Any pre-dawn lifters?

[MONOLITH]

Throughout my years of training, I've often wanted to get up early am, and work out before going to work, instead of in the evening. This would obviously free up that evening time to do other things.

I've always found it just about impossible to throw a couple hundred pounds on my back and squat at 5 am though.

Is anyone an early AM lifter, and how do you get the motivation, and ability, to perform when your body has just woken up?

[Robert]

I workout at 10am, 3 times a week. Which isn't as early as you but for me its still pretty early. Just put on some good music, and look at some photos of bodybuilders who inspire you just before you train. If theres other serious lifter's training at that time in the morning along with you, then watch them train for a bit. This should egt you motivated to train hard.

Robert

[bradley]

I usually train at 5 am but I get up at 3am to get a meal in before I go. I usually spend the time that I have between waking up and working out reading, doing schoolwork, or posting reading the boards. The quite time in the morning when you are all by yourself is the perfect time to get ready to lift IMO. I was forced into the habit because I used to be in the military and this would be the only time I had to train but now I wouldn't trade it for anything.

[Vegasbound03]

I love it when I can get in a 5 am workout. It feels great lifting heavy weights ,knowing most everyone else is asleep, I think it realy gives you an edge for the day, plus you can get in lots of food throuout the day knowing you have done your work!

For me, once I'm warmed up I don't notice any difference in my energy level, try a protein shake/w creatine, mabey some caffeine or an eca stack on those days your real tired...

[Berserker]

I've done it, usually just one or 2 exercises. You feel energetic afterwards. Its not really gonna free up your evenings, you'll have to go to bed earlier. whatever way you look at it theres 24 hours in a day. I used to do a 1-2 exercises that way my wo at night was shorter and the exercies I did in the morning got more intensity then at night. No good way to get motivated though.

[skinny_dude]

i used to workout in the morning at 7am. i loved it. awesome start to your day!

[Tank23]

MONOLITH, I'm exactly same as you mate. I really don't have the energy to train in the morning. Even if I training on the weekend, and I can easily train in the morning, I still choose to bum around for a couple of hours before training, as I don't feel motivated and energetic enough to lift to my full potential.

-Tank

[OverDose]

i use to... you gotta love the solitude of it

[Berserker]

Even when I have the whole day to myself I have trouble lifting before noon. More likely to when working, cause of time constraints.

[AstronautJones]

I hit the gym around 7 or 7:30am. If it wasn't for ECA though, it'd without a doubt be later in the day.

[bradley]

Originally posted by Berserker
I've done it, usually just one or 2 exercises. You feel energetic afterwards. Its not really gonna free up your evenings, you'll have to go to bed earlier. whatever way you look at it theres 24 hours in a day. I used to do a 1-2 exercises that way my wo at night was shorter and the exercies I did in the morning got more intensity then at night. No good way to get motivated though.

Yeah I usually get to bed at about 8:30 ;)

[IceRgrrl]

I train at 6:30 am for a couple of reasons: a) it fits into my day much better if it's the first order of business...things come up later in the day that may get in the way of workouts, b) it gets me going/revved up for the rest of the day, c) I get to work out 1:1 with my strength coach at that hour...no one else at the gym. Later in the day it's filled with junior high/high school/college athletes (99% boys) who spend as much time screwing around/exhibiting testosterone poisoning as they do working out. I much prefer the solitude and quiet of early morning.

And yes, it does take awhile for the body to adapt to working at that hour, but if you do it consistently it starts to feel normal. I get up about an hour before, wake up fully, have a little something to eat, drive to the gym, then do a long warm up to make sure I'm ready to go.