Can You Mix Pre Workout With Protein Powder? Is It Suitable?

Have you ever found yourself staring at your fitness supplement collection, wondering if it’s okay and if can you mix pre workout with protein powder? It’s a common question among fitness enthusiasts, as both supplements can be incredibly beneficial for achieving your fitness goals.

Yet, there is a great deal of conflicting information concerning whether or not combining the two separate supplements is safe.

In this article, we’ll explore the science behind pre workout and protein powder, and help you determine whether or not mixing them is the right choice for you. We will also answer some FAQs and state if there is any risk of mixing pre workout with protein powder. So, let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

Can You Mix Pre Workout With Protein Powder?

Can you mix pre workout with protein? Many people wonder if it’s safe to mix pre workout and protein powder, and the answer is generally yes. In fact, combining the two supplements can be a great way to maximize your workout results.

Nevertheless, certain pre workout supplements may include high doses of caffeine or other stimulants, which may trigger harmful side effects when mixed with protein powder in rare situations.

Pre workout supplements are designed to enhance your physical performance during exercise by increasing energy, focus, and endurance [1, 2]. They often contain ingredients like caffeine, beta-alanine, and creatine, which work together to improve your workout performance.

On the other hand, protein powder is used to support muscle growth and repair, as it contains the building blocks necessary for these processes [3].

If you do decide to mix pre workout and protein powder, it’s important to pay attention to the ingredients in both supplements and their dosages. Mixing both supplements might not work for everyone.

It’s also a good idea, to begin with, a low dose of each supplement and gradually increase it as needed. Before incorporating it into your regimen, likely with any supplement, you should always check with a healthcare practitioner.

Understanding Both The Supplements

Pre Workout

Pre workout supplements are designed to help individuals enhance their physical performance during exercise [1, 2]. They often contain a combination of ingredients such as caffeine, beta-alanine, creatine, and nitric oxide boosters that work together to improve energy, focus, endurance, and strength [4].

Pre workout supplements can also help individuals push past their physical limits and reach their fitness goals faster. A 2016 study has shown that when taken prior to exercise, caffeine-containing pre workout supplements can help improve anaerobic power performance [2].

But, it’s vital to remember that certain pre workout supplements might have serious side effects when consumed in big quantities or if a person is allergic to particular substances or ingredients. Anxiety, headaches, nausea, jitters, increased sweating, dehydration, and diarrhea are a few of the usual adverse effects.

Protein Powder

Protein powder supplements are a convenient and effective way to increase your daily protein intake. They are often used to support muscle growth and repair, as well as aid in muscle gain, weight loss, or maintenance [3]. Evidence suggests that protein powders can enhance post-workout recovery and improve performance [5, 6].

Whey, casein, soy, and pea protein are just a few of the many substances that may be used to make protein powder supplements. To enhance protein content, these supplements may be simply added to shakes, smoothies, or other meals.

Some of the potential side effects of increased protein powder intake may include digestive discomfort, bloating, acne, kidney damage, and allergic reactions [7].

How to Use Pre Workout and Protein Powder?

When it comes to using pre workout and protein powder supplements, timing is key. Pre workout supplements should be taken approximately 15 to 30 minutes before exercise to allow for proper digestion and absorption and for the pre workout supplement to kick in.

Protein powder supplements, on the contrary hand, can be taken at any time of day. Still, they may be more beneficial when ingested after 30 minutes of exercise to stimulate muscle growth, repair, and development.

Although according to research increasing your daily protein intake should be the main goal to increase muscle protein synthesis [8], it does not matter when you take the protein and in which form.

Can You Mix Pre Workout With Other Pre Workouts?

It is generally not recommended to mix different pre workout supplements together, as they often contain similar ingredients that can cause negative side effects when taken in excess. Combining different pre workout supplements can also make it difficult to determine the appropriate dosage of each supplement. It’s important to follow the recommended dosage and usage instructions on each individual pre workout supplement to avoid potential negative effects.

At last, it is generally not a good idea to mix pre workout with other pre workout and is not recommended.

Is There Any Risk of Mixing Pre Workout With Protein Powder?

pre workout and protein powder — itakdalee/iStock

There is no inherent risk in mixing pre workout with protein powder supplements, as long as both supplements are taken in appropriate dosages and at the right time.

Nevertheless, specific pre workout supplements could already have high concentrations of caffeine or other stimulants, so adding more from other supplements or other sources could increase the chance of unpleasant side effects like jitters, headaches, or anxiety.

It’s also important to note that some pre workout supplements may already contain some amount of protein, and adding additional protein powder may not be necessary if your protein intake is on point and can even lead to overconsumption of protein. Excessive protein consumption can cause digestive pain, bloating, and other gastrointestinal disorders.

In the end, there are no specific risks of mixing pre workout with protein powder but still, we do not recommend you consume them by mixing, instead try consuming them separately, just in case.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is whey protein the same as pre workout?

