Exercise is an important part of staying healthy, but let’s face it – a lot of us have a hard time taking that first step, by getting up off the couch and finding the determination to push ourselves through a workout routine. Because of that, it’s no wonder why, more people it seems, are seeking out help from supplements and the like.
But, did you know that certain cannabis strains can give you that boost you’re looking for, helping you feel more energized, more focused, and more motivated? Let’s talk about which of the hundreds of strains out there are best-suited for exercise, specifically.
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How Important is Working Out?
Working out, or physical exercise, is incredibly important for both physical and mental health, offering numerous benefits across various aspects of well-being.
Physical Health Benefits:
- Improves Cardiovascular Health: Regular exercise strengthens the heart and improves circulation, reducing the risk of heart disease and increasing overall cardiovascular health.
- Aids in Weight Management: Exercise helps in burning calories and is fundamental in maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight, if necessary.
- Strengthens Muscles and Bones: Weight-bearing and resistance exercises increase bone density and muscle strength, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and frailty.
- Enhances Immune Function: Moderate-intensity exercise can boost the immune system by promoting good circulation, which allows cells and substances of the immune system to move through the body freely and do their job efficiently.
Mental Health Benefits:
- Reduces Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety: Physical activity releases endorphins, known as ‘feel-good’ hormones, which can improve mood and reduce feelings of depression and anxiety.
- Improves Sleep: Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and deepen your sleep, as long as it’s not too close to bedtime.
- Boosts Brain Health: Exercise improves cognitive function, slows down the mental aging process, and helps prevent cognitive decline.
Lifestyle Benefits:
- Increases Energy Levels: Regular physical activity can improve muscle strength and boost endurance, giving you more energy.
- Improves Skin Health: Moderate exercise can increase the body’s production of natural antioxidants, which help protect cells, and stimulate blood flow, improving skin health.
- Enhances Flexibility and Balance: Activities like yoga and Tai Chi improve flexibility and balance, reducing the risk of falls, especially in older adults.
Social Benefits:
- Provides Opportunities for Socializing: Joining a gym, attending fitness classes, or participating in sports clubs can provide social benefits through meeting new people and improving social skills.
- Improves Self-Confidence: Meeting fitness goals, regardless of how small, can boost self-esteem and improve perceptions of self-worth.
The importance of working out extends beyond the physical benefits, impacting mental health, emotional well-being, and social life. It’s recommended to engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week, along with muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days a week, according to the World Health Organization. However, any amount of activity is better than none, and it’s important to find a type of exercise you enjoy to ensure consistency and long-term commitment.
What are Some Ways to Increase Workout Gains?
Increasing workout gains involves a combination of nutrition, exercise strategy, recovery, and consistency. Below are some effective strategies:
- Progressive Overload: Continuously increase the intensity of your workouts over time. T his can be achieved by adding more weight, increasing the number of repetitions or sets, or reducing rest times between sets.
- Nutrition: Proper nutrition is crucial. Ensure you’re consuming enough protein to support muscle repair and growth, and maintain a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. Consider your caloric intake as well; you may need to eat more to build muscle, especially if you’re also doing cardio.
- Hydration: Stay hydrated. Water is essential for many bodily functions, including the support of metabolic processes and muscle recovery.
- Rest and Recovery: Muscles grow during rest, not during workouts. Ensure you’re getting enough sleep and giving your muscles time to recover between workouts. Incorporating rest days into your routine is crucial.
- Variety in Workouts: Mix up your routine to challenge your muscles in different ways. This can include changing exercises, altering the intensity, and incorporating different types of training like strength, cardio, and flexibility work.
- Supplementation: While not necessary for everyone, certain supplements may help increase gains, such as creatine for improved performance in high-intensity workouts, protein supplements if you’re not getting enough from your diet, and even branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) for muscle recovery.
- Mind-Muscle Connection: Focus on the muscle you’re working out. Being mentally present during your workouts can enhance muscle activation and, consequently, gains.
- Consistency: Perhaps the most critical factor is to be consistent with your workouts. Regular exercise over time yields the best results.
- Proper Form: Ensure you’re performing exercises correctly to maximize effectiveness and reduce the risk of injury.
- Monitor Your Progress: Keep a workout log to track progress. This can motivate you to continue and help in planning your next steps.
- Stay Informed: Stay up-to-date with the latest fitness research and trends. What works best can vary significantly from person to person, and staying informed can help you adjust your routine for optimal results.
Integrating these strategies into your lifestyle can significantly enhance your workout gains. Remember, it’s essential to listen to your body and adjust as needed, and also consider consulting with a fitness professional to tailor a plan specific to your goals and needs.
How Can Certain Cannabis Strains Help with Workouts?
Cannabis has been increasingly recognized for its potential benefits in various aspects of health and wellness, including physical fitness and workout routines. While the idea of using cannabis in relation to exercise may seem counterintuitive to some, certain strains of cannabis can offer benefits that enhance workout experiences.
