Fasted Cardio

katiejanecollins
katiejanecollins Posts: 236 Member
edited November 13 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi!

Opinions on fasted cardio? Not done it before but I am having to change my gym routine around to fit in with work, meaning I will be working out at 7am instead of 7pm.

Should I snack before or is it ok to exercise having not eaten? (I will be doing 30 mins of cardio).

Thanks :)

Replies

  • _lyndseybrooke_
    _lyndseybrooke_ Posts: 2,561 Member
    edited March 2015
    I honestly don't think it matters. I used to do cardio on an empty stomach because I work out at 4:30 in the morning. Now I have a Quest bar almost immediately beforehand (I'm not getting up any earlier to wait 30-60 minutes, that's for sure) and I haven't noticed a difference.

    Just go with how you feel. If you're not hungry, don't eat. If you find that you're getting tired during your workout and your energy level sucks, have a snack before going to the gym.

    As far as weight loss, it doesn't make a difference. Calories in vs. calories out - timing is irrelevant.
  • sofaking6
    sofaking6 Posts: 4,589 Member
    I do my workouts when I get up before eating. You'll probably have to try it out and see how you feel.
  • newmom_2012
    newmom_2012 Posts: 96 Member
    30 minutes is fine. If you were doing long workouts you would probably need to think about fueling. Less than 60 minutes or so it's not necessary.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    katiejanecollins wrote: »
    Hi!

    Opinions on fasted cardio? Not done it before but I am having to change my gym routine around to fit in with work, meaning I will be working out at 7am instead of 7pm.

    Should I snack before or is it ok to exercise having not eaten? (I will be doing 30 mins of cardio).

    Thanks :)

    It's fun. 30 minutes of cardio, even high intensity cardio is fine fasted. If a session was going over 120 minutes, I'd suggest something during the workout, but that's about it.

    You'll be fine. I'm weak and lazy and out of shape, and I do 90% of my cardio sessions fasted, and those are 1 hour each. If I can do it, anyone who is reasonably in-shape and not a drama queen/king can do it as well.
  • SKME2013
    SKME2013 Posts: 704 Member
    I sometimes eat and sometimes not before cardio. Depends on how hungry I am. Makes no difference to me.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    It basically comes down to 2 things -

    1) personal preference
    2) workout performance

    if you want to eat, eat. If you don't, don't. I find that I lift better fasted, but bigger cardio sessions need calories. YMMV.
  • katiejanecollins
    katiejanecollins Posts: 236 Member
    Thanks everyone, I'll try it without eating and if it doesn't work - I'll eat!
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