Pro Pre is a pre-workout supplement made by Optimum Nutrition.
It’s designed to improve energy, focus, pumps, and endurance for better workouts.
Optimum Nutrition are an American supplement company, who have been around since 1986.
Ingredients Label
Active Ingredients
Citrulline
Citrulline is an amino acid that boosts pumps and endurance.
It does this through its ability to increase nitric oxide, which dilates the blood vessels (1).
Beta Alanine
Beta alanine is a compound that delays fatigue.
It works by counteracting the accumulation of acid and free-radicals which usually build up during intense exercise (2).
An effective dose is between 2-5g.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant which increases energy and alertness.
It’s also been shown to boost athletic performance at higher doses (3).
Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola rosea is a herb, which reduces fatigue.
It’s also been shown to improve brain function and sense of wellbeing (4, 5)
The effective dose is 50mg daily.
Theanine
Theanine is an amino acid that promotes relaxation, without sedating effects (6).
It can improve focus when taken with caffeine.
The effective dose is about 100-200mg.
Ashwaghanda
Ashwagandha is a plant with adaptogenic effects.
In untrained subjects, it can increase testosterone and athletic performance, but more research is needed in athletes (7).
The effective dose is 300-500mg.
Leucine
Leucine is the most important branched chain amino acid for sparking muscle growth and repair.
It can reduce muscle breakdown during exercise, and improve recovery time (8).
Tyrosine
Tyrosine is an amino acid which can reduce the effects of stress hormones.
It’s been shown to improve performance under stressed or fatigued conditions (9).
The effective dose is between 500-2,000mg.
Coffee Fruit Extract
Coffee fruit extract may sound like another inclusion of caffeine, but it’s actually a different extract, which may improve brain function.
This particular extract has been shown to improve something called “brain-derived neurotrophic factor”, or “BDNF”, which plays a role in memory, learning, and mood (10).
Who Takes It?
Athletes wanting a pre-workout supplement which will improve all aspects of their workouts may enjoy using Pro Pre.
How to Take
Mix 1 scoop (18g) with 250mL water, and consume 30 minutes before working out.
Side Effects
Beta alanine may cause a harmless tingling sensation in the face and skin.
Caffeine may trigger rapid or irregular heartbeat in sensitive users, especially if taken above the recommended dose.
Pros
- Clinically effective doses of most ingredients
- Reduces fatigue through multiple ingredients
- Available in multiple flavours.
Cons
- Not many ingredients for increasing strength or power
- Only 20 servings per tub.
Conclusion
Pro Pre is an interesting pre-workout supplement, which caters heavily to reducing fatigue and improving energy and focus.
Optimum Nutrition do a great job here of including clinically effective doses of ingredients, so you can be reassured that you’re getting the full effects of each inclusion.
Where it may fall short, however, is in strength and power enhancement. It contains none of the usual ingredients such as creatine or betaine, which could go a long way for performance.
