Natural Pre-Workout Energy Boosts
Energy is the key to a good workout. But how do you ensure you get the right amount of nutrients, hydration and protein before your lift, run, or Solidcore session? While pre-workout supplements are all the rage, many are packed with artificial ingredients that might leave you feeling jittery or leave you with a post-workout crash. But fear not, Mother Nature has your back with a bunch of natural energy boosters that’ll have you bouncing off the walls (in a good way) before you even hit the gym. By diving into the superpowers of hydration, nutrient-dense foods, natural supplements, and lifestyle factors, you’ll be armed with the knowledge to fuel your body like a pro.
Table of contents:
The Role of Hydration in Maintaining Energy Levels
Hydration is the ultimate wingman when it comes to keeping your energy levels soaring throughout the day. Your body is basically a walking, talking water balloon, with 50% to 60% of your body weight coming from water. This liquid gold is essential for delivering nutrients to your cells and kicking waste products to the curb. When you’re running low on fluids, your body might start feeling like a deflated balloon, leaving you tired and weak. By drinking plenty of water, juice, and even consuming water-rich foods like fruits and veggies, you’ll be replenishing all that lost liquid and keeping your energy levels on point.
Supercharge Your Sweat Session With These Natural Pre-workout Energy Boosters
You don’t need super processed, chemically boosted pre-workout supplements. Try these natural energy enhancers instead, and get the vitality and endurance you need to power through even the toughest training sessions.
1. Coffee
This beloved brew that kickstarts countless mornings, is a powerful natural energy booster for your workouts. The caffeine in coffee can help sharpen your focus, boost your endurance, and mitigate fatigue, allowing you to push harder and longer during your training sessions. Just remember to enjoy it in moderation and stay hydrated, as excessive caffeine intake can lead to jitters and dehydration.
2. Banana
These yellow powerhouses are packed with complex carbohydrates, which are slowly digested and absorbed by the body, providing a steady stream of fuel for your muscles and helping maintain stable blood sugar levels. Additionally, bananas are rich in potassium, a crucial electrolyte that supports proper muscle and nerve function, reducing the risk of cramps and aiding in muscle recovery. So, don’t let the carb content of bananas deter you from enjoying this natural energy booster before your next workout.
3. Almond Butter
Packed with healthy fats, protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, almond butter offers a slightly healthier alternative to other nut butters. The complex carbohydrates in almond butter provide a sustained release of energy to fuel your muscles, while the protein content supports muscle growth and recovery.
4. Greek Yogurt and Blueberries
Greek yogurt is an excellent source of protein and complex carbohydrates, providing a steady release of energy while keeping sugar levels in check. Pairing it with blueberries not only adds a burst of flavor but also supercharges your snack with a host of energy-boosting nutrients. These tiny powerhouses are packed with antioxidants, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, fiber, potassium, and magnesium, all of which work together to support your body’s energy production and overall well-being.
5. Oatmeal and Peanut Butter
As a whole grain, oatmeal provides a slow and steady release of energy, helping to stabilize your blood sugar levels throughout your workout. When you add a dollop of peanut butter to the mix, you’re not only treating your taste buds but also giving your body an extra boost of protein and complex carbohydrates. This dynamic duo is especially beneficial for those looking to gain muscle, as the protein in peanut butter helps support muscle growth and recovery.
6. Wholegrain Toast
Whole grain toast is a simple yet effective way to fuel your body before a workout, providing a natural energy boost that lasts from start to finish. Thanks to its low Glycaemic index, whole grain bread slowly releases energy into your bloodstream, ensuring a steady supply of fuel throughout your training session. You can enjoy whole grain toast on its own for a quick pre-workout snack, or get one of Clean Juice’s Toast. Just remember to give yourself some time to digest before hitting the gym—aim for 30 minutes to an hour if you opt for a more substantial snack.
7. Hardboiled Eggs
Packed with high-quality protein, essential vitamins, and beneficial fatty acids, these portable snacks are the perfect way to fuel your body without weighing you down. Boiling eggs not only makes them convenient to take on the go but also helps retain more of their valuable nutrients compared to other cooking methods.
8. Lemon Water
Lemon water is a simple yet incredibly effective way to give your body a natural energy boost before a workout, even if you’re not feeling hungry. By adding lemon to your water, you’re not only quenching your thirst but also providing your body with a dose of potassium, a key nutrient that supports brain and nerve function, helping you stay alert and focused during your exercise.
Other tips for staying energized: Lifestyle Factors
While fueling your body with natural energy boosters before a workout is essential, it’s equally important to maintain healthy lifestyle habits throughout the day to keep your energy levels soaring. Here are some lifestyle factors that can help you stay energized and perform at your best:
- Prioritize sleep
- Manage stress
- Stay active
- Maintain a balanced diet
What we recommend:
1. The Coffee One
The Coffee One smoothie is a perfect blend of natural energy boosters to fuel your workout. The combination of cold brew coffee, banana, and almond butter provides a powerful mix of caffeine, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats to keep you energized and focused throughout your training session.
2. The Cold-Brew bowl
The combination of cold-brewed coffee, bananas, and almond butter forms the base of this energy-boosting blend, while the addition of cacao, vanilla, and maple syrup adds a touch of natural sweetness. Topped with crunchy granola, creamy almond butter, and nutrient-packed chia seeds, this bowl is a well-rounded choice for anyone seeking a wholesome and delicious way to fuel their fitness journey.
3. The Peanut Butter Bowl
This nourishing combination features peanut butter and bananas, a dynamic duo that delivers a powerful punch of protein and healthy carbohydrates to keep you going strong during your exercise. Sprinkled with crunchy granola for an extra boost of slow-releasing energy, this bowl is a tasty and wholesome choice for anyone looking to supercharge their workouts with natural ingredients.
4. The Peanut Butter Toast
This isn’t your ordinary toast – it’s a superfood-packed powerhouse that combines the goodness of whole grains, the protein punch of peanut butter, and the natural sweetness of bananas to create the ultimate energy fuel. With each bite, you’ll be treating your body to a balanced mix of slow-releasing carbs, muscle-building protein, and essential nutrients that will keep you feeling energized and focused from warm-up to cool-down.
5. The Protein Bowl
The Protein Bowl offers a well-rounded mix of nutrients to support your workout performance, with ingredients like mixed greens, seasoned chicken, avocado, feta, hemp seeds, and walnuts working together to provide a variety of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. The hardboiled egg in this nourishing bowl adds an extra layer of nutrient density – thanks to its high-quality protein, essential vitamins, and beneficial fatty acids.
6. The Wakeup One
The Wakeup One is a refreshing and invigorating juice blend that can help you start your day on the right foot and provide a natural energy boost before your workout. The lemon in this zesty combination not only adds a bright, citrusy flavor but also contributes to the juice’s energizing properties. Lemons are a natural source of vitamin C, which helps support a healthy immune system, and their natural electrolytes can aid in hydration, making The Wakeup One a great choice for fueling your body before hitting the gym.
Sources:
- (1) Harvard Health. Fight fatigue with fluids.
- (2) BoomBoom. 12 Natural Energy Boosters to Try Before Your Next Workout
Disclaimer: The information presented here is for educational purposes only and is in no way intended as a substitute for medical counseling. Consult your doctor before using any health treatment, including natural remedies, and tell your doctor if you have a serious medical condition or are taking any medications.
If you’re unsure whether physical activity would be a healthy addition to your wellness routine, ask your doctor if any of your health details might make physical activity unsafe for you.