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Pre-workouts are supplements which are designed to help aid in focus during your workout and also to provide you with additional energy to help you aid your workout. They are also full of vitamins and minerals to ensure your body has what it requires during your workout.
Pre-workouts are perfect if your not quite feeling up to a session. They'll give you perfect boost to turn what might be a bad session into a good session.
Over the years, we've tested all the top pre-workouts on the market to find out what works best to help aid training in Muay Thai.
Top 5 pre-workouts for Muay Thai training
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout
The Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout is the top selling pre-workout supplement on Amazon for a reason. It has a good mix of ingredients that will work well for your Muay Thai training without being too overwhelming during the intensive cardio session.
With 175mg of caffeine, it's enough o give you a good boost during your session without making you feel overwhelmed or jittery which some of the stronger 350mg caffeine pre-workouts will.
Pros | Cons |
+ Banned substance tested for elite athletes, ensuring no dodgy or banned substances. | - A lower level of caffeine than other pre-workout supplements which may not be ideal for high dosage caffeine users |
+ Includes Creatine Monohydrate which helps to improve physical performance | - Includes Beta-Alanine which causes the face to tingle, which can be an unpleasant feeling |
+ Ingredients include Vitamins B6 and B12 which help reduce tiredness and fatigue | - Uses a proprietary blend and doesn't showcase the full ingredients and their dosages |
Ingredients:
Creatine Monohydrate, Beta-Alanine, Flavouring, Acids (Citric Acid, Malic Acid, L(+)-Tartaric Acid), Anti-Caking Agents (Calcium Silicate, Silicon Dioxide), L-Citrulline, Acetyl-L-Carnitine Hydrochloride, Thickeners (Sodium Carboxy Methyl Cellulose, Xanthan Gum, Carrageenan), N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, PerforMelon(R) Watermelon Extract (Citrus lanatus, fruit), Natural Caffeine, Sweeteners (Sucralose, Acesulfame K), Colour (Beetroot Red), Nicotinamide, Calcium D-Pantothenate, Cyanocobalamin, Black Pepper Extract (Piper nigrum, fruit), Pteroylmonoglutamic Acid, Thiamin Hydrochloride, Cholecalciferol.
The BSN NO-Xplode 2.0 pre-workout
The BSN No-Xplode pre-workout is a pre-workout which is jammed packed with ingredients that are designed to help you with your workout.
Pros | Cons |
+ 200mg of Caffeine is sure to provide a strong boost of instant energy | - Includes ingredients which are not scientifically proven to boost your workout |
+ Includes good dosages of L-Citrulline and Beta-Alanine | - Contains sucralose and artificial colorings |
+ A good range of vitamins and minerals to help boost your body during the workout | - Similar to other pre-workouts on the market that have better flavouring options |
Ingredients
L-Citrulline, Beta-Alanine, Acids (L(+)-Tartaric Acid, Citric Acid), Anti-Caking Agents (Silicon Dioxide, Calcium Silicate), Flavouring, Caffeine, L-Ascorbic Acid, Rhodiola rosea L. Root Extract, Inulin, Colour (Beetroot Red), Sweeteners (Sucralose, Acesulfame K), Choline Bitartrate, Panax notoginseng Root Extract, Grapefruit Bioflavanoids Extract (Citrus paradisi, fruit), Nicotinamide, Spirulina Powder, Zinc Oxide, Black Pepper Extract (Piper nigrum, fruit). May Contain: Milk, Gluten, Egg, Soy, Nuts and Peanuts.
Cellucor C4 pre-workout
The Cellucor C4 pre-workout is one of the oldest and most used pre-workouts there is. It's also one of the best priced pre-workouts on the market with the tub including 60 servings.
The pre-workout includes a host of ingredients which are great for supporting recovery and muscle growth.
