Drinking coffee is a popular way for many socialites at the gym to catch up after a workout. If what this new research suggests is true, then getting that dose of caffeine before the work out could be more beneficial by reducing muscle soreness afterwards.

The Subjects:

25 physically fit men in their early twenties were tested. About half the men normally consumed little to no caffeine, the other half normally consumed the equivalent of 3 to 4 cups of coffee a day.

The Study:

The men underwent two high-intensity, 30-minute sessions on a stationary bike.

Session 1: Participants are given a caffine dose equivalent to 2-3 cups of coffee one hour before the workout

Session 2: Participants are given a placebo pill

The Results:

This is the important part; researchers found that the men who got the caffine reported less thigh-muscle soreness than their caffine free counterparts.

Whats interesting is that because the test took place including both habitual coffee drinkers and those that aren’t, it has shown that we may not build up a tolerance to the pain relieving effects of consuming caffine.

Researchers conclude that caffeine may limit muscle pain by blocking the effects of adenosine, a chemical that’s released in response to inflammation.

Sounds like as good a reason as any to have that shot of cofee before hitting the gym. Anything to relieve the inflammation and soreness associated with a spin class!