Working out is an excellent way to boost both your physical and mental health. While exercise alone is a fantastic way to get the body going, you may be able to maximize results during and after a workout by taking pre workout supplements. These supplements take many forms, coming in powder, bar, drink, and more. One of the easiest, most efficient pre workout supplement brands on the market today is Frog Fuel, which offers its Ultra Pre Workout in liquid protein shot packets.
In taking Frog Fuel, you may experience the benefits of protein shots, efficient beta alanine dosage, and the advantages of clean pre workout supplementation, leading to stronger performances both during and after a good sweat. In addition to Frog Fuel, we’ll also examine other competitive products, like Kaged Pre Workout and Legion Pre Workout, to provide you with a comprehensive look into the world of pre workout supplements.
Exercise is beneficial to both the body and the mind. When we exercise, we not only strengthen our bones and muscles, but also our brain. Engaging in physical activities may improve brain health, and the release of endorphins, often accompanying it, has the potential to enhance our ability to complete everyday tasks. While exercise on its own can be a powerful addition to a daily routine, there’s something that can potentially take it to the next level: a pre workout supplement.
Pre workout supplements boast a range of benefits, supported by a variety of key ingredients, such as creatine, caffeine, caffeine, beta alanine, citrulline malate, or L-citrulline, among others. Together, or in some combination, these ingredients may enhance energy, focus, and overall performance during any physical activity, making your exercise more effective. As working out has become more ubiquitous in our culture—with fitness influencers, boutique fitness studios, and more gym brands than ever before—so too have pre workout supplements become essential among athletes and active individuals, providing a wealth of options.
However, not all pre workout supplements are created equal. Some are filled with artificial ingredients, putting them in direct contrast to clean pre workout supplements that emphasize working with your body’s natural systems. That’s where brands like Frog Fuel stand out—this brand’s pre workout formulas include a complete protein made in the U.S. and come from grass-fed cows. Before we dive into all the benefits Frog Fuel has to offer to athletes and gym-goers, let’s delve deeper into what pre workout supplements are, and who might benefit from taking them.
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Frog Fuel Ultra Pre-Workout—A Clean Pre Workout Supplement: In-Depth Review is an original (News7Health) article.
Diving into Frog Fuel Ultra Pre-Workout:
A brief history of pre-workout supplements
The first pre workout supplement debuted in 1982. Created by Dan Duchaine, the supplement, Ultimate Orange, skyrocketed in popularity among the bodybuilding community. However, it also faced its fair share of legal issues due to some of its ingredients. Among them, Ephedra, an evergreen shrub that has a long history of medicinal use in China, remains banned in the U.S. to this day for its harmful effects such as heart attack, seizure, stroke, and sudden death.
In the decades since, many other pre workout supplements have flooded the market, with some formulated with as questionable ingredients as the original Ultimate Orange. For example, Craze, a pre workout powder, was found to have methamphetamine-like chemicals, despite the parent company Driven Sports’ claim that it was made solely with natural ingredients.
At their core, the most reliable pre workout supplements typically contain a combination of creatine (a naturally occurring amino acid that supplies energy to your muscles and helps them flex), beta alanine (another naturally produced amino acid, effective in preventing the onset of post-workout fatigue), vitamins, minerals, and other diet-friendly ingredients. These days, a divide in the pre workout supplement category emerges when artificial or excessive ingredients are introduced; this includes high doses of caffeine, artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, and other fillers. This is where clean pre workout supplements like Frog Fuel come in.
Frog Fuel Ultra Pre-Workout:
Clean pre workout supplements vs artificial alternatives
Clean pre workout supplements are devoid of artificial or illegal ingredients, focusing instead on emphasizing and enhancing what the body already produces. Often, they contain natural, minimally processed ingredients, avoiding potentially harmful or unnecessary additions such as artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners. Clean pre workout supplements will instead incorporate naturally available ingredients that can improve the color or taste of the supplement.
In terms of dosages, clean pre workout doesn’t aim to shock the system with unnaturally high levels of stimulants. Frog Fuel, for instance, uses green coffee beans, a natural source of caffeine, as opposed to synthetic caffeine or stimulants. Examples of such natural compounds include but are not limited to theacrine, yohimbine, theobromine, and theophylline.
