Sometimes it’s hard to get motivated to knock out that workout. Maybe you’re struggling to get out the door or you made it to the gym and lost all motivation upon arrival. Whatever your struggle, pre-workout supplements, such as RSP AminoLean pre-workout, were created as a solution for just that. But do they really do the trick, or can you get the same effect for less money by simply downing a cup of coffee before your next gym session? Let’s find out.
About AminoLean Pre-Workout
RSP Nutrition is a supplement brand dedicated to creating clean, innovative nutritional products for active people, busy professionals, and fitness enthusiasts. According to its website, RSP emphasizes products that are convenient, effective, easy to understand, and use only clean, proven ingredients.
RSP Nutrition’s AminoLean pre-workout supplement claims to improve energy levels and exercise performance when taken 20-30 minutes before a workout. It also claims to help improve focus, weight management, and muscle recovery. AminoLean pre-workout provides 125mg of caffeine from green tea and green coffee plus L-Carnitine. It comes in a variety of flavors including pink lemonade, fruit punch, blackberry pom, berry elixir, grape, watermelon, blue raspberry, cherry on top, and summer rocket pop.
AminoLean Pre-Workout Benefits
According to RSP Nutrition’s website, AminoLean pre-workout provides energy without compromise. The benefits of this supplement include boosting natural energy without the jitters or crash, faster recovery time post-exercise, and promoting natural weight management to support a lean physique.
AminoLean Pre-Workout Ingredients
The main active ingredients in RSP AminoLean pre-workout include an amino acid blend, a weight management blend, and an energy and focus blend.
Amino Acid Blend
RSP AminoLean pre-workout contains an amino acid proprietary blend that includes Taurine, CarnoSyn Beta-Alanine, L-Glutamine, L-Arginine, L-Leucine, L-Citrulline, L-Isoleucine, L-Valine, L-Tyrosine, L-Histidine HCL, L-Lysine HCL, L-Phenylalanine, L-Threonine, and L-Methionine.
Numerous research studies support the use of amino acids for post-workout recovery. Because amino acids are the building blocks for protein, a required nutrient in building and repairing muscle tissue during and after exercise, consuming them before or after a workout can help provide a quicker recovery.
Additionally, studies suggest branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), such as isoleucine, leucine, and valine, may help to reduce muscle soreness after exercise while also increasing muscle growth. The BCAA leucine is believed to activate muscle-protein synthesis, the act of creating new muscle tissue.
Weight Management Blend
AminoLean pre-workout contains a weight management proprietary blend that includes L-Carnitine L-Tartrate, INNOBIO (supplying 60% Conjugated Linoleic Acid), Green Tea Extract, and Green Coffee Extract.
Certain ingredients in this weight management blend are associated with potential benefits for weight loss but more research is still needed. For example, L-Carnitine is an amino acid that may help to promote weight loss by moving fatty acids into our cells to be used for energy. While many studies support these potential benefits, the long-term effects of L-Carnitine on weight loss are not yet known.
Additionally, ingredients such as green tea extract are commonly used in weight loss supplements because it is believed to help boost metabolism and burn fat. Some of this is a result of the caffeine content, which is also present in green coffee extract. Caffeine is a stimulant that can help to boost exercise performance and metabolic rate however, most studies haven’t found this to result in substantial pounds lost and it likely works best when combined with diet and lifestyle changes.
Energy and Focus Blend
RSP AminoLean pre-workout contains an energy and focus proprietary blend that includes InnovaTea® Natural Caffeine 98% from Tea (Camellia sinensis) and Theobromine. Caffeine and theobromine are both natural stimulants that can help to boost energy levels. Caffeine can be found in coffee, tea, and chocolate, while theobromine is found in cocoa. Theobromine might have anti-anxiety effects which can help to improve energy levels without the jitters, but more research is still needed on the effects of this compound.
Does AminoLean Pre-Workout Work?
Based on the ingredient profile of AminoLean Pre-Workout and the subsequent research available, it is likely that many consumers might find benefits in taking this product, specifically for muscle gains, performance, and recovery. However, as with any supplement individual results will vary.
Who is AminoLean Pre-Workout Best For?
This product is best for active individuals who are looking to provide a boost to their workout routine. Those who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding should avoid taking this product.
Those who are sensitive to caffeine should also avoid taking this product. Always talk to your doctor or healthcare provider before adding a supplement to your routine, especially if you are taking any medications for a chronic condition.
Claims vs. Reality
RSP Nutrition claims their AminoLean pre-workout boosts natural energy without the jitters or crash, provides faster recovery time post-exercise, and promotes natural weight management to support a lean physique.
While AminoLean pre-workout does contain many ingredients that support these claims, they use these ingredients in proprietary blends that do not disclose the exact amount of each ingredient used. Because of this, it’s difficult to assess if the ingredients in this product are provided in efficacious doses. This means we cannot say if this product necessarily works or not just based on the dose of the proprietary blends.
Is AminoLean Pre-Workout Safe?
Most of the ingredients provided in this product are safe and are not associated with significant or adverse side effects when used according to package instructions. However, some ingredients may result in side effects for certain individuals. For example, those who are sensitive to caffeine may want to avoid this product. High levels of caffeine or theobromine intake can result in side effects such as nausea, headache, lack of appetite, digestive upset, and sweating.
Where to Buy AminoLean Pre-Workout
You can purchase RSP AminoLean pre-workout directly from its website, rspnutrition.com.
RSP offers a 30-serving container for $32.99 or a 70-serving container for $54.99. You also have the option to subscribe to their website and save an additional 15%. This product is also available at select online retailers including Amazon.com for $28.99 and the Vitaminshoppe.com for $32.99.