Hemp For Fitness: How To Boost Your Next Workout

Whether you’re going for a long run or a game of basketball with friends, using hemp for fitness is becoming more and more popular with athletes and active individuals. Hemp has many physical and mental benefits that can inspire a more positive workout, faster recovery times, and better rest in general. Hemp also contains many vitamins and minerals that can benefit your overall health.

Sometimes it can be hard to know which product to buy. There are many different types of hemp products, each with different advantages. It’s also important to know the difference between CBD and hemp products. Both can have significant benefits for health and fitness, so let’s find out how you can utilize CBD and hemp for better workouts!

What is Hemp?

Hemp is a variety of the cannabis plant and can have various uses, from being made into ropes, clothing, oils, or other building materials. It is also a dioecious plant, meaning there are both male and female varieties. Hemp is also one of the fastest-growing plants, right after bamboo!

For over 10,000 years, hemp has been used for many things. The hemp fibers, shives (these resemble wood chips), leaves, flowers, and seeds all have specific uses that benefit society in many different ways. Let’s look at some of the most common uses for the hemp plant!

Food & Nutrition

Hemp seeds are amazing superfoods thanks to their high fiber, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. They also have plenty of omega-3 fatty acids that are extremely beneficial to heart, digestion, and joint health. Hemp seeds contain as many amino acids as other proteins like milk, eggs, and soy.

Fiber

Throughout history, hemp fiber has been used to make rope, fabrics, and canvases. Hemp has a similar texture to linen but is exceptionally durable and long-lasting. In modern times, hemp fiber has been used in a long list of consumer goods, including shoes, dog collars, and clothing.

Building Material

Hemp fiber is known for its strength and durability. Hemp is also lightweight, resistant to mold, and breathable, making it excellent for various construction material needs. It’s a sustainable material that can be used in an abundance of ways while being friendly to the environment.

What’s The Difference Between Hemp, CBD & THC?

People often use the terms hemp and CBD interchangeably, but are they the same thing? And where does THC come into play? Hemp, CBD, and THC are all very different. It’s time to set things straight, so let’s take a look at the differences.

Hemp

Hemp is a cannabis plant that has high concentrations of CBD and very little THC. Any time hemp is mentioned, most of the time people are referring to the raw plant product that has not yet been processed for CBD extraction. The plant itself can have plenty of nutritional benefits that can supplement your diet and lifestyle. 

Although hemp and CBD are often used in the same products, they are not the same thing. CBD is a compound extracted from hemp. The hemp plant has many natural health benefits, but it may not provide the same relaxing and therapeutic effects as CBD! Some brands make products with hemp oil or extract, but they won’t help clear your head or help you relax like CBD can.

CBD vs. THC

CBD is a naturally occurring, non-psychoactive cannabinoid, meaning it won’t get you high at all. CBD provides many benefits for your overall well-being because of the unique way it interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).

The ECS is in charge of your body’s balance. It has receptors throughout all the major areas, including the digestive, nervous, and immune systems. CBD interacts with the receptors in these areas, meaning you will feel its effects throughout your body and mind. 

THC is a cannabinoid that is mainly found in marijuana, the cousin of hemp. Marijuana and THC have intoxicating qualities and euphoric effects that some people seek out, but they’re not for everyone. THC is known as a psychoactive cannabinoid that produces mind-altering effects.

Although CBD and THC provide many of the same therapeutic benefits, only hemp (which has high CBD and low THC) is legal in the United States. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized the sale and production of hemp and hemp-derived products. As long as CBD products or hemp crops don’t contain over the legal limit of 0.3% THC, it is available for everyone to consume.

If hemp contains over 0.3% THC, it has to be classified as marijuana, which is still illegal federally. Be sure to check your state’s laws and policies regarding both CBD and THC!

Can You Use Hemp for Fitness?

You can absolutely use hemp for fitness to boost your workouts and exercise routine! Hemp can be made into protein powders or hemp milk to help boost recovery after a challenging workout. This amazing plant has many nutritional benefits that can help you keep up your strength and energy.

What Are the Benefits of Using Hemp?

There are many potential benefits of hemp for everyone, especially for those who live a more active lifestyle. The powerful wellness and recovery qualities of hemp can help with your fitness routine and help you take control of your health.

