An impressive 89% of people asked in a recent survey regularly use pre-workout supplements to improve their energy and performance for Crossfit.
Any dedicated fitness fanatic will know about the importance of a great pre workout supplement. Not choosing the right pre workout for you can make or break your routine and hinder your progress.
A great pre workout can help you make the most of your Crossfit training session. They can boost your strength, improve your exercise capacity, and increase your endurance.
There’s a lot of choice on the market, but it can be challenging to decide which is the best pre workout for Crossfit. If you’re not sure what to look for in a pre workout, then this article is for you. We give you the low down on the top pre workout supplements on the market right now with our hand-picked choices. Read on to learn how to choose the best pre workout for Crossfit.
What Is Pre Workout?
So you know that pre workout can supercharge your training, but what is it, and why does it work?
It would be impossible to turn up the gym 100% of the time and feel on top of your game. You might feel lethargic, tired, and unmotivated. This could be from a hectic life, stress at work, or seasonal feelings. A pre workout is a supplement aimed at leveling the ground.
By using a pre workout, you significantly increase your body’s VO2 max and training volume. This then equates to gains in lean body mass and also the speed at which body fat decreases.
Key Ingredients in Pre Workout
When you’re researching your pre workout, it’s important to pay attention to the ingredients it contains. Essentially, a pre workout is designed to help your body sail through a tough workout.
The primary active ingredient in most pre workouts is caffeine, but there are also other energy-increasing stimulants. Below is a list of some of the other key ingredients and their importance you’ll want to consider in a pre workout supplement.
Creatine Monohydrate
This popular supplement among gym-goers is popular in many pre workouts. It helps by increasing muscle power and performance during your training session.
BCAAs
This acronym means branch chain amino acids. These help to improve your body’s endurance. They work by strengthening cellular energy and encouraging the regrowth of supporting protein synthesis.Taurine
This plays an important role in the function of your heart and brain, as well as supporting nerve growth. It also aids your body’s metabolism of fats and helps to alleviate oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is the imbalance of antioxidants and free radicals in your body that can lead to tissue damage during intense workouts like Crossfit.
B Vitamins
You’ll probably see a whole list of B vitamins in the ingredients of pre workout supplements. B1, B2, B5, and B6 are all important for energy production. B12 improves blood production and B3 boosts repair.
Arginine and Citrulline
These fall under the category of NO2-boosters. In layman’s terms, this is a nitrogen dioxide booster. They help to expand your veins and arteries which makes it easier for blood to flow around your body. This helps to deliver nutrients quicker and more efficiently during your workout.
Things to Be Aware of in Pre Workout
One thing to be aware of when you’re choosing your pre workout is how much caffeine is in a portion. A report by Food and Chemical Toxicology states that the upper limit of caffeine for adults is 400 mg.
To put this into context, a regular cup of instant coffee contains between 60-80 mg of caffeine. A flat white has about 65 mg of caffeine. A single espresso shot contains an average of 75 mg, with a double espresso containing up to a whopping 185 mg.
Some pre workouts contain up to an astonishing 410 mg of caffeine per scoop, which exceeds the daily recommended amount of caffeine intake. Taken regularly, this can lead to some negative side effects, including disruption to sleep, anxiety, and high blood pressure.
Is It Dangerous to Take a Pre Workout?
Like lots of things in life, pre workout is perfectly safe to take, as long as it’s taken in moderation. It’s not recommended to consume a pre workout every day. Taking a pre workout every day over a prolonged period can lead to health issues.
Everyone has different tolerances and thresholds for caffeine. If you find you are taking a pre workout supplement a few times a week, and you’re suffering from jitters or heart palpitations, drop the amount you’re consuming. You can do this by taking it fewer times a week, or by reducing the amount of powder you use in each dose.
What’s the Best Pre Workout for Crossfit?
Here are our top picks of the best pre workouts for Crossfit right now. We’ve hand-picked these five based on ingredients, performance, and customer reviews.
Kino Octane
Why Kino Octane?
Kino Octane is an all-natural pre workout backed by research-backed ingredients. Not only does it taste great it, but it also contains zero calories. It’s available in a range of great flavors, including Strawberry Margarita and Tropic Thunder.
Kino Octane provides energy that lasts, as well as mood-boosting ingredients, and is a popular choice as an all-around pre workout supplement for men and women.
Transparent Labs LEAN
Why Transparent Labs LEAN?
This is a popular pre workout choice that’s suitable for both guys and girls. It’s one of the most exceptional supplements on the market right now thanks to some great performance-enhancing ingredients. These include citrulline malate, beta-alanine, betaine, and branched-chain amino acids.
LEAN by Transparent Labs also boasts zero use of unnecessary fillers or harmful additives. This supplement is the perfect pre workout supplement for anyone taking part in high-intensity workouts, with a focus on fat loss and extreme energy expenditure. It’s also available in a wide range of delicious flavors.
E.S.P.® (Energy Stimulant Pre-workout) By Metabolic Nutrition
Why E.S.P. Pre Workout?
This high-potency pre workout is designed to deliver maximum energy. It comes with a specialized scoop so you can tailor your portion size based on the workout you are doing. It’s been developed to provide laser-like focus during your workout, but without the post workout crash feeling that some lesser supplements give.
This supplement is one of the most potent on our list. A large Scoop of E.S.P. provides you with 500 mg of caffeine. This equates to more than three cups of coffee. It’s available in a range of fruit flavors, including blue raspberry and green apple.
Mr. Hyde by ProSupps
Why Mr. Hyde Pre Workout?
The ever-popular Mr. Hyde is a legend among pre-workout supplements. It has a great reputation for being an incredibly high stimulant that gets you hyped up for your workout. Pro Supps by Mr. Hyde combines energy and focus. It comes in a range of tantalizing flavors that include Blue Razz Popsicle, Lollipop Punch, and Watermelon.
Bucked Up WOKE AF
Why WOKE AF Pre Workout?
WOKE AF by Bucked Up is one of our favorite pre-workout supplements. It is known for delivering unparalleled and long-lasting energy to increase your workout endurance.
WOKE AF is a great supplement for anyone focused on lifting, interval training as well as intense cardio sessions. It also features zero sugar, and zero calories and is keto and paleo friendly. It comes in a wide range of delicious flavors.
When Should I Take Pre-workout?
The optimum time to take your pre workout for a standard Crossfit session is between 30 minutes to an hour before your workout. If you’re doing an endurance workout, then you might want to take this mid-session to give your body an extra boost and the energy it needs to sustain prolonged exercise.
Should I Take Pre-workout Every Day?
No. If you take your pre workout every day, you will find your body builds up a tolerance to it. Also, as we mentioned earlier, taking excessive amounts of caffeine every day can bring on other lasting side effects. For best results, we recommend taking your pre workout in cycles to give your body time to rest and reset. Take it a few times a week on your intense workout days, for a couple of months.
Then give your body a break for a month or so before returning to use it. For the time you have off of your caffeine-infused pre workout, use a stimulant-free pre workout instead.
How Does Your CrossFit Pre Workout Look?
If you’re thinking of supercharging your Crossfit goals, then we 100% recommend you think about using a pre workout supplement. The best pre workout for Crossfit will give you the energy, focus, and drive you need to succeed.
