Optimum Nutrition has a solid 30-year track record for making and selling the best fitness supplements and distributing these products in more than 90 countries abroad, too. Such an outstanding reputation is among the reasons for the enduring popularity of its Gold Standard pre-workout supplement.
In all its products, Optimum Nutrition assures its customers that every ingredient of the Gold Standard pre-workout has been carefully selected, scientifically tested for safety, purity and efficacy, and blended with synergy in mind. In doing so, the proper and regular use of Gold Standard pre-workout can “unlock your body’s full potential”!
At least, it’s what Optimum Nutrition promises its customers. But will Gold Standard pre-workout support your fitness goals and, thus, unlock your own fullest potential? Let’s judge that by looking at its ingredients and effectiveness in increasing overall exercise potential. The best pre-workouts are achieved with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and healthy lifestyle habits.
Quick Links:
- What Is the Gold Standard Pre-Workout Powder Supplement?
- What Makes Gold Standard Pre-Workout Powder a Good Pre-Workout Supplement?
- Who Is Gold Standard Pre-Workout Powder Supplement Pre-Workout For?
- What Are The Best Flavors of Gold Standard Pre-Workout Powder Supplement?
- Conclusion
What Is the Gold Standard Pre-Workout Powder Supplement?
The Gold Standard pre-workout is a booster beverage that should be taken 15-30 minutes before warm-ups are performed to prepare for a moderate- to high-intensity workout. It can also be taken daily, as part of your breakfast or whenever you need a boost in physical and mental energy for the day’s challenges.
But be careful about taking it 3-4 hours before bedtime as its caffeine content – equivalent to about 2.5 eight-ounce cups of coffee taken in one go – can cause sleep disruptions. For this reason, individuals with low caffeine tolerance may want to start with a half-scoop serving for the first 1-2 weeks of use to build up tolerance.
Each container of the Gold Standard pre-workout contains 30 servings, or 30 scoops, which should be sufficient for a month’s supply. This is an easy-to-drink pre-workout – mix a level scoop of the pre-workout powder with 6-8 ounces of cold water in a shaker or glass, shake or stir well for 30 seconds, and drink.
The pre-workout powder mixes fast, easily and well, and there’s a little residue at the bottom of the glass. There may be clumping when the pre-workout powder is mixed with water, but it’s nothing that more vigorous shaking or stirring can’t resolve. Be sure to store the container in a cool, dry place and avoid getting the scoop wet, preventing the pre-workout powder from clumping in its container.
Like all safe and effective pre-workouts, the Gold Standard pre-workout isn’t a magic bullet to increase overall exercise and athletic performance. When taken consistently and combined with a well-balanced diet, exercise and lifestyle program, it delivers on its promises quite well.
What Makes Gold Standard Pre-Workout Powder a Good Pre-Workout Supplement?
We must first point out that the best pre-workouts contain three ingredients in their clinically effective doses, namely: L-citrulline (6-10 grams), caffeine (250-350 milligrams), and beta-alanine (2-5 grams). We consider a pre-workout supplement that doesn’t contain all these three ingredients or has these three ingredients but in lower doses to be less effective.
Optimum Nutrition makes it easy to determine the ingredients and their exact amounts of the Gold Standard pre-workout. The 100% transparency of ingredients is a point in its favor. The ingredients are divided into four categories – the vitamins and the three matrices.
The Muscle Matrix contains:
- Creatine (3g)
Creatine supplementation has been proven effective in supporting muscle strength, size and performance, thus, its popularity among athletes engaged in HIIT workouts. It can also decrease the frequency and severity of dehydration and injuries to the muscles, bones and tendons and reduce muscle cramping.
- AstraGin (25mg)
AstraGIn is a patented plant-based compound that supports the body’s efficient absorption of vital nutrients, such as Omega-3 essential fatty acids, creatine and amino acids. Plus, it promotes a healthy gut that decreases the risk of inflammation of the intestinal lining.
The Performance Composite has the following ingredients:
- Beta-alanine (1.5g)
Beta-alanine works with histidine to produce carnosine, an abundant molecule in muscle tissues. Carnosine supports muscle strength, decreases muscle fatigue, and enhances muscle torque. Faster muscle recovery and longer muscle endurance are also among their benefits.
But at just 1.5mg in every scoop, it’s well below the clinically effective dosage of at least 2 grams, meaning the Gold Standard pre-workout may not be as effective. But there’s an upside – most users report less frequency and severity of the tingling sensations on their skin.
