Anyone else train whilst fasted?

[Revvorc]

Been doing so for the last month, gotta say, it feels damn good.

I won't claim it gives a performance increase, but I'd certainly say it makes lifting REALLY enjoyable. Before the gym, I am feeling pretty low energy and hungry. But once I get going, oh man, I feel like a primal caveman with total focus and determination. Then I will always eat a big meal afterwards, and that feels damn good too.

Be interested on everyone's thoughts/personal experiences with it.

[AdamWW]

Nope... anytime I've trained fasted I fizzle out by about 20-30min in...

I need at least a small amount of carbs in order to feel solid energy for a workout lasting over 45min.

[Revvorc]

Nope... anytime I've trained fasted I fizzle out by about 20-30min in...

I need at least a small amount of carbs in order to feel solid energy for a workout lasting over 45min.

It's interesting how we all differ, huh? I know a lot of people experience this, at least you know what works for you and that's what matters

[AdamWW]

It's interesting how we all differ, huh? I know a lot of people experience this, at least you know what works for you and that's what matters

I honestly WISH I could train fasted... it'd be so much more convenient

[Tucane]

Tried it a few times and performed at ~60% of my normal level... it's not for me.

I know that there are people that can push really hard on close to nothing... my smaller brother pulled off 3 intense full-body workouts during a 9-day water-only-fast.

I can't even skip breakfast without feeling like crap.

Milages vary.

[Nicksosure1]

Nope... anytime I've trained fasted I fizzle out by about 20-30min in...

I need at least a small amount of carbs in order to feel solid energy for a workout lasting over 45min.

This.

I'm so pitiful when training fasted in the morning. My workouts usually last around 1.5 hours and I fizzle out forsure. I also look forward to my morning carbs, they get me going.

[Revvorc]

Interesting to read, gents. I wonder why it varies so much from person to person?

I lift about an hour or two after waking up. I feel pitiful also until my first set, then I am absolutely pumped up both physically and mentally. This is whilst training 6 days per week, 1.5-2 hours per day.

I didn't experiment it long enough on my cut, but I am gonna try it out next time to see how that feels. It's possible being in a fasted state isn't actually doing anything for me, just the recent change to bulking calories so I'm obviously going to feel a lot better in the gym.

[Vandeman17]

I train at 4:30 am during the week so those are fasted. Weekends I work out later and have food in my system. I can't say that I notice a difference either better or worse

[paulinkansas]

My normal routine is to drink a cup of keto coffee (coffee with MCT oil and some cacao powder) then lift. I start lifting about 15 minutes after waking up and checking on things in the worlds condition. In between the last few sets I start making breakfast...cooking bacon or sausage, frying eggs, etc. My garage gym is about 15 steps from my kitchen.

[Nicksosure1]

Interesting to read, gents. I wonder why it varies so much from person to person?

I lift about an hour or two after waking up. I feel pitiful also until my first set, then I am absolutely pumped up both physically and mentally. This is whilst training 6 days per week, 1.5-2 hours per day.

I didn't experiment it long enough on my cut, but I am gonna try it out next time to see how that feels. It's possible being in a fasted state isn't actually doing anything for me, just the recent change to bulking calories so I'm obviously going to feel a lot better in the gym.

It probably has as much to do with adaptation as it does differentiation between individuals. If I were to do this for 2-3 weeks, I'd probably be more in a groove by week 2. Right now I think I'm just used to my routine of morning carbs and protein and I'm used to how it feels.

That being said, it is interesting to see how people respond differently to training, nutrition and the combination of both.

[Revvorc]

It probably has as much to do with adaptation as it does differentiation between individuals. If I were to do this for 2-3 weeks, I'd probably be more in a groove by week 2. Right now I think I'm just used to my routine of morning carbs and protein and I'm used to how it feels.

That being said, it is interesting to see how people respond differently to training, nutrition and the combination of both.

Yeah I get you! Also I suppose it matters how it fits into your general lifestyle too which varies from individual to individual.

And indeed, certainly is interesting seeing what works for some people and what doesn't!

[Revvorc]

My normal routine is to drink a cup of keto coffee (coffee with MCT oil and some cacao powder) then lift. In between the last few sets I start making breakfast...cooking bacon or sausage, frying eggs, etc. My garage gym is about 15 steps from my kitchen.

Livin' the dream with the home gym, looking forward to having my own one day

Sounds like an enjoyable routine!

[Dusty200001]

Been doing so for the last month, gotta say, it feels damn good.

I won't claim it gives a performance increase, but I'd certainly say it makes lifting REALLY enjoyable. Before the gym, I am feeling pretty low energy and hungry. But once I get going, oh man, I feel like a primal caveman with total focus and determination. Then I will always eat a big meal afterwards, and that feels damn good too.

Be interested on everyone's thoughts/personal experiences with it.

I always been able to get a better workout while fasted also. Makes my drive much more intense.

[Budjola]

you get used to it. im on IF+KETO/Carnivore diet for more than 2 years not and i always train fasted. my eating schedule is 1pm and 6pm. imo i never felt better and i train every day, run every day.

[gbullock32]

Always train fasted, wake up and have a pre-workout then lift; eating before lifting/exercise makes me feel nauseous.

