Pre-workout isn’t exactly brand-new, but you’re probably hearing about it more and more as pretty much any fitness enthusiast swears by it before hitting the gym. Pre-workout is available in all kinds of product forms, like gummies, powders, bottled shakes, capsules, and more, with all kinds of unique formulas to choose from. But, what they all share in common is that when it comes to how often you should actually be taking pre-workout, the answer is pretty much the same regardless of product type.
With that being said, let’s talk about how often you should be taking pre-workout. As you will see, the answer is actually quite simple and straightforward, but we want to clear things up regardless. That way, you can get the most out of this product while also taking it safely.
TO BUY PRE-WORKOUT GUMMIES CLICK HERE
Quick Basics on Pre-Workout
Pre-workout is a supplement that’s meant to be taken prior to exercise in order to improve performance while you work out – more specifically, factors like energy, stamina, focus, motivation, strength, gains, and more. There are all kinds of active ingredients that can go into pre-workout products, and companies all have their own unique formula, with various milligram strength levels and ratios, based on what they believe will deliver the best results.
Pre-workout products usually contain some amount of caffeine, but some offer alternative means for gaining energy. The reason we point this out is that caffeine can be very stimulating, and that can determine how much of it one can safely consume in a single day. In general, it’s important to know what the ingredients are in pre-workout by looking at the list of ingredients provided by the brand, as different ingredients have different effects on the body.
When Should You Take Pre-Workout to Get the Desired Effects?
While every company’s products differ in their own way, the overall consensus is that pre-workout is best taken about 20-30 minutes before you want to start exercising, because most active ingredients commonly found in pre-workout need about 30 minutes to absorb into the bloodstream after passing through the digestive process of the body.
You see, timing the consumption of pre-workout can be important, because you want the effects to peak at the right time, and you also don’t want certain ingredients to still be active at certain times – like caffeine before bedtime, which can interfere with your sleep.
Here are two general guidelines:
-
Before Exercise: If you're taking pre-workout to enhance physical performance, it's recommended to consume your product about 30 minutes before your workout. This way, your body can start metabolizing the sugars and caffeine (if present) for an energy boost.
-
During Endurance Activities: For long-duration activities like cycling or running marathons, you might consume pre-workout periodically throughout the event to keep those effects sustained for the duration. This is typically done every 45 minutes to an hour.
Remember, the effectiveness and timing can vary based on the specific formulation of the pre-workout formula, and how your body responds to certain ingredients. It's also imperative to be aware of the total amount of active ingredients you're consuming to avoid overconsumption, particularly when it comes to stimulants like caffeine.
Is it Okay to Take Pre-Workout Daily?
Good news: Pre-workout is usually formulated to ensure that it can safely be taken on a daily basis. After all, many of us use these products before exercising, which is something a lot of people do each day, whether they’re hitting the gym or going for a hike.
Pre-workout products are formulated for fitness enthusiasts of all levels from casual walkers to bodybuilders. With that being said, companies must make products that are safe enough to take daily, knowing that so many fitness enthusiasts plan on taking these products each day.
Can You Take Pre-Workout Multiple Times in a Day?
This is a great question, and one that’s tough to answer, since again, every formula is different. The average pre-workout doesn’t need to be consumed more than once every 24 hours. A lot of this, again, is because of caffeine, and caffeine can last in the system for up to 10 hours. Taking a product more than once per day could mean that the caffeine interferes with your ability to sleep at night. There are other ingredients, such as B-vitamins, that may be in some pre-workout products, and taking twice the daily recommended amount each day could cause a nutritional imbalance.
When Should You Perhaps Switch Up Pre-Workout?
Switching up your pre-workout routine or supplement can depend on a few factors. Here are some general guidelines to consider:
-
Tolerance Development: If you notice that the effects of your pre-workout supplement are diminishing, your body might have developed a tolerance to its ingredients. This usually happens with stimulants like caffeine. Taking a break or cycling off your pre-workout for a few weeks can help reduce tolerance.
-
Changing Fitness Goals: If your fitness goals or workout routine changes, your pre-workout needs might change too. For instance, if you switch from high-intensity interval training to endurance training, your body might benefit more from a pre-workout that's tailored to support endurance.
-
Dietary Changes: If you've made significant changes to your diet, you might need to adjust your pre-workout to complement these changes.
-
Side Effects: If you're experiencing unwanted side effects from your current pre-workout (like jitters, insomnia, or gastrointestinal distress), it might be a good idea to switch to a different product or adjust the dosage.
-
Ingredient Adaptation: Some ingredients in pre-workout supplements, like creatine, can saturate your muscles over time, meaning you might not feel the same 'boost' as when you first started taking it. However, this doesn't necessarily mean the product is no longer effective.
-
Plateau in Performance: If you've hit a plateau in your workouts, changing your pre-workout routine might provide a new stimulus to help you overcome it.
-
Curiosity or Boredom: Sometimes, you might just want to try a new product to see if it offers any benefits over your current one or to avoid the monotony of taking the same supplement every time.
Note: Before switching or starting any new supplement, it's essential to check the ingredients in order to ensure you understand what's in the supplement and how each ingredient can affect your body. Not only that, but if possible, talk to your doctor or a certified fitness trainer, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking other medications.
What Happens if You Only Take Pre-Workout Sporadically?
Another question you may be wondering is whether or not pre-workout is as effective if you take it sporadically – in other words, occasionally rather than as part of a regular routine. Again, it’s hard to answer that question because formulas can differ from one another in so many ways, but overall, most products will be perfectly effective if taken sporadically as they have effects that do not need to accumulate in the body over time in order to work.
Bottom Line: Taking Pre-Workout Once a Day is Good Enough
At the end of the day, most people really only need to take pre-workout once a day, prior to working out, or sporadically when they could use an extra boost. Keep in mind that this applies to anyone taking pre-workout – in other words, factors like gender, body weight, and age don’t seem to have much if any role when it comes to how much or how often you should/can take pre-workout.
Still, since safety is important, keep in mind that going with more than a single dose per day is probably best avoided, especially if you have a medical condition, or if the pre-workout product has a high amount of caffeine. Otherwise, just know that you will benefit from each dose, if what you’re seeking out is an attainable increase in performance to fuel your workouts for a couple of hours at a time.
Bounce Nutrition pre-workout gummies offer a balanced blend of all-natural active ingredients that work together to improve performance when you engage in fitness. And, a single dose per day is plenty to help you reach your fitness goals whether you’re at home, outdoors, or in the gym.