Many caffeine-free pre-workouts say that yes – but we’ll put it to test in this article, to let you see if they’re worth the hype or not. 

We’ll teach you why you should take out the caffeine, the stimulants present in caffeine-free alternatives and what are the best pre-workouts of this type on the market. 

Why Take Out the Caffeine and When to Choose a Non-Caffeine Pre Workout? 

If you’re doing alright with caffeine, you should stick to it. Truth be told, they work well for many athletes, gym-goers and people who want an extra edge in their workouts. 

If you’re looking for a sign to switch to a caffeine-free alternative, watch out for the following negative effects:

1. Jittery behavior
2. Problems falling sleep and decreased sleep quality
3. Impulsive behavior
4. Increased blood pressure
5. Increased Anxiety 
6. Lack of focus and attention issues

It usually happens when you take a caffeine pre-workout 2-3 hours before going to bed as it disrupts your circadian rhythm (source), but it can happen even if you take it during the day.

In persons with heart health problems, it’d be a good idea to replace it because it can increase the chances of suffering a heart attack (source).

In addition, if you want to cycle off caffeine – then it’s the logical route. 

If you’re already experiencing such effects and you feel it’s time for a change – welcome caffeine-free pre-workouts. Especially good if you work out at the end of the day. 

Are There Still Stimulants in Non-Caffeine Pre-Workout?

To replace the effects of caffeine, they use other ingredients that offer the same or very similar benefits – all while minimizing the risks. 

They are not to be confused with stimulants, as they don’t produce serious sympathomimetic effects, and hence, they don’t affect deeply the brain and behavior (source).

They usually contain the following ingredients:

1. Taurine: Improves anaerobic lactic metabolism, and hence, can boost the performance of training sessions (source) and it can induce focus and better cognitive performance thanks to reducing stress levels – to the level of being called a “wonder molecule” (source)
2. Citrulline: It enhances sports performance and improves subjective perceptions on muscle soreness and perceived exertion after a training session (source)
3. Tyrosine: It boosts focus and working memory by reducing stress (source), it improves psychomotor skills, dexterity and coordination by boosting cognitive flexibility (source) and it improves performance under stressful situation thanks to increasing the levels and concentration of adrenaline, norepinephrine and dopamine

As you can see, such stimulants replace perfectly well the physiological and psychological effects of caffeine – now let’s dive into the best options available on the market. 

They haven’t reported serious negative effects as caffeine – and hence they’re labeled as stimulant free pre workout. 

What Are the Best Caffeine Free Pre Workouts?

Now that you know the benefits of  a non stimulant pre workout, it’s time to see what are the best options on the market right now. 

They’re all cxcellent for strength training, endurance training and any type of sport because their formulas feature ingredients that improve strength and even enhance recovery.  

Below, a direct review for each. 

#1 – Stimulant Free Pre-Kaged Pre Workout by Kaged Muscle

It is a powerful blend of patented ingredients such as Creatine HCl, CarnoSyn® beta-alanine and a betaine extract – BetaPower®. It increases focus, alertness, endurance, pumps, improves performance and more without the jittery of caffeine. 

It comes with a 32gr scoop for a massive dose to experience the effects of the pre-workout right on time. 

#2 – STIM-FREE Pre-Workout by Transparent Labs

A combination of citrulline malate, BCAA, beta-alanine, taurine and tyrosine at clinically effective doses – to let the effects kick in soon after taking it and make them prevail during your workout.

Thanks to its entire composition of 13 active ingredient it can increase the nitric oxide to the muscle to take your performance to the next level while improving focus and alertness.

With 23gr per serving – you’ll bring your body and mind the necessary boost to kill it in every single training session. 

#3 – Post JYM Recovery and Active BCAAs Powder by JYM Supplement Science

The stimulant-free pre-workout by JYM Supplement Science features a formula that contains BCAAs, creatine, carnosyn beta-alanine, betaine, L-carnitine and taurine to give your muscles and mind the boost you need.

