Feeling under-energized before a workout is a common challenge that even the best bodybuilders face regularly. But seeing serious gains comes when you find the drive to get into the gym and give it your all once you’re there, despite lethargy and lack of motivation drawing you toward the couch. Pre workout powders aim to plug this energy drain by kickstarting your focus and fueling your muscles with sustained energy, strength, and pump.
But not all pre workout supplements are not created equal. Many are made to maximize profit margins more than performance, which is why choosing the right pre workout is the difference between fueling your body with high-quality ingredients that will actually enhance your performance, versus chugging some saccharine “jitters juice” with similar ingredients to a knock-off brand energy drink. A good one, however, can seriously propel your sessions, help you lift to your limit, and recover to your best, day in and day out.
This article should serve as a guide to help you find the best pre workout for you based on ingredients, portions, and supplement quality. We’ll start with the basics before diving into important considerations. We’ll also highlight our newest pre workout product, Animal Primal Preworkout in a limited edition flavor, and why our quality formula and athlete results make Primal one of our flagship supplements.
What Is A Pre Workout?
As the name would suggest, a pre workout is a supplement intended to be taken prior to exercising. Usually taken in the form of pre-workout drinks, these supps are specially formulated to kickstart your workout by flushing your body with energizing ingredients like caffeine and amino acids. Athletes across the board turn to pre workout supplements to enhance their energy and tap into the motivation needed to give it their all.
A high-quality pre workout should provide noticeable ergogenic benefits if you take them consistently, with increases in body composition—notably, lean muscle mass— muscle endurance, and even cognition or mood commonly recorded by research studies. [1] Stirring some pre-workout powder into your water bottle is a common move for an early morning or after-work boost when you may be a little slow and sluggish.
What Does A Pre Workout Do?
Pre-workout supplements use a blend of vitamins, amino acids, metabolites, and other beneficial ingredients to increase performance. By stimulating your muscles' resources, they allow you to better recruit strength and stamina to amplify your effort. High quality pre workout drinks have also been proven to attenuate muscle fatigue in addition to augmenting power. [2] This holds true whether you’re lifting iron, pushing through endurance training, or focusing on cardio.
Just as important as understanding what pre workouts do, is understanding what they don’t do. Put simply, they don’t do the work for you. Pre-workouts don’t themselves increase how much you can lift, but the right one can influence your energy and focus so that you can actually lift to your max. You already have the muscle; a pre workout will help you utilize every fiber.
When Do You Drink Your Pre Workout?
So when do you drink your pre workout? For optimal results, most pre workout drinks should be consumed about 20-30 minutes before your training session. This gives the ingredients enough time to kick in, so by the time you’re lifting, running, or sprinting, you’re already feeling the benefits.
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Strength Training: Whether it’s a heavy lifting day or high-rep hypertrophy work, a good pre workout will support the explosive power you need to lift heavier and push through tough sets.
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High-Intensity Cardio: On cardio days, drink a pre workout for sustain energy levels so you can maintain your intensity without crashing halfway through.
Endurance Sessions: Even if you're training for a marathon or cycling for hours, the endurance-boosting elements in high quality pre workout supplements, like those from Animal, will help you train longer and more effectively.
The Best Pre Workout For More Fuel And Flavor
So what makes Animal’s selection of pre workout supplements the best choice?
Animal has built a legacy by developing some of the industry’s most effective and reliable supplements, with products developed to fuel muscular energy and recovery. It’s with that obsession for quality and ingenuity that we continue to lead the way in pre-workout supplements with the new Primal pre-workout powder. We’ve collaborated with Animal Athlete and powerlifting powerhouse Monica Granda to create a one-of-a-kind flavor combo for one of our most popular and foundational products. It’s without hyperbole that we offer this limited-edition pre workout which we're proud to say will set your workouts and taste buds on fire from the first rep.
