All-Natural Performance Enhancers Your Body Will Love
Every athlete wants to get better, faster, and stronger—and to do so in a way that’s healthy, safe, and completely natural. If you want to achieve your highest level of athletic excellence, add these all-natural performance enhancers to your training regimen.
- Caffeine
Though caffeine has gotten a bad reputation—likely from its association with sugary sodas and energy drinks—the stimulant can actually function as a natural performance enhancer. That’s because caffeine prolongs the time before you feel muscle fatigue, which translates to increased endurance. Just steer clear of the caffeine found in carbonated beverages, and opt for a moderate amount of coffee or tea instead.
- Chocolate Milk
After a grueling workout, you may be tempted to reach for a sports drink that specializes in carbohydrate or fluid replacement. While these are not necessarily harmful options, the best choice for quick recovery may surprise you—old-fashioned chocolate milk. It’s true: Chocolate milk has been shown to work as an effective recovery aid for athletes, boosting endurance levels for subsequent exercise.
- Carbohydrates
Though your body may convert excess calories from carbohydrates into fat, don’t discount carbs in your quest for peak performance. “Carbo-loading” is a time-honored tradition with proven results: consuming carbs prior to competition or a lengthy workout has been shown to delay the onset of fatigue and maximize athletic performance. Healthy pre-event snack choices include raisins, bananas, pretzels, and applesauce. These all-natural performance enhancers provide the carbohydrates athletes need to maintain optimal energy levels throughout long-lasting, high-intensity exercise.
- Creatine
While carbs work well for endurance training, creatine is known for its role in quick, high-intensity exercise such as sprinting or weight training. This naturally occurring compound is produced by the liver, kidneys, and pancreas each day, and can also be obtained by eating meat or taking a creatine supplement. In fact, the International Society of Sports Nutrition says creatine is one of the best supplements available to increase muscle mass and strength during training. Ask your doctor if creatine supplementation is right for you.
- Sauna Use
Post-workout sauna use feels good, but did you know it can also help you achieve peak performance? Increasing your core temperature through sauna use can cause physiological adaptations that increase athletic endurance, boost muscle mass, and improve cognitive function—benefits typically associated with growth hormone therapy. With sauna use, however, athletes can reap those same rewards safely and naturally. To ensure maximum safety, consult your doctor before starting a sauna regimen, and limit each session to 15 to 20 minutes.
When competition time comes, every athlete hopes to be at the top of his or her game—mentally and physically. Try these all-natural performance enhancers to achieve peak performance as well as optimal health.
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