I buy bulk of the follow ingredients and take the maximum effective dose of each: - Creatine Monohydrate - L-Citrulline - Caffeine - Glycerol Monostearate - Beta Alanine By doing this, each dose is waaaaay cheaper than if there was a pre work that had all these ingredients and dosages.
@@joshsmith2723 I kinda like the itch for psychological reasons, but I also do a lot of cardio so it’s not totally a waste. I believe it helps on protein synthesis as well.
I actually just buy each ingredient that I want in bulk and mix the amounts accordingly in little containers and add caffeinated flavored zero calorie drink mix and that's my pre-workout. I might pay a tenth of the price for 6 months worth of product
6g L Citrulline DL Malitate 2:1 (probably the most expensive ingredient on this list) 3g Beta Alanine (for endurance training, not strength training) 7g Creatine Monohydrate 3g MSM (sulfur seems to helps joints) 1/4tsp ashwagandha (keeps me from getting caffeine jitters) 1 (or 2 on a bad day) packets of Kroger brand energy drink mix (has 160mg caffeine per packet). Wild berry is the best flavor.
It’s definitely not a must, and I have had some terrible pre workouts. But there are a select few that I have found to be substantially better than coffee. The most noticeable effect is the motivation to train and the ability to train for longer with these motivation. Whereas when I have just coffee alone the effects are still similar but just not as intense, even when matched in caffeine dose
@@tvaettis0653 here’s my top 4 based on your experience with pre workout: - beginner (all black everything) - intermediate (total war or mvPRE) - advanced (alpha darkside onslaught) If you are new to pre workout I’d advise against starting with onslaught, that one really is a crazy pre, yet to find a better one than that… and fairly unheard of relative to other brands
@@tvaettis0653 nice keep it up. Of course only downside is tolerance over time, but main affects I notice with onslaught is that I’m able to workout at a higher intensity for longer, and the focus and energy is very noticeable… mix it with some salt and you’re on your way. Plus no beta alanine so no tingles
For me is the ritual alone. The mixing while getting ready ans blasting some tunes. The tingling sensation… now there is no skipping it. You have to go.
Thank you for making this video! I have heard only good things about Pre-workout but didn’t get it because I wanted an unbiased opinion. I just started watching your channel and I’m happy I did because I know that you only speak the truth on these topics and are super funny
@@austinfreyrikrw6651 lol calm down thats like saying creatine doesn't work its just a placebo effect bro its not really doing anything , pre-workout is something you should do your research because what this video is talking about is a proprietary blend not every pre is like that. Do your own research dont just listen to a channel that's speaks on its own accord
My whole channel is based on supplement reviews, mostly preworkouts. I’ll tell you right now pre workouts are extremely extra! Training comes from the heart. A lot of people rely on these stimulants and many are looking to catch a buzz. I trained for 7 years stim free. Using a pre workout once or twice a week is solid as a treat so you don’t build a tolerance to these stimulants.
I agree. I don't think it's a must, but as you said, it helps. I wake up at 3 to hit the gym on 5-6 hours of sleep and I can say that I do feel the difference in energy levels. If I could workout later during the day, I definitely would not need Pre-workout.
This is some useful information considering I started working out like months weeks ago without any supplements😆I pretty much binge watched all of your videos alongside other youtubers, currently debating if I should use supplements or not.
You should try pre and make your own opinion. Personally I use only creatine preworkout and protein. I'm not saying need it but squeezing in those 2 more reps per set is definitely worth it. If you decide to, don't buy anything that's "made for newbies" just buy a high quality one and dose it lower. I used to think it's useless, but trying a good one made me change my stance.
The only pre-workout that was worth it (it was liquid gold), was the original Craze. It had some synthetic amphetamine snuck in so yeah, it WORKED. Want to work out at 200% energy for 3 hours straight and still want to do more? Want to lift so much weight that you finish your workout struggling with pink 5 pound dumbbells? Want to do that at 4am in the morning after waking up at 3:30 to drink it? Want to train again at 200% energy for another 3 hours straight at 5pm? 6 hours of working out a day? Want to do that 6 days a week? The OG Craze allowed that. It did cause severe acid reflux from overtraining though.
When I first started training over 10 years ago a couple of friends gave me some pre-Workouts and it would almost always result in me puking mid or post workout ( especially when doing deadlifts). Cup of coffee is all I need and even then only on some days.
ON POINT bro! There's one thing that we hate the most though that wasn't on the list: the "Other Ingredients" panel. Full of artificial colors, sweeteners, flavors, fillers, etc. Some are shown to be carcinogens (we wrote the article, How to Make Your Own Supplements without Filling Capsules, that has proof/sources if you're interested). But really, it's infuriating, especially when these products have more OTHER ingredients, than active ones. Like ON Gold Standard Pre. Can't stand when companies give no sh**s about actual health!
Without watching the video this is what I have to say about it, it helps me recover in-between sets, not so out of breath when I'm benching but squatting is still hard, not as much as before but not completely eliminated
@@andresmarquez5241 its a mental thing i see people at the gym all the time drink pre-workout and immediately start saying this is good its giving me energy when it literally takes 30 minutes to kick in but tbh mentality is the most important thing if you believe it works it works
My local gym sold branded pre workout for really cheap, so I decided to go for it! It was actually cheaper than getting the ingredients individually. But otherwise I would avoid using this
after training for about a year, I even fell into the “you need this pre workout” thing. A lot of people bag on C4, saying that it’s not a good enough pre-workout, but just when I thought I “upgraded” to a new one, I actually got extremely sick from it not even 30 minutes after I took the new pre-workout. Just do what makes you comfortable! Don’t fall into what the influencers say about their new “perfect pre-workout”
Because c4 is flavoured caffeine and that’s basically all you’re getting. Nearly no nitrous oxide boosting ingredients,no nootropics for any kind of focus, and it mixes well because it has nearly no ingredients. Get you a gorilla mode pre and just single scoop it
I feel like most preworkouts out there are generally crap, though being biased I think gorilla mind and some of their products offer a proper dosage of ingredients alongside good caffeine dosages. Other than that nothing beats a good 8-10 hours of quality sleep imo
Thanks for another great video. I've stopped taking pre-workouts a few years ago after having read the ingredients and realizing the main active ingredient is caffeine. Now the only "pre-workout" I take is a 200mg caffeine pill, at less than 10% cost per serving of one of those fancy preworkout powders.
