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Is Pre Workout Healthier Than Coffee?
Attaining optimal workout performance requires many components; getting enough restful sleep before bed, eating healthily during the day and scheduling in time for mobility work and recovery is all key – however sometimes more energy may be necessary in order to reach your gym goals, and coffee or pre-workout may provide that boost – but which option is healthier?
Coffee makes an excellent pre-workout choice due to its caffeine content. Caffeine acts as a natural stimulant that activates your central nervous system, increasing alertness and energy levels while improving mental focus, making it the perfect option for exercise sessions before or after long work days at the office.
To maximize the effects of caffeine, aim to drink a cup of coffee approximately 60 minutes prior to any physical activity, so as to feel its peak effect and prepare for training. Make sure your cup does not include extras like added sugar or cream that could block its effectiveness.
Pre-workout supplements may not necessarily be healthier than coffee, but they may offer additional ergogenic benefits that coffee simply cannot offer. Aside from caffeine, many pre-workouts contain ingredients like creatine and nitric oxide that increase blood flow and oxygen delivery to muscles; furthermore, some pre-workouts include amino acids like L-glutamine to facilitate recovery after intense training sessions.
Pre-workout supplements not only have ergogenic benefits, but can also offer other nutritional advantages. Some pre-workouts contain electrolytes like sodium, potassium and magnesium which support nerve conductions and muscle and heart contractions as well as antioxidants which support muscular endurance while decreasing the risk of exercise-related muscle damage.
Not consuming caffeine close to bedtime should also be avoided in order to ensure proper restful restful sleep. Furthermore, caffeine may lead to digestive discomfort in some people; cycling your intake (spending some days without it before returning back on it again) may help mitigate such discomforts.
