[Adam]

I don’t weight train at that time but I do stretch and do gymnastics skills at that time – probably not as intense as training but I guess the routine is the same – Make sure you’re hydrated, have a pre meal that’s easily digestible and quick to get down. Is there anything in particular you’re struggling with?

Thanks for the input Kamara. I’m not struggling with anything in particular as such, more around how best to optimise my training for the early morning sessions.

Typically I would be eating before the gym to fuel the workout, but I don’t think I could stomach much before 6am. If you have any lighter meal suggestions then it would be great to hear.

[Adam]

Hi mate

Totally agree, with no training you are guaranteed no stimulus, morning training will certainly be superior to that.

Plenty of people opt to train at this time, and ultimately it needs to fit with your life, so I’d move past the “worrying” about it.

Are you restricted to a bed time? For me, I’d be getting to bed as early as possible and getting up early to eat and wake up before you train.

That said, it needs to work for your lifestyle mate, so if that’s not possible, I’m with Oscar’s approach

I’m not restricted with bed time, but I do tend to spend time with the partner in the evening, after the family time/business tasks etc. We’re both pretty regimented with going to bed at 10:00pm. Waking up at 5:30am is not a problem, with a view to be in the gym by 6am.

I do like Oscars approach, as it means I wouldn’t need to be waking much before 5:30am. If I was to have a meal beforehand, I would need to get up earlier, and also may not sit well in eating substantially at that time. Unless you have meal suggestions that might differ?

[Adam]

I wouldn’t worry too much at all, provided you have sufficient food from the night before you’ll be full of glycogen to perform well the morning after.

This is more of a mental battle, as quite often people think they need to be full off food to perform well and they start to then think that if they arnt in that position they are weak and then go into the session with poor mentality

So this is primarily in my opinion mainly a mental thing you’ll have to contend with – I.E. get in the zone, switch on and perform no matter what time you train.

I think this is a great response, thanks for your thoughts. I’m sure you are right, and whilst this wasn’t the mindset I was having with regards to morning training, it certainly reaffirms the need to maintain the right mindset regardless of the circumstances.

[Adam]

Hello Adam , during the lockdown I had access to the gym between 5:00am & 7:00am only so in trained fasted.
If you can I’d have your pre bed meal as carb based , make sure you are very well hydrated too .
You could also train with a intra workout shake that you’d start sipping on your way to the gym . That way by the time you are mid session you’ve gone through the shake and the carbs are in your system. : )

Thanks Oscar. Sounds like you found a goof routine. Do you mind me asking how productive you found this training for you? And have you now reverted back to training later in the day? If so, out of choice, or just to fit in with your current lifestyle?

Any suggestions for a carb based pre bed meal? I don’t like going to bed after a traditional meal, so something easier to stomach, such as a shake/liquid food would be better. Any recommendations welcome.