Red Bull before a work out?

Beau

I go to the gym at 8am in the mornings so I feel pretty tired and weak when I'm there. My trainer pushes me pretty hard so I've started drinking red bull before I go. Is that healthy?

Diamondmaker

reports are that it is dangerous.

You will note that it is never advertised in a sporting sense such as lucozade and powerade etc, more a lifestyle pick me up.


I would never do it and have heard you should not drink it for a few hours after a work out either.

Hanley

Reasons??

I think red bull is magical when you need a kick like that.

But IMO the absolute best thing out there is this; http://www.pronutrition.ie/products.php?action=product&id=29

It'll help you push in the gym like no other.

It's expensive enough, BUT it'd probably work out cheaper in the long run. It's about a months supply for the cost of 25 red bull cans.

Diamondmaker

Well red bull its self never advertises it as a sports drink .............thats saying something for one!

Red Bull artifiacially increases your heart rate without doing any excercise.
Not good for all types of hearts in all fairness is it?

"Medical professionals have raised concerns about mixing alcohol with energy drinks, especially those with big doses of caffeine and taurine.They warn that the combination could create potentially fatal heart arrhythmias, especially when strenuous exercise is involved.

Spiked with caffeine and taurine - an amino acid that increases the heart rate -"
Just something from Sunday Business Post. granted it refers to alcohal also.

Im sure nothing is 100% conclusive but I bet there are no studies out there ADVISING people to take it with strenuous excercise for sure.

Hanley

Diamondmaker wrote:

Well red bull never advertises it as a sports drink so that one thing Ill try and find something backing up what I had heard.

Red Bull artifiacially increases your heart rate without doing any excercise.
Not good for all types of hearts in all fairness is it?

Is that not more a property of caffeine than red bull?

Diamondmaker

Yes and also taurine both of which RB is loaded with therefore a property of RB.
Do you relly need your heart rate up 20% BEFORE you start a work out?
Is this safe?



There are plenty more on here better placed to discuss this than me and I too would be keen to here their views.

I, for one, would not take RB before any strenuous physical activity.

Hanley

Do you drink coffee?

brianthebard

Where are you getting those quotes from Dm? I've never read anything that said red bull was dangerous to someone unless they had an existing heart condition or drank far too much. OP, if you are going to drink a caffeine drink before a work out, try and get it in at least a half hour beforehand, or even an hour, since it takes about that long for the effects to kick in. Anything felt before that is usually placebo.

Dragan

Diamondmaker wrote:

There are plenty more on here better placed to discuss this than me and I too would be keen to here their views.

Just about to watch a flick, keep working away and i'll be back in a bit.

G'em says hi.

Dragan

Diamondmaker wrote:

"Medical professionals have raised concerns about mixing alcohol with energy drinks, especially those with big doses of caffeine and taurine.They warn that the combination could create potentially fatal heart arrhythmias, especially when strenuous exercise is involved.

Right, now that i have my cheeky post for the day out of the way, lets get down to brass tax.

Alchohol is a depressant. Red Bull contains stimulants. Thats why they should not be mixed. Taking two different elements that perform contrary actions of the brain is just not big, and it just ain't clever. The line you quoted is directly related to mixing alchohol and Red Bull, so has no place in the argument that i can see?

With regard to the OP's question, sure, you could take Red Bull before a workout, but ask yourself why do you feel weak?

Do you eat breakfast before you head to the gym? Do you even have a shake?

If you can't stomach a wholemeal breakfast before going to the gym then i suggest a Meal Replacement drink containing carbs and proteins. You want REAL food in you, not a fake buzz brought about by manipulation of your endocrine systems.

The reason we feel weak is because our body wants proper fuel, not false energy from sugars and stimulants. Get in a source of protein ( amino acids ) and carbs ( glycogen ) to fuel your workout and to perform at optimal levels.

So, do you eat breakfast?

Diamondmaker

Hanley wrote:

Do you drink coffee?

