You’re planning on working out, and you have a new tub of pre workout all ready to go. Now the question arises, should you mix your pre workout now or wait until you’re ready to drink it. Well you can choose to do either one, but here are a few tips for getting it right!
Most of the ingredients in pre workout are stable in water, so they won’t break down and become ineffective over time. However, some pre workouts may be less effective the longer you leave them mixed before drinking.
How Long is Pre Workout Good For After Mixing?
Pre workout is only good for a few hours after mixing. The ingredients in pre workout may start to break down and become less effective after a couple of hours. So, if you want to get the most out of your pre workout, you should mix it right before you plan to use it. However, you can typically leave your pre workout overnight in the refrigerator to make it last longer.
Leaving pre workout mixed and not in the refrigerator raises the potential risk of bacteria, yeast, or mold growth which could be harmful to drink.
Pre workout generally lasts for about two hours after being mixed. One study published in the Journal of Environmental Health Science & Engineering found that unfinished beverages have microorganism growth that can include food borne pathogens and environmental toxins. The study indicated that it is best to consume beverages immediately after mixing or opening.
It Depends on the Ingredients’ Stability in Water
Some ingredients in pre workout, like caffeine anhydrous, are stable in water, so it won’t degrade and lose its potency. Creatine on the other hand is not stable in water, so if you leave a pre workout with this ingredient sitting in water for too long, the creatine will lose its effectiveness.
Similar to creatine, amino acids in pre workout can go through a process called “dissociation” if left in water for too long. This just means that the acid partially breaks down by losing a hydrogen ion, which can impact the pH of the solution it’s mixed in.
Can You Put Pre Workout in The Refrigerator?
Yes. Putting pre workout in the refrigerator can help it last longer by slowing the growth of mold or other bacteria. Mixing your pre workout the night before and putting it in the refrigerator overnight so its cold in the morning is fine.
We’ve all done it, we add a scoop of pre workout to some water and mix it up – only to realize that we have to go run an urgent errand or get to the store before it closes. Now we’re stuck with the pre workout that we don’t want to waste. Putting it in the refrigerator will help it last longer than just a few hours. If you need to leave pre workout in its mixed form overnight, you should put it in the fridge.
If you’re looking for the best place to store your tub of pre workout powder, you can put it in the refrigerator, but it’s not really necessary. Most pre workouts suggest storing them in a cool, dry place and out of direct sunlight.
Where’s The Best Place to Store Pre Workout?
Before Mixing
Before mixing, you should store pre workout in a cool, dry place in a well-sealed container. This prevents moisture from making its way into your pre workout which could cause clumping or mold growth. You’ll also want to make sure it’s relatively cool so that the ingredients in the pre-workout don’t melt in the container.
After Mixing
After mixing pre workout, you should keep it in the refrigerator if possible. This helps slow the buildup of bacterial growth (and keeps your delicious pre workout nice and cold). If you’re planning to let your pre workout sit for awhile before drinking, you should try to use a sealed container like a shaker bottle to avoid contamination. Some of the powder may settle to the bottom of the bottle, but stirring or shaking the mixture should solve that issue.
What Happens if You Don’t Store Pre Workout Correctly?
If you don’t store your pre workout correctly, moisture could make its way into your supplement, which could cause the powder to get clumpy or gooey. This could also promote mold growth.
Use a Desiccant (or silica packet)
Desiccants are the little packets that come in pre workout powders. These help absorb and remove any moisture from the container. It’s best to leave these in your supplement to prevent moisture from making your pre workout get clumpy.
Is Clumpy Pre Workout Safe to Drink?
In most cases, clumpy pre workout is still safe to drink. It may be more difficult to scoop because the clumps can be sticky and gooey. This can require you to use something stronger than the plastic scoop included with most pre workouts.
Can Pre Workout Get Moldy?
Mold can start developing in pre workout products, specifically in its powder form. Although this is uncommon, certain factors can increase your risk of mold growth in your supplements. You should prevent moisture from entering your pre workout’s container and avoid storing your pre workout in direct sunlight or anywhere it warm. The
How Long Can Pre Workout Last When Stored Properly?
Pre workout can last a couple years if stored properly. Supplements will be clearly marked with an expiration date. It’s best to adhere to the expiration date and throw the supplement away after that date.
These images are from a couple pre workouts that I’ve bought recently. Pre workouts typically expire within a few years of purchase.
Does Pre Workout Go Bad?
Pre workout isn’t likely to “go bad” or get rotten. The only real threat is that moisture makes its way into the powder and makes it clump together in one big block. You can typically still use pre workout if it reaches this point, but it is just inconvenient. If too much moisture enters your pre workout container and the conditions are right, mold may start to build up in your drink.
