Cellucor Pre-workout: What You Should Know

Are you an athlete? Are you concerned about your body and its health? Do you wish to be fit and energetic? If your answer to these questions is YES!! Then sit tight because this article is just for you. One of the major problems faced as a fitness enthusiast is motivation and loss of energy. Trying to eat right and work out to achieve your body goals require a lot of work, focus and energy.

A lot of people can attest to the fact that keeping up with this lifestyle is not easy. Finding the right diet, workout, daily routine and sticking to it requires commitment and discipline. On this lifelong journey to healthy living, one of the ways you can keep your focus and energy up is through the use of pre-workouts.

As a fitness enthusiast, it is pretty certain that you may have seen a lot of information about pre-workouts on the internet. In this article, we are going to be focusing on the important information you should have about pre-workouts especially the cellucor pre-workout. What we will discuss in this article will basically be like an overview of C4 ultimate, a pre-workout product that many consider to be highly effective.

What Are Pre-workouts?

Pre-workout is a term used for bodybuilding supplements. It contains various ingredients incorporated to produce a dietary formula for the purpose of boosting athletic performance and energy. Typically, they are in powder form which you can mix in water and ingest before you begin your exercise. There are various existing formulas with no consistent range of ingredients, this means the formulas vary with each brand.

In the supplement industry, there are various players with different products and formulas. One of the innovators that stands out and have consistently proven themselves in terms of quality irrespective of how long they have been in business is CELLUCOR.

Cellucor is a sport nutrition brand, it is American and it specializes in the production of dietary formulas, supplements for bodybuilding, as well as energy drinks. The brand is independently owned by Nutrabolt which is a sport nutrition company. Their headquarters is in Austin, Texas and their products can be found in various convenience stores, online retailers, and many specialty stores.

Cellucors C4 pre-workout was created in 2011 and has undergone various changes to its formula since then. Some of the benefits of using this supplement are its ability to improve mental alertness, endurance, strength and lasting energy. Primarily, it serves as a stimulant as it contains a healthy amount of creatine and caffeine which gives the body an energy boost. You can also watch this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lAP0mp24gE for more information on the benefits of C4 pre-workout supplements.

The end result of any pre-workout supplement that is a blend is only as nutritional as its list of ingredients. Let us take a closer look at the ingredients that make up the Cellucor C4 pre-workout and the effect of each ingredient on the body.

Beta-Alanine

This is the most active ingredient in the c4 pre-workout supplement. It is a very popular supplement ingredient that enhances muscle endurance. When you ingest beta-alanine, it transforms into a molecule called Carnosine. Carnosine is also a naturally produced protein building block in the body; it is highly concentrated in the muscle and brain tissue.

It is a peptide that is made when two amino acids (beta-alanine and histidine) are combined. Some natural properties of Carnosine help in the prevention of high blood pressure and obesity. It is also said to decrease fatigue and soreness that occurs as a result of hardcore workouts and trainings.

Carnosine works in the body as a buffer against buildup of acid (lactic acid) in the body. This causes a significant reduction in fatigue and soreness normally experienced after a serious workout. Therefore the Carnosine content in the C4 pre-workout reduces your tendency to wear out as well as your recovery time.

Creatine Nitrate

This is the second most active ingredients in the C4 supplement.  It is a form of creatine, it is gotten from the molecule that provides us with creatine monohydrate. It is a hybrid of creatine, a powerful supplement used for strength training and building endurance, and Nitrate which boosts the effect of other supplements in the body, they also help reduce oxygen depletion which makes it easier for you to train longer and harder.

It has been reported that one of the benefits to binding creatine to nitrates is that it is much more effective in increasing athletic performance and training abilities. Other benefits of creatine nitrate include improving your cardiovascular performance, when you engage in high-intensity workouts it also helps to improve your power output and it also greatly enhances the flow of oxygen in your body.

