Before Your Next Workout, Check This Out: Why CBD Is Great To Get Ripped

This article was originally published on The Fresh Toast and appears here with permission.

From easing inflammation to helping with better sleep to ignite more effective workouts, CBD is being used by pro athletes and those in gyms all over the globe.

Athletes all over the country are looking for upgrades to hack their regimen to faster success. One method gaining traction is infusing CBD or cannabis before workouts to better help the body stretch, as well as after workouts to ease inflammation and pain. 

Kyli Rodriguez-Cayro, a writer and mental health educator, noted she started using a CBD balm pre and post-workout and saw clear benefits. “My recovery time after resistance training can take anywhere from 48 to 72 hours, depending on the length of the workout, the intensity, and the heaviness of the weights I’ve used,” she explained. “However, taking CBD following my exercise routine seemed to slightly decrease my recovery time.”

From easing inflammation to helping with better sleep to ignite more effective workouts, CBD is being used by pro athletes and those in gyms all over the globe. Here are three ways athletes are advocating for and using cannabis and CBD in their regimens.

Overall Fitness

Athletes for Care, is a non-profit organizational community of athletes who advocate for research, education, and compassion when addressing important health issues. The organization also supports the use of CBD and cannabis in athletics. They’ve been working diligently with other organizations to remove the cannabis ban for athletes, citing, “'The spirit of sport' is the celebration of the human spirit, body and mind. We have found cannabis supports these values including health and wellness, fun and joy, teamwork, community and solidarity and more.” 

Running

Runner’s World has shared that athletes were looking to CBD to augment their workout. 

“Already, a growing number of athletes, including many in the trail running and ultramarathon community, consider CBD a key part of their regimen.” 

Amanda Brooks from Run To The Finish believes CBD can be a powerful tool for runners during their exercise or after in helping the body recuperate. She cites a 2016 study in arthritic rats where CBD was found to “significantly reduce joint swelling and pain.”  Brooks shared using CBD in her pre-workout regimen has enabled her body to get into a better “flow.” The Fresh Toast has covered the power of cannabis and cbd for inflammation, too. 

Weight-Lifting

Joey Swoll, an online body coach and body-builder himself, recently spoke to Generation Iron about how CBD and cannabis have helped him not only focus better but also alleviate pain in training. 

Adam Kemp, a professional basketball player and fitness consultant shared each individual must choose whether marijuana is the right hack in their fitness routine as each body reacts to the compounds differently. He explains, 

“For example, as a bodybuilder, you’re careful when it comes to nutrition, as you need to consume the right amount of the right calories.

“If you smoke marijuana and lack discipline when it comes to munchies (usually, people eat a lot of junk food and processed sugars), it won’t do you any good.

“Also, smoking cannabis or consuming cannabis concentrates after a workout can make your resting days more effective, calm you down, lower stress, help you sleep better and improve your appetite.” 

So, what should you know before you decide whether to integrate CBD and cannabis into your workout? Talking to your care team and personal trainer can help you decide, (based on current lifestyle) if cannabis and CBD are recommended for your goals.