Who takes a Pre-Workout Supplement?

[LANCE ADAM]

What do you guys think of taking a pre-workout supp when trying to gain mass?

My questioning comes from shouldn't you have enough energy to train from the surplus of carbs?

Also, the caffeine that comes in these pre workout supps are like false energy and require to be taken on a empty stomach. Wouldn't you want to use the carbs for fuel for the workout not caffeine?

I feel like when I take a pre workout i get all jittery and just want to do super sets and quick pace workout. Not heavy compound lifts...

Thoughts opinions feedback!?

[Timbo89]

I don't eat carbs pre workout, only post. I try to avoid the insulin spike pre-workout.

[Big Barry]

I feel like when I take a pre workout i get all jittery and just want to do super sets and quick pace workout. Not heavy compound lifts...

There's studies showing caffeine can increase your strength during a workout... can't you focus that energy into the heavy compound lifts? It's not like you need to take 5 minute rest breaks when training heavy, you can still train at a decent pace.

[JAM]

I love caffeine. I actually stopped using carbs pre-workout and only include them intra and post workout.
This is taken directly from an article by John Kiefer about caffeine as a pre-workout supplement (I'm not going to pretend to take credit).
"First off, it stimulates catecholamine efficiency and sensitivity in your body. When you eat carbs before your workouts, your body will stop burning everything else—including your stored glycogen and fat reserves, in favor of the carbs you’ve just eaten. When you elevate your insulin levels and decrease your sensitivity to catecholamines, your body can’t burn anything but those recently ingested carbs. Skip the carbs and consume some caffeine, however, and you’ll both stimulate your catecholamine sensitivity and increase fatty acid release from cells."

That being said my favorite preworkout is NO Shotgun with added caffeine.

[mackdaddy567]

What do you guys think of taking a pre-workout supp when trying to gain mass?

My questioning comes from shouldn't you have enough energy to train from the surplus of carbs?


I feel like when I take a pre workout i get all jittery and just want to do super sets and quick pace workout. Not heavy compound lifts...

Thoughts opinions feedback!?

Also, the caffeine that comes in these pre workout supps are like false energy and require to be taken on a empty stomach. Wouldn't you want to use the carbs for fuel for the workout not caffeine?
When I use them I use a dose of caffeine that doesn't cause jitters. For example something like N.O. Xplode has about 220 mgs of caffeine a scoop. I don't like to use more than 150 at once so I use half a scoop and it works fine on my heavy days. Just find a dose thats good for you and if the company doesn't tell you how much caffeine is in the drink just call their hotline or send them an email. All have answered me back so far.

[heavyiron]

Caffeine is a must in my book....

[Hydroshake]

seems like you're sensitive to stims.

i just chew up a 200mg caffeine pill and go.

[Matt Knappick]

I used to have a real strong espresso, but theres this sup called body effects, I thinks its more targeted at women, but whatever, for the past 4-5 months Its been working great

[GDavis]

I love caffeine. I actually stopped using carbs pre-workout and only include them intra and post workout.
This is taken directly from an article by John Kiefer about caffeine as a pre-workout supplement (I'm not going to pretend to take credit).
"First off, it stimulates catecholamine efficiency and sensitivity in your body. When you eat carbs before your workouts, your body will stop burning everything else—including your stored glycogen and fat reserves, in favor of the carbs you’ve just eaten. When you elevate your insulin levels and decrease your sensitivity to catecholamines, your body can’t burn anything but those recently ingested carbs. Skip the carbs and consume some caffeine, however, and you’ll both stimulate your catecholamine sensitivity and increase fatty acid release from cells."

That being said my favorite preworkout is NO Shotgun with added caffeine.

To piggy back on this, I feel the sluggish feeling that bodybuilders get when they do not consume pre workout carbs is 90% of the time placebo. In addition to the fact what happened to the 150 grams of carbs you had earlier in the day?

[GDavis]

I do think a lot of these caffeine based pre workout products are good. It allows people who train after work it to keep up the intensity and push (the shorter rest times, more sets, deeper reps) will have real effects. Also I feel the "pump" is a great motivator to keep training hard and not just for beginners. When you get a great pump you tend to push harder. Also the creatine and amino acids in these drinks are not going to hurt. When people ask about getting started with supplements, the first two I always recommend is Whey Protein and a pre workout stim product. Those are the two products that IMO you will see results from.

[djharris26]

ive never thought preworkouts were really worth it, couple cups of coffee is all i need.

[FitnBuf]

Pre-pump along with coffee...i have a high tolerance when it cones to stimulants ... I practically consume black coffee through IV

[ebfitness]

Caffeine is a must in my book....

This.

[Schmidy]

Love pre-workout for metal focus and energy. Lift big get big

[Sandpig]

I find them helpful. especially when training at 4:30 am.

Can you survive without them? Of course. We did for years before anyone ever heard of a pre workout supp.