Most athletes think of a pre-workout beforehand and a protein shake afterward. What you drink during training gets less attention. In this article, you’ll read what an intra-workout is, who it makes sense for, and what to look for when choosing one.
What is an intra-workout?
An intra-workout is a drink you take during your training. It usually contains essential amino acids (EAA's), including the three BCAAs, and often electrolytes such as sodium and potassium. You mix the powder with water and drink it throughout your session.
Who can benefit from it?
- Long or intense sessions. If you train for longer than an hour, you’ll be drinking something anyway. An intra-workout makes it easier to drink enough.
- Training fasted or long after your last meal. Some athletes find it helpful to consume something that is easy on the stomach.
- Heavy sweating. You lose fluids and salts through sweat. A drink with electrolytes replenishes them.
To be honest: no health claims are permitted in the EU for individual amino acids. So we make no promises about their effects. The foundation remains your total protein intake throughout the day. Protein contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass.
What should you look for?
- All nine EAA's. A product containing only BCAAs is less complete than a full EAA profile.
- Open label. Choose a product that lists the amounts of each ingredient instead of using a proprietary blend.
- Taste and solubility. You drink it for an hour, so it should remain enjoyable.
Evogen intra-workout
Evogen Amino K.E.M. provides 8,500 mg of EAA's and BCAAs per serving. Mix one scoop with 500 to 750 ml of cold water and drink it during your training.
How it fits into your day
- Before training: a pre-workout if you use one, such as Evogen EVP AQ without caffeine or EVP Xtreme N.O. with caffeine.
- During training: your intra-workout.
- After training: a protein shake such as Evogen Isoject (25 g protein per scoop) or a regular meal containing protein.
Read more
- Amino K.E.M. or Cell K.E.M. PR: what’s the difference?
- Electrolytes: before or after your workout?
- BCAAs: do they really provide added value?
View all products in Intra-workout, Pre-workout and Protein.
Nutrition Monsters is Evogen Nutrition’s official European reseller: 100% genuine, shipped from our own stock in Utrecht.
Contains caffeine (EVP Xtreme N.O.): high caffeine content, not recommended for children or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. A food supplement is not a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Follow the dosage instructions on the label.
