When it comes to pre-workout supplements (often referred to as just a pre-workout), there are two main types: stim and non-stim.

If you are an athlete, or work out regularly, you probably are already familiar with a pre-workout —a supplement, usually in powder form, made up of caffeine and other stimulants. A pre-work out gives you an energy boost and helps you work out harder.

But what exactly is a stim and a non-stim pre-workout? What does each one do? Which one should you choose? We have all the answers for you, so that you can make an informed decision and use either, or both, to maximize your exercise routines.

Quick jump:

What Are Pre-workout Supplements?
What’s the Difference Between Stim and Non-stim Pre-workouts?
What Are the Benefits of Taking a Stim Pre-workout?
What Are the Drawbacks of Using a Stim Pre-workout?
Who Would Benefit More From a Stim Pre-Workout?
Common Ingredients in Stim Pre-workouts and Their Effects
How Do Non-stim Pre-workouts Work?
How to Choose Between a Stim and Non-stim Pre-workout?
The Takeaway

 

What Are Pre-workout Supplements?

Pre-workout supplements are designed to help you get the most out of your workout. They typically contain ingredients that improve energy, focus, and stamina, which can help you exercise harder and longer. Athletes, weightlifters and runners commonly make use of these supplements. Studieshave in fact shown that when pre workouts are combined with HIIT workouts, there is a significant increase in training volume.

While pre-workout supplements are often taken just before workouts (about thirty minutes before), they can also be taken throughout the day for a quick energy boost.

There are two main types of pre-workouts: stim and non-stim. Stim pre-workouts contain caffeine and other stimulants, while non-stim pre-workouts do not. Both types of pre-workouts can be effective, but they work in different ways.

What’s the Difference Between Stim and Non-stim Pre-workouts?

Stim pre-workouts such as BRAWL by TUFF Labs, contain caffeine and other stimulants, such as yohimbine, synephrine, and methylhexanamine. These ingredients work by increasing energy levels, improving focus, and reducing fatigue.

Stim pre-workouts can also increase heart rate and blood pressure. Because of these effects, stim pre-workouts are not recommended for people with heart conditions or high blood pressure.

On the other hand, non-stim pre-workouts such as ERUPT by Tuff Labs do not contain caffeine or other stimulants. Instead, they rely on ingredients like amino acids and creatine to improve performance. Although non-stim pre-workouts are considered safe for most people, they may cause digestive issues in some individuals.

If you’re not sure which type of pre-workout is right for you, talk to your doctor or qualified fitness professional. They can help you choose a product that meets your needs and fits within your fitness goals.

Do you have any questions about stim or non-stim pre-workouts? Let us know in the comments below! And be sure to check out our selection of pre-workouts to find the perfect one for you.

Non-stimulatory ingredients like amino acids and creatine help with things like:

• Delaying fatigue
• Improving cognitive function
• Reducing muscle soreness
• Building lean muscle mass
• Increasing strength and power output

Stimulatory ingredients like caffeine help with:

• Improving focus
• Increasing energy levels
• Reducing fatigue

Both have recommended uses and it really comes down to what the user is looking for in a pre-workout supplement. Some people may have a preference for one over the other, while others may find that they need both types of pre-workouts depending on their goals.

If you’re not sure which type of pre-workout is right for you, talk to your doctor or qualified fitness professional. They can help you choose a product that meets your needs and fits within your fitness goals.

What Are the Benefits of Taking a Stim Pre-workout?

The benefits of taking a stim pre-workout include increased energy levels, improved focus, and reduced fatigue. Stim pre-workouts can also help you push yourself harder during your workout, leading to better results.

It Can Kick up Your Energy Levels

When you’re feeling tired, it can be hard to get motivated to hit the gym. A stim pre-workout can help give you the energy boost you need to make it through your workout.

It Helps Improve Performance

If you’re looking to take your workout to the next level, a stim pre-workout can help. Its ingredients can help improve focus and stamina, allowing you to push yourself harder and longer.

