So. Many. Options!
With so many supplement brands out there touting their own preworkout as the best in the biz, it can be hard to know which preworkout is actually best for you.
That’s why we’re going to run through the 5 factors you should consider when choosing your next preworkout: Stimulants, Focus, Blood Flow/”Pump”, Tingles and Price.
Let's get started!
Stimulants
This is the factor that preworkout is most known for. Almost all preworkouts have some type of stimulant in them, with the most common being caffeine. These ingredients are meant to energize you and amp you up for your workouts!
The main thing to consider with stimulants is what an appropriate amount of them is for you. This can vary based on your overall stimulant tolerance, how many other stimulants you consume daily and also what time you workout. Someone who has a low stimulant tolerance and works out in the evening probably doesn’t want any stimulants in their preworkout, but someone else who works out first thing in the morning and consumes no other stimulants can get away with a higher stim preworkout. So consider your own unique situation when deciding the right amount of stimulants to look for in your next preworkout!
Stimulant ingredients to look for:
- Fast acting caffeine (caffeine anhydrous)
- Slow acting caffeine (ZumXR)
- Theobromine
- Teacrine
- Yohimbine
Focus
What’s the point of all that energy if you can’t focus it? That’s the main purpose of focus ingredients in preworkouts: to keep you dialed in and focused on the task at hand.
So if you find that your mind wanders a bit too much between sets, or if you forget how many sets you’ve done already, a preworkout that’s heavier on the focus side may be right up your alley!
Ingredients to look for:
- L-Tyrosine
- Huperzine
- Choline (Alpha-GPC, Citicholine, Choline Bitartrate)
- NueroFactor
- Lion’s Mane Mushroom
Blood Flow (Pump)
Whenever you workout, you may notice that your muscles appear to “swell” and get a little bigger. This is caused by increased blood flow to the working muscles, resulting in what’s known as a “muscle pump.” Blood flow ingredients (AKA “Pump” ingredients) helps to facilitate this increased blood flow which is beneficial for endurance, recovery and muscle growth (plus it feels awesome!).
If you are someone who loves the feeling of a muscle pump, then you’ll probably want a preworkout that includes multiple blood flow ingredients all in one. Even if you aren’t focused on muscle pumps, however, make sure that your preworkout includes at least one of these ingredients so you can receive the benefits listed above.
Ingredients to look for:
- L-Citrulline
- Nitrosigine
- Vaso6/CellFlo6
- Glycerol
- Nitrates (NO3-T)
Tingles
You ever notice how some preworkouts make you feel “tingly?” This is due to an ingredient called beta alanine that helps to improve exercise endurance. If you want a full breakdown on beta alanine, we did a comprehensive blog post that you can read here!
If you like those tingles, then opt for a preworkout that includes beta alanine, but if you’re like me and find them distracting and unpleasant, look for a preworkout that doesn’t include this ingredient.
Ingredients to look for:
- Beta Alanine
Price
Preworkout supplements can vary widely in price, from $1 per serving to over $3 per serving, so sure you consider how much you want to invest into your preworkout supplement when choosing the right one for you. A preworkout that is formulated perfectly for your needs may not be a good fit if it’s over your budget!
The Bottom Line
When it comes to preworkout, there isn’t a one size fits all answer to which one you should use. The “perfect” preworkout for you is going to vary based on what you want to accomplish by taking preworkout. Think about the benefits that you want to get from preworkout and match them to the ingredients that deliver those benefits to find the best option for you!
Vertex - Our Low Stimulant, Fully-Dosed Preworkout
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If you’re looking for a preworkout that delivers dialed in focus and enhanced blood flow in a low stimulant, tingle-free package, check out our preworkout, Vertex. Each serving includes only 125mg of caffeine, just enough to get you through your workout without overdoing it on stimulants. It’s also beta alanine free, meaning you can avoid those distracting, unpleasant tingles. To round it out, our fully-transparent label is full of focus and blood flow ingredients so you can keep your head in the game during your workout and feel the benefits of an amazing muscle pump!
Try Vertex in “Strawberry Limeade” and “Bombsicle Popsicle” today!