Majority of the world's population can't kick off their mornings without a cup of coffee - and that's fair, considering considering the fact that coffee gives you extra energy to start your day. When you're exercising, the more tired you feel means the harder your workout will be. Many elite coaches are known for giving their team members a shot of coffee before a training session. This gives them an added boost of energy and can improve the athlete's performance by making them work more vigorously.
If this works for athletes, why can't it work for the average gym-goer? While research isn't completely solid on the topic, the effects so far are encouraging.
Many researchers look at caffeine in it's purest form: consumed as a tablet with water. But in the real world, the average person will get their caffeine intake from a cup of coffee, sports drink or special products like gels that are used by athletes and marathon runners. Scientists have noted that caffeine affects adenosine, which has effects on promoting sleep and suppressing arousal. Caffeine ties up the brains ability to detect adenosine, therefore making the individual more alert.
Exercise has also been proven to increase stimulation in the central nervous system. This makes exercise seemingly effortless. This will improve the quality of your without in higher-intensity activities, such as sprinting. It will increase the numbers of fibers used in muscle contractions, meaning that your movements will now be more forceful, frequent and consistent. Let's explore the different reasons that the world's favourite breakfast pick-me-up is a pre-workout must.
Accelerates fat loss
When consumed before exercise, coffee can cause fat cells to be used as an energy source instead of glycogen. The high amount of caffeine found in coffee can also help with increasing your metabolism, and having a cup in the morning can help burn more calories throughout the day. Having a coffee before your workout can help to increase these effects during and after.
Improves focus
We all know that coffee gives us an extra jolt of energy. Black coffee can help with increasing mental focus. This will keep your workouts effective and productive and produce long-term results.
Prevents Diseases
Drinking coffee can help protect your body for diseases. The antioxidant content of coffee is very high, which can help to protect the body against free radicals.
Less pain
The energy boost caffeine provides may help you push harder during your strength training workouts. When you train better and harder, your muscles strengthen, decreasing the amount of muscle pain and fatigue in the long-term.
Increase Performance
As said above, caffeine can help with boosting your energy levels before a workout. Therefore, producing better performance levels and greater output post caffeine consumption.
Now that you know what it does, here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing coffee as your pre workout drink of choice.
1. Never replace water for a hot and steamy cup of java. Though coffee is 99 percent water, it should never replace water during and before your workout. To obtain optimal results in the gym, always stay hydrated before, during and after your workouts.
2. Make sure that you get your timing right, you don't want to drink a cup of coffee as you're entering the gym. Experts recommend that you try drinking a cup of coffee one hour before you hit the gym. This allows you to enjoy the effects of the caffeine just as the levels peak in your body.
3. If you're an early morning gym goer, your best option may be to add a little hint of sugar and milk to your coffee. This will add the needed carbs and protein to spike your sugar levels and giving you the jolt you need to get through your workout.