The best time for me to work out is in the morning. I'm trying to write myself a new plan. Right now I got

Day 1: Upper = bench, dips, pull-ups (or pull downs, prolly will alternate), over head press, rows
Day2: Lower = squat, leg press, calf raises, lunges
Day 3: Core work

basically, doing 1,2,3,off,1,2,3

Now the best time for me would be to work out in the morning. However, I don't really want to eat immediately before working. Would working out on an empty stomach be that bad for me? My only other alternative is to work out right before going to bed.

Next question, trying to add some cardio to this routine, should that go before or after lifting.

My goals (in order of importance) weight loss, strength gain, build mass

4/2/2007 11:45:06 PM

Do cardio before

4/2/2007 11:51:46 PM

working out before eating will enhance weight loss because it forces the body to use fat reserves for energy rather than digesting food.

thats what ive read anyways...i could be wrong

4/2/2007 11:53:17 PM

cardio before weights... i read that the optimum time to eat protein is within an hour of weightlifting. also, if you do cardio on an empty stomach, like ^ said, it burns fat, and also keeps your metabolism revved throughout the day.

if you want to shake up your routine with different exercises, here's a website: http://www.trainwithmeonline.com

4/3/2007 12:14:18 AM

Quote :

"working out before eating will enhance weight loss because it forces the body to use fat reserves for energy rather than digesting food. "

no

4/3/2007 12:19:12 AM

Yeah, you should actually have a light breakfast before working out to jump start your metabolism. We're looking at a bagel, some OJ, and maybe a few egg whites. Then go hit the gym. Have a protein shake immediately after, then a snack before lunch (say around 10 or 11 AM).

4/3/2007 12:28:25 AM

so wake up a little earlier, get something easy to digest down like an orange, some wheat toast, and hardboil egg....wait about 40 min, then go work out?

4/3/2007 12:33:55 AM

never skip breakfast

but, ive seen numerous doctors say that they believe doing cardio later in the day is better for weightloss and the body in general, due to elevated hormone levels

you should understand though, that there is no definitive answer on the best time of the day to exercise.........most doctors and nutritionists say as long as you can do it, time isn't really important

[Edited on April 3, 2007 at 12:36 AM. Reason : ]

4/3/2007 12:35:28 AM

wouldn't skip breakfast. especially if i worked out in the morning, would have a protein shake, bowl of cereal and some egg whites when i got back from working out

4/3/2007 12:39:30 AM

^Make sure that's something whole-grain like Kashi, not Count Chocula or Trix

4/3/2007 1:12:46 AM

well fuck, i usually eat count chocula with chocolate milk with a spoon that i dip in sugar before every bite.

i hate that kashi stuff...i just eat normal cheerios, still good?

4/3/2007 1:26:32 AM

I would do cardio after you lift

otherwise you're going to seriously hinder your weightlifting gains because you'll already be too tired to lift at your best

the best thing would be if you could split the two up completely and do one in the morning and one at night

EDIT: and always have SOMETHING before you lift...it can be something light like a piece of fruit or some cereal, but you need something in your stomach...there isn't going to be much of a diff. in terms of fat loss for those saying "don't eat before working out and you'll burn more fat"

[Edited on April 3, 2007 at 2:52 AM. Reason : ]

4/3/2007 2:50:50 AM

which one is a better choice for in the morning cardio or lifting?

4/3/2007 2:51:31 AM

it really doesn't matter that much, it's about preference

I know for me if I did cardio at night I'd have a hard time falling asleep, but I've heard it's bad to do exercises like squats right after waking up because your spine isn't "set" yet (but that would only really apply to leg day anyways)

I would try a week of each and see how you feel or change up your split so that you're doing 3 full body days a week, 3 cardio days, and an off day

4/3/2007 2:55:57 AM

Why the hell does everyone equate "working out on an empty stomach" with "skipping breakfast."

I don't see anything wrong with working out before eating. If you eat first, you're going to have to wait a while to work out and that's a big waste of time, especially if you are working that day.

4/3/2007 9:03:33 AM

I do cardio in the morning on an empty stomach (minus BCAA's) and then I eat breakfast. I might switch to cardio at night because I feel in the morning, my CNS isn't ready to handle running, because I can fall right back asleep after I run.

[Edited on April 3, 2007 at 9:29 AM. Reason : fgdgd]

4/3/2007 9:28:57 AM

I find first thing in the morning to be fine for running, but I really don't feel like I have a productive lifting workout until my body has had the chance to absorb a meal or two.

4/3/2007 9:34:41 AM

yeah, tried to whole running and lifting thing today, it might have just been the lack of sleep, but i felt like shit during the lifting. going to give it till Friday, then i'll just move to splitting them

4/3/2007 9:37:52 AM

Just wait until eleusis answers as he knows everything there is to know about this stuff, including some things that there isn't to know.

