Check out this article on TheSportWriter.com which answers the all-important question – can you take pre workout on an empty stomach?
Do you like hitting the gym in the morning but can’t stand the feeling of having a full stomach before you do? You’re certainly not alone.
If you work out regularly on an empty stomach, then chances are there have been times when you have hit a wall and run out of energy—taking a pre-workout supplement before your workout could be the solution.
Although pre-workouts seem like a great idea, giving you some much-needed energy to help you work harder, the idea of taking supplements on an empty stomach is not always the most attractive proposition.
Indeed, some may worry that the very fact of taking it on an empty stomach could do more harm than good and prefer to eat before a workout instead.
So, can you take pre-workout on an empty stomach? The answer is yes, as long as you are careful about the ingredients.
Continue reading as we look into the impact of taking a pre-workout supplement on an empty stomach so you can decide whether it’s right for you.
Is Working Out On An Empty Stomach Good For You?
While some fitness freaks swear by fasted exercise (training on an empty stomach), there are just as many who advocate eating a light pre-workout meal. It all comes down to personal preference.
Working out on an empty stomach can help you burn more fat and help you lose weight, but it can have some adverse side effects.
Working out in a fasted state (either early morning or 2 to 3 hours after eating) could result in you experiencing the dreaded ‘bonk’ – the term used by athletes for the sudden feeling of light-headedness and lethargy resulting from low blood sugar. It is not a pleasant feeling and is to be avoided at all costs!
Luckily, this shouldn’t be an issue if you choose a high-quality pre-workout supplement containing only natural ingredients backed by scientific research.
Benefits Of Taking a Pre-Workout
The blend of vitamins and minerals in a pre-workout, as well as the inclusion of ingredients such as L-citrulline (a naturally occurring amino acid that boosts blood flow to the muscles), increases your energy levels to make you work harder and at a higher intensity.
L-Citrulline can also help you build muscle by giving you that extra push to complete more reps – thus maximizing your post-workout muscle pump and, over time, increasing your muscle mass.
Other ingredients such as red beetroot powder are also hugely beneficial pre-workout ingredients, as it is known to provide a nitric oxide rush that can take your workout performance to a whole new level.
Regardless of the supplement you choose, taking a pre-workout on an empty stomach could maximize its effects as it will be absorbed into your bloodstream faster.
With no food in your digestive tract to compete with, all those lovely vitamins and minerals can start to work their magic more quickly, which is good news for your workout!
Ingredients To Watch Out For
Most pre-workouts are designed to be taken on an empty stomach, but you need to be mindful of certain ingredients so you can avoid any unpleasant side effects.
Typically, a pre-workout will contain caffeine to increase your energy and focus. Taken on an empty stomach, this will hit your system super-fast, so if you are sensitive to caffeine, watch out!
Caffeine can cause jitters and energy crashes even after you’ve eaten a meal, so side effects such as these might be more severe if you aren’t careful.
Thankfully, there are stim-free pre-workout supplements you can choose from, as well as products that contain a moderate dose of caffeine (less than 100mg), as opposed to a megadose of 200mg or more per serving you’ll find in certain pre-workouts on the market.
Poorer quality pre-workout supplements may also contain synthetic additives or artificial sweeteners, which can cause unpleasant side effects such as gastric distress [1]. So, it’s worth doing your research so you can avoid such products and choose a natural pre-workout instead.
It is also worth remembering that if you do end up suffering the effects of low blood sugar after a fasted workout, a pre-workout will not magically ease the dizziness and nausea; it is more likely to make it worse. The key aspect of a pre-workout is the ‘pre’!!
Click here to discover the best caffeine-free and low-caffeine pre-workouts on the market
Conclusion – Can You Take Pre Workout On An Empty Stomach?
If you prefer to exercise on an empty stomach, but feel like you need an energy boost to help you work harder, then taking a pre-workout could be the perfect solution.
Taking it on an empty stomach is highly unlikely to harm you unless you’re sensitive to any of the ingredients. It may even intensify the ingredients’ effects, helping you work harder for longer. In which case, taking it before your first meal of the day could be a win, win!
Just be sure to choose a pre-workout with natural, science-backed ingredients and one that’s not overloaded with stimulants, and you’ll be good to go!
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