L-Arginine

L-Arginine is an amino acid that is helpful in producing protein in the body. It converts into gas nitric acid which helps in promoting numerous metabolic and brain functions. It also helps in relaxing the blood vessels in order for more blood rich in oxygen to circulate through the artries in your body. It is also beneficial in stimulating growth hormones and the release of insulin in the body.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a key ingredient in C4 pre-workouts, it is also known as ascorbic acid, it can be found in fruits and vegetables. As a result of its antioxidant activities, it enhances workout recovery. Some studies have also suggested that taking vitamin c before exercising can make it an easier process for obese people.

Vitamin C is needed in the body to produce collagen. Collagen is a structural protein that is responsible for healthy bones, teeth, and other tissues. When taken as a supplement, it helps your bone be more resilient and promotes faster healing if you incur any injury during workouts.

Caffeine

Caffeine is one of the most common stimulants available, it is well known and it would not be surprising if you are familiar with its effect. It occurs in nature as part of coffee, tea, cocoa and other plants. It also serves as an additive in a lot of consumer products such as colas and energy drinks. In pre-workouts, caffeine helps to improve energy, sharpens focus and improves mental alertness. It also helps to improve your endurance limit, its thermogenic properties makes it a great ally when you are working towards getting lean and sculpted because it boosts metabolism. However, if overused, it can have negative impact on your sleep and cause anxiety.

Other Ingredients

C4 pre-workouts also contain N-Acetyl Tyrosine which is a stimulant as well as niacinamide, which promotes better circulation and focus. It also contains vitamin B6 and folic acids, both are essential for the metabolism of amino acids, and vitamin B12 which helps to balance the body’s nerve and blood cells. For detailed information on the ingredients used in C4 pre-workouts, you can read this.

Potential Downsides of Using Pre-workouts

As much as it is agreed that pre-workouts are safe, they are not completely free of risks. Some of their potential downsides include:

1. Artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols: Most Pre-workouts contain artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohol. Though they enhance flavor and improve taste without adding calories, they have a tendency to cause intestinal discomfort in some people. Particularly, when taken in large quantities, sugar alcohols can trigger symptoms, such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea and this can disrupt your workout. It is also reported that a similar response was gotten from eating some artificial sweeteners like sucralose though such symptoms haven’t been proven scientifically. Therefore, before eating any re-workout supplement, you can start by trying a small amount to see your body’s response to it.
2. Supplement safety and quality: In various countries, without the exception of the United States, dietary supplements are not usually regulated closely. Therefore, the labels on the product scan be inaccurate. If the safety and quality of the supplements ingested is compromised, you may consume certain compounds that can pose significant harm to your health. For safety purposes, only purchase pre-workout supplements that have undergone testing by a third party, such as the USP or NSF International
3. Jittery feeling: Caffeine is one of the ingredients used in pre-workout supplements. It is a stimulant that has been reported to provide significant increase in muscle strength and output during workouts and it also helps to reduce fatigue. Theoretically, caffeine gives you the chance to gain more out of your daily workout routines. Nonetheless, caffeine is said to have some potential side effects, especially, if consumed in large quantity. These include nausea, insomnia, rapid heart rate, headaches, drowsiness, anxiety, as well as jitteriness or restlessness.
4. Increase in water retention: A popular ingredient in various pre-workout supplements is creatine. It has been reported to cause an increase in high-intensity exercise capacity and also significant gain of lean body mass from exercising. Though it is mostly a part of a pre-workout supplement, it can also be consumed on its own. The main side effects one might experience with creatine are not necessarily intense. They include water retention, weight gain, bloating and digestive problems.

Bottom Line

Pre-workout supplements are increasingly popular in the fitness community due to the effect they have on workout performance and energy levels. If you find yourself considering pre-workout supplements as a part of your fitness journey, it is important to consult your fitness coach or nutritionist. Doing this will guide you in using the appropriate dosages and avoid the side effects that you might experience otherwise.

If you are already experiencing the side effect of using pre-workout supplements, you can also curb it by reducing your dosage or completely avoiding supplements containing certain ingredients.