With 21gr per serving – you’ll allow the ingredients to do their job, which is to enhance your physical and mental performance to break through any plateau. Anytime.

Closing Down

Now you know everything about caffeine free pre workout – but if you have questions, let us know in the comments. We’ll answer them to help you to pick the ideal stimulant free pre workout for you.

The post Caffeine Free Pre-Workout: Are Stimulant Free Pre-Workouts Worth the Hype? appeared first on Supplement Science.

Eat Before A Workout

In my early years of weight lifting, I didn’t care about putting food in your stomach before training. It’s because it was a dumb idea that to get abs or develop a muscle, I must be lean or thin during a workout.

That’s not half bad because there is some truth to it. If you want your abs to appear, you need to reach a certain body fat percentage. But overall, it still was a silly idea.

Our body burns calories when we exercise, and if we don’t eat quality foods at least 1 to 2 hours before our workout, we’ll die a horrible death. (I’m just exaggerating on the last part, but you get the point.)

Here’s a good analogy: A car needs fuel to run, and our body demands the same. It wouldn’t be able to function well during a workout if it doesn’t have the necessary fuel to power it up.

How Long Should I Eat Before A Workout

For most gym-goers, they would say 45 minutes to an hour. But for some who has an ailment such as acid-reflux or GERD, I’d say between 2 to 3 hours, because lactic acid builds up during an intense exercise and people with GERD tend to throw up if that happens.

I believe it doesn’t just happen to GERD patients but in general as well. But the effects aren’t as worse as the ones being experienced by a person who has an acid-reflux.

What To Eat Before Working Out

Our body heavily relies on these 3 essential nutrients.

• Carbohydrates
• Protein
• Fat

They’re also called macros or macronutrients. Macronutrients isn’t just a technical term when you create a spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel. They are what makes up the caloric content of the food.

Ever wondered why you’re still hungry after eating 4 slices of pizza? Or a monster, triple-patty burger? That’s because they’re not considered as quality and balanced type of food. (Hint: DO NOT EVER EAT 4 slices of pizza or that triple-patty burger before a workout.)

Instead, consider eating:

• 1/2 cup of oatmeal in milk with a banana
• 250g of your preferred yogurt
• 4 whole eggs (boiled)

There’s a whole lot more on the list but what I’m trying to point out is to eat quality non-processed foods, not just before a workout, but 90% of the time.

Supplementing Before Or After Your Workout

This is an interesting topic because there are different goals for every person. I’d be happy to discuss this in two parts.

I’ll Show You The Whey: A Noobs Guide To Supplementation

If you’re new to weightlifting, I recommend that you stick to the basics until your body has adapted to the stress that you’re putting it 4x a week.

What does it mean to stick to the basics:

• Eat clean and healthy whole foods
• Consistently follow the beginner’s level of your program
• Practice with good form to avoid injuries
• Do not attempt any advanced training program
• Make it a habit of sleeping at least 7 to 8 hours for your muscle to recover because they only grow with sufficient rest

If you’re someone who doesn’t get the needed nutrients from food, that’s probably the only time for a beginner to take supplements such as whey protein and omega-3 supplements. I recommend that you check with your Doctor before purchasing any supplements.

I’ve Found The Whey: An Intermediate To Advanced Lifters Story

If you’ve been lifting weights for a year or more and you want to push the limits of your body or consistently get the nutrients that it needs, then this is for you.

It’s safe to say that you can take whatever supplements you need to maximize your body’s abilities. For example, whey protein isn’t only an excellent post-workout drink, but it also repairs the damaged muscle fibers at a molecular level. Creatine is great for strength building, endurance development just to name a few of its dozens of useful features.

That’s it for me, and I hope I’ve shed some light for those interested in pre workout supplements. If you have any questions that you’d like me to answer or if you think I missed a few details, please don’t hesitate to put your comments below!

The post Best Pre Workout Aside from Your Supplements appeared first on Supplement Science.

