Do these two things mix very well?
I was wondering because I have always wanted to bulk up a bit, just never had the motivation or will to do so until I was put on adderall. Only problem is I notice that my heart rate is fast, about 80 bpm resting when its about 65 without adderall.
Has anyone tried working out while on adderall and was it worth it? Or should I just try and do it without the adderall.
Thanks.

Hey good question. Sorry, I don't have an answer, but I have been wondering the same thing.

Anyone?

I'm a runner, and plan on doing a marathon next year. That's a great question, and one that also concerns me. I don't need medication to bump my heart rate up when it already goes up during a run. Something to follow up on when I get my dx and if meds are appropriate.

I train on it. I'd rather do it that way- because my workouts are more intense and motivated. I'm weight training for size and strength.... I'm not a fan of cardio.
I just keep an eye on my heart rate- and make sure I rest enough between sets to get it down if I feel it's going up too high.

I noticed my heart rate was a tad higher as well. I was over at CVS the other day at the height of my adderall onset and tested out my blood pressure and H/R... Not much of a difference- esp in blood pressure.. That was a huge relief.

i weight lift on it all the time....helps me stay focus and committed, as with anything else I do (or dont with ADD)......but please be careful, it does definitely add to your heart rate, so unless you have perfect cardiovascular healthy heart I wouldnt do it......

this is something that also concerns me because i regularly run 30-40 miles a week and run half-marathons all the time...

Since starting Adderall 3.5 weeks ago, I've felt "more out of shape," for lack of a better phrase. My heart rate is higher and I don't have chest pain, but I'm definitely breathing heavier than I normally do during runs. I haven't even pushed myself to do sprints or anything because I've been breathing so much more laborously while jogging.

I mentioned to my doctor that I was a runner when he prescribed the medication to me, and he said I'd be fine as long as I ran at least 5 or 6 hours after my last dose. So that's what I've been doing--either running in the morning before taking the medication, or running about 6-7 hours after my last dose...

I was prescribed 2x20 mg IR, btw... but I've only been taking about 10 or 15 mg doses.

Hello! I work out 7 days a week, and id say bout 4 of the days im on adderall. I feel as though it gives me that extra push and def more energy. I wouldnt take to much rite before u work out. I take 10mg, and then take the rest during the day. Start small and see. If u dont like the way it makes u feel, then def just work out without it.

That's a good question! I'm glad I saw that this morning. I have an appointment with my doc this afternoon. I hope I remember to ask!

I ran Division 1 college track for four years while taking Adderall. I never had a problem taking it. Unless you have some sort of heart condition or a family history of this, you should be fine. I think it raised my heart rate slightly, but never enough for me to be concerned. I also think I had a harder time recovering than my teammates while doing very intense reps with little break time, but I also have sports induced asthma, which is more likely the reason.

I never my Adderall right before practice or races. If it took my Adderal after I got out of morning practice (about 10:30) I was completely fine by afternoon practice (3pm). I would not recommend taking it a short time before a strenuous aerobic workout, as it does tend to increase many people's heart rate. Regardless of when I took it, I do not think it effected my weightlifting.

The team doctor was the one who proscribed it for one of my team mates and me. He was very aware of how intense our practices were and saw no problems taking it. I took 10mg IR twice a day.

I was checked out by a cardiologist when I started taking it in high school to make sure I didn't have any undiagnosed heart conditions. My mom was (overly as usual) concerned that I would be one of the kids you occasionally hear about on the news who died suddenly at sport practice due to an undiagnosed heart condition. I wore a heart monitor for a few days, and everything was fine. If you are really concerned about it, speak with your doctor about your concerns (he/she certainly knows better than me!) or maybe even go to a cardiologist. Personally, I wouldn't worry about it, but everyone's body is different.

^^^ thanks for your input Kerstin!

Hey thanks for your replies guys (or gals). I think I am going to shoot an email to my doc to ask him. He even told me I should work out, more as a something else I could do other than waste my time on the net and tv.
Anyway, good luck with anyone else that is going to talk to their doc.

Mike, I agree with your doctor that working out is really good for ADHD. I always could function perfectly without meds for a few hours after a good practice. I also think it takes the "edge" off of Adderal for those who have trouble sleeping. Some night I feel really tired, but when I go to bed, I can't sleep or settle down. I think working out is perfect to solve this problem. Working out doesn't decrease (as far as I can tell) the effectiveness of Adderall, but it reduces that "go!" feeling. I focus much better and pass out by 11 pm.

Oh man I am definitely going to go for a run/long walk tonight then because I for the life of me can't fall asleep at 11 anymore. And the weird thing is I want to. Adderall seems to wear me out more than my average day and if I try and sleep at 11-12 I just can't. Thanks for the idea mate! (no not australian I just like saying that :) haha). This is why I love this place man! This forum is the s**t! Could also be the adderall talking. Only my second full day and I seem to be happier than normal.

I find one of two happen with working out while taking Adderall.

I'm too wound up due to Adderall and caffiene. I tend to go crazy with cardio and probably over do it.
I have a great workout and generally work off the "edge" that I can have from the adderall.


At first I struggled with the first issue. There were probably times when I looked like a hamster running frantically on a wheel. I was just really hyper and wound up.

But, as I got used to my medication, the latter has been my experience. I'm learning from experience when I am prone to being hyper. Hyper still happens, and when it does I take note. I'm better at anticipating when there could be issues and taking steps to address or simply recognizing the chance and not allowing it to happen.

Also, tracking heart rate helps. Not just tracking but learning the principles around heart rate training. e.g. when do you do cardio at 80% - 85% HR, when do you do a "recovery" workout 50% - 60% HR, etc.

Hope this helps.

Do any of you have like a heart rate monitor watch like thing for when you exercise?
Is it even worth bothering with? I feel if I need to watch my heart rate I need to know what it is without standing still and counting beats for 15 seconds and multiplying by 4.
Glad this topic got as much interest as I had in it. It was definitely a question that kept circulating in my head. Thanks for everyones input!

Do any of you have like a heart rate monitor watch like thing for when you exercise?
Is it even worth bothering with? I feel if I need to watch my heart rate I need to know what it is without standing still and counting beats for 15 seconds and multiplying by 4.
Glad this topic got as much interest as I had in it. It was definitely a question that kept circulating in my head. Thanks for everyones input!

I took a "Spin" bike class at my club several years ago. It was in this class that I learned many of the principles of heart rate management. I've used a monitor (Polar - not sure which model) ever since.

How do you know if you are getting enough cardio? How do you know if you are overtraining? How do you if you are not training hard enough. How do you know if you are making cardio progress?

A heart rate monitor can help with all of those questions.

That's a good question! I'm glad I saw that this morning. I have an appointment with my doc this afternoon. I hope I remember to ask!

...Doc said it was not much of a consideration except any exercise is better than none (and of course the benefits far outweigh any risks).

Glad you remembered and glad to hear you can excercise. I am guessing you have a healthy heart and under 30.
I am 21 and all around healthy. I will probably get the same response from my doc if I ask. Anyway, have fun working out!