Pre-workouts: Do You Need a Shaker Bottle to take it?

If you're someone who's serious about their workouts, you've likely heard of pre-workout supplements. Pre-workout supplements are designed to help you increase energy, focus, and performance during your workout. They usually contain a blend of ingredients, such as caffeine, creatine, and beta-alanine, that work together to enhance your physical and mental capabilities.

One question that often comes up when it comes to pre-workout supplements is whether or not you need a shaker bottle to take it. In this article, we'll take a closer look at this question and some other important topics.

What are Pre-Workout Supplements?
Pre-workout supplements are a popular type of dietary supplement that are taken ‘pre’ (before) a workout to help improve athletic performance and concentration. They're usually sold in powdered form, which is mixed with water or another beverage before consuming. Pre-workout supplements contain a variety of ingredients that work together to provide a range of benefits for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. These ingredients often include caffeine, beta-alanine, creatine, amino acids, and various vitamins and minerals.

Caffeine is one of the most common ingredients found in pre-workout supplements and is a well-known stimulant that can increase energy levels and improve mental alertness. Beta-alanine is another popular ingredient that can help to reduce muscle fatigue and improve endurance while creatine found in pre-workout supplements can help to increase muscle mass and strength.Other ingredients found in pre-workout supplements may include amino acids such as arginine, citrulline, and taurine, which can help to improve blood flow and oxygen delivery to the muscles. Vitamins and minerals, such as B vitamins and magnesium, may also be included to support energy production and reduce fatigue.

Many of the ingredients found in pre-workouts are generally safe to consume, however as with any ingredient you should always consume in moderation. Caffeine found in pre-workout is generally within your daily limits, however if you’re already drinking coffee or other caffeinated drinks throughout the day, you may need to monitor your caffeine consumption. For a more detailed analysis on pre-workout supplements visit our article: ‘What is Pre-workout and is it SAFE to take?’

Benefits of using a Shaker Bottle to take Pre-Workout Supplements.
While pre-workout supplements are often mixed with water or another beverage, you do not  necessarily need a shaker bottle to take them. You can mix and stir pre-workout supplements in a glass or a water bottle and drink it that way.

Although you don't necessarily need a shaker bottle to take pre-workout supplements, there are a number of convenient benefits to using one:

Cleaning - Using a standard drink bottle to mix pre-workout supplements can be tricky to clean afterwards. Drink bottles usually have a narrow opening which won’t allow your hand to fit inside and clean the pre-workout residue. Shaker bottles usually have a wide opening so that you can easily drop a scoop of pre-workout without missing the target, which conveniently also lets you to get your hand in and scrub any difficult to reach areas.

Odour - The materials used on regular drink bottles are generally more permeable to odours and can leave a bad smell if you use it for anything other than water. You may be able to taste and smell your pre-workout supplement in your drink bottle for a long time as the supplement has ‘stained’ the inside walls of your bottle. Look for shaker bottles which are engineered from odour-resistant materials to ensure your supplements and bad odours don’t leach into your bottle – our Pro Scoop Shaker Bottles are odour resistant and won’t smell afterwards!

Even Mixing - Shaker bottles are engineered specifically for mixing supplements. Shaker bottles are generally wider than a standard drink bottle and occasionally employ mixing mechanisms such as a mixer spring which help to agitate the liquid and break down your supplements. A shaker bottle can help to ensure that the pre-workout powder is well-dissolved and evenly mixed, which will leave you with a smooth texture and likely also improve the taste. With a standard drink bottle, you may not be able to mix the powder and liquid as effectively, resulting in clumps or an uneven consistency.

Measurement - Shaker bottles usually have markings on the side of the cup that allow you to measure the exact amount of liquid you need for your pre-workout supplement. This can be helpful if you want to ensure that you are consistently consuming the correct dosage of your supplement. Using too much water or liquid can reduce the potency and effectiveness of the supplement, while using too little may make the supplement difficult to digest and taste too strong.