4/3/2007 10:03:47 AM

feel free to comment on my selection of exercises too, as well as how many sets/reps i should be doing.

I tried picking mostly compound movements

4/3/2007 10:06:25 AM

ill post what i posted in a few other weight lifting threads. ive been doing this mens health workout routine that someone posted last fall on here:

http://www.menshealth.com/cda/article.do?site=MensHealth&channel=fitness&conitem=9bd999edbbbd201099edbbbd2010cfe793cd____

im about 1/2 way through it, and ive seen great results. they've recommended new exercises that i wasnt familiar with, and the routine changes up ever month or two so the workouts dont get old or stale. this accompanied with cardio has really done a lot to increase my muscle mass, fat loss, and overall strength.

4/3/2007 10:08:49 AM

do cardio on day 3 and 4 and skip whatever "core work" is.

4/3/2007 10:42:58 AM

^ how can you say that?

core exercises are SO important, yet hardly anybody does them, especially people who workout.

they are the kinds of exercises that you would do if you took yoga/pilates/taebo/kickboxing-warmup/pole-dancing, etc. they toughen up your core muscles, as opposed to superficial muscle.

they will prevent you from injuring yourself when you are old, and can save your life one day.

they can be done, however, everyday you workout, for like 15 minutes each time, instead of devoting a whole day to them.


[Edited on April 3, 2007 at 10:58 AM. Reason : ]

4/3/2007 10:56:26 AM

no no no... if you eat before doing cardio, you will just burn the glucose in your muscles. cardio after a fast forces your body to burn fat.

i have a Body for Life book if anyone wants to look like Bill Phillips! worked for me

[Edited on April 3, 2007 at 11:10 AM. Reason : ff]

4/3/2007 11:09:12 AM

core work is overrated. squats, deadlifts, heavy rowing movements, and benching are all you need to do for core strength. cardio is a lot more important than dedicating another day to overtraining your core.

4/3/2007 11:09:53 AM

i think if you are genetically predisposed to having a weak back, core workouts are extremely important. i am build like a clydesdale, so i don't have to do much core work. my hubby however, has a weak lower back and abdomen, hence he HATES doing core work. he's like ... "it hurts...." and i say REACH BIIIITCH

4/3/2007 11:12:49 AM

i do cardio early in the morning (like 7am) after waking up and stretching. After my cardio I eat a good breakfast and go to work or school. I usually lift in the evening/night so my body has time to rest.

Its worked pretty well so far...ive lost about 20lbs and gained a good amount of bulk to my body.

But to each his own...experiment and find out what works for you

4/3/2007 11:13:25 AM

Quote :

"Just wait until eleusis answers as he knows everything there is to know about this stuff, including some things that there isn't to know."

Prime example:

Quote :

"core work is overrated. squats, deadlifts, heavy rowing movements, and benching are all you need to do for core strength. cardio is a lot more important than dedicating another day to overtraining your core."

1) In all of those movements your core is only your secondary mover, except for the deadlifts. Do you think your triceps would get a lot stronger if you only did bench press with them and didn't do any focused exercises like some sort of cable pulldown or tricep extension?

2) Cardio and core training serve two completely different purposes so trying to say one is more important than the other is like comparing apples and oranges.

3) Noone said anything about overtraining.

Overall I give your post a 1/10. You suck, good job.




^ PS Why do you think the military always does PT first thing in the mornings? There are only two different types of PT done as: Running (cardio) or Muscle/Strength Endurance. A lot of guys I know still lift at night though.

[Edited on April 3, 2007 at 11:21 AM. Reason : .]

4/3/2007 11:19:25 AM

4/3/2007 11:27:30 AM

Quote :

"^ PS Why do you think the military always does PT first thing in the mornings?"

Dude, this has a lot more to do with brain washing our men than it does with actually getting them in shape.

4/3/2007 11:32:10 AM

Quote :

"In all of those movements your core is only your secondary mover, except for the deadlifts. Do you think your triceps would get a lot stronger if you only did bench press with them and didn't do any focused exercises like some sort of cable pulldown or tricep extension? 2) Cardio and core training serve two completely different purposes so trying to say one is more important than the other is like comparing apples and oranges. "

You're a fucking moron. your core is a heavy stabilizer in the squats, moreso than in the deadlift. it also is in the bench if you bench with a planted ass and arched back, like you're supposed to. as far as triceps, I do no isolation work for them. I don't do any for biceps either. my arms grow just fine.

cardio is a hell of a lot more important than overtraining your core. cardio helps improve cardiovascular fitness and maintain a healthy weight. overtraining the core causes back problems.

