Pre-workout vs Coffee — Which One Is Better?

Imagine this.

You have a workout lined up for the day, and you’re about to leave, but you’re feeling a little bit low on energy. 

You have two options in front of you: pre-workout or coffee. Which do you choose? While both contain caffeine and can give you an energy boost, your choice to support you with your workout may differ significantly from that of another athlete. 

Join us today and explore both their differences and how to select the right one for your workout.

What are pre-workout supplements? 

Pre-workout supplements help enhance athletic performance and optimise your workouts. These supplements contain a range of ingredients that can help you tap into your energy reserves, increase strength, and to improve endurance. Pre-workout supplements are available in a range of forms, from powders, pills, gummies and more.

Usually, they’re taken around 30 minutes before exercise and help you tap into your power, drive and performance, allowing you to stay stronger and sharper for longer. However, many pre-workout supplement ingredients vary, so it’s essential always to read the packaging to know what you’re fueling your body with. 

Most, however, will contain the following:

• Caffeine: A stimulant that reduces fatigue, enhances cognition and supports overall athletic performance.

• Beta-alanine: A stimulant that helps enhance exercise at a high intensity. It helps reduce the build-up of lactic acid, which can contribute to fatigue and exercise burnout.

• Creatine: Supports performance and aids in adaptations made during training. 

• Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs): Help prevent exercise-induced muscle damage and improve muscle endurance. 

Who are pre-workout supplements for? 

While we quickly just mentioned the purpose of pre-workout supplements, let’s cover who they’re for in a little bit more detail. If you’re someone who eats, breathes and sleeps hard during training sessions, then pre-workout can give you that kick.

The primary purpose of pre-workout supplements is to boost energy, delay fatigue, and enhance exercise performance during demanding sessions. Preworkout replenishes muscle energy stores, enhances strength and power and supplies crucial support in short bursts of energy. 

In other words, if you want to improve your endurance, reaction time, and overall capacity for training, then a pre-workout supplement can help.

How are pre-workout supplements taken?

While there's a vast amount of pre-workout supplements on the market, they are generally taken in the same way. Normally, they're taken around 30 minutes beforehand, and the effects last between 4 and 6 hours; however, this can vary from person to person. Again, the timing of pre-workout varies according to your goals. 

What is a clean pre workout supplement?  

When taking a pre-workout, always opt for a clean one like ours, Go Nutrition Pre-Workout. The issue is that pre-workouts often contain a high amount of filler ingredients, and they're not always as healthy as you might think.

Our Pre-Workout, however, is clear, contains only natural ingredients and has a science-backed formula. You know exactly what you're getting, and the detailed breakdown on our label proves that. 

Pro Tip: If you're looking for that workout kick, always opt for natural and clean ingredients so you know what you're putting in your body. Read the label properly and look for exact dosages of each ingredient; brands should be transparent. 

How is coffee taken as an energy booster? 

It's a no-brainer that coffee contains caffeine; however, drinking it before a workout might be the extra edge you need. Coffee is a natural source of caffeine and contains a range of antioxidants, including phenolic acid, flavonoids, melanoidins, and certain compounds that may be beneficial for your hybrid workout in Australia. Together, these can help act as a natural energy boost and enhance your mental alertness during workouts. 

On average, after 45 minutes of having a cup of coffee, you can hit maximum concentration. Again research shows around 100mg of caffeine (1-2 cups 240-475ml) 45-60 minutes before a workout may help sustain performance.

In addition to pre-workout, coffee also offers numerous other benefits, including increased support for brain health, a lower risk of heart disease and stroke, and a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease, among others. 

Coffee vs Go Nutrition Pre-Workout differences 

While both can give you that added energy boost for exercise, there are a few differences between coffee and pre-workout. To do this more easily, let’s compare our Go Nutrition Pre-Workout next to coffee side by side. 

Wrapping up the differences of pre-workout vs coffee for athletes

Overall, when deciding whether to use a pre-workout or coffee to add an extra boost to your next training session, neither is superior to the other. It's essential to consider the differences between them to determine which one is best suited to your lifestyle. 

Pre-workout is a supplement that contains a range of ingredients, including caffeine, beta-alanine, branched and essential amino acids, and carbohydrates. In contrast, coffee contains caffeine and is a more natural product. 

At Go Nutrition, our pre-workout supplement is completely free from fillers and only contains natural ingredients. Coffee is suited for light use and generally takes slightly longer to kick in, whereas Go Nutrition pre-workout can be taken 15-30 minutes prior. 

If you're truly committed to your workout intensity, digging in deeper and pushing through those challenging workouts, then you need Go Nutrition Pre-Workout. Apart from having a higher amount of caffeine in each serving, its delicious mango pineapple flavour supplies clean energy, eliminating all excuses. 

Try our Go Nutrition Pre-Workout today and level up your Hybrid training in Australia! 

Show up. Go all in. 

FAQS

Is pre-workout better for you than coffee?

There's no right or wrong answer to whether pre-workout is better than coffee, it completely depends on your lifestyle, workout and dietary requirements. Coffee provides a natural boost for workouts that have less caffeine, compared to pre-workout supplements, which typically contain around 3 cups of coffee per serving and are suited for more intense, hybrid-style workouts.  

Can coffee replace pre workout?

Coffee can initially serve as a substitute for pre-workout supplements, providing an energy boost to help you get started before exercise. However, for additional benefits, a pre-workout may be better, as it typically contains performance-enhancing ingredients, such as creatine, beta-alanine, BCAAs, and more.

Is preworkout safe?

Generally, pre-workout supplements in Australia are safe to take within their dose. If you take them shorter than 45 minutes before a workout or more than your intended dose, you may experience side effects. However, if you have any medical conditions, it's best to consult a doctor before taking them.