As the science of exercise and nutrition advances, different phenomena arise that can change our exercise results drastically. The latest in the constant stream of products on the market are pre-workout drinks. These drinks claim to give you a burst of energy for your workout, allowing you to push yourself harder than you normally could. They also claim to increase the "pump" you get and dramatically improve your gains in muscle.
I have been using these drinks for just over a year now. I have tried several of them with mixed results. Here I will review the three that I like best, the benefits I received from each, and the bad side effects; after all, there is a down side to everything.
Third Place- SuperPump 250. This drink promises to increase your lean mass with your first workout, cause rapid and measurable full muscle pumps, promote mental focus and maximum energy, enhance full body vascularity. What it offers is of course creatine, which will give you more muscle energy and create fuller muscles. It has an insane dose of B vitamins, L-Arganine to increase nitrogen levels for greater oxygen transport, along with just about every body building chemical out there compounded into one powder. Many of these chemicals are based more on reputation that clinical trials. I tried the product for a week and it did give me a very good pump, high energy levels, increased vascularity, and unfortunately the runs. Evidently, you can have too much of a good thing. This stuff shot right through me and made it tough for me to even complete a workout without running for the bathroom. If you have a hearty constitution and think your stomach can handle it, the product is sound. Just be careful and start out with low doses to see if it agrees with your system.
Second Place- Nitric Blast. I loved this product. It is the usual blend of creatine and vitamins, along with some herbal suppliments. To the mixture they add electrolytes and some very nice recovery elements, such as glutamine. This product did not give me stomach cramps and there was no flushing side effect you sometimes have with pre-workout drinks. It gave me a steady energy level through my workout and seemed to increase my recovery time as well. The only down side to it was it lacked the mad energy rush that I love and the muscle pump increase that I shoot for. I would say that for anyone with a sensitive stomach, this is a real winner of a product. Two thumbs up!
First Place- N.O.-Xplode from BSN. If you want good solid science in your corner, BSN has the products for you. So far, they have never let me down and this product is no exception. Massive amounts of B Vitamins combined with their own creatine blend, which doesn't get lost in your stomach like many others do, are a great base in this drink. Add to that L-Arganine for massive pumps, electrolytes for endurance, and a patent pending absorption system and you have a real winner. This product gave me a combination of unparalleled energy rush, insane muscle pumps, and explosive strength to get through my workout. Over the course of the day I felt less drained from my workout and could still function at a full pace. Though it did upset my stomach mildly the first week, that side effect wore off quickly. I would recommend this product to anyone that can handle it. It does what no other product can; it does what it says it will do.
There you have it, my little review of pre-workout aids. With any of them, start slowly to make sure you can tolerate it. Over time you can increase to the full dosage if your body says it's ok. Just remember the first rule of exercise and fitness, listen to your body, it knows what it needs.
Until next time, keep on lifting.
