Red bull or Energy drink before workout: good or bad?

[shotgunshorty28]

Is it a good idea to consume an energy drink before a workout? e.g. red bull, rockstar, 5 hour energy. If not, can anyone elaborate why? Thanks.

[tilted1]

i personally think its bad to consume those drinks ANYTIME. but thats just me.

if you feel you need a boost before workout i would look into pre-workout supplements.

[CMillertime]

I say no mostly because you do get energy but they also cause dehydration. I recommend a pre-wo drink like Jack3d or SuperPump.

[DRiFT2oNR]

the amount of sugar in those drinks are so high(usually), you will crash like a MOFO after your workout.

[Lector606]

Caffeine before exercise improves performance, increases fat oxidation and extends endurance... it also dehydrates you if you aren't used to having it, and a red bull isn't enough caffeine for most people to get the benefits.

[Autino]

Red bull, monster & all the rest are nothing more than Koolaid for big kids.
They have no place in the gym

[Vise09]

cup of coffee 30mins before workout brah.

[bowskie69]

there's nothing wrong with a lo-carb monster or sugar free rockstar though

[MBSowards]

I say no mostly because you do get energy but they also cause dehydration. I recommend a pre-wo drink like Jack3d or SuperPump.

...

[Autino]

If you want a pre packaged drink, Go for an ABB Speed Stack
Red who?

[TMac26]

The sugar free wouldn't be too bad but would get expensive if you used them ever workout. Esp at like almost 3 dollars a can. The non-sugar free I would completely stay away from as they are full of sugar.

[jeremyleinen]

I don't see any serious harm in it- most energy drinks don't have as much stim content as a lot of the preworkouts so its certainly no worse in that respect. The sugar is a concern, but some people like simple carbs pre-workout. If you can fit those calories into your diet, I think its fine. Theres better options, though.

[BodyMan123]

The non-sugar free I would completely stay away from as they are full of lots of sugar.

[BreakingPoint8]

Probably the worst thing you can have pre-workout. There's much better options out there.

[jeremyleinen]

Probably the worst thing you can have pre-workout.

On what basis? It's not any more packed with stims than most NO products and a lot of these NO products have malto in them- depending on how many scoops you're using its not an irrelevant amount.

Everybody has a right to an opinion, but please give some kind of logical reasoning for what you're saying.

[BreakingPoint8]

On what basis? It's not any more packed with stims than most NO products and a lot of these NO products have malto in them- depending on how many scoops you're using its not an irrelevant amount.

Everybody has a right to an opinion, but please give some kind of logical reasoning for what you're saying.

Your telling me there's nothing better out there for pre-workout than a red bull or monster?

[jeremyleinen]

Your telling me there's nothing better out there for pre-workout than a red bull or monster?

If you'd read my first post you'd see exactly how I feel about them. Take this for what its worth, Michael Phelps apparently drinks several energy drinks per day.

[BreakingPoint8]

If you'd read my first post you'd see exactly how I feel about them. Take this for what its worth, Michael Phelps apparently drinks several energy drinks per day.

Okay who on here trains anything like Phelps. Not many people. You can't even use Phelps as an example. The training styles are completely different.

[jeremyleinen]

Okay who on here trains anything like Phelps. Not many people. You can't even use Phelps as an example. The training styles are completely different.

Actually in a way I can use him as an example all I want to. The point is that all the calories in those fit into his calorie needs which is a point that is being strongly overlooked in this thread.

[TMac26]

yea...the kind that isn't sugar free. Regular Red Bull, Original Monster. Didn't word it correctly.

[BreakingPoint8]

Actually in a way I can use him as an example all I want to. The point is that all the calories in those fit into his calorie needs which is a point that is being strongly overlooked in this thread.

Phelps has nothing to do with this for a someone doing weights/cardio and needs some pre-workout energy. No way in hell I would drink redbull especially after rumors of it containing traces of *******

[jeremyleinen]

Phelps has nothing to do with this for a someone doing weights/cardio and needs some pre-workout energy. No way in hell I would drink redbull especially after rumors of it containing traces of *******

Its really not that different- sure, there is a widegap in the volume of training, but your average person on this board has a much higher calorie need than a sedentary person(obviously). People take preworkout carbs all the time- why is an energy drink any different on a basic level?

And as far as the cocain rumor... Is that substantiated by ANYTHING? Its been a while since I've had a redbull but they never did much for me, so I find the idea of contamination from something that extreme to be awfully hard to believe.

[BreakingPoint8]

Its really not that different- sure, there is a widegap in the volume of training, but your average person on this board has a much higher calorie need than a sedentary person(obviously). People take preworkout carbs all the time- why is an energy drink any different on a basic level?

And as far as the cocain rumor... Is that substantiated by ANYTHING? Its been a while since I've had a redbull but they never did much for me, so I find the idea of contamination from something that extreme to be awfully hard to believe.

http://www.time.com/time/world/artic...900849,00.html

[TMac26]

http://www.time.com/time/world/artic...900849,00.html

This part of that study stuck out for me


According to this analysis, the 0.13 micrograms of ******* per can of the drink does not pose a serious health threat ? you'd have to drink 12,000 L of Red Bull Cola for negative effects to be felt



Do you like Hersey's chocolate bars? Do you know the USDA allows a certain amount of insects allowed in the manufacturing of food?...Its impossible to get rid of all of the "bad stuff" when manufacturing food so the USDA allows a certain limit in processing.

[BreakingPoint8]

This part of that study stuck out for me


According to this analysis, the 0.13 micrograms of ******* per can of the drink does not pose a serious health threat ? you'd have to drink 12,000 L of Red Bull Cola for negative effects to be felt

Doesn't matter to me. I still prefer a pre-workout supplement besides a can of sugar.

[jeremyleinen]

Doesn't matter to me. I still prefer a pre-workout supplement besides a can of sugar.

so basically, you're admitting that theres no logic involved in your decision.

[8footballQB]

OP, its not the worst thing and if you need some quick energy and everyones body reacts differently, you may crash hard you may not.

on the other hand there are much better options out there that are better, provide more energy, and will be cheaper in the long run. even a cup of coffe would probably be a better option

[optimus1]

I swear I've had some of the worst workouts after downing a bunch of caffeinated stuff. Adrenaline is usually enough for me. Those drinks also tend to cause gastrointestinal issues and increased stomach acid. Only time I'd do it is if I was beat from no sleep and needed some miracle to get through the routine.

[BreakingPoint8]

so basically, you're admitting that theres no logic involved in your decision.

Guess I don't have any fancy scientific studies. I'll stick with my aminos and oats pre-workout, you just keep drinking those monsters. They are great pre-workout afterall.

[jeremyleinen]

Guess I don't have any fancy scientific studies. I'll stick with my aminos and oats pre-workout, you just keep drinking those monsters. They are great pre-workout afterall.

I don't drink them- honestly can't remember the last time I had an energy drink. This was a discussion based on logic where you failed to display any.