Does caffiene give you a crappier workout?

blaze918 · Nov 23, 2012

Hey,
not sure if this belongs in the beginner section but I was just wondering if anyone experiences a worse workout after taking caffeine?
Personally I feel like I tend to have a shorter workout and don't push myself as hard...maybe I'm just using too much (about 220+mg).
Does it tend to help your workout or hurt it?

Elvia1023 · Nov 23, 2012

blaze918 said:
Hey,
not sure if this belongs in the beginner section but I was just wondering if anyone experiences a worse workout after taking caffeine?
Personally I feel like I tend to have a shorter workout and don't push myself as hard...maybe I'm just using too much (about 220+mg).
Does it tend to help your workout or hurt it?

For most I would say if it is hurting your workout then your simply taking too much. Caffeine is an amazing drug but abused far too much by many weightlifters. Try half the dose and see how you are. Moreover, make sure you have plenty of breaks and run it in cycles.

spicyer · Nov 23, 2012

I gave up coffee and now take 350mg caffeine with a packet of vitamin c when I get up in the morning. Sometimes I'm good to go all day, others I'll chew a piece or two of stay alert gum (100 mg caffeine per piece).

odality · Nov 23, 2012

To much hearbeat with caf. for me.

Simpllyhuge · Nov 24, 2012

sometimes it makes me more tired and just agitated.

Ashop · Nov 24, 2012

blaze918 said:
Hey,
not sure if this belongs in the beginner section but I was just wondering if anyone experiences a worse workout after taking caffeine?
Personally I feel like I tend to have a shorter workout and don't push myself as hard...maybe I'm just using too much (about 220+mg).
Does it tend to help your workout or hurt it?

I drink a strong 16oz coffee on my way to the gym and always feel like it gives me a nice boost of energy with no jitters or increased heart rate. It doesnt hurt my workouts at all,,in fact I miss it if I forget it at home.

flipper2012 · Nov 24, 2012

Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor, so it actually prevents blood from flowing to the muscles to the max

Simpllyhuge · Nov 24, 2012

It makes me bloated I think. I just took 400 mg and I'm still tired.

ajdos · Nov 24, 2012

Used to take all the pre workouts loaded with caffeine and stimulants, after a while they really made my workouts suck.
So I quit them, and my workouts have never been better from then on out.

uncxrt · Nov 24, 2012

Caffeine jacks with my HR too much. Don't use any preworkout other than maybe some bcaas/carbs...and slin

Miss Q · Nov 24, 2012

blaze918 said:
Hey,
not sure if this belongs in the beginner section but I was just wondering if anyone experiences a worse workout after taking caffeine?
Personally I feel like I tend to have a shorter workout and don't push myself as hard...maybe I'm just using too much (about 220+mg).

Does it tend to help your workout or hurt it?

Are you using straight caffeine?? We keep several diff kinds of pre-workout supps /powder's sitting around so we constantly cycle them. Seems to work better when using various supps throughout the week....

ErnieTaylor · Nov 24, 2012

Simpllyhuge said:
sometimes it makes me more tired and just agitated.

That is exactly why I gave up caffeine a few weeks ago. My energy levels and mood have never been better! They are also much more predictable.

275bills · Nov 24, 2012

I'm dead without my coffee , sucks but that's life. But I've grown to love the taste of black coffee so I would drink it either way

Simpllyhuge · Nov 24, 2012

Well I took caffeine and tyrosine last night, and it didn't start to work till several hours later and slept horrible but I'm an idiot from procrastinating and trying to hot the gym late.

juicer · Nov 24, 2012

100-200mg works best for me.

thebigguy84 · Nov 24, 2012

Ya know a good majority of pre workout supplements are oxymoronic they have L-Arginine which is a Vasodilator and caffeine is a Vasoconstrictor Kind of work against each other. But to the answer of the question I personally like a little caffeine and have never had it hurt a workout.

blaze918 · Nov 24, 2012

"Are you using straight caffeine?? We keep several diff kinds of pre-workout supps /powder's sitting around so we constantly cycle them. Seems to work better when using various supps throughout the week...."

No I've been using NO Xplode, but sometimes I get the crappy feeling with C4 or other pre workouts. The only time I took straight caffeine was with an ephedrine pill...I've never sweated so hard in my life.
I think Elvia might be dead on, I'm probably just taking too much. Like so many things in life I bet moderation is the key.

Alin I wish I liked coffee, I would definitely try using it as a pre-workout if I did.

Simplly Huge I've made that mistake on more than one occasion, it absolutely sucks not being able to sleep.