Pre-workout supplementation may be ideal for realizing the acute effects of HMB (i.e., muscle recovery from a particular workout). In a 2009 study, subjects who ingested oral HMB 60 minutes before a workout experienced less soreness in the quadriceps and "no significant increase" in serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).Wilson, J. M., Rathmacher, J. A., Dalmau, B., Kingsley, J. D., Koch, H., Manninen, A. H., Saadat, R., & Panton, L. B. (2009). Acute and timing effects of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) on indirect markers of skeletal muscle damage. Nutrition & Metabolism, 6, 6. The absence of increased LDH suggests the subjects underwent less muscle damage. That said, you can also take HMB as you would any other dietary supplement — sometime during the day, without thought to precise timing. Doing so works toward establishing HMB's chronic effect of building the body's overall ability to withstand and recover from physical stressors.But these are general protocols. For the best results, follow the directions printed on your supplement's label. Some HMBs (e.g., Double Wood) have you take them as pre-workout supplements, while others don't specify timing at all. With blended formulas, like Transparent Labs Creatine HMB, you may have to take them after a workout.