Best prework for early morning workouts?

[AverageMan]

I get up at 5:30AM 5X a week and hit the gym before heading into work. Basically I roll out of bed and drive strait to the gym. This early in the AM it’s hard to hit it hard and I drag ass. I’m currently finishing up C4 and am not at all impressed. I’ve done a bunch of searching on the forum but haven’t come up with anything substantial. At this point I’m willing to entertain a SARM or other options as long as the sides are mild. I’ve read a lot about S4, but I like my vision, so that’s not an option. Over the counter is fine too.

And go..

 

[Megatron28]

How much sleep are you getting? Do you need an alarm to wake you up or do you wake up on your own? You shouldn't need anything to get you going in the morning.

 

[AverageMan]

How much sleep are you getting? Do you need an alarm to wake you up or do you wake up on your own? You shouldn't need anything to get you going in the morning.

7 hours sleep. No alarm

 

[Megatron28]

Why don't you just give yourself a few minutes to fully awaken and then head over to the gym? Or maybe get in the shower for a few minutes to help get your blood flowing?

Or try sleeping 8 hours.

 

[tbonexl]

I have a coffee every morning. It's my crutch. I've rolled straight outta bed before and hit the home gym. A few warm up sets usually gets me going. I've used tne before. Works great but kinda smelly lol. I would rather work out in the morning but I don't have a set schedule. Sometimes I'm up at 4:30, sometimes 1:30. My gf gets made because 6:30-7:00 is like sleeping in for me on the weekends lol...

 

[Megatron28]

I have a coffee every morning. It's my crutch. I've rolled straight outta bed before and hit the home gym. A few warm up sets usually gets me going. I've used tne before. Works great but kinda smelly lol. I would rather work out in the morning but I don't have a set schedule. Sometimes I'm up at 4:30, sometimes 1:30. My gf gets made because 6:30-7:00 is like sleeping in for me on the weekends lol...

Drop the caffeine. Wean yourself off it. First couple of weeks will suck but once you are "clean" you will realize you don't need it to get yourself going. And your blood pressure will thank you among other things.

 

[tbonexl]

I'm on cialis. All good

 

[Southernfish]

Why are you getting outta bed then going straight to the gym? Are you pressed for time?

Also, are you not eating before you go?

 

[clman8585]

If you are working out on an empty stomach no wonder you dont have energy

 

[AverageMan]

7 hours is the most I can sleep. Wake up and stare at the ceiling. I work out first thing in the AM because it fits the schedule well (in between family and other activities). I work out on an empty stomach - I find that works out best. As I start to work out, I sip on preworkout (C4) and whey. For me, I've found that food before a workout = upset stomach. AM workouts are decent today, just looking for a morning pick me up to go from good to great.

No coffee during the week - just weekends when I'm resting (5 days on, 2 days off). During the 5 days I workout 1 upper and lower boy part per day. For example, Monday will be shoulders and calf raises - I mix abbs into every workout. I will rotate, shoulders, calf raises, and abbs with a small 30-40 second rest in between. Weights are done in a pyramid, starting with very light weight and add 10lbs with each set until hitting max - that's about 5 sets. Then I will switch to a different exercise. Start with shoulder and press max out, then move to side raises. I start out my workouts with a 1.5 mile on the treadmill to get the blood pumping. workouts last about 1.5 hours.

 

[halfwit]

So if you were to have your protein shake BEFORE you hit the gym, you get an upset stomach, but DURING is okay? You want to drink your PWO before you start working out btw, not during. That's what intra-workouts are for.

 

[3J]

So if you were to have your protein shake BEFORE you hit the gym, you get an upset stomach, but DURING is okay? You want to drink your PWO before you start working out btw, not during. That's what intra-workouts are for.

yup... he shouldn't be lifting in a fasted state.. its a horrible practice

 

[Megatron28]

At least eat a yogurt or something light.

