Training in the AM

[dumbaznboy]

...on an empty stomach...

I know its typically done with when doing cardio first thing in the morning to help cut the fat. but is there similar benefits to a lifting session (plus cardio) on an empty stomach?

[Iron Island]

I would throw down a protein shake with waxy maize before hitting the gym so you have strength and engery to get through your workout. I do like to do cardio on an empty stomach.

[dumbaznboy]

im prolly just overthinking all of this since im not anywhere near the caliber to really worry about the details like this butttt.....

cardio for 30mins, protien shake, lifting

hows that sound

[Nick]

A lot of people lift on an empty stomach to target fat burning... depends on your goals. If strength is not a priority, might work for you.

[Kap]

I have done empty stomach training AND cardio for many months on end, and I progressed just as well as when I did it on carbs/protein before the workouts. I am going back to the empty stomach workouts soon, I tend to do well with them.

[RichGenetics]

I train at 6am and take 35-40g of waxy maize, 10g EAA, 5g L-glut, and mix it with crystal light.

I would be worn out if I didn't have carbs before since it's so early.

I'm going to start adding 25g of protein to that mix starting monday just to get some more cals/prot in my diet.

[JayC]

...on an empty stomach...

I know its typically done with when doing cardio first thing in the morning to help cut the fat. but is there similar benefits to a lifting session (plus cardio) on an empty stomach?

I've done small stints like this when I'm not training and just trying to trim some extra pounds but as an athlete, it just does NOT work for me to train on an empty stomach at anytime really. My sessions windup ending early or feeling like I couldn't push it do to lack of energy... which = below average results. In the end I've found it better to train w/the proper fuel in you. Just my 0.02

[booey]

Yeah I tend to do pretty bad when lifting on an empty stomach. My workouts tend to be heavy and high volume, so without at least some carbs/protein in my system, I'm shot.

[RichGenetics]

I added the protein to my pre-WO blend and it was great. No bloating, no problems, and my lifts keep getting higher.

Today: 100lb dumbell presses for 8 reps. Did that 3x. yeah yeah yeah.

[dumbaznboy]

Yeah I tend to do pretty bad when lifting on an empty stomach. My workouts tend to be heavy and high volume, so without at least some carbs/protein in my system, I'm shot.

booey...im the same way....which is one reason why i hesitate to train on empty cuz i always say im guna only do cardio but i end up lifting too..heh.

but im no longer trying to maintain my mass....im trying to lean down as much as possible and lose some of the mass (which i will rebuild later on) cuz im gunning for a spot in marine corps ocs.

[Mr. Cooper]

im prolly just overthinking all of this since im not anywhere near the caliber to really worry about the details like this butttt.....

cardio for 30mins, protien shake, lifting

hows that sound

I've found that doing Cardio after lifting seems to give me better results. Lifting doesn't seem to affect my cardio, but cardio did affect my lifting.

[Tweak]

I've found that doing Cardio after lifting seems to give me better results. Lifting doesn't seem to affect my cardio, but cardio did affect my lifting.

That's the order I've been told to do it in, too. Lift, then cardio.

I wish eating candy got me leaner. dammit.

[RichGenetics]

First, I need to START the cardio before this can help me....

[dubdubs]

I do my cardio in the morning and find that its awesome. I then lift around 5pm and hit another cardio session shortly thereafter. I love this one too but some days I find that the energy level is cut short. Its really helped cut down some extra fat on the hips, so whatever it takes!

Hollar!
:grin:

[sassy69]

You can try it & see how it works for you. For me I start getting sick to my stomach if I don't eat something soon after I get up so I'd be a seriously low blood sugar case and probably generally miserable if I tried lifting first thing on an empty stomach. Cardio is a challenge enough because there is a time where my body just needs some food in it so I have to get the cardio done before that point hits.

[BiggT]

People obviously do it. For what it's worth, I have always trained for strength purposes, and I'd rather jam a pencil through my eye than lift weights on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. I think you'd get better results working out in the early morning with a bowl of oatmeal or even a Power Bar or something in you. If you are concerned about bodyfat, it is gonna boil down to total daily caloric intake anyway, so I see no reason to ruin a weight workout by working out hungry. People can present me with any sort of study, but from practical experience, no offense to anyone, I think it is absolutely idiotic to lift on an empty stomach. Fat loss is going to be more a product of what you eat all day, day in and day out, for long periods of time. Whatever fat burning effect lifting on an empty stomach has, I would have to say is very minimal in actual practice from my experiences and from what I have seen anyway.

Lots of people do AM cardio on an empty stomach, I don't get it and if you want performance I'd advise against it, but lots of people swear by it for fat loss.

[getjacked]

personally i wouldn't lift on an empty stomach, even if training for fat loss.

i've always thought that you should use the gym to get strong, build muscle, whatever.. use diet to lose fat.

[solidspine]

I have done it both ways,

Light carbs, protein, Red Blast and Thermorexin is what I am doing now,

LIGHT CARBS AND PROTEIN

Eg two chicken breast and a glass of V8

[JG1]

I wouldn't lift on an empty stomach.

At the very least drink some WM with BCAA's prior/during.

[IliekFude]

depends on yr goals man.. i know i couldnt move if i didnt eat before a workout.
like others said id at least take in some protein and/or bcaas and make sure yr hydrated. dehydration alone even a small ammount will result in a HUGE loss of maximum strength output.

[Evidence]

People obviously do it. For what it's worth, I have always trained for strength purposes, and I'd rather jam a pencil through my eye than lift weights on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. I think you'd get better results working out in the early morning with a bowl of oatmeal or even a Power Bar or something in you. If you are concerned about bodyfat, it is gonna boil down to total daily caloric intake anyway, so I see no reason to ruin a weight workout by working out hungry. People can present me with any sort of study, but from practical experience, no offense to anyone, I think it is absolutely idiotic to lift on an empty stomach. Fat loss is going to be more a product of what you eat all day, day in and day out, for long periods of time. Whatever fat burning effect lifting on an empty stomach has, I would have to say is very minimal in actual practice from my experiences and from what I have seen anyway.

Lots of people do AM cardio on an empty stomach, I don't get it and if you want performance I'd advise against it, but lots of people swear by it for fat loss.


I would tend to agree though my own experience. And T like you said, regardless of what scientific evidence or study there is, I can say that there was a point in college for sports, we'd have preseason conditioning for springball at like 5 am and some of those sessions were weights. One time I just couldn't stomach any food or anything and had a weight session on an empty stomach and had a huge meal afterwards and was so tired the rest of the day and just felt like crap. I felt if I kept that up i'd be going backwards. I always had a least a protein bar before any of those grueling days.

[silver_shadow]

I would tend to agree though my own experience. And T like you said, regardless of what scientific evidence or study there is, I can say that there was a point in college for sports, we'd have preseason conditioning for springball at like 5 am and some of those sessions were weights. One time I just couldn't stomach any food or anything and had a weight session on an empty stomach and had a huge meal afterwards and was so tired the rest of the day and just felt like crap. I felt if I kept that up i'd be going backwards. I always had a least a protein bar before any of those grueling days.

+1

if you don't have something to give you energy during a workout, the workout probably isn't going to be a 100% meaning that you'll probably be burning less cals.... how would that benefit in any way? plus of course, what you do the whole day and over a period of days, weeks and months is far more important than a snapshot.

[get456]

I found that adding fats to my PWO meal helps as well... table spoon of ANPB, 3/4cup dry oats, 40 grams protein, 30-45 min Pre workout

I like that better than just carb/protein and it doesnt seem to have any effect on fat loss or gain