Pre workout drinks, are all the rage these days, but are they safe? Do they work? What’s in them? I cover the essential facts of the pre workout drink products, and show you how to make your own!!!
I’ll be viewing this over lunch.
I currently do a mix of a couple bulk ingredients.
Have you looked into ARA much? Just started on it. Man does it make you sore.
Arachidonic Acid? I believe there’s one study on it’s use as a supp looking at strength and or LBM, and it was not very compelling. Feedback from users tends to be pretty positive, but I’m not that thrilled about adding additional Arachidonic Acid to the diet when we tend to have an Arachidonic Acid heavy diet, and lack Omega 3 lipids, which combined data suggests increases inflammation. Personally, I consider it an overly complex system to play with at this time in hopes of adding some additional LBM. That’s just me…
I agree. I was planning on picking up another bottle, but decided to only run the one I have.
And with how my joints feel on it, it’s made me decide to start taking an Omega 3 supp. How’s that for irony?
ETA after watching video:
- Ever try Kleen Kanteen? I use a 42oz, it’s great. You can now even get a wide mouth bottle if you want to use it for protein.
- Where do you get your ALCAR in bulk and what brand?
- Most people seem to say BA should be dosed throughout the day, like creatine. Is there a specific reason you dose it all PWO?
- What are your thoughts on Citrulline Malate? It’s been getting rave reviews for PWO pump and endurance. Seen the bench press study?
- Either a pussy, or they never got their diet in check ;).
Have not used one. Will look into that
Generally, if I want it in bulk and they have it, I will use the Life Extension:
However, they don’t have bulk ALCAR, so I will use www.nutrabio.com
I don’t know NutraBio like I know the LEF, but my impression has been good with them and they seem to source from good places, etc. They have bulk ALCR.
Spreading the dose out probably has has much to do with avoiding the flushing effect as it does effects on endurance/performance per se. I’m too busy/lazy to be spreading it out all day. I may not be maximizing it’s potential by doing it that way, but not going to worry about that one.
Have not seen a bench press study. I have used citrulline in that drink on and off. Maybe a slight improvement in endurance, but nothing dramatic. The data is actually pretty lack luster for citrulline, with one study actually finding a reduction in performance! See:
http://www.elitefts.com/documents/citrulline.htm
Golf is their sport 
Interesting. If I have a “pre-workout drink”, it is just a cup of joe to wake me up.
I love me some coffee as much as anyone (grind it fresh from whole bean every morning, order from small roasters from around the globe, etc) but have you read:
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=82117
Specific to performance/endurance, caffeine is the superior choice.
Thanks for the response. I’m still on the fence with CM. I would be curious to know what sort of hydration requirement was in the CM study that showed a drop in performance. I know for me, any PWO supps will cause a drop in performance if I let them contribute to dehydration.
I believe I posted in that thread. As you have indicated previously, supplements should be supplementary. My supplements are pretty basic. Eat well and exercise. I feel that a pre-workout drink is an inefficient use of resources for most.
My vid on pre workout supplements generated Qs on methylhexaneamine or 1,3-Dimethylamylamine (DMAA) specifically.
Here’s my take on this controversial supplement!
I’m actually pretty surprised to see that you don’t take Arginine in your PWD…is there something that I don’t know about that rules that supplement out?
My PWD consists of:
-About 16 oz water
-Crystal Light
-Beta Alanine
-Arginine alpha-ketoglutarate (AAKG)
-BCAAs
-Caffeine (thanks to your caffeine thread)
What effect would one be looking to get from the arginine? Vast majority of studies are not supportive of arginine as being useful for athletic uses. There may be some potential health benefits, but a general bust in terms of athletic related uses.
Didn’t know that. Thanks for the heads up! Guess I won’t be spending my money on another bottle then.
I don’t think it’s the worst thing you can spend your $$$ on, but the data is pretty lack luster in terms of actual end points I care about (effects on performance, LBM, etc) and $$$ better spent other places I think.
What’s your take on BCAAs in a PWD?
The reason I take them right before a workout is that, in theory, your body should burn that up instead of eating into your muscle mass when working out…and I’m talking higher intensity/heart rate/cardio type workouts not focused on building mass. Am I off-base here?
Once again good info. Thanks Will
I’m using ON’s pre workout right now. Very mild on the stims and high in aminos…
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/opt/essential-amino-energy.html
Depends on your diet. In general, if you’re eating enough, you will already have aminos in your blood from food. BCAA’s can be beneficial on a cut, when people are lowering their caloric intake below maintenance, and want extra amino acids without the extra calories provided by protein.
Thanx, we aims to please.
That’s pretty much how I feel about. I get my BCAAs - in the form of whey - in my post workout drink. Variables such as total cals, total P, how much time between meals, etc and other variables need to be taken into account. BCAA is not a bad addition per se (though it may interfere with the tyrosine BTW) for reasons you mention, not something I feel is needed in my pre workout drink at this time.