Do NBA Players Drink Pre-Workout Drinks?
Many amateur and professional basketball players are always looking for legal, easy ways to gain an edge in their game.
Whether it is a new exercise routine or a post-workout cryotherapy session, basketball players of all levels are nearly always willing to try and experiment with new solutions to reach higher and greater levels of strength and fitness.
And one such great way, is done and accomplished by drinking a pre-workout supplement. Below, we’re going to review whether or not NBA players drink pre-workout drinks, what the purpose of a pre-workout drink is, and our personal list of the best pre-workouts on the market.
Similarly, you may be interested in our full write-up of the best pre-workout supplements for basketball players. This full list will help you find the perfect pre-workout supplement for your specific needs.
Disclaimer
Please note, we here at Ball Are Life are members of the Amazon Affiliate Program. This means that we may receive a small commission for any purchases made via our Amazon links below. While we appreciate this small commission, it in no way impacts or biases our reviews or ratings.
In addition, please consult with a doctor or a medical professional before ingesting a pre-workout supplement. The supplements are generally unsafe for pregnant women and for individuals with other medical conditions. Due to the increased, concentrated caffeine content found in pre-workout supplements, injury and even death have been reported.
What is a Pre-Workout Supplement?
Pre-workout supplements, or simply pre-workouts, are a multi-ingredient dietary formula which is designed to provide a boost of energy and athletic performance. These pre-workouts are typically a powdered substance that is mixed with water and drunk before an exercise.
Due to the lack of much regulatory oversight, pre-workouts and their ingredient lists can vary widely. However, many of the most popular brands will contain some form of amino acids, caffeine, creatine, artificial sweeteners, and B vitamins.
However, the research on pre-workouts is extremely limited.
As-such, it can be difficult to ascertain the efficacy of a certain pre-workout or a pre-workout brand.
Needless to say, though, some pre-workouts do contain ingredients which have been widely researched and proven effective.
This list often includes some of the following ingredients:
- Nitric Oxide – nitric oxide is a compound that is produced naturally in your body and produces relaxed blood vessels and blood flow.
- Caffeine – caffeine is one of the most frequently used ingredients in a pre-workout and is used to increase energy and focus.
- Creatine – creatine is often associated with the bodybuilding world. However, research into creatine shows that supplementing with creatine can increase your body’s stored supply, thus increasing muscle mass and strength.
Reasons to Not Take a Pre-Workout
While many athletes and basketball players swear by pre-workouts or a certain pre-workout brand, there should be some due diligence conducted before you commit to any pre-workout. There are also a number of reasons why you may want to avoid taking pre-workouts.
- Increased Caffeine Intake – while pre-workouts are meant to provide you with a brief level of excess caffeine, some brands may provide too much. This excess amount can lead to increased levels of anxiety, an increased heart rate, and an inability to sleep.
- Quality and Safety – due to the lack of much regulation, pre-workouts are not all created equal. Some may lack safety standards and may be utilizing low quality products and ingredients.
Are Pre-Workouts Used in the NBA?
Yes, pre-workouts are drunk by some of the most popular and well-known NBA athletes, including Lebron James. In the NBA, many players are looking for legal, non-banned supplements and routines which can give them an edge on the court, and which can help them to push their bodies to a greater level.
However, simply because an NBA player takes a pre-workout supplement may not necessarily mean that it is right for you. Many NBA players are monitored closely by a team of doctors, physical therapists, nutritionists, and dieticians.
This team will ensure that not only are NBA players taking the best available pre-workouts, but that they are also taking ones that are safe for their bodies and that won’t impact their games or their bodies.
Lastly, NBA players are a different breed than us regular players. Due to the increased play time, practice, and exercise routines, NBA players likely need pre-workouts to help them compete throughout the day. You and I are less likely to need these supplements.
Are Pre-Workouts Banned in the NBA?
No, pre-workouts are not banned in the NBA. However, NBA players will need to review a specific brands ingredient list to ensure that no ingredient is listed that is banned in the NBA.
Best Pre-Workouts on the Market for Basketball Players
Below, we’re going to review some of the best pre-workouts currently on the market and ones we’ve used for our basketball needs. However, be sure to do your full due-diligence before beginning a pre-workout supplement and speak with your doctor if you have any concerns.
In addition, if you feel unwell or sick after drinking a pre-workout, immediately seek medical assistance and discontinue use.
Ladders Pre-Workout
Ladder Pre-Workouts our personal favorite and our single recommendation for the best pre-workout supplement for basketball and NBA players. The Ladder Pre-Workouts is not only a delicious pre-workout supplement but is also backed by extensive research and third-party approvals.
In addition, the Ladder Pre-Workouts supplement has a very interesting backstory.
As noted on their website, in Game 1 of the 2014 NBA Finals, Lebron James began experiencing muscle cramps. In an effort to never feel that pain again during such a big moment in his career, James and his trainer, Mike Mancias, set out to find and create the single best pre-workout supplement.
Consulting with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lebron James and Mike Mancias spent years assembling a team of experts to formulate a line of clean performance products with the highest standards for quality and safety.
Focusing on taste, performance, and quality, they also promised that each product would be third-party verified with the NSF Certified for Sport seal of approval, which guarantees every ingredient and dose is approved by all major sports governing bodies.
Redcon1 Total War Pre-Workout Supplement
Off the bat we’re going to state that Redcon1’s Total War Pre-Workout Supplement is not NSF certified. However, we have used this pre-workout supplement previously and have found it optimal for our needs and during a particularly strenuous and difficult game.
Coming in a sour gummy flavor, Redcon1’s Total War Pre-Workout Supplement is jam-packed with beta-alanine, caffeine, citrulline malate, and nitric oxide. This ingredient list is nearly guaranteed to give you thee boost you need while on the court and will have you chasing down every loose ball.
Although not NSF certified, Redcon1 is independently tested by a third-party, ensuring that each pack is free of banned substances. And with a powerful combination of stimulants and focus factors, Total War is an all-in-one pre-workout supplement that will give you the focus, energy, and intensity needed for basketball.
Coming in a great taste, we didn’t find any problems drinking this pre-workout nor did we find that it upset our stomach after drinking it.
Proven4 Pre-Workout Supplement
Proven4’s Pre-Workout Supplement is another great pre-workout option for basketball players. Also NSF Certified, Proven4 is allowed for use in all major sports leagues. And with flavors ranging from blue raspberry to cherry limeade, you’ll be able to find a flavor that works for you.
Designed to provide you with all the strength and stamina you need for the big game, Proven4 is a clean, independently backed pre-workout supplement that gives you the edge you need to perform at your peak. With a mix of beta alanine, creatine monohydrate, arginine, L-tyrosine, and vitamins B-6 and B-12, you have a powerful cocktail of ingredients to take your game to the next level.
C4 Ripped Sport Pre-Workout Powder
C4 Ripped Sport Pre-Workout Powder is one of the best pre-workout supplements available on the market. NSF Certified, C4 Ripped comes in a variety of different flavors, including fruit punch, arctic snow, strawberry lemonade, and blue raspberry.
C4 Ripped Sport Pre-Workout is formulated with a variety of fat burning ingredients, including CLA and dyglofit to help you train harder and support your body’s ability to burn fat. It is also formulated with carnosyn beta-alanine, a premium clinically studied ingredient, which has been shown to support muscle endurance and fight fatigue while working out or playing basketball.