Kratom and Pre-Workout: 10 Tips to Know

There are a number of growing fitness trends in 2022, many of which make exercising more convenient, efficient, and educational. For one, the rise of hybrid gyms has provided members with at-home workout routines in addition to in-person gym equipment. Furthermore, personal trainers and fitness experts often cater workout routines to individuals for their personal needs, goals, and lifestyles.

Of course, the growing diversity of workouts has catalyzed the growth of fitness supplements, workout protein shakes, and pre-workout products. Now, whether you’re an expert at workout products or a newbie, you may have heard of people utilizing kratom as a natural pre-workout booster.

Of course, not all strains of kratom are equally good for pre-workout energy, and knowing how to work out with kratom isn’t immediately straightforward. In this article, we’ve put together some tips to help you figure out how to add kratom to your workout routine.

1. Know the Right Strain

Most pre-workout powders, supplements, and foods are geared toward providing an energy boost before you hit the gym. Many of them contain caffeine, an alkaloid derived from several plants. Kratom does not contain caffeine, but 40 different alkaloids have been found in kratom, and some of these kratom alkaloids are better for working out than others.

For example, the two main alkaloids found in kratom, mitragynine, and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), have different qualities. 7-OH is known for being laid-back, while mitragynine is considered an energizing alkaloid. As many kratom enthusiasts know, different strains or blends of kratom contain different alkaloid profiles. Red kratom strains contain less mitragynine, white kratom strains typically contain the most mitragynine, and green kratom strains have more than red but less than white.

If you have different strains of kratom on hand, from your own knowledge, you may have an idea regarding which one might be more desirable for your pre-workout. If not, reading reviews on different kratom strains is a good way to start.

2. Consider the Type of Workout

Of course, while green and white kratom strains are typically considered the best kratom strains for pre-workout, this is not always the case. Exercises like high-intensity interval training (HIIT), Crossfit, and circuit weight training require bursts of energy, but many other types of workouts exist.

For example, yoga works the body, improves flexibility, and helps ease the mind. For less rigorous exercise, especially if you want to feel relaxed from your fitness routine, you may want to consider green kratom strains that provide a greater balance of alkaloids. It might take a little bit of figuring out, but you can find the best kratom strains for your workout, depending on the type of exercise you’re doing. You may even want to blend white and green kratom for a pre-workout boost, to have more adaptability.

3. Measure Precisely and Go for a Low Quantity

No matter how hard you plan on going during your workout, you don’t want to overdo any kind of pre-workout beforehand. Hence, it’s a good idea to buy a kitchen scale that measures grams to the tenth place to make sure to measure a small amount of kratom powder. You can keep track of the quantity in a fitness journal if you’d like.

4. Consider the Timing

Working out increases blood flow to the heart, head, and extremities, moving it away from the stomach. So any type of pre-workout you take should have some time to digest before you get moving. With kratom, be sure to leave a good amount of time for it to settle before your workout. The same can be said for any consumption post-workout—whether a protein shake, granola bar, or herbal tea. Allow your body some time to adjust.

5. Choose the Right Form of Kratom  

There are many different types of kratom products on the market (such as kratom powder, kratom capsules, crushed leaf kratom, etc.), and you may find that some work better for working out than others. 

Furthermore, some types of kratom are more portable than others, which is something to consider if you’re going to a gym or will be on the move outside of your home. So, if portability is a priority, you might want to check out our article on the 3 Best Types of Kratom for People On the Move.

You might also consider making kratom tea out of kratom powder if you prefer, and there are many different ways to make kratom tea online.

6. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!

It is essential when using any kind of pre-workout to stay hydrated during your exercise routine. Working out boosts your metabolism, makes you sweat and causes micro-tears to your muscle tissue. Your body needs to stay hydrated to repair itself and keep your metabolism burning. 

So, it’s best to always carry a water bottle with you when you work out, and keep it replenished. 

7. Don’t Forget Electrolytes.

Making certain that you’re getting enough water goes hand-in-hand with keeping your electrolytes up. This is especially important if you’re working out in the heat or are sweating a lot. Various manufacturers make electrolyte powders to add to your water, or in a pinch, a pinch of salt can help.

The easiest way to assure adequate electrolytes is to maintain a healthy diet before and after your workout. Eating foods like whole grains, proteins, and omega 3’s at least an hour before your workout can help you keep up your strength and efficiency.

8. Only Buy Pure Kratom

Although pre-workout mixtures can contain a lot of different ingredients, it’s best to stick to pure 100% Mitragyna speciosa if going the kratom route. Kratom is not regulated and not FDA-approved, so throwing anything else into the mixture is not a great idea.

To avoid getting contaminated kratom, stick with a vendor who follows the American Kratom Associations Good Manufacturing Program protocols for maintaining clean facilities, lab-testing kratom, and providing a transparent label of ingredients.

9. Keep a Fitness Journal

Keeping a notebook in which you keep track of your workouts, nutrition, and schedule is a good way to hone in on improving your fitness routine. 

So, if you feel a little tired one day, you can make a note of it in your journal, then go back and look at what your routine looked like that day. Maybe you ate too close to when you worked out; perhaps you forgot to take pre-workout; maybe you took too much pre-workout; maybe you weren’t able to measure out your kratom, or maybe you brought the wrong strain. 

The same goes for if you feel like you had an amazing workout. You can go back and look at what you did that day in your fitness journal. Did you drink extra water? Maybe you had a hearty breakfast that day? Or maybe you found the right kratom strain? With a fitness journal, you’ll have a lot to work with to figure it out.

Keeping track of the different parts of your workout-related routine allows you to compare different days and assess. Then, you can begin to adapt and improve little parts of your fitness-related regimen to help you find the best workout routine for your individual needs. 

10. Prioritize Rest and Recovery

Just as important as it may be for you to get a good workout is ensuring adequate rest and recovery time. People sometimes overdo it with pre-workout and exercise and can end up feeling fatigued, nauseous, or too sore.

Planning to rest, recover, and take a break from pre-workout products is important for muscle growth and repair. It’s also much easier to maintain adequate hydration levels when you’re getting nutritious food, time to rest and breathe, and solid sleep.

Individuals Differ; Find What Works for You!

From high-intensity interval training to quick and effective at-home bodyweight exercise plans, there exists a wealth of personalized workout routines to meet a diverse number of needs and lifestyles. It’s easier now than ever to find a fitness routine for your unique goals and lifestyle.

That being said, there is no set regimen when it comes to using pre-workout or other products. You just have to be mindful, be patient, and experiment around until you find what works for you. As always, consult your doctor before using any fitness-related product to see if it’s compatible with your health goals.