5 Ways to Potentially Make CBD Part of Your Workout Regimen

Workout enthusiasts, often referred to as fitness enthusiasts or fitness buffs, are individuals who have a strong passion and commitment to physical exercise and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  These individuals are dedicated to engaging in regular workouts and physical activities to improve their overall fitness, strength, endurance, and overall well-being.  Sometimes though, they might need a little help in order to continue with their workout regimen.  And, what better way to do so, than with the help of cannabidiol (CBD), as we will cover how and why CBD might be something you want to look into as part of your fitness game.

Why Do We Need to Stay Fit and Workout?

Staying fit and working out offer a wide range of physical, mental, and emotional benefits that contribute to overall well-being.  However, before we cover these, it’s important to note that the specific benefits of exercise can vary depending on the type and intensity of the workouts, individual fitness goals, and overall health conditions.

1.    Physical Health:

• Weight Management: Regular exercise helps in maintaining a healthy weight by burning calories and building muscle.
• Weight Loss and Body Composition: For those looking to manage their weight or change their body composition, exercise is a critical component of a comprehensive plan that includes a balanced diet.
• Cardiovascular Health: Exercise improves heart and lung function, reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.
• Stronger Muscles and Bones: Resistance training and weight-bearing exercises increase muscle strength and bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
• Enhanced Flexibility and Balance: Regular workouts improve flexibility and balance, reducing the risk of falls and injuries, especially as you age.
• Improved Immune System: Exercise can boost the immune system, making your body better equipped to fight off illnesses and infections.
• Increased Energy Levels: Regular exercise can increase your energy levels and reduce feelings of fatigue, helping you stay active and productive throughout the day.
• Disease Prevention: Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, certain types of cancer, and metabolic disorders.
• Longevity: Studies have shown that people who maintain an active lifestyle tend to live longer and enjoy a higher quality of life in their later years.

2.   Mental Health:

• Stress Reduction: Physical activity triggers the release of endorphins, which help alleviate stress and improve mood.
• Anxiety and Depression Management: Regular exercise can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and may be used as part of a treatment plan.
• Cognitive Function: Exercise has been shown to enhance cognitive abilities, including memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills.
• Better Sleep: A consistent exercise routine can lead to improved sleep quality and duration.

3.    Emotional Health:

• Improved Self-esteem: Achieving fitness goals and feeling physically strong can boost self-confidence and self-esteem.
• Social Benefits: Exercise can be a social activity, allowing you to connect with others through group fitness classes, sports, or workout buddies, which can enhance your social well-being.

What is a Workout Regimen?

A workout regimen is a structured plan (either made by yourself or with a fitness trainer) that outlines specific exercises, schedules, any health conditions you might have, and goals tailored to an individual's fitness objectives.  It involves a consistent, balanced, and well-thought-out routine that aims to improve one's physical condition, whether for general health, weight loss, muscle building, endurance training, or other specific fitness goals.

Key components of a workout regimen can include:

1. Frequency: How often you exercise. This could be daily, several times a week, or on a specific schedule that suits your goals and lifestyle.
2. Intensity: The level of effort or difficulty of your workouts. This could range from light or moderate to high intensity, depending on your fitness level and objectives.
3. Time: The duration of each workout session. This varies based on the type of exercise, intensity, and your personal fitness goals.
4. Type: The kind of exercise you're doing. This includes cardiovascular activities, strength training, flexibility exercises, balance training, or a combination of these.
5. Progression: Gradually increasing the intensity, duration, or complexity of your workouts over time to continue challenging your body and to prevent plateaus.
6. Variety: Incorporating different types of exercises and activities to keep the routine interesting, work different muscle groups, and reduce the risk of overuse injuries.
7. Recovery: Ensuring adequate rest and recovery time between workouts to allow muscles to repair and grow.

What are the Characteristics of Workout Enthusiasts?

Workout enthusiasts are individuals who prioritize their physical fitness and make it a central part of their lifestyle.  They often find great satisfaction and fulfillment in pursuing and maintaining a healthy and active way of life.  The main characteristics of workout enthusiasts may include:

• Regular Exercise: They engage in structured exercise routines and workouts on a consistent basis, which can include activities like weightlifting, cardio exercises, yoga, CrossFit, running, swimming, or any other form of physical activity.
• Commitment: Workout enthusiasts are dedicated to their fitness goals and prioritize exercise in their daily lives. They often set specific fitness goals and work diligently to achieve them.
• Healthy Lifestyle: They tend to adopt healthy habits beyond exercise, such as maintaining a balanced diet, staying hydrated, getting adequate sleep, and managing stress.
• Knowledgeable: Many workout enthusiasts take the time to educate themselves about exercise techniques, nutrition, and other aspects of fitness to maximize their results and minimize the risk of injury.
• Motivated: They find motivation and enjoyment in physical activity itself, whether it's the satisfaction of reaching new fitness milestones, the endorphin rush from a good workout, or the sense of accomplishment that comes with achieving their fitness goals.
• Community and Support: Some workout enthusiasts may also be part of fitness communities, gyms, or sports teams where they can share their passion with like-minded individuals and find support and motivation.
• Health Benefits: They are aware of the numerous health benefits associated with regular exercise, including improved cardiovascular health, increased muscle strength, better mental health, and reduced risk of chronic diseases.

Why Choose CBD as Part of Your Fitness and Workout Regimen?

For any fitness enthusiast who wants to take their workout game to the next level, it’s time to consider starting a CBD routine.  Now, a lot of people associate cannabidiol with tranquility and sleepiness, so you might be surprised to hear “hemp” and “exercise” in the same sentence.  However, because of the unique and fascinating way in which CBD works with the body, the reality is that this cannabinoid does indeed have the potential to aid you throughout your fitness journey.

