Caffeine And Working Out
in Fit on the Side Healthy Living Workouts

Caffeine And Working Out

caffeine and working out
Caffeine and working out. I know very few people who start their day without a dose of caffeine from either coffee or tea. After all, why not? It’s an enjoyable part of our morning wake up routine and helps get us going for the day. It’s also a great excuse to spend a few minutes recharging and taking a momentary reprieve from the day in the afternoon. Caffeine, however, can be used for much more than a morning wake up or an afternoon escape.
caffeine and working out

CAFFEINE AND WORKING OUT

Where is it found? You’ll find that caffeine jolt in coffee, in tea and even in chocolate. Many sports drinks, energy gels as well as some types of gum and even pills can contain caffeine.

What does it do? If you’ve ever had some coffee before working out you might notice an increase in your heart rate and energy levels. This is because caffeine is a stimulant which helps to increase your heart rate and gives you a rush of adrenaline. In practice, what this means is that it can actually help to enhance your performance.
Caffeine works best during two types of activities: 1) strong power bursts lasting a few minutes, and 2) endurance workouts (long runs).

How to use it? Having some caffeine prior to a workout can be beneficial and has been found to help athletes by delaying muscle fatigue. Basically, your muscles store glycogen (carbohydrates) and once it’s used up, your muscles will fatigue. Caffeine can help to delay this, which means you can workout for longer. It’s also thought to reduce pain, which means that you will be able to push yourself that little bit harder. Lastly, some studies have shown that caffeine aids in circulation. Since we know that blood carries oxygen and your muscles need oxygen, the result is a better workout.

What are the side effects? Many of us will find that our bodies quickly adapt to caffeine and pretty soon, that one or two cups just won’t be enough. This is definitely a factor to consider if you are going to be incorporating caffeine into a fitness routine. The remedy is to keep your intake consistent, so that you don’t keep your system guessing. If you always have 3 cups a day, stick with that. While caffeine will not dehydrate you, keep drinking water, as it’s the healthiest choice and not an option. If you workout in the evening, it may be a good idea to skip the caffeine as it can keep you up at night.  It’s best not to drink coffee or tea less than 6 hours prior to sleeping. Remember, sleep is vital to your recovery. Note that for some, a cup of coffee can be tough on the digestive system, in this case tea might be a better bet.

caffeine and working out

An interesting fact about caffeine is that it used to be banned by the IOC and other sports organizations, so you can see that its effects on your body have to be respected.

As with everything, moderation is key. Caffeine consumption certainly isn’t for everyone, so make sure you are reading labels and take the time to know what works best for your body.

Have you ever used caffeine to help increase your stamina?

*For more on caffeine and working out follow me on instagram and pinterest*
blogger

most images courtesy of Dollar photo club

 

 

