November 11, 2020

Not all pre-workout ingredients are equal! In fact, many of them are unhealthy, and in some cases, even dangerous. Here at LFTD. Lifestyle, we’re proud to offer the healthiest pre-workout supplements that support your active lifestyle and keep it sustainable long-term. Read on to discover the worst and best pre-workout ingredients so you can avoid complications, stay healthy, and reach your full athletic potential.

Avoid: Proprietary Blends

“Proprietary blend” is just a fancy way of saying “secret recipe.” Supplement companies aren’t required to disclose the exact amount of ingredients they use, so if the label includes a proprietary blend, you should be immediately skeptical.

As a consumer, you have the right to know exactly which pre-workout ingredients you’re putting into your body, and that includes the exact dosages. Label transparency should be your first priority when seeking out new supplements. If the ingredients and dosages aren’t transparent, move along. The risk just isn’t worth it.

Avoid: DMAA

It’s no secret that pre-workout supplements are formulated to deliver energy. The problem is that some companies will use dangerous drugs to provide more stimulation than their competitors— regardless of the risks. One example of this is DMAA, or methylhexanamine, a stimulant that acts similarly to the adrenaline that the body releases during stressful moments.

As you might expect, pre-workout ingredients that provide excessive stimulation can be quite harmful, especially when used frequently. Here are some of the potential side effects associated with DMAA:

  • Rapid heart rate
  • Shortness of breath
  • Tightening of the chest
  • Heart attack/stroke
  • Light-headedness/loss of consciousness
  • Cold sweats
  • Dehydration
  • Nervousness/anxiety/irritability/depression

Avoid: Yohimbe

As you seek out the healthiest pre-workout supplements, be sure to avoid products that contain yohimbe. Yohimbe is a tree that grows in West African jungles. The bark has been used as an aphrodisiac, which eventually led to it becoming a popular addition to pre-workouts. Like many pre-workout ingredients, the benefits of yohimbe have been debunked, and these are the potential side effects:

  • Insomnia
  • Dizziness
  • Anxiety
  • Nausea
  • Increased blood pressure/heartbeat

Avoid: Long Lists of Unfamiliar Ingredients

A man lifting weights at the gym

As a general rule of thumb, if a pre-workout contains ‘everything but the kitchen sink,’ you should probably avoid it, and especially if you’ve never heard of a lot of those ingredients. When it comes to supplements, bigger is not always better. Quality supplements focus on just the good stuff, rather than including cheap filler ingredients that don’t provide legitimate benefits.

Choose: Caffeine

Caffeine is one of the most popular pre-workout ingredients for a reason. As long as you don’t overdo it, caffeine is a safe stimulant that boosts energy, focus, clarity, and motivation. At the same time, excessive amounts of caffeine can be detrimental to your health, so it’s best to avoid pre-workout supplements with more than 300mg of caffeine. Here are some of the lesser-known benefits associated with caffeine:

  • Breaks down fat cells
  • Boosts natural adrenaline levels
  • Elevates body temperature so you burn more calories
  • Boosts endorphins for a natural “runner’s high”

Choose: Vitamins

Vitamins are some of the best pre-workout ingredients simply because they keep you healthy! As you learn about pre-workout ingredients, you’ll find that enhancing your long-term health is the key to lasting gains, especially if you’re not getting your daily vitamin requirements in your diet. For example, increasing your vitamin B intake can increase your overall energy levels, while taking vitamin C boosts your immune system so you can avoid getting sick.

Choose: Beta-Alanine

Beta-alanine is an amino acid that your body converts into chemicals that promote lean muscle growth. Additionally, beta-alanine can increase endurance so you can exercise for longer without feeling sore and fatigued. After ingesting beta-alanine, your body turns it into carsonine, an important molecule that gets stored in your cells and released as needed to balance your body’s pH levels.

Choose: L-Citrulline Malate

L-citrulline malate is one of the most popular pre-workout ingredients because it gives you that ‘pumped-up’ feeling. Like beta-alanine, it’s a nonessential amino acid that your body can produce on its own, however, boosting citrulline levels can offer a number of benefits. In addition to promoting muscle growth, increasing NO2 levels, and improving blood flow, citrulline is unique in that it helps rid your body of toxins.

Choose: L-Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate (AAKG)

L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate, or AAKG, is a salt derived from the amino acid arginine and alpha-ketoglutaric acid. Like citrulline, AAKG increases nitric oxide levels so you get ‘the pump.’ AAKG also increases blood flow so your muscles receive the oxygen and nutrients needed to grow and recover. AAKG works synergistically with other pre-workout ingredients, especially other nonessential amino acids.

Try Our Natural Pre-Workout Supplements

A man admiring his large, pumped-up muscles

If you’re on the hunt for the healthiest pre-workout without sacrificing performance, we have you covered! Our workout supplements are always made in the USA using clean ingredients. We’re transparent with our ingredients, and these are the same professional-grade formulations used by our founder, Brenton Simmons. Our pre-workout supplements are potent, but they also boost your healthy lifestyle. That’s a win-win.

We proudly offer two unique pre-workout formulas. Our classic Get LFTD. formula is perfect for new and experienced athletes alike, and it boasts a mouthwatering dragon fruit flavor and premium pre-workout ingredients. For those seeking something with even more power, our MAX PRE is a fantastic choice. It’s everything you love about Get LFTD., only cranked up a notch.

Build Your Own Stack Today

Our pre-workout supplements are just the tip of the iceberg. We invite you to build your own stack and enjoy free U.S. shipping on orders $99+. We also carry health boosters that keep you feeling your best so you can keep pushing the limits day after day and year after year.

Our customers keep coming back because they recognize our commitment to using only the best pre-workout ingredients. We’re confident in our products, and that’s why we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Not satisfied? Just send it back for a full refund. Order pre-workout supplements at LFTD. Lifestyle today, and experience the difference firsthand.


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