{"id":1664,"date":"2025-02-17T14:48:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-17T03:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/movewithnicole.com.au\/blog\/are-pre-workout-supplements-and-energy-drinks-the-same.html"},"modified":"2025-02-17T14:48:01","modified_gmt":"2025-02-17T03:48:01","slug":"are-pre-workout-supplements-and-energy-drinks-the-same","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/movewithnicole.com.au\/blog\/are-pre-workout-supplements-and-energy-drinks-the-same.html","title":{"rendered":"Are Pre-Workout Supplements and Energy Drinks the Same?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Smartphone, smart keys, smart cards \u2014 you wouldn\u2019t leave home without them (assuming you\u2019re leaving home at all these days). We live in a world of next-level products designed to help us live more efficiently and realize our goals more effectively. Why shouldn\u2019t that extend to what we put in our bodies before a workout? If you\u2019re trying to decide between an energy drink or a pre-workout formulation, it\u2019s important to know which one is the smartest option. Is pre-workout the same as energy drinks? Let\u2019s find out.<\/p>\n<h2>What\u2019s the Difference Between Energy Drinks and Pre-Workouts?<\/h2>\n<p>The main difference between energy drinks and pre-workout supplements is their goals. Energy drinks are designed to give you a quick pick-me-up, while pre-workouts are specifically designed to make your workout more effective.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGenerally, both products will energize, but pre-workout [formulas] are more poised for endurance and extending time to fatigue,\u201d says Katie Webb, an ACE-certified fitness trainer in New York City.<\/p>\n<p>Pre-workout formulas, Webb adds, are not solely focused on stimulation from caffeine.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor example, ingredients like\u00a0beetroot\u00a0in pre-workout powders are used to\u00a0help with muscle endurance as they\u2019re rich in nitrates (dilators of blood vessels), which help blood travel through the body more easily,\u201d she says. \u201cCognitive ingredients like L-theanine (found in green tea) are also often included to provide a more alert focus.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>Which Should I Use Before I Work Out?<\/h2>\n<p>The answer to that question is like choosing a pair of sneakers to wear out of the house. A pair of slip-ons are a comfortable way to walk from point A to B. But if you\u2019re going on a five-mile run, you\u2019ll get better support from a pair of running shoes.<\/p>\n<p>It makes sense that if you\u2019re working out, you may want to consume the beverage that\u2019s tailor-made for exercise, but let\u2019s look at some specifics.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>What Are the Benefits of Pre-Workout vs. Energy Drinks?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p>Pre-workout drinks are specifically designed to help maximize your workout.<\/p>\n<p>For example,\u00a0Beachbody Performance Energize\u00a0includes:*<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Beta-alanine, which helps delay muscle burn and reduces fatigue.<\/li>\n<li>Low-dose caffeine to help improve reaction time and focus.<\/li>\n<li>Quercetin to help improve endurance and delay exercise-induced muscle fatigue.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When taken as directed, Energize pre-workout \u201ccontains about as much caffeine as you\u2019d find in a cup of coffee,\u201d says Trevor Thieme, C.S.C.S. \u201cCaffeine is one of the few well-researched performance-enhancing aids, but you don\u2019t need it in high doses.\u201d*<\/p>\n<p>Another advantage of pre-workout formulations is their versatility \u2014 many are designed to be taken alone (mixed into a glass of water) or added to your favorite recipes for smoothies. If you\u2019re looking for some tasty inspiration, try this pre-workout gummies recipe with Beachbody Performance Energize.<\/p>\n<p>Energy drinks\u2019 sole concern is amping you up.<\/p>\n<p>To that end, they may include significantly more caffeine and sugar, which focus on energy \u2014 not muscle response \u2014 plus artificial colors and other chemicals.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>Can You Use Energy Drinks for Workouts?<\/h2>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-148137\" src=\"https:\/\/bod-blog-assets.prod.cd.beachbodyondemand.com\/bod-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/23185656\/is-pre-workout-the-same-as-energy-drinks-cans.png\" alt=\"energy drink cans overhead view | is pre workout the same as energy drinks\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>You can, but they may not be as effective.<\/p>\n<p>The difference between a pre-workout and an energy drink is that a good pre-workout should have some nutritional value, meaning it has additional nutrients intended to power the workout,\u00a0says Robert Herbst, a 19-time champion powerlifter and an official at the Rio Olympics. \u201cIt should not rely just on caffeine.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>According to the FDA, 400mg of caffeine is a safe daily limit for healthy adults. That\u2019s about as much as four to five cups of coffee.<\/p>\n<p>Many energy drinks contain significantly more caffeine, in addition to sugar, which means they can set you up for a quick energy spike but then can lead to a crash. Many pre-workouts are formulated to avoid that crash and contain ingredients to help you get the most out of your workouts.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAn energy drink usually just has caffeine and maybe sugar,\u201d adds Herbst. \u201cSome have B-complex vitamins, although those alone without a meal are basically useless. The key with both is that if they contain caffeine, you have to watch your total caffeine load for the day as you may have caffeine from other sources.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.<\/p>\n<p>\t<script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Smartphone, smart keys, smart cards \u2014 you wouldn\u2019t leave home without them (assuming you\u2019re leaving home at all these days). We live in a world of next-level products designed to help us live more efficiently and realize our goals more effectively. Why shouldn\u2019t that extend to what we put in our bodies before a workout? 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