Natural pre-workout: are they really effective?

Good nutrition is crucial to getting the most out of your workout. Eating enough carbs helps you have the energy you need for a good workout session, while eating protein will help you maintain muscle mass and promote muscle growth if you are doing strength training. Finally, eating vegetables and fruits is important to get enough vitamins and minerals. 

Most people take a pre-workout to get the boost they need for their training. However, some people are skeptical about pre-workouts and their effect on the body.

What is a pre-workout?

Generally, pre-workouts are mixed with water and taken 30 minutes before exercising. When taken in liquid form, they can be absorbed faster by the body, which improves their bioavailability. Normal pre-workout supplements contain a high amount of caffeine and they also contain amino acids, vitamins and creatine.

Are pre-workouts safe?

That depends entirely on your caffeine consumption: for most people, pre-workout is safe, but if you are already addicted to highly caffeinated drinks like coffee, pre-workout could pose a health risk in the long run. According to the FDA, a healthy adult should consume no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine per day (the equivalent of four cups of coffee). Most regular pre-workouts contain 100-400 milligrams of caffeine per serving. 

For this reason, more and more people are looking for natural alternatives to get the pump they crave. 

What should I look for when looking for a natural pre-workout?

A natural pre-workout can be a good solution to avoid the side effects of too much caffeine. Here are some good ingredients to look out for if you need a little pre-workout pick-me-up. 

Bananas: a great source of carbohydrates with plenty of potassium to counteract muscle cramps. 

Green tea: this contains the amino acid L-theanine, which can give you the much needed energy boost prior your workout.  

Bread: a good source of carbohydrates that are easy to digest. You can also top it with some nut butter to add some protein. 

Oats: a complex carbohydrate source that is easier to digest than other whole grains and contains thiamine, which is a vitamin B that plays a role in energy production. 

Beetroot: a natural alternative to synthetic nitric oxide that lowers blood pressure and improves athletic performance.

Our shot of ginger and beetroot shot is an ideal drink for your pre-workout. Beetroot juice is very popular in the world of sports as it is known to enhance athletic performance and promote recovery during workouts. Martial arts journalist and athlete George Glinski told us in an interview that since he added our beetroot shot to his boxing program, he has seen a massive improvement in his performance and endurance. 

Beetroot contains nitrates, which are often found in synthetic form in pre-workout supplements. These are converted in the body into nitric oxide, which dilates blood vessels. This can lead to increased oxygen capacity and improve muscle function during exercise. 

We recommend drinking Fighter Shots Ginger and Beetroot two hours before your workout to enjoy its benefits.