Caffeine and exercise

A few months ago, I read an article about the benefits of caffeine in a workout, mainly that it makes you go faster and able to work harder.  

I had been caffeine free for about a year, but today I thought caffeine might give my workout a little more oomph, so I drank a cup of tea an hour or so before hitting the gym.  But within ten minutes of starting my workout, my heart was pounding hard and wouldn't stop. I did my full routine, but wasn't really happy about it.

In the article, a doctor does say that the pounding heart/exhaustion is something that can happen to people who aren't used to caffeine, but these side effects go away after a few days.

Does anyone in Calorie Count Forum Land have experience with caffeine and exercise? Are the benefits of a cup of joe before a workout significant enough that I should soldier through a couple days of ~190 bpm? 

Caffeine and exercise does not mix well for me!

I get shaky, my heart starts pounding, it's just bad.

Well, unfortunately I am addicted to coffee, so I drink 2 cups before I go running, just because I can't really function without it.  I've never had any negative side effects.   Everyone's heart is different though.. I smoked for a long time so I guess I'm kind of used to stimulants.  I'd say if you already have caffeine on a daily basis, it shouldn't have much effect, but I really don't know about trying to tough out heart palpitations during a workout, that sounds a little iffy.

Hi

I use caffeine only for races, usually I drink decaffeinated coffee, basically every day but for a race a do use 100mg before the race (=one strong cup) and during the race I take gu energy gel with 50mg caffeine every 45min. It works well for me, and its not illegal ;)

I would probably not use it for an everyday workout if you are caffeine free, because you will become dependant again.

If you're not caffeine-dependent like many of us are, why get that way? If I were you, I'd use it only occasionally, maybe 1/2 cup, as a motivator IF needed.  Otherwise, sounds like you're getting the full benefit of endorphins and feel-good brain chemistry from your workouts as they are.  Why mess with that?

I'm a caffeine addict so I'll drink a couple of  cups of coffee before my 2 hour workout and I feel fine but my body is immune to caffeine. If I were you I wouldn't start drinking caffeine. I wish I can be caffeine free but here's wishing.lol.I'm still exhausted during and after my exercise routine so I personallhy don't fill a real difference with or without caffeine when I do my exercises. And since your feeling not so great after consuming caffeine and then exercising then I don't think you should continue in that path. Just continue with your normal routine.