
A pre-workout supplement is usually used by sportsmen to provide extra energy and boost performance in the arena. The sales of sports supplements have skyrocketed, and there is an estimate of annual sales amounting to $25 billion. Most of these supplements are manufactured in the form of vitamins, pills, and energy-boosting forms, which are unregulated by the FDA. However, there is a beneficial and non-beneficial part of these supplements which needs to be watched for proper utilization.
Pros:
1. It keeps one focused on the task; the pre-workout supplements normally offer more than a physical boost on a person. One can always get in good shape as long as one keeps on exercising hard, and the pre-workout only creates that focus to get you through the exercise.
2. It improves athletic performance; these supplements are rich in ingredients that boost the energy to help one to train fast and for longer hours. With better performance, winning is assured at the end of the competition. Besides, one can use ordinary foods or other power-boosting supplements to enhance performance.
3. Boosting the energy level in the body; when one uses the pre-workout supplements, the chances of retaining high energy throughout the exercise are very high, and the result is amazing. Therefore, there is a need to take the pre-workout supplement to boost the energy that may be lowered by overworking during the day.
4. Metabolism and weight loss; the most indirect way of getting rid of excess weight is through the use of pre-workout supplements since the ingredients are used to stimulate metabolism. The use of caffeine ingredients is proven to be the major facilitator of weight loss, and instead, it raises body thermogenesis and fat oxidation.
5. Stimulation of the central nervous system; Enhances brain functionality thus increasing productivity and effectiveness.
6. Improvises Stamina: Caffeine is the main component essential for stamina stimulation and helps complete all tedious tasks.
7. Focuses on Focus Improvement: Pre-workout helps in improvising the focus of any person that could be very important for anyone. Specifically for any athlete or any sportsperson – be at the Olympic level or any upcoming event or amateur.
8. Supports Hormonal Health: Intake of any supplement usually affects the hormonal system of our body, and if taken in an appropriate amount, pre-workout supplements support hormonal health.
9. Increases Energy Levels: Energy levels get boosted after these supplements intake as it balances the oxygen levels, blood flow, and strength to bones.
10. Diminishes Protein Breakdowns: The main component of supplements is protein, so it never leads to protein breakdowns in the body due to excessive physical workout.
11. Intercepts Early Fatigue: Pre-workout supplements overcome all the deficiencies, and it balances the body, so it never leads to frequent fatigue during workout.
12. Enhances Motivation: As pre-workout supplements stimulate proper blood flow and oxygen in our body, it keeps energy levels high and enhance motivation.
13. Boosts Collective Physical Performance: For a sportsperson, collective physical performance matters a lot for being successful. With such supplements, their performance gets boosted collectively.
14. Alleviates Muscle Rupture: Proper blood flow to the muscle is taken care of by supplements and helps stop muscle rupture.
15. Accelerates Strength Gains: Physical strength is mandatorily accelerated due to the proper balance of protein, caffeine, creatine, etc.
Cons:
1. They may make you feel jittery, though caffeine is mainly used as the primary ingredient for pre-workout, and it serves the purpose of increasing muscle strength. Also, it reduces fatigue during the workout, which may be a problem for many people. However, there are many side effects associated with the consumption of too much caffeine in the body. These include increased heart rate, anxiety, insomnia, headaches, drowsiness, and nausea.
2. Increased water retention in the body; using the pre-workout formula in the form of creatine tends to increase the intensity of the exercise capacity. It also has much to do with the lean body mass gain resulting from the exercise. However, there are some of the side effects associated with creatine like weight gain, water retention, digestive issues, and bloating.
3. May lead to digestive upset; using several pre-workout formulas usually lead to digestive upset that may cause inconvenience to a person. A person consuming ingredients like magnesium, sodium bicarbonate, creatine, and caffeine is likely to face digestive difficulty. Moreover, magnesium, on the other hand, tends to have a laxative effect, which is good for the body, but too much of it may cause diarrhea.
4. May cause headaches; most people tend to use citrulline as a pre-workout supplement due to its positive effect on increasing blood flow to muscles, thus increasing muscle building. However, the increased blood flow usually affects brain functionality, thus leading to headaches and migraines. The change in blood pressure caused by these supplements normally hurts the body.
5. It increases dehydration; they act as diuretics, whereby they tend to stimulate the kidney to release water, thus increasing the dehydration where you have to go to the bathroom frequently.
6. Sleeplessness and Restlessness: All pre-workout supplements are not created equally with proportions. Caffeine could affect your sleep and make you restless.
7. Can Face Diarrhea: Sometimes diarrhea can be caused due to some ingredients present in supplements. Sensitive stomachs can face the laxative effect of components.
8. Overstimulation: Pre-workout supplements can be a suitable medium, but if taken in a predefined manner. Caffeine is the ingredient that can overstimulate if taken in excess.
9. Dehydration: Few ingredients present in these supplements can lead to dehydration as they pull water from the body and excrete it.
10 Dangers from Artificial Ingredients: Some companies manufacture products without knowing much about them and add a few artificial components that the government may have banned.
11 Hypertension: Caffeine acts as a stimulant, and such stimulants have the nature to increase blood pressure. So there must be a check on quantity.
12. Weird Sensations: Usually, this is the side effect that several people face, which makes them feel like something is pricking continuously in their bodies. However, it’s not to worry about a lot of symptoms.
13 Failure of Drug Test: The addictive intake of this supplement could be problematic for sportspeople as they may fail their drug test.
14. Addictiveness: Once its intake is initiated, the body gets tuned to it, and the person becomes dependent.
15. Ductless Fatigue: It could be seen if the supplement is not taken in a measured quantity, and excess caffeine leads to adrenal failure.