When it comes to maximizing your time in the gym, having the right fuel makes all the difference. Primal diverges from the path taken by the majority of pre workout powders, which typically give you an immediate energy buzz, followed by a quick let down as the main ingredient—caffeine—wears off around mid workout. In contrast, the boost you get from Primal is led by an array of complementary amino acids, supportive vitamins and minerals, electrolytes, and specialty complexes that provide elevated and balanced energy, plus serious focus, pump, and endurance that stick without throughout your workout.
Whether you’re lifting heavy or crushing a high-intensity workout, Primal Preworkout supports both performance and recovery—all without the jitters, crashes, or chalky aftertaste often associated with caffeine-based pre workout drinks.
Explosive Energy, Mental Focus, Muscle Pump, and Stamina
At the heart of Primal pre workout is its ability to deliver explosive energy, mental clarity, enhanced muscle pump, and improved stamina. Backed by patented, science-driven pre workout ingredients, this supplement lets you train longer, push harder, and recover faster. What sets Primal apart is its commitment to not only enhancing workout performance but also promoting muscle hydration, heart health, and sustained recovery.
Train Longer and Harder with Patented Ingredients
Primal’s formula is powered by over 20 pre workout ingredients that combine to deliver results, including patented compounds like 3DPUMP® and Teacrine®. These ingredients are designed to enhance not just one aspect of your workout but every aspect—helping you train longer, recover faster, and perform at your peak.
Key Primal Pre Workout Ingredients:
- For Explosive Energy: Ingredients like Caffeine Anhydrous (shown in studies to stimulate performance better than coffee alone. [4]), Guarana Seed, and Coffee Bean Extract provide a natural surge of energy that lasts throughout your entire workout, without the irritability or crash that can come with pre workouts that rely too much on individual stimulants.
- For Heightened Mental Focus: Staying in the zone during a workout helps you hone your effort through each rep to improve efficiency and outcomes in the gym. L-Tyrosine, Choline Bitartrate, and Teacrine® work together to keep your mind sharp and dialed in from the first set to the last. These invaluable pre workout components amplify intensity and concentration every time you touch iron.
- For Increased Muscle Pump: A solid pump not only feels great, but it also means your muscles are receiving better blood flow and nutrients. Primal’s 3DPUMP® Complex, which combines L-Citrulline, high-yield Glycerol, and Amla fruit extract, enhances cellular volumization and gives your muscles a fuller, more shapely appearance.
- For Greater Endurance and Recovery: Beta Alanine and Betaine Anhydrous are two powerhouse ingredients that work to delay fatigue and improve recovery. They help you push through intense training and reduce the soreness and recovery time post-workout.
The Best Pre Workout for Energy, Focus, and Performance
Finding the best pre workout that suits your specific needs can be tough, but Primal Preworkout stands out with its well-rounded formula. It doesn't just focus on one area of performance; it covers all bases—energy, focus, stamina, muscle pump, and recovery.
Primal Preworkout’s Key Complexes:
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Primal Pump Complex: Powered by 3DPUMP®, this revolutionary complex boosts blood flow, enhances nutrient delivery, and gives your muscles a fuller look during and after your workout. The combination of L-Citrulline and Amla fruit increases nitric oxide production, resulting in better endurance and performance.
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Endurance & Performance Complex: Beta Alanine and Taurine work together to extend your endurance and support muscle contraction, ensuring you can train longer without fatigue. These pre workout ingredients are what make Primal a perfect choice for those long, grueling workouts.
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Focus & Intensity Complex: Staying locked in during a workout is crucial. Primal’s blend of L-Tyrosine, Teacrine®, and Huperzine A ensures that you’re not just physically engaged but also mentally sharp, promoting a strong mind-to-muscle connection.
Electrolytes & Hydration Complex: Ingredients like Monopotassium Phosphate and Sodium Bicarbonate help maintain hydration, ensuring that you’re replenishing the electrolytes you lose during intense workouts. This hydration support is critical for muscle function and overall workout performance.