Pros | Cons |
+ Excellent tasting and easy to blend pre-workout | - Uses sweetener Sucralose to enhance taste |
+ Contains B Vitamins, Creatine and Beta Alanine | - Doesn’t use L-Citrulline |
+ Uses sensible 150mg dose of Caffeine | - Better options on the market with better ingredients |
Ingredients
CarnoSyn® Beta-Alanine, Micronised Creatine Monohydrate, Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate, Anti-Caking Agents (Silicon Dioxide and Calcium Silicate), Acidity Regulator (Citric Acid), Flavourings, Bulking Agent (Polydextrose), N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine, Caffeine Anhydrous, Sweeteners (Acesulfame K and Sucralose), L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Colour (Beet Root Red), Nicotinamide (Niacin), Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate (Vitamin B6), Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12). CarnoSyn® Beta-Alanine, Micronised Creatine Monohydrate, Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate, Anti-Caking Agents (Silicon Dioxide and Calcium Silicate), Acidity Regulator (Citric Acid), Flavourings, Bulking Agent (Polydextrose), N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine, Caffeine Anhydrous, Sweeteners (Acesulfame K and Sucralose), L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Colour (Beet Root Red), Nicotinamide (Niacin), Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate (Vitamin B6), Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12). CarnoSyn® Beta-Alanine, Micronised Creatine Monohydrate, Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate, Anti-Caking Agents (Silicon Dioxide and Calcium Silicate), Acidity Regulator (Citric Acid), Flavourings, Bulking Agent (Polydextrose), N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine, Caffeine Anhydrous, Sweeteners (Acesulfame K and Sucralose), L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Colour (Beet Root Red), Nicotinamide (Niacin), Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate (Vitamin B6), Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12)
Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged
The Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged pre-workout is a well rounded pre-workout with a good variety of ingredients such as BCAAs, Creatine HCL and L-Citrulline.
Pros | Cons |
+ A good range of ingredients | - Might be too weak for those with a significant stimulant tolerance |
+ A good focus boost for your workouts | - Not the best tasting pre-workout on the market |
+ BCAAs included which are a key to boosting muscle building and recovery | - Quite expensive |
Warrior Rage pre-workout
The Warrior Rage pre-workout is probably the strongest pre-workout on our list and prepares you to unleash hell in the gym! Its packed with caffeine and a range of other ingredients to help boost your energy and focus for your workout.
Pros | Cons |
+ Contains 300 mg of caffeine | - Some ingredients are below the recommended dosage |
+ Helps to provide strong focus for your workout | - Serving sizes are smaller than usual at only 8.7g |
+ 45 servings per tub compared to the standard 30 | - May be too much caffeine for moderate caffeine users |
What is a pre-workout supplement?
Pre-workout supplements are drinks or powders which are designed to given a sudden boost of energy and increased focused. The main ingredients in a pre-workout supplement generally include Caffeine, Beta-Alanine and L-Citrulline.
Pre-workouts, as the name states, are taken before a workout to help enhance performance during the upcoming workout.
What are the benefits of using pre-workout?
The benefits of using pre-workout are they they will help enhance your performance during your workout, as well as ensuring that you get the most out of your works on your off days.
Pre-workouts, depending on their ingredients, can also help with recovery and increased blood flow which will in-turn help build muscle.
What the the risks of using pre-workout?
The risk of using pre-workout are associated with the ingredients that are in the pre-workout which you are using.
Typically, most pre-workouts contain caffeine or other forms of stimulation, which can be risky if you have heart conditions, or are sensitive to such things. Always consult a physician with any concerns about using supplements, or physical fitness.
How do you take pre-workout?
If you are taking pre-workout, always follow the instructions on the label of the product that you have purchased on how to take the product. If you are completely new to pre-workouts then it may be wise to take a half dosage to see how your body reacts.
It is advised that when taking pre-workout regularly that you take a break from doing so every few months. This is to prevent your body from becoming accustomed to the products.
Conclusion
Pre-workouts come in a range of different flavours and with a host of different ingredients, finding the right one that works for you will try some trial and error but hopefully our list helps you to find the perfect pre-workout to help you with your Muay Thai training.
