PRE-WORKOUT VS THERMOGENIC: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

Pre-workout supplements are designed to enhance athletic performance by providing a boost in energy, endurance, and focus. These supplements typically contain a blend of ingredients such as caffeine, beta-alanine, creatine, citrulline malate, and alpha GPC.

For more information on pre-workout supplements, visit our  Pre-workout 

collection or read our detailed Pre-Workout Guide.  

Thermogenic supplements, often referred to as "fat burners," are designed to increase metabolic rate and calorie burning. These supplements usually contain ingredients like caffeine, green tea extract and L-carnitine.

Explore our range of thermogenic supplements  or learn more from our articles on “The Truth About Thermogenics”  and “The Best Thermogenic Supplements for weight management”. 

Pre-Workout Supplements

Pre-workout supplements are designed to boost performance during exercise. These supplements increase energy levels, improve mental clarity and focus, and enhance endurance. Ingredients like caffeine provide a surge of energy to help you power through intense workouts, while components that improve mental clarity ensure you stay focused and motivated. Additionally, ingredients such as beta-alanine and citrulline malate help reduce muscle fatigue and improve blood flow, allowing for longer and harder training sessions. Whether you're preparing for a heavy lifting session, a long run, or an intense HIIT workout, pre-workout supplements can give you the extra push needed to perform at your best.

Thermogenic Supplements

Thermogenic supplements, often referred to as "fat burners," are primarily used to increase metabolic rate and calorie burning. Meaning, you burn more calories even at rest, which is particularly helpful for those looking to lose or manage weight. Ingredients like green tea extract and L-carnitine support the body's ability to use fat as a fuel source, aiding in reducing body fat over time. While not their primary function, many thermogenics also contain caffeine, providing an energy boost to help maintain an active lifestyle. Ideal for those aiming to support their weight management goals, thermogenic supplements enhance your body's natural calorie-burning processes and provide additional energy to keep you active throughout the day.

Caffeine is a well-known stimulant that boosts energy and focus, enhancing overall workout performance by increasing alertness and energy levels.

Beta-alanine helps buffer acid in muscles, leading to improved endurance and reduced fatigue.

Creatine is commonly used for its ability to increase muscle mass and strength by providing additional energy for high-intensity activities.

Citrulline malate supports improved blood flow and nutrient delivery to muscles.

Alpha GPC aids in enhancing cognitive function and power output.

Caffeine not only boosts energy but also enhances fat oxidation

Contains catechins that support metabolism and fat burning.

Transports fatty acids into cells to be burned for energy, aiding in fat loss.

Increased Energy and Focus

Pre-workout supplements are designed to give you that extra boost of energy and focus needed to maximise your workout sessions. Caffeine and other stimulants are commonly included in these supplements because they help enhance mental alertness and concentration. This increased focus can lead to better performance and more efficient workouts, as you're more mentally engaged and ready to tackle each exercise with intensity (Trexler, Smith-Ryan, & Norton, 2022).

Improved Endurance

Another significant benefit of pre-workout supplements is improved endurance. Ingredients like beta-alanine are known to reduce muscle fatigue by buffering acid in the muscles, which allows you to work out longer and with greater intensity. This means you can push through those last few reps or extend your cardio sessions, leading to better overall performance and more significant fitness gains over time (Trexler et al., 2022).

Enhanced Muscle Strength and Growth

Pre-workout supplements often include creatine, a well-researched ingredient that supports muscle strength and recovery. Creatine provides additional energy for high-intensity activities, which can help increase muscle mass and strength. By improving your muscle's ability to recover and grow, creatine contributes to more effective workouts and faster progress toward your fitness goals (Trexler et al., 2022).

Weight management

Thermogenic supplements play a significant role in weight management by increasing the body's metabolic rate. The primary function of these supplements is to enhance the body's ability to burn more calories, even while at rest. By boosting the metabolic rate, thermogenics create an environment where the body is more efficient at utilising stored fat as energy, which can be especially beneficial when combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise routine (Hodgson, Randell, & Jeukendrup, 2022).

Supports Metabolism

One of the key benefits of thermogenic supplements is their ability to support and enhance the body's natural metabolism. Ingredients such as green tea extract are rich in antioxidants and catechins, which have been shown to boost metabolic rates and promote fat oxidation. This means that these ingredients help the body to break down fat more effectively and use it as a fuel source. By enhancing these natural 'fat-burning' processes, thermogenics can help individuals achieve their weight loss goals more efficiently (Hodgson et al., 2022).

Sustained Energy Levels

Thermogenic supplements are also known for providing sustained energy levels throughout the day. Many thermogenics contain caffeine and other natural stimulants that not only boost metabolic rate but also enhance energy and alertness. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals who need an extra boost to maintain an active lifestyle by supplying a steady stream of energy, thermogenics make it easier to stay motivated and active (Trexler, Smith-Ryan, & Norton, 2022).

Ready to supercharge your fitness journey? Check out our top picks for pre-workout and thermogenic supplements. 

Choosing between a pre-workout and a thermogenic supplement depends on your specific fitness goals. If your primary aim is to enhance your performance and energy levels during workouts, a pre-workout supplement is the better choice. However, if your main goal is to boost metabolism for weight management; a thermogenic supplement may be more suitable. Always consider your personal health needs and consult with a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.

For more insights and tips on fitness and supplements, visit our Education Hub.  

Hodgson, A. B., Randell, R. K., & Jeukendrup, A. E. (2022). The effect of green tea extract on fat oxidation at rest and during exercise: evidence of efficacy and proposed mechanisms. *American Journal of Clinical Nutrition*, 105(4), 1445-1454.

Trexler, E. T., Smith-Ryan, A. E., & Norton, L. E. (2022). Effects of beta-alanine supplementation on performance and body composition in collegiate wrestlers and football players. *Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research*, 36(2), 550-556.