1. Boost your energy levels through the roof
2. Take your performance to the next level
3. Improve your psychomotor skills

In summary, mastering the art of taking pre-workout will make your workout sessions more effective. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner bodybuilder or an elite-level boxer looking to get an extra edge. Once you’ve finished reading this guide, you’ll have a new weapon in your arsenal to make a noticeable difference in your workouts.

Secret #1: Know The Best Time to Take It

Let’s dive into the matter right off the bat: The best time to take it is 30-60 minutes before your workout session. It will allow the nutrients to get to your muscles. But worry not, because you are going to learn the science behind our claim.

Your Body Needs Time to Process the Pre-workout Ingredients

First, you need to learn what the most common pre-workout ingredients are. Below, find the list along with the estimated times that your body needs to process each ingredient:

• Caffeine: Your body needs approx. 45 minutes to process it and reach peak concentration in the blood (source)
• Creatine: Your body takes up to 60 minutes to absorb creatine into the bloodstream (source)
• BCAA: Your body takes approx. 30 minutes to process BCAAs and reach peak concentration in the blood (source)
• Citrulline: Your body needs between 60 to 120 minutes to experience a significant nitric oxide increase (source)

We can also add in other special ingredients such as Beta-alanine, but the timing of them is not as critical, as they need a higher intake duration to kick in. In the case of Beta-alanine, it takes between 4 to 10 weeks to raise carnosine levels significantly (source).

Therefore, the best time to drink pre-workout supplements is between 30 to 60 minutes before working out, to allow all the ingredients to reach max concentration in the blood, and hence, unleash all of their effects.

Secret #2: Know The Different Types of Pre-Workout and The Effects of Caffeine

Now that you have an idea of the ingredients that most pre-workouts contain, you know that the majority contain caffeine, and even though it’s excellent at boosting exercise performance, it restricts your time window to take it.

The Issue with Caffeine

We have seen that caffeine takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes to reach peak concentration in the blood, but according to research, it can stay in your body between 3 to 7 hours (source).

Therefore, you should avoid caffeine pre-workouts when your time to go to bed is near, because it will diminish your sleep quality and affect your circadian rhythm.

In fact, the following study found that consuming caffeine 3 hours before going to sleep provoked a ~40-min phase delay of the circadian melatonin rhythm in humans.

The consequences?

Disrupting your circadian rhythm has serious side effects (source):

• It leads to weight gain
• It reduces thinking speed (think psychomotor skills and dexterity)
• It causes impulsive behavior
• It affects sleep quality, and hence, hinders muscle recovery from working out

The solution? A non-caffeine pre-workout supplement. Let’s talk about it in detail.

Caffeine vs. Non-Caffeine Pre-Workouts

Of course, it’s only an alternative in case you don’t tolerate caffeine or if your unique time to work out is at the end of the day. The main difference is evident, and it resides in the composition.

The best non-caffeine pre-workouts usually contain a combination of the following ingredients to substitute the effects of caffeine:

• Citrulline
• Taurine
• Tyrosine

Citrulline is especially powerful because it will help you to boost the blood flow in your muscles (source).

Secret #3: Know How to Time Your Pre Workout

By now you know when to take pre-workout and the science behind our advice, as well as how you can substitute caffeine with excellent alternatives that contain key ingredients such as citrulline and taurine.

However, you have to time your pre workout according to your own situation, because we all are different, and hence, you need to tailor the timing.

Start by following our recommendation and take your pre workout 60 minutes before working out. Stick to it for at least one week.

Don’t feel a difference?

Try to take it 45 minutes before working out. Likewise, you must monitor your reaction and see how well you perform in your chosen activity, be it by measuring your endurance levels, strength in your RMs, generation of power in punches or kicks, etc.

In a nutshell, make the timing yours!

Secret #4: Know How Long Does Pre-Workout Last

The timing is essential, but you also want to know how long your pre-workout effects will last, in order to use your time wisely.

