Water is important for performance. It's recommended to drink water and sodium-containing beverages before exercise to promote fluid balance and prevent excessive fluid loss.
Pairing carbs with protein before workouts can help improve performance and recovery. Staying hydrated is also important and certain supplements like creatine or caffeine might be beneficial. Athletes and fitness enthusiasts are always looking for ways to improve their performance and achieve their goals. Good nutrition can help your body perform better and recover faster after each workout. Optimal nutrient intake prior to exercise will not only help you maximize your performance but also minimize muscle damage ( 1 ). Here is everything you need to know about pre-workout nutrition. Share on Pinterest Image credit: 365mm/Stocksy/Adobe Stock
Knowing what to eat is important Fueling your body with the right nutrients prior to exercise will give you the energy and strength you need to perform better. Each macronutrient has a specific role before a workout. However, the ratio in which you need to consume them varies by the individual and type of exercise ( 1 ). Below is a brief look at the role of each macronutrient. Carbs Your muscles use the glucose from carbs for fuel. Glycogen is the way the body processes and stores glucose, mainly in the liver and muscles. For short and high intensity exercise, your glycogen stores are your muscles’ main source of energy ( 1 ). But for longer exercises, the degree to which carbs are used depends on several factors. These include the intensity, type of training, and your overall diet ( 1 ). Your muscles’ glycogen stores are limited. As these stores become depleted, your output and intensity diminish ( 1 ). Studies have consistently shown that carbs can increase glycogen stores and utilization while boosting carb oxidation during exercise ( 2 ). Carb loading, which involves consuming a high carb diet for 1–7 days, is a well-known method to maximize glycogen stores ( 3 , 4 ). Protein Many studies have documented the potential of pre-workout protein consumption to improve athletic performance. Eating protein (alone or with carbs) prior to exercise has been shown to increase muscle protein synthesis ( 5 ). One small study found that consuming 25 grams (g) of whey protein before exercise enhanced whole body anabolism, or muscle growth, compared to a placebo ( 6 ). Other benefits of eating protein before exercise include ( 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ): increased muscle mass
improved muscle recovery
increased strength and lean body mass
enhanced muscle performance Fat While glycogen is used for short and high intensity bouts of exercise, fat is the source of fuel for longer and moderate-to-low intensity exercise ( 10 ). Some studies have investigated the effects of fat intake on athletic performance. However, these studies looked at high fat diets over a long period, rather than prior to exercise ( 11 ). For example, one review found that following a low carb, high fat diet could improve body composition and increase maximal oxygen uptake when paired with high intensity interval training (HIIT) ( 12 ). Summary Carbs help maximize glycogen stores for high intensity exercise, while fat helps fuel your body for longer, less intense workouts. Meanwhile, protein improves muscle protein synthesis and aids recovery.
The timing of your pre-workout meal is key The timing of your meal is also an important aspect of pre-exercise nutrition. To maximize the results of your training, try to eat a complete meal containing carbs, protein, and fat 2–3 hours before you exercise. This is especially important for longer workouts, as evidence suggests that pre-exercise meals don’t significantly impact performance during workouts with a duration of less than 1 hour ( 1 , 13 , 14 ). However, in some cases, you may not be able to get in a full meal 2–3 hours before working out. In that case, then you can still eat a decent pre-workout meal. However, keep in mind that the sooner you eat before your workout, the smaller and simpler the meal should be. If you eat 45–60 minutes prior to your workout, choose foods that are simple to digest and contain mainly carbs and some protein. This will help prevent any stomach discomfort during exercise. Summary It’s recommended to consume a full meal 2–3 hours before your workout. For meals eaten closer to your workout, choose simpler carbs and some protein.
