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Thread: Is it safe to have energy drinks b4 the gym / workout?

  1. #1
    242_fair
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    Default Is it safe to have energy drinks b4 the gym / workout?

    Does anybody know if its dangerous to have energy drinks like Diablo or Red Bull before working out?

    I get a burst of energy from those things and it makes me work out harder, but I wonder if this is a bad idea on a regular basis?

    I notice I am extreemely thirsty when I do this, but then when I drink water during or right after the workout I get bad cramps.

    Also, if I drink them before cardio my heart really races and flutters - what does this mean?

  2. #2
    God/dess VenusGoddess's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is it safe to have energy drinks b4 the gym / workout?

    Well, the energy drinks have a stimulant in them. Different people's bodies respond differently. I, personally, cannot drink that stuff before I work out...I just feel sick. Your heart is racing because you are increasing your heart rate...and then on top of that, you have a stimulant which increases your heart rate more.

    If the racing and the fluttering really concern you, you should take a visit to the doctor for a clean bill of health. I did that, and I just felt better that I knew I was in good condition. BTW...taking anything stimulating for a long period of time becomes, not only addictive, but also puts undue stress on your heart. So, a healthy person could easily encounter heart problems by not following the directions.

    Take care of yourself.

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    God/dess Bella21's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is it safe to have energy drinks b4 the gym / workout?

    I use them before I go running... But I don't have any fluttering feelings or what not... I usually get that fluttering feeling from them if I haven't eaten that day, though... Like the same feeling from when I took diet pills... Ugh, I hate that feeling

    P.s. Diet pills are bad!
    If you think school is hard, try being stupid.

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    Member feistykitty's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is it safe to have energy drinks b4 the gym / workout?

    Okay....DO NOT drink that crap before a workout. If you want something have some water og PowerAde and a Clif bar. Those energy drinks are NOT meant to help you with a workout. If you want some good stuff on energy stuff for workouts check out www.bodybuilding.com on the Info side (they have 2 sites, one for info and one for shopping). Read up and figure out what you should be drinking./eating to optimize your workout and stay safely hydrated and energized.
    Luck!
    Bright Blessings!
    Kitty

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    God/dess Casual Observer's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is it safe to have energy drinks b4 the gym / workout?

    Everything VG said, twice. Stimulants are just that--and they certainly don't help your workouts.

    Energy drinks before a workout are a bad, bad idea. If anything, working out on a near-empty stomach is best, save water. At most, I'll have a Clif Bar Builders' Bar (or similar protein bar) before a workout, but that's it. You don't want to dedicate energy to digestion during a workout, and you want to maximize the rate of caloric burn.
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    Featured Member venusofwillendorf's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is it safe to have energy drinks b4 the gym / workout?

    those energy drinks are a bad idea anyway, workout or no. i understand they're the fad right now, but that doesn't make them safe. i'm an herbalist and i've heard so much terrible stuff about the ingredients in those- ephedra especially, which is basically herbal speed. it increases your heart rate, can damage your liver and even bring on cardiac arrest, is addictive, and screws up your metabolism, so if you stop taking it, you gain weight like hell. stay away from red bull and drink some gatorade or good old fashioned water. and have a nice apple and a peice of cheese.
    Last edited by venusofwillendorf; 08-22-2005 at 06:12 PM.
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    Veteran Member Sultry Siren's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is it safe to have energy drinks b4 the gym / workout?

    I am in agreement with fiesty kitty and the others who oppose the "Energy drinks".

    I've been into bodybuilding and fitness/nutrition for the past 6 or so years and not once has anyone ever endorsed such products.

    Clif bars are excellent or if you cannot stomach those then a piece of fruit or a whole grain slice of bread with a nut butter...almond is best. This way you will have the carbs to start off from and then by the end of yourworkout you will reach fat burning.

    Any stimulant whether taking ginsing, fat burners, ephedra, or yes even coffee should be taken with caution. Everyone's tolerance of herbs and stimulants varies just as with pharmacy drugs. Not all react positively. This could be why your heart is going crazy.

