Stimulant vs Non-Stimulant Pre-workout: A Detailed Supplement Usage Guide
Stimulant Vs Non-stimulant pre-workout: which is worthy? You must want to know, let’s find out. ”Tried a non-stimulant pre-workout to increase pumps and it gave me a splitting headache all day.”
Are you facing a similar situation and struggling with Stimulant vs non-stimulant pre-workouts? Then hold on to it and keep reading.
This article will help you choose which kind of supplement is better for you by explaining Stimulant vs Non-stimulant pre-workout!
Background of pre-workout supplements usage
The nutritional supplements either stim or stim-free pre-workout had been extensively used by athletes. According to a study at the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act(DSHEA) :
”Nutritional Supplements are products to supplement the normal diet, including vitamins, minerals, probiotics, botanical extracts, and other ingredients intended for ingestion as a pill, capsule, tablet, or in liquid form.”(National Institute of Health,2017)
Just like Caffeine which had been a source of energy boost and fatigue relief. So some products contain stimulants that block nervous system activity and some are free of it.
The central nervous system works through a stimulus provided by a substance called a Stimulant. I.e Caffeine, Cocaine. Simply it increases whole physiological and nervous activity in the body. They make you feel more alert, awake and energetic.
Here is a brief difference between the two types that will facilitate you before taking pre-workouts.
Stimulant vs Non-stimulant pre-workouts
As the name indicates, non-stim supplements increase blood flow, energy boost, and endurance without any stimulant.
People who are allergic to any stimulant and can’t endure them use stimulant-free pre-workouts. They include substances like taurine, arginine, creatine, nitric oxide, etc.
The supplements which contain stimulants in any form are known as stimulant pre-workouts.
For instance, Caffeine as a principal ingredient in most pre-workout supplements plays an important role in blocking the central nervous system.
It simply delays the perception of fatigue, and pain and preserves glycogen in muscles.
Two types of ingredients introduces in these supplements. Firstly, we discuss strongly stimulating agents.
Stimulant pre-workouts
Who needs Stim-pre-workouts
- If you’re very dull and feel sluggish in the early mornings, then caffeine will help you to awake and get out of bed. It’ll stop up adenosine which is causing drowsiness.
- It will synchronize your nervous system to burn extra fats in your body. So, for people who are struggling with fat loss, a Stimulant pre-workout will be highly advantageous.
- The people whose stomachs can easily process stimulants like caffeine and caffeine don’t become a hurdle for metabolism can easily access stim-pre-workouts.
- If you have no issues like shakiness, itchiness, and metabolic problems, then stimulant pre-workouts are the best choice for you.
Here are the key ingredients added to stimulant pre-workouts.
Caffeine: It is a strong stimulating agent. It preserves glycogen in muscles. It attacks adenosine receptors, affecting motor neurons and thus blocking the nervous system mildly. So when the brain doesn’t perceive any pain or fatigue, it becomes highly focused and energized.
Yohimbine: It is derived from the bark of the South American and African tree Pausinystalia Yohimbe. This also has stimulating abilities. It is excreted through urine as a metabolite. It causes blockage of postsynaptic receptors and causes smooth muscle relaxation.
Theobromine: It is also known as a heart stimulant, used for vasodilation. It is principally excreted through renal activity. It is an alkaloid known as Xanthos and provides long-lasting energy without causing any spike.
Ephedrine: It is a central nervous system stimulant. It causes an increase in heart rate, and contractility and ultimately causes a reduction in fatigue and improves alertness.
Dimethylhexylamine: Also known as DMHA and it adds to many pre-workout supplements as a stimulant. It shows its effects right 15 minutes after its consumption. It reduces appetite and increases energy levels and mental focus.
Advantages
- Provide focus and alertness
- Help in weight loss
- Extra energy levels and motivation
- Muscle growth
- Better Endurance
Non-Stimulant pre-workouts
Who needs stimulant-free pre-workouts
- If you’re a breastfeeding mother or pregnant then we recommend avoiding any kind of stimulant. Because stimulants are very dangerous for infants. Replace it with stim-free immediately.
- If you have sleep problems with caffeine or any other stimulant and you are habitual of evening workouts so stay away from stim-pre-workouts.
- If you face anxiety, or restlessness after using stim pre-workouts then change it with non-stimulant pre-workout.
The following ingredients are included in non-stimulant pre-workouts
Beta-alanine: It’s an amino acid that lowers lactic acid accumulation in muscles. And help to reduce fatigue and tiredness.
Beetroot extract: This juice reduces oxidative stress on the liver. It is beneficial for lowering blood pressure and improving blood flow.
Vitamin-B: They simply increase the athlete’s energy level by metabolizing proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.
Creatine: It is naturally found in the body and enhances exercise performance and muscle growth.
L-Citrulline: An amino acid that primarily does vasodilation in the body and provides extra flow to the brain. Thus, you feel more alert and energized. They also increase growth hormone production in the body.
Sodium bicarbonate: Also known as Soda is an ingredient of most pre-workouts. It betters muscular endurance activities. It also reduces lactic acid levels in muscles.
Advantages
- No crash at the end of the day
- Better stamina
- Muscle growth
- No anxiety
How Does Stim-Free Pre-Workout Work?
Caffeine has adverse effects that some people may avoid at any time of the day, such as jitteriness or upset stomach. Stim-free pre-workout would be the best option for them.
By encouraging hyper pumps, vascularity, and muscular growth, the stim-free pre-workouts are efficient and can enhance your subsequent workout.
You benefit from a pump because the increased blood flow encourages protein synthesis rather than breakdown during hydration. Muscle-building nutrients and amino acids can get to the muscle more quickly when vascularity increases, aiding in the muscle’s growth and recovery.
Mixing Stim and Non-Stim Pre-Workout
When done correctly, stacking or combining your pre-workout supplements is wonderful and can be a lot of fun. Some people combine pre-workout vitamins or powders to get the best results. Now, that just entails combining a half-serving of both, rather than a full serving.
For instance, if you desire the benefits of a non-stim pre-workout that relies on mental focus and a pump but also want a little extra energy boost from a stimulant-based pre-workout, combine both in half the amount.
If you want to improve your endurance and power, mixing stim and non-stim pre-exercise is preferable. BCAAs and nitric oxide boosters are common ingredients in stim-free pre-workout supplements. Therefore, magic can happen if you mix a superb stimulant pre-workout with a non-stimulant pre-workout.
Stacking your stimulant and non-stimulant pre-workouts also enables you to increase the shelf lives of the items. While reducing the potentially harmful effects of caffeine and/or other stimulants, it can deliver the desired outcomes. You may keep your serving of each pre-workout supplement longer and won’t need to refill them as frequently if you divide it in half.