[grubman]

Early AM Fasted crew here. 3:30AM, hop out of bed (no alarm necessary after all these years) excited to work out. Pop a gummy multivitamin and drink a good preworkout...because I enjoy the ritual, the way it makes me feel, and it enhances the workout. Sip on a good tasting BCAA while working out, because I like it, it’s hydrating, and I can afford it.

I’ve lifted at all times of the day, tried all the food “tricks” and timing for the best performance...for me, it’s early morning fasted.

[rhadam]

At home when i worked Swings/Mid shift i always trained fasted. Woke up, throw on gym clothes, take ECY, down about 20oz of water, lift then cardio. Loved it. Currently deployed with SOF units and working out with them, crossfit with heavy emphasis on conditioning... i eat about 3 hours prior to those sessions. No way i could attempt to keep up with these guys if i hadn't eaten for 8+ hours.

[Fiction2Fitness]

Depends on when I workout. In the morning/early mid-day then fasted is more common. Just might have a zero calorie energy drink but can go without food. If I am lifting after work in the evening, then nope, not going to do it fasted. I don't eat right before training because it makes me feel nauseated but do have food earlier in the day.

[boo99]

Always train fasted, wake up and have a pre-workout then lift; eating before lifting/exercise makes me feel nauseous.

Same

I'd prefer to eat after and then power nap, schedule permitting

[desslok]

If i train fasted, I have to lower weight on everything ~20 pounds and am exhausted about 20 or 30 minutes in. It is funny how we all just have to find what works for us.

[AdamWW]

I would also say, I think i probably COULD train ok fasted IF I had a very high carb/calorie meal near bedtime... but I can't do that, cuz I won't sleep. Carbs make me too hyper.

[gbullock32]

I would also say, I think i probably COULD train ok fasted IF I had a very high carb/calorie meal near bedtime... but I can't do that, cuz I won't sleep. Carbs make me too hyper.

Opposite for me, I get the carb coma so pre-bed is my largest meal, 50-80% of my caloric intake and the largest amount of carbs too. Sleep like a rock and wake up with energy.

[hardyboysare]

I would probably die if I trained after a prolonged fast. Breakfast is my most calorie dense meal of the day. Get up coffee, take the dogs out and then a feast with even more coffee then off to the gym.

I need breakfast or I will be one grumpy b***ard and my gym workout really suffers.

[Nicksosure1]

I would probably die if I trained after a prolonged fast. Breakfast is my most calorie dense meal of the day. Get up coffee, take the dogs out and then a feast with even more coffee then off to the gym.

I need breakfast or I will be one grumpy b***ard and my gym workout really suffers.

That’s one thing I forgot to mention, I think I’m the hangry type. My mood is awful until I eat something in the morning. Not only am I weaker faster but I’m not in the zone mentally AT ALL

[BS57]

Used to, early AM. I've found I do better late morning 2-3 hours after breakfast.

[Hutrapper]

In the gym in my shop at 5 am. If I feel overly tired, I do a good pre workout, but no more than once a week. Some days are better than others, but food before does me no good.

What is the absolute best for me is to eat a good chunk of my daily carbs before bed the night before. That combined with a pre workout and I feel amazing.


I do feel like I can lift slightly heavier training in the evenings, but it doesn't fit my schedule, and since warming up better in the mornings I am doing better.

[AdamWW]

I would probably die if I trained after a prolonged fast. Breakfast is my most calorie dense meal of the day. Get up coffee, take the dogs out and then a feast with even more coffee then off to the gym.

I need breakfast or I will be one grumpy b***ard and my gym workout really suffers.

Similar for me.... I like having my morning time alone to get ready for the day... eat then train 2-3 hours later. I could do it with a smaller meal but I like my bigger breakfast

[MrCarrot]

I haven't really experimented too much, but one time I had an enormous meal the night before, so when I went to the gym in the morning I didn't eat, and I had a great workout.

Today I had a small breakfast early, then got to the gym later than expected around lunchtime. Before I started I felt a little shakey with hunger; at first I kind of regretted not having a banana or something pre-workout. Once I got going though I had an awsome workout and hit a PR in almost every lift.

So I'm inclined to think I perform better with less food in my belly.

[Revvorc]

Early AM Fasted crew here. 3:30AM, hop out of bed (no alarm necessary after all these years) excited to work out. Pop a gummy multivitamin and drink a good preworkout...because I enjoy the ritual, the way it makes me feel, and it enhances the workout. Sip on a good tasting BCAA while working out, because I like it, it’s hydrating, and I can afford it.

I’ve lifted at all times of the day, tried all the food “tricks” and timing for the best performance...for me, it’s early morning fasted.

Good to hear it's working out for someone in the long-term! Sounds like a neat routine, not too dissimilar from my own. I wake up, sink a strong black coffee and hit the iron!

I haven't look into this but do BCAAs break a fast?

[AdamWW]

Good to hear it's working out for someone in the long-term! Sounds like a neat routine, not too dissimilar from my own. I wake up, sink a strong black coffee and hit the iron!

I haven't look into this but do BCAAs break a fast?

What do you mean 'break a fast'? There's no inherent reason to NOT 'break a fast' beyond convenience... so, even if you arbitrarily did 'break it', it does nothing of importance...