Does Caffeine Have a Place in Your Physical Fitness Plan?

Caffeine consumption is a hotly debated issue in the fitness community. Some people love it for its energy-producing, fat-burning effects ? while others scorn caffeine in the belief that it destroys muscle tissue. So, should you include coffee and other sources of caffeine in your physical fitness plan? Read on to find out.

Breathing Easy

If you're doing cardio or an exhaustive, high-rep weight session, then a pre-workout cup of joe might be just the thing you need. Many trainees report that they can breathe easier and deeper when they've got some caffeine in their systems. This is especially true for people with asthma and asthma-like symptoms.

Giving Your Workout a Kick

Whether you love or hate caffeine, there's no denying that it's a serious energy booster. Unless you're a diehard addict, even one strong cup of coffee can produce noticeable improvements in your energy, stamina, and mental clarity.

However, it doesn't give everyone quite get the right "kind" of energy. If you're the type who gets uncomfortable jitters from stimulants, then your workouts may actually improve WITHOUT caffeine.
When You're Low on Fuel

Dieting doesn't have to involve torturous hunger, but getting lean is still going to require you to lower your calories. And what happens when you do that? Your metabolism slows down, and you get tired. If you find yourself trudging through your workouts ? and the rest of your day ? then a few cups of coffee may do your body good. Caffeine will help you power through your training, and it can actually rev up your metabolism. Just make sure you don't try to use it to make up for a near-starvation diet.

Boosting Your Brain

Caffeine provides near-instant energy, but it can also help your nervous system to recover from heavy training. When you lift near-maximal weights, your brain takes just as much of a beating as your muscles. After several hard workouts, neural fatigue can actually cause your performance to suffer ? even if your muscles feel fine. Thankfully, caffeine can mitigate this effect and allow you to train harder, heavier, and more often.

Antioxidant Power

Even the caffeine haters have to admit that coffee is chock-full of powerful antioxidants. Everyone needs plenty of those, but they're especially important for people who train with weights. Hard resistance training breaks down your muscle tissue, causing the formation of lots of free radicals in your blood. Antioxidants can clear your system of these harmful chemicals, keeping you young, vital, and well-recovered.

Caffeine and Muscle Building

There's a common misconception among old-time lifters that caffeine can stunt muscle growth. Frankly, there is little if any evidence to suggest that this is true. If anything, caffeine can indirectly aid muscle building by providing the mental energy needed for lifting heavy weights. Is it a miracle supplement? No. But if you're someone who likes a pre-workout caffeine kick, you shouldn't worry about any potential muscle-wasting effects. Just make sure your training and nutrition are in line, and you'll have success on your physical fitness plan.

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