Does Pre-Workout Help You Lose Weight?

Does pre-workout help you lose weight? Well, it’s a yes and a no… Find out more by reading this article at TheSportWriter.com

If you are on a weight loss journey, you will undoubtedly be familiar with the frustration of slaving away at the gym only to see your weight loss plateau, which can make you feel like all your effort is in vain. 

Getting stronger and fitter is great, but if you want to lose weight and see slow or no results, it is easy to feel de-moralized.

For this very reason, gym-goers are exploring the effects that a pre-workout could have on their weight loss. Pre-workout drinks and pills often contain ingredients that increase your energy levels, helping you work harder for longer.

Sounds good, right? But do pre-workouts help you lose weight? The simple answer is, maybe!

Pre-Workout Ingredients – What to Look Out For

So, what are these magical ingredients in a pre-workout that could help you lose weight? One of the most common ingredients in a pre-workout formula is beta-alanine, a non-essential amino acid that enables you to push that little bit harder with increased endurance during your workouts.

Depending on the formula you choose, you may also find ingredients such as beetroot powder, I-citrulline, and almost always caffeine unless it’s a stim-free product.

Anyone who needs a coffee to function in the morning knows that caffeine increases your focus and stamina, which is also true of its effect on your workout. Nitrates are another common ingredient in pre-workouts as they improve oxygen and blood flow to the muscles. 

Combining these ingredients gives you the energy to increase your workout’s intensity, which helps you burn more calories.

Discover the Best Caffeine Free And Low Caffeine Pre Workouts

Alternatives to Pre-Workout Supplements

If the idea of consuming a pre-workout supplement before your workout doesn’t float your boat, there are many alternatives available that could work just as well when it comes to ramping up your fat burning potential and getting you pumped up for your workout.

For example, drinking a plain black coffee before your training can give your metabolism a boost of energy, which could help you shave those extra few seconds of that 5K. Best of all, this will contain no calories if you don’t add sugar, creamer, etc.

If you can’t stomach a cup of coffee, then caffeine pills offer the same amount of caffeine as an average cup of coffee. But to err on the side of caution, I’d suggest steering clear of supplements containing a caffeine megadose of 200mg+ per serving.

More definitely isn’t better when it comes to your caffeine intake! Instead, I’d recommend sticking with low-dose caffeine pills such as Performance Lab Stim, which come with 50mg per serving, allowing you safely up your dose if you feel you need an extra boost.

Green tea is another proven stimulant for your metabolism, which might be a good option for those wanting to avoid caffeine. And don’t forget that many athletes swear by the natural energy boost a humble banana can provide pre-workout!

Final Thoughts – Does Pre-Workout Help You Lose Weight?

On its own, pre-workout supplements like Pre Lab Pro will not help you lose weight, but it could help you train harder for longer and, therefore, could indirectly help you burn more calories and lose weight.

At the end of the day, weight loss comes down to eating a healthy, well-balanced diet and maintaining a consistent calorie deficit, i.e., burning more than you consume. Tracking calories in and calories out is the best way to determine whether you are on the right path to losing weight. 

If shifting fat is your aim, then taking a fat burner first thing in the morning might be a more effective route to fat loss, although they can come with some unappealing side-effects, so tread with caution!

Ultimately, although a pre-workout could help you reach your fitness goals and may help you lose weight by giving your metabolism a boost, they offer no more benefits than you can get from eating proper food before a workout.

So, be sure to do your due diligence and opt for a pre-workout supplement containing the right ingredients that can help you on your weight loss journey. Other than that, just stick to that banana and maybe throw a cup of coffee in for good measure!