Many people wonder how long does pre take to kick in before they can start exercising and getting the benefits that this type of supplement offers. The truth is that this varies from person to person, but on the average it takes between 30-60 minutes for the most common ingredients (caffeine, citrulline and betaine) to reach their peak levels in the blood. This is why you should always consume a pre workout at the very beginning of your training session or right before you get started.
The exact amount of time it takes for your pre to kick in depends on a number of factors such as your level of hydration, whether you are taking it on an empty stomach or with food and how sensitive you are to stimulants. For example, if you are highly sensitive to caffeine then it may take longer for your drink to start working and can even linger in your system for up to 6 hours.
However, you also need to consider the amount of time it takes for the ingredients that are meant to kick in at a later stage to work their magic. This includes the likes of creatine and beta-alanine, which need to reach their peak levels in the blood before they can actually help you train harder or recover faster. Typically, it takes around a half hour for these substances to be effective. This is why it is so important to drink your pre-workout at the very beginning of your training session.