...rarely makes me wired.... I am prone to heart palpatations, hireditary thing.

I KNOW that I should not drink stimulants, but I am fit and have a strong heart.

I think its a bit careless to advise an unfit person, with a possibly weaker heart than it could/should be, to take stimulants not knowing their health.

Is this a fair enough point?

I believe it is...

And perhaps more to the point it should not be a substitute for eh....good food and should not be encouraged as a substitute.

brianthebard

Who's unhealthy? Who told a person with a weak heart to take stimulants? I think you are inferring an awful lot there dm.

spurious

I would have thought anyone who was into taking care of themself by going to the gym etc., would not be drinking Red Bull at all.

Diamondmaker

brianthebard wrote:

Who's unhealthy? Who told a person with a weak heart to take stimulants? I think you are inferring an awful lot there dm.

Yes I am inferring quite a bit...

When advising people of health issues ( completely unrelated to fitness here just in general ) its not really wise to assume an individual is as fit or healty as you are and just say:

"yes fire away ..... it does me", is it??

It does no harm to outline the harms it may do to a certain category of person and let the poster decide where they fit in the scheme of things.

You told the OP how to take stimulants without any suggestion of any harmful effects that they may have to some peole. Its a bit casual IMO.

Any way the question is " is it healthy?"

Answer

A. No,not in place of food
B. No,not for certain people.

I think those are fair answers to the actual Qu.

Dragan

Guys i'm just gonna point out that three people were active in this thread excluding the OP and nobody asked them about fitness levels, what type of training they do or the all important breakfast question.

So we'll have no arguments about who inferred what or what's healthy and whats not.

Diamondmaker, either find some studies and link to them about Red Bull being unsafe as a workout stimulant or leave the argument be. Lastly, if you have an issue with the content of any post then report it, don't point it out mid thread and don't try to moderate whats posted. That is done by myself, Daveirl and Jak.

Advice was given based on the OP's post and he did not infer that he had any difficulties with his heart or reactions to stimulants, merely that he was tired before the workout. If you feel something might be dangerous for someone, for any reason, then ask the appropriate questions to gain the knowledge you need to advise them.

I'm about an inch away from closing this as it's going in pointless circles.

Let the OP come back and answer the questions about his pre workout meal and go from there.

Simple.

Diamondmaker

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Bull

here ya go then.

wikipedia, under health risks..........make up your own minds.

Any way its loaded with calories is it not and would be a poor aid in losing weight surely ?!

Dragan

Point the First - No one said "Hi" back the G'em and now you've all upset her. I hope your proud of yourselves.

Point the Second - Wikipedia is NOT www.pudmed.com

It can be edited by anyone about anything. After reading the entry about health risks it simple says the usual thing about Taurine and then talks about mixing with alchohol. Again.

I believe i made a simple request about posting to actual studies, not an online encyclopedia that can be edited by any one who uses the net?

Lastly i would like to know where the OP has said he would like to lose weight in this thread???

brianthebard

Dragan wrote:

Point the First - No one said "Hi" back the G'em and now you've all upset her. I hope your proud of yourselves.

I didn't know she was talking to me!
Hi g'em!
Also, I know National geographic isn't a medical journal, but they have a few articles on caffeine that I think back up what I've been saying.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/08/0831_050831_coffee.html - coffee as antioxidant.

http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0501/feature1/ - gives an introduction to the article they ran in the magazine a year or two ago, plus several links at the bottom to related articles. I haven't read all of those links myself so I don't know if they will help.

That's probably the best I can contribute, since I'm not a science student medical journals aren't my strong point. Plus I really should be studying....

Diamondmaker

Ill dig out some "acceptable" references when I get some time ........

Hey Im curiuos too.......

"Is it healthy"?

Do you use it?

Dragan

Diamondmaker wrote:

Do you use it?

Nope. I get 95% of my energy from wholefoods, and use X-plode by Nutrition X for that pre workout kick.

