Best Non Stim Pre Workouts
Posted by Leonard Shemtob on May 22, 2023
Intro
Hello fitness enthusiasts, and welcome to our deep dive into the domain of non-stimulant pre-workouts. These fitness powerhouses play a critical role in boosting your workouts, delivering enhanced muscle pumps, increased blood flow, and endurance, all without the stimulant buzz. But why non-stimulant pre-workouts, you might ask? Let's dig deeper.
Most pre-workouts contain proprietary blends of ingredients focused around caffeine. Caffeine is a potent stimulant known for its ability to increase energy, enhance alertness, delay fatigue, and improve exercise performance.
In fact, caffeine is such an effective ergogenic aid that it's often the cornerstone of many pre-workout supplements. However, while stimulants like caffeine do provide some awesome benefits, it isn't for everyone. Some individuals may experience jitters, anxiety, or sleep disturbances due to caffeine. Others might have a lower tolerance or may workout in the evening, when consuming caffeine could interfere with sleep.
This is where non-stimulant or stimulant free pre-workouts come into play. Caffeine free pre workout supplements offer a range of benefits without the need for stimulants. Now, let's highlight five noteworthy non-stimulant pre-workout options - SuperHuman Pump, Noxygen, Edge Pump, Hype Reloaded, and High Volume. But first, let's explore the advantages and potential drawbacks of choosing non-stimulant pre-workouts.
The Importance of Cycling Off Stimulants
Regularly consuming stimulant-based pre-workouts can lead to tolerance, where you need increasing amounts to achieve the same effects. It can also lead to dependency, withdrawal symptoms, and negative impacts on sleep and heart health.
Cycling off stimulant-based pre-workouts can help:
- Reset Tolerance Levels: A break from stimulants can help reset your body’s baseline tolerance, ensuring that the supplements remain effective.
- Improve Sleep: By avoiding stimulants, particularly close to bedtime, you may find that your sleep quality improves.
- Support Heart Health: Long-term, excessive intake of stimulants can put stress on the heart. Regular breaks can help manage this risk.
Non-stimulant pre-workouts can be a valuable part of your cycling strategy, allowing you to continue supporting your training performance while giving your body a break from stimulants.
Pros and Cons of Non-Stimulant Pre-Workouts
Pros:
- No Jitters or Crash: Since non-stimulant pre-workouts don't contain caffeine or other stimulants, you won't experience the uncomfortable side effects like jitters or the post-workout crash that some individuals experience with stimulant-based pre-workouts.
- Flexible Timing: Non-stimulant pre-workouts can be taken at any time of the day without disturbing sleep, making them ideal for those who train in the evening.
- Promote Hydration: Many non-stimulant pre-workouts contain ingredients that aid in hydration, which can lead to better overall performance.
- Muscle Growth: A lot of non-stim pre-workouts will contain branched-chain amino acids and other muscle supporting ingredients.
Cons:
- Lack of Energy Boost: Without caffeine, non-stimulant pre-workouts might not provide the immediate energy surge that stimulant pre-workouts offer. This may not be ideal for those who rely on their pre-workout for a quick energy boost.
- Effects May Be Subtle: The effects of the ingredients in non-stim pre-workouts might be subtler and more gradual than their stimulant counterparts. This could mean that you won’t 'feel' them working in the same way.
Harnessing The Power of Non-Stimulant Pre-Workouts: Key Considerations
While non-stimulant pre-workouts can be beneficial, there are several factors to keep in mind:
Things to Consider
- Hydration: Many non-stimulant pre-workouts are designed to promote hydration, but it's still essential to drink plenty of water during your workouts.
- Diet: Non-stimulant pre-workouts aren't a replacement for a balanced, nutritious diet. They work best when coupled with good nutrition.
- Training Intensity: Non-stimulant pre-workouts can support high-intensity workouts, but it's important to listen to your body and not push beyond your limits.
Things to Avoid
- Overuse: Even though non-stimulant pre-workouts don't contain caffeine, it's important not to overuse them. Your body can become accustomed to any supplement over time, potentially reducing its effectiveness.
- Ignoring the Label: Always read the label and follow the recommended dosage.
- Mixing with Stimulants: If you're taking a non-stimulant pre-workout because you're sensitive to caffeine or training late in the day, be mindful of other sources of caffeine in your diet.
#1. SuperHuman Pump by Alpha Lion
Key Ingredients
SuperHuman Pump by Alpha Lion is a prime contender in the arena of non-stimulant pre-workouts. It features a potent blend of the following key ingredients:
- Vasodrive-AP: Known to promote enhanced blood flow and boost performance.
- S7™: A plant-based ingredient blend that increases nitric oxide levels, essential for achieving strong muscle pumps.
- Nitrosigine: A patented ingredient that promotes muscle pumps and mental focus.
Key Benefits & Effects
With SuperHuman Pump, you can expect:
- Improved blood circulation
- Enhanced athletic performance
- Heightened focus
- Strong, long-lasting muscle pumps
Suggested Use
The recommended dosage is one scoop mixed with 8-10 ounces of water, taken 20-30 minutes before your workout.
#2. Edge Pump by Psycho Pharma
Key Ingredients
Get ready for Edge Pump by Psycho Pharma. This potent blend packs in:
- Citrulline Malate: Known to increase nitric oxide levels and improve athletic performance.
- Beta Alanine: A famous ingredient that increases muscle carnosine levels, leading to improved endurance.
- Agmatine Sulfate: This aids in muscle pumps and helps with recovery.
