Anyone here uses pre-workout supplements or food?

[Beltshumeltz]

Does anyone here have experience with specialized pre-workout supplements or food?

Have you found that it made a big difference in how much energy you felt for the squat/deadlift?

My gym sells tubs of what seemed like an energy drink mix (b vits, taurine, caffeine). Sadly they fill it with an unspecified amount of creatine, which I'd rather get elsewhere where I can measure it.

I'm wondering if these would help feel more in the zone during these lifts.

I try to focus as much as I can but usually by the 3rd set's last few reps, I have a lot of trouble focusing on the lift, so I end up stalling lower than I should and grinding through the rest of the squat. Yet I actually feel like my legs weren't that tired - it's mostly my brain that has trouble focusing on the lift by that point. It's as if my brain wakes up mid-lift and figures out how to get my legs to push by then.

Aside from supplements, some bodybuilder I know has recomended complex carbs pre-workout (oats), but I get the feeling this may be more useful for high rep, high volume lifting.

[Beltshumeltz]

I'm curious if big coffee drinkers can benefit from a pre-workout coffee given how tolerant they might be to the thing...

[ecj]

Does anyone here have experience with specialized pre-workout supplements or food?

Have you found that it made a big difference in how much energy you felt for the squat/deadlift?

My gym sells tubs of what seemed like an energy drink mix (b vits, taurine, caffeine). Sadly they fill it with an unspecified amount of creatine, which I'd rather get elsewhere where I can measure it.

I'm wondering if these would help feel more in the zone during these lifts.

I try to focus as much as I can but usually by the 3rd set's last few reps, I have a lot of trouble focusing on the lift, so I end up stalling lower than I should and grinding through the rest of the squat. Yet I actually feel like my legs weren't that tired - it's mostly my brain that has trouble focusing on the lift by that point. It's as if my brain wakes up mid-lift and figures out how to get my legs to push by then.

Aside from supplements, some bodybuilder I know has recomended complex carbs pre-workout (oats), but I get the feeling this may be more useful for high rep, high volume lifting.

Coffee is the only workout supplement I've felt a need for. I drink gatorade during if it's really hot to keep hydrated.

[Mdemarco]

I use something called C4 from GNC. Gets me a bunch of energy. It the only supplement ive ever noticed an effect from. Watermelon tastes good too

[mstrofbass]

I use something called C4 from GNC. Gets me a bunch of energy. It the only supplement ive ever noticed an effect from. Watermelon tastes good too

I have some Cellucor C4 samples that I'll review in the next few weeks. I've tried BSN HyperFX (reviewed here), and a few others, each of which will get a review soon.

For the most part, they don't do much for me as far as energy goes...at least no more than caffeine normally does, which is little. Whether the other ingredients actually help, it's hard to say.

[GHK]

Major caffeine addict. 1 hour before workout, Creatine. EAA, coffee, sometimes protein shake if I missed my protein influx earlier. 40 minutes out. Powder oats with Leucine skimmed milk and BCAA aminos.. no idea if it helps but by fuck I go off like a fire cracker. If I am really hank marving also a banana or slice of bread with peanut butter an hour out. Also changed my diet to have big carb influx afternoon meal and it seems to help.

I use the bucket idea, throw it in and the body will take its pick, but since taking the powder oats I have really noticed it.

[Bazza20]

Pre workout supps are a great way to waste your cash.

If you want little boost some caffeine is what you want the rest is useless

[Kazzin]

Yep. Just take a caffeine pill. Much cheaper.

[jwt708]

Some people swear by things like 1RM or Jack3d...I drink plenty of coffee and various energy drinks and that's the only think that might give me energy before workout. Regarding food: I'm following a specific nutritional plan and before my workout I eat a serving of protien with about three fruits.

[hatmanii]

I use food all the time for survival. Water too. It works great for what I need it to do.

I used to use Jack3d, it was ok. Now I prefer bronchaid (ephedrine), caffeine, and some bcaas 15 minutes before. I also have a glass of milk and an apple 30 min or so prior to training. Works for me.