Gym life without pre-workout supp boost??

[JonM81x]

Could be that I’m reaching my ceiling quickly on my strength training lifts before I deload and mix things up for summer but I’ve been trying to avoid buying PreJym just to cut some costs, etc... Been taking it for a long time now, maybe this is a good thing to train without it for a while... but dang, last 2 workouts i have been drained towards my couple of iso lifts at the end of my workouts.

I may add a meal before I lift as I eat at 8am, workout at 11:30 then eat lunch right after..

So O35 folks, y’all survive without the pre workout boost??

[bodyhard]

Been training for over 30 years never used a pe workout boost anything.

[tommydamic68]

Could be that I’m reaching my ceiling quickly on my strength training lifts before I deload and mix things up for summer but I’ve been trying to avoid buying PreJym just to cut some costs, etc... Been taking it for a long time now, maybe this is a good thing to train without it for a while... but dang, last 2 workouts i have been drained towards my couple of iso lifts at the end of my workouts.

I may add a meal before I lift as I eat at 8am, workout at 11:30 then eat lunch right after..

So O35 folks, y’all survive without the pre workout boost??

I have never used pre work out, I'll eat a Lenny & Larry's cookie a 1/2 hour before working out and it gives me a nice boost for an hour. Carbs I would imagine, just 1/2 of the larger cookie with 8 grams of protein as well. Works for me, I burn it right off anyway.

[ljimd]

Been training for over 30 years never used a pe workout boost anything.

Same here. Sometime a half apple or cup of coffee.

[JonM81x]

I’ll add a snack before workout and see if that helps! I will miss the intense rush of wanting to crush it in the gym after chugging that magic mix! Haha

[kimm4]

Never used a pre-workout. I drink black coffee and that's good enough for me.

[DuracellBunny]

Taking lots of stimulants, before strenuous exercise, isn't the best idea in the world.

[RK42]

I'm not using pre-workouts, and don't plan to.

Because I like to make educated decisions, and was wondering what all the hoopla was about, I did try samples of two products. They had absolutely no noticeable effect for me. Well, except that one of them made my face and ears itch (which, based on some searches, is a fairly common side effect of Beta Alanine). So... tried it, not for me.

I take a caffeine tablet before workouts. I was always a very weak responder to caffeine, so I don't feel like it does much for me. But it's very cheap, and maybe it helps a little.

The only other pre-workout supplement I've been taking lately is Citrulline Malate. Seems to have some proven performance benefits, and it's also cheap if you buy it in bulk.

[BiomedDood]

What about for folks on a cut like me? I just got off from all PWO due to thyroid (and T2 supplementation).

Since I'm doing IF right now, the bulk of my daily carbs/fats intake is AFTER my workout in the afternoon. I'm currently doing black coffee with some turkey jerky (low carb) but finding I'm running out of gas mid way thru my HIT workouts.

Today, I took one scoop of BCAA plus one scoop of creatine (5g) 30 mins prior with some black coffee and it wasn't too bad. But still missing that energy craze that floods in with PWO supps.

BB.Com sells a lot of non stim supps but not sure how well they work (other than making your wallet lighter..lol).

[Gabbar99]

I use the same pre-workout as Alan Thrall

[grubman]

I'm not a big fan of supplements...but I do like my pre-workout a lot.

I get up around 3:30 (my alarm is set for 4:00...but I can't remember the last time I ever slept until it actually went off), I blend up a pre-workout (Currently Nutricost, lots of bang for the buck in proper measurements, no "proprietary blends"...and 300mg of caffeine) with a banana and scoop of BCAA (just a saftey net, early morning "fasted" workouts and all...why not). I then read through my emails, forums, news for about 15-20 minutes, then go downstairs and prepare all my weights that I can (advantage to a home gym and lots of equipment that only I use), and I'm doing warmup about 10 minutes later.

On days I'm not lifting, I sit around drinking a few cups of coffee.

I don't really get a huge "arg!! attack the weights! " Boost from the pre-workout...it's just a morning ritual...and I do actually like the taste, drinking liquids in the morning, and I enjoy my morning caffeine.

If I worked out at any other time of the day, I certainly wouldn't bother...just like I don't usually drink coffee any other time of the day.

I mean, it is what it is...it's something that might give you a tiny psychological or physical edge, but it's a pretty small part of the big (rest, nutrition, training) picture IMHO. I'm excited and energized about working out every morning when I hop out of bed, and I'm a morning person anyway.

I think if your unmotivated, tired, or sluggish in the gym there is a bigger problem than skipping a pre-workout. A pre-workout can add...but not using one certainly shouldn't take away.

Coffee, or even a glass of water, and a banana would be about 98% the same for me...but I do enjoy the pre-workout as part of my morning ritual (that euphoric first sip...just like a good cup of coffee) and there's certainly nothing "bad" or anything to be ashamed about when it comes to it.

[JonM81x]

I use the same pre-workout as Alan Thrall

Perfect! Same whey and bcaa I use!

[dazlittle]

Sometime a half apple

what do you do with the other half? why not a whole apple?

Serious question

[d2mini]

what do you do with the other half? why not a whole apple?

Serious question

Throw it in a baggie and fridge and save till later in the day or tomorrow would be my guess?
Are you worried about it getting a little brown coloration?

