Natural Power: Pre-workouts From Earth
As a personal trainer and long time athlete, I have tried a slew of supplements, hoping to find a magic recipe for growth. I will tell you now, there isn’t one. BUT! I have found some great help to aid times when I plateau or maybe combat fatigue on long days. Particularly, I (and most gymrats) have found solace in using a preworkout time to time.
“Preworkout” is any supplement, usually a powder drink mix, that claims to boost workout performance if you consume it beforehand.
First, its important to realize the value and usage of pre-workout supplements. Foremost, every pre-workout across various brands have an array of ingredients piled into a formula. Some brands have well researched formulas and can actually improve athletic performance— while majority probably will not. In general companies are aiming to promote a product that can raise energy levels however possible. Like all supplements, preworkouts are NOT regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, meaning products can be stocked and sold until a severe problem causes the FDA to search the product. That being said, some of the ingredients found in pre-workouts maybe safe in normal amounts but harmful when concentrated, often the case in performance supplements.
So, how can we fix this?
Often researched, the main ingredients found to aid performance in pre-workouts are very simple: Caffein, Beetroot Juice, Creatine. These three ingredients are sourced to promote athletic performance when used appropriately. However, only two of these ingredients actually aid in performance prior to workout, beetroot juice and caffeine. In short, creatine, perhaps the most researched ingredient in fitness, when digested regularly (roughly 2-5g daily) is stored in muscle tissue giving a fuller heavier aesthetic, “the pump”. However, this supplement can be consumed at any time in the day if desired.
Beetroot juice and caffeine, when stacked prove to be a formative transparent preworkout supplement. Beets may not seem like powerhouse supplement, but in addition to potassium and fiber, the root contains nitrate. When consumed nitrate converts to nitrate oxide (N.O.) which dilates blood flow delivering oxygen throughout the body.
In a research study by Journal of Applied Physiology, fourteen male athletes performed four trials while separated into four groups:
Placebo
Placebo plus 5mg/kg caffeine
Beetroot juice providing 8mmol of nitrate
Beetroot juice plus caffeine
At the end of this study it was noted, “exercise to exhaustion with beetroot and caffeine was 46% higher than in the placebo and 18% more than with beetroot alone and 27% higher than caffeine alone.”
Finding simplicity in what we consume supplement wise is pivotal! Find what truly works for you. Rather than a cocktail of ingredients (like deer antler) look toward ingredients that are proved to work and are sustainable!
This is another example of amazing synergy found in holistic products easily attainable and affordable!