Diamondmaker

So why am I getting all this flack dude?

Its NOT a healthy alternative to REAL food and it MAY ( subject to further documantation I will find ) have negative health issues or dangers to CERTAIN people.

I think in absence of knowing more about the OP it should be answered that No it is not a healthy option.

Really with such concerns about it, I would like some one to post an independant document where by they say RB is great for pre physical activity, like wise I will find one to the contrary.

bilbo79

Dragan wrote:

Point the First - No one said "Hi" back the G'em and now you've all upset her. I hope your proud of yourselves.

Point the Second - Wikipedia is NOT www.pudmed.com

It can be edited by anyone about anything. After reading the entry about health risks it simple says the usual thing about Taurine and then talks about mixing with alchohol. Again.

I believe i made a simple request about posting to actual studies, not an online encyclopedia that can be edited by any one who uses the net?

Lastly i would like to know where the OP has said he would like to lose weight in this thread???

Dragan i think your taking the piss with this moderator job, you sound like a bully and are not letting the conversation flow-do you want everyone to be robotic or something-i've read lots of your posts and think you have a habit of trying to pick fights with your domineering way of talking to people-chill out a bit man,

bilbo79

Diamondmaker wrote:

So why am I getting all this flack dude?

Its NOT a healthy alternative to REAL food and it MAY ( subject to further documantation I will find ) have negative health issues or dangers to CERTAIN people.

I think in absence of knowing more about the OP it should be answered that No it is not a healthy option.

Really with such concerns about it, I would like some one to post an independant document where by they say RB is great for pre physical activity, like wise I will find one to the contrary.

And yes your right-red bull is unhealthy in any walk of life-anyone with any knowledge of nutrition knows that

brianthebard

What sort of real food are you talking about DM that contains caffeine? No body is arguing that it may not cause health issues for some people, in the same way as getting on an aeroplane or eating a burger or a snickers may cause health issues for some people. But for the most part none of these things cause too much damage, especially in moderation. I think in the absence of the OP stating he/she had any health issues it should be answered that there is no evidence to suggest it will cause hardm. Here are a few articles on caffeine, and a few on red bull. All state that there is an advantage to drinking either caffeine or red bull before a workout (at least 30 mins before, as I stated). Red bull is shown in one of them to be more effective than coffee because of the addition of Taurine. Because the OP is training in the morning there should be no ill effect on their sleep patterns, as can be caused by such stimulants. I would personally feel that if I was drinking coffee/rb to improve my workout I wouldn't have it at other times in the day/week, as this would lessen its effectiveness.

So, links then;
http://www.mamashealth.com/exercise/caf.asp
http://ezinearticles.com/?Would-You-Like-a-Little-Caffeine-With-Your-Workout?&id=177117
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1608/is_9_17/ai_80309795
http://www.diet-blog.com/archives/2005/11/13/red_bull_gives_you_wings.php

Tbh I'm not sure how good these sources are, but there are a few of them and one of them at least provides a bibliography. I've said my bit enough times at this stage, I don't feel the need to defend my position any further.

JayRoc

bilbo79 wrote:

And yes you're right-red bull is unhealthy in any walk of life-anyone with any knowledge of nutrition knows that

Your post is a blanket statement with nothing to back it up whatsoever. Inferring that someone that disagrees with your so-far-unfounded opinion is somehow ignorant.... is unacceptable.

Hanley

bilbo79 wrote:

Dragan i think your taking the piss with this moderator job, you sound like a bully and are not letting the conversation flow-do you want everyone to be robotic or something-i've read lots of your posts and think you have a habit of trying to pick fights with your domineering way of talking to people-chill out a bit man,

I think you're taking the piss with your blanket statements and unapologetic ignorance.

What makes you such an authority on nutrition (genuine question). The people I tend to listen to are the ones who have got **** done in the real world.

