If you’re new to working out or using supplements, we know it can be challenging trying to find a program and products you like. With fitness influencers, online coaches and professional athletes telling you how to workout, eat and recover, it’s hard to even know where to begin. Supplements can be particularly confusing. If you search “pre workout” on Amazon, you will find hundreds of pages worth of brands that run the gamut in caffeine levels, flavor and stimulus. So how do you find the right product for you? We’ll let you in on some industry secrets and show you where to find the best pre workout for beginners.
What to Know About Pre Workout for Beginners
If you’re just dipping your toes into the world of pre workout, there are a handful of things you’ll want to consider before making your choice.
Caffeine
One of the primary ingredients in pre workout is caffeine. Caffeine has shown to help athletes and exercisers perform better for longer due to its stimulating effects, which include increased energy and focus and improved blood flow to working muscles. However, too much caffeine can have negative side effects from jitters to heart palpitations to gastrointestinal discomfort. The American Health Association recommends not exceeding 400 milligrams of caffeine per day. That may seem like a lot, but many pre-workouts on the market contain 400 milligrams of caffeine per serving or more! Most standard pre workouts fall between 100 – 200 milligrams of caffeine per serving, so if you regularly consume coffee, you should be fine to start in that range. However, if you’re sensitive to caffeine, we recommend starting with a lower dosage.
Red Leaf Pre-Workout is a mild formula with only 40 milligrams of caffeine per serving. It’s just enough caffeine to give you a boost for your workout, but won’t give you the jitters or keep you up all night if you take it in the afternoon. Our pre workout formula is a great starting point if you are looking to try a pre workout for beginners. Once you get used to the feel, you can up the caffeine by using a double scoop if you’re looking for a bit more punch.
Beta-Alanine
Beta-alanine is an amino acid that promotes increased muscle endurance and is one of the most frequently used ingredients in pre workout powders. Its popularity has risen in the last year due to Mat Fraser, a 5-time CrossFit Games champion, unveiling that it was one of his competition performance secrets. While it certainly has many positive effects on performance, beta-alanine can also make some people feel tingles in their face, hands and legs. This phenomenon, known as the “beta-alanine itch” is a natural reaction in the body that diminishes over time as you continue to use it. Some people love it and some people hate it, so it’s important to start with a moderate amount to see how your body reacts.
Most formulas contain around 1.5 to 2.0 grams per serving, but Red Leaf Pre Workout only contains 1.0 gram per serving. Start small with one scoop and see how you feel after about 15 minutes. If you feel your face itching, don’t worry! You’re not having an allergic reaction. This is a totally normal response. After about 5-10 minutes, this sensation should dissipate and with continued use over time, you will experience less itching.
Artificial Colors and Flavorings
Many supplements contain artificial colors and flavorings since supplements are not regulated by the FDA like other foods and beverages. When you’re a first time pre-workout buyer, it’s important to look at the ingredient list to see if that watermelon crush or sour green apple flavor is natural or artificial. If you aren’t looking to crash a few hours after your workout, try to find a pre-workout brand with little to no added sugar and natural, high quality ingredients. At Red Leaf, we wanted to make a pre workout for beginners and veterans alike that used only the best quality ingredients. Our pre-workout formulas are naturally colored and our Blueberry Acai flavor is 100% naturally sweetened with stevia leaf extract and monk fruit, which gives it a slightly tart flavor. Our signature pre-workout flavor, Cranberry Lime, contains a small amount of sucralose, about 1.0 gram per 30 servings and has a much sweeter profile than the Blueberry Acai.
The Best Pre Workout for Beginners
If you’re a beginner who is looking to try pre-workout for the first time, it’s important to start with a more mild formula. Not only will this help you identify how your body responds to the ingredients typically in pre workout, but it will help you see how pre-workout helps you perform during training. This is why we made Red Leaf Pre-Workout. Red Leaf Pre-Workout is a mild, healthier pre workout formula that is great for beginners and for people looking for a more balanced stimulus. It comes in two different flavors, Cranberry Lime and Blueberry Acai and two different packages, containers and single serve packets. Whatever your training style and however long you’ve been working out, Red Leaf Pre-Workout is a milder alternative to many industry leading brands that are high in stimulants and contain artificial ingredients.
Shop Red Leaf Pre-Workout here and get 15% off with code redleaf at checkout.
