This article lists the things we should stop doing before a workout. Let’s get started!
If you’re like most workout enthusiasts, you’re always looking for the perfect pre-workout snack, but you’re missing out on what NOT to eat before your workout.
Experts are telling you that there are a few things you should NOT eat before your workout!
Exercise doesn’t come with a list of ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’, but you should know that there are some key ingredients you need to keep in mind to get the most out of your workout.
Things We Should Stop Doing Before A Workout
To get the most out of your routine and take your body to a whole new level, here are a few things you should stop doing before a workout to become the best version of yourself:
1. Drink too much water
Drinking too much water before a workout can make you feel sick, cause cramps, or even make you want to end the workout early.
According to a study published by TD Noakes · 2006, says that drinking too much before a workout can even increase your risk of Hypernatremia, a rare but serious illness.
Plus, when your body has too much water, your kidneys can’t handle it fast enough and your cells start to fill up and swell.
So, make it a rule to only drink enough water in small amounts throughout the day. Especially if you’re doing your workout in the morning.
2. Eating junk food
Junk food is indeed tasty. There are times when we can’t resist snacking on a giant Snickers bar or eating an entire family pack of ice cream.
But that time isn’t 10 minutes before hitting the gym and starting your intense workout.
Don’t take this the wrong way, but eating junk food before your workout is a huge mistake. I am not saying you should eat junk food 5 hours before your workout.
Every single trainer will encourage you to eat a few healthy chunks of dried fruit before your workout.
But they will also remind you that eating a cheeseburger before your workout isn’t going to do you any good either.
As a rule of thumb, you should eat about 2 hours before your workout. Your next meal should be about the same time.
3. Don’t be on an empty stomach
Your workout muscles need regular oxygenated blood flow and enough energy to perform at their best.
According to a study published by M Henselmans · 2022, stated that a carbohydrate boost is needed to jump-start the body after a long break; this is so that the fat can take over and be burned in the fueling process.
So, don’t eat an empty stomach before your workout.
A fruit, particularly a banana, along with a few nuts or any complex carbohydrates, can be consumed almost 30 minutes before your workout session.
4. Drinking certain beverages
Like we said before, eating junk food before a workout is bad for your body. The same goes for liquids.
Just as it’s not good for your body to eat a two-pound stake before a cardio session, neither is it good for you to drink beer.
Most people opt for protein shakes before a workout when they know it’s coming up. That’s not a bad idea.
However, I suggest you drink pure water. Protein gives you the best results after your workout when you are cooling down.
5. Skipping warm-up
We tend to think of warming up as being very boring and tedious. That’s why most of us just want to skip the “pain” and jump straight into our workout. Unfortunately, this is a very dangerous thing to do.
First, by warming up, we are essentially turning our muscles on. They need to work at their best.
Second, we are doing our best to avoid any potential injury that may occur shortly.
That’s why warming up is so important. So, the next time you feel like you’re too lazy to jump rope, keep this in mind.
6. Avoid taking painkillers and alcohol
Both painkillers and alcohol have a direct effect on your nervous system and act as muscle relaxants. They also dehydrate your body and reduce your reflexes.
If you need to take medication or can’t avoid drinking alcohol, it’s always a good idea to skip your workout for the day to prevent accidental injury caused by blurred reflexes.
7. Moisturize your skin
Over-moisturizing before a workout can clog the sweat glands and clog the pores, making it hard for the skin to breathe.
I’ve seen cases where excessive moisture before a workout can cause discomfort and even injury. Recently, one person had a near-miss with weights slipping because of excess lotion.
If your skin is dry, use light moisturizers in smaller amounts before your workout. Otherwise, it’s best to avoid using them at all.
8. Not getting enough sleep
We all know how important it is for every adult to get a good night’s sleep. When we’re well-rested, our bodies function better, which is why we can’t afford to go to the gym.
If you’ve only got 3-4 hours of sleep the night before, you’ll be in for a world of trouble when it comes to the bench press.
Not only that but your muscles aren’t fully prepared for a workout either. This is because your muscles go through a process called recovery and growth just as you sleep.
So, if you want to feel the difference in your performance faster, make sure you sleep!
9. Not cooling down properly
Now that we’ve talked about what not to do before your workout, let’s move on to what not to do after your workout.
Remember when we talked about how warming up is so important for your health? The same goes for cooling down.
You may be thinking that if we tell you not to do all of these things, you’ll have no time for anything else.
We don’t recommend doing anything too crazy. Just take a slow, leisurely walk back to your car. That’s all you need to get your pulse rate back to normal.
10. Skipping your shower
I know it’s kind of gross when you think about it. But let’s face it, we all have been there. We were so exhausted after going to the gym that we were ready to go straight to bed.
But that’s not the case. Just the sweat alone is enough to get us into the shower right away.
But let’s also face it, the gym equipment is loaded with germs. Bacteria can easily spread to your body, so it’s important to get rid of them as soon as possible.
A Word From GetMe Treated
Avoiding these activities or habits before your workout can improve your workout experience, minimize the chance of injury, and maximize the efficiency of your workout program.
FAQs Related To Things We Should Stop Doing Before A Workout
How do I prepare my body for exercise?
A good warm-up is the safest way to warm up right before your workout. Do a few flexibility exercises that allow your joints to reach their full potential.
You can warm up on a cardio machine like a treadmill, a stationary bike, or a step.
Should I go to the toilet before the gym?
Generally speaking, going to the bathroom before going to the gym is a good idea.
Should I nap before the gym?
Naps before a workout can also boost your energy levels, which means you’ll be more focused and energetic during your workout.
When should t you exercise?
Exercise should be avoided if you have:
- Feeling fever
- Feeling tired
- having severe muscle aches
What foods to avoid when working out?
- Fiber-filled foods
- Energy drinks
- Nuts
- Ready meals
- Dairy
- Fried foods
- Cruciferous vegetables
- Refined sugar
What to eat before a workout?
A few healthy choices would be apples, oranges, and bananas.
Should you use lotion before or after a workout?
No. Not before your workout
Should you drink water before a workout?
Make sure you drink plenty of water before your workout so you don’t go into your workout dehydrated.
To be more specific, make sure your urine color is between 1 and 2 before you start your workout.
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