CBD and Outdoor Fitness: Introduce CBD to your Exercise routine
Although UK in spring can be rainy and dull, there are always opportunities for going out and doing some exercise. Temperatures are milder and the sun can show up behind the clouds to make your day out a truly fun one.
After a long winter where we were exercising indoors, now is the time to take our sports outside. Many fitness fans like to go hiking, running, or biking when temperatures start to pick up and there are so many places where you can move your workouts, from trails and parks to other open spaces. With over 62,000 open green spaces in the United Kingdom, we are spoilt for choice.
If you are looking for ways to boost your fitness after a drab winter, then perhaps you can improve your workout with some CBD. Many athletes and fitness devotees include CBD in their daily routine to make their outdoors gym sessions more fun and productive. It may help with inflammation and as a general mood booster exactly when you need it. If you are bit rusty and want to stretch your legs in a gentle way, CBD may help you with muscle recovery and a general feeling of well-being.
CBD’s Potential Benefits for Outdoor Exercise
Recovery Support
One of the most widely researched applications of CBD for fitness is its potential anti-inflammatory properties. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system and may help it balance out its inflammatory response.
As you increase outdoor activity after a relatively sedentary winter, your body may experience more inflammation and soreness, especially around the muscles. It’s the moment when your muscles start to ache after an hour of jogging or half an hour of biking.
CBD may help your body manage better outdoor exercise. You can take it as a precautionary measure before going out or post-workout to help ease the soreness. Some fitness enthusiasts start their CBD routine a few days in advance so that they build up CBD levels in their body. They can then feel the benefits once they begin their workout.
Post-exercise, many people take CBD to help them sleep better. After a good day of exercise, you can add some CBD before going to bed to fully balance your system and let your body recover.
Performance Considerations
CBD isn’t a performance booster but it may help your body and mind deliver their best. Unlike stimulants, it works with your body’s endocannabinoid system to balance its response. It’s a gentle way to readjust your system in a natural and non-invasive way.
If you are looking for focus for your outdoor workout, CBD may help as it has been shown to improve focus and mental awareness. Even if you are not competing professionally, it’s good to have your mind set on your sport.
Practical Applications for Outdoor Activities
Let’s now look at how CBD can help with most outdoor activities.
Hiking and Trail Running
You can take a small dose of CBD oil 30-60 minutes before hitting difficult trails to boost your stamina and strength. If you want to keep the CBD levels steady, you can take CBD-infused energy chews or gummies that are easy to carry. If you feel sore after your hike, you can always apply some CBD balm to your feet, knees, and hips to soothe the pain.
Cycling
Joints and muscles take a hit during cycling, especially if you haven’t cycled for a long time. You can take CBD pre-workout to help your body keep inflammation at bay or post-workout to help manage muscle pains. If you want to make the most of CBD, apply a CBD topical cream to your knees and lower back to help your joints recover better.
Outdoor Yoga and Bodyweight Training
Yoga is all about how the body and mind work together. If you want to boost your mental focus, CBD may help your mind focus on mindfulness and be in the moment.
Yoga is generally kind to the body but if you haven’t practiced in a long time, you could feel some soreness. You can take CBD to manage deep stretching routines or post-workout to relieve any muscle pain and soreness.
Creating Your CBD Fitness Protocol
Dosage Considerations
The best way to include CBD in your outdoor fitness program is to start with a low dosage of around 10 to 15 mg and assess how it works for you. You can increase the dosage slowly until your muscles feel more flexible and your mind is ready for your next workout.
Timing matters
You can take CBD before or after your outdoor exercise. You can experiment with CBD 30-60 minutes before your outdoor activity vs. immediately after and see how your body reacts to it. You can also start your CBD routine a few days ahead of the season to boost the CBD levels in your bloodstream.
There are so many CBD products out there that you can even take CBD while exercising. Gummies and other edibles are easy to carry around. You can take them if your exercise takes longer than expected or if you need a CBD boost to help you keep going.
Consistency
Regular use may be more helpful than occasional application. If you feel that CBD is helping you, start a CBD routine and keep at it. Aside from a boost for your outdoor exercising, it can help you with mental focus. It’s also a good way to balance anxiety and stress in your life.
Product Selection for Outdoor Athletes
Choose products in containers that won’t degrade in sunlight, such as amber containers that filter out UV light.
If you like to have CBD-on-the-go, there are plenty of edibles that you can carry with you. You can also get CBD-infused water and other drinks that keep you hydrated and boost your CBD levels at the same time.
Remember weather considerations: some topicals melt in high heat, so choose wisely.
Complementary Practices
With summer ahead of us, you can increase your outdoor activities and make the most of them, with a little help of CBD. Just remember: CBD works best as part of a holistic approach to fitness. Even if you like to exercise every now and then, you can always make the most of your CBD intake.
If you want to boost your body’s anti-inflammatory responses, you could combine CBD with naturally anti-inflammatory foods like vegetables, olive oil, turmeric, tomatoes, fatty fish, berries, green tea, and avocados. Remember that CBD is lipophilic and is better absorbed in fatty tissue, so choose healthy fats from fruit and nuts to absorb more of your CBD intake.
CBD doesn’t replace proper sun protection for outdoor activities, so remember to apply sunscreen. Also, drink plenty of water to help your body take in the exercise.
Practical Spring Fitness CBD Starter Kit
With so many CBD products in the market, you can create your own CBD spring fitness starter kit. Start with low-dose CBD tincture with breakfast before your morning activities. Even if you don’t go on a hike or bike ride early in the morning, you can take CBD to help your body and mind tackle the day ahead.
For on-the-go support, you can have CBD-infused protein bars or edibles for mid-activity nutrition.
When your day is almost over, take some higher-dose CBD capsules or tinctures as part of post-workout routine to help your body recover.
If you want to enjoy localised treatment, try CBD-infused bath salts or balms for end-of-day recovery. It’s a soothing and enjoyable treat for your body and mind—and the perfect way to end a busy day.
CBD for Your Outdoor Life
CBD can be easily introduced to your spring fitness routine. With nature waking up, many people feel the urge to go outside and stretch their legs. If you have been rusty or want to pick up your workouts where you left them in autumn, be gentle with your body. Smooth the transition from couch life to a more active outlook with some CBD for better workout recovery and a more balanced approach to outdoor activity.
As with any supplement, consult with your GP to check about any interactions with other medicines you might be taking. Start with conservative doses and emphasise quality over quantity. Choose CBD products from reputable manufacturers and mix and match product types to better fit with your lifestyle and expectations. Check out CBD oil reviews and our list of the best UK CBD stores to be sure that the CBD you purchase is as pure and effective as possible!
Nicholas Rossis, PhD is a specialized, NSF-trained writer who has written hundreds of posts on CBD and nutritional supplements. His work combines critical acclaim with the analysis of the latest news, studies, research, and legal developments in the world of CBD, providing readers with valuable data and insights.