 

[Yjyankee]

I guess I'm going against the grain here. When I work days (alternating shift,) I get up @ 3am. I'm walking into the gym by 4. That gives me an hour for my preworkout to kick in and get all my stuff ready for work. I always go in on an empty stomach, but drink about a half gallon or more of water during the workout.

 

[clman8585]

I guess its just personal preference. But i feel hypo as fuck if i dont eat like..all the time. I could NEVER lift without eating something within the hour of going to the gym.

 

[Southernfish]

Ya I would literally pass out if I didnt eat before I trained.

Something to realize here is it is totally counter productive to be doing things like this. You have basically been in a fasted state for 7 hrs. So, you are in a catebolic state. Your muscles are breaking down. Eating themselves if you will. Now you go train. You are doing damage on top of damage. Not what you want to do if the goal is to build muscle. Or even maintain muscle for that matter. Glycogen is low. Blood aminos are low. Bad idea. Plus you body hasnt warmed up yet so theres a risk of injury on top of all that.

If you are getting an upset stomach if you eat before you train you are most likely eating TOO close to training and not allowing your body time to digest the food. Try waiting 1-1.5 hrs after you eat to train. If time allows.

I would pick not even training over training on an empty stomach.

 

[3J]

Ya I would literally pass out if I didnt eat before I trained.

Something to realize here is it is totally counter productive to be doing things like this. You have basically been in a fasted state for 7 hrs. So, you are in a catebolic state. Your muscles are breaking down. Eating themselves if you will. Now you go train. You are doing damage on top of damage. Not what you want to do if the goal is to build muscle. Or even maintain muscle for that matter. Glycogen is low. Blood aminos are low. Bad idea. Plus you body hasnt warmed up yet so theres a risk of injury on top of all that.

If you are getting an upset stomach if you eat before you train you are most likely eating TOO close to training and not allowing your body time to digest the food. Try waiting 1-1.5 hrs after you eat to train. If time allows.

I would pick not even training over training on an empty stomach.

not to mention most people do not eat a slow digesting protein before bed, which makes the situation even worse

 

[clman8585]

Ya I would literally pass out if I didnt eat before I trained.

Something to realize here is it is totally counter productive to be doing things like this. You have basically been in a fasted state for 7 hrs. So, you are in a catebolic state. Your muscles are breaking down. Eating themselves if you will. Now you go train. You are doing damage on top of damage. Not what you want to do if the goal is to build muscle. Or even maintain muscle for that matter. Glycogen is low. Blood aminos are low. Bad idea. Plus you body hasnt warmed up yet so theres a risk of injury on top of all that.

If you are getting an upset stomach if you eat before you train you are most likely eating TOO close to training and not allowing your body time to digest the food. Try waiting 1-1.5 hrs after you eat to train. If time allows.

I would pick not even training over training on an empty stomach.

Lol cmon man...cataboloc after 7 hours?? Seriously.

 

[Southernfish]

not to mention most people do not eat a slow digesting protein before bed, which makes the situation even worse

Exactly man. AND most people dont eat directly before bed so we can chalk another hoir or two on to the seven.

Lol cmon man...cataboloc after 7 hours?? Seriously.

Without a doubt!

 

[AverageMan]

First thing when waking up I take thyroid med - after taking that I can't eat for 15 minutes. I hop in the car and will much on 1/4 of a 20G protein workout bar. Arrive at the gym and hop on the dreadmill. When I get off I drink C4 pre workout when going through the first few light sets of pyramid lifting. Then I start on the whey and will drink 1/2 by the time I get done working out. Hit the showers and drink another 1/4 of the whey. By this time the whey is 3/4 gone. I get some steel cut oats with a banana and drink the last 1/4 of the whey.

I've read a few studies that indicated that early morning workouts on an empty stomach is good to burn excess fat and pack on more muscle - See the link below that sites medical studies proving this theory. This is the workout Hugh Jackman followed to get ripped at 44 years old for his Wolverine roles.

Diet | The Wolverine Diet & Workout