Training in the morning vs. the evening?

[BarbellBaby1]

Hey yall! Looking for some opinions on changing workout times to the morning vs. evening. I know this sounds simple but is there a recommended amount of time that I should *actually* be awake prior to lifting, aside from just "don't be groggy"? Scheduling is going to force me to lift in the mornings but I've always been a late-night lifter so this is going to be a rough transition. I'm also assuming I'll need to ensure my nutrition in the morning is solid rather than the IF that I've been doing so any meal recs are welcome, too.

Any good advice is appreciated, thanks!

Relevant raw S/B/D numbers: 275/100/315 (I never train bench lol)

 

[Mac11wildcat]

Enough time to eat and properly mentally prepare. That will be different for everyone. I like a minimum two meals (meal 1 and my pre) before training.

As far as meals, if you’re in a time crunch I’d want to get meals in and out quick and as such would avoid fats. Just lean proteins and a mix of carb sources.

 

[Worf]

Hey yall! Looking for some opinions on changing workout times to the morning vs. evening. I know this sounds simple but is there a recommended amount of time that I should *actually* be awake prior to lifting, aside from just "don't be groggy"? Scheduling is going to force me to lift in the mornings but I've always been a late-night lifter so this is going to be a rough transition. I'm also assuming I'll need to ensure my nutrition in the morning is solid rather than the IF that I've been doing so any meal recs are welcome, too.

Any good advice is appreciated, thanks!

Relevant raw S/B/D numbers: 275/100/315 (I never train bench lol)

Solid numbers, I assume kilos

I really like to have a few meals in me for powerlifting traing. If you only have am training option before work I would make sure and eat a big meal before bed the night before and get down what you can’t before training in the am

 

[Silentlemon1011]

Solid numbers, I assume kilos

I really like to have a few meals in me for powerlifting traing. If you only have am training option before work I would make sure and eat a big meal before bed the night before and get down what you can’t before training in the am

Solid advice.

If I'm training AM I add a nice carb load the second i wake up.
Fucks with me if I'm running GH, as i prefer to take it fasted AM with minor cardio or bodyweight training with my wife.
But I find piling on some decent carbs PWO helps me pull numbers

 

[Worf]

Solid advice.

If I'm training AM I add a nice carb load the second i wake up.
Fucks with me if I'm running GH, as i prefer to take it fasted AM with minor cardio or bodyweight training with my wife.
But I find piling on some decent carbs PWO helps me pull numbers

This is the way

 

[BarbellBaby1]

Solid numbers, I assume kilos

I really like to have a few meals in me for powerlifting traing. If you only have am training option before work I would make sure and eat a big meal before bed the night before and get down what you can’t before training in the am

Pounds as I'm a female lol.

So the general consensus is to focus on carbs and protein, lower fat? Sounds solid.

Appreciate the advice, guys!

 

[PimpyLongCockings]

Hydration as soon as your eyes open.

I'm able to do oats and some whey protein about 45 minutes out then just a normal amount of pre-workout.

Love the mornings, so many less unfilled tank tops sitting on benches or leaving their phones on them.... LoL

 

[Silentlemon1011]

Hydration as soon as your eyes open.

I'm able to do oats and some whey protein about 45 minutes out then just a normal amount of pre-workout.

Love the mornings, so many less unfilled tank tops sitting on benches or leaving their phones on them.... LoL

Yeah, PM workouts are a shit show.
Dont take up the bench with 1 plate.
Go work on some DB press.
As long as theres no one curling in the squat rack, I can keep my cool

 

[PimpyLongCockings]

Yeah, PM workouts are a shit show.
Dont take up the bench with 1 plate.
Go work on some DB press.
As long as theres no one curling in the squat rack, I can keep my cool

Yep, worked out at noon this past week and ran into one of those f'ers. I actually asked him he was stupid. Yes, I'm one of those people but he was supersetting with cable rows and curling an unplayed bar... He told a woman that wanted to squat that she had to wait for him to finish his last two sets

Anyhow, morning solved that problem. Hydration is the key for me.

 

[NLM36]

I train most days in the morning. My pwo is 1.5 oz of dates, a large banana, and 2 scoops huma pro, while working out I’ll drink a bcaa and glucose drink.

