Preworkout for Sprints

covert ash · 03-17-2008, 08:15 PM

I'm interested in incorporating HIIT sprints again into my program for maximizing fat loss. But I'm curious as to how some of you approach preworkout nutrition for these types of workouts. Do you treat sprints the same as regular weight workouts and have protein and carbs 1-2 hours (solid or liquid meal) beforehand? Or do you do something different?

Also, how much water do you drink before going into your sprints?

I ask all of these questions because in the past I never seem to have gotten my preworkout nutrition down properly before doing sprints. I could never find the balance between eating a bit too much or not enough; plus my meal timing was never spot on, which led to me feeling nauseated for a couple of hours afterwards or made me perform quick sets of bent-over toilet hurls.

So any insight you all may have is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

drew_c9 · 03-17-2008, 09:23 PM

i have been doing HIIT for the past 4 weeks this is what i include before my workout:
1) eat 2-3 hours before, doesnt really matter what i eat but a smaller meal
2) eat half a bananna 45 mins before my workout with a glass of water
- i have been doing 25-30 second sprints followed by 50 seconds of rest for atleast 20 mins, and have not seen a lack of energy throughout my session. I assume during the workout you will be too out of breath to drink any water, so have a water bottle ready for right after.

RememberMe · 03-18-2008, 01:02 AM

When i did my hill sprints on my cut, I just did them first thing in the morning. Then right after i was done i had a really good breakfast and for the rest of the day i felt great and metabolism was pumpin.

echelon101 · 03-18-2008, 02:19 AM

Fasting and HiiT is borderline. For optimal HiiT you need a bit of energy before hand maybe a banana to get the level where you are basically killing yourself.

drew is on the right track for pre-workout as you don't need protein pre-cardio. Although I would suggest that the you treat post-workout like you would for resistance training as your are putting your legs under a lot of stress for short periods of time during HiiT.

LayzieBone085 · 03-18-2008, 03:24 AM

make a small shake of 1/2 - 1 scoop whey and 1 banana and maybe some oats depending on how much you can fit into your macros for a burst of energy

KTHNXBYE · 03-18-2008, 06:36 AM

best one for me:

oats
milk
whey

Sirtitan · 03-18-2008, 06:39 AM

Last time I was doing HIIT religiously I would consume muscle milk and a redline about 2 hours before the sprints (I usually would do 200s (25-30 sec) or 400s (65-75 sec) ). IMO, I should of eaten more both before and after the workout. I did get really cut, but I sacrificed alot of muscle. The workouts definitely suppressed my appetite.

Rodzilla · 03-18-2008, 06:58 AM

eat solid food 1.5 - 2 hours before, it is needs to be closer. I would probably go by route of carbohydrate powders (SuperCARB/WMS)

Oats would make me sick.

and Layzie just loves to say "oats,whey, and a banana bro"

covert ash · 03-18-2008, 07:50 PM

Awesome! Thanks everyone for your input!

I definitely will still keep my post-workout the same as after any weight workout, no doubt. But as for pre-workout, I will try to get my solid meal in around 2 hours before the sprints and have some Gatorade (or similar) or a banana about 45 minutes beforehand.

However, do you all think that after that 45 minute mark, pre-workout, I should stop drinking any more fluids and just have a large water bottle with me for after the sprint session so as to avoid being sick? Or should I just sip small amounts of water up until it's time to sprint?

Any further advice is certainly welcome! Thanks everyone!

tinyman5000 · 03-18-2008, 07:51 PM

a normal meal