You Might Also Like

Is CrossFit Right For You

Why Is Sitting Too Much So Bad

How Important Is A Warmup

Why Your Gym Clothes Matter

Running Outdoors in Winter

11 Most Common Workout Mistakes

How To Workout And Not Hurt

How To Stay Healthy While Traveling

Are you Over Exercising

The Only Diet You Need Is Balance

Exercise Tips For Beginners

Why Not Drinking Enough Water Can Make You Fat

Why You Are Not Losing Weight

How To Maximize Your Gym Time

How To Always Start Your Day Off Right

7 Healthy Morning Habits for Looking And Feeling Your Best

Best Headphones For Working Out

Shoulder Stretches

Best Recipes For Food Sensitivities

Just Go To The Gym

Foods That Reduce Stress

Dealing With Knee Pain

How To Counteract Sitting All Day

Free Weights VS Machines

Best Wrist Exercises For Writers

Best Stretches For Relaxation

Why Do I Need To Stretch My Calves

Health Fitness And My Thyroid

September Ab Challenge Week Two

What Happens To Your Body When You Stop Exercising

How To Have Energy After Lunch

How To Come Back After An Injury

Why Do We Focus On Weight

At Home Quickstart Workout

How To Prevent Common Running Injuries

Why Is Exercise So Important

Get Fit The Easy Way

How To Alleviate Back Pain

How To Increase Your Endurance

Why You Are Doing Your Ab Workout All Wrong

4 Ways To Turn Your Walk Into A Workout

Losing Weight In 2017

Staying Creative In Isolation

How To Ease Sciatic Pain

Why You Should Try Meditation

Muscle Pain VS Injury

Health Resolutions You Can Keep Without Trying

Frequently Asked Fitness Questions

Thyroid And Focus

Foot And Ankle Exercises

Eat Carbs And Sweets And Still Lose Weight

How To Curb Emotional Eating

How To Increase Flexibility

Natural Energy Drinks

Learn To Run For 30 Minutes

Why What You Wear To The Gym Matters

Is being thin enough

Best Exercises If You Hate Exercise

5 Stretches To Do Before Bed

How To Choose A Personal Trainer

How To Cut 500 Calories A Day Without Exercise

How To Start Running

Why Exercise Is Good For Your Skin

Your Must Do Morning Workout

Easy Ways To Be A Healthier You

What You Should Know About Fitness

Urban Hiking The New Workout

Fitness Myths Debunked

The Truth About Weight Loss

Best Stretches For Runners

Easy At Home Workout

Benefits Of Walking

Which Style Of Yoga Is Best For You

Run Better With These Easy Tips

High Impact VS Low Impact

Best Exercises To Tone Your Glutes

Ballet Inspired Leg Workout

October Fashion Beauty And Fitness Picks

Best Low Impact Workouts

Best Complimentary Activity For Your Workout.

