ONE
WORD
ANSWER
IT’S AN UNSPOKEN FACTthat
there’snomorecourageous
display of faux-manliness than
keeping your cool in the face of an
incendiary chilli assault. That’s
why Australian sales of hot sauce
areincreasingyearonyear,why
chilli challenges have become an
online staple, and why brands
release products with names that
soundlikehorrorB-movies.
(Anyone for a splash of Grim
Reaper Pestilence?)
Beyond the bravado, however,
themasochist’scondimentof
choice could ironically be the best
waytotakethepainoutofyour
training. A splash of Tabasco
could even make your graft in the
gymalittlelessspicy.
In a recent study conducted by
São Paulo State University in
Brazil, athletes took either 12mg
ofcapsaicin–thekeychemical
compound in chilli – or a placeboWORDS: SCARLETT WRENCH ; PHOTOGRAPHY: BETH CRUTCHFIELDFeel the burn
in the kitchen to
create maximum
workout heat.pill, before hitting the squat rack.
Scientists then tested the subjects’
ability to push through four squat
sets, using 70 per cent of their
maximum weight. The results
suggested that those who liked it
hot were b et ter able to w it h st a nd
their trial by fire, pushing 25 per
cent more weig ht du r i ng t hei r
workout and finding it less
strenuous. The effect has been
attributed to reduced inf lammation
and an interruption of the body’s
pain signals.
All of which means that, come leg
day, you should make fiery eggs
your pre-workout snack. Season
them with as many drops of
Louisiana’s finest as you can
handle, then devour precisely 45
minutes before your session – the
amount of time it takes for capsaicin
to reach peak concentration in your
body. Think of it as a little pain now
for a lot of gain later.ANSWER
Tabasco
QUESTION
What unlikely tonic
could douse the
burn of legs day?
AN