I’ve tried virtually every pre-workout supplement on the market
at least once. I was hooked for a while and convinced that I couldn’t lift
without drinking one. About 6 months ago though, I went clean. And what made me
stop taking these things? Knowledge. I started researching this stuff and
finding out some disturbing things…
The main active ingredient in pre-workout drinks is almost always caffeine. A single serving often contains anywhere from 2-4 cups, far exceeding the recommended limit of 200mg per day. The secondary energy sources include ingredients such as Acetyl L-Carnitine, taurine, argenine, methylhexaline, and the list goes on and on and on and… well you get it. With the exception of caffeine, NOT A SINGLE SCIENTIFIC STUDY to date has proven that any of the ingredients in pre-workout drinks (with the exception of caffeine and sugar) actually provide a stimulant effect for the body.
Manufacturers of pre-workout supplements strive to make us believe that their product gains separation from the others through this magical thing called the PROPRIETARY BLEND.
Well, the supplement industry is largely unregulated. Unlike
almost all other items meant for human consumption in the US, the Food and Drug
Administration has no oversight over these types of products. As a result,
manufacturers often make grossly false claims. They use shiny packaging
designed to catch your eye, throw in words like EXPLOSIVE and INSANITY, and
always claim to be the best on the market. And that’s not even the most
dangerous part...
In recent years, the supplement industry has gotten
extremely competitive. With more and more products on the market, companies
have been going to extreme lengths to gain an edge over their competition.
They’ve begun putting things like steroids and HGH in their products and NOT
PUTTING THESE ON THE LABLE because there is no law right now that forces them
to do so. If you think you’ve never taken steroids before because the only
supplements you take are pre-workout products, chances are you’re wrong.
Seriously. Even protein supplements are coming up dirty nowadays. Here’s a link
to a list of dangerous supplements: http://www.usada.org/supplement411/high-risk-list
So the bottom line is, stay away from these things. Realize
that the main reason you take them is for that kick they provide… that buzz
that provides focus and motivation in the gym. The BEST, SAFEST, and CHEAPEST way
to create this buzz and focus is black coffee. Brew yourself a cup to go next
time you hit the gym. If you don’t have time for that then try Hyphy M.U.D.
(the M.U.D stands for Make U Dangerous). This is a spoonful or 2 of instant
coffee mixed with about 2 fingers of coke or any caffeinated soda. Watch my
video on this one (posted right below this article) for a full tutorial. That
shit hits you quick and hard.
The key to sustained energy in your body is carbs. But that’s
a whole other subject for another time.
Since I know some of you are
still going to take pre-workouts in the future, I’ll post a review/ranking of
some popular ones real soon.
If you liked what you read don’t
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