Working out takes a level of determination, perseverance, and consistency. It is more than going to the gym, putting on shorts and trainers and lifting weights. For people who want to get lean muscles by taking on their exercises with full energy, using anabolic substances and pre-workout supplements helps them by enabling them to go through the entire rigor that it entails.
What are Pre-Workout Supplements?
They are sometimes just referred to as pre-workouts. They are multi-ingredient dietary formulas that are designed to help boost energy and improve performance. These supplements usually come in powdered form which can be mixed in water and then taken before your exercises.
Pre-workout supplements can contain ingredients such as caffeine, creatine, amino acids, B vitamins, betaine, and artificial sweeteners. These ingredients depend on the brands and they can vary widely.
Benefits of Pre-workouts
The obvious benefit of taking a pre-workout is to get energy and better performance when you are exercising. But how does this come about? The various ingredients contained in the supplement work together to help achieve this but they each have their strengths.
Keep in mind that ingredients in pre-workouts can vary from brand to brand but they still have some in common. Each of these ingredients has a way of contributing to strengthening and energizing you in different ways.
Ingredients such as carbohydrates, caffeine, creatine, and beetroot are common in pre-workout supplements. Below is how they contribute to energizing and improving your performance.
Carbohydrate
Carbohydrates or carbs for short are good for the body as they are a source of energy. It is usually recommended by experts that you eat before an exercise session and this should of course include some carbs. There is evidence that carbs are good for athletic activities. This carb intake can be as simple as rinsing the mouth with a carbohydrate solution before a sprint or taking as little as 30 to 60 grams during events that require endurance. When working out at an intense level, the body uses carbs as its main energy source.
Caffeine
This is another popular ingredient included in supplements. It is a stimulant that helps boost energy and improves alertness. Added to this, it improves sports performance. There is a lot of research to support the fact that caffeine increases energy and makes you feel less like you are exercising. This is because caffeine is believed to help the muscles burn fat and preserve glycogen which in turn is used for fuel when you are working out. This allows you to train harder and for longer without feeling tired.
Creatine
Creatine is a compound that is produced naturally by the body. It is derived from amino acids and it is stored primarily in the skeletal muscles, giving strength and energy to these muscles. Creatine is popular amongst athletes, bodybuilders, and weightlifters and it is often used in pre-workout supplements though it can also be used as a standalone or as a post as against pre-workouts.
During training and workouts, the body employs the use of this compound to make energy available for higher performance. It also enhances quick recovery and the building of muscle mass. If you will like to know more about creatine and its uses, you can read this article here: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-is-creatine.
Beetroot and Nitric Oxide Precursors
The body produces nitric oxide naturally to help relax the blood vessels. This results in an increased flow of blood and also decreases how hard the heart needs to work while working out. Beetroot juice, L-arginine, and L-citrulline are sources of dietary nitrates that the body uses to make this nitric oxide that improves cardiovascular performance. They are usually included in pre-workout supplements and bring about improved oxygen flow to the blood vessels, allowing for easy the transportation of nutrients to the muscles.
Are There Any Side Effects to Taking Pre-workout Supplements?
Though pre-workouts are generally safe to use, they may sometimes come with potential risk which you should be aware of.
They usually contain artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols which are used as taste and flavor enhancers that are free of calories. These additives can however be a source of distress and discomfort to some users who do not have tolerance for them. It can result in symptoms such as diarrhea and bloating which can disrupt your training. You can try taking a small amount to see how it goes with your system before making it your choice.
Caffeine is the main energy supplying substance for most pre-workouts and taking it in excess may lead to a lack of sleep, anxiety, and an increase in blood pressure. One way to avoid taking excess may be to not take caffeine from any other sources as the supplement already contain enough to last you a day.
In any case, always remember that one of the best ways to gain energy and improve performance even when you take pre-workouts is by eating a good diet, drinking plenty of water, eating fruits such as bananas, and having plenty of rest and sleep. If you prefer to take supplements, ensure to check the ingredients to be sure they are good for you. Nuclear Armageddon is one such supplement.
What is Nuclear Armageddon?
This is a pre-workout supplement made by Anabolic Warfare, a company that believes that going for workouts and exercises is almost the same as going to war. It is a supplement that combines energy with performance when it is used.
It contains nutrients such as L-Citrulline that helps in increasing blood flow, Rauwolscine that elevates the mood and is also good for burning fat, Nitrosigine that aids vasodilation, alertness and focus as well as Betaine that helps to drive nutrients into the muscles in a faster way. Other ingredients include silicon dioxide, maltodextrin, citric acid, malic acid, salt, and sucralose.
Nuclear Armageddon is taken by mixing a scoop of the powder with about 6-8 oz of water. It is best taken 15 to 30 minutes before your workout. Also, do not take it anytime close to your bedtime. There should be a gap of at least 4 hours. You can always check different product reviews online to know more about Nuclear Armageddon.
Conclusion
Pre-workouts like nuclear Armageddon contain ingredients that can help you boost your energy and performance level especially on days you are not really feeling up to it. Keep in mind that they do not replace your body’s natural rejuvenation processes, so endeavor to eat well, drink lots of water, and also get a good sleep.