Key Benefits & Effects
Here's what Edge Pump promises:
- Enhanced endurance
- Improved athletic performance
- Stronger muscle pumps
- Better recovery
Suggested Use
For optimal results, take one scoop with 8-12 ounces of water, 20-30 minutes before your workout.
#3. Hype Reloaded by Blackstone Labs
Key Ingredients
Brace yourselves for Hype Reloaded by Blackstone Labs. This stellar supplement features:
- Glycerol Monostearate: A hydrating agent that ensures your muscles are well-hydrated.
- Citrulline Malate: This increases nitric oxide levels, enhancing athletic performance.
- Alpha GPC: A nootropic that sharpens focus and can aid in increasing power output.
Key Benefits & Effects
Here's what to expect with Hype Reloaded:
- Improved hydration
- Enhanced athletic performance
- Sharpened focus and mental clarity
- Possible increase in power output
Suggested Use
Mix one scoop with 8-10 ounces of water and take it 20-30 minutes before training.
#4. High Volume by PES
Key Ingredients
Finally, we have High Volume by PES. This pre-workout blend features:
- L-Citrulline: A powerful ingredient that boosts nitric oxide levels for improved muscle pumps.
- Arginine Nitrate: Known for improving blood flow and muscle performance.
- Agmatine Sulfate: This helps with recovery and enhances muscle pumps.
Key Benefits & Effects
With High Volume, you can look forward to:
- Stronger muscle pumps
- Improved athletic performance
- Enhanced blood flow
- Better recovery
Suggested Use
For best results, mix one to two scoops with 10-12 ounces of water, 20-30 minutes before your workout.
#5. Noxygen by Purus Labs
Key Ingredients
Next, we have Noxygen by Purus Labs. This formulation combines two main ingredients:
- HydroMax Glycerol: Known for promoting muscle hydration and endurance.
- Nitratene: A branded form of potassium nitrate that boosts nitric oxide for improved muscle pumps.
Key Benefits & Effects
With Noxygen, here's what you can look forward to:
- Increased hydration levels
- Improved muscle performance and endurance
- Enhanced muscle pumps
Suggested Use
One scoop mixed with your favorite pre-workout beverage, taken 15-30 minutes before training.
Stacking Additional Supplements with Non-Stimulant Pre-workouts
To maximize the benefits of your training sessions, consider stacking your non-stimulant pre-workout with:
- Protein Powder: Essential for muscle recovery and growth. Consuming protein after a workout can help repair and build muscle tissue.
- BCAAs: Branched-Chain Amino Acids can help fuel muscles during workouts and support recovery afterwards.
- Creatine: Can help increase muscle strength and power, improve high-intensity workout performance and speed up recovery.
- Non-Stimulant Fat Burners & Appetite Suppressants: These can aid in weight loss and fat oxidation without the side effects of caffeine or other stimulants.
- Natural Anabolics: Natural supplements like Epicatechin, Turkesterone, and Laxogenin can help enhance muscle growth and recovery without the hormonal side effects of prohormones.
- Natural Testosterone Boosters: Ingredients such as Fenugreek or Tribulus can help provide additional strength and lean muscle support, potentially improving muscle growth and athletic performance.
- Multi-Vitamins: A good multi-vitamin can fill in the nutritional gaps of your diet, supporting overall health and workout recovery. Pairing up a solid multi vitamin along with your non-stim pre-workout can greatly impact your training sessions and improve the overall quality of your results.
- Nootropics: These supplements are designed to boost cognitive function, potentially improving focus and motivation during workouts. Though some non-stim preworkouts will contain nootropics, most of them do not. Users can see great benefits in focus and concentration when adding some nootropics in addition to their non-stimulant pre-workouts.
Comparing Non-Stimulant Pre-Workouts
In choosing the ideal non-stimulant pre-workout, consider the key ingredients, the benefits provided by the ingredients, the efficacy of each product, the price point, and, of course, your specific fitness goals. Each product will have its unique strengths and drawbacks. Determine which pre-workout aligns best with your workout needs, fitness goals, or budget!
Conclusion
Navigating the vast world of non-stimulant pre-workouts might seem overwhelming at first, but it's about finding the one that aligns best with your unique fitness goals. All five products we've examined today - SuperHuman Pump, Noxygen, Edge Pump, Hype Reloaded, and High Volume - bring unique strengths to the table.
SuperHuman Pump and Noxygen focus on enhancing blood flow and muscle pumps, while Edge Pump lends a significant emphasis on endurance. Hype Reloaded stands out with its focus on mental clarity, and High Volume shines in promoting recovery. Your perfect fit depends on whether you're looking to enhance endurance, hydration, focus, recovery, or a combination of these.
Moreover, understanding the efficacy of the key ingredients in these products can aid in decision-making. Popular pre workout ingredients such as Citrulline Malate, Betaine Anhydrous, and Nitrosigine have been found to significantly improve exercise performance.
It's also crucial to pay attention to the recommended dosages. Higher isn't always better, and each of these products should be used as directed for safety and optimal results.
Written and Sponsored by Leonard Shemtob
Leonard Shemtob is President of Strong Supplements and a published author. Leonard has been in the supplement space for over 20 years, specializing in fitness supplements and nutrition. Leonard appears on many podcasts, written over 100 articles about supplements and has studied nutrition, supplementation and bodybuilding.
Leonard's articles have been published in many top publications around the web. Leonard enjoys weight training, playing basketball and yoga, and also enjoys hiking. In his free time he studies and works on improving himself. For more detailed information, visit his official blog.
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