Cannabis Strains & Athletic Gains
Photo Credit: Marijuana Times
Sour Diesel. Blue Dream. Granddaddy Purple. OG Kush. Gorilla Glue. The list of strains available on the market is seemingly endless, and grows longer every day as growers cross breeds to create new ones. The selection of strains differs at each dispensary, but the problem remains the same, you still have to figure out which one to buy. With so many choices, this can be overwhelming, even for a veteran consumer like myself. That’s why we’re going to look at what strains we can pair with certain activities to get the most out of them.
Whether you’re Training with Cannabis on your own, or taking part in a Cannabis Fitness Class, choosing the right strain for your activity is very important. Some strains can have a sedative effect, and you wouldn’t want to feel couch locked before hitting the gym. Although, you also wouldn’t want to be super amped up when doing something peaceful, like yoga or meditation. There are a lot of different factors which determine the effects of each strain. Between genotypes, phenotypes, THC, CBD, and terpene profiles, it can seem daunting to know how to choose the right bud. Luckily, there’s an easier method to choosing the right strain for you, and you can adjust it as you learn more about this incredible plant.
With so many strains, and so many differences, how can it be easy? If you’re just starting out, the simplest method is Sativa vs Indica. All you need to remember here is, sativas lift you up, having more of an energetic and focused effect. Indicas typically have a more calming and tranquil effect. Knowing this, is the first step in picking out the right strain for your activity. Personally, I’m always learning more about cannabis in order to make better informed decisions about my health and wellness, but when I run into strains I’m unfamiliar with, and don’t have time to research them on Leafly, I fall back on this method.
For me, I like to train mostly on sativa and sativa dominant hybrids, but everyone’s different. Retired professional NFL player Eugene Monroe, for example, prefers to train on indica strains to help push through the body pain he has from multiple injuries. I on the other hand find the energetic effects of sativa give me the extra motivation I need to get started, and the focus it provides, allows me to really hone in on whatever I’m doing. After training, and before bed I switch over to indica in order to calm my nervous system, relax, and encourage recovery. I also like to consume heavy indica or indica dominant strains when doing long sessions of yoga. This really helps me loosen up my muscles to get more out of the stretches.
Rule number one in cannabis consumption is that it affects us all differently, so find out what works best for you. Start with the Sativa vs Indica method, pay attention, and learn what feels good to your body. In the meantime, to make it even easier, below is a list of some of my favorite strains paired with activities for all abilities.
Sour Diesel and Weight Lifting
This famous sativa is well known for it’s energetic and euphoric effects. It’s perfect for weight lifting, or any other vigorous physical activity.
Bubba Kush and Yoga
This strain is notorious for giving consumers a very tranquil experience. By the end of a fat joint you’ll be calm and ready to relax into your poses.
Chemdawg and Running
Chemdawg tends to be a very potent sativa dominant hybrid, making it a nice pair for running both short and long distances.
Golden Goat and Walking/Hiking
This is one of my favorite strains. It goes good with just about any activity. I chose to pair it with walking/hiking because it’s a nice sativa dominant hybrid that gives you a calming and relaxed feeling first, with an energetic boost behind it.
