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Table of Contents
  1. How Pre-Workout Smoothies Fuel Your Workout
  2. Ingredients You’ll Need
  3. Plant-Based Protein Powder
  4. How to Make a Pre-Workout Smoothie
  5. Common Questions
  6. More Healthy Pre-Workout Smoothie Recipes
  7. Healthy Pre-Workout Smoothie Recipe

How Pre-Workout Smoothies Fuel Your Workout

Slurping down a smoothie before a workout is a quick way to give your body essential macronutrients to feel strong while also hydrating you. Yet not all smoothies are equal when it comes to helping your body perform. A pre-workout smoothie should contain a good mix of carbohydrates, protein, fat, and fiber.

I love to run far distances— I’ve done 6 marathons, 2 x 50ks, 100k and lots more. I’m one of those strange people that actually likes to run…for hours at a time. I’ve learned that having a smoothie before, during and after a long run improves my performance and recovery.

Labeled ingredients for a pre-workout smoothie, including banana, coconut oil, spinach, peaches, coconut water, and pineapple, ideal smoothie for energy.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This pre-workout smoothie is my-go because it’s packed with quick energy to help my body perform. The combination of greens and fruit blended together in this smoothie delivers the workout nutrition you need to keep you fueled for a long run, deep yoga session or a HIIT workout.

  • Spinach: Leafy greens are powerhouse plants that provide nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and protein to any smoothie, to help you build muscle.
  • Coconut water + water: Coconut water acts like natural Gatorade, providing hydrating electrolytes your body needs to replenish the energy lost during workouts.
  • Pineapple: Naturally fights inflammation, helping your muscles recover faster after a workout.
  • Peaches: Frozen peaches are picked at the height of freshness and flash-frozen to preserve as many nutrients as possible, making them irresistibly sweet and healthy.
  • Banana: Adds natural sweetness to your smoothie and is rich in vitamin C and potassium, which supports muscle function and helps prevent cramps, making it an ideal pre-workout ingredient. A frozen banana chills down your creamy smoothie.
  • Coconut oil: If you are looking to shed a few pounds then healthy fat is actually your friend, not your enemy. It helps break down the natural sugars from fruit to aid in your digestion and actually keeps you full longer. Feel free to swap it for chia seeds or hemp hearts if you want healthy fats with a protein boost.

This is one of my favorite smoothie combinations. It’s lightly sweet, I don’t even notice the spinach, and I can definitely feel the energy boost that helps me run faster and lift better during a workout.

Green pre-workout smoothie in a glass jar surrounded by fresh produce, ideal for a pre-workout smoothie recipe, featuring banana, spinach, and pineapple.

Plant-Based Protein Powder

Protein can assist with muscle growth, muscle recovery and boost energy levels. I like to boost my post-workout smoothie with protein and leave my pre-workout smoothie lighter. If you want to add more protein to this recipe, try my homemade protein powder. It’s a blend of hemp protein, chia seeds, and flax.

How to Make a Pre-Workout Smoothie

I can’t stand a chunky smoothie. If I’m going to put the work into buying good ingredients to make something at home then I want it to be smoothie and creamy. Here’s how I blend my green smoothies for the best result, every time:

  1. Puree the spinach, coconut water and water until smooth. If you aren’t using a high-powered blender then stop and scrape down the sides as needed to get rid of all those leafy chunks.
  2. Add the remaining ingredients and blend again until smooth. If you’re using frozen ingredients, let them sit out for about 15 minutes before blending to help soften them a bit.

Using this two-blend method you’ll actually save time and get a better pre-workout smoothie as a result. I’ve been blending smoothies for 13 years now and this method hasn’t let me down yet! When it comes to blenders, I recommend getting a high-speed Vitamix blender.

Women in forest running on a trail in workout clothes.

Common Questions

Are smoothies good for pre-workout?

Yes! Smoothies are a great pre-workout fuel to give you quick and lasting energy for activities such as a long run or high-intensity workout.

When should I drink a pre-workout smoothie

It’s best to consume a pre-workout smoothie 1-2 hours before exercising, giving your body time to digest it and absorb the nutrients.

Which smoothie is best before a workout?

My go-to smoothie before workout contains coconut water, fruit, spinach, and coconut oil for a super fast snack that gives me the energy to maximize my workout without weighing me down.

