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Worst Pre-Workout Ever (Don't Use This)
Introduction
Here's a detailed breakdown of my current pre-workout supplement stack and why it might not be the best choice for optimal performance.
Six Star Pre-Workout
I started off with one scoop of Six Star Pre-Workout. While it's convenient, Six Star is, unfortunately, one of the absolute worst pre-workouts on the market. Almost every ingredient in the formula is significantly under-dosed, except for the caffeine. This means you’re mostly just paying for a caffeine boost, without the benefits from other key performance-enhancing ingredients.
Creatine Monohydrate
Next, I use five grams of creatine monohydrate. It’s important to note that creatine has no immediate effects on performance. Therefore, adding it to your pre-workout mix for convenience is fine, but it doesn't really matter when you take it.
L-Carnitine
I also include three grams of L-carnitine. Unless you have a severe L-carnitine deficiency, supplementing with it will not provide any significant benefits.
Citric Acid
Additionally, I use five grams of citric acid, which is said to help with lactate buildup. Although citric acid does play a role in energy production, your body already makes enough of it on its own.
L-Arginine
Another ingredient I use is five grams of L-arginine. This, too, is somewhat pointless because most of it doesn’t even get absorbed into your bloodstream.
BCAAs
For flavor, I optionally add some BCAAs. These taste good, but if you’re already consuming enough protein throughout the day, BCAAs are an unnecessary expense. There are cheaper alternatives available to flavor your pre-workout.
Salt
Finally, I add a little bit of salt to enhance my pumps. This can have some benefits and is arguably the most useful addition here besides the caffeine.
Conclusion
To sum it up, my current pre-workout stack is mostly ineffective. The only truly beneficial ingredients are the caffeine from the Six Star pre-workout and the optional bit of salt. Most of the other supplements either lack efficacy or are already sufficiently produced by your body.
Introduction
- Pre-Workout
- Six Star
- Caffeine
- Creatine Monohydrate
- L-Carnitine
- Citric Acid
- L-Arginine
- BCAAs
- Salt
- Performance
Introduction
1. Is Six Star pre-workout effective?
- No, Six Star pre-workout is largely ineffective as it contains under-dosed ingredients except for caffeine.
2. Does creatine need to be taken pre-workout for it to be effective?
- No, creatine can be taken at any time as it does not have immediate effects on performance.
3. Is L-carnitine beneficial for everyone?
- No, L-carnitine supplementation is only beneficial if you have a deficiency.
4. Does citric acid help with energy production?
- Citric acid does play a role in energy production, but your body typically produces enough on its own.
5. Are BCAAs necessary if you consume enough protein?
- No, if you consume enough protein, BCAAs are largely unnecessary.
6. Can adding salt to a pre-workout enhance performance?
- Yes, adding a small amount of salt can help enhance performance by improving pumps.