A Beginner’s Guide to Kratom for Fitness: Everything to Know

Are you looking to step up your fitness game? Searching for a supplement that can help you feel great and deliver the physical results you’re looking to achieve?

Kratom could be the answer.

Hailing from Asia, this do-all plant has been regarded for centuries as a healing, therapeutic resource that can help you unwind naturally or give you an energy boost, depending on the quantity you take.

As its made its recent move into Western culture, experts have started evaluating new ways to apply this supplement. Can you use kratom for fitness goals? If so, how do you do it and how much should you take? 

Today, we’re diving into all of these questions and more. Read on to discover how to incorporate kratom into your regimen, starting today.

What is Kratom?

A member of the coffee family, kratom is a tree that grows natively in southeast Asia. There are various compounds that contribute to its properties, and the most notable are two alkaloids: mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.

Together, these compounds give kratom its trademark effects. A smaller dose of kratom can give you a little jolt to get through the day, while a larger dose triggers more of a sedative response. 

Many people have turned to kratom to help improve their mood and relieve chronic pain, with some even using it to help with opioid withdrawal symptoms. While more research is required before such applications can be deemed medically appropriate, there’s no denying this supplement’s universal appeal.

That said, you might enjoy drinking a cup of kratom tea in the morning or kicking back with an edible in the evening, but can it really enhance your fitness routine?

The answer is a resounding “yes”.

Many of the same qualities that make kratom such a popular and well-received lifestyle supplement also make it a natural addition to your daily workout schedule. Not only can kratom help you perform better when you hit the gym, but it can also give you the energy you need to power through an especially exhausting set. Then, when you get home and the muscle soreness kicks in, kratom can also help relieve those aches and pains so you can bounce back quicker than before.

Finding Your Ideal Dose

Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all kratom dose that works for everyone. Rather, the ideal amount that works for you will likely be different from your neighbor’s. This is because your dose will hinge on a few different personal factors, including:

• Your weight
• Your age
• Your metabolism
• The type of kratom you’re ingesting
• Your body type
• Your gender

In general, a low dose of kratom is usually considered to be around two grams or less. A moderate dose is around four grams, and a high dose is eight grams or higher. It’s always best to start small and gradually increase your dose until you find an amount that you can tolerate well.

If you’re taking kratom on an empty stomach, stick with a small dose. Without food in your belly to slow it down, you’ll feel the effects much more quickly. Most people find that between 0.5 grams and three grams of kratom is ideal, especially for regular daytime use. If you creep up to a moderate or high dose, it can be difficult to find motivation and energy, as you’re venturing further into the sedative, relaxing properties of the substance. 

For ease of use and taste, most people choose to buy ground-up kratom leaves. You can incorporate these leaves into a variety of beverages and dishes, or you can ingest them with only a mouthful of water, following a method called “toss and wash”. You can also smoke kratom or buy kratom capsules.

Using Kratom for Fitness Purposes

You’ve decided to try kratom to help you reach your short-term and long-term fitness goals. However, you might not be sure where to start. After all, there are many different kinds of kratom strains available, and each one delivers slightly different effects.

In general it’s best to stick to strains that are mild in nature and designed for regular use. Some of the most popular ones include:

• Maeng Da Kratom (yellow, white, green, gold red)
• Sumatra Kratom (yellow, red)
• Borneo Kratom (red, green, white, dragon blood)
• Bali Kratom (red vein, green)

If you’re looking to use kratom as purely an exercise-boosting supplement, any white strain is ideal, including White Malay or White Vein Indo kratom. Both types of kratom are energizing and stamina-enhancing, though they tend to be among the slowest to take effect. Still, if you’re up for the slightly longer wait, the results are well worth it.

At the same time, Maeng Da kratom can boost your clarity and motivation as you head into the gym. If you’re feeling uninspired and tempted to skip your daily workout, a small dose of Maeng Da kratom can help deliver the energy and stamina you need to get back into it.

Finally, as an everyday, moderate strain with both energy-boosting and pain-relieving properties, Bali is also a top performer.

Once you have your preferred strain picked out, you’ll need to know when to take kratom to achieve the optimum effects. Let’s take a look at a proposed schedule and how to get started.

As a Pre-Workout: Taking Kratom Before the Gym

Pre-workouts are dietary supplements that are designed to be taken before you hit the gym. These products contain ingredients that give you an energy boost and improve your stamina, so you can take on more weight and pump more rounds without getting tired or worn out.

Depending on the particular type of pre-workout you choose, you can expect a range of mood-boosting and focus-enhancing effects. This is due to the addition of several different substances, including caffeine and creatine, among others. 

Why not consider switching your routine up a little and swapping your tried-and-true pre-workout supplement for a moderate dose of kratom? Take it about 30 minutes before your workout for the maximum effects.