- Micronized L-citrulline (750mg)
L-citrulline is considered a nitric oxide booster, thanks to the L-citrulline-to-L-arginine-to-nitric oxide pathway in the kidneys. By increasing nitric oxide production, the amino acid enables more oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood to flow throughout the body. There’s then greater support for muscle strength, stamina and pump.
But at just 750mg in every scoop, the L-citrulline content in the Gold Standard pre-workout isn’t up to standard. While there’s an increase in muscle stamina, strength and pump, it may not be as powerful as with other L-citrulline-rich pre-workouts.
The Energy and Focus Complex contains caffeine (175mg) and other nutrients. A powerful central nervous stimulant, caffeine is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, as well as peaks after 30 minutes and remains high for 3-4 hours before dropping in intensity. Caffeine has several exercise-related benefits, from boosting mental energy and focus, releasing happy hormones, and increasing thermogenesis with its calorie-burning benefit. Caffeine may also improve endurance performance by preventing the use of muscle carbohydrate stores.
Again, however, the Gold Standard pre-workout caffeine content isn’t up to standard. The buzz that caffeine gives upon consumption may not be as strong for this reason, and the exercise-related benefits of caffeine may not be as strong.
The other ingredients are:
- Acetyl-L-carnitine HCL (375mg)
- N-Acetyl-L-tyrosine (250mg)
- Citrus bioflavonoid complex (100mg)
These have been selected because of their wide range of benefits related to improved exercise and athletic performance.
There are also vitamins and minerals in the Gold Standard pre-workout, namely:
- Vitamin D (12.5 mcg) is crucial for heart health and decreasing health risks affecting exercise performance.
- Thiamin (2 mg) aids in changing carbohydrates to energy and in optimum nerve transmission and muscle contractions.
- Niacin (20 mg) aids in releasing prostaglandins that widen blood vessels and stimulate muscle fiber transition.
- Vitamin B12 (10 mcg) aids in better metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and, proteins, energy sources.
- Pantothenic acid (10 mcg) also aids in converting food into energy.
- Calcium (50 mg) is crucial for bone health, and we know the importance of bone health in intense exercise.
- Sodium (20 mg) aids in regulating muscle contractions, blood volume, and nerve function and must be replaced during exercise since it’s lost through sweat.
Every scoop of Gold Standard pre-workout contains 3 grams of carbohydrates and ten calories.
While the trifecta of L-citrulline, beta-alanine and caffeine is present, these ingredients are below the minimum clinically effective dosages.
Of course, ingredients like creatine and vitamins boost physical and mental energy, improve muscle strength, stamina and pump, and increase overall exercise performance. But these benefits would be at their optimum if only the trifecta were present in their clinically effective dosages.
Nonetheless, we must give credit for the following exercise-related benefits with regular and proper use of the Gold Standard pre-workout:
- Boost in physical and mental energy about 15 minutes after consumption
- A steady buildup of energy, focus and motivation for 2 hours after intake before a slow fade-off (i.e., no jitters and side effects)
- Less skin tingling and tickling sensations
- More muscle pump and power that contributes to longer workout sessions
- Less muscle soreness
Who Is Gold Standard Pre-Workout Powder Supplement Pre-Workout For?
This is suitable for healthy adults 18 years old and above who engage in moderate- to high-intensity exercises. Like all pre-workouts, it isn’t recommended for pregnant and lactating women, minors, and individuals with the underlying medical condition without their doctor’s approval.
What Are The Best Flavors of Gold Standard Pre-Workout Powder Supplement?
The available flavors are Fruit Punch, Blueberry Lemonade, Green Apple, and Watermelon Candy. Of these flavors, the Green Apple is the best, in our opinion, because of its refreshing green apple flavor profile, almost like eating several Jolly Ranchers apples.
Conclusion
The Gold Standard pre-workout is a good product in terms of its clean ingredients and their positive effects on the body during intense exercises and for daily consumption. Most users, ourselves included, attest to its effectiveness as a pre-workout, from boosting physical and mental energy to improving exercise performance over time.
But due to certain inadequacies, it isn’t the best pre-workout in our books, although it’s among the best pre-workouts in our list. If you ask us, we highly recommend the Shifted Maximum and Shifted Premium pre-workouts. These pre-workouts contain the trifecta of ingredients above the clinically effective doses aside from other proven safe and effective ingredients.
