This Common Pre-Workout Dosing Mistake Is Sabotaging Your Strength Gains, Exercise Physiologist Says

Pre-workout lovers understand just how different a workout feels without the help of their trusty vice. That extra pep in your step and focus can make a significantly noticeable difference in workout performance. But there’s a lesser-known phenomenon that can undermine its effectiveness: ingredient settling.

Because pre-workout formulas combine ingredients with very different physical properties—like caffeine, citrulline, beta-alanine, flavoring agents, and anti-caking compounds—the powder isn’t always perfectly uniform.