Weight training in the morning.

mperrott2205
mperrott2205 Posts: 737 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hey guys,

I've decided that going to the gym in the morning before work would suit my life style a lot better. So I gave it my first shot today, was in the gym by quarter past 5 and went about my normal Chest and Arms work out. However I found myself struggling a lot more than usual.

Does anyone recommended weight training in the morning? Does anyone have any advice about it?

Thanks

Replies

  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I personally can't do it...I am unable to give it everything I have early in the morning. I wish I could, I would prefer it to going in the evening, but my lifts are just better in the evening. I do lift on Saturday mornings, but not until 10 or 11 AM, so late enough in the morning to where I've had my breakfast, etc and I've been up and moving around awhile.
  • 5erious
    5erious Posts: 469
    morning is awesome. just gotta get used to it! Try coffee before if you feel sluggish!
  • kuntry_navy
    kuntry_navy Posts: 677 Member
    i've never had the same power in the morning as i've had in the afternoon after being up for a while. but, you'd be suprised how much stronger you are actually getting. just keep lifting heavy, and some weekend where you got time, go back to your old lifting time and prepare to be amazed!
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    I love lifting in the morning when the gym is quiet. I find I do a bit better with a pre-workout supp when lifting in the morning (I don't drink coffee, but that would probably work too).
  • CarlKRobbo
    CarlKRobbo Posts: 390 Member
    I've trained in the morning for the last 2 years. Takes a bit getting used to, and depends if you train fasted, or eat before hand (That, for me, depends on what lift I'm training that day).

    As long as you progress in the long term, it's still progress, so it all counts.
  • TravisBikes
    TravisBikes Posts: 674 Member
    Wake up at 4am m-w-f. In the gym by 4:30. Only way for me. Can't stand working out with the late crowds in gyms.

    Chew some gum too if you haven't tried it. Cleans up that nasty morning breath taste and helps to get your mind working some.
  • brillmer
    brillmer Posts: 1,268 Member
    I've been doing it for about 2 months and I love it.

    I only go 3 times a week.. Usually there around 6:30-7 until about 8:30-9:00.. But it's tough to make it into your lifestyle.

    Just make sure you get enough rest.
  • akindc
    akindc Posts: 84 Member
    I have to lift in the morning too because after work the gym is packed with people just hoarding all the free weights (I workout in my small apartment gym.) I do seem to have less energy then, but I wolf down a granola bar before going and it works fine.
  • drefaw
    drefaw Posts: 739
    I work out at 2:30 am 5-6 days a week. Lift first, then some quick cardio, then off to work 12.5 hrs ....

    I don't eat until after I work out either. Just drink water before and during .....

    This morning was the 1st time anybody else was in the gym besides myself ....
  • caseythirteen
    caseythirteen Posts: 956 Member
    Mornings for me too! I'm used to it so now when I go at other times, that's when I don't feel as good. I think it's all what you get used to. Stick to it if that's the time that's best for you and you will start making the same progress you would otherwise. For me, I'd rather do it at a time I can stick to then some other optimal strength time I could have.
  • EKN1417
    EKN1417 Posts: 34 Member
    I often lift in the mornings- 5:45 AM. It took a lot of getting used to for me, but once you do it for a while it becomes a habit and is much easier. I train fasted, since it makes me feel even more sluggish to eat beforehand, but if you eat or not will depend on your body and a pesronal preference. I suggest trying it both ways and seeing what works best for you.

    The best advice I can give you is to give yourself a little extra time and warm up more than usual. If i try to start my AM lifting with heavy squats for example, I feel light headed and never can lift as much as I should be able to. I often do a slow jog on the treadmill for 5 minutes just to get used to the idea of moving my body. I never start with a taxing full body lift like I typically do in my afternoon workouts, but sort of ease into it. And I am sometimes known to forgo warm-up sets in my weekend afternoont training, but I always always do warm up sets in the morning, at least for the lifts at the beginning of my sessions.
  • tinak33
    tinak33 Posts: 9,883 Member
    I'm usually at the gym between 5:15 - 5:30 am.

    It definitely takes some getting used to. I like it because there are a lot less people there, and since most people don't like to go in the mornings, I see the same regulars. So it's easier to get to know people there. And that is good for me because I am new to lifting so I am always asking people how to do things, or to check my form to make sure I'm doing it right.

    But as someone else said, make sure to get lots of rest. I am usually exhausted for half the day..... My body is still trying to get used to the early morning workout...
  • mperrott2205
    mperrott2205 Posts: 737 Member
    Wow! Thanks for all your responses guys!

    Yeah, I went this morning but I didn't eat anything, perhaps I should have something like a low calorie snack bar or something? I also use "Grenade" tablets which have caffeine in them, I certainly felt the boost but it definitely started to get difficult after a few heavy lifts.

    But I'll keep at it! I liked it in the mornings, everything was quiet and I was able to be in and out in just over an hour :)
  • cleotherio
    cleotherio Posts: 712 Member
    I lift at home. I like workout out in the morning to get it out of the way. But on days I end up doing it later in the day, I always have more energy. I don't want to get up any earlier to eat before I work out, but I might start sipping on some iced coffee during and see if that helps.
  • Loftearmen
    Loftearmen Posts: 380
    Hey guys,

    I've decided that going to the gym in the morning before work would suit my life style a lot better. So I gave it my first shot today, was in the gym by quarter past 5 and went about my normal Chest and Arms work out. However I found myself struggling a lot more than usual.

    Does anyone recommended weight training in the morning? Does anyone have any advice about it?

    Thanks

    Coffee
  • ArroganceInStep
    ArroganceInStep Posts: 6,239 Member
    My numbers are lighter in the AM than in the PM, but it appears to be consistent so it doesn't really matter when I lift, I just need to know to keep it 5 or 10 lbs lighter if I'm going in the morning.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    morning is awesome. just gotta get used to it! Try coffee before if you feel sluggish!

    all this.

    also, i need to wake up a little, so i'll sit and drink coffee and watch the news while waking up.
  • Will_Thrust_For_Candy
    Will_Thrust_For_Candy Posts: 6,109 Member
    I'm a morning girl all the way! I tend to train better fasted so it works best for me......maybe you just need to try having something to eat shortly before you start your workout? Or give yourself a few extra minutes :)
  • LizHR
    LizHR Posts: 16 Member
    I am NOT a morning person but I do work out and run in the morning as it's often the only way to fit it in to a busy life. Plus the gym is quiet & I can get to all the equipment and weights I want. or the park for a run at is so pretty first thing. I get a bit stressed out when the gym is busy in the evenings.

    I am not as much of an early bird as some of the other posters but I am usally up at 6am & in the gym by 6.30am or just after.
    True, sometimes I do not lift quite so much or I skip a few exercises if I need to get to work early but it's stil better than a crowded gym in the evening or not getting there at all because of working late.

    I do eat something as soon as I get up, so it's then gone down by the time I am at the gym. I only have something bland (like Oatibix or toast) so it can't repeat on me or cause reflux (banana was a bad idea, yuk) and only a small amount to give me enough energy to get through. THen I scoff a banana or boiled egg straight afterwards, sometimes even before jumping in the shower.

    Keep trying, you'll find a way that works for you.

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