Pre-workouts, as the name suggests, are special formulations taken before training. The main purpose of pre-workout products is to increase the quality of your workout.

Pre-workout products contain multiple mechanisms. The active ingredients that provide these mechanisms work together synergistically. Their main functions are:

1- Providing the pump effect known as vasodilation or NOS. One of the most important factors in muscle development is the pump effect. The stretching of the muscle membrane known as fascia stretch with training is very important for muscle development. For this, arginine forms such as citrulline, arginine akg, arginine hcl and substances rich in nitrates are used. At least 8 grams of citrulline and arginine are required for a good pump effect. Less will not provide a quality pump effect.

2- Mental focus is a mixture that increases your training concentration and resistance to pain provided by stimulants known as mental focus. Ingredients such as caffeine, synephrine, tyrosine, bacopa monnieri, A-GPC, theanine are used.

3- For more intense, longer and higher quality training, ingredients such as beta alanine, keratin, betaine are used. The aim is to increase performance and strength.

How to Use Pre-Workout? When to Drink Pre-Workout?

It is recommended to use it on an empty stomach as much as possible, 30 minutes before training. You can use Nutrade's pre-workout product by adding 30 gr/2 scoops to 300 ml of water.

Can You Use Pre-Workout and Creatine at the Same Time?

Pre-workout products usually contain creatine. You don't need to take it together. However, creatine shows its effect by reaching a certain saturation in the body. For this reason, it would be beneficial to use creatine on the days you don't use pre-workout. The daily creatine dose should be 5 grams.

Can Beta Alanine Be Used Simultaneously with Pre-Workout?

Pre-workout products usually contain beta-alanine. You don't need to take it together. Beta-alanine, like creatine, shows its effect by reaching a certain saturation in the body. For this reason, it would be beneficial to use beta-alanine on the days you don't use pre-workout. The daily beta-alanine dose should be 6 grams.

Is Creatine a Pre-Workout Product?

Although some websites write that creatine is a pre-workout product, creatine contributes to your workout quality when it reaches a certain saturation in the muscle. This is a situation that is achieved with days of use. You do not need to take creatine before and after training.

What to Drink Instead of Pre-Workout?

Watermelon contains high amounts of Citrulline, and beetroot juice also contains high amounts of nitrate. However, you need to consume these nutrients in very high amounts to have a pre-workout effect. That's why a quality pre-workout is used before training. Nothing is used instead.

How to Choose the Best Pre-Workout?

Pre-workouts basically have 3 functions. The amount and type of mixtures that fulfill this function determine the quality of the product.

The following criteria can be considered for a good Pre-workout:

– For a good pump effect, at least 8 grams of citrulline, arginine and glutathione are required per serving.

– The active ingredients should be in a dose that will show a scientific effect. For example; 50 mg Ginseng, 20 mg synephrine or 3-5 gr total citrulline arginine should not be expected to have a quality pre-workout effect.

– High amounts of beta alanine are misleading. The stinging sensation (paresthesia) you experience on your face may make you feel like the product is effective. However, products that do not provide the above factors generally target this effect with plenty of beta alanine. It does not contribute to the pump effect.

The Importance of Pre-Workout Nutrition and Pre-Workout Use

Pre-workout or pre-workout supplements increase the quality of your workout, and the nitric oxide effect, or vasodilation, they provide helps fascia stretch training, which is one of the most important criteria for muscle development by stretching the muscle membrane. Increasing the intensity, quality and duration of weight training makes a positive contribution to muscle development.

Pre-workout nutrition is not much different from daily nutrition planning. Consuming pre-workout or pre-workout with a very full stomach before exercise reduces the effect. It should be taken 30 minutes before exercise on an empty stomach. Taking glutamine 1-2 hours before pre-workout intake contributes positively to the pump effect known as nitric oxide, or vasodilation, provided by pre-workout.

Why Does Beta Alanine Cause a Stinging Effect on the Face?

Beta-alanine, which is frequently used in pre-workout products, causes a stinging, itching and tingling sensation on the face of users. The reason for this is known as paresthesia and is not harmful.

Is Pre-Workout Harmful?

There is no known harm in pre-workouts. Nitrate-based pre-workouts should be used with high antioxidant support.

What to Consider Before Using Pre-Workout?

How much caffeine should we consume before a workout?

Although caffeine is one of the most important ingredients in Pre-workout products, its amount should not exceed 275 mg. The amount of caffeine above 275 mg reduces the pump effect.

Can pre-workout be used with caffeine?

The amount of caffeine in the preworkout and the athlete's caffeine tolerance are actually the answer to this question. We do not recommend it.

How Much Nitrate Should We Use for Pre-Workout Effect?

The amount required for the NOX effect with nitrates working via the Nitrate – Nitrite – Nitric Oxide mechanism is 2-4 grams for an average 80 kg athlete. Nitrates taken naturally are healthy. However, they should be supported with antioxidants.

Is Citrulline Malate the same as Citrulline?

Citrulline contains 0.5 - 0.66 grams of citrulline in 1 gram, depending on the malate form. All 1 gram of citrulline contains Citrulline.

Does pre-workout improve erection quality?

Yes, the nitric oxide system that you are familiar with from pre-workouts is also used during erection. Quality vasodilation provides better erection. Dr. Robert F. Furchgott, Louis J. Ignarro and Ferid Murad won the Nobel Prize in medicine for their scientific work on this subject. Ferid Murad later developed the drug Viagra.