Literally my situation. The marketing in pre-workouts and “energy” drinks is ridiculous. Caffeine pills > pre-workout. That being said this is my personal experience.
@@e.g4519 PWOs have more stimulants than just caffeine however, and also have things usually to prolong the caffeine and prevent a sharp drop (l-Theanine for example). The world is addicted to caffeine so just having caffeine alone into a PWO would be mediocre results mentally
There are still some good pre-workouts out there (Even if they overcharge you for things that you don't need). I make my own pre-workout with just L-arginine and caffeine. Well... Most times I add beta-alanine just for the tingles - it helps me psych up for the training. The original Jack3d was so good, thou. I miss it. DMAA combined with caffeine gives you focus like a hawk.
@@monke8478 Yes, it was banned. Dangerous? Sorry, I don't know how dangerous it is. I've heard of so many people overdosing with caffeine, so I guess everything is potentially harmfull. All I know is DMAA was so good! In the (very) old times we used to blend our own ECA, so just consider me a pre-workout junkie and do not follow my advices. Cheers, friend!
I also like some nutropic ingredients that I find help me focus more. Huperzine I like for focus. When DMAA was legal the focus level was simply unreal...
I've trained for years with and without pre workouts. Without doubt I train better, feel better and pumps are next level. I use alpha Lion Super Human supreme.
I used to take pre-work out before almost every workout. In hindsight it felt like a drug. Id crack myself out to get an incredible workout in. Now I just use black coffee and I’m glad I switched. Most supplements are a scam other than creatine and protein for the convenience.
Yeah there's alot of disinformation in this video. Specifically the fact that he only talked about a few ingredients while ignoring the ingredients that massive players like Gorrilla Mode preworkout or Bucked Up and now Muscletech's new Paraxanthine based preworkout have.
I personally think you just have to do your research and get the right one, if you need one at all. I found that non-stim nitro pre workout has allowed me to get a bigger pump and allows me to more easily keep the muscle engorged while under tension. It’s a small difference in the gains department but a percentage of a difference when your dealing in hundreds of pounds is worth it to me.
@@trump45and2zig-zags I got MPMD’s Gorilla Mode Nitric but I didn’t do much research I just bought it on recommendation from a buddy. But it’s the craziest pump I’ve ever had by far. Pricy tho for ~30 servings if you very from 1-2 scoops depending on the day. 2 dollars a serving. So I’m interested in finding an alternative that works the same for a lower price when I run out of my next tub.
I've find pre-workout/stimulants counter productive... Less mind muscle connection, more supporting muscle groups to get weights up, and a numbing to the feeling your pulling, pushing, twisting something that's not meant to be... Leading to an injury.
A decent libido booster with a side effect of fat burning. Will create higher blood pressure however (take before a physical and have your doctor look at you with strange glares despite appearing healthy, lol)… regardless, it’s valuable if already lean, as with other fat burners (Bitter Orange, EGCGs, etc). Maybe a 5% difference. Taken consistently when lean plus lower carbs can really reveal abs, but it has similar crashes to caffeine after a while.
About seven or eight years ago I used to eat or drink beets two or (preferably) three hours before the first working set. That seemed to have an affect. Those were the days.
So, I'm 4'11" and my baseline 2 months ago was 100 lbs. 2 months into taking creatine, I now have an average weight of 104 lbs. I lift heavy with lower reps (4-9). I feel stronger and bigger without really having added fat (at least in my eyes). I still have 6 more pounds i wanna gain to be 110 lbs. I make my own protein/creatine shakes with 5 mg creatine monohydrate a day mixed with 1 scoop unsweetened unflavored greens/protein powder (22 g protein), 200 mL flax or soy milk, some caffeine (variable mix of cocoa powder, instant coffee, matcha), 1 tsp unsweetened protein butter, 1 tsp coconut oil, some ginger/cinnamon powder and agave or honey added to 600 mL water. I hate sweeteners because the aftertaste is gross to me and I don't have beef with the extra calories of sugar since I'm fairly active in general and tend to eat less than I should based on my energy levels by the end of the day. I drink half in the morning before my workout (I only work out in the morning), and drink the other half after/throughout the day.
Thats good stuff what you are doing. I would not increase the creatine as 5g is a great dose for women. I would add more meat or eggs to your diet, they are low calorie and pack on muscle over time.
I think taking pre workout regularly is totally fine. Most lifters also take creatine regularly. There are also a number of brands that sell caffeine free pre workout! Taking pre workout in a healthy way before a workout is totally legitimate!
I drink pre workout every workday. Is it to workout? No. I just like drinking tasty, convenient, cold caffeine and for ~$0.75 a day, it's cheaper than fancy alternatives Edit: great vid!
L-Carnitine is not a pre-workout thing, but I like taking it before because I’ve noticed that it prevents me to feel the after workout soreness and pain it also boost ATP production on cells.
Correct me if I'm wrong, drinking several cups of coffee provides the same benefit of drinking pre-workout. I believe caffeine may improve single lift maxes, but not your overall strength levels.
Coffee and caffeine in general will dry you out so much actually pulling away much needed water for your lift unless properly hydrated and nourished by hydrating foods. Water is the leverage for lifting weights.
Maybe if it's a bad preworkout, but there are other ingredients such as a pump complex, and ingredients that increase hydration in the muscles, decrease lactic acid buildup, and increase energy (in addition to the stims).
I take Walmart (cheapest) pre-workout. Everything in the video is valid. My only beef with your video is beta alanine. It makes me feel tingly and I like it. Pre-workout has caffeine bcaas and beta alanine. And it’s cheap! pre-workout for the win
Bcaa isnt a very good selling point. You body will break down a 90 cent can of tuna into much, much more bcaas than an entire 20 dollar bottle of pre workout contains.
@@skya6863 well he was saying it’s better to take supplements separately right? So I just take one scoop of Walmart Pre-workout which has Caffeine, Beta Alanine & BCAAS. #notsponsored
There are very few high quality pre workouts on the market. Most have ineffective dosages of the stuff they market the heaviest. I personally go for non stim pump focused formulas as it allows me to control my caffeine intake depending on my energy level or goal for the day. A good pump is definitely a huge plus for me in the gym and is something that is really easy to take in a pre workout instead of buying individual ingredients and creating my own. But if your looking for creatine, caffeine, or BCAAs I suggest taking those supplements separately as you can get effective dosages for these for much cheaper.
