What Coffee Can Do for Your Workout
When it comes to working out, many of us simply roll out of bed and start exercising before our brains can realize what is going on. Others have to have coffee before they get their sweat on, and they swear it helps boost their performance. Is drinking coffee before you exercise a good idea? How exactly can it help your workout? We’ve got the answers below:
Is It Safe to Drink Coffee Before a Workout?
Researchers have been studying the effects of coffee on our bodies for ages, and we now know that it can do the body a lot of good, depending on when you drink it. For instance, most of us know that drinking caffeinated coffee right before bed isn’t a good idea, but drinking it around 10 a.m. can help boost productivity and mood. But, is it safe to drink it right before a workout? According to research, the answer is most certainly yes.
Your Body and Caffeine
The caffeine in coffee may be a stimulant, but it works by blocking the neurotransmitters that help us sleep and relax. This allows us to feel more awake and energetic. For years, people thought that caffeine was the cause of heart palpitations, and that it wasn’t a good idea to drink coffee before working out. However, we now know that this is entirely false, and that coffee does not cause irregular heartbeats.
How Much Should I Drink?
Drinking coffee before you exercise is perfectly safe and can help your workout. How much you should drink to receive these benefits will depend on your weight and your caffeine tolerance. Those who don’t normally drink caffeine will want to start out at around 100 mg of caffeine so that they don’t overdo it. You can also calculate based off your weight and drink five milligrams of caffeine per kilogram of body weight. For example, a person who weighs 130 1lbs. should consume 295 mg of caffeine to get the most out of their workout.
The Workout Benefits of Coffee
There are many health benefits that coffee can give us, but it can be especially beneficial when it comes to our workout. Here are some ways in which coffee can help you nail your next workout:
Boost Performance
The caffeine in coffee allows us to work out for harder and longer than we normally would. A study done by British researchers found that men who drank a caffeinated beverage an hour before working out were able to do more reps for a longer period of time than those who did not drink a caffeinated beverage.
Reduces Pain
Those same men in the British study also reported feeling less tired and sore after their workout. This is because caffeine may block a biochemical that plays a large role in the pain cycle, and it allows our muscles to not feel as much pain during and after our workouts.
Improve Focus
Many Americans drink coffee at work because it has been known to improve our mental focus. The same can be said for our workouts as well. Coffee makes us more alert and triggers cognitive functions that help improve our mental performance. It has been well documented how much of a role our brains play in our physical performance. Mental fatigue can severely impact our workout, and coffee can help give our brains a boost.
Post-Workout Benefits
Drinking coffee after a workout helps as well. The caffeine in coffee can rev up our metabolism and help us burn more fat. It can also help our muscles repair faster if it is paired with a healthy carb such as a banana.
The Best Kind of Coffee for Your Workout
If you are looking to reap the benefits of coffee before your workout, what kind you get is important. Drinking a caramel macchiato before your workout is not going to do you much good. Instead, it is best to drink your coffee black. If you aren’t used to drinking it black, try brewing some of 1st in Coffee’s excellent Costa Rica Tarrazu gourmet coffee. This coffee is extremely smooth and delivers a sweet finish with hints of tropical fruit and toasted pistachio. With superior quality coffee, you may find that extra sugar and cream are no longer necessary for a delicious cup of coffee, to enjoy your morning cup of joe, and this is much better for your workout.
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