Can Pre-Workout Be Used For Weight Loss?

By Stepfanie Romine

Pre-workout supplements are designed to (you guessed it!) be taken before you exercise. They can help boost your energy and endurance so you can exercise harder and get the most out of every workout. But can you take pre-workout for weight loss?

While a pre-workout formula like LADDER Pre-Workout can be part of a fitness and healthy eating plan that helps you lose weight, it doesn't directly influence weight loss, says Trevor Thieme, CSCS, senior director of fitness and nutrition content at LADDER. "But what it can do is increase focus and delay fatigue during exercise, which can help you maintain a higher level of performance for a longer period of time — and that can affect how many calories you ultimately burn."

We'll go into greater detail regarding how pre-workout supplements can influence weight management in a bit. But first, let's start with the basics.

Give it your all during your next workout with the performance boost provided by LADDER Pre-Workout.

What Is Pre-Workout?

The goal of a pre-workout supplement is to enhance workout performance*, and the market is filled with products containing a variety of ingredients that claim to help do that. But not all of those claims are backed by science. "And that's one of the things that makes LADDER Pre-Workout different," says Thieme. "We use ingredients that are supported by research."

These ingredients include:

Beta-alanine

Beta-alanine is an amino acid that may help delay muscular fatigue during hard workouts*. But to reap its benefits, you need to take it regularly.

"Beta-alanine isn't like caffeine — it doesn't have an acute effect on workout performance," says Thieme. "Like creatine, it can take up to a month with regular supplementation to build up to sufficient levels in your system to make a difference in your workout performance."

Sometimes beta-alanine excites the sensory neurons in your skin, causing tingles. This sensation is harmless and temporary, says Thieme. "But if it bothers you, reduce your serving," he adds.

Caffeine

LADDER Pre-Workout contains about as much caffeine as a medium cup of coffee from Starbucks. "That's all most people need to reap its performance-enhancing benefits, including enhanced focus and endurance,"* says Thieme.

Creatine

Creatine monohydrate is one of the most tested, studied, and effective supplements on the market. Your body uses creatine to fuel short, high-intensity exercises like sprinting and weightlifting.

At typical servings, such as the 5 grams found in LADDER Pre-Workout, it takes a month or more of continued supplementation to see a noticeable difference in your workouts.*

Can Pre-Workout Help With Weight Loss?

As stated above, while a pre-workout supplement likely won't trigger your body to burn more fat directly, it can help you accomplish fitness goals by boosting your workout performance.* "The longer you're able to maintain a high level of effort in your workouts, the more calories you'll burn and the more fat you can potentially lose over time as a result," says Thieme.

Should I Use Pre-Workout?

The performance-enhancing benefits of a high-quality, effective pre-workout supplement such as LADDER Pre-Workout make it a good option for just about anyone who wants to level-up their training, says Thieme, adding that you should always check with your doctor first — especially if you're sensitive to caffeine. Also, you should read and follow all label instructions.

LADDER Pre-Workout may be right for you if you want to help:

• Boost focus, energy, and endurance.*
• Delay the onset of muscle burn and fatigue.*
• Improve performance.*
• Feel less tired during workouts.*
• Feel dialed into your sweat sessions.*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.