I definitely use preworkouts I cant get enough from double shot espresso before the work out But i aim for preworkouts with higher caffeine content and lower "extra something seeds"
I wish they wouldn't add so much of that stimulant that makes it feel like you've got DRESS..... I get it's supposed to make it feel like it's working, but it's hard to keep your head in a workout when it feels like your skin is a few minutes away from sloughing off.
I actually calculated the price for each essential component, and in my country you actually can find good preworkouts on sale often that have lower cost (per gram of that substance) than buying the substances separately. I just stock up on good sales and buy multiple cans of good preworkout, so I can just use them until another sale comes on
Highly. You need to instead ween or cold turkey off or caffeine and instead utilize alternating days of dopamine-boosters (L-Tyrosine or L-Dopa). and choline-boosters (CDP Choline or other nootropics). Just increasing caffeine is unsustainable for addition
I use green tea and ginseng. Ashwagandha at times. Matcha. Maybe some maca in my smoothie. Don't love mushroom powders long term. Keep it simple and healthy. Buy good herbs. I feel great. Make sure you cycle ginseng and all herbs correctly.
So here’s a question for you that I haven’t been able to find an answer to. I have ADHD and take amphetamines like Vyvanse daily to help me actually be a productive member of society. I tried a few pre workouts that had all the ingredients that everyone loves, well respected brands, Gorilla Mind, HTLT, etc. when I take them I can feel the tingly sensation but don’t feel anything else. I don’t get the feeling that they are actively helping in my workout in any sense. A lot of people swear by them and talk about the edge it gives them but I can’t feel shit. I’m just as strong and dedicated off as I am on. So my question is this. Are the pre workouts having the same effect as my ADHD medication? Insofar as they simply normalize me instead of boosting me up like they seem to do other people. I’ve not been able to find much studies involving the effects of pre workouts on ADHD people. I stopped buying them because the price was too much for any gain I wasn’t seeming to get.
Hey! Also have adhd and I'm a personal trainer and nutritionist so maybe I can shed some light. My guess is that your adhd medicine has down regulated some of the dopamine receptors. Another factor could be the "using up" of stored dopamine to where you need to produce more through nutrient intake (l-tyrosine to dopamine synthesis). (aka Adderall comedown) So overall your bodies sympathetic nervous system probably has some down regulation reducing any "feeling" of an improved workout. The non psychoactive ingredients will still work (creatine, beta alanine, l-citrulline) but like he says in the video the caffeine is responsible for that "feeling" of an improvement. I would be careful regarding combining some of these ingredients with your meds as there are quite a few interactions. Your medicine also causes vasocontriction which reduces performance so if it is in your system during a workout you could be experiencing lowered blood flow. Many factors, I hope this helps and sheds some light on it! If you have any questions feel free to reply Edit: to add to the point that the non psychoactive ingredients are most likely still working is the fact that you feel the tingly sensation brought about from the beta alanine
@@B27397 That pre-workout is pretty typical but they do disclose all the ingredients (no prop blends) which means a lot. You can ignore the vitamins in all pre-workout as they are mainly label fluff. The pre-workout is underdosed on a couple things like Beta Alanine and L-citrulline but is far from the worst I've seen. The best pre-workout with the actual clinical doses I've seen has got to be Gorilla Mode, a little pricier but everything in it has its purpose and at an efficacious dose
Had some different pre workouts, the only thing could feel is the coffeine and the butt itches (beta-Alanine). BUT now that I tried gorilla mode I really felt different (more focus, more wanting to push myself,...)
I just started using gorilla mode a couple weeks ago, leg days are much easier now than with just a coffee before hand. I tried it after I took gorilla mind for a month...idk if it was just placebo but I genuinely felt sharper on it so I figured if Derek was right about that maybe I can give something else a try and shooooo buddy this stuff is nuts!
I take it 100% for the placebo effect, having that taste and know it's time to put in some work is a good enough incentive for me, even if it is borderline pointless - the brain knows what time it is 😅
PreWorkout isn’t necessary at all, but can help a little bit with stamina and maybe getting a few extra reps here and there. Save your money and make your own research on the variety of supplements that are out there, to see if you’re being scammed or not. ❤️
I am doing exactly this he said: I bought beta-alanine and L-citruline and that's all I have before working out. Sometimes I add a cup of coffee. The thing is that L-citruline malate is kind of salt taste and makes the water taste like seltzer; but I found out that adding stevia makes the mix more palatable. So for $30 I have 180 servings of preworkout. I am glad to see I did my research correctly 😌
Can you make a video about ephedrine and EC our ECA stack? I feel like there is a lack of information on youtube about it, especially about quantities and frequency of recommended intake. Love the videos by the way. Keep’m coming!
This was a hot fat burning supplement in the 90’s called 30+ . Contains pretty high doses of ephedrine caffeine and asperine, together it created higher body temperature and higher heartbeat which results in burning fat. Because of the ephedrine it was forbidden. The stuff was awesome and you had to be careful saw people taking too much of this stuff and they went tripping. I knew guys who were selling those by the pill on parties haha. Check if you can find the original list of ingredients. The same with the original stacker.
Never thought I needed pre workout until I started crashing at the start of leg day. Did some deep digging, hated all the options I saw on the market so I bought some bulk powders and blate papes and haven't looked back. Don't know how y'all do a cup of coffee before working out because the acid in that would tear me up if I tried that as a pre!
You left out a few key things offered by pre workout. Some ingredients in pre workouts offer a boost in mood and focus. That’s the main reason I take it before every single workout. If I can get 100% locked in and focused for a workout, the quality of my workouts are so much better and resulting in more gains in the long run. While a lot of pre workout brands don’t offer a high enough dosage in these ingredients to be effective, finding a brand that does makes a huge difference. Therefore I really recommend pre workout. Just my option however. The rest of the stuff in the video I agree with
I got hooked on caffeine free pre-workout not because of any noticeable enhancement, but because that flavorrrr. Straight up watermelon flavored crack powder. Pump surge yummmnm
I typically buy 90% of my supplements in a drug store, it's much cheaper than buying in a body building shop, the only supplement I buy there is creatine, because n/a elsewhere.i typically buy single ingredient supplements (2 ingredients tops) without any flavors. The only pre-work-out I take is a big nice cup of black coffee 20 minutes before I walk to the gym (about 45 minutes before the actual workout)
If I buy a pre-workout i make sure it has a specific ingredient list. I prefer when they have alpha GPC and a moderate amount of caffeine because with the nitric oxide precursors if there’s too much caffeine I feel like dying and punching people, but not in a way that I can direct towards the workout
Next topic should be "Extreme fat burners" another fitness mambo jumbo where people throw their money at. Great video and great comeback , thank you very much for the info
I've been buying the stuff I want in a preworkout in bulk separately now. Save tons of money and get the ingredients I want at the dosages I want. BY FAR the best way to go.
