Are you wondering how to get pre-workout out of your system? We aren’t surprised since as a fitness pro you’ve probably tried everything to get ahead of the gain game. Pre-workout effects can be a lot, giving you an “I just downed ten cups of coffee” feeling. That’s where MOX comes in (our skincare doesn’t give you muscles or calm pre-workout jitters, but we know what does).
To help you understand how to get pre-workout out of your system and ace your flush, keep reading for insights from experts, professionals, and even MOX’s co-founder, actor Simon Rex.
How to Get Pre-Workout Out of Your System in 8 Easy Steps
Picture this: You’ve just woken up from a midmorning nap (it’s a fantasy – midmorning naps are totally possible in those, right?) and you’ve decided to gear up for the gym with pre-workout. Next thing you know, your mom calls and invites you to a casual lunch for a quick catch-up.
You obviously don’t want to say no because – dude – that’s your mom, but you’ve also just put fuel in your tank, so to speak, with pre-workout. Now you’re left wondering how to get pre-workout of out your system to keep from looking like you’re pumped full of caffeine.
Here is how to get pre-workout out of your system in 8 easy steps:
- Hydration: Did you know caffeine in pre-workouts is absorbed by your body so fast that you may feel the effects after only 15 minutes? Drink plenty of water to help flush the pre-workout from your system (Harvard recommends 13 cups of H20 daily for men).
- Physical Activity: To stimulate circulation and rid your body of substances, try simple exercises like walking on the treadmill. The CDC says adults need 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and 2 days of muscle-strengthening weekly.
- Urination: Going pee can help your body eliminate things like pre-workout supplements. The Bladder and Bowel Community (we didn’t know this was a thing either) says urinating 6-7 times in 24 hours is a normal frequency.
- Healthy Diet: By eating fiber-rich foods that are good for your gut, your body will go through the digestion process to promote regular bowel movements for a flush.
- Time: In many (and most) cases, the effects of pre-workout will naturally disappear over time as your body metabolizes and eliminates the substances, so try to be patient. It is important to note that the half-life of caffeine averages 5 hours in the average male.
- Rest: The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute says to get seven to nine hours of rest nightly. This allows your body to recover and function at peak performance, which includes the natural elimination of things like pre-workout from your system.
- Detoxification: Add natural detoxifying foods or beverages into your diet, such as green tea, lemon water, or detox smoothies, to support your body's detoxification.
- Activated Charcoal: As a binder of caffeine in your digestive tract, activated charcoal can reduce the absorption of pre-workout in your bloodstream. This is only useful if you’ve had the pre-workout in the past hour or two, though.
If you have any concerns about the effects of taking pre-workout supplements on your health and body, it's always best to have a chit-chat with your local healthcare provider.
For pre-and post-gym care, check out the newly-launched MOX Muscle Roller:
How to Get Pre-Workout Out of Your System: What Is Pre-Workout?
Pre-workout is a type of supplement you take before exercising to boost your energy and performance (commonly comes in a powder or gummy form). It usually contains ingredients like:
- Caffeine keeps you focused, boosts energy, and improves performance. Pre-workouts generally have 150 mg to 300 mg of caffeine, which is equal to three cups of coffee.
- Beta-alanine is featured in some pre-workouts for high-intensity exercises. It may help buffer your muscles during intense workouts, lower fatigue, and enhance recovery.
- Creatine, when used with exercise, helps you gain strength. It replenishes your ATP stores, giving your muscles energy to contract, while also increasing lean body mass.
- Amino acids known as branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) are used in pre-workout supplements to help increase lean body mass and promote muscle growth.
- Taurine, a sulfur-containing amino acid, can help lessen muscle fatigue and anti-inflammatory markers. It also has ergogenic effects for enhanced recovery.
Video: How to Get Pre-Workout Out of Your System: Should You Use Pre-Workout? | Source: Doctor ER
How Long Does Pre-Workout Last?
Now that you know how to get pre-workout out of your system, you may be curious what the specifics are on when to take it. For the most part, studies have found that you can kick back and enjoy your pre-workout shortly before you begin exercising (between 15-60 minutes prior).
Experts say that the effects of pre-workout can last anywhere from one to four hours after consumption, but some guys may experience lingering side effects like trouble sleeping or concentrating. This is one of the many reasons pre-workout isn’t advised close to bedtime.
Does Pre-Workout Show up on Drug Tests?
Pre-workouts don't show up on drug tests because they usually aren’t formulated with substances that are tested for. It's essential to check labels for any banned substances and consult with a healthcare professional if you have concerns about ingredients and drug testing.
