CHAPTER 24: Is Pre-Workout Necessary ?

When it comes to supplementation, opinions are all over the place. Some people swear by pre-workouts, while others prefer to train without any extra help. So where do I stand?

Personally, I keep my supplement routine pretty minimal. I consistently use whey protein and creatine — both are well-studied, reliable, and they align with my goals. But at one point, I did experiment with pre-workout supplements. And at first? They were a game-changer.

I noticed a clear boost in performance. My energy levels were through the roof, and I was hitting personal bests across the board. But over time, something shifted. I started to feel like I couldn’t perform at the same level without that pre-workout boost. It became a crutch — and that’s when I realized I had developed a dependency.

The main driver behind most pre-workout formulas is caffeine — and in pretty high doses. It amps up your central nervous system, kind of like coffee, but much more intense. And while that can be helpful in the short term, I found that relying on it long-term wasn’t sustainable for me.

So a few months ago, I made the decision to stop using pre-workout altogether. The first few sessions were tough — no sugarcoating that — but I made adjustments. I improved my sleep, fine-tuned my nutrition, and made sure my warm-ups were solid. Eventually, I got back to training just as hard, without needing that extra push from a supplement.

Now, I want to be clear: I’m not saying pre-workouts are bad. My experience doesn’t mean they’re inherently harmful. For some people, they’re useful and effective when used responsibly. But for me, the bigger lesson was about self-awareness. It’s important to evaluate what you really need, and not rely too heavily on external sources for performance.

In the end, supplements should support your goals — not define them.

Consistency is the key to success!✌




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