, it’s because of an ingredient called Beta-Alanine.
Beta-Alanine is another non-essential amino acid that works with another amino acid, histidine, to support the production of carnosine. Carnosine is stored in the skeletal muscles and reduces lactic acid accumulation. This, in turn, helps to combat soreness, reduces muscle fatigue, and improves athletic performance.
In addition to increasing energy and stamina, a pre workout that contains Beta-Alanine may also help to improve body composition. Using pre workout with Beta-Alanine can help you to push yourself harder during your workouts, which may lead to faster muscle growth and more noticeable results.
4. L-Theanine
L-Theanine is another amino acid. It’s often found in green and black tea leaves, but it’s also become a staple ingredient in a lot of pre workout supplements. L-Theanine is an interesting addition to pre workout because it’s known for having a calming effect.
At first, you might assume that’s the last thing you want to feel when you’re getting ready to workout. Think about it, though.
If you’re so hyped from the caffeine and other energizing ingredients in your pre workout that you start to feel shaky, jittery, or anxious, that could potentially have a negative effect on your training and, by default, your results.
L-Theanine helps to balance the effects of stimulating ingredients so that you’re energized and focused without feeling overly stimulated. It can also prolong the effects of caffeine so you don’t experience a crash halfway through your workout.
5. Yohimbine
If you’re interested in a pre workout that also supports fat loss, look for one that has Yohimbine or Yohimbe Bark Extract listed on the label.
Yohimbine is a compound found in the bark of the Yohimbe tree, an evergreen tree that grows in parts of Africa. It’s known for improving blood flow and improving the body’s fat-burning capabilities.
Yohimbine is an effective fat-burning supplement because it is an Alpha-2 receptor antagonist. It blocks the Alpha-2 receptors in the fat cells, which allows for more efficient fat-burning. Yohimbine also increases your heart rate, reduces fatigue, and suppresses appetite.
All of these benefits support your fat loss efforts when combined with regular workouts and a healthy diet. Remember, you still have to earn your results; your pre workout won’t do the work for you!
6. TeaCrine®
TeaCrine® is a patented compound that’s often included in high-quality pre workout supplements. TeaCrine® increases energy and also has been shown to support mental clarity, improve mood, and increase motivation.
TeaCrine® is a unique ingredient because it increases energy but is not a stimulant. It offers a smooth, jitter-free boost that supports improved focus and mental clarity so you can feel more alert and engaged while you train.
In addition to being used in pre workout products, TeaCrine® is also regularly used as a nootropic for gamers and people who are working on big projects and need some extra help focusing.
7. Nitrosigine®
Nitrosigine®, found in ProSupps HYDE Xtreme, Signature and Test Surge pre workout, is a patented bonded arginine silicate complex.
Nitrosigine® is engineered to improve sports performance by increasing nitric oxide production. When nitric oxide production goes up, blood flow improves, as does your ability to focus.
Both of these effects, combined, also help to increase energy without requiring you to take in extra stimulants.
8. N-Acetyl-Tyrosine
Finally, another great ingredient to look for in a pre workout drink is N-Acetyl-Tyrosine. Used in many of our pre workouts, including HYDE Xtreme, Xtreme Ready to Drink and Signature, N-Acetyl-Tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid produced by the essential amino acid phenylalanine.
N-Acetyl-Tyrosine supports memory, focus, and mental clarity during difficult or stressful situations (including workouts). It helps you to get your head in the game and avoid distractions while training. When you’re fully invested in your workouts and can stay focused effortlessly, you’ll have an easier time being consistent and will see results sooner.
How Does Your Pre Workout Drink Measure Up?
Now that you know more about the top ingredients every pre workout drink should contain, what do you think about your current pre workout supplement? How does it measure up?
If you want to switch out your pre workout for a more effective one with better ingredients - one that has been rigorously tested - we have lots of options for you to choose from at ProSupps.
Check out our HYDE pre workout line today. We make it easy for you to shop for high-quality, high-performing pre workout drinks that help you to feel powered up and ready to earn your results.
