Is Ghost Energy Drink a Pre-Workout?
More and more people are using energy drinks as a pre-workout. Ghost Energy is becoming one of the most popular choices. But is it designed as a pre-workout, and should it be preferred to specialized pre-workout supplements?
Ghost Energy was introduced quite recently by lifestyle and fitness brand Ghost. Known for a range of specialized pre-workout and protein supplements, Ghost saw that people buying these products were also buying energy drinks.
Ghost Energy Drink is not designed as a pre-workout yet can be used as one, especially alongside specialized products that complement the drink.
In this article we will talk about what Ghost Energy Drink is all about, and whether you should choose it as a pre-workout supplement. We will also compare the ingredients of the two different products.
What is Ghost Energy Drink?
Ghost Energy Drink is a relatively new addition to the fast-growing energy drink market. It is promoted in a range of original flavors and aimed at the younger adults.
With bright and highly visible packaging, promotions by top YouTubers and fitness influencers, and special edition flavors that are produced in collaboration with other famous brands in the candy market such as Swedish Fish and Bubblicious Ghost Energy has found its own place in the market.
As with all such drinks Ghost Energy is mainly carbonated water. Yet it is what gets added to that water that we are interested in, and why. Maybe more important is the lack of one ingredient found in most other brands of energy drink – sugar.
Ghost Energy is sugar-free. It is also low in calories with only 5 calories per can. This makes it popular with people who work out as it is a healthier alternative to the more established brands. Here’s a quick look at some of the active ingredients:
L-Carnitine is a major ingredient in Ghost Energy. This substance is found naturally in the body and is a popular ingredient in health and weight-loss supplements as it aids fat metabolism.
Taurine is a common substance in energy drinks and there is a 1000mg dose in every can of Ghost Energy. It is proven to have properties that enhance muscle strength and performance as well as endurance and is entirely natural.
Natural Caffeine of 200mg is present in a can of Ghost Energy. Ghost, the brand, has a rich history of health and fitness supplements, and is known for its natural ingredients. Natural caffeine is said to reduce the possibility of a ‘sugar crash’ and to provide a smoother effect.
Alpha-GPC is used in energy drinks including Ghost Energy as it acts a neurotransmitter for actions such as muscle contraction.
These are just some of the ingredients in Ghost Energy. Also included are vitamins in the B range and other natural energy boosting products.
Is Ghost Energy made to be a Pre-Workout?
The idea of Ghost Energy as a pre-workout product will have been in the minds of the makers when it was formulated. It is not specifically aimed at those who want to use it as such.
The ingredients – some of which we mention above – do lend Ghost Energy drink to its use as a pre-workout product. Alpha-GPC, for example, helps with muscle contraction and prolongs stamina.
Likewise, taurine – a major active ingredient in Ghost Energy and most other energy drink products – is known to have endurance and strength enhancing properties so is suitable for pre-workout use.
As the Ghost brand is established in the fitness and health supplement industry it follows that they are perfectly placed to create a viable product suitable as a pre-workout in Ghost Energy.
The lack of sugar in Ghost Energy coupled with the low-calorie content and carefully chosen ingredients make Ghost Energy a popular choice as a pre-workout as well as being equally popular with gamers who want a concentration boost.
Using Ghost Energy as a Pre-Workout
Now that we’ve established that Ghost Energy Drink is suitable for use as a pre-workout product, we’d like to talk about the best ways to use it as such.
The best way to use Ghost Energy in your pre-workout routine is to do so alongside designated workout supplements or protein mixes.
Using Ghost Energy as a pre-workout is best done by enjoying a small can or two around one hour before you begin your routine. This will allow the effects of the caffeine, taurine, and other ingredients to kick in.
In a standard can of Ghost Energy drink there is 200mg of natural caffeine. This is half of the recommended daily dosage for a healthy adult. Users are advised not to go over 400mg of caffeine intake per day and remember to include any other caffeine drinks you may drink on that day.
The golden rule is never to mix products with caffeine in, so check your pre-workout supplement is caffeine-free if you are using Ghost Energy.
The Ghost Energy intake will aid stamina and provide greater focus. It is designed to give a strong kick but without the comedown afterwards.
Be aware that all energy drinks can lead to dehydration if the intake is not matched by water or other suitable fluids.
Using Ghost Energy in this way is becoming more popular. Let’s take a little time to look at the difference between Ghost Energy drink and specialized pre-workout formulas.
Comparing Ghost Energy to Specialized Pre-Workout Supplements
Ghost Energy Drink is marketed as the healthier alternative to other energy drinks. This is because of the sugar-free and low-calorie elements of the product. Attractive for those who like an energy drink before a workout, it also appeals to the gamer crowd.
So how do the ingredients in Ghost Energy Drink compare to those in a specialized energy supplement? Let’s have a little Ghost Energy vs. specialized pre-workout comparison before we wrap up.
We know that Ghost Energy drink includes the following ingredients as described above:
- Taurine
- Natural Caffeine
- L-Carnitine
- Alpha GPC
The ingredients may vary slightly between different Ghost Energy flavors, but you can also expect to see the following in your energy drink:
- AstraGin – a combination of compounds taken from the root of the astragalus and ginseng plants, each of which has known properties in helping the body process fat and other such uses.
- Vitamins from the B-group – which are important for stamina and blood flow.
- NeuroFactor– a coffee fruit extract that is known to be beneficial to stamina and concentration.
This is not a comprehensive list (you will find such on every can) but highlights the main active ingredients.
Now we need to talk about specialized pre-workout products.
The market for pre-workout products is a busy one and is still expanding. To give a fair idea of what you should expect one to include we’ve looked at a few examples and produced a generic list, so let’s have a look at what’s in a pre-workout and why.
A pre-workout formula is designed to be mixed with water and ingested. Here are some of the ingredients often found in such products:
Caffeine we have already mentioned. It is in many pre-workouts as it helps with energy boosts, but it’s also in Ghost Energy Drink in significant quantities. For this reason, it is not recommended you mix a caffeinated pre-workout with Ghost Energy.
Nitric Oxide Precursors are included to improve blood flow and relax the blood vessels for better performance. These ingredients come in many forms and are entirely natural.
Creatine can help improve muscle mass and is another natural product found in the body. Creatine is popular with athletes and bodybuilders and is also available as a stand-alone product.
Beta Alanine is one of several amino acids that may be found in pre-workouts and is among the most popular for this purpose. It helps build the muscles and prevents acid thus enabling longer workouts.
The above are the four most popular ingredients in pre-workout products and as you can see the difference is that these are all involved in building strength, while those in the Ghost Energy Drink are more towards giving greater concentration and energy.
We want to conclude by summarizing the above explanations of Ghost Energy as a pre-workout.
Conclusion
Marketed as a healthier alternative to other energy drink brands, Ghost Energy has been carefully researched and developed by a manufacturer with a history of successful and popular health and fitness supplements.
With no sugar involved and only 5 calories per can it is certainly appealing for persons who need an energy drink that will not affect a dietary routine.
Is it suitable as a pre-workout drink? It was not designed for the purpose and is not promoted as such, but thanks to the well-chosen ingredients there is no reason why a can of Ghost Energy will not help with a workout regime.
The choice is down to the individual and what they are looking to achieve as to whether to combine Ghost Energy Drink with pre-workout supplements.
Talk to your fitness instructor or medical professionals about the suitability of Ghost Energy Drink as part of your pre-workout intake as it may not be the right choice for everyone.
Why not check out the Ghost Energy website for more information on the available drinks and also to learn about the Ghost range of pre-workout products.