Bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger has a vast understanding of health, blending his expertise with scientific research to guide fans toward their fitness goals. In a recent Arnold’s Pump Club newsletter, Schwarzenegger examined if pre-workouts actually work and optimize exercise performance.
“Does Pre-Workout Actually Work?”
“In the pantheon of workout supplements, few ingredients outside of creatine and caffeine can claim they consistently lead to better workouts. However, a new study might start to change that narrative.”
Having dominated the bodybuilding stage as a seven-time Mr. Olympia champion, Arnold Schwarzenegger continues to be an ambassador of the sport, sharing his abundant knowledge with fans and athletes alike. Determined to separate the misconceptions from facts in the fitness industry, Schwarzenegger shares scientific studies that provide the truth about health and wellness.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Discusses If Pre-Workouts Lead To Better Exercise
Time and time again, Arnold Schwarzenegger has called attention to fitness fads, including supplements like creatine and collagen, addressing whether they are truly making an impact on health or just another scam. In a recent endeavor, Schwarzenegger took a closer look at pre-workout and examined if they optimize exercise performance.
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“New research suggests that some pre-workouts do, in fact, help boost your workouts (at least in the short term).”
“Pre-workout products are notorious for loading up on proprietary blends and charging you top dollar, even though caffeine is the only ingredient making a difference. Or, they include good active ingredients at a dosage that doesn’t make a difference”
Unfortunately, Schwarzenegger highlights that pre-workouts may be helpful during and after a workout but oftentimes it’s due to unauthorized ingredients that haven’t been listed on the product.
“In other cases, you might be seeing results, but it’s because the product contains banned substances. Unfortunately, researchers found that health officials have issued almost 800 warnings to dietary supplements containing dangerous ingredients. In nearly every case (98%), the USDA found that the ingredients in question were nowhere on the label. (This is just one more reason we trust and recommend Momentous)”
When it comes to the research, studies showed that those who took pre-workout versus a placebo were able to push harder through their workouts and experienced less fatigue afterward. This study focused on including specific ingredients such as caffeine, creatine, and citrulline.
“In the latest study, participants used a product consisting of many ingredients, including caffeine, citrulline, creatine, and beta-alanine. Rather than having different participants test different products, the individuals competed against themselves. Some days, they used pre-workout and other days, they used a placebo, and they weren’t aware of which they took.”
“Compared to the days they used the placebo, taking pre-workout improved power and reps. They also experienced less fatigue and could push themselves harder during their workouts.”
While the ingredients in the pre-workout are important, the amount of each ingredient is even more significant when it comes to ensuring maximum optimization. In some cases, not having enough of a specific ingredient rendered it completely ineffective.
“The catch? It’s hard to know which of the ingredients made the biggest difference. For example, dozens of other studies suggest you need at least 3.2 grams of beta-alanine to improve muscular endurance, but the product in the research used just 2.6 grams per serving, meaning it was likely an inactive dose and didn’t play a role in the results.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger made sure to break down not only all the ingredients individuals should look for when buying a pre-workout but also the necessary amounts of each ingredient to reap the benefits.
“Our takeaway: A good pre-workout is hard to find, but it can boost performance with the right formula. Some ingredients that have the most scientific support include caffeine (150-300 mg per serving), creatine (3-10 grams), citrulline (>6 grams), nitrate (500 mg-1,500 mg, depending on body size), beta-alanine (>3.2 grams), and ashwagandha (300-600 milligrams). If a product only shares a proprietary blend, proceed with caution. And, if it’s not third-party certified (such as NSF for Sport or Informed Sport), you risk taking a product with lower quality or a misleading label.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger isn’t the only bodybuilding legend to discuss pre-workout supplementation. Fitness expert and four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler also broke down the best boost for a workout, sharing that he always used coffee considering pre-workout wasn’t around when he was competing.
“I still think a cup of coffee was ideal. I used to stop at McDonald’s and get a small black coffee. I would put one Splenda in it and I would train on that before pre-workouts existed” Jay Cutler said.
While the fitness industry continues to change and adapt as time goes on, one thing remains the same, and that is the dedication Arnold Schwarzenegger has for optimizing health. With years of experience and wisdom, Schwarzenegger remains a pillar of knowledge for all to appreciate.
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