Today, I would like to discuss the importance of pre-workout nutrition as it pertains to weight training workouts specifically.

Anybody who has spent enough time in the gym has surely heard about pre-workout nutrition, but in speaking directly with people over the years, I’ve found that many of them have a pre-workout regimen that is severely lacking or even worse, nonexistent – DO NOT make this mistake.

By incorporating a proper pre-workout regimen, you will notice substantial gains in size and strength.  Over the years, I’ve experimented with various pre-workout methods, and today, I would like to share with you my most effective method.  I refer to this method as 2-part. Let me break it down:

Part-1… Approximately 3-hours before weight-training: – Consume a clean source of slow to moderate digesting carbohydrates along with a clean, low fat source of protein. To power through a workout, your muscles require glycogen and foods such as oatmeal, sweet potato, brown rice, etc. provide sustained “muscle energy.” Don’t eat too much, as to allow your body sufficient time to metabolize, otherwise you may experience stomach cramps.

Part-2… Approximately 1-hour before weight-training: – Consume a faster-digesting carbohydrate (orange, apple or watermelon), along with whey protein, creatine monohydrate and caffeine. The idea here is to provide a jump in energy, along with the necessary nutrients to maintain a positive nitrogen balance necessary to stimulate maximum protein synthesis. Along with a thermogenic effect from the caffeine.

To summarize: By applying this 2-part approach to your pre-workout routine, you provide yourself with a high-nutrient and powerful energy delivery system to conquer the toughest workouts. You will achieve tremendous pumps and drive large amounts of nutrients into the working muscles.

I understand that not everybody can apply this exact approach based on many factors – work, time of day, etc. Just let me know your current situation and we can work to create a more ideal pre-workout routine!