Why You Should Consider a Natural Pre Workout

Have you been comparing labels on pre-workout supplements and can’t decide if natural or synthetic is the way to go? Natural pre-workout supplements offer many advantages over synthetics, from being more effective to having fewer side effects. If you’re on the hunt for a high-quality pre-workout, here’s why natural pre-workout supplements are worth considering. 

What Does a Pre-Workout Supplement Do?

Pre-workout supplements are popular among fitness enthusiasts of all levels, from those just finding their footing in a regular fitness routine, to seasoned endurance athletes. As the name suggests, a pre-workout supplement is taken or consumed about thirty minutes before working out, with the goal of enhancing performance and seeing improved results from your efforts. 

Pre-workout supplements are formulated with layers of ingredients, each with a distinct purpose in supporting your fitness journey. A good quality pre-workout supplement works in multiple ways to improve your workout. It should reduce fatigue, help you focus, and improve performance, allowing you to set the bar higher and higher each time you exercise. 

The effectiveness of a pre-workout is wrapped up in the quality of the ingredients. There are many pre-workout supplements on the market today, but they are far from being created equal. Some lesser-quality supplements are nothing more than glorified caffeine pills with synthetic fillers and unnecessary ingredients added in. 

A high-quality pre-workout offers a more complete benefit profile, which includes vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that are purposeful in supporting overall health and performance. This is exactly what natural pre-workout supplements offer. 

Introduction to the World of Natural Pre-Workout Supplements 

The supplement industry in general has seen a growing trend toward products that are natural and organic. Pre-workout supplements have been part of this movement, with more people realizing the value and benefits of choosing natural over artificial or synthetic supplements. Natural pre-workout supplements are formulated with ingredients that are found naturally, whether from plants, animals, or other natural sources. This is in contrast to synthetic ingredients, which are human-made chemicals that are created in a laboratory. 

Some synthetic ingredients are created to mimic the mechanisms of action found in natural ingredients. While the chemical structure may be similar to the natural ingredient it is attempting to mimic, the effects are often different. For example, natural pre-workout supplements are often more bioavailable, meaning they are absorbed and utilized more quickly and completely than their synthetic counterparts. 

Natural ingredients are more predictable in their effects. While there are differences in quality depending on where, when, and how they were sourced, natural ingredients have consistent chemical structure. Synthetic ingredients can vary widely depending on how they are manufactured. 

So, what does this mean for your pre-workout supplement? It means that natural is the way to go if you’re looking for consistent, predictable results and want to optimize your workout as fully as possible. 

Benefits of Natural Ingredients in Pre-Workout Supplements 

For some, synthetic pre-workout supplements are more attractive because they’re generally priced lower. The labeling makes it easy to think that the synthetic ingredients inside will be just as effective as the natural ingredients found in a higher-cost product. 

However, synthetic supplements being less expensive isn’t something that’s true across the board. The cost of manufacturing synthetic ingredients can, in some cases, be more costly than sourcing them naturally. For this reason, we recommend not using price alone as a factor in deciding whether a supplement is natural and of high quality. 

Once you move beyond just price alone, there are numerous benefits to choosing pre-workout supplements with natural ingredients. 

Lower Risk of Side Effects: While even natural ingredients can come with side effects, and can interact dangerously with certain medications or health conditions, they are still generally considered safer than synthetic ingredients. 

There’s a level of unknown with synthetic ingredients, and there may be more side effects as a result. The last thing you want is to feel nauseous, have a pounding headache, or experience an allergic reaction just as you’re entering the zone of your workout. 

Excess synthetic caffeine is an example of an ingredient you won’t find in natural pre-workout supplements. Synthetic caffeine is metabolized differently in the body, and instead of a smooth increase in energy and focus, the boost hits faster and causes severe jitters and other side effects. 

Improved Bioavailability: The human body knows what to do with natural ingredients, good or bad. Natural ingredients are more easily metabolized by the body, which means you receive fuller benefits for your workout. Whether it’s increased energy and focus, or a strong pump for your muscles, you’re more likely to achieve predictable results from natural pre-workout supplements. 

Higher Antioxidant Content: There has been a lot of talk about antioxidants in recent years, and the many benefits they provide for overall health and wellness. Antioxidants play an important role in a pre-workout supplement. They can help reduce the oxidative stress that is associated with exercise, and support muscles by reducing fatigue, help support faster recovery, and minimize muscle soreness. 

In the long term, antioxidants can support your fitness routine and healthy lifestyle by improving immune function, reducing inflammation, and offering a level of protection against many chronic diseases. 

While it is possible to produce synthetic antioxidants, they are hardly known for all the wonderful beneficial properties of naturally occurring antioxidants. Some synthetic antioxidants are known as carcinogenic, endocrine disruptors, and have cytotoxicity – meaning they act purposefully to kill cells and disrupt cellular DNA. This is a prime example of the importance of knowing whether the ingredients in your pre-workout supplement are naturally sourced or synthetic. 

