Coop’s Corner is a monthly Q&A series where Fitness Expert Dominic Cooper will publish and answer all fitness-related questions. Questions may be submitted to @domcooper11 across social media platforms for a chance to be featured.
Question: Are water pills bad for me?
Diuretics, also called water pills, are a common treatment for high blood pressure. They help you urinate more frequently and remove excess sodium and potassium from the bloodstream. They aren’t necessarily bad for you but when taken too often they can and will dehydrate you and that can lead to a number of side effects such as:
- Dizziness.
- Headaches.
- Dehydration.
- Muscle cramps.
- A type of arthritis called gout, which causes severe joint pain, usually in the big toe.
- Trouble getting erections, also called erectile dysfunction or impotence.
So, in short you can use them but don’t abuse them.
Question: Is taking pre-workout safe before a workout?
Pre-workout supplements are a blend of minerals and vitamins that usually contain a pretty high dosage of caffeine. You can get them without stimulants which is known as “Stimulant Free” and that is usually the safer option.
It’s best that pre-workout supplements are taken at least 30 minutes prior to training, which allows it to absorb properly. If taken too close or while you’re training, the ingredients aren’t as effective and can cause more harm than good. This is especially true if the supplements are high in caffeine because it may cause a rapid increase in your heart rate which isn’t safe.
Overall, yes, pre-workout supplements are fine. Just follow the instructions and stick to those with lower dosages of caffeine if you’re sensitive to stimulants.
Fitness Tip of the Month: Hydrate! That’s right, drink your water and mind your body. Your body needs fluids, and you should be mindful that proper water intake is only one factor of hydration. Consuming fruit and taking a daily vitamin that has enough potassium to help keep you hydrated properly is also essential.
Symptoms of dehydration:
- Dizziness or light-headedness.
- Headache.
- Tiredness.
- Dry mouth, lips and eyes.
- Passing small amounts of urine infrequently (less than three or four times a day)
If you notice any of these symptoms, please take action immediately.
Dominic Cooper is a fitness professional with over 15 years of training and health coaching experience and over 6,000 transformations that have been documented online. His background in fitness started as a collegiate athlete where he was coached by some of the top strength and conditioning coaches in the industry such as Tommy Moffit, Scott Cochran and Olympic Power lifting coach Gayle Hatch. As a celebrity trainer and aesthetics expert, Cooper has trained celebrities Gary Owens, Michael Jai White and 50 Cent to name a few. Cooper currently resides in Houston, Texas and has a genuine passion for helping people to become the best version of themselves.