I am sure you are looking at the topic and thinking how on earth is cannabis going to help me with my exercise routine, how is it going to motivate me to go to the gym and not the drive-thru? That is an excellent question, and the answer is choosing the right type of cannabis strain that promotes uplifting, energetic, and euphoric feelings.
This strain list below should help jump start your exercise in the right direction.
1. Super Lemon Haze – This sativa dominant strain blend is one of the best strains to use when looking for the energy and motivation to go to the gym. It has a very potent dank smell, with an extremely fruity taste promises a robust high with a lemon undertone.
2. Blueberry Dream – Another delightful tasting strain that is considered a hybrid with indica dominance but surprisingly activates a sativa high. This strain smells just like freshly baked blueberry muffins and will give you the speedy, soaring high one could use when it comes to getting your exercise in.
3. Sweet Kush – This strain should be used by experienced cannabis smokers as it can leave the noob feeling a little lazier than uplifted at first but once you have the dose figured out, you should be able to take a toke of this and hit the gym. This strain is ideal for those who suffer from muscle spasms and joint pain; it allows them to get their routine in with having experienced the extreme pain that comes with the exercise or even after the exercise
4. Harlequin – She is a sativa-dominant strain with a 75/25 percent ratio of sativa to indica. She contains a 5:2 ratio of CBD: THC, which makes this the perfect strain to get the blood pumping for your work out. Also, those who can only hand low impact workouts due to other ailments will find this offers the energy plus pain relief, without the high effect.
5. Cannatonic– Another CBD-rich strain, that again does not leave you with the head high and would be a great strain to use after your workout. This will promote the relaxation of your muscles, relieve any pain that may have been caused by your routine, and leave you feeling uplifted.
6. The famous Jack Herer – This strain is a sativa that promises to leave you with a happy, uplifted, and euphoric effect. Nothing like being motivated from one of nature’s pure gifts, I mean you exercise to stay healthy so why not try adding this in with your workout, you may find it to be an even more pleasant experience than you imagined.
7. Sour Diesel – A very well-known and popular strain that leaves you feeling happy, energetic, and creative. A great one to smoke if you are looking to do some yoga or mindful exercises.
8. Grape Ape – Although this is an indica dominant strain, many heavy smokers find this to be a great uplifting strain that allows them to focus and be pain-free. Another great strain for a medical user looking to get a workout in and experience extreme pain as a result.
9. Great White Shark – Although this is a sativa, it does offer some surprising indica effects regarding a pleasant body buzz. This strain will help to loosen up those stiff muscles and sore muscles that stop you from the gym. Use this in small doses to make your workout more efficient.
10. Green Crack – This is a hybrid strain perfect for those who experience anxiety from smoking pure sativa or indica. This popular strain offers an uplifting, motivating feel without the anxious, paranoid effects. The high is decidedly cerebral, with a big mood boost and a jolt of energy.
These ten cannabis strains should get you started in the right direction when it comes to smoking before your workout. The key things to remember is not all stains are the right ones for you, try them out in low dose’s and see how they interact with you, then build off of that. It may help to log what you liked and did not like about the stains to find the best combination for your exercise routine.
Cannabis Strain Definitions:
Super Lemon Haze: Sativa Dominant Hybrid – 80% Sativa / 20% IndicaTHC: 25%, CBD: 1%, CBN: 2%
This winning sativa-dominant hybrid took home first place in the Medical Sativa category at the 2014 Seattle Cannabis Cup. It’s a Washington original, grown by at least two local cultivators, Olympia Mike and A Green Cure. It’s a blend of Lemon Skunk and Super Silver Haze, and it has a sativa/indica ratio of 80:20. That means heady, peppy, cerebral effects: arousal, creativity, energy, euphoria, and intense happiness. These make for ideal tools in treating depression, fatigue, anxiety, nausea, and chronic pain. THC levels soar in this strain, with at least one sample topping 25%, and that puts Super Lemon Haze near the top of the potency pyramid. But it isn’t known for its CBD levels, which regularly test well below 1%. In other words, this strain shouldn’t be used as the only medicine for conditions that respond to CBD, such as seizure disorders. Super Lemon Haze has a tart, zesty lemon flavor, and aroma, with sweet notes of candy. The bud, which has a speckled green-and-brown appearance, is covered with a dense layer of resinous trichomes. This strain is popular on the West Coast of the United States and in British Columbia.
