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Pre-workout supplements are formulated to improve physical performance.
Each pre-workout brand can be formulated differently, so the potential side effects will vary from product to product.
Pre-Workout Options and Side Effects
Caffeine
Caffeine is the most popular stimulant in the world.
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It might enhance endurance workouts like running when consumed before a workout.
This supplement can cause significant side effects.
They include:
Athigh doses, caffeinecan cause extremely serious side effects, even death.
Beta-Alanine
Beta-alanineis a supplement used to decrease muscle fatigue and improve physical performance.
Research has found conflicting evidence on its effectiveness.
BCAAs currently do not have any reported side effects.
When used as a supplement, research has found that it may improve exercise performance in young adults.
The primary reported side effect is gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort.
Creatine
Creatineis an amino acid produced by the body.
These side effects are:
Are There Any Health Benefits of Using Pre-Workout?
Pre-workout supplements may have health benefits.
These third-party companies are:
Who Should Avoid Pre-Workout?
Pre-workout supplements are not for everyone.
Children should not use them, and they can cause serious interactions with certain medications.
Pre-workout supplements can interact with certain medications.
If the goal of the pre-workout is to increase energy, look for asupplementthat contains caffeine.
Caffeine starts to work within an hour and typically lasts four to six hours.
Aim to complete your workout within that time frame for the best effect.
Healthier Alternatives
Proper nutrition and hydration are the healthiest alternatives to a pre-workout supplement.
National Institutes of Health.Dietary supplements for exercise and athletic performance.
2019;11(4):855. doi:10.3390/nu11040855
