Feeling sluggish and low energy when it’s time to hit the gym can put a huge damper on your gains or fitness goals. Of course, this is natural - we’re only human, and you can’t possibly expect to be revved up before every gym day or workout. With fast-paced lives full of expectations and duties, it’s easy to find yourself tired before even including your workout route and health goals.

The struggle to find the motivation to get the best results from hitting the gym can leave you feeling frustrated. Fortunately, you don’t have to settle for lackluster workouts because this is where pre-workout supplements like protein shakes and powders come in. Pre-workouts are a game-changer and can play a vital role in enhancing your energy levels and overall performance while exercising.

While the need for energy and enhancement are much needed in a modern world full of demanding schedules, long work hours, and various commitments, we must be wary of many commercial pre-workout supplements.

The temptation to grab a store-bought pre-workout with flamboyant branding and extravagant promises can be incredibly alluring. As we're constantly bombarded with images of chiseled athletes and fitness influencers on social media and ad campaigns endorsing these products, the allure of grabbing the flashiest commercial pre-workout with hopes of unmatched performance enhancements is undeniable.

However, you need to know this… the best choices for your health and most effective products don’t always come in showy and heavily branded packaging.

Many commercial workout drinks and supplements are laden with artificial ingredients, excessive caffeine, and synthetic compounds that can lead to unpleasant side effects like jitters, crashes, stomach pains, headaches, dehydration, insomnia, and digestive issues. To make matters worse, they often fall short of their grand promises.

Don’t worry, we know that an energy boost from a pre-workout is often much needed. It’s okay, we get it. Luckily, you can still enjoy some pre-workout energy enhancement, just choose a better source.

Instead of falling into the allure of shiny pre-workout brands, it's time to try a more natural and sustainable approach to pre-workout: TEA.

It’s time to start drinking tea before a workout for vitality and zeal before and during a workout.

Yep - while tea is known as the beverage we love to unwind with – yes, tea is incredible for sleep and relaxation - tea is also one of the best natural pre-workout options out there. Tea as a natural pre-workout offers a healthier, cleaner, and more balanced source of energy without the harsh downsides.

Enhance Your Workouts with Tea

They harness the power of natural ingredients like tea leaves, herbs, and adaptogens to provide a steady, reliable energy boost without a crash or all those nasty side-effects.

The Power of Tea Before a Workout

Get sipping on black tea before a workout folks! Much like how tea can help prepare your body for restful sleep, it can also prime your body for an effective workout. The act of brewing and sipping tea is a calming ritual that can help ease your mind and set the stage for focus and determination. The aromatic experience and methodical preparation of tea send signals to your body that it's time to transition from a hectic day to a dedicated exercise session.

But it's not just about the ritual – tea is also supported by scientific evidence for its role in enhancing physical activity. Tea is full of antioxidants, contains no calories, has a balanced caffeine content, and is super hydrating, making for a powerful natural pre-workout. Tea has also been shown to rev up your metabolism, regulate blood sugar, and increase fat loss.

Tea can help to improve exercise performance in a number of ways:

  • Increase energy levels
  • Improve focus and concentration
  • Reduce muscle fatigue
  • Boost fat burning
  • Reduce inflammation
  • Improve muscle recovery

Drinking tea can also fuel your workouts and act as an all-natural alternative to pre-workout, that’ll boost your hydration and prevent your muscles from tiring, as well as being tons healthier for your heart and nervous system.

Individuals who drink tea before their workouts have reported increased endurance, elevated mental focus, and had reduced aches and pains after exercise. To get the most out of your pre-workout tea, try drinking 1 - 2 cups 30 - 45 minutes before you hit the gym.” (1)

Take a deeper look at why tea makes an awesome pre-workout drink. Click here to read: Why Tea Is The Best All Natural Pre-Workout Drink.

Choosing the Right Tea for Your Pre-Workout Routine

Not all teas are created equal when it comes to pre-workout benefits. Just as certain teas are recommended for promoting sleep, specific blends and herbs can give you the energy and endurance boost you need to crush your workout.

Enhance Your Workouts with Tea: The 6 Best Natural Pre-Workout Tea Blends
Assam black tea, for example, is rich in caffeine that is balanced with the calming effect of a unique antioxidant amino acid that stimulates your brain and releases anti-stress effects. Pre-workout green tea contains catechins that support metabolism and fat oxidation.

Each tea type offers distinct advantages, from invigorating effects to improved focus and hydration. Whether you're preparing for a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session or a steady endurance workout, there's a tea blend perfectly suited to your needs. Let’s delve into the 6 best teas for natural pre-workout that’ll serve all your workout goals and needs.

