hitting the gym first thing when you wake up?

[karansingh12]

I was wondering if its ok to hit the gym asap after waking up? I also read here that you should take BCAA when you are working out fasting? I know you dont need BCAA but was wondering if it would even help at all and if so whats the best interval to take it at? before/during or after workout? Thanks

[MillerTime07]

You do not need a BCAA. But, it would be beneficial to drink before/during your workout if you are going to be training fasted.

[karansingh12]

You do not need a BCAA. But, it would be beneficial to drink before/during your workout if you are going to be training fasted.

thanks i find it much easier to workout right in the morning then to wait till evening due to the fact that i have to run random jobs around the house. work out in the morning come back have protien shake and breakfast and im good to go

[iufan4lifeul]

I usually wake up at 5:15am and am at the gym by 6. I like to eat a cliff bar right after waking up, then sipping a shaker bottle with an energy mix that you can buy at your local supermarket (basically a generic crystal light thing) that has about 150mg caffeine and a few other minor goodies in it. I mix that, 3 g of creatine and a BCAA blend and drink that from about 30 minutes before all the way through my workout.

[WallaceGrover]

I used to wake up at 4:30 so I could get ready and go to the gym right as they open at 6 without any sort of pre-workout. I found the main benefit was just the good feeling through the day that you got something done. That being said, I feel way more energetic and ready later in the day, pre-workout or not...

[anonymous]

Why would you want to wake up, skip breakfast and go training? You haven't eaten since before you slept, whatever hour that is.

[k9pit]

Maybe when I was younger, lol.

Cardio, yeah. But for lifting nowadays I need to move around a little bit and warm my body up. If I wake up and go straight to lifting everything feels heavier than it should. I like early afternoon workouts. After I wake up good, move around, drink some OJ and maybe a shake I'm ready to go smash the weights. Hard to roll out of bed and put 300+lbs on your back and get to squatting.

[karansingh12]

well im planning on having BCAA just because i have a box left of it. Creatine is on hold because i have high creatine already from my lab test and working on getting that down, drinking lots of water and etc. I usually jog in the morning but would like to gym in the morning to better utilize my time considering my daily schedule (work/babystting/household chores). I feel so sluggish, lazy and drained out of energy by the time 7pm comes around. Also i am not skipping breakfast, it would just be around 9am ish instead of my regular 8am :P

[jamalfudge]

I get up and squat heavy at 6am. Usually don't eat til after I'm done. But i will have a coffee before I get started.

[Jasonk282]

I'm up around 4am and in the gym by 415, home gym in basement, no coffee, BCAAs or even a warm up...

[jack505]

I have to go any time any day because I can only go when I have spare time. A habit that I learned.

[kennycroxdale]

Why would you want to wake up, skip breakfast and go training? You haven't eaten since before you slept, whatever hour that is.

Fasted Training

Sleeping does NOT burn a lot of energy or glycogen.

Sleeping is basically the lowest aerobic active there is.

Muscle Glycogen

Muscle glycogen is like gas in your car.

Letting your car sit all night doesn't burn any gas.

If you gas tank was full when you parked the car, it's still full in the morning.

Basically it's the same with muscle glycogen. You pretty much have a full tank if you "gassed up" the night before.

Kenny Croxdale

[Squid24]

Why would you want to wake up, skip breakfast and go training? You haven't eaten since before you slept, whatever hour that is.

I have worked out at 4:30am for 5yrs now....Nothing wrong with it...you do what works for you...not what works for the other guy...Plus, I eat at around 8pm...so i am good in the morning

[adamdavidson47]

I'm up around 4am and in the gym by 415, home gym in basement, no coffee, BCAAs or even a warm up...

I'm in the gym by 5:30 am, but I do cheat and take a pre work out.

I'm really not sure it does much for me anymore, besides the vitamins that are in it, since I've been taking it for about 2 years straight. Doh.

[anonymous]

I was more thinking that your stomach would be growling and wanting something in it in the morning. I wake up and get hungry within the hour and if I don't eat, I will feel nauseous.

