Pre-Workout Success – How Essential Oils Can Help
Pre-workout preparation is vital because working out is not the easiest of activities in life though it is one of the most rewarding. You may still be recovering from a previous workout and the last thing you want to do is “inflict” more pain on your body. However, you have to keep it up to see tangible results when it comes to your overall fitness. Consistency is key! A little goes a long way. Its better to do 15 minutes of activity whether its walking in place in front of the TV or performing free weights at the gym. Do something less you do nothing!
I have experienced that using essential oils can help in making your workout regimen a more rewarding and effective experience. You may be new to the uses of essential oils, but rest assure they have lasted the test of time. These oils have been used since the old ages to help in healing, relieving of pain and anxiety and are quite popular in modern day for the same uses. They can help in getting you into the right mood to start your exercise and stay energetic throughout to ensure your workout is optimized. When digesting essential oils only use a brand that is intended for supplement and culinary use and is therapeutic grade, such as Young Living 100% pure essential oils Vitality line.
Few more “musts” for your pre-work out are consuming a pre-work out meal, hydrate and warming up.
Importance of Eating for Pre-Workout Prep
How can a car operate without being fueled up? It needs gas to go and in most cases there is a particular type of gasoline that is best for you car. The same is true for you. Before each work out eat a healthy, balanced, “clean” meal, that contains approximately 20 grams of protein and 20 grams of carbs an hour to an hour and half before you hit the racks. This will give your body time to digest and be ready to go so you will have strength to lift the heaviest or do the most reps = whatever is in alignment with your individual fitness goals.
Hydrate
Drink water before a workout and during a workout, especially if you are performing cardio and /or are outside in the heat. Though drinking water is a must for the entire day. Always aim to drink approximately 8 cups of water throughout the day. This can not be skipped and it helps your kidneys remove waste from the body and deliver nutrients to them. Experiencing minor dehydration can reduce your energy level greatly, which is not what you are going for when you make time to go to the gym or whever you exercise. Make it count by preparing adequately.
For extra oomph, place two drops of peppermint essential oils into your glass work out bottle and sip on before and during your workout.
Importance of Warming Up
Warming up before a workout helps reduce the chance of injury. When muscles are stiff and tense, warm up exercises helps release the tension in muscles and also helps them relax to better accommodate the routine you are about to put your body through. My personal fave warm up activity is using the elliptical for approximately five minutes. It helps loosen up both the lower and upper body. This will also help if you are still sore from your previous workout.
Benefits Of Essential Oils for Pre-Workout Prep
To make your workout experience a more rewarding one, choose a few essential oils to integrate into your routine and they will help in giving more endurance during your workout. They will also help in improving your muscle recovery as one of their main uses is to help in healing. These oils can also improve your alertness levels when working out and improve your energy levels as well.
Add a few essential oils to your water to help increase your energy levels and improve your level of focus. A supplement you may have not tried is NingXia Red that can help with providing added nutrition. You can also add a few drops of NingXia Nitro and about 4 to 6 drops of Lemongrass essential oils to your water to help improve your thermogenics and mental focus. It will also help with giving you better endurance during your workout and improve your energy levels helping you have a much better workout.
Peppermint Essential Oils
If feeling a little sore from a previous workout done the day before, try using a few drops of peppermint essential oils. This oil will help with reducing the soreness and discomfort experienced leaving you feeling much better and ready to begin your workout. If your skin is sensitive or if it’s the first time you are planning to use essential oils on your skin, add a few drops to a carrier oil such as jojoba, coconut or olive oil. Then rub the blend on your muscles.
Get a whiff of peppermint essential oils to help you jump out of your lazy state and start working out once you are properly warmed up. The smell is able to heighten your senses and get you in the perfect mood to begin your workout. Apply a few drops of this essential oil to your wrists about 30 minutes before you begin to keep the scent very close to you when getting ready.
To help with your breathing during your exercise routine, you can also rub a few drops to your chest 5 minutes before you begin as this will help steady your breathing.
When ingested, peppermint essential oil supports digestion and can help improve your concentration during your exercise.
Lemongrass Essential Oil
This oil contains a high level of citral, which is a compound that supports the thermogenesis process. This heat production helps in burning more calories during your exercise and helps in weight management. Apply about 4 to 6 drops of this essential oil on your feet or skin before a workout session and see how it will help in boosting your energy levels.
Slique Essence Essential Oil
This oil contains a mixture of grapefruit, lemon, spearmint, tangerine and ocotea essential oils that help in uplifting your moods prior to a workout and keep you energized throughout your exercise routine.
Marjoram Essential Oil
This essential oil is known for its calming and relaxing effect on your body. Before you begin your workout, rub some of this essential oil thoroughly on your arms, legs, and back to alleviate any muscle tension. Stiff muscles during exercise can cause injury and increase the level of soreness in your muscles. This can be avoided by properly warming up and using some essential oils before the workout to make the exercising a bit more bearable.
Other products that can aid in your pre exercise routine
NingXia Nitro helps with improving your physical performance for pre-workout and during your workout. The green tea extract and Vitamin B it contains in its all-natural formula can help with increasing your energy levels, improving recovery periods for your muscles thus making it a speedy process and reducing the amount of muscle pain. This is in part due to the clinically proven ingredient Bioenergy Riobose®.
Slique Tea is a natural energy drink that gives you that extra energy kick needed to workout. It combines jade oolong leaves, ocotea, and frankincense powder to give it that delicious taste.
NingXia Red drink is packed with nutrients and provides your body with antioxidants to help you prepare for your workout routine.
Give these tips a try to maximize your pre-workout efforts. With today’s busy schedules we need to ensure we are equipped to make the most of our time. Be armed with the knowledge to make your time count and your work out count. Let me know how your pre-workout experience goes and share your tips with me!