[d2mini]

I'm using Legion Athletics "Pulse" immediately after waking up, a few minutes before walking into the gym.
And I premix it the night before to save another precious minute or two.
I don't have time to drink coffee pre-workout and would rather take my time and enjoy my coffee post workout.
And I prefer to not have solid food in my stomach when working out.

[JonM81x]

Thanks y’all, good input. I’m gonna add a snack and coffee tomorrow and see if it helps. Motivation isn’t the problem, I crave going to the gym these days. Just need to rearrange meal plans on workout days to see if it helps. I haven’t stalled on any workouts not on pre workout, maybe it’s just a crutch I have created! lol

Thanks again!

[Kirkor]

I mix up my own and label it "workout crack". For me it's a fun gimmick-type thing. Don't always use it, but I enjoy the idea of it, the cliche of getting psyched up.
Vid related:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPh3n02B28U

[drkelly74]

I don't take any supplements.

[BrightonBomber]

I've never used a pre-workout either. Not sure if it would have much effect on me as I have a very high tolerance for caffeine, I can drink a double espresso then go for a nap 5 mins later. I usually just stick on some workout tunes to get me revved up and hit the weights.

[AD1985]

If I use caffeine I will feel it the next day. I replaced it with a 30 minute run which I would say is about 80% as strong as my 200mg caffeine pills.

If you're worried about depleting your energy, I'd say the 20 minute mark of a run is where the brain really kicks into activity mode (if you had a long sedentary day prior). 10 minutes isn't enough for me.

[mtpockets]

What is this pre workout stuff you speak of?

[grubman]

What is this pre workout stuff you speak of?

It's like alcohol...it tastes horrible the first time you try it, but once you get used to it you actually begin to crave it.

[Mark1T]

I'm at the gym at 4:30AM. Don't take one. Don't need one. No one can make me take one.

[JonM81x]

It's like alcohol...it tastes horrible the first time you try it, but once you get used to it you actually begin to crave it.

Exactly! 3rd workout without it today. 5lb added to 2 exercises. Think I will survive!

[ljimd]

what do you do with the other half? why not a whole apple?

Serious question

I've been known to eat half an Oreo.

Half apple is usually scraps from my wife's smoothie.

[BiomedDood]

It's like alcohol...it tastes horrible the first time you try it, but once you get used to it you actually begin to crave it.

Man..u bring back my old memories of original DS Craze and Jack 3D (back when these were basically meth in a container..LOL)! Weights felt like paper with zero food in the stomach !! Dead srs..I lost over 45lbs on these plus EC Stack. Good ole days..RIP.

[OldFartTom]

Been training for over 30 years never used a pe workout boost anything.

Same, maybe I'm missing out?
Although when (e.g. MadCow) was getting to the point I was dreading the squats and really reluctantly walking to gym, I would eat half a chocolate bar and down a double espresso before walking in. Does that count?

Big dose of caffeine and some sugar, give or take beta alanine, that's the same as most of these drinks, right? Come to think of it you could drink coke, not healthy but I bet no worse than those drinks. Save money and switch to that.

I didn't realize there would come a day when I'd endorse drinking coke ! I feel ashamed, what have I just said..???

[stockriderman]

Could be that I’m reaching my ceiling quickly on my strength training lifts before I deload and mix things up for summer but I’ve been trying to avoid buying PreJym just to cut some costs, etc... Been taking it for a long time now, maybe this is a good thing to train without it for a while... but dang, last 2 workouts i have been drained towards my couple of iso lifts at the end of my workouts.

I may add a meal before I lift as I eat at 8am, workout at 11:30 then eat lunch right after..

So O35 folks, y’all survive without the pre workout boost??

All you need are carbs+protein. Carbs to give you energy throughout the workout and proteins will be sent to the muscles. This is why oats, milk and protein with bcaa/glutamine/alanine +1 apple or banana is my standard preworkout shake. Takes about 1 minute to make and as it is liquid, I can take it as close as 15 minutes pre-workout to notice a small boost(solid foods typically start at 30min+).
Sometimes I make it way in advance. And when I workout early in the morning, this is my pre-wokout and post workout shake... I just add some nuts or coco butter to post workout for fats.

I've tried not to have a preworkout shake and as you I had much less energy, resulting in less productive routine.

Here's my ultimate 2300 calorie shake when I am super lazy, wife is not home and I don't want to make anything or have time. I make it in the morning or day prior and it lasts me all day until she comes home to make dinner. lol:
3 cups of milk, 200gr of oats, 60gr of nuts, 4 scoops of protein, 1 avocado, scoop of peanut-butter, cocoa, 2 apples. Tastes amazing and a perfect ratio of carbs/fats/proteins.

[OldFartTom]

I use the same pre-workout as Alan Thrall

Sorry it won't let me rep you, but posting this useful guide to supplementation deserves a rep!

[adamgentile]

Pre-workouts never existed years ago. Honestly it's more of a money making scheme and over hyped. I'm one of those people that wake up at 5am and workout on an empty stomach, or run. Been doing it for over 10 years with no problems. I just drink water in the morning.

BUT saying that I did start using IN-KAGED by Kaged Muscle a few months ago. It's an intra-workout but can be used as a pre-workout. Good stuff, all natural ingredients with fermented BCAA's, green tea, and coconut water. I highly recommend it, absolutely no jitters or crashing after working out.