Pre-workout powders are booming on social media. Google Trends shows a spike in searches for pre-workout powders in 2021 compared to previous years, and the hashtag #preworkoutpowder has been used more than 38 million times on TikTok. From influencer-promoted brands to viral dry-scooping techniques and more, the powdery supplement that gym-goers mix into their beverage is everywhere online – but are they necessary?
“Everyone’s looking for that next edge to help them in their fitness… and (pre-workout powders) are just one of the things that are marketed to speed up that process a little bit more,” says Jonathan Purtell, a registered dietitian with Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. “With the rise of Instagram and fitness influencers and these companies taking advantage of those influencers, we’re seeing that these pre-workouts are just being heavily endorsed all the time.” But are these supplements just a heavily marketed fad or serious fitness fuel? We had experts weigh in on whether starting your routine with them is necessary.
Do you need pre-workout powder?
Although pre-workout powders are “exploding” on social media, they’re “absolutely not” necessary for working out, says Dennis A. Cardone, a sports medicine expert and physician in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at NYU Langone Health. While extreme athletes may need more supplementing, he advises the average person to avoid powders that could have “potential harmful effects” and instead derive their energy from food.
“We can save our money,” he says. “Regular food will completely suffice. We can get everything we want out of it – our protein, carbohydrate, and caffeine if we want to – so there’s no need to supplement a well-balanced diet.” By focusing on food, people can “control and know exactly what they’re taking into their bodies,” he adds. Purtell agrees that proper nutrition and a solid workout routine are most important. “All of these supplements are not needed at all. It’s what the name implies; they’re there to supplement a healthy lifestyle,” he says.
But, pre-workouts may be beneficial in some cases, says Abbie E. Smith-Ryan, associate professor of exercise physiology at UNC-Chapel Hill’s Department of Exercise and Sport Science and active researcher in sports nutrition and exercise performance. “Do you need it? No, probably not. Does it increase performance? Potentially,” she says, adding that many people are looking for ways to beat fatigue through stimulants found in these powders. “So it can help, but I wouldn’t say it’s necessary.” She says a well-designed pre-workout can not only help give you that energy boost but “can help recovery and fatigue over time.” “Other ingredients in pre-workouts also provide lower fatigue and higher intensity, with the idea that you could exercise harder and longer and then indirectly see better results over time,” she says.
Risks and tips to stay safe
But not all pre-workouts are the same, and some could do more harm than good. Throughout the years, companies have made headlines for spiking their pre-workout supplements with dangerous chemicals and ingredients. The Food and Drug Administration has also warned against specific, sometimes illegal, components in these products. Cardone shared his concern over pre-workout powders that aren’t transparent with their ingredients. “The FDA does not control them, so we do not know the substances or ingredients,” he says. “So while something may say ‘performance-enhancing,’ they have their proprietary mix of whatever it might be.”
Luckily, Smith-Ryan says there’s more regulation than most people realize. “You want to look for a third-party tested seal,” she advises. These companies will measure what’s in the product to ensure it matches the label. Some even check for banned substances. Typical certifications include NSF Certified for Sport and Informed Choice. “I want to know whatever I’m buying is actually what it says is in there, so that third-party tested seal is really important,” she says. “It costs a lot of money for these companies to do that, which also shows they’re putting time and money into their product.”
Consumers should still be hyperaware when using them, even for pre-workout powders with this added stamp of approval. Caffeine, a popular stimulant ingredient used in pre-workout powders, could have potential side effects if taken in excess. “It can make them feel jittery and make their heart race slightly,” Cardone explains. “And if somebody has heart or cardiac problems, it could even lead to other possible side effects.”
Smith-Ryan says some people may also take more than they need. “Most people think more is better, and that’s not always the case,” she says, explaining someone may take three scoops when the serving is only one. And with caffeine, for example, “you worry about that overstimulation.” Purtell adds, “Too much of one thing can be dangerous,” and advises people to be aware of proper dosages. “Follow the directions because if you’re taking too much caffeine at one given time, you can have serious complications… We don’t want to have any heart attacks.”
Thanks in part to social media and fitness influencers, teens are turning to pre-workout powders, but Smith-Ryan warns against younger people taking them. “Most often, their diets are so poor the first thing they should do is look at what they are eating. Because often, the fatigue comes from overeating sugar and not having appropriate nutrients throughout the day,” she says.
Pre-workout alternatives
In our busy, stressful world, it is unsurprising that some people are looking for a boost before their workouts, but there are alternatives to pre-workout powders. “Everyone’s so fatigued right now, and it’s because of poor sleep and diet,” Smith-Ryan explains. “A lot of times, one of the best ways to get ready for exercise is to get your blood flowing, so move around and do a dynamic warmup.”
If you’re looking to fuel your workout, eat carbs and proteins. Purtell suggests lean meats like chicken breast, ground turkey, and fish or plant-based proteins like tofu and tempeh. And if you’re looking for energy, you can have a cup of coffee or tea. Lastly, keep a well-balanced diet and good sleep routine. For the average gym-goer and young people interested in fitness, Purtell recommends “focusing on getting into a good routine and following a healthy diet and exercise before they even consider taking pre-workout.”