Whey protein and pre workout supplements are not the same. Whey protein helps with muscle growth and recovery, while pre workout supplements improve energy and performance during exercise. Pre workout supplements are taken before exercise, while whey protein can be taken anytime. Pre workout supplements contain a mix of ingredients, while whey protein mainly includes whey protein.

What should you not mix with pre workout?

It is typically not advised to use pre workout supplements with other stimulant-rich substances or supplements, such as coffee or energy drinks, since this might raise the chance of unpleasant side effects such as jitters, increased heart rate, or anxiety.
Also, it’s important to refrain from taking too many supplements at once since this might lead to the overconsumption of specific ingredients and perhaps harmful side effects.

What should you not mix with protein powder?

Although it’s generally okay to combine protein powders with other beverages or supplements, there are a few things to remember. Mixing protein powder with acidic items such as citrus fruits or acidic liquids should be avoided because this might cause the protein to denature and become less effective.
It’s also a good idea not to consume too much protein powder at once since this might cause gastrointestinal pain, bloating, or other gastrointestinal problems.

Can you mix pre workout with milk?

Yes, you can mix pre workout with milk, but it’s important to keep in mind that the added milk may slow down the digestion and absorption of the pre workout supplement. This may delay the onset of its effects, so it’s recommended to take pre workout supplements with water for faster absorption.
However, it’s totally onto your preference if want to mix pre workout with milk or with water, mixing it with milk is still an option. Just be sure to follow the recommended dosage and usage instructions on the pre workout supplement label.

Summary

In summary, it is generally safe to mix pre workout with protein powder as long as both supplements are taken in appropriate dosages and at the right time. However, it is essential that you avoid combining pre workout supplements with other stimulant-rich substances such as coffee or energy drinks since this might raise the chance of unpleasant side effects.

However, mixing pre workout with protein powder is considered safe and there is not enough research to prove any specific risks with mixing both of them.

Some pre workout supplements may already contain a certain amount of protein, so adding additional protein powder may not be essential and but of course, if it doesn’t cross your daily intake limit of protein then it is okay.

It is also important to avoid consuming too much protein powder at once and to read the label of any other supplements or medications you are taking.

Furthermore, we urge that you contact a healthcare expert before incorporating any new supplements into your regimen. Ultimately, choosing the right supplement for your individual goals and needs is important for optimal results.

More Protein And Pre-Workout Supplement Guides

Pre Workout vs Fat Burner – Differences and Which Is Better?

Does pre workout break a fast? Can you take it while fasting?

Should I Drink Protein Shake After Cardio? Pros And Cons

How To Make Protein Shake Thicker: 10 Easy Ways

Why Does Protein Powder Make You Fart?

Can You Bring Protein Powder On A Plane? Travel Healthily!

References

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Martinez, N., Campbell, B., Franek, M. et al. The effect of acute pre-workout supplementation on power and strength performance. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 13, 29 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-016-0138-7
Pasiakos SM, McLellan TM, Lieberman HR. The effects of protein supplements on muscle mass, strength, and aerobic and anaerobic power in healthy adults: a systematic review. Sports Med. 2015 Jan;45(1):111-31. doi: 10.1007/s40279-014-0242-2. PMID: 25169440.
Harty, P.S., Zabriskie, H.A., Erickson, J.L. et al. Multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements, safety implications, and performance outcomes: a brief review. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 15, 41 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-018-0247-6
West DWD, Abou Sawan S, Mazzulla M, Williamson E, Moore DR. Whey Protein Supplementation Enhances Whole Body Protein Metabolism and Performance Recovery after Resistance Exercise: A Double-Blind Crossover Study. Nutrients. 2017 Jul 11;9(7):735. doi: 10.3390/nu9070735. PMID: 28696380; PMCID: PMC5537849.
Cintineo HP, Arent MA, Antonio J, Arent SM. Effects of Protein Supplementation on Performance and Recovery in Resistance and Endurance Training. Front Nutr. 2018 Sep 11;5:83. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2018.00083. PMID: 30255023; PMCID: PMC6142015.
Vasconcelos QDJS, Bachur TPR, Aragão GF. Whey protein supplementation and its potentially adverse effects on health: a systematic review. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2021 Jan;46(1):27-33. doi: 10.1139/apnm-2020-0370. Epub 2020 Jul 23. PMID: 32702243.
Schoenfeld BJ, Aragon AA, Krieger JW. The effect of protein timing on muscle strength and hypertrophy: a meta-analysis. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2013 Dec 3;10(1):53. doi: 10.1186/1550-2783-10-53. PMID: 24299050; PMCID: PMC3879660.

Bruno Morgan

Bruno Morgan is a personal fitness trainer and nutrition expert who is passionate about helping people live healthier lives. With extensive knowledge and expertise in fitness and nutrition, he stays up-to-date on the latest research and trends to help his clients. Bruno has years of experience and a commitment to ongoing education and has also personally reviewed numerous supplements, honing his deep knowledge in this field of fitness.