5 Energy Smoothie Recipes for Pre-Workouts

Sometimes it seems like a catch-22. You feel tired when you shouldn’t, so you decide to exercise more in an effort to improve your health and increase your energy levels. Of course, you need energy in order to complete a proper workout, so you find yourself stuck. In essence, you need to spend energy to make energy, which leaves you in an unenviable position. So, you can either hang your head and stagger through your routine, or you can stock up on energy before you work up that sweat. By ingesting the right foods, you can give your body the extra power it needs to make the most out of your workout.

Why Pre-Workout Smoothies Are Beneficial

Whether you’re about to do a serious workout routine or you’re just trying to get some extra movement in your day, it’s important to consider what to eat or drink before you exercise. Food is what fuels your body and gives you the energy to get you through your workouts. A simple snack 30 minutes to 1 hour before you exercise can drastically improve your workout. 

Consuming a smoothie before you exercise is one of the easiest ways to feel energized for a workout. The best pre-workout smoothies include a good balance of healthy fats, carbs, and protein. Some benefits of pre-workout smoothies include:

• Helps you maintain or even increase muscle size.
• Provides fuel for training and helps with recovery. 
• Offers a boost of energy without making you feel too full. 
• Increases hydration before your workout. 
• Contains vitamins and minerals needed for everyday health.

Here are the top five homemade pre-workout smoothie recipes filled with protein and other essential nutrients to help you get through your workout with energy to spare.

1. Kiwi and Kale Smoothie

Ingredients
1½ cups skim milk
2 cups kale (stems and leaves)
1 kiwifruit (peeled)
1 tbsp smooth unsalted peanut butter
1 tsp agave nectar, honey, or maple syrup

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients together in a food processor, and blend until the mixture reaches the desired consistency.
2. In addition to the vitamins A, C, and K that this smoothie provides, it will also give you a boost of calcium and iron, as well as the protein you’ll need to push yourself longer and harder.

2. Blueberry Chia Blast

Special thanks to Shanon at Thecurvycarrrot.com for this delicious and satisfying concoction. Tofu in smoothies might sound a little strange but tofu is actually great for reducing exercise-induced inflammation. With the help of tofu, chia seeds, protein powder, and blueberries, you’ll get a ton of pre-workout benefits and it’ll taste great, too!

Ingredients
1½ cups coconut milk
½ cups soft silken tofu
2 tbsp chia seeds
1 cup frozen blueberries
1 tbsp honey
1 scoop (1–2 tbsp) vanilla protein powder

Directions

1. Combine all of the ingredients together in a food processor, and blend until smooth.
2. This smoothie manages to be delicious and energy boosting, while also being filling and satisfying, so you won’t feel as though you’re starving while you exercise. However, be warned that this mixture will quickly begin to thicken up once it is blended, so if you’d rather have something a bit smoother, be sure to drink it directly after you finish making it.

3. Chocolate Oatmeal Protein Smoothie

Daniel at Preworkoutsupplementguide.net offers this protein-packed possibility. This pre-workout smoothie is a simple way to get plenty of protein to keep you energized throughout your entire workout. It combines the quick-release energy of the banana with the slower-release energy from the oats. The end result is a protein-rich, chocolaty treat that will keep you energized for hours to come.

Ingredients
2 cups milk
¾ cups oats
1 banana (chopped)
1 scoop (1–2 tbsp) chocolate protein powder

Directions

1. Pour the milk into the blender, and then with it running on a very low setting, add the protein powder, followed by the oats, and then the banana.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. This smoothie combines the quick-release energy of the banana with the slower-release energy from the oats. The end result is a protein-rich, chocolaty treat that will keep you energized for hours to come.

Ali at Anabolicmen.com is the mastermind behind the simply-named Pre-Workout Drink. Be warned, however, because Ali isn’t big on measuring his ingredients. So, if you decide to make this particular smoothie, be prepared to use your best judgement when it comes to amounts.

Ingredients
Spinach
Parsley
Celery
Beets
Kale
Watermelon
Cayenne Pepper

Directions

1. Pile all of the ingredients into the blender and blend it until smooth.
2. This isn’t a smoothie that you’ll be drinking for enjoyment; it’s one that you’ll be drinking for the massive amounts of energy that comes along with it. So, grit your teeth, take a deep breath, and chug away. It probably won’t taste good, but it will carry you through your exercise regimen.

5. Classic Green Monster

We can thank Angela at OhSheglows.com for sharing this special recipe that will not only provide you with energy and nutrients, but that might also change your life. The mixture of banana, spinach, peanut butter, and cinnamon is a delicious flavor punch that’s also full of nutrients. This pre-workout smoothie is particularly energy-rich and should give you that extra boost you’ll need while you exercise, or even just to get through a particularly long day. After all, we could all use a little bit more energy in our lives. Drink up!

Ingredients
1 cup milk (almond, coconut, or regular)
1 frozen banana (ripe)
¾ cup spinach or kale leaves with stems removed
1 tbsp chia seeds or ground flax
1 tbsp peanut butter or almond butter
1 dash cinnamon 2–4 cubes ice

Directions

1. Combine all of the ingredients except for the ice in a food processor, and then blend until smooth.
2. Add the ice, and then blend further until the mixture reaches the desired consistency.
3. This pre-workout smoothie is particularly energy-rich and should give you that extra boost you’ll need while you exercise, or even just to get through a particularly long day. After all, we could all use a little bit more energy in our lives. Drink up!

Are there any special smoothie recipes that get you through your daily workout regimen? Post them in the comments section!

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