My preworkout Supps - when to take?

[Team Hoss]

I've recently researched and concluded that I will combine the following supps for a pre workout concoction:

citrulline malate
beta alanine
micronized creatine mono
arginine (L-, or ethyl ester, jury still out on including this one.)

Should I take these on an empty stomach and then eat an hour before that? Or can I just mix it with some whey protein 2 hrs before and then eat an hour later?

What do you folks think is the best method? I'm trying to decide whether to buy powder or caps.

Thanks,

Hoss

[Kovalchuk]

eat a full sized meal 2.5 hrs before training.

Take the supp combination 30 mins. prior to training... on a fairly empty stomach. Don't cap it... if you are using creatine monohydrate it will be hard to cap 5 full grams of it plus all the other stuff... powdered form would be better.

Also, start with a low dose of beta-alanine as in can give very irritating sensations to your skin that will hurt your training sessions.

[nickrut]

take the BA with something in ur stomach to avoid the 'tingles'. I would also avoid mixing in the CM as it is very sour and tastable. I added it to my protein shake and was barely able to get it down. I'd sggest just plopping the poweder in ur mouth and shooting it down with water. As far as creatine, why not take that post workout with some protein.

[Docta J]

I would eat about 2 hours to 90 minutes before your workout, and then 30-45 minutes before your workout take your pre-workout supplements

[Dr Clay]

The only ingredient in that mix that would work better on an empty stomach would be the arginine. Most amino acids (as arginine is) work best when taken without other aminos to compete with for absorption. Like tyrosine - it can arouse one a bit but if it has to compete with tryptophan at the blood brain barrier, much of the effect can be lost. So I'm not saying arginine wouldn't work with food or a shake, but I suspect it'd work better solo.

[Xetenor]

Yea I usually eat about an 1.5-2hrs before my workout. You have to have some good whole foods in your body before you go lift hard..or else you going to screw your performance and possible get headaches. I always take my pre workout supplements 30-45 mins before workout. Takes me about 20-30 mins to get to the gym anyway on a typical day with some medium traffic. When I get there, I just chill a bit for 10 mins and then hit the weights HARD.

[Team Hoss]

Okay,

So I've concluded that I should take the arginine on an empty stomach and the citrulline malate/beta alanine I should take with a bit of food.....hmmm

How can I achieve this both pre-workout?

Hoss