Banned ingredients that could cause you to fail a drug test if used in pre-workout:
- DMAA (1,3-Dimethylamylamine): This stimulant has been banned due to safety concerns and its classification as a controlled substance in some places.
- Ephedra (Ma Huang): Ephedra and its alkaloids, such as ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, have been banned because of potential side effects like death.
- Synephrine: While not banned universally, synephrine is restricted in some sports organizations due to its structural similarity to ephedrine and potential stimulant effects.
- DMHA (2-Aminoisoheptane): DMHA is a stimulant like DMAA and has been banned because of its potential health risks and classification as a drug in some countries.
- Yohimbine: Yohimbine, from the bark of the yohimbe tree, is a stimulant that may be banned or restricted because of its potential side effects like increased heart rate.
How to Get Pre-Workout Out of Your System: What Are the Side Effects of Pre-Workout?
Since you’re wondering how to get pre-workout out of your system, you may also want to know what side effects of pre-workout to keep an eye out for. After all, a study conducted in 2019 found that 54% of people who regularly consume pre-workout experience side effects from it.
Here are 11 side effects of using a pre-workout supplement before hitting the gym:
- Jitters
- Feeling sick
- Tingling sensation
- Headache
- Upset stomach
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Blood pressure fluctuation
- Sweating
- Lack of focus
- Muscle cramps
The 9 Best MOX-Approved Pre-Workouts to Try in 2024
Cristie Besu, a certified sports nutritionist and founder of Eat Me Guilt Free, says that finding the best pre-workout for you is all about trial and error. She recommends testing a few while keeping note of which ones boost your workout results over a one to two-week period.
If you want to skip the caffeine, you can try a stimulant-free pre-workout, which means it’s caffeine-free. Stimulant-free pre-workouts can still increase your energy and workout output, but you’ll be less likely to experience the annoying side effects of most caffeinated pre-workouts.
Here are the 9 best MOX-approved pre-workouts to try in 2024 (some are stimulant-free!):
- C4 Original Pre Workout: Caffeine content is 150 milligrams per serving.
- Onnit Total Strength and Performance: Caffeine content is 0 milligrams per serving.
- Shifted Maximum Pre-Workout: Caffeine content is 250 milligrams per serving.
- Kaged Pre-Kaged Elite: Caffeine content is 388 milligrams per serving.
- Jacked Factory Nitro Surge: Caffeine content is 360 milligrams per serving.
- Swolverine PRE Pre-Workout: Caffeine content is 0 milligrams per serving.
- Legion Athletics Pulse: Caffeine content is 350 milligrams per serving.
- Nutricartel El Jefe: Caffeine content is 100 milligrams per serving.
- Gorilla Mode: Caffeine content is 400 milligrams per serving.
How to Get Pre-Workout Out of Your System: Pre- and Post-Recovery with the MOX Muscle Roller
Now that you confidently know how to get pre-workout of your system, it’s time to talk about your muscles (likely your favorite subject – no judgment here). When you hit the gym for an intense workout, you put stress on your muscles, which can cause muscle damage. While a natural part of the muscle-building process, it can result in soreness, stiffness, and discomfort.
That’s where MOX comes in.
The MOX Muscle Roller is an innovative creation by our formulator and Cosmetic Chemist, Pharmacist Ben Fuchs. He says it’s like a tiny ice bath in a tube that expertly relieves soreness and discomfort for fast-acting, extended relief. Pharmacist Ben’s formula is so beneficial because it features wintergreen, eucalyptus oil, menthol, and peppermint oil to cool and relax.
Pharmacist Ben was a former bodybuilder, so he knows his muscle science and stuff. Not only did he make the MOX Muscle Roller a must-have post-workout necessity for repair and restoration, but it’s also an excellent pre-workout to get your muscles ready for action and for improved circulation. Here’s what he has to say about his unique creation for men’s muscles:
"I made the MOX Muscle Roller for my own sore muscles! As an athlete working to improve my strength/muscle development, while also following an intense exercise program, I found myself regularly with sore, aching muscles. As a pharmacist who understood the nature and causes of inflammation, I knew that I could employ botanical and therapeutic molecules for relief.
So – I formulated a solution using herbs and anti-inflammatory ingredients that were powerful enough to soothe sore muscles and reduce pain and inflammation within minutes. That worked so well for me that I decided to bottle it with MOX as the Muscle Roller. Now anyone with sore muscles can enjoy its significant analgesic and inflammation reversing benefits."
Before you head off to use our tips and tricks on how to get pre-workout out of your system, make sure to follow us on IG and join our email list to keep updated on topics important to men.
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