How was your first time taking a pre-workout drink

Here's my story:

I usually go to the gym after work. I commute for 1-1.5hrs each way so by the time I get back home, I'm already knackered. My energy level is quite low and although I get some food in (bagel with cheese and a banana), I found I could not push myself as hard as I wanted to.

I began researching pre-workouts and it seems that the main ingredient is caffeine. A lot of people will tell you to just drink black coffee (no milk) and that's a natural pre-workout in itself which is true but I found that to be quite bitter and long term use will stain your teeth. A cup of black coffee will give you on average 100mg of caffeine and although at first this may be enough, you'll eventually needed around 200mg (so two cups).

Anyway, I started looking into some commercial products. I came across C4 and even though it had good reviews, I thought it was just hyped up. On Amazon I found this other pre-workout drink called AC8 which sells for £16. The reviews were great but more importantly I liked the ingredients (mainly Citrulline Malate, L-Taurine, Beta-Alanine, L-Glutamine, Creatine Monohydrate and obviously caffeine). One heaped scoop (7.5g) gave you 200mg of caffeine and the fruit punch flavour was very tasty.

Now non-coffee drinks (or should I say non caffeine consumers) will see the greatest effect with a pre-workout. I myself do not drink coffee at all, I may however have a cup of tea on the odd day. So I knew taking this would have a significant effect on me and as I read what other people were saying about the product, I built up great expectations in my mind.

On the day I took it, I had a feeling like ants were crawling on my arms as the high dose of caffeine entered my blood stream and I felt a tingling sensation on my face. My energy levels went through the roof. I started my warm up and hit the gym and I was blown away at how much power I had. My lifts were stronger and I lasted longer in the gym. After my sets, I still had so much more energy left. It actually scared me because my heart kept on pumping rapidly an hour after finishing my exercise routine.

It felt as if I could go back to the gym and workout more. I got really anxious because I wondered if that continued, I wouldn't be able to sleep and that would stop me from waking up early the next day to get ready for work. Eventually the high energy feeling subsided but it lasted a good 4-5hrs for me.

On the second day, I was ready for some more intense workout but that didn't happen. It was not like the first time. I had more energy than when I didn't take the pre-workout but compared to the 1st day, it was at a much lower intensity. I guess it could have been a placebo effect but nevertheless it does give me more than enough energy to exercise after a hard day at work.

So if it's your first time and you're not a huge coffee drinker, be prepared for the superpower!

PS: I've now switched to The Curse Pre-Workout and it's even more awesome.

my bro made me drink it. I rushed to the men's bathroom and vomit everything. Moral of the story. Eat then take it 2 hours later