Last Updated On August 23, 2023
Athletes are getting younger every year, and it's natural that they'd start to look for supplements to improve their performance, but is pre-workout bad for teens?
The scientific evidence is limited, but in this guide, we'll look at the benefits and risks of pre-workout to help you understand whether teenagers should be taking it or not.
Should Teenagers Take Pre-Workout?
Many people are worried that a pre-workout supplement will impact many teenagers negatively, but there is no scientific evidence that shows negative impacts.
Scientific evidence demonstrates that pre-workout can support a young athlete’s sport performance.
However, it’s not clear whether many teens need pre-workout. It is generally used to raise energy levels, but kids should have more energy than adults naturally, so they shouldn't really need it.
What does pre-workout contain?
Taking pre-workout supplements can help you get more from your exercise routine, and it's no surprise that young athletes are starting to use them, but it raises some valid questions.
Is pre-workout addictive? Should they be taking dietary supplements at all?
Energy drinks instead of pre-workout may be a better solution and remove the need for a pre-workout drink altogether. If they need energy drinks or pre-workout, it may be worth considering if they're getting enough sleep.
Sleep is vitally important for teen development and helping them build muscle mass, so ensuring they're getting at least 8 hours is more important than taking any supplement.
If a teenager is going to have pre-workout, they need to be aware of the risks and pre-workout side effects.
Taking supplements without being clear on what's in them can be risky, so you must check for harmful ingredients.
Benefits Of Pre-Workout For Teens
The benefits of pre-workout for teens are fairly similar to the benefits for adults.
They can give you greater endurance when you exercise so you can push yourself harder, lose weight, and lose fat.
What Is Inside Of A Pre-Workout?
Unfortunately, not all pre-workouts are clear about their proprietary blend, and there’s also a risk of product contamination, so you’ll never know for certain what’s in there.
It’s really important that you choose a pre-workout that is high quality and comes from a reputable brand that you trust. Transparent Labs is a great example of a small company whose biggest focus is ingredient quality.
We have personally tested their product and it met all our criteria. It would be beneficial for you to check the whole Transparent Labs Bulk Pre-Workout Review and find out more about the product and our testing process.
Proper Usage
You only need one scoop of pre-workout at a time; anything more can be dangerous.
Teenagers can be reckless and take too much pre-workout powder in one go, so it's important for parents and coaches to explain the risks and keep an eye on how much pre-workout they are taking.
Ultimately, pre-workout can be useful for teenage athletes, but there are a lot of risks involved, particularly if you're taking multiple supplements.
While most pre-workout formulas aren’t technically dangerous, they really aren’t necessary, and the benefits don’t outweigh the risks.
Pre-Workouts Ingredients That Affect Teenagers
Creatine
Creatine is naturally created in the body and provides energy for muscle contractions. It's therefore important in helping you build muscle, but it can have some nasty side effects.
These include cramping, nausea, headaches, and increased body weight from water retention.
There aren't many studies on the long-term impacts of creatine on teenagers, but the American College of Sports Medicine has published research that recommends that creatine use should only be for those over 18 years old.[1]
Learn More - Creatine Vs Pre-Workout
Branched-Chain Amino Acids
Amino acids are used to help improve endurance and reduce the recovery time of your muscles.
However, even adults have found mixed results, and there's no concrete evidence that amino acids boost your exercise performance.
Some amino acids can cause a stomach upset, and while there's no evidence of specific side effects for teenagers, there's also no conclusive evidence that they're safe.
Learn More - BCAAs Vs Pre-Workouts
Caffeine
Caffeine is included in pre-workout to give you an extra boost of energy. This can help you get a good workout and gain strength more quickly because you have increased mental alertness.
It’s also worth avoiding pre-workouts with excessive quantities of caffeine. If a teenager’s caffeine intake is too high, it can impact their nervous system and increase their blood pressure.
It can also lead to dehydration, so if you are taking pre-workout supplements, it's important to drink water during and after your workout. But, you can always switch to a stimulant-free pre-workout.
Artificial Sweeteners And Sugar Alcohols
High-quality products don't tend to contain too many artificial ingredients, but some pre-workout supplements include them to make it easier to consume.
These can make the supplement full of sugar and calories, so it’s a good idea for teens to avoid them if they can.
What Supplements Are Safe For Teens?
Pre-workout powders and pre-workout drinks can be risky for young athletes, but teenagers can take other supplements to help them get the most from their training.
A protein supplement, usually in the form of a protein shake, has been proven to boost athletic performance and increase muscle growth. This supplement is perfectly safe for kids and can even improve the muscle protein synthesis in their body.[2]
One of the best pre-workout activities is to have a healthy meal.
Teenagers who want to build muscle and train harder should look for protein-rich foods combined with vegetables. This isn't exactly a supplement you can buy off the shelf, but it's one of the best ways to support your training.
You can also use vitamin supplements to make sure they're getting everything your body needs to grow.
Are Pre-Workouts Necessary For Teen Athletes?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against the use of supplements for anyone under the age of 18 because of the potential side effects.
If you're a parent or a coach, there are still some ways to help increase performance.[3]
Should A 13 Year Old Take Pre Workout?
At this age, there's a significant risk if you introduce supplements into their diet.
Pre-workouts won't be necessary to increase performance, but it's important to make sure they get plenty of sleep and have a nutritious diet full of protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Can A 14 Year Old Take Pre Workout?
At 14 years old, children will start to develop at different rates, but it's still not advisable to introduce any supplements to aid performance.
Just make sure they have a balanced diet and eat an hour or so before training.
can a 15 year old take pre workout?
At 15 years old, a teenager will start to develop more quickly, and several pounds of muscle will likely start to grow naturally.
It's important that they get a lot of sleep and a protein-rich diet to aid this development.
At the age of 15, you can start to introduce protein supplements to help support their performance.
Can A 16 Year Old Take Pre Workout?
Teenagers this age will start to see significant changes, and protein-rich food with protein supplements can aid their performance and development.
There is evidence that creatine can start to have a positive impact from this age, but it should be taken carefully, and it's generally advisable to wait until they are 18 years old.
Learn More - Does Pre Workout Stunt Growth?
Frequently Asked Pre-Workout & Teenagers Questions
Yes, it is legal for under 18s to buy pre-workout supplements in 49 states and most countries worldwide.
Teenagers should only have 1 scoop a day, and less than 3-4 scoops a week when weightlifting. You should always avoid taking multiple supplements because this can have an unknown effect on your body.
Yes, eating a balanced meal of protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables about an hour before a workout has been shown to improve performance.
Difference is that girls can be more sensitive to caffeine, so a lower caffeine pre-workout is generally safer.
Conclusion
So is pre-workout bad for teens? In all honesty, there just haven’t been enough studies or third-party testing to determine whether pre-workout is safe for teenagers.
However, a lot of the evidence about the individual ingredients shows that there are risks involved.
Most teens won't actually need or benefit from it, so it's a good idea to avoid it or use other supplements (like protein).
The best pre-exercise activity to boost a teenager's performance is ensuring they've gotten enough sleep and eaten a nutritious meal.
Hopefully, this guide has helped to explain whether pre-workout is bad for teens and has given you some useful information about alternative ways to maximize your workout.
References:
1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10731017/
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11440894/
3. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/139/2/e20161257/60108/Dietary-Supplements-and-Young-Teens-Misinformation
