Early morning heavy lifting?

jivitasa
jivitasa Posts: 150 Member
edited January 19 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm not new to working out first thing in the morning. This has been my schedule for years, but a few things have changed... I used to drive to the gym, so I had time to really wake up, and I often took a preworkout supplement.

I now have an even earlier schedule and a fully equipped weight room at home, so I stick to home workouts most days. I wake up at 5 am, and pretty much get to it... some days I might have a half of protein shake or hard boiled egg first. I'm not 100% opposed to a preworkout, but I try to keep things as natural as possible, and don't want to rely on that. The thing I hate is the first half of my workout I just can't go as heavy as I'd like. I crank the music, but most days my body takes too long to catch up to my brain and intentions!

For those early morning lifters, what helps you start strong?

Replies

  • jivitasa
    jivitasa Posts: 150 Member
    No one?
  • Tyggress73
    Tyggress73 Posts: 104 Member
    I do what you used to do...I have to drive to the gym. So, by the time I get there @ 5am, I'm wide awake and ready to go. I lift heavy, and have no issues with being groggy, etc, although I do not eat before working out.

    I'm not sure how I would wake myself up if I just had to step into the next room. I've heard that an apple will wake up up/jump start your morning just as well as a cup of coffee can. Perhaps try that and see if it helps, since that would be a light meal that may not weigh you down?
  • charlieibeling
    charlieibeling Posts: 93 Member
    I workout early but have the drive too. I really do rec the pre-workout, dont worry about "natural". Its an overused term and the word gets misused a lot. There are a lot of them that are relatively "natural". white flood from controlled labs is good. Optimum nutrition Pre or amino energy are good and light on filler.
  • chuckles9189
    chuckles9189 Posts: 343 Member
    jumping jacks.
  • KatLifter
    KatLifter Posts: 1,314 Member
    I have to walk then take a bus. I use that time to drink a protein shake with a scoop of coffee. Then I do a couple intervals on the rower. It helps to warm up all my muscles and get me into a better mindset.
  • jivitasa
    jivitasa Posts: 150 Member
    Thanks all!
    I workout early but have the drive too. I really do rec the pre-workout, dont worry about "natural". Its an overused term and the word gets misused a lot. There are a lot of them that are relatively "natural". white flood from controlled labs is good. Optimum nutrition Pre or amino energy are good and light on filler.

    thanks... I haven't heard of White Flood, but I have tried Amino Energy and it does help without being over done.
  • bostongrl13
    bostongrl13 Posts: 58 Member
    I'm up around 4-4:30 to get to the gym, first thing I do is have my pre-workout supplement. I recommend it as well. I have tried several and with trial and error found that ANS Methyl Pump makes me feel great and doesn't contain creatine to cause bloat and only 1 gram of sugar. I have it right when I get up, get dressed, have a small something to eat and head out. By the time I'm at the gym in 20 minutes I'm ready to rock out.
  • jivitasa
    jivitasa Posts: 150 Member
    I'm up around 4-4:30 to get to the gym, first thing I do is have my pre-workout supplement. I recommend it as well. I have tried several and with trial and error found that ANS Methyl Pump makes me feel great and doesn't contain creatine to cause bloat and only 1 gram of sugar. I have it right when I get up, get dressed, have a small something to eat and head out. By the time I'm at the gym in 20 minutes I'm ready to rock out.

    I will check that out! I'm thinking to get the intensity I'm used to the whole workout through that early I'm going to have to!
  • kingkoopaluv
    kingkoopaluv Posts: 147 Member
    I cant lift in the morning, I need a full day to fuel me to be able to lift heavy. its not that i cant wake up its that i feel really weak in the morning. Its probably a mental thing.
  • selina884
    selina884 Posts: 826 Member
    If you are lifting in the morning, you MUST eat prior to your workout.

    I lift in the mornings, and absolutely love it.
  • bokodasu
    bokodasu Posts: 629 Member
    Do you do a warmup before you start lifting? I've been trying a few different things lately and what's turned out to work best is a tsp of coconut oil, a scoop of BCAAs, and 100mg of caffeine (not mixed together, ew). It takes about 10 minutes to get to my gym and then I do 10-15 minutes on a cardio machine, and by then I'm good to go.
  • bostongrl13
    bostongrl13 Posts: 58 Member
    I will also be checking out NDS Cardio Cuts next time I need to buy supplements. I want to compare which will help keep my endurance up. The Cardio Cuts also has CLA in it which never hurts!
  • katy_trail
    katy_trail Posts: 1,992 Member
    how about a few slices of grape fruit and nuts? I haven't tried this, but it will proabably be a pre-workout snack soon.
    grapefruit has that wake up effect, you know? always seems to give me lots of energy along with the smell of it.

    combine that with a quick warm up, like maybe some jump squats if you're working on quads to get the blood pumping?
  • IronPlayground
    IronPlayground Posts: 1,594 Member
    If you are lifting in the morning, you MUST eat prior to your workout.

