Stimulant vs. Non-Stimulant Pre-Workouts Which is Better

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. Men should choose which is better by assessing themselves and their workouts. 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 between 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 Pre-Workouts

Stimulant-based or ”stim” pre-workouts are extremely popular. Probably the most popular option you’ll find. The reason is that they’re loaded with – you guessed it – stimulants.

Stimulants, such as caffeine, are commonly found in coffee and energy drinks. Everybody is familiar with the ingredient, as it’s known for boosting your energy and waking you up.

Stimulant-based pre-workouts typically have a large dose of caffeine, usually around 300mg per serving. Plus, there are also other ingredients in a pre-workout that work synergistically with the caffeine in there.

Pros:

1. They supercharge your energy levels
2. Ability to push beyond fatigue
3. They boost your focus and alertness
4. They start working really fast

Cons:

1. Some people are sensitive
2. Can negatively impact sleep

Non-Stimulant Pre-Workouts

Fortunately, for those of us who don’t like stimulants, there are also non-stimulant pre-workouts. They’re still formulated with ingredients to boost your performance, but the emphasis is more on the pump and focus instead of boosting energy.

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.

There is also liquid glycerol, a newer type of pre-workout that works by pulling water into the muscles for a crazy pump.

Pros:

1. Great for pumps and focus
2. Good for those sensitive to caffeine
3. Allows muscles to use nutrients more efficiently
4. You can take them at any time of the day

Cons:

1. They don’t boost energy as much
2. There’s less to choose from

Matching Pre-Workout to Your Workout

Everybody has different training goals. Some of us train for strength, whereas others are all about endurance. Your goals matter when it comes to choosing pre-workout supplements. 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 push beyond your limits when the tank is empty.

Time of Day Matters

The time of the day will also impact what pre workout is best 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.

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.

Image by Scott Webb from Pixabay