Not only will you feel more confident and energized, but you’ll be more motivated to hit your workout hard and reach your daily goals. In addition, you’ll also be less likely to hit that mid-workout slump that even the most avid gymgoers tend to experience.

If you take your pre-workout first thing in the morning, your stomach may be empty. As mentioned, stick to a low dose of kratom so you don’t feel any negative effects. To make a great pre-workout meal, simply add a gram of ground kratom leaves into your morning smoothie!

Then, when you start pumping iron, you’ll be glad you made the switch. Kratom leaves contain natural properties that aid in vasodilatation, which means they help open your blood vessels, so your body can circulate blood effectively. As you know, working out depletes your muscles of both oxygen and blood, so enhanced circulation can help keep them in top condition. 

Taking Kratom to Improve Your Workout Clarity

Anyone who works out regularly knows that mental stamina is just as important as physical endurance. It’s all too easy to become distracted at the gym and lose focus on why you really came in the first place.

To this end, a small dose of kratom before you head out can also help you keep your head in the game.

If taken about 30 to 45 minutes before your workout, kratom can help you narrow in on your fitness goals with crystal-clear clarity. The best part? You’ll build stamina and improve motivation, but you won’t experience the jitteriness that most energy drinks tend to deliver. 

When you get finished, you’ll also appreciate that kratom doesn’t give you an uncomfortable dip once the spike wears off. You’ll simply feel grounded and relaxed, rather than groggy and cloudy-headed.

Taking Kratom to Soothe Tired Muscles

Did you go a little too hard at the gym? A little soreness is a good sign that you worked out underused muscles, stretching their fibers and making yourself stronger in the process.

Yet, it’s no secret that the days following a grueling workout can be pretty painful. Kratom can help in this regard, too!

A slightly higher dose can deliver incredible pain-relieving effects that can have you feeling better in no time. This can encourage and motivate you to push a little harder at the gym, as you know you won’t be paying for it for days down the road. 

Even if you haven’t worked out in ages, you can still use kratom to help manage the effects of chronic pain. The kratom leaves work as an analgesic, relieving the dull aches and sharp jolts that threaten to keep you down.

Taking Kratom for Bodybuilding

Bodybuilders around the country are turning to kratom to help them stay alert during their workouts and exceed their personal goals in the weight room.

This organic stimulant does more than improve your cognitive function and your overall mood while you’re working out. It also gives you a boost of power that can help propel you into more powerful and effective bodybuilding routines than ever before.

In time, you’ll find that your muscles are stronger and your mental endurance is improved, simply because you were able to get more deeply “in the zone”.

Taking Kratom for Appetite Control

Let’s be clear on one subject: Kratom alone is not meant to be used as a meal replacement or appetite suppressant. However, it can help you stick to a consistently healthy diet, which can help you reach your weight loss goals.

Whether you’re a bodybuilder looking to shred fat and build muscle, or you simply want to shed a few pounds to feel your best, it’s critical to find a routine that works for you. The sedative effects that it delivers can help reduce anxiety around food cravings and allow you to take a more focused, methodical approach to your diet.

Another added benefit? Kratom can also help stimulate your digestion and regulate your bowl movements. If you’ve ever suffered from a prolonged bloated feeing, this is one perk that can relieve those symptoms. 

Taking Kratom to Boost Your Immune System

Nothing can sidetrack your fitness efforts like falling ill. When you’re lying in bed all day and fighting a sickness, your muscles lose definition and your appetite is thrown off course. As such, it might be more difficult to rouse the energy and stamina required to get back on track.

This is another avenue in which kratom can make a big difference!

While there needs to be more research done to establish a firm connection, some experts believe that kratom can help boost your immune system! This can reduce the number of sick days you’re required to take and help ensure that you never miss a day of your scheduled workouts. 

Try Kratom to Help Meet Your Fitness Goals

It only takes a few seconds to blend a small scoop of kratom powder into your workout smoothie. Yet, the effects that you’ll feel can last for a very long time!

If you’re ready to start seeing bigger, better defined muscles, kratom can help you move past the soreness to find true success. Fueled by the newfound motivation and energy you feel, you’ll be able to spend more time at the gym and lift for even longer than before. The same plant can also help reduce any anxiety or apprehension you feel, allowing you to push past any mental boulders that stand in the way of the finish line. 

The bottom line?

The kratom plant might be relatively new to the fitness space, but there’s no doubt it will soon take its rightful place among the other pre- and post-workout supplements that you’ve come to love. For more information on how to reach your goals in the gym and which products can help you get there, keep reading our blog! If you’re new to this plant, check out our Beginner’s Guide on how to use kratom!