Anybody can come on an internet forum and make assertations which they can't back up. Not many people have the guts to back these statements up with photos or accomplishments.

bilbo79

are you claiming that sugar is good for you? and i dont see anyone proving how good for you red bull is? sugar makes you diabetic and fat-while excess caffeine cause insomnia in some people.

Hanley

bilbo79 wrote:

are you claiming that sugar is good for you? and that caffeine way over the rda is a good thing?

Is that aimed at me?

I don't see where I said that. I don't even see what I said that would infer I believed that.

Sugar is good for you. Post workout your body is in desperate need of sugar (to replenish glycogen stores and aid recovery).

But I'm sure you already knew that since you're an expert.

bilbo79

Your body is not looking for sucrose which is the main sugar in redbull its looking for better versions such as glucose-or even fructose to a lesser degree

JayRoc

bilbo79 wrote:

and i dont see anyone proving how good for you red bull is?

I have no particular opinion on the potential dangers of red bull, although so far what I've read here frankly smacks of the same red-top sensationalism that has hopefully turned all who post here away from the nightmare that is creatine addiction.

But the onus is on you, as the person making such a definitive yet controversial statement, to provide us with acceptable evidence to back up what you're saying.

JayRoc

bilbo79 wrote:

Your body is not looking for sucrose which is the main sugar in redbull its looking for better versions such as glucose-or even fructose to a lesser degree

Are you talking about post-training?
As I thought it was pretty clear from the OP that he was taking said refreshing beverage before he trains

JayRoc

Hanley wrote:

your dying argument.

May it rest in peace.

Hanley

Also, I assume you edited out that bit about "and that caffeine way over the rda is a good thing?" cos you realised that since red bull only has about 80mg of caffeine in it, and since the RDA's approx 400mg you were completly wrong.

Which further proves the point you don't know what you're talking about.

And tell me, where did I specifically say anything about SUCROSE?? You question whether or not "sugar" (as a broad generalisation) is bad for someone. Don't mis-quote me in a desperate attempt to revive your dying argument.

bilbo79

Hang on-Diamond made a comment and was jumped on about it-i happen to be on his side-im entitled to my opinion the same as the next man-if your not for or against red bull then whats your problem-im not sitting on the fence-im against it-you? and yes i made a mistake with my rda-big deal! and you said sugar is good for you on a red bull topic-therefore you must be talking about mainly sucrose-or where you going off topic?

Hanley

bilbo79 wrote:

Hang on-Diamond made a comment and was jumped on about it-i happen to be on his side-im entitled to my opinion the same as the next man-if your not for or against red bull then whats your problem-im not sitting on the fence-im against it-you? and yes i made a mistake with my rda-big deal!

You're not entitled to shout about your opinion if it's blatantly WRONG. That is how scare-mongering, rumours and hate campaigns start. It is not an acceptable defence to say "oh well my brothers uncles sister said that".

If you want to put your "opinion" out there then try and back it up with at least some research or experience.

I'm all for people asking questions, but when the first thing you do is attack someone clearly more knowledgable than you when it comes to fitness (Dragan), then you shouldn't expect people to be nice back to you.

Hanley

bilbo79 wrote:

yes i made a mistake with my rda-big deal! and you said sugar is good for you on a red bull topic-therefore you must be talking about mainly sucrose-or where you going off topic?

You're "mistake" about the RDA clearly illustrates you don't know what you are talking about, and were making a desperate attempt to sway the argument your way with sensationalist statements. That alone nullifies everything else you've said in this thread.

And don't try to trip me up with semantics. You made a blanket statement (hald of which was later proven to be blatantly wrong) and I refuted it. You didn't attempted to get specific til you were backed into a corner.

End of.

bilbo79

Dragan is ok about fitness but not more knowledgeable than me, you dont know me or anything about me so kop onto yourself-im not going to tell you my credentials as i dont have to prove anything to you-i never knocked dragans knowledge, i've seen him give out good advise-i think he is throwing his weight about a bit and has a superiority complex of late-on topic i still think red bull is not a healthy drink, im not a doctor but maybe you should ask 1's opinion on redbull. i have and it was simple-dont drink it.