It Helps Reduce Fatigue

A stim pre-workout can also help reduce fatigue, both during and after your workout. The increased energy levels and improved focus can help you power through your workout, and the reduced fatigue will help you feel less exhausted afterward.

It Increases Your Focus and Concentration

One of the most common benefits of taking a stim pre-workout is increased focus and concentration. The ingredients in stim pre-workouts can help improve your focus, allowing you to stay on task and get more out of your workout.

What Are the Drawbacks of Using a Stim Pre-workout?

While stim pre-workouts can offer some benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider.

They Can Overstimulate You

One of the most common side effects of stim pre-workouts is feeling overstimulated. This can cause jitters, anxiety, and even nausea. If you’re sensitive to caffeine, it’s best to avoid stim pre-workouts or start with a lower dose to see how you react.

They Can Cause Dehydration

Both caffeine and creatine are ingredients often used in stim pre-workouts. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it can cause you to lose water through increased urination. Creatine can also cause dehydration, as it pulls water into your muscles. This can lead to cramping and other problems.

To avoid dehydration, be sure to drink plenty of water both before and after taking a stim pre-workout. You may also want to consider adding an electrolyte supplement to your routine.

They Can Cause Addiction

Like any other substance, it’s possible to develop an addiction to stim pre-workouts. If you find that you can’t go without them or that you’re using more than recommended, it’s best to stop taking them and speak to a doctor.

Stim Pre-Workout May Cause Insomnia

Another potential side effect of stim pre-workouts is insomnia. The caffeine in these supplements can stay in your system for several hours, making it hard to fall asleep at night. If you have trouble sleeping, it’s best to avoid taking a stim pre-workout close to bedtime.

Energy Crashes

One of the downsides of using a stim pre-workout is that you may experience an energy crash afterward. This is due to the fact that stim pre-workouts often contain large amounts of caffeine. When the caffeine wears off, you may feel tired and sluggish. To avoid this, be sure to limit your intake of caffeinated beverages throughout the day.

Who Would Benefit More From a Stim Pre-Workout?

Now that we’ve looked at the pros and cons of stim pre-workouts, let’s discuss who would benefit more from these supplements.

People Who Love Morning Workouts

One of the best things about stim pre-workouts is that they can help you wake up and feel more energetic in the morning. If you’re someone who loves to get their workout in first thing in the morning, then a stim pre-workout can be perfect for you.

You have enough energy to power through your entire workout without feeling tired or sluggish.

People Who Need an Energy Boost

If you find that you’re struggling to get through your workouts because you’re feeling tired and sluggish, then a stim pre-workout can be a great way to help give you the energy boost you need.

People Who Metabolize Caffeine Quickly

If you find that you’re someone who metabolizes caffeine quickly, then a stim pre-workout can be a great way to get the energy you need without having to worry about the crash later on.

People Who Want to Meet Their Fat Loss Goals Fast

If you’re looking to lose fat quickly, then a stim pre-workout can help you do just that. The caffeine in stim pre-workouts can help boost your metabolism and help you burn more fat.

Common Ingredients in Stim Pre-workouts and Their Effects

Now that we’ve looked at the benefits and drawbacks of stim pre-workouts, let’s take a closer look at some of the most common ingredients found in these supplements.

Caffeine

As we mentioned earlier, caffeine is one of the most common ingredients found in stim pre-workouts. Caffeine is a stimulant that can help you feel more alert and energized. It can also help to improve your focus and concentration.

The effects of caffeine can vary from person to person. Some people may find that they feel jittery or anxious after taking a stim pre-workout with caffeine, while others may find that it doesn’t affect them at all.

If you’re sensitive to caffeine, you may want to avoid stim pre-workouts that contain this ingredient. Or, you may want to start with a lower dose and see how your body responds.

Creatine

Creatine is another common ingredient found in stim pre-workouts. Creatine is a compound that’s found naturally in your body, and it can also be taken as a supplement.

Creatine has been shown to improve exercise performance, so it’s often used by athletes or people who are trying to build muscle.

