The way you prepare for your workout can make a huge difference in the results of the workout itself. That may sound crazy, but it's 100 percent true!

Alexander Graham Bell said, "Before anything else, preparation is the key to success." If you want to see success in your workout efforts, you need a good pre-workout routine. Why is that?

1. It gets you energized. When you take a pre-workout supplement, you're ingesting nutrients that signal to your body that it's time to work. Creatine, L-carnitine, caffeine, and other pre-workout supplement ingredients help your body to gear up for a workout by stimulating the production of muscular energy and boosting your metabolism. Having your pre-workout supplement 15 to 30 minutes before training means you'll be fully energized when it comes time to hit the weights, treadmill, or track.
2. It ensures you're properly hydrated. Did you know that even 2 percent dehydration can lead to significant decreases in muscular endurance and exercise performance? If you're not drinking enough water throughout the day, you could end up tiring out before you finish your workout. But that's where the pre-workout routine comes in handy. By drinking your pre-workout supplement or having a glass or two of water, you give your body the fluid it needs to be properly hydrated when hitting exercise hard.
3. It prepares your muscles for work. Having a pre-workout meal or snack 60 to 90 minutes before training ensures that your bloodstream and liver are full of easily-accessible glucose, and your muscles have plenty of ATP energy ready to be used. A pre-workout protein supplement (usually whey protein) can also infuse your muscles with ATP energy and amino acids that will encourage better muscle repair and recovery during your workout.
4. It loosens up your joints and connective tissue. Stretching is such an important part of your pre-workout routine. It's vital for loosening up your joints, tendons, and ligaments, and that elasticity is what will reduce the risk of injury as you train. But stretching also improves your overall flexibility and mobility. By spending time stretching before your workout, you prepare your body to go through the movements more smoothly and accurately.
5. It gets your blood flowing. If you jump into the workout "cold," you run the risk of injuring yourself. By doing a pre-workout warm-up, you get your blood flowing and send heat to your muscles and connective tissues. This will help to reduce injury risk and improve your performance. Plus, it gets your body in energy-burning mode.

Every good pre-workout routine should include a warm-up and some dynamic stretching. If you want to throw in a pre-workout meal or energy supplement, that could be a good idea to prepare your body for the workout. All that matters is that you take the time to do a thorough pre-workout routine every day. It can make a huge difference when it comes time to train!

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