More Supportive for Overall Health: natural pre-workout supplements are more likely to contain ingredients that support overall health by offering additional health benefits. Vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients are common ingredients in natural pre-workout supplements, and their benefits extend far beyond the gym.

If you are taking a pre-workout that’s loaded with vitamins and nutrients, keep this in mind when taking other supplements. It’s possible that you could unknowingly double up daily dosages. This might not be an issue if it happens once or twice, but continually exceeding the daily recommendation of vitamins and supplements can cause negative side effects. 

Natural Vs Synthetic Pre-Workout Supplements: A Quick Comparison 

Here are a few ways that natural pre-workout supplements stand out against synthetic options. 

Naturally Sourced Ingredients: Natural pre-workout supplements contain ingredients that are derived from natural sources, while synthetic supplements contain laboratory-made chemicals/ 

Chemical Structure: The human body responds intuitively to the chemical structure of natural ingredients, whereas synthetic ingredients can appear foreign to the body. 

Bioavailability: Natural supplements are more easily absorbed by the body, while synthetic pre-workouts are less bioavailable, which means a lot of product (and your money) is wasted. 

Manufacturing Process: Natural pre-workout supplements are manufactured using more traditional processes that involve the extraction of the active ingredient from the original, natural source material. The process varies depending on the type of source material. Even in large manufacturing plants, the extraction process is one that has withstood the test of time. 

Sustainability: Natural substances are often considered to be more sustainable than their synthetic counterparts. While both natural and synthetic pre-workout supplements require a level of processing and manufacturing, there is generally less with natural pre-workouts. 

How To Use Natural Pre-Workout Supplements 

The best time to take a natural pre-workout supplement is about thirty minutes before you work out. This gives the supplement enough time to begin working, and the effects will also continue to build over the next hour or so. 

Some people choose to take their pre-workout supplements during times when they have zero intention of exercising. For example, before a big presentation, exam, or other scenario where laser-sharp focus and energy are needed. 

While this is fine occasionally, it’s not something that should become a habit. The synergistic blend of nutrients in natural pre-workouts is designed to enhance physical and mental performance, as well as support recovery. There are likely better alternatives if it’s strictly energy or mental clarity you need for work, school, or other purposes outside of fitness. 

It’s important to take the pre-workout supplement as directed, ensuring that the proper dose and administration are used. Doubling up on a pre-workout won’t necessarily double the effects. In fact, it’s more likely to just double any negative side effects. On the flip side, make sure that you’re taking enough to achieve the results you want. It’s fine to start with a dose that’s lower than recommended, but you won’t achieve the full range of benefits. 

Most pre-workout supplements are in the form of powders that should be mixed with water or another type of liquid. There has been a trend lately where pre-workout supplements are taken dry, by the scoop or spoonful, and then chased with water. This is NOT the way these supplements should be taken. 

The water is factored into how the supplement is absorbed and metabolized. Consuming dry powder without adequate liquid can cause serious side effects, especially if there is caffeine involved. 

Finally, consider the time of day when taking your natural pre-workout supplement. With stim supplements that contain caffeine or other stimulants, the earlier in the day you take them, the better. Using high stim supplements in the afternoon or evening can lead to sleep disturbances, which are counterproductive to all of your healthy lifestyle efforts. 

If you want to take a natural pre-workout supplement in the afternoon or evening, choose a low-stim or zero-stim option instead. Low-stim pre-workouts should contain 100 mg or less of caffeine, which is roughly equivalent to a cup of coffee. If it’s late enough in the day that a cup of coffee would disrupt your sleep, it’s too late to take any pre-workout supplement with caffeine. 

Natural Doesn’t Guarantee Safety 

The word “natural” creates a pretty picture of something that is gentle and safe. While natural pre-workout supplements are generally considered more safe than synthetic supplements, there are still potential risks to be aware of. 

For example, even low-stim supplements can contain up to a cup of coffee with of caffeine. Individuals who are sensitive to the effects of caffeine and other stimulants should avoid these supplements entirely, and choose one that provides an energy boost through other natural ingredients. 

Natural ingredients can also interact with certain medications and health conditions. For example, natural pre-workouts that contain ashwagandha are great for supporting relaxation and recovery after an intense workout. However, pre-workouts with ashwagandha are considered contraindicated with thyroid disease, diabetes, and pregnancy, as well as with people who are taking benzodiazepine medications. 

To summarize, just because a supplement is natural doesn’t mean that it’s safe for everyone. This is why the standard disclaimer of “check with your healthcare provider” is actually an important piece of advice. 

Final Thoughts

Natural pre-workout supplements offer many benefits and are generally safer and more effective than synthetic pre-workouts currently on the market. Natural pre-workout supplements are formulated to support your body and fitness goals in many different ways. 

This isn’t to say that there’s not a quality synthetic pre-workout supplement out there, but this is definitely a case where natural is almost always better. Still, it’s a personal choice, and it’s your responsibility as a consumer to be your own advocate, learn about the ingredients in your pre-workout supplements, and make informed decisions.