IS COFFEE A GOOD WORKOUT SUPPLEMENT?
Michael Buckley
A CUP OF JOE TO GET MOVING IN THE MORNING
When you are in the personal training industry your clients’ off time is your work time. As such, my most sought after time slots during the week occur between 6 AM and 8 AM in the morning. It is an occupational necessity to not only be awake during these hours but to be alert, conscientious and articulate. Despite this fact, I am not what you would call a morning person. I am grateful to coffee every morning of my life and so are a number of my early morning clients.
CAFFEINE IS A DRUG DISCLAIMER
Caffeine is a drug and, as such, should be consumed with caution. It’s not exactly heroin or meth or cocaine or any of the big boys. Your family probably doesn’t need to stage an intervention to address your Venti-a-day habit but too much caffeine can wreak havoc on the body. Side effects of over-doing it include diarrhea, dizziness, nervousness, fast heartbeat and insomnia. Going totally overboard can even cause dehydration, body tremors, and unusual weakness (which would totally mess with your workout.)
CAFFEINE IS A DRUG BUT...
Caffeine is a drug and, as such, should be consumed with caution. It’s not exactly heroin or meth or cocaine or any of the big boys. Your family probably doesn’t need to stage an intervention to address your Venti-a-day habit but too much caffeine can wreak havoc on the body. Side effects of over-doing it include diarrhea, dizziness, nervousness, fast heartbeat and insomnia. Going totally overboard can even cause dehydration, body tremors, and unusual weakness (which would totally mess with your workout.).
BUT WILL IT IMPROVE MY WORKOUTS?
As it pertains to exercising, caffeine has been scientifically proven to improve athletic performance. Studies have shown that caffeine will delay fatigue and improve motor skills, agility, speed and the body’s ability to produce force with efficiency.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Those with heart problems and high blood pressure should avoid caffeine entirely and, under any circumstances, you should make sure that you are adequately hydrated before, during and after your workout. But even with those caveats, I can say, without reservation, am pro-caffeine as a workout supplement.