If you have any medical conditions or take medication for diabetes, kidney disease, or high blood pressure, you should avoid taking creatine supplements.

Beta-Alanine

Beta-alanine is an amino acid that’s found naturally in your body. It’s also a common ingredient in stim pre-workouts.

Beta-alanine has been shown to improve exercise performance and decrease muscle fatigue, so it’s often used by athletes.

If you have any medical conditions, you should speak to your doctor before taking beta-alanine supplements.

Nitric Oxide

Nitric oxide is a gas that’s found naturally in your body. It’s also a common ingredient in stim pre-workouts. Nitric oxide has been shown to improve blood flow and increase muscle pumps.

If you have any medical conditions, you should speak to your doctor before taking nitric oxide supplements.

Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs)

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are a group of three amino acids that are found naturally in your body.

BCAAs have been shown to improve exercise performance and decrease muscle fatigue (J Exerc Nutrition Biochem 2013), so they’re often used by athletes.

If you have any medical conditions, you should speak to your doctor before taking BCAA supplements.

These are just a few of the most common ingredients found in stim pre-workouts. When choosing a stim pre-workout, it’s important to read the label carefully and make sure that you’re not taking more than the recommended dose of any ingredient.

You should also speak to your doctor before taking any stim pre-workout, especially if you have any medical conditions or take medication for diabetes, high blood pressure, or kidney disease.

How Do Non-stim Pre-workouts Work?

Non-stim pre-workouts work by providing your body with the nutrients it needs to perform at its best. The ingredients in non-stim pre-workouts can help improve blood flow, increase oxygen uptake, and enhance nutrient delivery.

Non-stim pre-workouts can also help reduce fatigue, both during and after your workout. The increased blood flow and enhanced nutrient delivery can help you power through your workout, and the reduced fatigue will help you feel less exhausted afterward.

What Are the Benefits of Taking a Non-stim Pre-workout?

The benefits of taking a non-stim pre-workout outweigh most of the cons of stim pre-workouts:

No Caffeine Crashes

One of the main benefits of taking a non-stim pre-workout is that you won’t have to worry about caffeine crashes. Caffeine can stay in your system for up to six hours, so if you take a stim pre-workout too close to bedtime, you may have trouble falling asleep.

Non-stim pre-workouts are also a good choice for people who are sensitive to caffeine or other stimulants.

Boosts Endurance and Stamina

Another benefit of taking a non-stim pre-workout is that it can help improve your endurance and stamina. The ingredients in non-stim pre-workouts can help increase blood flow and oxygen uptake, allowing you to push yourself harder and longer.

Enhances Pump and Blood Flow

Non-stim pre-workouts can also help enhance your pump and blood flow as it has ingredients like Beta-Alanine and Nitrosigine.

Helps Avoid Cramps

Non-stim pre-workouts can also help you avoid cramps through an increased blood flow and enhanced nutrient delivery. No cramps mean you are free to enjoy an intense workout without interruptions.

Another benefit of taking a non-stim pre-workout is that it can help reduce muscle soreness. The ingredients in non-stim pre-workouts can help reduce inflammation, so you can recover from your workout faster.

What Are the Drawbacks of Using a Non-stim Pre-workout?

While there are many benefits to taking a non-stim pre-workout, there are also some potential drawbacks.

More Subtle Results

One of the drawbacks of using a non-stim pre-workout is that the results are often more subtle. This is because non-stim pre-workouts don’t contain any stimulants, so they don’t provide the same immediate boost of energy.

Takes Longer to Feel Effects

Another drawback of taking a non-stim pre-workout is that it can take longer to feel the effects. Non-stim pre-workouts work by providing your body with the nutrients it needs to perform at its best. This process takes time, so you may not feel the full effects of a non-stim pre-workout for several hours after taking it.

May Not Be as Effective for Some People

While non-stim pre-workouts can be effective for many people, they may not be as effective for others. This is because everyone’s body responds differently to the ingredients in non-stim pre-workouts. If you find that a non-stim pre-workout isn’t giving you the results you want, you may want to try a stim pre-workout instead.

