Do you use one (if at all)? I've heard of some people using it once in awhile, some never, and some like me - all of the time.

Currently I use Mr. Hyde (watermelon flavor, which I love). I've tried The Skull in Green Apple - amazing, but pricier so I haven't bought it again. It's recommended that you take a week "vacation" every now and then so that you don't build up a tolerance. I don't do that lol, but I do fall of the wagon so to speak from going to the gym now and then (due to being sick or just busy with life) so I count that towards it.


So what about you guys?

I don't drink anything before, but I drink a lot during and after. My gym has a water fountain and I drink from that like every 20 minutes and there's a cooler so I always buy drinks. I either get Gatorade or Sobe water which is even better and since I'm a super member I get them for $1 each and I usually get 1 or 2 bottles each time I'm at the gym.

Nice! I use powerade at the gym sometimes (lately it's just been water). I find that if I wasn't able to eat properly before my workout, powerade lets me workout longer.

I run a gym so I have heard and/or seen it all. 

Pre-workout?  Don't waste your money.  Water is the go-to pre-workout and post workout drink to have.  If you hydrate, you'll be just fine.  If you think you're doing better with the pre-workouts and you don't mind dropping the cash, keep it up.  They don't hurt.  They just don't really help at all either.  It's the placebo effect in the real world.

I used to try a few different drinks.  I find that when I knock down a little bit of strong coffee before a workout, I do really well.  And by a little bit I mean sipping on half a cup of it while drinking water and having a little something to eat first.

But, enjoy whatever it is that works for you.

Ghostbear1111 : You're probably right, but I find the pre-workout's been helping me. 

Is there any benefit to drinking gatorade/powerade during the workout?

Sometimes I use a pre-workout like C-4 or GAT if I'm really feeling like I don't have a lot of energy. The aminos can help you out as well, but it all depends on what type of results you are looking to get.

Most of them though are just a crutch and aren't really as helpful as a protein supplement would be POST workout.

Jordanv78 : I've heard good things about C-4 as well.  I know it's not good to get dependent on them, but I guess without intention I have.

What do you mean by protein supplement? A shake?

plasticinsanity : Yes, It's important to get protein in your body post workout. It's easier to get a good amount by using a protein powder mix, or a premade shake, but you could also eat some food that is high in protein within an hour or so of ending your workout while your metabolism is still high. You need to protein to build the muscle back that you broke down during your workout.

Jordanv78 : Ahh, yeah I try to do that as often as I can (I struggle with it though) usually by eating eggs. Is there  a minimum amount of protein that should be consumed, or a suggested amount?

plasticinsanity : It can kinda differ depending on the person, but a good rule of thumb is around 20 grams of protein post workout. Which is why Powders/Shakes can help ensure that you are getting this much of high quality protein.

Jordanv78 : Oh cool, I have a protein shake mix so I'll have to start doing that more. 

I usually drink half of a Monster (I know,they can be bad for you.)before the workout,and the other half after. I just need the caffeine rush.

Oldschool777 : I used to drink an energy drink before too, but I've found that preworkout tends to work better (for me anyhow).

Oldschool777 :  Sheesh.  That's brave.  The stuff puts my heart rate up too much and I become jittery.  Love the taste though, but yeah - it's not good for you.  

plasticinsanity :  I am not an expert - far from it, but be careful with supplements, especially with protein powders.  If you are absolutely a gym freak and your body fat is really low and you need the extra proteins then by all means go for it.  If you only gym (specifically weight training) occasionally and you don't really have a balanced diet, protein shakes can make you fat, very quickly.  I used to use the stuff and I got "bigger" really quickly but I also gained unwanted fat because I did not follow a proper diet and I did not exercise often enough to burn the fat.  I would suggest, if you haven't already, focus on a proper training program and diet first then go for the supplements if you really feel you need to.

To get back on topic - I just have water, before during and after.  Yes, Powerade is good if you have done a lot of cardiovascular stuff and you need to replace some electrolytes.

SoL@R : Generally, I go 5-6 days a week for at least 1-2+ hours a day. This fluctuates of course, depending on if I'm sick or if I fall off track for a few days, but generally speaking I stick to it. How often did you go when you noticed the weight gain?

plasticinsanity :  Yeah thats more than enough. I only went about 3 times a week for about an hour. 

SoL@R : Oh okay lol. I quit smoking last year so to help with anxiety, the gym's kinda been my "thing".

plasticinsanity : I think that was a good trade-off   The irony is that fitness or going to the gym can become an addiction as well :/  So finding a balance (with almost everything) is key.

SoL@R : You're so right! I've been finding I can overdo it at the gym, because I want results *now* - so my thinking is "if I do this much, this many times a week, I'll be like this by summer!". It's a better trade-off than smoking but I still gotta watch.

Not really,I was a huge Coca-Cola and Pepsi drinker way back then,so I have a bit of resistance to caffeine. But I do know those things can be horrible for you,especially if you drink tons of that stuff a day. Here is a link everyone might like:

P.S. My daily safe limit is 5.2 cans a day. I would probably puke if I drank that much Monster


http://www.caffeineinformer.com/death-by-caffeine