[Squid24]

I was more thinking that your stomach would be growling and wanting something in it in the morning. I wake up and get hungry within the hour and if I don't eat, I will feel nauseous.

That's not a problem for me. I eat about an hr after and then ALL day long

[kcuviello]

i take assault, and head right to the gym at 430am. eat when i get home after workout.

[chazzy1864]

Why would you want to wake up, skip breakfast and go training? You haven't eaten since before you slept, whatever hour that is.

So?


OP, if that is the best time for you to work out, do it. Many times over my lifting career I've trained early in the morning before any meals. Actually, I enjoy training fasted, as it is easier to know how my workout will be. I'd say that my workouts have a higher floor, but lower ceiling potential when fasted. But with food, sometimes I'll have great workouts after meals and other times they are bad. So meals give lower floor but higher ceiling.


edit: I do use pre-workouts. I have to at this point to feel the urge to hit the gym...

[Saintsqc]

BCAA is just a scam, you dont need that at all...ever.

I have 3 morning trainings in the week. Chazzy used a good analogy ; high floor, lower ceiling. I'm not at the top of my energy/power/focus, but it's pretty consistant and I rarely have bad morning work outs. They pretty much always "okay". Afternoon/evening training are either "****ty" or "exeptionnal" lol.

I dont like training fasted though. I like to drink a fruit shake and a coffee before my morning training, just to get some sugar flowing.

[Jasonk282]

I was more thinking that your stomach would be growling and wanting something in it in the morning. I wake up and get hungry within the hour and if I don't eat, I will feel nauseous.

No issue for me as well. On days that I work I don;t even get to eat my fist bit of food until 10am

[anonymous]

I haven't tried training while fasting. I usually wake up at 6:30 and don't enter the gym until 9:00. If I don't eat before that, I'm going to pass out in the gym. I can go home afterwards, eat lunch and then after an hour or two get hungry again. I don't eat after 19:00 (except for some almonds) so that might have something to do with it.

[kennycroxdale]

[QUOTE=Saintsqc;1335499351]BCAA is just a scam, you dont need that at all...ever.

BCAAs

Research indicates they can be beneficial. So, I would not categorize it as a scam.

Leucine

Research shows that of the three BCAAs, Leucine is the work hours. 2.5 gram plus of Leucine elicits an anabolic response.

However, Leucine works best in conjunction with other amino acids, specifically Isoleucine and Valine.

Research also show that spiking soy, wheat, casein, etc with Leucine elicits basically the same effect as consuming whey protein.

Post NOT Pre Workout Leucine
http://www.advancedmolecularlabs.com...ance-enhancer/

"Despite the fact that leucine consumption during and after resistance exercise promotes muscle growth, the consumption of leucine before training seems to diminish muscular performance. One reason being that pre-workout consumption of leucine mitigates the conversion of glycogen into glucose within the muscle cell, effectively diminishing energy availability for muscle function.

Another issue with pre-workout leucine consumption involves the increased potential for insulin-signaling desensitization— especially if leucine is also being ingested, as it should be, during and after weight training. Studies have shown that insulin resistance can occur with increased amino acid consumption, especially the branched-chain amino acid leucine.47,48 Of course, insulin resistance from the additional pre-workout leucine would reduce insulin’s anabolic properties, meaning a decrease in muscle growth.

The final negative impact of pre-workout leucine comes from leucine’s ability to competitively inhibit dopamine production by preventing the uptake of the dopamine-precursor tyrosine into the brain. This effect would increase the rate of CNS fatigue and overall sluggishness, ultimately hindering exercise performance."

Fasted Training

Supplements that appear to work more effectively in a fasted state are: Tyrosine, Caffeine, Bitter Orange, Green Tea, and Yohimbe.

These elevate catecholamines: Epinephrine (adrenaline), Norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and Dopamine. In other word, they jack you up.

Pre Workout Beverage/Meal

Some benefits are obtain from a pre workout beverage/meal.

Fasted or Fed

The objective plays a role in determining whether you train in a fasted or fed state.

Kenny Croxdale

[Saintsqc]

BCAAs

Research indicates they can be beneficial. So, I would not categorize it as a scam.

