Coffee before workout?

I've been told that Coffee can be good before workouts, did you try that many times? does it really make a difference? or it is a just a psychological effect : you feel like it is good but it is not.
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Replies

  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    I don't drink coffee, so no.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    I'm a very low responder to caffeine so that's a no for me.
    Don't really understand the whole idea, or need, for preworkout stimulants at all though.

    I go to the gym, I work out, when I'm thirsty I drink water.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    Caffeine is a stimulant. It may or may not work for you. The only way to know is try it and see.

    I agree with sijomial in that I don't see the need for preworkout stimulants. I sometimes have a cup of coffee at some point before a workout, but that's mostly just because I like coffee. I've never noticed any difference in how my workouts go whether I drink it or not.
  • H_Ock12
    H_Ock12 Posts: 1,152 Member
    I think it depends on your tolerance to caffeine. Personally, a cup of coffee isn't going to do anything for me. But taking a 200mg caffeine pills with that cup of coffee gives me an energy boost.
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  • spzjlb
    spzjlb Posts: 599 Member
    I work out first thing in the morning. I need some coffee first, just to get me going, but that's a morning thing - not an exercise thing.
  • PinkyPan1
    PinkyPan1 Posts: 3,018 Member
    2 cups of coffee and 2 bottles of water prior to golfing every morning. I could not golf and pull my clubs miles without my coffee. Believe me I have tried. It was not pretty.
  • cbstewart88
    cbstewart88 Posts: 453 Member
    spzjlb wrote: »
    I work out first thing in the morning. I need some coffee first, just to get me going, but that's a morning thing - not an exercise thing.

    Same here. Get up, have two cups of coffee. Work out. Don't think it has any impact on my workout - I just like coffee when I get up....
  • Lean59man
    Lean59man Posts: 714 Member
    Coffee releases adrenaline so it gives you energy.

    A cup before training gives you a lift.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    Interesting read on caffeine....
    https://examine.com/nutrition/science-behind-caffeine/

    Note if you are intending using it to boost your workout.....
    "How do you maximize the benefits of caffeine? Use less of it. Or to be more specific, use it less frequently. It may be difficult, but capping off your caffeine intake to once or twice a week is the best way to get more from each cup."
  • sardelsa
    sardelsa Posts: 9,812 Member
    Coffee and candy work for me
  • sgt1372
    sgt1372 Posts: 3,997 Member
    I often have 20 oz of black coffee before using the StairMaster at the gym but can't say whether it provides me w/more energy compared w/days when I don't drink any coffee beforehand.
  • changeconsumeme
    changeconsumeme Posts: 229 Member
    I worry about drinking coffee before the gym because I don't want it to cause me to poop!
  • azironasun
    azironasun Posts: 137 Member
    I have 1 1/2 - 2 cups in the morning before I go for an hour walk. It gives me a boost.
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    Coffee for the win!
  • rheddmobile
    rheddmobile Posts: 6,840 Member
    I don't want to work out on coffee tummy! I do drink tea before working out. Haven't noticed a boost.
  • TimothyFish
    TimothyFish Posts: 4,925 Member
    Caffeine can help but consuming it before your workout doesn't really do much. It's more effective to use it as a pick-me-up after you've been working out for a while.
  • ContraryMaryMary
    ContraryMaryMary Posts: 1,780 Member
    I notice a big difference when I drink coffee before a run. Found out by accident - I had three double shot coffees one morning and promptly got a PB without trying. Now I'll always have a cup or two before and event or if I'm feeling lethargic before a training run.
  • Noreenmarie1234
    Noreenmarie1234 Posts: 7,492 Member
    i always do. I get in a more productive and enjoyable workout with caffeine.
  • robertw486
    robertw486 Posts: 2,399 Member
    I drink a decent bit of coffee, but usually through the morning and rarely in the afternoon or evening.

    There are quite a few studies that show that caffeine in certain doses can easily impact exercise performance, primarily through changes in hormone levels. Cortisol, adrenaline, and endorphin release thresholds are shown to be lowered with caffeine in your system. Some studies also suggest that substrate partitioning can be impacted, and that in certain cases caffeine become glycogen sparing, thus burning more fat as fuel as well as preserving glycogen for the high intensity portions of endurance training.

    I never really notice any impact it has, but studies show that in most cases it does have impact depending on what type of workout you are doing.


    sardelsa wrote: »
    Coffee and candy work for me

    If you ever get low on candy just flag me down...

    free-candy.jpg
  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    I notice a big difference when I drink coffee before a run. Found out by accident - I had three double shot coffees one morning and promptly got a PB without trying. Now I'll always have a cup or two before and event or if I'm feeling lethargic before a training run.

    Same here. I do find a cup of coffee helps me, more with cardio than weights. So I make sure to have a cup on run days. Anecdotal I know.
  • celiah909
    celiah909 Posts: 141 Member
    spzjlb wrote: »
    I work out first thing in the morning. I need some coffee first, just to get me going, but that's a morning thing - not an exercise thing.

    This is me too. The coffee itself doesn't give me much of a boost though, but if I wait I end up with a headache
  • susanp57
    susanp57 Posts: 409 Member
    On weekdays I go to the gym in the afternoons. Some days I can feel myself sagging and getting sleepy in the afternoon. The first thought is to blow off the gym that day. So I have a cup of coffee. Unless I am genuinely tired, it really helps.
  • takinchi
    takinchi Posts: 10 Member
    Thanks to y'all for replying, so in conclusion it depends:it is beneficial for some people and with no effects for others.
  • just to add a different perspective, I used to either drink coffee or take a caffeine pill before a workout in order to get that 'boost' (caffeine doesn't give you energy, just the illusion of it), BUT, since losing weight I've become more and more sensitive to it, and having caffeine now is really dangerous as it sends my heart rate through the roof when exercising, to the point where I nearly pass out. So if you want to start using it I'd recommend starting on really small amounts, especially if you already get a noticeable buzz from coffee
  • FooleryTim
    FooleryTim Posts: 3 Member
    I drink black coffee while I workout. I just bring my travel mug into the gym and sip between sets. I don't know if it helps, I just like drinking coffee.
  • jaedwa1
    jaedwa1 Posts: 114 Member
    Anything before a workout gives me heartburn...which makes afternoon sessions miserable!
  • hydechildcare
    hydechildcare Posts: 142 Member
    Only if I planning on taking a poop 10 minutes in.
  • shaunshaikh
    shaunshaikh Posts: 616 Member
    When I time my caffeine 30 minutes before my runs, I definitely notice the difference mentally. I feel less sluggish and more engaged.