    I lift in the mornings, and absolutely love it.

    This is somewhat debatable. I don't usually eat when I workout around 5 AM. There is nothing wrong with fasted training. That is a personal choice, though.

    I do like a pre workout. I've used C4 Extreme. Didn't give me an upset stomach while training fasted.
  • SPNLuver83
    SPNLuver83 Posts: 2,050 Member
    I can't do it without my pre-workout... You can try coffee, but that usually messes with the gut too much!
  • suelegal
    suelegal Posts: 1,281 Member
    If you are lifting in the morning, you MUST eat prior to your workout.

    I lift in the mornings, and absolutely love it.

    Um.... no you don't. I lift heavy 3x/week without eating and it's just fine.
  • macybean
    macybean Posts: 258 Member
    I work out first thing in the morning and also work out at home. I usually do a few chores (feed the chickens, cat and dogs, get work bag ready), but for the most part, I just do the usual warm up (sets with the empty bar). I never have any problems and I don't eat prior. And I'm not a big believer in supplements, I like to get my nutrition from food.
    Working out in your own gym is the best! Enjoy!
  • jivitasa
    jivitasa Posts: 150 Member
    If you are lifting in the morning, you MUST eat prior to your workout.

    I lift in the mornings, and absolutely love it.

    This is somewhat debatable. I don't usually eat when I workout around 5 AM. There is nothing wrong with fasted training. That is a personal choice, though.

    I do like a pre workout. I've used C4 Extreme. Didn't give me an upset stomach while training fasted.

    I have taken C4 and liked it a lot, but I got this intense pins and needles type feeling. I tried it several times, but it was like when you touch something and get the static shock, but on the inside of my hands and feet. It literally hurt... freakin weird. I've tried a lot of things and never had that! That was too much to deal with... lol
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    I just have a glass of soy milk, although I do have a ten minute drive to the gym.
  • JulesAlloggio
    JulesAlloggio Posts: 480 Member
    I'm not new to working out first thing in the morning. This has been my schedule for years, but a few things have changed... I used to drive to the gym, so I had time to really wake up, and I often took a preworkout supplement.

    I now have an even earlier schedule and a fully equipped weight room at home, so I stick to home workouts most days. I wake up at 5 am, and pretty much get to it... some days I might have a half of protein shake or hard boiled egg first. I'm not 100% opposed to a preworkout, but I try to keep things as natural as possible, and don't want to rely on that. The thing I hate is the first half of my workout I just can't go as heavy as I'd like. I crank the music, but most days my body takes too long to catch up to my brain and intentions!

    For those early morning lifters, what helps you start strong?

    I always have my oatmeal and a cup of coffee...no matter what. I also take daily vitamins.. After dropping my daughter off at school and getting the other daughter down for a nap is when I can finally work out. I get a good boost from an Energy Green Tea pill... L Carnitine for that focus boost...it helps keep me on track for my busy mornings =)
  • IronPlayground
    IronPlayground Posts: 1,594 Member
    If you are lifting in the morning, you MUST eat prior to your workout.

    I lift in the mornings, and absolutely love it.

    This is somewhat debatable. I don't usually eat when I workout around 5 AM. There is nothing wrong with fasted training. That is a personal choice, though.

    I do like a pre workout. I've used C4 Extreme. Didn't give me an upset stomach while training fasted.

    I have taken C4 and liked it a lot, but I got this intense pins and needles type feeling. I tried it several times, but it was like when you touch something and get the static shock, but on the inside of my hands and feet. It literally hurt... freakin weird. I've tried a lot of things and never had that! That was too much to deal with... lol

    I got free sample of one in the mail a couple weeks ago. It's called Prewrek by Swole. I liked it, too. Did not upset an empty stomach.
  • DrMAvDPhD
    DrMAvDPhD Posts: 2,097 Member
    I do a protein bar and a cup of coffee before lifting and a protein shake after.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    I don't lift that early, more like 9 after I take the kids to school, but I just have a couple cups of coffee.
  • iAMsmiling
    iAMsmiling Posts: 2,394 Member
    Up at 3 AM.
    Eat a banana.
    5 minute drive to the gym.
    I stretch and do 20 minutes of stairmaster before lifting. I know many will say that's too much cardio before lifting, and they may be right, but I need the time for my heart to start before I can lift anything. I've tried going straight to the lifts and it just doesn't work well for me.
  • katy_trail
    katy_trail Posts: 1,992 Member
    I cant lift in the morning, I need a full day to fuel me to be able to lift heavy. its not that i cant wake up its that i feel really weak in the morning. Its probably a mental thing.

    I think it really depends on your body clock is. I feel the most energy in the mornings, but if you're a night owl, you'll do better in the afternoon or night.
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