Whether you’re getting up early to hit the gym before work or you’re headed to an evening exercise class, you might turn to a caffeinated drink for some extra energy before exercise.
It makes sense. Coffee, tea, caffeinated sodas, and energy drinks are all popular choices to put a little more pep in your step. But are they really a good idea before a workout?
Some shows that a little caffeine can improve some aspects of athletic performance, but too much caffeine can have drawbacks. The key is knowing how much caffeine is the right amount and when you should have it.
Caffeine is a stimulant that affects the central nervous system, as well as other systems in the body.
It works by altering the way your body handles adenosine. Adenosine is a chemical that helps regulate energy and sleep. It builds up in your brain throughout the day, and when it binds to its receptors, it makes you feel tired.
Caffeine has a similar structure to adenosine, so it can fit into the same receptors that adenosine uses. When caffeine binds to the adenosine receptors, it blocks adenosine from attaching to them. This means that adenosine can’t do its job of making you feel sleepy. As a result, you feel more awake and alert.
These receptors exist in cells all over the body so caffeine affects more than just the brain. Caffeine creates a bunch of different physical and neurological responses, including:
Caffeine is a very efficient stimulant. When you consume caffeine, 100% of it is absorbed. Peak blood levels are reached in 30 min to 45 min and peak plasma concentrations are achieved between 15 and 120 minutes after ingestion. Caffeine has a half-life in the body of about four to six hours, suggesting that there are likely still traces of caffeine in your bloodstream 12 hours later or longer.
Like with most substances, there is a risk of negative effects from caffeine, particularly if you exceed the FDA’s recommendation of under 400mg per day.
The most common side effects are mild and include anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, increased urination, muscle twitches or tremors, irregular heart rate, and gastrointestinal irritation. More serious side effects can include cardiac arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, and electrolyte disturbances.
Caffeine can be an effective pick-me-up, which makes it tempting to grab a pre-workout coffee or tea. But before you chug an iced latte or high-caffeine energy drink, you should consider how it might affect your body.
The effects of caffeine on different parts of the body can have unexpected effects on your workout. This can be especially true if you don’t already know how your body reacts to caffeine.
For one thing, caffeine can stimulate bowel movements. The exact reason for the post-coffee bathroom urge isn’t fully understood but some research suggests caffeine boosts hormones that trigger colon contractions.
If that’s typical for you, you should consider bathroom access when you plan your caffeine intake and workout schedule. For example, having caffeine before running on a trail might leave you in an awkward situation when nature calls. The diuretic effects of caffeine may also contribute to dehydration after a hard workout.
Caffeine can also cause insomnia. It can take anywhere between 2 to 12 hours for the effects of caffeine to subside, so drinking a coffee in the afternoon can mean you’re still experiencing the effects of the java at bedtime. Experts suggest that you should stop consuming caffeine at least eight hours before you plan to sleep. So, if you’re planning to hit the gym after work, skip the caffeine.
Consuming caffeine when you aren’t accustomed to it can cause unpleasant side effects like increased anxiety and blood pressure which could negatively affect your workout.
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There may be benefits to consuming caffeine before a trip to the gym. It is a stimulant, after all, so it can make you feel more energized. That extra energy boost may offer positive effects on workout performance.
In 2021, the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) conducted a review of research to determine how caffeine affects exercise. They concluded that caffeine consistently shows improved exercise performance, including:
The research also shows that caffeine consistently leads to increased exercise performance, most notably in aerobic conditioning. The effect of caffeine depends on individual response, dosage and activity performed but has shown positive performance results in both elite and recreational athletes in certain activities. Habitual caffeine use may also dampen the performance enhancing response.
It’s worth noting that getting enough sleep and balanced nutrition help athletic performance as well so making sure your caffeine consumption isn’t interfering with your sleep is equally important. Food and nutrition tracking tools like MyFitnessPal help enable you to learn more about how factors like your food choices may affect your athletic performance.
The key to using caffeine to enhance workouts is to consume the right amount at the right time.
According to the ISSN report, consuming caffeine about 60 minutes pre-exercise is the most commonly used timing of caffeine supplementation. This estimate is based on research that shows that caffeine effects tend to peak about 60 minutes after consumption.
ISSN also notes in the same report that the optimal dose of caffeine for performance enhancement is 3–6 mg of caffeine per kilogram of body mass. Some people can get a benefit from a dose as low as 2mg per kilogram of body mass.
This means a 150lb person might benefit from 137mg to 408mg of caffeine. That’s the equivalent of between 10oz and 35oz of coffee.
The ISSN report also notes that higher doses such as 9 mg per kilogram of body mass are associated with a higher incidence of side effects.
Most people turn to caffeinated beverages for their extra boost. These caffeine sources are usually easy to find and easy to consume. But if these aren’t your thing, there are a variety of choices with different caffeine content in them.
The FDA estimates that an 8-ounce cup of tea contains 30 to 50 milligrams, and an 8-ounce cup of coffee has 80 to 100 milligrams. Caffeinated energy drinks may contain 40-250 mg per 8-fluid ounces.
You can also find over-the-counter caffeine pills before workouts. Another option is chewing gum with added caffeine. Depending on the brand, they might contain 80 to 300 mg per piece of gum. Gum and tablets can be a good option if you don’t want to fill your stomach with liquid before exercising.
Caffeine can be part of a healthy lifestyle. Moderate caffeine intake is safe for most people, and it can improve energy levels, endurance, and strength that may lead to better exercise performance. But moderation is the key: Too much caffeine can make you feel jittery, and caffeine too late in the day can make it hard to sleep.
MyFitnessPal’s tracking tools can help you track your sleep, food, and workouts. Together, that information can help you make choices that get you to your diet and exercise goals. Get started with the MyFitnessPal app today!
Originally published July 11 2019; Updated August 9, 2024
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