PictureFit has such a lovely and relaxing voice. Idk but does anyone agree with this? Every time I watch one of his videos his voice makes me feel more chill
Really good video, i jus bought a pre and was wondering what makes it work 😔 I bought the stim free, at least I have a good plastic box so when I run out i can mix my own
Preworkouts like to put in creatine because people know it's good, even though it doesn't do anything short term like a preworkout is meant to help you with.
i make my own PRE. I use citruline malate in 1:1 ratio so i take 20g (10 g pure citruline), salt: something like half a gram +, caffein 200mg-300, l-tyrosine around 1-1,5 g. When caffein becomes less potent i take it out and same with l-tyrosine until the tolerance is gone and it kicks again. I probably save alot on buying the crude porduct + i can fully control the ammount myself.
Shall we choose violence on the fitness supplement industry?
Maybe only on the ones who lie about effectiveness
It would have to be on the whole supplement industry then and that’s a bit counter productive I believe
Yes please
Definitely towards those who really push the BS onto us.
Yes sir
Nothing compares to going into a workout having had enough sleep and proper nutrition.
@Cthulhu why is this?
Imagine having enough sleep, proper nutrition AND some pre workout
@@zMxtionzz
Not totally against it, but you shouldn’t make every workout a stim fest. Especially if you workout most days of the week.
Try saying that while working in construction for 10hrs+ a day lol
Facts
I buy bulk of the follow ingredients and take the maximum effective dose of each:
- Creatine Monohydrate
- L-Citrulline
- Caffeine
- Glycerol Monostearate
- Beta Alanine
By doing this, each dose is waaaaay cheaper than if there was a pre work that had all these ingredients and dosages.
Noted.
Scratch out Beta Alanine. Research has only showed benefits in its usage in sets lasting longer than 60 seconds. Useless for lifters
@@ljot1 thats why i said useless for lifters and not useless for everyone
@@joshsmith2723 but I like the tingles…. :/
@@joshsmith2723 I kinda like the itch for psychological reasons, but I also do a lot of cardio so it’s not totally a waste. I believe it helps on protein synthesis as well.
I actually just buy each ingredient that I want in bulk and mix the amounts accordingly in little containers and add caffeinated flavored zero calorie drink mix and that's my pre-workout. I might pay a tenth of the price for 6 months worth of product
I like you.
What ingredients do you use?
What ingredients you mix with?
Same 🤣
6g L Citrulline DL Malitate 2:1 (probably the most expensive ingredient on this list)
3g Beta Alanine (for endurance training, not strength training)
7g Creatine Monohydrate
3g MSM (sulfur seems to helps joints)
1/4tsp ashwagandha (keeps me from getting caffeine jitters)
1 (or 2 on a bad day) packets of Kroger brand energy drink mix (has 160mg caffeine per packet). Wild berry is the best flavor.
It’s definitely not a must, and I have had some terrible pre workouts. But there are a select few that I have found to be substantially better than coffee. The most noticeable effect is the motivation to train and the ability to train for longer with these motivation. Whereas when I have just coffee alone the effects are still similar but just not as intense, even when matched in caffeine dose
What are your favourite PWOs? I’ve only tried ”The preworkout” from MP but I’m open for other brands.
@@tvaettis0653 here’s my top 4 based on your experience with pre workout:
- beginner (all black everything)
- intermediate (total war or mvPRE)
- advanced (alpha darkside onslaught)
If you are new to pre workout I’d advise against starting with onslaught, that one really is a crazy pre, yet to find a better one than that… and fairly unheard of relative to other brands
ignacio williamson alr, thanks! I’ll try the one for intermediate sometime then, as I’ve been working out consistently now for about half a year
@@tvaettis0653 nice keep it up. Of course only downside is tolerance over time, but main affects I notice with onslaught is that I’m able to workout at a higher intensity for longer, and the focus and energy is very noticeable… mix it with some salt and you’re on your way. Plus no beta alanine so no tingles
For me is the ritual alone. The mixing while getting ready ans blasting some tunes. The tingling sensation… now there is no skipping it. You have to go.
Thank you for making this video! I have heard only good things about Pre-workout but didn’t get it because I wanted an unbiased opinion. I just started watching your channel and I’m happy I did because I know that you only speak the truth on these topics and are super funny
kkk
Imo PWO is a must to use but it ain’t the best worth of money sometimes just read what doses each one has
@@couscous3782 it absolutely is not a must. Not even close.
Also, you may feel you get a better workout with pre workout (compared to caffeine alone) just because of the placebo effect of taking something.
@@austinfreyrikrw6651 lol calm down thats like saying creatine doesn't work its just a placebo effect bro its not really doing anything , pre-workout is something you should do your research because what this video is talking about is a proprietary blend not every pre is like that. Do your own research dont just listen to a channel that's speaks on its own accord
I remember in ~2010 when pre workouts actually worked. Then they found out that they contained amphetamines etc.
Which ones had amphetamines?
@@BMGipe45 amphetamine like substances, I don't believe it was straight amphetamine Salts. Jack3d is one I remember getting banned
@@BMGipe45 old school pre workouts had DMAA, which definitely provided a crazy energy effect and euphoria feeling
@@BMGipe45 Pharma War ones like Alpha Mood Pump
@@BMGipe45 craze
My whole channel is based on supplement reviews, mostly preworkouts. I’ll tell you right now pre workouts are extremely extra! Training comes from the heart. A lot of people rely on these stimulants and many are looking to catch a buzz. I trained for 7 years stim free. Using a pre workout once or twice a week is solid as a treat so you don’t build a tolerance to these stimulants.
We like caffeine
@@thanksmaybe4103 i do too!
