3:00 AM Workout - Am I Nuts??

[jrw77]

Given that the wife and I have been arguing almost night regarding my workouts taking to long and not enough time with the kids at night I have decided to try swinging my workout in the morning before I leave for the office. Given my commute (3hrs) and working hours this means that I will need to be in the home weight room no later that 3:30 am. Anybody workout this early and have some tips to get myself going and energized.

I'm planning to take my pre-workout immediately upon waking, and still have my breakfast before workout so I have the fuel and energy to keep moving. I have tried not eating before and I just felt wiped out and couldn't give it my all. I'm probably off my rocker on this but if it allows me to get in what I want while keeping the household calm that's what I need to do.

It does suck that I have very little support at home. She has made it very clear that she doesn't like the body-building types but it's more of those that are HUGE. I always catch her staring and smiling when i'm walking around without my shirt on so I know she likes what she sees. I fully support everything she has done in the past to loose weight and get fit, even did most of them along with her. I don't badger her about what she is doing now regarding her health even though I don't agree and feel she could do so much more.

Maybe i'm just whining here and should just suck it up, feeling a little distant today after the argument yet again last night.

[gbullock32]

Well, I always wake up and start lifting within about 40 minutes (home gym for the win); wake up, pound pre-WO and use bathroom. Simple and good to go (train fasted myself).

Nothing special to it man, same motivation needed whether it's morning or night; if anything it's great to lit first, more energy and it leaves me feeling great all day.

[jrw77]

That's exactly what i'm looking for, that pumped energy feeling to drive through the day. Hoping there is no crash in the afternoon, would suck to fall asleep on the train home....

[CFPeterson68]

Coffee as soon as you open your eyes helps. Got a programmable coffee maker?

[ironwill2008]

That's exactly what i'm looking for, that pumped energy feeling to drive through the day. Hoping there is no crash in the afternoon, would suck to fall asleep on the train home....

If some substance provides you with an artificial boost in your energy level, eventually, at some point, you have to come down from it. That's the way the equation works; there's no free lunch.

[Mark1T]

If some substance provides you with an artificial boost in your energy level, eventually, at some point, you have to come down from it. That's the way the equation works; there's no free lunch.

Agreed. I workout at 4:40am, M-Th. I do not take any booster. Just eat a PB sandwich and a little whole milk and I am off.

As far as working out at 3am? Do what you need to do.

[MichaelB73]

I am going to start hitting the gym at 4AM Monday. I did it for a couple of years and once I got used to getting my arse up I enjoyed it much more. Good luck with it man.

Read a good quote this morning: "If you wake up without a goal then just go back to bed"

[jrw77]

I am going to start hitting the gym at 4AM Monday. I did it for a couple of years and once I got used to getting my arse up I enjoyed it much more. Good luck with it man.

Read a good quote this morning: "If you wake up without a goal then just go back to bed"

For about a month when I was getting some remodeling done I was doing 5am every day when the Gym opened. I enjoy the early mornings, seems to be more peaceful even when working from home. The only thing is to ensure I get enough sleep, but 5 hours should be good.

[ItsTiME35]

I hit the gym at 6.30am (when it opens - would be earlier if it allowed) and love it, peaceful time when a lot of the world is at slumber. Workout done by 7.30 and in work for 8-8.15. I do it for similar reasons, I dont want to eat into family time. Gotta say I feel amazing for the rest of the day after a good morning session. It sets my mind on the right path.

In terms of prep I get up at 5.45 and have a PreJym pre workout (only just started using it because I had a lack of energy on my final sets), I also have a banana smoothie for carbs. Apart from that its straight in the gym.

Good luck OP

[jdtemple]

A home gym is a huge timesaver for morning training. I get up at 0430 and head to the basement. I'm lifting by 0445. No lines, no waiting for equipment. The only pre-workout substance I consume is water. You get used to it; it just means going to bed shortly after the kids do.

[CFPeterson68]

Its posts like these "3am workout" and the guys who lift in their backyard, in the snow, when its 10 below, that actually motivate me... (or the ones that lift with amputations, etc) If you guys can work out with that there is no reason in hell I can't work out with my "cushier" conditions.

[ElrondHubbard]

Well, I lift in my back yard, but so far I haven't had to face snow. I started last October, and the winter was unusually mild where I live -- and it's usually mild. I rarely even had to wear long sweatpants and sleeves. A home gym is a great thing, and lifting outdoors has its ups and downs, but more often than not being surrounded by trees and birds and bunnies and breezes and desert scenery makes the whole session a rather zen experience.

As to the OP's question of whether he's nuts:

Yes, but don't let that stop you. Join the club!