Frog Fuel Ultra Pre-Workout:
Who should take a pre workout supplement, and when?
If you’re expecting pre workout supplements to help you grow new muscles, lose weight, or make fitness gains overnight, you’ll likely be disappointed. Pre workout supplements do not directly help you build muscles, but they do give you the tools to take your exercise to the next level. Feeling fatigued ahead of a planned workout? Pre workout supplements, with a touch of caffeine, can help you feel more energized for the physical activity ahead, potentially boosting motivation as well.
During and after a workout, pre workout supplements aim to support the muscles while they work and recover. Studies have shown that they can lead to better aerobic capacity and endurance. Many of the ingredients found in pre workout supplements can also be found in a well-balanced diet.
Nonetheless, given that many of these supportive foods are protein-heavy meat, poultry, and fish, vegetarians and vegans might find it significantly harder to obtain these nutrients from diet alone, and as such may benefit more from pre workout supplements. Generally, a pre workout supplement like Frog Fuel should be taken 20 to 30 minutes ahead of any planned activity.
Frog Fuel Ultra Pre-Workout:
The brand’s beginnings
Now, let’s get to the main event: Frog Fuel, and its clean pre workout supplement, Ultra Pre Workout. Frog Fuel was founded in 2014 by two former United States Navy SEALs, Alexander Kunz and Jeff Byers. The brand is produced under the OP2 Labs umbrella, a veteran-owned company known for producing a unique collagen protein that’s trusted by over 4,000 medical facilities and thousands of athletes around the world. Among them include endurance athlete Akash Garg, professional boxer Victor Morales Jr., and triathlete Claudia McCoy.
“Big picture, unlike most consumer supplement brands, we started as a medical nutrition product first,” says Aaron Saari, chief marketing officer at OP2 Labs. “Our ProT Gold line of products is used in medical facilities for rapid wound healing and many other medical indications; Frog Fuel uses the same formula as ProT Gold but focuses on the athletic performance and injury prevention benefits of our unique collagen protein.”
Why Frog Fuel Ultra Pre-Workout’s collagen makes it the cream of the crop
Frog Fuel’s chief calling card is its collagen protein, setting it apart from a number of other pre workout supplements on shelves today, which often use whey or plant protein. Next to water, collagen is the most abundant substance in the body, and it’s what our bodies use to heal almost every tissue. As we age, collagen production slows, and cell structures begin to weaken. By taking collagen, you may be able to prevent bone loss, alleviate joint pain, boost muscle mass, and promote heart health, among other benefits. While studies on the efficacy of collagen supplements are still in their early stages, initial findings have pointed to their strong potential.
Unlike other proteins, collagen stands out as the ideal protein for repairing and strengthening connective tissues such as ligaments and tendons. These are the tissues that experience the most wear and tear, so they break down much more swiftly than muscles over time. When these connective tissues do break down, they impede everyday actions, making it harder to lift heavy objects or go on long walks.
By introducing collagen that’s fortified as a complete protein with all 22 amino acids—as opposed to an incomplete protein with just 18 amino acids—Frog Fuel’s Ultra Pre Workout may keep your body feeling younger, longer. “Our unique combination of all 22 acids is why our formula is proven to heal wounds twice as fast,” says Saari.
Part of what makes the fortified collagen so potent is that it’s nano-hydrolyzed for high bioavailability. In other words, this means that the collagen is broken down into smaller particulars. To be precise, it’s nano-hydrolyzed down to about 2,500 daltons (a unit of mass), which comes out to about half the size that a pore in the stomach can digest. Prior to hydrolization, collagen molecules are around 300,000 daltons, making them 75 times bigger than what a typical stomach pore can handle.
When the mass of a protein is too large, as with a normal collagen molecule, the stomach is left to its own devices, which ultimately results in a lot of the protein going to waste, with about 50% to 90% of the protein not getting absorbed into the bloodstream. Because Frog Fuel’s pre workout includes collagen that’s nano-hydrolyzed—8 grams, to be exact—it maintains all of its usefulness and therefore may enter more seamlessly and swiftly into the bloodstream.
