Is Pre-Workout Dangerous?

If there’s one thing every gym-rat is recommended to try out, it’s pre-workout. However, a lot of people have some serious concerns about pre-workout – but what is it and is it really dangerous? 

Here, we are going to be talking about pre-workout so you can find out if it’s really dangerous or if the benefits of pre-workout vastly outweigh any risks.

This way, you can find out if pre-workout is something you want to try or something you will want to avoid. 

Check out the information below to find out if pre-workout is right for you! 

What Is Pre-Workout?

First up, what even is pre-workout? 

Pre-workout is a kind of fuel that most people use before an intense workout. Without it, a lot of people crash and burn due to low energy levels.

This means that post-workout, they feel weaker and more fatigued. This is where pre-workout comes in – it’s a supplement you take before your workout to help boost your energy levels so you can keep working out for longer and harder.

The goal is to see better results in your body by using your pre-workout supplement as support. 

It comes in the form of a kind of supplement (usually a powder) that is mixed with a drink then consumed around thirty minutes before the individual starts their workout.

After thirty minutes, the pre-workout supplement kicks in and supplies your body with all the extra carbohydrates it needs to supply you with additional energy during your workout.

Plus, pre-workout supplements provide your body with additional glucose to help keep your blood sugar high throughout your workout. 

So, pre-workout is a supplement taken before your daily exercise routine to help you stay focused and energized.

The goal is so you can workout for longer and harder for better results – but what about these so-called dangers? 

What Are The Dangers Of Pre-Workout Supplements?

Like with all supplements, there are side effects to pre-workouts which you should be aware of before you take them.

Caffeine is one of the main ingredients of most pre-workout supplements as it’s the ingredient which helps your body stay energized for longer. 

However, not everyone reacts the same way to caffeine and there’s a lot more caffeine in a pre-workout supplement than there is in a cup of coffee. 

As a result, a lot of people complain about jitteriness long after taking a pre-workout supplement. This is due to the high levels of caffeine now in your body but everybody reacts to caffeine differently.

Some people are more easily stimulated by caffeine than others and this can result in later headaches, anxiety, and restlessness. 

There’s no real way to avoid this side effect unless you start out with a very small dose of your pre-workout supplement first.

Know your limits and know how you react to caffeine – if you avoid coffee because you don’t like how it makes you feel, then taking a pre-workout supplement will definitely have a stronger effect. 

Another side effect of pre-workout supplements includes increased water retention. This means that you may feel bloated after your workout and find it harder to pass water, leading to potential digestive issues.

This side effect is usually caused by creatine, another popular ingredient in pre-workout supplements as it helps increase the body mass  gains from a single workout. 

However, creatine is deemed very safe to use and these issues are only seen as the result of improper dosing. 

In fact, the real danger with pre-workout supplements seems not to be the supplements themselves but rather improper dosing.

Taking too much of a supplement without knowing how it will affect you is the downfall of a lot of exercise enthusiasts, so it’s important that you try the supplement out first in very small doses. 

It’s recommended that you start out very small when taking a pre-workout supplement for the first time, and build up your dosage until you find a level that suits you.

This will help you avoid any side effects and use your pre-workout supplement safely and responsibly. 

Is Pre-Workout Dangerous? 

Generally, no – pre-workout supplements are not dangerous and are actually very safe to use.

They have a ton of benefits which makes them incredibly common in the gym and as long as you follow the instructions properly, you shouldn’t experience any side effects. 

Even the side-effects themselves are only temporary and won’t have a lasting effect as long as you stop overdosing your supplement.

Frequently ill use of a pre-workout supplement will lead to other issues such as frequent headaches or a lack of sleep, but that is the person’s fault for incorrectly dosing out their supplement. 

Pre-workout supplements are safe to use but it’s also worth noting that everyone will react differently to it. So, as we said before, start out small and build your dosage up until you are at a level you are comfortable with. 

Despite how safe pre-workout supplements are, it’s also worth mentioning that you shouldn’t take it every day.

If you work out on a regular basis, then your body can start to build a tolerance to your pre-workout supplement if you take it every single day. 

As a result, more people are taking up cycling their supplements – this means coming off it every few weeks to allow your body to reset itself.

Although this means you will have to push through a few workouts without a stimulant to help see you through, it does mean that your pre-workout supplements will continue to work in the future. 

Final Thoughts

So, pre-workout supplements are not dangerous at all as long as you use them responsibly.

Side effects such as jitteriness, anxiety, and headaches are usually the result of poor dosage management and taking too much of the supplement than your body is comfortable with. 

This is why it’s so important to start out with a very small dose of the supplement and build yourself up.

Over time, your body will build a resistance to it – just make sure that you start cycling your body once you reach a level you are comfortable with. 

But, overall, there are plenty of benefits to using pre-workout supplements so it’s worth giving them a try!

Jenna Priestly
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