[JimmyJonny]

Not sure how many days a week you lift......

I do 3 days a week. When I'm working full time I start lifting on Mondays @ 5am. Mondays aren't to bad because I don't work weekdays and my sleep is caught up. Thursday is my next day, the hardest day because my job is very physical and I'm usually somewhat hurting/sore. Upside is I had 2 days off from lifting= more sleep before work. Next day is Saturday, my favorite day. I wake up around 8am, eat, enjoy my coffee......... I relax more, no rushing.

So for me, it's all about timing it to where I recover the best. My typical work & lifting day starts at 4am, home around 6:30pm.

[gbnpc]

I've gone throught the same exact thing with my wife regarding my workouts, so I completely understand. We went through quite the trial period for a couple of years before we came to the realization that working out is something I wanted to do for myself and for no one else. It was my 1 hour per day to do something for me. the rest of the hours each day would be for her and the kids. That said, if the realization doesn't come so easy for the both of you, then sure, get your training in when you cana dn when it will create the least amount of friction between the two of you. that tension and stress will not only cause argument between the two of you, but will also affect your workouts and your overall health.

[TonyM78]

I've gone throught the same exact thing with my wife regarding my workouts, so I completely understand. We went through quite the trial period for a couple of years before we came to the realization that working out is something I wanted to do for myself and for no one else. It was my 1 hour per day to do something for me. the rest of the hours each day would be for her and the kids. That said, if the realization doesn't come so easy for the both of you, then sure, get your training in when you cana dn when it will create the least amount of friction between the two of you. that tension and stress will not only cause argument between the two of you, but will also affect your workouts and your overall health.

I agree. Do what you need to do. And from experience, if she has an issue with something you're doing or the time it takes, it may be just masking some other issue. So just do what you have to do for yourself and make sure you're the greatest husband you can be and things will work themselves out.

As far as time goes, sometimes you have to work around the time you have available. I have to do it at 6:30 in the morning after having worked a 12 year shift from 6PM to 6AM. It kind of sucks, but once I get moving I get more motivated. And some days when work is slow, I have extra energy later so I can channel that into my workouts.

Only thing I'm wondering though - how much sleep are you getting?

[Robfitx]

I'm up at 4:30 for my basement workouts and have been doing his for several years now. There are no distractions and it doesn't interfere with family obligations. Agree with above statements about preworkout, but it seems to help at that hour and is just more convenient for me than coffee which would take longer to drink.

[jrw77]

So maybe I'm not as crazy as I thought, seems like many of you are doing this for the same reasons. An additional question is what do you normally eat before your morning workout? I was planning to have my normal breakfast which consists of oatmeal, eggs, and an English muffin about 15/20 min before. I find that I need a good sized meal before my workouts to keep fueled.

[jdtemple]

So maybe I'm not as crazy as I thought, seems like many of you are doing this for the same reasons. An additional question is what do you normally eat before your morning workout? I was planning to have my normal breakfast which consists of oatmeal, eggs, and an English muffin about 15/20 min before. I find that I need a good sized meal before my workouts to keep fueled.

Nothing. I eat breakfast later, with my son.

[JimmyJonny]

So maybe I'm not as crazy as I thought, seems like many of you are doing this for the same reasons. An additional question is what do you normally eat before your morning workout? I was planning to have my normal breakfast which consists of oatmeal, eggs, and an English muffin about 15/20 min before. I find that I need a good sized meal before my workouts to keep fueled.

You'll definitely have to see what works for you on this.

At first I had to eat a lot before I lift, usually around 600c-800c a hour or so before lifting or I ran low on energy. At the time I was working full time and bulking. This year I cut my weight down so I skipped breakfast ( thats how I cut ) but I did drink a juice drink of almond milk, strawberries, grapes & blueberries in the magic bullet. Oh coffee too, a must.

Lifting fasted isn't for everyone. It took a little getting use to but I'm fine now. I have learned though that if I don't eat enough before bed I don't feel my best in the morning.

[goatmanjon]

I too lift in the morning so I have more family time in the evenings.

Wakeup at 5:30am, drink water and eat breakfast right away which is a bowl of golean crunch cereal.

Am lifting by 5:45 and done in an hour. I eat a protein bar afterwards.

Wife doesn't complain about me not having enough time for her after work anymore...

Instead she complains about the sound of weights clanging and waking her up!

[ElrondHubbard]

I usually eat an orange about 15 minutes prior to my workout. It gives me just enough energy to get me through the last few sets.

[melDorado]

Its posts like these "3am workout" and the guys who lift in their backyard, in the snow, when its 10 below, that actually motivate me... (or the ones that lift with amputations, etc) If you guys can work out with that there is no reason in hell I can't work out with my "cushier" conditions.

