Pre-workout vs fat burner
If you’re into fitness and health, then you’ve no doubt heard of pre-workout and fat burner supplements. But what is the difference between the two? Our Pre-workout vs fat burner article will hopefully shed some light on this revelation.
When, why, and how do you use them? And which one will work best for you? For answers to these questions, read below.
What is a pre-workout supplement?
Put simply, a pre-workout supplement is either a pill or a shake that you take 30 minutes before you exercise. Pre-workouts are meant to help give you energy during your exercise so that you can perform to the best of your ability. This means that you have massive boosts of power right through your workout. You feel outrageously pumped the entire time.
People usually take pre-workouts if they want to last longer during their exercise without getting tired. This is because pre-workouts give you the energy you need to perform, both physically and mentally.
Pre-workouts are also used to gain extra muscle and they let you last longer so that you can work your muscles harder by working them for longer. Of course, that doesn’t mean that all of them are the same. There are many things that could set one pre-workout supplement apart from another (1)
If you want to get an idea of what the best pre-workouts in today’s market look like, you can check out our Top 5 pre-workout supplements list We also have a blog that provides more details on pre-workouts here.
Common Pre Workout Ingredients
As we’ve already mentioned, the main reason someone would take a pre workout supplement is to boost their energy so that they’re able to make the most out of each and every workout. But, just which ingredients are found frequently within pre workouts? Read on and you’ll find out exactly that.
Caffeine Anhydrous
Caffeine Anhydrous is a stimulant which is contained within a whole host of pre workout supplements on the market. This is because it is an ingredient which has been proven time and time again to work. An optimal dosage is between 150-200mg per serving as this provides a boost of energy without giving you energy crashes or jitters.
L-Carnitine
L-Carnitine is an amino acid with a whole host of benefits. For starters, it helps to reduce fatigue so that you can go harder for longer in the gym. You’ll also feel more energized mentally and physically too.
What is a fat burner supplement?
Fat burner supplements are almost thought of as the cousins to pre-workout supplements. Where pre-workout supplements are used for exercise, fat burner supplements are used for diets.
Fat burners are usually taken 30 minutes before a meal and they are used to increase your metabolism so that you lose weight. Fat burners also prevent you from getting the infamous munchies. While many people who exercise do take fat burners, this is more to get rid of unwanted fat instead of gaining muscle.
However, the main thing that you need to take into account is that diet really is key. There’s no such thing as a ‘magic pill’ that can help you to lose 30 pounds in a week. It just isn’t possible, as much as some people would like you to believe otherwise. The old saying you can’t out-train a bad diet certainly comes into play here, as it’s most definitely true!
To get maximum benefit out of a fat burner supplement, you’ll first need to obtain a calorie deficit, without one, you simply won’t lose weight, and taking a fat burner supplement is all but useless. This means you’ll be consuming less calories than your body needs to maintain its current body weight. The best way to ensure you’re in a caloric deficit is to track your calories using an online tool such as the MyFitnessPal.
If you’d like to find out more about fat burner supplements, then we have compiled a list of monstrous fat burners that will provide that hellfire heat that you’re looking for. But, if you’re looking for a more detailed refresher on fat burner supplements, you can take a gander at our “What are Fat Burners” blog.
Common Fat Burner Ingredients
There are plenty of ingredients used within fat burner supplements. Some are pretty much useless, and others work fantastically well, provided the dosage is optimal and you’re following an appropriate diet. Here are just some of the ingredients which are commonly found in fat burner supplements.
Green Tea Extract
Green Tea Extract contains catechins, which are hugely beneficial for fat loss when dosed effectively. A 2010 study found that the catechins contained within green tea aids weight loss when combined with its caffeine content. While there’s less caffeine that you’d find within black coffee, green tea extract is ultimately more effective when it comes to fat burning.
Glucomannan
A natural fiber contained within the konjac plant, Glucomannan is a proven ingredient to aid the fat burning process. This is because it helps to reduce cravings, meaning you’ll be less likely to fall off your diet plan by over-eating. Glucomannan helps you to feel fuller for longer. In turn, this means that you won’t be as tempted to reach for the snack drawer unnecessarily.
Conclusion – Pre-workout vs fat burner
Well, the answer to this question depends on you and what you want. Both of them are very effective when you stick to what they’re made for. So, if you want a fat burner, then stick to a good diet. And if you want a pre-workout, then stick to a tough workout.
More specifically, if your goal is to get the most out of your workouts and gain a lot of muscle while being able to last for a long time, then pre-workout supplements are the way. But, if your goal is to lose fat while on a clean and healthy diet, then go for fat burner supplements.
That’s really all there is to it. It’s either one or the other, or both. Stacking supplements is fine if you know what you’re doing. Either way, both types of supplement can prove to be very helpful on your fitness journey.