Remember that day you got to the gym just to realize you’d forgotten your pre-workout? Yeah, that sucked. Pre-workouts are supplements used to boost gym performance and increase the body’s ability to see gains. Whether you’re just diving into the world of pre-workout supplements, or thinking about switching up your brand, be sure you’re finding these 4 key ingredients in your pre-workout.

Beta Alanine

Beta Alanine is an amino acid used to boost the concentration of carnosine in the muscles. Now, you might be wondering why that matters, so let’s talk briefly about carnosine and what it does.

Carnosine is a peptide that just so happens to block the buildup of hydrogen ions in your muscles during high intensity exercise. Elevated hydrogen ions lower the pH within muscle cells and in turn cause the muscles to be unable to sustain high-intensity output. Basically, the lower pH means quicker onset of muscle fatigue and burnout. Boo.

So, in English, the presence of carnosine helps prevent muscle fatigue, and Beta Alanine boosts the concentration of carnosine. Yay! In fact, supplementation of Beta Alanine has been shown to increase carnosine concentration in the muscles by up to 58 percent within 4 weeks of use and 80 percent within 10 weeks of use. This means longer stretches of high-intensity output and more gains each time you go to the gym. Boom.

Theacrine

Theacrine works similarly to caffeine by helping to boost energy and performance and minimize feelings of fatigue. One of the main reasons theacrine is gaining popularity is its ability to stimulate peak performance without causing negative side effects.

Many people have felt shakiness, dizziness, elevated heart rate, and elevated blood pressure when taking other stimulating supplements. However, Theacrine has been shown to avoid all of these unwanted symptoms, especially when used in conjunction with caffeine.  

Theacrine works by increasing dopamine and reducing adenosine, therefore increasing alertness, physical performance, wakefulness, and coordination. Especially if you’ve ever dealt with negative side effects from other stimulants, you’ll want to make sure your pre-workout includes Theacrine.

Synephrine

Synephrine is a natural substance found in plants, most notably the bitter orange fruit, which is why it also has that namesake. It is an alkaloid that impacts the adrenal system and increases your basal metabolic rate (your caloric output at rest). 

Synephrine is a stimulant, like others, that helps with energy output. However, there is an important factor to note about synephrine in particular, and that is its ability to help you burn “stubborn fat”. You know, those spots that just don’t go away no matter how many crunches, lunges, or minutes of plank you do?

 Unlike other fat burning supplements, synephrine works to help block alpha receptors in fat cells that prevent them from being burned. Long story short, if you’re looking for a boost in your ability to burn fat more quickly, look to synephrine to save the day.

Creatine

Last, but certainly not least, creatine is easily the number one supplement used by gym-goers to increase performance and muscle gain. Creatine is a substance found in muscle cells and aid in the energy production necessary to do things like lift weights or perform other high-intensity exercise. 

Creatine works by increasing your stores of phosphocreatine and in turn aiding in the production of ATP (a high-energy source used by the body during exercise). Studies have shown that creatine supplementation can increase muscle mass, strength, and improve athletic performance during exercise. Overall, creatine is the go-to necessary ingredient for anyone looking to get stronger and have more effective workouts.

Conclusion

Taking a pre-workout can significantly increase the gains you see at the gym, but you’ll want to be sure it has all the right components. The next time you’re shopping for supplements, make sure you see these ingredients listed for getting the best results. Before you know it, you’ll be a lean, mean, muscle machine.

Supps

The Performance Enhanced Explode! Pre-workout blend contains all the aforementioned extracts at the highest grade and concentration possible for optimal performance. You can learn more about this product or make a purchase here: 

https://performanceenhancednutrition.com/products/enhanced-explode