Andy Devaney
For years, the phrase pre-workout endurance sounded like an oxymoron. These neon powders were thought to be the reserve of gym bros chasing a pump, not marathoners pounding out 26 miles or cyclists grinding through a century ride. But according to performance nutritionist Tom Coughlin, it’s time we stopped thinking of pre-workouts as the exclusive property of the weight room.
Coughlin, who has worked with Premier League footballers, international rugby stars, and Olympic endurance athletes, says the old stereotype is holding runners, cyclists, and hybrid competitors back. “That’s the perception, but it’s outdated,” he explains.
“Pre-workouts can absolutely benefit endurance athletes – whether you’re training for a marathon, cycling a century, or lining up for a Hyrox. The key is that the formulation has to be designed for stamina and long-duration performance, not just for a quick pump or short energy spike.”
Why the Old Stuff Doesn’t Work
Traditional pre-workouts, Coughlin argues, were built for people lifting weights, not covering miles. “Most were created with gym performance in mind. You’ll see massive caffeine doses that can overstimulate and cause a crash, or beta-alanine – the ingredient that makes your skin tingle.
That sensation doesn’t actually improve performance, but it tricks people into thinking something’s happening. For an endurance athlete training for hours, those effects aren’t just unhelpful – they can be counterproductive.”
What Endurance Athletes Actually Need
The demands of endurance sport are brutally different from a 45-minute weights session. “You need steady, reliable energy rather than peaks and troughs,” Coughlin explains. “You need mental focus that lasts as fatigue sets in. Hydration and electrolyte balance are critical to keep muscles firing, and efficient oxygen use is what allows you to sustain performance over time.”
That’s the case for everyone—from elite cyclists trying to hold wattage deep into a stage race, to first-time marathoners battling the dreaded wall. And it’s where the new wave of pre-workout endurance formulas claim to shine.
Inside MOVE Endurance
Coughlin is the co-creator of MOVE, a formula he says was built specifically for long-haul athletes. “Every ingredient has a role backed by research,” he says, breaking it down like a coach chalking a play:
- 150mg caffeine – sharpens focus and stamina without overstimulation
- 1.5g taurine – delays fatigue and supports muscle efficiency
- 2g L-arginine + 500mg vitamin C – improves blood flow and reduces the oxygen cost of exercise
- 900mg blackcurrant extract – enhances oxygen delivery and fat metabolism, buffers muscle fatigue
- Electrolyte blend – sodium, chloride and potassium dosed to reflect real sweat-loss data from endurance athletes
And, crucially, “no beta-alanine – because tingles don’t help you run further or cycle faster.”
When to Use It
Coughlin says timing is everything. “Take it 30–45 minutes before a key workout or race to prime your body. For longer sessions, a second serving mid-way can help sustain focus and hydration. And pairing it with carbohydrate fuelling is the smartest way to build a complete endurance strategy.”
The Verdict
So should endurance athletes really be using pre-workouts? Coughlin doesn’t hesitate: “If it’s the right formulation, absolutely. This isn’t about chasing a buzz. It’s about lasting stamina, sharper focus, smarter hydration – and helping your body perform and recover at its best. That’s what I’ve seen make the difference in professional sport, and it’s just as relevant for amateurs who want to feel stronger, go further, and actually enjoy their training.
Many endurance athletes use multiple different products but a well-formulated pre-workout can provide you with multiple benefits in one single product making your life, and fueling a little bit easier.”
The Bigger Picture
With marathon entries smashing records and events like Hyrox packing arenas, endurance sport has never been hotter. Yet many athletes still muddle through with little more than coffee and a prayer.
Products like MOVE Endurance aim to streamline the process, offering one formula to cover focus, energy, hydration, and recovery in a single hit.
And if Coughlin’s right, pre-workout endurance could soon become less of a contradiction—and more of a competitive edge.