Amino acids are essential. Most protein source (milk, cheese, meat, poultry, fish, etc.) have an excellent amino acids profile. So why buying BCAA supplement when you already have all the essential AA in a common high-protein diet ?

BCAA supplement is a scam.

Post NOT Pre Workout Leucine
http://www.advancedmolecularlabs.com...ance-enhancer/
[...]

A supplement seller is absolutly a good source of information...

These kind of studies are pointless for lifters.

[LoudyRowdy]

I was wondering if its ok to hit the gym asap after waking up? I also read here that you should take BCAA when you are working out fasting? I know you dont need BCAA but was wondering if it would even help at all and if so whats the best interval to take it at? before/during or after workout? Thanks

Ive been doing that for years..

Wake up: stims....then go lift


However, for the past few weeks, I have been slamming down a serving of whey before stims/lifting. Hard to tell but Im noticing a difference especially body transformation. A serving of whey, to me, does not make the stims less effective (just in case you are concerned about it)

[kennycroxdale]

Amino acids are essential. Most protein source (milk, cheese, meat, poultry, fish, etc.) have an excellent amino acids profile. So why buying BCAA supplement when you already have all the essential AA in a common high-protein diet ?

Research

You want a simple answer to a complex question.

I'd have to write an in depth article to explain the when, why and how to you.

Since there are already plenty of research article on that, I don't need to.

Instead you need to do you home work.

Protein Sources

Yes, you can obtain enough of the right amino acids if you are consuming enough protein from the right sources.

Research shows that you need approximately 30 grams of a quality protein source to obtain the right amount of leucine to trigger the anabolic effect.

BCAA supplement is a scam.

I am sure you can enlighten the PhD in Nutrition and Exercise Science regarding this matter who have come to the erroneous conclusion.

A supplement seller is absolutly a good source of information...

These kind of studies are pointless for lifters.

Pointless For You...

that for sure.

Michael J. Rudolph, Ph.D wrote article for a supplement company. Good news, you got that part right.

Rudolph has expertise in this field. Knowingly promoting false information by Rudolph (anyone) would tarnish their reputation in the field they are in.

In plain English, after trust is lost, you have nothing.

Secondly, like any good researcher, Rudolph referenced his information. That allows you/anyone to analyze the data presented.

You Presented NOTHING

You provide nothing more than, "It a scam, take my word for it."

That reminds me of Richard Nixon, who stated he wasn't a crook and that he wasn't breaking the law statement, just before he resigned from office before being impeached.

Kenny Croxdale

[joen63]

I wake up at 5:30 am, slam down some Greek yogurt and 1/3 cup of granola with my vitamins and creatine, chug a pre workout, and head to the gym by 6. I drink bsn amino x while I train, it may very well be snake oil but even if it's a 1% difference in overall gains it's worth it to me. It's not like it's overly expensive. We aren't talking about deer antler velvet here guys

[CorpseCorpuscle]

There's this really hot Spanish looking broad with big hooters that works out at my gym at the butt crack of dawn and even though I really love her hooters it still is not motivation enough to get me into the gym @ 5:00am.

[MCostley]

I wake up at 5am and leave my house within 10 minutes - sometimes I drink BCAA's, sometimes I don't. It's up to you! As stated above, you don't necessarily need them if your getting them from your food.

[Saintsqc]

Research

I'd have to write an in depth article to explain the when, why and how to you.

Please, do it. I'm eager to learn how BCAA supplementation has any positive effect for lifters on a common high protein diet.

Since there are already plenty of research article on that, I don't need to.

Did the AML preworkout link you posted count as an article ? If so...well, that's bull****.

Protein Sources

Yes, you can obtain enough of the right amino acids if you are consuming enough protein from the right sources.

Whey, meat, poultry, fish, dairy are sources with excellent amino acids profile. By excellent, I mean, they countain every AA you need.

Research shows that you need approximately 30 grams of a quality protein source to obtain the right amount of leucine to trigger the anabolic effect.

30 g of quality protein source ?
You mean, like half of a tuna can ?
Or half of a chicken breast ?
Or a protein shake ?
Or a steak?

Pointless For You...

that for sure.

