Pre workout supplements

If you’re trying to get stronger or build more muscle, then your workout is probably an important part of your day. You may also be paying a lot of attention to what you eat, and wondering whether what you are eating is helping you get most out of your work out or is it nullifying your efforts. Of course, everybody knows that a post-workout meal is important, but a pre-workout meal is almost as important. Ideally, you should eat about 45 minutes before your workout, as this will give your system sufficient time to digest your meal. Start with hydration, and remember that you need a lot of water to get you through the workout.

A pre-workout meal should contain some basic elements. If you’re unable to get these for any reason, you might consider pre-workout supplements to make it easier for you. Here is what you need to know about some of the top pre workout supplements.

Protein

You need to get around 30 to 40 grams of protein before a workout, as this will keep your body and muscles in an anabolic state through the workout. Naturally occurring proteins come from foods like chicken or eggs. Beans and lentils are also great sources of protein. This is probably the most important food source before a workout, so you need to make sure you get enough of it. . Unfortunately, our busy lifestyles often stop us from getting the nutrition we need. If you cannot manage to get enough protein, a protein supplement might be an option. They are easily available over the counter. The best source for protein before a workout is whey protein, which is digested efficiently by the body and also releases energy slowly. This can be mixed with water or some skim milk, and drunk as a shake. This slows down the release of energy, and also releases more amino acids. Some of the best pre-workout supplements contain protein.

Carbohydrates

During a workout, your body converts carbs to glycogen and then to ATP, which is the basic block of energy. So, it is common sense to deduce that your body needs carbs before a workout. Since you want the release of energy to be slow, you need to consume complex, low glycemic carbs before a workout, as they will release energy into your system slowly. You can get these carbs from apples, oats, yogurt, and low fat milk. They are also available in some sports drinks and gels. Try to avoid high glycemic carbohydrates, as these give you a sudden surge of energy, but are also accompanied by a quick drop in energy levels. They tend to raise your insulin levels drastically. During a workout, the most undesirable thing to happen is for you to feel weak and exhausted.

Creatine

Creatine seems to improve performance when used before a workout. It can be taken as a supplement by itself, or you could get a supplement that is made up of all the nutritional substances you need for the workout. Creatine makes sure that you have the right amount of energy needed to push your muscles to the maximum.

Amino acids and NO2

Both, amino acids and nitrous oxide have been shown to aide muscle recovery and performance. Some of the top pre-workout supplements contain one or both of these, and not without good reason. Nitrous oxide is probably the most important gas in the human body. It works by increasing the flow of blood through the body, which means that the cells are better nourished and get more oxygen supply.

Remember that every person is different, and your body and needs are different from others. So before you choose a supplement, you should read all the pre-workout supplement reviews available in order to determine which ones are the top rated pre workout supplements. If you need to find out what the best pre workout supplement for you is, you will need to evaluate your needs, and try out a few good pre-workout supplements, before finally settling on one. There may also be a difference when it comes to choosing workout supplements for men and women.

Submitted on January 16, 2014