Gatorade As Pre Workout (Benefits & Side Effects!)

Gatorade is a poor choice of pre workout.

Most pre-workout supplements are high in stimulants, like caffeine, to help increase focus and energy.

Gatorade, on the other hand, contains no caffeine and is high in sugar.

If you consume a large amount of sugar before your workout, your insulin levels will rise, which can cause your blood sugar levels to plummet.

This can leave you feeling lethargic and low on energy, which is the opposite of what you want before a workout!

Benefits Of Taking Gatorade As A Pre Workout

Arguably the only benefit of taking Gatorade as a pre workout is that it (obviously) contains water.

Adequate hydration is vital during a workout, and research shows that even a small amount of dehydration can severely impact the quality of your gym session.

Since Gatorade helps to hydrate you, you’re less likely to be dehydrated when consuming it before your workout.

That being said, you can also stay hydrated by drinking water and you won’t experience the energy crash due to spiking blood sugar levels from drinking water.

Benefits Of Taking Gatorade Mid Workout

It makes a lot more sense to take Gatorade during your workout.

This is because exercise burns a lot of glucose, so by taking Gatorade mid workout, your blood sugar levels are unlikely to rise.

(Since the sugar in Gatorade will be replacing the glucose used up in exercise.)

As a result, you’re less likely to have an insulin spike and your energy levels will remain stable.

Another benefit is that Gatorade contains electrolytes.

During exercise, your body temperature rises which causes you to sweat, and you lose a lot of electrolytes in your sweat.

So, by taking Gatorade mid workout, you’ll be replacing these electrolytes which will help maintain your energy levels.

Can You Put Pre Workout In Gatorade?

Yes, you can put pre workout in Gatorade, but that doesn’t mean you should.

If you put pre workout in Gatorade and drink it before working out, you will still experience the energy crash from the spiking blood sugar levels.

Instead, I recommend you mix your pre workout with water, as you’ll get all the benefits of pre workout without the accompanying energy crash.

When Should You Drink Gatorade When Working Out?

If you want the most benefits, you should drink Gatorade after your workout.

The sugars will help replenish your glycogen stores and will provide a rapid source of energy to your brain, so you won’t feel fatigued.

Also, the electrolytes will replenish the salts that are lost through perspiration.

Gatorade also contains minerals like Potassium, which will help reduce muscle cramping and will help clear lactic acid from your muscles.

This will help you recover quicker so that your muscles aren’t as sore the next day.

What Should You Drink Before Working Out?

You should drink 2 cups of still water an hour before exercising. This will help you stay hydrated throughout your workout.

Carbonated water should be avoided as it can make you bloated and gassy, which may reduce the effectiveness of your gym session.

Coffee is also a good pre workout drink as the caffeine will help you focus and give you a boost in energy levels. However, caffeine is a diuretic meaning it makes you pee more, so it’s important to drink a glass of water alongside your coffee.

Conclusion

In summary:

• Gatorade is a poor pre workout as it doesn’t give you more energy and can make you feel lethargic thanks to its high sugar content.
• There are some benefits to drinking Gatorade mid-workout, as it will help maintain your blood sugar levels and will replace the electrolytes lost through sweat.
• The best time to drink Gatorade is after your workout. This is when your body will utilize the sugars most effectively.

That’s all for Gatorade, but is creatine a pre workout?

Hope this helped!

Sources

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10198142/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34729861/