Ultimate Workout: Pre Workout Supplements For Women
Contents
Pre-workout supplements are powders or drinks taken before exercise, and most of their energy boost comes from caffeine.
Some ingredients, mainly caffeine, creatine and beta-alanine, have research suggesting they can modestly help performance in certain types of exercise. Many other ingredients have little evidence behind them.
Sports supplements have been big business since the 1970s and 80s, when they first began to be widely sold.
Products marketed "for women" usually contain the same core ingredients as other pre-workouts, often with less caffeine and added vitamins. The label matters more than the marketing.
The FDA does not approve dietary supplements before they are sold, according to FDA 101: Dietary Supplements. Check the total caffeine per serving and talk to your doctor first if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a heart condition or take medicines.
DoVitamins PrePump Pre-Workout Formula
DoVitamins has come out with one of the “cleanest” supplements on the market.
Their formula contains no gluten, wheat, soy and also no artificial colors, sweeteners, or flavors.
The company says it uses no artificial ingredients. If you compete in tested sports, look for a third-party certification such as NSF Certified for Sport and check the product yourself.
The caffeine, which supplies the energy boost, comes from green tea extract. Caffeine works the same way whether it is natural or synthetic.
It also contains vitamin C and B vitamins, and the maker markets it as vegan. It is a simpler formula than many pre-workouts.
HIT Supplements Women Only Igniter Extreme
HIT Supplements are looking to help women “ignite” their workout with their pre-workout supplement just for women.
They aim to get the body prepared for a high-intensity workout.
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This is done with a combination of beta alanine, nitric oxide and a special blend of vitamins and amino acids specifically for women like biotin, folic acid and a vitamin B complex.
Beta-alanine can cause a harmless tingling feeling in the skin. Most of the added vitamins won’t affect your workout unless you are low in them.
It comes in either tropical punch or pina colada flavor.
Cellucor C4 Pre-Workout Explosive Energy
Cellucor C4 Explosive Energy is a widely sold pre-workout that comes in many flavors.
C4 includes TeaCor, an ingredient the maker says promotes longer-lasting energy; independent evidence for it is limited.
It is a high-caffeine product, so start with a partial or single serving and never exceed the label. The FDA says up to 400 mg of caffeine a day is not generally linked to harmful effects in healthy adults, and that total includes coffee, tea and energy drinks.
Rad Pre-Workout For Women
Rad’s pre-workout is marketed to women.
It includes creatine monohydrate and beta-alanine, plus coconut water powder. Plain water is still the best way to stay hydrated during most workouts.
You won’t find any artificial sweeteners, colors, or flavors. You also won’t find calories, carbs, or sugar!
It uses green tea for caffeine. Green tea is not a proven weight loss aid.
It is lower in caffeine than many pre-workouts, which may suit people who get jittery. Check the current label for the exact amount.
Fitmiss Ignite
Fitmiss Ignite contains beta-alanine, amino acids and L-carnitine, which is often marketed for fat burning even though good evidence that it helps healthy people lose fat is lacking.
Many users choose it for the flavor, which is sweet but low in calories.
A pre-workout supplement is optional. A cup of coffee and a small snack do much the same job for many people.
The real gains in fitness, muscle tone and overall health come from a regular exercise regime, good sleep and enough food. If you try a pre-workout, check the caffeine content, start with a small dose and avoid taking it late in the day so it doesn’t disrupt your sleep.
Sources
- Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much?, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- FDA 101: Dietary Supplements, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
