Pre, Intra & Post Workout
Fuel your ambition before and during your workout, and refuel afterwards so you can get back to the gym for your next session. We’ve got a wide range of pre-workouts, intra-workouts, and post-workout recovery shakes to choose from.
Shop Pre, Intra & Post Workout Supplements at Myprotein
Training hard means thinking about more than just what happens in the gym. What you take before, during and after your session can shape how you show up, how you perform, and how your body adapts to the work you're putting in. Pre, intra and post workout supplements are designed to slot into your routine at different stages, each serving a specific purpose in your training day.
From caffeine tablets that deliver a straightforward energy hit before you start, to intra-workout formulas packed with electrolytes and amino acids, to post-workout protein that delivers the building blocks your muscles need, these products are built around timing. Getting the right nutrients at the right time isn't about chasing marginal gains. It's about giving your body what it needs when it actually needs it.
Who These Supplements Are For
Anyone training with intent will find something useful in this category. Whether you're lifting heavy, running long, or somewhere in between, the demands you're placing on your body create specific nutritional windows. Pre-workout supplements suit people who want a reliable energy boost before training, while intra-workout formulas work well for longer sessions where hydration and fuel matter. Post-workout supplements fit anyone focused on what happens after the last rep, when your body is primed to rebuild.
These aren't just for elite athletes or bodybuilders. Regular gym-goers, weekend warriors, and anyone following a structured training plan can benefit from strategic supplementation around their workouts. The key is understanding what your training demands and choosing products that match your specific needs, whether that's stimulant-free pump formulas for late-night sessions or fast-absorbing protein for efficient recovery.
When to Use Pre, Intra & Post Workout Supplements
Pre-workout supplements are typically taken 20-30 minutes before you start training, giving active ingredients time to kick in before you hit your first set. Caffeine-based options work faster, while pump formulas containing citrulline and beta-alanine need a bit more lead time to reach peak effectiveness. The goal is to time it so you're feeling the effects as you're warming up, not halfway through your session.
Intra-workout products shine during longer training sessions, typically those lasting over 60 minutes. Sipping on amino acids and electrolytes throughout your workout keeps hydration levels steady and provides a drip-feed of nutrients when your body is actively using them. Post-workout supplements are most effective within the first couple of hours after training, when your muscles are particularly receptive to protein and other nutrients that support the recovery process.
Pre, Intra & Post Workout Benefits
Targeted Nutrition Timing
These supplements are formulated around the specific demands of different training phases. Pre-workout products deliver ingredients like caffeine and citrulline when you need them most, while post-workout formulas provide protein that contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass1. Matching the right nutrients to the right moment means you're not just supplementing randomly, you're working with your body's natural rhythms.
Hydration Support During Training
Intra-workout supplements typically contain electrolytes like sodium, potassium and magnesium. When you're sweating through a tough session, maintaining proper electrolyte balance matters for sustained performance. These formulas make it easy to sip and hydrate without breaking your focus or slowing down your workout.
Flexible Formats for Every Preference
From tablets you can take with water to powders you can mix into your bottle, these products come in formats that fit different training styles and preferences. Caffeine tablets offer straightforward dosing without flavours or extras, while powder-based pre-workouts give you customisable servings and a range of taste options. Post-workout protein comes in both concentrate and isolate forms, giving you control over protein content and digestion speed.
Convenient All-in-One Formulas
Rather than taking multiple individual supplements, many pre and intra-workout products combine several active ingredients in one scoop. This means fewer bottles to carry, fewer things to remember, and a more streamlined routine that still delivers everything you're looking for in a single serve.
Popular Picks
Training through longer sessions? Origin Intra-Workout combines BCAAs, EAAs and electrolytes in one formula designed to keep you hydrated and fuelled when you're putting in serious work. Mix it up and sip throughout your session for consistent nutrient delivery.
Prefer to train without stimulants? Origin Pump Pre-Workout | Stim & Caffeine-Free delivers 6g citrulline malate and 3.2g beta-alanine per serving without any caffeine. Perfect for evening sessions or anyone who responds better to stimulant-free formulas.
Want straightforward energy without the extras? Pure Caffeine Tablets provide 200mg caffeine per tablet with nothing else added. Convenient, portable, and easy to dose exactly how you need it.
Looking for a comprehensive pre-workout? Origin Pre-Workout (Alpha) combines caffeine with citrulline malate, beta-alanine and tyrosine in a formula built for focus and intensity. One scoop before training sets you up for a productive session.
Need an accessible, reliable option? Impact Pre-Workout delivers 175mg caffeine alongside 4g citrulline malate per serving. A solid all-rounder that covers the essentials without overcomplicating things.
FAQs
What are pre, intra and post workout supplements?
Pre, intra and post workout supplements are nutritional products designed to be taken at specific times around your training session. Pre-workout supplements are consumed before exercise and typically contain ingredients like caffeine, citrulline malate, and beta-alanine. Intra-workout products are taken during training and usually focus on hydration through electrolytes plus amino acids like BCAAs and EAAs. Post-workout supplements are consumed after your session and are often protein-based, providing the amino acids needed for muscle protein synthesis.
