How to Make Your PreWorkout More Effective
With the popularity of "dry scooping" (scooping directly into the mouth) on the rise, it might be pretty tempting to skip out on the water when taking your preworkout. Or maybe just have a little less water with your preworkout, but what if we told you being WELL hydrated can make your preworkout more effective? Water is key when it comes to nutrient absorption and getting the most out of your supplements.
Let's dive in!!
How does water affect nutrient delivery?
Many of us are aware that drinking enough water is important for general health and wellness, but do you know the role it plays in delivering nutrients to the body? By mixing your supplements with water, you will reap more benefits from your preworkout and meals.
When you drink water alongside a meal or supplements, your body has an easier time breaking down the nutrients and getting those vitamins and minerals into your system faster. You've probably heard that "digestion starts in the mouth", which is true due to your salivary glands. Saliva, the liquid that lines the inside of the mouth, is mostly water and works to help you dissolve and digest foods efficiently.
Most supplements are made to be soluble in water, and there's a reason for that. When you dry-scoop your preworkout, not only do you encourage a coughing fit - you might also mess up your digestion!
Large amounts of an undiluted substance entering your stomach all at once without water to help it break down can lead to cramps and nausea before a workout.
So, what happens if you are dehydrated when you workout?
About 60% of your body is made of water, with lean muscle tissue itself being 75% water. Due to a higher loss of fluids when you exercise, it's important to make sure you are well hydrated.
Dehydration can make it harder to exercise due to how it makes it more difficult for your body to regulate heat, therefor causing your body temperature and heart rate to rise - leading to faster fatigue and potential damage.
It can also negatively affect:
- Motor Control
- Decision Making
- Concentration
Staying hydrated helps prevent decline in performance, strength, power, and lung capacity during exercise. So in short: drink your water!!!
How much water should you drink when you take preworkout?
Now that you know why you should be taking your preworkout with liquids, let's talk about how much water you should drink alongside it.
How much water you should drink with a preworkout differs depending on the brand and how many scoops you take. However, most brands advise mixing preworkout with 8-16 ounces of water and to drink it no more than 30 minutes before a workout.
Major TIP, making sure you are well hydrated when taking your preworkout will enhance the affects of your preworkout as it will help with the nutrient delivery of the ingredients in your preworkout!
So, to make sure you are getting the most out of your preworkout make sure you are well hydrated. Ultimately, this will help you train harder and feel stronger in the gym.
We get tired too of hearing "Drink Your Water" but if it means faster gains we are all in!!