Hey buddy honest thoughts on creatine? -I kinda love it a lot but doctor told me to ditch it since it might increase my blood pressure.
@@ditech4205 5 grams of creatine per day is completely safe and tried and true
You’re just born diff bro, we’re all zombies just needing stims to live our lives 😂
I agree. I don't think it's a must, but as you said, it helps. I wake up at 3 to hit the gym on 5-6 hours of sleep and I can say that I do feel the difference in energy levels. If I could workout later during the day, I definitely would not need Pre-workout.
Save your money , don't buy pre-workout... Just 'TREN' hard 💪🏻
Eat clen and tren hard
@@kismet8010 Test your luck
@@kismet8010 MAST _er your emotions
Eat clen anavar give up too.
This is some useful information considering I started working out like months weeks ago without any supplements😆I pretty much binge watched all of your videos alongside other youtubers, currently debating if I should use supplements or not.
Thanks for watching! Hope it helped.
IF you want to take supplements, Creatine Monohydrate and Whey Protein is all you need assuming you eat well and stay hydrated.
@@whysoserious8826 not really, theres lots of other suppliments that are benificial with little downside.
You should try pre and make your own opinion. Personally I use only creatine preworkout and protein. I'm not saying need it but squeezing in those 2 more reps per set is definitely worth it. If you decide to, don't buy anything that's "made for newbies" just buy a high quality one and dose it lower. I used to think it's useless, but trying a good one made me change my stance.
When the world needed him most, PictureFit uploaded
The only pre-workout that was worth it (it was liquid gold), was the original Craze. It had some synthetic amphetamine snuck in so yeah, it WORKED.
Want to work out at 200% energy for 3 hours straight and still want to do more? Want to lift so much weight that you finish your workout struggling with pink 5 pound dumbbells? Want to do that at 4am in the morning after waking up at 3:30 to drink it? Want to train again at 200% energy for another 3 hours straight at 5pm? 6 hours of working out a day? Want to do that 6 days a week?
The OG Craze allowed that. It did cause severe acid reflux from overtraining though.
OG Craze was the best pre work out ever. Way better than jack3d. The grape flavor tasted straight up like medication. I was up for two days once.
No better feeling than taking 2 scoops and going into the gym ready to run through a wall
I've been looking to Derek from MPMD for pre-workout. The guy is very knowledgeable on the stuff, and I've also learned a lot thanks to his content
I have it, it's great. And the shaker bottle you get with it is amazing
yeah gorrilla mode is a great pre workout 9/10
What was the summary of his advice?
@@mcseavers Hard to summarize a 1 hour youtube video that goes over everything included in pre-workouts, lol.
@@mcseavers Gorilla Mode Good 🦍
I like a black coffee and a cookie as a preworkout, don't know about you...
And are you jacked?
@@FartCakes jacked enough
Pain💔 is the best preworkout
When I first started training over 10 years ago a couple of friends gave me some pre-Workouts and it would almost always result in me puking mid or post workout ( especially when doing deadlifts). Cup of coffee is all I need and even then only on some days.
"Uhm, the label says it takes about 30 minutes to kick in..."
"Baaahhhhhhh!"
🤣😂
Videos like this is why I love this channel. Modest and informative
Save ur money …. Just Get proper sleep .. proper food and maybe a coffee before you hit the gym ! Thank me later
Good advice. Thank you sir.
This is the way. But when taking coffee before a leg day please 💩 before work out. Just trust me on this point, ok. glhf.
you realize a coffee over time is the same if not more as buying scoops
ON POINT bro! There's one thing that we hate the most though that wasn't on the list: the "Other Ingredients" panel. Full of artificial colors, sweeteners, flavors, fillers, etc. Some are shown to be carcinogens (we wrote the article, How to Make Your Own Supplements without Filling Capsules, that has proof/sources if you're interested).
But really, it's infuriating, especially when these products have more OTHER ingredients, than active ones. Like ON Gold Standard Pre. Can't stand when companies give no sh**s about actual health!
This can apply to many supplement stacks in the supplement industry, beyond PWO
Brand also plays a role there. Try c4 let me know how that goes. That said, pre workouts are meant to be cycled as their effects go down over time.
Without watching the video this is what I have to say about it, it helps me recover in-between sets, not so out of breath when I'm benching but squatting is still hard, not as much as before but not completely eliminated
Prob a mental thing and that's valid.
@@PictureFit probably but it's a ritual now 🤣 don't think I'll have the same mindset without my water flavoring
@@andresmarquez5241 its a mental thing i see people at the gym all the time drink pre-workout and immediately start saying this is good its giving me energy when it literally takes 30 minutes to kick in but tbh mentality is the most important thing if you believe it works it works
After years of trying kinds of pre-workouts and whatnot, I found that all I need is some nice black coffee before the gym.
My local gym sold branded pre workout for really cheap, so I decided to go for it! It was actually cheaper than getting the ingredients individually. But otherwise I would avoid using this
after training for about a year, I even fell into the “you need this pre workout” thing.
A lot of people bag on C4, saying that it’s not a good enough pre-workout, but just when I thought I “upgraded” to a new one, I actually got extremely sick from it not even 30 minutes after I took the new pre-workout. Just do what makes you comfortable! Don’t fall into what the influencers say about their new “perfect pre-workout”
I use c4 and it’s perfectly fine, the people that don’t like it are caffeine addicts that want 800mg.
id just buy a non stim preworkout which is just for the pump from gorilla mind its a bit pricey
@@bottleservice4963 the people that don't like it opt for pre workouts with ingredients that are actually useful in useful dosages like gorilla mode
Commenters of culture above me.
Because c4 is flavoured caffeine and that’s basically all you’re getting. Nearly no nitrous oxide boosting ingredients,no nootropics for any kind of focus, and it mixes well because it has nearly no ingredients. Get you a gorilla mode pre and just single scoop it
I feel like most preworkouts out there are generally crap, though being biased I think gorilla mind and some of their products offer a proper dosage of ingredients alongside good caffeine dosages. Other than that nothing beats a good 8-10 hours of quality sleep imo
i have heard of gorilla mind too. Are their pre’s actually effective?
gorilla mind is the best.
Thanks for another great video. I've stopped taking pre-workouts a few years ago after having read the ingredients and realizing the main active ingredient is caffeine. Now the only "pre-workout" I take is a 200mg caffeine pill, at less than 10% cost per serving of one of those fancy preworkout powders.