Each category serves a distinct purpose based on what your body needs at that particular stage of training. Rather than being interchangeable, they're formulated around the specific physiological demands of before, during and after exercise.
How do I choose between different pre-workout formulas?
The right pre-workout depends on your training time, stimulant tolerance, and what you're looking to get from it. If you train in the evening or respond poorly to caffeine, stimulant-free pump formulas provide citrulline and beta-alanine without affecting sleep. For morning or afternoon sessions, caffeine-containing pre-workouts offer both mental focus and physical readiness.
Consider the dosages of active ingredients as well. Products with 6g or more of citrulline malate and 3g or more of beta-alanine provide meaningful amounts backed by research. Some people prefer all-in-one formulas with multiple ingredients, while others take individual supplements like caffeine tablets for precise control over their intake.
What's the difference between BCAAs and EAAs in intra-workout supplements?
BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids) consist of three specific amino acids: leucine, isoleucine and valine. EAAs (essential amino acids) include all nine amino acids that your body cannot produce on its own, which means they include the three BCAAs plus six others. While BCAAs have been popular for years, EAAs provide a more complete amino acid profile.
Many modern intra-workout formulas now include full EAA blends rather than just BCAAs, giving you a broader spectrum of amino acids during training. Some products combine both for specific leucine-focused ratios alongside the complete essential amino acid range.
When should I take post-workout supplements?
Post-workout supplements are most commonly taken within the first two hours after training, often called the post-exercise window. This period is when your muscles are particularly receptive to nutrients, making it an opportune time to consume protein and other recovery-focused ingredients.
That said, total daily protein intake matters more than precise timing for most people. If you've eaten a protein-rich meal shortly before training, the urgency is lower. The "anabolic window" is more flexible than once thought, but taking post-workout protein remains a convenient and effective way to hit your daily protein targets while supporting muscle protein synthesis after exercise.
Can I take pre, intra and post workout supplements on the same day?
Yes, many people use all three categories in a single training day, particularly during longer or more demanding sessions. A typical approach might be a pre-workout 20-30 minutes before training, an intra-workout formula sipped throughout the session, and a post-workout protein shake within an hour or two of finishing.
Just be mindful of total caffeine intake if you're using multiple products containing stimulants. Check the labels to ensure you're not exceeding your personal tolerance or recommended daily limits. Beyond that, combining these supplements around your workout is a common practice for people following structured training programmes.
Who develops Myprotein's workout supplements?
Myprotein's workout supplements are developed by expert nutritionists who understand both the science of sports nutrition and the practical demands of training. These formulas are designed around evidence-based dosages of active ingredients, ensuring that products deliver meaningful amounts rather than token doses.
The range includes options for different training styles, stimulant preferences, and dietary requirements, reflecting input from athletes and fitness enthusiasts who use these products in real-world training conditions. From Origin formulas to Impact ranges, each product is formulated with specific training needs in mind.
What does Informed Sport certification mean?
Informed Sport is a quality assurance programme for sports nutrition products, providing regular testing for banned substances. Products with Informed Sport certification have been tested to ensure they're free from substances prohibited in sport, giving competitive athletes confidence in what they're using.
This certification involves testing both raw materials and finished products, with regular batch testing throughout production. If you compete in drug-tested sports or simply want additional assurance about product purity, look for the Informed Sport logo on product packaging and descriptions.
How do electrolytes in intra-workout supplements work?
Electrolytes are minerals that carry an electrical charge and play essential roles in hydration, nerve signalling, and muscle function. The main electrolytes in intra-workout supplements are sodium, potassium, magnesium and sometimes calcium. When you sweat during training, you lose electrolytes along with water, and replacing both matters for maintaining performance throughout longer sessions.
Intra-workout formulas combine electrolytes with water and often amino acids, creating a drink that addresses multiple needs at once. This is particularly useful during workouts lasting over 60 minutes, or in hot conditions where sweat rates are higher.
What's the difference between whey concentrate and whey isolate for post-workout?
Whey concentrate typically contains 70-80% protein by weight, with the remainder being small amounts of fat and lactose. Whey isolate undergoes additional processing to remove more of these components, resulting in a product that's usually 90% or higher protein with minimal fat and lactose.
Both forms are effective sources of fast-digesting protein suitable for post-workout use. Isolate offers higher protein per serving and works well for people who are sensitive to lactose or watching their calorie intake closely. Concentrate provides a solid protein hit at a more accessible price point, making it a popular choice for daily use.
Do I need different supplements for different types of training?
Your supplement needs can vary depending on what type of training you're doing. Strength training sessions focusing on heavy lifting might benefit most from pre-workout formulas with pump ingredients and post-workout protein for muscle support. Endurance training like long runs or cycling sessions places greater emphasis on intra-workout hydration and electrolytes.
High-intensity interval training combines elements of both, making all three categories potentially useful depending on session length and intensity. Consider the specific demands your training places on your body, then choose supplements that address those particular needs rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.
1. Protein contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass.