Lifting first thing in the A.M.

[#8]

I tried doing this for the first time in a very long time this week. As someone on here suggested I went to the gym first thing in the morning right after I woke up for a high rep legs day.

I found my energy to be pretty garbage and I could only crank out 20 reps of 225 for squats, as opposed to the 25 reps I got last week when I trained in the late afternoon. This is the reason I rarely if ever train first thing in the morning because my strength / stamina (for weightlifting specifically) is quite shitty.

I have no problems doing cardio first thing in the morning but I never do that either. Basically what Im wondering is how many people on here do their weightlifting first thing in the morning, and if it really matters at all in terms of when / what time of day one goes to train?

An old wives tale I heard before said training heavy in the morning allows for more post workout meals that day and therefore spawns more growth. I know this to not be 100% accurate, but is there any truth to this?

How can I have more energy in the morning without using a stim? Is it possible?

[Dragon1911]

I lift in the mornings but i work afternoons so i dont really have a choice.
Once your body becomes accustom to it its not so bad.

I would prefer to go after work but this way i go crank out the weights come home for my post and can rest before heading to work.

[drdnj]

I totally agree with the loss of strength when shifting from night to morning workouts.

You will adjust quickly.... but it really depends on a few things:
1) how early you get to sleep the night before
2) what time you are "used to" getting up in the morning
3) how early your new training time is

I find it takes me about a week to get into a new sleep pattern so that my early training "feels normal". Make sure you are adjusting your bedtime so that you get a regular duration of sleep (the amount of sleep time you are used to) and your circadian rhythms should adjust naturally.

When I am getting ready for a competition I have to train early and this usually works for me.

[Praetorian]

It takes some some a drdnj says but you will adjust. As long as you continue to train at the same time. The other answer is no you wont get more growth because of post workout meals.
P

[gettinbigger]

I used to be a morning guy and it worked great for me. I felt a lot stronger in the morning because the bastards at work hadn't ground me down for hours and hours...but seriously give yourself sometime to adjust if you want to give it a fair trial. I had to switch to afterwork to accommodate a huge number of calories in the am and I'm just getting used to a much busier gym and different energy levels in the pm. You are eating and giving yourself some digestion time before hitting the gym, right?

[#8]

Whats the best preworkout meal to have that wont make me feel bloated and shitty if Im gonna lift right after I eat it? Or should I just sip on a protein shake with carbs while im working out?

[gettinbigger]

i used to have a cup of oatmeal and after I took it off the stove I'd mix a scoop of protein in and some fruit...protein, complex and simple carbs...got your pre-nutrition covered...i also liked a caffeine pill or 2...no coffee...coffee made me want to hurl when squatting. But give yourself 20-30 min to digest before starting to workout

[ubcpower]

i find a pre made shake (night before) , have it waiting in the fridge soon as you wake up. 50 grams isolate, 1/2 cup blended dry oats and 1 tbsp oil (evirgin olive oil or 1tbsp natty pb)..... try to get in atleast 1/2 litre water too

[tiramisu]

As long as I have an hour or so after eating and a xl coffee in my hand time of day doesn't seem all that important.

[monkey]

As long as I have an hour or so after eating and a xl coffee in my hand time of day doesn't seem all that important.

X2

I used to get up, eat something and then drive 30 min. to my gym that was close to my work.. that was the best time fro me since I was awake .. but getting up and straight to the gym. not for me

[japh]

I'm not a morning person and personally can't imagine bringing that intensity right after waking up. I also like to get in at least 3 meals in me before I train and at least 2 after.

[riccosuabe]

i lift about 8am with only a black coffee,im one of those freaky people that has a more rubbish workout if i eat first thing in the morning.the weights and reps are no different for me than when i lift later on with a belly full

[Dragon1911]

I used to do the wake up coffee and hit the weights thing but now i really feel a difference between empty stomach and full stomach training. I just feel i get that extra bit of strength after eating a solid meal before working out.

[Talo]

I prefer morning training ( 9-10am) after a good breakfast. I always get a better workout in .

[natenator]

I always felt the strongest around 10-1 time frame whenever I've had to workout at that time and been able to get a few meals in me.

Dieting, I don't think I could workout in the morning. I find my hunger really increases after and the last thing I want when dieting is to be hungry. Having 10-12 hours to sit around thinking about how hungry I am... sucks! lol

[69challenger]

I train early. When NOT dieting, I mix 1/4 cup of oates, 4 liquid egg whites, scoop of protein, sometimes a banana and a tablespoon of coffee in a blender with water. I'm good to go in about 20 minutes.

[GYMBRAT]

^ Same here, LOVE to train in the am ;)

[Mr Ontario]

late afternoon for me... like to get my 3-4 small meals in a day... I feel more nourished and energized. To groggy in the morning :)

[dropshot001]

i've done both. the switch from one to the other is a little rough but the body gets used to it pretty fast

[MUSCULARMAYOR]

i've done both. the switch from one to the other is a little rough but the body gets used to it pretty fast

x2
a scoop or two of whey, 30g of dextrose and 1-2 caffene pills works pretty good in the am

[Forever]

I am just not a morning person and 7:00am never felt "right". Even after a month of this I just never felt like I could give it my all at this time.

I find I feel best if I workout sometime later in the afternoon after I have had a few meals and lots of water go through my system. I have also discovered that for me the key is to eat something almost exactly 1 hour before I hit the gym. Even if its just a banana or a handful of almonds, it makes a world of difference for me. Stims always help too :D

[cprom185]

I love working out early in the morning. I also dont eat before I work out either.

[Jazzy]

Since I began High School(CEGEP), I'm training on the morning, around 7h00-8h00 a.m, 1 hour after breakfast..And Damnnn, I just like it!

First, I'm fresh and I Feel full of energy, and after my workout I go to school and I'm really relax because I just Give all of my workout, and I'm concentraed in school and don't have to wait all day to go to the gym!^^

Really like it!

[JMP]

Love working out firs thing in the morning , up at 4:15 @ the gym for 5:00 then to work at 7:00 keeps your energy up for the entire day !!

[macka]

I do cardio in the am but I cannot for the life of me hit the gym in the am for lifting. I am the twice a day guy at the local gym.