To Eat or Not to Eat Before a Workout??

If I don't eat before a serious first-thing-in-the-morning workout (above mild intensity, or above about 20 minutes), I struggle during the workout to finish it or to keep the intensity high; afterwards, I'm more likely to feel ravenous (in ways that are risky for a hedonist like me ). I do better if I eat a light breakfast, and I've even fine-tuned my breakfasts to work for different activities (more carbs for on-water rowing vs. spin class, basically). I'm eating close to the workout - often within the half hour before.

On the flip side, I have the stomach of a peasant. Within reason, I have no trouble working out after eating: No upset stomach, no unsettled feeling.

Later in the day, I use how I feel before the workout, along with knowing when/what I last ate, to decide whether I'd do better with a snack before the workout.

So: I don't do real workouts fasted, if there's a reasonable alternative.

But I think this is a 100% individual thing, something each person needs to figure out for their own bodies (and it may even differ by workout type).

For me it depends on your "morning workout" definition.

If it's a 9am Saturday HIIT class, then yes, something filling like a breakfast sandwich, but but done eating at least 45 minutes beforehand and drinking lots of water to digest.

If it's a weekday, ungodly early, pre-work short run, then not really. I need something to get some sugar in my system, but most things don't sit well. I've actually found that 100% juice boxes work well. They are easy to always have on hand, and seem to fit the small margin of getting some sugar and still sitting well.

I eat breakfast before, but only because of timing. I haven't noticed a huge difference with how I feel, but my workout is always between breakfast and lunch, so it just works out that way.

Morning work out (6am-ish)- I down a glass or two of water before and that’s it. I prefer not eating before and I have plenty of energy

Afternoon work outs I might have a handful of almonds before the workout if I’m getting hungry

I eat few hours before any major workout.. if I dont.. I'd crash midway ..

I'm at the gym at 4:30 a.m. No way I could eat that early. Blech.

As many have pointed out, it's an individual preference, I guess it boils down to what some of your goals are.

I myself do fasted cardio when "cutting" and eat 2-3 hours before lifting, except on weekends, when I do fasted cardio and lifting. Not going to lie though. Fasted lifting isn't supper fun. But again, only when cutting, and only 2 days a week. Otherwise, I always eat 2-3 hours before doing cardio or Lifting.

In my experience anything with a duration of less than 1 hour doesn't really matter much so comes down to personal preference and how you feel. I've had people tell me that can't stand working out if they've had something to eat so go fasted and others who say they feel uncomfortable exercising on an empty stomach so will have something light.

If the session is getting up to over the 1 hour mark that's when I think you need to start thinking about how you're going to fuel your workout but that takes a little more planning than just an eat/don't eat decision.

If my workout is a short run followed by lifting then I don't really need to eat.

When I'm going on a 6-8 hour hike I'm certain to eat. I'll usually have overnight oats plus oj. That combo gives me tons of energy. I'll also have several snacks on the trail.