What should I put in a pre-workout smoothie?

Coconut water is loaded with natural electrolytes, fruit provides a great energy boost, spinach and coconut oil provide protein and healthy fat and fiber to help your body break down the natural sugar into usable energy.

Glass jar filled with a green pre-workout smoothie surrounded by fresh produce, perfect for a pre-workout smoothie recipe with banana, spinach, and pineapple.

More Healthy Pre-Workout Smoothie Recipes

Looking for a high-protein pre-workout recipe? I’ve got a few that’ll enhance your workout. Blending smoothies is easy and affordable— and make the perfect pre-workout smoothies at home.

  • Vanilla Protein Shake: More delicious than any powered version you can find, this easy smoothie is tasty and fueling without artificial vanilla protein powder.
  • Chocolate Protein Shake: This will give you great natural energy as well as keep you full while exercising with this almond butter and chocolate banana smoothie.
  • Flaxseed Smoothie: A great energy and fiber boost with unsweetened almond milk and flaxseeds.
  • Caramel Protein Shake: A dessert wrapped up in a smoothie, protein powered and delicious.
  • Almond Smoothie: Almonds and strawberries combine for a delightfully smooth snack.

After you sweat it out, I recommend having a protein-rich Post Workout Smoothie to help build and repair skeletal muscle.

Please rate and review this recipe once you’ve blended it. I can’t wait to read how it turned out!

4.68 from 259 votes

Healthy Pre-Workout Smoothie

The best kinds of pre-workout smoothies are filled with protein, good carbs and healthy fats. The combination of greens, fruit and coconut oil deliver the nutrients you need to keep you fueled for a workout.
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Author: Jen Hansard
Course: Smoothie
Cuisine: Plant-Based
Serves: 1 smoothie

Ingredients  

  • 1 cup spinach
  • ½ cup coconut water
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ cup pineapple frozen
  • ½ cup peach frozen
  • ½ banana
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil

Instructions 

  • Blend the spinach, coconut water and water until smooth. 
  • Add the pineapple, peaches, banana and coconut oil and blend again. 
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Notes

  • Use frozen fruit to make a refreshingly cool smoothie.
  • Boost with your favorite plant-based protein powder for extra protein and healthy fats.
  • Swap spinach with the leafy green of your choice. 
  • For a smoothie with less natural sugar, swap out 1/2 banana for 1/4 avocado.

Nutrition

Calories: 272kcal, Carbohydrates: 38g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 167mg, Potassium: 862mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 25g, Vitamin A: 3150IU, Vitamin C: 59mg, Calcium: 79mg, Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe? Show me!Mention @SimpleGreenSmoothies or tag #SimpleGreenSmoothies!

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Rating




Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I think I like the smoothies with spinach best, and this one will be added to my list of favorites.

  2. 5 stars
    I really like this one! I replaced peaches with pineapple which I think I would prefer anyway. Unfortunately still recovering from covid so not back to exercise yet for the pre workout part of it. But will definitely use in the future as one.

  3. 5 stars
    My husband and I both enjoyed this smoothie. I did not have coconut water, so I added 2TB unsweetened coconut flakes at the beginning with the spinach and water.

  4. 5 stars
    To me this is an excellent simple green smoothie that could easily be changed up for a variety by using different frozen fruits or fresh greens!
    Another pleasing taste to start the day

  5. 5 stars
    Simply refreshing! The pineapple and peaches add a subtle flavor accented by the creaminess of the banana.

    1. 5 stars
      I found this so refreshing yet filling. I left out the peaches as I’m allergic and added just a bit more pineapple. I think this would be an amazing summer drink

  6. 5 stars
    Refreshing and tasty. Not as filling as some of the others which is a preference for me. Loved it and so did the kids!!

  7. 3 stars
    Honestly not my favorite but not bad. It turned out a little frothy not sure if I blended too long or something .

  8. 5 stars
    Honestly can’t decide which is best this one or the Beginners Luck. Absolutely tickled to have two great green options. Used almond milk because I still haven’t found a coconut water with low sugar. Maybe I’ll have to go with lite coconut milk instead. What a difference this challenge has made in our lives in just 8 short days. We “eat” earlier because its so quick and easy – clean up is a breeze – more time to do other things and especially feeling good no bloat!