1. Wise Ape’s Chocolate Hustle: Brainwise Tea Blend

Wise Ape’s Chocolate Hustle: Brainwise Tea Blend

    Chocolate Hustle tea is an amazing pick and our favorite pre-workout choice. This refreshing yet dark and roasty tea blend is ideal for workouts where mental focus and clarity are essential, such as yoga, pilates, and activities requiring concentration. It also offers sustained energy and supports stress management perfect for heavy weight training.

    This outstanding natural pre-workout choice is made as a blend of roasted yerba mate tea, cocoa, and mint, enhanced by adaptogenic super-herbs. You can even enjoy it as an iced beverage in your gym bottle.

    The ingredients in this blend help to boost energy, support mental focus, memory, and stress management, and offer incredible antioxidant benefits. Its medium-caffeine levels and adaptogenic perks strike the right balance between providing an energy boost without the undesirable crash… making it an ideal choice for individuals seeking controlled focus, concentration, and balanced energy during their workouts. Plus, its 10% donation to The National Brain Tumor Society per sale adds meaning to your workout.

    Click here to shop for Chocolate Hustle: Brainwise Tea Blend here at our Wise Ape Tea store

    "ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! I’ve tried it both hot and over ice and I am a HUGE fan. The flavors are subtle, over ice it was incredibly refreshing. I could feel the caffeine kick in but in a very mellow way that I like a lot." - Naple R, United States

    "CHOCO-BLISS. Love the taste, love the way it makes me feel. Energized, refreshed, focused." -Samantha B, United States

    "I felt super alert with no jitters. There was a nice let down rather than a crash." -Josh P, United States

    Unlock your inner champion with chocolate hustle! Experience the chocolatey bliss of Chocolate Hustle for yourself. Join the ranks of satisfied customers like Naple, Samantha, and Josh, who have felt the incredible benefits of this brain-boosting tea.

    2. Wise Ape’s Blueberry Time Machine: Antioxidant Tea Blend

      Wise Ape’s Blueberry Time Machine: Antioxidant Tea Blend

      This blend is AWESOME for cardiovascular workouts and those focusing on overall wellness. Its antioxidant properties support the immune system and reduce exercise-induced muscle damage.

      Wise Ape's Blueberry Time Machine: Antioxidant Tea Blend combines the purity of darjeeling green tea with moringa leaf and bilberry, creating a time-defying antioxidant infusion for your cells. It's perfect not only as a hot tea but also as an iced beverage you can carry in your gym bottle. It's your ally in achieving super antioxidant support, fortifying your immune system, promoting cardiovascular health, and reducing inflammation. With organic, whole leaf ingredients, biodegradable bags, and a commitment to sustainability, it's a conscious choice for your health and the planet. Plus, 10% of the profits go to One Mind for vital brain health research, making your workout even more meaningful.

      Click here to shop for Blueberry Time Machine: Antioxidant Tea Blend here at our Wise Ape Tea store

      "I love this product! I drink twice a week to keep my immune system built up. I take it to the gym with me as I workout and coach throughout the day. I keep adding water to it and the flavor lasts all day. 😊" -Lisa G, United States

      As verified by Lisa, this blend isn't just a tea; it's a solution to support your immune system and aid in post-exercise recovery.

      But it's not just about its health benefits; it's also about the convenience it offers. You can enjoy it as a hot tea or, as Lisa suggests, as an iced beverage you can carry in your gym bottle. The flavor stays refreshing all day, ensuring you have a delightful and nourishing workout companion.

      3. Wise Ape’s Coconut Warrior: Anti-Inflammatory Tea Blend

      Wise Ape’s Coconut Warrior: Anti-Inflammatory Tea Blend

        Black tea before a workout? OH, HECK YEAH… it is life-changing!

        Black tea before a workout is an amazing choice. Black teas are renowned for their robust flavors and energy enhancement. Black teas such as Assam black tea have high levels of caffeine that are balanced with the calming effect of a unique antioxidant amino acid that stimulates your brain and releases anti-stress effects.

        This is what makes Wise Ape's Coconut Warrior an excellent choice for your workout. This invigorating blend combines Assam black tea, coconut, turmeric, and wildcrafted pau d'arco bark to create a legendary elixir that battles inflammation and fortifies your body from the inside out. Coconut Warrior is an excellent choice for long stretches of physical exertion such as long-distance running and post-workout rejuvenation. It provides robust energy and supports recovery, making it suitable for healing after physical activities. Get ready to infuse your internal temple with the spirit of an Aztec warrior.

        Click here to shop for Coconut Warrior: Anti-Inflammatory Tea Blend here at our Wise Ape Tea store

        "I purchased for my mom who is 91. She absolutely loves it and had me to order more! It helps with her everyday aches and pains which are caused from arthritis. I will be a faithful customer in the future. Thanks for offering such wonderful products 😊" - Nelda G, United States

        Experience the powerful combination of tradition and science, endorsed by customers like Nelda, who found relief for from everyday aches and pains, and join our community of satisfied customers on your path to wellness.

