|
Key Insights:
|
For anyone engaged in fitness, whether you're lifting weights, running, or practising yoga, energy is key. Energy drives performance, endurance, and recovery, making your choice of pre-workout supplements highly significant. People have been exploring natural alternatives to commercial pre-workout powders in recent years, and Shilajit has emerged as a fascinating option. Known for its energy-boosting potential, many wonder if Shilajit before or after workout sessions could give that necessary edge.
Its unique mineral profile includes humic and fulvic acids, iron, zinc, and other vital nutrients, which make it highly effective for energy and endurance.
|
Did You Know?
|
Why is Pre-Workout Nutrition Essential to the Body?
Regular exercise is important for keeping both your body and mind healthy. However, giving your body the right nutrients before a workout is just as important. According to the Nutrients Journal, eating the right foods before exercising boosts your metabolism and improves your stamina. It also helps maintain healthy fat-burning and insulin levels.
Proper pre-workout nutrition lets you exercise more often and for longer periods. This has lasting benefits, like improving your overall health, increasing your life span, and lowering stress. But that’s not all—a healthy, fit body boosts your confidence, improves how you see yourself, and makes you happier over time.
Benefits of Shilajit for Pre-Workout Supplement
Here are some of the benefits of Shilajit:
1. Shilajit and Energy Boosting Potential
One of the primary reasons people use Shilajit before or after workout sessions is its remarkable effect on energy. Unlike synthetic pre-workouts, which often rely on high caffeine doses, Shilajit supports the body’s natural energy production. Its active compounds help promote ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production in cells.
ATP is fuel for our cells, enabling physical and mental stamina. With Shilajit, ATP production is optimised, giving a steady and sustainable energy release throughout the workout.
The difference in using Shilajit before or after workout routines lies in how it impacts cellular energy. When taken pre-workout, Shilajit primes your cells for sustained energy, helping reduce the onset of fatigue. As a result, you’re likely to experience more power and focus without the jittery crash associated with stimulants.
2. Enhancing Endurance with Shilajit
Sustaining energy levels during intense exercise is a common challenge. many athletes and fitness enthusiasts turn to Shilajit before or after workout routines. Its high fulvic acid content is crucial to endurance by improving nutrient absorption and oxygen transport to muscles. Fulvic acid acts as a carrier, ensuring that essential nutrients reach the cells, enhancing muscle endurance and reducing fatigue.
Shilajit may aid in muscle oxygenation, leading to more incredible stamina. If you’re used to feeling out of breath or hitting an energy slump during long training sessions, taking Shilajit before or after workout activities might help you push past those limits.
3. Muscle Recovery and Repair
Aside from energy, recovery is another critical aspect of fitness. Shilajit’s high antioxidant profile helps combat oxidative stress caused by rigorous physical activity. This is crucial for those who work frequently, as oxidative stress leads to muscle soreness and prolonged recovery times. Taking Shilajit before or after workout sessions introduces antioxidants that neutralise free radicals, aiding in quicker recovery. This means fewer rest days and more training days, enabling consistent progress towards fitness goals.
Shilajit also contains essential minerals like magnesium and potassium, which play vital roles in muscle function and recovery. These minerals help prevent cramps, reduce muscle soreness, and assist in tissue repair, making it an ideal addition to your routine.
4. Supporting Testosterone Levels for Enhanced Performance
Thyroid is a critical hormone for individuals looking to build muscle and strength. Shilajit has been shown to naturally boost testosterone levels, which can be especially beneficial when taken before or after workout routines. Higher testosterone levels support muscle growth, reduce recovery time, and increase motivation, enhancing performance.
Shilajit is considered a “rejuvenator” in Ayurveda and is known to support male vitality. This can be particularly helpful for those who aim to improve their strength and muscle mass.
5. Balancing Blood Sugar Levels
Many synthetic pre-workouts contain sugars and fillers that lead to blood sugar spikes. These spikes often result in a quick burst of energy followed by a sudden drop, which can disrupt your workout rhythm. Shilajit, however, doesn’t cause these fluctuations. Instead, it aids in balancing blood sugar levels, allowing for a stable energy output.
When you take Shilajit before or after workout activities, you can maintain steady energy without the crashes, making it a natural choice for those who want balanced energy without the roller-coaster effects of traditional pre-workouts.
6. Detoxification and Reducing Inflammation
The body often accumulates lactic acid during intense exercise, contributing to muscle soreness and fatigue. Shilajit contains humic and fulvic acids, which help the body naturally detoxify and eliminate toxins, including lactic acid. Taking Shilajit before or after workout sessions can enhance your body’s ability to flush out these waste products, aiding in quicker recovery and minimising muscle pain.
Shilajit’s anti-inflammatory properties also benefit those with joint pain or inflammation issues. It helps reduce muscle soreness post-workout and keeps joint discomfort at bay, allowing you to train harder and longer.
