Best Pre-Workout Supplements to Keep You Going

Whether you’re hitting the gym, running, or doing some sort of physical activity that you love, you want to get the most out of it, right? If you’re tired or fatigued, you probably won’t get too much accomplished.

That’s where pre-workout supplements can truly shine. 

With so many options out there, how can you tell which one is best for you? And what should you look for in a pre-workout supplement? Most importantly, do these supplements and their ingredients even work? 

We’ll show you what to expect from the best pre-workouts and why some ingredients are better than others.

What Are Pre-Workout Supplements?

A pre-workout is a dietary supplement designed to increase mental focus, alertness, endurance, and energy levels during physical activity. They can be purchased in pill, powder, or liquid form. 

Not all formulas are created equal. In addition, their efficacy depends on the ingredients used.

The Truth about Pre-Workout Formulas 

Pre-workout supplements contain a mix of ingredients, from caffeine and green tea extract to arginine, creatine, and nootropics. They’re typically taken about 30 minutes before training. 

A 2010 study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition assessed the effects of a pre-workout on recreational athletes.

Those who took the pre-workout versus placebo experienced a greater increase (10.4%) in VO2max (the maximum rate of oxygen the body is able to use during exercise). 

They also worked out longer, gained more lean mass, and lost more fat than those taking a placebo. The placebo group actually lost one and a half pounds of muscle. 

Creatine is just as effective, according to the same source. It can increase lean body mass, muscle phosphocreatine stores, and training volume. 

Researching the Best Pre-Workout Supplements 

While it’s true that you can get caffeine, creatine, and other ingredients from food, that’s not always feasible. 

When you’re in a rush, you may not have time to eat before hitting the gym, whereas a pre-workout powder takes only seconds to prepare.

Another aspect to consider is your sensitivity to stimulants. 

If you’re sensitive to caffeine, you may experience jitters, anxiety, and other side effects. But you can always use a caffeine-free pre-workout to boost your energy and stamina. 

Most pre-workouts contain a mix of caffeine and other stimulants as they’re more effective than caffeine alone. 

Caffeine Anhydrous

Caffeine anhydrous comes from the leaves and seeds of coffee plants. 

This natural compound acts directly on the central nervous system, leading to increased alertness. Clinical evidence confirms its positive effects on sports performance, including muscle strength and endurance.

Caffeine anhydrous exerts a greater ergogenic effect than coffee, states the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (JISSN), and can increase time-to-exhaustion, delay fatigue, and improve performance. 

Green Tea Extract

Many of the best pre-workout supplements contain green tea extract, a natural source of caffeine.

Rich in caffeine, green tea extract can keep you alert and energized. It’s also an excellent source of polyphenols, such as EGCG and other antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress and promote health. 

Research also shows that it may reduce body fat.

Beta-Alanine 

Your pre-workout may also contain beta-alanine, a non-essential amino acid that speeds up muscle repair and supports athletic performance. According to the JISSN, this compound alleviates neuromuscular fatigue and allows you to work out harder and longer. 

Beta-alanine can elevate muscle carnosine concentrations by over 60% to help improve energy and stamina, reduced fatigue, and enhance power, cognition, and neuromuscular performance.

Vintage Blast™, our signature pre-workout, boasts a unique mix of beta-alanine, caffeine anhydrous, l-arginine AKG, and other ingredients with proven benefits. It’s the only two-stage pre-workout formula on the market, offering steady energy with no crash. 

N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine

The best pre-workout formulas, including Vintage Blast™, also provide a hefty dose of N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine, the most bioavailable form of l-tyrosine.

L-tyrosine aids in the production of several hormones and neurotransmitters, including dopamine, adrenalin, and noradrenalin. Clinical evidence indicates that it may improve working memory, alertness, and cognitive flexibility. 

In a more recent study, male collegiate athletes who took tyrosine and caffeine during exercise performed better than the placebo group.

Athletes may need higher intakes to cope with the demands of strenuous exercise. Vintage Blast™ boasts 50 micrograms of vitamin B12 per serving, which is more than enough to meet your nutritional needs. 

Supercharge Your Training with a Quality Pre-Workout

From a stronger mind-muscle connection to greater energy, the best pre-workout supplements offer a myriad of benefits. Choosing one is the hard part. 

Vintage Blast™ is the preferred pre-workout by many due to its vast array of benefits and flavors.

Its ingredients are gradually released over several hours, leading to enhanced mental focus and faster recovery. Plus, you’ll get the energy needed to crush your workout and squeeze out those last few reps to help build quality lean muscle – making it one of the best pre-workout supplements available.