Pre-workout supplements have become increasingly popular in recent years, especially among weightlifters and bodybuilders looking to boost their gym performance. However, some people have also begun using pre-workout formulas as an ergogenic aid for cardio activities like running, biking, or aerobics. But is taking a stimulant-based supplement advisable for cardio training goals? This article examines the potential pros and cons.
What is Pre-Workout?
Pre-workout supplements are designed to give you an energy boost before you exercise. Most of the supplements contain ingredients like caffeine, creatine, beta-alanine, and amino acids. The purpose of pre-workout and the ingredients is to improve your performance, endurance, and focus during workouts.
Is Pre-Workout Good For Cardio?
Pre-workout supplements typically contain ingredients like caffeine, amino acids, and creatine that are intended to increase energy, focus, strength, and endurance during exercise.
Benefits of Pre-Workout for Cardio
- Increased Energy: Pre-workout supplements are packed with caffeine to increase your energy. Since cardio sessions usually tire you out, the extra energy can be a good thing.
- Enhanced Endurance: Other ingredients like beta-alanine and creatine are included for stamina. Improved stamina will allow you to complete your cardio workout, and possibly increase the session time.
- Improved Focus: Some pre-workouts will help your concentration to aid in motivation and good form.
Potential Downsides
- Increased Heart Rate: The point of cardio exercise is to increase your heart rate, right? Adding caffeine will usually make it go even higher. Some people, especially people with heart issues, might not need the extra caffeine.
- Jitters and Anxiety: A lot of caffeine makes some people jittery and anxious. This could affect your workout in a negative way if you’re uncomfortable with the jitters.
- Digestive Issues: Another thing that could affect you is stomach upset? Some pre-workout ingredients could cause some unwanted disruptions in your cardio workout.
Should You Use Pre-Workout for Cardio?
Well, that depends on how you feel about needing an extra boost for your cardio? And, if you can use it without any issues?
If you decide to use pre-workout for cardio I would definitely check out my personal favorite pre-workout.
Some research suggests ingredients like beta-alanine may enhance muscular endurance and delay fatigue during prolonged cardio.
It could definitely help your performance. However, if you have heart problems, get jittery with caffeine, or deal with digestive problems, you could be better off without it.
However, the effects of pre-workout tend to be short-lived and are not well-suited for steady-state, moderate cardio. The high stimulant doses may also interfere with getting into a beneficial cardio rhythm or pace.
Experts generally advise against using a pre-workout before most types of cardio exercise and recommend natural nutrition for sustained energy instead.
But some compromise use for occasional high-intensity cardio sessions may be reasonable. Just avoid becoming dependent on supplements to get through cardio workouts.
There might be a plus side to using a pre-workout for cardio
On the plus side, the caffeine in pre-workout can help increase mental alertness and motivation to stick to your cardio routine when you’re feeling tired. The energy boost may also help you push a bit harder and last longer before fatigue sets in on long runs or cardio sessions.
Some evidence suggests supplement ingredients like beta-alanine can enhance muscular endurance too. So pre-workout may allow you to maintain a higher cardio intensity for longer.
Potential Drawbacks of Pre-Workout Supplements
However, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider.
- Pre-workout supplements are designed to provide quick bursts of energy, power, and focus – not for activity sustained over 30 minutes or more.
- The stimulating effects of high doses of caffeine may interfere with getting into a steady cardio rhythm and pace. And once the pre-workout ingredients wear off, unwanted side effects like energy crashes, headaches, and jitteriness may occur.
- Frequent use could also lead to dependency issues and disrupt your natural energy levels over time.
Most experts advise against relying on pre-workout supplements for your cardio training needs.
As celebrity trainer Jillian Michaels notes, “Save pre-workout supplements for days you strength train and get energized naturally from good nutrition and proper cardio preparation on other days.”
Some compromise recommendations are to only use half servings or limit pre-workout boosts to high-intensity interval cardio sessions. But not for steady-state moderate cardio aimed at fat burning or endurance.
In summary, pre-workout supplements do have some potential upsides but also several risks when used for cardio exercise.
Getting sufficient sleep, nutrition, hydration, and mental preparation may be better solutions.
Use pre-workout judiciously or consider safer natural alternatives like coffee. Don’t become reliant on supplements to energize cardio workouts.