Try some of the best pre-workout energy supplements from the US available in the EU exclusively on A-list Nutrition. Stimulants are often used in pre-workout products to give you a blast of energy so you can work out for longer at a higher intensity, giving you the best exercise results time and again. Stimulants are also known as ergogenic aids because they activate the brain in a way that can improve mental focus, reduce fatigue and keep you pumping for longer.
Key ingredients of stimulant pre-workout supplements
Caffeine Anhydrous - the most abundantly used pre-workout stimulant, caffeine is often derived from coffee and gives the brain a major energy boost. Pre-workouts for energy typically have more than twice as much caffeine as a cup of coffee to give your body a mega buzz before you work out.
Choline - Choline stimulates the brain and enhances cognitive function by increasing the production of the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine. The neurotransmitter is important to sending signals to the muscles to contract. More of these transmitters means your body can produce stronger muscle contractions faster and improve your cognitive abilities.
Teacrine - Teacrine has a similar effect on the brain as caffeine, meaning those pre-workout products with both give you added stimulation so you can do high-intensity workouts for longer.
Best pre-workout supplements for energy
For gym-goers looking for a big hit of energy to power them through their next intense workout session, make your pre-workout stimulant supplements worth it by choosing from our range of trusted, top-quality products.
Many of our pre-workout products feature in our supplement stacks, such as the Pump & Fury stack, for a complete workout regime that will push you to your limits.
FAQ's
Gym-goers love stimulant-based pre-workout for the energy rush, as well as the drive and focus to hit those PB’s you might be working towards. Everybody works out differently and everybody reacts differently to different stimulants. Because of this, there’s no way of telling for certain what the best pre-workout stimulant will be for you.
Every product stocked on A-List Nutrition features in-depth nutritional information so you can see exactly how much of every ingredient is in your chosen blend before you buy. By not stocking products using proprietary blends, you have greater control over the pre-workout you choose.
So if you need a pre-workout that packs a big punch, choose a product high in stimulants like caffeine and creatine. If you’re not so confident with pre-workout but still want a boost, look for something with a lower stimulant content or start with a lower dosage of your chosen product to ease yourself in.
Typically, pre-workout supplements tend to take around 20-30 minutes to start working and are likely to peak in your blood after about an hour. This means that it’s best to use pre-workout before you set off for the gym so you can feel the full benefits when you start your workout.
This differs for everyone depending on your metabolism so you might find the effects take more or less time when you start taking your supplements. With any supplements, finding your own tolerances and reactions will be an important part of the process to reach your full potential.
Most often, the primary stimulant in pre-workout supplements is caffeine, as this helps improve alertness, energy and concentration. Each pre-workout blend is different, but the caffeine content can be as much as a couple of cups of coffee in one serving, which is why these supplements give you a much bigger buzz than your average caffeine hit. Teacrine is another ingredient found in tea that has a similar effect on the brain as caffeine and several of our products feature both for a combined boost to your workout.
Creatine, another ingredient commonly found in muscle building supplements, is effective at providing the muscles with energy by regenerating ATP. While this isn’t strictly a stimulant it does help energise your body during your workout so you can keep going for longer and push yourself harder.
While most pre-workout products are designed to be safe to consume on an empty stomach, it’s always best to eat before a workout. Firstly, taking pre-workout on an empty stomach could mean the effects kick in faster than usual, so you might start feeling the buzz before you’re even ready to start working out. Not eating can also contribute to low blood sugar which, when combined with high-intensity exercise and stimulants can make you light-headed and nauseous.
There are a number of ingredients in pre-workout, including caffeine, which can also cause irritation to your digestive system which is worsened when your stomach is empty. To avoid any cramping or discomfort, make sure to fill your stomach before your exercise. When working out, your body is your first priority and this should extend to every aspect of your physical health.
If you’re a beginner to pre-workout supplements, it’s always a good idea to ease yourself in. If you’re not used to high levels of caffeine or other stimulants, the effects can feel overwhelming or uncomfortable. Start with a pre-workout product with a lower level of caffeine or start by using smaller-than-recommended doses to get used to the products and learn your own tolerance level. From here, you can up your dosage or switch to a more intense product to really get the benefits you’re looking for in your workouts.
Pre-workout products all have different combinations of ingredients designed to maximise your workouts. The supplements we stock all feature in-depth nutritional information that will help you understand what goals they are targeted towards and which would suit your workout style better before you buy.
As with other ingredients in pre-workout powders, creatine monohydrate usually kicks in after around 30 minutes. Using pre-workout supplements is a great way to give yourself a blast of energy before you set off for the gym but it’s also good to remember how these ingredients affect your body throughout the day.
Stimulants can last in your bloodstream for up to four hours, so if you’re opting for an evening gym session, taking pre-workout could disrupt your sleeping pattern. Sleep is one of the most essential steps for muscle recovery, so it’s always best to avoid high-intensity stimulants late at night to ensure you get the rest your body needs before working out again.
How long you take stimulant pre-workout supplements will often be based on your workout schedule and your own personal experience. Tolerance levels to ingredients like caffeine build up over time so you may stop feeling the effects of your supplements as much the longer you use them. Additionally, ingredients like creatine are intended for short-term, high-intensity workouts so they won’t always be necessary for every workout.
Many gym-goers who use stimulant pre-workout products cycle their usage with stimulant-free alternatives, to help manage their tolerance levels and ensure their body is protected without having to take an extended break from the gym.
Try using stimulant-based products for more intense workouts and reduce your usage on rest days and lower-intensity exercises to improve your tolerance and ensure you get the most out of every workout.
While pre-workout formulas, especially those high in stimulants, won’t be for everyone, people enjoy using them for a range of reasons. In addition to the energy boost to keep you pushing through a tough workout, these supplements are created to meet your body’s needs in various ways.
For example, BCAAs (Branched Chain Amino Acids) and other amino acids are known as the ‘building blocks of protein’ making them useful for muscle repair and protecting against protein breakdown. Other ingredients, like L-citrulline, help improve blood oxygen levels that keep the oxygen flowing to your muscles, allowing you to go for longer and push harder during each exercise.
More than just having a coffee and a snack before you start exercising, pre-workouts are specially formulated to boost your performance and can help you see faster results when combined with diet and exercise.
Post-workout jitters are usually a side-effect of too much caffeine. This is because caffeine boosts your adrenaline levels, contributing to high blood pressure and jitters. Reducing these symptoms will depend on your own personal tolerance level of the products. If you feel you are experiencing negative side effects after taking pre-workout, try reducing your dosage or switching to a product with a lower stimulant content.
If you have a sensitivity to any of the ingredients commonly used in stimulant pre-workout products, we also offer a range of stimulant-free pre-workouts so you can still enjoy the benefits of faster results in the gym.
These products are also useful for cycling between when you feel the effects of the stimulants aren’t having as much of an impact as they did when you started taking them.
While pre-workout supplements are designed with your health in mind and are focused on improving your experience in the gym, this doesn’t mean they should be used daily. Stimulants are an effective energy booster, there are a number of side effects that can be the result of overuse. These can include nausea, vomiting, digestive irritation, anxiety and jitters. However, these typically result from overuse, so dosing carefully and understanding your own limits will help to avoid this.
Stimulants and high-intensity exercise both raise your blood pressure and continually raised blood pressure can put stress on your body. If you already have heart issues, always consult a doctor before starting any supplements or avoid stimulant pre-workout products. If you’re a beginner to stimulants, opt for a low dosage and build up slowly to measure your tolerance level for the safest experience.