Literally my situation. The marketing in pre-workouts and “energy” drinks is ridiculous. Caffeine pills > pre-workout. That being said this is my personal experience.
How fast do the pills kick-in
Btw between the pre workout you use to take and the caffeine pill which one did you felt gave more energy?
@@e.g4519 20-40min the same as anything else
@@e.g4519 PWOs have more stimulants than just caffeine however, and also have things usually to prolong the caffeine and prevent a sharp drop (l-Theanine for example). The world is addicted to caffeine so just having caffeine alone into a PWO would be mediocre results mentally
There are still some good pre-workouts out there (Even if they overcharge you for things that you don't need). I make my own pre-workout with just L-arginine and caffeine. Well... Most times I add beta-alanine just for the tingles - it helps me psych up for the training. The original Jack3d was so good, thou. I miss it. DMAA combined with caffeine gives you focus like a hawk.
Is DMAA not a banned / dangerous substance?
@@monke8478 Yes, it was banned. Dangerous? Sorry, I don't know how dangerous it is. I've heard of so many people overdosing with caffeine, so I guess everything is potentially harmfull. All I know is DMAA was so good! In the (very) old times we used to blend our own ECA, so just consider me a pre-workout junkie and do not follow my advices. Cheers, friend!
I also like some nutropic ingredients that I find help me focus more. Huperzine I like for focus. When DMAA was legal the focus level was simply unreal...
I've trained for years with and without pre workouts. Without doubt I train better, feel better and pumps are next level. I use alpha Lion Super Human supreme.
I used to take pre-work out before almost every workout. In hindsight it felt like a drug. Id crack myself out to get an incredible workout in. Now I just use black coffee and I’m glad I switched. Most supplements are a scam other than creatine and protein for the convenience.
Make a video on muscle tect ATP supplement.
I imagine picture fit as 6'3 and 280 pounds looking like Chris bumstead but still with that same voice and it really keeps me going
I really use it for focus it makes my workout feel better and helps me train harder because I’m more focused
I´m really digging this new PictureFit style!
I strongly believe I couldnt have gotten this far without using preworkout. Definitely one of the best supliments I take
It’s all (mostly) mental
@@Matt-pi9jo Not true, it is forbidden to sell placebo
@@Matt-pi9joxactly, companies know how to take advantage of small minded people... Yeah it may boost it but its mostly mental
Yeah there's alot of disinformation in this video. Specifically the fact that he only talked about a few ingredients while ignoring the ingredients that massive players like Gorrilla Mode preworkout or Bucked Up and now Muscletech's new Paraxanthine based preworkout have.
Love your informitave videos! Keep up the great vids!
I personally think you just have to do your research and get the right one, if you need one at all. I found that non-stim nitro pre workout has allowed me to get a bigger pump and allows me to more easily keep the muscle engorged while under tension. It’s a small difference in the gains department but a percentage of a difference when your dealing in hundreds of pounds is worth it to me.
What brand? I'm looking for a good non stim pre
@@trump45and2zig-zags I got MPMD’s Gorilla Mode Nitric but I didn’t do much research I just bought it on recommendation from a buddy. But it’s the craziest pump I’ve ever had by far. Pricy tho for ~30 servings if you very from 1-2 scoops depending on the day. 2 dollars a serving. So I’m interested in finding an alternative that works the same for a lower price when I run out of my next tub.
@@mackcool1000 kewl, appreciate it!
KAGED! Literally just what you need . No BS.
I've find pre-workout/stimulants counter productive... Less mind muscle connection, more supporting muscle groups to get weights up, and a numbing to the feeling your pulling, pushing, twisting something that's not meant to be... Leading to an injury.
My pre workout contains deer antler extract. Best believe that’s crucial to my gains!
Could you make a video talking about yohimbine?
A decent libido booster with a side effect of fat burning. Will create higher blood pressure however (take before a physical and have your doctor look at you with strange glares despite appearing healthy, lol)… regardless, it’s valuable if already lean, as with other fat burners (Bitter Orange, EGCGs, etc). Maybe a 5% difference. Taken consistently when lean plus lower carbs can really reveal abs, but it has similar crashes to caffeine after a while.
About seven or eight years ago I used to eat or drink beets two or (preferably) three hours before the first working set. That seemed to have an affect. Those were the days.
I just notices the sun is always on the right side of the frame when casting shadows on the animations, sick details
Eagle eye!
So, I'm 4'11" and my baseline 2 months ago was 100 lbs. 2 months into taking creatine, I now have an average weight of 104 lbs. I lift heavy with lower reps (4-9). I feel stronger and bigger without really having added fat (at least in my eyes). I still have 6 more pounds i wanna gain to be 110 lbs.
I make my own protein/creatine shakes with 5 mg creatine monohydrate a day mixed with 1 scoop unsweetened unflavored greens/protein powder (22 g protein), 200 mL flax or soy milk, some caffeine (variable mix of cocoa powder, instant coffee, matcha), 1 tsp unsweetened protein butter, 1 tsp coconut oil, some ginger/cinnamon powder and agave or honey added to 600 mL water. I hate sweeteners because the aftertaste is gross to me and I don't have beef with the extra calories of sugar since I'm fairly active in general and tend to eat less than I should based on my energy levels by the end of the day.
I drink half in the morning before my workout (I only work out in the morning), and drink the other half after/throughout the day.
Try 15grm of creatine..
@@madbio3409 bruh thats a lot for my shrimpy body lol. I'd be afraid to f up my liver.
Thats good stuff what you are doing. I would not increase the creatine as 5g is a great dose for women. I would add more meat or eggs to your diet, they are low calorie and pack on muscle over time.
@@curryascocarrasco4829glad you didn’t listen to that lost soul ur fine taking the 5g
I think taking pre workout regularly is totally fine. Most lifters also take creatine regularly. There are also a number of brands that sell caffeine free pre workout! Taking pre workout in a healthy way before a workout is totally legitimate!
I drink pre workout every workday. Is it to workout? No. I just like drinking tasty, convenient, cold caffeine and for ~$0.75 a day, it's cheaper than fancy alternatives
Edit: great vid!
that's a good point
L-Carnitine is not a pre-workout thing, but I like taking it before because I’ve noticed that it prevents me to feel the after workout soreness and pain it also boost ATP production on cells.
