Training in the Morning...opinions please

[p0ink]

Ok, I have been training at night ever since I have started lifting. At first it was for convenience considering I had classes and work. But now I have other obligations at night, and I am not able to lift or have a decent workout at night. So I think I am going to start training in the morning.

I was wondering what everyone's opinion is for training in the morning. Don't you guys find it harder since you are running on less food and are just straight up tired from lifting just waking up? Do you guys feel it is better, because you are able to get more food in your body throughout the day, instead of a meal or two tops after an evening workout. Give me some advice here fellas. thanks

 

[MonStar1023]

p0ink-
Whatsup bro? This is definitely an extremely controversial issue amoing Elite. I mean I personally dont think that there is anything wrong with training in the morning. I have made some excellent gains waking up at 5 AM and going nuts. Many people argue that your body is going to burn off muscle at this time but I disagree simply because right after you train, you have the rest of the day to recover and take in the proper nutrients etc.

I used to train first thing in the morning because I didnt have time to train any other time. I really would get great pumps and feel pumped in the muscles that I trained all day. I actually lost soem fat training this way as well. Maybe give it a shot and see if its for you...

 

[cardiosux!]

training in the morning

I definitly think it's something that is different for everybody. I have very limited time to train, so 3 of my 5 days have to be in the morning and I find as long as you eat a key breakfast everything is good. Some studies actually show that are minds are more focused first thing cuz nothing else has happened yet to distract you!!It is a great I way to start the day off!!

 

[gymtime]

I think doing cardio in the am is fine. But for me, the morning is my weakest time of the day having not eaten for nine hours or more. To put in a productive, intense workout, I have to have some food in me, period. For me that's just not possible in the morning.

 

[DaCypher]

I could train at no other time than in the morning. I am, however, somewhat of a "morning person" so I find that I have the most energy at that time. If you give yourself enough time to wake up before you work out and you get enough sleep the night before you should be fine. I really don't think there is a major difference (if any at all) between your performance at different times during the day (other than normal daily energy level flucuations).

 

[needsize]

Most of my workouts are in the morning, but I'm lucky enough to have a few hour after I wake up before I go to the gym, it gives me time to eat a small meal and let it digest.
I find my body is still half asleep when I get there, but if I do a thorough warm up, I can get in a good workout.

 

[Saltee]

I workout at 5:00am in the morning and have great workouts on an empty stomach.

 

[Island Son]

* I feel stronger in the mornings
* There's no mental fatigue after dealing with my f* manager all day
* Gym is nice n' quiet, I use anything I want anytime. Evenings I wait till 8pm to avoid the crowd, which throws off my evening dinner.
* Nothing like starting the day with a feeling of achievement and a nice pump
* I need a reason to get out of bed

So mornings suit my psyche better. On the rare mornings I wake up hungry I have a protein/banana shake and wait 1/2 hour.
But with that all said, I'm considering becoming a nooner, 2 hour lunches every day

Going at a different time isn't a make-or-break decision, in itself it won't magically increase/decrease your lifts by 50lb or gain/drop 10 lbs in a week. Go whenever best suits your schedule and gives you the best state of mind.

 

[Blood&Iron]

I think the ACSM recommends training before noon if your goal is hypertropy due to naturally higher androgen levels in the morning and training after about 3pm if your goal is strength gains. Personally, I don't think it makes too big of a difference. I always trained around 5-6pm until about 7 months ago, when I switched to morning workouts. I've come to prefer working out at this time. I have the time to eat a regular breakfast and start training about 1-1.5 hours later. I can't train hard if I'm really hungry. That's just me though.

 

[i2brew]

i work out in the morning now and prefer it. i wake up clean without all the bullshit from the day over my head. seem to be able to focus better.

if your having problems with hunger i keep a low carb protein shake with some powdered milk for a few carbs by the sink in my bathroom. when i get up to piss, (which i do because i drink so much water) i take the shake usually around 3 am and i am good to go at my 5:30 am workout.

 

[spatts]

pOink,

My two year old wakes up at 8:30 or so, and my day is NUTs after that, so...

I wake up at four AM and eat a bowl of oatmeal, 6-8 eggwhites, and a banana, and go back to bed. I get up at 6 to hit the gym for my 6:30 session with my trianer. If I'm hungry again, I grab a protein shake ont he way out the door. We train for an hour. If I'm bulking, I go home, if I'm cutting I stay and do cardio too. That 4AM meal makes all teh difference. I started my bulking phase Aug 1st, of 2001. Since then I've gone from 145 pounds to 175, 15% fat to 17% (not TOO bad), and I'm a 5'9'' female. My inches have contrinued to increase rapidly all-over.

I'm back at the gym about 4:30 in the evening for cardio and to train someone else. If I'm bulking I only do cardio during this session a few days of the week.

 

[T-Max]

My intensity is much better at night than in the morning. I am not a morning guy. Plus, I have to be at work early, and a 5am workout does not sound exciting. But, someday that may be the only option.

 

[Grizzly]

I don't think working out in the morning will hurt you or help you any either way. I think it's best to train whenever you can and that's all that counts. I know, personally, though I can't do legs in the mornings. I have zero flexibility after waking up and without a few hours to loosen up I can't squat for shit. But, that's just me. I personally find it best to to train at about 3pm. I'm strongest then. Unfortunately, after this year I'm going to have to become a real person and graduate this here college and then I most likely won't be able to train at that time. Shit!

 

[rez]

For those of you cutting...do you find you have dropped bf% doing weights i the am? I have recently started doing two workouts about 3xp/week cardio am empty stomach and 6pm weight training...havent seen any changes, but its too early to tell yet. What are your experiences with this?

 

[Benzi]

Ok, I have been training at night ever since I have started lifting. At first it was for convenience considering I had classes and work. But now I have other obligations at night, and I am not able to lift or have a decent workout at night. So I think I am going to start training in the morning.

I was wondering what everyone's opinion is for training in the morning. Don't you guys find it harder since you are running on less food and are just straight up tired from lifting just waking up? Do you guys feel it is better, because you are able to get more food in your body throughout the day, instead of a meal or two tops after an evening workout. Give me some advice here fellas. thanks

supposedly, testosterone levels are highest when you just wake up and continue to lozer in a wave fashion throughout the day. So, with proper stimulation, your workouts in the morning should yeild better results

 

[IBEPressin]

I prefer to train later in the day for one simple reason. After my workout I am totally wasted.Hell sometines it's hard to push in the clutch on the way home or my shoulders are so burnt it's hell to keep my hands up on the wheel. I don't want to think about anything but rest "after the post workout high wears off." I don't think I could function properly if i started my day this way.

 

[freshr1]

I've recently started working out in the morning at 6:30am, and I love it. The first few days is pure hell when you're used to working out in the evening, but now I'm used to it. I like it because it gives you sort of a jump start into the day. By the time you're at work (9-10am for me) you've already been up for a while and you don't feel as out of it. Now when I come to work I go straight to doing my work instead of getting my shit together first.

Plus now I've got my evenings free for better things

 

[rez]

is there any point..

cardio in the afternoon? my PT told me i should do it to shake up my training routine and shock my body to decrese bf%. is there any point doing it at this time..and if so what is the best pre/post workout meals?