When Was Pre-Workout Invented? (Facts You Need to Know)

The first pre-workout hit the fitness scene in 1982 in Venice, California, and was named “Ultimate Orange.” Invented by Dan Duchaine, this pre-workout drink quickly became popular in the lifting community.

The original “Ultimate Orange” contained Ephedrine (ephedra extract), a naturally occurring central nervous system stimulant banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the early 2000s for use in dietary supplements.

A study by the New England Journal of Medicine partially prompted the 2004 ban showing a link between ephedrine and adverse cardiovascular and central nervous system events, including hypertension and cardiac arrhythmia [1].

In the early beginnings, creatine, primarily available in the form of creatine monohydrate, was next up on the ever-evolving sports supplement scene and was a prominent pre-workout ingredient in the 1990s to early 2000s.

Around the turn of the century, monohydrate wasn’t the only creatine available as it had been evolving over the previous decade, and mixing creatine with various forms of sugars and other carbohydrates was becoming standard practice [2].

Then in the early 2000s, similar stimulants like citrulline malate, arginine AKG, and arginine malate began to appear on ingredient labels for their supposed benefits in terms of vasodilation and encouraging better pumps.

The physical culture of the early twentieth century produced such icons as Eugen Sandow and George Hackenschmidt.

Still, it lacked any sort of “pre-workout,” with bodybuilders seeming to rely solely on their diet.

The golden era shined the spotlight on coffee as a pre-workout frequently used by prominent members of the bodybuilding community like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Frank Zane, and Sergio Oliva.

Before this time, caffeine was considered unhealthy and off-limits.

Coffee’s role as a pre-workout during the golden era became less prevalent with the invention of the original pre-workout, “Ultimate Orange,” which brought about a new age in sports medicine that quickly rose in popularity and began to evolve.

This evolution brought about the invention of other pre-workout supplements competing with the famous “Ultimate Orange.”

It catapulted us into a new era of supplements with ingredients like creatine, beta-alanine, arginine, BCAAs, and other standard compounds still in many of today’s pre-workouts.

“Coffee is a well-known sports performance aid that may increase your strength, endurance, power, alertness, and energy levels during a workout.”

- Katey Davidson, MScFN, RD, CPT

Creatine is a naturally occurring substance that the body produces and primarily stores in the muscle cells [9].

The most widely used form of creatine supplements is monohydrate. Studies show that creatine supplementation improves training intensity, enhances post-exercise recovery, reduces injury risk, and aids thermoregulation [10].

Creatine’s safety has a long history of being questioned, but research shows that creatine supplementation is generally safe and well-tolerated by most healthy individuals [11].

Related Articles:

• How Fast Does Creatine Work?
• How Much Creatine Should I Take?
• What Happens When I Stop Taking Creatine?

5. Beta-Alanine

Beta-alanine is found in the best amino acid supplements that may aid the prevention of acid buildup in your muscles. In turn, it can allow you to work out with higher intensity and longer duration [12].

The International Society of Sports Nutrition confirms beta-alanine’s positive effect on exercise performance. The most common side effect is paraesthesia (tingling), which is not generally harmful but can be bothersome [13].

6. Electrolytes

Another essential addition to any pre-workout blend is electrolytes. Though they do not enhance performance in the same way as the previously mentioned ingredients, they still play an important role in exercise.

When working out, the body loses water and electrolytes through sweat, with the amount lost depending on several factors, including exercise intensity.

Dehydration can significantly hinder the ability to exercise, making electrolytes crucial to athletic performance [14].