Why I Don't Do Pre Workout... Blog Post by Coach Paul Dyck

Why I Don't Do Pre Workout...

This is more personal reasoning rather than science based, but I think it's important to ask yourself why we do what we do.

I know some people love their pre workout supplement before throwing down and for some it's a daily or multiple time/day ritual. There have always been supplements to assist athletes in getting revved up for a workout but is it something we should rely on?

If you're an athlete that's using a pre workout before every training session ask yourself why. Why do you need something to get you fired up to train. Is it an every once in a while thing? Do you do it daily? Do you need it multiple times a day?

To me if you're needing to take a supplement to get you fired up about training every single day then you may need to change something or several things in your life to help.

Ask yourself these questions...

1. Are you getting enough sleep, down time, or recovery time?

2. Are you just forcing yourself to workout?

3. How much quality would your workout have with or without your supplement?

4. What are your eating habits like and is your diet supplying you with enough energy for your daily tasks on top of training?

5. Are you constantly injured or battling injury?

NOTE: Remember that "Supplement" means in addition to OR something added to complete a thing, supply a deficiency, reinforce, or extend a whole.

If you look at all the above and they're all in check then maybe taking a little pre workout from time to time is OK. If none of those line up and you're always dragging your butt then maybe it's time to do some planning and see what positive lifestyle changes you can make to take a more natural approach.

The problem with supplementation and stimulants is that the more you take something, the more your body adapts to it, and the more you need to take to get that high from it. If you rely solely on a chemical to stimulate you rather than the thought and excitement of training and the high you get form the process maybe you need to re evaluate what you're doing especially if training (and life) are running you into the ground.

I've seen athletes take pre workout before every workout in a competition weekend where you have 6-8 workouts over 2-3 days. Think of all the the chemical reactions, highs, and lows your body
and brain will go through every time you take a hit of your stimulant.

I know when I'm about to hit a workout or compete and I know I'm gonna suffer I get giddy and excited. One of our coaches used to say "It's the German in you".