If you’re reading this you probably don’t really need an excuse to drink coffee – it’s tasty in its various forms. That’s pretty much reason enough.
But what if we told you it’s a great way of enhancing your workout, improving your performance and reducing recovery times? Well, research has shown that coffee before, or even during, a workout can help you get more from that gym session.
You might have seen the wide variety of pre-workout supplements, you might even be familiar with the itchy face that can accompany it – but you could be getting the same kick from a cup of coffee; probably for a fraction of the price.
Not only is coffee natural – if you’re drinking it as an espresso or americano then it’s made from a single, recognisable, probouncable ingredient. That’s pretty much the opposite of the pre-workouts that are widely available.
How does Coffee power your workout?
So when to drink it?
Caffeine is in your bloodstream within about 15 minutes of your drinking it, but the peak effects are felt after 40-60 minutes. So aim to start really working 45 minutes after finishing your cup.
A favourite way of having a pre-workout coffee is as a double espresso. It’s simple, quick to make, quick to drink, and there’s no milk that could fill you up ahead of working out.
Second to an espresso (or double) is cold brew, which could even be in your bottle while you’re working out. It’s cold already so it’s not going to lose any of its appeal during a session, and the caffeine content tends to be higher in cold brew than other methods.
Then once you’re done – what about a Bulletproof Coffee – the MCTs in the oil and butter will help your muscles to recover and rebuild – or try one of Bulletproof’s protein smoothie recipes – using their collagen protein.
Give it a try – give your body a break from the artificial supplements and get back to nature. See how your workouts feel when they’re powered by coffee.