Caffeine before working out....

TRLTAMPA

I drink a cup of coffee about 20 min before I work out. Gives me that extra something to keep going. My friend said that's not good cuz ur just working off the caffeine. But I figure if it keeps me on the bike longer, or running that extra lap, I'm at least sweating more than I would have without it. What do you guys do?

TRLTAMPA

I drink a cup of coffee about 20 min before I work out. Gives me that extra something to keep going. My friend said that's not good cuz ur just working off the caffeine. But I figure if it keeps me on the bike longer, or running that extra lap, I'm at least sweating more than I would have without it. What do you guys do?

mommy_of_3_boys

I'm not sure if it's bad or not.. I just know that with 3 little boys, I can't start my day without coffee! lol

nickybr38

I'm pretty sure coffee does not have like any calories so you're not 'working off the coffee' that's for sure. At the gym I attend I've heard of some people who use caffeine energy drinks to get a boost of energy for longer sessions but I don't know if that's healthy or not.

Coach2010

I would ask to consider doing more studies in this area. Apparently, there's something to be said to the positive in low doses; but, negative advisory in larger quantities.

Net-net, beware of your quantity used:

http://www.gssiweb.com/Article_Detail.aspx?articleid=568

I'd highly recommend drinking water and something like Gatorade well before the workout, or even the night before, if you're an early bird athlete.

Ciao' :glasses:

TRLTAMPA

im trying to make myself an early bird but it's not working too well.
im also working towards making the coffee black(er).

Coach2010

Yeah, I went down the blacker coffee route. Didn't like that path...worked my heart and made me jittery. In fact, my Dr. asked me to tend more towards Chamomile tea as my job is high stress.

I just noticed that as I continued to workout, my energy levels increased...as did my will power.

That said, I do enjoy gatorade (lemonlime ;-) when I want to splurge from just drinking water. Haahaa

nickybr38

I would ask to consider doing more studies in this area. Apparently, there's something to be said to the positive in low doses; but, negative advisory in larger quantities.

Net-net, beware of your quantity used:

http://www.gssiweb.com/Article_Detail.aspx?articleid=568

I'd highly recommend drinking water and something like Gatorade well before the workout, or even the night before, if you're an early bird athlete.

Ciao' :glasses:

Would the night before help? I work out the MOMENT I wake up so I never have time to get water in an hour before my exercise like people recommend. But I could certainly drink water before bed! I never have before but hey this is the year of new things.

hibbler22

Coffee is suppose to be good for muscle soreness, like you dont really feel the pain untill later!

Nich0le

There was an article in prevention magazine about a year ago about this exact topic and it basically said that a university had done a study on the effects of caffiene before working out and there was an advantage to having a regular cup of coffee (about 12-16oz) about 20 minutes before you work out. The people that drank the coffee had longer endurance and pushed harder than those that didn't drink the coffee.

If you consider that black coffee has about 5 calories for every 20 ounces there really is not a bad side to this, unless the coffee keeps you up or gives you gas in the middle of your workout :laugh: I take mine with half and half and a little sugar for a total of 60 calories and if it gives me a little boost I am all for it because god knows there are those days that we need any little bit of oomph we can grasp onto! :laugh: :laugh:

ohthatbambi

I find a little caffeine before a workout pumps me up about whatever I am doing.

Moderation is the key to everything..even caffeine