How To Speed Up Weight Loss

What To Eat Pre And Post Workout

How To Make Exercise A Habit

All About Pilates

Best Gifts For The Fitness Lover

How To Stay Healthy In Winter

How Much Weight Can You Lose In A Month

Best Arm Exercises For Summer 2015

The Importance Of Cross Training

How To Improve Your Posture

How To Work With A Personal Trainer

FitWise A Sneak Peek

Best Exercises If You Do Manual Labour

FitWise Straight Talk About Getting Fit And Healthy

Why You Should Take A Dance Class Now

How To Lose Weight For Good

Live Like You Are On Vacation

How To Feel Confident When Working Out

Diet Foods To Avoid

Treadmill Running Charts

Diet And Exercise After 40

How to Stick With Your Diet When No One Wants You To

Best Travel Workout

Eat Healthy Without Changing Your Entire Diet

How To Strengthen Your Bones

Working Out Diet And Your Period

Talk Fitness With An Expert

How To Workout When It’s Hot

All About Your Knees

A Beginners Guide To Gym Equipment Part 2

Your Guide To Killer Abs

Killer Foam Roller Ab Workout

How To Buy The Best Running Shoes

Why Exercise Makes You Happy

What To Do When You Plateau

6 Best Exercises For Runners

20 Minute Workout By FitWise

5 Day Workout Plan Part 1

How To Be A Better Athlete

Is Running Bad For Your Knees

Everyone Can Learn To Love Exercise

5 Cardio Myths Debunked

When You Don’t Have Time To Workout

Muscle Imbalance And Knee Pain

Best Stretches If You Sit At A Desk All Day

Should I Use A Heart Rate Monitor

How To Keep Your Diet On Track

How To Pick The Best Running Shoes

What If I Hate The Gym

Stretching Mistakes You Might Be Making

5 Daily Habits That Hurt Your Health

Your Summer Fitness Guide

How To Detox Your Body Naturally

Best Stretches Pre And Post Swim

Is Training Harder Better

What To Do Post Workout

Do Carbs Make You Fat

How To Be Healthy Without Trying

The Importance Of Stretching In Style

Can I Lose Weight And Still Eat Sweets

Toning VS Bulking Up

Beginners Guide To Gym Equipment Part 1

Best Post Flight Stretches

European Travel Italy

Best Exercises If You Are On Your Feet All Day

How To Know If You Are Exercising Too Much

How To Increase Your Bust Size

Never Have Motion Sickness Again

Theraband Workout

Pocket Fitness Guides

Killer Abs Ball Workout

How To Stop Exercise Procrastination

How To Deal With Bloating

How To Maintain Weight Loss

Should You Exercise When You Are Sick

Best Foods To Give You Energy

How To Keep Gym Clothes Fresh

How Breathing Can Improve Your Workout

Staying Fit When You Have No Time

Succeed At Working Out

Yoga VS Pilates Which One Is For You

Why You Need To Cool Down Post Workout

Muscle Imbalance And Back Pain

How To Treat Sore Muscles

The BS Around Diets

How To Relieve Joint Pain

20 Minute Workout From FitWise

Everything You Need To Be A Runner

Stay Fit And Healthy For The Holidays

How To Choose The Best Running Shoes

Top 5 Fitness Posts of 2015

Why You Shouldn’t Weigh Yourself

Wrist Exercises For Bloggers

Pros And Cons Of The Elliptical

Ultimate Weight Loss Guide

Cute Workout Gear For Every Body Shape

Best Warmup For Your Workout

Tips On Working Out In Summer Months

What To Eat Before A Party

Morning Stretches True North Fitness Guide

No Gym Arm Workout

Eat Carbs And Lose Weight

Fitness Fanatics Shopping Guide

How To Actually Lose Weight

Staying fit when it is cold outside

How To Workout In The Heat

My Gym Bag Essentials

How To Eat Healthy Without Trying

The Truth About Abs

Why You Need Fitness Goals

Hip Strengthening Exercises

Easy Stretches For Stress Relief

Diet And Fitness Tips You Need To Ignore

How To Easily Get Fit And Healthy

5 Best Abdominal Exercises

How To Get A Shapely Butt

Your Ultimate Running Guide

How To Get Your Diet Back On Track

Ultimate Foot Guide And How To Relieve Foot Pain

Must Do Morning Stretches

Your At Home Workout Routine

The Truth About Protein Shakes

Hit The Gym In Style

How To Boost Your Metabolism

How To Workout In The Morning

Tips For Getting Back To The Gym

Which Activities Count As Exercise

How To Become A Runner

What Is Pilates

How To Deal With A Bad Workout

Do I Really Need To Workout

Best Stretches To Relieve Shoulder Tension

Losing Weight In Your 40s

How To Feel Beautiful On The Inside and Outside

Lean Greens Review

Best Exercises For A Desk Job

Can Food Really Burn Fat

When To Listen To Your Body

How To Feel Like You Are On Vacation Everyday

8 Ways To Learn To Love Running

September Ab Challenge Recap

How To Wear Athleisure

How To Deal With Gaining Weight

September Ab Challenge Week One

How Creativity Can Improve Your Health

Fitness Terms You Should Know

Traveling With A Sensitive Stomach

How To Love Your Body

What Is The Deal With All These Diets

A Fool Proof Easy Way To Lose Weight

How To Be Healthy While Traveling

How To Incorporate Exercise Into Everyday

Home Gym Must Haves

What To Look For In A Smoothie

5 Day Workout Plan Part 2

Summer Health And Beauty

September Ab Challenge Week Four

Get Fit While Watching TV

Why Your Workout Suddenly Feels Hard

The Basics Of Hip Stretches

How To Feel Good About Your Body

Muscle Imbalances And Upper Body Pain

What Is Your Perfect Workout

Ballet For Fitness: Is Back In Style

How To Maintain Your Weight

Top 10 Songs For The Gym

Why You Have To Focus While Exercising

Underactive Thyroid And Weight Loss

Exercise And Your Skin

Your Workout Motivation

Why Should Women Lift Weights

Why Should You Meditate

Best Exercises For a Toned Back

Working Out After 40

September Ab Challenge Week Three

How To Incorporate Pilates Into Everyday

Tips On Getting And Staying Fit In 2016

How To Buy Workout Clothes

How To Deal With Muscle Cramps

7 Times It Is Okay To Skip A Workout

How To Stay Healthy For The Holidays

Post Workout Beauty Hacks

10 Easy Ways To Get More Fit

Cold Weather And Muscle Pain

How To Make A Short Workout Count

Sports Drinks VS Water

How To Feel Confident About Your Diet

Great Metabolism Myths

6 Tips To Stop Bloating

9 Comments

  1. I used to get an extra up of coffee before working out..now I switched to pre-workout supplement to get me the right energy…works much better

    1. Yeah, you are such an athlete that I’m not surprised that you take supplements! My system could never handle supplements…
      xo

  2. I don’t really drink coffee before a workout because I don’t care for the way it makes me feel afterwards. But I do agree with you, it definitely help your workout. Although I do prefer to have caffeine in the morning if I need an extra boost

    1. I usually drink coffee in the morning as well. Before a workout it tends to upset my stomach.
      xo

  3. I decided to give up caffeine earlier this year, so I only end up drinking around one 16 oz or less cup a week. Nowadays, I like drinking non caffeinated tea.

    1. Yeah, caffeine definitely isn’t for everyone. I find that a second cup in the day will completely wreck my stomach. Hey, have you tried Lemon Balm tea? I just discovered it and I love it!
      xo

  4. This is really interesting because I have always noticed that I’m less fatigued if I have coffee before a workout but i never *knew* exactly why. In fact, I was worried that it would be bad for you! Glad to hear it’s not!

    XxMO
    madame-ostrich.com

    1. Nah! Coffee isn’t bad (I think the max that’s good is 3 cups a day) it’s usually all the sugar and cream that people dump in their cups that’s bad. If it helps your workout then it should be okay to have a cup 30 minutes before working out. It also helps with recovery.
      xo

Comments are closed.

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close