Blueberry Dream: Sativa Dominant Hybrid – 80% Sativa / 20% IndicaTHC: 21%
Blueberry Dream, also known as Blue Dream, is a sativa dominant hybrid (80% sativa/20% indica) that is a potent cross between the insanely popular Blueberry X Haze strains. With a moderately high average THC level of 21%, this strain is extremely potent. Patients describe the high as an immediate sativa based strong sense of focus and calm followed by a cerebral-centered high that melts straight into a full-body high within an hour after dosing. The high is not overwhelming and is great for daily use and social situations, as it doesn’t cause the anxiety that is normally associated with high-level sativa hybrids. Because of these potent effects, Blueberry Dream is ideal for treating conditions such as chronic pain from diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis, as well as chronic inflammation and muscle spasms. Many patients often use Blueberry Dream as a medication to help them unwind at the end of the day or to aid in the preparation of food. The Blueberry Dream buds are dense, popcorn shaped nugs that are a bright green color with subtle purple and blue undertones and fiery orange hairs. With a spicy, tropical smell and a fruity palatable taste, this bud is just as delicious as it looks!
Sweet Kush: Hybrid – 50% Sativa /50% IndicaTHC: 18%
Breeders crossed the indica-dominant Sweet Tooth with the sativa-dominant OG Kush to create this indica-dominant hybrid. Sweet Kush has a reputation as a very potent strain, but exact THC percentages are hard to come by. The same goes for CBD levels, though this isn’t known as an especially helpful strain for patients who need that chemical. The specific ratio of sativa to indica is also unclear, but the effects fall mostly on the indica side. The immediate effect is cerebral, but that quickly fades into a lazy, sedated body buzz with deep relaxation and pain relief. The high can induce creativity and delivers a healthy dose of euphoria. The most common adverse effect is dry mouth, while paranoia and dry eyes are also reported. Sweet Kush is best at treating body pains, anxiety, and sleeplessness. It can also be used to stimulate the appetite. This strain has a sweet flavor and aroma to match its name, with hints of earth and berries. Popular in Arizona and California, Sweet Kush can also be found in the legal markets in Colorado and Oregon.
Harlequin: Sativa Dominant Hybrid – 75% Sativa / 25% IndicaTHC: 7% – 15%, CBD: 10%
Harlequin is a hybrid cross between Colombian Gold, Thai and Swiss Landrace. It constitutes an indica/sativa ratio to be known as 25:75, meaning it is sativa dominant. It has a unique CBD: THC ratio which is best described to be 5:2. In other words, its THC level is 7-15% and CBD level of 4-10%. Its flavor and aromatic popularity is due to the essence of mango and earthy musk. It is best known to act as the most viable relaxing and calming agent. Also, the patient, after using it, can stay quite focused and alert, making the highlighting feature of this strain. In terms of its physical features, it is a dense looking strain with thick nugs all around it and dressed up heavily with trichrome. Its negative effects may include the effects of drying mouth and eyes, slight nausea, and headaches in most harsh cases. The specific medical marijuana strain yields to a sufficient quantity and most commonly grown indoors, with a flowering time of sixty to seventy days. It is regarded as an excellent reliever of pain, either associated with the body and muscles, or with the head. The low THC level makes it easier for a patient to be mindful.
Cannatonic: Hybrid – 50% Sativa /50% IndicaTHC: 7% – 15%, CBD: 12%, CBN: 1%
This strain is an even blend of sativa and indica (50:50 sativa/indica ratio). It’s a great medical strain high in CBD, a chemical used to treat severe seizures and other conditions. But it’s very low in THC 7–15% at most – so Cannatonic isn’t a good bet for getting high, despite its name. The high, such as it is, is relaxed and uplifting with both mental and physical qualities. Cannatonic has an earthy smell, with a woody citrus flavor. It’s most popular in the Pacific Northwest, California, and Michigan. This strain is best for treating epilepsy and pain, as it provides a deep feeling of relaxation with uplifting cerebral effects. Cannatonic is a hybrid blend of MK Ultra, an indica, and the legendary G-13 Haze, an indica-dominant hybrid. The strain was bred to produce a greater ratio of sativa to indica, and that helps keep the head high clear. Possible side effects include dry mouth, while anxiety and paranoia are less likely.
Jack Herer: SativaTHC: 23%, CBN: 1%
Jack Herer is easily one of the best-known strains in America. Originating in California, this sativa honors the memory of Jack Herer the man, a longtime local cannabis activist, and medical marijuana user. It’s not quite as strong as its popularity might suggest, but the high is heady and distinctive. Jack Herer has a unique loamy smell and taste with hints of pine and trees. The sativa high is happy, bubbly, and euphoric, spurring energy and creativity. Jack Herer is ideal for errands and other daytime activities. This strain is effective for patients with mental or neurological disorders, including bipolar disorder, anxiety, migraines, PTSD, and ADHD. Dry mouth and red eyes are common, along with occasional dizziness and paranoia. Jack Herer is popular throughout the United States, but, like many other strains, it’s most popular in the West.
