Pre-workout
Pre-workout
Whether you are exercising for fun, to lose weight, or to reach other fitness goals, much of the success of your workout depends on your preparation before you even start. Your pre-workout routine will have much to do with the type of workout you plan to do, your own health status, and your specific goals; There are several elements of your workout preparation where essential oils will come in handy.
Hydration
Because your body will lose water as you sweat, and because dehydration weakens the body, it is important to be wellhydrated before starting your workout. If you have trouble remembering to drink enough water, you can always add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to your water for extra flavor. Not only will essential oils turn plain water into a delicious, flavorful beverage, but you can use essential oils that will give you a little boost of energy or invigoration.
Citrus essential oils like Grapefruit, Wild Orange, Lemon, Lime, or Bergamot make a great addition to your water, especially if you want an invigorating, zesty flavor. Consider adding a few drops of an essential oil to your water before a workout to help you get the hydration you need.
Warm up
Loosening the muscles and getting the body ready for physical activity is another important part of a pre-workout routine. This prepares the body for movement, musclebuilding, and exertion, and can help athletes avoid injury. Most people have their own preferences and routines when it comes to a warm up that largely depend on what kind of workout they plan to do and their personal health status. However, doing some kind of warm up is important because it prepares the body for movement by loosening the muscles and raising the body’ s core temperature.
Essential oils can be massaged topically during your warm up routine to help loosen and soothe the muscles— especially when they feel tight or stiff. Use essential oils with warming properties if you are stiff or need help warming up your limbs during your pre-workout routine.
In addition to applying essential oils to help you prepare for movement, you can also use essential oils aromatically during your warm up to help prepare you for your workout. Inhaling essential oils with uplifting or energizing aromas can help provide you with vitality and motivation before you begin your workout— giving you the sense of focus and energy you need. Consider blending several energizing or invigorating essential oils together and diffusing them before a workout to help get you ready.