I’m thinking about giving morning training a try, but I’d like some opinions from the T-boys.
I’ve been working long hours, and daylight savings is killing me (dark when I get home), so I haven’t made it to the gym as regularly as I used to. I’m planning on getting to the gym about 5:30 a.m.
I’m interested in some of your experiences in references to gains, and energy throughout the rest the day, anything else…
I workout at 530 in the morning and it seems to be great for me. It took awhile for me to get used to it, and there are still some mornings that I am yawning in between sets. But, it is really the only way I can workout - the evenings are too busy with work and family to be able to regularly workout 4 times a week. I have found that I need to eat something before I workout to get energy levels up - usually some HB eggs or fruit or something. Another benefit is that the gym is not as crowded.
The best time to work out is when you can get it done. If it’s the morning, so be it. However, as per JMB, it’s good to get something in your stomach before you work out. I think he’s mentioned what specifically you should have before a morning workout in a previous post, but check his recent article for meal timing for someone who works out in the morning. Hope this helps.
This is a topic that has been discussed a few times on this site. Prior to 1991, I had a fairly flexible schedule and was able to work out in the afternoon or evening. However, due to professional demands, that changed in 1991, and I have been working out in the mornings ever since. I am not a morning person, so the hardest part for me was “teaching” myself to get up early enough to work out. As an aside, that is still the most difficult part. That said, I LOVE working out in the morning. I usually get into the gym anywhere between 5:00 and 5:30 (sometimes a little earlier, sometimes a little later), and I will work out for about 45 minutes - 1 hour. If I have time, I’ll follow that up with about 20 minutes of interval cardio (only if I have time). For me, working out in the morning has a lot of plusses. First, it is MY time - nobody else gives a crap about what I am doing at 5:30 in the morning (not even my wife, who sleeps soundly regardless of my early schedule). Next, the gym is relatively empty, so I am able to do my exercises without waiting. Additionally, I am able to superset and “hog up” equipment without pissing anyone off. Also, the other people who are there that early are awesome. For the most part, they are die-hards who are in the same boat as me. There is very little attitude and a lot of comradery. As far as the quality of my workouts, since I am better rested in the am, my lifts seem to be equal to or greater than my lifts later on in the day. Finally, working out in the morning gives you the oppty to feed your muscles all day long, which isn’t all bad.
In a nutshell, working out in the morning is all positive for me (except for that getting up thing). Good Luck!
Maverick, that was a great response…Thanks!
Waking up is always the hardest part, but once you get there, you gotta do it (that goes for work or working out!). I thought about all the positives too, and they far out weigh the negative. I’m gonna start this Monday…I’ll let you all know how it goes. As far as nutrition, I was planning on having a simple protein+water shake immediately upon waking, then a Surge right after. After that, once I get to work, it’s usually 6 egg whites and a cup of oatmeal, then alternating a shake/bar and real food every other 2-3 hours…and if I’m real disciplined (and haven’t already fallen asleep), a protein+water shake before bed.
Lately, I have been trying Berardi’s concept of having 1/2 my post workout drink pre-workout (or during). Perhaps it is just psychosomatic, but I think it is helping. If nothing else, my intensity levels remain higher for longer. After my workout, I actually end up having about 3/4 of a typical post-workout shake. After I am done showering and getting ready for work, I get my breakfast in. All in all it works out pretty well.
I go to the gym 6.00am weekdays, it’s taken a bit to get into a routine and when it’s frosty can make it quite uninspiring, but the car has heated seats 
The advantages are - no having to wait for gear, can do meltdown easily and atmosphere is good. Energy levels are good for the rest of the day and the workout is history. I find if I plan to go at night I tend not to go because something else comes up and trying to use the gear is a pain because you have to share(read wait too long).
The best bit is I can hop back into bed (after post workout shake) for another 45 minutes before I have to get ready for work. Sweet.
Just to give another viewpoint, I really hated morning workouts. I tried them over the summer, as the gym is usually empty at 5am. Personally speaking, my strength suffered enormously, even with dosages of MD6 or PowerDrive. I just mentally wasn’t prepared for lifting heavy weights at that time. But everybody’s different. I guess you have to learn to listen to your body and let it tell you when the ideal time is…(ie. noon, 2pm and 10am suck for me)…my IDEAL time when I’m feeling particularly strong is between 5 and 8 pm…BUT if it came down to either 5am or never, I’d suffer through the 5am timeslot…grin
I have my best workouts late afternoon/early evening. I had less energy and strength working out very early in the morning, 5:00-6:00 AM. It wasn’t due to a lack of sleep because I went to bed earlier. On the flip side, my mornings at work were much more productive.
For what it’s worth, me and the boys at school find our poundages go down with morning workouts. I think the best way to combat this (if you do indeed end up suffering the same problem), is to do an intense and thorough warm-up. Be more deliberate in order to prepare for the workout.
You may have to drop your poundages a little at first, but better to be at 95% and consistent than 100% and miss workouts because of work, school, family, whatever. It’s also a good feeling to get your workout in - no matter how bad your day gets from there (and I’ve had some crappy ones lately!), you have a victory under your belt. It also helps if you can take a short nap after the workout - I take one on the train on the way to work.
Thanks to all for the responses. I started today (well, I went yesterday at 10 am). Waking up at 5 was no problem. It definitely takes some time management and organizational skills. I didn’t lift too heavy, considering it was one of my first days back after a few weeks, and my first day lifting early. I felt great (mentally) after the workout, and I’m at work now and ready to go! Thanks again to everybody and I’ll keep you all updated.