In general, the pre-workout will unleash and maintain its peak effects for 1 to 2 hours. Nonetheless, it depends on the exact formula of the supplements. For example, in the case of caffeine, the top effects start to wear off after 60-90 minutes.

Therefore, you must track your performance and how you feel, to know how long the effects last in you.

However, how can you know that the pre-workout is working? Be aware of the following effects:

• Increase in muscle energy
• Tingling sensation
• Boost in focus and motivation

Track how long such effects remain, and you will know with certainty how long the pre-workout lasts in you.

And it’s powerful information because it will allow you to plan your workouts in a more efficient way, to take advantage of the time window of extra energy, strength, focus and motivation.

A Note On Pre Workout Side Effects

To conclude, it is fair to talk about the side effects because one option is to talk about the good side and leave it right there, which is not responsible, and a completely different and better option is to talk about the warning and possible cons.

Therefore, pay attention to the following side effects that you may experience, but fortunately, the majority of people don’t have to undergo them:

1. Make you feel nervous and jittery, it happens due to caffeine, but the quickest way to solve it is to take a non-caffeine pre-workout
2. Provoke digestive upset, it happens due to certain ingredients, and therefore, ensure to read the ingredients list before buying, to make sure that none of them will cause digestive upset or allergic reactions in you. Furthermore, in case you’re taking it on an empty stomach, you can take it alongside a small meal or a protein shake
3. Cause mild water retention, principally due to creatine because it’s an osmotically active substance (source)

Congrats! Now You Know When to Take Pre-workout and How to Use it Like a Pro Athlete

You’ve successfully discovered the 4 secrets that will help you to use pre-workout supplements like a pro athlete, and yes, you will obtain amazing results.

Now it’s time to transition from theory to practice.

Apply our secrets to get excellent results, be it in weight lifting, running or your sport. It doesn’t matter, the secrets will help you to take your performance to the next level.

If you have any question or doubt about your pre-workout, and you want help to time it perfectly, feel free to comment below to help you out!

The post When To Take Pre Workout: 4 Secrets to Boost Your Energy and Performance appeared first on Supplement Science.

Nootropics, or brain supplements, are cognitive supplements that give your brain a boost when needed most. Just like other parts of your body, your brain reacts to different balances and imbalances which can affect its functionality. Thanks to modern medicine, and an increase in the field of supplement research, however, we can now replenish and nourish our brains like we do other parts of our bodies with “smart supps”.

Many take brain supplements to stay focused at work, while studying, while training, and while doing other mentally strenuous tasks. Research has shown that these enhances provide many key benefits, like improving memory, enhancing focus, decreasing stress, and reducing fatigue.
Find out more at – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17266573

Some of the most common ingredients found in brain supplements include:

• Bacopa Monnieri: a natural herb that helps improve memory recall, speed learning, and increase energy by activating Choline—which influences the dopamine receptors in your brain that affect your focus.
• L-Theanine: boosts alpha brainwave activity.
• Huperzine A: This plant extract is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, meaning that it prevents AcheE from breaking down acetylcholine—an important chemical for healthy brain function.
• Vitamin B-12: an important vitamin that affects your neurotransmitters and helps prevent cognitive decline due to aging.
• Phosphatidylserine: a soy product that supports your brain’s structural components.
• Tyrosine: an amino acid and dopamine precursor that is naturally found in seaweed, and helps prevent fatigue and improve attention and learning.
• Pterostilbene: Naturally occurring in blueberries, this antioxidant protects the body from stressors and free radicals.

To help you figure out which products will provide you with the most brain power, we have compiled a list of the 5 best brain supplements currently on the market.

#5 Mind Lab Pro

Mind Lab Pro offers an advanced and universal formula with 11 nootropics that work together to optimize your overall mental performance. The product combines both botanical and synthetic ingredients to provide users with both high-powered effects and organic compounds.

Unlike some other neural enhancers that only affect 2-3 pathways, Mind Lab Pro enhances an impressive 6 bio-pathway—including brainwaves, blood flow, energy, and neuroprotection.