Other important ingredients in Frog Fuel Ultra Pre-Workout:
Beta alanine
Aside from its collagen makeup, Frog Fuel Ultra Pre Workout also includes a 10-gram blend of simple and complex carbohydrates, 1,500 milligrams of beta alanine, 1,500 milligrams of citrulline malate, and plenty of electrolytes. Let’s first examine beta alanine, a non-essential amino acid that’s used in the body to produce carnosine, which helps improve exercise performance.
While your body naturally produces beta alanine, its levels are typically low, thereby limiting the production of the all-important carnosine. By supplementing the body with an external source of beta alanine, carnosine levels in the muscles may increase by up to 80%, greatly improving the body’s ability to pump up muscles during a workout while also reducing the acidity in muscles as they work. This increases the time it takes for muscles to reach exhaustion, which may boost training volume and performance.
When it comes to supplementing the body’s beta alanine levels, certain food sources can be beneficial—red meat, poultry, and fish. However, if you’re adverse to those or looking for a consistent source of extra beta alanine, a clean pre workout such as Frog Fuel can be a valuable option. It’s important to get the proper beta alanine dosage, however; too much beta alanine may cause paraesthesia, a condition that’s categorized by a burning, prickling, or tingling sensation of the skin that’s experienced in the face, neck, or back of the hands.
While paraesthesia isn’t necessarily harmful, it can be avoided entirely by adhering to a maximum beta alanine dosage of five grams. For those preferring caution, a beta alanine dosage of up to 2 grams is considered safest, making Frog Fuel’s dosage right within the recommended range.
Other important ingredients in Frog Fuel Ultra Pre-Workout:
L-citrulline vs citrulline malate
Alongside beta alanine, Frog Fuel’s Ultra Pre Workout formula includes 1,500 milligrams of citrulline malate, a nitric oxide enhancer that combines citrulline with malic acid. Citrulline malate has been recognized as a potential aid to both resistance exercise and high-intensity workouts. It has been shown to enhance blood flow to muscles at work and improve muscle recovery by delivering more nutrients to the muscles, though it’s important to note that more studies are needed to definitively discuss the impacts of citrulline malate on muscles.
Speaking of citrulline in pre workout supplements, it’s also essential to look at L-citrulline, a naturally occurring amino acid. Comparing L-citrulline vs citrulline malate, the two have many similarities, given that citrulline malate is simply L-citrulline combined with malic acid. Like citrulline malate, L-citrulline may benefit anaerobic activities such as strength training; unlike citrulline malate, however, L-citrulline is limited in that it cannot increase the rate of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production by mitigating lactate productions during states of high flux, as citrulline malate can. ATP production is important as ATP is the backbone of cells within every living organism; it’s made by converting the food we eat or supplements we take into energy.
That said, when it comes to L-citrulline vs citrulline malate, there are far more studies on the former, making it by far the most researched nutritional strategy to stimulate nitric oxide production. As more research is conducted on citrulline malate, however, its prominence may continue to rise in the pre workout supplement world.
Frog Fuel Ultra Pre-Workout and the efficiency of protein shots
There are a few readily recognizable types of pre workout protein supplements. One common form is powder. This form can be mixed into a shake or sprinkled on top of food, but no matter how you consume it, it has to be precisely measured out to optimize gains. Another option is protein bars; however, these come with added calories, fats, and sugars, which might not be for everyone. Moreover, consuming heavier food before a workout requires more planning.
That’s where a liquid protein shot like Frog Fuel comes in. “Our big selling point is convenience compared to powders or other protein forms,” explains Saari. “Our effortless little packet requires no prep or cleanup, which is a win over messy powders. We all win against ready-to-drink shakes like Muscle Milk, because we are only 1 ounce, whereas those are anywhere from 8 to 12 ounces.”
Frog Fuel’s protein shots are packaged in 1.2-ounce packets, which are easy to tear open and consume on a moment’s notice. This means they can be taken on the go, in just about any setting, emphasizing functionality above all. Frog Fuel’s protein shots are also suitable for getting a boost during a workout, not just before, unlike many pre workout supplements.
