I changed classes and time today. I simply decided to go to the gym for a workout at a totally different time and participated in a different Instructor’s Spinning class. The Instructor, Karen Henry, was fabulous, but her class had predominantly hill climbing and some sprint sessions – quite different to the other sessions I attend regularly. Wow, what a lactic session it was.
A shaky start
Lactic acid has a bad reputation. Many people blame it for fatigue, sore muscles, and cramps. They think of it as a waste product that should be avoided at all cost. Guess what? Scientists have discovered that lactic acid plays a critical role in generating energy during exercise. Far from being the bad boy of metabolism, lactic acid provides fuels for many tissues, helps use dietary carbohydrates, and serves as fuel for liver production of glucose and glycogen. In fact, lactic acid is nature’s way of helping you survive stressful situations.
But what is Lactic Acid?
Technically, lactic acid is a chemical compound produced from pyruvate, an organic acid in animals. Pyruvate becomes lactic acid during normal metabolism, but also through exercise. (Lactic acid also can be found in some sour milk products, such as yogurt, kefir, and some types of cottage cheese.)
When you exercise, your body burns sugar, fat or protein along with oxygen. This produces the energy needed to continue exercising. When you exercise so intensely your muscles can’t get enough oxygen, Continue reading ‘Wow, what a Lactic Session!’
