Leading global tech research and advisory company, TechNavio, reported a significant growth trend in the pre-workout supplements market. According to its published research, its size is predicted to increase at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 8.21% between 2023 and 2027 – or specifically by USD 8,223.64 million. This forecast is based on several factors, with a heavy emphasis on the growing interest in sports and fitness activities, awareness about protein, and the rising number of health and fitness centers.
The historic market data from 2017 to 2021 is a contributing gauge in the confidence of the pre-workout supplements market’s accelerating growth momentum. This is evident as seen in online sales, exposure on social media, and options that line the shelves of supermarkets. While this is a sound phenomenon, it’s guaranteed to be an overwhelming journey for beginners in the sports and fitness scene. So, what is pre-workout and what are the top factors to look into when buying? Get ahead and find out all the basics here at NeedThat.
Pre-workout in a nutshell
Any exercise or physical activity can boost your energy, and in the same vein, also requires energy to get your muscles pumped up. A good cycle, right? But what if you’re not at your 100% – you feel tired or unmotivated to get started? Everyone experiences this, so don’t worry. It might be normal but it needs a solution. Cue the power of pre-workout supplements. Designed and sold in the form of powder, pills, and drinks, they are consumed prior to the workout (hence the name) to enhance athletic performance by boosting energy levels and improving strength and endurance.
While pre-workout supplements are not essential and not for everyone, research finds their benefits considerable, such as reducing fatigue, improving cognitive function, enhancing fat loss, and quick recovery. However, these are subject to a product’s active ingredients and the amounts it contains. That is why it is crucial to be a wise consumer as you strut your way to the vast and consistently growing market of pre-workout supplements. Not every brand caters to your fitness goals, taste, and tolerance to certain ingredients.
Top 8 factors to check according to experts
A pre-workout supplement is personal to the consumer just as a workout plan is distinctive to an individual. With so many ill-advised TikTok trends and fit-fluencers preaching their endorsements online, be a wise consumer in the market as you keep in mind the top six factors when choosing a pre-workout supplement brand and product, according to experts:
1. Define your fitness goals
Consider what you want to achieve with your workouts. Are you looking to increase strength, improve endurance, boost energy levels, or enhance focus during your workouts? Different pre-workout supplements may cater to specific goals.
2. Consult with a healthcare professional
A pre-workout is not necessary, so if you have underlying health concern/s or are actively taking medications that might negatively react to a supplement’s active ingredients, it’s highly recommended to consult first with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian. They might suggest alternatives like a balanced diet that offers important nutrients for successful workouts.
3. Review ingredients
Learn about the common active ingredients and effects of pre-workout supplements. Caffeine, beta-alanine, creatine, BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids), citrulline, and nitric oxide boosters are a few typical examples. Know if you have any allergies or sensitivity to any substances.
4. Consider caffeine content
Caffeine is a common active ingredient in pre-workout supplements because it can effectively increase focus and energy levels. At the same time, it also does harm as it provides benefits. Since it stimulates the brain and nervous system, people who are sensitive or have a low tolerance to it can have negative side effects like jitters or increased heart rate. It is important to review a product’s caffeine content and/or consider a product that discloses an accurate amount.
5. Assess label transparency
Look for a pre-workout supplement that lists every ingredient and the amounts of each clearly. Avoid products that contain proprietary blends since they make it impossible to determine their efficacy and safety because they fail to reveal the precise quantities of each component.
6. Look for third-party testing
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) does not regulate pre-workout supplements in the same way as pharmaceuticals. So, the best and only way to ensure your correct decision is by looking for third-party testing aside from looking into established and reputable brands that follow good manufacturing practices.
7. Avoid artificial additives, fillers, and sweeteners
True to the saying, less is better. pre-workout supplements might have extraneous ingredients or fillers. Look for products with the least unnecessary additionals possible. These include additives, fillers, and sweeteners. If you prefer natural ingredients, look for products sweetened with stevia or other natural alternatives.
8. Read reviews
Thanks to online stores and brands’ social media pages, getting to know more about their products has become quick and easy. You can weigh your decision by checking customer reviews and feedback, and see whether or not product information on ingredients, effectiveness, and potential side effects align with people’s experiences.
One final reminder
Ready to lift heavier, run faster, and be the best version you aim to be? If you think pre-workout supplements can help your fitness goals, we suggest starting with a smaller dosage to assess your tolerance and how your body will react to it. Initial tingling or other modest side effects from some substances may occur.
Keep in mind that not everyone needs pre-workout supplements, despite the fact that they might provide your workout an extra push. A balanced diet and enough water intake are essential for sustaining your exercise and general health. Always put good eating, relaxation, and exercise into higher priority than supplements.
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