What is the Best Pre-Workout Supplement?
The use of a pre-workout supplement is now extremely common amongst fitness enthusiasts and competitive athletes alike. Common pre-workout supplements include nitric oxide products, protein supplements, and energy boosters. The single most beneficial pre-workout supplement is widely considered to be nitric oxide due to the benefits it offers in power, endurance, and recovery.
Type of Workout
- A wide range of pre-workout supplements have been touted as the best choice in the past. These include whey protein products, energy boosters like caffeine, and somewhat more recently, nitric oxide.
- When deciding on a pre-workout supplement it is important to consider the type of workout that is to be performed.
- Certain supplements, such as whey protein are best used before a strength training workout.
- Stimulants such as caffeine provide an extra boost of energy but often dehydrate people during cardiovascular exercise such as jogging or rowing.
- Nitric oxide significantly enhances performance regardless of the form of exercise, making it the best stand-alone pre-workout supplement.
What is Nitric Oxide?
- Nitric oxide is a gas naturally produced by the human body. The gas is involved in regulating a number of biological processes in the body, ranging from proper kidney function to the transmission of signals between nerve cells.
- The most important aspect of nitric oxide as a pre-workout supplement is its role in circulation and blood flow.
- Nitric oxide, in ample quantities, increases blood flow, and therefore nutrient supply, to tissues throughout the body. This concept is of particular importance to strength trainers as it allows muscle tissue to repair more quickly following a strenuous workout.
Key Benefits of Nitric Oxide
- Allows for a faster recovery from training sessions, particularly when combined with proper nutrition and a stretching routine.
- A faster recovery rate means that athletes who use nitric oxide as a pre-workout supplement are able to train with a greater frequency.
- Provides increased power and endurance. This is due to increased blood flow which leads to more rapid replacement of the nutrients and molecules that muscle tissues use to produce energy.