How to Use Kratom in Your Workout Routine: Best Kratom Strains, Tips, and More!

Longtime Kratom connoisseurs agree that the plant has multiple benefits, but what exactly is it used for? Over the years, native inhabitants of Southeast Asia have used it as a natural energy source while hunting and gathering. Today, plenty of people in the West yearn for a more holistic approach to their well-being. 

As Kratom gains popularity, it receives more attention in the fitness world. In this article, we’ll cover how you can incorporate the best Kratom strains such as Green Maeng Da or Red Sumatra into your workout routine. 

What is Kratom? 

Kratom is a botanical related to the coffee plant. It also goes by its scientific name: Mitragyna speciosa. The evergreen tree grows predominantly in Southeast Asia. Kratom needs specific conditions to flourish, so it thrives in the rain forests of the tropics. It’s an indigenous species to countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, and Myanmar. While it grows throughout several nations, almost the entire global supply is exported from only one country: Indonesia. It used to be the only country that provides a legal channel to purchase Kratom until recently, Thailand started lifting restrictions regarding Kratom. Although it remains highly regulated, approved sources are now allowed to import and export Kratom from the country. 

The two primary alkaloids found in kratom (mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine) have since then been known to produce a variety of effects once ingested. 

What Does Pre-Workout Do? 

Depending on the brand you purchase, pre-workout could be used for various benefits to aid with your workout. Most pre-workouts come in the form of a powder meant to be mixed in with water, although capsules and liquid energy drinks are popular as well. 

The main purpose of taking a pre-workout supplement is to gain more energy to amp you up before heading into the gym. Other brands have additives that increase blood flow and cause a common term called a “pump”. While this is physically appealing, it has no real benefit once it wears off. 

When taken in correct serving sizes, these products work exceptionally well. However, it is common that some of these products are overused and can cause damage down the road. 

Using Kratom for Energy in Your Pre-Workout

One of the most common effects users report after taking Kratom is an energy boost. Not all strains are to thank for this, however. Unanimously, White vein and Green vein strains are acknowledged as the best Kratom strains for clean energy, body and mind boost, increased productivity, and mental focus. 

• Green Maeng Da (Hyper Hippo)
• White Maeng Da (Rockstar Hippo) 
• White Malay (Thunder Hippo)
• White Thai (Lightning Hippo) 
• Red Thai (Invincible Hippo) 
• Green Sunda (Jolly Green Hippo)
• White Dragon (White Dragon Hippo)

To read more about the different effects the various Kratom strains provide, check out our Beginner's Guide to Kratom Basics. 

The best part about using Kratom as a pre-workout is that it's all-natural! No need to worry about the long list of - and usually unheard of - ingredients that were thrown together in a factory. 

When to Take Kratom as a Pre-Workout 

Pre-Workout products are usually advised to be taken 15-30 minutes before an active workout session. This time frame when regarding Kratom may differ depending on a few factors, one being the type of Kratom product you are consuming. Whether it be a Kratom Extract, Kratom Powder, or Kratom Capsules, this has an impact on when you would take it as a pre-workout. Kratom Extract typically absorbs into your body fastest, and Kratom capsules tend to take longer for your stomach to break down. 

Another point to consider is whether you have eaten in the past few hours or not. Taking Kratom on an empty stomach can give you effects substantially sooner than on a full stomach.  

Can I Use Kratom Daily for My Pre-Workout? 

If you enjoy the effects of using Kratom as a replacement for other pre-workout powders, there is no problem with using Kratom daily in your workout routine. 

Something to be cautious about, however, is Kratom can dehydrate you. Drinking plenty of water whenever consuming the herb is crucial to reaping the benefits, especially when you are using it frequently. 

It is also important to rotate your pre-workout strain every so often, to avoid building up a tolerance. Check out our other blog posts about Strain Rotation and Avoiding Kratom Tolerance to learn more! 

Is Kratom Safe for Use in My Workout Routine? 

When used in normal servings, Kratom is safe to use in a workout routine. However, it is not recommended that you combine Kratom with an additional pre-workout stimulant. 

For those who do not know how much Kratom to take, we have a blog on Kratom serving size too!