[Edited on April 3, 2007 at 12:05 PM. Reason : your core muscles are also slow to heal, so that much additional work is definitely overtraining.]

[Edited on April 3, 2007 at 12:07 PM. Reason : isolation work clarification]

4/3/2007 12:04:20 PM

^Yup, a proper bench works your core. Learn to blow out and make yourself fat while benching.

4/3/2007 12:07:27 PM

question: why do i see people standing on one leg while doing free-weight shoulder presses? does this have something to do with core stability?

4/3/2007 12:27:03 PM

I'm curious about what it really means when people say that you should eat right after getting up to kickstart the metabolism. I eat breakfast every day, but it's usually after I shower and get dressed for work. Does that 20-30 minutes of being awake have any impact?

I focus on cardio and weightloss, but I also do a small upper body routine and try to integrate the swiss ball about three times a week. I have seen a big difference in my core strength over the past 6 months or so which I attribute mostly to the ball. As previously mentioned, be careful of overuse.

4/3/2007 12:27:29 PM

The core work is mostly to give my major muscles a chance to recover, basically it would be incline sit ups, low back rows, back hyperextensions, and whatever else i feel up to that day.

4/3/2007 1:10:21 PM

Quote :

"core work is overrated. squats, deadlifts, heavy rowing movements, and benching are all you need to do for core strength. cardio is a lot more important than dedicating another day to overtraining your core. "

yep

4/3/2007 1:37:29 PM

^standing overhead lifts should be added to that list

4/3/2007 5:27:59 PM

and the oly's

4/3/2007 6:17:49 PM

orly?

4/3/2007 9:06:14 PM

I <3 power cleans.

4/3/2007 9:10:36 PM

ok lemme throw this out there, you guys can critique me

im tryin to just gain muscle, i have lost alot of water weight down to about 160 at 5' 10" (I was never really BIG like people say just not toned)

anyways, im tryin to get my upper body with some substance

I do MWF workout of
leg press
bench
pulldown
military press
calf raises
upright rows
preacher curls
lunges
hammer curls and tricep pushdowns/kickouts

basically i have been goin hard on curls and tricep workouts lately to get some mass to my arms...as for chest that will eventually come along i figure with some dumbell flies.

anyways i have increased my protein, take a whey shake in teh morning and right before i work out
I do my core/ab workouts before my lifts and at the end.

anything??

need my arms/chest to improve and abs to really get to workin...and yes i do the diet thing to its max.

any advice?

4/4/2007 4:19:35 PM

if ur workin out a lot. u dont want to be dieting and not eating what ur body needs. ur body is trying to repair ur torn up muscle. i mean if u dont care about bulking up. by all means do high reps and diet and u will tone out.

also with bulking up it's not fun. i enjoy being toned up and going to the gym and out lifting many of the 'bulked up' guys using the wrong form at that.

also if u go through a stage in ur life where u dont want to workout for a while the muscle will not 'turn into' fat. toning and strength training is the way to go. fuck bulking up it's a waste of time and for n00bs.

[Edited on April 4, 2007 at 4:25 PM. Reason : d]

4/4/2007 4:22:42 PM

Sorry, muscle doesn't "turn into fat".

4/4/2007 4:26:06 PM

bulking is more of an art form than dieting.

4/4/2007 4:26:56 PM

Why would you do cardio before weights like some were suggesting? I am not knowledgable in all the scientific theories and whatnot but that seems counterproductive. Wouldn't you want to lift most effectively before your muscles get tired?

I do a 50 calorie burn jog just to get my blood flowing to my muscles, my lifting session, then a 450-600 calorie burn session on the elliptical. I always figured it would be better to follow that pattern.

Anyone care to shed some light?

[Edited on April 4, 2007 at 4:31 PM. Reason : x]

4/4/2007 4:31:10 PM

i prefer to do cardio after lifting.

4/4/2007 4:32:03 PM

also depends on what you're working

if you're doing squats and leg presses and then running

or maybe if you're running then doing arms

4/4/2007 4:33:30 PM

Running gets your blood flowing and your muscles warmed up and blood flowing before a workout. I've heard your muscles are most receptive to protein/food about a half hour after you lift. I don't think it makes a big difference which order you do it in.

4/4/2007 4:49:31 PM

still doesnt answer my question

you can bulk up and tone out at the same time, i want to gain muscle mass since I have already toned out...not talkin about bulkin up to where its fat accumulating

just gaining muscle mass

4/4/2007 5:52:49 PM

lift alot
eat alot of chicken, shrimp, egg whites, fish, rice, protein shakes

4/4/2007 5:54:28 PM