Pre Workout For Cardio

Cardio exercise is an important and fantastic way to stay fit and healthy. It's great for losing weight, increasing aerobic capacity and improving general stamina. If you haven't done cardio before and don't know where to start, check out this guide on cardio for beginners. 

Pre-workouts can help you reach your cardio goals by giving you the energy and motivation that is required to get you through the barrier, but what exactly is it, and why should you use it?

This guide will examine what pre-workout is, how it can be used for cardio, benefits and drawbacks – along with other handy pieces of information you may need!

So, let's dive in. Here's what you need to know about pre-workouts for cardio training. 

What Is Pre Workout?

A pre-workout supplement is a type of dietary supplement which contains ingredients designed to increase your endurance during exercise. These supplements are often marketed as being able to give you more energy or boost your performance levels.

They're also sold under different names such as “energy drinks”, “fat burners” and “workouts”. The main ingredient found in most pre workouts is caffeine. This is because caffeine has been shown to improve physical performance and enhance mental focus.

Caffeine increases blood flow to muscles, helping them to work harder. It also helps to raise metabolism by burning fat faster. Caffeine also stimulates the central nervous system, making you feel more alert and awake.

The amount of caffeine contained in pre workouts varies greatly from product to product. Some contain up to 100 mg per serving while others contain less than 10 mg. There are many brands on the market today, so it's worth checking out the reviews before buying one.

How Does Pre Workout Help You With Your Cardio Training?

Pre-workout is very useful when it comes to cardio training. When you're working out at high intensity, you'll usually find yourself feeling tired and lacking in energy after a few minutes.

That's where pre-workouts can come in really handy. By using a pre-workout supplement prior to exercising, you can give yourself enough time to recover between sets.

It also gives you the extra kick you need to keep going until the end of your session. So, if you're looking to lose weight, improve your fitness level or simply want to challenge yourself then pre-workout could be just what you need.

Benefits Of Using A Pre Workout Supplement

When it comes to pre-workout, there are several benefits associated with its use. They include:

1. Boosting Energy Levels

When you're working hard, you'll probably find yourself getting tired quickly. That's why it's important to have some sort of energy booster to keep you going throughout your cardio sessions.

With pre-workout, you can expect to see increased energy levels and better concentration. As well as this, you'll likely notice that you're able to push yourself further than you ever thought possible.

2. Improving Performance And Endurance

As mentioned earlier, pre-workouts can help you perform better and longer. It does this by increasing your stamina and improving your overall strength.

As well as this, it can also make you stronger. Research has shown that people who consume pre-workout tend to lift heavier weights than those who don't – but this can be translated over to cardio training.

3. Reducing Fatigue And Muscle Soreness

Pre-workout is one of the best things to take for muscle recovery as it reduces muscle soreness and fatigue. It speeds up recovery times and allows you to get back into exercise mode sooner.

This means you won't have to spend hours recovering afterwards which allows you to train again sooner.

4. Increasing Focus And Mental Awareness

Another great thing about pre-workout is that it improves your mental awareness. This makes you focus more intently on your workout, allowing you to concentrate on your form and technique.

5. Providing The Extra Push You Need To Keep Going Until The End

Another benefit of pre-workout is providing the extra boost you need to keep going for the full duration of your cardio session.

By taking a pre-workout supplement prior, you can ensure that you stay focused and energized throughout your entire workout.

6. Preventing Injury And Keeping Yourself Healthy

One final benefit of pre-workout supplements is their ability to prevent injury and keep you healthy. This is in itself a huge advantage, particularly if your goal is to lose weight.

This means you can keep returning to your cardio training without having time off to recover from injury. More training = more calories burned and more likely to lose weight.

Drawbacks Of Using Pre Workout For Cardio

While you may not think of pre-workout as being particularly dangerous, it can cause dehydration and cramps if taken too much.

This can be a serious problem when you're trying to prolong your workout as dehydration can be fatal. This isn't the only drawback though, there are other potential dangers of using pre-workout. These include:

Overdose

If you take too many pre workouts at one time, you could end up feeling dizzy or even nauseous. This is something you want to avoid.

Too Much Caffeine

Some pre workouts contain caffeine. While this is fine for most people, others should stick to lower doses. If you've never had any issues with caffeine before, then it might be best to start slow and work your way up.

Reacts To Other Supplements

There's no reason why you shouldn't use multiple supplements together. However, you do need to consider what they all do. Some supplements can interfere with each other, so it's important to know how they interact.

Feeling Unwell

You might also experience unwanted side effects when taking pre-workouts. These include headaches, nausea, anxiety, insomnia, heart palpitations and more.

Cardio Training Using Pre Workout

You may be wondering what cardio training you should be doing using pre-workout. In fact, there are several types of cardio training that you can use with pre-workout. Here are some examples:

• Running
• Jogging
• Swimming
• Cycling
• Hiking
• Stair Climbing

Using a pre-workout doesn't make you superhuman. It just means you'll get more out of your workout by focusing on the right muscles and working them harder.

The Best Way To Use Pre Workout

When choosing a pre-workout supplement, it's important to remember that while they can improve your performance, they won't necessarily help you burn fat, if you were hoping to use it for weight loss cardio training.

They will however give you an edge over those who don't use pre-workout. It's therefore essential to select a pre-workout that suits your goals and know what training you're going to do.

For example, if you're looking to build muscle and strength, then you'll probably want to focus on high intensity interval training (HIIT). This type of exercise burns more calories than traditional cardio and helps you achieve greater results.

However, if you're looking for a low impact alternative, then you'll be better suited to using longer duration cardio such as walking, jogging or swimming.

When you have in mind what your goals are, you can then choose your training to help you reach them – and then the type of supplement that is best for you.

What Is The Best Pre Workout Supplement?

Now that we've looked at the benefits of pre-workout, let's look at which ones are actually worth buying. There are plenty available but here are our top choices.

PureGains Pre-Workout Formula

PureGains pre-workout formula contains a blend of ingredients that provide energy, endurance, stamina and mental clarity. All these qualities are essential when trying to perform well during intense cardio training sessions.

Muscle Milk Pre Workout

Muscle milk pre-workout has been designed to boost your energy levels and help you train harder for longer. It contains a combination of BCAAs, creatine monohydrate and beta alanine.

P90X Pre Workout

P90x pre-workout is one of the most popular pre workouts on the market today. It's formulated to help you increase your strength, power and endurance.

It includes a number of key ingredients including caffeine, taurine, glucuronolactone and L-glutamine. Each of these ingredients provides a specific benefit that allows you to work harder, last longer and recover faster from your workouts.

Bodybuilding.com Pre Workout

Bodybuilding.com’s pre-workout is made specifically for bodybuilders. It contains a range of supplements that allow you to gain lean muscle mass and maintain optimal health.

Xtend Life Pre Workout

Xtend life preworkout is another great option for people who need to bulk up. It contains a mixture of amino acids and carbohydrates that help you gain muscle mass.

The Bottom Line

In summary, pre-workout can be very efficient when pushing your cardio training through the next stages.

But before you start taking any supplements, make sure you talk to your doctor first. They can advise you on whether you should take any particular product.

If you are unsure about how to maximize the benefits of using pre-workout, speak with your personal trainer too, who should tell you the best possible exercises.