Pre-Work out

zombiegirlfriend
zombiegirlfriend Posts: 24 Member
edited November 14 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi Everyone.
I like to work out early in the morning (before work) usually between 530am and 630am (What can I say? I'm a morning person!)

That being said, I don't like to eat breakfast before I work out, because no one likes working out on a full belly, and I'm not going to wake up at 4am just to eat.

Does anyone have any advice for a pre-workout drink or smoothie or juice or something that has some energy, and calories so I don't lose steam. I've noticed I don't have as much "Get up and go!" on an empty stomach.

Thank you in advance for all your help!

Nicole.

Replies

  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Caffeine. Use it, love it.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    coffee - the pre-workout of champions.
  • lawkat
    lawkat Posts: 538 Member
    I have a cup of coffee before I head out for most of my morning runs.
  • hill8570
    hill8570 Posts: 1,466 Member
    For morning workouts, I generally just eat some relatively simple carbs an hour or so beforehand. Toast and honey or a banana are two of my go-tos. Everybody's different, 'tho.
  • cheflaurawalke
    cheflaurawalke Posts: 42 Member
    I get to the gym around 4am... I like the pre-workout C4
  • zombiegirlfriend
    zombiegirlfriend Posts: 24 Member
    Hi Everyone! Thank you for the QUICK responses. I think I am the one person in the world who doesn't like coffee (believe me, I've tried...) but I might try a banana!!

    Also, I'm going to research C4 - does it ever make you jittery?
  • hill8570
    hill8570 Posts: 1,466 Member
    zombiegirlfriend wrote: »
    I think I am the one person in the world who doesn't like coffee (believe me, I've tried...)

    Join the club -- I also find coffee disgusting (love the smell, but the taste...bleech!). Tea also works if you need a bit o' caffeine in the morning.
  • Soundwave79
    Soundwave79 Posts: 469 Member
    cheflaurawalke wrote: »
    I get to the gym around 4am... I like the pre-workout C4


    Same. C4 is one of the few that doesn't give me jitters but have to take it with something in my stomach. Just something small like a cheese stick. Also will make you itchy a little. I heard some people have more reaction to the Beta Alanine then others.
  • mantium999
    mantium999 Posts: 1,490 Member
    Also a fan of C4. Especially when Costco has the 2-pack deal. Don't use it too frequently, but it seems to do a good job giving a little extra wake up. No jitters, but yes, the Beta Alanine itch is very much present to me, though my wife seems to not notice it at all.
  • motorsportcfd
    motorsportcfd Posts: 8
    I will agree with those that have suggested C4. C4 is great, it's not a whole lot of fluid, and I take it (or any other PreWO) with 15-30g of oyster crackers (just to get something other than fluid in my stomach). I don't get jittery from it either.

    C4 gives me a pretty decent boost, but I switched to PreJYM about a year ago which is a little stronger and a much larger serving than C4. (C4 is 4-8oz of water, PreJYM is 12-16oz). I am a big fan of both C4 and PreJYM (not together, of course). They both have a strong history of working well for me. C4 comes in more flavors - the margarita one is amazing, my girlfriend swears blue razz is even better but I have yet to try that one. I prefer the Cherry-Limeade flavor of PreJYM...raspberry lemonade reminds me of some awful medicine I took as a child.

    Jack3d used to be great, but it was reformulated a few years ago and the new formula has little more effect than a 8.4oz can of RedBull for me.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Also, just be aware that people will react different to the different stims, so whatever you decide to try, try it in small doses first. Getting jittery under a heavy bar can be nerve wracking.
  • zombiegirlfriend
    zombiegirlfriend Posts: 24 Member
    jacksonpt wrote: »
    Getting jittery under a heavy bar can be nerve wracking.
    Yes. When I first started working, I wasn't taking in ENOUGH calories (which was really hard to wrap my head around as a chronically fat person) and pounded a Monster Energy Drink, after working a 10 hour day... yeah, not only was I jittery, but I was shakey... bad combination lol I avoided lifting for a while after that.

  • Brittany91389
    Brittany91389 Posts: 32 Member
    I use Vega preworkout. It's not the best tasting thing in the world but it works and I don't crash after. I also find that I workout better when I'm hydrated so drinking the preworkout with 12 or 16oz of water instead of the 6 recommended works best for me.
  • bostonultd1
    bostonultd1 Posts: 45 Member
    motorsportcfd wrote: »
    I will agree with those that have suggested C4. C4 is great, it's not a whole lot of fluid, and I take it (or any other PreWO) with 15-30g of oyster crackers (just to get something other than fluid in my stomach). I don't get jittery from it either.

    C4 gives me a pretty decent boost, but I switched to PreJYM about a year ago which is a little stronger and a much larger serving than C4. (C4 is 4-8oz of water, PreJYM is 12-16oz). I am a big fan of both C4 and PreJYM (not together, of course). They both have a strong history of working well for me. C4 comes in more flavors - the margarita one is amazing, my girlfriend swears blue razz is even better but I have yet to try that one. I prefer the Cherry-Limeade flavor of PreJYM...raspberry lemonade reminds me of some awful medicine I took as a child.

    Jack3d used to be great, but it was reformulated a few years ago and the new formula has little more effect than a 8.4oz can of RedBull for me.

    I agree pre jym is excellent. Cherry limeade is definitely the better option. There'll be more flavors and a larger container option pretty soon as well, I think Jim said he'll be releasing them in April. Check out his YouTube video on pre jym, pretty informative. Also, you can only find it on bodybuilding.com.
  • racheljonel
    racheljonel Posts: 400 Member
    I like Optimum Nutrition Amino Energy. I dunno if it's the best...but it doesn't taste bad, is inexpensive and doesn't make me jittery.
  • zombiegirlfriend
    zombiegirlfriend Posts: 24 Member
    Thanks everyone. I appreciate your insight!
  • betuel75
    betuel75 Posts: 776 Member
    Caffine pill, BCAA powder drink, L-arginine, B vitamins.
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    I like a half serving of Mr hyde. The beta alanine in a full serving tends to make me itch.

    I like to drink BCAA during my workout. For some reason, drinking something with flavor tends to encourage me to drink more (actually finish 32oz within the hour).
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