Is your pre-WOD safe? Does it work?

Supplements are part of a billion-dollar industry. All of us need to improve our nutrition by eating whole foods, mostly plants, and not too much. But sometimes, there are still gaps in our nutrition. This is when supplements become important. Some supplements are no-brainers: protein powder, creatine, and a multi-vitamin should be taken by almost everyone. Plus most people are also deficient in vitamin D, magnesium, and zinc.

But do you need to take a pre-workout (pre-WOD) supplement to boost performance, muscle gain, and fat loss? And if so, is your pre-WOD both safe and effective?

Is your pre-WOD safe?

Pre-workouts are designed in many different ways, from high stimulant content to stimulant-free. Most pre-workouts are multi-ingredient supplements with the aim to increase performance in the gym. The truth is though, not all pre-workouts are created equal, nor do they all have the consumer’s best interest in mind.

Some pre-workouts like to hide behind proprietary blends. When this happens you don’t know how much of what ingredient you are getting. Others will list out their “1800 mg Performance Blend” or “3500 mg Energy Matrix Blend”. These blends might feature caffeine, taurine, beta-alanine, creatine, and other performance-enhancing ingredients.

That’s why Driven Nutrition® offers up-front no-proprietary blends in any of their products. Amounts of each ingredient are listed so you know exactly what you are putting in your body and you know that you are getting the efficacious dose.

Does your pre-WOD work?

Driven Nutrition® PreWOD™ is scientifically formulated to boost endurance, create massive energy and maximize blood flow while protecting your body from the effects of peak-intensity aerobic and anaerobic exercise during your workout of the day.

Caffeine Anhydrous

Caffeine is a powerful stimulant, and it can be used to improve physical strength and endurance. It is classified as a nootropic because it sensitizes neurons and provides mental stimulation. Studies show that a dose of caffeine will improve strength and endurance performance by reducing the user’s perception of pain. Caffeine also plays a role in calcium mobilization for stronger muscular contractions, which can increase power output.

Further caffeine spares muscle glycogen stores, primarily due to increased fat burning, enhancing its endurance and performance properties.

Beta-alanine

Beta-alanine has been shown to enhance muscular endurance. Beta-alanine supplementation can also improve moderate- to high-intensity cardiovascular exercise performance, like rowing or sprinting. When beta-alanine is ingested, it turns into the molecule carnosine, which acts as an acid buffer in the body. Carnosine stores in cells and released in response to drops in pH. Increased stores of carnosine can protect against exercise-induced lactic acid production.

Citrulline Malate

Citrulline malate is an amino acid known for its ability to increase nitric oxide (NO) levels. NO induces vasodilation, the enlargement of blood vessels. Citrulline malate converts to Arginine in the kidneys and stimulates the release of NO. By expanding the blood vessels, lactic acid buildup decreases because cellular waste is more efficiently removed while nutrients and oxygen are more efficiently transported to muscles.

Huperzine A & DMAE

Huperzine-A is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, which means that it stops an enzyme from breaking down acetylcholine which results in increases in acetylcholine. Acetylcholine plays a role in muscle contraction and plays an important role in cognitive function.

DMAE is a compound known as a mind health compound. DMAE is a compound that many people believe can positively affect mood, enhance memory, and improve brain function.

This makes the powerful combination of Huperzine-A and DMAE the perfect additions to bring enhanced mental focus to your workouts.

How should you take your pre-WOD?

Mix one scoop with 4-6 ounces of water and shake. To assess tolerance, begin by taking ½ scoop and increase daily, as tolerated, up to one full scoop.