| Ingredient | Impact | Main Function | Secondary | Dosage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glycerol | 7 | Hyperhydration | Pump | 2-30g |
The main function of Glycerol in a pre-workout is to enhance muscle pumps.
Glycerol became popular as a pre-workout ingredient as one of the main ingredients in the popular Gorilla Mode pre-workout.
Glycerol is a substance that can potentially aid in achieving better pumps through its effects on hydration and blood flow regulation. Here’s how glycerol helps with pumps:
Hyperhydration:
Glycerol is hygroscopic, which means it attracts and retains water. When ingested, glycerol can cause an increase in intracellular and extracellular fluid levels, leading to hyperhydration. Hyperhydration can help increase blood volume and maintain adequate hydration during exercise, which is essential for optimal muscle function and pump.
Improved blood flow:
Glycerol may also have a positive impact on blood flow. By increasing fluid volume in the bloodstream, it can help maintain proper blood viscosity, making it easier for the heart to pump blood to the muscles. Enhanced blood flow ensures that more oxygen and nutrients reach the muscles, promoting better muscle performance and potentially contributing to the pump effect.
Cell volumization:
The hyperhydration caused by glycerol can lead to cell volumization, where muscle cells swell due to increased fluid retention. This swelling can create a sense of fullness and tightness in the muscles, contributing to the pump sensation.
Glycerol as a vasodilator:
Some studies suggest that glycerol may act as a mild vasodilator, meaning it can widen blood vessels. Vasodilation can enhance blood flow, allowing for increased nutrient delivery and waste removal in the muscles during exercise, thus improving the pump.
So Why Is Glycerol Good in a Pre-Workout?
As noted above, the primary pre-workout function of Glycerol is as a muscle pump ingredient. But as with most supplement ingredients, it potentially plays multiple positive roles. Here are the top 5:
Thermoregulation: Hyperhydration induced by glycerol can aid in thermoregulation during exercise. By reducing the risk of overheating and maintaining a stable body temperature, glycerol may improve exercise performance, especially in hot environments.
Improved exercise performance: By promoting hyperhydration, glycerol can help maintain blood volume, which is essential for cardiovascular function during exercise. With better blood volume, the heart can pump more efficiently, delivering oxygen and nutrients to working muscles. This can lead to improved exercise performance, endurance, and overall workout capacity.
Hyperhydration: Glycerol is hygroscopic, meaning it attracts and retains water. When ingested, glycerol can increase the water content in the bloodstream and muscle cells, leading to a state of hyperhydration. This enhanced hydration can help improve endurance and delay the onset of dehydration during intense workouts, especially in hot and humid conditions.
Increased muscle cell volumization: Glycerol’s ability to draw water into muscle cells can result in cell volumization. This swelling effect can create a sense of fullness and tightness in the muscles, contributing to the “pump” sensation often experienced during resistance training. The pump effect can enhance motivation and provide a subjective feeling of increased strength and muscle activation.
Sparing glycogen stores: Some studies suggest that glycerol supplementation might help spare glycogen, which is the body’s primary source of energy during high-intensity exercise. By sparing glycogen, glycerol could potentially delay the onset of fatigue and allow athletes to sustain their energy levels for longer periods.
Read more: The Best Muscle Pump Exercises.
| Body Composition | |
| Endurance | |
| Energy | |
| Focus | |
| Mood | |
| Pump | |
| Strength | |
