Let's face it, at some point, we've all felt lazy, tired, and low on energy to hit the gym, and many end up making an excuse and ditching our workout plans for the day. While some individuals may just be outright lazy, many may suffer from low energy levels and end up feeling fatigued mid-workout. Also, not everyone is comfortable in consuming pre-workout supplements either due to fears or budget constraints, so we at HYP decided to compile a list of natural pre-workouts that you'll easily find laying around the house.
Banana:
Popular among athletes and sportspersons across the globe, a banana is one of the best and closest things you'll get to a natural energy bar, as it comes loaded with natural sugars, potassium, vitamin B6, fiber, thus giving you an instant boost of energy.
Coffee:
If you've been following our Instagram page, then you'd know by now that coffee can help lower the risks of depression among women, but it also makes for an amazing pre-workout supplement. Being a stimulant, the caffeine in a cup of coffee can help you stay focused and alert while working out and its effects wear off post-workout, which means that if you enjoy working out in the evening, then a shot of coffee pre-workout won't keep you up all night.
Oats:
Oats are loaded with complex carbohydrates, fiber, and a decent amount of protein per serving, making them one of the best pre-workout foods to consume. As it's loaded with fiber, it slows down digestion, thus providing your body with a steady release of energy, helping you get through a grueling workout session. One thing to keep in mind though is that you mustn't consume oats or any solid meals right before your workout and give yourself at least an hour to help your body digest the food, else you may find yourself throwing up inside the gym.
Peanut butter:
Peanut butter is loaded with fiber, protein, and healthy fats (at least the natural ones do). But besides that, peanut butter can help provide your muscles with a steady supply of Amino acids during your workout, thus keeping your blood amino acid levels topped up throughout. If you feel adventurous, then throw in some whole wheat bread and a banana for sweetness and you're good to go. One thing to keep in mind though is that since peanut butter is so calorically dense, you need to show some restraint when consuming it during the day and account for the high number of calories, especially if you're trying to lose weight.
A protein bar:
One of the best, yet often overlooked pre-workout snack options is a classic protein bar. HYPs meal replacement Protein Bars come loaded with fiber and 20 grams of protein per bar and if you feel that's too much for your pre-workout, then you can go light and opt for HYP's sugar-free variant of protein bars that contain 10 grams of high-quality protein, which will help prevent muscle breakdown while you workout and increase the amount of time that your body spends in an anabolic (muscle building) state.
So there you have it, we've given you some of the best pre-workout meals that will help you get through your grueling workout session. So no more excuses! Get lifting.
Questions?