Hanley

bilbo79 wrote:

Dragan is ok about fitness but not more knowledgeable than me, you dont know me or anything about me so kop onto yourself-im not going to tell you my credentials as i dont have to prove anything to you-i never knocked dragans knowledge, i've seen him give out good advise-i think he is throwing his weight about a bit and has a superiority complex of late-on topic i still think red bull is not a healthy drink, im not a doctor but maybe you should ask 1's opinion on redbull. i have and it was simple-dont drink it.

Any good doctor will tell you straight out that he is not a nutrionalist and therefore not in the best position to comment on it.

I don't "know" anything about you, that is correct. What I do know is this, you're general grammer and spelling skills are at the very best sub-par. If you want someone to take what you say seriously then the least you can do is to structure it in a form that is easily understood.

Right now you're getting ultra-defensive. By your own line of reason YOU know nothing about Dragan. Therefore how can you be so sure you know more than him? You sound like you've got a serious inferiority complex going on.

Typically, the ones who make the most noise say the least.

bilbo79

If you attack i can defend, i know dragan through these boards and know that he has no health or fitness qualifications as he told me this himself-i also stated that i think his knowledge is good and thats not the issue-are you just trying to argue or do you have an opinion of your own-and i never said it had to be a medical doctor-all you've proven is that you love dragan-and that you are rude, for all you know i could be dyslexic-i think its spelled like that-do you want to talk or argue? my opinion red bull not good for your health

Hanley

bilbo79 wrote:

Imy opinion red bull not good for your health

See I have no problems with that.

My opinion is it is neither good or bad for your health. Why does something always have to be good or bad?

And fitness qualifications do not a strong or knowledgable person make.

"Doctor" implies medical doctor, again, what's with the semantics?? Next time you say Doctor I'll be sure to clarify whether or not you mean an MD or someone with a PhD in astro-science or something like that.

Also, and this is going to be my last response towards you, what excuse does dyslexia hold for those who don't capitalise their words?

bilbo79

Beau wrote:

Is that healthy?

Yes or no
Good or bad
But the topic did not interest you anyway.

davyjose

Dragan wrote:

Alchohol is a depressant. Red Bull contains stimulants. Thats why they should not be mixed.

Nope, you're wrong - the state of me at 3am last sunday morning ... is why they should never be mixed

cowzerp

Personally i would not drink red bull-i think it raises your blood sugar too much. Caffeine can be used as a weight loss aid but the sugar in red bull kind of defeats this purpose-Overall its a no for me..

Dragan

bilbo79 wrote:

Dragan i think your taking the piss with this moderator job, you sound like a bully and are not letting the conversation flow-do you want everyone to be robotic or something-i've read lots of your posts and think you have a habit of trying to pick fights with your domineering way of talking to people-chill out a bit man,

If you have an issue with any post on this thread then report it.

If you have an issue with me as a mod then take it to feedback.

All i did in this thread was point out that people were arguing over nothing while ignoring the OP. Should he take red bull pre workout? Get to the bottom of why he should it. Thats not a difficult request.

Part of the job of a mod is to ensure that posts and questions are dealt with correctly. All this was doing was turning into a pointless arguement...... about nothing.

I was simply ensuring that the OP was getting good relevant advise. People were making assumptions about why they were asking questions as opposed to just ASKING them for more info.

Finally, making a blanket statement about "sugar causing diabeties" is quite frankly ridiculous. Abuse of high sugar foods can sure mess you up, but you really need to be hammering it down, not having a pre workout pick up.

Now, this thread is closed, plain and simple.

Any issues with posts should be reported. Any issues with Mods can be taken to feedback.

I'm out of here till Monday at the earliest so don't expect anything more on it till then.

Thread closed.