How Long Does Pre Workout Last?

One of the most common questions we often hear from home gym enthusiasts is how long does pre workout last?  How long pre workout will last depends on the ingredients used in the supplement. On average, pre workouts last between 2-3 hours.  Therefore, if and when you need to boost your energy, you can take pre-workout supplements to help you “survive” your training, and even keep you energized much longer after.  However, if you find yourself still feeling amped several hours later, you might consider taking a smaller dose in your next training session.

For gym enthusiasts and athletes, you might have heard that pre-workouts are just as important as the actual workout session. Well that may not always be the case.  Think of pre-workout as you adding fuel to your body allowing it to handle the upcoming training with ease.  If your body lacks the energy it needs, you might not burn as many calories, build muscles, or achieve any of your workout goals.  Before jumping into the pre workout supplement world, check out the information here and choose the avenue that is best for you and your workout goals.  Consult a trained medical professional if you aren’t sure about how your body will react.

What Does Pre Workout Do?

Like most supplements, pre-workouts are considered dietary supplements created to boost your workout.  These supplements are loaded with L-citrulline, caffeine or protein, and beta-alanine to increase your energy levels.  This extra energy will enhance your workout capacity and help you stay focused for overall improved performance.

Most pre-workouts come in powder form, although some are in form of pills, while others are bottled/canned drinks. If you’re using powder, you will have to mix it either in juice or water. Pills/capsules are taken with water or juice. Canned drinks are ready for use.

How Long Does It Take For Pre Workout To Kick In?

When it comes to pre-workouts, proper timing is everything. Take them too early and you will miss their benefits during a workout. Take them too late, and you might spend most of the night awake.  Therefore, the best time to take your pre-workouts is 20-30 minutes before your workout session. According to health experts, this is the approximate amount of time it takes for nutrients to be absorbed into your body after meals.

Benefits of Pre Workout

The pre workout benefits are dependent on the various ingredients available in your supplement.

For example, if your pre-workout contains caffeine, it will help you stay focused by increasing your energy levels. The creatine/ beta-alanine component helps increase performance, so you can handle demanding activities. Any form of protein helps to build muscle, while L-citrulline increases blood flow to/from the veins.

There are many other ingredients to look out for on the pre-workout list. You will also need to find the right dose per serving.  When adding a supplement to your routine, follow the directions on the packaging carefully.  Now isn’t the time to start mixing and matching or changing the amount of supplement you ingest.  Wait until you have a better understanding of how your body reacts to a pre workout supplement before you alter the recommended dose.

Dangers of Pre Workout

Some pre-workouts have side effects. Side effects will also vary from person to person, and the ingredients used.  For instance, if you have a heart or high blood pressure condition, you should avoid supplements with arginine, caffeine, and L-citrulline. This is because they increase the blood flow into/from blood veins, causing the veins to narrow in the process.

Some other minor side effects of taking pre-workouts include headaches, overstimulation, feeling jittery, and insomnia. Generally, these side effects are resolved by drinking enough water. However, if the symptoms persist, consider lowering your dose, or changing to other types of pre-workouts.

Always remember, pre-workouts should support you and not drain you! Prior to taking any supplements, you should first consult your physician.  You work out to get healthy, not endanger yourself.  Be safe and choose your supplements carefully.

5 Top Pre Workout Supplements

Total War PreWorkout

• 350mg Caffeine
• 3.2g Beta Alanine
• 1g Agmatine Sulfate
• 6g Citrulline Malate

Lit PreWorkout

• 250mg Caffeine
• 1.5g Creatine
• 3.2g Carnosyn Beta-Alanine

Bucked Up PreWorkout

• Keto / Paleo Friendly
• Creatine Free
• Zero Sugar
• Zero Calorie – GMP Certified

Alani Nu PreWorkout

Dark Energy PreWorkout

Dark Energy is one of those supplements you need to be cautious of.  Several years ago, the DA banned Dark Energy  because it contains 1.3-dimethylamylamine, otherwise known as DMAA. DMAA is an amphetamine derivative that could be unsafe.