When Should You Use LADDER Pre-Workout Formula?

By Andrew Heffernan, CSCS

Got your pre-workout shake mixed and ready to go? Great: Time to down it and get after that workout, right?

Not so fast — literally. If you're like most exercisers, you're probably taking your pre-workout supplement too soon before your workout for it to do you much good. This applies to the active ingredients in most pre-workout supplements — including LADDER Pre-Workout, which is specially engineered to help increase your energy and focus so you get more from exercise.*

Reason: The active ingredients in pre-workout drinks (more on those below) take a while — about 30 to 60 minutes — to kick in. So if you down your shake and immediately start pounding out reps, you're showing up too early for the party.

Best practice? Down your shake, make a phone call, send an email or two, get set up (or head to the gym), and do a thorough warm-up. By the time you're into the meat of your workout, those active ingredients should be making it into your bloodstream, so you're sure to get the most out of them.

Stay focused and energized so you can get the most out of your training with LADDER Pre-Workout.

How Do Pre-Workout Supplements Work?

LADDER Pre-Workout has just 60 calories and 6 grams of carbohydrates per scoop — but it still packs a huge punch. Its ingredients enhance your workouts in a few ways:

1. Delay muscle fatigue*

LADDER Pre-Workout contains beta-alanine, a precursor to carnosine, which helps fend off acid buildup in your muscles. That helps you to go harder, longer, whether you're lifting weights or going on a run.

The benefits of beta-alanine aren't instantaneous, however. “It takes about 30 days to build sufficient levels of beta-alanine in your system," says Trevor Thieme, senior director of fitness and nutrition content at LADDER. "So it's important to be consistent with it." And one possible side effect, says Thieme, is a mild tingling sensation on your skin. It's harmless and temporary, but if it occurs and it bothers you, dial back your serving.

2. Deliver an energy boost*

Whether it's in your coffee or in your pre-workout, caffeine provides a boost of energy, as well as a shot of focus and mental acuity. Studies have indicated it may also kick up endurance as well.

It may be old-school, but caffeine is one of the few established performance-enhancers that's cheap, effective, and legal. LADDER Pre-Workout also provides 200mg of caffeine derived from green tea and coffee bean — about what you get from a medium cup of coffee from Starbucks. It also has 200mg of L-theanine to help fight fatigue without the jitters and "crash."

Another well-researched performance enhancers is creatine, which your body uses to produce energy during short, high-intensity exercises, such as sprinting and weightlifting. LADDER Pre-Workout includes 5 grams of creatine, and when consumed consistently, it can also help increase strength.

Directions for Taking LADDER Pre-Workout

With 30 to 45 minutes to go before exercise, mix one level scoop or packet of LADDER Pre-Workout with 8 to 10 ounces of water. If you're sensitive to caffeine, start with half a scoop/packet.

Other Uses for LADDER Pre-Workout

Pre-workout isn't the only time to take advantage of LADDER Pre-Workout: Try it any time you need a boost in focus, clarity, and energy.* But remember: Don't exceed the recommended daily serving.

Here are some prime times to fuel up.

Max-effort lift. Testing your pull-up PR, your max-effort deadlift, or some other key lift? LADDER Pre-Workout ensures that you're able to give it your all. A 2016 study found that athletes performed measurably better during certain lifting workouts when they consumed a caffeinated beverage beforehand.

Afternoon slump. Does 3 PM hit you like a wrecking ball? Head it off with a serving of LADDER Pre-Workout. A 2016 review found that caffeine helps maintain physical and cognitive abilities during times of reduced sleep.

Endurance event. Hitting the trail for a run, or going for a long ride? LADDER Pre-Workout can help make your session feel less arduous. A 2019 review found that cyclists who consumed caffeine prior to participating in a time trial improved performance by roughly 5 percent over a placebo.*

In all of these cases, time your consumption so that your levels peak at the appropriate time. If you're taking a two-hour bike ride, for instance, then fueling up before you saddle up probably works just fine since you'll still be on the bike when your blood levels hit their peak. But if you're going for a one-and-done pull-up test, throw back a serving about 45 minutes beforehand so you derive maximal benefits at the right time.

When NOT to Take LADDER Pre-Workout

Caffeine can affect alertness for many hours (its half-life, or the time it takes your body to metabolize just half a serving, can be up to five hours). So if you're sensitive to it, start with a minimal dose.