Caffeine before a workout?

[hippieki11er]

I've been having a diet coke about a half hour before hitting the gym, which usually consists of an hour for cardio followed by some weights for toning. I've noticed that the caffeine definitely provides a boost, but is it potentially dangerous on the heart working out on the stuff? I've heard of many drinking coffee before their workouts, but have been weary of that idea since coffee is a diuretic.

 

[Seymour]

There is nothing wrong with caffeine prior to your workout - it won't kill you - and I highly doubt you can even feel the caffeine that's in a diet Coke.

 

[MrsCheater]

there is almost twice as much caffeine in coffee, but the reason coffee you say, is a diuretic is because of the caffeine. so i would avoid any caffeine as much as possible, let alone before a workout, for that reason. i dunno, but my 2 cents says dont do that.


i havent heard much about the effects of caffeine on your heart, as seems to be your concern.

 

[Presto]

I am guessing you are about 20 years of age. If your tummy can take it, go for it. Early day caffeine is a fairly benign substance in general.

I'd be puking my guts out after 20 minutes.

 

[hippieki11er]

Some different opinions here. What I'm most concerned about is my heart, specifically, since my heart rate is already elevated during the cardio, could the caffeine trigger some kind of abnormal rapid heart beat?

Can anyone recommend some reputable, safe energy drinks prior to cardio? Oddly enough, I really can feel the effects of a coke prior. Perhaps that's because I've cut out all other caffeine in my diet. FWIW, the earliest I'll workout is in the afternoons at the weekends, otherwise it's around 7pm during the week.

 

[Seymour]

Dude, what world are you living in - people are putting down 8balls left and right and you're worried about a coffee and some exercise.

 

[Romanowski]

lol

just curious why cardio before weights? id do it other way around

 

[Jpasco]

lol

just curious why cardio before weights? id do it other way around

my friend romanowski is right weights before cardio

 

[RobFunk]

my friend romanowski is right weights before cardio

Agree.

Guys, training is way more important than cardio.

Build the muscles. Then your metabolism gets faster, you look more cut and buff. You can eat junk food without it showing up on you, etc.

The caffiene isnt anything. I suck down Ice Coffee all day long. But if youre serious about working out just make sure you have a protien shake here and there for the amino acids and protien.

 

[BASEHEAD]

To each his own.

I do 15-20m cardio on the bike first-warmup,

weight train,

then 15-20m cardio after,usually eliptical machine-cool down.

IMO cardio is every bit important as the weights,especially if your trying to either lose weight or get cut up.

 

[Seymour]

Just so everyone knows - for the average guy under 30:

90% is diet
8% is weight training
2% is cardio

If your diet is good you will not need cardio - however, cardio is pivitol to overall health and staying young - I'm 35 so it's a blend of everything with diet being the most important still

 

[HatTrick]

Dude, what world are you living in - people are putting down 8balls left and right and you're worried about a coffee and some exercise.

I laughed so freakin' hard reading this. :lol:

 

[HiPockets]

To each his own.

I do 15-20m cardio on the bike first-warmup,

weight train,

then 15-20m cardio after,usually eliptical machine-cool down.

IMO cardio is every bit important as the weights,especially if your trying to either lose weight or get cut up.

generally conforms to my workouts. Don't shortchange stretching. I eat coffee in morning hours in gulps but shy away from its firewater powers in afternoon. Anything that works.

 

[TTinCO]

I laughed so freakin' hard reading this. :lol:

:lol: Hint:....."Location: Miami"

Then again, in Boulder, Co you'll see a coke tray show up after dinner at a dinner party more often that a dessert tray.

 

[burn_in_hell_Atta]

Dude, what world are you living in - people are putting down 8balls left and right and you're worried about a coffee and some exercise.

Laughing my fucking ass off, great job seymour

 

[Dante]

To each his own.

I do 15-20m cardio on the bike first-warmup,

weight train,

then 15-20m cardio after,usually eliptical machine-cool down.

IMO cardio is every bit important as the weights,especially if your trying to either lose weight or get cut up.

SHARP POST you do the cardio First, then as you sit there lifting weight to build muscle your body is still burning fat from the cardio your getting double the benefit

 

[FatTony]

SHARP POST you do the cardio First, then as you sit there lifting weight to build muscle your body is still burning fat from the cardio your getting double the benefit

I really don't think there is a difference when you do it. You're bottom line is going to be the same in regards to burning fat.

There's no way I can do cardio first and lift. I just don't have the energy to lift after running.

 

[Dante]

I really don't think there is a difference when you do it. You're bottom line is going to be the same in regards to burning fat.

There's no way I can do cardio first and lift. I just don't have the energy to lift after running.

well I was told this by 2 personal trainers...doing cardio first then lifting burns more fat as your body is still moving a bit from the cardio ...

who knows what is right or wrong ..

best of luck tony

 

[Seymour]

well I was told this by 2 personal trainers...doing cardio first then lifting burns more fat as your body is still moving a bit from the cardio ...

who knows what is right or wrong ..

best of luck tony

This is true - but if you are trying to build muscle you are not going to be nearly as strong during your workout if you just did cardio - but your heart rate should remain elevated throughout your lifting session if you just did cardio.

 

[dave11486]

I heard about a study that said caffeine before a workout reduces your chances of getting cancer. Crazy.