Correct me if I'm wrong, drinking several cups of coffee provides the same benefit of drinking pre-workout.
I believe caffeine may improve single lift maxes, but not your overall strength levels.
But they don't give u a nasty pump
And discarding promoting deeper caffeine dependence, then I suppose the answer could be yes
Coffee and caffeine in general will dry you out so much actually pulling away much needed water for your lift unless properly hydrated and nourished by hydrating foods. Water is the leverage for lifting weights.
Maybe if it's a bad preworkout, but there are other ingredients such as a pump complex, and ingredients that increase hydration in the muscles, decrease lactic acid buildup, and increase energy (in addition to the stims).
I like bang, its affordable straightforward simple and to the point. It doesn't require or have a bunch of unnecessary stuff in it.
I take Walmart (cheapest) pre-workout. Everything in the video is valid. My only beef with your video is beta alanine. It makes me feel tingly and I like it. Pre-workout has caffeine bcaas and beta alanine. And it’s cheap! pre-workout for the win
He said beta alanine was good
Bcaa isnt a very good selling point. You body will break down a 90 cent can of tuna into much, much more bcaas than an entire 20 dollar bottle of pre workout contains.
@@skya6863 well he was saying it’s better to take supplements separately right? So I just take one scoop of Walmart Pre-workout which has Caffeine, Beta Alanine & BCAAS. #notsponsored
@@itsPoisonn_ true
There are very few high quality pre workouts on the market. Most have ineffective dosages of the stuff they market the heaviest. I personally go for non stim pump focused formulas as it allows me to control my caffeine intake depending on my energy level or goal for the day. A good pump is definitely a huge plus for me in the gym and is something that is really easy to take in a pre workout instead of buying individual ingredients and creating my own. But if your looking for creatine, caffeine, or BCAAs I suggest taking those supplements separately as you can get effective dosages for these for much cheaper.
I definitely use preworkouts
I cant get enough from double shot espresso before the work out
But i aim for preworkouts with higher caffeine content and lower "extra something seeds"
Caffeine pills would be far far cheaper. ~240 200mg capsules are about $15
I wish they wouldn't add so much of that stimulant that makes it feel like you've got DRESS.....
I get it's supposed to make it feel like it's working, but it's hard to keep your head in a workout when it feels like your skin is a few minutes away from sloughing off.
I always trust what you say and this was very interesting. Thanks again PictureFit! Another awesome video 👍💜
Thank you!
You should do your own research, this is such bs
It's a 10 minute drive to my gym n it 100% kicks in before I get there!
What about angel dust preworkout? It gives me way more energy then coffee
but then the weights start talking behind your back
@@Psilocin-City wait, what? 😂
I actually calculated the price for each essential component, and in my country you actually can find good preworkouts on sale often that have lower cost (per gram of that substance) than buying the substances separately. I just stock up on good sales and buy multiple cans of good preworkout, so I can just use them until another sale comes on
I make my own pre workout and find it incredibly hard to be off. The caffeine is so addictive.
Just replace it with a nicotine addiction 👍
Highly. You need to instead ween or cold turkey off or caffeine and instead utilize alternating days of dopamine-boosters (L-Tyrosine or L-Dopa). and choline-boosters (CDP Choline or other nootropics). Just increasing caffeine is unsustainable for addition
@@laidbackcontent2461 \s
@@Matt-pi9jo I did a month off caffeine a few weeks back. I was grumpy and found it hard to keep up with my kids.
I use green tea and ginseng. Ashwagandha at times. Matcha. Maybe some maca in my smoothie. Don't love mushroom powders long term. Keep it simple and healthy. Buy good herbs. I feel great. Make sure you cycle ginseng and all herbs correctly.
So here’s a question for you that I haven’t been able to find an answer to.
I have ADHD and take amphetamines like Vyvanse daily to help me actually be a productive member of society.
I tried a few pre workouts that had all the ingredients that everyone loves, well respected brands, Gorilla Mind, HTLT, etc. when I take them I can feel the tingly sensation but don’t feel anything else. I don’t get the feeling that they are actively helping in my workout in any sense. A lot of people swear by them and talk about the edge it gives them but I can’t feel shit. I’m just as strong and dedicated off as I am on.
So my question is this. Are the pre workouts having the same effect as my ADHD medication? Insofar as they simply normalize me instead of boosting me up like they seem to do other people.
I’ve not been able to find much studies involving the effects of pre workouts on ADHD people.
I stopped buying them because the price was too much for any gain I wasn’t seeming to get.
Hey! Also have adhd and I'm a personal trainer and nutritionist so maybe I can shed some light. My guess is that your adhd medicine has down regulated some of the dopamine receptors. Another factor could be the "using up" of stored dopamine to where you need to produce more through nutrient intake (l-tyrosine to dopamine synthesis). (aka Adderall comedown) So overall your bodies sympathetic nervous system probably has some down regulation reducing any "feeling" of an improved workout. The non psychoactive ingredients will still work (creatine, beta alanine, l-citrulline) but like he says in the video the caffeine is responsible for that "feeling" of an improvement. I would be careful regarding combining some of these ingredients with your meds as there are quite a few interactions. Your medicine also causes vasocontriction which reduces performance so if it is in your system during a workout you could be experiencing lowered blood flow. Many factors, I hope this helps and sheds some light on it! If you have any questions feel free to reply
Edit: to add to the point that the non psychoactive ingredients are most likely still working is the fact that you feel the tingly sensation brought about from the beta alanine
@@Martarts I have adhd and I have had one which is optimum nutrition gold but just doesn’t seem that good
@@B27397 That pre-workout is pretty typical but they do disclose all the ingredients (no prop blends) which means a lot. You can ignore the vitamins in all pre-workout as they are mainly label fluff. The pre-workout is underdosed on a couple things like Beta Alanine and L-citrulline but is far from the worst I've seen. The best pre-workout with the actual clinical doses I've seen has got to be Gorilla Mode, a little pricier but everything in it has its purpose and at an efficacious dose
A hot steaming coffee before a workout is just the best while staring at your garden
Had some different pre workouts, the only thing could feel is the coffeine and the butt itches (beta-Alanine). BUT now that I tried gorilla mode I really felt different (more focus, more wanting to push myself,...)
Ahha my brother just ordered the non stim one .. I seen on UA-cam that is nutz...
Gorilla mode nitric really helps me with my workouts. I don’t feel so exhausted after a workout and I get a killer pump.