Frog Fuel Ultra Pre-Workout and its competition:
Four competitors and their products
The proliferation of pre workout supplements means that Frog Fuel faces many competitors. One of its most prominent rivals on the market is Kaged Pre Workout, a powder that comes in a variety of iterations and flavors. Within the Kaged Pre Workout range are four tiers: Pre-Kaged, its original powder, focused on weight lifting and available in seven different fruit-forward flavors; Pre-Kaged Stim Free, a caffeine-free alternative to the original powder; Pre-Kaged Sport, formulated specifically for high-intensity workouts and sports matches; and Pre-Kaged Elite, which is marketed as an all-in-one pre workout solution, no matter whether you’re weightlifting, running, or engaging in intense exercise.
While Kaged Pre Workout has its merits, some of its powders are remarkably high in caffeine. Elite, for example, packs 388 milligrams of caffeine, while Spot contains 188 milligrams. The pricing is also on the higher side, with Elite coming in at $60 for 20 servings.
Also in the pre workout sphere is Legion Pre Workout’s Pulse. Available in 20 different flavors, Legion contains many of the same ingredients as Frog Fuel, including citrulline malate and a substantial beta alanine dosage of 3.6 grams per serving. While it contains no artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors, Legion Pre Workout has quite a high dose of caffeine at 350 milligrams per 2 scoop-serving. As mentioned earlier, ultra-high doses of beta alanine can have an adverse physical effect; Legion Pre Workout offers up to 3,600 milligrams of beta alanine per serving, which potentially meets the threshold for that tingle-inducing paraesthesia.
Another Frog Fuel competitor is RSP Nutrition AminoLean, a pre workout supplement that touts itself as a way to improve focus and performance during an exercise session and support muscle recovery in the aftermath. AminoLean is among the more cost-friendly options, coming in at just $33 for 30 servings. As with Frog Fuel, AminoLean’s energy-boosting component comes from a natural, mild source of caffeine—green tea extract. While its ingredient list is fairly pure, it does have one notable filler—silicon dioxide, also known as silica, which is the primary constituent of sand.
One final competitor to Frog Fuel is Naked Energy Pre Workout. This product is recognized for its clean ingredient list, with no added natural flavors, colors, or unnecessary fillers. That said, Naked Energy Pre Workout also has the smallest active ingredient list, with a handful of vitamins, calcium, and folic acid, along with a solid beta alanine dosage of 2,000 milligrams, creatine, L-arginine, and caffeine from green coffee beans. While beta alanine and creatine certainly put this product in the pre workout running, a lack of L-citrulline or citrulline malate makes it less of a competitor against Frog Fuel and the likes.
Frog Fuel Ultra Pre-Workout:
A winning, reliable pre workout supplement
In the wide world of pre workout supplements, Frog Fuel stands out for its easy-to-take and effective formula. Amidst a plethora of options, Frog Fuel Ultra Pre Workout distinguishes itself not just for its protein shot packaging, but for its ingredients as well. Within such a compact packet, you’ll find a range of benefits, including nano-hydrolyzed collagen, a complex blend of carbohydrates, a solid beta alanine dosage, citrulline malate, and plenty of electrolytes.
Given that it’s trusted by athletes and medical professionals alike, you too can count on it as a reliable and clean pre workout supplement with potential perks galore. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that health supplements are not FDA-approved; they cannot diagnose, treat, or cure any disease or health condition. Supplements should be used only as an adjunct to conventional treatment under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
For further reading:
GoodRx Health: What Does Pre-Workout Do? Here’s What You Should Know Before Trying These Supplements
National Library of Medicine: Citrulline malate enhances athletic anaerobic performance and relieves muscle soreness
Healthline: Should You Take Pre-Workout Supplements?
Important Note: The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed as health or medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or health condition. Before embarking on any diet, fitness regimen, or program of nutritional supplementation, it is advisable to consult your healthcare professional in order to determine its safety and probable efficacy in terms of your individual state of health.
Regarding Nutritional Supplements Or Other Non-Prescription Health Products: If any nutritional supplements or other non-prescription health products are mentioned in the foregoing article, any claims or statements made about them have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and such nutritional supplements or other health products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
