When your primary goal is increasing energy and body-fat loss, you need to rethink your typical supplement protocol. We’ve put together a list of supplements that will help you have great workouts when you have less macronutrient (carbs and protein) fuel in your tank. These supplements boost focus, energy, and hydration before workouts so you’ll be able to train harder for longer, stimulating greater body-fat loss. Here are a few supplements you should consider adding to your pre-workout shake:
YOHIMBE FUELS WORKOUTS WITH STORED BODY FAT
One of the benefits of this extract from the bark of a West African tree is its ability to encourage the release of body fat. That’s particularly important around the time of your workouts because you can then use that body fat to support muscle building. Yohimbe does this by deactivating alpha-2 receptors that try to prevent the release of stored fat. Alpha-2 receptors prevent the release of the hormone and neurotransmitter norepinephrine (noradrenaline) that boosts cognition and a sense of alertness.
WHITE LEADWORT BOOSTS FOCUS AND ENERGY
This plant was used in ayurvedic medicine for years as an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial treatment for multiple conditions and illnesses. But its greatest advantage may be its stimulatory effect on your central nervous system (CNS), and its neuroprotective ability. White leadwort supports your brain by slowing free radical activity and the waste products generated by metabolic processes. In addition, white leadwort boosts dopamine, the brain chemical that signals enhanced mental activation. This, in turn, will lead to more productive training sessions.
GLYCEROL IMPROVES VASCULARITY AND HYDRATION
This byproduct of soap manufacturing is a colorless, viscous fluid that has many benefits of its own. One of these is as a pre-workout supplement. Taking glycerol before workouts helps you get leaner and harder, and improves vascularity. Another crucial benefit of glycerol as a sports supplement is its ability to support hydration for better performance. Glycerol boosts hydration by increasing osmolarity, allowing liquids to move to where they’re needed in your body; staying hydrated boosts both energy and endurance.
CNS STIMULANTS PREP THE BODY FOR INTENSE TRAINING
Supplements such as caffeine help stimulate your body and mind for better workouts. Caffeine helps you lift more weight for longer, and pulls body fat from storage as part of this process. In addition, it increases focus. Other CNS stimulants include lesser-known supplements, such as two from plant sources: Indigofera pulchra, which helps potentiate your stimulatory/exploratory effect to boost mental acuity, and Securinega suffruticosa, which contains a GABA receptor antagonist that has a stimulating effect.
GET THEM TOGETHER
1.M.R Vortex from BPI combines all of these pre-workout boosters into one powdered formulation. For best results, use this product only on training days. Take one scoop about 15–30 minutes before workouts, blending it with 6–8 ounces of cold water and avoid consuming food or a protein shake for an hour after taking, as this may diminish its effects. Do not exceed recommend dosage and do not take for more than eight consecutive weeks.
