When you’re a gym rat, nothing is more satisfying than seeing your muscles pumping and engorged with blood. This is the sign that tells you’re doing everything right and you’re on the fast track to a Hulk-like physique! However, to achieve the super-human body of your dreams, working out alone is not enough. If we’ve learnt anything from superheroes, is that you also need to be exposed to a nuclear disaster, some chemical X, or the next best thing available to you – pre workout pump supplements.
But why pump supplements, and not say, whey powder or some other more popular type of workout supplements? Sure, all supplements have their own benefits, but it’s pump supplements that are the most effective for building muscles. For one, using pre workout pump supplements can help body-builders achieve those coveted vein-covered muscles. Not only do muscles pumping with veins look powerful aesthetically, but they experience many physiological advantages. As it turns out, the pump – scientifically referred to as exercise-induced hyperemia – is the most essential factor for maximum muscle growth.
Just think about it, veins carry oxygen and critical nutrients. Therefore, increasing the blood flow to the muscles helps them receive more nutrients and more oxygen. Nutrient delivery elevates protein synthesis rates – which is the process in which muscles are built. On the other hand, the increased oxygen level in muscles improves exercise performance and helps you recover faster. The faster recovery time means you can do more reps, which translates to better results.
Now that we’ve made it clear how pre workout pump supplements can help you get ripped faster, you’re probably wondering how to distinguish which ones are the most effective. Well, as it turns out, there’s no single ingredient that can promise amazing muscle pump. In fact, these supplements aren’t even directly responsible for increased blood flow. It’s a compound called nitric oxide that helps expands the blood vessels and increases blood flow.
Nitric oxide is synthesized in the body with the help of chemicals like L-L-arginine, L-citrulline and nitrate. While you can also get these chemicals from food, using supplements that contain them can significantly aid in the production of nitric oxide. So, make sure to look for these exact nitric oxide boosting ingredients!
Although they are meant to be used as pre-workout supplements, don’t expect results straight away! Most pump supplements start working only until halfway through your workout – which is the exact time you need the additional boost to perform longer and better. It’s also worth noting that you should always use these supplements at the recommended dosage. As they are known to increase blood flow, overdosing can be harmful to your cardiovascular health.
