Why Does My Pre-workout Mix Stop Working?

Sometimes we workout without being in optimal condition. That's why some people decide to take sports supplements before working out.
Why Does My Pre-workout Mix Stop Working?

Last update: 15 October, 2019

Before working out, it’s important to supply the body with a series of nutrients. This way, you’ll have all of the energy necessary to fuel your intense session. A good way to boost performance is by consuming pre-workout supplements.

An athletes nutritional chart

People who work out frequently usually have some sort of nutritional plan. This isn’t only for pre-workouts, but also for other daily activities.

Meal plans include when to eat and what foods to eat, to ensure optimal conditions. Your specific plan, however, should depend on your goals.

The pre-workout: fuel for your workout

Pre-workout supplements are nutritional products that are consumed before working out. They include, for example, everyday foods such as cereal, sandwiches and yogurt as well as nutritional supplements such as protein shakes, stimulants and vitamin supplements.

The varied list of pre-workout products available will give you the freedom to meet your specific needs. You could also take advice from a qualified professional. 

Read along to find out more about these supplements that could provide you with extra energy, alertness, and neuromuscular activation.

Fuel your workout with the proper pre-workout supplements

The following are the two fundamental reasons why people consume pre-workout products:

  • Fatigue from daily activities and workouts.
  • To get an extra performance boost.
Creatine shake

There are a variety of products for sale which seek to provide us with all of the energy needed to undertake both physical and psychological tasks. The most used pre-workout products have three main objectives:

  • Stimulating the CNS- central nervous system.
  • Increasing heart rate.
  • Increasing blood flow to the muscles and respiratory tissues 

Caffeine for a pre-workout

With a dose of 50-100 milligrams (the content of one cup of coffee) the central nervous system increases alertness. It also favors fat loss. There are now flavor-free caffeine pills.

Taurine

This amino acid is produced by the body from cysteine. Unlike other amino acids, it’s not involved in structural processes. Taurine plays a role in physiological processes such an anti-oxidation. In addition, it’s known to improve psychomotor performance and concentration.

Guarana

Guarana is composed of similar elements to caffeinated products and supplements. It’s found in South America and differs from coffee because it has different release mechanisms. It contains elements such as methylated xanthine which activates the central nervous system.

Nitric oxide

Nitric oxide acts as a vasodilator, it also plays a role as a neurotransmitter. It contains L-Arginine, an amino acid that collaborates in processes such as fat burning and muscle recovery. Nitric oxide also increases blood flow to muscles.

There are other pre-workout products that don’t have an impact on the central nervous system. Products such as creatine, BCAA, carbohydrates, tyrosine, and beta-alanine are all used for muscle recovery and sustenance.

Tolerance to pre-workout products

As we mentioned above, certain pre-workout products activate receptors in the brain. Any substance that carries out the activation of neuronal receptors builds up a tolerance.

When tolerance occurs, the product loses its effectiveness. The explanation for this is simple: the body becomes used to the product and therefore the product slowly loses its effectiveness.

In fact, the same process happens with certain antidepressant medication as well as sedatives and anxiolytics. That’s why certain supplements should only be taken for a determined amount of time.

Pre workout products

It’s recommended, therefore, to ingest these pre-workout products in cycles. When this occurs, the body goes through a cleanse allowing the product to be effective once again.

In conclusion, it’s important to clarify that the use of pre-workout products can be beneficial. However, it’s important to consume these products wisely.

Ideally, you should not have to depend on these products, you should only resort to them when it’s necessary.


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.


  • American Journal of Health System Pharmacy , Volumen 70, Número 7, 1 de abril de 2013, páginas 577–588, https://doi.org/10.2146/ajhp120118. Publicado: 01 de abril de 2013 Anne E. Eudy  Lindsay L. Gordon Brandon C. Hockaday Daniel A. Lee Vivianne Lee Daniel Luu Carlos A. Martínez Peter J. Ambrose, Pharm.D.
  • Pre Workout Supplements – The New Trend Chantal Roelen, ERT Bastiaan Venhuis, PhD (NIH) Pauline Verputten, Irma de Vries, Antoinette van Riel. Conferencia: 38 ° Congreso Internacional de la Asociación Europea de Centros de Toxicología Clínica (EAPCCT), en Bucarest, Volumen: 56 (6)
  • J Sports Sci Med . Junio ​​2011; 10 (2): 261–266. Publicado en línea el 1 de junio de 2011. PMCID: PMC3761845 PMID: 24149870 Efecto de un suplemento de energía previo al entrenamiento en el ejercicio de resistencia aguda multiarticular. Adam M. Gonzalez , Allyson L. Walsh , Nicholas A. Ratamess , Jie Kang , Jay R. Hoffman.


This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.