Morning workouts (Squat & Deadlift)

[MikeyMinaj]

I read an article from by a trainer who advised to wait an hour after waking up in the morning to do Squats and Deadlifts. He stated that we have spinal fluid build up from sleeping all night. The search function didn't yield any recent threads that I found to be credible.


Is this true? How dangerous might squatting/deadlifting be in the morning? I see and read tons of lifters training at 5:30am, etc. but I don't see them squatting/deadlifting.

Thanks for your time.

[Maverick2015]

I have read that before but I think 15 minutes is probably enough time. Plenty of people do these early without issue.

[pippen336]

One of Stuart Mcgills books (the unequivocal expert on spinal mechanics and safety) recommends something like 4 hours. I personally would never risk it, but obviously its up to the individual. I also recall a statistic reading something like 80% of slipped discs occur within the first few hours of waking up. I can try to dig up something more concrete than just my word though lol

[pippen336]

This is one of the related studies done:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11837055


I have no idea how to find the entire actual study though, so I cant find what they consider the morning.

[Maverick2015]

This is one of the related studies done:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11837055


I have no idea how to find the entire actual study though, so I cant find what they consider the morning.

That was for people that already had back pain/problems. As to Stuart Mcgill, he has a tendency to exaggerate and be extremely overly cautious. I am not saying that this is unfounded but I have yet to find any real data to support the timing. I wouldn't jump out of bed and grab a bar next to my bed that was loaded with a couple plates, but 4 hours is ridiculous. 1 hour sounds long too. 30 minutes is probably fine and 15 minutes would be the minimum I would consider.

[pippen336]

That was for people that already had back pain/problems. As to Stuart Mcgill, he has a tendency to exaggerate and be extremely overly cautious. I am not saying that this is unfounded but I have yet to find any real data to support the timing. I wouldn't jump out of bed and grab a bar next to my bed that was loaded with a couple plates, but 4 hours is ridiculous. 1 hour sounds long too. 30 minutes is probably fine and 15 minutes would be the minimum I would consider.

Yeah, that study was the basis of Mcgill looking into morning issues with spines, not saying that is the definitive study that says you shouldnt deadlift.

Also from talking to my friend who extensively studies Mcgill, and has rebuilt a destroyed spine, I was incorrect about the 4 hours, Mcgill actually just says at least 1 as well.

Also, completely agree he has a strong tendency to be overly cautious, but my personal preference is to be overly cautious in regards to spine injuries as well. Since they pretty much mess up your whole life, I dont really see the point in any risk. An hour sounds easily reasonable though right?

[tara19]

You would get a better response posting this in the "workout" section