Cannabidiol works directly with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).  The ECS is in charge of regulating all of the bodily processes that keep us in a general state of well-being on a day-to-day basis.  Processes like energy, motivation, and mood can all be impacted by this system’s function, which’s why CBD isn’t necessarily just for calming a person down.

Now, even though CBD can be part of your fitness and workout regimen, the effects can vary from person to person, and more research is needed in some areas.  With that being said, here are some reasons why people incorporate CBD into their fitness routine:

1. Pain Management: CBD is known for its analgesic properties. It might help alleviate muscle soreness and joint pain, which are common after intense workouts. This can aid in recovery and make it easier to stick to a fitness routine.
2. Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Exercise, especially intense or new activities, can lead to inflammation and muscle damage. CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, which might help reduce this inflammation and promote muscle recovery.
3. Stress and Anxiety Reduction: CBD is often used for its potential to reduce anxiety and stress. A calmer mental state can improve focus and performance during workouts.  Additionally, reducing stress can indirectly support fitness goals by potentially improving sleep and reducing the likelihood of stress-induced eating.
4. Improved Sleep: Quality sleep is crucial for muscle recovery and overall fitness. CBD is believed to have a positive effect on sleep by addressing issues like insomnia or sleep disturbances. Better sleep can lead to better recovery and performance.
5. Appetite Regulation: While CBD is not typically an appetite suppressant, it may help regulate appetite. For some people, it can reduce the stress or emotional eating that often hampers fitness goals.
6. Support for Heart Health: Some studies suggest that CBD may have benefits for heart health, including lowering high blood pressure. A healthy cardiovascular system is crucial for overall fitness and the ability to engage in both aerobic and anaerobic exercise.

5 Ways You Can Use CBD When Working Out

If you’re looking to start using CBD for workout-related purposes, you’re in luck, as there are some simple ways of doing so, based on the product/delivery method being utilized.

Tip #1: Take a CBD Edible Before Beginning Your Workout to Potentially Bring Down Stress

Are you familiar with CBD edibles?  If not, you’re in for a treat.  One of the most popular ways to consume CBD is in the form of a tasty gummy candy that contains a potent amount of hemp extract.  CBD edibles are unique from other delivery methods in that they can be extremely long-lasting, meaning that if you consume a gummy in the morning, you may find that the hemp stays active in the system throughout most of the day.

Taking a CBD edible first thing in the morning allows you to enjoy those compounds in your system not just while you’re working out, but before and after as well.  This is ideal for those who struggle with getting into the right mental and physical state to begin exercising, and for those who want to feel the potential effects of hemp while they rest following an intense session.  Just be mindful that when consuming an edible, it can take up to two hours for the hemp to peak in the body.

Tip #2: Vape Some CBD Just Before You Begin for a Boost

If you just want a quick blast of especially potent CBD compounds before exercising, consider vaping CBD.  When we vape hemp, the compounds absorb into the body in concentrated levels and can activate within just a few minutes.  The activation is fairly short-lived, but it’s a fantastic way to begin your fitness session.

Tip #3: Use a CBD Topical During the Recovery Process

Most of us experience some form of soreness or fatigue following a particularly intense workout.  If you’re dealing with some achiness, you might want to give CBD topicals a try.  A lot of people are having much success using this form of hemp, as it makes it easy for us to target a specific point on the body and give it a concentrated amount of cannabidiol.  Topicals can work fast and stay active for hours, and you can choose a milligram strength based on your needs.

Tip #4: Take a CBD Tincture Each Night to Maintain Hemp Compounds in Your System

One of several things that seems to be true about CBD is that it can be more useful to the body if we first allow it to build up in the endocannabinoid system.  In other words, maintaining a daily routine seems to be the way to go if you want to get the most out of your CBD experience.  Therefore, consider taking a hemp extract oil on a nightly basis.  Besides the fact that it can allow those compounds to peak right at bedtime when you’re ready to get some shuteye, it’s a very easy way to ensure that you’re getting a solid daily dose of cannabidiol that can potentially help the endocannabinoid system to its job more efficiently.

Tip #5: Consider a Post-Workout Soak with Hemp Bath Bombs

It’s very important that we take care of our muscles after a strenuous fitness routine.  When we push our bodies to the limit, our muscles need adequate time to rest, and we have to do what we can to help them heal quickly so that we can get back to exercising the next day without being in pain.  One great way to make those muscles feel better after working out is soaking in a hot bath, as we know that warm water can soothe and relax aches and soreness. 

If you’re all about taking a hot bath after exercising, you might want to consider throwing some hemp into the mix.  CBD bath bombs are widely available, and they can take your bath to the next level by infusing the water with hemp, allowing your body to absorb it through your pores.  Many people find that CBD bath bombs are calming and soothing, and besides, they’re fun to use.  You can choose from a variety of scents and potency levels.

Bring a Holistic Approach to Your Workout Regimen

Overall, it seems as though more fitness enthusiasts are finding that cannabidiol can be a great addition to their workout regimen, and now you can see why.  With numerous ways to use CBD, you’ll have no trouble finding a method that can work for you.  Still, it's important to remember that while cannabidiol might offer numerous benefits, it's not a magic solution.  Fitness and health are best supported by a balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management. 

Additionally, the quality of CBD-based products can vary greatly, so it's essential to choose products from reputable sources.  And, before taking CBD, it’s best to consult with your doctor/physician, especially if you're taking other medications or have underlying health conditions.