One of the most effective pre-workout drinks might surprise you, and you will not find it on the shelves of your local supplement store. All you have to do is swing by a coffee shop and get a cup of America’s favorite drink, minus the cream and sugar. Downing a cup of coffee before your workout provides more than just an added energy boost—this is why you are likely to find suggested coffee included in my 12-Week Custom Builds. Here are the 5 big benefits you can immediately expect:
Accelerated fat loss
Caffeine in general will increase your metabolism, which can raise your resting metabolic rate. Ingesting caffeine jumpstarts the process of lipolysis, which is when your body releases free fatty acids into the bloodstream. This occurs when your body is breaking down your fat stores to convert it into energy. An 8 oz. cup of black coffee drank 15-20 minutes before a workout can cause fat cells to be used as an energy source as opposed to glycogen.
Increased workout performance
Caffeine is one of the best-tested aids that can enhance your energy use and help you train harder and longer. Caffeine stimulates the brain and contributes to clearer thinking and greater concentration. Multiple studies have shown caffeine can raise your alertness during times of stress – both physical and mental. Putting yourself through intense body or weighted resistance with small doses of caffeine in your system may give you just the edge you are looking for.
Improves mental focus
Caffeine easily gets into the brain, and affects brain cells in a positive way. Studies continue to show that caffeine can increase mental focus and concentration. Caffeine is really “nature’s stimulant” – in caveman times, a quick boost when you had to run away from a predator trying to eat you, or needed extra energy to go forage for food. Along with increased energy to push through tough workouts, black coffee provides an increase in mental focus. Improved mental focus will help keep workouts productive and effective. This can help you mentally break barriers and lower your rest times togged a more potent workout.
Improved endurance
Caffeine can allow you to complete more reps at higher resistance during your weight training sessions. It can also allow you to increase the intensity and/or limit of our cardio sessions. Ingesting caffeine before a workout can also decrease feelings of exhaustion and pain, allowing individuals to more easily push through intense exercise.
Low Cost
Pound for pound the cost-benefit of the coffee bean is superior to all other stimulants. Taurine comes in at not-even a close second.
Just remember: Caffeine is a foreign substance to the body. It's always best to cycle it's use to avoid diminishing returns. The best intake is every other day. You should also limit yourself to 2-3 cups daily maximum.