• Buy from MindLabPro.com

In addition, users of this product have reported improvement in brain activity related to memory, mind-set, and performance, and rejuvenation.

#4 Onnit Alpha Brain

Alpha Brain consists of multiple herbal nutrients in addition to other ingredients that work together to help enhance memory, sharpen focus, and improve overall brain functionality.

In a clinical study, users reported cognitive improvements after just the first dose. One of the product’s main goals is to optimize brain waves so that they are in their “peak alpha” frequency—a state that is commonly referred to as being “in the zone” or having flow.

• Buy from Amazon.com

Peak alpha is especially important for athletes and other who are involved in high action tasks where focus is key.

#3 Optimind

Optimind offers the best of both worlds with a brain supplement that boosts both your brain power and your energy levels. This product combines stimulants like caffeine with nootropics to give you both energy and focus.

• Buy from Amazon.com

#2 SmartX Cerebral Success

This brand first received attention when it became the winner on the popular TV show Shark Tank, continuing its success afterword by distributing in GNC stores.  SmartX works primarily by increasing the blood flow to the brain—supplying it with key nutrients, stimulating the nervous system, and protecting the body against free radicals. This product has been shown to optimize focus and recall, reduce anxiety, and support overall healthy brain functions.

• Buy from Amazon.com

#1 Simple Smart Science MindBoost

Simple Smart Science offers truly innovative Day and Night formulas to help your brain around the clock. Their day formula is specifically designed to improve memory, sharpen concentration, and tap into your true brain power, while their night formula is designed to help minimize your stress and provide you with better sleep that leaves you feeling energized in the morning. Both formulas were expertly designed after countless clinical trials, and quality checks by third party testing facilities.

• Buy from Amazon.com
• Buy from SimpleSmartScience.com

We hope this guide has helped you identify the best nootropics to help you tap into your true brainpower. Buy one of our suggested brain supplements and start optimizing your brainpower today!

The post Top 5 Best Brain Supplements appeared first on Supplement Science.

On the bright side, that is why pre-workout supplements exist. For women everywhere striving to reach their fitness goals, taking the best pre-workout supplement before your workout will make sure that your efforts are directed most effectively and efficiently in your body. This brings maximum benefits to your body and muscles in the least amount of time possible, reducing the amount of time you must wait before you begin to see results.

If you are a woman trying to reach your workout goals, it’s important to look at the appropriate pre-workout supplement for your needs. There are pre-workout supplements for women specifically, and many different types are available to cater to the individual fitness goals you are trying to meet. The reason it is important to pay attention to the type of pre-workout supplement you are buying and make sure you purchase one that is intended for women is because these supplements leave out many ingredients that might benefit a male workout, but could end up being too harsh on a woman’s body. The ingredients in male pre-workout supplements are geared towards bulking up muscle mass, which many women might be hesitant to do. Another ingredient in male supplements is often Maca Root, which may cause a hormone imbalance in women and possibly even negatively affect any birth control pills the consumer might be taking.

With that in mind, if you’re interested in trying a pre-workout supplement, we’ve made it easy for you to narrow down your choices and buy one that will suit you. The following are our favorite top 5 best pre-workout supplements for women.

#5 ProMera Sports: Women’s Elite

We love this product for several reasons. It’s natural, is absorbed quickly by the body, and shows quick results. The composition of the formula is designed to shred fat tissue and tone the body, while simultaneously increasing strength, mussle mass, energy levels, and sports performance overall. In addition, it includes thermogenic properties and is enriched with B vitamins to support stamina and endurance. It’s a definite must-try for anyone looking for a well-balanced pre-workout supplement for women.

• Buy from Amazon.com

#4 Fit Miss Ignite Women’s Pre-Workout

This pre-workout formula is designed specifically for weight loss. Not only that, but it also provides a significant energy boost to help the drinker have the motivation they need to get through their entire workout without too much difficulty. For those looking for a creatine-free option, this is the ideal alternative! Users looking to lose weight tend to see results quickly, which is why this is one of our favorite pre-workout supplements!