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Some examples of pre-workout meals Which foods and how much to eat depends on the type, duration, and intensity of your workout. A good rule of thumb is to eat a mixture of carbs and protein prior to exercise ( 1 ). Here are some examples of balanced pre-workout meals: If your workout starts within 2–3 hours or more sandwich on whole-grain bread, lean protein, and a side salad
egg omelet and whole-grain toast topped with avocado spread and a cup of fruit
lean protein, brown rice, and roasted vegetables If your workout starts within 2 hours protein smoothie made with milk, protein powder, banana, and mixed berries
whole-grain cereal and milk
a cup of oatmeal topped with banana and sliced almonds
natural almond butter and fruit preserve sandwich on whole-grain bread If your workout starts within an hour or less Greek yogurt and fruit
nutrition bar with protein
a piece of fruit, such as a banana, orange, or apple Keep in mind that you don’t need to eat many pre-workout meals at different times and can just choose one of these. For best results, experiment with different timings and nutrient compositions. Summary A combination of carbs and protein is recommended for pre-workout meals. Which foods and how much you should eat can vary based on the type, duration, and intensity of your workout.
Supplements can also be useful before exercise Supplement use is common in sports. These products may enhance performance, improve strength, increase lean body mass, and reduce fatigue. Below are some of the best pre-workout supplements. Creatine Creatine is probably the most commonly used sports supplement. It has been shown to increase muscle mass, muscle fiber size, muscle strength, and power, all while delaying fatigue ( 15 , 16 ). Even though it’s beneficial to take creatine before a workout, it seems to be even more effective when taken after a workout ( 17 ). Taking 3–5 g of creatine monohydrate per day is effective ( 15 ). Caffeine Among many other benefits, caffeine has been shown to improve performance, increase strength and power, help reduce feelings of fatigue, and stimulate fat burning ( 18 , 19 ). Caffeine can be consumed in coffee, tea, and energy drinks, but it can also be found in pre-workout supplements and pills. It doesn’t really matter how you consume it, as its effects on performance are usually the same. Caffeine’s peak effects are seen 90 minutes after consumption. However, it has been shown to be effective even when ingested 15–60 minutes prior to exercise ( 19 ). Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) BCAAs refer to the essential amino acids valine, leucine, and isoleucine. Studies have shown that taking BCAAs before workouts helps decrease muscle damage and increase muscle protein synthesis ( 20 , 21 ). Most benefits of BCAAs have been observed in doses of at least 91 milligrams (mg) per pound (lb.) of body weight, or 200 mg per kilogram (kg) ( 22 ). For a person that weighs 165 lbs. (75 kg), this means that you would need to consume around 15 g of BCAAs per day. Beta-alanine Beta-alanine is an amino acid that increases your muscle stores of carnosine. It has been shown to be most effective for short and high intensity exercises. It does this by increasing exercise capacity and muscle endurance while reducing fatigue ( 23 , 24 ). The recommended daily dose is 4–6 g, which should be taken for at least 2–4 weeks ( 23 ). Multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements Some people prefer products that contain a blend of the supplements mentioned above. The combination of these ingredients may have synergistic effects and improve performance significantly ( 25 ). Caffeine, creatine, beta-alanine, branched-chain amino acids, arginine, and B vitamins are among the most commonly used ingredients in these products ( 25 , 26 ). These pre-workout supplements have been shown to increase work output, strength, endurance, anaerobic power, reaction time, focus, and alertness ( 25 , 26 ). The particular dose depends on the product, but it’s generally recommended to take them about 30–45 minutes before exercise. Summary Creatine, caffeine, BCAAs, and beta-alanine are often recommended before a workout. Multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements combine many different ingredients for optimal benefits.
Hydration is also crucial Your body needs water to function. Good hydration has been shown to sustain and even enhance performance, while dehydration has been linked to significant decreases in performance ( 27 , 28 ). It’s recommended to consume both water and sodium before exercise. This will improve fluid balance ( 29 , 30 ). The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends drinking beverages slowly at least 4 hours before exercise. If you don’t produce urine or your urine is dark or concentrated, you should drink slightly more about 2 hours before exercise (31). Additionally, they recommend consuming a beverage or snack that contains sodium to help retain fluids (31). Summary Water is important for performance. It’s recommended to drink water and sodium-containing beverages before exercise to promote fluid balance and prevent excessive fluid loss.
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