The Pros and Cons of Kratom as part of your workout

Pros

• It is 100% natural, no added junk! 
• It provides a more clean energy rather than the jitters and itchy feeling other pre-workouts might cause 
• Provides mood boost and increased motivation to push through your workouts

Cons

• Unlike other pre-workouts, Kratom was not physically engineered to be a stimulant, so it may not be as potent as some may like
• Taking too much in one sitting can result in stomach discomfort and create an unproductive workout

Kratom and Orange Juice as a Potentiator 

One of the potential cons of using Kratom as a pre-workout is that Kratom alone may not be a strong enough kick to get you excited to go to the gym, especially if you’re used to products packed with caffeine.  

A tip to try would be to mix your Kratom with Orange juice, or some other citrus drink, to increase the potency of your serving. The acidic nature of those products breaks down the Kratom molecules before you ingest them, so your stomach no longer has to digest the plant material to make the alkaloids readily available to your body. 

And hey, the orange juice also helps cover up the intense flavor Kratom has that many find unpleasant!

Using Kratom for Relaxation (Post Workout) 

Some people are naturally energetic and love to be active - with no help from a stimulant. These athletes often prefer something to help them recover and wind down at the end of the day instead. Kratom can help with this too!

Red vein and Yellow vein Kratom strains are best known for relieving physical discomfort and promoting deep relaxation. 

This might also be helpful if your pre-workout has left you jittery or irritable after you’ve come home from the gym. Post-gym jitters are the worst!

Below are some of our most relaxing Kratom strains to use as a post-workout: 

• Red Sumatra (Magic Hippo) 
• Red Bali (Red Dragon Bali)
• Yellow Bali (Royal Golden Bali) 
• Supreme Horn Kratom (Slow-Mo Hippo) 
• Yellow Sumatra (Sleepy Hippo) 

Kratom as your post-workout can generally be taken anytime, although most prefer to take it right before bed for a better night's sleep. 

What You Need to Know About Your Post Workout 

As mentioned above, something to keep in mind when consuming Kratom is to make sure you stay hydrated. Kratom is known to dehydrate you, so drinking extra water can prevent any issues that might arise with using it as a post-workout. 

It is also very important to feed your muscles after exerting them, by eating some sort of protein snack (preferably before taking your Kratom). 

Using Kratom as Appetite Suppressant for Dieting 

One of the most vital parts of switching to a healthy lifestyle is also changing your diet. Changing your diet can be beneficial in many ways - cutting out processed foods, extra sugars, artificial sweeteners, etc. 

But what if your issue lies in eating too much rather than eating healthy overall?

As many know, Kratom is very effective for providing energy and an extra pep in your step, similar to a cup of coffee in the morning. Although there isn’t a ton of research supporting it, Coffee is widely known to suppress your appetite after consumption - and Kratom is very similar!

Many athletes are now turning to Kratom as a natural approach to helping them achieve a caloric deficit. 

Because it is generally the stimulant effect of coffee that creates a decreased appetite, you will want to look for a Fast strain to use. Like any other appetite suppressant, you will want to consume your Kratom earlier in the day to keep you from eating more in the afternoon. 

It is also important to know that Kratom gives a stimulant effect in lower serving sizes - more Kratom does NOT mean more energy! 

The best Kratom strains to take while dieting include:

• White Malay (Thunder Hippo)
• White Maeng Da (Rockstar Hippo)
• Green Maeng Da (Hyper Hippo)
• Red Thai (Invincible Hippo) 

How to Buy Kratom Online 

Out of all the online Kratom businesses, Happy Hippo Herbals has a team of professionals that continually go above and beyond. The reputation and expertise of our employees are unmatched. 

Our customer service representatives take additional time and effort to make sure you’re getting what you ordered, and if you have any concerns or queries, they’re on standby to assist you with choosing the perfect Kratom variety for your specific needs. The selection of Kratom products here at Happy Hippo Herbals is beyond reproach, as they’re constantly adding new strains and products. 

In addition, we keep the selections under three easy-to-navigate categories. You can find slow, moderate, and fast varieties of Kratom on our website. Plus, there are over 30 different types of Kratom at your fingertips, so you can find a Kratom strain for every occasion. Take the time to peruse the site and make an order; afterward, the odds are you’ll be a customer for life.

DISCLAIMER: Because Kratom remains unregulated by the FDA, the authors of this text would like to note that although this article contains many points regarding the use of Kratom, they should only serve as a piece of information, not medical advice.

Kratom is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. 

Make sure to speak to a physician if you have questions before using Kratom.

SOURCES

Billy. KratomGeek 2021

Ghose, T. The truth about pre-workout supplements. LiveScience 2021

T., Poramet. Campaign for legal kratom use nears goal. Bangkok Post 2021