• Buy from Amazon.com

#3 HIT Supplements Igniter Extreme 

The HIT Supplements Igniter Extreme is for those who truly are looking to take their workout seriously. It is designed to get maximum performance out of any workout, activate increased stamina and muscle activity, and even boost the user’s mental focus. It provides an extreme energy boost to help anyone power through their high-intensity workout, and helps significantly in muscle recovery. While we love this product for those dedicated to their extreme workout, we don’t recommend it for those just looking to shed a few pounds.

• Buy from Amazon.com

#2 Transparent Labs Pre-Series LEAN Pre-Workout

As you may be aware by now, pre-workout supplements can ring up quite a bill. This is a great option for those on a budget but who still want great results. It’s an all-around supplement that does a little bit of everything and consistently produces favorable outcomes. It kicks in quickly, provides a great energy boost to get you through your workout without too much trouble, and makes sure your efforts are used most efficiently for the best results.

• Buy from Transparentlabs.com

#1 NLA for Her Uplift

 NLA for Her Uplift is our favorite pre-workout supplement for its all-around effectiveness. It provides the user with a great energy boost so they don’t struggle too much throughout their workout, without the jitters that come with many other pre-workout supplements on the market. Finally, it increases mental focus for an all-around great workout.

As you can see, there are plenty of pre-workout supplements for women out there to choose from. The ones described in this guide are all great options. Choose the one that best fits your lifestyle and goals and buy now to start reaping the benefits today!

• Buy from Amazon.com
• Buy from IllPumpYouUp.com

The post Top 5 Best Pre-Workout Supplements for Women appeared first on Supplement Science.

Top 5 Best Thermogenic Supplements:

#1 MuscleTech Hydroxycut Hardcore Next Gen

MuscleTech consistently puts out products that deliver…year after year. I would go as far as saying that their product “Hydroxycut Next Gen” is the best product on the market today. This is true if your Goals are; overall weight loss, body fat loss, daily energy boost and mind bending workouts.

This is the only Thermogenic formula that has a combination of energy and mood enhancing ingredients such as; Coleus, Guayusa, Yohimbe, and Blue Scullcap. This combo is specifically designed to get both your mind, and body ready for an intense exercise session.

This is crucial while you are “cutting” and trying to shed extra unwanted body fat. This is especially true when it’s time to get your “Lift” on…because you will most likely be calorie depleted, hungry and tired. That is just fine, as long as you are taking some “Hydroxycut Next Gen.”

Just one of these ingredients, by itself…has been proven to increase positive thoughts and feelings, without a “reduction in energy or cognition.” (source) This little herb, Scullcap (Scutellaria Lateriflora) is the powerful ingredient that does just this. And things only get better when you add Yohimbe, Guayusa, Coleus, and 290 mgs of Caffeine to the mix.

Putting those last two ingredients in the formula was no accident! Caffeine and Coleus work synergistically to elevate your metabolism. This combination will turn your body into a fat burning machine with a metabolic mission…to shed any and all excess body fat!

I highly suggest “MuscleTech Hydroxycut Hardcore Next Gen” for your Fat Loss and Increased Metabolism goals!

• Buy from Amazon.com
• Buy from IllPumpYouUp.com
• Buy from Muscletech.com

#2 BPI Sports Roxylean

For anybody on a budget, BPI Sports Roxylean is one of the best products on the market today. Don’t let the inexpensive price tag lead you astray. This is a very effective fat burning product!

One of the unique things about Roxylean’s formula is that it has a powerful diuretic herb combination that consists of; Caffeine, Goldenseal, Yohimbe, Citrus Limon and White Willow.

This product is best used right before you get on stage for a fitness competition, for photoshoot preparation…or simply when you are trying to get “extra lean” for your upcoming beach vacation.

Roxylean is for Everybody! You don’t have to be a competitive athlete to enjoy the benefits of this product. Anybody can, and should give this supplement a try.