Versatility - Shaker bottles can be used for more than just pre-workout supplements. You can also use them to mix protein shakes, meal replacements, BCAA’s and other powdered dietary supplements. Shaker bottles are a versatile and cost-effective accessory to your fitness and nutrition routine.

Portability - Shaker bottles are designed to be lightweight with a screw-on lid, making them highly portable for those who like to work out in different locations. They can be easily carried around in a bag and consumed en route to the gym or during exercise. This is a significant advantage over mixing pre-workout supplements in a regular drinking cup, which must be consumed immediately and is not very portable. Since pre-workout supplements are specifically formulated to be consumed before a workout, it is common for supplement users to take them while on the go. Therefore, shaker bottles are an excellent option for supplement users who require a convenient, portable, and easy-to-use mixing solution for their pre-workout supplements.

The Importance of Accurate Measurement for Pre-Workout Supplements.
Accurate measurement is critical when taking supplements, in particular pre-workout supplements. Measuring with inaccurate tools like a teaspoon or tablespoon can result in incorrect dosages, potentially leading to harmful side effects. While pre-workout supplements are generally safe to consume, some of their ingredients, particularly stimulants like caffeine, should be carefully monitored and measured to avoid overconsumption.

To ensure accurate measurement, it is recommended to use a digital kitchen scale, or the measuring scoop provided with the pre-workout supplement. The problem however is that many pre-workout supplement brands are beginning to phase out plastic scoops from their packaging to reduce plastic waste. This is great for the environment, however poses some challenges as supplement brands recommend to use a teaspoon/tablespoon to measure the pre-workout instead. This issue is that cutlery is not a proper measurement device, is it a heaped or a flat tablespoon? Tablespoons and teaspoons are different sizes depending on the brand and which country you’re in, plus they’re messy to use with powder!

At Pro Scoop we developed a solution which allows consumers to accurately measure their supplement on the go, without the need to use a tablespoon/teaspoon or any other measurement techniques. At Pro Scoop we developed the world’s first shaker bottle which has a built-in, reusable measurement scoop. Our scoop has embossed measurement markings on the inside so that you can consistently and accurately measure your pre-workout supplements or any other powdered supplement on the go.

Our shaker bottle and built-in scoop help to facilitate the exclusion of disposable scoops whilst empowering supplement users to accurately and safely measure their supplements. It is crucial to always follow the recommended dosage mentioned in the serving suggestions of your pre-workout, as exceeding the recommended dose can increase the risk of unwanted side effects. By using proper measurement techniques such as our built-in scoop,  supplement users can safely and effectively incorporate pre-workout supplements into their workout routines. Always read the label and consult with a doctor if you have any existing health conditions or concerns.

Safe, natural & caffeine-free pre-workout supplements.
At Pro Scoop we’ve handpicked and tested many of the market-leading pre-workout supplements, however our go-to is Botanika Blends Power Potion which is available in two delicious flavours. This stimulant free pre-workout is easy on the stomach, easy to blend and gives you a sustained energy kick without the crash afterwards. These pre-workouts are also gluten-free, refined sugar free, vegan friendly, and contain no artificial flavours or additives, making it a safe and natural supplement to take before any workout. We found most people are already consuming enough caffeine from their coffee and tea, so the caffeine found in most pre-workouts was enough to push them over their daily threshold.

Conclusion.
Pre-workout supplements can be a useful tool for athletes and fitness enthusiasts looking to enhance their performance and get the most out of their workouts. While a shaker bottle is not always necessary to take pre-workout, it can make it easier to mix and consume the supplement. When using pre-workout, it's important to follow the recommended dosage and to be aware of the potential side effects and safety considerations. Coffee drinkers are generally consuming enough caffeine throughout the day, so a caffeine-free pre-workout may be a suitable choice to avoid excess caffeine intake and harmful side effects.

Overall, whether or not you need a shaker bottle to take pre-workout supplements depends on your personal preferences and the type of supplement you are using. With the right approach and a focus on safety and effectiveness, pre-workout supplements can help you achieve your fitness goals and improve your athletic performance.