Bang, C4, Reign. These popular pre-workout drinks and powders are all the rage right now but what are they doing to your body in the long term? With risks that could lead to an overactive thyroid, jitters, and increased anxiety, the need for natural alternatives have started to ramp up. Here are some non-stimulant substitutes for your pre-workout that will still give you that sometimes needed "push."
Creatine
Creatine is the most researched supplement in the fitness industry and it's effectiveness has been proven time and time again. It is a stimulant free ingredient that improves power output and endurance by donating a phosphate to ADP for the regeneration of ATP (Energy) so that force can continue to be released for actions such as a muscle contraction.
The only catch is that creatine isn't the most dissolvable substance, or the best tasting- so just mix into your daily smoothie or mix with some BCAA's.
Beetroot
This ingredient is often recommended because it is a nitric oxide booster, which just means that it increases blood flow and has antioxidants to protect against inflammation. Beets can be consumed in juice form pre-workout if you want to just drink it quickly beforehand, or throw it into your pre-workout meal at least an hour before!
Another food that increases nitric oxide is dark chocolate (preferably 90% and above- the higher the better)
MCT Oil
This form of pre-workout applies more to those on a low carb diet or lifestyle, since coconut oil or MCT oil would be used as a main source of energy. The most common way to consume MCT oil is to put it in your black coffee (since it has no taste) before working out.
If you're looking for other ways to further prep before a workout, we always recommend that you have the VPod at no more than an arm's reach away. This wireless TENS/EMS/NMES Unit uses electrical waves that activates the muscle groups that you will be working out later. This creates for a stronger contraction, resulting in a more effective workout. For more info on using the VPod pre-workout, visit VPod.Life.
Happy Recovery!