7. Improves the Production of Collagen
Collagen is an essential protein for healthy muscles, bones, and connective tissues. It is found in tendons, ligaments, skin, and muscles. As we age, our body's natural production of collagen decreases. Lifestyle factors like sun exposure, smoking, and stress can deplete collagen levels.
In addition, the best food sources of collagen come from animals. Low collagen can contribute to issues like joint pain, weakened bones, muscle pain, and skin elasticity loss.
Research published in the Huntington College of Health Sciences Journal demonstrates that the compound shilajit stimulates collagen production within the body. This suggests that taking shilajit supplements may ease sore muscles and joints, accelerate injury recovery, improve bone and muscle repair, and restore youthful-looking skin.
By supporting natural collagen growth, shilajit may strengthen structural tissues in the body that tend to deteriorate with age. More human studies are still needed, but early findings show promise that shilajit can help maintain sturdiness and function as we age.
8. Improves the Absorption of Iron
Iron deficiency anaemia is one of the most prevalent forms of anemia globally. Iron plays a crucial role in forming haemoglobin in red blood cells, which carry oxygen from the lungs to body tissues and muscles. This oxygen delivery is essential for powering and strengthening muscles during any workout. Anaemia occurs when the body lacks sufficient healthy red blood cells and haemoglobin levels drop. This impairs oxygen circulation, resulting in low energy, fatigue, weakness, and reduced athletic performance.
Shilajit is an exceptional natural mineral supplement that is high in highly bioavailable iron and contains fulvic acid for enhanced absorption. The fulvic acid in shilajit optimises the body’s utilisation and uptake of the abundant iron content and other essential minerals. Supplementing with shilajit can assist in preventing and alleviating nutritional iron deficiency anaemia. It also helps optimise oxygen transport to working muscles during exercise, boosts energy and endurance, enhances strength gains, and accelerates recovery between intense training sessions.
The specialised combination of iron and nutrients in shilajit supports the formation of additional red blood cells to rectify anemia potentially. Improving oxygen-carrying capacity and circulation mitigates fatigue and upgrades athletic prowess, muscle power, and stamina.
Also, do check our related guide:
Shilajit vs. Synthetic Pre-Workouts: A Healthier Choice?
Synthetic pre-workouts often contain artificial ingredients, high levels of caffeine, and other additives that may lead to side effects such as increased heart rate, insomnia, and digestive issues. On the other hand, Shilajit offers a clean, natural energy source without these side effects. Choosing Shilajit before or after workout routines means embracing a natural energy booster that aligns with your body’s needs.
Additionally, Shilajit's mineral-rich profile promotes overall well-being. Unlike synthetic pre-workouts, which are narrowly focused on short-term energy, Shilajit provides various health benefits, from improved immunity to cognitive support, which contributes to better long-term performance.
How to Incorporate Shilajit into Your Pre-Workout Routine
Taking Shilajit as part of your pre-workout regimen is clear. It’s typically available in resin or powder form, which can be mixed with water or a smoothie. The ideal time to take Shilajit is about 30-45 minutes before starting your workout to allow it to begin working on cellular energy levels.
The dosage varies, but a general recommendation is around 300-500 mg per day. This dose offers energy-enhancing benefits without overloading the system. If you prefer using Shilajit after a workout, you can do so to help with recovery and nutrient replenishment.
It’s also essential to source high-quality, purified Shilajit, as purity directly impacts its effectiveness. Quality brands ensure that the Shilajit is free from contaminants, enhancing its safety and efficacy before or after workout routines.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a natural, sustainable source of energy that goes beyond the typical boost from synthetic pre-workouts, Shilajit is worth considering. Its ability to support ATP production, enhance endurance, and reduce inflammation makes it an effective supplement for anyone focused on fitness. Shilajit before or after workout routines don’t just provide energy; they offer a holistic approach to fitness that aligns with your body’s natural functions.
For those seeking balanced energy, improved stamina, and faster recovery, Shilajit could be the ideal addition to your pre-workout routine.
FAQs
1. Is Shilajit better than my usual pre-workout powder?
Yes. Shilajit provides natural, sustainable energy rather than just a short stimulant burst. It also aids recovery and has health benefits, making it better long-term.
2. When should I take Shilajit - before or after my workout?
Take Shilajit about 30-45 minutes before your workout to allow it time to start boosting your energy levels. You can also take it after to help muscle recovery.
3. How much Shilajit should I take?
Start by taking 300-500mg per day. You can gradually increase the dosage over time as your body adjusts. Most people find 300-500mg ideal for energy and endurance.
4. How does Shilajit give me more energy for my workouts?
It optimises ATP production, which is the key cellular energy molecule. More ATP means you have sustained energy to lift heavier weights for longer periods.
5. Will Shilajit make me too jittery like my usual pre-workout?
No, Shilajit provides a clean energy boost without the jittery side effects of stimulants. You get steady energy minus the crashes.