 

[Perrin Aybara]

This used to be something I was really hung up on, but after having to totally change up my schedule several times over the years it doesn't make much difference. You do what you have to do and you'll get used to it. I've done mornings, afternoons, my last job we got off at totally different times daily and I'd just go after, and now I work nights and go in the afternoon right after I get up.

For me being awake at least two hours and having at least one meal in me before training is ideal. And well hydrated obviously.

If you're doing IF and having to train in the morning you'll want to switch up your eating window. Powerlifting isn't the kind of training you want to do fasted in my opinion.

 

[Jet Labs]

Hey yall! Looking for some opinions on changing workout times to the morning vs. evening. I know this sounds simple but is there a recommended amount of time that I should *actually* be awake prior to lifting, aside from just "don't be groggy"? Scheduling is going to force me to lift in the mornings but I've always been a late-night lifter so this is going to be a rough transition. I'm also assuming I'll need to ensure my nutrition in the morning is solid rather than the IF that I've been doing so any meal recs are welcome, too.

Any good advice is appreciated, thanks!

Relevant raw S/B/D numbers: 275/100/315 (I never train bench lol)

You don't train chest or you just don't bench press?

 

[MFAAS]

I prefer to workout in the morning. Get a good breakfast in, then lift an hour or 90 mins later, then eat a nice big meal 2. Sometimes I have to wait and workout around noon, which means I get 2 meals in beforehand then have a big meal 3 after. I don't really like working out in the later afternoon/evening. Workouts are always better before like 2 PM. Just more energy, better lifts, more motivation.

It's all personal preference though. Just do what you feel works best for you. As long as you aren't working out like an hour or two before bed then having a big meal that's gonna mess up your sleep, or trying to wake up and lift fasted and suffering from sub-optimal performance, it really doesn't matter.

 

[Ridethelightningbarefoot]

If your natty the morning is the best time or when you wake because your endocrine systems starts and you produce hormones. You also get that initial release of glycogen from your liver into your system when you wake. If not it doesnt matter as much but Ive found best results when I do it around the same time of day everyday. This is just me analyzing my own body, it feels like has to do with energy storage based off of the time you expend it. Like if I work out at 6pm and then 6am the morning after it feels like my batteries havent recharged

 

[Test_Subject]

I prefer to work out in the PM. I always have a better workout when I’ve had two meals, a few snacks and a good carb load first. It’s hard for me to get up early, power down some rice, eggs and a coffee and get right to it.

Ultimately, though, what’s “best” is whatever will lead to the best adherence to your program and allow the most effective recovery.

 

[Demondosage]

Makes no difference for me. Body adapts to whatever thrown at it

 

[Brandaddy]

When I workout in the morning I'll have shake about 45-60 mins before I lift with

Large Banana
180g blueberries
1 scoop whey
240ml fairlife milk
170g Greek yogurt

Then if in bulking I'll either throw in some agave for extra carbs or if I'm just not giving a fuck a fat scoop of ice cream. Lol. That's not very often though. My coach told me to do that on days I needed extra cals. Wasn't going to argue with him. Lol

 

[MFAAS]

When I workout in the morning I'll have shake about 45-60 mins before I lift with

Large Banana
180g blueberries
1 scoop whey
240ml fairlife milk
170g Greek yogurt

Then if in bulking I'll either throw in some agave for extra carbs or if I'm just not giving a fuck a fat scoop of ice cream. Lol. That's not very often though. My coach told me to do that on days I needed extra cals. Wasn't going to argue with him. Lol

I always add peanut butter to my shakes, I love me some peanut butter-blueberry-banana shakes! Often I'll add some cocoa powder too or cinnamon and/or carob powder. If I'm cutting then sometimes I will add powdered peanut butter.

 

[Brandaddy]

I always add peanut butter to my shakes, I love me some peanut butter-blueberry-banana shakes! Often I'll add some cocoa powder too or cinnamon and/or carob powder. If I'm cutting then sometimes I will add powdered peanut butter.

I love peanut butter as well. Used to put it in there but nowadays peanuts upset my stomach. So now I just use chocolate peanut butter flavored whey protein. Not quite as good as real peanut butter. But it gets the job done. Lol

 

[BarbellBaby1]

Awesome advice in here, thanks guys.