Using Pre-Workout To Study: Terrible Or Great Idea?


As an avid gym goer, this is a common question I get from college students in the gym. And the answer is a bit complicated.

Pre-workout supplements contain many ingredients including caffeine which helps people stay focused and alert. This can benefit cognitive performance. There are also other ingredients you may not want to take while studying.

Since the general consumers of pre-workout are gym goers. There are ingredients in pre-workout that you might not want to be on while studying for your next test.

Studying Open Books

Do Pre Workout supplements Affect Studying

I know some college students look for ways to get a competitive edge. And I bet if you are a college student who goes to the gym frequently. You had the amazing brain blast to think about if you can use pre-workout to study.

The good news is that pre-workout supplements are known for giving you the energy to stay alert. This can be used to help you study.

Falling asleep from the boredom of studying all night is something that probably every college student has had to deal with.

Taking pre-workout to combat this can help since pre-workouts use caffeine as one of their main ingredients giving pre-workout supplements the energy boost and focus they are known for.

But remember that a pre-workout supplement is designed with an athlete in mind.

And there are some ingredients in there that you do not want to take while you are studying.

Beta-alanine is one of those ingredients that come to mind…

That’s because it helps with blood flow. And if you have ever taken pre-workout before. You know that sometimes you will get an itchy almost burning sensation. That’s because there was probably beta-alanine in that pre-workout.

That’s something you probably don’t want to experience while you are studying.

Instead, I have a better solution. And you’ll learn about it at the end of this blog post.

Don’t worry I got your back.

Protein Shake

What Ingredients In Pre Workout Helps For Studying

What’s in a pre-workout that benefits you if you need to use it to study?

Most companies have different blends, and a pre-workout from one company will have different ingredients than a pre-workout from another company.

But I’ll review the most commonly found ingredients in a pre-workout. And what those ingredients can do for you.

A Few Of The Most Common Pre Workout Ingredients:

  • Caffeine: This is one of the most common ingredients in pre-workout. Caffeine can help keep you awake and alert.
  • L-Theanine: This is another ingredient found in pre-workout, and it can help you with focus and brain function
  • L-Citrulline Malate: Used to enhance performance in the gym.
  • Beta-Alanine: Improves endurance of your muscles. (I mentioned this earlier, but this will have you feeling like Spiderman having non-stop spidey tingles all over your body.)
  • Betaine Anhydrous: Another ingredient to improve performance in the gym.

These 5 ingredients are the most commonly found in pre-workout formulas. And you can see there are only two on that list that will actually help you with studying.

The rest are more for getting a better workout out at the gym.

Also, there is something you should keep in mind too!

Person Taking A Drink

What To Keep In Mind If You Are Using Pre-Workout To Study

I’m not your dad. Well, at least I hope I’m not.

I know you’re probably a grown adult reading this article and I can’t stop you from doing something like taking pre-workout to study.

But there is something I want you to think about if you are going to use pre-workout for studying.

One thing you want to remember if you use pre-workout for studying is…

Clock Bed Time

Taking Pre-Workout Supplements Close To Bed

Most pre-workouts contain high amounts of stimulants. And if you take it close to bedtime. You are in for a world of hurt.

Trust me it’s hard to fall asleep after taking pre-workout. Unless staying up is your goal. Then go ahead and be my guest. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.

If you are a sane human being and still want to get some sleep after using pre-workout for studying. Then I suggest taking a pre-workout 8 hours before you plan on heading to bed.

But this is what I want you to keep in the back of your mind if you do plan on using a pre-workout supplement

Focus Definition

Can You Use Pre-Workouts To Focus

Can you use pre-workout supplements to improve focus and boost cognitive function…

You bet your bottom dollar you can. I use it all the time in the gym to help fuel my intense workout, improve focus while I lift, and boost physical performance.

But that’s the catch…

Pre-workout supplements have additional ingredients designed for physical activities.

You are better off getting a cup of coffee from your local Starbucks to help improve your cognitive function, stay alert, and improve focus.

Because caffeine is what’s responsible for giving you the boost in brain function from pre-workout supplements.

And you are throwing money down the drain if you are buying pre-workout for studying purposes.

Instead, I recommend you check out a supplement company I talk about later in this blog post that designed products specifically to enhance brain function, improve mental focus, and help with memory.

pre workout bottle

Is Pre-Workout Just For Energy

Energy is just one of the many benefits of pre-workout supplements.

Pre-workout supplements also help with physical performance, increased blood flow, cognitive function, and better muscle endurance.

But like I said earlier there are ingredients that make pre-workout for studying not the wise choice.

Remember how I talked about our good pal beta-alanine? You might have more energy levels and cognitive function from the pre-workout. But beta-alanine will have you itching your skin and trying to find ways to stop that feeling.

That’s the last thing you want to be going through. Especially if it’s your goal to focus on studying.

But there’s a better choice if you want to improve your brain function with the help of a supplement.

And that’s to use something that is designed to improve focus, memory, and brain function.

I know right who would have thought…

Best Alternative To Pre Workout For Studying

So if you are ready to stop using pre-workout for studying.

Then I recommend you take a look at products designed for what you are trying to achieve instead of using pre-workouts to do the job that they were not intended for in the first place.

I know there are a lot of products on the market, but the one I have personally used and love is…

Alpha Brain

Alpha Brain is a favorite supplement for improving cognitive function, brain function, mental focus, and memory.

The funny thing is I took Alpha Brain to help me create the blog post I have on this website.

They carry different options that you can choose from as well which I like. Giving you the option to choose a version with caffeine and a caffeine-free version too.

But this product is definitely worth checking out since it is designed to help with studying and staying focused.

Now you can put your pre-workout away and save it for the gym. Where it was meant to be used for.

Final Thoughts About Using Pre-Workouts As A Study Aid

By now you should know that pre-workout can actually be used while you study. But just remember that they are not designed for that purpose and you are better off using a product like alpha brain designed with that purpose in mind.

So I better not catch you using pre-workouts to study!

But in all seriousness now. I hope you found my article helpful and informative! Take care and I’ll catch you in the next one!

Jordan Arenas

My name is Jordan Arenas and I am the owner and author of RFKN Fit. I created RFKN Fit to help others achieve their fitness goals. My mission is to share helpful workouts, nutrition tips, delicious recipes, tips on mindset, some motivation, and some good ol' gym humor with this blog of mine. Hope you enjoy!

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