Pain Relief
Strains with a high CBD content are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce pain and discomfort associated with intense physical activity. This can make recovery periods more comfortable and potentially decrease the time needed between workouts.
Improved Focus
Sativa strains are often cited for their ability to increase focus and creativity. For workouts, this can translate into a more engaged and mindful exercise session, where you’re better able to concentrate on form, breathing, and the execution of exercises.
Stress Reduction
Cannabis is well-known for its stress-relieving properties. Engaging in physical activity while in a relaxed state can lead to a more enjoyable workout experience, reduce the risk of stress-induced injuries, and improve the overall quality of the workout.
Increased Motivation
Certain sativa or hybrid strains can provide an energy boost and increase motivation, which can be particularly useful for those finding it hard to get started or maintain energy throughout their workout.
Enhanced Mind-Body Connection
Cannabis can enhance sensory perception, which may improve the mind-body connection during workouts. This heightened awareness can help with form, reduce the risk of injury, and increase the efficiency of the workout.
Appetite Control
While cannabis is often associated with increased appetite, some strains can help regulate or suppress appetite for those looking to manage weight or eating habits in relation to fitness goals.
Improved Endurance
Anecdotal evidence suggests that for some, using cannabis before endurance activities like running or cycling can make the activity feel less strenuous and more enjoyable, possibly extending the duration of the exercise.
Top Cannabis Strains For Working Out
If you’re seeking out a cannabis strain that has properties geared toward enhancing your fitness routine, you’ve come to the right place. Here are several strains that can provide serious help with getting you into the right physical and mental space for a successful workout.
Workout Strain #5: Lemon Squeeze
It’s not a coincidence that so many strains with lemon references in the name are great for improving energy and focus. Lemon is high in limonene, a terpene abundant in sativa strains, and limonene can enhance things like concentration, energy levels, mood, and motivation. That being said, Lemon Squeeze is a fantastic choice for working out, with its sativa-leaning profile and absolutely delicious lemony taste.
Lemon Squeeze can offer that lifting effect that you need to get into the gym and power through. Meanwhile, its high is never too heavy or heady, allowing you to stay in the game, feeling sharp and alert.
Workout Strain #4: Sour Tsunami
A sativa-leaning hybrid, Sour Tsunami is a relatively low-THC strain that people adore for its mood-lifting, focus-enhancing properties that never leave the user utterly stoned and useless. It’s also a high-CBD strain, which can get those cognitive wheels turning without making you sleepy.
Sour Tsunami is a fantastic choice for working out, as it lifts you up and gets you motivated. Its flavor profile of sour earth and diesel pays homage to its famous parents, Sour Diesel and NYC Diesel.
Workout Strain #3: Nitro Express
One of the rarer and more mysterious strains out there, Nitro Express is a sativa-leaning hybrid, although its precise orientation is pretty unknown. We do know that it comes from crossing Cheese and Haze, and these two old-school strains are pretty legendary, giving us an idea of what’s in store. The flavor is creamy, sweet, sour, and distinctively cheesy, which alone makes it worth trying, as it tastes like nothing else.
Nitro Express has about 15% THC, so it’s not the most powerful strain out there, but its uplifting, stimulating effects are very noticeable regardless. You’ll find yourself feeling very chatty and alert, as you’re inspired to get up and moving.
Workout Strain #2: Green Crack
We can’t talk about energizing strains without mentioning the most intensely stimulating cultivar of all time: Green Crack. The name really says it all, as once you get past its exquisite taste of juicy mangoes and herbs, you’ll be flying high with a powerful energizing sensation that’s out of this world. This 65% sativa-dominant strain is the result of inbreeding Skunk #1, and it’s got about 20%-25% THC.
Green Crack produces a massive burst of energy right from the get-go, as it doesn’t take long to hit you. This is accompanied by feelings of utter euphoria, and a weightlessness in the body that alleviates all tension. If energy is what you’re chasing, there really isn’t a better choice than this one.
Workout Strain #1: Hawaiian Sunrise
A 70% sativa-dominant hybrid, Hawaiian Sunrise is a fantastic choice for exercising. This strain has a super yummy tropical fruit flavor profile, and yes, it originates from Hawaii. It’s also regarded as one of the very best “wake and bake” strains since it can get you up and moving, with a manageable lift in energy, a positive mindset, and a clear head, allowing you to be high without feeling hazy. It’s the kind of high that you could get through work with, or, in this case, an exercise routine. And, it provides relief in the body without making you feel lazy or weighed down.
Grab These Strains Before Hitting the Gym!
It’s simple: with countless strains on the market right now, it’s no surprise that certain ones have the perfect composition of cannabinoids and terpenes to fuel your workouts. And, these strains above really are good choices, delivering a manageable, alert high, physical energy, and plenty of motivation to help you reach your fitness goals.