        4. From Great Origins Matcha Powder

        From Great Origins Matcha Powder

          Matcha is a great versatile natural pre-workout choice. It provides a nice amount of alertness and endurance-boosting effects that are also calm. It's particularly well-suited for cardio workouts, yoga, strength training, and mindful exercises due to its centered energy boost and anti-inflammatory properties.

          FGO’s Organic Matcha Powder stands out as a top choice for matcha because it is crafted from pure, organic, shade-grown green tea leaves sourced from Japan. They carefully grind their leaves into a fine powder, resulting in a vibrant green tea powder that retains all the natural goodness of the plant. Matcha has a distinctive flavor profile including an appealing savory and slightly bitter umami taste, with mellow grassy notes and natural sweet nuttiness.

          Click here to shop for this Matcha Powder at the From Great Origins store

          5. Hey Girl Tea’s Energize Caffeine Blend - Citrus Blossom

            Hey Girl Tea’s Energize Caffeine Blend - Citrus Blossom

            Energize Caffeine Blend is suitable for workouts requiring intensive focus and energy, such as high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and functional fitness. This is a blend of natural herbs, each chosen for its unique ability to provide sustainable energy and mental alertness, offering a balanced caffeine infusion that can help you stay focused and energized throughout your workout.

            With the pleasant addition of citrus blossom natural flavoring, this pre-workout blend not only fuels your body but also delights your taste buds, making it a delightful and health-conscious choice for anyone looking to optimize their workouts naturally.

            Click here to shop for this Citrus Blossom Tea Blend at the Hey Girl Tea store

            6. Tucson Tea Co. Energy Tea - Yerba Mate & Orange Rooibos (High Caffeine)

            Tucson Tea Co. Energy Tea - Yerba Mate & Orange Rooibos (High Caffeine)

              This high-caffeine blend is great for any high-energy workout, from running to CrossFit. It provides an energy boost with a refreshing flavor.

              Made from quality and natural fair-trade ingredients, this Energy Tea is a top-notch choice for those seeking a high-caffeine pre-workout beverage that combines both flavor and functionality. With fragrant orange oils enhancing the flavor profile, each sip of this tea not only revives your energy but also provides a sensory delight.

              Click here to shop for this Energy Tea Blend at the Tucson Tea Co. store

              Enhance Your Workouts with Tea aka The Best Natural Pre-Workout

              The allure of flashy pre-workout supplements and drinks may be strong, but what we know now is that a more natural choice can provide results without compromising health. Tea is one of the best natural pre-workout drinks, providing the energy and performance enhancement you need for your workouts without the unwanted side effects, making it an optimal choice for fitness fanatics.

              By incorporating tea into your pre-workout routine, you're tapping into nature's own energy elixir. These six tea blend options we’ve just listed are some of the best natural pre-workouts out there.

              Each product we’ve chosen we selected based on its evidence-based ingredients, quality, and business practices. So, you can rest assured that we were not just concerned about the fitness and energy effects but the health effects on both our body and the planet.

              As you embark on your journey to enhance your workouts with tea, remember that the right choice depends on your unique needs and preferences. For a strong caffeine boost, opt for teas like black tea or matcha. If caffeine sensitivity is a concern, lower-caffeine options such as green tea and rooibos tea can provide a gentle lift. For post-workout recovery, teas loaded with antioxidants can also be your go-to choice.

               

              Premium Organic Tea Blends From Whole Leaf Organic Ingredients

               

              Preparing and enjoying your pre-workout tea is a simple yet fulfilling process. Just steep 1-2 teaspoons of loose-leaf tea or use 1-2 tea bags in hot water for 3-5 minutes. Whether you prefer it warm or cold, feel free to add honey or a squeeze of lemon to customize the flavor to your liking.

              Timing is key when using tea as a pre-workout supplement.

              Aim to sip your tea at least 30 minutes before your workout to allow the caffeine to take effect and provide you with the desired energy boost. Cheers to enhancing your workouts with the power of tea!

              (Please note: if you have a medical condition or take medications, it’s always best to consult with your doctor before adding anything new like herbs to your diet.)

              What Is Your Favorite Natural Pre-Workout?

              Let us know your thoughts on Instagram at @WiseApeCo and/or use the hashtag #WiseApeTribe and we’ll share it!

              This informative article is written, by Sophia McKenzie. Sophia is head content creator and writer, for several premium websites, where her expertise lies in health, nutrition, and wellness. Her content focuses on providing and sharing doable solutions to help people truly thrive and live their happiest, healthiest, fulfilled lives.