I just started using gorilla mode a couple weeks ago, leg days are much easier now than with just a coffee before hand. I tried it after I took gorilla mind for a month...idk if it was just placebo but I genuinely felt sharper on it so I figured if Derek was right about that maybe I can give something else a try and shooooo buddy this stuff is nuts!
The only one imo that's worth your buck. I took it and was able to get my 2 plate bench pr. It made me very focused.
When I had my 1st pre workout (only like a few months ago actually) I felt like freaking Bane from DC
I take it 100% for the placebo effect, having that taste and know it's time to put in some work is a good enough incentive for me, even if it is borderline pointless - the brain knows what time it is 😅
So… cocaine is better
as a daily gym goer
all your pre workout needs:
caffeine person to person based on dosage
l-citrulline 5-10grams
beta alanine at least 3grams
PreWorkout isn’t necessary at all, but can help a little bit with stamina and maybe getting a few extra reps here and there. Save your money and make your own research on the variety of supplements that are out there, to see if you’re being scammed or not. ❤️
I agree completely, and I would say that an additional benefit would be the placebo effect
got mine for half price and keep it for leg day ,its still full after 3 years 😁
I am doing exactly this he said: I bought beta-alanine and L-citruline and that's all I have before working out. Sometimes I add a cup of coffee. The thing is that L-citruline malate is kind of salt taste and makes the water taste like seltzer; but I found out that adding stevia makes the mix more palatable.
So for $30 I have 180 servings of preworkout. I am glad to see I did my research correctly 😌
My pre workout is the following: two cups of coffee, a dose of beta alinine, and water with 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt. Has been effective for me.
Can you make a video about ephedrine and EC our ECA stack? I feel like there is a lack of information on youtube about it, especially about quantities and frequency of recommended intake. Love the videos by the way. Keep’m coming!
This was a hot fat burning supplement in the 90’s called 30+ . Contains pretty high doses of ephedrine caffeine and asperine, together it created higher body temperature and higher heartbeat which results in burning fat. Because of the ephedrine it was forbidden. The stuff was awesome and you had to be careful saw people taking too much of this stuff and they went tripping. I knew guys who were selling those by the pill on parties haha.
Check if you can find the original list of ingredients.
The same with the original stacker.
Never thought I needed pre workout until I started crashing at the start of leg day. Did some deep digging, hated all the options I saw on the market so I bought some bulk powders and blate papes and haven't looked back.
Don't know how y'all do a cup of coffee before working out because the acid in that would tear me up if I tried that as a pre!
LMAOO THE INTRO IS SO FUNNY
Man, I'm 39, and I've been purchasing preworkout since 21 cycling on and off.
Wasted so much $$$.
Ice water does the trick I learned.
Here is a TLDR, just buy a preworkout that has L-Citrulline, Beta-Alanine, Caffeine (dose dependent) and the optional Creatine.
some pre workouts are like this, there are a few that are very transparent
Beta alanin makes you feel tingly. Well doesed i like the feeling, with citrulin and arginine you can mix your own simple pre-workout
You get used to it
Those labels be lying. I take my pre-workout right after work. On my 11min drive to the gym it kicks in.
And the ad played half way through was for ON Pre workout. Haha, that was funny.
You left out a few key things offered by pre workout. Some ingredients in pre workouts offer a boost in mood and focus. That’s the main reason I take it before every single workout. If I can get 100% locked in and focused for a workout, the quality of my workouts are so much better and resulting in more gains in the long run. While a lot of pre workout brands don’t offer a high enough dosage in these ingredients to be effective, finding a brand that does makes a huge difference. Therefore I really recommend pre workout. Just my option however. The rest of the stuff in the video I agree with
i take pre with DMAA in it its pretty effective for focus energy and pump
I got hooked on caffeine free pre-workout not because of any noticeable enhancement, but because that flavorrrr. Straight up watermelon flavored crack powder. Pump surge yummmnm
Same but mine has caffeine and I'm a caffeine addict
'Brings back Mufasa' with the sound effect had me laughing my a** off. :D
I love you're back!
I typically buy 90% of my supplements in a drug store, it's much cheaper than buying in a body building shop, the only supplement I buy there is creatine, because n/a elsewhere.i typically buy single ingredient supplements (2 ingredients tops) without any flavors. The only pre-work-out I take is a big nice cup of black coffee 20 minutes before I walk to the gym (about 45 minutes before the actual workout)
HILARIOUS! and informative! I love you!
If I buy a pre-workout i make sure it has a specific ingredient list. I prefer when they have alpha GPC and a moderate amount of caffeine because with the nitric oxide precursors if there’s too much caffeine I feel like dying and punching people, but not in a way that I can direct towards the workout
The algorithm did well here! Great video and digestible information! Thank you
Next topic should be "Extreme fat burners" another fitness mambo jumbo where people throw their money at. Great video and great comeback , thank you very much for the info
thats why i mix my own with: beta alanine 8g, betaine 4g, citruline 8g , ecaa 8g, creatin hcl 3g, L-carnitine Tartrat 3g, l-arginin alpha-ketoglutarat 1.5g, taurine 3g and drink 2 esspresos
I've been buying the stuff I want in a preworkout in bulk separately now. Save tons of money and get the ingredients I want at the dosages I want. BY FAR the best way to go.
Well explained, can you do a video or explain the benefits of DHEA
PictureFit has such a lovely and relaxing voice. Idk but does anyone agree with this? Every time I watch one of his videos his voice makes me feel more chill
Haha thanks!
Really good video, i jus bought a pre and was wondering what makes it work 😔 I bought the stim free, at least I have a good plastic box so when I run out i can mix my own
I took C4 pre workout to get focused. And it worked. For a couple of weeks until my body got used to it
I make my own pre-work out. I combine caffeine Theanine and citrulline. I plan to add beta alanine soon.
Preworkouts like to put in creatine because people know it's good, even though it doesn't do anything short term like a preworkout is meant to help you with.
i make my own PRE. I use citruline malate in 1:1 ratio so i take 20g (10 g pure citruline), salt: something like half a gram +, caffein 200mg-300, l-tyrosine around 1-1,5 g. When caffein becomes less potent i take it out and same with l-tyrosine until the tolerance is gone and it kicks again. I probably save alot on buying the crude porduct + i can fully control the ammount myself.