By Ainsley Smith
When most people think about working out, the last thing on their agenda is getting high before their sweat session.
But since weed has become legalized in Canada, more and more people are lighting up before they hit the gym. And more and more athletes that are marijuana enthusiasts are championing its use as part of their recovery and training.
Canadian Evergreen spoke to Kati Dobrei, a Toronto-based personal trainer for Common Ground to hear how she feels about mixing up workout routines with pot.
“I really don’t think that there’s a black-and-white answer. I think there are tons of factors that will play into whether it’s conducive to an individual or not in a workout setting,” said Dobrei. “I think it depends on the type of exercise, the strain of weed, higher CBD versus higher THC percentage, the individual’s medical history, and so much more.”
Dobrei said she has tried smoking weed before working out and found it helped her be more creative and intuitive in her workouts and movements. She also thinks marijuana might help with pain management for mild injuries or DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness).
And while coordination and focus might not be the first things that come to mind when you think about the pot, it could be great for getting your mind in the game as it could “help lower anxiety levels around working out as well,” said Dobrei.
This could be beneficial for those who might not particularly love working out, as it takes a lot of emotional energy to get yourself geared up and ready to hit the gym. Smoking ahead of your sweat session might help activate your brain and get you in ‘the zone.’
However, if you’re not used to smoking weed or you’re about to try a particularly hard workout, it can be unsafe.
“I do think that in the wrong dose, strain, or environment, it could definitely be a safety hazard and potentially hinder your performance in your workout,” added Dobrei.
It’s best to start small and know your limits — both in terms of how hard you workout and how much you smoke.