    Water is a MUST during a workout for so many reasons. Hydration of muscles is #1 but also to keep your brain hydrated so you can focus clearly and also to help the body dispose of wastes created by workouts. There are many more reasons but too much to go into here.

    bodybuilding.com is almost a Bible for me as are some other sites that I can give links for if you wish. I have a site in my bookmarks that explains each herb and suppliment athletes use, the benifits and the pitfalls.

    One other thing take water over energy drinks it is far better for you and eat "clean" while getting 8 hours solid sleep and it will help your energy levels.

    I hope this helps. Knowing WHY you are doing something is as important as doing it.

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    Default Re: Is it safe to have energy drinks b4 the gym / workout?

    I can see where the energy drinks gets addictive. When I danced at my one club under 21, I always had custies order them for me , or i bought them myself. I would switch between Amp and RedBull. I wouldnt feel as good until I took another sip of the Amp.
    Anyway, my energy drink faze is over.. lasted about a month or two...but I did notice extra bloat and weight gain around my stomach. I also noticed that the more I drank them... the more tolerance I built up for them. So instead of like 2 to 3 drinks making me feel energized... I would drink 4-5.
    Very bad. I may drink ONE every few weeks or so though because i like the taste.

  9. #9
    madmaxine
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    Default Re: Is it safe to have energy drinks b4 the gym / workout?

    Don't drink these drinks before a workout- not only is the caffeine taxing your system, but the body draws water to digest sugar and most of these energy drinks are sugar-laden to give people a harder jolt. So you have a triple drain on your body's water content (exertion, a stimulant and your body trying to use the sugar.)
    Try sipping water throughout the workout, or figure out a time you can sit and "hydrate" before a taxing workout. I know the feeling of water in the tummy "dragging" on a workout. Eat fruit, it's a good way to keep water in the system without pooling liquid in the stomach.

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    Veteran Member Stipperella's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is it safe to have energy drinks b4 the gym / workout?

    I must be one of the only person that didn't see much results by taking those drinks. They would pump me up for maybe 30 min. MAX! and the rest of the time i spent peeing.

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    Default Re: Is it safe to have energy drinks b4 the gym / workout?

    I think they are great if you want to wake up not before a workout. If you want to wake up and find yourself yawning perhaps during or before working out ....drink some really cold water and take huge deep breaths while stretching. By doing this your body will "wake up" by responding to the increased air and water now in your system. This always helps me wake up before or during a workout.
    Also try washing your face with cold water...thatll get ya. Besides, those drinks have a load of sugar in them except the only one Ive found was sugar-free Red Bull.
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    Veteran Member Yea's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is it safe to have energy drinks b4 the gym / workout?

    I’ve heard nothing but negative things about the contents of those drink. Weren’t some of them even taken of the market?


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    Default Re: Is it safe to have energy drinks b4 the gym / workout?

    I don't understand why you would need an energy drink before a workout...

    Protein shake, yea... but caffeine and sugar? I dunno.....

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    Default Re: Is it safe to have energy drinks b4 the gym / workout?

    I drank a redbull once before I went to the gym. I was 20 minutes into my weight tranning doing lunges and I thought my heart was going to explode. It made me shake and I felt like I was going to yak. I hate redbulls!!

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    Featured Member thechaosfairy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is it safe to have energy drinks b4 the gym / workout?

    I think it's OK to take light stimulants (1/2 cup of coffee, or a glass of black tea) before working out, but only if you are drinking enough water at all times. If you can't drink water with it, your workout will be less effective as well as more dangerous to your health.

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    Default Re: Is it safe to have energy drinks b4 the gym / workout?

    Quote Originally Posted by 242_fair
    Does anybody know if its dangerous to have energy drinks like Diablo or Red Bull before working out?

    I get a burst of energy from those things and it makes me work out harder, but I wonder if this is a bad idea on a regular basis?

    I notice I am extreemely thirsty when I do this, but then when I drink water during or right after the workout I get bad cramps.

    Also, if I drink them before cardio my heart really races and flutters - what does this mean?
    RedBull and other like products are essentially table sugar and caffeine. The can cost more to produce then what is in the can. Taking in a big dose of sugar before you workout will also prevent you from burning fat, assuming that's a goal. You would be far better off with a strong cup of black coffee and perhaps 2-5g of L Tyrosine.
    A cunning linguist...

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