The Pump
The pump is the physical volumisation of skeletal muscle tissue causing temporary increase in both volume and roundness. This is often accompanied by a feeling of tightness in the target muscle, especially when contracted with force under load.
This can be achieved without the use of supplementation, especially when properly hydrated (see our blog on hydration for more information). However, proper supplementation can help you achieve the vein popping, skin-splitting pumps that we all dream about. All pump inducing ingredients can be broken down into one of two category’s, vasodilators and intramuscular hydrators.
Vasodilators and Intramuscular Hydration
Vasodilators such as Arginine are broken down within the body to produce N.O (Nitric Oxide). The presence of this Nitric Oxide causes the smooth tissue of the blood vessels to relax allowing it’s expansion. This results in increased blood flow and lowered blood pressure. This provides a noticeable increase in both vascularity and muscle volume, particularly in the targeted muscle. Due to it’s fast acting mechanisms, vasodilators such as Arginine can be consumed as close as 15 minutes prior to exercise.
Intramuscular hydrators such as Glycerol are typically hygroscopic in nature, meaning they attract and absorb water from their surroundings. This means that when taken at an efficacious dose, they will cause an increase in osmotic pressure within the body. The resulting hyperhydration of the muscle cells causes them to increase in volume, improving their appearance. These hydrators have been shown to work best when consumed 60-90 minutes prior to exercise along with high volumes of water, both pre and intra-workout.
I personally look for efficacious doses of both hyperhydrators and vasodilators when choosing a pump-based pre-workout. Intramuscular hydrators provide longer lasting muscle volume but are highly dependent on your hydration level, this works well along side vasodilators such as Arginine and L-Citrulline which have a faster acting, but shorter lived increase in muscle volumisation and vascularity which is less reliant on hydration level.
I have found combinations of ingredients such as Gylcerol and high doses of Arginine provide incredible benefits when training. Products such as The Buzz! Pure Pump Legacy and Nutrex L-Arginine Caps are a regular staple within my pre-workout arsenal.
