Incorporating Cannabis In Your Workout

Although many people use cannabis to relax and unwind after a busy day, you can also use it to enhance your workouts and decrease muscle soreness afterwards if it’s consumed in mindful moderation. It can fit into different types of workouts from cardio to weight training to yoga depending on your needs and help put you in the zone to do your best.

You can choose whether you microdose or have enough to really feel the difference, but the idea is not to get so high that you can’t concentrate or put yourself at risk. Of course, if you choose to use CBD-dominant strains or edibles then you don’t have to worry about any sort of buzz that could throw you off of your game. For those that prefer THC, sativas and hybrids are good before workouts. They can help increase energy, boost your mood and provide a cerebral high that can make working out more pleasant and make it seem like the time is passing by faster than it really is.

Smoking or vaping is the quickest way to medicate before exercising, especially if you spontaneously decide to workout and don’t have time to wait for an edible to kick in. A few puffs of a strain that will lift your spirits and jumpstart your sense of motivation can go a long way.  If you’re going to be exercising outside or at home, smoking is an easy choice, but vaping may be the way to go if you don’t want to worry about being out in public smelling like weed. If you want to smoke before the gym, just freshen up before you leave the house if that’s something that matters to you.

There are a lot of options when it comes to edibles that are healthy and can fit into most dietary restrictions whether you’re trying to lose weight, bulk up or stay in shape. There are snacks and drinks that are low in sugar, vegan, raw and even gluten-free. If you want to feel your edible during your workout, you’ll need to plan to take it beforehand and give it time to kick in. Depending on how your body digests edibles and how much you’ve eaten that day, it may take a little trial and error to perfect the timing.

Using topicals before and after a workout can help ease the soreness that can sometimes pop up a day or two following exercise. If you know what type of workout you plan to do, you can go ahead and apply the topical in the area that you will be focusing on. Hit your legs and lower back before a hike, rub some on your arms and shoulder before an upper body training session or put it on your feet and knees if you’re planning on a long run on the pavement. You can also try bath salts or bath bombs that you can soak in after a workout.

In general, indica strains that make you want to take a nap should be avoided pre-workout unless you’re intentionally looking for something to accompany a calming workout at the end of the day like restorative yoga or deep stretching before bed. However, they can be useful for rest days when you want to relax your body on another level and don’t have to get your energy up to exert yourself.

For people who are new to working out or getting back to the gym after a long break, it’s a good idea to with a little bit of cannabis and build up to see how you feel while your body adjusts to consistent movement to avoid things like lightheadedness or rapid, uncomfortable heartbeat. That goes for those who are regulars in the gym or do hardcore sessions as well. You might be surprised to find out that the amount you normally enjoy while you’re at home watching TV may not be as fun during or after a 5-mile run or heavy lifting.

TELL US, have you ever paired cannabis with a workout?