Selecting Pre-Workout and Post Workout Stackers

What is a “pre-workout stacker” and why should I use one?

A pre-workout stacker is the measured intake of certain chemicals, vitamins, energy boosters, amino acids and amino acid components designed to enhance and insure that the body will respond to the training that is about to occur. Weight lifting and strenuous exercise requires the use of muscles and the expenditure of great amounts of energy and the release of certain products of cellular respiration (cellular respiration is the actual work performed by cells in the body requiring the expenditure of energy in the chemical reaction at the intra cellular level.) This means simply that the body uses the available muscle tissue to perform work. When the muscle is used to its fullest extent, the body then tears down the muscle. The pre workout stacker enables the body to do work more efficiently by opening blood vessels, assisting in the actual work related chemical reactions and then the subsequent removal of the waste products of respiration from the muscle cells and tissue. Additionally, some stackers have amino acid (protein components) designed to immediately begin the process of muscular repair and regeneration that occurs after a workout.

What is a “post-workout stacker and why should I use one?

A post workout stacker is the measured intake of a compound designed to aid the muscles in recovery and tissue repair and to assist in the formation of capillary beds to transfer nutrients and waste into and out of the muscle tissue. The post workout stacker generally has sugar, vitamins, some branched chain amino acids (BCAAs are the building blocks of proteins that are necessary in tissue creation and repair. In short after tearing the muscle slightly in the workout, the post workout stacker aids in recovery.

What is the best way to choose a stacker?

Everyone has a different opinion and the marketplace is loaded with stackers. Some people will like the feel and effect of a certain stacker. Other people will not like that same stacker at all. So to decide, you should go to a gym’s nutrition center before a workout and ask to have a single “shot” of a certain stacker. Usually a nutrition shop adjoins a gym as a profit center for the gym or an independent operator. Ask the clerk to mix a single shot of a stacker for you and drink this 20 minutes before working out. Try different ones each workout until you find one that assists you in the workout and you like the overall affects.

For example – one additive, beta alanine, makes the skin tingle when added to a pre workout stacker. Some athletes love the feeling while others do not like the feeling at all and will avoid any product with large amounts of it in the stacker. Try different stackers until you settle on one that agrees with you and gives you an added energy boost during your workout. Since these products come in 50 serving containers, it is better to buy a single serving before deciding if the stacker gives you the desired metabolic assist during your workout.

Be careful to read the labels and do your homework prior to using any stacker and never exceed the recommended dosages. Young, fit athletes have been wheeled out to emergency rooms and intensive care because they used multiple doses or multiple products at the same time. Stackers are beneficial and usually safe when used in the prescribed manner. Consult your local experts including your physician if necessary to assist you. People in nutrition centers and stores love to talk about their nutritional products. Let them know about your search for the right pre workout stacker and they will gladly assist you. Most people will not try to pressure you into a certain brand or product after you have told them that you want to try to find a quality pre workout stacker to boost the quality of a workout. These folks make a living with satisfied return customers who have a routine and use the right product for the job.

Stackers really do boost the quality of your workout. It is up to you to find the one that is right for you. Did we mention flavor? After a full 50 or 70 shot jar of your stacker, you may get sick of the flavor. So if you find a stacker that metabolically does the job for you, you might consider buying two smaller jars of that brand stacker in different flavors. This will keep you from having flavor burnout with your stacker.

Can I use the same stacker as my pre and post workout stacker?

Actually, no. read the labels and you will see that there are almost completely different components in pre and post workout stackers. The pre workout stacker dilates blood vessels with caffeine or other vasodilators and aids in energy transport. The post workout stacker is heavy on building and repairing cells with protein, protein precursors, vitamin and mineral replacement. These are two completely different functions and require completely different stackers.

Here are some of our favorite stacker and supplement suppliers. Try them out!