There are few people who actually want to help educate the consumers as to what actually should go into a pre-workout. I hope to change that with the information provided here!
Few supplements are as popular among gym-goers as pre-workout formulas. And why wouldn't they be? Who wouldn't want the promise of enhanced performance, strength, endurance, and results?
But the truth is, despite the way Pre JYM revolutionized the industry and started a trend away from the shady practices of the past, there are still companies out there pushing under-dosed products that are big on hype but short on results. In this article, I break down what a true pre-workout should look like and—just as important—what it shouldn't.
Pre-Workout Supplements 101
The videos below are a two-part series that started with me simply breaking down each ingredient in Pre JYM and why each one is important to take before workouts at the doses provided in Pre JYM.
But I went off the rails a bit on this one. What I ended up with was 30 minutes of footage that not only gives you a solid breakdown of each and every ingredient in Pre JYM and what it does, but that also uncovers a lot if secrets that supplement manufacturers don't want you to know about. That's why I ended up calling these videos "Pre-Workout Supplements 101." Because they cover the REAL information you need to know before you purchase any pre-workout supplement.
I realize that each video is almost 15 minutes long, so it's about 30 minutes total. But do yourself a massive favor and carve out some time to watch both videos. When you're done with both, you'll basically have an honorary PhD in pre-workout supplements from me. Plus, the videos get quite entertaining if you're not used to seeing me extremely fired up! I'm in rare form in these videos because I'm so furious with what the majority of supplement manufacturers have done to ruin the supplement industry and how they continue lie to us.
Say No to Proprietary Blends!
I've been doling out supplement advice online and in print for over a dozen years. Those who have followed that advice have made impressive gains in muscle size, strength and endurance while often losing body fat, even after being stuck at a plateau for several years.
Thousands have reported gaining 20 pounds (9 kg) or more of lean muscle following my mass-gaining training programs like Down and Up Mass and Shortcut to Size, along with a proper diet (like outlined in my Muscle-Building Rules article) and supplement plan.
At the same time, thousands have reported losing more than 20 pounds while building significantly more muscle mass and strength following my fat-burning training programs like Super Shredded 8 and HIIT 100, along with my fat loss plans (like Dieting 101 and Intermittent Fasting Carb Cycle) and supplement regimen. While the training and diet components of those programs are the most critical elements, the supplement regimen plays a significant role in allowing such results to be achieved naturally.
Supplements can enhance the results achieved from any solid training and diet program. But the supplement regimen must include what I call the Three Ts. The Three Ts stand for:
- Total
- Type
- Timing
The proper total refers to the proper dosing amount of the proper type of supplements taken at the proper times. Research studies and years of use in the gym have provided us the knowledge regarding how much of each supplement is required to be the most effective. As an example, years of research have concluded that the minimum dose of creatine monohydrate to provide benefits is 3 grams. Evidence from the real-world laboratory that I call the gym, however, shows that taking 5 grams of creatine monohydrate pre-workout and post-workout is even more effective for most people.
I'll give you a couple more examples. The research on beta-alanine suggests that a minimum dose of 1.6 grams is required for it to be effective. And taking higher doses twice daily (such as pre-workout and post-workout) provides even better results. One more: The nitric-oxide-boosting and energy-producing supplement citrulline malate has been shown to require a minimum dose of a whopping 6 grams taken before workouts to deliver its benefits.
What's a Proprietary Blend?
The supplement companies that use the term want you to believe it means that the amount of creatine, beta-alanine, citrulline malate and many other ingredients that they've included in their pre-workout formula is in a combination that they spent years studying and perfecting to get the precise amounts of each and every ingredient to deliver the best product on the market. And that that precise formula they painstakingly produced is so secretive that they don't want other supplement companies ripping them off and creating their own version.
In reality, "proprietary blend" means that the company doesn't want you to know how little of each ingredient they put in their formula. Instead of listing the dose of each ingredient so that you can be sure they're in efficacious doses, they hide the insignificant dose behind the term "proprietary blend" in the hopes that no one's the wiser. This allows them to cut corners and make more money while you, the consumer, wastes money on a subpar product that produces little actual results.
Think about it. Would you ever buy a protein powder that doesn't list how much protein is in one serving and instead just lists "proprietary blend"? Of course you wouldn't. That's because you know that you need a certain amount of protein before and after workouts and at other times of day to maximize muscle growth. So why wouldn't you want to know exactly how much creatine, branched-chain amino acids and beta-alanine you're taking? You also need certain amounts of these ingredients to maximize muscle growth.
Pre JYM Set a New Standard
The good news is that many companies are now stepping up and being more transparent with their formulas. This allows you to ensure that a product is providing you the proper doses of every ingredient. And if it's not, you can choose a better product or add other supplements in the proper doses to enhance that product. So be a savvy supplement user and think twice before using products with proprietary blends. Do your homework and learn what the correct doses are for each ingredient you consume. JimStoppani.com is designed to educate you on supplements and proper dosing. Knowledge is power, and the more you know the better the results you'll get.
What’s the Difference? Pre Stim vs Pre JYM
In this video I discuss how Pre JYM is not a PRE STIM product but a true pre-workout. There is a major disconnect with many users who think they are getting muscle building and strength building benefits from products that contain absolutely nothing other than stimulants to get them through a workout. This video will help set the record straight.
The 5 Pre-Workout Must-Have Ingredients
When deciding what pre-workout supplements to take, ask yourself this:
What’s going to help me train harder, longer, and stronger so that I can get the results I want out of each and every workout?
The answer to this question lies in 5 must-have supplement ingredients:
- Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which can provide a zero-carb energy source directly to working muscles.
- Creatine HCl, which supports high-intensity exercise (like lifting weights).
- Beta Alanine, which helps clear the acid that makes muscles burn and can improve both lifting and endurance performance.
- Betaine, which can help improve high-volume work capacity.
- Citrulline Malate, which supports Nitric Oxide (NO) production to promote better muscle pumps.
These ingredients influence the way your body gets energy, the way your body contracts the muscles, and how pumped your muscles get during workouts. It’s just that simple.
All five ingredients have scientific research supporting their use for muscle, strength, and endurance training. But the real proof is in the results and experiences of thousands and thousands of people. They’re all saying the same things about what they’re getting from these ingredients…
Clean energy. More strength during workouts. No crash.
Does your pre-workout contain ALL 5 MUST-HAVE INGREDIENTS? If it doesn’t, your workouts and results won’t be as great as they could be.
Pre JYM and Pre JYM X both contain all 5 ingredients, with four of them at higher doses in Pre JYM X (BCAAs are in the same amount in both).
In the video below I break down the five most must-have ingredients you should take before a workout, what they do, and why they're critical to getting optimal results from your training.
