Whether you’re a long-time gym patron or you’re new to the workout world, you’ve likely heard of pre-workout supplements. You may also know there are tons of them to choose from. Pre-workouts come in two types—stimulant or non-stimulant. When deciding between Stimulant Vs. Non-Stimulant Pre-Workouts, men should assess themselves and their workouts to determine which is better. Consider your sensitivity level to caffeine. Set your specific goals. Match the type of pre-workout to the type of workout you’re doing. You should also consider what time of day you are working out.
This article breaks down the differences of the stimulant and non-stimulant pre-workouts, as well as how to make the best choice for your needs. So, let’s get into it.
Stimulant vs. Non-Stimulant
The basic difference between these two types of pre-workouts is one has an ingredient that awakens the brain to allow for more focus and drive, while the other does not.
Stimulant Pre-Workouts
Generally, the stimulant in pre-workouts is caffeine. We’re all familiar with caffeine. It’s in our coffees, teas, and energy drinks.
Stimulant pre-workouts typically have a higher, more concentrated dose of caffeine than your everyday beverages mentioned above. There are other ingredients, such as B vitamins and taurine, that work along with the caffeine to create the boost you’re looking for in the gym.
Pros:
- Higher focus
- Ability to push through fatigue
- Increased alertness
Cons:
- Some people are sensitive
- Promotes caffeine crash
- Can prevent sleep
Non-Stimulant Pre-Workouts
Many pre-workouts don’t have stimulants in them. They’re still configured with ingredients to give you a boost but the focus is more on what will help your body use the nutrients you give it more effectively.
For instance, there are some pre-workout elements that help your muscles get more oxygen and fuel in so they can work harder and longer. Beta-alanine, betaine anhydrous, and citrulline malate are all used to increase nitric oxide, which allows muscles to get more oxygen and make better use of what fuel is in the body.
One thing to look out for with these is tingling in the hands or sometimes the face. Beta-alanine has a tendency to cause a tingling sensation when it’s concentrated, as in pre-workout. If you feel tingling, it’s ok to keep using it, but you may want to decrease your pre-workout dose. If you don’t like to take powders, you may also want to look into pump pills.
Pros:
- No late-day crash
- Good for those sensitive to caffeine
- Allows muscles to use nutrients more efficiently
- No concern with time of day
Cons:
- Use of beta-alanine can cause tingling
- Fewer to choose from
Matching Pre-Workout to Your Workout
Workouts come in all sorts of forms. Some are for building strength, while others are all about endurance. You may be trying to build bulky muscles, while your neighbor wants to just look fit. Your goals matter when it comes to choosing pre-workout supplements.
This is where the conversation around Stimulant Vs. Non-Stimulant Pre-Workouts comes in. Consider someone who wants to increase his endurance for running long distances. His needs are going to vary widely from someone who wants to weigh more due to muscle mass gain.
Stimulants like caffeine are known for causing a crash later in the day. If you’re running long distances, you don’t want to feel a crash. You need something that is going to sustain you so you can achieve your goals. Non-stimulant pre-workouts are designed to give you a boost but one that’s more sustained so your energy remains level throughout the entire workout.
Conversely to the long-distance runner, those doing high-intensity workouts that require short bursts of big energy are probably going to be happier with a stimulant pre-workout that boosts energy fast. Caffeine also helps you drive through those intense bursts when you feel like you might not have anything left in the tank.
Time of Day Matters
Sometimes, the time of day you workout at will dictate what type of pre-workout is better for you. For example, if you workout first thing in the morning, that jolt from the caffeine or other stimulant may be exactly what you need to get you motivated and ready for exercise. You don’t have to worry about it keeping you up at night because there are plenty of hours left in the day.
However, plenty of us workout after work or at the end of the day. Caffeine usually takes several hours to get through the bloodstream. In fact, it can stay in your bloodstream for up to 10 hours, in some cases. It can cause issues with sleeping when you take in caffeine too late in the day, especially at higher doses like what’s in stimulant pre-workout.
Try Them Out First
The best advice we can give you is to try different pre-workouts before settling on the one that works best. Read the ingredients and educate yourself on what each of them does.
High quality pre-workouts are made by reputable companies who spend a lot of time, money, and energy on finding the right combination of ingredients to produce the results they’re looking for. All the ingredients matter. Look at what’s in each one you try and stay away from those with fillers.
Take note of how each type of pre-workout makes you feel and choose the one that lines up with your needs and goals.
Stimulant Vs. Non-Stimulant Pre-Workouts Let’s Sum It Up
There’s no single answer for which is better for men, stimulant or non-stimulant pre-workout. We’re all different and we have different goals. Just make sure to assess yourself and your workouts thoroughly so you can match your pre-workout to your exercise routines. Test the two types and various brands to find the best fit.
