As a fitness trainer, I often get asked the same question from newcomers at the gym: Is pre-workout necessary? Over the years, I’ve seen many beginners succeed and many others give up before reaching their goals. The two main reasons they usually cite for quitting are a lack of motivation and the pain they experience.
As trainers, we do our best to keep our clients motivated and excited about coming to the gym regularly. However, the trainees also need to put in the effort on their own. Simply going to the gym three to five times a week isn’t enough to build muscle and stay energized. There are additional healthy habits that newbies should adopt to maintain their stamina and support muscle growth.
When it comes to pre-workout routines, I always advise my clients to push themselves further. This means incorporating aerobic or cardiovascular activities at the start of the day to keep their energy levels up. It’s not enough to just have energy for lifting weights; you need to feel energized throughout the whole day.
Here’s what I tell beginners about pre-workouts:
Pre-workout exercises do more than just boost your energy. They wake up your senses and loosen your muscles. This can be as simple as a brisk walk, stretching, jogging, boxing, or any non-weightlifting activity in the morning. Even a 15-30 minute walk with your dog around the neighborhood or swimming laps in a pool can be effective. Activities like dancing, jumping rope, hula hooping, or climbing stairs also have great energy-boosting effects.
Pre-workouts help prevent muscle stiffness, spasms, and severe joint pain from lifting weights. These exercises loosen up your muscles after sleep, reducing pain and making your workouts smoother and more comfortable.
A proper diet and supplements are also crucial. Always eat nutritious meals, never skip meals, and have breakfast before your pre-workout activities. Starving yourself is not an option if you want to build muscle. Nutritious food fuels your body, and supplements provide additional nutrients that food alone can’t. These supplements are designed to boost your energy and stamina, aiding your performance at the gym and supporting muscle repair, recovery, and growth.
As a bodybuilder and fitness trainer, I can attest that pre-workout routines and supplements are essential parts of a fitness regimen. Regardless of age, including pre-workouts in your daily routine is beneficial. Some individuals at my gym use supplements like Jack3d, and after trying it myself, I can say it works well for me.
In summary, pre-workout activities and proper nutrition are key to a successful bodybuilding journey. They keep you energized, reduce pain, and help you achieve your fitness goals more effectively.