Just be prepared to drink a LOT of water because its diuretic herb combination will keep you thirsty, as well as help you shed your unwanted body fat.

• Buy from Amazon.com
• Buy from IllPumpYouUp.com

#3 MusclePharm Shred Sport

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…MusclePharm has some of the best supplements on the planet. This statement still rings true in the Fat Burning/Thermogenic market.

The reason I like MusclePharm’s products so much is because they sponsor a lot of professional athletes. These athletes really DO USE their products too! The reason that is so important, is because most pro athletes are tested for banned substances.

Most organizations in the the United States like the MLB (Major League Baseball) or UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) randomly test their athletes. This is important because MusclePharm athletes can NOT take a chance on taking something that might get them “flagged,” suspended or fined.

“MusclePharm’s Sport Shred” is safe, and it also uses the impressive and patented Capsimax supplement. It is hard to get your hands on Capsimax, especially in a formula as simple, and as powerful as “Sport Shred.”

So give it a try…you won’t regret it!

• Buy from Amazon.com
• Buy from IllPumpYouUp.com

#4 Shred JYM

Shred JYM packs a powerful punch! This Fat Burning Thermogenic delivers a whooping 2,750 mgs of scientifically proven…active ingredients per serving. This puts a LOT of energy, and fat burning ability at your finger-tips and in your cup!

1.5 grams of this formula is “acetyl-L-carnitine.” This ingredient is an acetylated form of L-carnitine. It is naturally made by the human body, and helps with fat lose. (source)

L-carnitine has been successfully used to naturally speed up the fat burning process…that you are working so hard to achieve. More specifically, it “transports long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria so they can be oxidized (burned) to produce energy.” (source)

This means unwanted body fat will be turned into usable energy and burned off, and this is always a good thing…especially when you are trying to get Strong and Lean!

• Buy from Amazon.com

#5 Evlution Nutrition Trans4orm

Evlution is on this list because it is a “reliable” Thermogenic…that works!

There are quite a few people who have used it, and seen substantial fat loss, due to its unique chemical compound. The extra “boost” that “Evlution Nutrition Trans4orm” gives its consumers is absolutely noticeable too!

As for its ingredient profile…it has all of the common Fat Burners like Caffeine, L-Carnitine, B12 and Black Pepper Extract.

The one that you don’t see very often in Thermogenic formulas is Choline Bitartrate.

This amazing fat burning substance helps to quickly transport lipids (fatty acids) out of the liver…so they can be digested effectively. Basically, Choline Bitartrate assists in exterminating unwanted fats in the body…and that is why I put “Evlution Nutrition Trans4orm” on the Top 5 Best Thermogenic Supplements list!

There you have it! Give one, or all of these Fat Burners a try!

• Buy from Amazon.com
• Buy from Evlnutrition.com

The post Top 5 Best Thermogenic Supplements & Fat Burners appeared first on Supplement Science.

This can be taken in either a pill or liquid form. I suggest the liquid form of Pre-Workout (powder in water), because drinking it is the most effective way to metabolize its ingredients. Pills can work…but they are not nearly as effective.

For best results, you should finish sipping on your Pre-Workout drink 30 minutes before your training session. Your body needs this much time to effectively absorb all of the Pre-Workout ingredients. Even though you might feel it before then.

Also, keep in mind that pre-workout isn’t some magical substance that will suddenly allow you to lift 6 times your body weight or buldge out of your shirt. Just like any other supplement it can help you as part of a balanced workout and nutrition program. It can help you push through those 2-3 extra reps on each set, which will improve your gains exponential.

What is a Pre-Workout Supplement?

Pre-workout is an over the counter supplement that contains a combination of several safe, and potent ingredients. It is designed to give you a metabolic and stamina boost during your workouts. This means that your anabolic, and energy levels will be substantially higher with the right formula. This is what you can expect from a good pre-workout formula…

• Increased Protein Synthesis
• Increased Strength & Power Output
• Increased Energy & Focus
• Reduced Fatigue During Exercise
• Increased Muscle Recovery
• Improved Performance

What are the Typical Pre-Workout Ingredients?

