Sometimes we need a nudge in the right direction to keep us on the right track, especially regarding our health and well-being.

How much exercise do we need to stay in optimal health? Exercise recommendations typically vary based on the doctor you speak with or the institution whose guidelines you read about online. But according to recommendations from the Department of Health & Human Services, for the majority of healthy adults, we must get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity (cardio) or at least 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity (cardio) per week. This can be in the form of biking, hiking, weight training, pilates, standard cardio, or yoga.

When we’re unmotivated or stagnant, it helps to incorporate a natural form of medicine to boost our mood, focus, motivation, and energy, so we can get back on a healthy track. One natural medicine that can do this for us is cannabis and various cannabinoids.

Why Cannabis Can Help Improve and Enhance Your Exercise Routine

It’s no secret that cannabis and various cannabinoids are medically, therapeutically, and even nutritionally beneficial. Sometimes, though, we need a nudge in the right direction to keep us on the right track, especially regarding our health and well-being. Fortunately, cannabis can serve as a helping hand in areas related to exercise and health and wellness. When exercising, many people need to clear their mind and focus on the task at hand. Different cannabis strains can help make this a reality, thus, allowing individuals to get down to business and meet their workout goals.

One common myth about cannabis consumers is that they are lazy stoners who sit around all day eating junk food and watching TV. However, this couldn’t be more inaccurate seeing as though it has been found that cannabis users are not as likely to be obese and they have a lower body mass index (BMI) as compared to non-cannabis users. Overall, one way to remain fit, healthy, and in shape is to exercise frequently, and cannabis can help individuals meet these goals.

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Numerous anecdotal success stories have pointed to individuals experiencing elevated motivation when they consumed cannabis before exercising in addition to being able to push through pain and soreness. Others have reported that consuming cannabis before exercising leads to a more enjoyable workout, and it can help them last longer.

If you plan on consuming cannabis before or during your workout, it’s recommended to consume strains high in CBD rather than THC, so you won’t have to worry about getting dizzy, light-headed, or anxious while exercising.

Cannabis—a Helping Hand Before, During, and After Workouts

There are countless cannabis strains to choose from, and they’re grouped into the categories of Sativa, Indica, and hybrids. Then, there are strains that are dominant in certain cannabinoids like THC and CBD. The cannabis strain you consume matters, especially if you’re consuming it for strictly medical and/or therapeutic purposes.

Fortunately for cannabis consumers, different strains can deliver much-needed energy and motivation plus medicinal benefits, which can significantly help before, during, and after workouts. After cannabis delivers a helpful energy jolt, individuals can combat fatigue better while possibly extending the length of their workout. For individuals who are often fatigued, depressed, or stressed, consuming certain cannabis strains can turn things around for the better. Sometimes, it can be a challenge to get out of bed in the morning and start the day off on a positive note. When life gets to be too much to handle, cannabis can offer a helping hand.

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Once you find the right cannabis strain(s) to fulfill your personal criteria, life can be less overwhelming because you know that you can get medical and/or therapeutic help from cannabis when need be. However, it takes some time to find a cannabis strain that work best for you while also meeting your needs and wants, especially in the area of exercise goals. On the bright side, different websites and online platforms can help point you in the right direction by describing the medical and therapeutic benefits of various strains as well as its most common effects. Below are five beneficial cannabis strains that can help improve your exercise routine.

Five Cannabis Strains for Improving Exercise Routines

Durban Poison (Sativa):

• Known for its energetic, uplifting, and euphoric effects
• Contains THC and THCV, in which the latter cannabinoid contains appetite-suppressing properties
• Can help individuals lose weight and manage their appetite and caloric intake
• Can provide energetic boosts to stay consistent with workouts and exercise routines

Harlequin (Sativa):

• Contains CBD and THC in which the CBD balances out the psycho-active effects caused by THC
• The presence of CBD in this strain helps prevent dizziness and anxiety from occurring
• Can provide focus, energy, and calmness to help individuals accomplish their workout goals
• Contains anti-anxiety and analgesic properties

Ghost Train Haze (Sativa):

• Often consumed by weight-lifters, hikers, and nature explorers
• Contains high THC content thus making this strain more ideal for experienced cannabis consumers
• Can help individuals stay focused, calm, and relaxed
• Can deliver an energy boost, which helps individuals stay on track with exercise reps, sets, and overall workout routine

Grape Ape (Indica):

• Contains various cannabinoids including CBD
• Contains the terpene ‘myrcene’, which is known for its calming and tranquil effects
• Ideal for post-workout muscle and joint recovery and relaxation

Great White Shark (Sativa):

•  Works to loosen up various stiff, achy, and sore muscles
•  Can deliver energy, focus, and uplifting effects
•  Helps deliver physical and mental improvements
•  Can help individuals carry on with workouts longer than usual

Cannabis Products to Use Before, During, or After Exercising

Nowadays, there are countless cannabis products out on the market that can help improve one’s well-being and quality of life. When it comes to exercising though and maintaining a consistent workout routine, certain cannabis products could be more suitable than others. Below are several beneficial cannabis products that can help improve and enhance your workout routine:

Infinite CBD’s a.m. capsules can help those who need an energy boost/jolt before exercising without feeling any psycho-active effects.

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Cordial Organics ‘Balance’ CBD Tincture can help those who need a medical or therapeutic improvement before, during, or after working out. The added terpenes and phyto-cannabinoids can help improve users’ well-being too.

CBD Select Vape Pens (Relax Lavender Blend) can help individuals who need pain and inflammation relief due to overworked muscles. This product can also deliver calming benefits thus leading to physical and mental relaxation. The lavender and CBD in this product interact well with one another to deliver a multitude of medical and therapeutic benefits before, during, and after exercising.

Accumulating Benefits of Cannabis and CBD

As cannabis has become more socially accepted due to its variety of physical, mental, and emotional benefits, professional and non-professional athletes have begun using cannabis to help improve their focus while exercising, combatting anxiety and insecurities, and getting a motivation boost. So far, it has been found that different cannabinoids can impact the perception of discomfort and varying levels of pain. Additionally, cannabis is often consumed for its anti-inflammatory, anti-spasm, and analgesic properties.

Due to CBD’s non-psychoactive make-up and its variety of medicinal and therapeutic benefits, this cannabinoid is being consumed more and more by different athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and every day individuals who want to improve and enhance their exercise routine.