What Is Lactic Acid and How Does It Affect Your Workouts?

Photo by Trust "Tru" Katsande on Unsplash

You’ve probably heard of lactic acid so many times before, but do you really know what it is? It’s an acid that the body produces regularly, but you feel it in the form of muscle soreness only when the production rate is bigger than the rate of eliminating it.

In other words, this is the acid that leads to muscle discomfort after you’ve worked out very hard, or haven’t exercised in a while. It’s only a temporary feel, and you shouldn’t worry about it too much. Here are some tips to help you deal with it.

Warm Up

Don’t ever start working out without warming up. Light stretches and light cardio exercises will help your muscles adjust before you start with the training session. This will bring more oxygen to the tissues and reduce the production of lactates.

Try Magnesium

Magnesium is a mineral that helps your muscles perform better and will also protect you from soreness.

Hydrate

Drinking enough water is the most basic tip you should not forget. It doesn’t matter if you go to the gym, do Pilates and Zumba, or any other type of activity. To prevent the build-up of lactic acid, you should be hydrated at all times.