Health & Nutrition

Hemp is a naturally occurring plant that can be extremely versatile in helping your pre workout routine or post workout routine. The hemp seeds are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to keep your body and systems functioning properly.

There are also high levels of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids (EFA) in hemp, which are incredibly beneficial. Omega-3 supplements are often taken to lower cholesterol and blood pressure.

You can find many other nutrients in hemp — such as vitamin E and dietary fiber — that can help boost your immune and digestive systems. Much like how proteins can support muscle growth and recovery, these other vital nutrients play an important role in keeping our internal systems running smoothly!

Muscle Recovery

The high protein levels in hemp can significantly help with muscle recovery. It is one of the few complete, plant-based proteins that contain all nine essential amino acids to aid in recovery. The anti-inflammatory effects of hemp can also help treat muscle soreness. This unique quality is why many people love consuming hemp for fitness.

Working out causes tiny tears in the muscle tissue that muscle proteins build back up. The proteins help repair the muscles and make the tissues thicker and stronger, which is how you build strength and durability for your body.

Hemp can reduce discomfort and soreness after a workout by providing an extra protein boost to your body. Especially if you are recovering from a physical injury, proteins can help keep your muscles strong.

Weight Loss

The fiber in hemp can aid in weight loss by boosting your metabolism and digestion. Hemp has high amounts of both soluble and insoluble fiber that can benefit gut health. Soluble fiber provides nutrients for digestive bacteria to help you regulate cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Insoluble fiber helps thicken the stool to allow it to pass through your system easier. 

It’s important to consume whole hemp seeds that have not been de-shelled! De-shelled hemp seeds lose all their fiber value and won’t help with weight loss as well.

Can You Use CBD for Fitness? 

Yes, CBD is another excellent aid for fitness-focused people! While many people consider CBD a product for relaxation and sleep, it can also encourage focus and energy. Just like hemp, CBD has a variety of benefits for your mind and body that will keep you healthy, well-rested, and positive.

Products like CBD salves and CBD body lotions can help with muscle recovery and soreness! When you apply CBD topicals to your skin, it penetrates deep into the muscle and skin tissues to stimulate recovery. We have cannabinoid receptors all over our body that allow for quick absorption and fast-acting effects.

Additionally, because CBD oil often contains hemp seed oil, the product has a high nutritional value that can help bolster your fitness lifestyle. CBD oil can provide extra nutrients like proteins, vitamins, and fatty acids to help improve your stamina and recovery time.

What Are the Benefits of Using CBD? 

What makes CBD so beneficial to active individuals is the abundance of options when it comes to consuming CBD. You can really focus on your workout requirements and specific needs to pick the perfect CBD product for you.

Here are some of the most common benefits of CBD:

• Soothes discomfort: A lot of people take CBD to feel relief from physical discomfort. It has anti-inflammatory properties, making it helpful for joint tension and skin irritation. This makes CBD popular for people looking for comfort after a long day at work or a tough workout.
• Regulates appetite: CBD reduces the side effects of illness, including nausea and vomiting. When you are feeling better, it’s easier to eat without feeling unwell. CBD won’t give you the “munchies” like marijuana but instead can keep you regulated.
• Promotes sleep: CBD is popular for people that want to get better rest. There are a lot of CBD products focused on leaving you feeling rested and relaxed. CBD also promotes deeper sleep, helping you feel rejuvenated the following day.
• Reduces negative thoughts: People experiencing stress, nervousness, and other unwanted feelings will often take CBD to feel those thoughts fade away. CBD can help clear your head and relieve those racing thoughts.
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One of the many reasons people choose to take CBD over THC is that it has very few side effects. CBD is well-tolerated by most people and has few adverse effects. Any side effects experienced are usually extremely minor and don’t last very long.

Some of the possible side effects are:

• Dry mouth
• Slight dizziness
• Small change in appetite and mood
• Minor diarrhea

Final Thoughts – Hemp for Fitness

From better rest and recovery to a more focused and positive workout, hemp for fitness is very beneficial to active people. Whether you’re just looking to golf with friends or practice for a triathlon, there’s a hemp product out there that will inspire wellness, a clear mind, and a stronger body.

It’s no surprise that hemp for fitness has become more popular in recent years. Athletes often share their positive stories and experiences with hemp, from deeper sleep to soothing joint discomfort. Try hemp for a healthy, organic way for your fitness life!