BCAAs vs. Pre-Workouts: Which Supplements Should You Take?
Many gym-goers wonder if they should use pre-workout or BCAA supplements, and the choice can be a daunting one even for experienced lifters. To make the decision simpler, we’ve gathered the basics, pros, and cons of pre-workouts and BCAAs.
What’s in a Pre-Workout?
Available as a powder or a ready-made drink, Raw pre workout supplements offer increased endurance, focus, and strength. Most pre-workouts contain creatine and caffeine, helping lifters and athletes build muscle, increase strength, and meet their goals. Pre-workouts with creatine may offer:
- Muscular endurance for long runs and strength training sessions.
- Improved strength for sustained efforts.
- Elevated performance during HIIT workouts.
Caffeine, on the other hand, reduces fatigue, boosts metabolism, improves endurance, and stimulates the central nervous system. When caffeine and creatine come together, you’ll love the results. Raw Nutrition offers regular and non-stim pre-workouts that help you get it done in the gym.
BCAAs: What Are They?
Used to fuel muscles and help them recover, BCAAs or branched-chain amino acids are the building blocks of muscle. These crucial amino acids are composed of isoleucine, leucine, and valine, which work separately and together to support your goals. When used alone, BCAAs may:
- Improve strength during workouts.
- Boost endurance.
- Reduce post-workout soreness and accelerate recovery.
- Increase muscle growth.
Although BCAAs are used to stimulate muscle growth, they also prevent its breakdown. Of all branched-chain amino acids, leucine is the most widely found one in the human body. Valine promotes natural muscle growth and repair, while isoleucine enhances energy levels and accelerates post-workout recovery.
Pre-Workout Supplements vs. BCAAs: How They Compare
Although it helps to explore the benefits of pre-workouts and BCAAs, it’s time for a head-to-head comparison. When someone asks which one, they should take, the answer may vary depending on several factors.
Pre-workouts allow athletes and lifters to perform at their peak while BCAAs give the body the fuel to grow, build, and maintain muscle tissue. BCAAs repair muscles but do little to affect energy levels or focus. If you’re debating which supplement to take before hitting the gym, we’d recommend one of our pre-workout supplements.
Can BCAAs Be Used as a Pre-Workout?
Do athletes take BCAAs as pre-workouts? Yes, they do, but dosage and timing matter. Gym-goers should take BCAA supplements about 30 minutes before exercising so the body has time to digest them.
Research shows that athletes should take anywhere from .03 to .05 grams per kilogram of body weight, which equals two to four grams every hour during workouts and recovery periods. If you need endurance, more energy, and sharp focus, pre-workouts may be more effective than BCAAs.
Combining BCAAs and Pre-Workouts
Although this guide focuses on the BCAA vs. pre-workout debate, these two supplements can work very well together. Pre-workouts heighten focus, boost energy, and enhance endurance. When combined with BCAAs, which increase endurance and support muscle recovery, you’ll get a potent blend indeed.
The Choice is Yours
Now that you’ve learned all you need to know about BCAAs and pre-workout supplements, it’s time to get started. Whether you choose pre-workout for the punch it packs or go for general fitness support, Raw Nutrition has it all. These supplements are made with high-quality ingredients, tested by third parties, and backed by science.