Michael J. Rudolph, Ph.D wrote article for a supplement company. Good news, you got that part right.

Rudolph has expertise in this field. Knowingly promoting false information by Rudolph (anyone) would tarnish their reputation in the field they are in.

In plain English, after trust is lost, you have nothing.

Secondly, like any good researcher, Rudolph referenced his information. That allows you/anyone to analyze the data presented.

Yeah, thanks man...but I already know how it works. But, obviously, you dont.

When a scientist publish in a peer-reviewed journal, his article is good. Good references, good methodology/experimentations, good conclusion, etc.
When someone with PhD at the end of their name published an "article" on a supplement company's website...this is not peer-reviewed. They can say whatever they believed it's true, or they can say whatever their employer ask them to say for money and subvention. That's how perverted science is. There is a reason why you have to look at who subvented an article when you write a science paper. A scientific paper saying "tobacco is not bad for your health" is suspicous when it's subvented by tobacoo industries.




Let's take an example : Pre-workout Leucine Consumption Is Detrimental to Muscle Growth

First of all, lets just point out how fcking ridiculous this is. AA are basic components of protein. In other words, protein is like a chain of AA. It's like saying "eating protein pre-work out is detrimental to muscle growth".

The author play with the word quite well. "the consumption of leucine before training seems to diminish muscular performance." Without references, of course. In other words, his claim has never been supported by scientific studies. Weak argument if you ask me.

Then, he goes on explaining why leucine could be detrimental to anabolic response when consumed pre-workout. His arguments to explain why leucine SEEMS to diminish muscular performance : it mitigates glycogen conversion, insulin-signaling desensitization and inhibitation of dopamine production. Let's see why his arguments are **** :
Glycogen conversion : His reference , "Branched-chain amino acids activate key enzymes in protein synthesis after physical exercise".
Insulin : His reference, "Role of dietary proteins and amino acids in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance" and "A branched-chain amino acid-related metabolic signature that differentiates obese and lean humans and contributes to insulin resistance"
Dopamine : His reference, "Oral branched-chain amino acid supplements that reduce brain serotonin during exercise in rats also lower brain catecholamines"

So, his whole argumentation is based on unrelated studies. He goes on saying leucine prework out mitigates glycogen conversion, but he cites an article that studied post work out protein synthesis (completly unrelated to his argument). His insulin desentisation is also bull****. Pathogenic insulin resistance and obese people can not be compare to average lifters. It is completely unrelated, again. Then, his dopamine argument is based on an article done on rats. Once again, it means jack ****. EVEN if all his arguments were true, it doesnt mean leucine pre work out is detrimental to muscle growth. All the biomechanism he talked about might happen for real, but leucine pre work out can still has positive effect on muscle growth when consume pre work out. I mean, even if there is negative effects to pre work-out leucine, there might have much more positive effect. So, in the end, pre work out leucine can be a very very good thing (in spite of some negative effects). It's like saying "we shouldnt drive car, because some people die in car crash".

Btw, sry for my bad english. I'm french, I'm having a hard time to argue.

His whole idea of "leucine prework out is bad, hmm kay" is wrong !!

Also, his whole article is the same. Total bull****.

And, EVEN if he was right (maybe he has a good insight and there is no studies to back up his claim)....this is such a tiny-tiny-tiny detail in the bigger picture. If it was true (but it's not), the effect on muscle/strength gain would be insignificant.

You Presented NOTHING

You provide nothing more than, "It a scam, take my word for it."

Just google what amino acids are and google the AA profile of what you commonly eat. You'll see that you get everything you need from your diet. Just pour yourself a glass of milk. You'll have all the AA you need, and it's dirt cheap.

My dad, during his chemiotherapy, took BCAA supplementation. Because he couldnt eat. So yeah, it was a good thing. A weightlifter on a high protein diet doesnt need BCAA supplementation. You dont need a PhD to see it.

[kennycroxdale]

My dad, during his chemiotherapy, took BCAA supplementation.

BCAA is just a scam, you dont need that at all...ever.

Your dad was scammed...as you pointed out, "You don't need at all...EVER!

Kenny Croxdale