How long does preworkout last?

If you’re an avid gym-goer who wants quick results, the chances are you’re probably familiar with preworkouts. But just to jog your memory a bit, preworkouts are dietary supplements taken before exercise to boost energy, focus, and performance. Many supplement users often wonder, how long does preworkout last, and when is the best time to take it? So on that note, in this blog, we’ll take you from the basics to the depths of how long does preworkout last. But before diving deeper into that, it’s essential to understand the role of a preworkout.

Is preworkout necessary?

Preworkout supplements are not necessary for people who don’t work out or even those who don’t work out too hard and do only mild exercises like jogging to stay healthy and fit. This especially holds true if your nutrition is dialed in and you are timing your meals perfectly. On the flip side, if you’re a heavy lifter, you should take preworkout as not only will it help you put in more reps, but it will also enhance the result of your efforts. And that’s big because this can also help you break through plateaus.

How long does pre-workout last?

The answer to the question of how long does preworkout last dependds mostly on the ingredients of the preworkout you take. Generally, most preworkouts last for a duration of 2-4 hours. This is why, it’s also essential to time your workouts at least 6 hours before going to bed, or it can interfere with your sleep schedule.

It’s also worth noting how long does preworkout last also depends on the half-life of the ingredients it contains. So to speak, many preworkouts contain citrulline malate, which has a half-life of 1-2 hours after oral intake. This is important to note because, on the flip side, the impact of preworkout starts diminishing after the half-life is over. This is why, most preworkouts have the highest impact 60-90 minutes into taking your preworkout.

Lastly, it also depends on your sensitivity to the ingredients inside your preworkout. This is a bit sticky because the more preworkout you’ll take, the less sensitive you’ll become to it. In simple words, with time, the duration of your preworkout’s effect will decrease over time. That being said, don’t sweat! Sensitivity to ingredients is a relatively small part of how long does preworkout last.

Now that you know how long does preworkout last, let’s take a closer look at when to take a preworkout to maximize its benefits.

When to take pre-workout?

As a general rule of thumb, take your pre-workout supplement 15-30 minutes before starting your workout. This will give your body ample time to absorb all the nutrients while also giving your preworkout enough time to kick in. And as discussed earlier, this way, your preworkout will have its maximum effect halfway into your workout. Depending on your diet and your goals, you can also complement your preworkout with preworkout snacks. Oatmeal and low-fat yogurt are great choices if you’re looking for some preworkout snacks. 

This is a common concern for gym rats who work out early in the morning. When you take high doses of caffeine, you feel a sudden surge of energy, but eventually, that energy fizzles out. That’s because caffeine temporarily limits the production of a molecule called adenosine. Adenosine makes you feel sleepy. But because caffeine limits its production, you feel an instant burst of energy. That being said, once the caffeine wears off, your body experiences a rebound effect, leading to the crash. But this isn’t just unique to preworkout supplements. The effect is much higher with coffee as most people like to take their coffee with sugar. Plus, a heavy lunch can make you feel sluggish too. The bottom line is, taking a preworkout early in the day should not affect your work performance. Mid-day slumps are more common than you’d think.

How long does preworkout last after being mixed with water?

When you mix your preworkout with water, ideally, you should consume it within an hour of mixing it. That being said, if you’ve not been able to do it for some reason, it won’t go bad until almost 12 hours. After 12 hours, creatine will convert into creatinine and will, therefore, lose its vigor. It’s worth noting that a preworkout can go bad much faster if you don’t store it in a cool, dry place. One way to extend the shelf life of your preworkout drink is to refrigerate it and seal the container tightly.

Where to find a preworkout that’s light on the pocket, heavy on the results, and doesn’t taste like cough syrup?

In that case, you might want to check out SD Matrix’s premium preworkout supplement, ABE preworkout. It contains powerful ingredients like caffeine, beta-alanine, citrulline malate, and many more. There’s no way you’d take ABE preworkout and not make light work of your previous workouts. The best part is, it comes in a refreshing bubble gum flavor that will not only rock your workouts but also delight your tastebuds. It’s so good that the chances are you’ll be looking forward to drinking it as much as hitting the gym itself.

Conclusion: how long does preworkout last

Conclusively, how long does preworkout last depends on various factors, such as the ingredients of the preworkout, your sensitivity to them, and your body’s metabolism. Generally, most preworkouts last between 2-4 hours, so it’s essential to time your workout at least six hours before bedtime to avoid interfering with your sleep schedule. The timing of your preworkout intake is also crucial for maximum benefits.

As a general rule, consume your preworkout 15-30 minutes before starting your workout to give your body time to absorb all the nutrients and let the preworkout kick in. This way, you’ll experience its maximum effect midway into your workout. Hopefully, this blog answered all your questions about how long does preworkout last. That being said, if you still have any other questions, you can reach us.