What do pre-workout supplements do?

Pre-workout supplements have three big uses:

1. Improved muscle energy usage during workouts

2. Better blood flow

3. Better overall energy and mood

Many people ask me what do pre-workout supplements do.

My research has shown that pre-workout supplements often have three types of products.

Creatine and beta-alanine improve energy usage in skeletal muscle during workouts. Creatine replenishes ATP, while beta-alanine acts as a hydrogen ion buffer. Both of these are absorbed and into the muscle not long after consumption, so it’s feasible to put these into a pre-workout product. Creatine is also found in animal muscle proteins, so if you consume a lot of meat, you might have plenty already!

Beet root, arugula, and beet root extract contain nitrates. Plant nitrates are modified into nitrates, which are further modified to nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a vasodilator, allowing more blood to travel to and from tissues. More blood flow to tissues means more oxygen and nutrients to muscles and better waste removal. Tip: nitrates also improve blood pressure!

Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant and the most used drug on the planet. It improves alertness and focus on the workout, but can also cause anxiety and jittery feelings. L-theanine, found in green tea, keeps you energized but also instills a mellow, calm mindset. Green tea has both caffeine and L-theanine for the most bang for your buck.

If you are unsure how to use a pre-workout supplement, or how to pick a safe one, contact me!  I love this stuff!

If you are an athlete, parent or coach, make sure that you choose a product that has third party testing. Third party testing improves your chances of getting a safe product. There are two types of testing: label verification, which shows that what’s on the label is in the product, and banned substance testing, which shows that there aren’t any banned substances in the product.

Look at Informed Choice, NSF Certified for Sport or Banned Substance Control Group for banned substance testing. The IOC, NCAA and the Illinois High School Association all do drug testing of athletes. If you don’t live in Illinois and you are or have a high school student, check the high school association in your state for specific regulations.

Pre-workout supplements could help you have a fanatastic workout! Of course, so could half a turkey sandwich and a cup of coffee. 🙂

Contact Dr. Schubert for a supplement review! Or learn more here about third party testing, leucine – one of the BCAAs, and creatine.

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