Most Pre-Workout Supplements have a TON of stuff in them. Quite honestly, most of what they have is garbage. There is zero federal regulation in the supplement industry.

This leads to quite a few supplement companies putting in massive amounts of useless ingredients. These same companies then claim that their product is the best out there…because it has more than 25, 30 or 40 ingredients.

Be very careful when a Pre-Workout supplement says it uses a “Proprietary Blend.” This means that nobody else has this exact combination of ingredients.

The problem with this term is that the serving sizes and ratio of key ingredients are not fully disclosed. Sometimes the ingredients themselves are not even listed in the formula. This means that you won’t know exactly how much, of what ingredient…is in their formula.

The good news is that I am going to make choosing a Pre-Workout formula easy for you.

There are only 4 Key Ingredients you need to watch out for. Make sure these are included in any formula you purchase. There are a LOT of ingredients that “kinda help.” But the 4 I am about to list, are definitely going to help you get leaner and stronger.

Essential 4 Pre-Workout Ingredients

#1 Caffeine

Optimal Dose for “Sporting Disciplines”: 200-400 mg or 1.8-2.7 mg per kg of body weight) (source)

We all know caffeine gives you energy. But the reason it is a “must have” ingredient is because caffeine acts as a powerful ergogenic aid (source). This means it is an overall performance booster…in both shorter and longer exercises bouts.

Caffeine will give you the energy boost you need, to “feel” like you are going to have a phenomenal workout. This psychological boost, as well as the physiological “ergogenic kick” will allow you to have a seriously intense lift, and a better overall workout.

#2 Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs)

Optimal Dose: 5 mg

BCAA’s are the amino acids leucine, isoleucine and valine. They are the building blocks of protein. Your muscles are protein so you need BCAA’s, especially right before your workout.

BCAA’s increase the rate of protein synthesis, which is the process whereby biological cells generate new proteins. (source) They also decrease the rate of protein degradation in a human muscle.

All of this has a positive anabolic effect on your workouts. Meaning your hormones like testosterone and growth hormone will naturally rise during your workouts. This will give you substantially more strength and power for your lifts.

#3 Creatine Monohydrate

Optimal Dose: 5 mg

Creatine increases overall power output. It does this for brief periods of time, during high-intensity exercise bouts. (source) This means you will lift heavier weights, and be more explosive as you lift those weights.

You can find creatine in protein-rich foods like meat and fish. creatine is also naturally found and produced within your own body.

The only problem is the amount of naturally occurring creatine is not enough to give you the “power boost” you are looking for in the gym. If your goal is to be lean and strong…you should supplement your diet with additional creatine.

That is why it is imperative to make certain that your Pre-Workout formula has a healthy 5 mg’s of creatine in it (Or at least add it yourself).

#4 Beta-Alanine

Optimal Dose: 1.5-5 mg

Beta-Alanine is a non-essential amino acid. Just like a BCAA, it is building a block of protein…so it will help you build quality muscle.

Beta-Alanine also increases overall athletic performance by increasing your explosive energy output and capacity. (source) This happens because the amino acid buffers a hydrogen ion (H+), and this allows the human body to keep it’s intensity level higher…for a longer period of time. This results in more muscular endurance during your lifts.

One of the reason I included Creatine and Beta-Alanine together on this list, is because these two ingredients supplement each other. Creatine will give you a more powerful, and explosive lifting ability. Synergistically Beta-Alanine will give you the ability to lift longer. This means you can lift more weight, for a longer period of time…with Creatine and Beta-Alanine combined. A match made in gym heaven!

Like I said before, there are a LOT of Pre-Workout formulas on the market. All you need to do is make sure that any formula you buy has the 4 I listed here. Stick with those 4, and you can’t go wrong!

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to put them in the comment section below…and I’ll help out anyway I can!

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