Who Would Benefit More From a Non-Stim Pre-Workout?

If you are someone who is highly sensitive to stimulants, then a non-stim pre-workout may be a better option for you. Stimulant pre-workouts can sometimes cause jitters, anxiety, and increased heart rate. If you are someone who wants to avoid those side effects, then a non-stim pre-workout would be the better option.

Here are some reasons why a non-stim pre-workout may be better for you:

People Who Love Afternoon or Evening Workouts

If you are someone who loves to work out in the afternoon or evening, then a non-stim pre-workout may help you avoid feeling wired before bed.

People Who May Experience Adverse Side-Effects From Caffeine

If you are someone who is sensitive to caffeine, then a non-stim pre-workout would be a better option for you.

People Who Don't Like the "Crash"

The "crash" is the feeling of energy loss after the effects of caffeine wear off. If you don't like the feeling of a crash, then a non-stim pre-workout would be better for you.

Anyone Who Metabolizes Caffeine Slowly

If you are someone who metabolizes caffeine slowly, then a non-stim pre-workout would be better for you. Caffeine can stay in your system for a long time if you metabolize it slowly, which can lead to side effects like headaches and anxiety.

Anyone Who Might Be Pregnant or Breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, then a non-stim pre-workout would be a better option for you. Caffeine can pass through the placenta and into the baby, which could pose certain dangers.

Common Ingredients in Non-stim Pre-workouts and Their Effects

Now that we’ve gone over some of the benefits and drawbacks of taking a non-stim pre-workout, let’s take a look at some of the most common ingredients in these supplements and what they do.

Sodium Bicarbonate

Sodium bicarbonate is a common ingredient in non-stim pre-workouts. It’s a type of salt that can help improve your performance during high-intensity exercise.

Sodium bicarbonate can help you:

• Perform better during high-intensity exercise
• Reduce muscle soreness
• Improve

Nitrate

Nitrate is another common ingredient in non-stim pre-workouts. It’s a type of compound that can help improve your performance during exercise.

Nitrate can help you:

• Increase your time to exhaustion
• Decrease your oxygen cost

How to Choose Between a Stim and Non-stim Pre-workout?

When it comes to choosing between a stim and non-stim pre-workout, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you are looking for an immediate boost of energy, then a stim pre-workout is probably the better choice. However, if you are looking for more subtle results or you are sensitive to stimulants, then a non-stim pre-workout may be a better option.

If you are still unsure about which type of pre-workout is right for you, speak to a qualified healthcare professional. They will be able to help you choose the right product for your individual needs.

Here are a few things you should consider:

• Do you need a sudden boost of energy? - If you're feeling sluggish or unmotivated, a stim pre-workout may help you kick up your energy levels so you can power through your workout.
• Are you sensitive to stimulants? - If you're sensitive to stimulants like caffeine, then a non-stim pre-workout may be a better option for you.
• Do you want to improve your endurance and stamina? - If you want to be able to push yourself harder and for longer periods of time, then a non-stim pre-workout can help.
• Do you have any underlying health issues? - If you have any underlying health issues, it's always best to speak to a healthcare professional before taking any supplements.

The Takeaway

No matter which category of pre-workout you prefer, the key is to find one that works for you. There are plenty of options on the market, so experiment until you find the perfect fit. Also choose one which is transparent about the ingredients contained in it, such as the stim pre-work BRAWL by TuffLabs or the non-stim pre-workout ERUPT by TuffLabs- both of which sport a transparent label, allowing you to know exactly what you're consuming.

And don’t forget—pre-workouts are just one piece of the puzzle.

A well-rounded diet and exercise routine is the best way to see results. A pre-workout supplement can give you the extra edge you need to push through a tough workout. But ultimately, it’s up to you to make the decision of whether or not to use one.

Do some research and ask around for recommendations before settling on a product. And always remember to listen to your body. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.