Sour Diesel: Sativa Dominant Hybrid – 90% Sativa / 10% IndicaTHC: 26%, CBD: 2%, CBN: 4%
Sour Diesel, otherwise known as “Sour D” or “Sour Deez” is a sativa dominant hybrid strain with a 90:10 sativa/indica ratio. The origin of Sour Diesel is frequently debated within the marijuana community. Some say it’s a cross between a mass super skunk and 91 Chemdog, while others claim that it’s a cross between Mexican sativa and a Chemdog phenotype. Either way, you can undoubtedly look forward to a high like no other. Couch lock and a “heavy feeling” aren’t a factor when smoking sour diesel. Instead, you can expect an invigorating cerebral high that opens up doors of creativity. This strain is commonly used among medical patients to relieve anxiety, depression, and chronic fatigue. Although sour diesel consists of some indicia, it’s not the best strain for insomnia and other similar ailments because of the stimulating and lively head high that it delivers. Due to the effervescent contained within this strain, many people choose to smoke sour diesel at the beginning of their day for a head start. The potency of this strain is just enough to give you a great high and become your daily toke. The word “diesel” in sour diesel didn’t come out of absolutely nowhere. This strain has one of the most pungent aromas of any strain, similar to Diesel Gas with a hint of lemon. You can expect a smooth toke with a slight lemon aftertaste. The appearance of sour diesel is composed of dense light green mug covered in orange hairs.
Grape Ape: Indica Dominant Hybrid – 90% Indica / 10% SativaTHC: 18% – 21%
Grape Ape is a mostly indica crossbreed of Mendocino Purps, Skunk, and original Afghani. It shares their potency, with THC levels as high as 18-21%, which makes it a relatively strong – but not overpowering – tool for treating disease. As its name suggests, Grape Ape tastes and smells like sweet grapes, with a subtle berry flavor. Like its Purple ancestors, this strain develops a deep purple bud and leaves to go with its grape-like qualities. It’s most useful in treating chronic pain, including migraines and arthritis, though it also helps relieve anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The high is profoundly relaxing, a full-body experience that can lead to strong couch-lock and deep sleep. This is definitely a nighttime strain, as it can have a near-comatose effect. But the high can also be euphoric and focused, with a clear mind. Dry mouth is common, as are red eyes. Most easily found on the West Coast, in Colorado, and in Michigan, this popular strain can also be purchased across the country, on both legal and black markets. It’s a relatively easy strain to grow.
Great White Shark: Indica Dominant Hybrid – 80% Indica / 20% SativaTHC: 15% – 21%
Great White Shark, also known more commonly as “Peacemaker” or “White Shark” among the cannabis community, is an indica dominant hybrid (80% sativa/20% indica) strain that is an extremely potent cross between the hugely popular Super Skunk X Brazilian X South Indian strains. This dank bud boasts a moderate THC level that ranges from 15-21% and was the 1997 winner of the High Times’ Cannabis Cup for Best Hybrid. Users describe the Great White Shark high as having an almost immediate onset of an intense cerebral head high that leaves you feeling easily distracted and cloudy. This spaciness is accompanied by a slowly building warming buzz that spreads evenly throughout your mind and body, leaving you feeling completely relaxed and pain-free. Upon the comedown, you’ll be eased into a deep and peaceful sleep. Due to these potent effects, Great White Shark is ideal for treating chronic pain, muscle spasms, and anxiety or stress. This bud has an aroma and taste of sweet tobacco with a pungently harsh aftertaste upon exhale. Great White Shark buds have small fluffy dark olive green nugs with rich amber hairs and undertones as well as a layer of thick chunky white trichomes and sweet sticky resin.
Green Crack: Sativa Dominant Hybrid – 65% Sativa / 35% IndicaTHC: 15% – 25%
A perennial favorite, Green Crack is a sativa-dominant hybrid that was bred by inbreeding Skunk #1. Green Crack is usually sativa-dominant, but there’s also a less popular indica-heavy version of the strain. Green Crack got its name from Snoop Dogg, though it’s also known as Green Cush or simply Cush among smokers who prefer not to reference cocaine. This highly addictive strain is massively potent, with top THC levels reaching 24%. It has a sativa/indica ratio of 65:35. The high is decidedly cerebral, with a big mood boost and a jolt of energy. This strain spurs creativity and helps patients get things done. It’s most effective in treating anxiety and depression, along with ADHD, PTSD, and migraines. Green Crack has a sweet flavor with tropical and citrus notes. The buds are dense and tight. Dry mouth occurs frequently, while dry eyes, dizziness, and paranoia, happen less often. It’s most common in the Pacific Northwester, California, Arizona, and Colorado. But it can be found almost anywhere else with relative ease. It’s one of the most popular strains on the black market for this reason.
