Pre-workout supplements aren’t just for bodybuilders and endurance athletes, they’re taken by tired parents, long-distance drivers, and nightshift workers. Sure, they boost athletic performance, but they can also be an energy-boosting nootropic and a replacement for morning coffee or that midday energy drink.
Everyone by now knows the health benefits associated with drinking a morning coffee before going to work or hitting the gym. It’s been a staple pre-workout beverage since way before pre-workout supplements were a thing, because of its effective properties as a stimulant, that’s packed with antioxidants.
Coffee is also easy on the gastrointestinal tract, gut microbiota, and stomach, making it a well-tolerated drink in the morning on an empty stomach, after fasting all night.
But more people are turning to pre-workout supplement powders first thing in the morning as a replacement to coffee before training or work, but with some pre-workouts containing unnatural sources of caffeine mixed with various stimulants, you might be wondering if it’s safe.
Best Pre-Workout
Let’s talk about the pro and cons of drinking pre-workout supplements first thing in the morning, upon waking, and you can decide if it’s the right choice for you.
Pros of Pre-Workout First Thing in Morning
Fast Increase in Energy Levels: Some people are able to bounce out of bed, bright as a button, raring to start exercising. But for most people, sleep inertia is going to leave you feeling sluggish, tired, and rough for 30 – 60 minutes. The reason people drink coffee in the morning, is to get rid of sleep inertia as fast as possible.
Drinking a pre-workout supplement first thing when you awaken is going to give you a quick energy surge, lifting that grogginess faster. The combination of ingredients like caffeine, B vitamins, and particular amino acids can help promote alertness and mental focus, allowing you to get motivated for work or the gym with vigour.
Enhanced Performance: Pre-workout supplements contain ingredients such as creatine, beta-alanine, nitric oxide boosters, nootropic compounds, and stimulants, which help drive physical performance, whether for work or fitness.
By taking these supplements before your morning workout, you may experience enhanced strength, endurance, and energy, enabling you to push yourself further.
Time Efficiency: For individuals with a busy schedule, juggling work, family commitments, and a fitness program, taking a pre-workout supplement in the morning can save time. Instead of preparing and brewing a coffee, you can make a potent pre-workout drink in seconds.
Cons of Pre-Workout First Thing in Morning
Crash: Pre-workout supplements will most likely contain powerful stimulants like caffeine, which can interfere with your sleep if consumed too close to bedtime.
Taking these supplements first thing in the morning will leave a big gap before bedtime, which may cause a mid-day pre-workout crash. If you’re sensitive to the “come down” effect of stimulants, then you’ll have to choose your supplement with an ingredients profile that won’t leave you feeling jittery and lethargic.
Digestive Discomfort: Some individuals may experience digestive discomfort or an upset stomach when taking pre-workout supplements on an empty stomach. It’s important that you look over the label ingredients list, and see if there’s anything that doesn’t sit well with you.
The combination of potent ingredients and lack of food in the morning can lead to gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea or stomach cramps. If you have a sensitive stomach, it’s advisable to have a light snack or meal before consuming a pre-workout drink.
Of course, it may take some trial and error until you find a pre-workout that suits your body, mind, and digestive system.
Dependency and Tolerance: Regular consumption of powerful pre-workout supplements can lead to a dependency, or craving for the “buzz” of energy from the cocktail of nootropic and stimulating elements.
Additionally, some individuals may develop a tolerance to the ingredients, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effects over time. This can result in a reliance on pre-workout supplements and make it challenging to perform optimally without them.
Just like people can get addicted to sugar, so too can they get hooked on pre-workouts, so be careful if you have an addictive personality.
Decision time
Taking pre-workout supplements right after waking up can have both advantages and disadvantages. It provides an energy boost, enhances performance, and saves time for individuals with busy schedules.
However, it can also cause energy crashes, and digestive discomfort, and lead to dependency or tolerance if used too often. It’s crucial to consider individual needs, preferences, and potential sensitivities before incorporating pre-workout supplements into your morning routine.
If you’re interested in giving them a try as part of your morning nutrition, you should talk to a doctor or a qualified fitness expert first to make sure you get the right product, and use it correctly.
References:
- Nutrients. 2022 Jan; 14(2): 399. Published online 2022 Jan 17. doi: 10.3390/nu14020399 Effects of Coffee on the Gastro-Intestinal Tract: A Narrative Review and Literature Update
- Ellerbroek AC, Antonio J. Effects of Pre-Workout Supplements on Strength, Endurance, and Mood. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2019 Jan 01;17