I know... Respect.

[jrw77]

I too lift in the morning so I have more family time in the evenings.

Wakeup at 5:30am, drink water and eat breakfast right away which is a bowl of golean crunch cereal.

Am lifting by 5:45 and done in an hour. I eat a protein bar afterwards.

Wife doesn't complain about me not having enough time for her after work anymore...

Instead she complains about the sound of weights clanging and waking her up!

I know she will be happy with me having more time at night but she's more worried about me getting tired than upset about me working out this early.

I was also worried about the noise waking her up but she didn't hear a thing yesterday morning. My basement is finished and they are 2 stores above so there is enough between me and them.

[naderqud]

It's quite natural for women to be attracted to men with built bodies. Even if she says she doesn't like bodybuilders, she's probalby talking about the un-natural looking dudes or something lol.

About 3 am workouts...whatever works for you! Imagine you weren't hitting the gym at all, now that would be a problem. Bodybuilding is really a one-person job, with or without support.

When I first started, I was posting pictures of myself flexing and people would comment "You don't need to workout, we like you the way you are, are you trying to be Hulk Hogan?" LOL wtffffff

[Plateauplower]

I train at 5:00am during the week, but wake up at 3:30 or so just so I'm fully awake by the time I hit the gym. Not too many stims that won't cause a crash, I use C4 pre wo, but drink it intra as my morning coffee is wearing off and it seems to keep me charged up for the last half. I train early to avoid the issue the OP has but out of my own desire to be able to spend some time with the family.

It will be hard for a few weeks, but it gets easier. I generally wake up on my own at 3:20am most days. Go to bed early, I'm usually in bed by 8pm and asleep by 9. Have the coffee pre-made so it's ready to go in the morning and everything ready to go the night before.

[frommd]

I set my alarm for 4:30 and head down for a workout starting at 4:40. Waking up is tough, but once I'm into it start feeling good. I do it fasted and haven't noticed any weakness from it. I eat after I'm done. Luckily for me my wife is supportive enough that she gets up and joins me.

[Garage Rat]

I was in the same boat years ago when my kids were young.
The one thing is your wife has a point.
The time with your young kids can never be made up in any way.
Time goes by and they get older and you missed out as a dad.
I was fortunate enough to have a garage and with my wife blessing added some equipment and started training at home.
I would do what i could at home.
Bodyweight(there are many things you can do), TRX type straps or rings give you lots of options,a kettle bell or pair of them give you more,loadable dumbbells.
If you make a small area your training area and put your mind and knowledge together you can get some really good training in.
Also i would say get your rest.
Its just as important as your training if not more.
Good luck i hope you work it out.
It made it so i could train at any time that worked around the family.
Definitely not like the gym and it made me more innovative with training with what equipment i had.
I still to this day train in my garage and so do my grown up kids.

[jrw77]

I was in the same boat years ago when my kids were young.
The one thing is your wife has a point.
The time with your young kids can never be made up in any way.
Time goes by and they get older and you missed out as a dad.
I was fortunate enough to have a garage and with my wife blessing added some equipment and started training at home.
I would do what i could at home.
Bodyweight(there are many things you can do), TRX type straps or rings give you lots of options,a kettle bell or pair of them give you more,loadable dumbbells.
If you make a small area your training area and put your mind and knowledge together you can get some really good training in.
Also i would say get your rest.
Its just as important as your training if not more.
Good luck i hope you work it out.
It made it so i could train at any time that worked around the family.
Definitely not like the gym and it made me more innovative with training with what equipment i had.
I still to this day train in my garage and so do my grown up kids.

I couldn't have said it better myself. I have a decent workout area in my office with some free weights, bench, and assortment of bars which allow me to get a good workout in at home. My local Y doesn't open until 5am so going to my Gym is out in the morning.

I survived my workout this morning, and have more energy than I expected. Will see how I feel come tonight / tomorrow morning when I do day 2. It shouldn't be too bad as this will be only 3 days a week, the other 3 workout days will be around 5 / 6 am as I will be working from home.

[Dave4D]

I have to be to work by 4 am so when I have to work, I wake up at 1:30 in the morning to hit the gym by 2 am. I work 12 hour shifts and I'm usually exhausted by the time I get off work so early morning workouts work better for me. I usually just throw some whey in a shaker cup with some creatine and almond milk. If I have bananas I will have a banana with it, and sometimes some peanut butter.

[jrw77]

Day 2 and still full of energy. Sleep pretty good last night (bed by 9:30), woke up quite a few times thinking it was time to get up and workout. I find that I have more energy in the afternoon versus before, not falling asleep on the train.