According to theNational Coffee Association (NCA), 83 percent of people in the U.S. drink a cup of coffee during breakfast.Whether you're a morning person or a night owl, when that alarm goes off, odds are you’re going to want a nice, hot cup of coffee.
Many of us feel like we can’t function without our A.M. dose of caffeine, or that we aren’t fully awake until we’ve had it because our mind is groggy or fuzzy. Well, technically we’re right. Caffeine can make you more alert, put you in a better mood, and make you feel less tired—and it’s been known to improve your physical work ethic and mental capacity.
Sounds pretty great, right? But what about before a workout? Could caffeine be a beneficial inclusion to your exercise routine? Surprisingly—yes!
The FitMyFoot brand is committed to providing useful health and fitness tips. We want to ensure that everyone has the proper tools to live an active, healthy lifestyle. That’s why it’s our pleasure to offer you this comprehensive analysis of caffeine, and the many ways it can enhance your workout/exercise endeavors.
Is caffeine safe before a workout?
Although it might sound counter-intuitive, caffeine is a safe and effective tool that can help you take your workout above and beyond—when consumed in moderation, of course. Intaking up to 400 mg (milligrams) of caffeine a day is safe for most healthy adults, however drinking less than 200 mg (1 or 2 cups of coffee) before a workout allows for caffeine to reach its peak effectiveness while still remaining well in the safe-zone for consumption.
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How does caffeine help with exercise?
Caffeine has many performance-enhancing effects and is generally accepted by most sports scientists as an effective ergogenic aid—meaningit has the ability to enhance your physical performance, stamina, and recovery rate. Not only that, its stimulating effects on the central nervous system can decrease your sensation of fatigue, reduce your perception of work effort, and even improve your pain tolerance.
Should you have caffeine before you exercise?
That’s the question of the day, isn’t it? To help you make an informed decision, let’s take a look at some of the positives and negatives of consuming caffeine before a workout.
Positives:
There are some incredible advantages caffeine can provide when paired with exercise. However, there are definitely some negatives associated with caffeine as well.
Negatives:
So, now that you have all the facts, it’s up for you to decide if you want to implement caffeine into your workout routine. Whatever you decide to do, remember that everyone’s body and tolerance levels are different, so always use a healthy dose of discretion when making decisions regarding your health.
Important reminder:
Speaking of health—WATER is the most important beverage before, during and after exercise. While caffeine is totally fine (even beneficial) before a workout, you shouldn’t have more of it after you leave the gym. If you can’t resist, however, then make sure—at the very least—that you rehydrate your body with water first.
As long as you're drinking plenty of water, a cup of coffee or an energy drink before your next workout is not only safe, but it could actually help you work out longer and harder. Regardless of your exercise regimen—a little caffeine beforehand should be more than fine.
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